The Use of Vascularized Fascia as Carrier in Cases of Prelaminated Fasciocartilaginous and Osseofascial Flaps.

Background This experimental study investigates the use of vascularized fascia as carrier for prelaminated cartilage and bone flaps. Methods A total of 30 male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into two equal groups (A and B). The fascia surrounding the inguinal fat and superficial inferior epigastric vessels was dissected.

Aesthetic and anatomic subunit reconstruction of composite mandibular gunshot wound.

Background: Gunshot facial traumas involving the mandible and surrounding soft tissues are represented by the potential for loss of relationships between the functional and the aesthetic subunits of the head.

Methods: A patient presented with an 8-cm composite mandibular defect, resulting from a self-inflicted gunshot injury. Taking into account the anatomic/aesthetic subunits involved, a fibular osseoseptocutaneous flap was transferred to reconstruct the left lateral mandibular segment and the floor of the mouth, whereas a preexpanded temporal scalp flap was transferred to restore the hair-bearing skin of the left buccomandibular subunit.

Giant dermoid cyst of the lower limb: presentation of a rare case.

Background: Dermoid cysts are unusual neoplasms that often present in childhood and are usually located in the head and neck region.

Objective And Method: We describe a rare case of a giant dermoid cyst of congenital inclusion type located at the lower extremity of a young male. Preoperative imaging studies were performed for evaluation of the mass.

Upper cervicothoracic sympathetic block increases blood supply of unipedicled TRAM flap.

A prospective clinical study was conducted to evaluate the impact of upper cervicothoracic sympathetic block (CTGB) on blood supply of the unipedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap. The use of the technique is first reported herein, as a manipulation improving arterial blood flow within the flap in high-risk patients, thus reducing postoperative morbidity. From March 2003 to September 2006, 28 heavy smokers, who underwent delayed breast reconstruction with unipedicled TRAM flap, were included in the study.

Complete vaginal obstruction with hematometra after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for chronic myeloid leukemia: a case report.

Background: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) has become a curative treatment modality for many patients with malignant hematologic diseases. Despite impressive advances in the management of allo-HSCT, graft vs. host disease (GvHD) is a frequent complication that significantly contributes to the morbidity and mortality associated with transplantation and is a significant obstacle to overcome.

The use of integra artificial dermis to minimize donor-site morbidity after suprafascial dissection of the radial forearm flap.

In an effort to minimize the radial forearm flap donor-site morbidity, the flap was elevated using the suprafascial dissection technique, in six patients with various facial defects. The donor site was covered primarily with Integra artificial skin and secondarily with an ultrathin split-thickness skin graft. The mean time to wound healing of the forearm donor site was 24 days.

Blood perfusion of the free anterolateral thigh perforator flap: its beneficial effect in the reconstruction of infected wounds in the lower extremity.

Background: In a prospective study, we evaluated the blood perfusion and the blood flow of anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap by both near-infrared spectroscopy and color Doppler ultrasonography. Moreover, we assessed the ability of the perforator flap to reconstruct infected wounds of the lower extremity in 11 patients.

Methods: Near-infrared spectroscopy showed excellent oxygen saturation, and Doppler ultrasonography documented excellent blood flow and decreased vascular resistance in the ALT flap postoperatively.

Application of the pedicled anterolateral thigh flap to defects from the pelvis to the knee.

The blood flow and the blood perfusion of pedicled anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap was evaluated in 11 patients with skin and soft tissue defects by means of color Doppler ultrasonography and of near-infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Also, the authors assessed the ability of the pedicled perforator flap to cover the above defects. A proximally based flap was used to cover defects at the lower abdominal wall (two patients), the suprapubic area, the penis (two patients), the greater trochanter (two patients), the lateral gluteal area, and the ischial tuberosity.

Percutaneous versus Conventional Tracheostomy in Burned Patients with Inhalation Injury.

The aim of the study was to compare conventional tracheostomy with percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in patients with inhalation burn injury. A total of 37 patients with severe burn injuries and associated inhalation injury, underwent percutaneous tracheostomy in our burn unit and were retrospectively compared with 22 patients who underwent conventional surgical tracheostomy. In the first group, 25 of 37 patients and in the second group 17 of 22 patients presented with partial or full-thickness burn injuries (or both) in the neck region.

Penile resurfacing with vascularized fascia lata.

Penis resurfacing is a challenging procedure, and should simultaneously ensure erectile function, tactile sensibility, sexual satisfaction, and aesthetic integrity. This article presents three cases with penile skin defects treated by means of a pedicled fascia lata attached either to the tensor fascia lata (one case) or an anterolateral thigh flap (two cases). The cause of the wounds included electrical burn, Fournier's gangrene, and self-mutilation.

Beneficial effect of nerve growth factor-7S on peripheral nerve regeneration through inside-out vein grafts: an experimental study.

This study investigated the effect of local administration of nerve growth factor-7S (NGF-7S) on the axonal regrowth of mixed peripheral nerves through inside-out vein grafts. Sixty male Wistar rats were randomized into two groups (n = 30). A defect 12 mm long in the right sciatic nerve was created and repaired with an inside-out vein graft from the right jugular vein.

Microvascular repair following crush-avulsion type injury with vein grafts: effect of direct inhibitors of thrombin on patency rate.

The aim of this study was to develop a standardized effective thrombogenic arterial anastomosis model, as usually encountered in clinical practice, and to offer a detailed evaluation of the antithrombotic effect of thrombin's direct inhibitors, antithrombin III and hirudin, as locally applied. Wistar rats were divided into four groups of 12 animals each. The carotid artery sustained a standardized crush-avulsion-type injury (groups B-D).