Jan V. Hirschmann

Topical Antibiotics for Clean Dermatologic Procedures

Using information from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey database, the authors of this study calculated that approximately 212 million clean dermatologic procedures were performed between 1993 and 2007, mostly …

Is Maggot Therapy Beneficial for Venous Ulcers

Since antiquity, many observers have noted that wounds infested with maggots were clean and healed well, but the first known intentional therapeutic

When to Avoid Prophylactic Topical Antibiotics in Dermatologic Surgery

Several controlled trials have demonstrated no benefit from topical antimicrobials in reducing the frequency of infections in clean dermatologic

Changing Inpatient Management of Cellulitis and Cutaneous Abscesses

Patients hospitalized with cellulitis and cutaneous abscesses often undergo unnecessary investigations and receive inappropriately protracted courses of antibiotics with an unnecessarily broad spectrum of activity. Investigators at a Denver hospital devised management guidelines that recommend more-discriminating use of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), plain radiographs, and blood cultures; and actively discourage use of erythrocyte …

No Concurrence in Identifying Cutaneous Abscesses

Most cutaneous abscesses require incision and drainage but not systemic antibiotics. By contrast, patients with cellulitis need systemic antibiotics,

Clinical Management of Leg Cellulitis

Leg cellulitis is a common reason for hospitalization, but the diagnosis is often erroneous, and even among those with genuine cellulitis, many can be

Do Topical Antibiotics Promote Wound Healing in the Absence of Infection

Dermatologists frequently use topical antibiotics for minor surgical wounds, even those that have very low risks for infection. Recently, three

Bloodstream Infections in Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

The distinction between Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is unclear, but one classification system distinguishes

Hospital Transmission of Necrotizing Fasciitis to a Nurse

Necrotizing fasciitis is a destructive soft-tissue infection requiring prompt surgical intervention. Most frequently, it is a polymicrobial process,

Staphylococcus Epidermidis: Stick It up Your Nose?

Nasal colonization with Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is prevalent in 20% to 40% of the general population; SA infections of the skin (and other sites)