Utilización de colgajo radial para cobertura de exposición protésica en craneoplastias / Use of radial flap to cover prosthetic exposure in cranioplasty

Background. Cranioplasty is a procedure that provides coverage for cranial defects after bone resection because of different etiologies such as intracranial hemorrhage, trauma, tumor or infection. One of the most important postoperative complications is the exposure of the plate, that may happen after a skin wound dehiscence. These are challenging situations for the plastic surgeon. Free tissue transfer provides a solution for these patients. The forearm radial flap provides all the conditions to solve these problem Methods. A retrospective study was performed with fourteen patients at the Santojanni Hospital between January 2018 and March 2020. All of them presented exposure of the cranioplasty plate. The defect area was analyzed. The average area to be covered was 5.07 cm2 (1.5 cm2-12.8 cm2). A radial forearm free flap was performed for all patients. Homolateral facial vessels (57%) were used as the first choice; the contralateral facial vessels were used in case of previous radiation therapy (29%) and in these cases a bypass was used in one case with venous interposition in three cases and arterial in the rest; superficial temporal vessels (14%). Results. Flap vitality was 100%. Average follow-up of 12 months (23 m-4 m). One patient presented seroma in the donor area. No new exposures or dehiscences were presented. Conclusions. Free tissue transfer provides an effective coverage to exposed material. The forearm flap provides reliable, thin, well-vascularized soft tissue that can be used to seal the dura, remove dead space, cover the exposed defect, not only but also it provides a long pedicle that allows distant anastomosis in cases of radiation therapy.

Introducción. La craneoplastia es un procedimiento necesario para cubrir defectos craneales luego de resección ósea por distintas etiologías, tales como hemorragia intracraneal, traumatismos craneoencefálicos, tumores o infecciones. Una de las complicaciones frecuentes es la exposición de placas de craneoplastia por dehiscencia de herida cutánea. Estas son complicaciones frecuentes y frustrantes para el paciente y el cirujano plástico. La transferencia de tejidos a distancia brinda una solución para estos pacientes. El colgajo radial antebraquial reúne las condiciones necesarias para la cobertura. Material y métodos. Se realiza un estudio retrospectivo con un total de 14 pacientes en el Hospital Santojanni en el período comprendido entre enero de 2018 y marzo de 2020. Todos presentaron exposición de la placa de craneoplastia. Se analizó el área de defecto, siendo el área promedio a cubrir de 5,07 cm2 (1,5-12,8 cm2). Se realiza cobertura con colgajo radial antebraquial. Se utilizan vasos faciales homolaterales (57%) como primera elección; vasos faciales contralaterales, por radioterapia (29%) y en ellos se utilizó bypass en un tiempo con interposición venosa en tres casos y arterial en el restante; vasos temporales superficiales (14%). Resultados. Se logró cobertura completa en todos los pacientes. La vitalidad de los colgajos fue del 100%. Seguimiento promedio de 12 meses (4-23 meses). Un paciente presentó seroma en la zona dadora. No se presentaron nuevas exposiciones ni dehiscencias. Conclusiones. La transferencia con tejido a distancia permite una eficaz cobertura de material expuesto. El colgajo antebraquial proporciona tejido blando confiable, delgado y bien vascularizado, que se puede utilizar para sellar la duramadre, eliminar el espacio muerto, cubrir el defecto expuesto y también posee un pedículo largo que permite anastomosis a distancia en casos de defectos tratados con radioterapia. Palabras claves: complicaciones de craneoplastias, reconstruccion de cuero cabelludo,

Xenoenxerto (pele da Tilápia-do-Nilo) e hidrofibra com prata no tratamento das queimaduras de II grau em adultos / Nile tilapia skin xenograft versus silver-based hydrofiber dressing in the treatment of second-degree burns in adults

Introdução: Estudos recentes apontam a utilização do curativo biológico com base em animais aquáticos como biomaterial na medicina regenerativa, apresentando boa aderência ao leito das feridas. O objetivo foi avaliar a eficácia da utilização da pele da Tilápia-do-Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) como curativo biológico oclusivo, no manejo/tratamento de queimaduras de 2º grau em adultos. Métodos: Estudo clínico com 30 pacientes aleatoriamente tratados com pele da Tilápia-do-Nilo (n = 15) e hidrofibra com prata Aquacel Ag® (n =1 5). Resultados: Em relação à duração, o tratamento com a pele da Tilápiado-Nilo obteve uma média de dias de tratamento (9,6 ± 2,4) similar ao material comparativo (10,7 ± 4,5). Quanto ao relato de dor durante a troca de curativos, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante (p > 0,68) entre os grupos. Após a troca do curativo, não houve inferioridade no registro do valor na escala analógica de dor, em que 66,7% dos tratados com pele da Tilápia-do-Nilo relataram diminuição dos eventos álgicos. Constatou-se ainda que 60% dos pacientes tratados com a pele da Tilápia-do-Nilo não tiveram seus curativos substituídos em qualquer momento do tratamento. Para o curativo Aquacel AG®, 53,3% dos pacientes tiveram mais de uma substituição de curativos. Conclusões: Com base na pesquisa, pode-se concluir que a pele da Tilápia-do-Nilo é eficaz como curativo biológico oclusivo. Houve similaridade entre os grupos para a média de dias de tratamento (completa cicatrização da ferida) e para o relato de dor durante a realização do curativo. Também, a não inferioridade relacionada a dor após os curativos e suas trocas (quando existentes) e na quantidade de substituições destes.

Introduction: Recent studies have suggested the use of biological dressings made of aquatic animals as biomaterials in regenerative medicine since they demonstrate good adherence to the wound bed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Nile tilapia skin (Oreochromis niloticus) as an occlusive biological dressing in the management and treatment of second-degree burns in adults. Methods: This clinical study included 30 patients randomly treated with Nile tilapia skin (n = 15) or Aquacel Ag® silver-based hydrofiber dressing (n = 15). Results: The Nile tilapia skin yielded a similar mean treatment time (9.6 ± 2.4 days) to that of the comparative material (10.7 ± 4.5 days). There was no statistically significant intergroup difference (p > 0.68) in pain during dressing changes. No disadvantage in pain was noted, as 66.7% of patients treated with Nile Tilapia skin reported a decrease in pain events. Moreover, 60% of the patients treated with the Nile Tilapia skin did not require dressing replacement at any time during treatment. For the Aquacel AG® dressing, 53.3% of the patients required more than one dressing replacement. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the Nile tilapia skin is as effective as an occlusive biological dressing. The average treatment time (complete wound healing) and pain reports during dressing changes were similar between groups. Furthermore, pain after and number of dressing exchanges (when performed) were not worse.

Reintegração de amputação digital distal com enxerto composto e difusão plasmática ampliada distal no plano dérmico palmar - relato de um caso em criança de 2 anos de idade e revisão da literatura / Reintegration of distal digital amputation with composite graft and plasmatic diffusion expanded distally on the palmar dermal plane - a case report of a 2-year-old child and a literature review

Nas amputações mais distais da ponta dos dedos, o reimplante microcirúrgico pode não ser praticável. Nestes casos, o enxerto composto oferece os melhores resultados funcionais e estéticos, sendo, porém, incerta a sua reintegração. Várias técnicas foram aventadas para melhorar a sobrevida do enxerto volumoso, basicamente diminuindo o seu volume, associando ou não um retalho cutâneo. Outras técnicas criam uma superfície adicional de contato para difusão plasmática, o "bolso subcutâneo", sem diminuir o volume do enxerto composto, com altas taxas de sucesso. O presente artigo apresenta um caso de amputação da ponta distal do dedo mínimo (zona I de Ishikawa) numa criança de 2 anos de idade. Impossível de reimplante microcirúrgico, a reintegração foi feita com enxerto composto do coto amputado, sem desbridamento, e com a criação de uma nova superfície de contato para difusão plasmática, na extremidade distal do coto enxertado, no plano dérmico da região hipotênar, aumentando assim a área de contato e diminuindo a distância radial da difusão plasmática no enxerto composto. Doze dias após, esse contato adicional foi separado e ambas as superfícies apresentaram sangramento. A reintegração foi total, com mínimas cicatrizes no dedo e na região hipotênar. Uma breve revisão bibliográfica foi feita e discutidos os conceitos cirúrgicos, assim como os fatores que influenciam na sobrevida do enxerto composto. Na área receptora, o plano anatômico mais adequado e melhor vascularizado, para o contato adicional com o enxerto, necessita ser determinado.

In more-distal amputations of the fingertips, microsurgical replantation is not feasible. For these cases, composite graft provides the best functional and aesthetic results. However, its reintegration is uncertain. Several techniques have been proposed to improve bulky graft survival by basically reducing its volume, regardless of whether a skin flap is connected. Other techniques create an additional contact surface for plasmatic diffusion, the so-called subcutaneous pocket, without reducing the composite graft volume and yielding high success rates. This article presents a case of amputation of the distal tip of the fifth digit (Ishikawa zone I) of a 2-year-old child. Because of the impossibility of microsurgical replantation, a composite graft was used to reintegrate the amputated stump, without debridement, by creating a new contact surface for plasmatic diffusion at the distal end of the grafted stump, on the dermal plane in the hypothenar region, thereby increasing the contact area and decreasing the radial distance for the plasmatic diffusion of the composite graft. Twelve days later, the additional contact was separated and both surfaces presented bleeding. Full reintegration occurred with minimal scarring of the finger and hypothenar region. A brief literature review was conducted, discussing surgical concepts and factors that influence composite graft survival. The most appropriate and best vascularized anatomic plane for additional contact with the graft in the recipient area needs to be determined.

Functional Reconstruction of a Combined Tendocutaneous Defect of the Achilles Using a Segmental Rectus Femoris Myofascial Construct: A Viable Alternative

The composite anterolateral thigh flap with vascularized fascia lata has emerged as a workhorse at our institution for complex Achilles defects requiring both tendon and soft tissue reconstruction. Safe elevation of this flap, however, is occasionally challenged by absent or inadequate perforators supplying the anterolateral thigh. When discovered intraoperatively, alternative options derived from the same vascular network can be pursued. We present the case of a 74-year-old male who underwent composite Achilles defect reconstruction using a segmental rectus femoris myofascial free flap. Following graduated rehabilitation, postoperatively, the patient resumed full activity and was able to ambulate on his tip-toes. At 1-year follow-up, active total range of motion of the reconstructed ankle exceeded 85% of the unaffected side, and donor site morbidity was negligible. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society and Short Form-36 scores improved by 78.8% and 28.8%, respectively, compared to preoperative baseline assessments. Based on our findings, we advocate for use of the combined rectus femoris myofascial free flap as a rescue option for reconstructing composite Achilles tendon/posterior leg defects in the setting of inadequate anterolateral thigh perforators. To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe use of this flap for such an indication.

Soft Tissue Augmentation with Silk Composite Graft / 대한악안면성형재건외과학회지

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction between 4-hexylresorcinol (4HR) and antibody as that affects the performance of a silk-4HR combination graft for soft tissue augmentation in an animal model. METHODS: The silk graft materials consisted of four types: silk+10% tricalcium phosphate (TCP) (ST0), silk+10% TCP+1% 4HR (ST1), silk+10% TCP+3% 4HR (ST3), and silk+10% TCP+6% 4-HR (ST6). The antibody binding assay tested the 4HR effect and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) exam was done for silk grafts. The animal experiment used a subcutaneous pocket mouse model. The graft - SH0 or SH1 or SH3 or SH6 - was placed in a subcutaneous pocket. The animals were killed at one, two, and four weeks, postoperatively. The specimens were subjected to histological analysis and lysozyme assay. RESULTS: Groups with 4HR applied showed lower antibody binding affinity to antigen compared to groups without 4HR. In the SEM examination, there was no significant difference among groups. Histological examinations revealed many foreign body giant cells in ST0 and ST1 group at four weeks postoperatively. Both ST3 and ST6 groups developed significantly lower levels of giant cell values compared to ST0 and ST1 groups (P<0.001) at four weeks postoperatively. In the lysozyme assay, the ST1 and ST3 groups showed denser signals than the other groups. CONCLUSION: 4HR combined silk implants resulted in high levels of vascular and connective tissue regeneration.

Can we add auricular composite graft to our rhinoplasty armamentarium?

The ala of the nose, with its particular texture and characteristics, poses both aesthetically and functionally intriguing challenges and is rather problematic regarding choices for reconstructive methods. Both flaps and grafts have been used to restore natural structure of nasal ala. The present study summarizes a ten-year experience of reconstructive surgery using small composite grafts from non-cartilage bearing tissues, and large composite grafts, containing cartilaginous tissue, with a mean follow-up of 4 years and 8 months. Cumulatively 56 patients were reported. Some of them required surgery due to previous cosmetic rhinoplasty. In 47 of the cases, a small graft from the non-cartilage bearing junction of ear lobule to helical rim sufficed. Nine patients had rather large defects for which grafts were harvested from the helical root. Donor sites were primarily closed and grafts were implanted in place in a single, rapid session. All small grafts had excellent take. Of 9 large grafts, 5 had excellent take, three had acceptable, and one, in a male smoker, failed to take. During follow-up, no gross deformity or poor scar was detected in either donor or recipient site. We have demonstrated that using both large and small auricular composite grafts has favorable long term results for reconstruction of alar rim deformities. However, use of small grafts seems more beneficial and applicability of large grafts requires further studies