[Free flap reconstruction in the head and neck. Indications, technical aspects and outcomes].

Introduction And Objectives: The use of microvascular free flaps (MFF) has become a common method of head and neck reconstruction because of its high success rates and better functional results. We report our experience in reconstructing complex defects with MFF.

Methods: We analysed a series of 246 patients that underwent reconstruction using MFF in our Department from 1991 to 2013.

Free flaps in orbital exenteration: a safe and effective method for reconstruction.

The aim of this study was to investigate the course of reconstructive treatment and outcomes with use of free flaps after orbital exenteration for malignancy. Charts of patients who had free flap reconstruction after orbital exenteration were retrospectively reviewed and the surgical technique was evaluated. Demographics, histology, surgical management, complications, locoregional control, and survival were analyzed.

A test of Rescorla and Wagner's (1972) prediction of nonlinear effects in contingency learning.

According to most theories, in a simple contingency learning situation, excitatory learning occurs when the probability of the unconditioned stimulus in the presence of the conditioned stimulus (p(1)) is higher than the probability of the unconditioned stimulus in the absence of the conditioned stimulus (p(2)). In Rescorla and Wagner's (1972) model, this prediction varies, depending on the parameters used. In the following experiments, we evaluated whether the difference between p(1) and p(2) that is required to produce excitatory conditioning is the same, independent of the specific value of p(1), or whether this difference varies proportionally to p(1)'s value.

Use of lateral circumflex femoral artery system free flaps in skull base reconstruction.

We present a 10-year retrospective study at a tertiary center designed to evaluate the advantages, complications, and comparative results using lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) system free flaps for cranial base reconstruction. In this study, a cranial base defect refers to exposed intracranial contents to the skin, paranasal sinuses, nasopharynx, oropharynx, or oral cavity. These defects resulted from resections of primary or recurrent neoplasms or from secondary problems after cranial base surgery.

Refinements in dorsoulnar flap of the thumb: 15 cases.

Purpose: We report 2 modifications of the classic Brunelli flap to avoid vascular compromise and first web contracture, common when using medium or large flaps.

Methods: We treated 15 patients with posttraumatic loss of palmar surface and distal amputation of the thumb, with dorsoulnar flap associated with 2 refinements. The first technical tip was an adipofascial extension proximal in the flap aimed to decrease the morbidity of the donor site without changing the potential covering of the flap.

Blocking of conditioning of tentacle lowering in the snail (Helix aspersa).

Experiment 1 established the effectiveness of an appetitive conditioning of odours procedure with snails (Helix aspersa) that was subsequently used for the study of blocking. In this important phenomenon, the conditioning of a CS1 (where CS is the conditioned stimulus) prior to conditioning of a compound, CS1CS2, blocked the conditioning to the CS2. Experiments 2a, 2b, and 2c demonstrated this associative effect using three different experimental controls.