Search

Objective: To assess the value of octyl-2-cyanoacrylate tissue glue in lip closure versus Monocryl stitches. Design: Closure of a cleft lip can be done using transcutaneous Monocryl 6 × 0 sutures or using octyl-2-cyanoacrylate tissue glue (Dermabond). In 15 consecutive patients, the cleft lip was closed with Monocryl 6 × 0 and in another 15 consecutive patients, Dermabond was applied. Outcome parameters were complications, satisfaction of the parents with the cosmetic result, and the cosmetic result as judged by professionals. Satisfaction of the parents was assessed using a questionnaire and a visual analog scale. The cosmetic result as judged by professionals was measured by rating standardized pictures according to a visual analog scale. Setting: A tertiary referral center for children with craniofacial anomalies. Results: Complications were equal in both patient groups (p = .273). Satisfaction of the parents, as well as the professionals, with the cosmetic result did not show significant differences between the Monocryl 6 × 0 and the Dermabond groups (p = .922 and .983, respectively). However, parents were significantly more positive about the cosmetic result than the professionals were (p = .000). Conclusion: The results of lip closure using Dermabond tissue glue equal the cosmetic results of lip closure using transcutaneous Monocryl 6 × 0 sutures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: Defects of the Achilles tendon and the overlying soft tissue are challenging to reconstruct. The lateral-arm flap has our preference in this region as it provides thin pliable skin, in addition, the fascia and tendon can be included in the flap as well. The aim of this report is to share the experience the authors gained with this type of reconstruction. The authors report the largest series in the published reports today., Patients and Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all patients treated between January 2000 and January 2009 with a lateral-arm flap for a soft-tissue defect overlying the Achilles tendon., Results: In the reviewed period, 16 soft-tissue defects overlying the Achilles tendon were reconstructed, with a mean follow-up of 63 months. In three cases, tendon was included into the flap and in two, a sensory nerve was coapted. Fifteen cases (94%) were successful, one failed. In seven cases, a secondary procedure was necessary for thinning of the flap., Conclusion: The lateral-arm flap is a good and safe option for the reconstruction of defects overlying the Achilles tendon., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate short- and long-term postoperative morbidity and mortality of hypopharyngeal resection and reconstruction. Patients with laryngopharyngeal malignancies were treated with laryngopharyngectomy and the resulting defect was reconstructed with an anterolateral thigh flap. The study group consisted of 20 patients with one or more primary hypopharyngeal carcinomas or a relapse of this tumour. All patients were diagnosed and operated in the University Medical Center between February 2000 and July 2007. Data were collected from the clinical medical files of the departments of plastic surgery and oto-rhino-laryngology. The dietetic and speech therapy files were used as well. To study the quality of life, the Dutch version of the University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire was sent to all surviving patients. The microsurgical reconstructions were 100% successful. Fifteen patients (75.0%) died during the follow-up period; the 5-year overall survival was 20%. Complications such as post-surgical fistulas and strictures requiring surgical intervention were found in five (25.0%) and six patients (30.0%), respectively. Other post-surgical complications such as wound dehiscence were seen in two patients (10.0%). The incidence of donor-site complications at the thigh was very low. No significant relationship was found among preoperative patients' characteristics like age, gender, preoperative radiotherapy, the TNM (tumour, node, metastasis) classification of the tumour and the risk of post-surgical complications. The number and/or the severity of the complications were not significantly associated with the duration of surgery or ischaemia time. In our view, surgery is a good option in the treatment of these patients. Although curative treatment is the best outcome, a satisfactory palliation in itself can be a justification for this type of surgery. Although only seven patients were able to answer the QOL questionnaire, the positive judgements of these patients support this view point., (Copyright 2009 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Free and pedicled flaps are frequently used in reconstruction of the lower two-thirds of the face. For these reconstructions, the submandibular facial vessels are extensively used as a receptor site. In this anatomic study, we investigate if the facial vessels in the nasolabial fold can be used as a receptor site as well. In 13 human cadavers, the facial artery and vein were dissected in the nasolabial fold in the same way as would be done during surgery. The ease of dissection and length, diameter, and location of the vessels were analyzed. The average length of the dissected artery was 28 mm (+/-11 standard deviations [SD]) and of the dissected vein, 19 mm (+/-6 SD). The mean diameter of the artery was 1.5 mm (+/-0.4 SD) and 2.5 mm (+/-0.8 SD) for the vein. In 85% of the sides, both vessels were suitable to use as a microsurgical receptor site. The easy access and the measured diameter of the facial vessels in the nasolabial fold make it a potential site for microsurgical anastomosis., (Copyright Thieme Medical Publishers.)

Introduction and Aim: To develop a protocolized monitor schedule in microvascular free flap reconstruction, we investigated a possible correlation between the outcome and the interval between clamp release and start of revision., Materials and Methods: All the charts of patients treated between 2000 and 2006 with a free flap were evaluated. The patients who underwent a flap revision were further analyzed., Results: A total of 608 free flaps were evaluated; 69 of these flaps were revised. Most vascular complications took place within the first 24 h; the latest complication was observed 8 days after surgery. After 6 days post surgery, the number of revisions decreased considerably. With regard to the salvaged flaps the mean time to start the revision was 46.5 h (SD 39). With regard to the failed revisions, the mean time to start the revision was 82.0 h (SD 47). This difference proved significant (P = 0.006)., Conclusion: Our data shows that the majority of anastomotic failures occur within the first 24 h. Thereafter, the frequency of failures decreases. We also found that the time between initial reconstruction and start of the salvage procedure influences the outcome of the revision negatively.

Objective: To assess the value of octyl-2-cyanoacrylate tissue glue in lip closure versus Monocryl stitches., Design: Closure of a cleft lip can be done using transcutaneous Monocryl 6 x 0 sutures or using octyl-2-cyanoacrylate tissue glue (Dermabond). In 15 consecutive patients, the cleft lip was closed with Monocryl 6 x 0 and in another 15 consecutive patients, Dermabond was applied. Outcome parameters were complications, satisfaction of the parents with the cosmetic result, and the cosmetic result as judged by professionals. Satisfaction of the parents was assessed using a questionnaire and a visual analog scale. The cosmetic result as judged by professionals was measured by rating standardized pictures according to a visual analog scale., Setting: A tertiary referral center for children with craniofacial anomalies., Results: Complications were equal in both patient groups (p = .273). Satisfaction of the parents, as well as the professionals, with the cosmetic result did not show significant differences between the Monocryl 6 x 0 and the Dermabond groups (p = .922 and .983, respectively). However, parents were significantly more positive about the cosmetic result than the professionals were (p = .000)., Conclusion: The results of lip closure using Dermabond tissue glue equal the cosmetic results of lip closure using transcutaneous Monocryl 6 x 0 sutures.

Three noma patients with large unilateral facial defects were reconstructed using the pedicled supraclavicular flap technique in the Noma Children Hospital in Sokoto, Nigeria. The results are-although not completely perfect-encouraging enough to report and to repeat the technique in future reconstructive noma surgery after moderate modifications. It is advised not to tunnel the pedicle in the neck, but instead to open the neck. Then, the flap can be inset in a Z-plasty fashion to close the neck without the chance of compression of the pedicle of the flap. In this way flap necrosis can be prevented, without the risk of a scar contracture of the neck. Another technique, which can prevent partial flap necrosis and loss of tissue, with the need for secondary stage interventions, is a delay procedure of the flap. Incorporation of the fascia in the pedicled supraclavicular flap can be another option to fulfil the abovementioned requirements.

Much research has been done to develop the ideal bone graft substitute (BGS). One approach to develop this ideal BGS is the use of growth factors, but for this approach osteoprogenitor cells are needed at the site of reconstruction. An alternative is a cell-based approach, where enough cells are provided to form bone in a carrier material. In previous studies of our group, titanium (Ti) carriers have been used, because of the excellent mechanical properties and the bone-compatibility of this material. On the other hand, calcium phosphate (CaP) ceramics are known for their excellent osteoconductivity. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of the carrier in a cell-based bone regeneration approach, whereby we hypothesize that CaP-ceramic implants will induce more bone formation than Ti-fiber implants, in the same animal model as our previous experiment. Ti-fiber mesh implants and ceramic implants were seeded with rat bone marrow cells (RBM) and implanted subcutaneously. Histological analysis after one, three and six weeks showed differences in the way of bone formation in the two groups: bone appeared to grow from the center to the periphery of the implant in the titanium group, while bone formation in the ceramic group occurred through the whole implant. Histomorphometrical analysis after one week showed very limited bone formation for both the titanium and ceramic group. At three weeks, the amount of bone formation was increased till about 10% for the titanium group and 18% for the ceramic group. No significant difference between the two groups could be observed. In the six week group, the bone formation was 6% (Ti) and 23% (CaP), respectively (P < 0.001). Further, bone formation started earlier in the CaP-ceramic scaffolds than in the Ti scaffolds. Our hypothesis could be confirmed: ceramic implants induce more bone formation than titanium implants.

Bone graft substitutes (BGS) can be fabricated by the combination of three key ingredients: (1) competent bone-forming cells, (2) a suitable framework or scaffold, and (3) the presence of biological stimulants. Although much research has been done to develop the ideal BGS, still the results are not very consistent. In view of this, the cellularity and vascularity of the recipient site are supposed to be important for the osteoinductive capacity of BGS. Therefore, we hypothesized that a muscle recipient site could favor bone formation in a cell-based BGS compared to a subcutaneous recipient site due to the higher vascularity of muscle tissue. To prove this hypothesis, 48 titanium fiber mesh implants were seeded with rat bone marrow stromal cells (RBM) and implanted subcutaneously and intramuscularly in the adductor thigh muscle of rats. The amount of bone formation after 1, 3 and 6 weeks was evaluated by histology and histomorphometry as well as by calcium content. Analysis revealed that the bone formation increased during implantation. However, bone formation did not exceed 12% of the implant surface, both for the intramuscular and subcutaneous recipient site. Also, no significant differences in bone amount between these two sites existed. Consequently, our hypothesis could not be confirmed.

The aim of this study was to further explore the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to assess bone formation and blood circulation in a pedicled bone graft substitute. In 14 Wistar rats, initially 10 weeks old, heterogeneous demineralized femur bone matrix implants were wrapped in pedicled adductor thigh muscle flaps. One rat died after surgery. Subsequently, bone formation and maintenance of blood vessel functionality were evaluated in six rats 6 weeks postimplantation by means of in vivo MRI/MRA and postmortem histomorphometry. The other seven rats were left for 12 weeks, whereafter bone formation was evaluated by in vivo DEXA and postmortem histomorphometry. The results demonstrated that after 6 weeks bone formation was present in four of six animals, quantified as 42 (+/-35)% and 25 (+/-19)% by means of MRI and histomorphometry, respectively. MRA was able to show patency of the pedicles of these four rats only, which suggests that the lack of blood supply in the other two rats is the cause of the failure to form bone. In the 12-week group, histology showed increased bone formation without signs of osteolysis, which was quantified histomorphometrically to be as high as 48 (+/-15)%. DEXA failed to show bone formation. It is concluded that in vivo MRI proved to be a reliable method for monitoring ectopic bone formation in a rat model, whereas in vivo DEXA was unable to detect the implants. Furthermore, in vivo MRA proved to be a useful technique for studying the circulation of muscle flaps in this animal model.

In animal studies of tissue engineering of bone, histology remains the standard for assessing bone formation. As longitudinal studies with this method are feasible only at the cost of large numbers of animals, we looked for an alternative. Therefore, demineralized bone matrix (DBM) and inactivated demineralized bone matrix (iDBM) implants were subcutaneously implanted in a rat. At 1, 3, 5, and 7 weeks postimplantation soft X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were done to monitor bone formation in the implants. At 7 weeks, the animal was killed and the implants were retrieved for histology. Our results showed that in vivo MRI is well suited to assess bone formation larger than 0.5 mm in diameter and to monitor the complete three-dimensional shape of the newly formed bone noninvasively and longitudinally. The MRI results matched well with the histology results obtained at 7 weeks. In contrast, X-ray imaging appeared inappropriate to monitor the bone formation process in DBM.