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This case report describes the interdisciplinary treatment of a complex shrapnel injury to the right femur of an 18-year-old Ukrainian soldier. This open multifragmentary fractur of the femur with a large bone defect, soft tissue damage and osteomyelitis was complicated by several multidrug-resistant bacteria, including Acinetobacter baumanii, which could not be eradicated by antibiotic treatment. Sterility was only achieved by multiple radical debridement and by negative pressure wound therapy with instillation (NPWTi) using hypochlorous acid. The femur was then reconstructed with a chimeric double-barrel fibula free flap. This report highlights the importance of multimodal antimicrobial wound treatments in an era of increasing antibiotic resistance to enable a successful und functional reconstruction of complex and infected fractures., Competing Interests: Die Autoren bestätigen, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Background: Breast implant-associated squamous cell carcinoma (BIA-SCC) is being discussed as a distinct malignant tumour entity originating from the implant capsule. The FDA and the ASPS published a safety communication on BIA-SCC in 2022, with a first case report of BIA-SCC having been published in the 1990s. This manuscript summarises the current scientific data on this rare tumour entity., Material and Methods: This systematic literature review from two independent databases includes all publications of cases with histopathologically confirmed BIA-SCC. Data extraction included study design, demographic data, implant information and details regarding diagnosis and treatment., Results: Nineteen cases of BIA-SCC with a mean age of 57±10 years were reported in 16 publications. In most cases, the indication was aesthetic augmentation (n=13). Both silicone (n=11) and saline (n=7) implants with different surfaces (smooth n=3, textured n=3, polyurethane n=1) were used. Symptoms such as unilateral swelling (n=18), pain (n=14) and erythema (n=5) occurred on an average of 23±9 years after implantation. Imaging showed fluid collection (n=8) or a tumour mass (n=4) around the breast implant. The most common surgical treatment was explantation with capsulectomy. Metastasis was described in 6 cases., Conclusions: BIA-SCC is a malignant tumour entity associated with breast implant capsules. Based on current low-quality data (level of evidence class V), no definitive conclusion regarding correlation and causality of SCC in patients with breast implants can be drawn. There is an urgent need for national and international breast implant and breast cancer registries to obtain valid data on the incidence, pathogenesis and clinical presentation of rare tumour entities., Competing Interests: Die Autoren bestätigen, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

In addition to outcome assessments, cost effectiveness of surgical treatments becomes increasingly important. Both, insurance companies and hospital administrations aim for short and efficient procedures to reduce costs.Microsurgical procedures are often surpassing traditional treatment options in terms of function and aesthetics. However, they are more expensive as they require a high level of surgical expertise, more theatre capacity and longer inpatient treatment. Adequate reimbursement is mandatory, if we want to continuously perform these procedures with the best possible quality and outcome. To cover the case-related expenses of each specialty, multidisciplinary procedures require appropriate distribution of reimbursements to each department.The main diagnosis as well as all complications and relevant comorbidities should be documented to obtain the correct DRG. The additional financial benefit of a microsurgical procedure in a multidisciplinary case can be calculated by specifying the procedural increment in pay. Therefore, a fair distribution of revenues to each participating department should be performed. Different models exist, which lead to a benefit in compensation for all departments. Unfortunately, distribution of resources is still insufficiently managed in many hospitals, which hampers high quality multidisciplinary microsurgical procedures. Still, picking the best possible procedure for our patients, independently of financial incentives, is of utmost importance., Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

The first case of a SARS-Cov-2 virus infection was confirmed on January 27th in Munich. For both, plastic and hand surgeons it is crucial to act responsible, minimize the transmission of the virus and aid in reasonable and adequate allocation of resources for the treatment of affected patients during this pandemia. This article aims to provide an overview over the latest developments and insights that affect plastic and hand surgeons. At the same time plastic and hand surgeons are required to participate actively in the discussion of new regulatory measures that on one hand aim to ensure a proper medical care of COVID-19 patients and on the other hand need to guarantee coverage of all other patients. Furthermore exit - strategies after the pandemia need to be discussed by our societies. Naturally, this manuscript provides insight into the current situation, which might undergo changes due to the swift progression of the pandemia., Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

There are only relative indications for distal digital replantation in zones 1 and 2 according to Tamai. In contrast to primary closure for fingertip amputations, replantation is a complex procedure that requires skills in supermicrosurgical techniques, as vessels with diameters between 0.3-0.8 mm are connected. In addition the time spent in hospital and the time off from work are longer. Distal digital replantation is thus only indicated, if the expected functional and aesthetic benefits surmount those of primary closure. We retrospectively analysed all fingertip amputations in zone 1 and 2 according to Tamai between 9/2009 and 7/2014 where we attempted distal digital replantation. The success of replantation, wound healing and functional results were evaluated according to Yamano. We performed 11 distal digital replantations in the study period. There were 6 total amputations, 4 subtotal amputations and 1 avulsion of the digital pulp. Revascularisation with long-term reattachment of the amputated tissues was possible in 8 cases (73%). In 3 cases (27%) secondary amputation closure was necessary. The mean operating time was 3 h 56 min. 6 patients, which had a successful replantation, were available for follow-up examinations after a mean period of 19 months. 5 patients were satisfied with the result and would again prefer replantation over primary amputation closure. 4 patients reported a good function of the replanted digits and did not complain about any limitations in their use. 2 patients complained about restricted function. All patients could return to their previous places of employment and were free of pain. Of the 12 affected digital nerves 11 nerves had a 2-point discrimination (2-PD) of ≤15 mm, 3 of them had a 2-PD between 7 and 10 mm and 4 of them of <6 mm. Soft tissue atrophy was obvious in 3 replanted digits and nail deformities in 2 patients. Distal digital replantation is complex and technically challenging. It leads to high patient satisfaction with only minimal functional limitations, if successful. Due to the good results that can be obtained by these procedures, fingertip replantation should be attempted, if operative risks are minimal and if requested by the patient., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)