Biomedical subjects

N Pallua

Publications and source records attributed to N Pallua.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Intrabronchial surfactant application in cases of inhalation injury: first results from patients with severe burns and ARDS.

Damage to the respiratory tract caused by inhalation of toxic products of combustion with subsequent development of an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is one of the main causes of death in burn patients. Treatment with an exogenous surfactant is a therapeutic option for which there has previously been no empirical data. We report on four severely burned patients with deep partial thickness and full thickness burns of between 40 and 70 per cent body surface area (BSA), and with inhalation injury complicated by ARDS. These patients were treated once or more than once with bovine surfactant replacement (Alveofact). In addition to biophysical and biochemical analysis, the influence of this substance on oxygenation and lung function were evaluated. After the limits of mechanical ventilation had been reached, bronchoscopic intrabronchial administration of surfactant was followed by temporarily improved gas exchange with an increase in arterial O2 partial pressure (PaO2), accompanied by a reduction in inspiratory O2 concentration (FiO2), and also improved lung compliance. All the patients survived in spite of an initially unfavourable prognosis. Replacement of exogenous surfactant in the treatment of inhalation traumatized severe burn patients with ARDS appears to show considerable promise as an approach to improving the survival chances of these high-risk patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Procalcitonin--a sepsis parameter in severe burn injuries.

Procalcitonin (PCT) levels increase in patients with systemic infections; the highest levels have been found in sepsis. This study tested whether plasma procalcitonin level was related to sepsis, CRP, burn size, inhalation injury or mortality in severely burned patients over the entire clinical course. In 27 patients with 51 (20-91)% TBSA, PCT was measured three times weekly from admission over the entire course of stay in a single ICU. Daily scoring by the "Baltimore Sepsis Scale" was performed. The patients were assigned to three groups depending on the clinical course and outcome: A = no septic complications, B = septic complications-survivors, C = septic complications non-survivors. PCT levels were elevated slightly at admission (mean 2.1 ng/ml) except in three patients who suffered electrical burns (mean 15.7 ng/ml). PCT peak levels correlated well with the Scoring values (r = 0.84) while CRP did not (r = 0.64). Peak PCT levels were significantly higher (p < 0.005) in septic patients (B and C) who averaged 49.8+/-76.9 ng/ml, than in non-septic patients (A) who averaged peak levels of 2.3+/-3.7 ng/ml. The highest PCT levels were found immediately before death (86.8+/-97 ng/ml). Seven patients had an inhalation injury 3rd degree. In these patients at 24 h postburn, there was no relationship between PCT levels and inhalation injury but during the later days postburn there were significant differences in PCT levels in patients with versus without inhalation injury. All patients with inhalation injury 3rd degree developed septic complications. There was no positive correlation between the PCT-admission-levels and the TBSA, but there was a positive correlation between the TBSA and the mean peak PCT levels during the later days postburn (r = 0.73; p < 0.05). The cut-off value of 3 ng/ ml we found reliable to indicate severe bacterial or fungal infection. PCT values over 10 ng/ml increasing over the following days were found only in life-threatening situations due to systemic infections. The individual course of PCT in one patient is more important than absolute values. PCT presented in this study as a useful diagnostic parameter in severely burned patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Persistence of pedicle blood flow up to 10 years after free musculocutaneous tissue transfer.

The hypothesis of whether or not flap perfusion remains persistent through its vascular pedicle up to 10 years after free tissue transfer was tested. Since 1982, more than 1,000 free tissue transfers have been performed at this institution. Of these, 40 patients were selected with comparable posttraumatic soft-tissue defects of the lower leg and surgical repair by a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap. All patients had a postoperative course free of complications. Measurements of flap perfusion were started in groups 1 through 4 (each 10 patients) 3 to 5 weeks, 5 to 7 months, 4 to 6 years, and 8 to 10 years after free tissue transfer, respectively. Quantitative measurements of local flap perfusion were performed by means of the hydrogen clearance technique (Ameda, Switzerland) at definite sites intracutaneously and subcutaneously within the flap's skin paddle as well as in the adjacent intracutaneous and subcutaneous skin of the surrounding soft tissue. Simultaneously, the vascular pedicle of the flap was visualized by a duplex scanner (Toshiba, Japan). In each group nine measurements were performed before (phase A), during (phase B), and after closing the pedicle (phase C) by manual compression. Each measurement took about 10 minutes. Statistical evaluation of the obtained values was achieved by the Mann-Whitney U test and the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Local flap perfusion showed no statistical differences for phase A and C in all four groups of patients. In phase B, however, a statistically highly significant (p < 0.01) absence of local flap perfusion was registered in all four groups at the site of the flap's skin paddle. No statistically significant alterations of intracutaneous and subcutaneous blood flow was found in the surrounding soft tissue. In our clinical-experimental setting, flap perfusion persisted by means of its vascular pedicle even 10 years after free tissue transfer. Our findings support the importance of an intact vascular pedicle for permanent flap survival after free tissue transfer.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[Intrabronchial surfactant administration in inhalation trauma of severely burned patients with ARDS. Initial case reports].

Damage to the respiratory system caused by inhalation of toxic products of combustion and the subsequent development of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are the main lethal factors in burns patients. Treatment with exogenous surfactant is one of the therapeutic options. However, no clinical reports have yet been published about this therapy. We report on two patients with burn injuries of second to third degree affecting 42% and 48% respectively of the total body surface plus inhalation injury complicated by ARDS. Both patients were treated with bovine surfactant (Alveofact). The therapeutic effects on oxygenation and pulmonary function were monitored. Intrabronchial application of surfactant by bronchoscopy during exhaustive conventional mechanical ventilation resulted in improved gas exchange with an increase in arterial O2 pressure (paO2); inspired O2 concentration (FiO2) was lowered and there was an improvement in lung compliance. Both patients survived this critical situation. We conclude that treatment with exogenous surfactant in postburn victims with ARDS is a promising therapeutic approach to improve the survival rate of these high-risk patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[Enchondroma of the hand. Clinical evaluation study of diagnosis, surgery and functional outcome].

Enchondroma are benign cartilaginous tumors and are localized most often at the site of the phalanges. Between 1982 and 1993 73 patients with monostotic enchondroma and 5 patients with polyostotic enchondroma were operated at our clinic. Clinical signs of monostotic tumors were pathological fracture (38.4%), pain or swelling. Eleven percent of cases were accidental findings. Surgical treatment was performed by complete removal of the tumors and filling the bone cavity with autologous spongiosa taken from the pelvic bones, the elbow, or the radius. Three patients (4.1%) had to be operated a second time due to wound infections and hematoma. In one case Sudeck's dystrophy was diagnosed. One patient (1.4%) developed a recurrent tumor. Our follow-up examination of 65 patients showed that 77% of the patients with monostotic enchondroma achieve very good or good functional long-term results after this operation, but only 40% of the patients with polyostotic enchondroma.

Bone Neoplasms↗

PubMed1997

Postoperative blood flow monitoring after free-tissue transfer by means of the hydrogen clearance technique.

The hydrogen clearance technique was introduced for monitoring postoperative blood flow after free-tissue transfer in this prospective clinical study. This technique allows unlimited repeatable quantitative measurements of tissue blood flow in milliliters per minute per 100 gm of tissue at any site including buried flaps. In this study a real-time blood flow measuring system (Ameflow, Ameda, Switzerland) was employed. Two thousand eight hundred and twenty-three blood flow measurements were carried out on 72 free-tissue transfers, which were performed on 71 patients. Nine of these 72 flaps showed vascular complications (12.5 percent), including arterial thrombosis in 6.9 percent (n = 5), hematoma in 4.2 percent (n = 3), and venous thrombosis in 1.4 percent (n = 1). Complications as well as uneventful postoperative cases were monitored correctly by the hydrogen clearance technique in all cases, reaching sensitivity and specificity values of 1.0 for this technique in our study. Furthermore, all complications could be detected earlier by the hydrogen clearance technique than by clinical monitoring alone, which allowed flap salvation in 7 of 9 cases and a resulting permanent failure rate of free-tissue transfer of 2.8 percent (n = 2). From our data we conclude that the hydrogen clearance technique is a promising tool for postoperative blood flow monitoring after free-tissue transfer. For experimental pathophysiologic and pharmacologic studies of tissue blood flow in flaps, further evaluation of our measuring device including comparative studies with other established techniques is highly recommended.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Replantation of the complete external genitals.

Most cases of genital amputation represent an isolated penile amputation; the combined amputation of both penile and testes is reported very seldom. We describe a case of complete amputation of the external genitals with successful replantation and good functional outcome. The problem is analyzed with respect to operative strategy, ischemic periods, postoperative management, and psychiatric background. For the replantation of the testes, time frames are comparable to those for macroreplantations.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

The fasciocutaneous supraclavicular artery island flap for releasing postburn mentosternal contractures.

Mentosternal contractures represent a surgical challenge to the plastic and reconstructive surgeon. We add the supraclavicular artery island flap to the armamentarium of surgical procedures to improve the function and cosmesis of disfigured patients. Since July of 1994, the supraclavicular artery island flap has been used at our institution for releasing postburn mentosternal contractures in eight patients. The flap was planned to be 4 to 10 cm in width and 20 to 30 cm in length with the supraclavicular vessels running axially. All donor defects could be closed primarily without significant postoperative complications in seven of the eight patients. All flaps healed primarily, achieving a good functional result by complete removal of contracting scar tissue for all patients; one donor site healed by secondary intention. We found the supraclavicular artery island flap both reliable and safe for immediate resurfacing after resection of cervical scars. The anatomy, operative procedure, and postoperative results of the supraclavicular artery island flap are outlined in this paper.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[Burn injury. Staged management and prognosis in the burn center].

The technical achievements of this century have dramatically increased the risk of severe burns. Planning the management of burn injuries resp, burn disasters, the establishment of a prevention program is as important as the work out of a meticulous program for rescue and treatment. A planned rescue, triage and treatment improve the prognosis of the injured patient due to early beginning of the therapy. Burn injuries over 20% of total body surface area have to be treated in special equipped burn centers. In these centers, the patient is treated with the acute phase until to his medical, psychological and social rehabilitation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

[Analysis of cost measures in treatment of severely burned patients].

An analysis of costs and profit and an evaluation of the different cost parameters was performed in our burn centre, which treated 50-80 patients per year between 1991 and 1995. The cost-profit relationship (costs 3.7-4.6 million DM/year, profit 3.8-5.0 million DM/year) is balanced. The main cost parameters are staff costs (1.3-1.9 million DM/year), costs for medical treatment (1.5-1.8 million DM/year), and costs for internal services (0.6-0.9 million DM/year).

Burn Units↗

PubMed1996

Technetium-99m human immunoglobulin (HIG): a new substance for scintigraphic detection of bone and joint infections.

Technetium (99m-Tc)-labelled, polyclonal human immunoglobulin (HIG) has been described as a new agent to detect local infection and inflammation. In this study, we tested 99m-Tc HIG in 55 patients with suspected chronic (n = 42) and acute (n = 13) skeletal infection. Diagnosis was proven operatively (n = 44) and clinically (n = 11), including microbiological culture tests (n = 46). A gamma camera scan was performed 4 and 24 hours after I.v. injection of 500 MBq 99m-Tc-HIG. 99m-Tc-HIG scanning achieved a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 93%. We found one false negative and five false positive scintigraphic results in 55 patients. No clinical or biochemical side effects were encountered after 99m-Tc-HIG injection. We recommend this technique especially for localisation of low-grade, chronic osteomyelitis. The mechanisms and kinetics of 99m-Tc-HIG, however, are worth investigating more extensively.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1996

[Model for a computer-assisted quality assurance system in burn intensive care].

The prerequisites for an integrated quality management system for hospitals were developed as a result of considerations regarding the necessity of an appropriate quality-assurance system for the intensive care sector. The basis for a dynamic quality-assurance system on the documentational level is a comprehensive data base containing patient files unlimited in terms of time and data technology. The necessary hardware and software structure will be provided by consistent application of a client-server architecture. Permanent surveillance of existing quality objectives within the scope of an economic close-loop system requires a system with flexible query mechanisms. Informational data access from all hierarchical level within the hospital organization is facilitated by the data warehouse concept, a data base system with subject-oriented, integrated, time-variable, and persistent data.

Burn Units↗

PubMed1996

[Treatment of mentosternal contractures by flap-plasty].

Mentosternal contractures still represent a surgical challenge due to their exposed location. They require early operative treatment for both functional as well as aesthetic reasons. Careful clinical examination of scar location and traction forces both in the resting and functional, moving state including proper evaluation of the surrounding soft tissue is mandatory for exact preoperative planning of the reconstructive surgical procedure required. In general, the technically most feasible operation is favoured, if functional and aesthetic results are good and the postoperative risk of recurrent mentosternal contractures is low. Between 1987 and 1994, 21 patients with cervical, mentosternal and mentothoracic contractures underwent operative procedures at our clinic. Eight patients underwent a surgical reconstruction with local flaps and 13 patients received a free microvascularized flap.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

[Budget analysis in a burn center for severely burned patients].

The treatment of patients with severe burn injuries is expensive and belongs in the hands of specialized burn centres. In our burn centre 257 patients were treated from 1991 to June 1995 (between 50 and 60 patients per year except for 1993 with 77 patients). Patients were evaluated according to the ABSI score (mean 7) and had mortality of around 15%. The costs range between 3.7 and 4.8 million DM per year, the profit lies in the same range. The costs are divided into staff costs (1.4-1.8 million DM per year), costs for medical treatment (1.5-1.9 million DM per year) and costs for internal services (600,000-900,000 DM per year) such as laboratory examinations (247,000-386,000 DM per year) and blood bank (100,000-215,000 DM per year), the main factors in this category. The different fields of costs and profit are compared in this analysis. Possible ways of reducing costs are pointed out, and the question of effectiveness of therapy is discussed. Conclusions from this analysis are limited by the individuality of each case with different clinical courses, the great number of influencing factors and the comparably small numbers of patients.

Budgets↗

PubMed1996

[Surgical prevention of post-traumatic infection by immediate necrectomy of burn wounds].

Sepsis is the commonest cause of death following burn injuries. The main source of the bacteria which cause the onset of sepsis is the burn wound itself. We evaluated the question of whether immediate necrectomy versus early necrectomy leads to a decrease in septic complications, as well as posttraumatic lethality. We evaluated 66 patients, 33 of whom underwent immediate necrectomy (i.e., within the first 3 days posttraumatically, group 1); the remaining 33 patients underwent necrectomy in the early posttraumatic phase (from the fourth posttraumatic day, group 2). Following immediate necrectomy (group 1), septic complications developed in 12.1%, as compared to 33.3% in group 2 (p < 0.01). Lathality was significantly reduced in group 1 with 9.1% compared to 21.2% in group 2 (p < 0.01). In this study it was demonstrated that immediate necrectomy versus early necrectomy in young patients leads to a significant decrease of septic complications and lethality following burn injury.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Are special burn scores necessary in intensive care?].

In a retrospective study of 51 severely burned patients specific scores for burn injuries showed no advantages to general intensive scores in respect to the prediction of mortality and sepsis. Monitoring is possible since patients at high risk already differed significantly in the early phase of treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Measurements of tissue blood flow by the hydrogen clearance technique (HCT): a comparative study including laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and the Erlangen micro-lightguide spectrophotometer (EMPHO).

The purpose of this study was to compare the hydrogen clearance technique (HCT) with two different, well-established techniques, i.e., the laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and the Erlangen micro-lightguide spectrophotometer (EMPHO), for tissue blood flow measurements in an experimental setting. For the animal experiments, we chose a rat model for arterial and venous flap thrombosis, using the epigastric groin flap. Forty male dark Aguty rats were included in the study. The animals were divided into eight groups, each with a different vascular thrombotic model. HCT was used to collect 1,467 measurements, and 2,934 graphs were recorded; 27 measurements (54 graphs) had to be discarded due to faulty electrode placements and electronic noise. In 19 of the 27 discarded measurements the cause of failure was moving of the awaking animal with disruption of the decay signal. The LDF and EMPHO measurements were performed continuously during each measuring phase. Simple and multiple linear regression and paired t-tests were used to compare the three techniques. The reproducibility of registered blood flow values in phases 1, 3, 6 and 7 varied between 7.8% and 13.6% which is in about the same range as LDF and EMPHO. We could not find a significant difference between the three techniques in this regard. The correlation coefficient for HCT and LDF was r = 0.89. For HCT and EMPHO we found r = 0.67. Sensitivity and specificity values for HCT were both 1.0 in detecting arterial and venous flap thrombosis; for LDF we found values of 0.89 and 0.92, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity values for EMPHO were 0.92 and 0.95, respectively. After careful evaluation of three different techniques (HCT, LDF, and EMPHO) for measurements of local tissue blood flow we came to the conclusion that HCT must be favoured as a reliable tool for quantitative measurement of local tissue blood flow and early diagnosis of arterial and venous flap thrombosis.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

[Scar carcinoma as a late complication after burns].

Carcinomas, mainly of the squamous cell type, may occur in burn scars from 3 months to 75 years after the burn injury, and they have a poor prognosis. Therefore, unstable scars, chronic ulcers and tumors must be subjected to histological examination as soon as possible. If a malignant tumor is present, the therapy of choice is wide local excision, though in the event of progressive tumor development an ablative procedure may be necessary. Early radical surgery is important. Unstable scars should be investigated to allow prophylactic surgery to be performed if appropriate [4]. Early mobilization of the (mostly elderly) patients is important. Three case reports of patients with burn scar carcinoma are presented.

Aged↗