Comparison of AlloDerm and AlloMax tissue incorporation in rats.

Background: Human acellular dermal matrices (HADMs) are used in a variety of settings. AlloMax is a new HADM currently being used for breast reconstruction and hernia repair. We compared the in vivo tissue integration of AlloMax to AlloDerm, a well-studied HADM, in rats.

In vitro osteogenic differentiation of adipose stem cells after lentiviral transduction with green fluorescent protein.

Background: Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have the potential to differentiate into osteogenic cells that can be seeded into scaffolds for tissue engineering for use in craniofacial bone defects. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) has been widely used as a lineage marker for mammalian cells. The use of fluorescent proteins enables cells to be tracked during manipulation such as osteogenic differentiation within three-dimensional scaffolds.

Cardiopulmonary effects of continuous negative pressure wound therapy in swine.

Background: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been used for complex sternotomy wounds. Some reports describe foam placement below the posterior sternal table. We compared the hemodynamic and pulmonary effects of foam location during NPWT after median sternotomy.

An experimental design to study adipocyte stem cells for reconstruction of calvarial defects.

Autogenous osteogenic differentiated rat adipose stromal cells (ASCs) were used to repopulate cadaveric processed bone in a critical calvarial defect model to improve bone healing as compared with the standard treatment of cadaveric bone implantation alone. Forty-two skeletally mature Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to 5 groups including bone graft only, bone/osteogenic differentiated ASCs, fibrin glue/osteogenic differentiated ASCs, and bone/fibrin glue/osteogenic differentiated ASCs; 2 animal calvarias were left empty. Adipose stromal cells were isolated from the inguinal fat pad of rats and differentiated into osteogenic cells, verified using von Kossa and alkaline phosphatase staining, and osteocalcin immunohistochemistry.

Aesthetic outcomes in breast conservation therapy.

Background: Since the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B06 (NSABP-B06) trial demonstrated equivalent survival outcomes between patients with breast cancer undergoing modified radical mastectomy versus lumpectomy and radiation, an increasing number of patients are seeking breast conservation therapy. Traditionally, only patients who have undergone total mastectomy have been referred for reconstruction.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the number of dissatisfied patients treated with breast conservation therapy who have suboptimal cosmesis and should be referred for reconstruction.

Laparoscopic appendectomy is superior to open appendectomy in obese patients.

Background: There are minimal data comparing laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) with open appendectomy (OA) in obese patients.

Methods: We reviewed consecutive adult patients from 2003 to 2005 who underwent an appendectomy at a University-affiliated teaching hospital. Obesity was defined as a body mass index of 30 or greater.