Infections of the upper extremity are common resulting in significant morbidity and mortality and a high societal cost. The hand and upper extremity surgeon must become familiar with established treatment principles for various common and uncommon bone, joint, and soft tissue infections of the upper extremity. In addition, there is a need for greater awareness regarding the recent trends of new bacterial strains, increasing antimicrobial resistance particularly with MRSA and VRE (vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecium), and the development of new classes of antibiotics.
This instructional course will also review the role of the Infectious Disease specialist with an emphasis on the role of diagnostic imaging (including MRI, ultrasound, and labeled WBC), serological testing (WBC, ESR, CRP), and microbiological analysis. There will also be an update on new antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral medications. Through illustrative case examples, unusual and uncommon infections of the upper extremity will be discussed including; necrotizing fasciitis, atypical and opportunistic fungi, mucormycosis, mycobacterium species, Vibrio species and infections related to bioterrorism. We will discuss the challenges in treating upper extremity infections in the immunocompromised host including the diabetic patient with coexistent renal failure, those who have had a bone marrow or solid organ transplant, those with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and those taking anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha medications.
Learning Objectives: - Identify the role of the Infectious Disease consultant with respect to the evaluation and management of an upper extremity infection including serological testing, diagnostic imaging, microbiology analysis and the antibiotic/anti-fungal/anti-viral treatment regimen.
- Learn the established non-operative and operative treatment principles for commonly encountered bone, joint and soft tissue infections of the upper extremity.
- Learn the characteristic clinical features and treatment principles for unusual or uncommon infections of the upper extremity including necrotizing fasciitis, atypical fungal, mycobacterial, and Vibrio.
- Review recent trends and developments in the management of infections of the upper extremity in immunocompromised patients.
- Become familiar with the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance and the role of new antibiotics for treating difficult bacterial infections.
http://www.assh.org/AnnualMeeting/program/Pages/Instructional-Course-Lectures.aspx
