Use of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Increase Viability of Composite Grafts.

OBJECTIVE: Chondrocutaneous composite grafts figure among the reconstruction alternatives for alar rim defects resulting from tumor resection and trauma. The major problem with composite grafts is the limited graft survival area. In the present study, the authors aimed to increase the survival area of composite grafts by utilizing the ability of stem cells to promote neovascularization which is crucial in composite graft viability. METHODS: The study included 36 adult Wistar Albino rats, which were allocated to 6 groups. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were the groups in which the grafts were implanted immediately after the defect was formed, and Groups 4, 5, and 6 were those in which grafts were adapted 4 days after the defect was formed. Composite grafts of 1 × 1 cm containing both the cartilage and the skin were prepared from 1 ear, and after forming punctures and incisions on the cartilage, the grafts were adapted to the 1 × 1 cm defects on the back. The backs of the rats in groups 1 and 4 were injected with adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC), those in groups 2 and 5 with medium solution, while the rats in Groups 3 and 6 did not receive any injection. The procedures were followed by histopathological and scintigraphic evaluations. RESULTS: An evaluation of the statistical results showed that composite graft survival areas of the group treated with stem cells increased significantly, in comparison with control and medium groups. When scintigraphic evaluations were considered, it was seen that the group treated with stem cells had significantly higher radioactive substance retention than the control group. Histopathological examination demonstrated that microscopic survival rates in the stem cell group were higher than those in the control group. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) was used in the experiment to tag adipose tissue-derived stem cells. Immunofluorescence staining studies showed less apoptosis and fewer GFP (+) stem cells in the composite grafts of the stem cell group. However, apoptosis was more severe in the control and medium groups which also had decreased vascularity in the graft. DISCUSSION: As the authors have shown in the present study, ADSCs have favorable effects on the viability of composite grafts. They have increased the survival rate of the grafts to a considerable extent. As a clinical implication of this experimental study, the authors think that in the patient of auricular and nasal defects involving the cartilage and the skin, injection of the ADSC and the adaptation of composite grafts 4 days after the preparation of the receiving bed may increase the composite graft viability rates. Thus, it has been found that if the composite grafts are implanted 4 days after stem cell injection, the injection of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells is useful in enhancing the survival of composite grafts.

Use of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Accelerate Neovascularization in Interpolation Flaps.

OBJECTIVE: Interpolation flaps are commonly used in plastic surgery to cover wide and deep defects. The need to, wait for 2 to 3 weeks until the division of the pedicle still, however, poses a serious challenge, not only extending treatment and hospital stay, but also increasing hospital expenses. To solve this problem, we have aimed to use the angiogenic potential of stem cells to selectively accelerate neovascularization with a view to increasing the viability of interpolation flaps and achieving early pedicle removal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 32 rats were allocated to 2 groups as control (N = 16) and experiment (N = 16). The cranial flaps 6 × 5 cm in size located on the back of the rats were raised. Then, a total suspension containing 3 × 10(6) adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSC) tagged with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) was injected diffusely into the distal part of the flap, receiving bed, and wound edges. In the control group, only a medium solution was injected into the same sites. After covering the 3 × 5 cm region in the proximal part of the area where the flap was removed, the distal part of the flap was adapted to the uncovered distal area. The pedicles of 4 rats in each group were divided on postoperative days 5, 8, 11, and 14. The areas were photographed 7 days after the pedicles were released. The photographs were processed using Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro software (San Jose, CA) to measure the flap survival area in millimeters and to compare groups. Seven days after the flap pedicle was divided, the rats were injected with 250 mCi Tc-99 mm (methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrie) from the penile vein, and scintigraphic images were obtained. The images obtained from each group were subjected to a numerical evaluation, which was then used in the comparison between groups. The flaps were then examined by histology to numerically compare the number of newly formed vessels. Neovascularization was also assessed by microangiography. In addition, radiographic images were obtained by mammography and evaluated quantitatively. RESULTS: An evaluation of statistical results revealed a significant increase in the flap survival area of the group on stem cell treatment in comparison to the control group. In scintigraphic examinations, the rate of radioactive substance retention was significantly higher in the stem cell group, relative to the control group. Histopathologic examination showed that the capillary density in the stem cell group was higher than that in the control group. Green fluorescent protein had been used to label ADSC in the experiment and it was found by immunofluorescence staining that endothelial samples of control animals did not have GFP (+) cells, whereas all the animals in the experiment group had GFP (+) cells. The comparison of microangiographic images of the experiment and control groups demonstrated significantly elevated vascularity in the former, relative to the latter. DISCUSSION: It has been established in the current study that ADSC injection worked well in speeding up the neovascularization of interpolated flaps and reducing the time of pedicle division. It seems possible to minimize the morbidity of interpolated skin flaps with mesenchymal stem cell therapy at an appropriate dose and for an appropriate length of time.

Botulinum toxin for the correction of asymmetric crying facies.

The clinical hallmark of asymmetric crying facies (ACF) is a symmetric appearance of the oral aperture and lips at rest, but significant depression of one side of the lower lip with animation (crying or smiling). ACF can resolve spontaneously in the first year of life, but surgical intervention may be required at some point to ensure a good cosmetic outcome. The authors report on the successful use of botulinum toxin type A to achieve temporary facial symmetry in two children with ACF with results lasting up to six months and suggest that such treatments may be helpful in providing more time to consider and/or plan surgical intervention.

Abdominal fascial flaps for providing total implant coverage in one-stage breast reconstruction: an autologous solution.

BACKGROUND: Silicone implants are often used in immediate breast reconstruction. Complications associated with silicone-based implant reconstruction, such as capsular contracture, implant palpability, and visibility, are best avoided by placing the implant under a reliable soft-tissue cover such as the pectoralis major muscle. This muscle, however, is not always sufficient for complete coverage of the silicone implant. This is especially true for large implants. By including the fascia of the upper abdominal muscles in the reconstruction, this problem can be overcome. We describe our experience with one-stage breast reconstruction utilizing the fascia of the upper abdominal muscles to provide adequate soft-tissue coverage of the implant. METHODS: This technique was used in the reconstructions of ten patients over 4 years (2005-2009). This method was selected by the operating surgeon at the time of surgery if the pectoralis major muscle was felt to be of inadequate size to provide adequate implant coverage. The pectoralis major muscle was released from its sternal and caudal attachments to the chest wall. The rectus abdominis fascia and external oblique fascia were elevated as a combined cephalic-based flap. This fascial flap was advanced cranially and sutured to the released pectoralis major muscle after insertion of the implant. RESULTS: The mean size of the silicone implant was 448.2 cc and mean follow-up was 19.7 months. All implants were adequately covered with soft tissue at the end of each case. Complications included one patient with a hematoma, one patient with skin necrosis at the suture line, and one patient with an implant infection necessitating removal. CONCLUSION: There are many ways to provide soft-tissue coverage of silicone breast implants in breast reconstruction. These include acellular dermis slings, polyglycolic mesh, deepithelialized skin, and muscle. The ideal soft-tissue cover would be supple, easily harvested, of minimal morbidity, of minimal cost, and preferably autologous. We feel that the technique described here has these qualities and allows for complete coverage of silicone implants. An additional benefit of this technique is that it helps to increase the definition of the inframammary sulcus. This method is a good alternative in providing implant coverage during breast reconstruction, especially when there is a large implant or small pectoralis major muscle.

Preoperative color Doppler assessment in planning of gluteal perforator flaps.

Gluteal artery perforator flaps have gained popularity due to reliability, preservation of the muscle, versatility in flap design without restricting other flap options, and low donor-site morbidity in ambulatory patients and possibility of enabling future reconstruction in paraplegic patients. But the inconstant anatomy of the vascular plexus around the gluteal muscle makes it hard to predict how many perforators are present, what their volume of blood flow and size are, where they exit the overlying fascia, and what their course through the muscle will be. Without any prior investigations, the reconstructive surgeon could be surprised intraoperatively by previous surgical damage, scar formation, or anatomic variants.For these reasons, to confirm the presence and the location of gluteal perforators preoperatively we have used color Doppler ultrasonography. With the help of the color Doppler ultrasonography 26 patients, 21 men and 5 women, were operated between the years 2002 and 2007. The mean age of patients was 47.7 (age range: 7-77 years). All perforator vessels were marked preoperatively around the defect locations. The perforator based flap that will allow primary closure of the donor site and the defect without tension was planned choosing the perforator that showed the largest flow in color Doppler ultrasonography proximally. Perforators were found in the sites identified with color Doppler ultrasonography in all other flaps. In our study, 94.4% flap viability was ensured in 36 perforator-based gluteal area flaps. Mean flap elevation time was 31.9 minutes. We found that locating the perforators preoperatively helps to shorten the operation time without compromising a reliable viability of the perforator flaps, thus enabling the surgeon easier treatment of pressure sores.

A new application for increasing breast projection in free-nipple-graft reduction mammaplasty.

BACKGROUND: Free-nipple-graft reduction mammaplasty is the procedure of choice in patients with massive breast hypertrophy. Breasts that have undergone free-nipple-graft reduction mammaplasty usually cannot maintain projection. Many modifications of free-nipple-graft reduction mammaplasty have been described to treatment this problem. We describe our modification of the free-nipple-graft reduction mammaplasty. METHODS: The technique includes two key points: The first is the fold of the midportions of the breast. The second is suturing the midportion of the breast to the fascia of the pectoral muscle. The fold increases breast projection and the suturing helps to obtain long-lasting breast projection. RESULTS: A total of 16 patients underwent free-nipple-graft reduction with the modified technique between 2003 and 2008. Mean follow-up was 21 months (range = 3-60 months). An average of 2016 g of tissue per breast was excised (range = 1250-2700 g per breast). An average of 4031 g of tissue per patient was excised. All patients had long-lasting, pronounced breast mound projection. Satisfactory breast projection was maintained. No "bottoming out" was seen. The level of satisfaction felt by all patients was very high. CONCLUSION: Long-term projection can be maintained by suturing the half-trianges to each other and to the fascia of the pectoral muscle. One more useful alternative technique for increasing projection in free-nipple-graft reduction has been added with the technique presented.

Three-dimensional nasal reconstruction using a prefabricated forehead flap: case report.

Surgical treatment is extremely difficult with the combined defects of skin, cartilage, and nasal mucosa. Besides efforts geared toward ascertaining the best aesthetic outcome, an important concern is restoring normal nasal function. This can be achieved only by providing sufficiently and anatomically adapted cartilage and bone support, followed by covering the inner part using tissue closely resembling mucosa and the outer part using skin compatible with the surrounding skin. The surgical technique for three-dimensional nasal reconstruction in the first session of this study involved placing a silicon sheet between the skin and galea, which allowed two separate flaps to be obtained for the next session without vascular damage. For the epithelialization of the defect on the nasal surface, the lower surface of the galea was prefabricated with a thin skin graft obtained from the thigh. In this way, nasal mucosa cover was ensured. The expander placed under all these structures thinned them down to a thickness close to that of nasal skin and mucosa and also enabled primary closure of the donor area. Thus, the defect that emerged during the second session in cartilage framework was repaired by cartilage grafts taken from the nasal septum. The mucosal surface and skin part then could be closed with two separate flaps. The forehead flap used in this technique enabled production of an aesthetically and functionally satisfactory outcome by providing an anatomically sufficient amount of nasal skin and nasal mucosa for whole-layer wide nasal defects in only three sessions without necessitating an additional flap.

A congenital true teratoma with cleft lip, palate, and columellar sinus.

Teratomas, the most common extragonadal germ cell tumor of childhood, involve at least two of the ectodermal, mesodermal, and endodermal layers. Of the teratomas seen in the first 2 months of life, 82% are sacrococcygeal. The head and neck region is the second most common location for teratomas in early infancy, accounting for five (14%) of those cases. We describe a female neonate with a teratoma of the nasopharyngeal area, bilateral cleft palate/lip, and columellar sinus pathologies. The mass, which was 8 x 5 x 7 cm and soft in consistency, blocked the airway and prevented oral feeding. On macroscopic examination of the excised mass, there was a notable typical cilia arrangement and lower eyelid appearance. The patient, who was diagnosed with a well-differentiated teratoma after the pathologic examination, did not have any complications in the postoperative period.