J Trauma
-
Thirty three consecutive patients with chronic osteomyelitis and deficient soft tissue coverage treated with a muscle flap from 1991-1998 were reviewed retrospectively. Osteomyelitis was diagnosed by positive bone cultures and radiographic changes consistent with osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis was divided into localized <50% diameter: 24 patients and diffuse >50% diameter or infected nonunion: 9 patients. ⋯ Patients were followed an average of 34 months (12-58) after surgery. A reconstructive success was achieved in 91% (20/22) of patients with local osteomyelitis and in 56% (5/9) of patients with diffuse osteomyelitis (p < 0.05). A reconstructive success was achieved in 88% (7/8) patients with no risk factors and in 78% (18/23) of patients with one or more risk factors (not significant p = 0.05).
-
Apoptosis is essential for the regulation of cell number and function of intestinal epithelial cells but may contribute to intestinal barrier failure after shock and other low-flow conditions to the gut. ⋯ Intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis contributes to barrier failure after shock conditions and is related to augmented TNF release.
-
Comparative Study
Topical silver treatment after escharectomy of infected full thickness burn wounds in rats.
White male Sprague Dawley rats (200 g.) with 20% full thickness scald burns seeded with 10 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, strain 59-1244, were used as experimental animals. Studies including the following: (1). Control groups. (2). ⋯ Histologic examination revealed progressively deepening colonization of non-viable wound tissue, progressing to invasion of underlying viable tissue by PB day 4. With wound excision, SN, SNDC, and autografting were equally protective for the first two days, but only SN and SNDC extended this effect to the third PB day. In conclusion, SN and SNDC have a strong local anti-microbial effect on the burn wound when applied within 72 hours of the time of bacterial inoculation, but little effect if applied after the bacteria have invaded unburned vessels and viable tissue adjacent to the burn.