World journal of surgery
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Optimal treatment of burn victims requires deep understanding of the profound pathophysiological changes occurring locally and systemically after injury. Accurate estimation of burn size and depth, as well as early resuscitation, is essential. ⋯ An ideal therapy would not only promote rapid healing but would also act as an antiscarring therapy. The present article is a literature review of the most up-to-date modalities applied to burn treatment without overlooking the numerous controversies that still persist.
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World journal of surgery · Feb 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialAddition of rectus sheath relaxation incisions to emergency midline laparotomy for peritonitis to prevent fascial dehiscence.
The incidence of fascial dehiscence and incisional hernia after two methods for abdominal wound closure (rectus sheath relaxation incisions and conventional mass closure) was studied in a randomized prospective clinical trial in a consecutive series of 100 patients undergoing midline laparotomy for peritonitis. The two groups were well matched for etiologies of peritonitis, the surgical procedures performed, and the presence of known risk factors for fascial dehiscence. Fifty patients each were randomized either to the conventional continuous mass closure procedure or the rectus sheath relaxation incision technique (designed to increase wound elasticity and decrease tension in the suture line) using identical polypropylene sutures. ⋯ The incidence of wound hematoma was significantly increased in the rectus sheath relaxation incision group. The incidences of fascial dehiscence (16% vs,28%; p < 0.05) and incisional hernia (18% vs, 30%; p < 0.05) were significantly lower after rectus sheath relaxation incisions compared to conventional mass closure. Closure of the midline laparotomy wound in cases of peritonitis using the rectus sheath relaxation technique is safe and less painful, provides increased wound elasticity and decreased tension on the suture line, and significantly decreases the incidence of wound dehiscence.