Investigation into a new denervation model of the sciatic nerve zones in rats: Selective motor or sensorial denervation.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to introduce a reliable and useful model of selective sensorial or motor denervations of the sciatic nerve in rats with clinical and laboratory outcomes. METHODS: The surgical technique was determined via detailed cadaveric dissections of rat sciatic nerve roots and cross-sectional histoanatomy. Forty animals were divided into the sham, sensorial denervation (SD), motor denervation (MD), and combined denervation (CD) groups and evaluated clinically via the pinch test and observation. Electrophysiological tests, retrograde neuronal labeling, and histologic and radiographic studies were performed. The weights of the muscles innervated by the sciatic nerve were measured. RESULTS: The nerve root topography at the L4 level was consistent. Hemilaminectomy satisfactorily exposed all the roots contributing to the sciatic nerve and selectively denervated its sensorial and motor zones. Sensorial denervation caused foot deformities and wound problems, which were more severe in SD than in MD and CD. Nerve histomorphometry, electrophysiological tests, retrograde neuronal labeling studies, and measurements of the muscle weights also verified the denervations. CONCLUSION: This study has shown the feasibility of selective (sensory or motor) sciatic nerve denervation through a single-level hemilaminectomy. The surgical technique is reliable and has a confounding effect on gait. Sensorial denervation had more severe foot problems than motor and combined denervation in rats.

Hand injuries with mole gun: A hidden danger.

BACKGROUND: Mole guns are handmade destructive tools used in the fight against harmful rodents in agricultural areas. Acciden-tal triggering of these tools at the wrong time can result in major hand injuries that impair hand functionality and cause permanent hand disability. This study aims to draw attention to the fact that mole gun injuries cause severe loss of hand functionality and that these tools should be considered within the scope of firearms. METHODS: Our study is a retrospective, observational cohort study. The demographic characteristics of the patients, the clinical features of the injury, and the surgical methods applied were recorded. The severity of the hand injury was assessed by the Modified Hand Injury Severity Score. The Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire was used to evaluate the upper extremity-re-lated disability of the patient. The patients' hand grip strength and palmar and lateral pinch strengths, and functional disability scores were compared with healthy controls. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients with mole gun hand injuries were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 63.0±16.9 (22-86), and all but one were male. Dominant hand injury was found in more than half of the patients (63.6%). More than half of the patients had major hand injuries (59.1%). The functional disability scores of the patients were significantly higher than the controls, and the grip strengths and palmar pinch strengths were significantly lower. CONCLUSION: Even after years from the injury, our patients had hand disabilities, and their hand strengths were lower than that of the controls. Public awareness should be raised on this issue, and mole guns should be prohibited and considered in the scope of firearms.

The Use of the Free Iliac Bone Flap by Shaping Like Puzzle for a Wide Alveolar Defect in a Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate with Rudimentary Premaxilla.

ABSTRACT: Secondary alveolar bone grafting may not be feasible in a considerable number of patients who have cleft lip and palate, mainly because of the requirement for sizeable bony restitution and the insufficient amount of soft tissue for reliable coverage. Bone transport distraction and free vascularized bone transfers are the salvage techniques for treating these deformities and accomplishing successful bone grafting. This report presents a case of bilateral cleft lip and palate with a large palatoalveolar fistula and a rudimentary premaxilla after prior failed attempts at bone grafting. The authors used the free vascularized iliac bone flap with the osteotomies like puzzle for definitive restoration of the deformity.

Risk factors for complex regional pain syndrome in patients with surgically treated traumatic injuries attending hand therapy.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. INTRODUCTION: Identification of risk factors for CRPS development in patients with surgically treated traumatic injuries attending hand therapy allows to watch at-risk patients more closely for early diagnosis and to take precautionary measures as required. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for the development of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) after surgical treatment of traumatic hand injuries. METHODS: In this prospective cohort, 291 patients with traumatic hand injuries were evaluated 3 days after surgery and monitored for 3 months for the development of CRPS. The factors assessed for the development of CRPS were age, sex, manual work, postoperative pain within 3 days measured on a Pain Numerical Rating Scale (0-10), and injury type (crush injury, blunt trauma, and cut laceration injury). RESULTS: CRPS was diagnosed in 68 patients (26.2 %) with a duration of 40.10 ± 17.01 days between the surgery and CRPS diagnosis. The mean postoperative pain score was greater in patients with CRPS than in those without CRPS (P < .001). Patients with pain scores ≥ 5 had a high risk of developing CRPS compared with patients with pain scores <5 (odds ratio: 3.61, confidence interval = 1.94-6.70). Patients with crush injuries were more likely to develop CRPS (odds ratio: 4.74, confidence interval = 2.29-9.80). CONCLUSIONS: The patients with a pain score of ≥5 in the first 3 days after surgery and the patients with crush injury were at high risk for CRPS development after surgical treatment of traumatic hand injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II b.

Rehabilitation of the Work Accident-Related Traumatic Mandible With Iliac Free Flap, Distraction Osteogenesis, and Dental Implants.

Mandibular bone defects due to extensive trauma impair occlusion and affect the aesthetics of facial contouring, making it difficult to obtain a satisfactory outcome. Distraction osteogenesis and free flap is an effective and aesthetic treatment option for rehabilating these defects. In this clinical report, the authors present rehabilitation of a wide mandibular traumatic defect due to a work-related accident with iliac free flap, distraction osteogenesis, and dental implants.

A new total hemiface allotransplantation model in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA), a new reconstructive option for patients suffering from extensive facial defects leads to superior functional and aesthetic outcomes compared to the standard autologous reconstruction. Among VCA recipients, each case involves different facial structures and tissues depending on the patient's injury, thus drawing conclusions on the mechanism of immune interactions between the donor and recipient is challenging. This study introduces a new total hemiface VCA model, including scalp, external ear, mystacial pad, premaxilla, upper/lower lids, nose, and upper/lower lips to evaluate the effect of transplantation of multitissue VCA on the recipient's immune response. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten hemiface allotransplantations were performed in two groups between Lewis-Lewis (isograft) and LBN-Lewis (allograft) rats. Cyclosporine A (CsA) monotherapy was applied in the allograft group to prevent rejection. RESULTS: All flaps survived up to 100 days post-transplant. The mean warm ischemia time was 45 minutes. Histological analysis revealed normal bone, cartilage (ear and nose), conjunctiva, palpebra, and eyelashes. Flow cytometry confirmed donor-specific chimerism for T cells (CD4/RT1(n) and CD8/RT1(n)) and B cells (CD45RA/RT1(n)) in the peripheral blood of all rats in the allotransplantation group. At post-transplant day 7, chimerism levels were at 1.68% for CD4/RT1(n) , 0.46% for CD8/RT1(n) and 0.64% for CD45RA/RT1(n). However, chimerism levels for CD4/RT1(n), CD8/RT1(n), and CD45RA/RT1(n) populations decreased at long-term follow-up (at post-transplant day 100) to 0.08%, 0.04%, and 0.23%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The feasibility and long-term survival of the new hemiface VCA transplantation model was confirmed, donor-specific chimerism and post-transplant tissue changes were evaluated.

Morphological and morphometric evaluation of the ilium, fibula, and scapula bones for oral and maxillofacial reconstruction.

This study aimed to evaluate the osteometric boundaries of the ilium, fibula, and scapula beyond which reconstruction of oromandibular and craniofacial defects, using these free flaps, may not be optimal. Fibula, scapula, and iliac bones were obtained bilaterally from 33 female and 27 male European adult cadavers (n = 60). Adapting classical anthropometric methods to surgical needs by modifying the measuring bone localizations and measurement points, a measuring system of osteometry and morphometry was used, to quantify the usable bone length of the iliac crest, fibula, and lateral border of the scapula and to localize an oval region (OR) in the ilium. The thin, translucent OR of ilium was localized 62.4 ± 5.6 mm posterior to the maximum concavity between the anterior superior (ASIS) and anterior inferior iliac spine and 26.7 ± 6 mm caudal to the intermediate line of the iliac crest. The available iliac crest was measured from ASIS to the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) 247.5 ± 12.6 mm, fibula supplied 170.2 ± 19.1 mm harvestable bone, and the lateral border of the scapula 94.3 ± 8.5 mm [Corrected]. The OR influenced the harvestable bone shape and volume of the ilium. Measuring of the localization points of OR, we found that the size of the OR was very variable and that the height of the neomandible reconstructed with iliac crest might alter with aging. Our findings contribute with knowledge of detailed morphometric measurements on commonly used donor bones to the planning strategies of volumetric defects in oral and maxillofacial region by precise osteometric localization method of OR and relativized length measurements.

Comparison of different autogenous graft materials for reconstruction of large segment vas deferens defect: experimental study in rat.

PURPOSE: Vasectomy is one of the most common urological operations performed, and provides permanent contraception. Many vasectomized men ultimately seek vasectomy reversal because of unforeseen changes in lifestyle. Vasovasostomy has varying rates of success. In this study, we utilize vas deferens (VD), artery, and vein grafts to reconstruct 30% and 50%defects of the total vas deferens length. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty two male Wistar rats were divided into three groups as VD graft, carotid artery and external jugular vein transplantations. Each group was equally divided into 2 different subgroups according to the length of transplant material as 1.0 cm (n = 7) and 1.5 cm (n = 7). To evaluate whether these materials may be used for long segment vas deferens reconstruction, the patency rate, partial or total graft occlusion, and histologic examination of all specimens were examined. RESULTS: No patency was found in any of the grafts and many of them suffered destructive changes in anatomic structure. Sperm granulomas were determined around the testicular side anastomosis due to accumulated semen fluid which was in our belief, a result of aperistaltic zone caused by the grafts. CONCLUSION: When the poor results obtained in our study are put into perspective, vasoepididymostomy is the only treatment method to date for reconstruction of large segment vas deferens defects.

Morphometric study of the scapular free flap and the free rib osteomyocutaneous flap.

The scapula free flap is often the first choice for reconstruction of bony defects of the facial skeleton. However, the vascularised rib as part of a free rib osteomyocutaneous flap may be a suitable second choice. We have investigated the morphology and clinical dimensions of the 7th rib and the scapula, and the ability of the available bone to carry dental implants. The age and sex of the cadaver, and the donor side, were also recorded. The dimensions of the scapulas and 7th ribs (n=130 of each) from 65 cadavers were measured at 4 different points using osteometric methods. Examination showed that bone from the scapula and 7th rib were sufficient for placement of implants. The 7th rib gave reliable measurements for both height and width, and a consistent relation between compact and cancellous bone. Although the scapula provided adequate compact and cancellous bone, there were variations depending on the segment of bone chosen. Bones from male cadavers were more suitable for implantation. In both the scapula and the 7th rib ageing had a significant adverse effect in only one dimension. Most points of measurement have satisfactory bony dimensions for insertion of dental implants.

Comparative clinicoanatomical study of ilium and fibula as two commonly used bony donor sites for maxillofacial reconstruction.

We assessed the morphological characteristics and dimensions of the ilium and fibula to evaluate the suitability of particular areas of bone for use as donor sites for dental reconstructions that carry implants. We measured the dimensions of 130 bilaterally harvested ilium and fibula bones from 65 adult cadavers using osteometric methods, and analysed the effects of age, sex, and side. Dimensions at measuring points, overall suitability for implantation, and relations among age, sex, and side, were evaluated statistically. We report observations of bone morphology involving cross-sections, and clinical relevance. Although the mean dimensions of the fibula and iliac crest were adequate, some segments would not support an implant 10 mm long and 3.5 mm wide. The overall suitability of parts of the iliac block fell to 30%. Fibular morphology is characterised by constant height and width, and relation of cortical and cancellous bone. Bony dimensions on the iliac fossa and fibula were significantly greater in men than in women. Age had a negative impact in one area of the iliac fossa, but nowhere on the iliac crest. Side was not significant. We found differences in dimensions and morphology between measuring points on the same bone. Precise knowledge about which areas of the donor sites can reliably provide sufficient bone to carry implants after reconstructions will allow greater flexibility and safety when reconstructions are designed.

Effectiveness of topical immunosuppressants in prevention and treatment of rejection in face allotransplantation.

BACKGROUND: The use of topical immunosuppressants has been anecdotally reported for the treatment of rejection in vascularized composite allotransplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of topical tacrolimus and clobetasol in the prevention and treatment of rejection. METHODS: Seventy-six hemiface allotransplants, between ACI (RT1) donors and Lewis (RT1) recipients, were performed in 11 groups and treated with topical tacrolimus or clobetasol, or in combination with systemic cyclosporine A and anti-αß-T-cell receptor antibody for 1 week. Topical treatment increased the survival of the allograft in all groups. RESULTS: Best outcomes were obtained in the groups treated with systemic therapy and topical tacrolimus. Expression of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 2, interferon γ, tumor necrosis factor α, and transforming growth factor ß correlated with clinical signs of rejection and the final outcomes. Clobetasol application was associated with a marked depletion of lymphocytic populations, and dermal and epidermal atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Both topical tacrolimus and clobetasol were effective in treating episodes of acute rejection, and the best outcomes were achieved when their application was initiated after systemic immunosuppression. Topical tacrolimus proved to be a preferable adjunct agent to the systemic therapy by preventing both the local and systemic complications.

Myxoma of the dorsal hand.

Myxomas of the hand are rare tumours and the diameters are usually smaller than 2 cm. In this report we describe the biggest reported myxoma that localised on the dorsal hand and the comprehensively review of hand myxomas. This case is to our knowledge the first hormone-receptor-positive myxoma of the hand.

Misdiagnosed widespread eosinophilic granuloma of the mandible.

Eosinophilic granuloma is the most common expression of Langerhans cell histiocytosis and corresponds with typical bone lesions. Early clinical signs can occur in the mandible and can cause extensive destruction of the periodontal tissues. Pathologic fracture is an unusual finding. A case of misdiagnosed eosinophilic granuloma in a 45-year-old man treated with free fibula flap and implant-supported overdenture prosthesis is reported. Free fibula flap with dental implants is a safe and reliable method for comprehensive functional and aesthetic mandibular defect reconstruction.

Long-term survival of composite hemiface/mandible/tongue allografts correlates with multilineage chimerism development in the lymphoid and myeloid compartments of recipients.

BACKGROUND: To maximize aesthetic and functional outcomes for complex craniofacial defects, application of composite tissue allografts opens unique one-stage reconstructive option. We have assessed role of different components of the hemiface/mandible/tongue allograft on induction and maintenance of donor-specific chimerism, in correlation with allograft survival. METHODS: Twenty-two composite hemiface/mandible/tongue transplantations were performed in three groups: group 1 (n=8)-isotransplantations between Lewis (LEW) rats (RT1)-served as controls. Group 2 (n=8)-allograft rejection controls-hemiface/mandible/tongue transplants performed across major histocompatibility complex (MHC) barrier between semiallogeneic LEW-Brown-Norway (RT1) donors and LEW (RT1) recipients without immunosuppression. Allografts in group 3 (n=6) received tapered cyclosporine A monotherapy. Assessments included monitoring of rejection, flow cytometry for donor-specific chimerism of major histocompatibility complex class I (RT1) antigen, immunohistochemistry for engraftment of donor-origin cells into lymphoid organs and bone marrow (BM) compartment, and histology for hemiface/mandible/tongue architecture. RESULTS: Isograft controls survived indefinitely; in allografts without treatment, rejection started within 5 to 7 days. Treated hemiface/mandible/tongue allotransplants survived up to 385 days, without signs of rejection or graft loss. Flap angiography confirmed intact vascularity, and computer tomography scan and histology confirmed bone viability. Donor-specific chimerism at day 125 was present for T cells (3.3% CD4/RT1, 1.1% CD8/RT1) and B cells (6.7% CD45RA/RT1). Engraftment of donor-origin cells was confirmed into BM compartment and lymphoid organs of recipients. CONCLUSIONS: We introduced a new multitissue model of composite hemiface/mandible/tongue allograft containing lymphoid and vascularized BM components. Long-term allograft survival correlated with development and maintenance of donor-specific chimerism in lymphoid organs and BM compartment.

Hemodynamic differences in blood flow between free skin and muscles flaps: prospective study.

We used Doppler ultrasound to evaluate postoperative hemodynamic changes in blood flow in skin (n = 11) and muscle (n = 4) flaps. The minimum velocities, resistance indexes, and diameters of the pedicle, the recipient, and control artery (the corresponding contralateral artery that served as a recipient vessel) were recorded intraoperatively and at 10 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery. The minimum velocities and blood flow in recipient and pedicle arteries in both groups increased after flap transfer. In control arteries, these values decreased over the follow-up period. The decrease of blood flow in recipient arteries for the skin flaps started at 10 days and in the muscle flap at 1 month. The decrease in minimum velocity was noted after 10 days and 1 month for skin and muscle flaps, respectively. Resistance indexes were higher in skin flaps (99 +/- 6) compared with muscle flaps (89 +/- 9). Also, recipient blood flow after flap transfer, independent from intraoperative values, changed according to flap size; muscle flaps that were larger than skin flaps caused significantly higher blood flow in recipient artery.

Thrombotic effect of purposeful back-wall stitch for end-to-side microarterial anastomosis in rats.

The accidental placement of a back-wall stitch is a mistake easily made by microsurgeons during an end-to-side (ETS) anastomosis, which is technically more difficult compared with an end-to-end (ETE) anastomosis. The thrombogenic effects of a back-wall stitch may aggravate the already existing turbulence and therefore thrombus-prone ETS anastomosis. We investigated this dangerous combination by applying a purposeful back-wall stitch model (PBWS) in an ETS microarterial anastomosis model in various configurations the rat carotid and femoral arteries. We performed femoral and carotid artery bypass grafts via two ETS anastomosis. Carotid (n=28) and femoral (n=28) artery groups were equally divided into four different subgroups according to PBWS placement: Control (no PBWS) and 30-degree, 60-degree, and 90-degree subgroups with PBWS located at 30, 60, and 90 degrees, respectively. We found that there were no significant patency differences with respect to vessel type, PBWS placement, or time of assessment. The results of our current study and previous studies demonstrate that a PBWS in the ETS anastomosis does not have a major effect on thrombus formation. We think that an inadvertent back-wall stitch in the ETS anastomosis may not be a significant cause of thrombosis alone but in combination with retained thrombogenic material into lumen can contribute to thrombus.

Soft tissue augmentation for restoration of facial contour deformities using the free SCIA/SIEA flap.

Reconstruction for facial contour deformities is still a challenging process and treatment for most cases is achieved only by soft tissue augmentation. The use of free tissue transfer offers the advantage of one step vascularized soft tissue augmentation. This article summarized the authors' use of de-epithelialized free superficial circumflex iliac artery/superficial inferior epigastric artery flap for facial contour deformities. Of these patients, two had hemifacial microsomia, one depressed scar, and one had hemifacial progressive atrophy. Stable restoration of the facial contour was achieved in all patients. The advantages of this flap are numerous. Two surgical teams may work at the same time for flap harvesting and recipient area preparation. A wide flap may be planned for large contour deformity to achieve one single stage augmentation. Pedicle course of this flap allows primary de-fating without disturbing distal flap circulation when in need of a thin flap for mild contour deformity. Donor site may be closed with bikini (abdominoplasty) incision, which has excellent esthetic outcome compared to other flaps.

Fat tissue as a new vascular carrier for prefabrication in reconstructive surgery: experimental study in rats.

Several vascular carriers for different tissues were used for the purpose of fat tissue prefabrication. However, the inguinal fat pad in rats can be elevated with a vascular pedicle and considered as a vascular carrier. To the best of our knowledge, the fat tissue in rats as a vascular carrier has not been reported in any experimental studies to date. In our study, we aimed to describe a new prefabrication model in rats in which skin prefabrication was accomplished using the inguinal fat pad as a vascular carrier. Inguinal fat pads in rats were elevated over a superficial epigastric vessel pedicle in the pilot study. The contralateral inguinal fat pads were prepared as grafts. After 1 week, we compared the histopathological findings of the inguinal fat pad flaps and grafts and determined that the inguinal fat pad can be safely elevated over the vascular pedicle. In the experimental group, bilateral vascularised inguinal fat pads were transferred to the lower abdomen for skin prefabrication. After 3 weeks, bilateral fat-skin composite flaps including prefabricated lower abdomen skin were elevated over the vascular pedicles. One side was used as a composite flap while pedicle of the other side was transected at its origin at the femoral vessels to create the composite graft. Composite flap and graft were inserted at their original positions. One week later, the composite flaps were stained with India ink, perfused by fluorescein, and filled with contrast material for microangiographic study. In the histological examination, fat and skin tissues of the composite flaps were viable while those of the composite grafts were necrotic. Based on these findings, we can conclude that the fat tissue as a vascular carrier can be successfully used for tissue prefabrication in plastic surgery.

Lymphoscintigraphic drainage of acral limb skin to interval sentinel lymph nodes in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In the literature, drainage to epitrochlear and popliteal sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) are analyzed for whole or distal extremity (below elbow or knee) melanomas that are not topographically homogeneous with respect to tendency of drainage to interval SLNs. We hypothesize that acral (hand and foot) skin has a uniform frequency of drainage to interval SLNs, which is higher than reported for distal extremity melanomas. METHODS: One hundred healthy subjects were enrolled. Fifty subjects had standard four extremity lymphoscintigraphies by radiocolloid injection into an interdigital web space as in lymphodynamic studies. On another 50 subjects, either targeted upper (n = 25) or lower (n = 25) extremity lymphoscintigraphies were performed utilizing injection sites that likely drain to interval SLNs. Acral skin drainage to interval SLNs was analyzed for interindividual variability and injection site dependence. RESULTS: There was considerable interindividual variability in drainage of each injection site to interval SLNs. Hand skin had a uniform 50% frequency of drainage to epitrochlear-midhumeral SLNs with both injection sites. This frequency was higher than the epitroclear SLN frequencies reported for distal extremity melanomas. Foot skin had 10% and 90% frequencies of drainage to popliteal SLNs from standard and targeted injection sites, respectively. Foot skin largely simulates the tendency of drainage reported for distal extremity melanomas while lateral heel represents a limited zone that almost uniformly drains to popliteal SLNs. CONCLUSIONS: Despite dissimilarities between hand and foot, acral skin drainage to interval SLNs is high enough to obligate a thorough interval SLN exploration in acral primaries.