The limited incision harvest of the rectus femoris flap for complex groin wound management.

BACKGROUND: Muscle flaps can be effective in the protocol of complex groin wound management, yet donor-site morbidity remains a continued concern. The purpose of this study was to present a minimally invasive approach to the harvest of the rectus femoris flap (RFF) for groin wound vascularized tissue coverage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study examined all patients undergoing RFF coverage and reconstruction of a complex groin wound between July 1, 2010, and December 31, 2011. During the study period, the senior author (S.K.K.) performed all RFF harvests through a minimally invasive approach, whereas all other surgeons performed the RFF harvest through a standard approach. Patients who underwent a minimally invasive RFF approach were compared with those who underwent the standard incision. RESULTS: Forty-three patients underwent RFF coverage procedures, 11 of which were carried out using the minimally invasive technique. The patients in the minimally invasive cohort were older (P = 0.03) but had similar rates of medical comorbidities. Minimally invasive RFF harvests were more commonly performed in the planned, salvage setting (P = 0.03). No difference was found in the vascular surgery procedure type (P = 0.13), presence of exposed prosthetic graft material (0.2), or rate of culture-positive wound (P = 0.67). Importantly, no differences in operative time (184.4 [45.5] minutes vs 169.3 [31.7] minutes, P = 0.45) or postoperative complications were observed, with no graft losses or major limb-related morbidity in either group. CONCLUSIONS: The RFF continues to be a workhorse flap for complex groin wounds, most often in the salvage setting. This study demonstrates that a minimally invasive approach can be used for flap harvest with equivalent results to that of the standard longitudinal incision.

Long-term follow-up experience with carbonated calcium phosphate cement (Norian) for cranioplasty in children and adults.

BACKGROUND: Despite the growing popularity of calcium-based bone cements as a cranioplasty material, the long-term success and complication rates of these materials remain largely controversial. The authors reviewed their extended experience with Norian, a carbonated calcium phosphate bone cement, for cranioplasty. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent cranioplasty using Norian over the past 9 years was conducted. Patients with less than 1 year of follow-up were excluded. RESULTS: Forty-six patients were studied. Follow-up averaged 43.9 months (range, 12.1 to 109.8 months). The overall complication rate was 26 percent, and included infection (n = 9), seroma (n = 1), or a chronically draining sinus (n = 2). Average time to onset of a complication was 20.2 months (range, 2.3 to 89.2 months). Two of nine infections resolved with oral antibiotics; the remaining complications required surgical intervention for definitive treatment. Factors associated with a statistically increased risk of complications were amounts of Norian used (p < 0.01) and onlay application with a high probability for bacterial contamination (p = 0.001), whereas reconstruction of full-thickness cranial defects larger than 25 cm trended toward worse outcomes (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Norian is well suited for cranioplasty when used in moderate amounts for onlay applications, as evidenced by acceptable complication rates and contouring ability in this setting. Its use in large amounts as an onlay, inlay full-thickness cranial reconstruction of large defects or areas with potential bacterial contamination should be avoided. Complications or construct failure may occur months or even years after implantation, even under ideal circumstances.

The natural history of patients treated for FGFR3-associated (Muenke-type) craniosynostosis.

BACKGROUND: Muenke-type craniosynostosis is defined as fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3)-associated coronal craniosynostosis with or without mental retardation. With complementary genetic information, more precise diagnosis and long-term functional outcome of cranial vault remodeling in affected patients can be studied, and additional distinct features of Muenke syndrome can now be investigated. This study was undertaken to assess craniofacial growth and long-term functional outcome in patients with Muenke-type craniosynostosis. METHODS: A chart review of all FGFR3 patients at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia who had undergone cranial vault remodeling for unicoronal or bicoronal synostosis (n = 16) was performed. Need for reoperation, midface surgery, and functional corrections were assessed. Audiology and orthodontic records were reviewed. RESULTS: All patients underwent cranial remodeling during infancy. Repeated intracranial surgery was performed or is currently scheduled for aesthetic reasons only (n = 7). Sexual dimorphism with male preponderance in FGFR3 unicoronal synostosis was detected. Despite dental crowding amenable to palatal expansion in patients with bicoronal synostosis, significant midface hypoplasia was not observed. Sensorineural hearing loss with a distinctive pattern was present in all patients who had undergone audiology testing. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with FGFR3-associated craniosynostosis demonstrate a sexual dimorphism, with a male preponderance for unicoronal synostosis. A secondary major intracranial procedure is required for recurrent supraorbital retrusion in at least 43 percent of patients. A secondary or tertiary extracranial forehead contouring procedure should be anticipated in nearly all patients. No patient required any midface correctional procedure. These patients demonstrate characteristic bilateral, symmetric, low- to mid-frequency sensorineural hearing loss.

Differential effects of TGF-beta isoforms on murine fetal dural cells and calvarial osteoblasts.

BACKGROUND: Proteins within the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta family play a central role in both normal and pathologic calvarial morphogenesis. Previous work has suggested differential functions of the TGF-beta isoforms in these processes. Little is known, however, about effects of TGF-betas on the underlying dura. Furthermore, studies on the effects of TGF-beta isoforms on osteoblasts have been conflicting. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of TGF-beta isoforms, specifically TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta3, on fetal calvarial osteoblast and dural cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. METHODS: Primary cultures of fetal calvarial osteoblasts and dural cells were established from embryonic day-18 CD-1 mice. Cells were treated for 48 hours with TGF-beta1 or TGF-beta3. Northern blot analysis, cell counts, and apoptosis assays were performed. RESULTS: In dural cells, TGF-beta1 stimulated the expression of early osteodifferentiation genes and resulted in a slight decrease in cell number and no effect on apoptosis. Similar results were observed in osteoblasts. TGF-beta3 had little or no effect on the genes studied in both cell types but resulted in increased apoptosis and concomitant decreases in cell number in both cell types. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that dural cells respond to TGF-beta and that this response is isoform-specific. TGF-beta1 stimulates osteodifferentiation of previously uncommitted cells in the dura. It also stimulates early events in bone matrix deposition and has little effect on late markers of bone differentiation in osteoblasts and dural cells. Both isoforms result in decreases in cell number. TGF-beta3 results in greater decreases in cell number and isoform-specific stimulation of apoptosis in both dural cells and calvarial osteoblasts.

Cleft lip and palate repair in Hay-Wells/ankyloblepharon-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting syndrome.

Hay-Wells/ankyloblepharon-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by ankyloblepharon, ectodermal dysplasia, and cleft lip and/or cleft palate. Mutations in the p63 gene recently have been shown to be etiologic in the majority of cases of ankyloblepharon-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting syndrome. To date, there have been no reports to document wound healing after cleft lip and/or palate repair in ankyloblepharon-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting patients. We describe two patients with ankyloblepharon-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting syndrome and provide a review of the literature. There have been no reported instances of wound healing complications in affected patients. Seventeen percent (3/18) of reported patients required revisions or repair of oronasal fistulae. Cleft lip and palate repair can be performed safely in patients with Hay-Wells syndrome.

Repair of oronasal fistulae with acellular dermal matrices.

BACKGROUND: The authors examined the efficacy of a novel technique for oronasal fistula repair using acellular dermal matrix grafts. In part I, an animal model was used to demonstrate proof-of-concept; in part II, the method was applied to oronasal fistula repair in the clinical setting. METHODS: In part I, oronasal fistulas were created in Yorkshire piglets (n = 6) and allowed to mature for 2 weeks. In three animals, acellular dermal grafts were interposed between the oral and nasal mucosa traversing the palatal fistulas. Mucosal edges were not closed. Three weeks postoperatively, the palates were examined histologically. The fistulas of control piglets (n = 3) remained unrepaired and were examined 5 weeks after their creation. In part II, acellular dermal grafts were interposed between the oral and nasal mucosa in nine consecutive patients undergoing oronasal fistula repair. Complete closure of the oral and nasal mucosa was achieved in two patients. In the remainder, nasal closure was affected by interposition of the dermal matrices beneath a complete oral mucosal closure. RESULTS: All animals that underwent fistula repair demonstrated successful healing with revascularization, complete reepithelialization, and cellular infiltration into the grafts. All control fistulas remained patent. Successful fistula closure was observed in all patients. In two patients, early oral mucosal dehiscence and exposure of the dermal graft was followed by complete healing. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates successful closure of palatal fistulas in an animal model and in cleft palate patients using interposition grafts of acellular dermis. This novel method offers promise as a simple and effective technique for tension-free closure of oronasal fistulas.