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Background Preoperative estimation of abdominal flap volume is valuable for breast reconstruction, especially in lean patients. The purpose of this study was to develop a formula to estimate the weight of the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap using unidimensional parameters. Methods We retrospectively collected data on 100 consecutive patients who under-went breast reconstruction using the DIEP flap. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to develop a formula to estimate the weight of the flap. Predictor variables included body mass index, height of the flap, width of the flap, and flap thickness on computed tomography angiographic images at three paraumbilical sites: 5 cm right, left, and inferior from the umbilicus. Then we prospectively tested the accuracy of the developed formula in 38 consecutive patients who underwent breast reconstruction with free DIEP flaps. Results A calculation formula and a smartphone application, DIEP-W was developed from retrospective analysis (R² = 92.7%, p < 0.001). In the prospective study, the average estimated weight was 96.3% of the actual weight, giving the formula a mean absolute percentage error of 7.7% (average differences of 45 g). The flap size in the prospective group was significantly smaller (p < 0.001) and donor-site complications were less (p = 0.002) than those of retrospective group. Conclusion Surgeons can easily calculate the DIEP weight with varying flap dimensions in a real-time fashion using this formula during preoperative planning and intraoperative design. Estimating the flap weight facilitates economical use of the flap, which can lead to reduced donor-site complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the antibacterial efficacy of silver-impregnated negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in lower-extremity acute traumatic wounds., Methods: Open contaminated wounds caused by high-velocity trauma in the lower extremities were randomly allocated into two groups. The wounds in the control and experimental groups were treated with conventional NPWT (n = 31) and silver-impregnated NPWT (n = 35), respectively., Main Outcome Measures: Serial bacterial cultures were obtained from the participants' wounds, polyurethane foam, and suction tubes weekly during the 4-week follow-up to identify bacteria and follow their conversions., Main Results: Bacterial colonization rates in the silver NPWT group were generally lower than those in the conventional NPWT group, and the difference increased with time. For methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization, wounds treated with silver-impregnated NPWT showed a significant reduction in bacterial load compared with those treated with conventional NPWT., Conclusions: Silver-impregnated NPWT effectively decreases bacterial load in open contaminated wounds of the lower extremities. It can be used as a temporizing measure to manage bacterial colonization while patients and wounds are being prepared for final wound reconstruction.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for management of wound complications at extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) removal sites., Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent NPWT at ECMO removal sites followed by the development of wound complications including skin necrosis, lymphorrhea, and femoral vessel exposure. A nonadhesive bacteria-binding mesh was used as a wound contact layer of NPWT application. Patient characteristics and clinical outcomes were evaluated., Results: Nine patients underwent NPWT for complicated wounds at ECMO sites. The mean age of patients was 49.2 years (range, 14-64 years). All patients exhibited wound complications with lymphorrhea and skin necrosis. Seven of nine patients had wound cultures that were positive for microorganisms, but culture conversion to negative was achieved after NPWT application for a mean period of 21.2 days (range, 12-30 days). Lymphorrhea was successfully managed, and formation of fresh granulation tissue was observed in all patients. Wound healing either by primary closure, skin graft, or secondary healing was achieved without recurrence of wound complications. There were no cases of femoral vessel injury or aneurysm during NPWT application., Conclusions: Negative-pressure wound therapy appears to be a safe and effective treatment option in the management of complicated wounds at ECMO sites.