Vulvar Reconstruction by Perforator Flaps: Algorithm for Flap Choice Based on the Topography of the Defect.

OBJECTIVE: Many techniques have been proposed to reconstruct acquired vulvar defects. In our experience, every type of vulvar defect can be repaired with 2 pedicled flaps, namely, the pedicle deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap and the lotus petal flap (LPF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report our reconstructive algorithm for vulvar reconstruction, based on the topography of the defect, applied in 22 consecutive patients from 2000 to 2012. According to the proposed algorithm, DIEP flap and LPF (monolateral or bilateral type) can repair all kinds of wide vulvar defects. Surgical defects were classified as type I (IA and IB) and type II in relation to the anatomy of the defect. RESULTS: No major complications were reported in our series. All patients reported satisfactory results, both functionally and aesthetically. CONCLUSIONS: We propose an easy classification of acquired vulvar defects separating the ones consequent only to the vulvar resection, with preservation of vagina (type I), by the wider defects after vaginal and vulvar resection (type II); type I can be subclassified into defects consequent to half-vulvar resection (type IA) or to total vulvar resection (type IB). Type I defects (IA and IB) can be reconstructed with monolateral or bilateral LPF; in type II resections, we have a great wound that required more tissue to fill the pelvic dead space, so we prefer pedicle DIEP flap.

Reconstruction of a complex pelvic perineal defect with pedicled anterolateral thigh flap combined with bilateral lotus petal flap: a case report.

Reconstructing extensive perineal defects represents a challenge, and reconstructive choice requires a careful physical assessment of previous radiotherapy, pre-existing scars, the presence of stomas, and the availability of donor sites. We report a case of a patient affected by an anal carcinoma who underwent a pelvic exenteration and bilateral inguinal iliac obturator lymph node dissection. We performed a pedicled anterolateral thigh flap (ALT) combined with bilateral lotus petal flaps (LPF) to reconstruct the pelvic-perineal area. The result was good, and no major post-operative complications were reported. Bilateral LPF, combined with a pedicled ALT, may represent a valid option in pelvic-perineal reconstruction following a wide oncological resection.

Labia minora reduction techniques: a comprehensive literature review.

BACKGROUND: Many studies of techniques to reduce the labia minora have been published in recent decades, including case reports and retrospective case series. However, to date, there has been no study of the overall complications or satisfaction rates associated with the broad spectrum of techniques. OBJECTIVES: The authors performed a comprehensive literature review to determine outcomes and complications of labiaplasty techniques, including patient satisfaction. METHODS: A search on PubMed/Medline was performed with the keywords labiaplasty, labioplasty, labial hypertrophy, and techniques plus labia minora reduction. The inclusion criterion was clinical studies in which techniques of labia minora reduction were described. Excluded from the study were publications not dealing with surgical procedures and review articles. RESULTS: Thirty-eight studies, published from 1971 through 2014, were included; this represented 1981 treated patients. Eight labiaplasty techniques were identified from these studies: edge resection, wedge resection, deepithelialization, W-plasty, laser labiaplasty, custom flask, fenestration, and composite reduction. Satisfactory results, judged from clinical examination, were observed with all 8 techniques. Few postoperative complications occurred. In a small number of cases, complications required surgical revision or secondary resection. CONCLUSIONS: All 8 labiaplasty techniques resulted in good outcomes, including high patient satisfaction and low morbidity.

Topical treatment of melanoma skin metastases with imiquimod: a review.

BACKGROUND: At present, case studies are the only source of results on imiquimod (IMQ) as monotherapy in cutaneous metastases from melanoma. We analyzed these studies in the literature with the aim to review the efficacy of IMQ as topical treatment for melanoma skin metastases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our review was to critically assess the studies evaluating the monotherapy with IMQ cream in the treatment of cutaneous metastases from melanoma. METHODS: A PubMed search was conducted using the term "melanoma" combined with "metastases" and "imiquimod". RESULTS: 57 studies were identified. 46 did not meet inclusion criteria, leaving 11 case studies. Overall, 17 patients were treated in these 11 studies. Main treatment choice was 5% IMQ cream applied once daily (for 6-8 hours), five days per week under occlusive conditions, in 8/17 patients (47,1%). IMQ was applied 3 times weekly in 4/17 patients (23,53%), daily in 2/17 patients (11,76%) and twice daily in 2/17 patients (11,76%). Treatment length was variable, with a mean duration of 22 weeks (range from 8 weeks to 72 weeks). The majority of studies showed that IMQ is an effective and safe treatment for metastases of melanoma. Even if this treatment doesn't stop the disease progression, it is mainly useful in clearing cutaneous metastases spreading from melanoma primary tumor.

Concomitant Panniculectomy in Abdominal Wall Reconstruction: A Narrative Review Focusing on Obese Patients.

The global prevalence of obesity continues to rise, contributing to an increased frequency of abdominal wall reconstruction procedures, particularly ventral hernia repairs, in individuals with elevated body mass indexes. Undertaking these operations in obese patients poses inherent challenges. This review focuses on the current literature in this area, with special attention to the impact of concomitant panniculectomy. Obese individuals undergoing abdominal wall reconstruction face elevated rates of wound healing complications and hernia recurrence. The inclusion of concurrent panniculectomy heightens the risk of surgical site occurrences but does not significantly influence hernia recurrence rates. While this combined approach can be executed in obese patients, caution is warranted, due to the higher risk of complications. Physicians should carefully balance and communicate the potential risks, especially regarding the increased likelihood of wound healing complications. Acknowledging these factors is crucial in shared decision making and ensuring optimal patient outcomes in the context of abdominal wall reconstruction and related procedures in the obese population.

Comparison between stem cells harvested from wet and dry lipoaspirates.

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) are usually isolated from lipoaspirates, but it is not known if the anesthetic solution injected into adipose tissue affects cell yield and functions. Two different samples were drawn from the abdominal region of female subjects. In the first, a physiological solution containing lidocaine/adrenaline was injected (wet liposuction, WL), while in the contralateral area, the sample was collected without injecting any solution (dry liposuction, DL). The aspirates were processed to investigate the yield of the stromal-vascular fraction (SVF) cells and ASC frequency, growth rate, apoptosis, and differentiation potential. The solid dried mass of fresh WL isolates was lower than that of DL isolates (p < 0.01) due to the presence, in the former, of a liquid solution. As a consequence, the amount of WL-SVF cells was 18.7% lower than those obtained from DL (p < 0.01); this difference was also observed under culture conditions. In addition, the number of colony-forming unit-fibroblasts (CFU-Fs) obtained from 1 × 10(3) SVF cells was 25.5% lower in WL-aspirates than DL-aspirates (p < 0.05) owing, at least in part, to the observed presence of ASC [corrected] in the liquid solution of the WL isolates. After WL and DL, no differences were observed in ASC growth rate, apoptosis, or differentiation potential toward adipogenic, osteogenic, and endothelial cell lineages. In conclusion, WL yields about 40% fewer ASC than DL due to the combined effect of tissue dilution and the reduced frequency of ASC in the SVF. The main biological features of ASC are suitable for cell-based therapies.

VAC therapy for wound management in patients with contraindications to surgical treatment.

The treatment of complex wounds often requires multiple surgical debridement and eventually reconstruction with skin grafts or flaps, under local or general anesthesia. When the patient's general conditions contraindicate surgical procedures, topical negative pressure with vacuum assisted closure (VAC)) device can achieve wound healing with reduction of healing time and simpler management. We treated with VAC device four patients with complex wounds and important contraindications to surgery. In all the patients, we used VAC device with common protocol of topical negative pressure. The healing was obtained in a period variable between 18 and 40 days; the results were satisfactory in three cases, one patient developed an aesthetically unpleasant scar. We present our experience to propose VAC when surgical procedures are contraindicated.

Treatment of alveolar cleft performing a pyramidal pocket and an autologous bone grafting.

Alveolar cleft repair is a debate topic in cleft lip and palate treatment.The aim of this article is to analyze the outcomes and the advantages of the autologous bone grafting performed during the period between 1981 and 2006. In our plastic surgery unit, 468 patients with alveolar clefts have been treated. According to our protocol, the timing for the closure of the alveolar cleft ranged from 7 to 11 years (mean, 9.4 years). Autologous bone was taken from the skull in the 45% of patients, from the iliac crest in 35% of cases, and from the chin in 20% of cases. The surgical technique of creating a pyramidal pocket to secure the bone graft was central to achieving a good result. The postoperative evaluation of the results, using clinical criteria and endoral radiography, orthopantomography, and teleradiography at 3, 6, 12 months after surgery, and more recently, in the last 82 cases by a three-dimensional computed tomography, allows us to assert that we obtained optimal results in 50% of treated cases, good results in 40%, sufficient in 4%, partial failure in 5.4%, and complete failure in 0.6%.

Urethrovaginal space during the third trimester of pregnancy is not related to vaginal orgasm.

INTRODUCTION: Sexologists have described the urethrovaginal space (UVS) as a region of the body involved in the female orgasm. Recently certain authors have described the UVS via ultrasound (US). Pregnancy is associated with a myriad of physiological, anatomical and biochemical changes. To measure the UVS thickness in the third trimester of pregnancy and to investigate the relationship between the UVS thickness and the presence of vaginal orgasm. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sexually active pregnant patients in the third trimester were included. We measured the UVS via US. Each patient compiled a modified female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire and was categorized in group with or without vaginal orgasm. Association between vaginal orgasm and UVS thickness was evaluated via t-test and ROC curve analysis. RESULTS: UVS thickness resulted greater than 15 mm (average) in the third trimester, and was not related to the presence of vaginal orgasm (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: UVS thickness is high in the third trimester of pregnancy but it is not related to the presence of vaginal orgasm.

Effectiveness and safety of topical tacrolimus monotherapy for repigmentation in vitiligo: a comprehensive literature review.

Thus far, several small studies and case reports on the use of topical immunomodulators in vitiligo have been published. We undertook a comprehensive literature review, searching for studies evaluating clinical response to tacrolimus topical therapy for vitiligo. A search was performed on PubMed/Medline using the term "vitiligo", combined with "topical" and "ointment". Our inclusion criteria were: use of tacrolimus ointment as monotherapy to treat vitiligo. We found 29 studies from 2002 to 2014. Overall, 709 patients were treated in 29 studies. Pooling the lesions, 50% repigmentation of vitiligo patches was never achieved before 2 months of treatment, with a peak after 6 months of therapy. The best results were obtained on lesions of the cephalic region, especially the face, with tacrolimus 0.1% ointment two times daily. The percentage of non-responsive patients ranged from 0% to 14%. Treatment was generally well-tolerated; only localized adverse effects were reported. Our objective was to verify the effectiveness and safety of tacrolimus ointment monotherapy. It has good efficacy and tolerability. At present, only small trials and case series are available in the literature. Further, standardized investigations on a larger number of patients are needed.

Effectiveness and safety of topical tacrolimus monotherapy for repigmentation in vitiligo: a comprehensive literature review

Abstract Thus far, several small studies and case reports on the use of topical immunomodulators in vitiligo have been published. We undertook a comprehensive literature review, searching for studies evaluating clinical response to tacrolimus topical therapy for vitiligo. A search was performed on PubMed/Medline using the term “vitiligo”, combined with “topical” and “ointment”. Our inclusion criteria were: use of tacrolimus ointment as monotherapy to treat vitiligo. We found 29 studies from 2002 to 2014. Overall, 709 patients were treated in 29 studies. Pooling the lesions, 50% repigmentation of vitiligo patches was never achieved before 2 months of treatment, with a peak after 6 months of therapy. The best results were obtained on lesions of the cephalic region, especially the face, with tacrolimus 0.1% ointment two times daily. The percentage of non-responsive patients ranged from 0% to 14%. Treatment was generally well-tolerated; only localized adverse effects were reported. Our objective was to verify the effectiveness and safety of tacrolimus ointment monotherapy. It has good efficacy and tolerability. At present, only small trials and case series are available in the literature. Further, standardized investigations on a larger number of patients are needed.