Perforator artery response to tissue expansion: An experimental study in rabbits.

BACKGROUND: The reconstruction of defects is a major area of interest in plastic surgery. Tissues are expanded to extend the tissue surface area and to prepare more reliable perforator flaps. OBJECTIVES: Because expanded perforator flaps have become more popular, the aim of this study is to determine the response of the perforator artery to tissue expansion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used a rabbit S1 perforator (first perforator branch of the thoracodorsal arteries) flap model. In 12 New Zealand White rabbits, left flaps were used as the experimental group (n = 12) and right flaps were used as the control group (n = 12). Both flaps were constructed in the dorsal skin. The experimental group was further divided into 3 subgroups according to expansion volume: 150 mL (n = 4), 200 mL (n = 4) and 250 mL (n = 4). We evaluated the responses of the perforator arteries to tissue expansion using the resistivity index (RI), the pulsatility index (PI), vessel diameter (D), histopathological examinations, and angiography. RESULTS: After 3 weeks of expansion, the perforator artery diameter had increased (p = 0.002) and the RI had decreased (p = 0.031) in the experimental group. The perforator artery diameter (p = 0.006) and RI had increased (p = 0.003) in the control group. No significant changes were observed in the PI in either group (p > 0.05) and no significant differences in post-expansion measurements were observed between experimental subgroups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Suprafascial expansion of a perforator flap leads to an increase in diameter and a decrease in the RI of the perforator artery. The decrease in RI may indicate increased flap perfusion.

The Effects of Maxillary Expansion on Late Alveolar Bone Grafting in Patients With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to answer the research question of whether maxillary expansion provides enough postgraft stimulation to decrease the volume loss of alveolar bone grafts in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) who missed the appropriate treatment time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was designed as a prospective controlled clinical trial. Thirty patients in the permanent-dentition stage with unilateral CLP were divided into 2 groups: In group I (mean age, 19.33 ± 5.16 years), slow maxillary expansion was performed before secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG); in group II (mean age, 19.93 ± 3.99 years), slow maxillary expansion was performed 6 weeks after SABG. The iliac crest was preferred as a donor site for autogenous bone graft harvesting. Cone beam computed tomography images were taken 1 week, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively. The volume and density of the alveolar bone graft were calculated using Mimics software (version 13.1; Materialise, Ann Arbor, MI), and SPSS software (version 19.0; IBM, Armonk, NY) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The bone graft volume loss was significantly higher in group I than in group II after 6 months of healing (P = .003). The increase in bone density was significantly higher in group II than in group I after 6 months of healing (P = .017). Although the mean loss of volume was lower and the mean density of the bone graft was higher in group II, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of mean graft volume and mean bone density 12 months after the operation. For groups I and II, the mean bone graft volume loss was 46.3% and 34.6%, respectively, and the mean increase in bone density was 16% and 49%, respectively, after 12 months of healing. CONCLUSIONS: Maxillary expansion after late SABG may be taken into consideration as a treatment choice in selected unilateral CLP patients to provide bone graft stimulation.

Outcomes of Anatomic Reconstruction of Gunshot-Inflicted Lower Face Defects by Free Osteoseptocutaneous Fibula Flap and Expanded or Nonexpanded Temporal Scalp Flap Combination in Males.

Reconstruction of gunshot-inflicted composite lower face defects is a challenge for plastic surgeons. Functional and aesthetic repair of such defects mostly requires free or pedicled flap applications or combinations of both.In this study, the authors evaluated 7 males with gunshot-inflicted composite mandibular defects. All patients underwent reconstruction with a free osteoseptocutaneous fibula flap (FOCF) for the composite mandibular defect and a pre or nonexpanded temporal artery-based scalp flap for beardless facial skin. All patients were evaluated aesthetically and functionally with a postoperative evaluation scale. Average patient follow-up time was 3.5 years.All FOCFs survived completely. Expander exposition was observed in 2 preexpanded temporal scalp flaps. The problem was solved by rapid expansion and early flap application. All patients had acceptable functional and aesthetic results.In conclusion, the scalp flap should be considered in male beardless skin reconstruction due to its ease of application, reliability, and proximity to the defect. Preexpansion of this flap can decrease donor area morbidities. Moreover, the FOCF and scalp flap combination is a convenient procedure for gunshot-inflicted lower face defects, and such procedures produce good aesthetic and functional long-term outcomes.

An alternative method to free flap for distal leg and foot defects due to electrical burn injury: distally based cross-leg sural flap.

BACKGROUND: High voltage electrical injuries can cause devastating results especially in distal extremities. Although free flaps are the golden standards for the reconstruction of these defects, sometimes local flap alternatives are more useful. One of the most favorable local flap is distally based sural flap (DBSF), which can be used in cross-leg fashion when ipsilateral extremity is affected by a high voltage electrical injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long term results of eleven patients who underwent a reconstruction to the lower extremity with cross-leg DBSF due to high voltage electrical burn injury between the years of 2003-2013. METHODS: Eleven patients suffering from high voltage electrical injury from 2003 to 2013 were evaluated retrospectively. All patients were male and had deep 2nd and 3rd degree electrical burns on many parts of their bodies, including their lower legs and feet. Seven of the defects were located on the right limb and four of them on the left. Defects were located in the ankle area in five patients, dorsum of the foot in four patients, achilles area in one patient, and the plantar region in one patient. RESULTS: The adaptation of flaps to the recipient site, colour, and quality were all acceptable. CONCLUSION: As an alternative to free flaps, the cross-leg DBSF has good tissue compliance, provides tissue of adequate quantity and quality, and has low complication rates in the long term in high voltage electrical injuries of the leg and foot.

A convenient flap for repairing the donor area of a distally based sural flap: Gastrocnemius perforator island flap.

OBJECTIVE: The reconstruction of complex lower leg and foot defects is difficult for plastic surgeons. The distally based sural flap (DBSF) is an option for non-free flap lower leg reconstruction. However, one of the major drawbacks of the DBSF is its aesthetically non-acceptable donor area scarring. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients (six men and two women) who had lower leg or foot defects were evaluated in this study. We used an ipsilateral or cross-leg DBSF to repair the defect. A medial or lateral gastrocnemius perforator island flap (average size 8.1 × 6.1 cm) was used to cover the donor area of the DBSF in a two-stage operative procedure. RESULTS: We did not observe any complications with the gastrocnemius perforator island flap. Two patients had local infections under the DBSF and were treated with bacteria-specific antibiotherapy. All patients were followed up for 1 year postoperatively. The donor areas of the distally based sural flaps were aesthetically acceptable. Patients gained ambulatory status during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Reconstruction of the donor area of a DBSF with a gastrocnemius perforator island flap allows for more acceptable aesthetics and functional results than do other reconstructive procedures.

A cross flow-through pedicle free latissimus dorsi flap for high voltage electrical burns.

BACKGROUND: The management of a high voltage electrical injury and lower limb salvage remains a challenging task for plastic surgeons. Reconstruction with flaps is often the only alternative to limb amputation. The purpose of this study was to present a cross flow-through pedicle free latissimus dorsi muscle flap for the salvage of severely traumatized lower limbs perfused by one remaining vessel (a single vessel lower limb) in high voltage electrical injuries. METHODS: In this retrospective study, between 2000 and 2014, six men underwent cross-leg free Latissimus dorsi muscle flap operations for limb salvage. They had soft tissue lower leg defects due to high voltage electrical injuries. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed. All had only one artery that perfused the leg. Free pedicled thoracodorsal artery latissimus dorsi flaps were harvested and connected to the contralateral posterior tibial artery. RESULTS: All defects were successfully covered. No flap loss or major amputation occurred during follow-up (mean; 5.9 years). A computerized tomography angiogram showed intact vessel continuity in the recipient vascular system. The patients were able to walk without any apparatus or assistance after long term follow-up. CONCLUSION: We recommend that the cross flow-through pedicle free muscle flap should be considered as a salvage procedure for single vessel lower extremities resulting from high voltage electrical burns. Extremity perfusion was not compromised by this procedure.

Outcomes of Tissue Expander Application for Scalp Reconstruction in Extensive Aplasia Cutis Congenita.

INTRODUCTION: Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) is a rare congenital disorder. The purpose of this study was to present outcomes of tissue expander application for scalp reconstruction in extensive ACC. PATIENT/METHODS: In this retrospective study, medical records were reviewed for six patients who underwent serial tissue expander application for scalp reconstruction in ACC between 2000 and 2015. Patient average age was 14.5 (range, 4-25 years). One of the six cases had frontal bone defect, the others had bone and soft tissue defect at the vertex. In the newborn period, all patients have been managed by split-thickness skin grafts without cranioplasty procedures. After grafting and calvarial regeneration, one (or more) sessions of tissue expanders and scalp flap applications were performed for alopecia and soft tissue correction. Radiologic and clinical examination was performed for complications and outcomes. RESULTS: Computerized tomography showed intact calvarium with patchy hyperostosis in all patients. The mean size of grafted areas was 69.5 cm(2) (range, 32-148.5 cm(2)). Minimal distal flap necrosis (6 × 1 cm) was observed in one patient. Serial scalp tissue expansion was performed with at least one session in a 1-year interval. One expander was extracted due to exposition and infection. No total flap losses and no calvarial defects were observed during follow-up (mean; 8.6 years). Clinical examination revealed acceptable cosmetic results in all patients. CONCLUSION: We advocate late expander scalp reconstruction for management of extensive ACC cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Total or Near-Total Lower Eyelid Defect Reconstruction Using Malar Myocutaneous Bridge and Nasojugal Flaps and Septal Chondromucosal Graft.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to repair total or near-total lower eyelid defects by single-staged operative technique. METHODS: The procedure was performed on 7 referred patients who had a total or near-total lower eyelid defects after tumor extirpation or trauma. Patients ages were between 13 and 67 years (average, 46.5). Defects were repaired by simultaneous reconstruction of anterior and posterior lamellae using a bipedicled malar myocutaneous bridge flap, a nasojugal transposition flap, and a septal chondromucosal graft in combination. RESULTS: Patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months (average, 18 months). No necrosis, hematoma, or infection was observed in flaps, and no recurrence was observed in any patients. Mild scleral show was observed at postoperative 12 months in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: As an addition to classical methods, the present novel single-staged surgical procedure with the malar myocutaneous bridge flap, nasojugal transposition flap, and septal chondromucosal graft combination provides anatomical, functional, and stable reconstruction for total or near-total lower eyelid defects.

Assessing the effects of melatonin and N-acetylcysteine on the McFarlane flap using a rat model.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and melatonin, alone and in combination, on McFarlane flap viability in a rat model. METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were divided into four groups and received daily intraperitoneal injections for one week before surgery: control (sham [n=10]); melatonin (n=10); NAC (n=10); and NAC+melatonin (n=10). One week after surgery, the experiment was terminated and photographs were taken for topographic studies. A transillumination study was performed to observe vascularization in the flaps and biopsies were obtained for histopathological studies. RESULTS: Flap viability was significantly greater in the antioxidant- (ie, NAC and melatonin) treated groups compared with the control group; however, there were no significant differences among the groups that received antioxidants. CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin and NAC are important antioxidants that can be used alone or in combination to increase flap viability and prevent distal necrosis in rats.

OBJECTIF: Déterminer les effets de la N-acétylcystéine (NAC) et de la mélatonine, seules ou ensemble, sur la viabilité d'un lambeau de type McFarlane dans un modèle de rat. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les chercheurs ont réparti 40 rats Wistar en quatre groupes à qui ils ont administré des injections intrapéritonéales quotidiennes pendant une semaine avant l'opération: sujets témoins (n=10), mélatonine (n=10), NAC (n=10) et NAC+mélatonine (n=10). Une semaine après l'opération, ils ont mis fin à l'expérience et pris des photos en vue d'études topographiques. Ils ont réalisé une étude de transillumination pour observer la vascularisation des lambeaux et effectué des biopsies pour mener des études histologiques. RÉSULTATS: La viabilité des lambeaux était beaucoup plus importante dans les groupes traités aux antioxydants (NAC et mélatonine) que dans le groupe témoin. Cependant, les différences n'étaient pas significatives entre les divers groupes qui avaient reçu des antioxydants. CONCLUSIONS: La mélatonine et la NAC sont d'importants antioxydants qu'on peut utiliser seuls ou ensemble pour accroître la viabilité des lambeaux et prévenir la nécrose distale chez les rats.

A useful flap combination in wide and complex defect reconstruction of the medial canthal region: Glabellar rotation and nasolabial V-Y advancement flaps.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of medial canthal defects after tumour excision is difficult owing to the thin skin of the region and the concavity of the anatomical landmarks, which enclose complex structures such as the medial canthal ligament and the lacrimal system. Local reconstruction methods for this region include secondary healing, full-thickness skin grafts, and skin flaps from the frontal, transnasal, glabellar and upper eyelid regions. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate a useful combination of two local flaps in wide defects of the medial canthal region. METHODS: Between 1998 and 2012, a combination of glabellar rotation and nasolabial V-Y advancement flaps were used in 11 patients with wide complex defects after excision, including periosteum, of invasive basal cell carcinoma. RESULTS: All patients were tumour free and underwent functional and aesthetic reconstruction of the medial canthal region. There were no major complications, and no relapses were observed. CONCLUSION: This technique achieves good match in colour and texture, and has satisfactory results both aesthetically and functionally. In addition, donor area morbidity is minimal and surgical technique is simple.

HISTORIQUE: Il est difficile de reconstruire des anomalies du canthus interne après l'excision d'une tumeur, en raison de la minceur de la peau et de la concavité des repères anatomiques, qui incluent des structures complexes comme le ligament du canthus interne et le système lacrymal. Les modes de reconstruction locale incluent la cicatrisation secondaire, les greffes de peau totales et les lambeaux cutanés des régions frontale, transnasale, glabellaire et de la paupière supérieure. OBJECTIF: Démontrer la combinaison utile de deux lambeaux locaux pour corriger de larges anomalies de la région du canthus interne. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Entre 1998 et 2012, 11 patients ayant de larges anomalies complexes après l'excision (incluant le périoste), d'un carcinome basocellulaire invasif, ont été soignés par une combinaison de rotation glabellaire et de lambeaux nasolabiaux d'avancement en VY. RÉSULTATS: Les patients, qui ne présentaient plus de tumeur, ont subi une reconstruction fonctionnelle et esthétique de la région du canthus interne. Ils n'ont pas présenté de complications majeures et n'ont pas subi de récidives. CONCLUSION: Cette technique assure une belle concordance de couleur et de texture et des résultats satisfaisants sur le plan esthétique et fonctionnel. Par ailleurs, la morbidité est minime dans la région du donneur, et la technique chirurgicale est simple.

Comparison of autologous and heterologous bone graft stability effects for filling maxillary bone gap after Le Fort I osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: The amount of postoperative maxillary relapse of two different bone graft materials after Le Fort I osteotomy were compared in this study. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to compare postoperative maxillary relapse rates using heterologous and autologous graft materials after Le Fort I osteotomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 80 patients who had developmental malocclusion were analyzed retrospectively in this study. Twenty nine (36.2%) and 51 (63.8%) patients underwent Le Fort I osteotomy, and Le Fort I and bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (two-jaw surgery), respectively. Forty two (52.5%) maxillary bone gaps were filled with heterologous bone grafts (group A) and 38 (47.5%) were filled with autologous bone grafts (group B) after Le Fort I osteotomy. The cephalometric graphics and measurements were taken before (T1), 1 week after (T2), and 1 year after (T3) the surgery. The results were documented and determined by the Dolphin imaging 10.5 (Dolphin Imaging, Chatsworth, Calif.) computer program for skeletal relapse. Whether or not the relationship between group A's and B's maxillary relapse rates was evaluated in the postoperative period. RESULTS: It was observed that both graft materials have positive effects on maxillary relapse rate in the postoperative period. When the groups are compared to each other, the relapse rates were similar between group A (8.3%) and group B (10.8%) (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Heterologous bone graft material (Osteoplant®-Flex) is thought to be a good alternative to autologous grafts in decreasing the relapse rates and reducing the morbidity of the donor area of the patients who underwent Le Fort I osteotomy.

Reconstruction of transhumeral amputation stumps with ipsilateral pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap in high voltage electrical burns.

Injury due to high-voltage (>1000V) electricity is one of the most challenging problems in emergency medicine and plastic surgery. Extremity amputation because of electrical injury yields a stump that leaves vital structures, such as bone, muscle, blood vessels, and nerves, exposed; these structures should be covered with appropriate tissue. We designed a retrospective study that included twelve patients with a high-voltage electrical injury followed by trans-humeral amputation who were evaluated between 2004 and 2013. The ages of the patients ranged between 8 and 35 years (mean, 16.9 years). Following amputation, the defects were covered with an ipsilateral pedicled latissimus dorsi (LD) myocutaneous flap for stump protection and functional transfer. We concluded that the use of an ipsilateral LD myocutaneous flap is an adequate surgical operation in upper extremity amputations resulting from high-voltage electrical burn injuries and that this procedure permits stump length maintenance, contributes to arm functioning, avoids extended operation times, and prepares patients for prosthesis usage.

Neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin as an indicator of acute kidney injury and inflammation in burned children.

INTRODUCTION: Neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a novel predictor of acute kidney injury (AKI), which increases with inflammation. We aimed to assess whether serum NGAL (SNGAL) and urine NGAL (UNGAL) can predict AKI in burned children. METHODS: Patients were referred within the 12 h of burn to our center. Serum samples for SNGAL, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and urine for UNGAL, microalbumine (Umalb), creatinine (Ucr) were obtained at both admission and the 5th day after burn. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) were examined daily. RESULTS: Twenty-two subjects were enrolled and six (27.2%) of them developed AKI within the 48 h of injury. Burn size and abbreviated burn severity index (ABSI) were significantly increased in patients with AKI. CRP, PCT, SNGAL and UNGAL levels at admission and day 5 were significantly higher in patients with AKI than in those without AKI and controls. Scr was not significant between AKI and non-AKI groups at hospital days 1 and 5. A SNGAL level of 315 ng/ml and a UNGAL level of 100 ng/ml were determined as predictive cut-off values of AKI at admission (sensitivity and specificity: 71.4%, 83.3% and 93.3%, 93.7%, respectively). SNGAL and UNGAL were positively correlated with CRP, PCT, ABSI and Umalb/Ucr. CONCLUSION: SNGAL and UNGAL are good early predictors of AKI in children with severe burn. NGAL might reflect the severity of burn insult and also could be used as an indicator of inflammation in burn children.

Comparison of effects of ketamine, ketamine-dexmedetomidine and ketamine-midazolam on dressing changes of burn patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this randomized, controlled study was to compare the sedoanalgesic effects of ketamine-dexmedetomidine and ketamine-midazolam on dressing changes of burn patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following Ethics Committee approval and informed patient consent, 90 ASA physical statuses I and II adult burn patients were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into three groups. Ten minutes before dressing change, the dexmedetomidine group (group KD) (n = 30) received a continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine at a rate of 1 µg kg(-1), the midazolam group (group KM) (n = 30) received a continuous infusion of midazolam at a rate of 0.05 mg kg(-1) and the saline group (group KS) (n = 30) received a continuous infusion of saline intravenously. One minute before dressing change, each patient was administered 1 mg kg(-1) ketamine intravenously. Hemodynamic variables, pain and sedation scores, the number of patients requiring additional ketamine, time to dressing change and recovery time were recorded. RESULTS: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) values were significantly lower at, before and after ketamine administration; and 5, 10 and 15 minutes after the procedure in group KD in comparison with the other groups (P <0.05). There was no significant difference in pain scores among the groups during the study period. Sedation scores were significantly higher in group KD than in groups KM and KS at the end of the first hour (P <0.05). Time to dressing change and recovery time were similar in all the groups CONCLUSION: In burn patients undergoing dressing changes, although both combinations ketamine-dexmedetomidine and ketamine-midazolam offered an effective sedoanalgesia without causing any significant side effect, the former resulted in higher sedation and lower hemodynamic discrepancy.

Squamous cell carcinoma in discoid lupus erythematosus: reconstruction with a free forearm fasciocutaneous flap.

We present the first free flap operation to our knowledge for a patient with squamous cell carcinoma on a lesion of discoid lupus erythematosus. Although the disease affects the skin, the defect was reconstructed successfully with a free radial forearm fasciocutaneous flap.

Placement of implants in the mandible reconstructed with free vascularized fibula flap: comparison of 2 cases.

The reconstruction of mandibular continuity defects after tumor resection with free vascularized bone flaps is considered to be a treatment option. Although the fibula flap presents many advantages, it does not offer sufficient bone height to restore the alveolar arch when reconstruction involves a dentate mandible. In this report, 2 patients who were referred to our clinic with reconstructed mandibles with diagnosis of amelablastoma are presented and compared. The mandibles of these patients were reconstructed with free vascularized fibula flaps. Whereas one of the reconstructed mandibles was vertically distracted before implant placement, distraction procedure was not carried out for the other patient. Increasing height of the fibula flap by distraction osteogenesis before implant placement in dentate mandible is desirable from a functional and esthetic point of view.

Upper extremity salvage with a flow-through free flap.

In complex extremity injuries, which include composite tissue lost with devascularization caused by segmental vascular damage, simultaneous coverage of the defects with revascularizations should be required. One-stage reconstruction of both soft tissue coverage and vascular damage can be performed by a flow-through-type free flap. In this series, 5 patients between 13 and 36 years of age with wide composite tissue defects in the cubital region and segmental defects in brachial arteries were operated at our clinic between 1996 and 2003. With the aim of reconstructing the wide tissue defects in the cubital region as well as that of the brachial artery, a radial arterial flow-through flap was applied. The radial artery of the flow-through flap was anastomosed to the proximal ends of the brachial and ulnar arteries in an end-to-end fashion. In 4 of the patients, the radial arterial flow-through flap was prepared from the distal aspect of the wounded forearm and in 1 patient from the contralateral forearm. In the postoperative period, no complications related to the anastomosis were encountered in the flap with all anastomoses found to be patent, and distal circulation was restored. The radial arterial flow-through flap is very useful in the clinical field of major trauma of the cubital region with brachial artery damage with numerous advantages that include the opportunity to work in one single surgical area, shorter dissection times resulting from simple and fixed anatomy, perfect color and tissue adaptation, and the suitability of the vessel caliber and length.

Lighted retractor-assisted transaxillary approach in gynecomastia correction.

Gynecomastia is an excessive development of the male breast. Surgery is the accepted standard method for treatment. In our department, 5 male patients ranging in age from 18 to 24 years who had grade I-IIA-IIB gynecomastia according to Simon's classification were operated on with a lighted retractor-assisted transaxillary approach. Dissection, excision, and hemostasis were performed under direct vision by using the lighted retractor. The glands and adjacent fat were removed en bloc. The axillary scar was barely visible. The patients were satisfied with the results. Gynecomastia correction with a lighted retractor-assisted transaxillary approach is feasible for those who have grade I-IIA-IIB gynecomastia according to Simon's classification and also for those who do not want to have scars on their breasts' esthetic units and have a tendency towards keloid formation. Scars can be kept in the hidden area, with no considerable complication. The lighted retractor facilitates the transaxillary approach and provides appropriate dissection, excision, and hemostasis.