Annals of plastic surgery
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Annals of plastic surgery · Sep 1992
Postprandial Aeromonas hydrophila cultures and antibiotic levels of enteric aspirates from medicinal leeches applied to patients receiving antibiotics.
Increasing use of medicinal leeches has been accompanied by increasing numbers of reports of Aeromonas hydrophila infections after leech application on or near damaged tissue. We examined the enteric contents of postprandial leeches after their application to patients receiving antibiotics. ⋯ Suppression of leech enteric bacteria by antibiotic administration to the patient may be an effective strategy to prevent invasive infection by Aeromonas hydrophila as well as bacterial colonization of devitalized tissue that could be the source of late infection. Clinical studies will be required to clarify whether suppression of leech enteric flora results in a decrease in infections associated with leech use.
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Annals of plastic surgery · Jul 1992
Case ReportsClinical application of the adipofascial turnover flap in the leg and ankle.
In soft-tissue defects with bone exposure over the leg and ankle, it is often impossible to achieve wound closure by a simple skin graft. In this article, we present a simple and effective way to reconstruct complicated skin defects on the pretibial region (four patients), the ankle (three patients), the distal fibula (one patient), and the medial aspect of the leg (one patient). Dissection of the local adipofascial turnover flap is quite easy and quick, requires less time, and involves less risk to the patient. ⋯ Although there are numerous options for reconstruction of soft-tissue defects of the leg and ankle, the nonbulky adipofascial turnover flap appears particularly indicated for small- to medium-sized defects. The contours of the recipient and donor sites are acceptable aesthetically. Adequate flap-to-base area ratio and length-to-width ratio, tension-free insetting of the flap, and noncompression dressing are essential for the flap's survival.
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Annals of plastic surgery · Feb 1992
Case ReportsThe adipofascial turnover flap for elbow coverage.
Closure of soft tissue defects in the vicinity of the elbow with exposed bone or joint remains a difficult problem. Local adipofascial turnover flaps covered by a skin graft were successfully used to reconstruct two elbow defects. The flap's base was placed 1.5 to 2.0 cm from the wound edge. ⋯ The motion of the elbow joint was not impeded because the adiposal component of the flap faced the exposed vital structures. The padding is not thick, but is sufficient to cover and protect the elbow. The flap is especially indicated for small- to medium-sized, complicated elbow wounds.