Use of autologous adipose tissue in acute burn wound management: A systematic review.

Fat transfer is increasingly used as part of our reconstructive armamentarium to address the challenges encountered in burn wounds and reconstructive surgery. The present systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of autologous fat transfer for acute burn wound management. A systematic review of the US National Library of Medicine, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase was conducted on October 15, 2022 (registration number CDR42022369726). A database watch was performed until submission of the manuscript. The review focused on wound healing. All studies reporting fat transfer in adult patients (at least 5 patients reported) with deep 2nd degree burn wounds were included. The database search yielded a total of 720 records and 367 patients were included from 3 studies. A statistically significant improvement in scar texture, scar appearance, and time to healing was reported in one study in the fat transfer group versus control (P<0.001). Similarly, scores for scar color, scar thickness, scar stiffness, and scar regularity increased significantly. The small number of included studies and their heterogeneity did not allow a meta-regression to be performed. This systematic review emphasizes the limited evidence currently available regarding the use of autologous fat transfer to improve burn wound healing in adult patients, even though it seems promising. Future search should focus on randomized controlled trials with a larger number of participants.

[How to treat palmar burn sequelae in children, about 49 cases]. / Prise en charge des séquelles de brûlure palmaire chez l'enfant, à propos de 49 cas.

INTRODUCTION: Even if they represent only 2.5 % of the total body surface area, the hands are burnt in 50 % of hospitalized patients. The risk of sequelae is significant, especially in children, human being in full growth, and a source of aesthetic and functional handicap. The aim of this study is to research the predictive factors of sequelae, to study their treatment of and their evolution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included children under six years of age with deep palmar burns of the hand between 1998 and 2008. Demographics, characteristics of the initial burn and its treatment were noted. Then, we studied the types of hand burn sequelae and their treatment. Finally, we observed their evolution over time with an aesthetic and functional evaluation and their impact on quality of life. RESULTS: Forty-nine children, representing 70 hands, were included in the study. The mean age at the time of the initial burn was 16.2 months (6; 60). The initial treatment was directed healing in 39 % of cases and thin skin excision-grafting in 61 % of cases. The type of sequelae most represented was bridle in 73 % of cases. Treatment consisted of rehabilitation measures (13 %) or surgery (69 %). The mean age at the time of surgery was 10.1 years (4; 19). These were plasties (62 %), total skin grafts (15 %) or a combination of both (23 %). The current follow-up is 16.2 years. The aesthetic result is considered good in 52 % of cases, the functional result is good in 78 % of cases. The impact on the quality of life is low and the parents are satisfied with the initial care. CONCLUSION: The treatment of the sequelae of burnt hands gives good results but involves well-conducted rehabilitation and regular monitoring. The treatment period must be adapted and the surgery simple, effective and specific to the type of sequelae.

[Tissue expansion in child's burn reconstruction. Management principles and eleven years retrospective study of 42 patients]. / Expansion cutanée pour séquelles de brûlure de l'enfant. Principes de prise en charge et étude rétrospective de 42 patients sur 11 ans.

PURPOSE: With constraints and a risk of complication, tissue expansion in child's burn sequelae need a controlled surgical procedure, and a therapeutic plan appropriate to the specific pediatric healing, growth, and development. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our principles of management and technical points are described. A retrospective study of tissue expansion in child's burn sequelae between 2005 and 2016 is submitted. RESULTS: There are 185 expanders, 98 protocols in 41 children, over half of sequelae concerning scalp, neck and chest. Mean age at the first expansion was 10.3 years old (5.8 years after burn). There are in average 2,4 (1-8) protocols by patient, with 1.9 (1-4) expanders by procedure. Surgical repair was a flap (78.8%), a full-thickness skin graft (13.3%) or both. Fifteen patients (30 expanders (14.6%) and 22 protocols (22.4%)), had expansion's complications, mostly infections and expositions. Eight patients (14 expanders (7.6%) and 10 protocols (10.2%)) had reconstructive's complications. An increase of burn area was a risk factor of complication (significant). Complicated expanders rate by location was 7.9% (scalp), 12.5% (neck), 9.8% (supraclavicular), 10.5% (chest), 19.4% (abdomen), 30% (buttock), 29.4% (lower limb), 1/2 (face). CONCLUSION: Tissue expansion in child's burn sequelae is ideal in scalp, good in neck, chest and proximal upper limb, and to do carefully in lower limb and face.

Abdominoplasty with simultaneous laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair: A practical approach to preserve the umbilical vascularization.

BACKGROUND: Umbilical necrosis is a well-known complication of abdominoplasty, the risk of this complication can be increased when an associated umbilical hernia requires further dissection in peri-umbilical region, potentially leading to umbilical devascularisation. Multiple minimally invasive open techniques were described to avoid this problem. The combined approach of abdominoplasty with laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair is one promising solution to avoid devascularising the umbilicus. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of patients who underwent concomitant abdominoplasty with laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair from 2007 to 2017 was carried out. All patients were followed up and evaluated for complications, including the incidence of umbilical skin necrosis. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients were included in this study. The average operative duration was 3.3hours with an average hospital stay of 2.5 days. No cases of postoperative umbilical necrosis were encountered. A mean follow-up period was 2.4 years showed no cases of hernia or rectus abdominis diastasis recurrence. Minor complications included 4 cases of dehiscence, one hematoma. There was no major complications. CONCLUSION: The concomitant use of laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair and abdominoplasty is a feasible approach to reduce the risks of umbilical devascularization. Especially in larger hernias and in patients with higher risk of recurrence.

[Chondrosarcomas of skull base treatment]. / Traitement des chondrosarcomes de la base du crâne.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Skull base chondrosarcomas are rare. Gross total removal is the treatment of choice, but can be difficult depending on the closeness of noble structures. Proton beam therapy can be associated in most cases. METHODS: Retrospective study of five cases treated in 13 years and study of the literature. RESULTS: Median age of patients was 34 years [28-46]. Cranial nerve palsy was the common clinical presentation. Tumor location was variable but always off midline. Treatment was surgical in all patients with a maximal resection and proton beam therapy associated for two cases. Surgical complications were rare with cranial nerve palsy as the main side effect. Outcomes were good with a median follow-up of 12.4 years [4.3-16.2]. DISCUSSION: The review of the literature showed that chondrosarcomas of skull base are rare. The best outcome is achieved with total surgical resection. Medical imaging can only give clues to the diagnosis. Pathology is required to obtain a precise immunohistochemistry diagnosis. Multidisciplinary treatment using proton beam therapy and surgical removal enables a good local control (90-100%) at 5 years with good quality-of-life. It is difficult to determine how many cases have been published (around 220 cases in the literature) since many surgical or radiotherapy series included the same patients.

[Brachioradial pruritus revealing an ependymoma]. / Prurit brachioradial révélant un épendymome.

BACKGROUND: Brachioradial pruritus is a rare form of pruritus localised to one or more brachioradial dermatomes, initially classified as a photodermatosis but which in fact is generally brought on by nervous compression. We report a case of a brachioradial pruritus revealing an intramedullary tumour. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 53-year-old man had presented pruritus for seven years under the left clavicle, then on the left forearm followed by the right forearm. Finally cervicodynia appeared associated with dysaesthesia of the two upper limbs, fulgurating pains and paresis of the left cubital region. The examination revealed suspended bilateral hypoaesthesia (C4, C5, C6, C7), proprioceptive disorders of the left upper limb, mild motor deficit in the left C8 area and tetrapyramidal syndrome. Cervical radiography did not show cervical osteoarthritis. The MRI revealed a bulky cervical intramedullary tumour extending from C2 to C6. After ruling out cavernoma by medullary angiography, surgery was performed and histopathological analysis of the complete lesion revealed a benign ependymoma. Four months later, this patient complained about residual pains requiring treatment with gabapentin and class 2 analgesics. DISCUSSION: The case presented underlines the possibility of a brachioradial pruritus revealing an intramedullary tumour. Ependymomas are usually seen in children and are frequently evoked in the presence of dysaesthesia. We report the third case of brachioradial pruritus revealing a medullary tumour. The two other cases involved syringomyelia revealed by pruritus in C5 and ependymoma revealed by pruritus in C5-C6. The patient with ependymoma had refused surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Atypical brachioradial pruritus complicated by neuropathic pains and disorders should prompt screening for a medullary tumour.

[Anterior lumbar interbody fusion for treatment of failed back surgery syndrome: a retrospective study of 46 cases]. / Arthrodèses lombaires par voie antérieure dans le traitement des lombalgies et lomboradiculalgies récidivantes postchirurgicales : étude rétrospective de 46 cas.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) has gained popularity for the treatment of degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. In this report, we present our experience with the ALIF procedure for treatment of failed back surgery syndrome following lumbar discectomy in a noncontrolled retrospective cohort. METHODS: From 1st January to 31 December 2005, we performed an ALIF in 46 patients presenting with low back pain with or without radiculopathy. All patients had a history of intractable pain resistant to conventional medical treatment and failed posterior lumbar surgery. Clinical and radiological outcomes were recorded. Neurological pain and functional outcomes were measured postoperatively (at 1, 3 and 12 months). Operative data, intraoperative complications, and the fusion rate were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-six patients with a preoperative diagnosis of failed back surgery syndrome underwent ALIF. The mean follow-up was 21 months. Back pain and leg pain completely disappeared in 60.9% of patients, decreased but required occasional medication in 28.3%, and 10.8% declared no benefit from ALIF surgery. CONCLUSION: On the basis of our results, we found ALIF to be a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of failed back surgery syndrome.

Chondrosarcoma of the skull base in Maffucci's syndrome.

We report a new case of skull base chondrosarcoma in Maffucci's syndrome. Maffucci's syndrome combining enchondromatosis with cutaneous haemangioma is rarely associated with chondrosarcoma. The review of literature highlights a small number of this pathological association.

[Transmaxillary approach to the skull base: surgical anatomy and guidelines]. / Voie d'abord transmaxillaire de la base du crâne : anatomie chirurgicale et repères.

BACKGROUND: A surgical and anatomic approach to the skull base using the transmaxillary route is presented. This route is well-known and used for a long time for sinus conditions. METHOD: This study was performed on injected cadavers. This study describes step by step this approach in microsurgical conditions following a vital lead: the infraorbital nerve. RESULTS: Anatomical landmarks are located in order to avoid complications. These complications are on one hand, hemorrhages by vascular lesions and on the other, definitive nerve palsy. CONCLUSION: Several skull base approaches exist, transfacial routes produce cosmetic damages. This route preserves the functional anatomy of the nose because it preserves the integrity of the lateral wall of the nasal cavity.

[Dumbell hemangioblastoma of the eighth cervical nerve root]. / Hémangioblastome "en sablier" de la huitième racine cervicale.

Hemangioblastomas involving cervical nerve roots are extremely rare. Only one case has been previously reported in the literature. We report the case of a 33-year-old man presenting with a 6-month history of upper limb pain. MRI and cervical angiography demonstrated the presence of a dumbell (intra and extradural) and highly vascularized tumor of the right C7-T1 foramina. Histological examination eventually confirmed the diagnosis of hemangioblastoma. Total removal of such a lesion may require combined (anterior and posterior) approaches and preoperative embolization.

The morphometric study of the sacrospinal and sacrotuberal ligaments correlated with the morphometry of the pelvis.

Perineal neuralgias may be considered as nerve entrapment syndromes, which have been anatomically poorly studied. The pudendal nerve could be compressed between the sacrospinal and the sacrotuberal ligaments. This study tries to find a correlation between the pelvis and the lumbosacral junction morphometry, and sacrospinal and sacrotuberal ligaments morphometry. We did an anatomical study of eight anatomic specimens, and we performed the measures by using the computed tomography scanner. No correlations were found.

[Dysphagia and cervical bony spurs]. / Dysphagie et éperons osseux cervicaux.

A 74-year-old man had acute complete dysphagia due to esophageal compression cause by a degenerative osteophye on C4-C5. Functional improvement was immediate after surgical removal of the osteophyte via an anterior cervical approach. Reports in the literature show that vertebral hypertrophic spurs causing dysphagia result from bony degeneration or idiopathic causes (diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperosteosis: DISH). Surgery is mandatory if medical care fails and dysphagia is complete. Discetomy-graft is indicated for degenerative lesions and simple removal of the bony spur for ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament in DISH. In DISH, the cervical disc is not implicated but in degenerative disease it is the most important factor in the development of osteophytes.

[Fotemustine (Muphoran) in 22 patients with relapses of high-grade cerebral gliomas]. / Fotémustine (Muphoran) chez 22 patients présentant des récidives de gliomes cérébraux de haut grade.

Fotemustine is a third-generation nitrosourea characterized by a phosphoalanine carrier group grafted onto the nitrosourea radical, which gives it a high lipophilicity and a better penetration through the cell membrane. Between September 1988 and December 1997, 22 patients with inoperable or incompletely resected recurrent high-grade gliomas of the brain were treated at the University Hospital in Brest (France). Treatment consisted of three weekly infusions of fotemustine (100 mg/m2 days 1, 8 and 15). If patients responded or were stabilized, fotemustine was continued at the same dose, but every three weeks only. Four patients responded to the treatment (18%), while 6 were stabilized (32%). Main toxicity was haematologic (leucopenia and, above all, thrombocytopenia); treatment was only interrupted in one patient for leucothrombopenia, and there was no toxic death. Medium duration of response and/or stabilisation was 6.5 months, and median survival 9.4 months in responding and/or stabilized patients, while it was only 5.0 months if tumour progressed under chemotherapy (median survival for all patients: 7.5 months). Besides, there was a difference in survival in favour of the young patients (< 50 years-median survival = 11.8 months) in comparison with patients between 50 and 60 years (median survival = 6.8 months; p = 0.0282) or elderly patients (> 60 years-median survival = 5.8 months; p = 0.0634). In our series, we did not found any difference in survival according to the initial performance status of patients before treatment. Therefore, fotemustine seems to represent an interesting well-tolerated treatment possibility in patients with inoperable recurrent malignant gliomas of the brain.

Arterial and neural relations at the posterior and lateral aspects of the medullo-spinal junction.

The authors report the results of a series of 59 microdissections of the region of the foramen magnum. These dissections were made under the strict conditions of a surgical approach using an operating microscope. The major anatomic structures of the medullo-spinal junction are arranged mainly at its lateral aspect. The customary surgical approaches to the posterior cranial fossa give ready access to the cerebello- and latero-medullary cisterns. The description of the neurovascular structures contained therein assumes a particular importance because of the relative frequency of lesions developing at this level. This study deals particularly with the vertebral a. (VA), the inferior posterior cerebellar a. (IPCA), the cranial nn. IX (glossopharyngeal n.), X (vagus n.), XIc and XIs (cranial and spinal accessory n.) and XII (hypoglossal n.). The anatomy of this posterior and lateral region is characterised by the contrast between the relatively uniform course of the VA and the variable course of the IPCA, a true guideline whose very irregular arrangement accounts for the diversity of its relations with the last four cranial nn.

[Benign glial cysts of the pineal region]. / Les kystes gliaux bénins de la région pinéale.

A review of the pertinent literature regarding glial cysts of the pineal region is presented. Various pathogenic factors have been advocated such as the physiological involution of the pineal gland, a sequestration of the embryonic cavum pineale or the degenerative evolution of glial inclusions within the pineal gland. The pathological description is classical with three layers: an external fibrous capsule, an intermediate layer of pineal tissue and an internal glial wall. Imaging of these lesions is typical, namely the thin rim of peripheral contrast enhancement and the presence of calcifications. These cysts are more frequent in women in their third decade of life. They are almost always latent and their fortuitous disclosure at NMR examinations is common. Some of them will nevertheless cause intracranial hypertension due to hydrocephalus and hemorrhage. Those symptomatic cysts should be treated. Surgical excision has been the method of choice and the results are good. More recently a mere stereotactic needle aspiration has been performed with satisfactory long-term results.

[Benign hemorrhagic cyst of the pineal region. Treatment by stereotactic puncture. 4-year follow-up]. / Kyste bénin hémorragique de la région pinéale. Traitement par ponction stéréotaxique. Recul de quatre ans.

We report the case of a 27 year-old male patient in whom acute intracranial hypertension led to the diagnosis of a pineal hemorrhagic cyst as demonstrated by CT-scan and MRI examinations. Treatment consisted in stereotactic needle-aspiration following insertion of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. Pathological examination confirmed a benign glial lesion. The outcome was good as complete shrinkage of the cyst and complete relief of the signs and symptoms were achieved. These clinical and radiological results persisted over four years. Approximately 70 cases of symptomatic benign pineal cysts have been reported to-date. Surgical excision has been the method of choice. The present case and twelve other cases of stereotactic management of the condition in the literature suggest the interest of a mere stereotactic needle aspiration of these lesions.

The place of decompressive surgery in the treatment of uncontrollable post-traumatic intracranial hypertension in children.

The authors report two cases of post-traumatic uncontrollable intracranial hypertension in children (120 torr in case 1; 90 torr in case 2) who were treated within the first 12 h after trauma by surgery including decompressive craniectomy. The outcome was favourable in both children. Intracranial pressure (ICP) was recorded during the pre-, intra- and postoperative periods and during each specific step of the surgical procedure. Craniectomy alone induced a decrease in ICP of 45% (40 torr) in case 1 and 30% (35 torr) in case 2. Although this method remains controversial, given the lack of controlled trials, it can offer a salvage procedure in children with rapidly worsening intracranial hypertension, allowing survival without disabling neurological sequelae.

[Treatment of chronic lumbago and radicular pain by spinal cord stimulation. Long-term results]. / Traitement des lombo-radiculalgies chroniques par neuro-stimulation médullaire. Résultats à long terme.

Seventy-seven patients with chronic, refractory, low back and radicular pain underwent implantation of a spinal cord stimulator between 1984 and 1992. Most patients had failed back surgery syndrome. In every case, an epidural quadripolar "Resume" electrode was implanted surgically. Results were evaluated after three months then after six to 98 months (mean follow-up 42 months). Long-term efficacy was good in 63.6% of cases, fair in 22%, and poor in 6.5%; treatment failure occurred in 7.9% of cases. Adverse events included one case of meningitis, two cases of local infection, and one case each of cerebrospinal fluid fistula and necrosis of the skin overlying the stimulator. The main causes of treatment failure were complications, inappropriate patient selection, and the escape phenomenon. The results of this study demonstrate that spinal cord stimulation is effective for the treatment of chronic low back and radicular pain in carefully selected patients; scrupulous application of restrictive selection criteria is essential to the success of the method.

Anatomical basis of a fascio-cutaneous pedicle flap based on the infero-lateral collateral artery of the leg.

An anatomical study of 30 cases has been performed on the vascularisation of the distal third of the antero-lateral compartment of the leg, with particular reference to the relations of the infero-lateral collateral artery of the anterior tibial artery, the perforating branch of the peroneal artery, and the antero-lateral malleolar artery. A fascio-cutaneous pedicle flap based on the infero-lateral collateral artery is described noting that the superior, anterior, and posterior limits are similar to those of the lateral supramalleolar flap of Masquelet. The inferior limit of this new flap is 15 mm distal to the site of emergence of the perforating branch of the peroneal artery. The advantages of this flap are; a large surface area for cover, antegrade vascularisation, and no significant vascular sacrifice. The distal half of the calf can be covered both medially and posteriorly as well as the proximal half of the dorsum of the foot, the medial and lateral arch areas, the perimalleolar region, and the region behind the Achilles tendon. The flap requires the presence of the infero-lateral collateral artery of the tibialis anterior which can be confirmed either peroperatively or preoperatively by angiography.

The "anatomic" view of the suprarenals in medical imaging.

Based on coordinates derived from three series of anatomic sections, the authors propose a view for tomographic investigation, applicable in MRI and ultrasound, which reconstructs the ideal image of the suprarenal gland in its quadrilateral as described by Testut. This "anatomic" view is 45 degrees vertical and oblique, intermediate between the sagittal and frontal views, which it can advantageously replace. A new aspect of suprarenal tomography, recalling the image of a triskele, is described in the context of this view.