Infections are a major complication in burn patients. In particular, in immunocompromised patients, burn wounds are prone to infections due to destroyed cutaneous barriers and a weakened immune response. It is critical for physicians to monitor infections during burn treatment, since infections can disturb the healing process. It can be challenging to identify the causative microorganism and implement proper treatment for infected burn wounds. Bacterial infections such as impetigo are the most commonly reported, followed by fungal and viral infections. Human herpes virus is one of the most frequent viral infections that complicate burn patients’ recovery. Cases of varicella-zoster virus (HHV-3) infection among pediatric burn patients or reactivation in major burn patients in intensive care units have been reported in the literature. Herein, we present a case where HHV-3 reactivation was promptly detected during the treatment of a facial scald burn.

Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) has been used as a safe, conventional and harmless diagnostic tool. However, thermal injuries have frequently been reported during MRI scanning due to the heat generated by the reaction with the magnetic field. It is recommended that metal-containing monitoring devices such as pulse oximetry and ECG monitoring leads should be removed prior to the start of the MRI scan, but these monitoring devices are inevitably placed in children or patients in the intensive care unit who have low compliance with the scan. Since the interaction between the metal probe or wire loop of pulse oximetry and the magnetic field can result in high thermal conduction, full-thickness burn can occur over the entire body surface during the MRI examination. Several cases of thermal burns from pulse oximetry on the fingers have been reported. However, we present a case of a full-thickness burn arising left earlobe in a 2-month-old child caused by the high conduction heat from pulse oximetry metal probe.

We present a patient who showed a sterile abscess after facial bone fixation with bioabsorbable plates and screws. He had zygomaticomaxillary complex and periorbital fracture due to falling down. The displaced bones were treated by open reduction and internal fixation successfully using bioabsorbable plate system. However, at postoperative 11 months, abrupt painless swelling was noted on the previous operation sites, left lateral eyebrow and lower eyelid. By surgical exploration, pus-like discharge and degraded materials were observed and debrided. The pathologic analysis revealed foreign body reaction with sterile abscess. This complication followed by bioabsorbable device implantation on maxillofacial bone surgery has been rarely reported in which we call attention to the maxillofacial plastic surgeons.
Abscess* ; Absorbable Implants ; Accidental Falls ; Eyebrows ; Eyelids ; Facial Bones ; Foreign-Body Reaction ; Humans ; Plastics ; Surgeons

Burn injury is one of the most common complications associated with laser procedure. A 38-year-old woman underwent laser procedure for skin rejuvenation on her neck at a local aesthetic clinic. At that time, the cooling system installed in the laser machine was out of order without known origin. The patient complained of pain during the procedure, but it was neglected. It resulted in 3(rd)-degree burn involving the subcutaneous fatty layer on her neck. On the fifth day after injury, early debridement and advancement flap was done under local anesthesia. After 7 days postoperatively, total stitch out was done and a 6cm-length linear and transverse scar remained. When deep dermal injury occurs, it will take a long time to heal on its own. Early debridement and advancement flap will be helpful to prevent wide burn scar.
Adult ; Anesthesia, Local ; Burns ; Cicatrix ; Debridement ; Female ; Humans ; Neck* ; Rejuvenation ; Skin

Purpose: Electric scooters have recently entered into wide use in South Korea because of their eco-friendliness and convenience. Associated accidents resulting in friction burns are also increasing, due to a lack of recognition of the regulations regarding drivable roads and speed limits. We present the clinical characteristics of friction burns induced by electric scooters.M ethods: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical records of 48 patients who visited our institution after accidents involving electric scooters from January 2018 to February 2022. Demographic data, including age, sex, time of the accident, the type and location of the friction burn, and associated injuries, were reviewed. Results: The age of the patients ranged from 15 to 51 years. The most common injuries were superficial partial-thickness dermal burns, while 14 cases involved deep partial-thickness dermal burns. Multifocal injuries were present in a single patient in most cases. The face was the most commonly affected region, followed by the knees. The average treatment period was 13.0 days, but the follow-up period was longer in patients with facial bone fractures or other comorbidities. Conclusion Friction burns from electric scooters are increasing, but their clinical presentation and related statistics have not been reported yet. Since most patients were not injured or had only mild epidermal burns in regions with enough clothing, appropriate safety equipment can prevent burns from electric scooters. However, once accidents occur, patients often present with multiple other injuries in the extremities, so proper injury evaluation and management should be emphasized for shorter hospitalization and optimal outcomes.

Purpose: Numerous studies have focused on techniques for detecting foreign bodies in soft tissue in the hand, but removal remains a subject of interest. In this study, we describe the microscope-assisted removal of foreign bodies in the hand. Methods: We reviewed records of patients treated for foreign bodies in the hand at our department from July 2013 to May 2023. In 16 patients aged 23 to 55 years, the following variables were analyzed: the cause of trauma; the time interval from trauma to surgery; the location, type, size, and number of foreign bodies; patient complaints; imaging technique; and procedure type. Under local anesthesia, a slit incision was made at the suspected site. Foreign bodies were completely removed using micro-instruments under microscopic guidance. Results: Stab injuries were the most common (n=13), and there was one case each of abrasion, traffic accident, and bee sting. The middle finger (n=5) was the most affected, followed by the thumb (n=4), index (n=3), little finger (n=2), ring finger (n=1), and palm (n=1). Foreign bodies included glass (n=6), wood (n=4), seashell (n=2), fish bone, a pencil tip, a bee stinger, and metal. Their size ranged from 1 to 20 mm. Patient complaints included a foreign body sensation, localized pain, swelling, discoloration, and a skin lesion. X-ray examinations were performed in all cases, and ultrasonography was conducted in five cases. Conclusion A microscopic approach allows precise, safe, and complete removal of foreign bodies without tissue damage, highlighting the efficacy of this technique in hand surgery.

Purpose: Numerous studies have focused on techniques for detecting foreign bodies in soft tissue in the hand, but removal remains a subject of interest. In this study, we describe the microscope-assisted removal of foreign bodies in the hand. Methods: We reviewed records of patients treated for foreign bodies in the hand at our department from July 2013 to May 2023. In 16 patients aged 23 to 55 years, the following variables were analyzed: the cause of trauma; the time interval from trauma to surgery; the location, type, size, and number of foreign bodies; patient complaints; imaging technique; and procedure type. Under local anesthesia, a slit incision was made at the suspected site. Foreign bodies were completely removed using micro-instruments under microscopic guidance. Results: Stab injuries were the most common (n=13), and there was one case each of abrasion, traffic accident, and bee sting. The middle finger (n=5) was the most affected, followed by the thumb (n=4), index (n=3), little finger (n=2), ring finger (n=1), and palm (n=1). Foreign bodies included glass (n=6), wood (n=4), seashell (n=2), fish bone, a pencil tip, a bee stinger, and metal. Their size ranged from 1 to 20 mm. Patient complaints included a foreign body sensation, localized pain, swelling, discoloration, and a skin lesion. X-ray examinations were performed in all cases, and ultrasonography was conducted in five cases. Conclusion A microscopic approach allows precise, safe, and complete removal of foreign bodies without tissue damage, highlighting the efficacy of this technique in hand surgery.

Purpose: Numerous studies have focused on techniques for detecting foreign bodies in soft tissue in the hand, but removal remains a subject of interest. In this study, we describe the microscope-assisted removal of foreign bodies in the hand. Methods: We reviewed records of patients treated for foreign bodies in the hand at our department from July 2013 to May 2023. In 16 patients aged 23 to 55 years, the following variables were analyzed: the cause of trauma; the time interval from trauma to surgery; the location, type, size, and number of foreign bodies; patient complaints; imaging technique; and procedure type. Under local anesthesia, a slit incision was made at the suspected site. Foreign bodies were completely removed using micro-instruments under microscopic guidance. Results: Stab injuries were the most common (n=13), and there was one case each of abrasion, traffic accident, and bee sting. The middle finger (n=5) was the most affected, followed by the thumb (n=4), index (n=3), little finger (n=2), ring finger (n=1), and palm (n=1). Foreign bodies included glass (n=6), wood (n=4), seashell (n=2), fish bone, a pencil tip, a bee stinger, and metal. Their size ranged from 1 to 20 mm. Patient complaints included a foreign body sensation, localized pain, swelling, discoloration, and a skin lesion. X-ray examinations were performed in all cases, and ultrasonography was conducted in five cases. Conclusion A microscopic approach allows precise, safe, and complete removal of foreign bodies without tissue damage, highlighting the efficacy of this technique in hand surgery.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Globus is a persistent or intermittent non-painful sensation of a lump or foreign body in the throat and a commonly encountered clinical condition. We aim to evaluate the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and to determine the parameters for predicting the response to treatment with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) using wireless pH monitoring in patients with globus sense. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 37 patients with atypical GERD symptoms. A total of 27 patients with dominant globus sense were enrolled. Endoscopic examination and 48-hour wireless esophageal pH monitoring were performed, and the patients underwent a therapeutic trial of full dose PPIs daily over a period of 4 weeks. RESULTS: Both typical and atypical GERD symptoms co-existed in 14 patients (51.9%, 14/27). According to ROME III criteria, 19 patients (70.4%, 19/27) were diagnosed as GERD. Twelve patients (44.4%, 12/27) were PPI responders. A significant difference in the frequency of symptom index (+) or symptom associated probability (+) was observed between the PPI responder group and the non-responder group (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with globus sense, 70.4% were diagnosed with GERD. Symptom index/symptom associated probability in wireless ambulatory pH monitoring was a good objective parameter for PPI responder.
Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Esophageal pH Monitoring ; Female ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/*diagnosis/drug therapy/pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Manometry ; Middle Aged ; Proton Pump Inhibitors/therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Severity of Illness Index ; Wireless Technology

Periprosthetic capsular contracture, implant rupture, and deflation are well-known delayed complications of augmentation mammaplasty. However, infection remains the most common cause of reoperation after breast implant surgery. We report the case of a nontuberculous mycobacterial infection with huge abscess formation after augmentation mammaplasty. A 29-year-old woman visited our clinic with enlarged breasts after undergoing breast augmentation at a local clinic 4 years ago. She had no pain and tenderness, except some hardness around the breast margin. Nine months after surgery, her breasts began to grow larger, but showed no other typical symptoms, which led the patient to neglect the enlargement. After exploring through an inframammary approach, a large amount of serous fluid leaked out on both sides and we identified a huge abscess in a pocket localized in the submuscular plane. During exploration, the infected implants, which contained a pus-like fluid with a foul odor, were completely drained. The specimen culture revealed growth of Mycobacterium abscessus, which is a rare cause of infections after breast augmentation. While the overall incidence of mycobacterial infections after breast augmentation is low, our case demonstrates that huge abscess and granuloma formation should be considered as a potential complication of breast surgery.
Abscess* ; Adult ; Breast Implantation ; Breast Implants ; Breast* ; Female ; Granuloma ; Hardness ; Humans ; Implant Capsular Contracture ; Incidence ; Mammaplasty ; Mycobacterium* ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Odors ; Reoperation ; Rupture