Background. This study was performed to evaluate the results of vacuum assisted wound therapy in patients with open musculoskeletal injuries. Study Design and Setting. Prospective, randomized, and interventional at tertiary care hospital, from 2011 to 2012. Materials and Methods. 30 patients of open musculoskeletal injuries underwent randomized trial of vacuum assisted closure therapy versus standard wound therapy around the upper limb and lower limb. Mean patient age was 39 ± 18 years (range, 18 to 76 years). Necrotic tissues were debrided before applying VAC therapy. Dressings were changed every 3 or 4 days. For standard wound therapy, debridement followed by daily dressings was done. Data Management and Statistical Analysis. The results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Results. The size of soft tissue defects reduced more than 5 mm to 25 mm after VAC (mean decrease of 26.66%), whereas in standard wound therapy, reduction in wound size was less than 5 mm. A free flap was needed to cover exposed bone and tendon in one case in standard wound therapy group. No major complication occurred that was directly attributable to treatment. Conclusion. Vacuum assisted wound therapy was found to facilitate the rapid formation of healthy granulation tissue on open wounds in the upper limb and lower limb, thus to shorten healing time and minimize secondary soft tissue defect coverage procedures.

Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus 25(3):91-95 AbstractPurpose Blood transfusion is an important part of patient management. Indications for blood use must be clear in the mind of ordering clinicians, to avoid its misuse and also to avoid unnecessary exposure of the patient to donor blood antigens, adverse reactions and transfusion transmissible diseases.Methods In a retrospective pilot study, details of whole blood and components transfused were noted and correlated with the patient's diagnosis and indications for transfusion, during 1 month.Results The blood units supplied were 720. Whole blood was the most utilized product; followed by packed red blood cells. Supply of blood was maximum to the surgical wards. The patients of trauma followed by malignancy and surgery required whole blood mostly. Anemia was the most common indication for blood products.Conclusions Periodic review of blood component usage is very important to assess the blood utilization pattern in any hospital.

Von Meyenburg complex is a benign biliary hamartoma observed in approximately 3% of the autopsies conducted. These hamartomas are small, multiple and can be seen anywhere in the liver. There is usually no abnormality in liver function tests, and the patient is mostly asymptomatic. They serve as a diagnostic dilemma, particularly during metastatic workup in suspected cancer patients. Imaging studies are usually noncontributory, and biopsy is necessary for a definite diagnosis. We present here a middle-aged North Indian male who underwent liver biopsy to rule out metastasis.