Histological, Physical Studies after Xenograft of Porcine Ear Cartilage

BACKGROUND: Because of the relatively similar size of organs to human and the physiological and structural similarities, the use of porcine as xenograft donors is progressing very actively. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of porcine ear cartilage and evaluated its suitability as graft material in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. METHODS: The auricular cartilage was harvested from two pigs, and subjected to histological examination by immunohistochemical staining. To determine the collagen content, samples were treated with collagenase and weight changes were measured. After sterilization by irradiation, the samples were grafted into rats and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin and Masson Trichrome to observe inflammation and xenograft rejection. RESULTS: In IHC staining, extracellular matrices were mainly stained with type II collagen (20.69%), keratin sulfate (10.20%), chondroitin sulfate (2.62%), and hyaluronic acid (0.84%). After collagenase treatment, the weight decreased by 68.3%, indicating that about 70% of the porcine ear cartilage was composed of collagen. Upon xenograft of the sterilized cartilages in rats, inflammatory cells were observed for up to 2 months. However, they gradually decreased, and inflammation and reject-response were rarely observed at 5 months. CONCLUSION: The porcine ear cartilage was covered with perichondrium and cellular constituents were found to be composed of chondrocytes and chondroblasts. In addition, the extracellular matrices were mainly composed of collagen. Upon xenograft of irradiated cartilage into rats, there was no specific inflammatory reaction around the transplanted cartilage. These findings suggest that porcine ear cartilage could be a useful alternative implant material for human cosmetic surgery.

Recurrent Chondroid Syringoma of the Alar Rim

Chondroid synringoma (CS), pleomorphic adenoma of skin, is a benign tumor found in the head and neck region. CS was first reported in 1859 by Billorth for the salivary gland tumor. The usual presentation is an slowly growing, asymptomatic mass. A 53-year-old female with a history of chondroid synringoma had presented with multiple firm, nodular masses found in the left nostril area. The lesion had been excised 8 years prior and was diagnosed histopathologically, but had gradually recurred. Excision of the mass located in subcutaneous layer revealed four whitish, firm tumors surrounded with capsular tissue. Neither recurrence nor complications occurred during the 18 months follow-up period. In the head and neck region, chondroid syringoma should always be considered in differential diagnosis of soft tissue masses despite its rare incidence. For that reason, excisional biopsy with clear margin is the optimal diagnostic as well as therapeutic choice. We report a case of recurred chondroid syringoma on the nose in female patient.

The Use of a Mechanical Stapler in Jejunal Free Flaps in Laryngopharyngectomy Defects

No abstract available.

Management of Alveolar Cleft

The alveolar cleft has not received as much attention as labial or palatal clefts, and the management of this cleft remains controversial. The management of alveolar cleft is varied, according to the timing of operation, surgical approach, and the choice of graft material. Gingivoperiosteoplasty does not yet have a clear concensus among surgeons. Primary bone graft is associated with maxillary retrusion, and because of this, secondary bone graft is the most widely adopted. However, a number of surgeons employ presurgical palatal appliance prior to primary alveolar bone graft and have found ways to minimize flap dissection, which is reported to decrease the rate of facial growth attenuation and crossbite. In this article, the authors wish to review the literature regarding various advantages and disadvantages of these approaches.

Adult-Type Intrathoracic Xanthogranuloma: Excision and Reconstruction Using a Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Flap

No abstract available.

Reconstruction of the Head and Neck Region Using Lower Trapezius Musculocutaneous Flaps

BACKGROUND: Recent literature has indicated that free flaps are currently considered the preferred choice for head and neck reconstruction. However, head and neck cancer patients are frequently treated with chemoradiotherapy, which is often associated with a poor general and local condition, and thus, such patients are ineligible for free flap reconstruction. Therefore, other reconstruction modalities should be considered. METHODS: We used lower trapezius musculocutaneous (LTMC) flap based on the dorsal scapular artery to reconstruct head and neck defects that arose from head and neck cancer in 8 patients. All of the patients had undergone preoperative chemoradiotherapy. RESULTS: There were no complications except one case of partial flap necrosis; it was treated with secondary intention. Healing in the remaining patients was uneventful without hematoma, seroma, or infection. The donor sites were closed primarily. CONCLUSIONS: The LTMC flap is the preferred flap for a simple, reliable, large flap with a wide arc of rotation and minor donor-site morbidity. The authors recommend this versatile island flap as an alternative to microvascular free tissue transfer for the reconstruction of defects in the head and neck region, for patients that have undergone preoperative chemoradiotherapy.