Role of free radicals in necrosis of skin graft compromised with hematoma.

It has been observed previously that a hematoma affects skin flap survival adversely through free radical action. The current study was undertaken to determine whether similar mechanisms are operative in skin grafts. The experiment was divided into two parts.

Autogenous venous graft with one-stage prepared Schwann cells as a conduit for repair of long segmental nerve defects.

The use of autogenous venous graft with intraluminal injection of Schwann cells to enhance nerve regeneration of long segmental nerve defects was evaluated in a rabbit tibial nerve-repair model. Schwann cells were isolated from the excised rabbit tibial nerve by using the polylysine differential adhesion method. The cultured cells were identified by immunocytochemical labeling for S-100 protein.

Microsurgical anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap for facial contour correction in patients with hemifacial microsomia.

The correction of facial asymmetry in complex hemifacial microsomia presents a challenging problem for reconstructive surgeons. Numerous microsurgical flaps have been introduced for reconstruction of facial asymmetry. This article reports our experience in facial soft tissue reconstruction with microsurgical anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap transfer in six patients with hemifacial microsomia.

New microsurgical applications: implications for the infrastructures of plastic surgery.

As a technical innovation, microsurgery has changed concepts and strategies throughout plastic surgery. The infrastructures of plastic surgery currently are evolving in ways that make the identity and future of the specialty uncertain. Microsurgery also may be a basis for fresh thoughts in these areas of infrastructure.

Assessment of the patency of microvascular venous anastomosis.

There is an absence of data on the timing of occlusion of vessels after anastomosis, and on the possible subsequent reopening (recanalization) of these vessels. This lack of information may be an important factor in the wide discrepancies found among reported patency rates for laboratory microvascular repair. In this study, a total of 300 standard microsurgical anastomoses were performed on rat femoral veins.

Present Status of Microsurgical Replantation.

The replantation of amputated parts has stimulated the imagination of writers since antiquity. It was not until the successful replantation of an arm by Malt and a hand by Chen Chung Wei in 1953 that these fables became reality. The simultaneous development of the field of microsurgery permitting the repair of one millimetre vessels made possible the replantation of structures fed by these small vessels such as fingers, ears, noses, lips, scalps and penises.