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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a common systemic disease in the rheumatologic field. Serositis and gastrointestinal symptoms are common manifestations of SLE; however, polyserositis concurrently with acute acalculous cholecystitis is a rare and usually underestimated entity that can be associated with SLE. Medical treatment with steroids is efficacious and, in most instances, cholecystectomy can be avoided. We present the case of a young female patient with polyserositis and acute acalculous cholecystitis secondary to undiagnosed SLE, who eventually required surgical laparoscopic intervention and improved with immunosuppressive treatment.

In this article, we report a case series on spanning external fixation for the treatment of open joint burn injuries in a pediatric population. We reviewed the case logs of all orthopedic surgeons from 2000 to 2010 at a burn hospital to identify pediatric patients with open joints secondary to burn injuries. Nine patients who sustained open joint injuries after a burn and treated with a spanning external fixator (SEF) were identified. Characteristics of the burns included: five elbow, four knee; seven flame, two electrical; average total body surface area affected 49.4% (range 25%–79%); substantial third-degree burn in all patients. Average age at the time of the burn was 8.6 years (range: 2 months–17.9 years). Average time from the burn to SEF placement was 7.1 weeks (range: 3–10.5 weeks). Before SEF placement, an average of 3.8 skin grafting procedures (range: 1–7) were performed to treat the open joint injuries. SEFs remained in place for an average of 6.4 weeks (range: 3–9 weeks). After SEF application, skin graft procedures were performed on average 0.6 times (range: 0–3). There were two complications (22%) considered to be directly associated with the SEF procedure due to the failure of fixation. Placement of an SEF for an open joint burn injury in children is an effective means to treat these uncommon and difficult injuries. We recommend early SEF to help assist with soft tissue healing and decrease the number of skin grafting procedures in this population.