Reconstructive surgery in the context of Covid-19: complications in the treatment of an inguinal complex wound
Cirurgia reparadora no contexto da Covid-19: complicações evolutivas no tratamento de ferida complexa inguinal

INTRODUCTION

In late 2019, the world saw a new respiratory syndrome called Covid-19 appear, caused by a new type of coronavirus, Sars-CoV-2. In March 2020, the World Health Organization classified this new disease as a pandemic, which has caused impacts of immeasurable magnitude¹. In recent months, there has been a notable scientific production that sought to understand better the pathophysiology of this new disease, the origin and genetic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2, characteristics of its dissemination, pathogenesis, means of diagnosis, support protocols and treatment of patients².

This pandemic revealed that the world was not prepared for a crisis of such proportions. The scarcity of necessary supplies (personal protective equipment, mechanical ventilators), sanitary structure (availability of beds, especially those for intensive care), and trained human resources (doctors, nursing staff, physiotherapy, etc.) is a frequent finding in coping with Covid-19³. Much more than just being a health crisis, the pandemic exposes Plastic Surgery to a new challenge: how to deal with patients who need surgical treatment in the context of facing this new virus?

The speed of dissemination of the new coronavirus was higher than that of precautionary measures and preparation of health workers. Numerous simultaneous efforts have been made, such as social distance, travel restrictions, suspension of non-priority ambulatory care, interruption of elective surgeries, and maintenance of urgent / emergency surgeries or oncological cases, in addition to encouraging the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and team training. Despite this, there has been an intra-hospital Sars-CoV-2 spread. There was also the admission of patients infected with coronavirus, not only in Brazil but also in the world¹.

The importance of viral dissemination by asymptomatic patients, companions, and health professionals is well known. It is estimated that about 80% of transmissions come from this group⁴. Following the guidelines of national and international health authorities, there was a recommendation to suspend elective surgeries and non-priority consultations in the office, in addition to adhering to social distance. Such measures, in addition to reducing patients’ exposure to the risk of infection, also increase the availability of nursing beds and intensive care to cope with the crisis.

In this article, we report the case of a patient with a complex inguinal wound treated by the Plastic Surgery team at Hospital das Clínicas, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (HCFMRP-USP). The patient evolved with acute respiratory failure, requiring intensive care. The diagnostic confirmation of Covid-19 was performed “post mortem” after a positive RT-PCR test for the new coronavirus.

CASE REPORT

A 57-year-old man with peripheral arterial obstructive disease, in the postoperative period of the right femur-popliteal bypass with a prosthesis, was hospitalized on 02/29/2020 due to infection of the prosthesis and antibiotic therapy was started intravenously. As a surgical history, he underwent left infrapatellar amputation in 2015, three femur-popliteal bypasses on the right (2015, 2017, 2018), and the re-approach of that bypass on 02/13/2020 with a finding of a thickened PTFE prosthesis, with signs of infection.

On 03/05/2020, the Vascular Surgery team performed right inguinal surgical exploration with findings of local infection, followed by surgical debridement, resulting in an inguinal wound. On the following day, the patient developed acute arterial obstruction of the right lower limb (RLL), being treated utilizing catheterized thromboembolectomy, followed by the return of the pulse in the affected limb. However, there was a progressive worsening of tissue perfusion, and on 03/13/2020, right suprapatellar amputation was performed.

The Plastic Surgery team, which was already in a contingency and relocation regime with the minimum possible individual exposure due to the pandemic, was called in to assess the right inguinal wound on 03/31/2020. Upon examination, we identified a complex 10 x 8 cm wound, with the presence of sloughs and areas with granulation tissue, with no signs of infection and absence of exposure of large vessels (Figure 1). We opted for treatment with surgical debridement associated with negative pressure therapy (NPT) to prepare the wound bed^5-6 (Figure 2).

Figure 1 - Wound in the right inguinal region with sloughs and areas with granulation tissue.

Figure 1 - Wound in the right inguinal region with sloughs and areas with granulation tissue.

Figure 2 - Application of negative pressure therapy on the wound.

Figure 2 - Application of negative pressure therapy on the wound.

After three days, the patient developed a febrile peak, tachycardia, and tachypnea, progressing to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the need for intensive care. After transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU), orotracheal intubation was performed, and the patient was in respiratory and contact isolation, according to the HCFMRP-USP protocol during the Covid-19 pandemic. Chest X-ray performed on the bed showed an infiltrate bilateral interstitial (Figura 3). According to the SAPS 3 system, the calculation of the probability of death upon admission to the ICU was 90.98%⁷.

Figure 3 - Image of the chest radiograph taken in the bed showing bilateral interstitial infiltrate.

Figure 3 - Image of the chest radiograph taken in the bed showing bilateral interstitial infiltrate.

A sample for RT-PCR of Sars-CoV-2 was collected due to SARS suspicion by coronavirus. Medications chloroquine and azithromycin were associated with the treatment, according to the HCFMRP-USP protocol. On 04/04/2020, after maintaining a febrile plateau refractory to pharmacological measures, the patient developed hypotension and the need for vasoactive drugs, maintaining protective ventilation.

Despite intensive treatment and pharmacological measures, the patient maintained hemodynamic instability with a rising vasoactive drug, being diagnosed with refractory septic shock. At the same time, he worsened renal function with the indication for renal replacement therapy, but without hemodynamic conditions for hemodialysis.

The evolution of the clinical picture was unfavorable, with cardiac arrest in pulseless electrical activity. Non-resuscitation was chosen due to the refractoriness of the measures instituted, and he was then declared dead on 04/05/2020. The result of the RT-PCR test for the new coronavirus was positive, being released two days after death.

Medical record review data reveal that this patient shared the wardroom with another patient who also developed SARS on 02/04/2020, also in need of intensive care and orotracheal intubation. This patient was also diagnosed with infection by the new coronavirus confirmed by RT-PCR.

DISCUSSION

The new scenario presented by the coronavirus pandemic has led to a series of social restrictions and changes in hospital routines¹. The rediscussion and continued elaboration of patient and health team safety protocols are necessary since about 80% of those infected with Sars-CoV-2 can be asymptomatic, being, therefore, a relevant source of transmission⁴.

The analysis of this report allows us to suppose that the patient probably contracted the new coronavirus within the hospital, as he was hospitalized for 35 days before the evolution to respiratory failure. This fact, together with its unfavorable evolution, corroborates the orientation to minimize hospitalizations and surgical procedures as much as possible to promote more excellent safety for the patient and the health team¹. Besides, the situation reinforces the need to use PPE and reinforce hygiene measures⁸. Another essential factor to be considered would be the relocation of assistant teams and resident doctors to reduce exposure and chance of infection by the medical team⁹. Until the writing of this article, no member of our team manifested a picture suggestive of contamination by the new coronavirus.

CONCLUSION

As reported in this case, hospitalized patients are susceptible to infection with the new coronavirus and may be at a higher risk group, since many of them are already weakened. Plastic surgery is also included in this context since it performs treatment of patients with complex wounds that may have multiple comorbidities, and that may require hospitalizations for prolonged periods. We emphasize the need to protect patients and professionals with the use of PPE to minimize the risk of contamination with the new coronavirus that causes the Covid-19 pandemic.