Quantifying bacterial bioburden during negative pressure wound therapy: does the wound VAC enhance bacterial clearance?

The bacterial colonization of a wound is a recognized detrimental factor in the multifactorial process of wound healing. The harmful effects on wound healing are recognized to correspond to a level of > 10(5) colonies of bacteria per gram of tissue. Negative pressure wound therapy has become an accepted treatment modality for acute and chronic wounds with accelerated healing rates observed.

Cervical approach for percutaneous needle biopsy of Pancoast tumors.

Aspiration needle biopsy techniques have simplified the cytohistological diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions, particularly those close to or involving the chest wall. In the past, the inaccessibility of some Pancoast tumors in the thoracic inlet posed difficulty in obtaining histological proof before combined therapy was instituted, except in the case of large apical tumors. A safe and accurate technique for percutaneous needle biopsy of tumors in the superior pulmonary sulcus using a cervical approach has been developed.