A Retrospective Review of Iatrogenic Skin and Soft Tissue Injuries

Abstract

BackgroundEven though the quality of medical and surgical care has improved remarkably over time, iatrogenic injuries that require surgical treatment including injuries caused by cast and elastic bandage pressure, extravasation, and dopamine-induced ischemia still frequently occur. The goal of this study was to estimate the incidence and analyze the distribution of iatrogenic injuries referred to our department.MethodsA retrospective clinical review was performed from April 2006 to November 2010. In total, 196 patients (116 females and 80 males) were referred to the plastic surgery department for the treatment of iatrogenic injuries. We analyzed the types and anatomic locations of iatrogenic complications, along with therapeutic results.ResultsAn extravasation injury (65 cases, 37.4%) was the most common iatrogenic complication in our study sample, followed by splint-induced skin ulceration, dopamine-induced necrosis, prefabricated pneumatic walking brace-related wounds and elastic bandage-induced wounds. Among these, prefabricated pneumatic walking brace-related complication incidence increased the most during the 5-year study period.ConclusionsThe awareness of the very common iatrogenic complications and its causes may allow physicians to reduce their occurrence and allow for earlier detection and referral to a plastic surgeon. We believe this is the first study to analyze iatrogenic complications referred to a plastic surgery department in a hospital unit.

Extravasation Wound Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

“…Only a few studies have suggested wound manage procedures [8,[13][14][15][16][17]. Extravasation events involve severe complications such as the progression of a relatively mild wound (tissue edema, redness, or vasculitis) to skin necrosis or an abscess [18]. Despite the high prevalence of extravasation events and their severity, it seems that many medical teams do not know which intravenous fluid leads to severe consequences, which requires early intervention, and which treatment should be administered.…”

Upper Extremity Complications and Concerns in Patients With Cardiac Disease

“…12 Approximately 81% of the cases of digital ischemia caused by vasopressors require amputation, with the remaining having delayed wound healing and minor necrosis. 13 Upper extremity ischemia due to thromboembolism Upper extremity ischemia related to cardiac abnormalities is frequently due to thromboembolism, most commonly from atrial fibrillation, which accounts for approximately 80% of upper extremity thromboembolism. Other less frequent causes include valvular abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, and atrial septal defects.…”

Iatrogenic pressure sores: primum non nocere

“…Dear Editors, An iatrogenic wound can be defined as a wound that is attained during or as a result of medical treatment provided by a health care giver. A study by Lee et al reported that the most common iatrogenic injuries that are referred to plastic surgeons are extravasation injuries, followed by cast-induced injuries and vasopressor-induced necrosis (1).…”

“…A study by Lee et al reported that the most common iatrogenic injuries that are referred to plastic surgeons are extravasation injuries, followed by cast-induced injuries and vasopressor-induced necrosis (1).…”