Can anterolateral thigh flap be a rescuer in lower extremity injuries?

OBJECTIVE: The lower extremity contains a variety of functional structures therefore re-establishing soft tissue coverage in large-scale injuries is a challenging procedure. Microsurgery has made progress in reducing donor morbidity and achieving a functional and aesthetic appearance in recent years. This study aimed to apply anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap to tissue defects in the lower extremity and to discuss the results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients who were admitted to our hospital with lower extremity trauma and underwent ALT flap surgery due to soft tissue defect between November 2020 and March 2022 were included in the study. Patients' demographic data, the applied surgical procedure, the development of postoperative complications, and postoperative functional results were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were included in this research. The mean age of the patients was 36.56±14.67 (10-61). Of these patients, 3 were female (13%), and 20 were male (87%). The most common etiology was traffic accident (n=8, 34%), followed by gunshot injuries (n=5, 21%), electrical burn (n=4, 17%), open fractures (n=2, 7%), infection (n=2, 7%), diabetic foot (n=1, 4%), skin tumor (n=1, 4%). Flaps were raised from the contralateral extremity in twelve patients (52%) and on the ipsilateral extremity in eleven patients (48%). The average time from first trauma to free flap surgery was 10.7±5 days (4-22). The average postoperative hospitalization was 13.6 days (9-23 days). The average follow-up time of patients was 8 months (3-13 months). The donor site is closed with primary saturation in 19 patients (82%) and closed with split-thickness skin grafting in 4 patients (18%). Our overall success rate was 96%. We had only one total flap failure out of twenty-three patients (4%). CONCLUSIONS: ALT-free flap is an excellent choice for reconstructing lower extremity complex defects. For experienced surgeons, the ALT flap can be used successfully in the treatment of soft tissue defects of variable size in the lower extremity.

Multidisciplinary treatment and functional outcome evaluation of combined injuries of nerves, vessels, and flexor tendons: spaghetti wrist.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the modified Kessler technique in managing spaghetti wrist lacerations by multidisciplinary treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who were operated and followed up with the diagnosis of spaghetti wrist tears in our clinic between January 2012 and December 2020 were included in the study. In the postoperative follow-ups, the parameters evaluating the functionality of the patients were examined. RESULTS: Patients were 105 male (86.7%) and 16 women (13.2%), with a mean age of 36.83 ± 16.38 years. At the final follow-up, functional outcomes were assessed. The most common injury mechanism was glass-related injuries (35.5%). The mean starting surgery time of the patients was 4.64±2.98 hours. The most frequently involved structures were the palmaris longus with a rate of 51% and the flexor digitorum superficialis with a rate of 45%. There were significant differences regarding intrinsic function and grip strength between male and female patients (p = 0.04, p = 0.21, respectively). There were significant differences regarding sensation and grip strength between smoker and nonsmoker patients (p = 0.03, p = 0.01, respectively). The number of the damaged structures was negatively correlated with postsurgical functional outcomes of four tests, including tendon function, opposition, intrinsic function, and grip strength. The physical therapy period was correlated to hand function tests (r = 0.756, p < 0.05). Nerve damage was negatively correlated with sensation (p = 0.011, r = -0.932). CONCLUSIONS: The modified Kessler technique is reliable with functional outcomes for spaghetti wrist injuries involving tendons, nerves, and arteries. Meticulous and early surgical treatment within the first 8 hours of spaghetti wrist injury and early initiation and long-term physical therapy are vital in patients' functional outcomes.

Comparison of the results of percutaneous and open screw fixation in the treatment of scaphoid nonunion fractures.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aims to compare the clinical results of percutaneous screw fixation and non-vascularized bone grafting with open screw fixation in patients who did not achieve union due to failure in diagnosis and treatment after a scaphoid fracture. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients with scaphoid nonunion fractures corresponding to the first three Slade and Dodds classification were divided into two groups. Non-vascularized bone grafting with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) was applied to 24 patients in the first group, and 19 patients in the second group were treated with a closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF) (percutaneous screw fixation). The patients were followed up for preoperative and postoperative functional scores and time to union. RESULTS: Our study found that the scaphoid was most commonly fractured in the waist of the scaphoid. In our study, we found that distal scaphoid fractures had the highest union rate (100%), followed by the waist fractures (93.2%) and the weakest union (50%) in the proximal pole fractures. We observed that the fastest union had occurred in the fractures of the waist. We also observed that the union was completed earlier in patients who operated with ORIF than those with CRIF. We found union in 87.5% of patients who underwent ORIF, in 84.2% of patients who underwent CRIF. CRIF operation duration was shorter than expected from ORIF operation duration. CONCLUSIONS: We found that similar union rates could be achieved in the patient groups who underwent percutaneous and open screw fixation by selecting the appropriate patient in scaphoid nonunion fractures. Union was faster and functional results were more satisfactory in the ORIF group. The operation time was shorter in the CRIF group.

Alloprevotella rava isolated from a mixed infection of an elderly patient with chronic mandibular osteomyelitis mimicking oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The anaerobic, Gram-negative bacillus Alloprevotella rava has recently been described in the human oral cavity. To our knowledge, this species has not been isolated from chronic osteomyleitis samples. We present the first case of A. rava infection in a 92-year-old woman with polymicrobial chronic mandibular osteomyelitis, mimicking oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Topiramate and darbepoetin alpha ameliorate bilirubin-induced neuronal cell damage.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether prophylactic darbepoetin alpha and/or topiramate administration could prevent bilirubin neurotoxicity (BNTx) in experimental model of kernicterus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 Wistar albino rat puppies with experimental kernicterus model were included in the study. The Kernicterus was established administering a bilirubin injection via a cisterna magna puncture 30 minutes after ip drug injection. The puppies were divided into five groups with 12 in each group as shown below: a control group, bilirubin group, darbepoetin alpha group, topiramate group and darbepoetin alpha+ topiramate group. Darbepoetin alpha and/or topiramate were administered on day 5 intraperitoneally (ip). At the 6th and 24th hours, bilirubin induced neurological dysfunction (BIND) score was used to assess behavioral changes. Hearing functions were evaluated on days 10 and 28. On day 30, the Water Maze water tank test was implemented to evaluate spatial memory. The rats were sacrificed on days 6 and 34 and apoptosis in the globus pallidus and hippocampus was examined. RESULTS: The BIND score was improved following darbepoetin alpha treatment. Neither darbepoetin alpha nor topiramate therapy ameliorate spatial memory. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of the auditory brainstem response (ABR). The combined use of darbepoetin alpha and topiramate lead to slight decrease in apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Darbepoetin alpha or topiramate administration ameliorates bilirubin induced neurological dysfunction in experimental model of kernicterus.

Rosacea and cardiovascular risk factors: a case control study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Rosacea is an inflammatory skin disease with a chronic course. This study aimed to investigate the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in rosacea patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 60 rosacea patients and 50 age- and gender-matched controls. Demographic data, medical history, presence of cardiovascular risk factors were recorded. Waist circumference, height, and weight were measured, and the body mass index was calculated for each participant. Laboratory investigations, including fasting blood glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP), very low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, triglyceride, lipoprotein(a) were performed. RESULTS: In all, 66% of the rosacea patients were female (mean age: 44.65 ± 12.9 years) and 66% of the controls were female (mean age: 42.3 ± 12.3 years). Median disease duration in the rosacea group was 36 months. High total cholesterol (>200 mg/dL), LDL (>130 mg/dL) and CRP (>0.8 mg/L) levels, a family history of premature CVD, and a history of smoking and alcohol consumption were significantly more common in the rosacea patients compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Rosacea patients may have a high risk of CVD. As such, we recommend close follow-up of rosacea patients because of the increased risk of CVD. The mechanism underlying this increased risk is unknown, and additional randomized and controlled studies are required for clarification.

Constrictive pericarditis after renal transplantation: three case reports.

INTRODUCTION: Pericardial exposure can be see in chronic kidney disease, but constrictive pericarditis (CP) development, which is usually present with signs of right-sided heart failure is rare. In renal transplant recipients CP can lead to graft dysfunction and serious liver disease. We present herein 3 such CP patients. PATIENT 1: A 37-year-old male patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis was on chronic hemodialysis (HD). He underwent living donor kidney transplantation in 1995. In 2006 he was admitted with complaints of shortness of breath, weakness, and abdominal distention. PATIENT 2: A 17-year-old male patient with ESRD due to vesicoureteral reflux had 6 months of HD and underwent living donor kidney transplantation in 2008. Six months after transplantation, he showed leg edema, massive ascites, hepatosplenomegaly, and pretibial edema. PATIENT 3: A 52-year-old male patient was 21 years after HD initiation when cadaveric donor kidney transplantation was performed in August 2011. Four months after transplantation, he presented with a shortness of breath and fatigue. Echocardiography revealed 2-3 degree aortic regurgitation and increased pericardial brightness. CONCLUSION: All patients underwent right-sided heart catheterization, leading to a diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis, requiring total pericardiectom. Pathological examination of the pericardium showed typical diffuse fibrosis.

Prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia associated with the haem oxygenase-1 gene promoter polymorphism.

AIM: To elucidate the genetic factors causing hyperbilirubinaemia in prolonged jaundice of the newborns, we investigated whether the HO-1 gene promoter polymorphism is a cause in unexplained pathological or prolonged jaundice. METHODS: Three groups were defined: healthy newborns with no clinical jaundice, newborns hospitalized for jaundice without any identifiable pathological cause and newborns with prolonged jaundice associated with breast milk. Genomic DNA was extracted from the white blood cells and the promoter region of the HO-1 gene was amplified using PCR and their allelic repeats were determined. RESULTS: We did not detect any significant difference in the allele frequencies between the healthy newborns and the newborns whose serum total bilirubin levels were >12.9 mg/dL. However, the patients with short (<24 GT) dinucleotide repeat in the HO-1 gene promoter on either allele had significantly higher prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia than the healthy newborns. There was no significant difference between the groups 2 and 3. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that polymorphism of HO-1 gene promoter region can be an underlying cause of the prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia associated with breast milk. In this patient population, short repeat alleles of the HO-1 gene promoter polymorphism were associated with prolonged jaundice.

Micronuclear and sister chromatid exchange analyses in peripheral lymphocytes of patients with oral lichen planus--a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the genetic instability of peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients diagnosed with oral lichen planus (OLP) by investigation of frequencies of micronuclei (MN) and sister chromatid exchange (SCE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 22 newly diagnosed and untreated patients with OLP of same severity scores and twenty healthy controls participated in this study. They were all non-smokers with no previous history or family history of cancer. The periodontal status, flow rate and buffering capacity of whole mouth saliva were recorded. SCE and MN analyses were performed on peripheral blood lymphocytes of OLP patients and healthy controls. RESULTS: The frequencies of MN (50.00 +/- 22.36) and SCE (6.89 +/- 1.48) in OLP patients were found to be significantly elevated compared with that in normal individuals (25.20 +/- 9.52 and 5.93 +/- 1.31; z = 3.946, P = 0.0001; z = 2.346, P = 0.019). There were no significant differences in the MN frequency and SCE between the two subgroups with reticular or erosive types of OLP. CONCLUSION: These pilot data indicate an increased genomic instability in peripheral blood lymphocytes of a cohort of Turkish patients diagnosed with oral lichen planus as compared with that of healthy individuals. As patients with OLP may have an increased or potential risk for oral malignancy, these assays could be used in translational research to monitor beneficial effects of interventions and long-term prognosis.

Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor-induced retinal neovascularization by retinoic acid in experimental retinopathy of prematurity.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has an important role in the pathogenesis of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and inhibition of VEGF expression in the neovascular phase might prevent destructive neovascularization in ROP. It is suggested that retinoids exert a highly potent antiangiogenic activity by inhibiting VEGF expression. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the preventive effect of retinoic acid (RA) on the VEGF-induced retinal neovascularization in a rat model of ROP. Wistar albino rats were placed into incubators at birth and exposed to an atmosphere alternating between 50 % and 10 % O(2) every 24 hours. After 14 days, the animals were removed to room air and received either an intraperitoneal injection of RA (5 mg/kg/day) (n=9) or saline (n=4) daily for six days, and sacrificed at 21 days. Other rats (n=4) were raised in room air and served as age-matched controls. The globe of each eye was cut through the cornea and embedded in paraffin. Serial sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin for quantification of neovascular nuclei. The avidin-biotin peroxidase method was performed for evaluation of VEGF expression. The average number of neovascular nuclei was significantly lower in the control group compared to that in the ROP groups. In addition, it significantly decreased in the RA-treated ROP group compared to that of the saline-administrated ROP group. VEGF immunostaining was overall negative in room air-exposed rats. The VEGF immunostaining score significantly decreased in the RA-treated ROP group compared to that in the saline-administered ROP group. RA treatment might be beneficial in preventing neovascularization resulting from oxygen-induced retinopathy by downregulation of VEGF expression.

Immediate postimplant hemodialysis through a new "self-sealing" heparin-bonded polycarbonate/urethane graft.

BACKGROUND: Immediate accessibility of a newly implanted dialysis graft is desirable to avoid temporary catheters. The most commonly used dialysis graft, expanded polytetrafluorethylene (ePTFE), does not allow early access. This report presents the first clinical data regarding the immediate puncturability of a newly introduced "self-sealing" polycarbonate urethane graft (PUG). METHODS: Patients implanted with a PUG due to the need for immediate vascular access through their new grafts were followed prospectively for early and late complications. RESULTS: Five patients who were implanted with a PUG were dialyzed through their grafts within hours after surgery. Dialysis was continued three times per week in each patient, without a puncture-related problem. CONCLUSION: The availability of a self-sealing graft allowing immediate vascular access on the same day of the implant was achieved with the PUG system. Decreasing the need for temporary catheters may initiate some of the complications associated with hemodialysis.

Spontaneous intestinal perforation after oral ibuprofen treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in two very-low-birthweight infants.

AIM: To discuss intestinal side effects of ibuprofen in the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus, after having observed two cases of spontaneous intestinal perforation following ibuprofen treatment. METHODS: Clinical and laboratory records of two preterm infants, who developed intestinal perforation after ibuprofen administration, were evaluated. RESULTS: Gestational ages of infants were 29 wk (male) and 30 wk (female). Both infants developed intestinal perforations without signs of necrotizing enterocolitis. The perforations cured with Penrose drainage alone. CONCLUSION: Although ibuprofen is a reasonable treatment alternative to indomethacin, randomized controlled trials, which address potential adverse effects including spontaneous intestinal perforation, are needed.

Synchronized ventilation of very-low-birth-weight infants; report of 6 years' experience.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of long-term patient triggered ventilation (PTV) using assist/control or synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) in very-low-birth-weight infants with respiratory distress. METHODS: Ninety-seven very-low-birth-weight infants who had undergone synchronized ventilation for respiratory distress or insufficiency were assessed from January 1995 to December 2000. Death, oxygen support, pneumothorax development while ventilated, intracranial hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, periventricular leukomalacia, retinopathy of prematurity and duration of ventilation were noted as the mean outcome measures. RESULTS: The mean birth weight was 1139 +/- 268 g (range 450-1500 g) and the mean gestational age was 29.0 +/- 2.8 weeks (range 23-36 weeks). Eighty-four per cent of 97 infants survived. Antenatal steroids were administered to only 20% of mothers. Surfactant was administered to all of the 67% of infants with respiratory distress syndrome. The mean duration of ventilator support was 4.7 +/- 7.3 days (1-43 days) for survivors and 8.9 +/- 11 days (1-45 days) for infants who died. No respiratory paralysis was necessary in any case during ventilation and pneumothorax was diagnosed in only eight infants. Severe intracranial hemorrhage (grade > or = III) and periventricular leukomalacia developed in 15% and 12% of infants, respectively. Necrotizing enterocolitis (Bell's classification stage > or = 2) and retinopathy of prematurity were noted in two infants. Four infants had evidence of chronic lung disease. The rate of survival without major morbidity was 83.5%. CONCLUSION: Patient-triggered ventilation, initially PTV with Asist/Control and subsequently with SIMV in very-low-birth-weight infants with respiratory distress is feasible, but optimization of trigger and ventilator performance with respect to respiratory diagnosis is essential.

Long-term follow-up of otherwise healthy term infants with marked hyperbilirubinaemia: should the limits of exchange transfusion be changed in Turkey?

AIM: To evaluate prospectively non-haemolytic term infants with marked hyperbilirubinaemia treated by phototherapy only for evidence of bilirubin toxicity at 2-6 y of age, and to determine the suitability for Turkish children of the exchange transfusion limits recently reported by the American Academy of Pediatrics. METHODS: The study group included a total of 30 children, aged 2-6 y, who had developed marked hyperbilirubinaemia (20-24 mg dl(-1), 342-410 micromol l(-1)) during the newborn period (gestational age >37 wk, birthweight >2500 g) and were treated without exchange transfusion because intensive phototherapy, instituted during the preparations for exchange transfusion, was successful in decreasing their serum bilirubin levels. The control group consisted of 30 children of the same age group without clinical jaundice in the newborn period. Physical and neurological examinations, brainstem auditory-evoked potentials (BAEPs) and developmental tests for Turkish children were performed in both the study and control children. RESULTS: There was no difference between the groups with regard to mean BAEP latencies and developmental scores. None of the infants had hearing loss, developmental delay or abnormal neurological findings. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that successful intensive phototherapy without exchange transfusion in otherwise healthy term newborn infants with marked hyperbilirubinaemia (20-24 mg dl(-1), 342-410 micromol l(-1)) might not increase the risk of bilirubin brain injury and that the conventional limit of 20 mg dl(-1) (342 micromol l(-1)) could be changed to 22-24 mg dl(-1) (376-410 micromol l(-1)) for healthy term infants in Turkey. These limits, however, address only infants who do not have haemolytic disease, and the data are not sufficient to draw conclusions on the safety of even higher bilirubin levels (i.e. >24 mg dl(-1), 410 micromol l(-1)) in this population.

Exotic arteriovenous fistulas for hemodialysis.

The rate of patients with exhausted upper extremity arteriovenous fistula (AVF) sites who have lost all chances for a conventional upper extremity AVF has been increasing in line with the general increase in the hemodialysis patient population. In this prospective study, we report the early and late follow-up results of "exotic" AVFs in which central veins are used for the outflow. Patients having no chance for an upper extremity AVF based on previous catheterization, surgical AVF history, detailed physical examination, and radiological assessment, were included in the study. Between June 1999 and January 2003, 27 central AVFs were created with a 6 mm synthetic vascular graft in 26 patients. The inflow artery was the proximal axillary artery in all except one. All but one operation was done by the same surgeon. The outflow vein was the internal jugular vein in 16 and infraclavicular axillary vein in 11 cases. One-year primary and secondary graft patency rates were 33.33 +/- 10.49 and 57.06 +/- 11.29, respectively. The early complications were facial edema and hemiparesis, both of which resolved spontaneously. The only late complication, pseudoaneursym, was treated by a graft interposition. In selected patients who have no suitable upper extremity vessels for an AVF, the central veins may be used with an acceptable success rate. Another advantage of this procedure is the avoidance of undesired femoral interventions; sometimes it may be the only opportunity and lifesaving for the patient.

Femoral vein transposition versus femoral loop grafts for hemodialysis: a prospective evaluation.

In this first clinical trial femoral vein transposition (FVT) was prospectively compared with its "graft" counterpart. Patients requiring vascular access due to occluded central veins were divided into two groups: group I (n = 17) underwent femoral loop grafts and group II (n = 15), FVT. Complications were recorded prospectively and patency rates were compared by the Kaplan Meier method with statistical comparisons by Mann Whitney U and chi-square tests as appropriate. Between 1999 and 2003 30 patients underwent 32 operations. Mean follow-up was 8.9 months in group I and 6.8 months in group II (P >.05). Three group I patients developed a steal, requiring closure of the fistula in one. Five group II patients developed a steal, requiring closure of the fistula in one. The incidence of steal was similar in both groups (P >.05). The infection rates were similar: 35.3% and 26.7% in group I versus group II (P >.05), respectively. Among the six infections in group I, four patients required excision of the graft due to infection, whereas only one arteriovenous fistula (AVF) was closed in group II for infection. The 1-year primary patency rate in group I was 37.5% versus 86.7% in group II (P <.05). In conclusion, Femoral AVF grafts have been condemned because of the unacceptable high rate of septic complications. FVT obviates the need for a graft and has fewer infectious problems and better patency rates.