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Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive &... Mar 2015Post-surgical pyoderma gangrenosum (PSPG) presents as a rapidly expanding cutaneous ulcer at a site of surgery with potentially devastating consequences. We... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Post-surgical pyoderma gangrenosum (PSPG) presents as a rapidly expanding cutaneous ulcer at a site of surgery with potentially devastating consequences. We systematically reviewed the English and foreign language literature to identify risk factors for PSPG and propose a management strategy.
METHODS
A systematic review was completed in PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Database for all published reports of PSPG from January 1946 to June 2013. We manually examined bibliographies for relevant references and used Google Translate for articles in foreign languages, including Italian, Japanese, German, Dutch, Turkish, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Russian, Portuguese, and Czech.
RESULTS
We identified 220 cases of PSPG (mean age 52.8 years, range 5-85 years). Thirty-seven patients (16.8%) had a history of pyoderma gangrenosum, nineteen (8.6%) had a hematologic disorder such as leukemia or lymphoma, thirteen (5.9%) had inflammatory bowel disease, and eight (3.6%) had rheumatoid arthritis. PSPG occurred most commonly after breast (25%), cardiothoracic (14%), abdominal (14%), and obstetric (13%) surgeries. The most common breast procedures were bilateral reduction mammoplasty (45%), breast reconstruction (25%), and lumpectomy or mastectomy (11%). Signs of wound complication occurred on average 7.0 days after surgery. Nineteen patients (8.6%) at risk for PSPG received perioperative corticosteroids during skin grafting or later surgeries with a favorable outcome.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients with a history of pyoderma gangrenosum, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or hematologic malignancy who are undergoing breast, cardiothoracic, or abdominal surgeries should be carefully observed for post-operative ulceration at incision sites. Debridement should not be performed before dermatologic consultation to assess for PSPG. Patients at risk of PSPG undergoing breast surgery may benefit from perioperative prednisone to prevent PSPG which can lead to destructive wound enlargement and significant scarring.
Topics: Humans; Postoperative Complications; Pyoderma Gangrenosum; Risk Factors; Surgical Wound Infection
PubMed: 25589459
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2014.12.036 -
The British Journal of Dermatology Jun 2015Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by painful skin ulcerations for which treatment can be challenging. The genetic basis of PG may... (Review)
Review
Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by painful skin ulcerations for which treatment can be challenging. The genetic basis of PG may provide a better understanding of the disease and new targets for treatment. We systematically reviewed the published literature regarding the syndromes and genetic mutations associated with PG. A literature search was performed through the clinical queries PubMed (National Library of Medicine) database and the Cochrane database. The studies were assessed and then categorized as relating to syndromes or specific gene mutations. Two hundred and eight articles were identified, describing 823 cases of PG. A total of 537 (65·2%) cases were associated with inflammatory bowel disease, 133 (16·1%) with polyarthritis and 103 (12·5%) with haematological disorders. Thirty-one cases of pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum and acne, and its variants, were identified. Two patients had mutations in MTHFR and two had mutations in JAK2. Fourteen (1·7%) cases were familial. PG responded to different treatments depending on the setting. For example, treatment with B vitamins improved PG in cases of mutations in MTHFR, whereas patients with myelodysplastic syndrome improved with thalidomide treatment. PG can occur in isolation, associated with systemic disease or as part of various syndromes. Different genetic causes may be best treated with particular treatments. Understanding its genetic basis can help elucidate new potential targets for drug development.
Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Arthritis; Child; Child, Preschool; Forecasting; Hematologic Diseases; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Janus Kinase 2; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); Mutation; Pyoderma Gangrenosum
PubMed: 25350484
DOI: 10.1111/bjd.13493 -
Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E... Oct 2014Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare, chronic neutrophilic dermatosis of unknown etiology. The world wide incidence is estimated to be around 3-10 cases per million... (Review)
Review
Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare, chronic neutrophilic dermatosis of unknown etiology. The world wide incidence is estimated to be around 3-10 cases per million population per year. In 50-70% of cases inflammatory bowel diseases, hematological malignancies or rheumatologic disorders are associated to PG. Although the etiology is uncertain, the dysregulation of the immune system appears to be implied. Pathergy is the most important triggering factor of PG. Indeed, 20-30% of patients report the onset of PG following trivial trauma. Four main variants of PG have been described, namely classic, pustular, bullous, and vegetative forms. The classic form of PG is characterized by ulcers with a raised, undermined, inflammatory border. Intense pain is generally associated to PG. The diagnosis is mainly clinical and of exclusion. The differential diagnosis should take into account infections, vascular disorders and malignancies. The clinical course can be explosive and rapidly progressive or indolent and gradually progressive. Often patients develop only one episode and the overall prognosis is good but extremely influenced by the underlying disorders. Local therapy, mainly with topic steroids is used for mild to moderate lesions. For severe forms of PG a systemic therapy with glucocorticoids and/or other drugs such as tacrolimus, cyclosporine, etc. is needed. This paper is a systematic review of literature on PG.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Arthritis; Dermatologic Agents; Diagnosis, Differential; Disease Progression; Disease Susceptibility; Female; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Immunosuppressive Agents; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Leukapheresis; Lymphoproliferative Disorders; Male; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Prognosis; Pyoderma Gangrenosum; Skin Ulcer; Thalidomide
PubMed: 25213386
DOI: No ID Found -
Annals of Plastic Surgery Aug 2016Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare cutaneous disorder that poses a diagnostic challenge in the postoperative period. A systematic literature review was performed to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare cutaneous disorder that poses a diagnostic challenge in the postoperative period. A systematic literature review was performed to determine distinguishing characteristics of PG in the setting of breast surgery that can facilitate timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
METHODS
PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for articles with cases of PG occurring after breast surgery. Forty-three relevant articles, including 49 case reports, were identified.
RESULTS
PG manifested bilaterally in 30 of 34 cases (88%) in which bilateral surgery was performed. Abdominal wounds were present in 6 of 7 cases in which an abdominal donor site was used for breast reconstruction. Nipples were spared from wound involvement in 33 of 37 cases (89%) in which nipples were present after surgery. Presence of fever was noted in 27 cases (55%) and leukocytosis in 21 cases (43%). A total of 33 patients (67%) underwent wound debridement. Successful medical treatment most commonly involved steroids (41 cases, 84%) and cyclosporine (10 cases, 20%).
CONCLUSIONS
Pertinent clinical features were identified that may aid in timely diagnosis and treatment of PG after breast surgery. Appearance of discrete wounds involving multiple surgical sites that surround but spare the nipples should raise suspicion for PG rather than infection or ischemia, even with concomitant fever and leukocytosis. Wound debridement should be minimized and skin grafting considered only after medical therapy is initiated. Cognizance of these features may enable prompt therapeutic intervention that minimizes morbidity and improves outcomes.
Topics: Female; Humans; Mammaplasty; Mastectomy; Postoperative Complications; Pyoderma Gangrenosum
PubMed: 25003456
DOI: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000000248