Noninvasive diffusion MRI to determine the severity of peripheral nerve injury.

Objective: Primary repair of peripheral nerves is recommended following transection; however, patient management following repair is challenged by a lack of biomarkers to nerve regeneration. Previous studies have demonstrated that diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may provide viable biomarkers of nerve regeneration in injury models; though, these methods have not been systematically evaluated in graded partial transections and repairs.

Methods: Ex vivo diffusion MRI was performed in fixed rat sciatic nerve samples 4 or 12 weeks following partial nerve transection and repair (25% cut = 12, 50% cut = 12 and 75% cut = 11), crush injuries (n = 12), and sham surgeries (n = 9).

Reconstruction of Upper Third Ear Defects: Utility of a Limited Tanzer Reduction.

Background: Large ear defects (>3 cm) present a significant reconstructive challenge and often require extensive operations, which can lead to donor-site morbidity and contour abnormalities. Through our case series, we propose a limited Tanzer reduction, a novel modification of the well-recognized Tanzer technique, as a potential reconstructive option for traumatic and oncologic upper third ear defects.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent planned ear reconstruction for large ear defects (>3 cm) at a university center by a single surgeon (WPT) over a five-year period.

Comparison of Telfa Rolling and a Closed Washing System for Autologous Fat Processing Techniques in Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the commonly used fat grafting techniques-Telfa rolling and a closed washing system-in breast reconstruction patients.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing fat grafting were retrospectively reviewed and grouped by technique. Patients with less than 180 days of follow-up were excluded.

Author Correction: Probabilistic Assessment of Nerve Regeneration with Diffusion MRI in Rat Models of Peripheral Nerve Trauma.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Comparing maximal forces in resorbable poly-L-lactic acid and titanium plates for mandibular fracture fixation.

Treatment for mandibular fractures is commonly performed via open reduction fixation with mini titanium or resorbable plates and screws. The investigators hypothesized differences in maximum mechanical stress forces and deflection with each plating material; however, it was proposed that the experimental forces withstood by the resorbable system would be enough to withstand normal forces produced during mastication. The sample was composed of fresh cadaver mandibles that were harvested, fractured, and fixated with plates and screws.

Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging Predicts Peripheral Nerve Recovery in a Rat Sciatic Nerve Injury Model.

Background: Nerve regeneration after an injury should occur in a timely fashion for function to be restored. Current methods cannot monitor regeneration prior to muscle reinnervation. Diffusion tensor imaging has been previously shown to provide quantitative indices after nerve recovery.

Diffusion Tensor Tractrography Visualizes Partial Nerve Laceration Severity as Early as 1 Week After Surgical Repair in a Rat Model Ex Vivo.

Background: Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that a magnetic resonance imaging method called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can differentiate between crush and complete transection peripheral nerve injuries in a rat model ex vivo. DTI measures the directionally dependent effect of tissue barriers on the random diffusion of water molecules. In ordered tissues such as nerves, this information can be used to reconstruct the primary direction of diffusion along fiber tracts, which may provide information on fiber tract continuity after nerve injury and surgical repair.

Sciatic nerve injury model in rabbits: What to expect.

Rabbits are commonly used for sciatic nerve injuries larger than 1.5 cm. This report provides insight into risks and benefits associated with using rabbit models in sciatic nerve injury models and proposes interventions that researchers can use to prevent experimental complications.

Acellular Dermal Matrix Performance Compared with Latissimus Dorsi Myocutaneous Flap in Expander-Based Breast Reconstruction.

Unlabelled: Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap (LDMF) with tissue expander provides excellent results in breast reconstruction. Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) has been used in expander-based reconstruction (EBR) with good results. This study assesses how ADM compares to LDMF in EBR.

Probabilistic Assessment of Nerve Regeneration with Diffusion MRI in Rat Models of Peripheral Nerve Trauma.

Nerve regeneration after injury must occur in a timely fashion to restore function. Unfortunately, current methods (e.g.

Eosinophil infiltration of burn wounds in young and older burn patients.

Introduction: Advanced age alters many physiological processes in the body, including both innate and adaptive immune responses, affecting burn wound healing. Previous findings in our lab led us to look more closely at eosinophil infiltration of burn tissues. We hypothesize that burn wounds within the older population present with an increased population of eosinophils than those in the younger population.

Applied Bioengineering in Tissue Reconstruction, Replacement, and Regeneration.

The use of autologous tissue in the reconstruction of tissue defects has been the gold standard. However, current standards still face many limitations and complications. Improving patient outcomes and quality of life by addressing these barriers remain imperative.

Diffusion tensor tractography to visualize axonal outgrowth and regeneration in a 4-cm reverse autograft sciatic nerve rabbit injury model.

Background: Diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) has recently been shown to accurately detect nerve injury and regeneration. This study assesses whether 7-tesla (7T) DTT imaging is a viable modality to observe axonal outgrowth in a 4 cm rabbit sciatic nerve injury model fixed by a reverse autograft (RA) surgical technique.

Methods: Transection injury of unilateral sciatic nerve (4 cm long) was performed in 25 rabbits and repaired using a RA surgical technique.

Improving Strength and Quality of Epitendinous Repairs.

Epitendinous sutures not only join the 2 severed tendon edges but also supply strength and support to the repair. Multiple techniques have been described, but none of them include another thread of suture. This could potentially increase the strength of the repair without affecting gliding.

Burn wounds in the young versus the aged patient display differential immunological responses.

Background: Individuals in the geriatric age range are more prone than younger individuals to convert their partial thickness thermal burns into full thickness injuries. We hypothesized that this often observed clinical phenomenon is strongly related to differential local injury responses mediated by the immune system.

Materials & Methods: Skin samples from areas with partial thickness thermal burns were obtained during routine excision and grafting procedures between post burn days 2-6.

Does single-port laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy result in improved short-term perioperative outcomes compared to conventional multi-port laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy?

A best evidence topic in bariatric surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question asked whether single-port laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy produces better short-term perioperative outcomes compared to the conventional multi-port laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in the treatment of morbid obesity. A Pubmed search generated 82 papers, 6 of which represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question.