ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Sensory stimuli are conducted by several cutaneous sensory nerves and tactile corpuscles. The latter are specialized sensory organs that represent the starting point of many afferent sensory pathways. To date, our knowledge about the distribution of the sensory innervation in the umbilical skin of females is incomplete. AIM OF THE STUDY: To elucidate the morphology of the cutaneous innervation of the normal female umbilical skin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biopsies of normal umbilical skin were obtained from female patients undergoing umbilical hernial repair. The specimens were processed for both immunohistological (antibodies against PGP9.5, pan-neuronal marker, and S-100 protein, marker of Schwann cells) and ultrastructural (transmission electron microscopy) examinations. RESULTS: The authors found abundant genital end-bulb-like structures, numerous epidermal and dermal Merkel cells, Meissner and Ruffini corpuscles, intraepidermal nerve terminals, and multiple free nerve endings surrounding the ducts and acini of the sweat glands. CONCLUSIONS: The umbilical skin of females has abundant sensory innervation similar to that of the glans penis.
Subject(s)
Sensory Receptor Cells/chemistry , Sensory Receptor Cells/ultrastructure , Skin/innervation , Biomarkers/analysis , Biopsy , Female , Hernia, Umbilical/surgery , Herniorrhaphy , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Mechanoreceptors/chemistry , Mechanoreceptors/ultrastructure , Merkel Cells/chemistry , Merkel Cells/ultrastructure , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission , S100 Proteins/analysis , Ubiquitin Thiolesterase/analysis , UmbilicusABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Liposuction is a surgical technique to remove excess fat deposits from specific areas of the body. Purpose of this study is to determine how far large volume liposuction is safe and effective. METHODOLOGY: From July 2003 to December 2005, 60 female patients had liposuction of different areas of the body as waist, hips, buttocks, thighs, and knees. Their mean age was 30.6 +/- 15.4 years old. A standard liposuction technique was done by using a tumescent infiltration formula. The average amount of infusate was 3000 cc, with an average aspirate amount of 6000 cc. Pre-operative anthropometric measurements as weight, height, body mass index, areas to be liposuctioned in addition to pre-operative hematological investigations as complete blood picture, blood sugar, liver function tests, blood urea, serum creatinine, and serum cholesterol were done. RESULTS: The results were evaluated with preoperative and postoperative photographs. Postoperative anthropometric measurements and hematological investigations were done at 6th week, and 4th month after surgery. The rate of complications was low and relatively minor in nature. No major complications were presented. Minor complications have occurred as skin irregularities (20%), Seroma (15%), Garment pressure sore (10%), Cutaneous hyper-pigmentation (5%). CONCLUSION: Large-volume liposuction can be performed safely and it can produce desirable morphological and hematological changes.
