Objective To investigate the effects and mechanism of doxorubicin preconditioning in providing ischemic tolerance for rats abdomen island flaps. Methods Twenty-four healthy adult Sprague Dawley rats, 12 males and 12 females, were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=8): control group (group A), ischemic preconditioning group (group B), and doxorubicin preconditioning group (group C). After the abdomen island flap (6 cm × 3 cm in size) based on the superficial inferior epigastric neurovascular bundle was prepared, group A had no further treatment; group B was given a 10-minute ischemia followed by a 10-minute reperfusion for 4 times; and group C was given pretreatment with doxorubicin (1 mg/kg) by injection of the inferior epigastric vein. After 24 hours, the inferior epigastric vessels were blocked by vascular clamp for 4 hours, followed by reperfusion 2 hours to prepare ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury model. The rat survival was observed after operation; at 0, 8, 12, 24, and 30 hours after I/R injury, the malonyldiadehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were measured. At 7 days after I/R injury, the survival rate of flap were calculated and the flaps were harvested for histological observation. Results During experiment, 5 rats died (1 rat in groups A and B respectively, 3 rats in group C) and were added. The survival rates of the flap in group A (10.10% ± 0.43%) was lower than those in group B (91.63% ± 1.76%) and in group C (92.75% ± 1.48%) at 7 days after I/R injury, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05), and there was no significant difference between groups B and C (t=0.29, P=0.77). Significant difference was found in MDA level and SOD level between group A and groups B, C after 8 hours (P lt; 0.05), and there was no significant difference between groups B and C (P gt; 0.05). Histological observation showed that inflammatory cells infiltration was more obvious and hyperplasia of fibers was weaker in group A than in groups B and C. Conclusion Doxorubicin preconditioning can provide ischemic tolerance for rats abdomen island flaps and protect flaps from the I/R injury. The possible mechanism may be related to that doxorubicin can induce endogenous protections.
ObjectiveTo discuss a reliable and aesthetic surgery method for the reconstruction of large defects on the top of nose after giant nevi resection. MethodsBetween January 2011 and June 2015, 46 cases of nasal tip defects caused by giant nevi resection were treated. Of 46 cases, 22 were male and 24 were female, aged 15-59 years (median, 28 years). The right ala nasi was involved in 28 cases, the apex nasi in 8 cases, and the left ala nasi in 10 cases. The diameters of nevi were from 8 to 12 mm (mean, 9.75 mm); no alar cartilage was invaded. Hair growth was seen in 14 cases. The duration of nasal nevi was from 3 years to 49 years (mean, 9.8 years). There were 9 recurrent patients who received laser therapy before surgery. The defects sizes after excision were from 10 mm×10 mm to 14 mm×14 mm. The bilobed flaps were used for one-stage reconstruction, which sizes were from 11 mm×10 mm to 15 mm×14 mm and from 10 mm×10 mm to 15 mm×14 mm. ResultsAll the incisions healed by first intention, and the flaps survived. No complication of intracranial hemorrhage or subdural hemorrhage occurred. The patients were followed up 6 months to 5 years (mean, 18 months). The appearance of nasal tip and nasolabial fold was satisfactory, and no recurrence was found during follow-up. ConclusionOne-stage bilobed flap reconstruction for nasal tip defects after giant nevus resection is one of the effective, safe, and aesthetic surgery methods.
Objective To seek for a method of constructing the tissue microarray which contains keloid, skin around keloid, and normal skin. Methods The specimens were gained from patients of voluntary donation between March and May2009, including the tissues of keloid (27 cases), skin around keloid (13 cases), and normal skin (27 cases). The specimens were imbedded by paraffin as donor blocks. The traditional method of constructing the tissue microarray and section were modified according to the histological characteristics of the keloid and skin tissue and the experimental requirement. The tissue cores were drilled from donor blocks and attached securely on the adhesive platform which was prepared. The adhesive platform with tissue cores in situ was placed into an imbedding mold, which then was preheated briefly. Paraffin at approximately 70℃ was injected to fill the mold and then cooled to room temperature. Then HE staining, immunohistochemistry staining were performed and the results were observed by microscope. Results The constructed tissue microarray block contained 67 cores as designed and displayed smooth surface with no crack. All the cores distributed regularly, had no disintegration or manifest shift. HE staining of tissue microarray section showed that all cores had equal thickness, distinct layer, manifest contradistinction, well-defined edge, and consistent with original pathological diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry staining results demonstrated that all cores contained enough tissue dose to apply group comparison. However, in tissue microarray which was made as traditional method, many cores missed and a few cores shifted obviously. Conclusion Applying modified method can successfully construct tissue microarray which is composed of keloid, skin around keloid, and normal skin. This tissue microarray will become an effective tool of researching the pathogenesis of keloid.
Objective To investigate the relationship between the gastrointestinal function and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in critically ill patients who underwent invasive mechanical ventilation. Methods One-hundred and fifty-three cases of critically ill patients receiving mechanically ventilation were recruited in the study. After 5 days of ventilation, the gastrointestinal function score and the C-reactive protein (CRP) of each patient were recorded. The incidence of VAP was recorded during hospitalization. According to the incidence of VAP, all patients were divided intoaVAP group and a non-VAP group. The relationship between gastrointestinal function score and the incidence of VAP was analyzed. The relationship between CRP level and severity degree of VAP was also analyzed. Results VAP occurred in 42 cases with the incidence of 27.45%. The gastrointestinal function score (1.9±1.0 vs. 0.8±1.0, P < 0.05) and CRP level [(52.38±12.06) mg/L vs. (36.69±11.08)mg/L, P < 0.05] were both higher in the VAP group than those in the non-VAP group. At gastrointestinal function score of 0 - 3, the CRP levels were all higher in the VAP group than those in the non-VAP group (P < 0.05). The incidence of VAP was 8.33%, 23.68%, 45.45%, and 59.09% at gastrointestinal function score of 0, 1, 2 and 3, respectively, with significant differences between each other(P < 0.05). Conclusion For critically ill patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation, the more severe the damage of gastrointestinal function is, the higher the incidence of VAP is, and the more serious the disease is.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the biomechanical characteristics and effectiveness of repairing anteroinferior tibiofibular ligament and fixing the posterior malleolar fracture in reconstructing syndesmotic stability after ankle fracture of pronation-external rotation type (PER) stage IV. MethodsTwenty-four normal lower extremity cadaver specimens were collected and made into intact ankle specimens. A MTS Bionix 858 test system was used to measure the maximum rotation of the foot under a static axial load of 150 N, internal rotation torque to the tibia at a rate of 1°/second and 4 N·m torque. Then a fracture of PER stage IV model was established in each specimen. Internal fixation of lower tibiofibular ligament union was performed by screws in group A, fixation of posterior malleolar fractures in group B, fixing posterior malleolar fracture combined with repairing anteroinferior tibiofibular ligament in group C (8 specimens each group). Then the maximum rotation of the foot was measured under the same condition, and the syndesmotic stability was calculated. Between July 2009 and September 2012, 32 patients with ankle fracture of PER stage IV were treated. There were 19 males and 13 females with an average age of 35 years (range, 20-63 years). The locations were the left ankle in 14 cases and the right ankle in 18 cases. The time from injury to admission was 3.5 hours on average (range, 1-72 hours). Open reduction and plate compression internal fixation were performed in fibula, and medial malleolus was fixed by conpression screws, then anteroinferior tibiofibular ligament was mended and posterior malleolar fracture was fixed by screws. ResultsThe preservation rates of syndesmotic stability after repair were 46.2%±12.3%, 62.6%±10.7%,and 66.5%±12.6% in groups A, B,and C, respectively; groups B and C were significantly superior to group A (P<0.05),but no significant difference was found between groups B and C (P>0.05). All patients achieved wound healing by first intention, and were followed up 12-24 months (mean,15 months). All fractures healed,with an average healing time of 11.2 weeks (range, 10-14 weeks) on the X-ray films. No seperation of inferior tibiofibular syndesmosis was observed during the follow-up period. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score was 88.4 on average (range, 61-98) at last follow-up; the results were excellent in 13 cases,good in 15 cases, and fair in 4 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 87.5%. ConclusionIn patients with ankle fracture of PER stage IV, a combination of fixing the posterior malleolar fracture and repairing anteroinferior tibiofibular ligament can reconstruct syndesmotic stability effectively.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of an arc-shaped frontalis aponeurosis flap for the treatment of moderate to severe blepharoptosis. MethodBetween January 2011 and December 2014, 80 cases (140 eyes) of moderate to severe blepharoptosis were treated, including 31 males and 49 females with a median age of 16 years (range, 6-45 years). One eye was involved in 20 cases and both eyes in 60 cases. Upper eyelid ptosis degree ranged from 3 to 6 mm (average, 5 mm) when looking at the front horizontally. Fifty-one patients had underwent plastic surgery, and the first operation was performed in others. The arc-shaped frontalis aponeurosis flap was created by incision of upper and middle edge of the eyebrow, then it was retracted to the upper eyelid aponeurosis and was fixed in a slight over-correction position. ResultsThe operation was completed smoothly. The intraoperative blood loss was 5-10 mL (mean, 7 mL). Mild swelling of incision was observed after operation, and disappeared at 3-5 days after operation. Primary healing of incision was obtained, with no complications of infection and flap necrosis. The follow-up duration was 1-3 years (mean, 1.5 years). Seventy-nine cases could close upper eyelid completely and the function of upper eyelid was satisfactory within 3 months. One patient could not close upper eyelid completely after 6 months, and mild keratitis occurred, which was cured by anchyloblepharon. ConclusionsThe arc-shaped frontalis aponeurosis flap can be regarded as a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of congenital moderate to severe blepharoptosis, it was safe, reliable, and easy-to-grasp.
ObjectiveTo summarize clinical experience and curative effect in applying three-dimensional mechanical equilibrium concept to cartilage scaffold construction in total auricular reconstruction.MethodsBetween June 2015 and June 2017, ninety-seven microtia patients (102 ears) were treated with total ear reconstruction by using tissue expanders. The patients included 43 males and 54 females and their age ranged from 7 to 45 years with an average of 14 years. There were 92 unilateral cases (45 in left side and 47 in right side) and 5 bilateral ones. There were 89 congenital cases and 8 secondary cases. According to microtia classification criteria, there were 21 cases of type Ⅱ, 67 cases of type Ⅲ, and 9 cases of type Ⅳ. Tissue expander was implanted in the first stage. In the second stage, autogenous cartilage was used to construct scaffolds which were covered by enlarged flap. According to the three-dimensional mechanical equilibrium concept, the stable ear scaffold was supported by the scaffolds base, the junction of helix and inferior crura of antihelix, and helix rim. The reconstructed ears were repaired in the third stage operation.ResultsAll patients had undergone ear reconstruction successfully and all incisions healed well. No infection, subcutaneous effusion, or hemorrhage occurred after operation. All skin flaps, grafts, and ear scaffolds survived completely. All patients received 5- to 17-month follow-up time (mean, 11.3 months) and follow-up time was more than 12 months in 61 cases (64 ears). All reconstructed ears stood upright, and subunits structure and sensory localization of reconstructed ears were clear, and the position, shape, size, and height of bilateral ears were basically symmetrical. Mastoid region scar hyperplasia occurred in 3 patients, which was relieved by anti-scar drugs injection. No scaffolds exposure, absorption, or structural deformation occurred during follow-up period.ConclusionApplication of three-dimensional mechanical equilibrium concept in cartilage scaffold construction can reduce the dosage of costal cartilage, obtain more stable scaffold, and acquire better aesthetic outcomes.