Functional and Physiological Methods of Evaluating Median Nerve Regeneration in the Rat.

The main goal of this investigation is to show how to create and repair different types of median nerve (MN) lesions in the rat. Moreover, different methods of simulating postoperative physiotherapy are presented. Multiple standardized strategies are used to assess motor and sensory recovery using an MN model of peripheral nerve lesion and repair, thus permitting easy comparison of the results.

BD-2 and BD-3 increase skin flap survival in a model of ischemia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.

The main aim of this work was to study the usefulness of human β-defensins 2 (BD-2) and 3 (BD-3), which are part of the innate immune system, in the treatment of infected ischemic skin flaps. We investigated the effect of transducing rat ischemic skin flaps with lentiviral vectors encoding human BD-2, BD-3, or both BD-2 and BD-3, to increase flap survival in the context of a P. aeruginosa infection associated with a foreign body.

Unconventional Perfusion Flaps in the Experimental Setting: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Unconventional perfusion flaps offer multiple potential advantages compared with traditional flaps. Although there are numerous experimental articles on unconventional perfusion flaps, the multiple animal species involved, the myriad vascular constructions used, and the frequently conflicting data reported make synthesis of this information challenging. The main aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on the experimental use of unconventional perfusion flaps, to identify the best experimental models proposed and to estimate their global survival rate.

Cardiac computed tomography previous to atrial fibrillation ablation - effects of technological improvements and protocol optimization.

Background: Cardiac computed tomography (CT) can provide a precise tridimentional anatomic map and exclude intra-cardiac thrombus. We aimed to access the impact of CT protocol optimization and technological evolution on the contrast and radiation dose as well as on image quality previous to atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Methods: From a prospective registry of consecutive patients who underwent cardiac CT in a single center, we selected 270 patients in whom the CT was done for evaluation prior to AF ablation and they were distributed in 3 groups: Group1: the first 150 patients included; Group2: the last 60 patients performed with the same CT scanner; Group3: the first 60 exams performed with the new CT scanner.

[Rethinking Sciatica In View of a Bilateral Anatomical Variation of the Sciatic Nerve, with Low Origin and High Division: Historical, Anatomical and Clinical Approach].

Introduction: The aim of the present study is to report an original, unusual, case of bilateral anatomical variation of the sciatic nerve, with low origin and high division.

Material And Methods: Anatomical dissection was performed on a 66 year-old female cadaver. The corpse was embalmed and conserved through our original embalming techniques.

Reconstruction of a 10-mm-long median nerve gap in an ischemic environment using autologous conduits with different patterns of blood supply: A comparative study in the rat.

The aim of this study was to evaluate in the Wistar rat the efficacy of various autologous nerve conduits with various forms of blood supply in reconstructing a 10-mm-long gap in the median nerve (MN) under conditions of local ischemia. A 10-mm-long median nerve defect was created in the right arm. A loose silicone tube was placed around the nerve gap zone, in order to simulate a local ischemic environment.

Reconstruction of a long defect of the ulnar artery and nerve with an arterialized neurovenous free flap in a teenager: A case report and literature review.

There is evidence that nerve flaps are superior to nerve grafts for bridging long nerve defects. Moreover, arterialized neurovenous flaps (ANVFs) have multiple potential advantages over traditional nerve flaps in this context. This paper describes a case of reconstruction of a long defect of the ulnar artery and nerve with an arterialized neurovenous free flap and presents a literature review on this subject.

Blood Supply to the Integument of the Abdomen of the Rat: A Surgical Perspective.

Background: Many fundamental questions regarding the blood supply to the integument of the rat remain to be clarified, namely the degree of homology between rat and humans. The aim of this work was to characterize in detail the macro and microvascular blood supply to the integument covering the ventrolateral aspect of the abdominal wall of the rat.

Methods: Two hundred five Wistar male rats weighing 250-350 g were used.

Stab injury to the preauricular region with laceration of the external carotid artery without involvement of the facial nerve: a case report.

Background: Open injuries to the face involving the external carotid artery are uncommon. These injuries are normally associated with laceration of the facial nerve because this nerve is more superficial than the external carotid artery. Hence, external carotid artery lesions are usually associated with facial nerve dysfunction.

Low-dose ionizing radiation induces therapeutic neovascularization in a pre-clinical model of hindlimb ischemia.

Aims: We have previously shown that low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR) induces angiogenesis but there is no evidence that it induces neovascularization in the setting of peripheral arterial disease. Here, we investigated the use of LDIR as an innovative and non-invasive strategy to stimulate therapeutic neovascularization using a model of experimentally induced hindlimb ischemia (HLI).

Methods And Results: After surgical induction of unilateral HLI, both hindlimbs of female C57BL/6 mice were sham-irradiated or irradiated with four daily fractions of 0.

A stab wound to the axilla illustrating the importance of brachial plexus anatomy in an emergency context: a case report.

Background: Although open injuries involving the brachial plexus are relatively uncommon, they can lead to permanent disability and even be life threatening if accompanied by vascular damage. We present a case report of a brachial plexus injury in which the urgency of the situation precluded the use of any ancillary diagnostic examinations and forced a rapid clinical assessment.

Case Presentation: We report a case of a Portuguese man who had a stabbing injury at the base of his left axilla.

[Translation, adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the instrument Activity Record (ACTRE)].

Objective: To perform the cultural adaptation of the instrument Activity Record (ACTRE) and evaluate its psychometric qualities.

Method: Six steps were followed:1) translation of the original instrument, 2) back-translation, 3) formal equivalence assessment, 4) evaluation by an expert in Portuguese language, 5) final critique by experts in the field and 6 ) applying the questionnaire to 53 pregnant women, aged between 18 and 39 years, at two different moments with an interval time of two hours aimed to evaluate the reliability level of temporal stability (test-retest) using the the Intraclass Correlation.

Results: The results of the Intraclass Correlation at the level of test / retest reliability ranged between 0.

Outcomes and satisfaction of two optional cadaveric dissection courses: A 3-year prospective study.

Teaching time dedicated to anatomy education has been reduced at many medical schools around the world, including Nova Medical School in Lisbon, Portugal. In order to minimize the effects of this reduction, the authors introduced two optional, semester-long cadaveric dissection courses for the first two years of the medical school curriculum. These courses were named Regional Anatomy I (RAI) and Regional Anatomy II (RAII).

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Unconventional Perfusion Flaps in Clinical Practice.

Background: Although unconventional perfusion flaps have been in clinical use since 1975, many surgeons are still deterred from using them, because of some reports of high necrosis rates.

Methods: The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of all articles written in English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese on the clinical use of unconventional perfusion flaps and indexed to PubMed from 1975 until July 15, 2015.

Results: A total of 134 studies and 1445 patients were analyzed.

[The relic in the Panels of São Vicente de Fora].

The Panels of São Vicente de Fora, a polyptych dated from 1470 to 1480, are a work composed of 6 panels, authored by Nuno Gonçalves, a painter of King Afonso V. This work reveals one of the most remarkable collective portraits of European painting, making this polyptych an inexhaustible source of readings and interpretations, fueling a secular controversy. The present work aims analyzing precise an iconographic anatomical image repainted in the 6th panel, or the panel of the Relic.

An unusual variety of the extensor digiti muscles: report with notes on repetition strain injuries.

In over 500 human cadaveric dissections of arms and forearms, performed to the present date, we find frequent anatomical variations, corresponding to classic descriptions. Last year, we found a singular anatomic variation of the extensor muscles of the forearm, which seems previously undescribed. It is our strong belief that gross anatomy studies, and gross dissection should be updated and reintroduced in modern anatomical studies, for teaching, research, or surgical training purposes.

[Giant cysts of seminal vesicles].

We report a clinical case of a 60 year-old man, asymptomatic to whom was incidentally found two retrovesical cysts. Physical examination revealed hypogastric, elastic and painless masses; digital rectal examination documented a normal prostate gland. Computerized tomography confirmed the presence of two giant seminal vesicle cysts.

Brachial plexus morphology and vascular supply in the wistar rat.

Introduction: The rat is probably the animal species most widely used in experimental studies on nerve repair. The aim of this work was to contribute to a better understanding of the morphology and blood supply of the rat brachial plexus.

Material And Methods: Thirty adult rats were studied regarding brachial plexus morphology and blood supply.

[Vertebral metrics: application of a new mechanical instrument to evaluate the spinal column].

Objective: To present the results of the first application of the new technology - Vertebral Metrics - the analysis of the 3D position of the vertex of each spinous process in pregnant women.

Material And Methods: The Vertebral Metrics was applied to women without associated pathology in four stages of pregnancy (12, 20, 32, 37 weeks gestation). We applied univariate linear models.

Radiologic anatomy of arteriogenic erectile dysfunction: a systematized approach.

Introduction: Erectile Dysfunction is a highly prevalent disease and there is growing interest in its endovascular treatment. Due to the complexity of the male pelvic arterial system, thorough anatomical knowledge is paramount. We evaluated the applicability of the Yamaki classification with Computerized Tomography Angiography and Digital Subtraction Angiography in the evaluation of patients with arteriogenic Erectile Dysfunction, illustrating the arterial lesions that can cause Erectile Dysfunction.

Sciatic nerve high division: two different anatomical variants.

Introduction: Sciatic nerve variations are relatively common. These variations are often very significant in several fields of Medicine. The purpose of this paper is to present two such variants and discuss their clinical implications.

Improvement of the embalming perfusion method: the innovation and the results by light and scanning electron microscopy.

Embalming is a chemical process that aims the preservation and sanitization of the human body indefinitely. The technique of embalming is an important tool in teaching and research in anatomy enabling the preservation of cadaveric material in good conditions (lessening any significant structural changes and maintaining the natural appearance). This article presents the results of embalmed cadavers in the course of arterial perfusion, through the use of a perfusion machine, particularly designed to this objective, and which allows the control of the embalming fluid injection process.

A rare variant of the ulnar artery with important clinical implications: a case report.

Background: Variations in the major arteries of the upper limb are estimated to be present in up to one fifth of people, and may have significant clinical implications.

Case Presentation: During routine cadaveric dissection of a 69-year-old fresh female cadaver, a superficial brachioulnar artery with an aberrant path was found bilaterally. The superficial brachioulnar artery originated at midarm level from the brachial artery, pierced the brachial fascia immediately proximal to the elbow, crossed superficial to the muscles that originated from the medial epicondyle, and ran over the pronator teres muscle in a doubling of the antebrachial fascia.