Electromyographic and Clinical Investigation of the Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Peripheral Nerve Regeneration in Patients with Diabetes after Surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy. Studies have shown that results of CTS surgery are poorer in patients with diabetes. In this study, the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on nerve regeneration was investigated through clinical and electromyographic findings in patients with diabetes who underwent CTS surgery. Methods A retrospective analysis of 20 patients with diabetes who had surgically decompressed CTS was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups. The study group received PRP treatment following surgery. The control group did not receive any treatment. Patients were assessed using electromyography and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire preoperatively as well as postoperatively at 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year follow-ups visits. Results There was a decrease in complaints and an improvement in sensory and motor examinations in both groups. The Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire scores did not show any statistically significant differences between the two groups. However, electromyographic findings showed that there were statistical differences between preoperative and postoperative (3 months, 6 months, and 1 year) results in both groups. When the two groups were compared using preoperative and postoperative (3 months, 6 months, and 1 year) electromyographic values, no statistically significant differences were seen. Conclusion Single injections of PRP did not have a significant impact on median nerve regeneration following CTS surgery in patients with diabetes. The effectiveness of multiple PRP injections can be investigated in patients with diabetes in future studies.

The efficacy of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in preventing postoperative tendon adhesion formation: An experimental study in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) in preventing postoperative tendon adhesion formation in a rat model of Achilles tendon repair. METHODS: In this study, 60 Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 300 to 350 g were used. Rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10 per group): control-1, control-2, sham-1, sham-2, experiment-1, and experiment-2. The same surgical procedure was performed in all rats; a full thickness Achilles tenotomy was performed, and the tendon was repaired using a modified Kessler suture. Enalapril (10 mg/kg/day) was orally given to the Experiment-1 and Experiment-2 groups for three and six weeks, respectively. Thirty rats were sacrificed at three weeks (Control-1, Sham-1, Experiment-1); the remaining 30 rats were sacrificed at six weeks (Control-2, Sham-2, Experiment-2). Then, macroscopic, biomechanical, and histologic investigations were performed. RESULTS: Adhesion degree was found macroscopically lower in the Experiment-1 and 2 groups than others. In the histologic examination, the fibrosis level was found the lowest in the Experiment-2 group. Biomechanical evaluation indicated that mean maximum resistance before tendon rupture was significantly higher in the Experiment-2 group than in other groups. CONCLUSION: Evidence from this study has shown that ACEIs can decrease fibrosis and tendon adhesion during tendon recovery in rats due to their antifibrotic effects as the result of Angiotensin-II suppression.

Vertical Medial Thigh Lift with the 'Anchor L Liposculpture' Technique in Massive Weight Loss Patients: Preliminary results.

BACKGROUND: Among all post bariatric surgical procedures, vertical thigh lift has the highest complication rates. Many modifications have been described to achieve better aesthetic results and decrease complication rates. The study aimed to present ''Anchor L Liposculpture Technique'' and discuss the results in the light of current literature. METHOD: Between 2016 and 2020, 33 patients were operated with the Anchor L Liposculpture technique. In this technique, liposuction is performed similarly with the other techniques, but the liposuction area is not extended to posterior or anterior compartments to prevent complications. The technique also used a deepithelized flap to anchor the superficial fascial system to the pubic arch periosteum. The patients' characteristics (age, sex, body mass index, smoking history, amount of weight loss, comorbidities) volume of liposuction and postoperative complications were recorded. Results were compared between uncomplicated (group A) and complicated patients (group B). RESULT: Six (n=6, %18.2) out of 33 patients experienced complications (Group B). There were no major complication. The most common complications are wound dehiscence (n = 2) and lymphocele (n = 2). All complication cases managed conservatively. Age and amount of liposuction were found to be statistically associated with increased complications. Other comparisons between group A and B did not show any significant difference. Scar migration was not observed in any patient during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Anchor L Liposculpture technique is an easy-to-apply and reliable technique aimed better surgical results and lower complication rates. Surgeons especially at beginning of the learning curve or who experienced high complication rates can utilize this technique. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Diagnostic Value of Real-Time Elastography in Diagnosing Lymph Node Metastasis of Skin Cancer.

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the diagnostic performance of real-time tissue elastography in detecting lymph node involvement in skin cancers. Methodology We retrospectively analyzed B-mode sonography and real-time elastography (RTE) images of 70 lymph nodes from 34 patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or malignant melanoma (MM). In the B-mode examination, the appearance or loss of the hilar architecture in the lymph node, contour lobulation, and the presence of focal cortical thickening were evaluated. Elastography scores were classified according to the ratio of soft and hard areas across the lymph node on a 4-point scale system. Largely soft lymph nodes were scored as "1" and largely hard lymph nodes were scored as "4". Results When patients with SCC and MM were evaluated together, the sensitivity of elastography was 94%, specificity was 70%, and the accuracy rate was 86% in detecting lymph node involvement. When both tumor groups were evaluated separately, for SCC, the sensitivity of elastography was 90%, specificity was 61%, and the accuracy rate was 80% in detecting lymph node involvement. When the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was taken, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.78 for SCC. Elastography showed full compliance with pathology in lymph node metastases of MM and the AUC was 1.00. Conclusions Based on our findings, RTE provides important contributions to B-mode ultrasonography (USG) in evaluating lymph node metastases of skin cancers.

Evaluation of Safe Systemic Immunosuppression Created with Dexamethasone in Prevention of Capsular Contracture: A Glance to Distinct Perspectives with Toll-Like Receptors.

PURPOSE: The toll-like receptors (TLRs) stand at the interface of innate immune activation. We hypothesize to decrease the response of innate immunity activated by TLR4 by a safe, short-term, systemic immunosuppression. METHODS: Two silicone block implants were placed into two dorsal subcutaneous pockets in 32 rats that were subdivided into four groups: The two study groups were the IV DEX group (single intravenous injection of dexamethasone 1 h before surgery) and the IV DEX + IP DEX group (in addition to a single intravenous injection of dexamethasone 1 h before surgery, intraperitoneal dexamethasone was administered for 10 days after surgery), and the two control groups were the untreated control group and the saline-treated control group. After 10 weeks, all animals were killed to determine capsular thickness, inflammatory cell density, presence of pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, edema, necrosis, vascularization, TLR4 expression and myofibroblast proliferation. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in any parameter between the untreated and saline-treated control groups (p > 0.05). Capsular thickness, myofibroblast proliferation, TLR4 expression density were statistically different among study groups compared to control (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the relationship between toll-like receptors and fibrous capsule after implant surgery. Decreasing the innate immunity by a safe, short-term perioperative systemic immunosuppression resulted in decreased TLR4 expression and myofibroblast differentiation which could be a new research field in profibrotic pathophysiology underlying breast capsule formation. NO LEVEL ASSIGNED: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

The outcome of coronoidectomy in bilateral coronoid process hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: Coronoid process hyperplasia (CPH) of the mandible is a rare condition that can be defined as an abnormal bony elongation of histologically normal bone with the symptoms of progressive, painless difficulty in opening the mouth. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of five patients with CPH treated by coronoidectomy, relative to post surgery jaw function. METHODS: Five patients with CPH were included in this study. The diagnosis of CPH was confirmed by radiographic and clinical examination of the mandible. All five patients underwent bilateral intraoral coronoidectomy under general anesthesia. The mean maximum interincisal mouth opening for the patients was determined by measurements taken pre-surgery, intraoperative, and at longest follow-up. All five patients underwent postsurgical physical therapy directed towards jaw function. RESULTS: All the patients with limited mouth openings presented with a preoperative maximum interincisal mouth opening of 12.4 mm (range 9-20.3 mm), which was increased to 37 mm (range 22-52 mm) in the operating room after bilateral intraoral coronoidectomy and 42 mm (range 32-52 mm) during the late follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with limited jaw function related to bilateral CPH can benefit by undergoing bilateral coronoidectomies and physiotherapy.

Reversed First Dorsal Metatarsal Artery Island Flap for First Ray Defects.

Reconstruction of the first ray is challenging because of poor skin laxity, bone and tendon exposure, and limited local flap options. Repair using full- or split-thickness skin grafts is generally not an option because of the bone and tendon exposure. Reconstructive options using local flaps from the distal foot area are restricted owing to insufficient soft tissue. Many reconstructive options have been described to overcome these difficult situations. We present 2 cases in which the great toe and first ray defect were repaired using a reversed first dorsal metatarsal artery island flap. The findings from these clinical cases and anatomic studies have shown that the reversed first dorsal metatarsal artery island flap is an alternative and suitable option for reconstruction of soft tissue defect of the distal foot, especially first and second ray defects, because it is thin and simple, has anatomic characteristics similar to those at the recipient site, and results in minimal donor site morbidity.

Immediate Perineal Reconstruction After Extralevatory Abdominoperineal Excision: Buried Desepidermised Fasciocutaneous V-Y Advancement Flap.

BACKGROUND: According to National Cancer Institute, there are approximately 39,800 rectal cancer cases per year, 25% of which will need an abdominoperineal resection (APR). The key to avoid most of the complications related to pelvic defect that occurs after APR is choosing an appropriate reconstruction option for perineum. This study aims to introduce an easily applicable flap option for closure to address postoperative pelvic defect in low rectal cancer. METHODS: This is a retrospective evaluation of 9 patients who have undergone perineal reconstruction for pelvic defects after extralevatory abdominoperineal excision with rectal cancer between 2014 and 2016. Reconstruction consists of a novel technique defined by our clinic, which is buried desepidermised fasciocutaneous V-Y advancement flap. RESULTS: All defects are closed successfully. Patients are followed postoperatively for complications such as perineal infection, wound dehiscence, seroma, perineal sinus, or fistula formation. Flaps are evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging postoperatively, for viability and effectiveness on defect closure. Mean follow-up time is 20 (±9) months. Mean average hospital stay is 8 (±2) days. We did not experience any total or partial flap loss or encounter any local complication related to the wound. CONCLUSIONS: Buried desepidermised fasciocutaneous V-Y advancement flap is a reasonably easy and time-saving operation. It is effective in filling the pelvic dead space while closing the sacral defect after APR and therefore decreases late term complications related to large perineal excision.

Quantification of the surgical margin shrinkage in lip cancer: determining the relation between the surgical and histopathologic margins.

Lip carcinoma is one of the most common cancers of the head and neck region. Lower lips are more frequently affected. Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for more than 95% of the cases. The aim of treatment is to achieve the highest cure rates with adequate excision with clear surgical margins while leaving the smallest defect sizes behind for reconstruction. Excised tissue is known to shrink when removed, in relation with its retractile properties. In this study, the evaluation of the amount of shrinkage in excised lip cancer specimens and determination of the relation between surgical and histopathologic margins were aimed. The study included 21 consecutive excised lip specimens for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the lip. The volume of the specimen, tumor length, and margin distance measurements were measured and recorded step by step from before surgical excision to histopathologic evaluation. Specimens were evaluated in a standardized fashion by the same pathologist after 48 hours of fixation. For data analysis, Number Cruncher Statistical System 2007 and Power Analysis and Sample Size 2008 Statistical Software (Kaysville, UT) were used. The surgical margins of the excised lip specimen shrink up to 41% to 47.5% from before excision to histopathologic evaluation. The most significant step was the excision step, followed by the formalin fixation step. The histopathologic process itself and the duration of formalin fixation did not result a significant change in surgical margins. The tumor tissue itself did not show a significant shrinkage.

Saphenous vein sparing superficial inguinal dissection in lower extremity melanoma.

Aim. The classic inguinal lymph node dissection is the main step for the regional control of the lower extremity melanoma, but this surgical procedure is associated with significant postoperative morbidity. The permanent lymphedema is the most devastating long-term complication leading to a significant decrease in the patient's quality of life. In this study we present our experience with modified, saphenous vein sparing, inguinal lymph node dissections for patients with melanoma of the lower extremity. Methods. Twenty one patients (10 women, 11 men) who underwent saphenous vein sparing superficial inguinal lymph node dissection for the melanoma of lower extremity were included in this study. The effects of saphenous vein sparing on postoperative complications were evaluated. Results. We have observed the decreased rate of long-term lymphedema in patients undergoing inguinal lymphadenectomy for the lower extremity melanoma. Conclusion. The inguinal lymphadenectomy with saphenous vein preservation in lower extremity melanoma patients seems to be an oncologically safe procedure and it may offer reduced long-term morbidity.

Ulnar nerve compression at the elbow caused by the epitrochleoanconeus muscle: a case report and surgical approach.

Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common peripheral nerve compression syndrome. It is the most common peripheral neuropathy of the ulnar nerve. The surgical treatment of the cubital tunnel syndrome is widely described in the literature, however the variations of the standard muscular anatomy in the medial humeral epicondyle region may create technical difficulties during surgical management. The epitrochleoanconeus muscle, which is an aberrant muscle of this region, is a rare cause of cubital tunnel syndrome. A case with ulnar nerve compression at the elbow caused by an uncommon etiological factor, hypertrophic epitrochleoanconeus muscle, and its surgical management is reported.

Human fingernail as interpositional graft material in the treatment of nasal septal perforations.

PURPOSE: The etiology of nasal septal perforations involves iatrogenic, traumatic, inflammatory, infectious, neoplastic, and caustic causes. To ensure successful closure, an appropriate interpositional graft material should be selected, and this graft material should be covered with healthy tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 18 New Zealand white rabbits weighing 2 to 2.5 kg. Nasal septal perforations were created in group 1. After the creation of defects in group 2, repair was performed with cartilage graft and bilateral mucoperichondrial advancement flaps. After septal nasal perforations in group 3, the defect was covered with fingernail and bilateral mucoperichondrial flaps. RESULTS: At week 12, the rabbits were sacrificed. The septum site that had been repaired with fingernail was intact. No nail exposition, wound site decomposition, or re-perforation was observed. No findings of a breach of the structural integrity of the fingernails or disintegration were encountered. CONCLUSION: Fingernails can be used as an interpositional graft material in place of cartilage in eligible cases for the repair of nasal septal perforations. Fingernails have several properties that enable their use in such cases, such as form preservation that is similar to cartilage, the lack of live cells, easy availability, and a lack of donor-site morbidity at removal.

Long-term clinical outcomes of fat grafting by low-pressure aspiration and slow centrifugation (Lopasce technique) for different indications.

Autologous fat grafts have been used successfully for structural fat grafting in facial, lip, and hand rejuvenation, body contour improvement, and traumatic defect restoration. The purposes of this study were to define a new fat graft harvesting and processing technique, which is named the "Lopasce technique" (low-pressure aspiration and slow centrifugation technique), and to evaluate the late clinical outcomes of fat grafting by this technique for different indications. A retrospective study was performed using the medical records of 21 patients (17 women and four men). The mean injected fat volume was 33.2 ± 34 cc (range 6-125 cc). The mean follow-up period was 13.2 ± 5.6 months (range 6-26 months). Postoperative results were evaluated by subjective and objective methods. In the subjective evaluation, 19 patients stated that there had been little resorption and that it was not necessary to repeat the fat grafting, one patient reported that the fat was resorbed in part, and one patient reported that the fat was resorbed completely. In the objective evaluation, the amount of fat graft taken in the recipient sites was between 60%-80% (average 70%) when compared with preoperative and late postoperative photographs of the patients at the 6- and 26-month follow-ups. Fat grafting is a simple, effective, and reproducible technique with a high satisfaction rate and few disadvantages or complications. We consider that structural fat grafting with the lopasce technique is an easy, effective, and long-lasting treatment for correction of congenital or acquired defects associated with various medical conditions.

Endoscopic repair of isolated anterior table frontal sinus fractures without fixation.

Frontal sinus fractures constitute 5% to 15% of maxillofacial fractures, and isolated anterior table injuries account for 33% of frontal sinus fractures. The treatment strategy of frontal sinus fractures should be individualized according to the extent of the injury. Endoscope-assisted repair without any fixation method for the treatment of mildly and moderately displaced (1-5 mm) and closed isolated anterior table frontal sinus fractures is a good alternative technique for treatment.Between April 2010 and December 2011, 5 patients with mildly and moderately displaced isolated anterior table fractures were treated. There were no lacerations in forehead skin of the patients. Preoperatively, the patients showed forehead depression at the fracture site, and computed tomography scan was taken to determine the extent of the frontal sinus fracture. Endoscope-assisted closed reduction treatment was applied to all patients.All fractures were reduced successfully. None of the patients needed to undergo conversion to traditional incision techniques. No patients required fixation materials. Cosmetic deformity was corrected in all patients perfectly.In the standard treatment modality of frontal sinus fractures, repair is best performed by a coronal approach. However, bicoronal incision has many disadvantages. Several authors have recently described some endoscopic and closed approaches to these injuries. The main disadvantages of these methods are poor visualization or fixation requirement with exogenous materials.Endoscopic reduction of mildly and moderately displaced closed isolated anterior table frontal sinus fractures without fixation is feasible. It results in a good clinical outcome in selected cases.

Concurrent repair of orbital shallowness with craniosynostosis surgery: two late cases of simultaneous orbital decompression.

Early closure of cranial sutures results in various types of cranial vault deformities, named craniosynostosis. Although mostly associated with syndromic cases, bony orbit deformities such as exorbitism can be seen with various types of craniosynostosis. This condition can be associated with papilledema and besides its effect on the patient's appearance can cause subluxation of the globe, lagophthalmos or keratitis resulting in corneal ulcers and ultimately loss of vision. Various techniques have been proposed for repair or exorbitism such as fronto-orbital advancement procedures, orbital wall decompression, periosteum scoring and tissue excision. Orbital periosteal scoring covering the globe can be extremely efficient for orbital fat decompression when combined with other orbital volume expanding procedures. We hereby present two late cases of craniosynostosis associated with bilateral exorbitism due to orbital shallowness for which cranial vault reconstruction was performed simultaneously with combinations of fronto-orbital advancement, orbital decompression and periosteal scoring. The late referral of these patients at ages older than the usual time of operation indication made the surgical procedure for craniosynostosis repair and exorbitism treatment challenging. The combined and simultaneous use of bone advancement, orbital wall decompression and specially periosteum scoring can be highly efficient in the treatment of exorbitism associated with craniosynostosis.

Islanded perforator flaps in the reconstruction of hidradenitis suppurativa defects.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a recurrent, chronic, and suppurative cutaneous disease of unknown etiology. Radical excision of all affected skin followed by flap coverage of the defect is the treatment method of choice in severe and recurrent cases. This study discusses the use of local islanded perforator flaps in the reconstruction of defects following excision of hidradenitis suppurativa lesions in axillary, gluteal, and inguinal regions. Eleven male patients (mean age of 39.3 years) underwent reconstruction of hidradenitis suppurativa defects with 13 local islanded perforator flaps. Three patients (one being bilateral) had gluteal, two patients (one being bilateral) had inguinal, and six patients had axillary involvement. The defects in the gluteal region were repaired with superior gluteal artery perforator flaps, inguinal defects were repaired with medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flaps, and the axillary defects were repaired with thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps. There was no total flap loss in the postoperative period, but one marginal necrosis and two wound infections occurred. There was no recurrence of hidradenitis suppurativa or revision requirement during the mean follow-up period of 11.5 months.

Ocular complication after trichloroacetic acid peeling: a case report.

UNLABELLED: Chemical peeling is a noninvasive technique currently used more frequently as a cosmetic procedure. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is one of the most popular chemical agents used for this purpose Stuzin et al. (Clin Plast Surg 20:9-25, 1993). Although this application commonly is used for the whole face, including the eyelids, the data in the literature referring to ocular complications if TCA leaks into the eye and the injury treatment thereafter are too sparse. The authors therefore report the treatment procedure and follow-up evaluation for a patient who sustained a chemical injury to the eye during rhytidectomy combined with TCA peeling. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors http://www.springer.com/00266 .