Sentinel lymph node biopsy in head and neck melanoma*.

AIM: The purpose of this study is to evaluate prognosis and surgical management of head and neck melanoma (HNM) and the accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients with a primary cutaneous melanoma treated starting from 01/07/1994 to 31/12/2012 in the department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of Bari are included in a electronic clinical medical registry. Within the 90th day from excision of the primary lesion all patients with adverse prognostic features underwent SLNB. All patients with positive findings underwent lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: out of 680 patients affected by melanoma, 84 (12.35%) had HNM. In the HNM cohort lymphoscintigraphy was performed in 57 patients, 15 of which (26.3%) were positive. The percentage of unfound sentinel lymph node was similar both to the HNM group (5,26%) and to patients with melanoma of different sites (OMS 4,92%). There was a recurrence of disease after negative SLNB (false negatives) only in 4 cases. Recurrence-free period and survival rate at 5 years were worse in HNM cohort. CONCLUSION: SLNB of HNM has been for a long time contested due to its complex lymphatic anatomy, but recent studies agreed with this technique. Our experience showed that identification of sentinel lymph node in HNM cohort was possible in 98.25% of cases. Frequency of interval nodes is significantly higher in HNM group. The prognosis of HNM cohort is significantly shorter than OMS one. Finally, this procedure requires a multidisciplinary team in referral centers.

Repair of peripheral nerve with vein wrapping.

OBJECTIVE: The post-traumatic neuro-anastomosis must be protected from the surrounding environment. This barrier must be biologically inert, biodegradable, not compressing but protecting the nerve. Formation of painful neuroma is one of the major issues with neuroanastomosis; currently there is no consensus on post-repair neuroma prevention. Aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of neuroanastomosis performed with venous sheath to reduce painful neuromas formation, improve the electrical conductivity of the repaired nerve, and reduce the discrepancies of the sectioned nerve stumps. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From a trauma population of 320 patients treated in a single centre between January 2008 and December 2011, twenty-six patients were identified as having an injury to at least one of the peripheral nerves of the arm and enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups. In the group A (16 patients) the end-to-end nerve suture was wrapped in a vein sheath and compared with the group B (10 patients) in which a simple end-to-end neurorrhaphy was performed. The venous segment used to cover the nerve micro-suture was harvested from the superficial veins of the forearm. The parameters analyzed were: functional recovery of motor nerves, sensitivity and pain. RESULTS. Average follow-up was 14 months (range: 12-24 months). The group A showed a more rapid motor and sensory recovery and a reduction of the painful symptoms compared to the control group (B). CONCLUSIONS: The Authors demonstrated that, in their experience, the venous sheath provides a valid solution to avoid the dispersion of the nerve fibres, to prevent adherent scars and painful neuromas formation. Moreover it can compensate the different size of two nerve stumps, allowing, thereby, a more rapid functional and sensitive recovery without expensive devices.

Histopathological features of tissue alterations induced by low frequency ultrasound with cavitational effects on human adipose tissue.

Low frequency, high energy level ultrasound (US) induces physical effects on tissues called ultrasonic cavitation (UC). Endermic US therapy has recently been proposed as a method to reduce non-invasively the amount of adipose tissue. Very few published studies have dealt with the biological effects of such therapies on human adipose tissue. The aim of this study is to evaluate, through histopathological examination, the effects of various levels of ultrasonic radiation on supravital human adipose tissue. Four ex vivo human tissue samples were treated as follows: sample 1: no US radiation; sample 2: US radiation 2,5 W/cm2 for 15 minutes; sample 3: US radiation 5 W/cm2 for 15 minutes; sample 4: infiltration of 30 ml physiological saline and US radiation, 5 W/cm2 for 15 minutes. For lower levels of ultrasonic energy, interruption of the adipocytic membranes was evident both in the surface and in the deeper cutaneous and subcutaneous layers, with focal dissolution and homogenization of the surface dermal fascia. For higher levels of ultrasonic energy, alterations of the adipocytes and of the collagen fibers were greater, resulting in the dissolution of the cells and of the interlobular fibrous septa. Both effects were amplified by tumescent saline infiltration. The histological lesions demonstrated in adipocytes confirm the theoretical premises of a possible usefulness in the treatment of localized adiposis. The alterations observed in the connective stroma could have positive effects on the structural re-organization and consequently on the in vivo external appearance of the treated areas.

[Radial fascio-cutaneous flap of the forearm and myocutaneous gracilis muscle flap in urologic surgery: surgical anatomy and techniques]. / Il lembo fascio-cutaneo radiale dell'avambraccio e il lembo miocutaneo di muscolo gracile in chirurgia urologica: cenni di anatomia chirurgica e modalità di prelievo.

All the concepts and principles commonly espoused in plastic surgery are very useful in urologic reconstructive operations too. Hypospadia's repair, neo-bladder reconstruction, microsurgery of the seminal way require as certain rules as an absolute respect for anatomy, sparing of the finest tissue vascularization and tension free sutures. Pedicled skin flaps harvesting and utilisation are techniques typical of plastic surgery but are also largely used in urologic adult and paediatric surgery. They are adopted for urethral, penile and corpora cavernosa reconstruction. Pedicled flaps are utilised for the closure of large skin defect in case of complicated wound or when an urinary fistula is present, especially after radiotherapy. A perfect knowledge of the flap nourishment and of the method of harvesting is crucial if the best results must be obtained. In our work we describe the surgical technique for the utilisation of gracilis muscle and forearm flap. Special care is taken to the anatomical description.

The reverse auricular flap for the reconstruction of extended defects of the lower eyelid.

The authors present eight cases of lower eyelid reconstruction after extended excision of cutaneous carcinomata. To recreate the supporting function of the lower eyelid it is necessary to reconstruct a rigid structure, which must replace the tarsus and has to be covered by sufficiently thin skin. A condrocutaneous helix island flap, based on the frontal branch of the temporal artery, allows us to reconstruct both lamellae of the eyelid at the same time. The reverse flow to the flap through this vascular pedicle is assured by the anastomotic branches from the supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries. Using this flap we have been able to recreate morphology and function of the lower eyelid with a good cosmetic result in the donor site as well.

Dermal-fat flaps in the treatment of large post-incisional hernias ("cross-over flap" technique).

The use of dermal fat flaps or "cross-over" flap offers unquestionable advantages, even when compared with free dermal grafts. An excellent aesthetic appearance is achieved, dut to the very low incisional line. Nor does this technique leave scars in other parts of the body.

[Aprotinin and induction of sarcoma with methylcholanthrene in rats]. / Aprotinina ed induzione del sarcoma da metilcolantrene nel ratto.

Considering the immunodepressive properties of aprotinine, the influence of this protease inhibitor on the induction of methylcholanthrene sarcoma in rats has been investigated. The results of the investigation showed that aprotinine failed to modify the experimental tumour induction process. This observation provides further confirmation that immunodepression is not a position to favour the growth of a tumour as a result of chemically induced oncogenesis.

[Effects of aprotinin on the grafting of methylcholanthrene-induced sarcoma in rats]. / Effetti dell'aprotinina sull'innesto del sarcoma da metilcolantrene nel ratto.

The influence of aprotinin on the taking of MCA-induced sarcoma in the rat was examined. Local application resulted in involution of the tumour in animals in which the syngeneic graft tended to grow. Histological investigation showed that this biological reaction was due to marked activation of the macrophages.

[Circulating immune-complexes in the serum of rabbits subjected to allogenic skin graft]. / Immuno-complessi circolanti nel siero di conigli sottoposti ad innesto allogenico di cute.

Increased levels of circulating immune-complexes were found in rabbits immunized by allogeneic skin graft or sheep erythrocytes. This result was more marked in rabbits submitted to both experimental procedures. This finding suggested that the phenomenon was conditioned by a major efficiency of immune response.