Modulation of keratinocyte growth factor and its receptor in reepithelializing human skin.

We investigated the expression and distribution of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) (FGF-7) and its receptor (KGFR) during reepithelialization of human skin. KGF mRNA levels increased rapidly by 8-10-fold and remained elevated for several days. In contrast, KGFR transcript levels decreased early but were significantly elevated by 8-9 d. A KGF-immunoglobulin G fusion protein (KGF-HFc), which specifically and sensitively detects the KGFR, localized the receptor to differentiating keratinocytes of control epidermis, but revealed a striking decrease in receptor protein expression during the intermediate period of reepithelization. Suramin, which blocked KGF binding and stripped already bound KGF from its receptor, failed to unmask KGFRs in tissue sections from the intermediate phase of wound repair. The absence of KGFR protein despite increased KGFR transcript levels implies functional receptor downregulation in the presence of increased KGF. This temporal modulation of KGF and KGFRs provides strong evidence for the functional involvement of KGF in human skin reepithelialization.

Modified Wise-pattern reduction mammaplasty, a new tool for upper quadrantectomies: a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Quadrantectomy is an oncological safe procedure for early breast cancer, but it often results in poor aesthetic results such as breast shape deformity, more visible if the tumor is located in the upper pole. We suggest the use of a modified Wise-pattern breast reduction in patients with moderate to severe breast hypertrophy and tumor located in upper quadrants that keeps the oncological advantages of the quadrantectomy but with better aesthetical results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Quadrantectomy of the upper quadrant, immediate breast reconstruction and contralateral breast reduction to obtain symmetry was performed on 11 patients affected by early breast cancer with bra cup size from C to E. To replace the skin area removed with mastectomy from the upper quadrants, a similar-size area from the lower pole was preserved. RESULTS: All patients healed uneventfully within 15 days, and no local or distant recurrences occurred with mean follow-up of 26.5 months (range 19-39 months). In all cases natural breast shape was achieved. The scars were similar to a reduction mammaplasty, and the medial or lateral scar on the upper quadrant did not aesthetically disfigure the décolleté. CONCLUSIONS: Modified Wise-pattern reduction mammaplasty is a valid technique as immediate breast reconstruction to obtain a natural breast mound after upper quadrantectomies on patients with medium/large breasts.

The role of pre-expanded free flaps in revision of burn scarring.

The authors present two patients affected by scars resulting from burning of over 60 per cent of the total body area, in which the pre-expansion of a free flap has been used to increase the tissue surface useful for transfer from the only area of residual healthy skin (left forearm, left parascapular region). In both cases it was possible to transfer abundant healthy tissue into the desired areas, obtaining a rapid release of the region, which made possible an early physical rehabilitation of the patient starting after the second postoperative week. One of the main problems encountered, when facing surgical rehabilitation for the seriously burned patient, is the poor availability of skin donor areas suitable for reconstructive flaps. The pre-expansion of free flaps provides an advantage in that it allows the few integral residual areas to be used, improving vascularization and therefore increasing the available surface. Furthermore, as pre-expansion reduces tension on the margins, it allows for the easier closing of the donor area, with a minor risk of complications and a better scar outcome.

Neophalloplasty in female-to-male transsexuals with the island tensor fasciae latae flap.

In the past 60 years, several different procedures have attempted to achieve a postoperative neophallus that is as aesthetic and as functional as possible after penile amputation or sex reassignment. Recently, with improvements in free tissue transfer and microvascular technique, many free flap procedures have been developed with the goal of an aesthetically acceptable neophallus of adequate bulk that enables urination in a standing position and sexual intercourse, with minimal functional and aesthetic donor-site defects. Most authors currently agree that the method of choice for penile reconstruction is microsurgical free tissue transfer, although it does not always fulfill all of the aforementioned goals in a predictable manner. In fact, complete urethroplasty, penile rigidity, and donor-site disfigurement remain challenges, thus making this operation one of the most difficult in plastic surgery. The vascular anatomy of the lateral circumflex femoral artery, which we studied in 1991 with the anatomic dissection of 27 cadavers, gave us the idea to use a long tensor fasciae latae neurovascular island flap as a donor source for neophalloplasty. Grounds for the procedure and its surgical planning have been carefully evaluated with 10 additional fresh cadaver dissections. Since 1991, we have performed five neophalloplasties using this procedure; all patients were female-to-male transsexuals. In four cases, the healing was uneventful; in one case, there was a marginal necrosis of the flap because of poor venous drainage, probably from a twisting of the pedicle. The island tensor fasciae latae provides a safe and sensate flap for phalloplastic procedure and leaves a less conspicuous donor scar.

Microsurgical reconstruction of wide simple and compound foot defects.

BACKGROUND: A mutilated foot as a result of traumas or resection for tumours or ulcers, is a serious physical and social handicap for the patient, because it impairs deambulation and affects his selfgovernment. The evolution of microsurgical techniques has allowed us to utilize such methods to reconstruct wide simple and composite losses of substance of the foot, usually treated conservatively or radically with amputation and prosthesization. Functional, cosmetic and social outcome has been evaluated. METHODS: We evaluated 23 patients affected by cutaneous (19) and osteocutaneous (4) losses of substance of the foot (11 of rearfoot, 5 of forefoot, 4 of the sole, 1 of middlefoot, 1 of the dorsum, and 1 of the malleolus). We performed 23 microsurgical reconstructions harvesting 24 free flaps (14 radial flaps, 4 latissimus dorsi, 3 fibula, 1 scapular flap, 1 lateral arm, 1 iliac crest). RESULTS: Cutaneous and muscular flaps healed in 3 weeks, while osteocutaneous flaps healed in 10 to 12 weeks. Deambulation was restored in all patients but 1, within 6 months from surgery, and all patients went back to their work and social life. We observed in the early follow-up 2 cases of partial skin necrosis, which solved spontaneously and 1 case of total necrosis (overall complication = 4.3%). Donor area morbidity was rated as fair. Overall success rate was 95.7% at a mean follow-up of 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Free microsurgical transfers allowed us to obtain a satisfactory and long-lasting morpho-functional restoration of wide superficial and deep losses of substance of the foot, guaranteeing the patient a fast psycho-physical and social rehabilitation.

Waardenburg's syndrome. Report of a case with nasal atresia.

A 20-year-old man with Waardenburg's syndrome presented with breathing difficulties and aesthetic problems with the nose. He was successfully treated with composite grafts from the auricles.

Correction of hypospadias with a vertical preputial island flap: the Göteborg experience of 47 patients.

We report the follow-up of 47 patients with penile hypospadias who were treated by the Scuderi procedure between 1988 and 1998 at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. Forty of the patients (85%) had had no previous operations, while the remaining seven had had meatotomy with chordectomy only, or an unsuccessful Dennis-Browne procedure. Hypospadias was distal in 35 (74%), mediopenile in 8 (17%), and proximal in 4 (9%); 21 (45%) showed signs of curvature. After a Scuderi urethroplasty one patient developed a fistula (2%) and 4 developed mild stenosis. The early success rate was therefore 42/47 (89%) and this later increased to 46/47 (98%) after non-surgical treatment of the stenoses. The results support the use of the Scuderi procedure for correction of primary and secondary penile hypospadias with a low complication rate.

Reconstruction of hypospadias with a vertical preputial island flap. A follow-up study of 127 patients.

The preputial island flap technique presented here was described by Scuderi for a one-stage repair of hypospadias. The operation utilizes a subcutaneous pedunculated preputial flap, designed dorsally along the vertical axis of the penis and transposed ventrally to reconstruct the new urethra. This surgical procedure is useful in distal and proximal hypospadias or in cases with short or absent prepuce, when the dorsal coating of the penis can be used. The technique permits a complete release of the chordee and a meatus placed at the apex of the glans. One hundred and twenty-seven patients treated during the period 1982 to 1987 were analysed. All patients had a urodynamic check and some also had a urethroscopic evaluation of the new urethra. The incidence of complications (8.65%) was very low compared with other techniques.

Free flap failure in a patient with a long standing, infected, squamous cell carcinoma.

A 40-year-old patient presented with a long history of a pilonidal sinus, which had been operated on several times during the last 20 years. On clinical examination the patient had a large tumour in the sacral and perineal region, with involvement of the rectal wall. General surgeons first attempted to excise the tumour with wide healthy margins, and close the wound by local flaps. After partial flap necrosis and wound dehiscence, the patient underwent a reconstruction with a free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. During the anastomosis it was noted that the recipient vessel walls were brittle, mainly at the arterial site, so the arterial anastomosis had to be done three times. Despite this the artery thrombosed again 12 hours later. Biopsy specimens were taken from the anastomotic sites and studied under light microscopy. There were signs of acute intramural inflammation, with many polymorphonuclear leukocytes present in microabscesses, and spots of necrosis in the elastic layer at the site of the recipient artery. In conclusion, the long lasting infection was considered to be the main factor that caused the anastomosis to fail, leading to thrombosis, through alteration of the vessel walls. The anomalies in the vessel walls were found at some distance from the clinically diseased area, further than is usually found in acute infection. The use of primary arteriovenous vein graft anastomosis can be made on undamaged vessels, and possibly a less traumatic anastomosis such as the "sleeve" type, should be considered for similar cases.

Repositioning of craniofacial tumorous bone after autoclaving.

Thirteen bone tumours that were invading the craniofacial skeleton were operated on by intracranial procedures. The resected tumorous bone was autoclaved and put back. Follow up of no less than one year included 122mTc scanning, computed tomography, radiography, bone biopsy and clinical examination. In every case, when rigidly fixed, most of the autoclaved bone was gradually revitalised by invading new and normal bone. We conclude that autoclaved bone will be replaced by normal bone, and that the present technique is justified for reconstruction of complicated structures or large areas of bone after operations for tumours invading the craniofacial skeleton.

Bilobed perforator free flaps for combined hemitongue and floor-of-the-mouth defects.

INTRODUCTION: Combined hemiglossectomy and floor-of-the-mouth defects need accurate reconstructive planning to restore swallowing and speech function. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate outcomes of the bilobed design applied to perforator free flaps for combined hemitongue and floor-of-the-mouth defects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with a mean age of 71 years (range, 60-84) addressed to combined hemiglossectomy and floor-of-the-mouth resection and bilobed-shaped perforator free-flap reconstruction were prospectively enrolled. Defects were classified as follows: type 1, including only the anterior mobile portion of the tongue (n = 3); type 2, involving both mobile tongue and tongue base (n = 6); and type 3, including segmental mandibulectomy combined with a type 1 or type 2 defect (n = 3). The Kruskal-Wallis and Bonferroni post hoc tests were used to compare outcomes. RESULTS: Type 1 defects were reconstructed by three anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator flaps; type 2 defects were reconstructed by four ALT flaps and two vertical deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps; and type 3 defects were restored by three osteocutaneous fibula flaps. Eleven flaps (91.6%) healed uneventfully, while one (8.4%) suffered a small area of skin necrosis whose revision did not compromise functional results. Six patients achieved normal intelligible speech, five had acceptable intelligible speech and one had unintelligible speech (p = 0.356). Swallowing function was considered normal in eight patients and with mild impairment in four (p = 0.178). Cosmesis resulted excellent in seven patients and good in five (p = 0.855). CONCLUSION: The bilobed-shaped perforator free flaps were shown to be a safe and predictable solution for combined hemitongue and floor-of-the-mouth defects providing optimal aesthetic and functional outcomes.

Vertical preputial flap with double skin island for correction of hypospadias with severe recurvatum.

Eight patients presenting with a proximal hypospadias and penis recurvatum have been operated on. A one-stage procedure, based on the vertical preputial island flap operation, was the option for surgery. To reconstruct the missing urethra and the ventral skin defect, after the correction of the curvature, a single flap carrying two skin islands, useful for both goals, was planned. The urethroplasty was performed using the dorsal aspect of the island flap, according to Scuderi's operation, and the skin defect was reconstructed by means of the ventral aspect. No postoperative complication occurred. In all patients it was possible to place the meatus at the apex of the glans and to reconstruct the ventral skin continuity. The use of the vertical, "double-face," preputial island flap technique is suggested for single-stage repair of proximal hypospadias with severe recurvatum, presenting long urethral and large ventral skin defects.

Distally based turnover flap and preputium plasty for distal hypospadias repair: a preliminary report.

A surgical procedure for hypospadias correction using a proximally based turnover flap, glanuloplasty, and preputium plasty is described. The flap is vertically disposed and distally based on the external urethral meatus, and the shape is spatulated. It is dissected from proximal to distal, turned over, and sutured to the glans to reconstruct the missing portion of urethra. A glanuloplasty is performed and the preputium is restored by careful reconstruction of its inner and outer surface. The technique is useful in distal penile and glanular hypospadias without chordee or meatal stenosis. Very good functional and aesthetic results, and no complications, were obtained with this technique. Preliminary results and a 3-year follow-up are presented and discussed in this report.

Use of a vertical island flap for correction of epispadias.

An 18-year-old man presented with epispadias. His main complaints were dorsal curvature of the penis and difficulties during erection and micturition. Primary urethroplasty at another hospital had been only minimally successful. The public bones were normal and he was continent. He was treated by complete excision of the chordee and urethroplasty. Local flaps were used to reconstruct the glandular urethra, and a vertical penile island flap was used to replace the missing portion of the penile urethra. Good straightening of the penis and a new urethra with a well-closed meatus at the tip of the glans were achieved in a single-stage operation. No complication occurred, and the result was satisfactory from both the aesthetic and functional points of view.

The combined tensor fasciae latae/rectus femoris musculocutaneous flap: a possibility for major soft tissue reconstruction in the groin, hip, gluteal, perineal, and lower abdominal regions.

A 57-year-old man, with a long-lasting multiple hereditary cartilaginous exostoses, presented with a progressive tumor growth in the left iliac wing and in the gluteus maximus muscle. An open biopsy revealed a secondary chondrosarcoma, which had developed from an osteochondroma. A wide surgical resection, sparing the inferior limb, was the option for treatment. The fairly constant and reliable vascular anatomy of the lateral circumflex femoral artery, as confirmed by 27 previous anatomical dissections, gave us the opportunity to repair the wide postoperative defect by means of a single, very large flap, combining the vascular territories of the tensor fasciae latae and rectus femoris musculocutaneous flaps. The postoperative period was uneventful, and 1 year after surgery the man had no sign of local recurrence or metastases, and the flap was fully viable without sign of local complication. A functional evaluation was performed on a Kin-Com II dynamometer, showing major impairment of the limb that had undergone surgery. Despite the severe functional disturbance, the man prefers the impaired status to an amputation after a hemipelvectomy.

Combined radius and ulna reconstruction with a free fibula transfer.

A 20-year-old man sustained a high energy injury to his right forearm resulting in comminuted open fractures of the forearm with 6 cm bone loss of the radius and 7 cm bone loss of the ulna. A bone segment was removed from the middle of a free fibula transfer to produce a single flap with two vascularised bone segments to reconstruct both the radius and ulna defects. Step osteotomies were stabilised with a single lag screw for each fracture line and, with a rigid external fixation device on the ulna, two vein grafts were used to anastomose the flap pedicle to the recipient vessels in the forearm. The postoperative period was uneventful. X-rays and scintigrams confirmed good healing of the fractures and normal perfusion of the flap so that the external fixation device could be removed 3 months after surgery. One year after the injury, the patient underwent a functional evaluation showing excellent results with very good preservation of rotation of the forearm.