A novel approach in breast reconstruction: The extended lateral thoracic flip-over flap combined with loops and lipofilling (ELT FOLL).

INTRODUCTION: The use of the thoracodorsal musculocutaneous flap has been limited to donor site complications, whereas the thoracodorsal fasciocutaneous flap spares the muscle and limits morbidities. Our objective is to describe a new technique of breast reconstruction using an extended lateral thoracic (ELT) flip-over flap combined with loops and lipofilling (ELT FOLL) to achieve better breast remodeling. METHODS: Between 2013 and 2018, 64 patients underwent breast reconstruction using an ELT FOLL. The flap is designed in an elliptical transverse pattern and extends 2 cm lateral to the back midline up to the breast axis at the level of the inframammary fold. The surgical technique consists of an infiltration and tunnelization of the breast recipient site and surrounding area, deepithelialization of the skin paddle, and additional preparation of the flaps and loops. Liposuction is performed using the power-assisted liposuction and lipofilling technique, and lipofilling is achieved throughout the thoracic cutaneous surface of the reconstructed site, particularly into the lower quadrant of the breast. RESULTS: Among the reconstructions, 73.4% was delayed and 92.2% was unilateral. A fourth of the patients were smokers, and 39.1% received radiotherapy. The total complication rate was 8.7%, the patient's shoulder function was not affected at long term, with the DASH score rising from 6.53 preoperatively to 11.32 at 6 weeks and 7.52 at 6 months. The average operative time was 57 min, and drains were removed at day one after surgery. CONCLUSION: The ELT FOLL should be considered a simple, safe, and reliable alternative for breast reconstruction.

Interleukin-10 microsatellite variants and the risk of acute coronary syndrome among Tunisians.

The objective of the study was to investigate the association of interleukin (IL)-10 promoter microsatellite polymorphisms, linked with altered IL-10 secretion, with the susceptibility to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in adult Tunisian patients. We genotyped 291 ACS patients and 291 age-, gender- and ethnically matched control subjects for the microsatellites IL-10R [X78437.2g.5325CA(11_15)] and IL-10G [X78437.2g.8134CA(14_29)] by PCR-based assays. Haplotypes were reconstructed using maximum likelihood method. Regression analysis was used in determining the risk imparted by specific IL-10 genotypes and haplotypes. A significant decrease in IL-10G12 (24 CA repeats) (P<0.001; OR=0.465) and IL-10G15 (27 CA repeats) (P=0.043; OR=0.232), and a significant increase in the low IL-10 producer allele, IL-10R3 (14 CA repeats) (P=0.049; OR=1.461), microsatellites were seen in the ACS group compared with controls. Of the possible 14 haplotypes constructed, there was an enrichment of the R2G9 (13CA vs. 21CA) haplotype in controls [P=0.019; adjusted OR (95% CI)=0.67 (0.48-0.94)] and R2G15 (13CA vs. 27CA) haplotype in cases [P=0.042; adjusted OR (95% CI)=5.29 (1.06-26.30)], thus assigning a protective and susceptible nature to these haplotypes respectively. The differential association of IL-10 microsatellite alleles and haplotypes with ACS suggests that IL-10 contributes to ACS pathogenesis. While the functional attributes of these microsatellite markers remain to be seen, it is likely that they have distinct functional properties (altered IL-10 secretion), which in turn affect the susceptibility to ACS development.

Bone regeneration in extraction sites after immediate placement of an e-PTFE membrane with or without a biomaterial. A report on 12 consecutive cases.

The efficacy in restoring a buccal dehiscence after tooth extraction has been studied in 12 consecutive cases using guided bone regeneration with (6 patients) or without (6 patients) a biomaterial (DFDBA or Bio Oss) beneath an e-PTFE membrane. A correlation between the clinical impression of density at drilling time and the histological signs of bone formation has been evaluated too. The membrane was removed after 6 or 9 months and a biopsy was performed. Clinically, GBR was highly predictable for regeneration of the alveolar bone after tooth extraction with buccal dehiscence. The histology fully confirmed the clinical and radiographical results, showing bone formation in all cases with individual variations in the amount of bone formed. 6-month biopsies from the membrane sites had lamellar bone with large medullary spaces, while a good bone density was observed at 9 months. The membrane/biomaterial sites demonstrated mineralization and large amounts of allograft at 6 months. Thus, bone regeneration seems to take more time when grafting material is used.

Hypothermic bypass and circulatory arrest for operations on the descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta.

BACKGROUND: Hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass with intervals of circulatory arrest is a useful adjunct during operations on the descending thoracic aorta and distal aortic arch when severe aortic disease precludes placement of clamps on the aorta. Hypothermia also has a marked protective effect on spinal cord function during periods of aortic occlusion. METHODS: Fifty-one patients (age range, 22 to 79 years) with descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic disease had resection and graft replacement of the diseased aortic segments using hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass and intervals of circulatory arrest in situations where the location, extent, or severity of disease precluded placement of clamps on the proximal aorta (8 patients) or (in 43 patients) when extensive thoracic (11) or thoracoabdominal (32) aortic disease was present and the risk for development of spinal cord ischemic injury and renal failure was judged to be increased. Patent intercostal (below T-6) and upper lumbar arteries were attached to the graft whenever possible. RESULTS: Thirty-day mortality was 9.8% (5 patients). Paraplegia occurred in 2 and paraparesis in 1 of the 46 30-day survivors (6.5%). Among the 27 operative survivors with thoracoabdominal aneurysms, paraplegia occurred in 1 of 12 with Crawford type I (8%), 0 of 10 with type II, and 1 of 5 with type III aneurysms (20%). Paraplegia occurred in none of the 12 patients with aortic dissection and in 2 of the 15 patients with degenerative aneurysms. Renal failure requiring dialysis occurred in 1 (2.2%) of the 46 30-day survivors. CONCLUSIONS: Hypothermic circulatory arrest is a valuable adjunct for the treatment of complex aortic disease involving the aortic arch and thoracoabdominal aorta. In patients with thoracoabdominal aneurysms, its use has been associated with a low incidence of renal failure and an incidence of paraplegia/paraparesis in traditionally high-risk subsets (type I and II aneurysms, aortic dissection), which may be less than that observed with other surgical techniques.

Evaluation of the osteogenic potential of biomaterials implanted in the palatal connective tissue of miniature pigs using undecalcified sections.

Calcium phosphate or calcium carbonate biomaterials are widely used as bone substitutes in periodontal surgery. This study evaluates the osteogenic potential of five different alloplastic biomaterials implanted in the connective tissue of the palatal papilla in miniature pigs. A porous hydroxyapatite (PHA), a dense hydroxyapatite (DHA), a semi-porous hydroxyapatite (SPHA), a tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and a calcium carbonate natural coral (NC) were implanted in a tunnel in the palatal papillae of seven miniature pigs. Undecalcified sections were examined histologically at 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12 and 24 wk intervals. Resorbable materials (TCP and NC) were totally resorbed by 24 wk. DHA, PHA and HA showed very limited resorption, although there were multinucleated giant cells in contact with PHA and SPHA. There was no histologically detectable bone formation in contact with or near any of the biomaterials tested. However, several particles of NC, and sometimes of PHA, were surrounded by a dense, mineralized matrix. It is concluded that none of these biomaterials, in their presently available forms, has any bone inducing capacity.

Elective hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass and circulatory arrest for spinal cord protection during operations on the thoracoabdominal aorta.

Resection of aneurysms of the entire descending thoracic aorta and segments of the abdominal aorta is associated with a substantial incidence of spinal cord ischemic injury, particularly in patients with aortic dissection. Since hypothermia has a protective effect on spinal cord function, we evaluated a technique of total cardiopulmonary bypass with periods of hypothermic circulatory arrest and low flow (rectal/bladder temperatures of 15 degrees to 19 degrees C) in five patients requiring replacement of the entire descending thoracic and the upper abdominal aorta and judged to be at high risk for the development of spinal cord injury. All patent lower intercostal and lumbar arteries were preserved or reimplanted during the hypothermic interval. There was one hospital death. None of the four survivors had a new spinal neurologic deficit, renal or cardiac dysfunction, or required reoperation for bleeding. Transfusion of blood products was not excessive. Severe pulmonary dysfunction necessitating tracheostomy occurred in one patient and contributed to his death 7 weeks postoperatively. The remaining three patients are well 8 to 36 months postoperatively. This initial experience suggests that hypothermic perfusion and circulatory arrest can be safely implemented in selected patients who require extensive aortic resections and who are at substantial risk for the development of spinal cord injury. Further evaluation of this technique is warranted.

Positive airway pressure and vertical transpulmonary pressure gradient in man.

Static transpulmonary pressure (Pao-Pes) and the vertical gradient of transpulmonary pressure were determined in five sitting conscious normal subjects at mean airway pressures of 0 (ambient), 11, and 21 cmH2O. All subjects exhibited a nonuniform transpulmonary pressure gradient down the esophagus. The vertical pressure gradient was consistently larger in the lower (8-20cm below esophageal artifact) than in the middle region (0-8cm) of the esophagus. The gradient was not significantly altered by continuous positive airway pressure (11 and 21 cmH2O) or by changes in lung volume (60, 70, and 80% of total lung capacity (TLC)). Continuous positive airway pressure also did not result in a consistent change of the overall static pressure-volume curve of the lung. There was a small but statistically significant increase in TLC with each increase in airway pressure.

Lung volumes and closing capacity with continuous positive airway pressure.

Total lung capacity, vital capacity, residual volume, and functional residual capacity were determined by body plethysmography and the single-breath oxygen (SBO2) test was performed at 0, 5, and 11 cm H20 continuous positive airway pressure in healthy, awake, seated, spontaneously breathing subjects. Mean values for the absolute lung volume at which phase IV of the SBO2 test begins (closing capacity) did not change significantly with continous positive airway pressure at 5 or 11 cm H2O. Mean total lung capacity, functional residual capacity, and residual volume increased significantly, and the mean closing volume, the lung volume above residual volume at which phase IV begins, decreased significantly with 11 cm H20 continuous positive airway pressure; differences at 5 cm H20 were not significant. The slope of the alveolar nitrogen plateau (phase III) obtained during the SBO-2 test did not change with continuous positive airway pressure.