Management of Sternal Wound Infection-Determinants of Length of Stay and Recurrence of Infection after Muscle Flap Coverage.

Aim: The aim of this study was to define determinants of length of hospital stay (LOS) longer than mean and recurrence of infection (ROI) after complete healing of patients with deep sternal wound infections (DSWI).

Patients And Methods: In this observational study, we included 303 patients (155 females and 148 males, with mean age of 68 years) treated from 2016 to 2020 at the Department of Plastic Surgery of the HELIOS Klinik Krefeld, Germany. All patients received extensive necrosectomy, repetitive negative pressure therapy periods, and final transplantation of a pectoral musculocutaneous flap.

Incidence and treatment of burns: a twenty-year experience from a single center in Germany.

Objective: To analyze trends in incidence and treatment of thermal injuries over the last two decades.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our local single center database of patients with thermal injuries admitted to the burn intensive care unit (BICU) of the Cologne-Merheim Medical Center (University Hospital of Witten/Herdecke). The cohort was divided into two groups according to the decade of admission and the epidemiology and clinical course of the patient sample admitted during the period 1991-2000 (n=911) was compared to that of 2001-2010 (n=695).

Technique and indication of distal arterial-to-proximal venous anastomosis at an amputated distal phalanx.

Digital finger amputation with soft tissue injury is a frequent accident in reconstructive surgery. Several techniques about reconstruction of digital finger amputation are described in literature. However replantation is difficult when large segments of the arteries are missing.

Failure of secondary wound closure after sternal wound infection following failed initial operative treatment: causes and treatment.

Background: Patients transferred to Plastic Surgery Departments for sternum osteomyelitis have a high morbidity of about 3%. Despite several known options for sternal wound coverage and salvage operations, wound dehiscence or wound necrosis can occur, increasing patient morbidity.

Patients And Methods: One hundred thirty-five patients admitted between January 2007 and December 2010 were evaluated in a retrospective study for wound dehiscence after salvage wound coverage at our institution.

Combined latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior flaps for pelvic reconstruction.

In recurrent pressure sores, adjacent tissue has already been consumed by multiple surgeries. Additional problems are several co-morbidities of patients. Especially, severe atherosclerosis would be a contraindication for using free flaps.