Olfactory function in patients undergoing hemodialysis as assessed by Sniffin' Sticks testing.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated olfactory function in patients undergoing hemodialysis. The evaluation utilized the Sniffin' Sticks test. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study enrolled 56 individuals undergoing hemodialysis for chronic renal failure alongside 54 healthy controls. The Sniffin' Sticks battery was used to assess olfactory function in all subjects. The battery included 12 separately identifiable odors. A score below 6 was considered anosmia, whilst scores ranging from 7 to 10 were classed as hyposmia. A score of at least 11 indicated normal olfaction. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in scores between the two groups. The hemodialysis patients scored 9.12±2.77 compared to 10.72±1.94 in the controls. In the hemodialysis patients, scores for males and females did not differ significantly. Furthermore, there was no correlation between score and age, sex or length of renal failure. Some 12.5% of hemodialysis patients were anosmic, whilst 50% were hyposmic. The corresponding rates in the control group were 7.4% and 20.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Undergoing hemodialysis is associated with a decreased total score on the Sniffin' Sticks battery, with anosmia in 12.5% of patients and hyposmia in 50.0%. Thus, olfactory impairment is present in 62.5% of hemodialysis patients. According to previous research, renal transplantation results in an improved ability to smell, depending on how plastic the neurons involved in olfaction are.

An evaluation of ketoprofen as an intranasal anti-inflammatory agent.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of ketoprofen when locally applied to tissue-cultured nasal epithelium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Healthy primary nasal epithelial cells were grown in a tissue culture medium. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was used to evaluate cytotoxicity. Markers of cellular injury revealed by the MTT assay include fragmentation of DNA, condensed nuclei, and changes affecting the cellular outer membrane and cytoskeleton. Epithelial cells at body temperature in cell culture were exposed over a 24-hour period to ketoprofen. Following the MTT assay, the confocal microscopic examination was performed. The extent to which epithelial cells remained capable of proliferating was evaluated by inducing a scratch injury, waiting for the repair to occur, and then examining the result with the ordinary light microscope. RESULTS: Topically applied ketoprofen does not affect the viability of tissue-cultured nasal epithelial cells within a 24-hour period. Furthermore, there were no cellular morphological alterations observed which would indicate toxicity from ketoprofen. In the scratch assay, the cells regained a normal confluent appearance within 24 hours. Thus, ketoprofen neither increases nor alters the rate at which nasal epithelial cells proliferate. CONCLUSIONS: Ketoprofen, when applied topically for 24 hours to nasal epithelial cells in cell culture, does not cause any alterations in cellular appearance which would suggest impairment of the ability to proliferate or indicate a cytotoxic effect. Extrapolating from these results, it appears acceptable to use ketoprofen topically within the nose in cases of rhinosinusitis (acute or chronic) or nasal pain since there is minimal risk of local toxic injury.

Assessment of olfactory function by Sniffin' sticks in bakery workers exposed to flour dust.

OBJECTIVE: This study used the Sniffin' Sticks test battery to evaluate olfactory function in employees of a bakery exposed to flour dust. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study enrolled 43 individuals with exposure (i.e., to flour) plus 41 healthy volunteers as controls. Olfactory function was assessed in these subjects through the use of the Sniffin' Sticks test battery. The overall score was calculated by adding up the scores for each of the 12 separate odors. A score of 6 or less was deemed anosmia, from 7 to 10 hyposmia, and a score of 11 or 12 was taken to indicate no impairment of olfaction. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the scores obtained in the exposure group (10.09±2.29) and the control group (10.73±2.07), the exposure group having a lower score (p<0.05). Within the exposure group, men and women did not score differently (p>0.05). Furthermore, in this group, the overall score did not correlate significantly with age, sex, length of employment, or use of tobacco or alcohol use (p>0.05). Using the scheme employed in this study, 9.3% of the exposed workers were anosmic, compared to 9.8% in the controls, whereas 34.9% of baker workers were hyposmic, compared to just 14.6% of the controls. Thus, our study shows that impairment of the ability to smell was present in 44.2% of individuals exposed occupationally to flour dust. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that being exposed to flour dust reduces the ability to smell normally. In order to minimize the impact of being exposed, workplaces should ensure adequate ventilation and provide workers with protective facemasks.

Does preoperative anaemia have an effect on the perioperative period in colorectal cancer surgery?

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in women and the third in men. Anaemia is a common condition in patients with CRC. Aim: In this study, we aimed to retrospectively analyse the relationship between preoperative anaemia (POA) and postoperative complications in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) that underwent elective surgery. Patients and Methods: The data of patients who underwent elective curative surgery for CRC between January 2015 and December 2020 and had pathologically-proven cancer were evaluated retrospectively. We examined the effect of demographic characteristics of patients, preoperative haemoglobin, cancer localization (colon/rectum), American Society of Anaesthesiologist (ASA) classification, preoperative co-morbidity, surgical method (laparoscopic/open), stoma status, tumor stage, presence of preoperative anaemia on surgical site infection, pulmonary complications, renal complications, anastomotic leaks, and need for intensive care and re-operation in the postoperative period. Results: Of the 352 patients who underwent curative resection for CRC, 177 (50.3%) were diagnosed with POA. The median haemoglobin value was 10.7 g/dl in POA patients while it was 13.6 g/dl in the non-POA group. Regarding the localization of tumor, the patients with tumors on the right colon were more statistically significant in terms of POA (p < 0.05). Patients with POA had a higher rate of hypertension and coronary artery disease compared to patients without POA (p < 0.05). In patients with POA, surgical site infection and need for intensive care were statistically significant in the postoperative period compared to patients without POA (p < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding pulmonary complications, renal complications, anastomotic leaks, and need for re-operation in the postoperative period. Conclusion: We believe that POA should be corrected prior to surgery to reduce not only the need for intensive care but also surgical site infection in patients undergoing elective curative surgery for CRC.

[Autologous Skin Cell Transplantation and Medical Needling for Repigmentation of Depigmented Burn Scars on UV-protected and UV-exposed Skin]. / Autologe Hautzelltransplantation und Medical Needling zur Repigmentierung von depigmentierten Verbrennungsnarben an UV-exponierter und -geschützter Haut.

Background: Burn scars remain a serious physical and psychological problem for the affected people. Both clinical studies and basic scientific research have shown that medical needling can significantly increase the quality of burn scars with comparatively low risk and stress for the patient related to skin elasticity, moisture, erythema and transepidermal water loss. However, medical needling does not influence repigmentation of large hypopigmented scars. Objective: The goal is to evaluate whether both established methods - needling (improvement of scar quality) and non-cultured autologous skin cell suspension (NCASCS) "ReNovaCell" (repigmentation) - can be combined. So far, 20 patients with mean age of 33 years (6-60 years) with deep second and third degree burn scars have been treated. The average treated tissue surface was 94 cm² (15-250 cm²) and was focused on areas like face, neck, chest and arm. Methods: Medical needling is performed using a roller covered with 3 mm long needles. The roller is vertically, horizontally and diagonally rolled over the scar, inducing microtrauma. Then, NCASCS is applied, according to the known protocol. The patients have been followed up for 15 months postoperatively. The scars were subdivided into "UV-exposed" and "UV-protected" to discover whether the improved repigmentation is due to transfer of melanocytes or to reactivation of existing melanocytes after exposure to UV or the sun. Results: The objective measures show improved pigmentation in both UV-exposed and UV-protected groups. Melanin increases 1 year after NCASCS treatment in the UV-protected group are statistically significant. Conclusion: Medical needling in combination with NCASCS shows promise for repigmentation of burn scars, even in sun protected scars.

[Pest control in your garden - a case series of severe hand injuries caused by privately used explosives and shot traps]. / Schädlingsbekämpfung im eigenen Garten - Fallserie schwerer Handverletzungen durch Spreng- und Schussfallen in privatem Gebrauch.

Booby traps and gun-like devices for vole control can lead to complex trauma requiring emergency medical care. We present a case series of patients who suffered severe hand and facial trauma through detonation of booby traps and paraphernalia (n = 9, Ø 60 years of age). All patients were admitted to the emergency department of Hannover Medical School for primary care. Between 2011 and 2015 we treated six patients with hand trauma due to gun-like devices, two patients with hand trauma due to booby traps, and one patient with injury to the face including eyes due to a gas cartridge explosion. All hand trauma patients (n = 8) showed injuries of the soft tissue. Six of these patients also presented fractures or lesions of capsular or tendon structures. Therapies included debridement as well as skin grafts or flaps for tissue defect coverage. We informed the Department for Commercial Safety (Gewerbeaufsicht Hannover) in 2014 because we believe that these traps pose a serious safety hazard.

Combination of medical needling and non-cultured autologous skin cell transplantation (ReNovaCell) for repigmentation of hypopigmented burn scars.

Burn scars remain a serious physical and psychological problem for the affected people. Clinical studies as well as basic scientific research have shown that medical needling can significantly increase the quality of burn scars with comparatively low risk and stress for the patient with regards to skin elasticity, moisture, erythema and transepidermal water loss. However, medical needling has no influence on repigmentation of large hypopigmented scars. The goal of this study is to evaluate whether two established methods - needling (for improvement of scar quality) and non-cultured autologous skin cell suspension (for repigmentation) - can be successfully combined. Twenty subjects with mean age of 33 years (6-60 years) with scars from deep second and third degree burns have been treated. The average treated surface area was 94cm2 (15-250cm2) and was focused on prominent areas such as the face, neck, chest and arm. Percutaneous collagen induction or "medical needling" was performed using a roller covered with 3mm long needles. The roller is vertically, horizontally and diagonally rolled over the scar, inducing microtrauma. Then, non-cultured autologous skin cell suspension (NCASCS) was produced and applied using the ReNovaCell Autologous Cell Harvesting Device (Avita Medical), according to the manufacturer's instructions. The patients were followed 12 months postoperatively. Pigmentation changes were measured objectively, as well as with patient and observer ratings. Patient satisfaction/preference was also obtained. Taken together, the pigmentation ratings and objective measures indicate individual improvement in 17 of the study participants. The melanin increases seen 12 months after NCASCS treatment are statistically significant. Medical needling in combination with NCASCS shows promise for repigmentation of burn cars.

Neuroprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning via modulating the expression of adropin and oxidative markers against transient cerebral ischemia in diabetic rats.

INTRODUCTION: Ischemic preconditioning (IPreC) can render the brain more tolerant to a subsequent potential lethal ischemic injury. Hyperglycemia has been shown to increase the size of ischemic stroke and worsen the clinical outcome following a stroke, thus exacerbating oxidative stress. Adropin has a significant association with cardiovascular disease, especially with diabetes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of the IPreC due to modulating the expression of adropin and oxidative damage markers against stroke by induced transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. MATERIAL-METHOD: 72 male Spraque Dawley rats were allocated to 8 groups. In order to evaluate alterations of anti/oxidative status and adropin level, we induced transient MCAo seven days after STZ-induced diabetes. Also we performed IPreC 72h before transient MCAo to assess whether IPreC could have a neuroprotective effect against ischemia-reperfusion injury. RESULTS: The general characteristics of STZ-treated rats (STZ) included reduced body weight and elevated blood glucose levels compared to non-diabetic ones. Ischemic preconditioning before cerebral ischemia significantly reduced infarction size compared with the other groups [IPreC+MCAo (27±11mm(3)) vs. MCAo (109±17mm(3)) p<0.001; STZ+IPreC+MCAo (38±10mm(3)) vs. STZ+MCAo (165±45mm(3)) p<0.001, respectively]. The mean total antioxidant status level in IPreC groups was higher than other groups (p≤0.05). Moreover, IPreC considerably decreased mean adropin levels compared with other groups (p≤0.05). CONCLUSION: The study results supported the neuroprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning in MCA infarcts correlated with the level of oxidative damage markers and adropin.

Combination of medical needling and non-cultured autologous skin cell transplantation (renovacell) for repigmentation of hypopigmented burn scars in children and young people.

Burn scars remain a serious physical and psychological problem for the affected. Clinical studies as well as basic scientific research have shown that Medical Needling can significantly increase the quality of burn scars with comparatively low risk and stress for the patient with regards to skin elasticity, moisture, erythema and transepidermal water loss. However, Medical Needling has no influence on repigmentation of large hypopigmented scars. The goal is to evaluate whether both established methods - Needling (improvement of scar quality) and ReNovaCell (repigmentation) - can be combined. So far, eight patients with mean age of 20 years (6-28 years) with deep second and third degree burn scars have been treated. The average treated tissue surface was 76cm² (15-250cm²) and was focused on areas like face, neck, chest and arm. Medical Needling is performed using a roller covered with 3mm long needles. The roller is vertically, horizontally and diagonally rolled over the scar, inducing microtrauma. Then, non-cultured autologous skin cell suspension (ReNovaCell) is applied, according to the known protocol. The patients were followed 12 months postoperatively. Pigmentation changes were measured objectively, and with patient and observer ratings. Patient satisfaction/preference was also obtained. We present the final study results. Taken together, pigmentation ratings and objective measures indicate improvement in six of the study participants. Melanin increase seen 12 months after ReNovaCell treatment in the study group as a whole is notable. Medical Needling in combination with ReNovaCell shows promise for repigmentation of burn scars.

Les séquelles de brûlures demeurent un problème physique et psychologique pour les victimes. Les études cliniques, ainsi que les recherches scientifiques ont montré que l'Aiguilletage médical peut améliorer de façon significative la qualité des cicatrices de brûlures avec un risque faible et un retentissement psychologique mineur chez les patients et ceci vis-à-vis de l'élasticité cutanée, l'hydratation, l'érythème et la déperdition hydrique trans épidermique. Cependant l'Aiguilletage médical n'a pas d'influence sur la repigmentation des vastes cicatrices hypo pigmentées. Le but est d'apprécier la possible association des deux méthodes: Aiguilletage (amélioration de la cicatrice) et ReNovaCell (re pigmentation). Ainsi 8 patients avec une moyenne d'age de 20 ans (6-28 ans) présentant des cicatrices de brûlures du 2e degré profond et 3e degré ont été traités. La moyenne de surface traitée était de 76cms carrés (15-20cms carrés) et les zones choisies furent la face, le cou, le thorax et les bras. L'Aiguilletage médical était réalisé avec un rouleau couvert d'aiguilles de 3mm de long. Le rouleau est manié verticalement, horizontalement et en diagonale sur la cicatrice provoquant un microtraumatisme. Puis, les cellules cutanées autologues non cultivées en suspension (ReNovaCell) sont appliquées suivant le protocole connu. Les patients furent suivis pendant 12 mois après le traitement. Les changements de pigmentation étaient mesurés de façon objective par le patient et évalués suivant une grille. La satisfaction du patient et son avis étaient alors notés. Nous présentons les résultats de la fin de notre étude. Prenant en compte les taux de repigmentation et les mesures objectives, l'amélioration fut constatée chez 6 de nos patients. L'augmentation de la mélanine fut observée 12 mois après le traitement par ReNovaCell dans l'ensemble du groupe de façon notable. L'association « Aiguilletage médical +ReNovaCell ¼ est riche de promesse pour la repigmentation des cicatrices de brûlures.

[Evaluation of Cutaneous Microcirculation at the Dorsum of the Hand within Different Age Groups - Implications for Wound Healing in Hand Surgery?]. / Evaluation der kutanen Mikrozirkulation des Handrückens im Alter - Implikationen für die Wundheilung in der Handchirurgie?

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous microcirculation has shown to play a key role in wound healing. Although healing disorders are still one of the most common complications in hand surgery, there still exists a lack of scientific research on possible age-related changes in cutaneous microcirculation at the dorsum of hand. HYPOTHESIS: Cutaneous microcirculation at the dorsum of the hand differs significantly between different age groups. METHODS: 53 healthy subjects were divided into 2 groups by age (Group A:<40 years, n=31 vs. Group B≥40 years, n=22). All subjects underwent measurement of the microcirculation at the dorsum of the hand with combined laser-Doppler and photo spectrometry. RESULTS: Cutaneous oxygen saturation was significantly higher in Group A than in Group B (A: 64.7±9.9% vs. B: 58.3±12.6%; p=0,044). In contrast, blood flow velocity was significantly higher in Group B (A: 43±19.6 AU vs. B: 56.7±21.1 AU; p=0.019). CONCLUSION: The hypothesis of this study was confirmed. This is the first study to show significant differences of cutaneous microcirculation at the dorsum of the hand within different age groups. Further clinical trials are needed in order to examine if delayed wound healing can be correlated to impaired cutaneous microcirculation at the dorsum of the hand.

Acute effects of splint immobilization of the forearm on in vivo microcirculation and histomorphology of the human skin.

BACKGROUND: Splint immobilization of the forearm is often performed in clinical practice. Previous studies investigated the effect of immobilization on bone, cartilage, muscle, and tendon, however, the acute effects on human skin microcirculation and histomorphology remains elusive. METHODS: In 12 healthy, nonsmoking individuals (aged 29.7 ± 9.1 years) a randomly selected forearm was immobilized by splinting for 72 h, whereas the other forearm served as control. In vivo Reflectance-Mode Confocal-Microscopy (RMCM) was performed prior (baseline value) and postimmobilization to evaluate: quantitative blood cell flow; density of functional dermal capillaries; epidermal thickness; and granular cell size. RESULTS: At 72h forearm immobilization, quantitative blood cell flow was significantly reduced (42.86 ± 3.68 cells/min) compared to the control blood flow (53.11 ± 3.68 cells/min, P < 0.05) and dermal capillaries indicates less functional density (5.73 ± 0.63 capillaries/mm2) compared to the controls (7.04 ± 0.81 capillaries/mm2, P < 0.05). Histometric assessment reveals significantly thinner epidermis following immobilization compared to the control site (40.02 ± 2.91 vs. 46.64±3.09 µm, P < 0.05). Granular cell size was significantly altered at 72 h splinting (730.1 ± 42.53 µm2) compared to the control cell size at 770.2 ± 38.21 µm2. Comparison of baseline values of both forearms indicate statistically insignificance (P > 0.05) for each parameter. CONCLUSION: At 72 h splint immobilization, for the first time, significant adaptive mechanisms were evaluated on human skin microcirculation and histomorphology using in vivo RMCM. These adaptations may be considered as an incipient atrophy of the human skin. Long-term effects of immobilization including the regenerative potential should be evaluated in further RMCM studies.

Acute effects of local cold therapy in superficial burns on pain, in vivo microcirculation, edema formation and histomorphology.

BACKGROUND: Local cold therapy for burns is generally recommended to relief pain and limit tissue damage, however, there is limited data of its physiological benefit. This study aimed to evaluate pathophysiological effects of cold therapy in superficial burn on microcirculation, edema formation, and histomorphology. METHODS: In 12 volunteers (8f, 4m; aged 30.4±14.1 years) circumscribed superficial burn was induced on both hand back and either left untreated as control (control-group) or treated by local-cold-application (cold-treatment-group). Prior to burn (t0), immediately (t1), 15 min (t2), and 30 min (t3) following cold therapy, following parameter was evaluated using intravital-microscopy; epidermal-thickness (ET), granular-cell-size (GCS), individual-blood-cell-flow (IBCF), and functional-capillary-density (FCD). RESULTS: Both ET and GCS increased significantly more in control-group and slightly in cold-treatment-group in t1, while turns to insignificant t2 onwards. IBCF and FCD raised up in control-group compared to dramatically decrease in cold-treatment-group in t1. In t2 both parameter remains in control-group and increased in cold-treatment-group. Comparison of both groups for IBCF and FCD indicates significant difference in t1 and t2, however, insignificant in t0 and t3. CONCLUSIONS: Microcirculation, edema formation, and histomorphology of superficial burn has been significantly influenced through immediate cold therapy, however, this alterations are transient and turns to ineffective after 30 min.

[Primary treatment of tendon injuries of the hand]. / Primärversorgung von Sehnenverletzungen der Hand.

Tendon injuries of the hand are common and their treatment is surgically challenging. Precise knowledge of the anatomy of the extensor and flexor tendons in the hand is necessary to be able to perform a detailed clinical examination and to estimate adequately the extent of injury. Depending on the injury pattern, various conservative and surgical treatment options must be considered. Concerning the overall concept of the supply of tendon injuries of the hand, follow-up treatment is crucial to achieve an optimal functional outcome. It should be noted, however, that the results are influenced by the following: extent of the injury, mechanism, exact anatomical location, associated injuries, and finally the participation of the patient in the follow-up treatment.

[Postbariatric plastic surgery]. / Postbariatrische plastische Chirurgie.

Postbariatric plastic surgery after major weight loss can improve quality of life through functional reconstruction and restoration of a normal body contour. Comorbidities associated with obesity necessitate individual indications and precise preoperative planning in order to reduce the rate of postoperative complications. Postbariatric plastic surgery includes a variety of sophisticated surgical techniques and therefore requires profound knowledge and experience in this special field. Satisfactory results can be achieved by complying with basic principles and through the use of established methods. The present article provides an overview of current concepts and trends in postbariatric plastic surgery.

[Carpal tunnel syndrome in children with mucopolysaccharidosis type 1H: diagnosis and therapy in an interdisciplinary centre]. / Karpaltunnelsyndrom bei Kindern mit Mukopolysaccharidose Typ 1H. Diagnostik und Therapie im Rahmen eines interdisziplinären Zentrums.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is common in children with mucopolysaccharidosis type 1H (MPS type 1H). Clinical signs of carpal tunnel syndrome are frequently absent in these children and it is often very difficult to perform and interpret neurophysiological investigations. In this article we wish to present our experience and results regarding the diagnosis and postoperative results after decompression of the median nerve.In an interdisciplinary set-up we are currently treating 11 MPS type 1H children following blood stem cell transplantation. 7 patients were operated 12 times (5 bilateral operations) because of a carpal tunnel syndrome (age at the time of operation 83,3 months, (43-143 months), 2 male, 5 female). 6 patients had a follow up after 23,7 months (9-59 months). 6 patients had a histological analysis of the flexor retinaculum. Three patients had a postoperative neurophysiological investigation.Each of the operated patients had at least 1 preoperative clinical sign of a carpal tunnel syndrome. We found at least 1 pathological finding in motor and sensory nerve conduction studies in each patient. 6 of the 7 children operated on were symptom-free at postoperative follow-up. 1 of the 3 patients with a postoperative neurophysiological follow up showed a deterioration of the nerve conduction studies. This patient was free of symptoms postoperatively. Biopsy of the flexor retinaculum confirmed abundant proteoglycan deposition. We had neither postoperative complications nor were revisional operations necessary.The Diagnosis of a carpal tunnel syndrome in children with MPS Typ 1H needs a thorough medical history, the correct interpretation of the clinical symptoms and sophisticated nerve conduction studies. Wether the improvement of the postoperative clinical situation lasts has to be evaluated in a long term investigation especially because in one patient in our group we saw a deterioration of the nerve conduction studies postoperatively.

[Certified breast centers in Germany : How much is plastic surgery involved?]. / Zertifizierte Brustzentren in Deutschland : Beteiligung der Plastischen Chirurgie.

INTRODUCTION: This study was designed to assess the degree of cooperation between plastic surgeons and gynecologists in certified breast centers in Germany. The rate of breast reconstruction after mastectomy remains low at 8-13%. In certified breast centers plastic surgeons are often not members of the team. METHODS: A total of 220 hospitals affiliated to the West German Breast Center (WBC) were contacted in 2007 and 80 breast centers and hospitals returned the questionnaire. This study is based on the data of approximately 24,000 patients. RESULTS: At the time of the investigation 60 out of the 80 hospitals (75%) were certified breast centers. Many different criteria have been applied for certified breast centers: the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen, the DKG/DGS (German Cancer Society/German Society of Senology), EUSOMA and others. In 8 hospitals (10%) a plastic surgeon was part of the team in the breast center. Most breast centers (44 out of 80) function with 3-4 attending specialists for breast surgery. DISCUSSION: The cooperation between gynecologists and plastic surgeons within a breast center can be strengthened. A microsurgical breast augmentation is not the ideal solution for every patient with a mastectomy but every patient has the right to obtain complete information about the whole spectrum of breast reconstruction including microsurgical free flap reconstruction.

Percutaneous collagen induction-regeneration in place of cicatrisation?

BACKGROUND: Ablative procedures that are used for the improvement of a degenerative process that leads to a loss of skin elasticity and integrity, injure or destroy the epidermis and its basement membrane and lead to fibrosis of the papillary dermis. It was recently shown in clinical and laboratory trials that percutaneous collagen induction (PCI) by multiple needle application is a method for safely treating wrinkles and scars and smoothening the skin without the risk of dyspigmentation. In our study, we describe the effect of PCI on epidermal thickness and the induction of genes relevant for regenerative processes in the skin in a small animal model. METHODS: The purpose of this study in a rat model was to determine the effects of PCI on the skin both qualitatively and quantitatively. The epidermal and dermal changes were observed by histology and immunofluorescence. The changes in gene expression were measured by array analysis for cytokines, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-7, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and extracellular matrix molecules such as collagen type I and type III. RESULTS: The present study showed that PCI with topical vitamins resulted in a 140% increase in epidermal thickness; an increase in gene and protein expression of collagen I, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and growth factors such as VEGF, EGF and FGF7. The collagen fibre bundles were increased, thickened, and more loosely woven in both the papillary and reticular dermis. CONCLUSION: We were able to show that PCI modulates gene expression in skin of those genes that are relevant for extracellular matrix remodelling.

Percutaneous collagen induction. Scarless skin rejuvenation: fact or fiction?

Photoageing is generally treated by ablative procedures that injure the epidermis and basement membrane, and lead to fibrosis of the dermis. Percutaneous collagen induction (PCI) therapy is an alternative treatment for photoaged skin that does not result in clinical signs of dermal fibrosis. In this study, the immediate effects of PCI on the skin were assessed, including the systemic inflammatory response and the production and gene expression of transforming growth factor (TGF) isoforms beta1, beta2 and beta3. Eighty rats were split into four groups: group 1 (n = 24; PCI plus skin care); group 2 (n = 24; skin care only); group 3 (n = 24; PCI only) and group 4 (n = 8; controls). Microarray analysis showed that TGF-beta3, an essential marker for preventing scarring, was upregulated and expressed for 2 weeks postoperatively. PCI might offer a regenerative therapy to improve skin appearance and quality and to improve or even prevent scarring.

[Fibrolipohamartoma of the upper extremity: treatment results in six patients over nine years]. / Fibrolipohamartom der oberen Extremität: Verlauf über neun Jahre bei sechs Patienten.

BACKGROUND: Fibrolipohamartoma (FLH) is a rare, benign congenital malformation of peripheral nerves, mainly the median nerve, less frequently of the ulnar or other nerves. Early symptom is an initially painless, slowly growing and circumscript swelling. Affections at the wrist level or the foot are occasionally accompanied by macrodactyly. Although FLH is a congenital disorder, because of absent or discreet symptoms, the diagnosis is often made in early adulthood only due to a compression neuropathy. Magnetic resonance image findings are pathognomonic, biopsies are not necessary. In the medical literature, FLH has been described for the past forty years only by means of case reports or small case series. Meanwhile, surgical decompression is considered as therapeutic gold standard, in case of an accompanying macrodactyly in combination with corrective procedures for length, breadth and axis. AIM OF THE STUDY: To study long term results after surgical compression of FLH und thus an assessment of this therapeutical concept generally accepted as gold standard in this rare entity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1994 and 2004 we treated 9 patients (8 women, 1 man) with 11 tumors, average age was 38 years (3-62). 2 of the 9 patients had macrodactyly. In 7 patients, the median nerve was affected, in one patient bilaterally, in 5 patients the ulnar nerve, and in one patient both ipsilateral median and ulnar nerves. Of those 9 patients, we were able to follow up 6 clinically and electroneurographically. In addition, the DASH-score was collected. Average follow-up after initial decompression was 9 years (2-23). We performed surgical decompression in 5 patients, one patient was treated conservatively. RESULTS: Patients with affections of the median nerve showed tendentially better results after surgical decompression compared to those with FLH of the ulnar nerve, irrespective of the affected anatomical level. Surgical decompression led to a relief of the symptoms in all patients; an improvement of motor function, hypaesthesia and cold sensitivity, however, could not be demonstrated. CONCLUSION: FLH must be considered in the differential diagnosis of macrodactyly. We recommend surgical decompression, as it leads to relief of the symptoms. It does, however, not have a beneficial effect on already present motor impairments, sensory deficits and cold sensitivity. We strictly advise against tumor resection.

Monitoring of microcirculation in free transferred musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi flaps by confocal laser scanning microscopy--a promising non-invasive methodical approach.

INTRODUCTION: For the survival of a microvascular tissue transfer, early detection of vascular complications is crucial. In vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy allows real-time, non-invasive evaluation of tissue microcirculation with a high cellular resolution. The aim of this study was to evaluate confocal laser scanning microscopy for early recognition of flap failure. METHODS: Fourteen patients (ages: 40.2+/-12.4 years) were monitored postoperatively for a period of 24h following free microvascular M. latissimus dorsi transfer to the lower extremity using confocal laser scanning microscopy (Vivascope1500; Rochester; New York; USA). The following parameters were evaluated: quantitative blood-cell flow, diameter of capillary loops and minimal thickness of the epidermis. RESULTS: Venous congestion was characterised by a decrease in blood-cell flow of up to 41%, accompanied by an increase of the diameter of capillary loops of up to 22% and the minimal thickness of the epidermis up to 32%. By contrast, arterial occlusion was clearly verified by a decrease in blood flow of up to 90%, accompanied by an insignificant change of both capillary loop size and epidermal thickness. CONCLUSION: Confocal laser scanning microscopy appears to be a useful non-invasive tool for early recognition of flap failure during the monitoring of microsurgical tissue transfer prior to its clinical manifestation.