Annals of plastic surgery
-
Annals of plastic surgery · Dec 1995
The effects of lipo-prostaglandin E1 on axial pattern flaps in rabbits.
The effects of lipo-prostaglandin E1 (lipo-PGE1), lipid microspheres containing PGE1, on axial pattern flaps were examined using 12 x 20 cm axial pattern flaps based on the right superficial inferior epigastric vessels on the abdomens of rabbits. The surviving area of the skin flap in the lipo-PGE1 group (0.197 +/- 14.1 cm2; n = 10) was significantly increased (p < 0.02) compared with the saline control group (110.4 +/- 5.5 cm2; n = 10). Changes in pedicle blood flow after lipo-PGE1 administration were determined using an ultrasonic pulsed Doppler flowmeter (n = 5). ⋯ Blood flow in the skin flap surface was improved 5 to 15 minutes after lipo-PGE1 administration, and it was maintained for as long as 60 minutes. Venous occlusion of the skin flap was also improved (n = 3). In conclusion, lipo-PGE1 increased the blood flow in the axial pattern flaps, resulting in significant enlargement of the surviving skin flap area.
-
Annals of plastic surgery · Nov 1995
Case ReportsLemierre's syndrome: a case of postanginal septicemia and bilateral flank abscesses.
Lemierre's syndrome is characterized by pharyngeal infections in young healthy adults with secondary septic thrombophlebitis and multiple metastatic infections. In the preantibiotic era, Lemierre's syndrome was common and lethal. ⋯ A case of Lemierre's syndrome in a 22-year-old previously healthy man treated on a plastic surgery service is presented. Surgeons who can be consulted for deep space infections should be aware of this disease so that the diagnosis and treatment can be initiated promptly to prevent patients from succumbing to this life-threatening but curable disease.
-
Annals of plastic surgery · Oct 1995
Small intestinal submucosa: utilization as a wound dressing in full-thickness rodent wounds.
Wound dressings are used as a temporary wound covering to promote wound healing, control wound exudate, and decrease wound contamination as well as evaporative water loss. A new material, porcine small intestinal submucosa, has been used successfully as an arterial and venous graft in both canine and primate animal models with graft patency and infection rates equal to autologous vein. Based on these studies, small intestinal submucosa was used as a biological wound dressing in 20 x 20 mm full-thickness wounds made on Sprague-Dawley rats. ⋯ Histological analysis (hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff stains) of the small intestinal submucosa-treated wounds revealed no host-versus-graft rejection and a rate of epithelialization equal to that of the control group. The wound contraction rate was statistically significant (higher; p < .05) in the control group compared to the small intestinal submucosa-treated group. Porcine small intestinal submucosa merits further study as both a biological wound dressing and as a substrate for cultured cells.
-
Annals of plastic surgery · Sep 1995
Case ReportsFacial plaque-type blue nevus and its reconstruction.
Blue nevi rarely appear in a plaque form. Because of their rarity and unusual clinical appearance, these nevi may present a diagnostic problem. ⋯ Excision of this unusual plaque-type blue nevus with reconstruction using tissue expander was performed successfully. A 6-year postoperative follow-up revealed satisfactory results.
-
Annals of plastic surgery · Aug 1995
Thermographic mapping of perforators and skin blood flow in the free transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap.
There is no ideal method for preoperative or intraoperative mapping of cutaneous perforators or for postoperative monitoring of blood flow in cutaneous flaps. To study the suitability of thermography for the mapping and monitoring of free transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flaps for breast reconstruction, we performed thermography pre-, intra-, and postoperatively (eight patients). The temperature of the TRAM flap increased during the induction of anesthesia and was still higher than normal on the first and second postoperative days (p < 0.05). ⋯ Thermography is a potential method of mapping cutaneous perforators pre-, intra-, and postoperatively and of monitoring the flaps at bedside. The method is easy to use and the outcome can be seen immediately. Our results also showed that the temperature (blood flow) in free TRAM flaps is higher than in the tissue in its original position.