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Degloving injuries are common in trauma and represent a spectrum of complex wounds, the management of which may be highly challenging especially in the paediatric population. In severe injuries leading to wounds reaching tendon and bone, vascularity is compromised precluding traditional wound management, and sometimes necessitating amputation. This report highlights the use of a dermal regeneration template combined with vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) in the treatment of complex traumatic degloving wounds. Here, we present a case of a five-year-old boy who sustained a high-energy shear injury to his lower extremity that resulted in an extensive degloving wound involving the distal third of his leg and the dorsum of his foot. After debridement, the patient underwent VAC combined with a dermal skin substitute placement, followed by split-thickness skin grafting. The extremity healed with no complications and without the need for amputation or flap reconstruction, achieving satisfactory recovery of range of motion and favourable cosmetic results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective was to describe the different types and characteristics of lumbar spine extradural cysts and their optimal treatment options with a focus on endoscopic technique. We searched Pubmed, EMBASE, Medline, and Google Scholar for articles published between 1967 and 2020 using the keywords "Spinal Cyst," "Extradural Cyst," and "Lumbar Cyst." The various anatomical and histological types of the extradural cysts with their presentations, etiologies, imaging, and optimal treatment with a focus on endoscopic techniques were reviewed from the articles. Lumbar spinal cysts are relatively rare pathologies that might cause radicular symptoms similar to lumbar disc herniation. Spinal extradural cysts are classified either histologically based on the cyst lining tissues (synovial cysts or non-synovial, ganglion cysts) or anatomically based on the structure of origin (epidural cysts, ligamentum flavum cysts, discal cysts, post-discectomy pseudocysts, posterior longitudinal ligament cysts, facet cysts). Surgical excision is the recommended treatment of symptomatic cysts with endoscopic techniques being a viable option. Extradural lumbar cysts can be identified based on their histological structure or depending on their structure of origin. Regardless of their classification, they could all give similar clinical findings, and the optimal treatment would be surgical excision with endoscopic technique being a viable option with a satisfactory outcome., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Badra et al.)

Objective: The International Patterns of Opioid Prescribing study compares postoperative opioid prescribing patterns in the United States (US) versus the rest of the world., Summary of Background Data: The US is in the middle of an unprecedented opioid epidemic. Diversion of unused opioids contributes to the opioid epidemic., Methods: Patients ≥16 years old undergoing appendectomy, cholecystectomy, or inguinal hernia repair in 14 hospitals from 8 countries during a 6-month period were included. Medical records were systematically reviewed to identify: (1) preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative characteristics, (2) opioid intake within 3 months preoperatively, (3) opioid prescription upon discharge, and (4) opioid refills within 3 months postoperatively. The median/range and mean/standard deviation of number of pills and OME were compared between the US and non-US patients., Results: A total of 4690 patients were included. The mean age was 49 years, 47% were female, and 4% had opioid use history. Ninety-one percent of US patients were prescribed opioids, compared to 5% of non-US patients (P < 0.001). The median number of opioid pills and OME prescribed were 20 (0-135) and 150 (0-1680) mg for US versus 0 (0-50) and 0 (0-600) mg for non-US patients, respectively (both P < 0.001). The mean number of opioid pills and OME prescribed were 23.1 ± 13.9 in US and 183.5 ± 133.7 mg versus 0.8 ± 3.9 and 4.6 ± 27.7 mg in non-US patients, respectively (both P < 0.001). Opioid refill rates were 4.7% for US and 1.0% non-US patients (P < 0.001)., Conclusions: US physicians prescribe alarmingly high amounts of opioid medications postoperatively. Further efforts should focus on limiting opioid prescribing and emphasize non-opioid alternatives in the US.

Acromioclavicular dislocations are some of the most frequently recorded and controversial injuries in the athletic population. These injuries have historically been a matter of disagreement between surgeons, particularly when it comes to the surgical technique used to treat them, its approach, or its timing. Consensus over the "gold standard" procedure to treat them is yet to be established. Even though numerous surgical techniques have already been described, the number of complications and loss of reduction remains a matter of concern for treating physicians. Here, we present an arthroscopically assisted coracoclavicular and horizontal acromioclavicular fixation technique in a modified figure-of-eight configuration using 2 strong FiberTape Cerclage sutures, with measurable tension, for the comprehensive treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocations., (© 2020 by the Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier.)

Background: Influenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Following the 2009 pandemic, there was widened interest in studying influenza burden in all regions. However, since data from the World Health Organization (WHO) Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region remain limited, we aimed to contribute to the understanding of influenza burden in Lebanon., Methods: A retrospective chart review extending over a period of 8 seasons from Jan 1st, 2008 till June 30th, 2016 at a tertiary care center in Beirut was performed. All cases confirmed to have influenza based on rapid antigen detection or/and polymerase chain reaction on a respiratory sample were included for analysis. Data on epidemiology, clinical presentation, complications, antiviral use and mortality were collected for analysis., Results: A total of 1829 cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza were identified. Average annual positivity rate was 14% (positive tests over total requested). Both influenza A and B co-circulated in each season with predominance of influenza A. Influenza virus started circulating in December and peaked in January and February. The age group of 19-50 years accounted for the largest proportion of cases (22.5%) followed by the age group of 5-19 years (18%). Pneumonia was the most common complication reported in 33% of cases. Mortality reached 3.8%. The two extremes of age (< 2 years and ≥ 65 years) were associated with a more severe course of disease, hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, complications, and mortality rate. Of all the identified cases, 26% were hospitalized. Moderate-to-severe disease was more likely in influenza B cases but no difference in mortality was reported between the two types. Antivirals were prescribed in 68.8% and antibiotics in 41% of cases. There seemed to be an increasing trend in the number of diagnosed and hospitalized cases over the years of the study., Conclusion: Patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza at our center had a high rate of hospitalization and mortality. A population based prospective surveillance study is needed to better estimate the burden of Influenza in Lebanon that would help formulate a policy on influenza control.

Background: We evaluated the association between operating room time and developing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolus (PE) after emergency general surgery (EGS)., Methods: We reviewed six common EGS procedures in the 2013-2015 NSQIP dataset. After tabulating their incidence of postoperative VTE events, we calculated predictors of developing a VTE using adjusted multivariate logistic regressions., Results: Of 108,954 EGS patients, 1,366 patients (1.3%) developed a VTE postoperatively. The median time to diagnosis was 9 days [5-16] for DVTs and 8 days [5-16] for PEs. Operating room time of 100 min or more was associated with increased risk of developing a DVT (OR 1.30 [1.12-2.21]) and PE (OR:1.25 [1.11-2.43]) with a 7% and 5% respective increase for every 10 min increase after the 100 min. Other independent predictors of VTE complications were older age, and history of cancer, and emergent colectomies on procedure-level analysis., Conclusion: Prolonged operating room time is independently associated with increased risk of developing VTE complications after an EGS procedure. Most of the VTE complications were delayed in presentation., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Long-term outcomes after trauma admissions remain understudied. We analyzed the characteristics of inpatient readmissions within 6 months of an index hospitalization for traumatic injury., Methods: Using the 2010 to 2015 Nationwide Readmissions Database, which captures data from up to 27 US states, we identified patients at least 15 years old admitted to a hospital through an emergency department for blunt trauma, penetrating trauma, or burns. Exclusion criteria included hospital transfers, patients who died during their index hospitalizations, and hospitals with fewer than 100 trauma patients annually. After calculating the incidences of all-cause, unplanned inpatient readmissions within 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, we used multivariable logistic regression models to identify predictors of readmissions. Analyses adjusted for patient, clinical, and hospital factors., Results: Among 2,763,890 trauma patients, the majority had blunt injuries (92.5%), followed by penetrating injuries (6.2%) and burns (1.5%). Overall, rates of inpatient readmissions were 11.1% within 1 month, 21.6% within 6 months, and 29.8% within 6 months, with limited variability by year. After adjustment, the following were associated with all-cause 6 months inpatient readmissions: male sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.10; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.09-1.10), comorbidities (aOR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.21-1.22), low-income quartiles (first and second) (aOR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.07-1.10 and aOR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.03-1.06, respectively), Medicare (aOR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.62-1.69), Medicaid (aOR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.48-1.53), being treated at private, investor-owned hospitals (aOR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.12-1.18), longer hospital length of stay (aOR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.01-1.01) and patient disposition to short-term hospital (aOR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.49-1.62), skilled nursing facility (aOR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.42-1.45), home health care (aOR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.25-1.28), or leaving against medical advice (aOR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.78-1.92)., Conclusion: Unplanned readmission after trauma is high and remains this way 6 months after discharge. Understanding the factors that increase the odds of readmissions within 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months offer a focus for quality improvement and have important implications for hospital benchmarking., Level of Evidence: Epidemiological study, level III.

Background: Limited data exist for long-term outcomes after emergency general surgeries (EGSs) in the United States. This study aimed to characterize the incidence of inpatient readmissions and additional operations within 6 months of an EGS procedure., Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we identified adults (≥18 years old) undergoing one of seven common EGS procedures (appendectomies, cholecystectomies, small bowel resections, large bowel resections, control of gastrointestinal [GI] ulcers and bleeding, peritoneal adhesiolysis, and exploratory laparotomies) who were discharged alive in the 2010-2015 National Readmissions Database. Outcomes included the rates of all-cause inpatient readmissions and of undergoing a second EGS procedure, both within 6 months. Multivariable logistic regression models identified risk factors of reoperation, adjusting for patient, clinical, and hospital factors., Results: Of 706,678 patients undergoing an EGS procedure 131,291 (18.6%) had an inpatient readmission within 6 months. Among those readmitted, 15,178 (11.6%) underwent a second EGS procedure, occurring at a median of 45 days (interquartile range, 15-95). After adjustment, notable predictors of reoperation included male sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.06 [95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.10]); private, nonprofit hospitals (aOR, 1.09 [1.02-1.17]); private, investor-owned hospitals (aOR, 1.09 [1.00-1.85]); discharge to short-term hospital (aOR, 1.35 [1.04-1.74]); discharge with home health care (aOR, 1.19 [1.13-1.25]); and index procedure of control of GI ulcer and bleeding (aOR, 9.38 [8.75-10.05]), laparotomy (aOR, 7.62 [6.92-8.40]), or large bowel resection (aOR, 6.94 [6.44-7.47])., Conclusion: One fifth of patients undergoing an EGS procedure had an inpatient readmission within 6 months, where one in nine of those underwent a second EGS procedure. As half of all second EGS procedures occurred within 6 weeks of the index procedure, identifying patients with the highest health care needs (index procedure type and discharge needs) may identify patients at risk for subsequent reoperation in nonemergency settings., Level of Evidence: Epidemiological, level III.

Background: Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed aesthetic procedures. It is performed worldwide as an outpatient procedure. However, the complications are underestimated and underreported by caregivers. We present a case of delayed diagnosis of bilothorax secondary to liver and gallbladder injury after tumescent liposuction., Methods: A 26-year-old female patient was transferred to our emergency department from an aesthetic clinic with worsening dyspnea, tachypnea and fatigue. She had undergone extensive liposuction of the thighs, buttocks, back and abdomen 5 days prior to presentation., Results: A chest X-ray showed significant right-sided pleural effusion. Thoracentesis was performed and drained bilious fluid. CT scan of the abdomen revealed pleural, liver and gall bladder injury. An exploratory laparoscopy confirmed the findings, the collections were drained; cholecystectomy and intraoperative cholangiogram were performed. The patient did very well postoperatively and was discharged home in 2 days., Conclusion: Even though liposuction is considered a simple office-based procedure, its complications can be fatal. The lack of strict laws that exclusively place this procedure in the hands of medical professionals allow these procedures to still be done by less experienced hands and in outpatient-based settings. Our case serves to highlight yet another unique but potentially fatal complication of liposuction., Level of Evidence V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Objective To determine if immediate (within 6 hours of adequate resuscitation) single-stage repair of complex craniofacial injuries could be accomplished with acceptable morbidity and mortality taking into consideration the cosmetic appearance of the patient. Patients and Methods A total of 26 patients (19 men, 7 women) ranging in age from 8 to 58 years with Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 5 to 15 all had a combined single-stage repair of their complex craniofacial injuries within 6 hours of their admission. After initial assessment and adequate resuscitation, they were evaluated with three-dimensional computed tomography of the face and head. Coronal skin flap was used for maximum exposure for frontal sinus exenteration as well as dural repair, cortical debridement, calvarial reconstruction, and titanium mesh placement. Results Neurosurgical outcome at both the early and late evaluations was judged as good in 22 of 26 patients (85%), moderate in 3 of 26 (11%), and poor in 1 of the 26 (3.8%). Cosmetic surgical outcome at the early evaluation showed 17 of 26 (65%) to be excellent, 4 of 26 (15.5%) to be good, 4 patients (15.5%) to be fair, and 1 patient (3.8%) to be poor. At the late reevaluation, the fair had improved to good with an additional reconstructive procedure, and the poor had improved to fair with another surgery. There was no calvarial osteomyelitis, graft resorption, or intracranial abscess. Complications included three patients (11%): one (3.8%) had tension pneumocephaly and meningitis, one (3.8%) had delayed cerebrospinal fluid leak with recurrent attacks of meningitis, and one had a maxillary sinus infection (3.8%) secondary to front maxillary fistula. Conclusion The immediate single-stage repair of complex craniofacial injuries can be performed with acceptable results, a decreased need for reoperation, and improved cosmetic and functional outcomes.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to verify the efficiency of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (CA AF) according to the "atrial fibrillation (AF) burden"(time spent in AF) and symptoms related to AF., Methods: We retrospectively analysed a selected set of 133 patients with atrial fibrillation (81% men, 19% women) who underwent an invasive therapy in the form of CA AF and at the same time had an implanted long-term ECG loop recorder (Reveal XT) in a period of eight years. We investigated AF burden and objective symptoms of AF by data obtained from a long-term implantable ECG loop recorder. Subjective symptoms related to AF were identified during outpatient controls., Results: Firstly, our results demonstrate for the first time a clinically relevant increase in the occurrence of asymptomatic episodes of AF after CA AF. Secondly, when analysing AF symptoms and AF burden at the same time, CA AF in terms of reduction of symptoms and shortening the time in AF had a better effect in patients undergoing 1 procedure (CA AF) compared to patients undergoing repeated procedures (re CA AF)., Conclusion: The increase in the occurrence of asymptomatic episodes of AF is of considerable importance both for the clinical evaluation of ablation efficacy and for individualized clinical management of patients, especially with respect to antithrombotic therapy (Fig. 10, Ref. 19).

The authors describe the case of a six-year-old girl with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome associated to bilateral symmetrical frontal polymicrogyria. Several extracellular matrix components, including collagen, are directly implicated in the neuronal migration. We think that a defect in collagen or in another extracellular matrix protein during fetal development could result in this association.

Aim: To emphasize the risk of posterior fossa hemorrhage in newborns following vacuum extraction., Patients and Methods: Over a period of 26 months (September 1996-December 1998), seven patients who underwent delivery with the vacuum extractor had symptoms of brain stem compression, related to posterior fossa hemorrhage. They were referred to the neonatal intensive care unit. Some parameters had been analyzed: gestational period, delivery circumstances, gestational age, parameters of newborn, indications of vacuum extraction and other paraclinical investigations (biological and radiological)., Results: Ultrasound scan revealed intracranial hemorrhage in five cases of seven; mean time of diagnosis was 10 hours of age. All patients presented symptoms of brain stem compression. Mean period of follow-up was 22 months: six of seven patients had a normal neurodevelopment. One patient had a cerebellar ataxia, another one a palsy of the IIIrd cranial nerve., Conclusion: Analyses of posterior fossa by ultrasound scan should be made for newborns delivered by vacuum extractor, especially if they had symptoms of brain stem compression.