Intergender Hand Transplant: A Sex Congruent Hand Transformation.

ABSTRACT: Hand and upper-extremity transplantation restore severely damaged limbs that cannot be repaired with conventional surgical techniques. Over the past 20 years, more than 200 vascularized composite allotransplantations have been performed worldwide, among them 7 were cases of sex unmatched hand transplants. The long term effects of recipient sex hormones and nerve regeneration on the sexually dimorphic physical features of donor upper extremity have not been described previously. We report a case of sex congruent transformation of hand morphology in an intergender hand transplant.

Effectiveness of Fibrin Glue in Adherence of Skin Graft.

BACKGROUND: Graft fixation is important for graft take. Fibrin glue has been proposed as an ideal material, because of its human origin and it provides firm adhesion in seconds or minutes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficiency of fibrin glue, in increasing the take of skin graft. Assessment includes surgical time taken for graft fixation, haematoma/seroma formation, engraftment and wound closure by day 14. METHODS: The study is an observational prospective study conducted in the Department of Plastic Surgery, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, from January 2016 to June 2016. Sixteen patients who underwent split skin grafting were assessed during the study period. Fibrin glue was used on the recipient bed before grafting. RESULTS: Better haemostasis and graft adhesion, with a significant reduction of surgical time, were noted. CONCLUSION: The safety profile of fibrin glue was excellent as indicated by the lack of any related serious adverse experiences. These findings demonstrate that it is safe and effective for attachment of skin grafts, with outcomes at least as good as conventional methods.

Autologous Bone Marrow Aspirate Therapy in Wound Healing.

Objective: To study the role of autologous bone marrow aspirate therapy (ABMAT) in wound healing. Approach: This is a retrospective analysis of 9 patients (11 chronic nonhealing wounds) in whom ABMAT was used. Patients (wounds) were grouped into two groups. Group 1 included 4 patients (5 wounds) refusing/unfit for reconstruction and managed only with ABMAT. Group 2 included 5 patients (6 wounds) who agreed/fit for reconstruction after wound bed preparation with ABMAT. End point of the study was complete wound healing. Results: ABMAT helped in complete healing of chronic nonhealing wounds by secondary intention in group 1 patients and enhanced process of wound bed preparation for reconstruction in group 2 patients. Innovation: This study highlights the importance of ABMAT in the management of chronic nonhealing wounds. Conclusion: ABMAT helps in wound bed preparation to allow the wound to heal completely or cover by skin graft/flap.

External tissue expansion for difficult wounds using a simple cost effective technique.

OBJECTIVE: To study and discuss role of external tissue expansion and wound closure (ETEWC) technique using hooks and rubber bands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study is a retrospective analysis of nine cases of wounds of different aetiology where ETEWC technique was applied using hooks and rubber bands. RESULTS: All the wounds in the study healed completely without split thickness skin graft (SSG) or flap. CONCLUSION: ETEWC technique using hooks and rubber bands is a cost-effective technique which can be used for wound closure without SSG or flap.