Feasibility of a bone and soft tissue chimeric anterolateral thigh free flap? Anatomic study and report of two cases for oral cavity reconstruction.

The anterolateral thigh flap (ALT) is a workhorse for a spectrum of reconstructive problems including head and neck defects. Its versatility as a chimeric flap employing a variety of soft tissues with a robust pedicle is useful for three-dimensional defects. The authors investigated the anatomical relationship between the vascular supply to the ALT and anterior femur. We studied 16 fresh cadaver limbs to identify the typical branching patterns to the femur off the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. These patterns can facilitate dissection of this type of chimeric ALT. The authors have integrated a bone component of vascularised femur in this flap off the lateral circumflex femoral artery system to address oral cancer defects in two patients. A retrospective review of these cases correlating with the anatomic study was undertaken. Both patients had recurrent disease with limited donor site options. Both had extensive floor of mouth and tongue defects as well as small mandible defects of 2 cm. Both went on to heal at the donor and recipient sites at 32 months' follow-up.

Ectopic scalp replantation: a case report.

Temporary ectopic implantation with secondary replantation at the anatomic site is useful in salvage of extremities or organs [Godina M, Bajec J, Baraga A. Salvage of the mutilated upper extremity with temporary ectopic implantation of the undamaged part. Plast Reconstr Surg 1986;78: 295-99; Chernofsky MA, Sauer PF. Temporary ectopic implantation. J Hand Surg [Am] 1990;15:910-14; Matloub HS, Yousif NJ, Sanger JR. Temporary ectopic implantation of an amputated penis. Plast Reconstr Surg 1994;93:408-12; Hallock GG. Transient single-digit ectopic implantation. J Reconstr Microsurg 1992;8:309-11; Graf P, Groner R, Horrl W. Temporary ectopic implantation for salvage of amputated digits. Br J Plast Surg 1996;47:174-77; Yousif NJ, Dzwierzynski WW, Anderson RC, et al. Complications and salvage of an ectopically replanted thumb. Plast Reconstr Surg 1996;97:637-40; Wang J-N, Tong Z-H, Zhang T-H, et al. Salvage of amputated upper extremities with temporary ectopic implantation followed by replantation at a second stage. J Reconstr Microsurg 2006;22:15-20]. Temporary ectopic implantation is usually considered due to poor conditions for replantation at the anatomic site. We report a case of near-total scalp avulsion treated by temporary implantation to the lower abdomen with secondary replantation.

Sphincter of Oddi in health and disease.

Sphincter of Oddi (SO) is a dynamic structure located strategically at the confluence of the bile duct, the pancreatic duct and the duodenum. The advent of lateral viewing endoscope along with a minimally compliant pneumocapillary manometry system has greatly enhanced our ability to evaluate the SO in health and disease. These studies have shown that the SO motor function is a complex phenomenon controlled by a variety of neurohumoral agents. The sphincter also actively participates in the Migratory Motor Complex (MMC). The major function of the SO seems to be in regulating the flow of bile and pancreatic juice into the duodenum. By maintaining a basal tone, the sphincter diverts bile into the gallbladder under fasting conditions. On the other hand it functions as "a pump" as well to milk bile into the duodenum. Recent manometric studies also have unravelled a number of abnormalities involving the SO motor function often referred to as SO dysfunction. Most such patients respond favorably to sphincter ablation. Studies are underway to better define patients with SO dysfunction as well as to identify them using noninvasive investigations.

Efficacy of the morphine-prostigmin test for evaluating patients with suspected papillary stenosis.

The morphine-Prostigmin test (MPT) has been advocated as a diagnostic test for identifying patients with papillary stenosis. We studied 14 patients referred for possible papillary stenosis with the MPT and ERCP sphincter of Oddi manometry. The response to the MPT (symptoms, serum amylase/lipase values) was evaluated by multiple criteria. The MPT was also done on 6 volunteer control subjects. Operative evaluation of the sphincter of Oddi was obtained in 8 of the 14 patients. There was no correlation between the results of the MPT and ERCP manometry or operative findings. There was good correlation, however, between ERCP manometric findings and operative assessment of the sphincter of Oddi. Fifty percent of the volunteer subjects had a significantly positive enzyme response to the MPT. In our experience the MPT does not reliably detect patients with papillary stenosis.