Objective To present a method for quantifying the anastomosis between two vessels based on angiograpy and provide a theoretical basis for vascular study in skin flap. Methods Ten bilateral skin flaps of 20 cm×20 cmbased on deep iliac circumflex vessels were elevated fromthe abdominal wall including musculus rectus abdominis and deep superior epigastric vessels in 5 minipigs which were 100-115 cm in length and 25-35 kg in weight. One side was inserted an expander under the panniculus carnosus and was expanded regularly with 30-40 ml isotonic Na chloride injection (expanded group) and the other was unexpanded group which were without any treatment. A X-ray image of the flap vessles was obtained after a gelatinlead oxide mixture was carotid arterially injected and 24 hours of cryopreservation of the body. Three parallel lines with equal interval perpendicular to long axis of the two vessels were designed at the communication area. Vessel anastomosis quantifying was determined by counting the number of marks derived from the intersections of the lines and the vessels and statistical analysis was carried out. Results The mark of intersectionin expanded group (81.20±10.33) was more than that in unexpanded group (22.40±5.41), showing significant difference(Plt;0.01). Conclusion The method for quantifying vessel anastomosis in skin flap is simple, reliable, and easytoperform. The principles of this procedure may also be applied to other experimental and clinical studies.
To explore the effects of tissue expansion on the anastomoses and the survival of the axial pattern flap with a crossing area supply so as to improve the survival of crossing area axial pattern flap and to provide a new idea for the development of original crossing area axial flap. Methods The experiment included two parts. Experiment A was divided into expansion group and control group. Square flaps were randomly designed on own control bilaterally in each animal with a boundary of midl ine. Experiment B was divided into expansion group and delay group. The flaps were also randomly designed on own control bilaterally. Angiographic analysis and gross survival observation were carried on. Results ExperimentA: Angiography showed that there were abundant anastomoses with big cal iber between deep il iac circumflex artery and superior epigastric artery in expansion group and there were only 3-4 anastomoses in control group. Experiment B: Angiography showed that there were abundant anastomoses with big cal iber in expansion group and there were two arterial systems with relatively less anastomoses and smaller cal iber in delay group. The survival rates in expansion group was significantly higher than that in the control group (90.16% ± 3.61% vs 72.67% ± 5.35%) in experiment A, and in experiment B the survival rate was 92.08% ± 3.30% in the expansion group and 80.79% ± 4.52% in the delay group, showing significant difference (P lt; 0.01). Conclusion Expansi on prefabrication can and improve the survival of the crossing area supply axial pattern flap. The mechanism is the bridging effect.
Objective To evaluate the effect of the combined method of l iposuction and semicircular periareolar incision glandular organ partial resection in the treatment of gynecomastia. Methods From June 2004 to June 2006, 40 patients, aged 11-41 years old, were treated, with no-nodule (n=10), nodule (n=22) and female-breast-l ike with nodules (n=8). Three patients were unilateral and 37 ones were bilateral. The levels of serum prolactin, luteinizing hormone, foll icle stimulating hormone, estradiol, testosterone and cortisol were normal in 38 patients, while in the other 2 patients, the levels ofserum prolactin, luteinizing hormone, foll icle stimulating hormone and estradiol were higher than normal, and the testosterone level was lower. Li posuction alone was performed in 10 no-nodule patients (lei po-type), and combined l i posuction and semicircular periareolar incision glandular organ partial resection were conducted in the other 30 patients (lei po-glandular type). Results Except for 2 cases in which hematoma and a small amount of effusion were found on the first and second day postoperatively and then obtained heal ing by first intention right after hematoma removal in time, all the other patients’ incisions obtained heal ing by first intention. Ni pple numbness occurred in 3 cases on the first day postoperatively and no special treatment was conducted. There was still nipple hypesthesia in these 3 cases after 6-month follow-up. There were no compl ications such as hematoma, effusion, nipple and mammary areola necrosis, and nipple hypesthesia in other patients. All the 40 patients were followed up for 6-24 months (13 months on average). They were satisfied with their chest figures and no recurrence was observed. Conclusion The combined method of l iposuction and semicircular periareolar incision glandular organ partial resection in the treatment of gynecomastia has many advantages, such as safe, micro-scars, natural and beautiful male breast figures as well as high patients’ satisfaction.