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BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to introduce an applicable culture technique to isolate human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs); which could also contribute to research, clinical practices, as well as tissue engineering. METHODS: Samples from the human skin were dissected and cultured via serial explant technique. Subsequently, the isolated fibroblasts were assessed for their protein markers and genetic variations via immunofluorescence (IF) and karyotyping; respectively. Following the employment of this technique, a small piece of explant completely disappeared; while no dermis remained after 10 days. RESULTS: The quantity of HDFs harvested through this culture technique was reported at a normal level. The results of immunostaining also indicated that the isolated fibroblasts had expressed vimentin and fibronectin; whereas no cells had shown cytokeratin and epidermal marker. Moreover, karyotyping results for the fibroblasts isolated by the given technique revealed no chromosomal diversity after passage 20. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that serial explant culture was an efficient technique for isolating HDFs from a small piece of skin in short-time periods; which could also preserve their normal morphology and molecular characteristics.
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INTRODUCTION: Submandibular gland excision is the gold standard treatment for submandibular gland disease. Although submandibulectomy is a relatively standardized surgical procedure, complications are frequently reported. These complications include nerve paralysis or paresis, aesthetic sequelae, hematoma, salivary fistulas or sialoceles, wound infections, hypertrophic scars and inflammations caused by residual lithiasis in the salivary duct. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a rare complication of submandibular gland excision, pharyngocutaneous fistula, which appeared 6 years after previous surgery. The patient underwent surgery, during which a fistula tract from the skin to the pharynx was found and excised. CONCLUSION: The authors believe that inappropriate execution of the surgical procedure could result in postoperative complications.
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BACKGROUND: In head and neck cancer patients, diagnosis of metastatic cervical adenopathy is essential for treatment planning and prognosis assessment. Treatment of patients with head and neck cancer with clinically negative cervical lymph node (N0) remains controversial. While routine neck treatment would result in overtreatment in many patients, observation may delay the diagnosis and decrease the patients' survival. OBJECTIVES: To gain insights into the unclear questions regarding the value of diagnostic modalities in patients with N0 neck, this study was designed to compare the diagnostic efficacy of palpation, ultrasonography (US) and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (USGFNA) in detecting cervical lymph node metastasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-two patients with head and neck cancer who underwent US and USGFNA prior to elective neck dissection were studied. Histopathologic findings of the neck specimens were compared with each diagnostic technique. RESULTS: Of the 53 neck dissection specimens, histopathology showed metastases in 16 cases. The overall accuracy of USGFNA, US and palpation was 96%, 68% and 70%, respectively. The specificity of USGFNA was superior to palpation and US alone. USGFNA had the highest sensitivity, predictive value and accuracy in detecting cervical metastases compared with other performed tests. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, USGFNA was superior to palpation and US in detecting metastasis in clinically negative necks. This method can be recommended as a diagnostic tool in preoperative assessment of patients without palpable metastasis, but further investigations are needed before this modality could be considered as an alternative to elective neck dissection.
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BACKGROUND: Microvascular free tissue transfers play an important role in the reconstruction of body defects. Various aetiologies lead to vascular thrombosis and free-flap failure. In this study, the effects of botulinum toxin A on vessel diameters and prevention of anastomotic thrombosis were studied in a blinded vasospasm model in rabbits. METHODS: One side of 16 adult rabbit ears was pre-treated with botulinum toxin type A, and normal saline injections were performed as control in the contralateral side. Seven days later, vessel diameters were measured in both the groups; the vessels were then cut and reanastomosed after vasospastic challenge and vessel patencies were evaluated. RESULTS: Both artery and vein diameters were significantly larger in the botulinum toxin A group (P=0.002 and < 0.001, respectively). The patency rate of arterial and venous anastomosis was significantly higher in the neurotoxin pre-treated group (P=0.038 and 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study shows that pre-treatment with botulinum toxin type A is associated with a lower rate of arterial and venous thrombosis in rabbit-model microanastomosis. Further studies are necessary to evaluate its ability to decrease vasospasm and thrombosis in free-flap survival of humans.