Hypothenar hammer syndrome--review and case report.

Ulnar artery aneurysms distal to the carpal ligament represent an uncommon but uniquely characteristic disease entity. As a result of repetitive palmar trauma, the hypothenar hammer syndrome should be suspected in males with this history and unilateral digital ischemia which spares the thumb. The pathophysiology of this syndrome and its management is reviewed with presentation of an index case.

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.

Arterial vascular anatomy of the umbilicus.

The rare occurrence of umbilical necrosis after performance of a transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) flap prompted this investigation into the specific arterial anatomy of the umbilicus using multiple anatomic techniques. Sixteen fresh cadavers were studied by using dissection of blue latex-injected specimens, radiography of barium latex-injected specimens, and selective ink injection of individual perforators. It was discovered that the umbilicus receives arterial inflow by means of three distinct deep sources in addition to the subdermal plexus. These deep sources are (1) the right and left deep inferior epigastric arteries that each give off several small branches, and a large ascending branch, which courses between the muscle and the posterior rectus sheath passing directly to the umbilicus; (2) the ligamentum teres hepaticum; and (3) the median umbilical ligament. The clinical implications of this study are that the umbilicus should have robust arterial inflow if only one rectus muscle is removed, such as during a unilateral TRAM flap, because the contralateral side should still provide large direct vessels from the deep inferior epigastric arteries to the umbilicus. During bilateral TRAM elevation, all of the large arterial sources are removed from the umbilical inflow and circulation must depend on small vessels from the ligamentum teres and median umbilical ligament. Care should be taken in this latter clinical situation to preserve these sources of blood flow during umbilical flap creation.

Percutaneous diagnostic peritoneal lavage using a Veress needle versus an open technique: a prospective randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively compare the speed, sensitivity, complications, and technical failures of percutaneous diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) using a Veress needle versus open DPL. METHODS: One hundred seventy-six blunt trauma patients requiring DPL were prospectively randomized to undergo either open DPL using a standard technique or percutaneous DPL using an 18-gauge Veress needle to penetrate the peritoneal cavity, with the lavage catheter then being inserted over a guide wire. RESULTS: Mean time to successful placement of the lavage catheter for the percutaneous Veress needle technique was 2.73 minutes versus 7.28 minutes for the open DPL technique (p < 0.001). Sixteen percent of open lavage procedures took more than 11 minutes; the majority (60%) of Veress needle lavage procedures took less than 2 minutes. There were no false-negative findings in either group, and there was one false-positive result in each group. A wound infection after an open DPL was the only complication. Poor return of lavage fluid (<200 mL) accounted for most technical failures; this was more prevalent with the percutaneous method (11.2%) than with the open technique (3.8%) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The percutaneous DPL method using a Veress needle is significantly faster than the open DPL method. The Veress needle lavage was as safe and as sensitive as the open lavage; however, technical failure occurred more frequently with the Veress needle lavage than with the open DPL.

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.

Primary critical ischemia time in the hairless mouse ear.

The primary critical ischemia time of the hairless mouse ear was determined using a probit analysis. An atraumatic clamp was used across the pedicle base of the ear to induce total ischemia at 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, and 12 hours of normothermic ischemia. Seventy-seven ears were examined 7 days after the ischemic interval for evidence of necrosis. The median critical ischemia time was determined to be 8.2 hours with 95 percent fiducial limits of 7.74 hours and 8.69 hours.

Arterial fasciocutaneous vascular territories of the lower leg.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the fasciocutaneous arterial circulation of the lower extremity to provide a quantitative guide to design reliable fasciocutaneous flaps. Thirty-one fresh cadaver limbs were studied using the techniques of dissection of latex injected specimens, selective ink injections, and barium latex radiographs. Fasciocutaneous perforator locations were recorded according to fascial septum of origin and distance relative to bony landmarks between the knee and the ankle. Selective ink injections of the trifurcation vessels identified four anterior tibial, three peroneal, and three posterior tibial fasciocutaneous territories. Although perforator site locations were randomly distributed along the trifurcation vessel within any vascular territory, the separate cutaneous regions that make up the fasciocutaneous territories occur in predictable locations with a measurable standard deviation. The transverse section radiographs confirmed the transverse dimensions of the vascular territories. Additionally, the summation of any two vascular territories calculated from the anatomical data conforms to the clinically observed 2.5:1 to 3:1 length-to-width ratios for fasciocutaneous flap viability as reported by Ponten and by Barclay et al. This study provides a quantitative anatomical framework using primary fasciocutaneous vascular territories to design potentially reliable fasciocutaneous flaps in the lower extremity.

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.

Arterial anatomy of the oral cavity: an analysis of vascular territories.

Knowledge of the specific cutaneous or surface regions supplied by constant named arterial sources has allowed for increasing clinical application of flap transfers of tissue. Despite the routine use of intraoral flaps for reconstruction of congenital or acquired defects of the oral cavity and pharynx, no previous investigation has centered on understanding the surface or mucosal arterial territories of the oral cavity. In a cadaver study, six mucosal territories of the intraoral cavity were defined using selective ink and lead oxide injections through named arteries. The anatomical boundaries of these territories are predictable and constant in location for different cadavers. The six contiguous territories are based on the buccal, labial, inferior alveolar, ascending palatine, ascending pharyngeal, and lingual arteries. This study supports the safe vascular basis of existing clinical procedures of the intraoral cavity and may have implications for the design of new intraoral reconstructive procedures.

The arterial supply of the face lift flap.

The cutaneous arterial circulation of the face lift flap was investigated using multiple anatomic techniques in fresh cadaver specimens. Perforation sites of the transverse facial and submental arteries were preserved or transected according to protocol during bilateral rhytidectomy prior to selective injections with ink or lead oxide. It was observed that the transverse facial perforating artery provides the major direct blood supply to the lateral cheek and preauricular area following rhytidectomy if preserved. This perforator occupies a constant anatomic location 3.1 cm lateral and 3.7 cm inferior to the lateral canthus with 95 percent tolerance limits of +/-1.1 cm. There is greater variability in localizing the submental perforating artery; however, this perforator also contributes significantly to lateral facial blood supply. Both perforator locations are within the area of "standard" undermining for rhytidectomy; however, they may be preserved during this procedure if desired. Transection of the lateral facial perforators leaves vascularization of these cutaneous areas dependent on collateral flow from the pedicle of the face lift flap. The ability to preserve optimal blood supply to the lateral face lift flap may be useful in the clinical setting of a vascularly compromised or smoking patient.

The gracilis myofasciocutaneous flap: vascular anatomy and clinical application.

Unreliable skin perfusion has been reported frequently in the gracilis myocutaneous flap, resulting in moderately high partial flap necrosis. We modified the traditional myocutaneous operative technique by including all available regional fascia and created a myofasciocutaneous flap with increased skin viability. In addition, we defined the arterial anatomy of the flap that contributes to enhanced flap survival. In a cadaver study, blue latex was injected into the external iliac arteries of 11 cadaveric legs and the gracilis myofasciocutaneous flap dissected. Selective ink injection of the pedicle and perforating vessels also was performed in 8 legs. Two additional legs were injected with a barium-latex mixture, cut into 2-cm-thick transverse sections, and radiographed. Dissections demonstrated arterial connections between the pedicle vessel (medial femoral circumflex artery) and fasciocutaneous perforating vessels from the superficial femoral artery. Perforating vessels contribute to an axially oriented fascial network that supplies the overlying skin. Selective ink injections demonstrated the individual primary cutaneous vascular territories for each perforator. Radiographs of 2-cm-thick transverse sections confirmed the presence of arterial connections between the pedicle and the superficial femoral artery perforators. Twelve patients, previously pelvically irradiated, then underwent harvest of 18 large, longitudinally oriented (8-cm-wide, up to 30-cm-long) gracilis myofasciocutaneous flaps. All fascia beneath the skin paddle was taken in continuity with the deep fascia surrounding the gracilis muscle to minimize disturbance of any connecting vasculature held within the fascia. Patients were followed for an average of 12.1 months (range 3 to 31 months). Minor complications related to the flaps occurred in 6 of 12 patients (50 percent), i.e., seromas, mild wound infections, and a partial dehiscence; however, vascularity was excellent with no partial or complete flap necrosis. All wounds healed completely.

Reconstruction of the toddler diaphragm in severe anterolateral congenital diaphragmatic hernia with the reverse latissimus dorsi flap.

The management of infants with severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) continues to evolve. When a prosthetic patch is placed in the neonatal period for pleuroperitoneal separation, it ultimately will require a subsequent reconstruction for progressive pulmonary or abdominal symptomatology. The reverse latissimus dorsi (RLD) flap has been used for reconstruction in only several reports in the last 12 years. In this paper, a patient with severe anterolateral CDH is reconstructed with the RLD flap on an elective basis at 2 years of age. Elective repair was performed for the particular indication of chest wall restriction imposed by the nonpliable Gore-Tex patch. In this case, use of the RLD flap alone without the use of synthetic mesh has resulted in satisfactory results with 17 months of follow up.

The vascular anatomy of the tendinous intersections of the rectus abdominis muscle.

The purpose of this study was to define the arterial vascular anatomy of the tendinous intersections of the rectus abdominis muscle through anatomic dissection and perforator mapping. In 14 fresh cadavers, the deep inferior epigastric arteries were injected with blue latex. In 7 specimens (14 rectus abdominis muscles), dissection of each tendinous intersection was performed under loupe magnification. In the other 7 specimens (10 rectus abdominis muscles), perforator mapping was performed at each intersection relative to the rest of the rectus abdominis muscle. In 2 additional cadavers, radiographs were taken of barium-latex-injected specimens. We found that the vascular architecture of the intersections is characterized by transverse arcades arising from either the superior or inferior epigastric arteries, which send branches supplying muscle or the overlying skin. There is a higher number of perforators per square centimeter originating in the intersections than in the rest of the rectus abdominis muscle. To obtain optimal vascular supply, the design of transverse rectus abdominis flaps may be based on intersection location as well as paraumbilical location.

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.

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.

Face-lift and blepharoplasty.

The Council on Scientific Affairs of the California Medical Association presents the following inventory of items of progress in plastic surgery. Each item, in the judgement of a panel of knowledgeable physicians, has recently become reasonably firmly established, both as to scientific fact and important clinical significance. The items are presented in simple epitome, and an authoritative reference, both to the item itself and to the subject as a whole, is generally given for those who may be unfamiliar with a particular item. The purpose is to assist busy practitioners, students, researchers, and scholars to stay abreast of these items of progress in plastic surgery that have recently achieved a substantial degree of authoritative acceptance, whether in their own field of special interest or another. The items of progress listed below were selected by the Advisory Panel to the Section on Plastic Surgery of the California Medical Association, and the summaries were prepared under its direction.