The Auricular Cartilage in 197 Secondary and Tertiary Rhinoplasties.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate the efficacy of the use of auricular cartilage to treat aesthetic and functional deformities of patients who underwent secondary rhinoplasty o tertiary. METHODS: From July 2005 to July 2014, 197 patients (144 women and 53 men) underwent rhinoplasty with the use of cartilage grafts. A total of 137 patients (70%) underwent secondary rhinoplasty, 60 patients (30%) underwent tertiary rhinoplasty. Patients in whom the Cottle maneuver was positive (108 patients, 55%) underwent a rhinomanometry test and responded to a simple questionnaire that reported on their nasal patency. Patients were evaluated at 6, 12, 24 months after surgery. RESULTS: The results of this study revealed an effective correction of aesthetic deformities of patients and a significant improvement in airway patency in 108 patients with respiratory obstruction. No major complication was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The use of auricular cartilage graft is efficacy to solve aesthetic and functional remnants after an incorrect procedure, or primary or secondary.

Severe hidradenitis suppurativa treatment using platelet-rich plasma gel and Hyalomatrix.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) can be a debilitating chronic disease. The underlying cause of the disease is still not clear. HS may be managed through numerous different medical or surgical procedures. Surgical treatment may consist of local excisions and reconstruction using a variety of methods: perforator flaps, skin grafts, local flaps, primary closure or secondary wound healing with vacuum and other devices. This report describes our experience with surgical excision and closure using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel and Hyalomatrix PA (HPA) in a patient with severe HS involving most of the body surface. We treated the patient with resection of severe HS of the nuchae and closure with PRP gel prepared with the RegenKit(®) to promote neovascularisation and HPA, a delivery system for hyaluronic acid, to induce a neodermis at the wound bed and to stimulate regeneration in a humid and protected environment. Complete wound healing was achieved after 2 months. The obtained result proved the efficacy of this treatment without complications. No recurrence was observed during the 1 year after the surgical procedure. Severe HS can be safely and effectively managed with wide excision, PRP gel and Hyalomatrix to achieve a successful outcome.

Adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction cells and platelet-rich plasma: basic and clinical evaluation for cell-based therapies in patients with scars on the face.

BACKGROUND: Actually, autologous fat grafts have many clinical applications in breast surgery, facial rejuvenation, buttock augmentation, and Romberg syndrome as well as a treatment of liposuction sequelae. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article was to describe the preparation and isolation procedures for stromal vascular fraction (SVF), the preparation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and the clinical application in the treatment of the scar on the face. METHODS: Ten patients with burns sequelae (n = 6) and post-traumatic scars (n = 4) were treated with SVF-enhanced autologous fat grafts obtained by the Celution System. Another 10 patients with burns sequelae (n = 5) and post-traumatic scars (n = 5) were treated with fat grafting based on the Coleman technique mixed with 0.5 mL of PRP.To assess the effects of their treatment, the authors compared their results with those of a control group consisting of 10 patients treated with centrifuged fat. RESULTS: In the patients treated with SVF-enhanced autologous fat grafts, we observed a 63% maintenance of contour restoring after 1 year compared with only 39% of the control group (n = 10) treated with centrifuged fat graft (P < 0.0001). In the patients treated with fat grafting and PRP, we observed a 69% maintenance of contour restoring after 1 year compared with that of the control group (n = 10). CONCLUSIONS: Autologous fat grafting is a good method for the correction of scars on the face instead of the traditional scar surgical excision.

Spontaneous clostridial myonecrosis after pregnancy - emergency treatment to the limb salvage and functional recovery: a case report.

Clostridial myonecrosis (CM) is a rare, life threatening necrotizing infection of a skeletal muscle caused by Clostridium perfringens in the majority of cases. The diagnosis may be difficult because of few diagnostic and cutaneous signs early in its course. Standard therapy involves surgical debridements of a devitalized tissue and high-dose organism-specific antibiotic therapy. The hyperbaric oxygen has also showed its usefulness in the treatment of these infections. Autograft systems as tissue replacement, based on bioengineered materials, have been demonstrated to be safe and effective treatments for chronic wounds and a suitable physiotherapy is recommended for the recovery of functional impairments of upper extremities. We present a rare case of CM of right upper limb treated with a combination of standard treatments and new techniques.

Breast reconstruction with autologous fat graft mixed with platelet-rich plasma.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to review the authors' experience of fat grafting, evaluating the effects related to the use of fat grafting with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the improvement of fat volume in breast reconstruction and comparing the results with a control group (only centrifuged fat grafting). METHODS: A total of 50 patients aged between 19 and 60 years affected by breast soft-tissue defects were analyzed at the Plastic and Reconstructive Department of the University of Tor Vergata. They were treated with fat grafting + PRP. The control group (50 patients with breast soft-tissue defects) were treated with centrifuged fat grafting injection according to Coleman's procedure. RESULTS: The patients treated with PRP added to the autologous fat grafts showed a 69% maintenance of the contour restoring and of 3-dimensional volume after 1 year, whereas the patients of the control group treated with centrifuged fat grafting showed a 39% maintenance. CONCLUSION: PRP mixed with fat grafting leads to an improvement in maintaining breast volume in patients affected by breast soft-tissue defects.

Case Report: Early Breast Cancer Recurrence Mimicking BIA-ALCL in a Patient With Multiple Breast Procedures.

Breast reconstruction plays a fundamental role in the therapeutic process of breast cancer treatment and breast implants represents the leading breast reconstruction strategy. Breast Implant Associated-Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), locoregional recurrence in the skin flap, and skin flap necrosis are well-known complications following mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction (IBR). We report a case of locoregional cancer recurrence in the mastectomy flap mimicking BIA-ALCL, in a patient who underwent 6 breast procedures in four facilities across 15 years including immediate breast reconstruction with macrotextured breast implants. Despite the rate and onset of the disease, clinicians should be aware of BIA-ALCL. Due to the risk of false negative results of fine needle aspiration, clinical suspicion of BIA-ALCL should drive clinicians' choices, aside from cytological results. In the present case, surgical capsulectomy of the abnormal periprosthesic tissue revealed locoregional recurrence.

Comparison of round smooth and shaped micro-textured implants in terms of quality of life and aesthetic outcomes in women undergoing breast reconstruction: a single-centre prospective study.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent cancer among women, impacting 2.1 million women each year and having caused 627,000 deaths in 2018. In Italy, BC represents the first cancer diagnosis with 53,000 new cases in 2019 and the first cause of mortality for cancer among the female population. Breast implants represent the first reconstructive choice after mastectomy: in Italy, 411,000 prostheses have been implanted since 2010 and more than 95% of them are macro-texturized. The attempt to reduce complications such as capsular contracture, rotation and rupture of the prosthesis and the most recent BIA-ALCL association with macro-texturized implants have led to the development of new materials and the refinement of implants' coating techniques. We carried out a 1-year prospective single-centre study to evaluate patient-reported quality of life (QoL) and aesthetic outcomes after breast reconstructive surgery using two different prostheses: shaped micro-textured implants and round smooth implants. We treated 62 patients with radical or conservative mastectomy followed by reconstructive surgery performed with 44 shaped implants and 48 round implants. Quality of life evaluated through the Breast-Q®-questionnaire showed high scores of psycho-social well being in both groups, as well as pre- and post-operative aesthetic satisfaction and physical well being. Round smooth implants appear to be better in terms of softness, volume and less association with rippling, whereas shaped micro-textured implants prove to be better in the profile delineation. This study confirms the potentialities of both shaped micro-textured and round smooth implants in reconstructive surgery.

Human Umbilical Cord Wharton Jelly-Derived Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells, in Biohybrid Scaffolds, for Experimental Skin Regeneration.

The ultimate goal for skin tissue engineering is to regenerate skin lesions to allow the full restoration of morphological and functional properties as what they were before injury. To this end, we have assembled a new prototype of a biomimetic human umbilical cord adult mesenchymal stem cell (hUCMS)/fibrin-based scaffold. We have fully characterized the proposed dermal equivalent (DE) in vitro, to assess morphological, functional, and biological properties of the encased cells. We transplanted DE subcutaneously into immunocompetent rodents, to verify its full biocompatibility. Finally, we studied DE graft effects on full-thickness wounds, in immunocompetent mice to demonstrate its capability to drive the healing process in the absence of significant scarring tissue. The excellent outcome of these in vivo studies fuels hope that this new approach, based on a biohybrid DE, may be applied to the operative treatment of skin lesions (i.e., diabetic foot ulcers and burns) in man.

Use of Platelet Rich Plasma and Hyaluronic Acid in the Treatment of Complications of Achilles Tendon Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) constitute a system of tissue growth that can regenerate damaged tissue. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of PRP and HA in treatment of complications of Achilles tendon reconstruction. METHODS: We selected ten patients affected by Achilles tendon injuries resulting from post-surgical complications subsequent to tenorrhaphy and have treated them with autologous PRP in combination with HA to evaluate the improvement of lesions with wound closure. RESULTS: The treatment with PRP and HA for post-surgical complications of Achilles tendon was effective in healing and regeneration of soft and hard tissues. The healing time was shortened, and the treated area preserved a satisfying strength in plantar flexion and extension of the ankle, denoting to a decisive improvement in texture and a more rapid healing and a good cutaneous elasticity, with a significant reduction of the costs of hospitalization and the pain already the immediate postoperatively. The functional rehabilitation in terms of deambulation and joint mobility was complete. CONCLUSION: The treatment we proposed allowed an easier and more rapid wound closure with excellent aesthetic improvement. Furthermore, the minimally invasive technique is well tolerated by patients.

Limb rescue: a new autologous-peripheral blood mononuclear cells technology in critical limb ischemia and chronic ulcers.

INTRODUCTION: Therapeutic angiogenesis by autologous-peripheral blood mononuclear cells (A-PBMNC) implantation has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for critical limb ischemia (CLI). We herein report our investigation of the long-term efficacy of implantation of A-PBMNC produced by selective filtration to treat patients with CLI, for which surgical bypass and/or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty are not possible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective, and not a randomized, study based on a treated group who did not respond to conventional therapy (n=43) when implanted with A-PBMNC cells versus a historically matched control group. Patients of both groups were suffering from CLI Fontaine scale IV with chronic ulcers and various accompanying conditions (diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure, etc.). Treated patients were implanted with 12 mL of A-PBMNC, 0.2-0.3 mL for each bolus, collected by selective filtration from 120 mL of peripheral blood in the ischemic area of the limbs. Patients were not mobilized by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and the A-PBMNC treatment was repeated for a maximum of three times. RESULTS: The A-PBMNC-treated group showed a statistically significant improvement of limb rescue of 95.3% versus 52.2% of the control group (p<0.001), and the result had been maintained for 2 years. The A-PBMNC group also showed reduction in pain at rest, increased maximum walking distance, and healing of the wound, which led to an overall improvement in the quality of life. Post-treatment radiological studies showed an improvement of vascularization with the formation of new collateral and by histological findings. Within 2 years of follow-up, none of the patients whom we treated showed any major or systemic adverse effects. CONCLUSION: The local injection of A-PBMNC showed striking early and long-term effects together with a favorable safety profile, significantly decreasing the risk of amputation. Our results are comparable with published data obtained by injection of bone marrow mononuclear cells, but with a lot less invasive approach. Moreover the intraoperative selective filtration system we used is fast, safe, not operator dependent, and easy to use in a sterile operating theatre. This system aims to produce fresh A-PBMNC as a valuable treatment option, particularly for those difficult patients who cannot undergo revascularization.

Squamous cell carcinoma developing after CO2 laser resurfacing.

BACKGROUND: Skin resurfacing with the carbon dioxide (CO(2)) laser is currently a popular means of improving rhytides and scars and has been reported useful in the treatment for photodamaged skin, including precancerous and benign skin lesions, as well as superficial benign pigmented lesions. METHODS: We describe a 68-year-old man who developed rapid squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on the resurfaced areas 3 weeks following CO(2) laser resurfacing. RESULTS: Rapid occurrence of SCC should be considered a rare complication, and we recommend carefully considering CO(2) laser resurfacing after excision of an SCC and surveying any cancer recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: We report a rare complication of CO(2) laser resurfacing. This report suggests that additional work in this area is warranted.

Concise review: adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction cells and platelet-rich plasma: basic and clinical implications for tissue engineering therapies in regenerative surgery.

Cell-based therapy and regenerative medicine offer a paradigm shift in regard to various diseases causing loss of substance or volume and tissue or organ damage. Recently, many authors have focused their attention on mesenchymal stem cells for their capacity to differentiate into many cell lineages. The most widely studied types are bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), which display similar results. Based on the literature, we believe that the ADSCs offer advantages because of lower morbidity during the harvesting procedure. Additionally, platelet-rich plasma can be used in this field for its ability to stimulate tissue regeneration. The aims of this article are to describe ADSC preparation and isolation procedures, preparation of platelet-rich plasma, and the application of ADSCs in regenerative plastic surgery. We also discuss the mechanisms and future role of ADSCs in cell-based therapy and tissue engineering.

A comparative translational study: the combined use of enhanced stromal vascular fraction and platelet-rich plasma improves fat grafting maintenance in breast reconstruction.

The use of autologous fat grafting is ideal in breast reconstruction. However, published data on long-term outcomes and instrumental results of fat grafting to the breast are lacking. The purpose of this study was to review the authors' experience of fat grafting, evaluating the effects related to the use of enhanced stromal vascular fraction (e-SVF) and fat grafting with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the maintenance of fat volume in breast reconstruction, comparing the results with a control group. Twenty-three patients aged 19-60 years affected by breast soft tissue defects were analyzed at the Plastic and Reconstructive Department of the University of Rome Tor Vergata. Ten patients were treated with SVF-enhanced autologous fat grafts, and 13 patients were treated with fat grafting + platelet-rich plasma. The patients in the control group (n = 10) were treated with centrifuged fat grafting injection according to Coleman's procedure. The patients treated with SVF-enhanced autologous fat grafts showed a 63% maintenance of the contour restoring and of three-dimensional volume after 1 year compared with the patients of the control group treated with centrifuged fat graft, who showed a 39% maintenance. In those patients who were treated with fat grafting and PRP, we observed a 69% maintenance of contour restoring and of three-dimensional volume after 1 year. As reported, the use of either e-SVF or PRP mixed with fat grafting produced an improvement in maintenance of breast volume in patients affected by breast soft tissue defect.