Annals of plastic surgery
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Annals of plastic surgery · Apr 2016
Clinical TrialVolar Stabilization of the Distal Radioulnar Joint for Chronic Instability Using the Pronator Quadratus.
In cases of chronic distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability without DRUJ arthritis, reconstruction of the mechanical integrity of the radioulnar ligaments of the triangular fibrocartilage complex has been considered an ideal surgical treatment. However, reconstructive methods have several disadvantages. We evaluated volar stabilization of the DRUJ for chronic instability using the pronator quadratus (PQ) to determine whether it provided (1) proper stability, (2) restored wrist function, (3) was relatively convenient, and (4) was associated with a low complication rate. ⋯ Disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand and patient-rated wrist evaluation were also decreased compared with preoperative measurements [34.4 to 12.5/42.7 to 14.7 (disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand/patient-rated wrist evaluation, respectively)]. Pronator quadratus advancement volar stabilization provided proper stability, restored wrist function, was relatively convenient, and was associated with few complications. Our experience indicates that it is an acceptable, effective treatment option to reverse DRUJ instability in patients who did not have advanced DRUJ arthritis.
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Annals of plastic surgery · Mar 2016
Case ReportsIntracompartmental Sepsis With Burn: A Case Report.
Intracompartmental sepsis (IS) is a rare complication in patients with burns. Intracompartmental sepsis presents in patients with inadequate perfusion of intracompartmental tissues and subsequent ischemic necrosis and infection. Contributing factors include high-volume resuscitation, delayed escharotomies, and previous bacteremia. ⋯ Anterior compartment muscles, including the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus, were necrotic with relatively fair nerve and vascular structures. Intracompartmental sepsis is an overwhelming, infectious complication that appears late and can occur easily in patients with major burns. Early diagnosis and management are a must for improving outcomes.
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Annals of plastic surgery · Mar 2016
Comparative Study Clinical TrialImpact of a Newly Implemented Burn Protocol on Surgically Managed Partial Thickness Burns at a Specialized Burns Center in Singapore.
This study evaluated the impact of a newly implemented protocol for superficial to mid-dermal partial thickness burns which involves early surgery and rapid coverage with biosynthetic dressing in a specialized national burns center in Singapore. ⋯ The authors report their promising experience with a newly implemented protocol for surgically managed burns patients which involves early surgery and appropriate use of biosynthetic dressing on superficial to mid-dermal partial thickness burns. Clinically, shorter lengths of stay, fewer operative sessions, and decreased need for skin grafting of burns patient were observed.
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Annals of plastic surgery · Mar 2016
Comparative StudyOnline Patient Resources for Liposuction: A Comparative Analysis of Readability.
As patients strive to become informed about health care, inadequate functional health literacy is a significant barrier. Nearly half of American adults have poor or marginal health literacy skills and the National Institutes of Health and American Medical Association have recommended that patient information should be written at a sixth grade level. The aim of this study is to identify the most commonly used online patient information about liposuction and to evaluate its readability relative to average American literacy. ⋯ Online patient resources about liposuction are potentially too difficult for a large number of Americans to understand. Liposuction websites are significantly harder to read than consumer websites about tattooing. Aesthetic surgeons are advised to discuss with patients resources they use and guide patients to appropriate information for their skill level.