Face transplantation in rats. Reproducibility of the experimental model in Brazil

PURPOSE: To investigate the reproducibility of the experimental model of face allotransplantation in rats in Brazil. METHODS: Eighteen rats were operated, nine-nine donors recipients. Animals underwent transplantation of the left hemiface, with periorbital and scalp. Transplants were made from donor Wistar rats to recipients Lewis rats. Flaps were based on the common carotid artery and the external jugular vein of the donor animal and the anastomosis in the recipient area was performed in common carotid artery (end-to-side) and in external jugular vein (end-to-end). RESULTS: Of the nine recipient animals operated, six survived and three progressed to death in the first days after surgery (survival rate = 67%). The mean time of the procedure was 252 minutes and the mean time of flap ischemia was 95 minutes. The five surviving animals were sacrificed at 14 days, in good general condition and without signs of tissue rejection. CONCLUSIONS: The experimental model of face allotransplantation in rats is reproducible in our midst. Duration of surgery, time of flap ischemia, animal survival rate and complications observed were similar to those described in the literature. .

Uso de retalho microcirúrgico do território da artéria circunflexa femoral lateral com componente muscular do vasto lateral e ilha cutânea inervada para a reconstrução de defeitos de partes moles em região plantar / The role of microsurgical flaps of the lateral femoral circumflex artery with the muscular component of the vastus lateralis and the skin-innervated island for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the plantar region

INTRODUÇÃO: A reconstrução de defeitos de partes moles da região plantar representa grande desafio à Cirurgia Plástica. Há controvérsias com relação ao tipo de tecido ideal a ser empregado: se muscular ou cutâneo. OBJETIVO: O presente estudo pretende avaliar os resultados da reconstrução e reabilitação de pacientes portadores de defeitos complexos da região plantar por meio da utilização de retalho composto, muscular e cutâneo, proveniente da região anterolateral da coxa. MÉTODOS: No período de julho 2009 a julho 2011, 25 pacientes portadores de defeitos plantares e com idades variando de 19 a 76 (média: 57,1 anos), sendo 14 do sexo masculino e 11 do sexo feminino, foram tratados no Hospital das Clínicas da FMUSP. Dos 25 pacientes, 22 apresentavam defeitos resultantes de ressecções de melanoma e 3, perdas decorrentes de traumatismo do membro inferior. A neurorrafia entre o nervo cutâneo femoral lateral, presente no retalho anterolateral, e o ramo calcâneo presente no defeito na região plantar foi realizado em 7 pacientes. O período médio de seguimento foi de 12 meses. RESULTADOS: O componente muscular de todos (100%) os retalhos manteve-se viável. Com relação ao componente cutâneo, houve 2 casos de perda parcial e 1 caso de perda total. Após 4 semanas de pós-operatório, o contorno foi considerado bom em 19 casos; a estabilidade adequada em 23 casos e a deambulação satisfatória em 22 casos. Os 7 retalhos submetidos à reinervação recuperaram grau de sensibilidade cutânea inferior ao do local de origem. CONCLUSÕES: O retalho proposto foi adequado para a reconstrução dos defeitos da região plantar. Observou-se baixa incidência de complicações locais. A qualidade do contorno, estabilidade ou deambulação foi considerada adequada na maioria dos casos. Não se verificou vantagem dos retalhos inervados sobre os não inervados...

INTRODUCTION: Reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the plantar region represents a major challenge in plastic surgery. There is controversy regarding the ideal type of tissue to be used: muscle or skin. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the results of the reconstruction and rehabilitation of patients with complex defects of the plantar region by using a composite flap of muscle and skin from the anterolateral thigh. METHODS: From july 2009 to july 2011, 25 patients with plantar defects and aged 19-76 (mean: 57.1 years), 14 males and 11 females, were treated at Hospital das Clinicas. Twenty-two patients had defects resulting from resection of melanoma and 3 losses resulting from trauma of the lower limb. Neurorrhaphy between the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, present in the anterolateral flap, and the calcaneal branch defect, present in the plantar region, was performed in 7 patients. The mean follow-up was 24 months. RESULTS: The muscular component of all (100%) flaps remained viable. There were 2 cases of partial loss and 1 case of total loss of the cutaneous component. At 4 weeks postoperatively, the contour was considered good in 19 cases; stability adequate in 23 cases and ambulation satisfactory in 22 cases. The 7 flaps submitted to reinnervation recovered less skin sensitivity in comparison with the donor site. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed flap is suitable for reconstruction of defects in the plantar region. Few local complications were observed. The quality of the contour, stability and ambulation were considered adequate in most cases. No advantage was found for the innervated over the non-innervated flap...