ABSTRACT
RESUMEN: La rehabilitación de rebordes severamente atróficos mediante prótesis híbridas con subestructura cromo-cobalto fabricadas por sinterizado láser asegura el ajuste pasivo, aumentando la estabilidad de los tejidos de soporte a largo plazo. Los controles periódicos y enseñanza de técnicas de higiene son fundamentales para el éxito de rehabilitaciones complejas sobre implantes. El propósito de este reporte de caso es realizar la evaluación clínica y radiográfica a 5 años de prótesis híbridas maxilar y mandibular fabricadas mediante sinterizado láser, encontrándose resultados satisfactorios en la evaluación y seguimiento.
ABSTRACT: Rehabilitation of severely atrophic ridges using hybrid cobalt-chrome substructures manufactured by laser sintering ensures passive fit, increasing support tissue stability. Regular check-ups and the teaching of hygiene techniques are essential for the success of complex implant restorations. The purpose of this case report is to perform a 5-year clinical and radiographic evaluation of hybrid maxillary and mandibular prostheses manufactured using laser sintering, achieving satisfactory results in the evaluation and follow-up.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Jaw, Edentulous/rehabilitation , Prosthesis Implantation/methods , Atrophy/rehabilitation , Chromium Alloys , Maxillofacial ProsthesisABSTRACT
Oral rehabilitation with osseointegrated implants is frequently the best alternative for replacement of lost teeth. Several techniques and materials allow achievement of excellent function and esthetics. In the case of maxillary or mandibular atrophy, extensive grafting may be necessary before implants can be properly placed. This is a case of maxillary reconstruction with autogenous iliac crest bone grafts, followed by placement of guided implants. After integration of the grafts, planning and insertion of implants allowed installation of an implant-supported prosthesis, recovering the morphology, function, and esthetics.
Subject(s)
Bone Resorption/rehabilitation , Dental Implants , Ilium/transplantation , Maxilla/pathology , Maxilla/surgery , Alveolar Ridge Augmentation/methods , Atrophy/rehabilitation , Atrophy/surgery , Bone Resorption/surgery , Dental Implantation, Endosseous , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Osseointegration , Transplantation, AutologousABSTRACT
Swallowing dysfunction is related to long-term weight loss and reduced body mass index in patients with head and neck cancer. We describe a 76-y-old woman who had severe sarcopenic dysphagia and atrophy of the reconstructed tongue for 17 mo after subtotal glossectomy due to tongue cancer and lost 14 kg during that period. Upon admission, the patient received diagnoses of malnutrition in the context of social or environmental circumstances with insufficient energy intake, loss of muscle mass, localized fluid accumulation, weight loss, and sarcopenia due to reduced skeletal muscle mass (skeletal muscle index <3.95 cm2/m2) and low walking speed (<0.8 m/s). She was not able to eat anything and had a functional oral intake scale level of 1 and penetration-aspiration scale score of 7 points on video fluorography. We increased the nutritional intake to 1900 kcal/d and protein intake to 70.3 g/d by supplying sufficient excess energy, and provided physical therapy and dysphagia rehabilitation to improve sarcopenia, atrophy of the reconstructed tongue, and dysphagia. After 20 mo of treatment, she was considered to be no longer malnourished (11 kg weight gain) and without sarcopenia (skeletal muscle index 4.01 cm2/m2), and the volume of the reconstructed tongue was increased. Sarcopenia and atrophy of the reconstructed tongue may cause dysphagia after glossectomy due to tongue cancer. Additionally, nutritional support and rehabilitation could improve such dysphagia.
Subject(s)
Atrophy/rehabilitation , Deglutition Disorders/rehabilitation , Nutritional Support , Sarcopenia/rehabilitation , Tongue/surgery , Aged , Atrophy/surgery , Body Mass Index , Deglutition Disorders/etiology , Deglutition Disorders/surgery , Female , Glossectomy , Head and Neck Neoplasms/complications , Head and Neck Neoplasms/rehabilitation , Head and Neck Neoplasms/surgery , Humans , Muscle, Skeletal/pathology , Muscle, Skeletal/surgery , Sarcopenia/surgery , Tongue/pathology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The present systematic review is based on the premise that a variety of neurodegenerative diseases are accompanied by grey matter atrophy in the brain and meditation may impact this. Given that age is a major risk factor for many of these progressive and neurodegenerative diseases and that the percentage of the population over the age of 65 is quickly increasing, there is an obvious need for prompt treatment and prevention advances in research. As there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, many are seeking non-pharmacological treatment options in attempts to offset the disease-related cognitive and functional declines. On the basis of a growing body of research suggesting that meditation is effective in increasing grey matter volume in healthy participants, this paper systematically reviewed the literature regarding the effects of meditation on restoring grey matter volume in healthy individuals and those affected by neurodegeneration. This review searched PubMed, CINAHL, and APA PsycNET to identify original studies that included MRI imaging to measure grey matter volume in meditators and post-mindfulness-based intervention participants compared to controls. Thirteen studies were considered eligible for review and involved a wide variety of meditation techniques and included participants with and without cognitive impairment. All studies reported significant increases in grey matter volume in the meditators/intervention group, albeit in assorted regions of the brain. Limited research exists on the mechanisms through which meditation affects disease-related neurodegeneration, but preliminary evidence suggests that it may offset grey matter atrophy.
Subject(s)
Brain/pathology , Gray Matter/pathology , Meditation/methods , Neurodegenerative Diseases/pathology , Atrophy/pathology , Atrophy/rehabilitation , Humans , Neurodegenerative Diseases/complicationsABSTRACT
Persistent muscle atrophy in the chronically torn rotator cuff is a significant obstacle for treatment and recovery. Large atrophic changes are predictive of poor surgical and nonsurgical outcomes and frequently fail to resolve even following functional restoration of loading and rehabilitation. New insights into the processes of muscle atrophy and recovery gained through studies in developmental biology combined with the novel tools and strategies emerging in regenerative medicine provide new avenues to combat the vexing problem of muscle atrophy in the rotator cuff. Moving these treatment strategies forward likely will involve the combination of surgery, biologic/cellular agents, and physical interventions, as increasing experimental evidence points to the beneficial interaction between biologic therapies and physiologic stresses. Thus, the physical therapy profession is poised to play a significant role in defining the success of these combinatorial therapies. This perspective article will provide an overview of the developmental biology and regenerative medicine strategies currently under investigation to combat muscle atrophy and how they may integrate into the current and future practice of physical therapy.
Subject(s)
Developmental Biology , Muscle, Skeletal/pathology , Physical Therapy Modalities , Regenerative Medicine , Rotator Cuff Injuries/complications , Atrophy/etiology , Atrophy/prevention & control , Atrophy/rehabilitation , Humans , Rotator Cuff Injuries/physiopathologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Selective atrophy of hamstring components may result from muscle strain or graft harvesting for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Assessment and rehabilitation that specifically targets medial (MH) or lateral (LH) hamstring components may improve patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of volitional tibial rotation medially (MR) versus laterally (LR) on activation levels of MH versus LH and strength measures during isometric testing of knee flexors. HYPOTHESIS: Muscle activation of MH and LH during knee flexor strength testing will be augmented when coupled with MR and LR of the tibia, respectively, without affecting knee flexor strength measures. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional laboratory study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. METHODS: Surface electrodes were used to record neuromuscular activity from MH and LH of the right lower limb in 40 healthy young men and women during isometric knee flexor strength testing at 40° of knee flexion, where participants maintained concurrent volitional MR or LR of the tibia. Statistical analyses of variance included general linear models for repeated measures. RESULTS: A significant interaction was found for tibial rotation and hamstring component variables (P < 0.01). When isometric knee flexion was coupled with LR, normalized activation levels were similar for MH and LH. When performed with MR, a significant drop in LH activation led to dissimilar activation levels of the 2 components. Significantly greater strength measures were found when isometric knee flexion was performed with concurrent LR of the tibia (P < 0.01). Both sexes demonstrated the same rotation-dependent differences. CONCLUSION: Coupling tibial rotation with knee flexor activities primarily affects the LH component. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Strategies involving volitional tibial rotation may be considered for specific assessment/rehabilitation of the MH or LH component.
Subject(s)
Knee Joint/physiology , Muscle, Skeletal/physiology , Rotation , Tibia/physiology , Adult , Atrophy/rehabilitation , Cross-Sectional Studies , Electromyography , Female , Humans , Isometric Contraction , Male , Muscle Strength/physiology , Muscle, Skeletal/pathology , Thigh , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Haemodialysis (HD) patients are characterised by muscle wasting, decreased physical function and poor quality of life. The objective was to analyse the effect of an intradialysis NMES training programme in muscular strength, functional capacity and quality of life in our HD patients. MATERIAL: HD patients were assigned to NMES (ESG) or control group (CG) in a 12-week single-centre prospective study. Transversal quadriceps muscular area, maximum length quadriceps strength (MLQS), handgrip, sit-to-stand-to-sit 10 test (STS10), "6-min walking test" (6MWT); EuroQol-5D health-related quality of life (EQ-5D) questionnaire, subjective global assessment (SGA) and NMES symptoms questionnaires (SQ) were completed. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients (54 % men). Mean age 69.7 years. 32.1 months on HD, 23 ESG and 15 in CG. In contrast with CG, ESG significantly (*p < 0.05) improved MLQS* (10.2 6.7 vs. 13.1 8.1 kg), STS10* (41 18.7 vs. 37.2 23.9 s), 6MWT* (12 %, 280.5 vs. 312.4 m) and EQ-5D score* (52.7 vs. 65.5) at the end of the study. However, lower SQ score* (8.5 vs. 5.8 sympt./patient) in ESG was observed, mainly due to muscular pain* (2.2 vs. 1.2), cramps* (1.6 vs. 1.2), numbness* (1.7 vs. 1.1) or stinging* (1.5 vs. 1.1). In ESG, 44 and 72 % referred better wellness sensation and physical condition in SGA, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Intradialytic NMES of both quadriceps improved muscular strength, functional capacity and quality of life in our HD patients. With the obtained results, NMES constitutes a novel therapeutic alternative to improve the deteriorated physical condition and quality of life of these patients.
Subject(s)
Electric Stimulation Therapy , Muscle Strength , Quadriceps Muscle/pathology , Quadriceps Muscle/physiopathology , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/physiopathology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Atrophy/etiology , Atrophy/physiopathology , Atrophy/rehabilitation , Exercise Test , Exercise Tolerance , Female , Hand Strength , Health Status , Humans , Hypesthesia/etiology , Male , Middle Aged , Myalgia/etiology , Paresthesia/etiology , Prospective Studies , Quality of Life , Renal Dialysis , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/complications , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/therapy , Symptom Assessment , Walking/physiologyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The reliability of oral rehabilitation by four zygomatic implants with no anterior support remains to be determined. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the predictability of this approach in regard to implant survival, technical and biologic complications, and quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic literature search was conducted from September 2000 to November 2013. Human clinical trials in which oral rehabilitation was achieved by the use of four zygomatic implants with no additional placement of standard implants were included. The primary outcome was the survival rate of the zygomatic implants. In addition, random effects meta-analyses of the selected studies were applied to avoid potential bias caused by methodologic differences among studies. RESULTS: Zygomatic implant survival rate weighted mean (WM) was 96.7% (range, 95.8% to 99.9%), with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 92.5% to 98.5%. Only a limited number of surgical complications were reported, with orbital perforation the most significant. Similar results were obtained for prosthetic complications (few occurrences). Additionally, patient satisfaction levels were shown to be high, approaching that of the general population. CONCLUSION: Data from the present systematic review suggest that maxillary rehabilitation by four zygomatic implants with no anterior support is a reliable approach.
Subject(s)
Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported/methods , Maxilla/pathology , Maxillary Diseases/surgery , Zygoma/surgery , Atrophy/rehabilitation , Clinical Trials as Topic , Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported/standards , Humans , Maxillary Diseases/rehabilitation , Patient Satisfaction , Quality of Life , Reproducibility of ResultsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The clinical characteristics of neurological sequelae in patients with acute encephalopathy with febrile convulsive status epilepticus (AEFCSE) was elucidated. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 8 patients, which were admitted to our hospital from 2002 to 2011. RESULTS: In the subacute phase, transient neurological symptoms, such as dystonia (n = 3), choreoathetosis (n = 2), oral tendency (n = 5) and unilateral spatial neglect (n = 6), appeared from 3 weeks after onset. Then, severe intellectual disability (n = 7), attention deficit (n = 7), disturbance of communication skill (n = 7) and emotional disturbance (n = 2), persisted from one month after onset. Although seven patients resumed ambulatory abilities, six exhibited unstable gait without ataxia or muscular weakness. The neuroradiological findings on MRI corresponded to the clinical course. In the subacute phase, reversible bilateral signal changes were noted in the subcortical white matter (n = 8), caudate nuclei (n = 2), putamen (n = 1) and thalamus (n = 1). In the chronic phase, diffuse cortical atrophy, predominantly in the fronto-temporal lobes. Diffuse cortical atrophy suggested that the persistent neurological sequelae of AEFCSE represent cortical dysfunction. Therefore, we propose that the unstable gait in our patients was gait ataxia, being related to the frontal lobe dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: These neurological findings of AEFCSE showed characteristic temporal changes, which should be considered in the development of rehabilitation programs.
Subject(s)
Seizures, Febrile/complications , Status Epilepticus/complications , Acute Disease , Atrophy/complications , Atrophy/physiopathology , Atrophy/rehabilitation , Child , Child, Preschool , Disease Progression , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Retrospective Studies , Seizures, Febrile/physiopathology , Status Epilepticus/physiopathologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Balance impairments can disrupt the careers of U.S. Army soldiers and put themselves and their mates in danger. The purpose of this case report is to review the rehabilitation process and outcome of a U.S. Army soldier diagnosed with gait ataxia secondary to cerebellar atrophy. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient is a 35-year-old active duty U.S. Army male who presented with an ataxic gait pattern and had magnetic resonance image evidence of cerebellar atrophy. OUTCOMES: Over the course of 7 months of rehabilitation, the patient showed improvement in ambulation and balance as evidenced by improved dynamic gait index and Propriotest dynamic motion analysis scores. DISCUSSION: This relatively young, active duty soldier was able to improve with physical therapy intervention. However, even in this young, highly motivated patient, it took several months of rehabilitation to achieve his goals.
Subject(s)
Cerebellum/pathology , Gait Ataxia/rehabilitation , Military Personnel , Physical Therapy Modalities , Adult , Atrophy/complications , Atrophy/rehabilitation , Gait Ataxia/etiology , Humans , Male , Postural Balance , United States , WalkingABSTRACT
AIM: Fresh frozen bone (FFB) is homologous bone obtained from human donors, provided by Tissue Banks. It is a graft material in reconstructive surgery; it is currently and widely used in orthopedic surgery and lately it has been introduced in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The purpose of this work was to show the use of fresh frozen homologous bone for bony augmentation of the maxilla and mandible in preparation for dental reconstruction with endosseous implants, as an effective alternative to harvesting and grafting autogenous bone from intra- or extra-oral donor sites. METHODS: The case presented clinically demonstrates the use of FFB grafts in the vertical augmentation of a severe maxillary atrophy in general anesthesia, and the outpatient treatment with implants insertion and prosthetic restoration. Histologic evaluation of graft biopsy six months after surgery is added to clinical assessments. RESULTS: Clinical outcome is shown with good volumetric and morphological reconstruction of the alveolar ridge without the need of a donor site. Excellent graft integration and bleeding newly formed bone was seen at the second surgical step (six months after FFB grafting), when fixation screws were removed and implant placement procedure was performed. CONCLUSION: The use of FFB in major preprosthetic surgery may be an acceptable therapeutic alternative to the autogenous block graft (harvested from iliac crest or calvarium) for its success rate as graft material. Benefits include: surgical procedure with reduced discomfort and infection risk as a second operation field to harvest the graft is avoided; FFB is safe, cheap and available in programmed amounts, its use can significantly reduce operating time.
Subject(s)
Alveolar Bone Loss/rehabilitation , Bone Transplantation/methods , Jaw, Edentulous, Partially/rehabilitation , Maxilla/pathology , Adult , Alveolar Bone Loss/pathology , Alveolar Ridge Augmentation/methods , Atrophy/rehabilitation , Bone Regeneration , Bone Screws , Cryopreservation , Dental Implantation, Endosseous/methods , Humans , Male , Tissue Preservation , Transplantation, HomologousABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To assess the effects of the combination of pelvic floor rehabilitation and intravaginal estriol administration on stress urinary incontinence (SUI), urogenital atrophy and recurrent urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Two-hundred-six postmenopausal women with urogenital aging symptoms were enrolled in this prospective randomized controlled study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups and each group consisted of 103 women. Subjects in the treatment group received intravaginal estriol ovules, such as 1 ovule (1 mg) once daily for 2 weeks and then 2 ovules once weekly for a total of 6 months as maintenance therapy plus pelvic floor rehabilitation. Subjects in the control group received only intravaginal estriol in a similar regimen. We evaluated urogenital symptomatology, urine cultures, colposcopic findings, urethral cytologic findings, urethral pressure profiles and urethrocystometry before, as well as after 6 months of treatment. RESULTS: After therapy, the symptoms and signs of urogenital atrophy significantly improved in both groups. 61/83 (73.49%) of the treated patients, and only 10/103 (9.71%) of the control patients referred a subjective improvement of their incontinence. In the patients treated by combination therapy with estriol plus pelvic floor rehabilitation, we observed significant improvements of colposcopic findings, and there were statistically significant increases in mean maximum urethral pressure (MUP), in mean urethral closure pressure (MUCP), as well as in the abdominal pressure transmission ratio to the proximal urethra (PTR). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that combination therapy with estriol plus pelvic floor rehabilitation was effective and should be considered as a first-line treatment for symptoms of urogenital aging in postmenopausal women.
Subject(s)
Aging , Estriol/therapeutic use , Exercise Therapy , Pelvic Floor/physiopathology , Urogenital System/pathology , Urogenital System/physiopathology , Administration, Intravaginal , Analysis of Variance , Atrophy/drug therapy , Atrophy/physiopathology , Atrophy/rehabilitation , Dyspareunia/drug therapy , Dyspareunia/physiopathology , Dyspareunia/rehabilitation , Electric Stimulation Therapy , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Postmenopause , Pressure , Urethra/physiopathology , Urinary Bladder/physiopathology , Urinary Incontinence, Stress/drug therapy , Urinary Incontinence, Stress/physiopathology , Urinary Incontinence, Stress/rehabilitation , Urinary Tract Infections/drug therapy , Urinary Tract Infections/physiopathology , Urinary Tract Infections/rehabilitation , Vagina/pathology , Vagina/physiopathologyABSTRACT
Regional deterioration of brain structure is a typical feature of aging, but emerging evidence suggests that exercise may mitigate the decline. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the moderating influence of exercise engagement on cross-sectional estimates of age-related brain atrophy at both global and regional levels. Estimates of exercise engagement over the past 10 years and MRI-based measures of global (gray and white) and regional volumes were obtained in a sample of 52 healthy older adults aged 55-79. Volume estimates were obtained in prefrontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, neostriatal, and medial temporal regions. Higher levels of exercise engagement were related to larger superior frontal volumes. Most critically, exercise engagement selectively moderated age-related medial temporal lobe atrophy. Specifically, significant age-related atrophy was observed for older adults who engaged in low levels of exercise, but not for those who engaged in high levels of exercise. This novel finding extends support for the efficacy of exercise to the potential maintenance of medial temporal lobe integrity in older adults.
Subject(s)
Aging/pathology , Exercise/physiology , Temporal Lobe/pathology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Atrophy/rehabilitation , Brain Mapping , Female , Humans , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods , Linear Models , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Male , Middle Aged , Reproducibility of Results , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Cognitive disorders are common in MS patients without any generally recommended treatment. Recent brain imaging studies show considerable neuroplasticity for cognitive tasks in MS patients, but also brain atrophy already early in the disease progression. We explored the benefits of a home-based cognitive training program for memory and working memory functions in relapsing-remitting MS patients controlling for whole brain and central brain atrophy as covariates. METHODS: Using a single-blinded controlled study design, 42 patients were randomised into a treatment group and a control group. Home based computer training focusing on memory and working memory was started at least 4 weeks after the discontinuation of methylprednisolone treatment and lasted for 6 weeks. Two weeks later the patients were re-investigated for their clinical and cognitive performance. We assessed also quality of life (QoL), depression and fatigue using self-rating scales. RESULTS: Training had no effect on the neurological status and on QoL or fatigue. However, the treatment group showed better verbal learning, long-delay verbal memory performance, and working memory performance. The impact of treatment on long-delay verbal memory performance was independent from the extent of brain atrophy, whereas for the other findings brain atrophy played a significant role. CONCLUSIONS: An intensive home-based cognitive training program is suitable to improve the cognitive performance of MS patients. The impact of brain atrophy on rehabilitation outcome may differ for cognitive functions.
Subject(s)
Brain/pathology , Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/methods , Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/complications , Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/rehabilitation , Adult , Analysis of Variance , Atrophy/rehabilitation , Cognition/physiology , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Male , Middle Aged , Multiple Sclerosis , Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/psychology , Neuropsychological Tests , Quality of Life , Severity of Illness Index , Single-Blind MethodABSTRACT
The results of this study indicate that subperiosteal implants extend the potentialities of treatment for patients with significant maxillary bone atrophy fitted with permanent dentures.
Subject(s)
Dental Implantation, Endosseous/methods , Jaw, Edentulous/rehabilitation , Maxilla/pathology , Atrophy/rehabilitation , Dental Implantation, Endosseous/adverse effects , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Jaw, Edentulous/surgeryABSTRACT
This article outlines a number of simple clinical steps which should enable general dental practitioners to diagnose and treat the majority of complete denture problems in patients with atrophic mandibular ridges. The guiding principle is the reduction of forces transmitted to the denture-bearing area via the lower denture. Methods of optimising the size of the denture bases and/or the occlusal tables are discussed and illustrated.
Subject(s)
Alveolar Process/pathology , Denture Retention/methods , Denture, Complete, Lower/adverse effects , Mandible/pathology , Atrophy/rehabilitation , Dental Occlusion , Denture Design , Humans , Jaw, Edentulous/rehabilitation , Vertical DimensionABSTRACT
A system of surgical treatment of patients with radiation atrophy of orbital tissues has been developed in order to attain a stable position of the prosthesis in the cavity and improve the patients' appearances. A total of 366 interventions were performed in 242 patients. The operations were as follows: formation of conjunctival cavity by autotransplants of the mucosa from the lips (242), delayed plasty of the stump (81), contour plasty of the temple and external edge of the orbit (32), correction of eyelids (11). Single-stage treatment was carried out in 156 patients and 2-7 stages in 86 patients. Positive results were attained in all cases: the depth of the vault increased, lagophthalmos decreased, falling-in defect of prosthesis, eyelids, and temple were reduced, and stable position of the prosthesis in the cavity was attained. Surgical treatment of this condition differs greatly from plastic repair for other diseases because of changes in tissues after radiotherapy. Functional and cosmetic rehabilitation of patients with postradiation atrophy of orbital tissues after treatment of retinoblastoma with good effect can be attained only by staged surgical treatment.
Subject(s)
Orbit/pathology , Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods , Radiation Injuries/surgery , Retinal Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Retinoblastoma/radiotherapy , Adolescent , Adult , Atrophy/rehabilitation , Atrophy/surgery , Child , Conjunctiva/surgery , Eye Enucleation , Eyelids/surgery , Female , Humans , Lip , Male , Mouth Mucosa/transplantation , Orbit/radiation effects , Orbit/surgery , Radiation Injuries/rehabilitation , Reoperation , Retinal Neoplasms/surgery , Retinoblastoma/surgery , Retrospective Studies , Transplantation, AutologousABSTRACT
Functional recovery following motor nerve injury and repair is directly related to the degree of muscle atrophy that takes place during the period of nerve regeneration. The extent of this muscle atrophy is related to a number of factors including the accuracy of nerve repair; the distance through which the nerve must regenerate; the age of the patient; and the type of nerve injury and other associated tendon and soft tissue and bony damage. Atrophy of muscle that is always associated with nerve injury is a combination of disuse and degeneration. Our hypothesis proposed the following question: "Would continuous electrical stimulation of the denervated muscle during the period of nerve regeneration maintain the integrity of the muscle fibers and hence their potential functional capacity?" We have completed a series of animal studies (rabbit and canine models) in our laboratory using a completely implantable system to provide continuous muscle stimulation following nerve injury and microsurgical repair. In several different experiments, the nerves under study were cut and repaired at 4 and 12 cm from the muscles to study the effects of short- and long-term recovery. In all experiments, a beneficial effect was demonstrated with improved morphology and functional capacity of the reinnervated stimulated muscles when compared with nonstimulated controls. In addition, electrical stimulation using this implantable system could be applied for extended periods without evidence of discomfort in the experimental animals.