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Background After adequate operative debridement and antimicrobial therapies, combat-related extremity wounds that either heal or fail are both associated with a distinct inflammatory response. Short-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in postoperative pain management may affect this response and, by consequence, the healing potential of these wounds. We investigated whether patients treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs had a distinct inflammatory response; different rates of critical colonization, defined as >10 5 colony forming units on quantitative bacteriology; and healing potential. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of 73 patients with combat-related extremity wounds. Patients were separated into 2 groups: those who received nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during the debridement period (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs group, N = 17) and those who did not (control group; N = 56). Serum and wound tissue samples collected during each operative debridement were measured for 32 known cytokines and tested for quantitative bacteriology, respectively. We compared cytokine concentrations between groups and then designed a logistic regression model to identify variables associated with successful wound healing, while controlling for known confounders. Results Despite similar demographics and wound characteristics, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs group had significant lesser concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-2, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. On multivariate analysis, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug treatment emerged as a predictor of successful wound healing after controlling for known confounders such as wound size, tobacco use, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and critical colonization. Conclusion Treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for postoperative pain management after major combat-related extremity trauma is associated with lesser concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and may contribute to a more favorable inflammatory response leading to successful wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim was to identify prognostic variables associated with survival in 301 breast cancer patients after surgical treatment of skeletal metastases. The study period was 1986–2012. The median age at surgery was 61 (interquartile-range [IQR] 52–70) years. The cumulative 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival after surgery was 45% (95% CI 39–51), 27% (22–32), and 8% (5–12), respectively. The median follow-up time was 1 (IQR 0.2–2) year. Age over 60 years (Hazard ratio [HR] 1.9) and hemoglobin levels <110 g/L (HR 2) increased the risk of death after surgery. Patients with impending fractures (HR 0.4) had a lower death rate. The overall neurological function in patients with spinal metastases improved after surgery (p < 0.001). The complication rate was 25%, including 14% re-operations. Survival data and analysis of complications of this large cohort of surgically treated breast cancer patients help to set appropriate expectations for the patients, families, and medical staff. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Presurgical assessments are associated with survival of patients with bone metastases. • SF-36 vitality and general and mental health are strongly associated with survival. • Patient-reported assessments may help with surgical planning. Our objective was to determine if preoperative patient-reported assessments are associated with survival after surgery for stabilization of skeletal metastases. All patients with metastatic cancer to bone and indications for skeletal stabilization surgery were approached to participate in a prospective cohort study at a tertiary care center from 2012 to 2017. Of the 208 patients who were eligible, 195 (94%) completed the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) preoperatively and underwent surgical treatment of skeletal metastases with complete or impending fractures; the sample encompassed a range of cancer diagnoses and included cases of both internal fixation and endoprosthetic replacement. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify associations between SF-36 scores and survival. In a model adjusted for clinical factors, patients' mental and physical SF-36 component summary scores were significantly associated with survival, as was their SF-36 composite score (P = 0.004, P = 0.015, and P < 0.001, respectively). Scores in the general health, vitality, and mental health domains were each strongly associated with survival (P < 0.001). Patients' preoperative assessments of their health status are associated with their survival after surgery for skeletal metastases. Patient-reported assessments have the potential to contribute unique information to models that estimate patient survival, as part of efforts to provide optimal, individualized care and make informed decisions about the type and magnitude of surgery for metastatic bone disease that will last the patient's lifetime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Approximately 25% of U.S. military members sustaining extremity amputations in recent military conflicts have bilateral lower-extremity amputations (BLA). We investigated among combat-related extremity wounds whether BLA exhibit different bacterial burden, inflammatory response, and local complications. Methods: A total of 75 patients with combat-related extremity wounds (19 BLA) were evaluated for age, tobacco use, body mass index, Injury Severity Score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, and delayed primary closure time. Blood, wound exudates, and muscle biopsies were obtained and analyzed for cytokine and quantitative bacteriology, excluding patients using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and corticosteroids, due to potential effects on their inflammatory profile. Results: BLA was not associated with differences in age, tobacco use, body mass index, and delayed primary closure time, but these patients had increased Injury Severity Score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, and rates of critical colonization. Proinflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α (exudate), interleukin (IL)-1 (exudate) and IL-6 (serum) were increased in BLA patients. They also had serum and exudate increased IL-8 and decreased IL-13 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Both wound dehiscence (WD) and heterotopic ossification (HO) were more common in BLA patients. Conclusion: BLA patients were more likely to exhibit critical bacterial colonization, a distinct inflammatory response, and develop WD and HO. Modulating this response represents an attractive target in an effort to prevent complications such as WD and HO. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: With the continued advancement of limb salvage surgery, major upper-limb amputations are being performed less frequently and are generally reserved for patients with large, multifocal, or recurrent tumors for whom limb salvage is no longer an option. We conducted a retrospective review of the current indications and patient outcomes after major upper-limb amputations for malignant tumors. Methods: Using the institution surgical database, we identified 43 patients who underwent major upper-limb amputation for primary and metastatic malignant tumors from 1996 to 2008. Results: Of these 43 patients, 25 had soft tissue sarcoma, 7 had bone sarcoma, and 11 had carcinoma. Two patients had stage I, 3 had stage II, 21 had stage III, and 17 had stage IV disease. We performed 45 amputations: 5 below the elbow, 14 above the elbow, and 26 at the forequarter. Among the 45 amputations, 2 patients underwent a second more proximal amputation for local tumor recurrence. Of the 17 patients with stage IV disease, 10 underwent palliative amputation for symptom control. A total of 28 patients (65%) died. Median survival after amputation was 13 months (95% confidence interval, 8–19 mo). The 6-month cumulative incidence of local recurrence was 22%. Overall survival after forequarter amputations was 42% at 1 year. Conclusions: Survival after major upper-limb amputation is poor, especially because amputations are reserved for patients with advanced tumors. However, amputation remains an option for local tumor control and can palliate symptoms in selected patients. Improvement of survival requires more effective systemic treatment strategies. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern war ballistics and blast injuries inflict devastating extremity injuries, violating soft tissue, bone, and neurovascular structures. Despite advances in complex wound management, appropriate timing of war wound closure remains subjective. In addition, the pathophysiology of acute wound failure is poorly defined.Patients with penetrating extremity wounds sustained during combat were prospectively studied and followed for 30 days after definitive wound closure. The primary outcome was wound healing. Wound dehiscence was defined as spontaneous partial or complete wound disruption after closure. Serum, wound effluent, and wound bed tissue biopsy were collected at each surgical wound debridement. Serum and wound effluent were analyzed with a multiplex array of 22 cytokines and chemokines, and wound tissue for corresponding gene transcript expression.Fifty-two penetrating extremity war wounds in 33 male patients were investigated. Nine (17%) wounds dehisced. Concomitant vascular injury, increased wound size, and higher injury severity score correlated with wound dehiscence. Both serum and wound effluent cytokine and chemokine protein profiles were statistically associated with healing outcome at various time points. Wound biopsy gene transcript expression demonstrated increased tissue inflammation associated with wound failure. Multiple protein and gene transcript biomarkers predictive of wound healing were identified.The cytokine and chemokine protein and gene transcript expression patterns demonstrate a condition of inflammatory dysregulation associated with war wound failure. A molecular biomarker panel may predict combat wound healing outcome and warrants prospective validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To develop a machine-learning algorithm and clinician-friendly tool predicting the likelihood of prolonged opioid use (>90 days) following hip arthroscopy.Methods: The Military Data Repository was queried for all adult patients undergoing arthroscopic hip surgery between 2012 and 2017. Demographic, health history, and prescription records were extracted for all included patients. Opioid use was divided into preoperative use (30-365 days before surgery), perioperative use (30 days before surgery through 14 days after surgery), postoperative use (14-90 days after surgery), and prolonged postoperative use (90-365 days after surgery). Six machine-learning algorithms (Naïve Bayes, Gradient Boosting Machine, Extreme Gradient Boosting, Random Forest, Elastic Net Regularization, and artificial neural network) were developed. Area under the receiver operating curve and Brier scores were calculated for each model. Decision curve analysis was applied to assess clinical utility. Local-Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations were used to demonstrate factor weights within the selected model.Results: A total of 6,760 patients were included, of whom 2,762 (40.9%) filled at least 1 opioid prescription >90 days after surgery. The artificial neural network model showed superior discrimination and calibration with area under the receiver operating curve = 0.71 (95% confidence interval 0.68-0.74) and Brier score = 0.21 (95% confidence interval 0.20-0.22). Postsurgical opioid use, age, and preoperative opioid use had the most influence on model outcome. Lesser factors included the presence of a psychological comorbidity and strong history of a substance use disorder.Conclusions: The artificial neural network model shows sufficient validity and discrimination for use in clinical practice. The 5 identified factors (age, preoperative opioid use, postoperative opioid use, presence of a mental health comorbidity, and presence of a preoperative substance use disorder) accurately predict the likelihood of prolonged opioid use following hip arthroscopy.Level Of Evidence: III, retrospective comparative prognostic trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the cases of patients with extensive soft tissue injury and comminuted midfoot fracture-dislocations treated with wound management and soft tissue coverage. A 25-year-old male suffered multiple traumatic blast injuries that included an open left distal humerus fracture and a closed left fibula fracture. A 20-year old male sustained a midfoot fracture-dislocaition with partial lateral foot amputation. Meanwhile, a 20-year-old male suffered multiple fragmentation injuries.

Summary: US service members are returning from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan with wound infections due to uncommon bacteria. Pseudomonas putida, a member of the fluorescent group of pseudomonads, primarily causes infection in immunosuppressed hosts and patients with invasive medical devices. P. putida has been implicated in outbreaks often traced to a contaminated fluid and is a rare cause of clinical infection. However, it should be considered a pathogen when isolated from pure culture. The objective of this article is to present a case report of a P. putida war wound infection, review previous P. putida infections, and provide a concise review of the epidemiology, risk factors, and management of infections due to this organism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The objective of this study was to analyze changes in serum markers of bone turnover across multiple decades in osteoporotic women compared with nonosteoporotic controls, to determine their utility as potential predictors for osteoporosis. Early prediction of those at risk for osteoporosis can enable early intervention before the irreversible loss of critical bone mass. Serum samples were obtained from 20 women given the diagnosis of osteoporosis after age 46 years and 20 age-matched women with normal bone mineral density from 4 time points in their life (ages 25–31, 32–38, 39–45, and 46–60 years). Serum levels of bone turnover markers (propeptide of type I collagen, parathyroid hormone, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, sclerostin, osteoprotegerin, osteopontin, and 25-OH vitamin D) were measured using commercially available arrays and kits. We used logistic regression to assess these individual serum markers as potential predictors of osteoporosis, and mixed-effects modeling to assess the change in bone turnover markers between osteoporotic and control groups over time, then performed fivefold cross-validation to assess the classification ability of the models. Markers of bone turnover, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, sclerostin, and osteocalcin were all independent predictors at multiple time points; osteopontin was an independent predictor in the 39- to 45-year age group. Receiver operating characteristic analyses demonstrated moderately strong classification ability at all time points. Sclerostin levels among groups diverged over time and were higher in the control group than the osteoporotic group, with significant differences observed at time points 3 and 4. Serum markers of bone turnover may be used to estimate the likelihood of osteoporosis development in individuals over time. Although prospective validation is necessary before recommending widespread clinical use, this information may be used to identify patients at risk for developing low bone mineral density long before traditional screening would ostensibly take place. Diagnostic II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]