Mechanisms of Action of Instillation and Dwell Negative Pressure Wound Therapy with Case Reports of Clinical Applications.

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has revolutionized the care of complex wounds since 1997. The addition of instillation (NPWTi-d) adds several potential benefits and challenges to clinicians dealing with complex wounds in a hospital setting. We surveyed the literature regarding the mechanism of action of these devices and reviewed our clinical experience to date.

Cutaneous Breast Radiation-associated Angiosarcoma: Anterior Chest Wall Reconstruction Options Following Extra-radical Resection.

Background: Radiation-associated angiosarcoma (RAAS) of the breast is a rare complication following breast irradiation with high rates of recurrence and death. To improve survival, we have advocated for an extra-radical resection where the entire irradiated skin and subcutaneous tissue is excised. This results in very large chest defects for which we describe our reconstructive experience.

Plastic Surgery Complications from Medical Tourism Treated in a U.S. Academic Medical Center.

Background: Medical tourism is a growing, multi-billion dollar industry fueled by improvements in the global transportation infrastructure. The authors studied patients living in the United States who travel to other countries for plastic surgical procedures and returned to have their complications treated in the authors' center.

Methods: A retrospective patient evaluation was performed.

Shock wave therapy in wound healing.

Background: Recently, shock wave therapy has been investigated as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of acute and chronic wounds. There are several devices with focused and unfocused shock waves that have been administered to a heterogenous group of wounds. Encouraging preclinical and clinical studies suggest that shock wave therapy may promote wound healing with little or no adverse events, prompting investigations into the mechanism of action and additional clinical trials.