Use of the modified meek technique for the coverage of extensive burn wounds.

INTRODUCTION: Autologous split thickness skin grafting using meshing technique remains the preferred option for the management of deep dermal and full thickness burns. The limited donor site availability seen in patients with extensive burns, however, restricts use of the mesh grafting technique for skin expansion. Meek micrografting was developed to allow for greater expansion, and, therefore, more reliable treatment of extensive burns. This study aimed to present our outcomes using the Meek micrografting technique and identify risk factors for graft failure. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients admitted to our large academic hospital who were treated with the Meek micrografting technique from 2013 to 2022 was conducted. Patient demographics, surgical characteristics and outcomes were reported. Regression analyses were performed to identify factors that influence graft take and reoperation rate. RESULTS: A total of 73 patients with a mean age of 45.7 ± 19.9 years and mean burn size of 60.0 ± 17.8%TBSA, with 45.3 ± 14.9% TBSA being third degree burns, received Meek transplantation. The mean graft take after removal of the pre-folded polyamide gauze at the tenth post-operative day was 75.8 ± 14.7%. Pre-treatment with use of an allograft, longer waiting time between admission and Meek grafting and transplantation over a dermal matrix were identified as positive predictors for graft take, while age was established as a negative predictor. CONCLUSION: By examining the outcomes of the Meek micrografting technique in extensive burn wounds we identified that preconditioning of the wound bed, through allograft or negative pressure wound therapy application, positively correlates with improved outcomes, including higher graft take. At the same time, older age was seen to negatively correlate with graft take. Overall, Meek transplantation displays a favorable safety profile with promising outcomes. Future prospective studies and clinical trials can optimize the procedure and help establish it as the golden standard for extensive and complex burns.

[The Body Dysmorphic Disorder in Plastic Surgery - A Systematic Review of Screening Methods]. / Die körperdysmorphe Störung in der Plastischen Chirurgie ­ Eine systematische Übersicht der Screening-Methoden.

BACKGROUND: The body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is considered to be a sub-form of somatoform disorders. BDD can express itself in a delirious experience, an excessive evaluation and employment of the external appearance, in particular the face. Preliminary results suggest that individuals with BDD do not benefit from plastic surgery, so that aesthetic surgery often results in aggravation of their symptoms. Thus, the identification of signs for a BDD is crucial, whether a patient should be operated plastically-aesthetically. This overview explains the often difficult diagnostics of the BDD by summarizing the current literature on its screening. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic overview METHODS: An electronic search was conducted in the German and English-language literature in order to identify all screening instruments for the BDD. The specific development RESULTS: Six different screening instruments were identified for the BDD. Only two of these were evaluated in a cosmetic setting: the "Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire Dermatology Version" (BDDQ-DV) and the "Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire" (DCQ). The influence on the subjective results after a plastic-aesthetic procedure was measured only for the DCQ. CONCLUSION: The limited availability of validated screening instruments for BDD in plastic surgery is markedly in contrast to the supposedly high prevalence of the disease of 2.4 %. Among the currently used screening tools, the BDDQ-DV and the DCQ appear to be most suitable. Further research efforts are needed to establish better screening methods for the BDD in the plastic surgical patient population and to examine the effects of BDD on treatment results.

[Regulation of bone metabolism by the Wnt signaling pathway]. / Regulation des Knochenstoffwechsels durch den Wnt-Signalweg.

The development and homeostasis of multicellular organisms depends on a complex cellular interaction between proliferation, migration, differentiation, adhesion, and cell death. Wnt signaling pathways coordinate these different cellular responses. Wnt signaling plays a role as a regulatory pathway in the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. The Wnt signaling pathway is an attractive therapeutic target with the potential to directly modulate stem cells responsible for the regeneration of skeletal tissue. Recent studies indicate that Wnt ligands are capable of promoting bone growth, suggesting that Wnt factors could be used to stimulate bone healing in osteogenic disorders.

[The Body Dysmorphic Disorder in Plastic Surgery - A Systematic Review of Screening Methods]. / Die körperdysmorphe Störung in der Plastischen Chirurgie ­ Eine systematische Übersicht der Screening Methoden.

BACKGROUND: The body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is considered to be a sub-form of somatoform disorders. BDD can express itself in a delirious experience, an excessive evaluation and employment of the external appearance, in particular the face. Preliminary results suggest that individuals with BDD do not benefit from plastic surgery, so that aesthetic surgery often results in aggravation of their symptoms. Thus, the identification of signs for a BDD is crucial, whether a patient should be operated plastically-aesthetically. This overview explains the often difficult diagnostics of the BDD by summarizing the current literature on its screening. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic overview METHODS: An electronic search was conducted in the German and English-language literature in order to identify all screening instruments for the BDD. The specific development and validation processes are assessed whether the screening instruments have a positive predictive value for the BDD. RESULTS: Six different screening instruments were identified for the BDD. Only two of these were evaluated in a cosmetic setting: the "Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire Dermatology Version" (BDDQ-DV) and the "Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire" (DCQ). The influence on the subjective results after a plastic-aesthetic procedure was measured only for the DCQ. CONCLUSION: The limited availability of validated screening instruments for BDD in plastic surgery is markedly in contrast to the supposedly high prevalence of the disease of 2.4 %. Among the currently used screening tools, the BDDQ-DV and the DCQ appear to be most suitable. Further research efforts are needed to establish better screening methods for the BDD in the plastic surgical patient population and to examine the effects of BDD on treatment results.

The Role of Current Techniques and Concepts in Peripheral Nerve Repair.

Patients with peripheral nerve injuries, especially severe injury, often face poor nerve regeneration and incomplete functional recovery, even after surgical nerve repair. This review summarizes treatment options of peripheral nerve injuries with current techniques and concepts and reviews developments in research and clinical application of these therapies.

Cell viability after osteotomy and bone harvesting: comparison of piezoelectric surgery and conventional bur.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the influence of a piezoelectric device versus a conventional bur on osteocyte viability and osteoblast and osteoclast activity using an in vivo mouse model. Osteotomies were created and bone grafts were harvested using either a conventional bur or a piezoelectric device; the resulting injuries and bone grafts were evaluated over an extended time-course using molecular and cellular assays for cell death (TUNEL assay), cell viability (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining), the onset of mineralization (alkaline phosphatase activity), and bone remodelling (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity). Osteotomies created with a piezoelectric device showed greater osteocyte viability and reduced cell death. Bone grafts harvested with a piezoelectric device exhibited greater short-term cell viability than those harvested with a bur, and exhibited slightly more new bone deposition and bone remodelling. The difference in response of osteocytes, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts to bone cutting via a bur and via a piezoelectric device is negligible in vivo. Given the improved visibility and the margin of safety afforded by a piezoelectric device, they are the instrument of choice when cutting or harvesting bone to preserve soft tissue.