Objective To investigate the feasibility and characteristic of tissue engineered testicular prosthesis with highdensity polyethylene(HDPE，trade name: Medpor) and polyglycolic acid(PGA). Methods The chondrocytes were isolated from the swine articular.The PGA scaffold was incorporated with medpor which semidiameters were 6mmand 4mm respectively.Then, the chondrocytes (5×10 7/ml) were seeded onto Medpor-PGA scaffold and cultured for 2 weeks. The ten BALB／C mice were divided into two groups randomly(n=5). In the experimental group, the cell-scaffold construct was implanted into subcutaneous pockets on the back of nude mice. In the control group, the Medpor-PGA scaffold was implanted. The mice of two groups were sacrificed to harvest the newly formed cartilage prosthesis after 8 weeks. Macroscopy, histology and immunohistochemistry observations were made. Results The gross observation showed that on changes were in shape and at size, the color and elasticity were similar to that of normal cartilage and that the cartilage integrated with Medpor in the experimental group; no cartilage formed and fiberlike tissue was found in the control group. HE staining showed that many mature cartilage lacuna formed without blood vessel and some PGA did not degradated completely. Toluidine blue staining showed extracellular matrix had metachromia. Safranin O-fast green staining showed that many proteoglycan deposited and collagen type Ⅱ expression was bly positive. In the control group, Medpor was encapsulated by fiber tissue with rich blood vessel. Conclusion The newly formed complex of Medpor-PGA and cells was very similar to testicle in gross view and to normal cartilage in histology. This pilot technique of creating testicular prosthesis by incorporating tissue-engineered cartilage with Medpor demonstrated success.
Objective To summarize the effectiveness of modified surgical repair for severe ingrown toenail. Methods Between January 2005 and December 2010, 13 patients with severe ingrown toenail (16 toes) were treated. There were 12 males (15 toes) and 1 female (1 toe), aged 18-32 years with an average of 20 years. The disease duration was 1-15 years (mean, 2 years and 9 months). All affected toes were great toes. Ingrown toenail occurred bilaterally in 3 cases and unilaterally in 10 cases. Granulation tissue surrounding nail-edge, embedded toenail, and necrotic nail bed were completely removed; tension glue was used to make wound edge close to nail bed. Results At 3-5 days after operation, wound congestion, swelling, and exudation were improved; at 7 days, new nail bed formed; at 2 weeks, all wounds healed, and nail bed was epitheliogenic, wound edge healed well close to nail plate, and patients returned to normal life. At 6 months after nail extraction, new toenail grew and nail groove formed. No recurrent sign was found during 24-month follow-up. Conclusion Modified surgical repair is one of effective methods to treat severe ingrown toenail with the advantages of good appearance and low recurrent rate.