Relation between the area affected by Fournier's gangrene and the type of reconstructive surgery used. A study with 80 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the affected skin area and the reconstructive techniques used in 80 patients affected by Fournier's gangrene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty patients ranging in age from 19 to 85 years (mean = 51) affected by Fournier's gangrene were studied. When admitted to the emergency room the patients were submitted to clinical and laboratory examinations to analyze the gravity of the case. All patients were submitted to an extensive debridement of the lesion, urinary derivation by cystostomy and colostomy whenever necessary. RESULTS: Only 13 patients (16.25%) died. From the 67 remaining patients, in 44 (65.6%) debridement was restricted to the scrotum, in 10 (14.9%) there has been scrotum and penile lesions and in 13 (19.3%) there has been a debridement of the scrotum and the perineal region. In 11 cases (16.4%) there was no need for reconstructive surgery with wound closing by second intention, in 16 cases (23.8%) reconstructive surgery was performed with mobilization of local skin, in 19 (28.3%) we have used skin grafts, 20 patients (29.8%) needed reconstructive surgery with the use of skin flaps and in 1 case (1.4%) there has been the use of skin flaps and grafts simultaneously. CONCLUSIONS: Fournier's gangrene is a serious pathology and should be treated aggressively with an extensive debridement of the area with necrosis. The use of precocious reconstructive surgery of the genitals present good results and tends to greatly reduce the length of hospital stay and improve the psychological conditions of these patients.

Relation between the area affected by Fournier's gangrene and the type of reconstructive surgery used: a study with 80 patients

OBJECTIVE: To assess the affected skin area and the reconstructive techniques used in 80 patients affected by Fournier's gangrene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty patients ranging in age from 19 to 85 years (mean = 51) affected by Fournier's gangrene were studied. When admitted to the emergency room the patients were submitted to clinical and laboratory examinations to analyze the gravity of the case. All patients were submitted to an extensive debridement of the lesion, urinary derivation by cystostomy and colostomy whenever necessary. RESULTS: Only 13 patients (16.25 percent) died. From the 67 remaining patients, in 44 (65.6 percent) debridement was restricted to the scrotum, in 10 (14.9 percent) there has been scrotum and penile lesions and in 13 (19.3 percent) there has been a debridement of the scrotum and the perineal region. In 11 cases (16.4 percent) there was no need for reconstructive surgery with wound closing by second intention, in 16 cases (23.8 percent) reconstructive surgery was performed with mobilization of local skin, in 19 (28.3 percent) we have used skin grafts, 20 patients (29.8 percent) needed reconstructive surgery with the use of skin flaps and in 1 case (1.4 percent) there has been the use of skin flaps and grafts simultaneously. CONCLUSIONS: Fournier's gangrene is a serious pathology and should be treated aggressively with an extensive debridement of the area with necrosis. The use of precocious reconstructive surgery of the genitals present good results and tends to greatly reduce the length of hospital stay and improve the psychological conditions of these patients.

Análise anátomo-histológica das subunidades musculares do músculo grande dorsal / Histological analysis of the pedicle of the muscular sub-units of latissimus dorsi muscle

Introdução: O músculo grande dorsal tem sido amplamenteutilizado em microcirurgia reconstrutiva.Estudos anatômicos evoluíram na medida da necessidade e formas de uso deste músculo. Os autores introduziram uma nova maneira e um novo conceito de retalho muscular para reconstruções complexas e funcionais da face, a partir do estudo anatômico em cadáveres. Objetivo: Comprovar, anátomo-histologicamente, que há artéria (irrigação), veia (drenagem) e nervo (função motora) nos músculos, selecionados para a face do cadáver, de acôrdo com seus arcos de rotação e necessidade hipotética de reconstruí-los. Método: Foram realizadas nove dissecções de cadáveres frescos e analisados os pedículos e hilos musculares, em caráter anátomo-histológico, realizadas medições das paredes externas das artérias, veias e nervos. Resultados: Foram encontradas artéria, veia e nervo em 98 por cento das peças, a ausência nos outros 2 por cento deveu-se a erros de preparo nos corteshistológicos, devido à retração pelo formol. Não há nenhuma publicação na literatura referindo uso de subsegmentos (subunidades) musculares ou estudo anatômico com a riqueza de detalhes de divisões dos pedículos deste músculo. Conclusão: É possível realizar transplante funcional com múltiplas subunidades musculares (subsegmentos), baseado nas evidências anatômicas e histológicas e no fato de os autores já terem comprovado esta possibilidade técnica no refinamento daopção terapêutica de lesões complexas da face.

Muscular subunits transplantation for facial reanimation.

PURPOSE: To present an alternative technique for reconstruction of musculocutaneous damages in the face transferring innervated subsegments (subunits) of the latissimus dorsi flap for replacement of various facial mimetic muscles. METHODS: One clinical case of trauma with skin and mimetic muscles damage is described as an example of the technique. The treatment was performed with microsurgical transfer of latissimus dorsi muscle subunits. Each subunit present shape and dimensions of the respective mimetic muscles replaced. The origin, insertions and force vectors for the mimic muscle lost were considered. Each subsegment has its own arterial and venous supply with a motor nerve component for the muscular unit. RESULTS: Pre and one year postoperative photos registration of static and dynamic mimic aspects, as well as digital electromyography digital data of the patients were compared. The transplanted muscular units presented myoelectric activity, fulfilling both the functional and cosmetic aspect. CONCLUSION: This technique seems to be a promising way to deal with the complex musculocutaneous losses of the face as well as facial palsy.

Muscular subunits transplantation for facial reanimation

OBJETIVO: Apresentar uma alternativa técnica para reconstrução de perdas músculo-cutâneas na face com a transferência de sub-segmentos(sub-unidades) inervados do músculo grande dorsal para a substituição dos diversos músculos da mímica facial. MÉTODOS: É descrito um caso de trauma com perda de pele e músculo da mímica. Foi corrigido com a transferência microcirúrgica de uma sub-unidade de músculo grande dorsal que apresenta, forma, tamanho e peso similares aos dos músculos da mímica. Respeitou-se as origens e inserções e vetores de ação para a mímica desejada. Cada um dos sub-segmentos têm artéria e veia que irrigam a unidade muscular e também um nervo com componente motor. RESULTADOS: O paciente foi avaliado comparando-se o pré e pós-operatório de um ano com foto e vídeo com mímica em repouso e dinâmica e eletromiografia (documentada em vídeo digital). Observou-se atividade mio-elétrica dos músculos transplantados. Verificou-se que a técnica foi eficaz do ponto de vista funcional e estético. CONCLUSÃO: Esta técnica parece ser uma maneira eficaz para tratar as deformidades pós-perdas complexas de pele e músculos da face e no tratamento da paralisia facial.

Muscular subunits transplantation for facial reanimation / Transplantes de sub-unidades musculares na reanimação facial

OBJETIVO: Apresentar uma alternativa técnica para reconstrução de perdas músculo-cutâneas na face com a transferência de sub-segmentos(sub-unidades) inervados do músculo grande dorsal para a substituição dos diversos músculos da mímica facial. MÉTODOS: É descrito um caso de trauma com perda de pele e músculo da mímica. Foi corrigido com a transferência microcirúrgica de uma sub-unidade de músculo grande dorsal que apresenta, forma, tamanho e peso similares aos dos músculos da mímica. Respeitou-se as origens e inserções e vetores de ação para a mímica desejada. Cada um dos sub-segmentos têm artéria e veia que irrigam a unidade muscular e também um nervo com componente motor. RESULTADOS: O paciente foi avaliado comparando-se o pré e pós-operatório de um ano com foto e vídeo com mímica em repouso e dinâmica e eletromiografia (documentada em vídeo digital). Observou-se atividade mio-elétrica dos músculos transplantados. Verificou-se que a técnica foi eficaz do ponto de vista funcional e estético. CONCLUSÃO: Esta técnica parece ser uma maneira eficaz para tratar as deformidades pós-perdas complexas de pele e músculos da face e no tratamento da paralisia facial.(AU)

PURPOSE: To present an alternative technique for reconstruction of musculocutaneous damages in the face transferring innervated subsegments(subunits) of the latissimus dorsi flap for replacement of various facial mimetic muscles.METHODS: One clinical case of trauma with skin and mimetic muscles damage is described as an example of the technique. The treatment was performed with microsurgical transfer of latissimus dorsi muscle subunits. Each subunit present shape and dimensions of the respective mimetic muscles replaced. The origin, insertions and force vectors for the mimicmuscle lost were considered. Each subsegment has its own arterial and venous supply with a motor nerve component for the muscular unit.RESULTS: Pre and one year postoperative photos registration of static and dynamic mimic aspects, as well as digital electromyography digital data of the patients were compared. The transplanted muscular units presented myoeletric activity, fulfilling both the functional and cosmetic aspect.CONCLUSION: This technique seems to be a promising way to deal with the complex musculocutaneous losses of the face as well as facial palsy.(AU)