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Objectives

Boerhaave's syndrome is a life-threatening disease with high mortality and morbidity. Endoscopic negative pressure therapy (ENPT) can be used to treat oesophageal perforations.

Case presentation

We report on a case of oesophageal rupture with peritonitis in a 35-year-old male patient. The start of treatment was 11 h after the perforation event. The treatment of the perforation defect was performed exclusively by intraluminal ENPT, the treatment of peritonitis was performed by laparotomy with abdominal lavage. For ENPT we used two different types of open-pore drains. The first treatment cycle of four days was performed with an open-pored polyurethane foam drainage (OPD), which was placed intraluminal to cover the perforation defect and to empty the stomach permanently. The second treatment cycle of nine days was performed with a thin nasogastric tube like double-lumen open-pored film drainage (OFD). For suction OPD and OFD were connected with an electronic vacuum pump (-125 mmHg). OFD enables active gastric emptying with simultaneous intestinal feeding via an integrated feeding tube. Intraluminal ENPT with a total treatment duration of 13 days was able to achieve the complete healing of the defect. Surgical treatment of the perforation defect was not necessary. The patient was discharged 20 days after initial treatment with a non-irritating abdominal wound and a closed perforation.

Conclusions

In suitable cases, endoscopic negative pressure therapy is a minimally invasive, organ-preserving procedure for the treatment of spontaneous oesophageal rupture.

The treatment of acute and chronic infected wounds with residing biofilm still poses a major challenge in medical care. Interactions of antimicrobial dressings with bacterial load, biofilm matrix and the overall protein-rich wound microenvironment remain insufficiently studied. This analysis aimed to extend the investigation on the efficacy of a variety of antimicrobial dressings using an in vitro biofilm model (lhBIOM) mimicking the specific biofilm-environment in human wounds. Four wound dressings containing polyhexanide (PHMB), octendine di-hydrochloride (OCT), cadexomer-iodine (C-IOD) or ionic silver (AG) were compared regarding their antimicrobial efficacy. Quantitative analysis was performed using a quantitative suspension method, separately assessing remaining microbial counts within the solid biofilm as well as the dressing eluate (representing the absorbed wound exudate). Dressing performance was tested against P. aeruginosa biofilms over the course of 6 days. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to obtain qualitative visualization on changes in biofilm structure. C-IOD demonstrated superior bacterial reduction. In comparison it was the only dressing achieving a significant reduction of more than 7 log10 steps within 3 days. Neither the OCT- nor the AG-containing dressing exerted a distinct and sustained antimicrobial effect. PHMB achieved a non-significant microbicidal effect (1.71 ± 0.31 log10 steps) at day 1. Over the remaining course (6 days) it demonstrated a significant microbistatic effect compared to OCT, AG and the control. Quantitative results in the dressing eluate correlate with those of the solid biofilm model. Overall, AG- and OCT-containing dressings did not achieve the expected anti-biofilm efficacy, while C-IOD performed best. Chemical interaction with the biofilms extrapolymeric substance (EPS), visualized in the SEM, and dressing configuration (agent concentration and release pattern) are suspected to be responsible. The unexpected low and diverse results of the tested antimicrobial dressings indicate a necessity to rethink non-debridement anti-biofilm therapy. Focussing on the combination of biofilm-disruptive (for EPS structure) and antimicrobial (for residing microorganisms) features, as with C-IOD, using dehydration and iodine, appears reasonably complementary and an optimal solution, as suggested by the here presented in vitro data.

Endoscopic negative pressure therapy (ENPT) represents a modern and effective treatment strategy for gastrointestinal tract wall defects. The intracavitary treatment strategy is based on placing a sponge within the defect cavity (Fig. 1), whereas the intraluminal treatment approach is based on placing a drainage device within the visceral lumen overlapping the defect area (Fig. 2). These strategies complement each other and are successful treatments for gastrointestinal perforation and postoperative adverse events in the upper or lower GI tract.

An open-pore film drainage (OFD) device was first described in 2015 by Loske et al3 and has been used for several indications in the upper GI tract, urinary tract, and other sites. OFD may offer several advantages in terms of easier placement, adhesiveness to the wound base, less frequent reintervention, and better fluid mobilization. In this video (Video 1, available online at www.giejournal.org), we present the assembly and placement procedure of a fashioned OFD device that allows simultaneous enteral feeding.

The use of negative pressure dressings for open abdominal therapy has made a great impact on strategies for open abdominal treatment. Observed intestinal damage and developement of fistula formation raises questions about safety of commonly used systems (AB-Thera). The most common used system uses foils for shielding intestines directly from negative pressure. As an alternative a system with open pore dressing in double layer film was introduced (Suprasorb CNP) and proved to safe in animal studies. We compared the effects of this two systems on patients requiring open abdominal treatment.Materials and methods: Patients with secondary peritonitis in at least two abdominal quadrants were included in this randomized study. Inclusion criteria were secondary peritonitis (ACS), abdominal compartment syndrome, and abdominal trauma combined with ACS and/or contaminated abdomen. Patients with active bleeding and pancreatitis were not included. We examined Mannheim peritonitis Index (MPI), bloodcount, PCT, amount of fluid collected, and morphological changes on the bowel. Data were collected on day 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Primary end point was fascial closure. Examination was terminated in case of death and damage to the abdominal organs. Groups were compared using Mann Whitney U-test and chi square test. Trend evaluation was evaluated using an one way repeated measure analysis of variance. P-values below 0.05 was

Since the introduction of negative pressure therapy of the abdomen, care has been taken to protect the intestine from the effects of negative pressure in order to avoid impairments of abdominal organs. As an alternative to the widespread AB-Thera^R system (KCI, San Antonio, Texas, USA), the different concept of Suprasorb CNP^R (Lohmann & Rauscher, Austria-Germany) was introduced by the producer with the premise of achieving a better therapeutic effect. Due to numerous pores of the film, the effects of the negative pressure are brought to the surface of the intestinal organs and these effects were tested on seven experimental animals. Particular attention was paid to the small intestine, colon, liver, and pancreas. Over 8 h continuously, three animals were tested with −80 mmHg, 4 with −60 mmHg. The results showed no macroscopic pathological changes. The histological results showed borderline changes in the small intestine and colon with −80 mmHg application, minimal or none with −60 mmHg. The liver and pancreas were found free of pathological changes. For use on human organs, the intra-abdominal application of −60 mmHg for the Suprasorb CNP system is proposed as the standard.

Aims Anastomotic insufficiencies(AI) and perforations of the upper gastrointestinal tract(uGIT) result in high morbidity and mortality. Besides surgical revision and endoscopic stent placement the endoluminal vacuum therapy(EVT) has been established as an additional strategy. So far, the Eso-Sponge is the only licensed EVT system with limitations in very small defects. Therefore, a fistula sponge(FS) was established in our center for the treatment of small defects of the uGIT as a new therapeutic approach. To evaluate success rates, indications and complications of both EVT options in a retrospective, single-center trial.

Methods Between 01/2018 and 12/2020 all patients undergoing either a FS-EVT or conventional EVT(cEVT) with Eso-Sponge (Braun Melsungen, Germany) due to AI or perforation of the uGIT were recorded. Following criteria were evaluated: indication, diameter of leakage, therapy success and complications. FSs were prepared using a nasogastric tube (6-16Ch diameter) and a porous drainage film (Suprasorb CNP, Lohmann&Rauscher, Germany)(length 1 – 6 cm) sutured to the distal tip.

Results N = 72 patients were included in this analysis (FS-EVT N = 20; cEVT N = 52). FS-EVT was performed in 60 % suffering from AI (cEVT = 68 %) and 40 % from perforation (cEVT = 32 %;p>0.05). After 6.2±3.3d of treatment FSs were exchanged every three days in average, comparable data were obtained for cEVT. The mean diameter of the defect was 9 mm in the FS-EVT group compared to 24 mm in cEVT(p < 0.001), the depth of the leakage showed no significant difference (46 mm for both groups). Therapeutic success (development of granulation tissue, resolution of the leak) was achieved in 90 % (FS-EVT) and 91 % (cEVT) respectively (p > 0.05).

Conclusions EVT comprises an extraordinary treatment option of transmural defects of the uGIT. In clinical practice fistulas <10 mm with large abscess formations exhibit a special challenge, since intraluminal cEVT normally fails. In these cases the concept of extraluminal FS placement is safe and effective.

Aim: Foam dressings are thought to aid in the establishment of a beneficial moist wound environment as they exhibit excellent fluid management capacity by absorbing as well as donating fluid. Therefore, a scratch wound healing model using human fibroblasts and keratinocytes was developed depending on the donation of fluid by the applied dressings. The effect on cell proliferation and migration of NFD* and cotton gauze was investigated.

Methods: Human dermal fibroblasts (DF) and human epidermal keratinocytes (HaCaT) were seeded into 6-well-plates and cultivated for 48h before scratching. NFD and gauze were cut aseptically (d=3.5cm), soaked in medium and applied directly on the cell scratches without further medium addition. Cells were stained with hematoxylin/eosin after 1, 6, 24, and 48h. Scratches were photographed using a digital microscope and evaluated using the Image J program.

Results: It was found that NFD supported the scratch healing in vitro by promoting fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation and migration through establishing a moist wound environment. Results were almost comparable to the medium control. In contrast, scratches covered with gauze remained open, probably due to the loss of moisture by drying of the wound dressing.

Conclusions: It could be shown that NFD is able to promote wound healing by effectively creating humid conditions favouring wound closure while gauze was not able to maintain the moist environment resulting in non-healing cell scratch wounds in vitro.

*NFD - Suprasorb® P sensitive (Lohmann&Rauscher)

Aim

We present the case of a young female patient, with sequela from 2nd and 3rd degree burn wounds on her legs and forearms bilaterally. Within 3 month after injury and conservative treatment, the patient developed extended keloids on the dorsal side of her left hand and forearm with functional impairment at the wrist and elbow.

Method

After the excision of the scar lesion, the full thickness skin defect was reconstructed in stages. To reconstruct a sufficient dermal layer, we locally applied a dermal substitute, initially covered with a meshed silicone sheet. To adequately steady the matrix and avoid shear stress, we used the technique of NPWT in general and a very easily manageable sleeve-like dressing* in particular.

Results

After complete healing of the graft, the patient is pain-free and no longer limited in her movements. At 1.5 years of follow-up there is no sign of recurrence for keloid.

Conclusions

The excision of large surface keloids overpassing joints and the use of a dermal matrix associated with skin grafts is a useful technique for restoring full thickness skin defects, particularly on the extremities. NPWT is known to perfectly mold the grafts to the wound. Yet, its application using gauzes or cut out foams and several pieces of transparent and self-adhering film is often difficult and time-consuming. Accordingly, NPWT that can be sealed by overlaying a sleeve simplifies the process, lowers the number of manipulations and thus speeds up the execution time.

*Suprasorb CNP EasyDress - Lohmann & Rauscher