Evaluation of Diced Cartilage Grafts Shaped with Three-Dimensionally-Printed Bioresorbable Polycaprolactone Molds.

BACKGROUND: The main problem with the use of diced cartilage grafts is related to the difficulties encountered in shaping the graft and unpredictible graft resorption. The aim of this study was to evaluate the permanence and viability of diced cartilage grafts shaped with the help of biodegradable, three-dimensionally-printed polycaprolactone molds. METHODS: Three groups were studied in each of the eight rabbits: block cartilage (group 1), diced cartilage (group 2), and diced cartilage shaped with polycaprolactone molds (group 3). A total of 24 cartilage grafts were obtained at the end of the 12-week follow-up period, and 10 different histopathologic parameters were analyzed in each cartilage graft. RESULTS: Diced cartilages shaped with a three-dimensionally-printed polycaprolactone mold showed increased regeneration potential of chondrocytes, vascularization, and collagen production. Use of polycaprolactone molds did not cause any additional risk of inflammation, fibrosis, or metaplastic bone formation. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it has been shown that three-dimensionally-printed polycaprolactone molds can be used safely in shaping diced cartilage grafts. In light of this study, it will be possible to produce hybrid grafts that can be used safely in many operations such as nasal reconstruction, rhinoplasty, auricle reconstruction, and repair of orbital floor fractures with the help of molds produced in more complex ways. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Three-dimensionally-printed polycaprolactone molds can be used to shape diced cartilages in the areas of both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery.

Hydrogen-rich saline reduces tissue injury and improves skin flap survival on a rat hindlimb degloving injury model.

BACKGROUND: Degloving injuries represent a challenge in plastic surgery. The aim of this study is to acknowledge the protective effects of hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) solution on a rat hindlimb degloved skin flap. METHODS: Twenty-one Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups (control, saline and HRS). Degloving injury model was established, and flaps were sutured back following 5 min of ischemia. The control group did not receive any treatment. The saline group received intraperitoneal physiological saline (10 ml/kg) and the HRS group received intraperitoneal HRS solution (10 ml/kg) postoperatively and daily for 5 days after the operation. Skin samples were obtained for histological, immunohistochemical and biochemical evaluations. RESULTS: Inflammation was lower in the HRS compared with saline (p = 0.02) and control (p = 0.004) groups. Edema was lower in the HRS compared with saline (p = 0.02) and control (p = 0.001) groups. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level was lower in the HRS than the control group (p = 0.01). Total antioxidant level was higher in the HRS compared with saline (p = 0.009) and control (p = 0.03) groups. Total oxidant level was lower in the HRS than the control group (p = 0.02). Oxidative stress index was lower in the HRS compared with saline (p = 0.001) and control (p = 0.0001) groups`. Vascular proliferation was higher in the HRS compared with the control group (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Repeated HRS injections after trauma increased the viability of skin flap in rat degloving injury model by decreasing local tissue injury, due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and angiogenic effects.

Effect of perivascular low dose ethanol on rat femoral vessels: Preliminary study.

Vasospasm is one of the important causes of morbidity in free flap and replantation surgery. In secondary Raynaud's phenomenon, nearly half of the patients experience digital ulceration, pain and loss of function at least once in their lifetime. The aim of this study is to investigate the vasodilation effect of ethanol-mediated chemical denervation on peripheral vessels by topical administration. In this study, 27 Wistar albino male rats weighing 250-300 grams were used. The rats were randomly divided into three groups: saline (group S, n = 8), lidocaine (group L, n = 9) and 96% ethanol (group E, n = 9). According to group, 0.1 mL saline, 0.1 mL lidocaine and 0.1 mL ethanol were applied around the rat femoral neurovascular bundle. After the application, on the 0th day and 3th weeks, femoral artery and vein diameters were measured. After 3. weeks, histopathological samples from femoral artery, vein and nerve were evaluated. On the 0th day, the mean diameter of the femoral artery and vein was similar in group E and L and higher than group S. After three weeks, the vasodilatation effect of ethanol was increased in group E. In Group L and S, the vasodilatation effect was lost. Histopathological examination showed that ethanol significantly caused perivascular inflammation and nerve degeneration compared to other agents and did not cause endothelial damage. Vasodilatation obtained by ethanol is a rapid onset and long-lasting effect. It is also inexpensive and effective for peripheral vasodilatation.

Comparison of venous repair results using either arterial or vein grafts in a crush-avulsion injury model

Background/aim: Venous insufficiency after replantation or revascularization is one of the most common causes of limb loss in either the short or the long term. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of a new technique to overcome venous insufficiency. Materials and Methods: A crush-avulsion type of injury was formed in the femoral veins of rats of 3 separate groups. In the control group, primary repair was applied to the damaged veins and the remaining 2 groups were repaired with either an arterial graft or a vein graft. The success rates of anastomosis were then compared. Results: In the control group the patency rate was 25% in the 2nd hour, 12.5% on the 2nd day, and 12.5% on the 10th day. The patency rate in the vein group was 87.5% in the 2nd hour, 50% on the 2nd day, and 37.5% on the 10th day, whereas the patency rates in the artery group were 100% in the 2nd hour, 87.5% on the 2nd day, and 75% on the 10th day. Conclusion: Microsurgery requires experience and patience. It can be considered that the use of arterial grafts for venous repair in replantation after crush-avulsion type amputations can increase the success rate of replantation.

Approach to Patients with Malignant Melanoma of Unknown Primary Origin.

OBJECTIVES: Although malignant melanoma accounts for 3% of skin cancers, it is responsible for 75% of deaths associated with skin cancer. In our study, all melanoma cases diagnosed and treated at our clinic were retrospectively reviewed, and the cases of unknown primary origin among them were examined in detail in terms of diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: The patients with malignant melanoma treated at the inpatient services of our clinic between January 1991 and April 2017 were retrospectively screened in the records. These patients were evaluated for age, sex, tumor type, Breslow depth, metastasis, and treatment. Among these patients, four cases of unknown primary origin were examined in detail. RESULTS: During January 1991 and April 2017, 173 patients received inpatient care for malignant melanoma at our clinic. As regards to the melanoma subtypes, nodular type in 45 patients, acral lentiginous type in 43 patients, superficial spreading type in 63 patients, lentigo maligna melanoma in 15 patients, subungual type in 7 patients, and either unidentified melanoma or other subtypes in 10 patients were identified. CONCLUSION: The ideal treatment of a patient with melanoma is multidisciplinary, with plastic surgery having a central role.

Beneficial effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza in the healing of burn wounds: an experimental study in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Burn healing is a complicated process and very few treatments can positively alter its effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM -Danshen), a traditional Chinese medicine, on burn wound healing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty rats were included in this study and divided into two groups. 3 × 2 cm wide burn areas were created in the dorsal skin of all the animals with thermal contact. Intraoral 1 ml/day saline and 1 g/kg/day SM were given in control and experiment groups, respectively. Fourteen days following the burn injury burn zones were evaluated with indocyanine green-SPY imaging device, and multiple samples were collected for histopathological evaluation. Standard photographs were taken for the evaluation of necrotic skin areas. RESULTS: Neovascularization was increased in the SM group when compared with the control group (p = 0.0406). SPY studies revealed a meaningful increase in the tissue perfusion in the SM group (p = 0.0286). The average amount of necrotic area in the control and experiment group on the postoperative 14th day was 71.6% (±16.51) and 42.5% (±10.64) respectively (p = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that SM can decrease the amount of necrosis in burn wounds by increasing tissue perfusion and neovascularization.

Beneficial effects of turnover orbicularis oculi muscle suspension flap for treating facial fractures via subciliary incision.

In patients with moderate lower lid laxity, the lower orbicularis oculi muscle becomes atonic or ptotic. Hence, in such patient populations, with periorbital fractures, additional vertical support endorsement either by lateral canthopexy or orbicularis oculi muscle suspension flap must accompany plate and screw fixations. In this report, we shared our experience in applying prophylactic suspension to the lower lid with turnover orbicularis oculi transposition muscle flap in zygomatic fractures treated by subciliary approach in 98 patients. Our results show that turnover orbicularis oculi muscle suspension flap avoids the rounding of the lateral canthal angle more successfully and prevents ectropion better than the resuspension orbicularis oculi muscle flap does. We advocate using this flap where zygomatic fractures are approached via the subciliary incision. We foresee that it is a reliable and easily executed technique especially in middle-aged patients with moderate lower lid laxity for the prevention of ectropion.

The efficacy of the hemostatic agent Ankaferd blood stopper on end-to-end unilateral sleeve fish-mouth anastomosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine if the application of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) reduces the number of sutures and therefore reduces anastomosis completion time in a unilateral end-to-end sleeve fish-mouth anastomosis model. METHODS: Femoral artery end-to-end unilateral fish-mouth anastomosis models were created from the right and left femoral arteries of 14 male Wistar albino rats (weight: 250 to 300 grams) and divided into 2 equal groups. Rats in Group A received ABS and Group B was the control group. Rats were further divided into equal 2 subgroups, and anastomoses of rats in Group 1A and 1B were explored on the 7th day and on the 14th day in Group 2A and 2B. The groups were compared for anastomosis completion time, macroscopic and microscopic patency, existence of microaneurysm and inflammatory response. RESULTS: In the ABS group (1A and 2A), mean anastomosis completion time was 13:00±1.50 minutes, and 18:56±2.5 minutes in the control groups (1B and 2B). This difference was statistically significant (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Ankaferd Blood Stopper may be used to reduce the number of sutures and shorten the completion time of artery-to-artery anastomosis of arteries with small diameter and low blood flow rate.

Marjolin ulcer: clinical experience with 34 patients over 15 years.

BACKGROUND: Malignancies that arise from scars are referred to as Marjolin ulcers. The association between chronic ulcers and squamous cell carcinomas is well established. There are many case reports in the literature regarding Marjolin ulcer; however, randomized controlled clinical series that describe a thorough evaluation of these patients are rarely encountered. OBJECTIVE: We present our clinic's 15 years of experience with 34 Marjolin ulcer patients and their treatment modalities. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 302 squamous cell carcinoma patients who were treated in the plastic surgery department between 1997 and 2011 was performed. Thirty-four (10.3%) histopathologically confirmed Marjolin ulcer patients were further analyzed. RESULTS: Although burn scars represented 77% of the patients in the present study, unstable scars that formed following traffic accidents and fistula tracts are also among the commonly encountered etiologies. Based on our observations, squamous cell carcinoma, in addition to malignant melanoma and verrucous carcinoma, is frequently observed in cases of Marjolin ulcers. CONCLUSION: If the goal is to eradicate this clinical entity, all of the chronic ulcers that fail to heal require biopsies at regular intervals. Large excisional margins, lymphadenectomies in cases of palpable lymph nodes, and a well-defined oncology protocol are all essential in treating Marjolin ulcer.

Predicting skin deficits through surface area measurements in ear reconstruction and adult ear surface area norms.

Ear reconstruction is one of the most challenging procedures in plastic surgery practice. Many studies and techniques have been described in the literature for carving a well-pronounced framework. However, just as important as the cartilage framework is the ample amount of delicate skin coverage of the framework. In this report, we introduce an innovative method of measuring the skin surface area of the auricle from a three-dimensional template created from the healthy ear.The study group consisted of 60 adult Turkish individuals who were randomly selected (30 men and 30 women). The participant ages ranged from 18 to 45 years (mean, 31.5 years), and they had no history of trauma or congenital anomalies. The template is created by dividing the ear into aesthetic subunits and using ImageJ software to estimate the necessary amount of total skin surface area required.Reconstruction of the auricle is a complicated process that requires experience and patience to provide the auricular details. We believe this estimate will shorten the learning curve for residents and surgeons interested in ear reconstruction and will help surgeons obtain adequate skin to drape over the well-sculpted cartilage frameworks by providing a reference list of total ear skin surface area measurements for Turkish men and women.

The feasibility of tissue expansion in reconstruction of congenital and aquired deformities of pediatric patients.

Skin expansion is one of the major developments in reconstructive surgery. The use of tissue expansion has been popularized among plastic surgeons and has become the treatment method of choice for many congenital and acquired defects in a wide variety of diseases in adults and then later in children. The authors analyze their clinical experience in the treatment of burn scars and complex defects by tissue expansion in pediatric patients. The study included thirty five expansion procedures performed in 25 patients. Smooth surface expanders with a remote valve were used in the scalp (22), face (2), neck (3), hand (2), thorax (2), breast (1), palate (2), abdomen (1). Self-inflating osmotic tissue expanders were used in four patients, one of them had cleft palate and the other two of them had congenital hand anomalies and the last one had frontal scar and alopecia in the frontal hairline. In 19 out of 25 cases (76%) tissue expansion was achieved without complications. At the same time, in 1 cases minor complications and in 5 cases major complications occurred. The number of expanders per patient was only one in 16 cases. More than one expander was used to remove parts of the same injury in 9 cases. Our study may help to draw attention again on different aspects in tissue expansion and critically focus on each step of the tissue expansion both using self-filling tissue expanders and smooth surface tissue expanders with a remote valve.

Comparison of perivascular and intramuscular applied botulinum toxin a pretreatment on muscle flap ischemia-reperfusion injury and chemical delay.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Muscle flaps are known to be prone to local ischemia more than other flaps. The local and systemic injury that ensues after reperfusion of ischemic skeletal muscle is an important clinical problem in flap surgery. Flap delay may be applied chemically or sympathetically. Early use of botulinum toxin A (Btx-A) in muscle flap surgery relied on chemical denervation; however, in our study, we tried to emphasize a possible chemical delay mechanism of Btx-A, through the release of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). METHODS: Pretreatment with perivascular or intramuscular Btx-A was applied 1 week before the flap elevation, 3.5 units in 2 experimental groups each containing 8 Sprague-Dawley rats. The control groups (2 groups, each containing 8 rats) received 0.07 mL saline perivascularly and intramuscularly. The right gastrocnemius muscle flap was used as the experimental model. Ischemia-reperfusion cycle was applied to all groups. On the seventh day, the gastrocnemius flap was elevated, and perivascular tissues were observed macroscopically. Comparisons between perivascular Btx-A and intramuscular Btx-A groups were made, and the animals were killed. Muscle biopsies were taken. Damaged myocytes were counted using McCormack technique, and chemical delay was shown as angiogenesis, lymphocyte counts, and edema formation with VEGF3-R, CGRP, and substance P markers as immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The amount of muscle necrosis was the highest in intramuscular Btx-A admitted groups. The intramuscular and perivascular Btx-A groups showed significant angiogenesis scored blindly by the senior pathologist. CONCLUSIONS: Potential role of Btx-A in ischemic preconditioning of muscle flaps achieved through the release of substance P, CGRP, and VEGF was investigated. Chemical delay was shown objectively by Btx-applied groups.

Anomalous large unique muscle belly of flexor digitorum superficialis and the absence of palmaris longus in the forearm.

Anomalies of muscles of the upper extremity are frequently encountered and anatomic variations of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) muscle-tendon unit are frequently reported by anatomists and clinicians. FDS anomalies can be in forms of tendon interconnections, substitution, absence or muscle belly variations and most of the times the anomalies of FDS produce few clinical symptoms. We report a rare and unusual case of FDS anomaly with a unique and large muscle belly. The deformity is type V according to the classification of Elliot et al. in which the muscle belly extends to four digits (the index, middle, ring and little finger) in the right hand of patient and there is absence of the palmaris longus tendon. The hand surgeon should be able to realise all variations of the FDS tendon and should be prepared for unexpected findings during surgery.

Severe symmetrical facial lipoatrophy in a patient with discoid lupus erythematosus.

Acquired partial lipodystrophy is a rare disorder, and it is characterized by the absence of subcutaneous fat from the face, the neck, the trunk, and the upper extremities. The etiology of acquired partial lipodystrophy includes scleroderma and discoid lupus erythematosus. Literature review reveals studies involving 10 patients until today with lipoatrophy due to or after the onset of discoid lupus erythematosus; all are female patients. We want to report a young male patient with progressive symmetrical facial lipoatrophy. In addition, he has discoid lupus erythematosus and celiac disease. Fat grafting and adjuvant oral coenzyme Q10 tablets (Deka-none; Deka Pharmaceuticals, Istanbul, Turkey) were administered for treatment. To our knowledge, this case involves the first male patient in the literature presenting with symmetrical facial lipoatrophy with very prominent periorbital lipoatrophy and bitemporal hollowing symptoms.

The effect of nonpreserved human amniotic membrane on the survival of ischaemic skin flaps in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Random-pattern skin flaps are used widely in plastic surgery, but necrosis resulting from ischaemia in the distal sections of the flap is a serious problem. Free oxygen radicals and the accumulation of increased neutrophil granulocytes play important roles in tissue injury and may lead to partial or complete necrosis of the flap. Amniotic membrane is a biomaterial used widely in clinical settings to prevent the infiltration and activation of leucocytes. The aim of this study was to test the effects of amniotic membrane on the survival of ischaemic skin flaps in rats. METHODS: A total of 32 male rats were divided randomly into four groups of eight, according to the procedure to be tested: flap-only (F), flap-amniotic membrane (FA), flap-Tegaderm(®) (FT) and flap-amniotic membrane-Tegaderm(®) (FAT). Rectangular, random-pattern, caudally based modified McFarlane skin flaps were elevated at the dorsum of the rats in all four groups. The flap-only group was also the control group; in this group, the flaps were elevated and sutured to their native position. In the FA group, after the flaps were elevated, the amniotic membrane was inserted underneath the undersurface of the flap. In the FT group, after the flaps were elevated, a piece of Tegaderm was inserted underneath the undersurface of the flap. In the FAT group, the amniotic membrane was inserted underneath the undersurface of the flap and the Tegaderm(®) was inserted in the flap donor area. The survival rate of the skin flaps was measured on day 7, and histologic assessments were performed. RESULTS: The survival rate of the skin flaps was significantly improved in the FA and FAT groups (67-69%, p < 0.05) compared with the F and FT groups (46-48%, p < 0.05). Histologic analysis showed many more blood vessels and fewer neutrophils in the FA and FAT groups than in the F and FT groups. CONCLUSION: This study showed that amniotic membrane could improve the survival rate of ischaemic skin flaps.

Does vitamin B alter the efficacy of botulinum toxin?

Botulinum toxin prevents acetylcholine release at motor nerve terminals. Group B vitamins (B-vit) are essential for proper nerve function. The present study addresses the question of whether B-vit accelerate recovery in rat skeletal muscle after botulinum toxin A (Btx-A) injection. Forty-four adult male Wistar albino rats were used in this experimental study. Rats were divided into three groups: group 1 rats were given Btx-A injection only, group 2 rats were given B-vit supplementation before Btx-A injection, and group 3 rats were given Btx-A and B-vit injections together. During the experiment, compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of the gastrocnemius muscle was recorded before Btx-A injection and sequentially ten times after toxin injection. The statistical significance of the CMAP amplitude change among the groups was analyzed. All groups showed similar amplitude change between consecutive measurement points. In conclusion, combining Btx-A injection with B-vit supplement does not decrease the efficacy of the toxin.

Reduction mammaplasty using the free-nipple-graft vertical technique for severe breast hypertrophy: improved outcomes with the superior dermaglandular flap.

BACKGROUND: Management of severe mammary hypertrophy is a challenge. The limitations of most dermal pedicle techniques include insufficient breast projection with severe hypertrophy. The authors have designed a free-nipple-graft vertical technique with a superior demaglandular flap to provide acceptable breast projection and an attractive, smooth breast contour for patients with severe hypertrophy and gigantomastia who are not suitable for pedicle breast reduction techniques. METHODS: Reduction was performed for 24 patients with severe mammary hypertrophy between 2003 and 2009. This study evaluated patient age, cup size, mean distances from sternal notch to nipple and from nipple to inframammary fold, amount of resection, complications, and postoperative breast shape. RESULTS: All 24 patients were followed regularly to 1 year postoperatively. The inclusion criteria for the reported technique specified gigantomastia larger than 1,000 g per side, grade 4 breast ptosis, and increased sternal notch-to-nipple distance. The mean distance from the sternal notch to the nipple was 48.5 cm, and the mean distance from the nipple to the inframammary fold was 19.5 cm. The new nipple was positioned at a mean of 23.5 cm. The tissue excised per breast was 1,670 g. All the patients had long-lasting, pronounced nipple and adequate breast mound projection with attractive, smooth breast contours. CONCLUSION: A free-nipple graft with a superior dermaglandular flap yields a conical breast with adequate projection and fullness. Parenchyma sutures to the pectoral fascia provide long lasting results. Plastic surgeons experienced in superior pedicle breast reduction can adopt this technique easily.

Nipple reconstruction with bipedicled dermal flap: a new and easy technique.

BACKGROUND: Nipple reconstruction is the last step in breast reconstruction. An entirely satisfying breast reconstruction can be achieved only with a symmetrically placed and ideally shaped nipple-areola complex. Several techniques and modifications have been described for nipple-areola reconstruction but long-term projection loss is still a problem in nipple reconstruction. METHODS: Between January 2005 and October 2008, 13 female patients underwent 19 nipple reconstructions in our department. Among these patients, seven underwent breast reconstruction with a DIEP flap following unilateral mastectomy, and six were diagnosed with gigantomasty and underwent bilateral breast reduction with a modification of free nipple grafting. Our method for nipple reconstruction relies on a vertically oriented bipedicled flap with horizontally oriented extensions from the mid-portion. RESULTS: Nineteen nipple reconstructions in 13 patients were evaluated and the mean follow-up period was 15 months. We did not see any necrosis or any significant projection loss in our cases. Patients' satisfaction was noted as high and the results were evaluated as pleasing. CONCLUSION: We present a new technique that uses a bipedicled flap, oriented vertically. A rich blood supply to the flap may be the principal cause for long-lasting nipple projection.

A new technique in nipple reconstruction: dome technique with double pedicle.

BACKGROUND: One of the main steps for satisfactory breast reconstruction is symmetrical nipple reconstruction in an ideal position and projection. Various techniques, using cartilage, bone, fat, and even hydroxyapatite crystals, have been proposed to overcome projection loss in late term. METHOD: We present a new nipple reconstruction technique performed in 6 cases. In this technique, the nipple dome is nourished by a double pedicle and supported by lateral flaps. Nipple projection is secured with 4/0 nylon sutures, which are applied between pedicles. Skin excess is advanced to the donor areas of nipple flaps. RESULTS: All patients were discharged the day after the operation, and nipple flaps healed well. No projection loss was noted in the 8- to 12-month follow-up period. Areola shape and consistency were acceptable. CONCLUSION: Due to the presence of a double pedicle, this technique is especially helpful for patients with possible circulatory problems. Tension-free closure and rich blood supply to the nipple dome prevent loss of projection in the late term.