Assessment of palmar subcutaneous tissue vascularization in patients with Dupuytren's contracture.

Aim: To investigate the structural and functional characteristics of palmar hypodermal tissue vascularization in Dupuytren's contracture patients of different age groups.

Methods: Eighty-seven Dupuytren's contracture patients underwent partial fasciectomy. Twenty-two of them were less than 55 years old (Y-group, = 22); the others were 55 and older (O-group, = 65).

Benefits of Ilizarov automated bone distraction for nerves and articular cartilage in experimental leg lengthening.

Aim: To determine peculiarities of tissue responses to manual and automated Ilizarov bone distraction in nerves and articular cartilage.

Methods: Twenty-nine dogs were divided in two experimental groups: Group M - leg lengthening with manual distraction (1 mm/d in 4 steps), Group A - automated distraction (1 mm/d in 60 steps) and intact group. Animals were euthanized at the end of distraction, at 30 day of fixation in apparatus and 30 d after the fixator removal.