Microwave radiometry: a new non-invasive method for the detection of vulnerable plaque

Fibrin sealants have been implemented in the management of burn wounds. They can be used either in combination with skin grafts for full-thickness burns or alone for treating superficial and deep dermal burns. The aim of this review was to provide critical insights regarding the efficacy of fibrin sealants in enhancing wound healing, improving graft adherence, and reducing complications. Therefore, evidence from experimental models and clinical trials was synthesized, underscoring the transformative role of fibrin sealants in modern burn care. This comprehensive review includes recent evidence on the potential benefits of fibrin sealants in the management of superficial and deep dermal or full-thickness burn injuries. Clinical and experimental evidence underscores some benefits in utilizing fibrin sealants in the management of superficial and deep dermal burn injuries, or in combination with skin grafts in full-thickness burns. Furthermore, fibrin sealants diminish postoperative pain and facilitate quick recovery for daily activities; however, controversy regarding their cost still remains. This review concludes that fibrin sealants could serve as a safe and effective therapeutic option for burn wound management. The safety and efficacy of their utilization, along with their wide availability and easiness to use, could make them an alternative treatment choice when a specialized plastic surgery service is not available, or in the emergency setting across different healthcare systems.

Background: Burn injuries remain a major clinical problem worldwide, which require special management by experienced plastic surgeons. However, they cannot be available in every healthcare unit; consequently, there is a need for effective treatment options that could be utilized by a wide range of non-expert healthcare professionals. The aim of the present experimental study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of using a fibrin sealant (TISSEEL^TM) compared to the conventional treatment with sulfadiazine on partial-thickness burn in a rat animal model. Methods: A cohort of Sprague Dawley rats underwent partial-thickness contact thermal burn wounds and were divided into three study groups: control group (no treatment), silver sulfadiazine cream group and TISSEEL^TM group. Following animal sacrifice, a blinded histopathologic analysis was conducted regarding inflammatory response, healing and tissue regeneration. Results: In total, 30 animals were included with a median weight of 236 ± 10 g. Two animals from the control group died on the first postoperative day. Animals in the TISSEEL^TM group presented dominant collagen expression compared to animals in the control and silver sulfadiazine cream group (p = 0.000). Histopathologic analysis also demonstrated marked leukocyte infiltration (p = 0.009), increased neovascularization (p = 0.000) and higher fibroblast expression (p = 0.002) in the TISSEEL^TM group compared to the other two groups. Conclusions: TISSEEL^TM seems to be a safe alternative (or even principal) option for the initial therapeutic approach of partial-thickness burn injuries. Moreover, it seems to be superior to silver sulfadiazine in terms of tissue healing and regeneration. However, additional experimental as well as clinical research is necessary prior to implementation in clinical practice.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a serious problem following abdominal surgery due to gynecologic malignancies leading to increased hospitalization, high costs, and delays in adjuvant treatments; thus, SSIs affect overall survival. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to investigate the impact of closed incision–negative pressure wound treatment (ci-NPWT) systems on postoperative surgical site occurrences (SSOs) after gynecologic oncology surgery. Methods: The present meta-analysis was designed using the PRISMA guidelines. A search in several databases was conducted from inception until March 2025. Results: Overall, five studies were included; these studies enrolled 1174 patients in total, where 412 were treated with ci-NPWT systems and 762 were treated with conventional gauze. Patients treated with ci-NPWT systems presented with lower SSI rates (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.15–1.10, p = 0.08), lower fascial dehiscence rates (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.21–2.42, p = 0.59), and lower seroma formation rates (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.25–1.93, p = 0.49), although statistical significance was not reached in all comparisons. On the other hand, patients treated with ci-NPWT systems also presented with higher postoperative hematoma formation rates (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.32–5.99, p = 0.66), although statistical significance was not reached. Preoperative patient characteristics, operative parameters, and cancer characteristics were similar among the two study groups. Conclusions: The prophylactic use of ci-NPWT systems showed promising results in reducing postoperative SSOs after gynecologic cancer surgery. Nevertheless, prospectively designed studies are needed in the future to reach robust evidence that would enable the wide implementation of such devices in routine clinical practice.