The overall survival of osteosarcoma patients was influenced by the presence of pulmonary metastases and compliance to treatment. Histological subtype, different chemotherapy regimens and histological necrosis after chemotherapy did not significantly influence survival. The patients who did not complete treatment had significantly poorer survival.

Wound bed preparation has been performed for over two decades, and the concept is well accepted. The ‘TIME’ acronym, consisting of tissue debridement, infection or inflammation, moisture balance and edge effect, has assisted clinicians systematically in wound assessment and management. While the focus has usually been concentrated around the wound, the evolving concept of wound bed preparation promotes the treatment of the patient as a whole. This article discusses wound bed preparation and its clinical management components along with the principles of advanced wound care management at the present time. Management of tissue necrosis can be tailored according to the wound and local expertise. It ranges from simple to modern techniques like wet to dry dressing, enzymatic, biological and surgical debridement. Restoration of the bacterial balance is also an important element in managing chronic wounds that are critically colonized. Achieving a balance moist wound will hasten healing and correct biochemical imbalance by removing the excessive enzymes and growth factors. This can be achieved will multitude of dressing materials. The negative pressure wound therapy being one of the great breakthroughs. The progress and understanding on scientific basis of the wound bed preparation over the last two decades are discussed further in this article in the clinical perspectives.

No abstract

Objectives Chitosan, the N-deacetylated derivative of chitin, has useful biological properties that promote haemostasis, analgesia, wound healing, and scar reduction; chitosan is bacteriostatic, biocompatible, and biodegradable. This study determined the efficacy of chitosan derivative film as a superficial wound dressing. Methods This multicentre randomised controlled trial included 244 patients, of whom 86 were treated with chitosan derivative film and 84 with hydrocolloid. The percentage of epithelisation, as well as patient comfort, clinical signs, and patient convenience in application and removal of the dressings were assessed. Results The primary outcome of this study was the percentage of epithelisation. Except for race ( p = 0.04), there were no significant differences between groups in sex, age, antibiotic usage, or initial wound size ( p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the mean epithelisation percentage between groups ( p = 0.29). Patients using chitosan derivative film experienced more pain during removal of dressing than those in the hydrocolloid group ( p = 0.007). The chitosan derivative film group showed less exudate ( p = 0.036) and less odour ( p = 0.024) than the control group. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between groups in terms of adherence, ease of removal, wound drainage, erythema, itchiness, pain, and tenderness. No oedema or localised warmth was observed during the study. Conclusion This study concluded that chitosan derivative film is equivalent to hydrocolloid dressing and can be an option in the management of superficial and abrasion wounds. Clinical trial No. NMRR-11-948-10565.

No abstract

Hair-thread tourniquet syndrome is a rare condition where appendages are strangulated by an encircling strand of hair, a thread, or a fiber. The condition usually occurs in very young patients in the first few months of life. We present a unique case of a 3-month-old baby girl with hair-thread tourniquet syndrome in whom a hair cheese-wired through the skin and soft tissue of the toe and caused bony erosion of the underlying phalanx. An extensive literature review and meta-analysis of the topic are also presented.

No abstract

No abstract