Local Infectious Complications Research Articles

CT Features Associated With Risk of Infectious Complications Following Peripheral Endobronchial Ultrasound

SESSION TITLE: Interventional Pulmonary Procedural Safety and Outcomes SESSION TYPE: Original Investigation Slide PRESENTED ON: Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 02:45 PM - 04:15 PM PURPOSE: The reported incidence of peripheral endobronchial ultrasound (pEBUS) related infectious complications is below 1% although studies have never focused solely on them or reported their risk factors. The goal of this study is to describe our local pEBUS infectious complication rate and characterize patient, lesion and procedural factors associated with infectious complications. METHODS: All charts, computed tomographies and electronic records of patients who underwent a pEBUS at the Foothills Medical Center and South Health Campus Hospital in Calgary between May 1st 2014 and October 1st 2015 were reviewed. RESULTS: Two hundred pEBUS procedures were included in our study. The local infectious complication rate was 4.0% (8/200). Two lesion characteristics were more frequent in patients who suffered infectious complications: larger lesion diameter (p = 0.016) and lesion heterogeneity on imaging (p < 0.001) which is suggestive of areas of necrosis. In a multivariate analysis, only lesion heterogeneity was significantly associated with infectious complications (OR = 16.81 (2.96-95.53)). The rate of infectious complications in heterogeneous lesions was 6/29 (20.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of infectious complications after pEBUS is elevated when biopsying heterogeneous lesions. This may not have previously been reported as studies of pEBUS focused on smaller and probably rarely necrotic lesions. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Future studies of methods to prevent infections complications in pEBUS guided biopsies of heterogeneous lesions are warranted. DISCLOSURE: The following authors have nothing to disclose: Marc Fortin, Niloofar Taghizadeh, Alex Chee, Elaine Dumoulin, Christopher Hergott, Alain Tremblay, Paul MacEachern No Product/Research Disclosure Information

Envenomation by the invasive Pterois volitans species (lionfish) in the French West Indies – a two-year prospective study in Martinique

Context: The invasion of the lionfish (Pterois volitans) in the French West Indies represents one of the most important marine invasions by alien species in history. Since its first recognition in Martinique in February 2011, the lionfish presence has strongly progressed, resulting in increasing envenomation cases. Our objective was to report features of lionfish envenomation and outcome. Methods: A prospective study conducted at the Martinique University Hospital by the emergency departments, general practitioners, and the pre-hospital emergency ambulance service included all the patients referred from November 2011 to February 2014 for one or several stings by lionfish, as strongly suggested by the fish description and the association with marked local pain and edema. Recommended management included immersion of the affected body part in hot water at 35–40 °C for 60 min, analgesics, tetanus toxoid, and antibiotics. Results: 117 patients [98M/19F; age: 42 ± 14 years [mean ± SD]; with significant past morbidities (16%)] were included. Envenomation resulted in marked pain and local edema (100%), paresthesia (90%), abdominal cramps (62%), extensive edema (53%), tachycardia (34%), skin rash (32%), gastrointestinal disorders (28%), fainting (27%), transient weakness (24%), hypertension (21%), hypotension (18%), hyperthermia (9%), bradycardia (3%), hypophosphatemia (12%), elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (10%), and thrombocytopenia (3%). The sting was complicated by local infection (18%) including skin abscess (5%), cellulitis (3%), skin necrosis (3%), and septic arthritis (2%). 26 patients (22%) were hospitalized requiring surgery (8%). Lionfish stings were single (81%) or multiple (19%). Localization was preferentially at one upper (67%) or lower limb (32%). All patients actually improved. Based on multivariate analyses, pain duration > 24 h was significantly associated with skin eruption (p = 0.001) and muscle cramps (p = 0.0002). Local infectious complications occurred more frequently in patients presenting multiple stings (p = 0.008). Immersion in hot water (44%, performed less than 3 h after the sting in 36% of the cases) significantly reduced pain duration (p = 0.02) and local infection (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Lionfish represents a major health threat in Martinique with increasing envenomation and significant morbidities. Outcome is favorable if promptly managed, with possible reduction in pain duration and local infections with the rapid immersion of the stung body part in hot water. Our data encourage the authorities to develop investigations on the exact extent of the lionfish invasion and set up a regional taskforce to inform the ecosystem users and register all lionfish-attributed incidents.

REGIONAL LASER THERAPY IN TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH STRANGULATED VENTRAL HERNIA

An analysis of treatment was made of 265 patients with strangulated hernia of the anterior abdominal wall. The patients were divided into main group (n = 138) and control group n = 127). Nonstrain and conventional methods of hernioplasty and low-intensive laser radiation (LILR) were used for the patients of the first group. LILR wasn't applied in the control group. The studied groups were statistically comparable on the basis of main disease, sex and age. Computed thermography was used in addition to standard methods of diagnostics in order to dentify the wound complications in postoperative period. The application of low-intensive laser radiation for patients of main group allowed reducing the rate of development of local infectious complications in the area of plasty as compared with control group from 15.7 and 53.4% to 8.9 and 32.8% (p < 0.05); terms of drainage of postoperative wound decreasing from 8.1 ± 1.0 to 4.2 ± 1.0 days and hospital stay shortening from 11.6 ± 1.0 to 6.2 ± 1.0 days (p < 0.05). The intensity of pain syndrome and rate of complications declined from 38.1 to 17% in control group. There wasn't any recurrence in the main group. Prosthetic methods of plasty and application of LILR significantly improve the immediate and long-term results in case of strangulated hernia of anterior abdominal wall. This rate would approach the results of treatment in planned surgery. Computed thermography allowed well-timed revealing of wound complications and forecasting the course of postoperative period.

Effects of magnesium sulfate wet compress nursing on prognosis of child′s scrotum hematoma after indirect inguinal hernia

Objective To investigate effects of magnesium sulfate wet compress nursing on prognosis of child′s scrotum hematoma after indirect inguinal hernia. Methods A total of 54 pediatric children were collected for inguinal hernia operation by convenient sampling method, and random number table method were used to averagely divide patients into control group (received routine nursing) and observation group (given conventional care and magnesium sulfate local wet dressing care). The child′s length of hematoma vanishing and incidence of complications were compared between two groups. Results In the observation group, the length of hematoma vanishing was 4-10 d, the average time (5.8±1.45)d, while the length of hematoma vanishing was 6-14 d, the average (7.8±2.11)d in the control group (P<0.05). There was no incidence of ulcer, local infection and other complications in the observation group whereas 3 cases of ulcer and 1 cases of local infection in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions Magnesium sulfate wet compress nursing can shorten the length of child′s scrotum hematoma vanishing after indirect inguinal hernia surgery and reduce the incidence of complications. Key words: Pediatric Department; Indirect inguinal hernia; Scrotum hematoma; Magnesium sulfate wet compress

Prospective evaluation of treatment of open fractures: effect of time to irrigation and debridement.

The standard practice of irrigation and debridement (I&D) of open fractures within 6 hours of injury remains controversial. To prospectively evaluate the effect of the time from injury to the initial I&D on infectious complications. A total of 315 patients who were admitted to a level 1 trauma center with open extremity fractures from September 22, 2008, through June 21, 2011, were enrolled in a prospective observational study and followed up for 1 year after discharge (mean [SD] age, 33.9 [16.3] years; 79% were male; and 78.4% were due to blunt trauma). Demographics, mechanism of injury, time to I&D, operative intervention, and incidence of local infectious complications were documented. Patients were stratified into 4 groups based on the time of I&D (<6 hours, 7-12 hours, 13-18 hours, and 19-24 hours after injury). Univariate and multivariable analysis were used to determine the effect of time to I&D on outcomes. Development of local infectious complications at early (<30 days) or late (>30 days and <1 year) intervals from admission. The most frequently injured site was the lower extremity (70.2%), and 47.9% of all injuries were Gustilo classification type III. There was no difference in fracture location, degree of contamination, or antibiotic use between groups. All patients underwent I&D within 24 hours. Overall, 14 patients (4.4%) developed early wound infections, while 10 (3.2%) developed late wound infections (after 30 days). The infection rate was not statistically different on univariate (<6 hours, 4.7%; 7-12 hours, 7.5%; 13-18 hours, 3.1%; and 19-24 hours, 3.6%; P = .65) or multivariable analysis (<6-hour group [reference], P = .65; 7- to 12-hour group adjusted odds ratio [AOR] [95% CI], 2.1 [0.4-10.2], P = .37; 13- to 18-hour group AOR [95% CI], 0.8 [0.1-4.5], P = .81; 19- to 24-hour group AOR [95% CI], 1.1 [0.2-6.2], P = .90). Time to I&D did not affect the rate of nonunion, hardware failure, length of stay, or mortality. In this prospective analysis, time to I&D did not affect the development of local infectious complications provided it was performed within 24 hours of arrival.

Perineal flap reconstruction following oncologic anorectal extirpation: an outcomes assessment.

The poorly healing perineal wound is a significant complication of abdominoperineal resection. The authors examined criteria for immediate flap coverage of the perineum and long-term cross-sectional surgical outcomes. Patients who underwent abdominoperineal resection or pelvic exenteration for anorectal cancer were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic characteristics, premorbid and oncologic data, surgical treatment, reconstruction method, and recovery were recorded. Outcomes of successful wound healing, surgical complications necessitating intervention (admission or return to the operating room), and progression to chronic wounds were assessed. The authors identified 214 patients who underwent this procedure from 1995 to 2013. Forty-seven patients received pedicled flaps and had higher rates of recurrence and reoperation, active smoking, Crohn disease, human immunodeficiency virus, and anal cancers, and had higher American Joint Committee on Cancer tumor stages. Thirty-day complication rates were equivalent in the two groups. There were no complete flap losses or reconstructive failures. Perineal wound complication rates were marginally but not significantly higher in the flap group (55 percent versus 41 percent; p = 0.088). Infectious complications, readmissions for antibiotics, and operative revision were more frequent in the flap cohort. A larger proportion of the primary closure cohort developed chronic draining perineal wounds (23.3 versus 8.5 percent; p = 0.025). Immediate flap coverage of the perineum was less likely to progress to a chronic draining wound, but had higher local infectious complication rates. The authors attribute this to increased comorbidity in the selected patient population, reflecting the surgical decision making in approaching these high-risk closures and ascertainment bias in diagnosis of infectious complications with multidisciplinary examination. Risk, III.

The role of the biological damaging factor in the explosive injury

This article describes the specific features of the action of the biological damaging factors on the human organism associated with the explosive injury. Both the direct action of the damaging agents contained in the biological weapons and their secondary effects in the form of systemic and local infectious complications of the inflicted wounds are considered. The criteria for the evaluation of the degree of harm to the health of the victims of explosion attributable to the action of the biological damaging factor are proposed.

Wild mushroom extracts as inhibitors of bacterial biofilm formation.

Microorganisms can colonize a wide variety of medical devices, putting patients in risk for local and systemic infectious complications, including local-site infections, catheter-related bloodstream infections, and endocarditis. These microorganisms are able to grow adhered to almost every surface, forming architecturally complex communities termed biofilms. The use of natural products has been extremely successful in the discovery of new medicine, and mushrooms could be a source of natural antimicrobials. The present study reports the capacity of wild mushroom extracts to inhibit in vitro biofilm formation by multi-resistant bacteria. Four Gram-negative bacteria biofilm producers (Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii) isolated from urine were used to verify the activity of Russula delica, Fistulina hepatica, Mycena rosea, Leucopaxilus giganteus, and Lepista nuda extracts. The results obtained showed that all tested mushroom extracts presented some extent of inhibition of biofilm production. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the microorganism with the highest capacity of biofilm production, being also the most susceptible to the extracts inhibition capacity (equal or higher than 50%). Among the five tested extracts against E. coli, Leucopaxillus giganteus (47.8%) and Mycenas rosea (44.8%) presented the highest inhibition of biofilm formation. The extracts exhibiting the highest inhibitory effect upon P. mirabilis biofilm formation were Sarcodon imbricatus (45.4%) and Russula delica (53.1%). Acinetobacter baumannii was the microorganism with the lowest susceptibility to mushroom extracts inhibitory effect on biofilm production (highest inhibition—almost 29%, by Russula delica extract). This is a pioneer study since, as far as we know, there are no reports on the inhibition of biofilm production by the studied mushroom extracts and in particular against multi-resistant clinical isolates; nevertheless, other studies are required to elucidate the mechanism of action.

Comparison of Barbed versus Conventional Sutures for Wound Closure of Radiologically Implanted Chest Ports

PurposeTo retrospectively compare the incidences of complications with barbed suture versus conventional interrupted suture for incision closure in implantable chest ports. Materials and MethodsA total of 715 power-injectable dual-lumen chest ports placed between 2011 and 2013 were studied. Primary outcomes included wound dehiscence, local port infection, local infections treated by wound packing, early infections within 30 days, and total infections. A multivariate analysis of independent risk factors for port infection was also performed. ResultsA total of 442 ports were closed with nonbarbed suture, versus 273 closed with barbed suture. Mean catheter-days in the traditional and barbed groups were 257.9 (range, 3–722) and 189.1 (range, 13–747), respectively (P < .01). The rate of dehiscence with traditional suture (1.6%; seven of 442) was significantly higher than that with barbed suture (zero of 273; P = .04). Percentage of total infections was also significantly higher with traditional suture (9.5% vs 5.1%; P = .03). No difference in rate of infection per 1,000 catheter-days was seen between traditional and barbed suture groups (0.0035 vs 0.0026; P = .17). The rate of local infection with traditional suture was significantly higher (2.7% vs 0.4%; P = .02). Additionally, multivariate analysis identified the use of traditional suture as the only independent risk factor for infection (39% vs 25%; P = .03). ConclusionsBarbed suture for incision closure in implantable dual-lumen chest ports was associated with lower rates of dehiscence and potentially lower rates of local infectious complications compared with traditional nonbarbed suture.

The relationship between the local inflammatory response and postoperative infective complications following resection for colorectal cancer.

413 Background: In patients with colorectal cancer, the presence of both systemic and/ or local inflammatory responses are predictors of survival independent of tumour stage. The relationship between a raised perioperative systemic inflammatory response and the development of postoperative infective complications is also well established. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between the local inflammatory response and the development of postoperative infective complications, in patients undergoing resection for colorectal cancer. Methods: Patients with histologically proven colorectal cancer who, on the basis of laparotomy findings and preoperative abdominal computed tomography, were considered to have undergone potentially curative resection were included in the study (n = 310). Patient characteristics and postoperative complications within 30 days were recorded in a prospective surgical database. Local inflammation was analysed using Klintrup-Makinen criteria and Jass scoring on routine hematoxylin and eosin slides. Results: The majority of patients were 65 or older (66%), male (57%), had colonic tumours (68%) and node negative disease (60%). Most patients underwent elective resection (87%) and were from a deprived area (55%). During follow up 109 (35%) patients developed a postoperative complication; 88 (81%) of which had infective complications. There were no significant associations between local inflammation, as evidenced by Klintrup-Makinen criteria and Jass score, and all infective complications (p = 0.929, p = 0.317), surgical site infections (p = 0.956, p = 0.115), or anastomotic leak (p = 0.771, p = 0.157). Conclusions: The results of the present study show that there is no significant relationship between the degree of local inflammation, as evidenced by Klintrup-Makinen criteria and Jass score, and the development of postoperative infective complications following potentially curative resection for colorectal cancer.

Effect of delaying same-admission cholecystectomy on outcomes in patients with diabetes

Recent studies have suggested that same-admission delayed cholecystectomy is a safe option. Patients with diabetes have been shown to have less favourable outcomes after cholecystectomy, but the impact of timing of operation for acute cholecystitis during the same admission is unknown. This was a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis between 2004 and 2010, from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Patients with no significant co-morbidities (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I or II) were included. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match patients with diabetes with those who did not have diabetes, in a ratio of 1:3, to ensure homogeneity of the two groups. Logistic regression models were applied to adjust for differences between early (within 24 h) and delayed (24 h or more) surgical treatment. The primary outcome was development of local and systemic infectious complications. Secondary outcomes were duration of operation and length of hospital stay. From a total of 2892 patients, 144 patients with diabetes were matched with 432 without diabetes by PSM. Delaying cholecystectomy for at least 24 h after admission in patients with diabetes was associated with significantly higher odds of developing surgical-site infections (adjusted odds ratio 4.11, 95 per cent confidence interval 1.11 to 15.22; P = 0.034) and a longer hospital stay. For patients with no diabetes, however, delaying cholecystectomy had no impact on complications or length of hospital stay. Patients with diabetes who undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy 24 h or more after admission may have an increased risk of postoperative surgical-site infection and a longer hospital stay than those undergoing surgery within 24 h of admission.

Flap surgery in treatment of patients with pathology of ankle

Objective: to determine the capabilities and perspectives of flap surgery in treatment of patients with traumas and diseases of ankle joint region. Material and methods. The results of surgical treatment of 88 such patients. All the patients were treated in the Vreden Russian Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics within the period from 2000 to 2011. All the patients had pedicled flap transfer (46 cases) or free tissue transfer (45 cases). 11 patients had additional need in other open orthopedic operations of ankle joint. Besides this, scientific works dealing with the studied problem have been analyzed. Results and conclusions. It has been stated that flap surgery is predominantly used as the only and exhaustive method of treatment of such patients (87,5%). In these situations pedicled flap transfer and free tissue transfer tend to be used in comparatively equal quantities. Flap surgery is now seldom used as a component of complex surgical treatment. It is used only in some cases of bone reconstruction of distal tibia by Ilizarov bone transport, in some cases of tumors of ankle joint as well as in some cases of local infectious complications after internal fixation and total ankle arthroplasty. Patients with the pathology of this kind have a high need in free tissue transfer (from 66,7% to 83,3%). Progressing technology of total ankle arthroplasty will contribute to the frequency of use of flap surgery for patients with pathology of ankle joint.

Case Report: Capecitabine-induced radiation recall phenomenon: a case report

Radiation recall dermatitis is defined as an inflammatory reaction of the skin at the site of previous irradiation. Different drugs have been associated with triggering this phenomenon, and it can also affect other areas and organs where previous radiotherapy has been administered. The time gap between the inflammatory reaction and previous radiation can range from days to several years. We report a case of capecitabine-induced Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) grade 4 (ulcerating dermatitis) recall skin toxicity of skin irradiated 3 years previously. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of capecitabine-induced RTOG grade 4 (ulcerating dermatitis) recall skin toxicity of previously irradiated skin. Clinicians should be aware of this phenomenon, even when considering patients for whom it has been a long time since previous radiation therapy. This unusual and late drug side effect should be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis and management of advanced-disease patients as it may be confused with local relapse or infectious complication of previously operated areas.

Puffy Hand Syndrome Revealed by a Severe Staphylococcal Skin Infection

Puffy hand syndrome develops after long-term intravenous drug addiction. It is characterized by a nonpitting edema, affecting the dorsal side of fingers and hands with puffy aspect. Frequency and severity of the complications of this syndrome are rarely reported. Local infectious complications such as cellulitis can be severe and can enable the diagnosis. Herein, we report the case of a 41-year-old man who went to the emergency department for abdominal pain, fever, and bullous lesions of legs and arms with edema. Bacteriologic examination of a closed bullous lesion evidenced a methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. The abdomen computed tomography excluded deep infections and peritoneal effusion. The patient was successfully treated by intravenous oxacillin and clindamycin. He had a previous history of intravenous heroin addiction. We retained the diagnosis of puffy hand syndrome revealed by a severe staphylococcal infection with toxic involvement mimicking a four limbs cellulitis. Puffy hand syndrome, apart from the chronic lymphedema treatment, has no specific medication available. Prophylactic measures against skin infections are essential.

PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE MICROSURGERY IN TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH PATHOLOGY OF LARGE JOINTS OF EXTREMITIES

Objective: this study aimed to develop approaches to the use of plastic and reconstructive microsurgery in the treatment of patients with pathology of the large joints of extremities. Material and methods. We have studied the results of surgical treatment of 253 patients with injures and diseases of large joints of extremities. All the patients were treated in Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics n.a. R.R.Vreden (Saint-Petersburg, Russia) within the period from 2000 to 2011. All the patients had pedicled flap transfer (65,7%) or free tissue transfer (34,3%). 105 patients (41,5%) had additionally various orthopedic operations on joints: primary or revision total arthroplasty, resections of bony tumors and total knee arthroplasty, arthrodesis and internal fixation. Results and conclusions. Microsurgical operations in patients with pathology of large joints of extremities mainly aimed to correct various pathological changes of tissues located in this particular area. In cases of scarry deformations and defects of tissues located in the area of joint microsurgical technologies increase the opportunities for fulfilling total arthroplasty and improve its results as well as results of other orthopedic operations. At the same time microsurgical technologies may be used as preparative operations, single-step maneuvers and operations fulfilled in case of development of local infectious complications.

Capecitabine-induced radiation recall phenomenon: a case report

Radiation recall dermatitis is defined as an inflammatory reaction of the skin at the site of previous irradiation. Different drugs have been associated with triggering this phenomenon, and it can also affect other areas and organs where previous radiotherapy has been administered. The time gap between the inflammatory reaction and previous radiation can range from days to several years. We report what we believe to be the first case of Capecitabine-induced Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) Grade 4 recall skin toxicity (ulcerating dermatitis), which occurred three years after skin irradiation. Clinicians should be aware of this phenomenon, even when considering patients for whom it has been a long time since previous radiation therapy. This unusual and late drug side effect should be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis and management of advanced-disease patients as it may be confused with local relapse or infectious complication of previously operated areas.

Capecitabine-induced radiation recall phenomenon: a case report

Radiation recall dermatitis is defined as an inflammatory reaction of the skin at the site of previous irradiation. Different drugs have been associated with triggering this phenomenon, and it can also affect other areas and organs where previous radiotherapy has been administered. The time gap between the inflammatory reaction and previous radiation can range from days to several years. We report what we believe to be the first case of Capecitabine-induced Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) Grade 4 recall skin toxicity (ulcerating dermatitis), which occurred three years after skin irradiation. Clinicians should be aware of this phenomenon, even when considering patients for whom it has been a long time since previous radiation therapy. This unusual and late drug side effect should be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis and management of advanced-disease patients as it may be confused with local relapse or infectious complication of previously operated areas.

A double blind, randomised, placebo controlled, feasibility phase III clinical trial of peri-operative immune-enhancing enteral nutrition in patients undergoing surgery for advanced head and neck cancer

Summary Background & aims Conflicting evidence exists as to whether post-operative infections in patients with Squamous Cell carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN) are reduced by peri-operative enteral feeding with immune-enhancing feeds such as Impact, which contains l -arginine, nucleotides and omega-3 fatty acids. Our study aimed to address this conflict. Methods We conducted a single centre, double blind, randomised, placebo controlled, clinical trial. Patients undergoing surgery for SCCHN were fed enterally with either Impact or an iso-nitrogenous, iso-caloric control feed for five days pre and seven days post-surgery. The rates of systemic and local infective complications, length of hospital stay and peri-operative mortality rates were compared between the two groups. Results Data for analysis were available for 57 patients; 28 who received IMPACT and 29 the control feed. A primary infection occurred in 35% (20/57) of patients; 43% (12/28) in the Impact group and 28% (8/29) in the control group, (P = 0.27, Fishers Exact test). No differences in secondary infection rates or length of hospital stay were observed between the groups. Conclusions In this under-powered study, peri-operative use of Impact in patients undergoing surgery for SCCHN did not lead to significant differences in infective complications, length of hospital stay or peri-operative mortality. Larger studies are required.

USE OF TECHNOLOGIES OF PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE MICROSURGERY IN TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH PATHOLOGY OF KNEE

Analysis of the results of surgical treatment of 63 patients with knee-joint pathology who were treated in Vreden’s Scientific-research Institute of traumatology and orthopaedics (Saint-Petersburg, Russia) within the period from 2000 to 2011. All the patients had pedicled flap transfer or free tissue transfer. 53 patients (84,1%) had additionally various orthopedic operations on the knee joint: 42 patients had primary or revision total knee arthroplasty, 6 patients had resections of bony tumors and total knee arthroplasty, 4 - knee arthrodesis, 1 - open reduction and internal fixation of patella. The results of treatment were estimated according to WOMAC knee score. 4 patients had total necrosis of flap what demanded repeated reconstructive microsurgical operation. 6 patients had knee arthroplasty surgical site infection, 1 patient had recidive of osteoblastic sarcoma and he was made leg amputation. 65,7% of patients had good results according to WOMAC knee score, 28,6% patients had satisfactory results. Microsurgical operations in patients with pathology of knee-joint mainly aim to correct various pathological changes of tissues located in this particular area. In cases of scarry deformations and defects of tissues located in the area of knee-joint microsurgical technologies increase the opportunities for fulfilling total knee arthroplasty and improve its results as well as results of other orthopedical operations. At the same time microsurgical technologies may be used as preparative operations, single-step maneuvers and operations fulfilled in case of development of local infectious complications.

Prophylactic use of antibiotics in dentistry

The indications for the use of antimicrobials in dentistry are (i) treatment of acute infection and (ii) prophylaxis against infection (single-dose prophylaxis and perioperative prophylaxis). Antibiotic prophylaxis refers to the administration of antimicrobials in situations where there is no actual infection, but where the risk of infection is substantial, for example, in the case of invasive procedures at contaminated sites. The aim of antibiotic prophylaxis is to prevent the development of either systemic or local infection complications. Severe underlying diseases including immunosuppressive illnesses and their treatment have been shown to predispose the patient to systemic odontogenic infections. Manipulation of infected oral tissues, such as measurement of periodontal pockets, calculus removal and tooth extraction, in particular, is known to cause bacteraemia. Therefore, antibiotic prophylaxis is used in connection with invasive procedures in infected areas in patients at elevated risk for endocarditis or other systemic infection complications. In addition, preoperative single-dose prophylaxis is also appropriate in generally healthy patients when treating infection foci surgically and if antimicrobial treatment is needed anyway. Amoxicillin is the first-line drug of choice, due to its appropriate antimicrobial spectrum and especially its excellent absorption.