HAS A GLOMUS TUMOR ALWAYS A QUICK DIAGNOSIS?

INTRODUCTION: Glomus tumor is a rare and benign vascular tumor. Although symptoms specific for this tumor are quite clear, there is still a delay between the onset of symptoms, diagnosis and subsequent surgical therapy. The authors monitor the time from the onset of symptoms to the diagnosis and management of the problems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2004-2012, a total of 5 patients were diagnosed with subungual glomus tumor in the area of the distal phalanges of the hand. It involved 3 women and 2 men with the mean age of 32.2 years (26-47 years). During the first examination, we monitored the duration of symptoms, number and specialty of the doctors who examined the patient, and what examinations were performed. When the cold test was positive, MRI was performed and the patients were indicated for surgical revision. Tissue samples in all patients were histologically examined. Patients were followed for 2 years. RESULTS: It was found that the patients had clinical symptoms for an average of 2.4 years. In our group, the patients were examined by an average of 5.4 physicians (3-9 physicians). On examination before surgery, three patients reported changes in the nail bed and two patients reported no change. When following the patients 2 years after the surgery, relapse occurred in one patient and it was treated with reoperation. During regular follow-up 2 years after the surgery, 4 patients were without nail deformity. In one patient, there was resulting nail deformity. Relapse occurred in only one case. DISCUSSION: Because the glomus tumor is a rare lesion, occurring most frequently in the nail bed, early diagnosis is still a problem. Even in literature, we encounter a similar time frame from the onset of symptoms until the final diagnosis of 1.9 to 8 years. CONCLUSION: Although clinical signs and problems concerning the glomus tumor are very obvious, there still remains a long time for diagnosis. It would certainly be most beneficial for patients with persistent symptoms not to be referred to different specialists, but directly to a department that specializes in hand surgery.

[About Cryptophthalmos (2nd Czech Study)]. / O KRYPTOFTALMU (2. ceská studie).

AIM: To get acquainted with the 2nd Czech study about cryptophthamos and with self-surgical methods. MATERIAL: The boy with unilateral complete cryptophthalmos of left eye was treated from 2 to 20 years. The girls was treated from 4 month to 5 year yet for right abortive cryptophthalmos with microblepharon and left complete type still waiting for solutions.Surgical methods and results: Authors present a surgical procedures for correction of the upper and lower eyelids and ocular anomalies both patients studied. Successful reconstruction of palpebral fissure took place in several stages at the boy. The surgical procedure gradually contained: the insertion of gradually increased convex concave circular-shaped implant (silicone ruber) due a modeling of palpebral fissure, an enucleation of rudimentary eye, a reconstruction of bottom palpebral fissure by retro-auricular skin graf and a releasing of the lower transitory fold by the cul-de-sac method. An adequate depth of palpebral fissure to allow perfect position of an aesthetic protesis. Enucleated eye was atypically shaped, remiding partly sand-glass clock. The cornea was replaced by thick fibrous membrane, the iris and the lens were not revealed. Gliomatic retina was detached nearly totaly and the optic nerv was rudimental. The repairing the upper lid coloboma of girl by a lid rotation flap reconstruction using the inferior eyelid was performed at the age 17 month. Corneal dermoid simultaneously removed (histologically verified). Upper conjunctival fornix was formed using the spherical covering foil (silicone rubber) before and after the reconstruction of the lid. CONCLUSIONS: Plastic reconstructions required the need for patient access without trying immediate effect. An important role played silicone rubber implants (elastomer medical grade) which used temporarily. KEY WORDS: cryptophthalmos, microblepharon, relief surgery, silicon ruber implants.

Defect of the sternal area.

Defects of the sternum are a result of severe postoperative complications in certain cardiosurgery patients. The use of pedicle muscle flaps for closure of these defects is currently already a standard and reliable method. The most commonly used muscles for covering the sternal area and filling the frontal mediastinum are the pectoralis major and rectus abdominis muscles. There are several ways to use these muscles for the individual concrete situations. Based on the experience they have gained over the past six years with 84 patients, the authors describe technical aspects of the individual variations as well as the relevant advantages and disadvantages.

Bronchial myoplasty with the use of latissimus dorsi muscle--a case study.

Dehiscence of the bronchial stump as well as the tracheo-bronchial-pleural fistula is a rare but life-threatening complication of pulmonary resections. Absence of the immediately accessible well vascularized soft tissues makes successful direct resuture of the bronchial stump or local closure of the defect problematic, particularly in the infected terrain. The authors describe a case study of successful closure of the tracheo-bronchial defect with the use of pediculated latissimus dorsi muscle in a cachectic 63-year-old patient after a right-side pneumonectomy.

Breast reconstruction using free tram flap transfer--ten years experience.

Over the course of ten years, 119 breast reconstruction procedures using a free TRAM flap transfer were performed in our department. In the present review, the authors explain the indication pattern for breast reconstruction. The age of patients undergoing breast reconstruction is given, as well as a description of the time interval between mastectomy and breast reconstruction, which recipient vessels were used, the general and local complications and the complications relating to the anastomosis. The review of the group of patients is supplemented by information on the time interval between breast reconstruction and reconstruction of the nipple areolar complex as well as summarized data on the results of breast reconstruction that were achieved using a free TRAM flap transfer.

Aplasia of the breast--reconstruction using a free tram flap.

Breast aplasia and hypoplasia are found most frequently in Poland's syndrome but may also be the consequence of damage to the germ of the mammary gland in childhood. The authors present two cases of breast aplasia in which reconstruction was implemented by free transfer of a TRAM flap. The internal mammary vessels were used as recipient vessels, the condition of which was tested before surgery by Doppler. In both instances the reconstruction was implemented at the age of 19 years, and subsequently the areolomammillary complex was created and the contralateral breast corrected to achieve symmetry. The use of autologous tissue in the form of a free TRAM flap provides, in this indication, very good results that are permanent, and the problems associated with the use of implants are eliminated.

Capsular contracture in augmentation mammaplasty.

In a group of 331 augmentation mammaplasties performed at the Clinic of Plastic Surgery in Prague from 1994-1998, capsular contracture was recorded in 6% cosmetic and 12% of reconstruction operations. The main cause was, in particular, the quality of tissue surrounding the implants along with individual disposition. The incidence of this complication did not differ significantly in relation to the placement of the prosthesis beneath the muscle or gland. Based on histological analysis and the clinical finding, it is obvious that disintegration of the prosthesis does not always lead to severe grades of capsular contracture. It is despite the presence of foreign bodies in the connective tissue.

Evaluation of results of replantations at the Department of Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Královské Vinohrady, during the period 1994-1999.

During the period from 1994-1999, 226 patients were treated, incl. 91 replantations and 135 revascularizations. The group included 199 men and 27 women. The success rate of microsurgical reconstruction operations in replantations was 78%, in revascularizations 93%. As compared with the period 1984-1993, the success rate in replantations improved by 4%, while the indication pattern was preserved.

Treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the lower extremity using free flap transfer.

Between 1987 and 1995, 25 patients with chronic osteomyelitis of the lower extremity were treated by transfer of muscle or musculocutaneous flap. The subsequent follow-up extended over more than three years. Five patients developed a recurrence. Two were reoperated on and healed completely; in two an amputation had to be performed; and in one the infection persists. Recurrence occurred mainly in patients in whom the bone cavity could not be filled completely with muscle.

Chronic traumatic wounds of the leg.

The authors report the results of a retrospective study of the treatment of chronic defects of soft tissues and bones of the leg and foot with free muscle and musclecutaneous flaps. The study deals with the results of the use of the microsurgical techniques during the period of 11 years at the Department of Plastic Surgery of the 3rd Medical School in Prague. Discussed are the advantages and disadvantages of this technique as one the of possible therapeutic methods inclusive of the results obtained at the above mentioned department.

Treatment of defects and instable skin scars on heavily exposed parts of the leg.

The authors report a series of 41 patients subjected to a transfer of the sensitive fasciocutaneous flap to a defect or to instable skin scars on the leg. Described are immediate as well as longterm surgical results in relation to the sensitivity of the transferred flap and the condition of the donnor site of the flap.

Free cross leg flap as a method of reconstruction of soft tissues defects.

Authors demonstrate on clinical cases the possibility of reconstruction of soft leg tissues by the use of the so called free cross flap. This method appears to be convenient in cases where there are no suitable recipient vessels within reach on the injured extremity and where the defect is of such an extent that the conventional cross flap does not provide sufficient amount of tissue.

Internal mammary vessels as recipient vessels to the free TRAM flap.

For the reconstruction of the breast after mastectomy, it is possible to use the internal mammary artery and vein as recipient vessels. The authors consider their experience and some new knowledge gained on the basis of 53 cases. They try to promote the indisputable advantages of the use of the mentioned recipient vessels.

Importance of an early tissue transfer in the treatment of complicated injuries of lower extremities.

3rd degree fractures with extensive defects of soft tissues represent a major therapeutical problem. The technique of free tissue transfer makes it possible to adopt an active access to primary treatment to this injuries. Radical necrectomies may be performed without respect to the extent of the defect that will arise. The authors present their experience regarding an early coverage of the defect of the lower extremity by means of a free flap. The time period between the accident and tissue transfer as well as a suitable flap type are taken in consideration.

Ten years of replantation surgery at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Charles University Hospital, Prague.

The authors present results of the ten years replantation surgery centre at the department of plastic surgery in Prague. The presented series of patients includes 393 persons operated on because of amputation or ischaemic injury to the region of the upper extremity. The number of replantations and revascularisations in the individual years is analysed, as well as the age of the patients, type of injury, mechanism of injury and operation results.

Use of free flaps in burn trauma.

The present currently used method of treating and reconstructing injuries caused by electric current and deep thermal injuries is compared with the method of early reconstruction using free flaps. Brief summary of present experience substantiating this method is presented. The three presented clinical cases show subacute reconstruction in this type of injury by free flaps transfer.

Application of free radial forearm flap in reconstruction of the face and oral cavity.

The authors have shown the possibilities of application of the free radial forearm flap in clinical cases when reconstructing defects in the region of the face and of oral cavity. This flap is particularly useful in cases where it is necessary to duplicate the flap and to reconstruct two layers at the same time.

Sequelae of an injury from the Second World War treated by free flap transfer.

The authors present the case-history of patients with chronic osteomyelitis of the proximal third of the tibia-resulting from an injury during the Second World War. The defect of bone and soft tissues was treated by free transfer of a musculocutaneous flap. The behaviour of the flap in the osteomyelitic cavity is followed up and checked by repeated CT and NMR examinations.

An extensive defect on the tibia covered by a free cross flap using m. latissimus dorsi.

Using a clinical case, the authors demonstrate the technique of covering an extensive tibial defect unmanageable, due to blood supply to the limb and extent of the defect, by conventional methods. The required amount of tissue was provided by a flap obtained from m. latissimus dorst transferred to the site of defect as a free cross flap.

[Covering of an extensive defect of the leg by a free cross flap from the m. Latissimus dorsi.]. / Krytí rozsáhlého defektu bérce volným cross flapem z m. latissimus dorsi.

The authors demonstrate on a clinical case the procedure used to cover an extensive defect of the leg which with regard to the vascularization of the leg and extent of the defect could not be resolved by commonly used procedures. The needed tissue was obtained from a flap from the m. latissimus dorsi transferred to the site of the defect as a free cross flap. Key words: microsurgery, reconstructive.