A retrospective audit of the extent and nature of domestic violence cases identified over a three year period in the two district command units of the police service of Northern Ireland.

The work load of forensic medical officers (FMOs) who provide medical cover for the Coleraine and Limavady district command units (DCU) of the police service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in dealing with domestic violence was investigated over a three year period from 1st April 2003 to 31st March 2006. A total of 128 cases involving domestic violence were identified during this three year period. There was a significant increase from 4% (32/791) in the first year to 6.6% (56/851, p<0.01) in the number of cases of identified domestic violence in the second year which dropped to 4.2% (40/956) in the third year. Victims were identified in 38% of these domestic violence cases with 62% being identified as assailants. It was noted that there was a significant difference in the proportion of male assailants (96.2%) from female assailants (3.8%). Fifty-four percent of victims were noted to have injuries in accordance with the more serious injury categories of assault of actual bodily harm (AOABH) and grievous bodily harm (GBH). Domestic incidents occurred at the home in 91% of cases, with the FMO being the primary contact in 97% of cases. Alcohol was implicated in 56% of all domestic violence cases recorded.

Endoscopically assisted facial suspension for treatment of facial palsy.

Static suspension remains an option for certain patients with facial paralysis. Endoscopically assisted facial suspension obviates the need for a counter-incision at the oral commissure to distally inset the fascia lata graft as described in the standard technique. The endoscopic technique is simple, allows secure placement of perioral fascial strips, and can be performed as an outpatient.

The effect of ischemic preconditioning on the recovery of skeletal muscle following tourniquet ischemia.

It has been well documented that ischemic preconditioning limits ischemic-reperfusion injury in cardiac muscle, but the ability of ischemic preconditioning to limit skeletal muscle injury is less clear. Previous reports have emphasized the beneficial effects of ischemic preconditioning on skeletal muscle structure and capillary perfusion but have not evaluated muscle function. We investigated the morphologic and functional consequences of ischemic preconditioning, followed by a 2-hour period of tourniquet ischemia on muscles in the rat hindlimb. The 2-hour ischemia was imposed without preconditioning, or was preceded by three brief (10 minutes on/10 minutes off) preischemic conditioning intervals. We compared muscle morphology, isometric contractile function, and muscle fatigue properties in predominantly fast-twitch, tibialis anterior muscles 3 (n = 8) and 7 (n = 8) days after ischemia-reperfusion. Two hours of ischemia, followed by reperfusion, results in a 20 percent reduction of muscle mass (p < 0.05) and a 33 percent reduction in tetanic tension (p < 0.05) when compared with controls (n = 8) at 3 days. The same protocol, when preceded by ischemic preconditioning, results in similar decreases in muscle mass and contractile function. Neuromuscular transmission was also impaired in both ischemic groups 7 days after ischemia. Nerve-evoked maximum tetanic tension was 69 percent of the tension produced by direct muscle stimulation in the ischemia group and 65 percent of direct tension in the ischemic preconditioning/ischemia group. In summary, ischemic preconditioning, using the same protocol reported to be effective in limiting infarct size in porcine muscle, had no significant benefit in limiting injury or improving recovery in the ischemic rat tibialis anterior. The value of ischemic preconditioning in reducing imposed ischemic-reperfusion-induced functional deficits in skeletal muscle remains to be demonstrated.

The contribution of the SMAS to the blood supply in the lateral face lift flap.

The purpose of this study was to compare the arterial blood supply of the lateral face lift flap when the flap is elevated either above or below the SMAS. The transverse facial artery supplies blood to a large portion of the lateral face lift flap. This vessel passes through the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) in its course toward the flap. The transverse facial artery is at risk for transection during both elevation of the skin flap and elevation of the SMAS. Nine fresh cadavers underwent a single-plane rhytidectomy either superficial to the SMAS or in a sub-SMAS plane. In half the subjects, the transverse facial artery perforator was identified prior to dissection using surface landmarks and preserved. In the other half of dissected specimens, this perforator was transected by undermining through the transverse facial artery perforation site (near the zygomatic ligament). This transection is typically performed during a face lift. The facial artery and transverse facial artery were selectively injected with ink, and cutaneous staining was recorded. It was found that the pattern and total area of ink staining occurred in an all-or-none fashion depending on whether the transverse facial artery had been preserved or transected. Inclusion or exclusion of the SMAS layer in the dissected lateral face lift flap had no effect on the ink injection pattern, suggesting that the SMAS plays little or no role in lateral face lift flap viability.

Transantral endoscopic orbital floor exploration: a cadaver and clinical study.

A cadaver and clinical study was performed to determine the value of transantral endoscopy in diagnosis and treatment of orbital floor fractures. Six fresh cadaver heads were dissected using a 30 degree, 4-mm endoscope through a 1 cm2 antrotomy. In the cadaver, the orbital floor and the course of the infraorbital nerve were easily identified. The infraorbital nerve serves as a reference point for evaluation of fracture size; three zones of the floor are described that are oriented relative to the infraorbital nerve. In the clinical study, nine patients with orbital floor fracture initially underwent endoscopy at the time of fracture repair: three patients had comminuted zygomatico-orbital fractures, five had monofragmented tetrapod fractures, and one had an isolated orbital blowout fracture. Endoscopic dissection of the orbital fractures revealed seven fractures with an area > 2 cm2 and two fractures with an area of < 2 cm2. The isolated orbital floor blowout fracture had entrapped periorbital tissue, which was completely reduced endoscopically. A separate patient with a < 2 cm2 displaced fracture also had stable endoscopic reduction. In the remaining seven patients, the endoscopic technique assisted with the floor reconstruction by identifying the precise fracture configuration as well as identifying the stable posterior ledge of the orbital floor fracture. There have been no complications in any of our patients to date. We conclude: (1) Transantral orbital floor exploration allows precise determination of orbital floor fracture size, location, and the presence of entrapped periorbita. The information obtained through endoscopic techniques may be used to select patients who would not benefit from lid approaches to the orbital floor and may possibly eliminate nontherapeutic exploration. (2) Transantral endoscopic orbital floor exploration assists the reduction of complex orbital floor fractures and allows precise identification of the posterior shelf for implant placement. (3) Transantral endoscopic techniques can completely reduce entrapped periorbital tissue caught in a trapdoor type of fracture.

The posterior thigh fasciocutaneous flap: vascular anatomy and clinical application.

Ten adult cadavers were used to accurately detail the vascular anatomy of posterior thigh skin. Fourteen posterior thigh specimens were dissected after blue latex injection of the internal and external iliac arteries. Six posterior thigh specimens underwent selective dye injection of individual profunda perforating arteries and the inferior gluteal artery. The findings reveal an extensive fascial plexus nourished primarily by fasciocutaneous branches of the first and second profunda perforating arteries and secondarily by a terminal fasciocutaneous branch of the inferior gluteal artery. From 1989 to 1992, 24 posterior thigh fasciocutaneous flaps were performed in 24 patients. There were 5 early postoperative complications (21 percent). All but one patient went on to satisfactory healing and stable wound coverage. Three posterior thigh fasciocutaneous flaps were used successfully despite ligation of their inferior gluteal artery blood supply in a previous surgical procedure. These anatomic and clinical findings confirm the reliability of a posterior thigh fasciocutaneous flap based primarily on the first and second profunda perforating arteries. The posterior thigh fasciocutaneous flap can survive in the absence of a patent inferior gluteal artery. Knowledge of the vascular anatomy extends the clinical applicability of the posterior thigh fasciocutaneous flap to patients who might otherwise be excluded because of prior injury or operative procedure.

Peripheral nerve and muscle function in the aging Fischer 344/brown-Norway rat.

This study was designed to define the age-related changes that occur in the F1 cross of the male Fischer 344 and brown Norway rats and to determine if these findings were associated with electrophysiologic abnormalities indicative of motor neuron loss. Contractility, morphologic, and histochemical studies were performed on the tibialis anterior muscles (TA) from 25 male rats at ages 6, 18 and 30-32 months. Tibialis anterior weight was 17% greater in the 18-mo vs 6-mo-old animals, but at age 32 months mean TA weight was 20% less than at 18 months. Other changes at 32 months included a 12% decrease in specific tension and reduced contractile/relaxation velocities of isometric twitches and maximal tetanic tension; findings associated with a 40% decrease in type IIb fiber cross-sectional area. Electrophysiologic studies on 15 rats revealed prolonged H-reflex latencies at 18 and 32 months. Needle electromyography demonstrated abnormal spontaneous activity consistent with peripheral axonal, not motor neuron loss. These findings demonstrate age-related changes in muscle mass and strength that are associated with changes in the peripheral nervous system. These findings are consistent with previous work in homozygous, inbred strains and help to establish the F1 cross of the Fischer 344 and brown Norway strains as a potentially useful rodent model in gerontologic studies of the neuromuscular system.

Doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator formed by index matching cavity mirrors directly onto an uncoated LiB(3)O(5) crystal.

We demonstrate the use of index-matching fluid to contact cavity mirrors directly onto an uncoated LiB(3)O(5) crystal to form a compact, stable resonator for use as an optical parametric oscillator. Specifically, we report on the characteristics of a continuous-wave, doubly resonant, type II phase-matched LiB(3)O(5) optical parametric oscillator formed in this way. Using a single-frequency argon-ion pumping laser operating at 514.5 nm, we measured a pump power threshold of approximately 100 mW and a total external conversion efficiency of approximately 15%. By altering the crystal temperature under noncritical phase matching, we measured coarse frequency tuning over approximately 36 THz, limited only by mirror coating bandwidths. We discuss also the transverse and longitudinal mode properties of the optical parametric oscillator outputs.

A reperfusion interval reduces the contractile deficit in skeletal muscle following tourniquet ischemia.

Bloodless surgical procedures on the extremities are achieved by application of a pneumatic tourniquet. The ischemia produced has deleterious effects on nerve and muscle function. It has been suggested that temporary interruption of ischemia by a reperfusion interval can prevent muscle and nerve injury. We investigated the muscle and nerve response to 3 hours of tourniquet ischemia, with and without a reperfusion interval after the first 2 hours of application, in a rodent model. Morphometric, contractile, and histologic parameters were measured. Tourniquet ischemia, with and without a reperfusion interval, results in muscle injury and a transient depression of muscle function. Introduction of a reperfusion interval reduces the severity of injury and increases the early rate of recovery. However, the later stages of recovery appear to be unaffected by reperfusion.

Three-dimensional reconstruction of the below-knee amputation stump: use of the combined scapular/parascapular flap.

The technique of combined scapular/parascapular reconstruction of the below-knee stump wound allows three-dimensional contouring of fasciocutaneous tissue into a conical shape. The flap can supply durable cover to the circumference of the stump with good functional results. This technique should be considered for reconstruction of extensive circumferential defects of the below-knee stump.

Tubular nerve guide and epineurial repair: comparison of techniques for neurorrhaphy.

Experiments were conducted on 36 male, Sprague-Dawley rats. In 10 animals, neurorrhaphy was performed on the peroneal nerve with epineurial repair and, in 11 animals, with a tubular polyethylene nerve guide. The authors tested the hypothesis that, following transient denervation of a skeletal muscle by transection of a peroneal nerve, the restoration of maximum force and of maximum specific force developed after insertion of a tubular nerve guide, will not be different from that developed after microsurgical epineurial neurorrhaphy. The contractile properties of the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle, innervated by the peroneal nerve, were evaluated after an average of 116 days. The maximum tetanic force of EDL muscles with epineurial repair and nerve guide were 84 percent and 75 percent, respectively, of the value for control EDL muscles. The specific forces of the muscles in both groups were not different from the control values. The conclusion is that, following stabilization after transection and repair, each of the two methods was equally effective in restoring the ability of the muscle to develop force.

Reconstruction of the traumatized leg: use of distally based free flaps.

Microvascular free-tissue transfer is often employed to achieve limb salvage in traumatic leg wounds. Previous experience has shown that one cause of flap failure is placement of the microvascular anastomoses within the zone of injury and subsequent thrombosis. This observation has prompted surgeons to perform anastomoses on the proximal uninjured recipient vessels. However, access to the vessels distal to the injury site is often technically easier. An assessment was made of 23 free flaps used for leg reconstruction to evaluate the success of performing microvascular anastomoses distal to the zone of injury. Twenty-one flaps with distal anastomoses were successful (91 percent). Distally based free-flap reconstruction provides an acceptable alternative to the commonly employed proximal approach.

TRAM flap breast reconstruction and contralateral reduction or mastopexy.

The quality of a breast reconstruction is gauged by the symmetry achieved when the reconstructed and opposite breasts are compared. In order to produce a symmetrical appearance, it is often necessary to revise the contralateral, previously unoperated breast. A procedure on the opposite breast can be performed at the same time as breast reconstruction or can be delayed for several months. The purpose of this study was to compare the simultaneous TRAM flap and contralateral breast reduction/mastopexy with the TRAM flap alone according to selected parameters. Our results suggest that performing the combined procedure is safe and yields a satisfactory aesthetic result.

Midfacial fracture repair in the adult rat.

The consensus in the literature is that fracture healing within the midface occurs via fibrous union. Clinical experience with the surgical correction of established traumatic deformities has not borne this out. An earlier histological examination with human biopsy specimens demonstrated that eventually repair occurred by direct bony union. However, a recent study in a rabbit model challenged this conclusion and indicated that the process of new formation resembles secondary bone formation as in endochondral formed bone. The purpose of our inquiry is to elucidate further the process of midfacial bony repair in an adult male Sprague-Dawley rat model.

Fingertip and nailbed injuries.

Injuries of the fingertip and nailbed require treatment to minimize pain, speed healing, and shorten the time of functional impairment. Alternatives for therapy include simple dressing changes, graft coverage, and flap transposition. The choice of treatment is based on the location and severity of the injury.