An experience in the management of the open abdomen in severely injured burn patients.

Few descriptions of temporary abdominal closure for planned relaparotomy have been reported in burned patients. The purpose of this study is to describe our experience and outcomes in the management of burned patients with an open abdomen. The authors performed a retrospective review of all admissions to our burn center from March 2003 to June 2008, identifying patients treated by laparotomy with temporary abdominal closure.

Prophylaxis and management of wound infections after elective colorectal surgery: a survey of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons membership.

Background: Postoperative wound infections are a widespread and costly problem, especially in colorectal surgery. Despite their prevalence, there are few data regarding appropriate management and prevention strategies.

Materials And Methods: In order to assess current attitudes and practices about this subject, and as a guide to designing a randomized trial to gather evidence in order to support data-driven protocol development, an e-mail survey was sent to the membership of the American Society of Colorectal Surgeons to assess current attitudes and practices pertaining to prevention and management of wound infections.

Pruritus ani: etiology and management.

Pruritus ani is a dermatologic condition characterized by an unpleasant itching or burning sensation in the perianal region. This article briefly discusses the incidence and classification of pruritus ani followed by a more lengthy discussion of primary and secondary pruritus ani. The important points are summarized and a simple algorithm is provided for the clinical management of pruritus ani.

Abdominal complications after severe burns.

Background: Abdominal catastrophe in the severely burned patient without abdominal injury has been described. We perceived an alarming recent incidence of this complication in our burn center, both during acute resuscitation and later in the hospital course. We sought to define incidence, outcomes, and associated factors, such as excessive resuscitation volume and treatment issues.