Functional soft palate reconstruction.

Background: The excision of oropharyngeal carcinoma of more than 50% of the soft palate followed by static reconstruction may result in functional deficits, including velopharyngeal insufficiency, swallowing, and speech difficulties. We describe a functional soft palate reconstruction technique aimed at restoring aeromechanical and acoustic functions, enabling swallowing without nasal regurgitation and speech with low nasalance.

Material And Methods: We developed a new operative technique, using muscle transfer and a free flap to create a dynamic reconstruction.

Negative effects by mineral accretion technique on the heat resilience, growth and recruitment of corals.

Restoration and artificial reefs can assist the recovery of degraded reefs but are limited in scalability and climate resilience. The Mineral Accretion Technique (MAT) subjects metal artificial reefs to a low-voltage electrical current, thereby creating a calcium-carbonate coating. It has been suggested that corals on MAT structures experience enhanced health and growth.

Fracture-related infections of the lower extremity - Analysis of costs and their drivers.

Objectives: Fracture-related infection (FRI) is a feared complication in orthopaedic trauma surgery. They are associated with multiple surgical interventions and prolonged antibiotic treatment duration, and hence, increased costs. The objective of this study was to assess the costs of FRI treatment in a Tertiary Swiss Trauma Center and to identify the variables associated with increased costs.

Concrete evidence: outplanted corals for reef restoration do not need extended curing of ordinary Portland cement.

Artificial reefs for coral reef restoration are often concrete-based. After concrete is poured, it initially has a high surface pH (approx. 13), which neutralizes within several weeks.

The myocutaneous gastrocnemius flap for periprosthetic joint infection of the knee.

Purpose: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) presents significant challenges, especially in elderly and comorbid patients, often necessitating revision surgeries. We report on a series of patients with confirmed PJI of the knee and concomitant soft-tissue/extensor apparatus defects, treated by using pedicled myocutaneous medial or lateral sural artery perforator (MSAP/LSAP) gastrocnemius flaps.

Methods: Our retrospective study at the Center for Musculoskeletal Infections, included patients with knee PJI undergoing pedicled myocutaneous MSAP/LSAP gastrocnemius flap reconstruction for combined soft tissue and extensor apparatus defects.

Role of the Gastrocnemius Musculocutaneous with a Propeller Style Skin Flap in Knee Region Reconstruction: Indications and Pitfalls.

 Soft tissue reconstruction around the knee area is still an open question, particularly in persistent infections and multiple reoperations scenario. Flap coverage should guarantee joint mobility and protection, even when foreign materials are implanted. The chimeric harvesting of the musculocutaneous gastrocnemius flap, based on the sural artery perforators, can extend its applicability in soft tissue reconstruction of the upper leg, overcoming the drawbacks of the alternative pedicled flaps.

[Plastic-surgical reconstruction of the lower extremity in senior patients].

The proportion of patients in the population beyond the 7th decade of life is increasing worldwide, especially in highly developed countries. Consequently, there is also an increasing need for complex lower extremity reconstructions after trauma, tumors, or infections in this age group. The reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the lower extremity should be performed according to the principle of the plastic-reconstructive ladder or elevator.

Muscle-only versus chimeric musculocutaneous gastrocnemius pedicled flap in complex orthoplastic reconstructions of the knee region: A retrospective study.

Background: The knee region represents a challenging area of soft tissue reconstruction. Specifically, in the context of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or following high-energy trauma with fractures and hardware fixation, soft tissue defects can expose critical structures such as joint, bone or tendon, besides the implant/plates themselves, with dramatic consequences in terms of postoperative infection and hardware contamination.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on a prospectively maintained database from January 2016 to February 2021.

Disease Association of Anti‒Carboxyethyl Lysine Autoantibodies in Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by recurring suppurating lesions of the intertriginous areas, resulting in a substantial impact on patients' QOL. HS pathogenesis remains poorly understood. An autoimmune component has been proposed, but disease-specific autoantibodies, autoantigens, or autoreactive T cells have yet to be described.

Osteomyelitis and antibiotic treatment in patients with grade IV pressure injury and spinal cord lesion-a retrospective cohort study.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: To analyze characteristics and treatment of osteomyelitis (OM) in the treatment of grade IV pressure injury (PI) in patients with spinal cord injury/disorder (SCI/D) following the Basel Decubitus Concept.

Setting: Acute care and rehabilitation clinic specialized in SCI/D.

Case Report: Reconstruction of a Large Maxillary Defect With an Engineered, Vascularized, Prefabricated Bone Graft.

The reconstruction of complex midface defects is a challenging clinical scenario considering the high anatomical, functional, and aesthetic requirements. In this study, we proposed a surgical treatment to achieve improved oral rehabilitation and anatomical and functional reconstruction of a complex defect of the maxilla with a vascularized, engineered composite graft. The patient was a 39-year-old female, postoperative after left hemimaxillectomy for ameloblastic carcinoma in 2010 and tumor-free at the 5-year oncological follow-up.

Soft-tissue reconstruction in lower-leg fracture-related infections: An orthoplastic outcome and risk factor analysis.

Introduction Fracture-related infection (FRI) is a severe post-traumatic complication which is occasionally accompanied by a deficient or even avital soft-tissue envelope. In these cases, a thoroughly planned orthoplastic approach is imperative as a vital and intact soft-tissue envelope is mandatory to achieve fracture union and infection eradication. The aim of this study was, to analyse if soft-tissue reconstruction (STR) without complications is associated with a better long-term outcome compared to FRI patients with STR complications.

Fat grafting versus implant-based treatment of breast asymmetry, a single surgeon experience over 13 years: a paradigm shift?

Background: Breast asymmetry can result from congenital or traumatic aetiologies. Breast implants, autologous fat grafting, or a combination of both of these techniques are commonly used to achieve symmetry. This study adds critical evaluation of long-term patient outcomes in a large study group, to evaluate pearls and pitfalls of these treatment modalities.

Microsurgical Reconstruction of the Lower Extremity in the Elderly.

Demand has increased for complex lower-extremity reconstruction in the steadily growing elderly patient group in many highly developed countries. Microsurgery is indispensable for soft tissue reconstruction and osseous consolidation salvaging leg function and preventing amputation, with its devastating consequences. Microvascular reconstruction can be performed successfully in specialized centers with low donor-site morbidity, minimal operative time, and comparably low complication rates.

The Effect of Depth on the Morphology, Bacterial Clearance, and Respiration of the Mediterranean Sponge (Nardo, 1847).

To support the successful application of sponges for water purification and collagen production, we evaluated the effect of depth on sponge morphology, growth, physiology, and functioning. Specimens of Eastern Mediterranean populations of the sponge (Nardo, 1847) (Demospongiae, Chondrosiida, Chondrosiidae) were reciprocally transplanted between 5 and 20 m depth within the Kaş-Kekova Marine Reserve Area. Control sponges at 5 m had fewer but larger oscula than their conspecifics at 20 m, and a significant inverse relationship between the osculum density and size was found in specimens growing along a natural depth gradient.

Orthoplastics in Periprosthetic Joint Infection of the Knee: Treatment Concept for Composite Soft-tissue Defect with Extensor Apparatus Deficiency.

: Reconstruction of composite soft-tissue defects with extensor apparatus deficiency in patients with periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) of the knee is challenging. We present a single-centre multidisciplinary orthoplastic treatment concept based on a retrospective outcome analysis over 20 years. : One-hundred sixty patients had PJI after total knee arthroplasty.

Adding insult to injury: Effects of chronic oxybenzone exposure and elevated temperature on two reef-building corals.

Coral bleaching due to global warming currently is the largest threat to coral reefs, which may be exacerbated by altered water quality. Elevated levels of the UV filter oxybenzone in coastal waters as a result of sunscreen use have recently been demonstrated. We studied the effect of chronic oxybenzone exposure and elevated water temperature on coral health.

Split median superficial sural artery perforator (MSSAP) flap and medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap for posterior thigh sarcoma reconstruction.

Reconstruction of composite defects of the posterior thigh and knee is challenging. Pedicled medial gastrocnemius flaps are the traditional reconstructive approach, but late contractures related to skin grafted muscle may affect knee function. More recently, the medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap has been described for such defects, although may necessitate skin grafting of the donor site.

Free vascularised medial femoral condyle periosteal flaps in recalcitrant long bone non-union: a systematic review.

Introduction: In adults, treatment of recalcitrant long bone non-union is extremely challenging, with poorly vascularised and atrophic defects unresponsive to standard non-vascularised bone graft treatment. Recent studies have documented the use of free vascularised periosteal flaps to achieve union in refractory long bone fracture non-union, yet its use is not well established. This systematic review aims to assess the evidence for free vascularised periosteal flaps in recalcitrant long bone non-union.

Internally Fabricated Chimera Anterolateral Thigh-Amputate Flaps for Metachronous Reconstruction.

Unlabelled: The chimera flap is a versatile and exciting tissue composition for the reconstruction of complex tissue defects.

Methods: Here, we present 2 cases of internally fabricated anterolateral thigh (ALT)-amputate chimera flaps for metachronous transfer.

Results: A 22-year-old man (case 1) developed extended soft tissue necrosis in both legs following meningococcal septicemia.

The Masquelet technique in traumatic loss of the talus after open lateral subtalar dislocation-A case report.

Introduction: Subtalar dislocations are rare injuries and treatment recommendations missing. Gross contamination and devascularisation are aspects supporting talectomy as potential treatment choice. Reconstruction in these cases can be challenging.

[The interdisciplinary Microsurgeon - Results of the Consensus Workshop of the German Speaking Society for Microsurgery of Peripheral Nerves and Vessels].

Plastic and reconstructive surgery is characterized by a high degree of interdisciplinarity. Although Plastic surgery offers a wide range of reliable surgical treatment options independent departments for plastic and reconstructive surgery are not present in every university clinic or leading hospital in Germany. However, the ongoing improvements especially in the field of reconstructive microsurgery enabled and enhanced the treatment of complex defects in order to restore function as well as cosmetic outcome.

Ulnar Variance in Scaphoid Fractures: Retrospective Analysis of 182 Cases.

Background: Literature provides little and controversial evidence regarding the influence of ulnar variance (UV) on the incidence of scaphoid fractures. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess UV in a large number of patients with acute scaphoid fracture in comparison to a control group of the same population.

Methods: During a two year period, 182 patients with acute scaphoid fractures (fracture group) and 182 ethnicity-, gender- and age-matched patients with wrist contusions (control group) were treated in three non-university hospitals.