Radial forearm free flap for salvage of Achilles-tendon repair wounds.

Achilles-tendon repair wounds are prone to breakdowns and secondary infections, compromising the integrity of the repair and the ultimate function of the repaired tendon. Unlike defects resulting from tumor excision, burns, or trauma, Achilles-tendon repair wounds have their own special considerations. The dissection needed for the repair of the tendon often denudes the tendon of the peritenon blood supply and creates a sub-tendinous dead space. Anatomic topography unique to the Achilles region makes the choice of flap coverage crucial in terms of function and cosmesis. Considering all the flap options utilized in the past, the radial forearm free flap is the most logical choice, offering the advantage of thin, supple, vascularized tissue. The flap can also be elevated easily for secondary reconstructions, when simultaneous tendon reconstruction and coverage are not possible. The authors present their experience utilizing the radial forearm flap as the flap of choice for salvage of the complicated wounds of Achilles tendon repair.

Salvage of ear replantation using the temporoparietal fascia flap.

The authors report a case involving a 46-year-old man who sustained a traumatic amputation of approximately 60% of his ear from a human bite. The ear was replanted microsurgically without the benefit of venous anastomosis. Blood transfusion was not required despite the use of leech therapy and systemic anticoagulation. The replantation appeared to be a success at the time of his discharge from the hospital, but during the late postoperative period the replanted ear became progressively necrotic. The failing ear replantation was rescued successfully with the use of temporoparietal fascia flap reconstruction.

Spiroperidol binding sites on mouse lymphoid cells. Effects of ascorbic acid and psychotropic drugs.

Since highly differentiated cells of mammalian immune systems reportedly have binding sites for a variety of neurohumoral agents, we investigated parameters related to possible existence of dopamine receptors on murine lymphoid cells. Using a dopamine antagonist, [3H]spiroperidol, we found evidence for displaceable binding on mouse spleen cells. Total and displaceable (10 microM haloperidol) binding of spiroperidol was markedly enhanced by the absence of ascorbic acid in the incubation medium. Displaceable binding of a dopamine receptor agonist [( 3H]ADTN) could not be found on lymphoid cells either in the presence or absence of ascorbic acid. In the absence of ascorbate, displaceable spiroperidol binding to mouse spleen cells revealed partially saturable, but complex, kinetics and we calculated positive cooperativity at low ligand concentrations.