Histopathologic study of keloid vascular structures shows the vascular origin pattern of keloid subepidermal vascular network flaps.

BACKGROUND: Keloid subepidermal vascular network flaps (KSVNFs) have achieved satisfactory results in clinical practice. Through this retrospective study, we further examined keloid vascular structure to better understand vascular origin pattern in KSVNFs. METHODS: Paraffin-embedded keloid tissues were stained for CD31. Distances from keloid subepidermal capillaries to the skin surface were measured. The included angle between the pedicle vessels and skin surface (angle PV), as well as the included angle between the keloid margin and skin surface (angle KM), were also measured. The major and minor axes of the capillary in the central areas of keloid (KDC), adjacent skin (AS) and marginal areas of keloid (KDM) were analyzed, and the major:minor axis ratios (M/m) were calculated. Vessels in KSVNF pedicle sites (KDP) were compared with vessels in adjacent skin as a subgroup analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-nine keloid specimens in total were collected. Based on 1630 measured data points, the capillary distance to the skin surface was 387.2±96.7 µm. The angle PV was 70.1±36.6°, and the angle KM was 67.0±18.1°. The major axis of the KDM capillaries was significantly longer than that of KDC and AS (both P < 0.001). The major and minor axes were longer in KDP than in AS (both P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Suprakeloidal blood vessels are mainly distributed at a depth of 387.2±96.7 µm from the skin. The subepidermal plexus in KSVNF pedicle sites enters the skin at an acute angle and runs parallel to the keloid margin layer. Vessels in keloid marginal areas had crushed vascular lumen, but vessels in KSVNF pedicles did not.

Short-term outcomes of pure transvaginal laparoscopic right colectomy: A novel surgery approach based on an Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, Long-term framework stage IIa study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The application of pure natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) to intra-abdominal visceral resections remains limited due to the complexity of the dissection. This study aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic right colectomy using a purely transvaginal approach. METHODS: The data of 12 continuous patients with colon neoplasia who underwent transvaginal right colectomy from November 2018 to July 2020 were prospectively collected, and their perioperative events were recorded. RESULTS: The patients' median age was 70.4 years. Four were diagnosed with colon adenoma and eight with adenocarcinoma. The median operative time was 185 min, with a median blood loss of 25 ml. The median time to gas passing was 32.5 h after surgery. The median postoperative hospital stay was 6 days. One operation was converted to hybrid NOTES due to difficulty with the anastomosis, and one was converted to laparoscopic surgery because of vascular injury. Three cases were grades I, II, and III according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. CONCLUSION: Pure NOTES right colectomy using the transvaginal approach is feasible and safe with good short-term outcomes. We recommend this novel technique for highly-selected patients with no more than a D2 dissection performed by experienced colorectal surgeons.