Investigating the Effect of Korean Red Ginseng on the Viability of Random-Pattern Skin Flaps in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: This experimental study investigated the efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) extract in reducing the partial losses of random flaps. METHOD: Forty Wistar Albino rats were randomly distributed into 4 groups as (A) control group, (B) stress group, (C) oral KRG group, and (D) intraperitoneal KRG group. The modified McFarlane flap of 9 × 3 cm with a caudal pedicle was harvested from the back of the rats in all the groups. Korean Red Ginseng was administered to groups C and D at standard doses for 10 days. After 10 days, the flaps were removed in all groups and were examined macroscopically, histopathologically, histochemically, and biochemically. The results were statistically analyzed and compared among the groups. RESULTS: The flap necrosis rates were significantly lower in groups C and D compared with groups A and B (P < 0.05). The vascular density, antioxidant activity, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α levels were significantly higher in the groups C and D compared with the groups A and B (P < 0.05). Although vascular density, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, and catalase levels were negatively correlated with the flap necrosis rates, there was a significantly positive correlation between malondialdehyde and necrosis rates. CONCLUSIONS: Korean Red Ginseng increases the viability of random pattern skin flaps, resulting in reduced rates of distal necrosis. Korean Red Ginseng has antioxidant activity and increases neovascularization.

Effect of brow lifting using botulinum a toxin on upper eyelid height in patients with ptosis undergoing the frontal sling technique.

In this study, brow lifting with botulinum A toxin was performed on patients whose ptosis was corrected using the frontal sling technique, and the effects of this application on ptosis were investigated. Seven patients (with 12 eyelids) on whom the frontal sling procedure was performed using a tensor fascia lata graft were enrolled in the study. The patients underwent brow lifting using botulinum A toxin. Digital photographs of the patients were obtained before and 21 days after botulinum A injection. In digital imaging analysis, although a statistically significant elevation was detected in the eyelids and brows of the patients following botulinum A injection, it did not to lead to a significant difference in the degree of lagophthalmos. In the current study, this procedure was found to reduce the degree of ptosis without increasing the degree of lagophthalmos in patients who had previously undergone ptosis correction using the frontal sling.

Upper extremity injuries due to threshing machine.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to report the patients who were admitted to our hospital with upper extremity injuries due to threshing machine, to determine the most appropriate classification, to estimate the treatment modalities, and to discuss the prevention methods. METHODS: Twenty-five patients who had suffered injuries sustained by a threshing machine were retrospectively investigated. The patients were analyzed with respect to age, gender, admission month, hospitalization period, the type of injured tissue, and the treatment modality. RESULTS: Twenty-four of the patients were male and one was female, and the mean age of the patients was 19.4 (2-51) years; 60% of the patients were under the age of 15. The patients were admitted most commonly in the month of August. CONCLUSION: We believe that shielding the rotating components of farming machinery that cause injuries, informing and educating farming families (by physicians), forbidding the entrance of children to areas with agricultural machines, providing information to children in schools (in those regions with developing agriculture) about agricultural accidents and their prevention methods, and adjusting the working hours of farming personnel, especially in the hottest months of the year, may be beneficial in preventing accidents due to farming machinery.