ABSTRACT
We provided the palliative care of a multiple disciplinary team care mode to a patient diagnosed with advanced head and neck cancer and her caregivers.People-centered integrated health services were provided according to the specific needs and preferences of individuals.The team-based palliative care relieved the suffering and improved the quality of life of the patient and that of her family who were facing challenges associated with life-threatening illness.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Palliative Care , Quality of Life , Head and Neck Neoplasms/therapyABSTRACT
Pathological scars,including keloids and hypertrophic scars,result from aberrations in the process of physiologic wound healing.An exaggerated inflammatory process is one of the main pathophysiological contributors.Pathological scars may cause pain and pruritis,limit joint mobility,and cause a range of cosmetic deformities that affect the patient's quality of life.However,the effectiveness of currently available prevention and treatment measures remains unsatisfactory.Mesenchymal stem cells,among their multifunctional roles,have the functions of immunomodulation and promotion of angiogenesis.Thus,they have been proposed to be a major candidate for cell therapy to treat or prevent pathologicalscars.This article reviews the mechanism and potentials of stem cell therapy in the prevention and treatment of pathological scars.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the feasibility of using free tissue flap for simultaneous tongue reconstruction after tongue cancer resection.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Radial forearm flaps and anterolateral thigh flaps were used for simultaneous reconstruction of different defects after tongue cancer resection in 47 cases. The functional evaluation was assessed during the follow-up period of 3 months to 9 years.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Only one flap failed,giving a success rate of 97.7%. The 36 patient available for postoperative follow-up were all able to communicate in basic languages and eat normally. Among them, normal speech was found in 34, while slurred speech was found in two. 31 patients could eat normal diet ,while eight could eat soft diet and two could eat liquid diet.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Simultaneous tongue reconstruction with free tissue flap is a reliable method with high successful rate. Flaps selection based on different tongue defects is the key point to achieve good functional and cosmetic results for the reconstruction tongue.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Free Tissue Flaps , Plastic Surgery Procedures , Methods , Tongue Neoplasms , General SurgeryABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the reconstruction method of large through-and-through palate defects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 2003 to 2006, 7 cases of large through-and-through palate defects were reconstructed with vascularized folded free forearm flap. 8 flaps were used, including 7 free forearm flaps and 1 pectoralis major myocutaneous flap.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the tissue flaps survived well except one flap necrosis because of arterial thrombosis. The appearance of reconstructed palate was acceptable, and the functions of swallowing and speech were normal or almost normal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is feasible and effective to repair large through-and-through palate defects with folded free forearm flap.</p>