Clinical Outcomes in Ring Avulsion Fingers and Systematic Review of the Literature.

Ring avulsions continue to be a challenge in reconstructive surgery. We conducted a retrospective study and reviewed all Urbaniak-Kay type IV degloving injuries replanted at our institution between 2011 and 2018. A systematic review of the literature was also conducted to assess the survival rates, functional, and sensibility outcomes. The results of our systematic review outline a survival rate of 79.50% (101/127). With 1 artery being repaired, 79% of the fingers survived, a value that increased to 87.50% when 2 arteries were anastomosed (P = 0.484). Statistically significant differences (P < 0.001) were found when comparing the survival rates of the fingers with 2 or more veins repaired (87%) with those with only 1 vein anastomosed (51.90%). In terms of nerve reconstruction, there was a significant difference (P < 0.001) with the 2-point discrimination test in favor of the reconstructed group when nerve reparation was done (10.80 mm ± 2.95 mm) versus when digital nerves were not repaired (15.25 mm ± 0.50 mm). Fingers after secondary procedures did not obtain better mobility. The mean total active motion in nonreoperated fingers was 221 degrees (195-270 degrees), whereas the total active motion in the cases who received secondary surgeries was 152 degrees (110-195 degrees), with statistically significant differences (P = 0.02). Therefore, we recommend attempting replantation of degloved fingers. All efforts must be done to carry out 2 vein anastomoses, and our results strongly recommend attempting at least some kind of nerve reconstruction. Secondary surgeries should be reserved for selected cases only, because of the extensive scarring in this kind of injuries. Early mobilization protocols must be encouraged to achieve a good functional result.

Design and testing of an optical instrument for skin flap monitoring.

Flap procedures are complex surgical tools widely used in reconstructive surgery. Flap ischemia is one of the most dangerous complications, both during the surgical procedure and during the patient's recovery, which can quickly lead to tissue necrosis (flap loss) with serious medical and psychological consequences. Today, bedside clinical assessment remains the gold standard for flap monitoring, but timely detection of flap ischemia is a difficult and challenging task, so auxiliary techniques are needed to support flap monitoring. Here we present a prototype of a new optical diagnostic tool, based on visible light absorption in diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, for non-invasive, continuous, real-time monitoring of flaps. The proposed approach is assessed by monitoring flap ischemic scenarios induced on pig animal models. The results obtained support that the proposed approach has great potential, not only for prompt detection of ischemia (in seconds), but also for clear differentiation between an arterial occlusion and venous occlusion.

Inducción de tolerancia a endotoxina en un modelo de trasplante de tejido compuesto / Tolerance induction to endotoxin in a composite tissue transplant

Introducción y Objetivo: La tolerancia a endotoxina (TE) es un fenómeno biológico que consiste en la desensibilización de las células del sistema inmune ante exposiciones bajas al lipopolisacárido (LPS), haciendo que entren en un estado de anergia ante otros estímulos. El objetivo de este trabajo es valorar el efecto inmunomodulador del precondicionamiento con lipopolisacárido en el contexto de un trasplante de tejido compuesto. Material y Método: Realizamos transferencias de patas traseras entre ratas cruzando el Complejo Mayor de Histocompatibilidad. Los animales se dividieron en 2 grupos según el precondicionamiento que recibieron, LPS y suero salino fisiológico. Resultados: El grupo control presentó una mediana de supervivencia del alotrasplante menor a 15 días tras el cese del tratamiento inmunosupresor. El grupo precondicionado con LPS presentó una mediana de supervivencia superior a 30 días (p= 0.001). Conclusiones: El mecanismo de tolerancia a endotoxina aumenta la supervivencia del alotrasplante de tejido compuesto

Background and Objetive: Endotoxin tolerance is a biological phenomenon which consists in desensitization of immune system cells to low exposures to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). It leads to antigens anergy. The aim of this study is to asses the development of tolerance after precondicioning with LPS in the context of a composite tissue transplant. Methods: Transferences of hind legs were made between rats crossing the Main Histocompatibility Complex (MHC). The animals were divided into 2 groups according to the preconditioning they received, LPS and physiological saline. Results: The control group presented a median survival of the allograft less tan 15 days after the cessation of inmunosupressive treatment. The group preconditioned with LPS presented median survival greater than 30 days (p=0.001). Conclusions: The mechanism of tolerance to endotoxin increases the survival of composite tissue allotransplantation

Seguridad y efectividad de la eliminación linfocitaria en trasplante de manos / Safety and effectiveness of lymphocyte depletion in hand transplantation

Introducción y Objetivo. Los trasplantes de tejidos compuestos están indicados para casos en los que no hay alternativa reparadora y la reconstrucción alogénica es la única opción terapéutica disponible. Los receptores de tejidos compuestos requieren inmunosupresión crónica que entraña ciertos riesgos. Pese al uso de triple terapia inmunosupresora estándar se pueden producir episodios de rechazo agudo (RA), cuyo tratamiento habitual incluye ajuste del tratamiento, bolos de corticoides y el uso de inmunosupresores de forma tópica, aunque en ocasiones es necesario eliminar la población linfocitaria. En el presente trabajo evaluamos la seguridad y efectividad de la eliminación linfocitaria utilizando globulina anti-timocítica (GAT) en el rescate de RA. Material y Método. Llevamos a cabo una revisión sistemática sobre resultados y complicaciones tras la administración de GAT en trasplante de tejidos compuestos, incluyendo un total de 108 publicaciones que resumen la evolución de 57 pacientes. La revisión se acompaña de la presentación del curso inmunológico de 1 paciente trasplantado de brazos en nuestro centro. Resultados. En 5 casos la GAT se administró con éxito para el tratamiento de rechazo resistente a corticoides, si bien no se consiguió prevenir la aparición de episodios de rechazo posteriormente. Nuestro paciente presentó un episodio de RA celular de grado III en la escala Banff que fue tratado con 2 cursos de metil-prednisolona y ajuste al alza del tratamiento inmunosupresor sin respuesta clínica. Finalmente el paciente recibió 2 dosis de GAT en el día 50 y 57 posttrasplante y tras 450 días de seguimiento permanece libre de rechazo. Por el momento no ha presentado complicaciones relacionadas con el uso de GAT. Conclusiones. El rescate del RA resistente a corticoides en trasplantes de tejidos compuestos puede realizarse mediante administración de GAT. Todos los casos descritos en la literatura respondieron favorablemente, así como el caso tratado en nuestro centro (AU)

Background and Objective. Composite tissue allotransplantation is usually indicated when no reconstructive option is available and allogenic reconstruction becomes the only feasible treatment. Patients receiving a composite tissue allotransplant require chronic immunosuppression, which expose them to certain risks. Despite the administration of triple immunosuppressive therapy, these patients are at risk of suffering acute rejection (AR), whose usual treatment includes therapy adjustment, corticoid boluses and topical administration of immunosuppressive drugs, although the more severe cases may require lymphocyte depletion. In this study we report the safety and effectiveness of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) as rescue treatment for a steroid-resistant AR episode. Methods. We conducted systematic review of complications after administration of ATG, including 108 publications about 57 patients. We also report on a case of bilateral arm transplantation in whom ATG was used after a steroid-resistant AR episode. Results. ATG was mainly used as induction therapy, and also to control steroid-resistant AR episodes in 5 patients. All patients that had received ATG successfully responded, but ATG did not prevent further rejection episodes except for 1 patient. Our patient presented a grade III episode of acute cellular rejection according to the Banff scale, treated unsuccessfully with 2 courses of methylprednisolone. On day 50 and 57 post-transplantation ATG was given and the rejection successfully responded, and after 450 days of follow-up the patient remained free of rejection. At the moment the patient has not experienced any complications related to ATG. Conclusions. The treatment of steroid-resistant AR episodes in composite tissue allotransplantation can be successfully performed administrating ATG. All cases described in the literature responded favorably to ATG as was the case treated in our center (AU)

Rescate venoso tras reimplante auricular / Venous salvage after ear replantation

El reimplante de pabellón auricular tras una avulsión traumática permite restaurar el segmento amputado con buenos resultados. El procedimiento es técnicamente demandante debido al pequeño calibre de los vasos a anastomosar y a la lesión por avulsión que suele presentar la íntima, no siendo posible restablecer el drenaje venoso en todos los pacientes. La congestión venosa postoperatoria es la complicación más frecuente de los reimplantes auriculares. Existen diversos protocolos postoperatorios de anticoagulación/antiagregación, sin que haya evidencia a favor de la superioridad de ninguno de ellos. Ante la congestión venosa del segmento reimplantado, las medidas de rescate incluyen el empleo de hirudo medicinalis y los sangrados pautados tras el rascado de una zona cruenta. Cuando las cifras de hemoglobina tras las medidas de rescate descienden fuera del rango normal suele ser necesaria la transfusión de concentrados de hematíes, una medida habitual en este tipo de procedimiento. Presentamos un caso de reimplante auricular donde no pudo restablecerse el drenaje venoso intraoperatoriamente, así como el protocolo de sangrado utilizado tras la congestión venosa del mismo. Además discutimos las diferentes medidas que suplen el drenaje venoso en los reimplantes de pabellón auricular (AU)

Ear replantation after traumatic avulsion amputation restores the amputee segment with good results. This demanding procedure presents a significant challenge due to the small vessels size and the avulsion injury that the amputated pinna frequently presents, not being possible to restore venous outflow in all patients. Postoperative venous congestion is the most common complication of ear replantation. Regardless the various anticoagulation/antiagregation therapeutic options, there is no evidence that demonstrates the superiority of neither of them. In case of venous congestion an alternative mean of drainage is mandatory, including medicinal leech therapy and blood drainage through small incisions. In these cases, blood transfusions are a common measure in this kind of procedures, usually necessary to maintain hemoglobin levels within normal. We present a case of ear replantation in which venous drainage could not be restored, its postoperative course and the bleeding drainage protocol used after venous congestion. In addition, we discuss the various measures that supplement venous drainage in pinna replantation (AU)