General anesthesia for cesarean section in a pregnant woman with systemic vascular malformation: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Vascular malformations are composed of morphologically abnormal vascular tissue, and when located in the head and neck region, they can make it difficult to secure the airway during general anesthesia. CASE PRESENTATION: A 28-year-old pregnant woman with vascular malformations in the pharynx was scheduled to undergo a cesarean section, for which spinal anesthesia was initially chosen. However, after magnetic resonance imaging results revealed the presence of multiple vascular malformations in the lumbar multifidus muscles, spinal anesthesia was considered to be of high risk. Thus, the patient was subjected to general anesthesia tracheal intubation under sedation, and the course of the surgery was without complications. CONCLUSIONS: Because the pathophysiology and clinical sequelae of vascular malformations may be involved in complications, thorough presurgical evaluation of the patient's physical condition and careful anesthesia planning should be done.

Two stages of salvaging an extensively necrotic foot with chronic limb-threatening ischemia by arterialization of great saphenous vein and free latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap transfer for wound coverage with the arterialized vein as the recipient vessel: A case report.

Patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) without other options for adequate arterial revascularization could undergo deep (or distal) venous arterialization for limb salvage. Additionally, patients with extensive foot wound with CLTI sometimes require free flap transfer for limb salvage. We herein report a case of successful reconstructive limb-salvage surgery for an extensively necrotic foot with CLTI, using a two-stage operation involving venous arterialization using foot-perforating veins and subsequent free flap transfer (with preservation of the arterialized vein). The patient was a 59-year-old man with CLTI. The patient's right foot had dry necrotic tissue after Lisfranc joint amputation. Only one straight-line to the posterior tibial artery was achieved after endovascular therapies (four times). At the first stage of surgery, an arterial-venous shunt bypass from the superficial femoral artery to the distal great saphenous vein (GSV) (near the foot-perforating vein) was created. Arterial blood supply reached the necrotic area via the foot venous circulation system. At the second stage of surgery, free latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap (8 × 27 cm) transfer with preservation of the arterialized vein was performed. The pedicle artery was anastomosed to the bypass graft (end-to-side). The pedicle vein was anastomosed to the proximal stump of the GSV (end-to-end). The flap and residual foot survived completely, at a one-year follow-up postoperatively. An indocyanine green bypass-through angiography revealed the angiosome through the venous arterialization bypass graft, which included the flap; entire forefoot; and partial regions of the midfoot and heel. This two-stage operation might be considered a useful option for limb-salvage and complete wound-healing in patients with severe non-healing wound with CLTI. The two methods could compensate and overcome the problems of either method: incomplete wound-healing after venous arterialization, and the absence of a recipient artery for free flap transfer.

Evidence of nutritional vascular formation from the "nutrient flap" in a patient with no-option chronic limb-threatening ischemia: An indocyanine green fluorescence imaging study.

The concept of a "nutrient flap," in which ischemic tissue is nourished by a transferred well-perfused flap, has been advocated for use since the early days of free flap procedures. Several studies have reported cases of no-option chronic limb-threatening ischemia salvaged by nutrient free flap transfer. However, it has been difficult to prove the actual dynamic flow and nutritional vascular formation. Thus, the existence of a nutrient flap has remained unproved. In the present report, we have described the case of free flap transfer for a patient with no-option chronic limb-threatening ischemia in whom we detected evidence of a nutrient flap using indocyanine green fluorescence imaging.

Japanese clinical practice guidelines for vascular anomalies 2017.

The objective was to prepare guidelines to perform the current optimum treatment by organizing effective and efficient treatments of hemangiomas and vascular malformations, confirming the safety, and systematizing treatment, employing evidence-based medicine (EBM) techniques and aimed at improvement of the outcomes. Clinical questions (CQs) were decided based on the important clinical issues. For document retrieval, key words for literature searches were set for each CQ and literature published from 1980 to the end of September 2014 was searched in Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Japana Centra Revuo Medicina (JCRM). The strengths of evidence and recommendations acquired by systematic reviews were determined following the Medical Information Network Distribution System (MINDS) technique. A total of 33 CQs were used to compile recommendations and the subjects included efficacy of resection, sclerotherapy/embolization, drug therapy, laser therapy, radiotherapy, and other conservative treatment, differences in appropriate treatment due to the location of lesions and among symptoms, appropriate timing of treatment and tests, and pathological diagnosis deciding the diagnosis. Thus, the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Vascular Anomalies 2017 have been prepared as the evidence-based guidelines for the management of vascular anomalies.

Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Vascular Anomalies 2017.

The objective was to prepare guidelines to perform the current optimum treatment by organizing effective and efficient treatments of hemangiomas and vascular malformations, confirming the safety and systematizing treatment, employing evidence-based medicine techniques and aimed at improvement of the outcomes. Clinical questions (CQ) were decided based on the important clinical issues. For document retrieval, key words for published work searches were set for each CQ, and work published from 1980 to the end of September 2014 was searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library and Japana Centra Revuo Medicina databases. The strengths of evidence and recommendations acquired by systematic reviews were determined following the Medical Information Network Distribution System technique. A total of 33 CQ were used to compile recommendations and the subjects included efficacy of resection, sclerotherapy/embolization, drug therapy, laser therapy, radiotherapy and other conservative treatment, differences in appropriate treatment due to the location of lesions and among symptoms, appropriate timing of treatment and tests, and pathological diagnosis deciding the diagnosis. Thus, the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Vascular Anomalies 2017 have been prepared as the evidence-based guidelines for the management of vascular anomalies.

Japanese clinical practice guidelines for vascular anomalies 2017.

The objective was to prepare guidelines to perform the current optimum treatment by organizing effective and efficient treatments of hemangiomas and vascular malformations, confirming the safety, and systematizing treatment, employing evidence-based medicine (EBM) techniques and aimed at improvement of the outcomes. Clinical questions (CQs) were decided based on the important clinical issues. For document retrieval, key words for literature searches were set for each CQ and literature published from 1980 to the end of September 2014 was searched in Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Japana Centra Revuo Medicina (JCRM). The strengths of evidence and recommendations acquired by systematic reviews were determined following the Medical Information Network Distribution System (MINDS) technique. A total of 33 CQs were used to compile recommendations and the subjects included efficacy of resection, sclerotherapy/embolization, drug therapy, laser therapy, radiotherapy, and other conservative treatment, differences in appropriate treatment due to the location of lesions and among symptoms, appropriate timing of treatment and tests, and pathological diagnosis deciding the diagnosis. Thus, the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Vascular Anomalies 2017 have been prepared as the evidence-based guidelines for the management of vascular anomalies.

Sclerotherapy for Venous Malformations of the Pharynx or the Tongue Base Without Tracheostomy: Treatment Protocol With Intubation and Outcomes.

Venous malformations (VMs) occurring in the tongue base or pharynx are rare, but can cause airway obstruction. Considering the potential issues or morbidity related to surgical resection in the tongue or pharynx region, sclerotherapy is often preferred. We perform sclerotherapy for such lesions without conducting tracheotomy, but keep patients intubated for a certain period. Outcomes of sclerotherapy, and benefits and cautions related with our protocol were investigated.Our subjects were 10 cases in 9 patients who underwent sclerotherapy for VMs of the tongue base (6 patients) or pharynx (3 patients) from 2008 to 2017. One patient underwent treatment sessions twice. The sclerosants used were absolute ethanol (ET) (3 cases), 5% ethanolamine oleate (EO) (4 cases), or both ET and 5%EO (3 cases).In 5 of 9 patients, postoperative MRI was performed, which revealed lesion volume reduction by 12% to 47%. The intubation period varied according to the sclerosant used: ET, 5 to 11 days; 5% EO, 2 to 12 days; and combination of ET and 5% EO, 8 days. Postoperative complications included fever of unknown (n = 2), acute psychosis (n = 3), vocal cord paralysis (n = 2), and bradycardia induced from the use of a sedative agent (n = 1). One patient complained of mild transient swallowing difficulty that lasted for a month postoperatively.Although our method mandatorily requires careful postoperative management in an ICU, including sedation with anesthetic agents and artificial respiration by intubation for a certain period of time, no serious complications or post-therapeutic morbidities occurred.

Eyelid Thread-lifting Treatment for Periocular Infantile Hemangioma in an Extremely Premature Low-birth-weight Infant.

Periocular infantile hemangioma (IH) sometimes hinders proper eye opening and limits the visual field. Even short-term deprivation of hemilateral vision may cause amblyopia in infants during the visually sensitive period and, thus, necessitates prompt treatment. Propranolol is a commonly known remedy for IH, though it may not act sufficiently to rapidly resolve a vision-threatening critical condition in an infant. Low birth weight is a significant risk factor for IH incidence. Despite the high incidence, evidence-based treatment for IH in preterm infants has not been established. This report describes periocular IH of an extremely premature low-birth-weight infant (body weight: 526 g) whose lesion showed no reduction after oral administration of propranolol for 2 weeks but was successfully treated by topical steroid injection and eyelid thread-lifting management, with no eventual visual impairment.

Soft Tissue Reconstruction and Facial Reanimation With Bilateral Latissimus Dorsi Flaps After Extensive Resection of Head and Neck Arteriovenous Malformation: A Case Report.

We report a rare case of a 37-year-old man who presented with a huge arteriovenous malformation in the head and neck region. After resection, the 30 × 25 cm defect was reconstructed with a preexpanded musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap. The facial nerve had to be sacrificed during the resection, and smile reanimation was restored in a second operation with the contralateral latissimus muscle flap. A 15-cm length of thoracodorsal nerve was dissected and was anastomosed to the contralateral zygomatic branch in a single stage. He recovered well without any significant complications. At 6 years follow-up, there was no further growth of the arteriovenous malformation, and he had a spontaneous smile.

Risk Factors for Macroscopic Haemoglobinuria After Sclerotherapy Using Ethanolamine Oleate for Venous Malformations.

OBJECTIVES: Sclerotherapy is an essential component of the treatment for venous malformations, and ethanolamine oleate (EO) is known as a useful sclerosing agent. However, macroscopic haemoglobinuria (MH) and subsequent renal impairment are severe complications after sclerotherapy using EO. The present study aimed to clarify the MH risk factors for better peri-operative management of venous malformations. METHODS: Data collected during 130 procedures involving 94 patients who were undergoing sclerotherapy using EO for venous malformation were retrospectively analysed. Pre-operative and operative variables, including sex, age, pre-operative body mass index, location, depth, type of lesion, size, number of procedures, type of drainage vein, ratio of sclerosant to air, and injected total dose of 5% EO per body weight (BW), were examined. Univariable analysis and multivariable logistic regression were performed to determine the possible risk factors for MH. RESULTS: Following sclerotherapy, MH occurred in 27.7% of patients, but no patient developed post-operative renal impairment because of aggressive hydration and haptoglobin administration. On univariable analysis, diffuse lesion, lesion size ≥50 cm2, and total injected dose of 5% EO ≥ 0.18 mL/kg were found to be the MH risk factors. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified a total injected dose of 5% EO ≥ 0.18 mL/kg as the significant independent factor contributing to MH risk. CONCLUSIONS: Macroscopic haemoglobinuria is a reversible complication if immediate and appropriate interventions with aggressive hydration and haptoglobin administration are performed; therefore, it should be closely monitored following sclerotherapy, especially when using 5% EO ≥ 0.18 mL/kg.

Clinical outcomes and recipient vessel selection for free flap transfer following arteriovenous malformation resection.

BACKGROUND: Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare vascular lesion that is difficult to treat. Radical surgical resection followed by free flap transfer is currently one of the preferred treatments, and this study aimed to assess the selection of recipient vessels and clinical outcomes for free flap transfer after AVM resection to establish better surgical management. METHODS: Data from 22 consecutive patients who underwent free flap transfer after AVM resection were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, AVMs were located at the head and neck of 11 patients and at the extremities of another 11 patients. The first choice for a recipient vessel was a normal artery or vein. However, in the absence of suitable alternatives, the feeding arteries or drainage veins were employed as recipient vessels. Patient backgrounds and postoperative outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Two patients required double flap transfer to cover the defects. Hence, a total of 24 flaps were transferred. A normal artery could be used in all cases of head and neck lesions, whereas a feeding artery was used in all cases of extremity lesions. On the other hand, a normal vein could be used in all cases as the recipient vein. No anastomotic failure or flap loss occurred postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Free flap transfer is feasible and safe even after AVM resection. The feeding artery can be used as the recipient artery in the absence of a normal artery especially for AVMs in the extremity although the safety of the drainage vein as the recipient vein remains unclear. ABBREVIATIONS: AVM: arteriovenous malformation; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging; 3DCT: threedimensional computed tomography; HN: head and neck; NR: not reported.

A Simple and Reliable Submental Intubation Technique for Maxillofacial Fractures.

In 1986, Altemir first reported the use of submental intubation to avoid tracheotomy in patients with panfacial and midfacial fractures for whom intermaxillary fixation is necessary, but orotracheal and nasotracheal intubations are not recommended. This novel technique allowed intraoperative access to perform dental occlusion and reconstruction of the nasal pyramid in patients with skull base fractures. Herein, we describe a refined technique based on Altemir's original procedure. Seven male patients with panfacial fractures underwent submental intubation using our refined technique. The technique was developed after encountering a technical error with Altemir's original procedure. In this new technique, we employed a 2-0 silk suture guide to allow the passage of both the endotracheal and cuff-inflation tubes through the same tunnel created from the oral cavity to the submental area. The success rate of the refined technique was 100%, and there were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. There was 20 seconds of ventilation outage time in total. Endotracheal and cuff-inflation tubes were easily and quickly passed through the same submental tunnel. Our refined technique is simple, easy, safe, fast, inexpensive, and does not require specific materials. Submental scars were smaller and relatively inconspicuous in this study, compared to those reportedly associated with other modified techniques.

Efficient isolation and culture of endothelial cells from venous malformation using the Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor Y27632.

BACKGROUND: The investigation of primary cells from a pathological lesion can elucidate the pathogenesis of diseases, but, for vascular malformations in humans, such basic research is still stagnant, because the isolation and culture of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) is very difficult. To obtain a sufficient amount of ECs from venous malformation (VM) this study took advantage of a Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor, Y27632, which had been used for the efficient procurement of primary keratinocytes. METHODS: ECs were isolated and cultured from VM lesions, combining enzymatic digestion, cell sorting, and Y27632. The proliferative effect of Y27632 on ECs was examined by proliferation assay. The characteristics of the ECs cultured with Y27632 by EC marker expression and tube formation assay were also examined. RESULTS: Y27632 enhanced the proliferation of ECs and elongated the senescence of the cells. The expression of specific markers of ECs such as von Willebrand factor, endothelin-1, and VE-cadherin, was confirmed in the cells cultured with Y27632. In a tube formation assay, the cells cultured with Y27632 showed higher tube formation ability compared to the cells cultured without Y27632, indicating that Y27632 promoted the angiogenic capability of ECs. CONCLUSIONS: The protocol using Y27632 offers a new EC culture methodology and provides a new option for the biological investigation of vascular malformations. This new method will contribute to other types of vascular biology research as well.

Successful Second Microsurgical Replantation for Amputated Penis.

Penile amputation is a rare emergency, but the best method for its repair is required due to the organ's functional and societal role. Since the first successful microsurgical replantation of the amputated penis, microsurgical techniques have matured and become the standard treatment for the penile replantation. However, the successful second microsurgical replantation for amputated penis has been rarely reported. We present the case of a 40-year-old man with schizophrenia who had a past history of penile self-mutilation and successful replantation at another hospital 2 years ago. After stopping oral medication for schizophrenia, he again cut his penis with a kitchen knife. We successfully replanted the amputated penis by anastomosing both circumflex arteries, the superficial dorsal vein, and the deep dorsal vein using microsurgical techniques. Postoperatively, the foreskin of the replanted penis gradually developed partial necrosis, requiring surgical debridement. The aesthetic and functional results were satisfactory and retrograde urethrography showed no evidence of leakage and stricture of the urethra. Although skin necrosis after penile replantation has been reported as an unavoidable process owing to the nature of injury, the rate would be higher after secondary replantation because of scar formation due to the previous operation. Therefore, our case of successful secondary replantation suggests that skin necrosis would be a predictable postoperative complication and the debridement timing of the devitalized foreskin should be closely monitored, and also secondary amputation is not a contraindication of replantation.

Preoperative asymmetry is a risk factor for reoperation in involutional blepharoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with involutional blepharoptosis sometimes require reoperation because of functional or esthetic reasons after the primary operation. Few studies have analyzed the risk factors for reoperation in such cases. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the cases of 274 patients who underwent levator aponeurosis surgery for bilateral involutional blepharoptosis. We examined the risk factors for reoperation using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Reoperation was performed for 89 of the 274 patients (32.5%). There was no significant difference in the rate of reoperation among surgeons. In the univariate analysis, patients with preoperative asymmetry, defined as a difference of >1 mm in the marginal reflex distance between the right and left sides, showed a significantly higher rate of reoperation (42.7%) than those without asymmetry (28.1%) (p = 0.018). Age, sex, and ptosis severity did not affect the rate of reoperation. The multivariate analysis with a logistic regression showed that preoperative asymmetry was a significant risk factor for reoperation, with an odds ratio of 1.90 (p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: In involutional blepharoptosis, patients with preoperative asymmetry should be informed of the higher risk of reoperation, and the balance between the right and left sides should be carefully adjusted intraoperatively.

Implantation of Thickened Artificial Bone for Reduction of Dead Space and Prevention of Infection Between Implant and Dura in Secondary Reconstruction of the Skull.

For the treatment of skull defect compensation after neurosurgery, a customized artificial bone is often employed owing to its toughness and the relative ease of producing cosmetically good result. However, implants are vulnerable to infection and removal of implant is sometimes necessary. Several other treatment options such as autologous bone graft or free flap are likely to be considered for the secondary reconstruction to avoid reinfection; however, reimplantation of artificial bone is beneficial for the patients, being not concerned with donor site morbidity. The authors consider one of risk factors of infection of artificial bone as dead space between the implant and dura. To attain reduction of the dead space, we have employed thickened artificial bone.Between 2010 and 2014, 6 patients underwent implantation of thickened artificial bone for the secondary reconstruction.First, the infected artificial material was removed with proper debridement. More than 3 months after the closure of the infected wound, tissue expander was inserted beneath the surrounding scalp to ensure the coverage of subsequently implanted artificial bone without skin tension. The thickened artificial bone was designed from the computed tomography findings so as not to leave any dead space between the implant and dura. After optimal expansion of the scalp, the artificial bone was implanted.Postoperative courses were uneventful and the appearance of the cranial vault was satisfactory in all patients.The authors consider the use of the thickened artificial bone is easier and more suitable for patients having a skull defect, particularly in secondary reconstruction.

When can we give general anesthesia to an infant with anticipated difficult airway management caused by facial vascular malformation?

A 13-month-old infant weighing 8.3 kg with a height of 72.3 cm visited our hospital for surgical resection of facial vascular malformation detected at birth. Because we anticipated the patient would have difficult airway management and massive perioperative bleeding, we postponed surgery to discuss the appropriate timing and general anesthesia approach with anesthesiologists at other institutions, while explaining the risk of general anesthesia and bleeding to the parents. When the patient was 21 months old and 10 kg, he started bleeding while undressing, when his lips touched his clothes. Because the cricothyroid membrane puncture kit (QuickTrach Child™ (VBM Medizintechnik GmbH, Sulz am Neckar, Germany)) can be used on infants weighing over 10 kg, we decided to give him general anesthesia. The infant was successfully intubated by Airwayscope™ and the lesion was surgically removed in accordance with the preoperative plan. The procedure took 65 min and created 8 g of bleeding. The infant had no postoperative bleeding or respiratory complications. There is no data on the timing of safe anesthesia management in infants with difficult airway management. Thus, taking the time to discuss the case with surgeons, other anesthesiologists, and the parents can be helpful.

Comparison of Nasal Septum and Ear Cartilage as a Graft for Lower Eyelid Reconstruction.

In lower eyelid reconstruction, several types of grafts from the nasal septum, ear cartilage, buccal mucosa, and hard palate mucosa have been used for an inner layer of the lower eyelid, but there have been no studies comparing these grafts. The authors retrospectively reviewed our cases of lower eyelid reconstruction, and compared chondromucosal grafts from the nasal septum (N = 8) and ear cartilage grafts (N = 10) for an inner layer of the lower eyelid. The authors observed no significant difference in operative time, blood loss, or length of hospital stay between the "nasal septum" and "ear cartilage" groups. The final results were aesthetically and functionally satisfactory in both groups. In the nasal septum group, 1 patient suffered from perforation of the nasal septum and another patient suffered from nasal bleeding postoperatively. There were no donor site complications in the ear cartilage group. These findings indicate that both a chondromucosal graft from the nasal septum and an ear cartilage graft are good grafts for an inner layer of the lower eyelid. Regarding the donor site, however, an ear cartilage graft has the advantage of a lower complication rate.

Efficacy of serial excisions of melanocytic nevi on the face using a carbon dioxide laser: a cosmetic point of view.

UNLABELLED: In cosmetic clinical practice, many patients express the desire for removal of melanocytic nevi, especially those on the face. The carbon dioxide (CO2) laser currently is the preferred for treatment of such lesions because of less scar formation, less bleeding, and simplicity of the procedure. However, if the diameter of the lesion is greater than 5 mm, many clinicians prefer surgical resection to laser resection because laser resection of relatively large nevi often results in the formation of a conspicuous dimple. The authors developed a serial laser excision method for melanocytic nevi larger than 5 mm, with division of the lesion into multiple segments, which allowed the ablated area to gain optimal granulation and reepithelialization, leading to a satisfactory cosmetic appearance. This novel procedure was performed for 25 patients with melanocytic nevi ranging from 5 to 10 mm in diameter. The lesions were divided into two segments in 21 patients, three segments in 3 patients, and four segments in 1 patient. The divided parts of the lesions were ablated by CO2 laser serially at intervals of 2-4 weeks. All the patients obtained optimal granulation and epithelialization in the treated lesions, and the final appearance was satisfactory. Although the therapeutic period was longer than for a surgical excision or a single laser treatment, the new treatment approach of serial excision by CO2 laser achieved favorable outcomes for the treatment of relatively large nevi 5-10 mm in size. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .