Cranial Reconstruction Using Antibiotic-Impregnated Calcium Phosphate Bone Cement With a Titanium Mesh Sheet.

BACKGROUND: The authors treated skin ulcer accompanied by cranial osteomyelitis using a combination of antibiotic-impregnated calcium phosphate bone cement (Biopex; Pentax, Tokyo, Japan) and a titanium mesh sheet (3D Mesh Plate; Bear Medic, Tokyo, Japan). METHOD: A 71-year-old male was treated with superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass surgery for diffuse cerebral infarction and obstruction of the left internal carotid artery by a previous doctor. Skin necrosis and epidural abscess developed in the sutured region after surgery, and ulcer accompanied by temporal bone exposure remained. Thus, the patient transferred to our department. A bone defect formed by debridement and sequestrectomy was measured at 4.5 × 8 cm (30 cm). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was detected on wound culture test. Cranioplasty with a combination of calcium phosphate bone cement impregnated with teicoplanin, to which the causative bacteria showed high sensitivity, and a titanium mesh sheet and scalp reconstruction with a free rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap were performed. RESULTS: As of 6 months after surgery, no infection has relapsed and no complication, such as resorption of the calcium phosphate bone cement and breakage of the titanium mesh sheet, was noted on postoperative computed tomography. CONCLUSION: The authors performed cranial reconstruction with a combination of teicoplanin-impregnated calcium phosphate bone cement and a titanium mesh sheet in a patient with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection-induced skin ulcer accompanied by cranial osteomyelitis and achieved subsidence of infection. Drug-impregnated calcium phosphate bone cement has a problem with strength, but combination with a titanium mesh sheet as an auxiliary support material enables application to relatively extensive cranial full-thickness defects and it may be a useful treatment method.

Current status of endoscopic surgery in Japan: The 14th National Survey of Endoscopic Surgery by the Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery.

In Japan, the first endoscopic surgery, a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, was performed in 1990. Since then, operative procedures have been standardized, and the safety and efficacy of endoscopic surgery have been evaluated. In accordance with the social acceptance of endoscopic surgery as a less invasive type of surgery, the number of endoscopic procedures performed has increased in all surgical domains. The Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery (JSES) has played an important role in the development of endoscopic surgery in Japan. Notably, a technical skills certification system for surgeons was established by the JSES to train instructors on how to teach safe endoscopic surgery. Furthermore, the JSES has conducted a national survey every two years to evaluate the status of endoscopic surgery over time. In 2017, 248 743 patients underwent endoscopic surgery in all surgical domains, such as abdominal, thoracic, mammary and thyroid gland, cardiovascular, obstetrics and gynecology, urologic, orthopedic, and plastic surgery. The 14th National Survey of Endoscopic Surgery conducted by the JSES demonstrated the status of laparoscopic surgery in Japan in 2016-2017.

Use of Parotid Gland Fascia in the Prevention of Frey Syndrome After Parotidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Superficial parotidectomy is standard surgical procedure for parotid gland tumor, and Frey syndrome and depressed deformity of the region are often seen as complications. In this study, we performed prevention of Frey syndrome by covering the residual parotid gland defect with the parotid gland fascia flap. METHOD: The subjects were 5 patients with parotid gland tumor. Tumor was localized in the inferior and superior poles of the parotid gland in 3 and 2 patients, respectively, and it was confirmed on preoperative diagnostic imaging that the tumor and parotid gland fascia were not present in close proximity. Through Lazy-S incision, main trunk of facial nerve was identified and conserved following the surgical procedure of normal superficial parotidectomy, and the superficial parotid gland containing tumor was elevated. A parotid gland fascia flap with a pedicle on the nasal side was prepared and the defect after superficial parotidectomy was covered with it. RESULTS: The facial nerve and resected parotid gland stump could be sufficiently covered with the parotid gland fascia flap in all patients. The mean duration of postoperative follow-up was 36 months (10 months-4 years and 5 months), and there were no complications such as tumor recurrence, Frey syndrome, salivary gland fistula, or severe concavity in the parotid region. CONCLUSION: Although application of the present procedure is limited to patients in whom the parotid gland fascia and tumor are not located in close proximity, it may be useful to prevent Frey syndrome because extension of incision is not necessary, the surrounding tissue is not sacrificed, the flap can be easily elevated, and the parotid gland stump can be sufficiently covered.

Endoscopic surgery in Japan: The 13th national survey (2014-2015) by the Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery.

In Japan, the first endoscopic surgery, a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, was performed in 1990. Since then, the operative procedure has been standardized, and the safety and usefulness of endoscopic surgery have been evaluated. In accordance with the social acceptance of endoscopic surgery as a less-invasive surgery, the number of endoscopic procedures has been increasing in all surgical domains. The Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery (JSES) has played an important role in the development of endoscopic surgery in Japan. For example, JSES established a technical skills certification system for surgeons to train instructors how to teach safe endoscopic surgery, and the organization performs a national survey every 2 years. In 2015, a total of 211 953 patients underwent endoscopic surgery in all surgical domains, including abdominal, thoracic, mammary and thyroid gland, cardiovascular, obstetrics and gynecology, urologic, orthopedic, and plastic surgery. The course of laparoscopic surgery's development and its current status are reported here based on the results of the most recent questionnaire survey conducted by JSES.

Primary Reconstruction After Maxillectomy Defects Using Ultra Flex Mesh Plate and Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Free Flap Including Aponeurosis of External Abdominal Oblique Muscle.

BACKGROUND: In primary reconstruction after maxillectomy for cancer, simple and less invasive surgical techniques considering functionality and aesthetics are necessary. The authors performed reconstruction for tissue defects after maxillectomy using an Ultra flex mesh plate and a free rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap including the aponeurosis of the external abdominal oblique muscle. METHOD: A 72-year-old male with a maxillary squamous cell carcinoma underwent subtotal maxillectomy. For maxillary defects, including those in the orbital floor and hard palate, the authors performed rigid reconstruction using an Ultra flex mesh plate produced after simulation surgery using a 3-dimensional solid model, and palatal and soft tissue reconstruction using a free rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap including the aponeurosis of the external abdominal oblique muscle. After screw fixation of the mesh plate at the surrounding normal bone, the skinpaddle of the rectus abdominis flap was transferred to the oral defect. The surface of the mesh plate was completely covered with the aponeurosis of the external abdominal oblique muscle, and the remaining rectus abdominis flap was inserted into the maxillary sinus. RESULTS: At present, 1 year after the operation, there is no recurrence, complications, such as infection, or titanium mesh breakage/exposure, and his facial shape is favorably maintained. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction using this method is simple and less invasive. Postoperative infection and plate exposure were prevented by the complete coverage of the mesh plate with the aponeurosis of the external abdominal oblique muscle and flap. Mesh plates, when properly used, are useful reconstruction materials, but are susceptible to infection compared with autologous tissue, requiring long-term follow-up.

A Case of Clitoral Hypertrophy of Unknown Origin.

Clitoral hypertrophy is caused by disorders of sex development and it is observed from birth in most cases. We encountered a patient in whom normal morphology at birth may have acquired deformity and hypertrophy. The patient was a 10-year-old girl with a chief complaint of pudendal deformity. The clitoral hood was enlarged and the clitoris size was 8 x 5 mm on the first examination. Various tests were performed. Sex chromosome or hormonal abnormalities and tumorous lesions were not detected, and the ovaries, uterus, and vagina were normal, indicating that disorders of mullerian development were negative. In surgery, reconstruction of the vulva was performed following the Marberger method. The present case may have been a very rare case of acquired hypertrophy of unknown origin.

Modified Lengthening Temporalis Myoplasty Involving an Extended Lazy-S Incision to Avoid Facial Scar Formation.

BACKGROUND: Lengthening temporalis myoplasty is a faster and less invasive alternative to free muscle transfer for smile reconstruction. However, it requires a nasolabial fold incision, which leaves a midfacial scar. Based on esthetic considerations, a modified approach, involving an extended lazy-S (parotidectomy) incision instead of a nasolabial fold incision, was developed. METHODS: A cadaveric study involving 10 hemifaces was conducted. From February 2013 to March 2016, the modified lengthening temporalis myoplasty procedure was employed in 10 patients. The results were graded from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) according to the Terzis grading system. The excursion of the oral commissure was also measured. RESULTS: The extended lazy-S incision provides easy and safe access to the coronoid process and good visibility. The patients' mean age was 56.5 years, and the mean duration of the postoperative follow-up period was 22.2 months. The patients' underlying conditions included acoustic neuroma (n = 2), Bell palsy (n = 3), congenital conditions (n = 2), brain infarction (n = 1), Ramsay Hunt syndrome (n = 1), and malignant parotid lymphoma (n = 1). One patient suffered a surgical site infection, which was successfully treated with irrigation. All the patients achieved improvements in smile symmetry: 2, 5, and 3 patients obtained excellent, good, and moderate results, respectively. The excursion of the oral commissure ranged from 5 to 10 mm. CONCLUSION: The modified lengthening temporalis myoplasty procedure provides satisfactory functional outcomes without causing significant complications. It does not leave a facial scar and is a preferable option, especially for young and female patients, and patients who have undergone ablative surgery involving the parotid region.

Unit Advancement Flap for Lower Lip Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Lower lip reconstruction requires consideration of esthetic and functional outcome in selecting a surgical procedure, and reconstruction with local tissue is useful. The authors reconstructed full-thickness defects with a unit advancement flap. METHODS: Reconstruction was performed using this method in 4 patients with lower lip squamous cell carcinoma in whom tumor resection with preservation of the mouth angle was possible. The lower lip resection width was 30 to 45 mm, accounting for 50% to 68% of the entire width of the lower lip. The flap was prepared by lateral extension from above the mental unit and matched with the potential wrinkle line of the lower lip in order to design a unit morphology surrounded by the anterior margin of the depressor labii inferioris muscle. It was elevated as a full-thickness flap composed of the orbicularis oris muscle, skin, and mucosa of the residual lower lip from the bilateral sides, and advanced to the defect. Flap transfer was adjusted by small triangular resection of the skin on the lateral side of the mental unit. RESULTS: The postoperative scar was inconspicuous in all patients and there was no impairment of the mouth opening-closing or articulation functions. CONCLUSIONS: This was a relatively simple surgical procedure. A blood supply of the flap was stable, and continuity of the orbicularis oris muscle was reconstructed by transferred the residual lower lip advancement flap from the bilateral sides. The postoperative mouth opening-closing function was sufficient, and dentures could be placed from an early phase in elderly patients. The postoperative scar was consistent with the lip unit morphology, being esthetically superior. This procedure may be applicable for reconstruction of defects approximately 1/3 to 2/3 the width of the lower lip where the mouth angle is preserved.

Medial canthal reconstruction with multiple local flaps.

BACKGROUND: It is often difficult to reconstruct comparatively large defects in the medial canthal region. The authors have performed reconstruction with multiple local flaps in 4 medial canthal defects after resection of malignant skin tumors. METHOD: The defects exceeded the medial canthal region, extending to the upper eyelid and the lower eyelid. The medial canthal defect was covered by transposition of a glabellar flap, the upper eyelid defect was covered by an upper eyelid myocutaneous advancement flap, and the lower eyelid defect was covered by a cheek rotation flap. Then the donor site of the glabellar flap was covered by a Rintala flap. RESULTS: There was no recurrence in any of the cases, and good results were obtained. One case showed mild linear contracture, but the patient did not want corrective surgery. CONCLUSION: This method is somewhat complicated compared to reconstruction with a single flap, but it is a combination of standard local flaps and is a simple reconstructive procedure. By adding additional resection, the suture line is consistent with the border of the facial unit, so postoperative scarring is inconspicuous. This technique is aesthetically useful because of the continuity of colour and texture resulting from the use of adjacent flaps.

Navigation-Assisted Nasal Bone Osteotomy for Malunited Fracture.

BACKGROUND: Nasal bone osteotomy subjectively judges the position for osteotomy by visual inspection and by manual feel using the fingertip. Therefore, the outcome depends on the surgeon's experience and mastery of the procedure is technically challenging. METHODS: The authors applied a navigation system for the intraoperative evaluation of the osteotomy line and reduction position in 5 patients with malunited nasal bone fracture. The authors performed the operation with a temporal bone post developed for otologic surgery using Stealth Station S7 System (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN). The suretrack is attached to the bone chisel. The authors performed the osteotomies while visualizing the tip of the chisel on the monitor.In addition, evaluation of the reduction position was performed by insertion of a 23G needle syringe with the suretrack to the nasal bone surface. RESULTS: The tip of the bone chisel was visible on the monitor, and the authors could perform osteotomies while confirming the position and direction of osteotomy. In addition, the reduction position could be visualized clearly on the monitor. CONCLUSION: Navigation systems can confirm the 3-dimensional spatial relationship around the fracture site in real time, requiring only comparatively simple preoperative preparation and intraoperative operation without radiation exposure. Therefore, the advantage is that even an inexperienced surgeon can perform an accurate evaluation. This would be useful as a guide for young doctors and medical students as it would be possible to perform safe and accurate osteotomy for old nasal bone fractures.

Endoscopic surgery in Japan: The 12th national survey(2012-2013) by the Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery.

In Japan, the first endoscopic surgery, a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, was performed in 1990. Since then, operative procedures have been standardized, and the safety and usefulness of endoscopic surgery have been evaluated. With the acceptance of endoscopic surgery as less invasive than open surgery, the number of the endoscopic procedures continues to increase in all surgical domains. The Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery (JSES) has had an important role in the development of endoscopic surgery in Japan. For example, JSES established a technical skills certification system for physicians to train instructors to teach safe endoscopic surgery. Additionally, JSES has performed a national survey every 2 years. In 2013, 178 084 patients underwent endoscopic surgery in all surgical domains, including abdominal, thoracic, mammary and thyroid gland, cardiovascular, obstetrics and gynecology, urologic, orthopedic, and plastic surgery. The development and current status of laparoscopic surgery are reported here based on the results of the most recent questionnaire survey conducted by JSES.

Cauliflower-Like Shaped Osteoma.

Skull osteoma is a benign tumor that slowly and continuously enlarges. It is frequently observed in routine medical practice and many patients show an arc shape. The authors encountered a patient with osteoma with a rare morphology that developed in the occipital region. The patient was a 66-year-old male who had been aware of the presence of a mass in the occipital region for about 50 years, but its uncomfortable feeling had recently increased, and it was resected. The excised tumor showed a pedunculated cauliflower-like shape continuous to the skull. The pathological diagnosis was osteoma. The cause of rare morphologies includes trauma and infection, but this patient had no such past medical history. Since the development site was the occipital region, it was assumed that chronic stimulation caused the rare morphology.

Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Induces Angiogenic Properties of Fibrocytes to Stimulate Vascular Formation during Wound Healing.

The role of fibrocytes in wound angiogenesis remains unclear. We therefore demonstrated the specific changes in fibrocyte accumulation for angiogesis in basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-treated wounds. bFGF-treated wounds exhibited marked formation of arterioles and inhibition of podoplanin+ lymph vessels that were lacking in vascular endothelial growth factor-A-treated wounds. Real-time PCR in bFGF-treated wounds manifested enhanced expression of CD34, CD31, and bFGF mRNA and reduced expression of podoplanin and collagen type I, III, and IV mRNA. Double immunofluorescence staining focusing on fibrocyte detection in bFGF-treated wounds showed increased formation of capillary-like structures composed of CD34+/procollagen I+ fibrocytes, with a lack of capillary-like structures formed by CD45+/procollagen I+ or CD11b+/procollagen I+ fibrocytes. However, vascular endothelial growth factor-A-treated wounds lacked capillary-like structures composed of CD34+/procollagen I+ fibrocytes, with increased numbers of CD34+/fetal liver kinase-1+ endothelial progenitor cells. Furthermore, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 siRNA injection into wounds, followed by bFGF, inhibited the formation of capillary-like structures composed of CD34+/procollagen I+ fibrocytes, together with inhibited mRNA expression of CD34 and CD31 and enhanced mRNA expression of collagen type I, indicating the requirements of bFGF/fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 system for capillary structure formation. This study highlights the angiogenic properties of CD34+/procollagen I+ fibrocytes specifically induced by bFGF, providing new insight into the active contribution of fibrocytes for vascular formation during wound healing.

Navigation-Assisted Bone Grafting for Blowout Fracture.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of orbital floor fracture accompanied by extensive bone defect requires orbital floor reconstruction using a bone graft, but graft may deviate into the maxillary sinus when no bone capable of supporting the graft remains around the defect. In such cases, it is necessary to fix the grafted bone to the orbital margin, but the grafted bone placement site is subjectively decided based on inspection through a small incision in many cases, being dependent on the experience of operators, and it has been difficult to accurately determine the placement angle. METHODS: The authors applied a navigation system in 4 patients with orbital blowout fracture, and evaluated for the exact bone graft placement angle and orbital floor form during surgery. RESULTS: The bone graft placement angle was evaluated by comparison with a mirror image of the nonaffected side. The angle could be confirmed during surgery, as well as the lateral symmetry of the orbital form. On postoperative computed tomography, the grafted bone was retained at a favorable placement site. CONCLUSIONS: The navigation system may be useful to support the treatment of orbital blowout fracture, as it facilitates safe dissection around orbital floor bone defects, confirmation of the positional relationship between the bone fragment and orbital tissue and bone graft fixation position, and evaluation of lateral symmetry of the orbital floor form during surgery.

The Rintala flap: a versatile procedure for nasal reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: For the nasal reconstruction, local flap using the adjacent tissue is selected from an esthetic viewpoint. The Rintala flap is a useful option, and reconstruction of the glabellar over the nasal tip with this flap is ideal, for which the procedure was modified to increase the blood flow to the Rintala flap to extend its clinical applications. METHODS: For defects of the glabellar over the middle one third of nasal dorsum, the Rintala flap is transferred employing the original design and technique dissected on supraperiosteal plane. For defects of the lower one third of nasal dorsum over the nasal tip, blood supply through the lateral nasal artery is added to the distal end of the flap, preparing a long flap with stable blood supply like Maruyama described in 1997. RESULTS: This procedure was applied for nasal reconstruction in 15 patients. The Rintala flap was applied in 12 and the modified Rintala flap with adding blood flow from the lateral nasal artery was applied in 3. Blood supply to the flap was very stable in all patients, and favorable outcomes were achieved. CONCLUSIONS: Using this procedure, the natural contour and morphology of the glabellar over the nasal tip may be reconstructed. The technique is simple and easy. Using this procedure, clinical applications of the Rintala flap can be extended, showing that it is a useful nasal reconstructive procedure.

Vascular waveform analysis of flap-feeding vessels using color Doppler ultrasonography.

We performed vascular waveform analysis of flap-feeding vessels using color Doppler ultrasonography and evaluated the blood flow in the flaps prior to surgery. Vascular waveform analysis was performed in 19 patients. The analyzed parameters included the vascular diameter, flow volume, flow velocity, resistance index, pulsatility index, and acceleration time. The arterial waveform was classified into 5 types based on the partially modified blood flow waveform classification reported by Hirai et al.; in particular, D-1a, D-1b, and D-2 were considered as normal waveforms. They were 4 patients which observed abnormal vascular waveform among 19 patients (D-4 : 1, D-3 : 1, and Poor detect : 2). The case which presented D-4 waveform changed the surgical procedure, and a favorable outcome was achieved. Muscle flap of the case which presented D-3 waveform was partially necrosed. The case which detected blood flow poorly was judged to be the vascular obstruction of the internal thoracic artery. In the evaluation of blood flow in flaps using color Doppler ultrasonography, determination of not only basic blood flow information, such as the vascular distribution and diameter and flow velocity, but also the flow volume, vascular resistance, and arterial waveform is essential to elucidate the hemodynamics of the flap.

Our treatment strategy for critical limb ischemia.

For the treatment of critical limb ischemia, collaboration with wound specialists and cardiologists performing revascularization is important. The foot care unit affiliated with related departments opened at our hospital in July 2010 for limb salvage, mainly under the leadership of the departments of cardiovascular internal medicineand plastic surgery. We have treated 194 patients up until October 2012. The primary diseases included 81 cases (87 limbs) of foot ulcer and gangrene, with complications of peripheral arterial diseases (PADs) in all cases. Intravascular treatment was conducted for 69 limbs with PAD complications, and the initial success rate was 85.5%, of which surgical debridement or minor amputation was performed on 32 limbs. Regarding open wounds following operation and chronic ulcer, platelet-rich plasma therapy was conducted in 29 limbs and negative pressure wound therapy in 15 limbs. Among all of the patients treated, 58 limbs healed, 10 cases died, and the others are currently receiving ongoing treatment. Cardiovascular internal medicine specialists and plastic surgeons examine patients together at the outpatient clinic and prepare and implement a multidisciplinary treatment plan including vascular reconstructions and operation. We cooperate with physicians in each related department and efforts in team medicine have been made for the purpose of limb salvage.

Impact of wound blush as an angiographic end point of endovascular therapy for patients with critical limb ischemia.

OBJECTIVES: Several reports have been published of the acceptable patency and limb salvage rates after infrapopliteal interventions for the treatment of critical limb ischemia (CLI). However, the optimal angiographic end point of endovascular therapy (EVT) remains unclear. This study assessed the relationship between the appearance of wound blush as an angiographic end point and the limb salvage rate in patients with CLI. METHODS: "Wound blush" was defined as contrast opacification of the vessels around the wound in digital subtraction angiograms obtained immediately after EVT through the catheter introduced into the popliteal artery. We analyzed the data of 77 consecutive patients (93 limbs) with ischemic ulcerations, classified as Rutherford category 5 or 6, who underwent EVT without bypass surgery. Patients were divided into two groups depending on whether wound blush was seen in the angiogram obtained immediately after the procedure. The freedom from amputation rate was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The overall limb salvage rate was 81.7%. The limb salvage rate was significantly higher in the wound blush-positive group than in the wound blush-negative group and remained so for at least 3 years after the EVT (96.4% vs 56.8%, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Presence of wound blush after EVT is associated with higher skin perfusion pressure, both of which are associated with higher rates of limb salvage. Wound blush as an angiographic end point in EVT may be a novel predictor of limb salvage in patients with CLI.

Intraoperative repositioning assessment using navigation system in zygomatic fracture.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative repositioning assessment in the zygomatic fracture operation is very important in achieving adequate facial symmetry. A navigation system that has been developed in neurosurgery has recently been applied in the otolaryngol, orthopedic, and maxillofacial surgeries. We used a navigation system (Stealth Station TREON; Medtronic) in zygomatic fracture operation, and found it useful in performing accurate reduction and confirming the symmetry. METHODS: We applied a navigation system in 6 patients with zygomatic bone fracture. Navigation aided reduction of the bone fracture was performed by evaluating intraoperative procedures: (1) an evaluation by measuring the distances from the midline of the face and (2) an evaluation by comparing the affected side to the mirror image of the nonaffected side. A method using the distance from the midline of the face was performed in 3 cases, and a method using the mirror image of the nonaffected side was used in 6 cases. RESULTS: Accurate reduction and symmetry were confirmed during the operation in all patients. Good symmetry was confirmed in postoperative computed tomographic scan. It was useful in performing accurate reduction of the fractures and confirming the symmetry of the face. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the system can also be applied for the treatment of untreated facial fractures requiring osteotomy and of comminuted facial fractures with third-bone fragments and for the evaluation of bone graft.