Tracheal Transplantation.

Airway stenosis and malignant tumors are the 2 main reasons to perform a surgical resection of part of the trachea. Tracheal lesions with a length shorter than 5 cm can be resected and primary reconstruction can be safely effected. Excessive anastomotic tension should be avoided because it may lead to restenosis or dehiscence at the anastomosis.

Protection of stromal cell-derived factor-1 SDF-1/CXCL12 against proteases yields improved skin wound healing.

SDF-1/CXCL12 is a unique chemotactic factor with multiple functions on various types of precursor cells, all carrying the cognate receptor CXCR4. Whereas individual biological functions of SDF-1/CXCL12 have been well documented, practical applications in medicine are insufficiently studied. This is explained by the complex multifunctional biology of SDF-1 with systemic and local effects, critical dependence of SDF-1 activity on aminoterminal proteolytic processing and limited knowledge of applicable modulators of its activity.

Treatment and outcome of fracture-related infection of the clavicle.

Introduction: The number of operatively treated clavicle fractures has increased over the past decades. Consequently, this has led to an increase in secondary procedures required to treat complications such as fracture-related infection (FRI). The primary objective of this study was to assess the clinical and functional outcome of patients treated for FRI of the clavicle.

Physiological fibrin hydrogel modulates immune cells and molecules and accelerates mouse skin wound healing.

Introduction: Wound healing is a complex process to restore homeostasis after injury and insufficient skin wound healing is a considerable problem in medicine. Whereas many attempts of regenerative medicine have been made for wound healing with growth factors and cell therapies, simple pharmacological and immunological studies are lagging behind. We investigated how fibrin hydrogels modulate immune cells and molecules in skin wound healing in mice.

Maxillomandibular Reconstruction Using Insourced Virtual Surgical Planning and Homemade CAD/CAM: A Single-Center Evolution in 75 Patients.

Background: Virtual surgical planning (VSP) and computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) of surgical guides and jigs have dramatically changed the predictability of bony reconstruction of the jaw. VSP craftsmanship can lead to precision and enables the surgeon to complement the donor bone osteotomies with bony resection of the jaw. In recent years, immediate dental rehabilitation has become an integral part of VSP.

Chlorite-Oxidized Oxyamylose (COAM) Has Antibacterial Activity and Positively Affects Skin Wound Healing.

Purpose: To verify the antibacterial and immunomodulatory effects of the amylose derivative - chlorite-oxidized oxyamylose (COAM) - in a skin wound setting.

Methods: In vitro antibacterial effects of COAM against opportunistic bacterial pathogens common to skin wounds, including and methicillin-resistant (MRSA), were determined by cultivation methods. The effects of COAM on myeloid cell infiltration into full thickness skin wounds were investigated in wild-type and in transgenic CXCR1-GFP mice.

Long-Term Outcome of Single-Session, Ultrasound-Guided, Radiofrequency Ablation for Symptomatic Small, Lower Limb, Venous Malformations.

Objectives: To analyze the long-term clinical outcome of percutaneous, ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of peripheral low-flow vascular malformations (VM).

Materials & Methods: Adolescent patients presenting with symptomatic VMs and referred for percutaneous management using RFA between January 2010 and January 2015 were identified by a search in the institutional interventional radiology database. Clinical and radiological follow-up up to April 2021 was based on retrospective analysis of patients' electronic medical records and imaging files.

Anti-fibrotic effect of adipose-derived stem cells on fibrotic scars.

Background: Sustained injury, through radiotherapy, burns or surgical trauma, can result in fibrosis, displaying an excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), persisting inflammatory reaction, and reduced vascularization. The increasing recognition of fibrosis as a cause for disease and mortality, and increasing use of radiotherapy causing fibrosis, stresses the importance of a decent anti-fibrotic treatment.

Aim: To obtain an in-depth understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying fibrosis, and more specifically, the potential mechanisms-of-action of adipose-derived stomal cells (ADSCs) in realizing their anti-fibrotic effect.

Fracture-related infection of the patella: Treatment options and outcome.

Background: Fracture-related infection (FRI) after the operative management of patella fractures is a serious complication that can result in prolonged hospitalization, multiple revision procedures and permanent functional impairment. Till today, treatment modalities and outcome of FRI of the patella are not well described. Therefore, the main objective of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate treatment options, functional outcome and healthcare costs related to FRI of the patella.

Adherence to Computer-Assisted Surgical Planning in 136 Maxillofacial Reconstructions.

Objective: To investigate the adherence to initially planned maxillofacial reconstructions using computer-assisted surgery (CAS) and to identify the influential factors affecting its compliance for maxillofacial reconstruction.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective analysis of 136 computer-assisted maxillofacial reconstructive surgeries was conducted from January 2014 to June 2020. The categorical parameters involved age, gender, disease etiology, disease site, defect size, bone flap segments, and flap type.

The Effect of Smoking on the Postoperative Course After Head and Neck Reconstruction With a Vascularized Free Flap: A Retrospective Study.

Objectives: The objective of the present study is to determine the impact of smoking on hospital and intensive care unit stay, need for surgical reintervention, Portsmouth Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enumeration of Mortality and morbidity, and surgical complications after head and neck reconstructions.

Methods: All 153 patients who underwent head and neck reconstructions with free tissue transfer at the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery at the University Hospitals of Leuven between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2018 were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Data from medical charts were extracted.

Objectifying growth of vascularized bone transfers after mandibular reconstruction in the pediatric population.

Background: Autologous vascularized bone transfer is the preferred strategy for the reconstruction of mandibular defects in a pediatric population. The principal argument is the theoretical postoperative growth potential of the neomandible, which uses vascularized donor tissues.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to objectify the veritable growth potential of vascularized bone transfers in children.

State of the Art of Clinical Applications of Tissue Engineering in 2021.

Tissue engineering (TE) was introduced almost 30 years ago as a potential technique for regenerating human tissues. However, despite promising laboratory findings, the complexity of the human body, scientific hurdles, and lack of persistent long-term funding still hamper its translation toward clinical applications. In this report, we compile an inventory of clinically applied TE medical products relevant to surgery.

Computer-assisted versus traditional freehand technique for mandibular reconstruction with free vascularized fibular flap: A matched-pair study.

Objectives: This study aimed to perform a surgery-related and patient-related outcome analysis of a case-matched series of patients treated with computer-assisted surgery (CAS) and traditional freehand surgery.

Methods: A total of 153 patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction by VFF were included from Jan 1999 to Dec 2019. The mandibular resection and reconstruction were performed by four experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

Oncological safety of therapeutic 'nipple-sparing mastectomy' followed by reconstruction: a systematic review.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) treatment traditionally consisted of radical and often mutilating surgery. Advances in the field of BC have led to new remedies, enabling the paradigm shift from radical to conservative surgery. New treatments such as nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) are becoming more popular, aiming to improve both oncological and aesthetic outcomes.

The Iliac Crest Osteomuscular Flap for Bony Reconstruction: Beast or Beauty? A Reassessment of the Value and Donor Site Morbidity in the CAD/CAM Era.

Background:  The iliac crest bone flap (ICBF), based on the deep circumflex iliac artery, has a bad reputation regarding donor site morbidity. However, the ICBF has an ideal curvature and shape for occlusion-based hemimandibular reconstructions with rapid dental rehabilitation and for vertical class III maxillary reconstructions that require bony support and muscular bulk to fill cavities and to provide intraoral lining. Is this notorious donor site reputation still valid with modern flap procurement using computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and recipient-site closure techniques?

Methods:  We performed a literature search of the public databases PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and Web of Science for papers using mesh keywords related to donor site morbidity of the ICBF.

Treatment of rectus diastasis: should the midline always be reinforced with mesh? A systematic review.

Background: Two main trends are described for the treatment of diastasis recti: plication versus midline mesh reinforcement. Indications for these procedures have not been clearly described. This study reviewed the outcomes in the treatment of rectus diastasis with plication versus mesh by the assessment of durability, complications, and patient-reported outcomes.

Survival analysis of segmental mandibulectomy with immediate vascularized fibula flap reconstruction in stage IV oral squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Purpose: This study aims to assess the survival rate of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients following immediate mandibular reconstruction with vascularized fibula flap (VFF) and to identify risk factors influencing the overall survival rate and postoperative outcomes.

Patients And Methods: Patients suitable for the inclusion criterion diagnosed and treated between January 1996 till June 2019 for OSCC were retrospectively reviewed (n = 74). Potential risk factors and postoperative outcomes were recorded and analyzed.

The current status and outlook of trachea transplantation.

Purpose Of Review: The trachea is an enigmatic organ due to its complex morphology. Although circumferential tracheal defects are extremely difficult to repair with autologous tissue or with an allotransplant, the trachea has been touted as the first organ that could be regenerated. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of the published evidence in tracheal tissue replacement surgery.

Artiss® and burn treatment: a retrospective analysis contributing to current clinical practice.

Background: Tangential excision and autologous skin graft coverage is a foundational principle in burn surgery. Fibrin sealant (Artiss®) was developed recently as alternative to staples for graft fixation. The aim of this study was to assess whether graft-fixation with Artiss shows profit in terms of postoperative pain management compared to graft fixation with staples.

Treatment of basal cell carcinoma with vismodegib: future or present?

Background: Since the introduction of Vismodegib as treatment of recurrent locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (laBCC), clinicians are faced with new dilemmas: 'Can Vismodegib replace complex reconstructions?', 'What is the role of neoadjuvant use of Vismodegib?' and 'What is the best approach in case of complete clinical remission after Vismodegib in a neoadjuvant setting?'

Methods: Case report and literature review.

Results: Complete dermoscopic remission after eight months Vismodegib was obtained in a patient with recurrent laBCC. Follow-up was 12 months.

Segmental Bone Loss of the Clavicle due to Fracture-Related Infection: A Multidisciplinary Challenge.

As the surgical treatment of clavicular fractures is increasingly utilized in orthopedics, the number of related complications rises as well. We present a case of segmental bone loss of the clavicle due to fracture-related infection. Treatment was based on a multidisciplinary team approach, which was important for a successful outcome.