[Effects of irradiation on vascular microsurgical sutures. Experimental study on 125 rats]. / Effets des irradiations sur les sutures microchirurgicales vasculaires. Etude expérimentale sur 125 rats.

The effects of irradiation on microsurgical sutures following vascular surgical procedures were studied in 125 rats divided into 7 groups, animals in 5 groups being irradiated at different doses. Follow-up examinations were conducted a minimum of 6 months after suturing and 2 months after irradiation. Evaluations included precise histological study of each vascular specimen removed, arteriography, and scanning electron microscopy. Findings demonstrated that it is possible to obtain satisfactory early functional results after irradiation of microsurgical anastomoses, and that the relation in time between trauma produced by radiotherapy and surgery plays an important role.

[The thoracodorsal skin flap. Anatomy and clinical applications (author's transl)]. / Le lambeau thoraco-dorsal. Anatomie et applications cliniques.

The authors remind of the interest of the thoracodorsal flap among the free flaps and of the armpit as donor site. Two vast reliable and trustworthy skin flaps, with varying thickness, can fairly easily be taken at this level: - the first one, based on the cutaneous branch of the thoracodorsal artery, is a flat skin flap essentially cutaneous, specially convenient for the face because of its tissue colour, the thinness of the skin and its having no hair; - the second one, centered on the thoracodorsal muscle ending or artery of the latissimus dorsi muscle, allows to cut off a musculocutaneous flap that can take away, if necessary, the quasi-totality of the latissimus dorsi muscle. They describe the anatomical observations on twenty armpits dissected on cadavers and underline length, size and constancy of these vascular pedicles. They present three clinical applications which are representative of the most favorable indications of the thoracodorsal flap.

Treatment of 100 burned hands by early excision and skin grafting.

The analysis of 101 cases has shown that early excision and grafting is the choice for hand burns. The indications are deep second degree and third degree burns. The excision is performed before the 4th post burn day, by tangential excision or direct knife dissection according to the site and depth. Immediate covering of all excised areas, usually by split-thickness skin autografts, is essential. The combination of early excision and grafting, active physiotherapy, Jobst compressive gloves and hydrotherapy guarantees the best cosmetic and functional results.