Hematopoietic mosaic loss of Y chromosome (mLOY) is associated with increased risk of mortality and age-related diseases in men, but the causal and mechanistic relationships have yet to be ...established. Here, we show that male mice reconstituted with bone marrow cells lacking the Y chromosome display increased mortality and age-related profibrotic pathologies including reduced cardiac function. Cardiac macrophages lacking the Y chromosome exhibited polarization toward a more fibrotic phenotype, and treatment with a transforming growth factor β1-neutralizing antibody ameliorated cardiac dysfunction in mLOY mice. A prospective study revealed that mLOY in blood is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and heart failure-associated mortality. Together, these results indicate that hematopoietic mLOY causally contributes to fibrosis, cardiac dysfunction, and mortality in men.
There are a growing number of wound care centers being established globally. The emergence of these centers reflects the increasing incidence and prevalence of chronic wounds as well as the cost to ...the health care systems these patients represent. A systematic approach to the development and implementation of a comprehensive wound care program is necessary to provide quality wound care as well as to establish a financially viable enterprise. A wound care center can take shape in various forms from small free-standing clinics to large hospital-based programs. Regardless of the physical location, the most important factor for the success of the wound care center is a strong commitment by the members of the multidisciplinary team. The capacity to effectively manage certain wounds can be limited by the absence of key specialties within the team. The physical space and financial support from the sponsoring institution are also important components. This article reviews the critical elements to building and sustaining a successful multidisciplinary wound care center.
Trials demonstrating the efficacy of biologic therapy for moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) have inspired new multidisciplinary treatment strategies. We present our experience with ...combined biologic and surgical therapy for recalcitrant HS.
Between 2011 and 2014, 21 patients (57 cases) with Hurley Stage III HS underwent radical resection with delayed primary closure alone, or in combination with adjuvant biologic therapy. Demographic data, treatment regimen, outcomes, and complications were retrospectively reviewed for all cases.
Eleven patients underwent combined surgical and biologic therapy, whereas radical resection alone was performed in 10 patients. The average soft tissue deficit, before closure, for the combined and surgery-only patients was 56 cm and 48.5 cm, respectively (P = 0.66). Biologic agents including infliximab (n = 8) and ustekinumab (n = 3) were initiated 2 to 3 weeks after closure and were continued for an average of 10.5 months. Recurrence was noted in 19% (4/29) and 38.5% (10/26) of previously treated sites for combined and surgery-only patients (P < 0.01). For the combined cohort, the disease-free interval was approximately 1 year longer on average (P < 0.001); however, this difference was reduced to 4.5 months when considering time to recurrence after cessation of biologic therapy (P = 0.09). New disease developed in 18% (2/11) and 50% (5/10) of combined and surgery-only patients, respectively (P < 001). No adverse events were noted among patients who received biologic therapy.
Lower rates of recurrence and disease progression, as well as a longer disease-free interval may be achieved with the use of adjuvant biologic therapy after radical resection for recalcitrant HS.
The Rise of Evidence in Microsurgical Practice Fan, Kenneth L; Figueroa, Jessica; Evans, Karen K
Plastic and reconstructive surgery (1963),
2020-November, 2020-11-00, 20201101, Letnik:
146, Številka:
5
Journal Article
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Use of a closed-incisional negative pressure therapy (ci-NPT) dressing is an emerging strategy to reduce surgical site infections (SSIs) in spine surgery that lacks robust data.
...OBJECTIVE
To determine the impact of a ci-NPT, as compared with a standard dressing, on the development of SSIs after spine surgery.
METHODS
This was a prospective observational study over a 2-yr period. Indications for surgery included degenerative disease, deformity, malignancy, and trauma. Exclusion criteria included anterior and lateral approaches to the spine, intraoperative durotomy, or use of minimally invasive techniques. SSIs up to 60 d following surgery were recorded.
RESULTS
A total of 274 patients were included. SSI rate was significantly lower with ci-NPT dressing (n = 118) as compared with the standard dressing (n = 156) (3.4 vs 10.9%, P = .02). There was no statistical difference in infection rate for decompression alone procedures (4.2 vs 9.1%, P = .63), but there was a statistically significant reduction with the use of a negative-pressure dressing in cases that required instrumentation (3.2 vs 11.4%, P = .03). Patients at higher risk (instrumentation, deformity, and malignancy) had less SSIs with the use of ci-NPT, although this did not reach statistical significance. There were no complications in either group.
CONCLUSION
SSI rates were significantly reduced with a ci-NPT dressing vs a standard dressing in patients who underwent spinal surgery. The higher cost of a ci-NPT dressing might be justified with instrumented cases, as well as with certain high-risk patient populations undergoing spine surgery, given the serious consequences of an infection.
Graphical Abstract
Graphical Abstract
BACKGROUND:Limb salvage techniques using free tissue transfer in patients with chronic wounds caused by longstanding osteomyelitis, diabetes, and peripheral vascular disease are technically ...challenging. The longitudinal slit arteriotomy end-to-side anastomosis is the authors’ preferred technique because it is the least invasive arteriotomy and is especially important for diseased recipient arteries. The authors reviewed highly comorbid patients who underwent free tissue transfer with this technique to understand the success rates, overall outcomes, and long-term limb salvage rates.
METHODS:A retrospective review was performed to analyze outcomes of free tissue transfer using longitudinal slit arteriotomy end-to-side anastomosis between 2012 and 2018 performed by the senior surgeon (K.K.E.).
RESULTS:One hundred fifteen free flaps were identified. Patients were, on average, 55.9 years old, with a body mass index of 29.2 kg/m. Comorbidities included osteomyelitis (83.5 percent), hypertension (60.9 percent), tobacco use (46.1 percent), diabetes (44.3 percent), peripheral vascular disease (44.3 percent), hypercoagulability (35.7 percent), and arterial calcifications (17.4 percent). Overall flap success was 93.0 percent; 27.8 percent required reoperation perioperatively because of complications. On univariate analysis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hypercoagulability were significantly associated with eventual amputation (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that intraoperative thrombosis and take back was independently associated with flap failure. There was an overall limb salvage rate of 83.5 percent, and of those salvaged, 92.7 percent were ambulating without a prosthesis at a mean follow-up of 1.53 years.
CONCLUSIONS:This is the largest series of longitudinal slit arteriotomy end-to-side anastomosis for patients undergoing free tissue transfer for limb-threatening defects in the compromised host. Overall flap success, limb salvage rates, and functional outcomes are high using this technique.
CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:Therapeutic, IV.
Reconstructive microsurgery is an effective limb-saving option for nonhealing lower extremity wounds in diabetic patients. However, the ability to predict the future need for amputation is unclear. ...This article seeks to identify risk factors for amputation following microsurgical free tissue transfer in the diabetic lower extremity.
Diabetic patients undergoing lower extremity free flap surgery between August of 2011 and January of 2018 performed by a single surgeon were identified retrospectively. Patient comorbidities, reconstructive conditions and flap traits, microsurgical outcomes, and long-term outcomes were examined. Variables conferring risk for future amputation were examined by means of regression analysis.
Sixty-four patients met the criteria. The overall immediate flap success rate was 94 percent (60 of 64). Long term, 50 patients (78.1 percent) underwent successful salvage, and 14 patients (21.9 percent) required major amputation. Acute flap loss resulted in four amputations, and delayed complications (hematoma, infection, recurrent nonhealing) resulted in 10 amputations. The average time to amputation was 5.6 months. Risk factors for amputation were end-stage renal disease (OR, 30.7; p = 0.0087), hindfoot wounds (OR, 4.6; p = 0.020), elevated hemoglobin A1C level greater than 8.4 percent (OR, 1.4; p = 0.05), and positive wound cultures (OR, 6.1; p = 0.003).
Multiple comorbidities and poor glucose control were identified as risk factors for amputation after free flap limb salvage. However, successful limb preservation is possible.
Risk, III.