[Burns caused by nitrous oxide cylinder misuse]

In recent years, we have seen an increase in the frequency of the misuse of nitrous oxide as a narcotic. The risks associated with its use are now well-known, such as neurological and psychiatric risks. In this study, we report our experience with specific thigh burns when using nitrous oxide canisters for narcotic purposes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between November 2021 and August 2022 we treated 4 patients burned during a nitrous oxide use accident.

RESULTS

We report the cases of three women and one man with an average age of 28. Two of them were treated in addictology. We observed an average delay before consultation of a healthcare professional of 7days. The burns were all rounded and deep, localized at the level of the thighs. For three of the patients (one having been lost to sight), a split thickness skin graft was performed within an average of 32days.

CONCLUSIONS

The non-medical use of nitrous oxide represents a real public health problem in addition to the adverse effects of the substance itself. Prevention and health security measures seem to be becoming essential.

Lower limb perforator flaps: Current concept

Following a long period dominated by random fasciocutaneous flaps or muscle flaps, solutions to cover the lower limb have been largely diversified by the advent of so-called "perforator" flaps. Extended knowledge of vascular anatomy has propagated the development of this innovative procedure, in the objective of reducing morbidity. The existence of close to 400 perforator vessels in the body makes it possible to offer new flap perspectives for many defects, which were sometimes previously impossible to manage before except by free flap. For us, perforator flaps have become the current first-line solutions for small to medium size loss of substances. Understanding of vascular physiology and surgical experience are essential in choosing indications, detecting perforators, and modeling flaps to be optimally positioned in the reconstructive decisional algorithm. New skills are needed to master this type of reconstruction and limit failures, which implies a learning curve not only for flap design, perforator detection and surgical procedure, but also for monitoring and management of complications. In this manuscript, we outline the concepts and principles of the majority of the pedicled perforator flaps available for coverage of the lower limb, based on experience of more than 400 perforator flaps suitable for this localization.

Repair of gauge earlobe medium defect

Defects due to earlobe gauging are becoming more and more frequent. Many techniques have been described to repair major defects but very few papers exist about medium defects. The aim of this article is to describe a simple surgical technique to repair medium deformations, based on two opposite crescents on the anterior and posterior sides of the earlobe. It gives a harmonious result to the overall shape of the earlobes with a natural curve along the inferior border which is the most difficult part of this surgery.

Perforator-based propeller flaps reliability in upper extremity soft tissue reconstruction: a systematic review

Current data on upper extremity propeller flaps are poor and do not allow the assessment of the safety of this technique. A systematic literature review was conducted searching PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library electronic databases, and the selection process was adapted from the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis statement. The final analysis included ten relevant articles involving 117 flaps. The majority of flaps were used for the hand, distal wrist, and elbow. The radial artery perforator and ulnar artery perforator were the most frequently used flaps. The were 7% flaps with venous congestion and 3% with complete necrosis. No difference in complications rate was found for different flaps sites. Perforator-based propeller flaps appear to be an interesting procedure for covering soft tissue defects involving the upper extremities, even for large defects, but the procedure requires experience and close monitoring.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

Leech therapy in flap salvage: Systematic review and practical recommendations

INTRODUCTION

Medicinal leeches have been part of the therapeutic armamenterium of plastic surgeons for more than 50 years. While their use in hand surgery is a matter of course, their use in salvage of flaps with venous congestion remains facultative depending on teams.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of leech therapy for flap salvage between 1960 and 2015, analyzing 121 articles and subsequently taking into consideration 41 studies. In parallel, we collected data from 43 patients for whom leach therapy had recently been applied in treatment of venous insufficiency in pedicled or free flaps after revision surgery had failed to improve flap vascularization, or in cases where flap revision was not appropriate. The data collected pertained to relevant indications, treatment procedure, efficacy, adjuvant therapies, side effects and complications.

RESULTS

For this indication, the success rate of leech therapy ranged from 65 to 85% (83.7% in our series) according to the situations encountered. Optimal frequency of application ranged from 2 to 8hours, while average overall duration ranged from 4 to 10 days. The number of leeches to be applied can be determined depending on volume of the flap. In 50% of the cases reported in the literature, the patients required transfusion. Antibiotic prophylaxis against Aeromonas is highly advisable. A ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfametoxazole combination currently appears as the most relevant prophylactic antibiotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Hirudotherapy is a reliable treatment in cases of patent venous insufficiency of pedicled or free flaps (or when revision surgery is not recommended). Even though the relevant literature is highly heterogeneous, we have attempted to put forward a specific protocol bringing together dosage, delivery route, frequency of administration and appropriate prophylactic antibiotherapy. An algorithm for treatment and management of venous congestion and a practical information sheet have been placed at the disposal of plastic surgery teams.

[Quality of publications in plastic surgery]

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study is to describe plastic surgery publications in terms of methodology, level of evidence, approval by institutional review board, method of consent, and subspecialty.

METHODS

The 8 top-ranked plastic surgery journals were selected. We manually reviewed the last 40 original articles in each plastic surgery journal, to represent more than 2 months of publications for all journals (range: 3-17 months). Only clinical original articles on human subjects were included. Each article was read at least twice by two different reviewers to ensure accurate data transcription, and then graded by written criteria. One of the senior authors was asked to make a final decision in case of doubt.

RESULTS

Among the articles reviewed, 320 were analyzed. The geographical origin of these publications were Asia (32.5%), Europe (30%), US (28.4%), South America (5.6%), Africa (2.5%), and finally Oceania (1%). Reconstructive surgery remains the specialty area most represented in the journals with almost half of the publications, followed by breast surgery (24%) and plastic surgery (19%). A total of 75.6% were retrospective studies. Nearly 80% of the studies were of low level of evidence. Only 3.5% were randomized trials. Less than 40% of the publications mentioned approval by an institutional committee, and 22.6% a patient's informed consent.

CONCLUSION

This study aimed to analyze the quality of plastic surgery publications, taking into account the criteria of Evidence Based Medicine. This work showed that more than half of the studies did not mention an institutional review board approval (Ethics Committee), and that three quarter of the studies did not indicate the presence of patient's informed consent. Ultimately, over 80% of the studies were of low level of evidence. The top-ranked journals have already imposed guidelines corresponding to the methodology requirements to publish clinical studies in their pages, such as EQUATOR criteria for the PRS journal. Efforts are therefore to be done to raise the scientific level of the publications of our specialty.