Evolving role of staging CT scans during CT-angiography for DIEP flap reconstruction planning.

Background: Preoperative planning with CT-angiography (CTA) in deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap reconstruction is an essential preoperative tool. The aim of this study was to describe the management of the incidental findings following the introduction and further modification of a combined CTA and CT-staging preoperative protocol which includes chest, abdomen, pelvis, and musculoskeletal system.

Material And Methods: A retrospective case series of 292 patients (Group 1) with breast cancer who underwent DIEP flap between 2015 and 2019.

Rapid redesign and effect on clinical workload of a supra-regional burns and plastic surgery service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: In March 2020, South Wales experienced the most significant COVID-19 outbreak in the UK outside of London. We share our experience of the rapid redesign and subsequent change in activity in one of the busiest supra-regional burns and plastic surgery services in the UK.

Methods: A time-matched retrospective service evaluation was completed for a 7-week "COVID-19" study period and the equivalent weeks in 2018 and 2019.

Candidate Bioinks for Extrusion 3D Bioprinting-A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Bioprinting is becoming an increasingly popular platform technology for engineering a variety of tissue types. Our aim was to identify biomaterials that have been found to be suitable for extrusion 3D bioprinting, outline their biomechanical properties and biocompatibility towards their application for bioprinting specific tissue types. This systematic review provides an in-depth overview of current biomaterials suitable for extrusion to aid bioink selection for specific research purposes and facilitate design of novel tailored bioinks.

Facial Cartilaginous Reconstruction-A Historical Perspective, State-of-the-Art, and Future Directions.

Reconstruction of facial deformity poses a significant surgical challenge due to the psychological, functional, and aesthetic importance of this anatomical area. There is a need to provide not only an excellent colour and contour match for skin defects, but also a durable cartilaginous structural replacement for nasal or auricular defects. The purpose of this review is to describe the history of, and state-of-the-art techniques within, facial cartilaginous surgery, whilst highlighting recent advances and future directions for this continually advancing specialty.

Role of hydrogen peroxide in intra-operative wound preparation based on an in vitro fibrin clot degradation model.

Three per cent hydrogen peroxide (HO) is widely used to irrigate acute and chronic wounds in the surgical setting and clinical experience tells us that it is more effective at removing dried-on blood than normal saline alone. We hypothesise that this is due to the effect of HO on fibrin clot architecture via fibrinolysis. We investigate the mechanisms and discuss the clinical implications using an in vitro model.

Innovation in a Time of Crisis: A Systematic Review of Three-Dimensional Printing in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic resulted in the breakdown of traditional supply chains responsible for providing essential equipment to hospitals and personal protective equipment (PPE) for health and social care workers. The three-dimensional (3D) printing community has responded to emerging need by recognizing shortages across health care systems and providing innovative solutions in real time, circumventing short-term global supply issues. A systematic review was undertaken to investigate the role of 3D printing in the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 databases.

Reduced S100 Protein Expression in Malignant Ossifying Fibromyxoid Tumors: A Case Report.

Ossifying fibromyxoid tumor of soft parts (OFMT) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm of uncertain lineage. OMFT normally has a benign clinical course, and malignant variants are considered unusual. Criteria defining malignancy have not yet been clearly identified and universally accepted, and there is diagnostic uncertainty between pathologists as to how best to recognize a malignant variant.

Facial Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Current Image Acquisition and Processing Techniques.

Plastic and reconstructive surgery is based on a culmination of technological advances, diverse techniques, creative adaptations and strategic planning. 3D imaging is a modality that encompasses several of these criteria while encouraging the others. Imaging techniques used in facial imaging come in many different modalities and sub-modalities which is imperative for such a complex area of the body; there is a clear clinical need for hyper-specialized practice.

3D Bioprinting and the Future of Surgery.

The disciplines of 3D bioprinting and surgery have witnessed incremental transformations over the last century. 3D bioprinting is a convergence of biology and engineering technologies, mirroring the clinical need to produce viable biological tissue through advancements in printing, regenerative medicine and materials science. To outline the current and future challenges of 3D bioprinting technology in surgery.

Cutaneous manifestations of NAXD deficiency - A case report.

Metabolism is a tightly regulated sequence of events, supported by key reactions between enzymes and enzyme-specific substrates. These reactions have the potential to produce metabolic side products that can have deleterious effects to further key metabolic reactions. The nicotinamide repair system consists of two partner enzymes, NAD(P)HX epimerase (NAXE) and NAD(P)HX dehydratase (NAXD).

Could Vitamins Help in the Fight Against COVID-19?

There are limited proven therapeutic options for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. The role of vitamin and mineral supplementation or "immunonutrition" has previously been explored in a number of clinical trials in intensive care settings, and there are several hypotheses to support their routine use. The aim of this narrative review was to investigate whether vitamin supplementation is beneficial in COVID-19.

Using 3D Printing Technology to Teach Cartilage Framework Carving for Ear Reconstruction.

The aim of this study was to determine the validity of using a carvable 3D printed rib model in combination with a 3D printed auricular framework to facilitate the teaching, training and planning of auricular reconstruction. 3D printed costal cartilages from ribs 6-9 were produced using a FormLabs Form3 Printer and used to make negative molds. 2:1 silicone-cornstarch mixture was added to each mold to make 12 simulated 6-9th costal cartilages suitable for carving.

Isolation and characterisation of nasoseptal cartilage stem/progenitor cells and their role in the chondrogenic niche.

Background: Since cartilage-derived stem/progenitor cells (CSPCs) were first identified in articular cartilage using differential adhesion to fibronectin, their self-renewal capacity and niche-specific lineage preference for chondrogenesis have propelled their application for cartilage tissue engineering. In many adult tissues, stem/progenitor cells are recognised to be involved in tissue homeostasis. However, the role of nasoseptal CSPCs has not yet been elucidated.

Deep inferior epigastric perforator flap demonstrating the triple response of Lewis phenomenon - A case report and insights into aetiology.

Dermatographism, also known as skin writing, is an immunological response that remains an enigma. It occurs when normal skin is stroked with a dull object causing it to become raised and inflamed, and assume the shape of the stroke. Here we present a case of dermatographia in a denervated deep inferior epigastric perforator flap used to reconstruct breast tissue following mastectomy.

Author Correction: Morphological and biomechanical characterization of immature and mature nasoseptal cartilage.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Morphological and biomechanical characterization of immature and mature nasoseptal cartilage.

Nasoseptal cartilage has been assumed to be isotropic, unlike the well-defined zonal organization of articular cartilage attributed to postnatal biomechanical loading. We know from clinical experience that malrotation of surgical nasoseptal cartilage grafts can lead to increased graft absorption. Other studies have also suggested directionally dependent compressive stiffness suggesting anisotropy, but morphological investigations are lacking.

Objective and Patient-reported Assessments of Skin Grafts and Keystone Flaps-A Pilot Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: The keystone perforator island flap provides a versatile form of reconstruction. Perceived benefits include better donor-recipient color match, less contour defect, and fewer complications. To date, there has been no high-quality evidence comparing keystone flaps to split-thickness skin grafts (SSG) from both a qualitative and quantitative point of view.

Homozygous Factor V Leiden Thrombophilia in a Patient With Histologically Confirmed Thromboangiitis Obliterans.

Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) is a vasculitis characterised by segmental occlusions of small to medium-sized arteries and superficial veins, and a curious predilection for young male smokers. The exact aetiology remains unknown. Current theories postulate it is an autoimmune endarteritis, triggered by some constituent of tobacco and occurring in genetically susceptible individuals.

Printability of pulp derived crystal, fibril and blend nanocellulose-alginate bioinks for extrusion 3D bioprinting.

Background: One of the main challenges for extrusion 3D bioprinting is the identification of non-synthetic bioinks with suitable rheological properties and biocompatibility. Our aim was to optimize and compare the printability of crystal, fibril and blend formulations of novel pulp derived nanocellulose bioinks and assess biocompatibility with human nasoseptal chondrocytes.

Methods: The printability of crystalline, fibrillated and blend formulations of nanocellulose was determined by assessing resolution (grid-line assay), post-printing shape fidelity and rheology (elasticity, viscosity and shear thinning characteristics) and compared these to pure alginate bioinks.

Characterization of pulp derived nanocellulose hydrogels using AVAP® technology.

Bioinspiration from hierarchical structures found in natural environments has heralded a new age of advanced functional materials. Nanocellulose has received significant attention due to the demand for high-performance materials with tailored mechanical, physical and biological properties. In this study, nanocellulose fibrils, nanocrystals and a novel mixture of fibrils and nanocrystals (blend) were prepared from softwood biomass using the AVAP® biorefinery technology.

Late Presentation of Infected Silicone Granulomas in the Lower Limb.

Introduction: Dermal fillers are used for multiple cosmetic indications including gluteal and thigh augmentation. Complications, although infrequent, are increasing due to the dramatic growth of dermal filler use. Our aim was to describe how the complication of infected silicone granulomas can present following lower limb augmentation.