A Rare Type of Upper Extremity Injury: Penetrating Injuries Caused by Blunt-edged Items.

BACKGROUND: Penetrating upper extremity injury is a common encountered cause of significant loss of labor force and it is generally caused by sharp items. This article presents five rare cases of penetrating hand and forearm injury caused by blunt-edged items in conjunction with a detailed discussion of the mechanism and management of the injury. METHODS: Five patients with a mean age of 37.6 were treated for upper extremity trauma caused by "blunt-edged items" such as corrugated iron fence, garden wires, iron stick or iron safety fence between 2009 to 2014. All patients were operated under general anesthesia after performing detailed physical examination and x-ray imaging. RESULTS: The explorative surgery of the affected limbs revealed no nervous or vascular injury. In two patients, partial tear of the muscles bellies of intrinsic hand muscles (opponens pollicis and adductor pollicis); in two patients, partial extensor digitorum communis tendon laceration and in the remaining patient, partial tear of the third annular pulley were the only encountered injuries. The physical examinations performed in the last visit of each patient revealed, complete healing of the affected limb without any functional, vascular or sensorial deficiency in a mean follow-up period of 19.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: Despite their initial horrible appearance, injuries caused by "blunt-edged items" are quite harmless to the affected limb because they follow weak anatomic spaces of the extremity and cause minimal tissue damage leaving all vascular and nervous structures intact.

Increasing the survival of transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps with a Botulinum toxin-A injection: A comparison of surgical and chemical flap delay methods.

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin type-A (Bot-A) is a commonly used drug for both cosmetic and therapeutic purposes. The effects of Bot-A on skin and muscle flaps and the related mechanisms have been described previously. In this study, we used a rat transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap model to examine the effects of Bot-A on the skin island, which is perfused by the rectus abdominis muscle according to the angiosome concept. METHODS: Forty female rats were divided into five groups, including control and sham groups. In the control group, a TRAM flap was raised and sutured back after inserting a silicone sheath underneath the flap. In the sham group, the flap was raised 1 month after injecting saline into the muscle. In the chemical delay group, the flap was raised 1 month after injecting 10 IU of Bot-A. In the surgical delay group, the flap was raised 2 weeks after ligating the cranial epigastric artery. In the surgical and chemical delay group, a Bot-A injection was performed initially, a cranial epigastric artery was ligated after 2 weeks, and a TRAM flap was raised after the first month. In all groups, laser Doppler examination, photographic documentation, and analysis of the flap survival rates were performed. In the histopathological evaluation, the diameter measurements of the caudal epigastric vessels, vascular density measurements using CD31 stain, and apoptotic rate estimation using the Tunnel method were performed. RESULTS: The necrosis ratios, arterial cross-sectional diameters, and microvascular density measurements were significantly superior compared to those of control and sham groups; however, there was no significant difference between the delay groups. There was also no difference in the laser Doppler measurements between the groups and the zones of the TRAM flaps. CONCLUSION: An injection of Bot-A increases muscular circulation and flap survival of TRAM flaps in rats.

Extradigital Glomus Tumor Revisited: Painful Subcutaneous Nodules Located in Various Parts of the Body.

BACKGROUND: Glomus tumor is a common lesion of the subungual area of the hand fingers. However, glomus tumors located outside the hand region are rare and the diagnosis is often difficult due to their low incidence and lack of distinct clinical features in the physical examination. The presented article contains five cases of extradigital glomus tumors with a short review of the literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five cases of extradigital glomus tumor were included in the study. All lesions were purple colored subcutaneous nodules with sharp pain by digital palpation. All lesions were examined with ultrasound imaging were operated under local anesthesia using loupe magnification. RESULTS: Among five patients, only one patient was female with a mean age of 35. Two lesions were located at the arm region, two at the crural region and one at the sternal area. The smallest nodule was 0.5 cm and the biggest lesion was 2 cm in diameter. In all the cases, the early postoperative period was uneventful without any surgical complication or acute recurrence. The postoperative 1(st) year examination of all patients revealed complete resolution of the pain and no recurrence was encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Glomus tumor should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of all painful subcutaneous lesions especially for those with purple reflection on the skin surface. In this manner, patients with extradigital glomus tumors may be diagnosed earlier and unnecessary and wrong treatments may be prevented.

Effects of Different Concentrations of Injectable Collagenase Enzyme on Capsular Tissue Around Silicone Implants: A Preliminary Experimental Study for the Development of a New Treatment Strategy.

OBJECTIVES: In recent studies, collagen organization was blamed for the formation of capsular contracture which is still a challenging problem after silicone implant-based breast operations. In this study, effects of different concentrations of collagenase enzyme derived from Clostridium histolyticum on the capsular tissue formation around the silicone implants were investigated. The injectable form of collagenase has a routine clinical use in the treatment of both Dupuytren's and Peyronie's diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were randomized into four groups. A 2 × 1 × 0.3-cm-sized silicone block was inserted inside a dorsal subcutaneous pocket in all groups. After 2 months of insertion, capsule thicknesses around the implants were detected under ultrasonography. This was followed by injection of isotonic saline, 150, 300, and 600 IU in Gr-1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. All the animals were sacrificed at the end of the first week for histologic sampling to determine fibroblast proliferation, vessel density of the tissue, necrosis, edema, inflammation, and capsule thickness. All the data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests and compared for significance of the results. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in terms of capsule thinning between the 300 and 600 IU groups but in both groups thinning was significantly higher than the sham group. In the 150 IU group there was no significant thinning as compared to the sham group (p > 0.05). However, complications such as skin necrosis, infection, and seroma formation were seen only in the 600 IU injection group. The optimal safe and effective dose of the enzyme was accepted as 300 IU. The 300 IU injection provided up to 89 % thinning in the capsule tissue. There was thinning of the collagen bundles parallel to capsule thickness. In the 600 IU group, micro-pores were encountered at the thinnest points. CONCLUSION: However, the late results and recurrence rates of capsular contracture were not included in this study; collagenase seemed effective for the reduction of capsular tissue around the implants. NO LEVEL ASSIGNED: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. 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.

Facial Artery Perforator and Depressor Anguli Oris Muscle Chimeric Flap: A New Design of an Old Flap.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and outcomes of the facial artery perforator and separately elevated depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscle chimeric flap for the reconstruction of partial or total lower lip defects. METHODS: Eleven patients with malignant skin tumors located at the lower lip were operated between 2013 and 2015. After the excision of the tumor with adequate clear margins using margin controlled excision technique, an appropriate flap fitting to the resultant defect based on the perforators of the facial artery and DAO muscle was prepared and placed into the defect. The DAO muscle activity was tested with electromyography in the postoperative first year examination. RESULTS: Besides 1 patient with transient venous insufficiency, all the flaps healed well without a partial or total flap loss. The mean follow-up period was 10 months. No new primary tumor or recurrence was observed. Although in 1 patient, transient asymmetric smiling and mild drooling was observed, the overall oral competence results were found to be quite satisfactory. The electromyography evaluation of DAO muscle of 5 patients who reached the postoperative first year examination showed action potential results in normal limits with a slight decrease. All patients were satisfied with the final esthetic and functional result. CONCLUSIONS: The facial artery perforator and depressor angel oris muscle chimeric flap is a valuable option for reconstruction of lower lip defects providing esthetically and functionally good results.

Continuous Suction Drainage of Postoperative Hematoma and Seroma Using Cystofix Device.

UNLABELLED: In this study, an easy and useful method used for the drainage of seroma and hematoma formations occurring after operations requiring extensive tissue undermining is presented. The method utilizes the trocar of the conventional suprapubic urinary catheterization system in combination with the catheter of the negative pressure vacuum drainage system. It provides quick, safe, and painless seroma and hematoma evacuation and can easily be performed in office setting. NO LEVEL ASSIGNED: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors http://www.springer.com/00266.

A salvage maneuver for the caudal part of the pectoralis major muscle in the reconstruction of superior thoracic wall defects: The pectoralis kite flap.

The pectoralis major muscle flap is the most commonly used option for chest wall reconstruction. However, its utilization should be avoided in chest wall tumors infiltrating the muscle. This article presents the utilization of the caudal part of the pectoralis major muscle as a pedicled flap in cases requiring the resection of the cranial part of the muscle due to tumor infiltration. Fourteen patients with a mean age of 60.3 years were operated for malignant thoracic wall tumors between 2011 and 2014. All tumors were located on the upper thoracic area with a mean defect size of 16.6 × 12 cm. During tumor resection, the thoracoacromial vessels and pectoral branch were preserved and dissected until reaching the pectoralis muscle. After the resection of the cranial part of the muscle, the caudal part is prepared as a pedicled island flap and used for the coverage of the resultant defect. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 10.9 months. All flaps survived without any partial or total flap loss. A case of local recurrence, two cases of hematoma requiring drainage, and two cases of local wound-healing problems were the encountered complications. The pectoral kite flap is a versatile and reliable option for the coverage of small to medium upper chest wall defects with minimal morbidity, and it gives the reconstructive surgeon the opportunity to use the non-infiltrated caudal part of the pectoralis muscle instead of an unnecessary resection of the whole muscle.

A New Modification of C-V Flap Technique in Nipple Reconstruction: Rolled Triangular Dermal-Fat Flaps.

In this study, a simple modification of the C-V flap technique designed to maintain the neo-nipple projection performed as the last stage of breast reconstruction is described. The technique was used in seventeen patients who were treated with breast reconstruction using the transverse rectus abdominis flap. Except for one patient with a 2.3 mm decrease in nipple projection, the projection of all neo-nipples was preserved at the end of the mean follow-up period of 19.4 months. According to the results of our study, modifying the C-V flap technique by adding rolled triangular dermal-fat flaps improves the long-term maintenance of neo-nipple projection.

A New Option for the Reconstruction of Orbital Floor Defects: The Olecranon Bone Graft.

BACKGROUND: Orbital floor fractures are one of the most commonly encountered maxillofacial fractures due to its weak anatomic structure. Autogenous bone is a commonly used option for the reconstruction of orbital floor defects by many authors and institutions. This article introduces the olecranon bone graft as a new option for orbital floor reconstruction. METHODS: The study is based on the analysis of 13 patients with orbital floor fracture operated on by using the olecranon bone graft. The mean age of the patients was 34 years 6 months. The physical examination of 5 (38.5%) patients revealed diplopia, 3 (23%) patients gaze restriction, 3 (23%) patients infraorbital nerve paresthesia, and 7 (53.8%) patients enophthalmos with various degrees. The mean defect size was 21.15 × 14.08 mm and the mean defect field was 2.98 cm2. All patients were operated on under general anesthesia and the orbital floor defect was exposed subperiosteally. The olecranon bone graft was harvested in 10 cases using a 3-cm incision over the olecranon and in 3 cases using the bone biopsy trephine and placed to the orbital floor defect after shaping with cottle cartilage crusher. Both clinical and radiological follow-up examinations were carried out in the postoperative period. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period of the patients was 7.92 months. The mean size of the grafts was 24.85 × 17.54 mL. The mean field of the grafts was 4.26 cm2. Among the 7 patients who had enophthalmos before the surgery, complete resolution was observed in 6 (85.7%) patients and in the remaining 1 (14.3%) patient, the degree of enophthalmos was found to be significantly reduced at the postoperative sixth month examination. All patients with preoperative diplopia and gaze restriction showed complete healing in the postoperative period. Eleven (84.6%) patients showed mild pain at the olecranon donor area with complete relief in the postoperative 3 days and the remaining 2 (15.4%) patients had moderate pain sensation which completely passed away at the postoperative fifth day. CONCLUSIONS: The olecranon bone graft is a suitable autogenous option for orbital floor reconstruction due to its considerable strength and molding capacity with low rates of complications and donor area morbidity.

A simple method for the treatment of cicatricial ectropion and eyelid contraction in patients with periocular burn: vertical V-Y advancement of the eyelid.

Lagophthalmos is a critical problem in patients with severe periocular burn causing corneal exposure which may result in corneal ulcers and even loss of vision. Many surgical techniques were described to overcome this problem with different rates of success. This article presents a simple but useful technique involving the V-Y advancement of the eyelid or eyelids in vertical direction for the prevention of cicatricial ectropion and eyelid contraction.

Congenital isolated aplasia of lower lateral cartilage and reconstruction using dorsal hump material.

Congenital nasal abnormalities are very rare in the literature. There are 3 reported cases of isolated partial lower lateral cartilage defects. In this article, we report the case of a patient with congenital complete absence of the lower lateral cartilage. The patient had severe external nasal valve dysfunction and a concavity of the alar vault, even in the resting position. The defect was reconstructed using resected and reshaped nasal dorsal hump material. At the end of a 12-month follow-up period, the patient was satisfied with the functional and aesthetic results of the operation. No external or internal nasal valve collapse occurred during inspiration. Such developmental abnormalities may be syndromic and require special attention for reconstruction.

Hezarfen wings: a lower lateral cartilage-based cartilage suspension technique for the adjustment of nasal tip rotation and projection and the correction of supratip deformity.

Nasal tip surgery is one of the most important parts of rhinoplasty to achieve an attractive nose. There are numerous techniques focusing on the correction of nasal tip rotation and projection. In this article, a new cartilage support derived from the cephalic border of lower lateral cartilages is used for the adjustment of tip rotation and projection, whereas improving supratip fullness is presented. Bilaterally harvested cartilage extensions are resembled as bird's wings and dedicated to the wings that were created by the world's first scientist who flew from one continent to another: Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi. Thirty-two patients who underwent open-approach rhinoplasty operation including the abovementioned method were evaluated retrospectively. After performing conventional steps of open approach rhinoplasty, a wing is created by making a cephalic incision parallel to the lateral crural axis leaving the medial attachment intact and then undermined. Then, the cartilage is turned over the midline bilaterally as it acts like a curb by pulling or releasing the wings to adjust to the desired tip rotation and projection and sutured to the repaired upper lateral cartilage roof. Other 2 types of using these wings were asymmetric suturing one of the wings to help in the redirection of deviated nasal tip (n = 12) and suturing each other at midline to support the overlying skin like a tent with supratip deficiency (n = 7). The authors presented here both esthetic and functional outcomes of Hezarfen wings' method that was used for both nasal tip adjustments and supratip support.