Free Flow-through Anterolateral Thigh Flaps for Wrist High-tension Electrical Burns: A Retrospective Case Series / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#The objective of this report was to demonstrate the clinical application of free flow-through anterolateral thigh flaps for the treatment of high-tension electrical wrist burns.@*Methods@#We collected the data of 8 patients with high-tension electrical wrist burns admitted to Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from January 2014 to December 2018. The clinical and pathological data were extracted from electronic hospital medical records. We obtained follow-up information through clinic visits.@*Results@#The injury sites for all 8 patients were the wrists, specifically 5 right and 3 left wrists, all of which were on the flexor side. Five patients had ulnar artery embolism necrosis and patency, with injury to the radial artery. Two patients had ulnar and radial arterial embolization and necrosis. The last patient had ulnar arterial embolization and necrosis with a normal radial artery. After debridement, the wound area ranged from 12 cm × 9 cm to 25 cm × 16 cm. The diagnoses for the eight patients were type II to type III high-tension electrical wrist burns. Free flow-through anterolateral thigh flaps (combined with great saphenous vein transplantation if necessary) were used to repair the wounds. The prognosis for all patients was good after six months to one year of follow-up.@*Conclusion@#Treating wrist types II and III high-tension electrical burns is still challenging in clinical practice. The use of free flow-through anterolateral thigh flaps (combined with great saphenous vein transplantation if necessary) to repair the wound and to restore the blood supply for the hand at the same time is a good choice for treating severe wrist electrical burns.

Combined Assessment of Serum Alpha-Synuclein and Rab35 is a Better Biomarker for Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It is essential to develop a reliable predictive serum biomarker for Parkinson's disease (PD). The accumulation of alpha-synuclein (αSyn) and up-regulated expression of Rab35 participate in the etiology of PD. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the combined assessment of serum αSyn and Rab35 is a useful predictive biomarker for PD. METHODS: Serum levels of αSyn or Rab35 were determined in serum samples from 59 sporadic PD patients, 19 progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) patients, 20 multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients, and 60 normal controls (NC). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were calculated to determine the diagnostic accuracy of αSyn or/and Rab35 in discriminating PD patients from NC or atypical parkinsonian patients. RESULTS: The levels of αSyn and Rab35 were increased in PD patients. The serum level of Rab35 was positively correlated with that of αSyn in PD patients. Compared to analyzing αSyn or Rab35 alone, the combined analysis of αSyn and Rab35 produced a larger area under the ROC curve and performed better in discriminating PD patients from NC, MSA patients, or PSP patients. When age was dichotomized at 55, 60, 65, or 70 years, the combined assessment of αSyn and Rab35 for classifying PD was better in the group below the cutoff age than in the group above the cutoff age. CONCLUSIONS: Combined assessment of serum αSyn and Rab35 is a better biomarker for discriminating PD patients from NC or atypical parkinsonian patients, and is a useful predictive biomarker for younger sporadic PD patients.

Effect of echinacoside on replication and antigen expression of hepatitis B virus / 中国中药杂志

To verify the effect of echinacoside on replication and antigen expression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) by using HBV-transfected HepG2. 2. 15 cells as the in vitro model. The ELISA method was used to determine HBeAg and HBsAg levels in cellular supernatants. The effect of echinacoside on HBV replication was studied by using HBV transgenic mice as the in vivo model. First of all, the HBV DNA level in hepatic tissues was quantified with PCR method. Meanwhile, the serum transaminase levels and hepatic pathological changes were also evaluated. Subsequently, HBV transgenic mice were divided into five groups: the control group, the lamivudine group (50 mg · kg(-1)) and echinacoside high, medium and low dose group (50, 25 and 12.5 mg · kg(-1)). The mice were orally administered with drugs once per day for 30 days. At the 31st day, the mice serum was separated to measure HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA. Additionally, the liver HBV DNA level and histopathological change were detected. The results indicated that echinacoside at 50 and 100 mg · L(-1) suppressed significantly HBsAg and HBeAg expressions on the sixth day, with the maximum inhibition ratios of 42.68% and 46.29%; And echinacoside at 100 mg · L(-1) also showed an inhibitory effect on HBV DNA. Besides, echinacoside at 50 mg · kg(-1) inhibited significantly HBsAg and HBeAg expressions of HBV transgenic mice, with the inhibition ratios of 42.82% and 29.12%, and reduced markedly the serum HBV DNA level in HBV transgenic mice. In conclusion, the study suggested that echinacoside has a strong effect against HBV replication and antigen expression.

Penile replantation: report of two cases and review of the literature / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Penile amputation and successful replantation is very uncommon, and there is no routine standardized procedures for dealing with this medical condition. Here we report two cases of penile amputation and replantation involving different degrees of vascular insult leading to different pathogenesis, clinical presentation, surgical approach and prognosis. This report described the microsurgical procedure and postoperative care using bipedicled scrotal flap to achieve successful engraftment and function. A review of the published data and future methods to increase success of such surgical procedures is provided.

Treatment of osteomyelitis and soft tissue defects at distal region of leg and foot by pedicled peroneus brevis muscle flaps and reverse island flaps with sural nerve and blood supplying vessels / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effect of distally pedicled peroneus brevis muscle flaps and reverse island flaps with sural nerve and blood supplying vessels on repairing osteomyelitis and soft tissue defects at distal region of leg and foot.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve patients with osteomyelitis and soft tissue defects at distal region of leg and foot hospitalized from March 2008 to December 2010. Among them, 7 patients suffered from acute or chronic osteomyelitis and soft tissue defects at the distal end of tibia, 1 patient suffered from chronic osteomyelitis and chronic ulcer in the posterior aspect of achilles tendon, 4 patients suffered from acute or chronic osteomyelitis, soft tissue defects, and exposure of internal fixator in the lateral aspect of calcaneus. After debridement, soft tissue defect sizes ranged from 4 cm×2 cm to 13 cm×9 cm, and bone defect sizes ranged from 3.0 cm×3.0 cm×3.0 cm to 6.0 cm×3.0 cm×4.0 cm. The distally pedicled peroneus brevis muscle flaps with size ranging from 11 cm×3 cm to 16 cm×4 cm were used to fill the wound cavities of bone defects, and reverse island flaps with sural nerve and blood supplying vessels with size ranging from 5 cm×3 cm to 14 cm×10 cm were used for the repair of soft tissue defects. Flap donor sites were closed by direct suture or skin grafting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Muscle flaps and flaps survived in 11 cases, and the wounds healed well. Necrosis appeared in flap and muscle flap at the distal end in one patient, which was repaired with posterior tibial artery perforator myocutaneous flap. Patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months. Osteomyelitis did not recur, and both the texture and shape of flaps were satisfactory.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The distally pedicled peroneus brevis muscle flaps and reverse island flaps with sural nerve and blood supplying vessels are suitable for the repair of osteomyelitis and soft tissue defects at distal region of leg and foot. The operation is simple, safe, reliable, and easy to perform.</p>

Effect of a combination of local flap and sequential compression-distraction osteogenesis in the reconstruction of post-traumatic tibial bone and soft tissue defects / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Treatment of extensive post-traumatic composite bone and soft tissue defects remains a complicated therapeutic problem and a challenge for surgeons. We investigated the application of local flaps and Ilizarov osteogenesis in the reestablishment of severe combined defects of tibial bone and soft tissue.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixteen patients with bone and soft tissue defects were included. The mean age of the patients was 31.5 years. The average time from injury to initial surgery was 14.4 weeks. The average soft tissue and bone defect sizes were 92.9 cm(2) and 8.7 cm, respectively. Local flaps were created to reconstruct the soft tissue defects. The Ilizarov external fixator or the Orthofix Limb Reconstruction System was used to reconstruct bony defects using delayed distraction osteogenesis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Two myocutaneous flaps and 14 reverse island flaps were applied. All transferred flaps survived. Fifteen patients healed with equal leg length, and one healed with a residual leg-length discrepancy of 1.5 cm. One patient with an Ilizarov external fixator developed ankle joint stiffening and a pin-track infection that was successfully treated with oral antibiotics. No patient developed pin loosening. All patients walked without assistance. Fifteen patients returned to their work, and one lost her job. The results were evaluated using the Paley bone and functional assessment scores. The bone assessment results were excellent in 14 and good in two patients. Functional assessment scores were excellent in 13, good in two, and fair in one patient.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combination of local flaps and sequential distraction osteogenesis can be used for successful reconstruction of defects of incorporated bone and soft tissue.</p>

Repair of deep burn wound of neck with supraclavicular island flap / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effect of supraclavicular island flap in repairing deep burn wound of neck.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six patients with deep burn of neck hospitalized from January 2009 to June 2011 were enrolled in the study. Their total burn area ranged from 6% to 22% TBSA, of which full-thickness area ranged from 3% to 22% TBSA. The neck wound ranged from 12 cm x 5 cm to 15 cm x 8 cm in area, and they were all full-thickness in depth. One of the neck wounds was covered with granulation tissue. Patients underwent either debridement and escharectomy or excision of granulation tissue for the neck wound, and they were covered with supraclavicular island flap designed with the size corresponding to that of wound area. Four donor sites were sutured directly. The other two donor sites were covered with free skin graft. Survival of flaps and healing of donor sites were observed. The appearance and function recovery of operative regions were followed up.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Supraclavicular island flaps of 6 patients survived as a whole. All the donor sites healed well. Flaps with satisfactory appearance and feeling sensation, accompanied by unlimited extension of neck were observed in the follow-up duration from 6 to 12 months. Scars observed in the flap edge and the donor sites were linear, and they did not affect the overall appearance and function of patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Supraclavicular island flap is a good choice for repairing deep burn wound of neck, and it gives a good shape and function recovery of the neck.</p>

Repair of circumferential wound in the wrist region due to high-voltage electrical burn using combined abdominal axial pattern flaps / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the method for repairing circumferential wound in the wrist region due to high-voltage electrical burn.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six patients with circumferential wound in the wrist region after high-voltage electrical burn were admitted to our hospital from January 2009 to December 2011. After debridement, wounds in the wrist were repaired with combined abdominal axial pattern flaps. The wound of wrist on the flexor aspect was repaired with paraumbilical flap carrying a portion of rectus abdominis that filled the wound cavity of the wrist on the flexor aspect. The wound of wrist on the dorsal aspect was repaired with lower abdominal flap. Pedicle division was performed 4 - 5 weeks post surgery. Some donor sites were sutured directly, and the others were closed by skin grafting after the suture of anterior sheath.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three flaps survived. Liquefaction necrosis of tissue was observed under two flaps, and they were healed after debridement. Radial artery embolism of wrist occurred in one flap when pedicle division was performed 5 weeks post surgery, and it was healed by a transplantation of a segment of the great saphenous vein to reconstruct radial artery right after debridement. Patients were followed up for 6 - 12 months, and satisfactory appearance and function of the flaps were observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is a feasible option to repair circumferential wound in the wrist region due to high-voltage electrical burn by using paraumbilical flap carrying a portion of rectus abdominis muscle combined with lower abdominal flap.</p>

Early treatment of high-voltage electric burn wound in the limbs / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the experience of early treatment of high-voltage electric burn wounds in the limbs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-four patients (50 males and 4 females, aged from 10 to 56 years) with high-voltage electric burn wounds in 97 limbs (67 upper limbs and 30 lower limbs) were hospitalized in our burn wards from January 2003 to December 2010. A total of 119 burn wounds in wrist-forearm, forearm-elbow-upper arm, shoulder-axillary region, ankle-foot, lower leg, around the knee, thigh-inguinal region were treated with incision for decompression within 10 days after burn. Under the premise of relatively stable systemic condition of the patients, certain surgical operations were performed as follows. (1) Sixteen limbs with 16 wounds were amputated, among them forearm amputation was performed for 5 upper limbs with necrosis, with preservation of elbow joints, and the residual wounds of the elbow and upper arm were repaired with pedicled latissimus dorsi musculo-cutaneous flaps; 1 upper limb with upper arm amputated, with preservation of shoulder joint, was repaired with pedicled latissimus dorsi musculo-cutaneous flap. (2) Ninety-five wounds were covered with various tissue flaps with abundant blood supply after early debridement, in which 3 brachial arteries, 1 vein, 1 brachial artery and vein were reconstructed in 5 wrist wounds, artery reconstruction was performed in elbow wound of 1 case with injured brachial artery. (3) Eight wounds were treated with free skin grafting. Wound healing conditions were observed and followed up.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Wounds in 16 limbs healed after amputation and repair. Blood supply and (or) venous return of hands were restored in 5 wrist wounds after vessel reconstruction. After artery reconstruction, abundant blood supply was observed in 1 case with injured brachial artery and amputation was avoided. Necrosis occurred in distal parts of tissue flaps in 5 wounds after grafting, in which 2 wounds healed after removal of necrotic tissue followed by closure with suture, and 3 wounds healed after debridement and free skin grafting. Tissue flap infection occurred in wrist (5 wounds), elbow (1 wound), ankle-foot (2 wounds), and healed after debridement and suture. The other tissue flaps survived after grafting. Six wounds healed after skin grafting. Partial necrosis occurred in 2 wounds after skin grafting, and they were healed after second skin grafting. Thirty-seven patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months, the skin flaps survived with satisfactory appearance and texture.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Early extensive compartment release through fasciectomies and escharectomies, early debridement, early vascular grafting, early wound coverage with contemporary reparative and reconstructive surgical techniques are rational options for the treatment of high-voltage electric burns in the limbs.</p>

Repair of cicatricial contracture in face and neck regions with expanded skin flap / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the result of repairing deformity due to cicatricial contracture in face and neck regions with expanded skin flap.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-three skin expanders with volume ranging from 100 to 600 mL were implanted into 38 patients with scars in face and neck regions after burn. The expansion time ranged from 3 to 5 months. Most expanders were implanted under normal skin. Ten expanders were implanted under stable integrated scars after healing of burn, and flaps therefrom were transplanted; 3 expanders were implanted into deep fascia layer of trapezius, and remote expanded skin flaps with deep branch of transverse cervical artery as the pedicle were formed and transplanted.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All flaps survived in 38 cases with satisfactory results. Complications including hematoma and infection after surgery occurred in 8 cases, but they did not affect therapeutic effect after treatment. Thirty patients were followed up for 3 to 24 months. It was found that the color and texture of skin flaps were good; appearance and function were obviously improved.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Expanded skin flap is the best flap for repairing cicatricial deformity in face and neck regions after burn. Expanded cicatricial skin and expanded skin of remote region are good choices when normal skin is not available nearby.</p>

Repair of tissue defect of lower leg and foot with reverse island skin flaps with sural nerve and blood supplying vessels / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effect of reverse island skin flaps with sural nerve and blood supplying vessels on repair of tissue defect of lower leg and foot.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-six patients with lower leg and foot tissue defects were hospitalized from June 1997 to August 2007. Among them, 10 patients suffered from soft tissue defect of lower leg; 38 patients suffered from wound infection, exposure of fracture of tibia and fibula, and osteonecrosis; 8 patients suffered from heelstick tissue defect, bone adhering scar, and osteomyelitis. The defects were repaired with sural nerve and blood vessel nourished reverse island skin flaps (46 cases) and myocutaneous flaps (10 cases). The size of flaps ranged from 5 cm x 4 cm to 22 cm x 16 cm. Flap donor sites were closed by direct suture or free skin grafting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Flaps in 55 cases survived. Patients were followed up 3-6 months, there was no complication, and they were healed with satisfactory texture and appearance. The patients could walk normally, but with unsatisfactory sensory recovery. In one patient, the flap was broken and ulcerated 1 month after operation on account of leaving behind necrotic tibia. It was healed after second operation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Sural nerve and blood vessel nourished reverse island skin flap or myocutaneous flap transplantation is an effective treatment for repair of soft tissue defect of lower leg and foot.</p>

Treatment of burn cicatricial foot drop with Ilizarov fixator / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy of Ilizarov fixator on cicatricial foot drop after burn.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six patients with cicatricial foot drop after burn were treated with Ilizarov fixator during June 2004 approximately October 2007, the fixator was set on the leg and foot by fixed bone needles. Nuts on the threaded rod were turned from 3 post operation day, 2 approximately 4 rounds per time and 4 times per day in the first week, then 1 approximately 2 rounds per time and 4 times a day, which corrected the deformity of talipes equinus by shortening or lengthening the thread rod in the front and at the back. Ankle joint was maintained in neutral position for 2 approximately 3 months after effective correction. Weight carrying for patients was increased gradually after removal of fixator. Ankle joint was maintained in neutral position with fixator at least three months. Patients were followed up 5 approximately 10 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ankle joints from all patients were restored to neutral position after application with fixator for 4 approximately 6 weeks. All patients achieved 0 degrees dorsiflexion in weight carrying for whole planta pedis after use of fixator for 12 approximately 15 weeks with good locomotion function.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ilizarov fixator is safe and mini-injury, which is an effective method for treatment of cicatricial foot drop.</p>

Greater omentum in reconstruction of refractory wounds / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical efficacy of greater omentum in reconstruction of refractory wounds.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From August 1988 to May 2001, 20 patients with refractory wound underwent pedicle or microvascular free transfer of the greater omentum. Indications of surgery were electrical injury of the wrist and hand in 9 patients, electrical injury of the scalp and cranial bones in 3, avulsion injury of the scalp in 2, radiation-related ulcer of the chest wall in 2, ulcer and osteomyelitis following resection of the sternum sarcoma in 1, electrical injury of the abdomen in 1, bone and soft tissue defects following compound fracture of the leg in 1, and extensive scar and ulcer of the leg and footdrop following trauma in 1. Severe infection and extensive tissue necrosis were present prior to surgical operation in 12 patients. Eleven patients were treated with pedicled omental flaps, and 9 patients with free omental flaps. The size of the omental flaps ranged from 20 cm x 12 cm to 38 cm x 23 cm.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the omental flaps survived. Healing at the first intention of the wounds was achieved in 17 cases. The on-top skin grafts resulted in partial necrosis of lipid liquefaction developed in the omentum and healed with dressing change in 2 cases. A sinus tract of osteomyelitis occurred in one case and healed after delayed excision of the necrosed bone. Follow-up study of all cases from 3 to 24 months showed no recurrent wounds and post-operative abdominal complication. Recovery with acceptable appearance and restoration of function was satisfactory.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Greater omentum provides a well-vascularized tissue with lymphatic ducts for wound coverage. It has strong resistance against infection. It is very malleable and can be molded easily. Therefore it is an ideal tissue in filling cavities and repairing defects, especially in covering large and irregular defects that can not be treated with skin or muscle flaps.</p>