Effects of Fatigue and Sleep Deprivation on Microvascular Anastomoses.

Previous studies have investigated the effects of various human-based factors, such as tremor, exercise, and posture, on microsurgical performance. In this study, the authors investigated the effects of sleep deprivation and fatigue on microsurgery. A total of 48 Wistar Hannover rats were divided into 3 groups (16 anastomoses in each group) to be operated on at 3 different times: in the morning at 08:00 hours (group I), at night on the same day (01:00 h, group II), and the next morning at 09:00 hours (group III) following a night with no sleep. The blindly evaluated parameters were anastomotic times, error score (ES), global rating scale (GRS), autopsy scores (ASs), and patency. There was progressive decrease in the anastomosis times between the groups (P > 0.05). The patency rates were 93% in group I, 81% in group II, and 81% in group III (P > 0.05). The ES (P < 0.01), AS (P < 0.001), and GRS (P < 0.001) revealed significant results. Comparison between the groups showed that other than the anastomosis time, the night group (group II) showed a significant drop when compared with the preceding morning group (group I) (ES P < 0.01, AS P < .001, and GRS P < 0.001). In most of the parameters, the errors occurred with fatigue after the day and reached a maximum at the end of the day (group II). This study provides valuable data that might have significant medicolegal implications for controversial issues. More studies, however, including multiple surgeons with different experience levels, might be required to fully elucidate the overall effects of fatigue and sleep deprivation on microsurgery.

The Use of Dermabrasion to Achieve Natural-Looking Areolas Following Breast Reduction or Mastopexy: A Study of 23 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Although obtaining symmetrical breasts with good projection and a correctly positioned nipple-areola complex are the main objectives after breast reduction (BR) or mastopexy (MP), the importance of areola esthetics should not be underestimated. In this study, the authors discuss the use of dermabrasion for another purpose, which is to achieve a more natural areola with a smooth, natural border and depigmentation. METHODS: Twenty-three patients who had undergone BR surgery (18) or MP (5) between 2012 and 2014 were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 25.5 (range 19-43). Dermabrasion of the areola was performed using a diamond-type fraise to obtain a smooth transition from the border of the areola to the depigmented areola zones. RESULTS: The patients were followed up for 15 months on average (range 12-18 months). In a survey administered 1 year after surgery, the patients were asked to score their new areola on a scale of 0-10. The mean score was 8.6 (range 4-10). Three patients were re-operated due to the persistence of the sharp border due to insufficient dermabrasion. One patient had a hypertrophic scar and another had hyperpigmentation. CONCLUSIONS: Satisfactory and a more natural areola can be obtained using dermabrasion with few complications in BR or MP patients. Therefore, this technique may be considered a complementary procedure for motivated and voluntary patients ready to accept the disadvantages of a secondary procedure.

The free-nipple breast-reduction technique performed with transfer of the nipple-areola complex over the superior or superomedial pedicles.

BACKGROUND: Although the free-nipple breast-reduction technique is essentially an amputation, achieving aesthetic results still is important. The authors present their technique for free nipple-areola complex (NAC) transfer over the superomedial or superior pedicle full-thickness flaps in patients for whom a free-nipple technique is inevitable due to certain risk factors. METHODS: The study included 25 patients who underwent surgery with the aforementioned method for addressing severe gigantomastia. The patients had a mean age of 43 years (range 34-59 years) and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 35.8 kg/m(2) (range 28-42 kg/m(2)). During the operation, the NAC was elevated as a full-thickness skin graft, then transposed to the superior or superomedial pedicles, which had been planned previously. The subsequent stages of the operation thus became a Wise-pattern breast reduction. RESULTS: The mean resection per breast was 1,815 g (range 1,620-2,410 g). Breast projection, shape, and areolar pigmentation were assessed during the follow-up visit. One patient experienced a partial loss of the NAC graft, which healed secondarily, and three patients experienced a patchy hypopigmentation of the NAC. Breast projection and conical structure were observed to be preserved during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The modified free-nipple technique aimed to convert the reduction procedure to a technique similar to pedicle methods, yielding successful results during the early phases. The full-thickness flap constructed in this way provides more fullness and a maximum contribution to projection in patients who will inevitably undergo breast reduction with the free-nipple method. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Retro-orbital intraconal fat injection: an experimental study in rabbits.

PURPOSE: Despite adequate treatment, enophthalmos due to intraconjunctival corticosteroid injection and enlargement of the bony orbit after trauma remains a frequent complication. The use of alloplastic material in addressing this problem is restricted because it may result in allergic reactions and is not cost-effective. The use of retro-orbital intraconal injection is the most effective method for maximum augmentation. An inexpensive and minimally invasive alternative that also allows for reoperation when needed would be a preferred intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used 24 white rabbits (New Zealand) in our study. The animals were divided into 2 groups: a fat group and a saline solution group. The first group was subjected to retrobulbar fat injection, and the second group underwent physiologic saline solution injection. The volume of the retrobulbar area was measured and statistically evaluated both before and after the injections. Sonographically measured retrobulbar volumes were then statistically analyzed. RESULTS: When the saline solution and fat groups were compared, no significant difference was observed between the preinjection volumes of the orbits. However, after injection, there was a significant difference between volumes. A statistically significant difference was shown between retro-orbital volumes calculated before the injection in the fat group and volumes calculated immediately after injection and in the following 4 months (right retro-orbital volume of 1.291 cm(3) ± 0.031 cm(3) before injection and 2.656 cm(3) ± 0.040 cm(3) in the fourth month, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Volume augmentation by fat injection is superior to complicated surgical methods because of the advantages of decreased morbidity, rapid rehabilitation, and ease of reinjection. Using fat tissue as a filling material is more reliable, easier, and cheaper in comparison to other implantable materials.

Effect of lidocaine on reducing injury in a rat electrical burn model.

Electrical injuries induce progressive tissue loss. We evaluated the effect of lidocaine on tissue necrosis after electrical burn injuries. Forty-two male Wistar albino rats (250-300 g) were divided into 3 groups [Group A (n=6), control group without an electrical burn injury; and Groups B (n=18) and C (n=18), electrical burn injury groups without and with lidocaine therapy, respectively]. Three separate analyses were performed at different time points on 6 of 18 rats from Groups B and C at each time point. Electrical burns were induced by applying 220 V AC between the left upper and right lower extremities for 10 seconds. Myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde levels were measured in skin and muscle biopsy specimens after the first hour, fresh and dry weight differences in the amputated extremities were calculated after 24 hours, and live and necrotic tissue areas were measured at 7 days after burn injury. We found that lidocaine reduced edema, the number of neutrophils, and neutrophil damage in tissues. We conclude that lidocaine decreased the amount of necrotic tissue caused by electric injury.

Use of outsized composite chondrocutaneous grafts in conjunction with dermal turnover flaps for reconstruction of full-thickness alar defects.

Chondrocutaneous (ChC) grafts have been used for nasal alar reconstruction for years. One of the consequences for using these grafts is the restriction in dimensions. In this study, we presented our results in which ChC grafts bigger than 20 mm in length have been used in conjunction with a dermal turnover flap for full-thickness alar subunit defects. Technical details and results of 8 alar subunits reconstructions in 8 patients were evaluated. Follow-up period ranged from 10 to 27 months, with a mean of 18.3 months. We achieved satisfactory results without partial or total graft failure. Finally, surgeons can safely use outsized ChC composite grafts with this type of design, for successful alar subunit reconstruction.

Effects of Hyalobarrier gel and Seprafilm in preventing peritendinous adhesions following crush-type injury in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, the aim was to evaluate the effects of Hyalobarrier gel (Anika Therapeutics S.r.l., Abano Terme, Italy) and Seprafilm adhesion barrier (Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, MA, USA) in the prevention of peritendinous adhesions following a crush-type injury. METHODS: Twenty five female Wistar Albino rats, weighing 230 to 270 g and 7 to 9 months of age were randomized into 5 groups. Group 1 was the control group, Group 2 comprised the Hyalobarrier gel group, Group 3 was made up of the Seprafilm-treated subjects, Group 4 was the tendon repair and Hyalobarrier gel group, and Group 5 was the tendon repair and Seprafilm group. Two gastrocnemius muscle tendons of each animal, a total of 50 tendons, were used. The animals were sacrificed with the administration of a high dose of anesthetic on postoperative day 40. Macroscopic evaluation of adhesions was classified by 2 blinded researchers according to Tang's adhesion grading system. The number of fibroblasts and the density and formation of collagen fibers were noted for histopathological examination. RESULTS: None of the subjects in Group 2 was determined to have a severe adhesion, and moderate or severe adhesions were detected in Groups 3, 4, and 5. There was no statistically significant difference between Group 2 and the control group (p=0.737). Groups 3, 4, and 5 demonstrated fewer adhesions than Groups 1 and 2 (p<0.05). Groups 4 and 5 had fewer adhesions than Groups 2 and 3 (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between Groups 4 and 3 (p=0.342). The histopathological findings were consistent with the macroscopic findings. CONCLUSION: Seprafilm was found to be effective in the prevention of peritendinous adhesions following a crush-type injury with or without repair of the tendon fibers. In contrast, Hyalobarrier gel was found to be effective only following repair of the tendon fibers.

Fucoidin, a neutrophil rolling inhibitor, reduces damage in a rat electrical burn injury model.

BACKGROUND: Electrical injuries induce progressive tissue loss caused by free oxygen radicals released from neutrophil aggregates. Fucoidin, a potent inhibitor of L-selectin function, reduces the aggregation of neutrophils. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fucoidin on tissue damage in rat electrical burn injury model. METHODS: Forty-two male Wistar albino rats (250-300 g) were divided into 3 groups (Group A (n=6), control group without electrical burn injury; Groups B (n=18) and C (n=18), electrical burn injury groups without and with fucoidin therapy, respectively). Three separate analyses were performed at different time points on 6 out of 18 mice from Group B and C at each time point. Biochemistry (myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde levels) and histopathology (number of neutrophils) of the skin and muscle biopsies at 1st hour; tissue edema (ratio of wet weight/dry weight of extremities) at 24th hour; and necrotic areas at 7th day after electrical injury were evaluated. The electrical burn was induced by exposing rats to 220 V AC between their left upper extremity and right lower extremity for 10 s. Fucoidin was administered as 25 mg/kg intravenous bolus injection at 15 min after electrical burn injury. RESULTS: Myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde levels, number of neutrophils, tissue edema, and necrotic area were significantly less in fucoidin-applied rats than the group without fucoidin therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Fucoidin inhibits tissue damage induced by electrical burn injury in rats by reducing necrotic area, edema and number of neutrophils.