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Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery
Medknow Publications on behalf of Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery
ISSN: 0970-0358 EISSN: 0970-0358
Vol. 37, No. 2, 2004, pp. 131-133
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Bioline Code: pl04032
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery, Vol. 37, No. 2, 2004, pp. 131-133
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Case Report- Cutaneous anthrax of the hand: Some clinical observations
Tuncali Dogan, Akbuga UnzileB, Aslan Gurcan
Abstract
CONTEXT: Anthrax is a very rare disease in Europe and the United States. AIM: A case of cutaneous anthrax of the hand with a wide skin defect is presented and some clinical observations highlighted.
CASE REPORT: A 56-year-old male patient with cutaneous anthrax attended our infectious diseases department with a swelling up to the upper arm. An urgent fasciotomy was undertaken with a diagnosis of compartment syndrome. A black eschar had formed on the dorsal surface of the hand. A superficial tangential escharectomy was performed.
RESULTS: Viable fibrous tissue, about 4 to 5 mm in thickness over the extensor tendons, was found under the eschar. At the postoperative 2-year follow-up, remarkable healing was observed via skin grafting. CONCLUSIONS: Hand surgeons should be cautious against the compartment syndrome that may accompany cutaneous anthrax of the hand. A consistent viable fibrous tissue can be found below the eschar. The mechanism for the involvement of the hand dorsum needs further concern.
Keywords
Cutaneous anthrax, hand, compartment syndrome
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© Copyright 2004 Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery. Alternative site location: http://www.ijps.org/
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