Lateral thoracic expansion for Jeune's syndrome: midterm results.

BACKGROUND: In 1995, we reported the use of lateral thoracic expansion in a patient with symptomatic Jeune's asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy. We have subsequently used lateral thoracic expansion 16 times on 10 patients during 7 years. This article reports our outcomes and provides surgical details. METHODS: Charts of all patients undergoing lateral thoracic expansion were reviewed. Eight of the 10 patients had symptomatic Jeune's syndrome. The other 2 had similar thoracic deformities limiting thoracic capacity. In half of the patients the procedures were performed bilaterally. RESULTS: All patients older than 1 year of age were symptomatically benefited by lateral thoracic expansion. Functional and anatomic measurements documented thoracic enlargement in several patients who had comparable preoperative and postoperative studies. However, 2 infants with significant underlying airway disease did not improve and went on to succumb to that aspect of their disease despite enlargement of the thorax. Fracture of the titanium ministruts has been a recurrent problem, and we now use larger struts. CONCLUSIONS: Lateral thoracic expansion is a safe and effective procedure in selected patients with Jeune's syndrome older than 1 year of age as judged by short-term and midterm follow-up. More experience and longer follow-up are required to discern the place of the lateral thoracic expansion in the overall management of these patients.

Microsurgical reconstruction of basal cell carcinoma defect of the face: a multidisciplinary approach.

This article describes a 73-year-old white man with a history of dizziness secondary to profound anemia who presented with a large basal cell carcinoma of the left front temple region. A multidisciplinary approach to the extirpation and reconstruction of this defect is presented with a review of histopathologic features and outcomes of basal cell carcinoma excision.

Free-tissue transfer for lower-extremity reconstruction in the immunosuppressed diabetic transplant recipient.

The technique of free-tissue transfer for complex wounds has become a common tool in reconstructive surgery. The use of this modality in immunosuppressed transplant patients, who often have associated metabolic and vascular disease, has not been well-documented. The authors report three cases of lower-extremity reconstruction in renal-transplant recipients, utilizing microvascular free-tissue transfer. All three patients were hypertensive diabetic patients with symptomatic peripheral vascular disease and chronic wounds. One patient presented with an exposed Achilles tendon; the second had a complex wound of the forefoot; and the third patient had a large ulceration on the heel of the right foot. These three patients underwent successful free-tissue transfer, and have regained full use of their limbs and ambulation. Free-tissue transfer in the immunosuppressed transplant recipient is a viable reconstructive option. Careful perioperative metabolic monitoring and surgical care are critical for success. A multispecialty approach is advocated, to coordinate limb salvage in these patients.