Chick Chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) as an in-vivo model for the study of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.

The high incidence of vascular and lymphatic metastasis is closely associated with poor prognosis and mortality in cancer. Finding effective inhibitors to prevent pathological angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis relies on appropriate in-vivo models. The chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) is a membrane formed by the fusion of the chorion and allantois during embryonic development.

Characterization of Immune Cell Infiltration and Collagen Type III Disorganization in Human Secondary Lymphedema: A Case-control Study.

Background: Secondary lymphedema (SL) affects 120 million people globally, posing a lifelong burden for up to 37% of cancer survivors. Chronic inflammation and progressive fibrosis are key drivers of SL, yet detailed characterization of immune cell subpopulations across lymphedema stages is lacking. This study aimed to investigate the immunologic profile of lymphedematous skin and its association with extracellular matrix changes, which could serve as clinical biomarkers or therapeutic targets.

Lymphedema-Associated Fibroblasts Are Related to Fibrosis and Stage Progression in Patients and a Murine Microsurgical Model.

Background: The driver of secondary lymphedema (SL) progression is chronic inflammation, which promotes fibrosis. Despite advances in preclinical research, a specific effector cell subpopulation as a biomarker for therapy response or stage progression is still missing for SL.

Methods: Whole skin samples of 35 murine subjects of a microsurgically induced SL model and 12 patients with SL were collected and their fibroblasts were isolated.

Standardising the management of open extremity fractures: a scoping review of national guidelines.

Introduction: Open extremity fractures can be life-changing events. Clinical guidelines on the management of these injuries aim to standardise the care of patients by presenting evidence-based recommendations. We performed a scoping systematic review to identify all national clinical practice guidelines published to date.

Supermicrosurgical treatment for lymphedema: a systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol.

Background: Lymphedema is a condition that affects up to 130 million subjects worldwide. Since it is related to several complications and a significant reduction in terms of quality of life, it is a heavy burden not only to the patients but also for the healthcare system worldwide. Despite the development of supermicrosurgery, such as vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) and lymphovenous anastomosis LVA, the indications and outcomes of these complex groups of interventions remain a controversial topic in the field of reconstructive plastic surgery.

Lymphovenous anastomoses with three-dimensional digital hybrid visualization: improving ergonomics for supermicrosurgery in lymphedema.

The conventional approach of looking down a microscope to perform microsurgical procedures is associated with occupational injuries, anti-ergonomic postures, and increased tremor and fatigue, all of which predispose microsurgeons to early retirement. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) visualization of real-time microscope magnification has been developed as an alternative. Despite its commercial availability, no supermicrosurgical procedures have been reported using this technology to date.

Lymphatic Tissue Engineering: A Further Step for Successful Lymphedema Treatment.

Background:  Secondary lymphedema, caused by oncologic surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, is one of the most relevant, nononcological complications affecting cancer survivors. Severe functional deficits can result in impairing quality of life and a societal burden related to increased treatment costs. Often, conservative treatments are not sufficient to alleviate lymphedema or to prevent stage progression of the disease, as they do not address the underlying etiology that is the disruption of lymphatic pathways.

A Structured, Microsurgical Training Curriculum Improves the Outcome in Lower Extremity Reconstruction Free Flap Residency Training: The Ludwigshafen Concept.

Background:  Risk stratification, economic pressure, and a flat learning curve make the realization and development of proper microsurgical skills and competences a challenging task in the daily clinical practice. In previous studies, we were able to show that microsurgical procedures, e.g.

Negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time (NPWTi-d) with V. A. C. VeraFlo in traumatic, surgical, and chronic wounds-A helpful tool for decontamination and to prepare successful reconstruction.

For nearly two decades, Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) has been used for temporary wound coverage as well as wound bed preparation. The addition of instillation and dwell time as an adjunct to NPWT (NPWTi-d) enables wound bed cleaning and improved wound bed granulation. Thirty patients with different types of colonised wounds (traumatic, surgical, and chronic) were treated with NPWTi-d using saline for instillation.

Role, Management, and Outcome of Free Flap Reconstruction for Acute Full-Thickness Burns in Hands.

Introduction: Severe thermal trauma to the hand can result in major impairment and reduced function due to defective healing or even extremity loss. Full-thickness injuries frequently incur exposure of tendons or bone and require an early and stable coverage with soft tissue transplants to allow for rapid induction of exercise and to preserve structures and hand function. Free tissue transfer to the hand after thermal trauma is a rare indication, and safety, management, and outcome of free flap surgery for severe acute burn injuries to the hand remains underreported.

Managing Complications in Abdominoplasty: A Literature Review.

Background: Abdominoplasty, with or without liposuction, is among the most frequently performed aesthetic procedures. Its main objective is to improve the body contour by means of excising redundant skin and fat tissue. Although abdominoplasty is considered a safe procedure with high satisfaction rates, intraoperative and postoperative complications can become a challenge for the surgical team.