Mental health is strongly associated with capability after lower extremity injury treated with free flap limb salvage or amputation.

Background: Knowledge about factors associated with long-term outcomes, after severe traumatic injury to the lower extremity, can aid with the difficult decision whether to salvage or amputate the leg and improve outcome. We therefore studied factors independently associated with capability at a minimum of 1 year after amputation or free flap limb salvage.

Methods: We included 135 subjects with a free flap lower extremity reconstruction and 41 subjects with amputation, between 1991 and 2021 at two urban-level 1 trauma centers with a mean follow-up of 11 ± 7 years.

Leukopenia in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: a single-center cohort of kidney transplant candidates with post-transplantation follow-up.

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) has occasionally been associated with lower peripheral white blood cell (WBC) counts. This study aimed to investigate the peripheral blood cell counts in a large cohort of kidney transplant recipients before and after kidney transplantation and its potential impact on post-transplant outcomes.

Methods: This was a retrospective study with long-term follow-up data of 2090 patients who underwent a first kidney transplantation in the Leuven University Hospitals, of whom 392 had ADPKD.

Predictors of Lumpectomy Size after Breast-Conserving Surgery in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Oncoplastic reconstructive surgery as an extension of breast-conserving surgery leads to better aesthetic results, an increase in tumor-free margins, and a reduction in reexcision rates. Oncologic resection is often more extensive than expected, sometimes resulting in the plastic surgeon deviating from the predetermined plan. For optimal planning of the reconstruction, it is mandatory to estimate volume defects after lumpectomy as accurately as possible.

Surgical treatment of esophago-tracheobronchial fistulas after esophagectomy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical treatment of esophago-tracheobronchial fistulas (ETBFs) that occurred after esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction in a tertiary referral center for esophageal surgery. All patients who underwent surgical repair for an ETBF after esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction were included in a tertiary referral center. The primary outcome was successful recovery after surgical treatment for ETBF, defined as a patent airway at 90 days after the surgical fistula repair.

Low agreement between various eGFR formulae in pediatric and young adult ADPKD patients.

Background: Young autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients are becoming the new target population for the development of new treatment options. Determination of a reliable equation for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from early stages is needed with the promising potential interventional therapies.

Methods: Prospective and longitudinal study on a cohort of 68 genotyped ADPKD patients (age range 0-23 years) with long-term follow-up.

Bulging after DIEP Breast Reconstruction: New Insights Concerning Rectus Diastasis and Medial Perforator Harvest.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between flap harvest technique and occurrence of abdominal bulging.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 159 patients undergoing DIEP flap breast reconstruction between 2014 and 2021 in the University Medical Center Utrecht was conducted. Outcomes measured were preoperative rectus diastasis, flap weight, laterality of flap harvest (unilateral or bilateral), timing of the harvest (immediate or delayed), number of perforators harvested (single or multiple), and location of the harvested perforator (medial, lateral, or both).

Risk Severity Model for Pediatric Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Using 3D Ultrasound Volumetry.

Background: Height-adjusted total kidney volume (htTKV) measured by imaging defined as Mayo Imaging Class (MIC) is a validated prognostic measure for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in adults to predict and stratify disease progression. However, no stratification tool is currently available in pediatric ADPKD. Because magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography in children are difficult, we propose a novel 3D ultrasound-based pediatric Leuven Imaging Classification to complement the MIC.

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Clinical applications for intraoperative optical coherence tomography: a systematic review.

In this systematic review, we provide an overview of the current state of intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT). As iOCT technology is increasingly utilized, its current clinical applications and potential uses warrant attention. Here, we categorize the findings of various studies by their respective fields, including the use of iOCT in vitreoretinal surgery, corneal surgery, glaucoma surgery, cataract surgery, and pediatric ophthalmology.

The nerve supply to the pectoralis major: An anatomical study and clinical application of the denervation in subpectoral breast implant surgery.

Background: Using the subpectoral approach, animation deformity or breast distortion due to pectoralis muscle contraction is common. Although the anatomy of the pectoral nerves has been extensively studied, only few studies have related the location of these nerves to bony landmarks.

Objective: Our aim is to clarify the anatomy and possible variations of the innervation of the pectoralis major in relation to bony landmarks useful for surgery and to identify the preferred level for (selective) denervation by 1) transecting the nerves and 2) splitting the muscle in subpectoral breast implant surgery in cadavers.

Robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy complication rate compared to traditional nipple-sparing mastectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Breast cancer is worldwide the most common cause of cancer in women and causes the second most common cancer-related death. Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) is commonly used in therapeutic and prophylactic settings. Furthermore, (preventive) mastectomies are, besides complications, also associated with psychological and cosmetic consequences.

Cytopenia in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD): merely an association or a disease-related feature with prognostic implications?

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is associated with distinct cytopenias in observational studies; the most consistent and strongest association is seen with alternations in the lymphocytic lineages. Although the underlying mechanism of these associations is unclear, it has been hypothesized to be secondary to sequestration of white blood cells in cystic organs, or related to the uremic environment in chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, since mutations in PKD1 or -2 affect several immunomodulating pathways, cytopenia may well be an unrecognized extrarenal manifestation of ADPKD.

Is dangling of the lower leg after a free flap reconstruction necessary? Study protocol for a large multicenter randomized controlled study.

Background: Within the field of plastic surgery, free tissue transfer is common practice for knee and lower leg defects. Usually, after such free flap reconstruction, patients undergo a dangling protocol in the postoperative phase. A dangling protocol is designed to gradually subject the free flap to increased venous pressure resulting from gravitational forces.

Single-Admission, Staged Restoration of Gastrointestinal Continuity After Right Gastroepiploic Artery Damage.

A case of iatrogenic right gastroepiploic artery injury during laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy is reported. This case report describes microvascular repair of the right gastroepiploic artery and vein. Subsequent intraoperative decision making with regard to a staged, single-admission successful esophagectomy is discussed.

Resuscitating extremities after soft tissue sarcoma resections: Are functional reconstructions an overlooked option in limb salvage? A systematic review.

Background: Although resection of extremity soft tissue sarcomas can occasionally lead to large disabilities, literature regarding the necessity and outcome of functional reconstructions are scarce. The goal of this review is to assess outcomes and usage of functional reconstructions in light of multimodal treatment.

Methods: A systematic search was performed in July 2018 in PubMed and Embase databases according to the PRISMA guidelines.

GLS hyperactivity causes glutamate excess, infantile cataract and profound developmental delay.

Loss-of-function mutations in glutaminase (GLS), the enzyme converting glutamine into glutamate, and the counteracting enzyme glutamine synthetase (GS) cause disturbed glutamate homeostasis and severe neonatal encephalopathy. We report a de novo Ser482Cys gain-of-function variant in GLS encoding GLS associated with profound developmental delay and infantile cataract. Functional analysis demonstrated that this variant causes hyperactivity and compensatory downregulation of GLS expression combined with upregulation of the counteracting enzyme GS, supporting pathogenicity.

Retinal sensitivity following intraocular silicone oil and gas tamponade for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Purpose: To investigate whether intraocular silicone oil (SO) tamponade is associated with functional changes in patients with both macula-on and macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRDs).

Methods: Prospective observational cohort study of patients with RRD treated by vitrectomy with gas or SO tamponade at the University Medical Center Utrecht. Outcome was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and retinal sensitivity on microperimetry 2 months after surgery.

A prospective multicentre randomized placebo-controlled superiority trial in patients with suspected bacterial endophthalmitis after cataract surgery on the adjuvant use of intravitreal dexamethasone to intravitreal antibiotics.

Purpose: We aimed to determine whether intravitreal dexamethasone as an adjuvant to intravitreal antibiotics is beneficial in the treatment of suspected bacterial endophthalmitis after cataract surgery.

Methods: Randomized, placebo-controlled superiority trial in three tertiary referral centres in the Netherlands. Patients with suspected bacterial endophthalmitis within 6 weeks after cataract surgery were eligible.

An Ocular Protein Triad Can Classify Four Complex Retinal Diseases.

Retinal diseases generally are vision-threatening conditions that warrant appropriate clinical decision-making which currently solely dependents upon extensive clinical screening by specialized ophthalmologists. In the era where molecular assessment has improved dramatically, we aimed at the identification of biomarkers in 175 ocular fluids to classify four archetypical ocular conditions affecting the retina (age-related macular degeneration, idiopathic non-infectious uveitis, primary vitreoretinal lymphoma, and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment) with one single test. Unsupervised clustering of ocular proteins revealed a classification strikingly similar to the clinical phenotypes of each disease group studied.

Motor Innervation of the Corrugator Supercilii Muscle in Relation to Orbital Landmarks: Guidelines for Surgical Denervation.

Precise knowledge of the nerve supply of the corrugator supercilii muscle (CSM) is a prerequisite for performing a selective denervation of the CSM. The authors' goal was to determine the course and variability of the motor nerves of the CSM in relation to fixed orbital landmarks. The facial nerve branches toward the CSM were identified during microscopic dissection of 9 Caucasian formaldehyde-fixed cadaver half-heads.

Ocular Fluid Analysis in Children Reveals Interleukin-29/Interferon-λ1 as a Biomarker for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis-Associated Uveitis.

Objective: Childhood uveitis is a vision-threatening inflammatory eye disease commonly attributed to juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The pathogenesis is poorly understood, which makes clinical management challenging. We analyzed soluble mediators in ocular fluid (aqueous humor [AqH]) and serum from children with JIA-associated uveitis and common childhood uveitis to identify potential biomarkers and investigate the ocular microenvironment of this sight-threatening eye disease.

Electrolyte composition of retro-oil fluid and silicone oil-related visual loss.

Purpose: Up to one-third of patients with intra-ocular silicone oil (SO) tamponade for complex macula-on retinal detachment may experience an unexplained visual loss during or after SO tamponade. Although the underlying mechanism is unknown, previous studies suggested that accumulation of retinal potassium could be involved. Hence, this study tested the hypothesis that intra-ocular potassium levels are elevated during SO tamponade.

INCIDENCE, RISK FACTORS, AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF UNEXPLAINED VISUAL LOSS AFTER INTRAOCULAR SILICONE OIL FOR MACULA-ON RETINAL DETACHMENT.

Purpose: To investigate the incidence, risk factors, and clinical characteristics of unexplained visual loss after macula-on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

Methods: Retrospective cohort of patients with primary macula-on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treated by vitrectomy with gas or silicone oil (SO) tamponade in 2011 and 2012. Outcome was unexplained visual loss (>2 Snellen lines) 2 months after the last vitrectomy.

Degloved foot sole successfully reconstructed with split thickness skin grafts.

Introduction: The current opinion is that split thickness skin grafts are not suitable to reconstruct a degloved foot sole. The tissue is too fragile to carry full bodyweight; and therefore, stress lesions frequently occur. The treatment of choice is the reuse of the avulsed skin whenever possible, or else the use of a full thickness fascio-cutaneus flap.