Purpose: To analyze the demographic, clinical, and microbiological profile of patients presenting to our unit with chronic wounds of various etiologies with an intent to give a current overview of chronic wounds. Patients and Methods: We performed a prospective observational study of patients presenting with chronic wounds from October 2018 to September 2019. The study was conducted at the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of a tertiary care institute in a nonmetropolitan city in Central India. A total of 103 patients were included in the study. Data collected from the patients included demographic details, history, clinical features, and relevant laboratory reports. Wound swabs obtained by Levine's technique were sent for culture and sensitivity studies. Treatment was instituted according to the clinical picture and modified if necessary. Progress was monitored until the wound healed, either by conservative management or by surgical intervention. Patients were followed up for six months thereafter. Results: Most of the patients presented with lower limb wounds (n=81, 78.64%). Swab specimens from 103 wounds were cultured. Among the isolates, gram-negative organisms were more common than gram-positive organisms. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common species isolated, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The frequency of infections caused by other gram-negative organisms like Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Proteus mirabilis was on the rise. There were significant differences in the patterns of antimicrobial resistance in our patients. Sharp debridements were required in almost all cases for wound preparation. Most of the patients (n=74, 71.84%) underwent surgical intervention for achieving wound closure. Split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) was the most common surgical intervention performed (n=45, 43.68% patients), followed by local and distant flaps. Conclusion: Our study gives a current overview of the causes, clinical presentation, prevalent microbial flora, and their antibiotic susceptibilities prevalent in chronic wounds presenting to our unit. Treatments administered are discussed with emphasis on the different reconstructions performed.
Introduction: Reconstruction of foot and ankle defects requires selecting an appropriate durable and aesthetically appealing option. From the different options, the procedure's choice depends on the defect's size, location, and donor area's availability. Patients' main goal is to have an acceptable biomechanical outcome. Materials and methods: In this prospective study, we have included patients who had undergone reconstruction of the ankle and foot defects between January 2019 and June 2021. Patient demographics, location and size of the defect, different procedures, complications, sensory recovery, ankle hindfoot score, and satisfaction score were recorded. Results: 50 patients with foot and ankle defects were enrolled in this study. All flaps survived except one free anterolateral thigh flap. Five locoregional flaps developed minor complications, and all skin grafts healed well. The Ankle Hindfoot Score outcome has no significant relation with the anatomical location of the defects and the reconstructive procedure. All patients reconstructed using random local flap and with free flap were satisfied with the aesthetic outcome. Conclusions: Because of limited soft tissue, local flap availability is restricted to small defects. Satisfaction rates are high in local and free flaps and are best suited for reconstructing the weight-bearing part of the foot. Bulky flaps should be avoided over the dorsum and ankle region.
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