Reliability of eccentric position of the pedicle instead of central position in a thoracodorsal artery perforator flap.

INTRODUCTION: To obtain longer vascular pedicle in perforator flaps, surgeons often use eccentrically rather than centrally located perforators. The aim of this study was to compare the safety and reliability of thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flaps harvested with centrally or eccentrically located perforators. METHODS: Between January 2008 and March 2012, 100 TDAP flaps were used to reconstruct the lower extremity defects. Flaps longer than 10 cm, with a single musculocutaneous perforator, and one artery-one vein anastomoses were included. The cases were divided into two groups according to perforator location; Central perforators in 60 cases (group 1), and peripheral perforators in 40 cases (group 2). Total pedicle length was between the points where the perforator enters the flap to the end of the pedicle. Real pedicle length was from flap margin to the end of the pedicle. The flap dimension, total pedicle length, real pedicle length, and flap related complications were measured. RESULTS: The flaps were smaller in group 1 than in group 2 (159.6 ± 94.08 vs.189.95 ± 134.30 cm2 , P = 0.455). Total pedicle length was almost the same (12.12 ± 1.57 vs.12.88 ± 2.10 cm, P = 0.420), but the mean real pedicle length was longer in group 2 (6.13 ± 1.33 vs.11.65 ± 2.08 cm, P < 0.05). There were 4 cases of partial loss of flap in group 1 and 3 partial loss and one total flap loss in group 2 without significant difference (P = 0.547). CONCLUSIONS: Using eccentrically located perforators is simple method of extending real pedicle length, but there have been concerns regarding flap perfusion and distal vascularity. Our findings suggest that, in TDAP flaps, both eccentric and central perforator are safe options. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:44-48, 2017.

Monocyte-based microrobot with chemotactic motility for tumor theragnosis.

Biocompatibility, sensing, and self-actuation are very important features for a therapeutic biomedical microrobot. As a new concept for tumor theragnosis, this paper proposes a monocyte-based microrobots, which are combining the phagocytosis and engulfment activities containing human acute monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1) with various sized polystyrene microbeads are engulfed instead of a therapeutic drug. For the validation of the blood vessel barrier-penetrating activity of the monocyte-based microrobot, we fabricate a new cell migration assay with monolayer-cultured endothelial cell (HUVEC), similar with the blood vessels. We perform the penetrating chemotactic motility of the monocyte-based microrobot using various types of the chemo-attractants, such as monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, human breast cancer cell lines (MCF7)-cell lysates, and -contained alginate spheroids. The monocyte-based microrobot show chemotactic transmigrating motilities similar with what an actual monocyte does. This new paradigm of a monocyte-based microrobot having various useful properties such as biocompatibility, sensing, and self-actuation can become the basis of a biomedical microrobot using monocytes for diagnosis and therapy of various diseases.

Quantitative assessment of the ischiofemoral space and evidence of degenerative changes in the quadratus femoris muscle.

BACKGROUND: Injuries to the quadratus femoris (QF) muscle have only recently appeared in the medical literature with the increasing use of advanced imaging in assessing musculoskeletal complaints in the gluteal region. Both strains of the QF muscle and impingement of the QF muscle within the ischiofemoral (IF) space can appear similar on imaging, and normative data of the IF space is important in establishing guidelines for defining these conditions. PURPOSE: One purpose of this study was to quantitatively describe the IF and QF spaces. The second goal of this paper was to describe gross abnormalities seen in the QF muscle, and determine if the appearance of the muscle is associated with pelvimetric measurements. METHODS: Quantitative measurements were taken of the IF and QF spaces on 16 cadavers (29 hips). The QF muscle was then examined and assigned a quantitative grade. RESULTS: The mean IF space was 23.5 ± 4.7 mm and QF space was 20.4 ± 5.6 mm. Abnormalities of the QF muscle were observed in 51.7 % of the hips, and were associated with a greater approximation when moving the hip from neutral to maximally extended-adducted. CONCLUSION: While degenerative changes were present in the majority of QF muscles, these changes were not associated with the size of the IF or QF space. However, there was a significant association between the degree of degenerative change observed and (1) an increased approximation of the QF attachments sites; and (2) a narrower intertuberous diameter.

Correction of Small Eye Opening with Combined Method

PURPOSE: Generally speaking, most of Korean have smaller eyes than those of Caucasian and they have epicanthus with narrow palpebral fissure. It makes external appearance looking dull because the length of the palpebral fissure is short and there is a epicanthus. In case the function of the levator muscle is weak, their eyes look much smaller. Epicanthus and weak levator muscle function make the eyes look dull. The above mentioned, authors want to introduce double eyelid operation, epicanthoplasty, levator plication to extend and lengthen the palpebral fissure. METHODS: From August 2001 to August 2004, there were 138 cases that had double eyelid operation with epicanthoplasty or levator plication. the 69 cases of them had double eyelid operation and epicanthoplasty, the 33 cases of them had double eyelid operation and levator plication and the 36 cases of them had double eyelid operation and epicanthoplasty and levator plication. RESULTS: After the operation, the length and height of the eyelid are improved remarkably, and most of the patients were satisfied. The length of the eyelid is improved 3to5mm(3.4+/-0.5mm) in case of the epicanthoplasty, the width of the eyelid is improved 3 to 4mm (3.1+/-0.3mm) by the levator plication. The length of the eyelid is improved 3to5(3.4+/-0.4mm) and the width is improved 2to4mm(2.9+/-0.5mm) by the epicanthoplasty used levator plication. CONCLUSION: The improvement of the eyelid length is almost the same as epicanthoplasty and levator plication are done simultaneously. But the improvement of the eyelid width is less shorter when epicanthoplasty and levator plication are done simultaneously than the case of levator plication alone. This is because there is a tension influencing on the limitation of widening palpebral fissure to fix the epicanthal tendon. This method is recommendable for the patients who want to have much bigger eyes.

Long Term Follow Up of Maxilla Reconstruction Following the Ablative Cancer Surgery

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of using the free flap in the reconstruction of maxillary defects. METHODS: 27 consecutive cases of maxillary reconstruction with free flap were reviewed. All clinical data were analyzed, including ideal selection of flap, time of reconstruction, recurrence of cancer, postoperative complications, flap design, and follow-up results. The main operative functional items, including speech, oral diet, mastication, eye globe position and function, respiration, and aesthetic results were evaluated. RESULTS: Among the 24 patients who underwent maxillary reconstruction with the free flap, 14 patients underwent immediate reconstruction after maxillary cancer ablation, and 10 patients underwent delayed reconstruction. There occurred 1 flap loss. Recurrences of the cancer after the reconstruction happened in 2 cases. Postoperative complications were 3 cases of gravitational ptosis of the flap, 2 cases of the nasal obstruction, and 1 case of fistula formation. Out of 27 free flaps, there were 15 latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps, 5 radial forearm, 4 rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps, 1 scapular flap, 2 fibula osteocutaneous flap, respectively. Flaps were designed such as 1 lobe in 9 cases, 2 lobes in 9 cases, and 3 lobes in 5 cases. Among the 14 patients who had intraoral defect or who had palatal resection surgery, 2 patients complained the inaccuracy of the pronunciation due to the ptosis of the flap. It was corrected by the reconstruction of the maxillary buttress and hung the sling to the upper direction. All of the 14 patients were able to take unrestricted diets. In 6 patients who had reconstruction of inferior orbital wall with rib bone graft, they preserved normal vision. Aesthetically, most of the patients were satisfied with the result. CONCLUSION: LD free flap is suggested in uni-maxilla defect as the 1st choice, and fibular osteocutaneous flap and calvarial bone graft to cover the larger defect in bi-maxilla defect.

Selection of Recipient Vessels in Delayed Breast Reconstruction with Free TRAM Flap

PURPOSE: The selection of the recipient vessels in breast reconstruction has a great influence on the surgical result and the shape of the reconstructed breast. We would like to introduce the criteria for the selection of recipient vessels in delayed reconstruction of the breast. METHODS: We studied 56 patients with delayed breast reconstruction using free TRAM flaps from April 1994 to December 2006. The thoracodorsal and the ipsilateral internal mammary vessels were used as recipients in 25 patients each, the opposite internal mammary vessels in 3 patients, the thoracoacromial vessels in 2 patients, and the transverse cervical artery with the cephalic vein in 1 patient. The survival rate of the flaps, the vessel diameter, the length of the pedicles, and the convenience of vessel dissection were studied. RESULTS: The diameter of the recipient vessel did not influence the anastomosis. The operation time, the survival rate of flap, the postoperative complications showed no significant difference according to the recipient vessel. Dissection of the thoracodorsal vessels was tedious due to scar formation from the prior operation. Dissection of the internal mammary vessels proved to be relatively easy, and the required length of the pedicle was shorter than any other site, but the need for removal of rib cartilage makes this procedure inconvenient. CONCLUSION: The first choice of the recipient vessel in immediate breast reconstruction is the thoracodorsal vessels, but in cases of delayed reconstruction the internal mammary vessels are favored as the first choice, because the thoracodorsal vessels have a high unusability rate. If the ipsilateral internal mammary vessels prove to be useless, the contralateral vessels can be used. The thoracoacromial vessels are useful, when the mastectomy scar is located in the upper portion. The transverse cervical artery and the cephalic vein can serve as the last resort, if all other vessels are unreliable.

Microarray analysis of transcription factor gene expression in melatonin-treated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

The existence of specific melatonin-binding sites in lymphoid cells led to the discovery of signal transduction pathway for melatonin in human lymphocytes and immunomodulatory role of melatonin in immune cells. In recent years, transcriptional regulation of melatonin on various transcription factors has been demonstrated. Therefore, this study was designed to assess by cDNA microarray analysis the regulatory effects of melatonin on transcription factors in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Forty-six genes were upregulated and 23 were downregulated more than twofold in melatonin-treated PBMCs. Of the more than twofold upregulated transcription factor genes, homeo box A4 (HOXA4), forkhead box O1A (FOXO1A), transcription elongation factor B (SIII), polypeptide 3 (TCEB3), and peroxisome proliferative activated receptor delta (PPARD) were identified. Of the more than twofold downregulated genes, PHD finger protein 15 (PHF15) and zinc finger protein 33a (ZNF33A) were identified. In summary, identification of these genes by cDNA microarray analysis in response to melatonin administration may provide a foundation for further studies on the function of melatonin in human PBMCs.