The Role of Stem Cells Derived From the Mesenchyme of the Umbilical Cord in Reducing Immunosuppressive Drug Doses Used in Allogenic Transplantations.

Background: This study evaluated the potential of Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells with high tolerogenic properties in reducing immunosuppressive dosage and related adverse effects.

Methods: A 4- to 6-week-old, 30-40 g weight, male inbred CD57BL/6 mice were used as skin allograft donors, whereas Balb/c mice with similar characteristics were used as recipients. Wharton's jelly stem cells were obtained from a commercial kit sourced from human umbilical cord.

Reconstruction of Previously Failed Alveolar Bone Grafts with Medial Femoral Condyle Flap in Pediatric Cleft Lip and Palate Patients.

Alveolar cleft reconstruction is important to increase the quality of life of cleft lip and palate patients. Usually, alveolar clefts can be reconstructed using bone grafts. However, bone grafting can be insufficient, and other alternatives may be necessary in wide and recalcitrant clefts.

"Abdominoplasty with "En block" removal of the skin island: a safe and fast approach".

The aim of abdominoplasty is to restore a normal abdominal contour, with minimal signs of the surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility, safety, and advantages of en block removal of a skin island before upper abdominal dissection during abdominoplasty. Five hundred-forty female patients who underwent abdominoplasties between January 2004 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.

Median Nerve's Microcirculation in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Superb Microvascular Imaging.

Background: The objectivity of physical and electrodiagnostic tests is limited in detecting carpal tunnel syndrome and its recurrence. Predicting the median nerve blood supply using superb microvascular imaging will allow exact diagnosis and a good follow-up system. The aims of this study include using superb microvascular imaging to correlate with electromyographic diagnosis, and to determine the impact of surgery on improvement in superb microvascular imaging.

A novel nerve transfer: The first palmar interosseous motor branch of the ulnar nerve to the recurrent motor branch of the median nerve.

Introduction: The recovery of recurrent motor branch of the median nerve might be delayed in high level median nerve injuries due to the long reinnervation distance. The aim of this study is to define a novel nerve transfer to restore the opposition and pinch.

Methods: Two fresh frozen hand cadavers were used for the study.

Long-Term Outcomes of Digital Nerve Repair Accompanied by Digital Artery Injury in Flexor Zone 2.

 Better healing results of any tissue or area is closely linked with a well-blood supply in reconstructive surgery. Peripheric nerve healing is closely related to blood supply as well. We aimed to assess whether there was any difference between digital nerve healing with and without extrinsic blood supply.

Foreign Body Inside the Tunnel: A Rare Cause of Acute Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.

Foreign bodies are common entities found in hand surgery practice. However, they are a very rare cause of the acute cubital tunnel syndrome. A 48-year-old male patient was consulted for cubital tunnel symptoms after 2-day unconscious state in the intensive care unit.

Role of Active Range of Motion in Hand and Wrist Joint Photography: A Preliminary Analysis.

Introduction: Hand photography is effective and advantageous for assessing functional deficits and improvements related to surgery. In this study, it is aimed to investigate whether the correct active range of motion (ROM) is masked by the passive ROM in a wrist joint.

Method: Eleven patients who were treated for unilateral wrist fractures were included in the study.

Arteriovenous Fistula Occurring After Alveolar Arch Repair With Free Medial Femoral Condyle Flap.

The occurrence of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) after microvascular tissue transfer is extremely rare. This paper presents the development of an AVF in a patient who underwent a free-flap procedure for alveolar arch reconstruction and discusses the mechanisms of AVF formation and its current treatments.

Posterior interosseous flap versus reverse adipofascial radial forearm flap for soft tissue reconstruction of dorsal hand defects.

Background: Our objective was to compare the outcomes of dorsal hand defect reconstruction using a posterior interosseous artery flap (PIAF) and a reverse adipofascial radial forearm flap (RARFF).

Methods: From 2008 to 2013, 23 patients who underwent hand soft tissue defect reconstruction with PIAF (11 patients) and RARFF (12 patients) were included in this retrospective study. Reconstruction methods were compared in terms of functionality with disability of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score and range of motion (ROM) and aesthetically with scar assessment.

The Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Storage of Surplus Harvested Skin Grafts.

Background: There is a need for improved methods and storage media to sustain the tissue viability of autologous skin grafts.

Objective: To compare histological changes in human skin grafts stored in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with those of grafts stored in saline.

Methods: Eight circular, 3-mm full-thickness skin graft samples were harvested from the abdominal skin of each of 5 patients scheduled to undergo an abdominoplasty procedure.

Reduction of the Areolar Diameter After Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction for Gynecomastia.

Background: One of the clinical aspects characterizing gynecomastia is the enlargement of the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) due to hypertrophic breast glands, and the excessive fatty tissue underneath.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to quantify the reduction of the areolar diameter after ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) of the male breast.

Methods: The horizontal diameters of the NACs of 30 men who underwent UAL were measured before surgery, 1 month after surgery and 6 months after surgery in a standard fashion.

The outcome of coronoidectomy in bilateral coronoid process hyperplasia.

Objective: Coronoid process hyperplasia (CPH) of the mandible is a rare condition that can be defined as an abnormal bony elongation of histologically normal bone with the symptoms of progressive, painless difficulty in opening the mouth. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of five patients with CPH treated by coronoidectomy, relative to post surgery jaw function.

Methods: Five patients with CPH were included in this study.

Reverse Adipofascial Radial Forearm Flap Surgery for Soft-Tissue Reconstruction of Hand Defects.

The reverse radial forearm flap has been used for soft-tissue hand defect surgical procedures worldwide. One of the major drawbacks of this flap, however, is donor site morbidity, as the donor site is closed with a skin graft. Problems with skin graft donor areas include adhesion, contracture, and wound-healing complications.

Exposure to Tumescent Solution Significantly Increases Phosphorylation of Perilipin in Adipocytes.

Background: Lidocaine and epinephrine could potentially decrease adipocyte viability, but these effects have not been substantiated. The phosphorylation status of perilipin in adipocytes may be predictive of cell viability. Perilipin coats lipid droplets and restricts access of lipases; phospho-perilipin lacks this protective function.

Evaluation of neuroprotection by melatonin against adverse effects of prenatal exposure to a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug during peripheral nerve development.

The potential ability of melatonin to protect against impairment of the fetal peripheral nerve system due to maternal consumption of diclofenac sodium (DS) was investigated. Eighty-four pregnant rats were divided into seven groups: control (CONT), saline administered (PS), DS administered (DS), DS with low-dose melatonin administered (DS+MLT10), DS with high-dose melatonin administered (DS+MLT50), low-dose melatonin administered (MLT10), and high-dose melatonin administered (MLT50). After the pregnancy, six male newborn rats from each group were sacrificed at 4 and 20 weeks of age.

Necessity of suction drains in gynecomastia surgery.

Background: The aim of gynecomastia surgery is to restore a normal chest contour with minimal signs of breast surgery.

Objective: The authors examine the rate of complications in gynecomastia surgery when no closed-suction drains are placed.

Methods: One hundred thirty-eight consecutive male patients who underwent gynecomastia surgery without drains were retrospectively analyzed to determine whether the absence of drains adversely affected patient outcomes.

Reconstruction of total lower lip defects using radial forearm free flap with subsequent tongue flap.

Subtotal and total reconstruction of the lower lip is a challenge for the plastic surgeon. Large defects extending to the chin area can be difficult to manage with only local flaps, and free flaps are better suited. In an attempt to restore the lower lip with the vermilion, the authors used the radial forearm free flap with anteriorly based ventral tongue flap in 5 patients.