A New Experimental Lymphedema Model: Reevaluating the Efficacy of Rat Models and Their Clinical Translation for Chronic Lymphedema Studies.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to create a new rodent hind limb lymphedema model lacking the fibrosis effect induced by radiotherapy and subjected to the inhibition of lymphangiogenesis via sirolimus (rapamycin) to maintain a chronic lymphedema model and investigate its reliability for human treatment modalities. METHODS: Forty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 7 groups: (1) surgery control, (2) vehicle-surgery control, (3) vehicle control, (4) rapamycin control, (5) surgery with 1 mg/kg per day rapamycin, (6) surgery with 1.5 mg/kg per day rapamycin, and (7) surgery with 2 mg/kg per day rapamycin. All surgeries were performed on the right hind limbs, with the left hind limbs also considered as a control. The drug and its solvent were administered daily into the relevant groups intraperiteonally. The presence of lymphedema was investigated by weekly limb circumference measurements, microcomputed tomography, fluorescence lymphography using indocyanine green dye, and microscopic evaluation at the end of the sixth week to determine any histological changes in the hind limbs. RESULTS: In group 1, lymphedema was observed for 2 weeks (P = 0.032), whereas in groups 5, 6, and 7, lymphedema lasted for 3 weeks (P < 0.05.) Fluorescence using indocyanine green revealed that the edema was totally resolved after 6 weeks of surgery by a well-developed superficial lymphatic organization instead of the normal distinct vessel structure. Histologically, groups 1, 5, 5, and 7 demonstrated a significant increase in both the number of macrophages (P < 0.001) and newly formed lymphatic vessels in the right side surgically treated hind limb (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the extreme surgical destruction and lymphangiogenesis inhibition in the rat model, the sustained lymphedema did not last >3 weeks. Because of the rapid neolymphangiogenesis in murines and a different wound healing mechanism, they should not be considered as an appropriate model for research on human lymphedema in first place.

Soft-tissue management with immediate free flap transfer in segmental prosthetic replacement of proximal tibia sarcomas.

Knee reconstruction with endoprosthesis after tumor resection is accepted as superior when compared with the other methods. But sometimes soft tissue reconstruction would be a challenging problem in this way of treatment. Five patients who were operated for tumor resection in this location, followed by reconstruction were presented with their one-year post operative results. Four latissimus dorsi and one rectus abdominis myocutaneous free flaps were used in these patients in order to manage soft tissue problems. All patients underwent chemotherapy in postoperative period. All flaps were successful in one year post operative examination. In this report we would like to stress the importance of surgical planning and soft tissue reconstruction of a specific patient population. We think that large musculocutaneous flaps such as latissimus dorsi and rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps should be preferred in soft tissue reconstruction of knee region after tumor resection followed by prosthetic replacement. Additionally, this way of treatment is superior when compared to the other methods in order to prevent complications such as prosthesis exposure or infection.

Difficult Airway Management in Field Conditions: Somalia Experience.

Difficult airway is defined as having the patient's mask ventilation or difficult tracheal intubation of an experienced anaesthesiologist. A number of reasons, such as congenital or acquired anatomical anomalies, can cause difficult intubation and difficult ventilation. Keeping all equipment ready for airway management of patients will reduce mortality and complications. In this case, it is intended that the submission of difficult airway management who encountered in mandibular reconstruction for mandible bone defect repairing with reconstruction plates before at the field conditions in Somalia.

Surgical treatment of posttraumatic ankylosis of the TMJ with different pathogenic mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE: Posttraumatic ankylosis of the TMJ can be caused by many different pathogenic mechanisms. Prosthetic alloplastic grafts and autogenous grafts are the options for surgical treatment. METHODS: Seven patients were examined clinically and radiologically. Autogenous interpositioners were used for treatment of TMJ ankylosis. RESULTS: No major complications were seen after surgery. Interincisal distances have significantly widened following mouth opening exercises for one year. CONCLUSIONS: Human skulls have many structure and shape differences, so it is difficult to replace a jaw joint successfully with an artificial one. Using autogenous tissues seems an appropriate choice for treatment.