Distraction osteogenesis of costochondral bone grafts in the mandible

Costochondral grafting for reconstruction of the Pruzansky type III mandible has given variable results. Lengthening of the rib graft by means of distraction had been advocated when subsequent growth of the grafted mandible is inadequate. This retrospective study reviews a series of patients with mandibular costochondral grafts who underwent subsequent distraction osteogenesis of the graft. A retrospective review identified two patient groups: group 1 consisted of individuals (n = 9) who underwent costochondral rib grafting of the mandible followed by distraction osteogenesis several months later at a rate of 1 mm/day. Group 2 consisted of patients with Pruzansky type II mandibles who had distraction osteogenesis without prior rib grafting (n = 9). The biomechanical parameters, orthodontic treatment regimens, and complications were examined versus patient age and quality of the rib graft. Distraction osteogenesis was successfully performed in six of the rib graft patients (group 1) and in all of the group 2 individuals. On the basis of the Haminishi scale, the computed tomographic scan appearance of the regenerate was classified as "standard or external" in six of the group 1 patients and as either "agenetic" or "pillar" (fibrous union) in the remaining three patients. In group 1, the average device was expanded 23 mm (range, 20 to 30 mm). Group 2 mandibular distraction results were all classified as either standard or external, and there was an average device expansion of 22.4 mm (range, 16 to 30 mm). The length of consolidation averaged 12.6 weeks in group 1, compared with 8.5 weeks in the traditional mandibular distraction patients (group 2). The mean shift of the dental midline to the contralateral side was 2.5 mm in group 1 versus 4.0 mm in group 2. Complex multiplanar and transport distractions were successfully performed on grafts of adequate bony volume. All four patients in group 1 with tracheostomies were successfully decannulated after consolidation. Rib graft distraction complications included pin tract infections in two patients, hardware failure with premature pin pullout in one patient, and evidence of fibrous nonunions in three young patients with single, diminutive rib grafts. In group 2, there were no distraction failures. Distraction osteogenesis can be successfully performed on costochondral rib grafts of the mandible; however, the complication rate is higher than in non-rib-graft patients. Performing the technique on older, more cooperative individuals seems to reduce this risk. In addition, placement of a double rib graft or an iliac bone graft of sufficient volume to create a neomandible with greater bone stock is an absolute requirement to decrease the risk of fibrous nonunion and provide a bone base of sufficient size for retention of the distraction device and manipulation of the regenerate.     

Neurological complications of coronary artery bypass graft surgery: six month follow-up study.

As part of a major prospective study of the neurological complications of coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients were reviewed over six months to determine the clinical course and functional impact of early postoperative complications. One hundred and ninety one out of 312 (61%) patients had developed early postoperative disorders. At six months 165 of the 191 patients with early neurological complications were reviewed. Of the 165, 85 still had detectable neurological signs, but these were often minor and of little functional importance. Only 10 patients had neurological disability at six months, and this was major in only four patients, all of whom had suffered major perioperative stroke. No patient with non-disabling neurological complications in hospital became functionally impaired on returning home. Neurological disorders are not a major cause of failure to return to work by six months after coronary artery bypass surgery. Of 139 patients who were of working age and had not returned to work by six months, only four were prevented by neurological injury related to surgery. The long term prognosis for early neurological disorders after coronary artery bypass surgery is usually favourable, except in those patients who have sustained major perioperative stroke.     

Kidney transplantation in elderly patients

The Eurotransplant Senior Program (ESP) allocates kidneys from elderly donors to elderly recipients (> or = 65 years old). During the last 39 years, 922 kidney transplantations were performed in our transplant center. We retrospectively analysed patients included in the ESP from the our center. Eleven patients > or = 65 years old recieved kidney from donors 65 years old. Cold ischemia time was approximately 15 hours. Dual kidney transplantation was performed in one patient. Appropriate immunosuppressive protocol was given to all patients. Surgical complications were relatively common and included dissection of renal artery (1 patient), thrombosis of renal artery (1 patient), ureterovesical obstruction (1), lymphocele (1), bleeding (1), acute abdomen (2) and wound dehiscence (1). One rejection episode was registered. Delayed graft function was observed in the two patients with full recovery of kidney function. Seven patients until now have good functioning graft. Four kidneys were lost. One patient died because of pneumonia. Kidney transplantation in elderly is feasible procedure but with greater number of complications than usually.     

Orbital dermis-fat graft using periumbilical tissue

Dermis-fat grafts are currently used in orbital reconstruction in a variety of procedures. The most frequent harvesting site is the gluteal area. However, we encountered some patients with anophthalmic socket who wished to avoid a visible scar on the buttock. In this article, we describe the effort to offer the patient an alternative donor site. Of the last 36 patients with anophthalmic socket who needed a dermal fat implant, 11 wished to avoid a visible scar on the buttock. To satisfy their requests we have endeavored to harvest the dermis graft from the periumbilical area. The rate of absorption, the motility, and the satisfaction of the patients were used as outcome measures and were analyzed carefully. Of 11 patients, 4 were women and 7 were men. The ages of these patients ranged from 24 to 56. The maximum follow-up was 137 months and the minimum 22 months, with a mean follow-up of 79 months. Some degree of absorption of the graft developed in one patient who had a severe absorption and required further operation. Of 11 cases, there were 7 with excellent motility, 3 with good motility, and 1 not evaluated. The motility was measured with the final prosthesis. The results for all patients were satisfactory. The periumbilical area has sufficient concentration of subdermal fat, and it is a relatively hair-free region as the lateral quadrant of the buttock. This area is a suitable alternative donor site of dermal fat implant for anophthalmic socket, especially in young women.     

A 10-year review of perioperative complications in pharyngeal flap surgery

A 10-year retrospective study was undertaken to investigate perioperative complications in pharyngeal flap surgery in one institution using inferiorly and superiorly based flaps. In this fashion the current practice of surgical technique based on local findings and perioperative care, through regular monitoring by experienced nurses on the ward, was evaluated for adequacy. The charts of 275 patients who had 287 pharyngeal flap procedures were studied. Demographics, type and duration of operation, associated procedures, surgeon, anesthetist, duration of hospital stay, associated medical conditions, and perioperative complications such as bleeding, respiratory insufficiency, or flap dehiscence were evaluated. In this series a total complication rate of 6 percent was found, with 2.4 percent early (<6 weeks) and 3.8 percent late (>6 weeks) complications. Only two patients (0.7 percent) had postoperative bleeding requiring reoperation, and one patient (0.3 percent) needed reintubation. The most frequent complication was flap dehiscence in nine patients (3.1 percent), which occurred early in three and late in six. Pharyngeal flap surgery can be performed safely with very few complications provided the correct experience and infrastructure are present. Careful surgery, in conjunction with adequate anesthesia and postoperative monitoring, makes these procedures safe and rewarding.     

Endovascular Repair of Arterial Iliac Vessel Wall Lesions with a Self-Expandable Nitinol Stent Graft System

Objective

To assess the therapeutic outcome after endovascular repair of iliac arterial lesions (IALs) using a self-expandable Nitinol stent graft system.

Methods

Between July 2006 and March 2013, 16 patients (13 males, mean age: 68 years) with a self-expandable Nitinol stent graft. A total of 19 lesions were treated: nine true aneurysms, two anastomotic aneurysms, two dissections, one arteriovenous fistula, two type 1B endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair, one pseudoaneurysm, and two perforations after angioplasty. Pre-, intra-, and postinterventional imaging studies and the medical records were analyzed for technical and clinical success and postinterventional complications.

Results

The primary technical and clinical success rate was 81.3% (13/16 patients) and 75.0% (12/16), respectively. Two patients had technical failure due to persistent type 1A endoleak and another patient due to acute stent graft thrombosis. One patient showed severe stent graft kinking on the first postinterventional day. In two patients, a second intervention was performed. The secondary technical and clinical success rate was 87.5% (14/16) and 93.8% (15/16). The minor complication rate was 6.3% (patient with painful hematoma at the access site). The major complication rate was 6.3% (patient with ipsilateral deep vein thrombosis). During median follow-up of 22.4 months, an infection of the aneurysm sac in one patient and a stent graft thrombosis in another patient were observed.

Conclusion

Endovascular repair of various IALs with a self-expandable Nitinol stent graft is safe and effective.     

Single-surgeon experience of 87 buccal mucosal graft harvests

Although buccal mucosa has been the preferred graft material for use in the reconstruction of anterior urethral strictures for approximately 20 years, the plastic surgery literature is lacking in studies describing and evaluating this technique. The authors sought to report their experience with the technique of buccal mucosa graft harvest for use in urethral reconstruction. The authors identified 87 consecutive patients who underwent buccal mucosal graft harvesting during a 15-year period from 1995 to 2010. All donor sites were closed primarily. Preoperatively, a specialty-specific evaluation was performed by plastic surgeons and urologists. Postoperative donor-site morbidity was followed clinically. Eighty-seven patients underwent buccal harvesting. A single buccal graft was harvested in 75 patients (86.2 percent) and bilateral grafts were harvested in 12 patients (13.8 percent). The median patient age of the patients was 42 years (range, 16 to 78 years). There were no major intraoperative or postoperative complications. Minor complications included mild discomfort, numbness, cheek swelling, and restriction of oral movement, all of which resolved by the 3-month postoperative visit. The ability to eat and drink postoperatively was diminished during only the first 24 to 48 hours in all patients. Our series provides a 1-year follow-up in a substantial cohort looking at clinical outcomes after buccal harvesting. These results confirm the safety and efficacy of buccal mucosal harvesting to provide an effective and cosmetically superior option for urethral reconstruction. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.     

Intraductal laser photocoagulation of the bilateral parotid ducts for reduction of drooling in patients with cerebral palsy

Patients with cerebral palsy who experience drooling are often isolated from social interaction. Surgical treatment is effective in reducing abnormal, profuse drooling in patients who have low cognitive function, but it has a risk of complications. In this study, a new, simple procedure using laser intervention that minimizes surgical complications is described. Forty-eight patients with cerebral palsy and persistent drooling after more than 6 months of conservative treatment were enrolled in this study. An Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) was used for intraductal laser photocoagulation of the bilateral parotid ducts at 7 to 10 W for 10 seconds. The outcome was evaluated by questionnaire-based, semiquantitative assessments of drooling severity and frequency, collection and measurement of stimulated saliva, and salivary amylase measurement. The entire procedure was completed in 25 to 65 minutes, with a mean duration of 38.4 minutes. Early complications included transient facial swelling in all patients. Swelling persisted for 6 to 37 days (mean, 11 days). One hematoma (2.1 percent of patients), two infections (4.2 percent of patients), and two cystic formations (4.2 percent of patients) also occurred. No obvious xerostomia or visible scar was noted after the procedure. In the final assessment, a significant improvement in drooling severity (p < 0.05) and frequency (p < 0.05) was noted in the majority of cases. Forty patients (83.3 percent) demonstrated remarkable improvement in drooling severity, seven patients (14.6 percent) showed significant improvement, and one patient (2.1 percent), who was also autistic, continued to experience severe drooling after the laser procedure. The decrease in the amount of saliva produced ranged from 20 to 60 percent at 12 weeks after surgery. The decrease in the amount of salivary amylase measured ranged from 4 to 97 percent at 12 weeks after surgery (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the intraductal laser photocoagulation of bilateral parotid ducts is a simple, effective procedure for reducing drooling in patients who have cerebral palsy. This procedure minimizes risks and complications, compared with those associated with conventional surgery.     

LOW PROFILE BIOPROSTHESIS FOR CARDIAC VALVE REPLACEMENT: EARLY CLINICAL RESULTS

Between May 1976 and April 1977, 100 patients underwent cardiac valve replacement with a unique low profile glutaraldehyde-treated porcine aortic xenograft. These patients were classified in four groups: Group I, 43 patients who underwent isolated mitral valve replacement (MVR); Group II, 27 patients who had isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR); Group III, 10 patients who had MVR and AVR; and Group IV, 20 patients who had MVR or AVR associated with other cardiac procedures. The operative mortality for Group I was 2.3% (1 of 43) and 15% (3 of 20) in Group IV. The total operative mortality was 4% (4 of 100) and the late mortality was 1.02% (1 of 96 survivors), who died apparently secondary to a cardiac arrhythmia. During a follow-up period extending for 16 months, thromboembolic complications occurred early in the postoperative period in 3% (3 of 100), one patient with neurological residual, and two patients with transient symptoms only. The embolic complications occurred only in Group I. Considering all patients in whom the mitral valves were replaced, the incidence of emboli was 4.9% (3 of 61). The 96 patients did not receive anticoagulant therapy. Reoperation was necessary in one patient because of periprosthetic leak. The incidence of endocarditis was 1.02% (1 of 96 survivors). We recommend anticoagulant therapy for eight to twelve weeks postoperatively in MVR patients after bioprosthetic insertion.     

Unpredictable growth pattern of costochondral graft.

Costochondral grafts have gained increasing popularity in reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint and condyle in children. This is a report on the long-term follow-up of eight adolescent patients who underwent reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint and ramus for correction of hemifacial microsomia or trauma-related temporomandibular joint ankylosis during varying periods of growth. Six patients had hemifacial microsomia, and two suffered from posttraumatic temporomandibular joint ankylosis. Average follow-up was 80.4 months. Four patients had excessive growth of the graft, one patient had suboptimal growth, and three patients had no growth. In addition, one patient had undergone four procedures for significant graft overgrowth. Based on this study and review of the literature, we have concluded that the growth pattern of the costochondral graft is extremely unpredictable, ankylosis is a common problem following a temporomandibular joint reconstruction with costochondral graft, and mandibular overgrowth on the grafted site can actually be more troublesome than the lack of growth. Furthermore, maxillary growth is proportionately influenced by vertical mandibular growth of the graft, while the horizontal maxillary growth is not altered. Ankylosis is a result of ossification of the cartilaginous portion and the three-dimensional graft overgrowth, aggressively extending beyond the cartilage graft boundary. Based on this study, we recommend that this procedure be performed only on severe deficiencies. Adequate amounts of soft tissue should be retained between the skull base and the graft, and we further recommend harvesting the graft from the fourth or fifth rib, which may reduce the potential for overgrowth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Transarticular bony defects after trauma and sepsis: arthrodesis using vascularized fibular transfer

Ten male patients with previously infected bony defects involving both sides of an articulation underwent arthrodesis using a vascularized fibular transfer. The average age of these patients was 38 years (range, 20 to 60 years). The size of the bony defect averaged 9 cm (range, 3 to 21 cm). The ankle was involved in five patients, the knee in two patients, the wrist in two patients, and the elbow in one patient. Nine cases represented septic pseudarthroses (eight after trauma and one after attempted ankle arthrodesis). One patient had a defect across the wrist after debridement of a chronic infection. The patients were followed for an average of 71 months (range, 26 to 144 months). Nine patients healed after the index vascularized fibular transfer, and one patient (ankle arthrodesis) required a second cancellous bone-grafting procedure for delayed union at the junction of the fibula with the talus. Four of seven patients with lower limb involvement had residual leg length discrepancies averaging 5 cm (range, 3 to 8 cm), and one had a persistent 20-degree internal rotation deformity. Two of the patients with upper limb involvement had stiff digits. Five of the nine previously employed patients returned to their former occupation (including heavy labor in four cases). Complications included two wound separations, one case of instability of the donor ankle after removal of a large fibular graft (related in part to a prior injury), and one fracture at the junction of the fibular graft with the local bone 10 months after the index procedure, which united after plate fixation and application of autogenous cancellous bone graft. Arthrodesis using a transfer of vascularized fibular bone represents a viable option for limb salvage in the face of an infected transarticular bony defect.     

Nasal augmentation with Surgicel-wrapped diced cartilage: a review of 67 consecutive cases

Cartilage grafting has been used extensively to correct both the functional and aesthetic aspects of the nasal framework. The technique described by Erol ( 105: 2229, 2000) uses Surgicel-wrapped diced cartilage grafts in rhinoplasties. The advantages include its ease of preparation, the large volume of graft substrate available for use, and the avoidance of contour irregularities in the areas of placement. A retrospective case review of 67 consecutive patients who were treated with a Surgicel-wrapped diced cartilage graft as part of an aesthetic and/or functional rhinoplasty, in a 5-year period between 1995 and 2000, was performed in this study. All cases of congenital nasal deformities or deformities caused by trauma or tumors in which the technique was used were excluded. The charts were reviewed to determine demographic variables, the surgical procedures performed, prior operations, the rhinoplasty approach used, and the graft donor and recipient sites. Preoperative and postoperative photographs were examined, and the results were assessed. Data on the donor and recipient sites, complications, and the necessity for revisionary procedures were tabulated. There were two complications, namely, an infection, which resolved with aspiration and oral antibiotic therapy, and a recurrence of a dorsal depression, which necessitated repeated augmentation within 6 months. The technique of using Surgicel-wrapped diced cartilage proved to be effective for the augmentation of various areas of the nose. The complication and revision rates were acceptable and comparable to those of other techniques. Patient satisfaction with the aesthetic results was rated highly, with no reports of graft extrusion or contour irregularities. This technique is recommended for nasal augmentation and contouring for selected rhinoplasty patients.     

The outcome of abdominoplasty performed under conscious sedation: six-year experience in 153 consecutive cases

The use of conscious sedation is rapidly gaining acceptance and popularity in plastic surgery. At the present time, many procedures are performed using intravenous sedation and local anesthesia. The purpose of this article was to examine the safety and outcome of full abdominoplasties performed under conscious sedation at the authors' institution. Over a 6-year period from 1997 to 2002, 266 abdominoplasties were performed by the two senior authors. One hundred thirteen of these (42 percent) were performed under a general or regional anesthetic because a concurrent procedure was performed that precluded the use of conscious sedation (64 hysterectomies, 18 hernia repairs, six urogynecologic procedures, 10 breast reductions, and one laparoscopic cholecystectomy) or because of patient and surgeon preference (14 cases). One hundred fifty-three abdominoplasties (58 percent) were performed under conscious sedation using intravenous midazolam and fentanyl along with a local anesthetic. No patients had an unplanned conversion to deep sedation or general anesthesia. Eighty percent of these cases were performed with a concurrent procedure (80 liposuctions, 19 breast augmentations, 20 mastopexies, three capsulotomies, and 13 varied facial aesthetic procedures). In addition, 12 patients had concurrent hernia repairs (five ventral and seven umbilical) under conscious sedation. Mean follow-up was 10 months (range, 1 to 56 months). There were no intraoperative complications and no major postoperative complications. The minor complication rate was 11.1 percent (10 seromas requiring needle aspiration in the office, three superficial wound infections, two cases of marginal skin necrosis, one stitch abscess, and one pseudobursa requiring reexcision). Seven revisions were performed for suboptimal scars (5 percent). The results of this study demonstrate that abdominoplasties can be performed under conscious sedation in a safe and cost-effective manner for almost all patients. This type of procedure is well tolerated, has a low complication rate, and has high patient satisfaction. Increasing experience and small modifications in local anesthesia and surgical technique have strengthened the authors' conviction that conscious sedation is the preferred method of anesthesia for most patients undergoing abdominoplasty.     

Importance of additional microvascular anastomosis in esophageal reconstruction after salvage esophagectomy

Esophageal reconstruction after salvage esophagectomy in patients who have undergone curative-intent chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer is associated with a significant risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality. In particular, anastomotic leakage can cause severe and potentially fatal complications, including mediastinitis and pneumonia. The authors performed esophageal reconstruction with a pedicled right colon graft after salvage esophagectomy in eight patients. To decrease the rate of anastomotic leakage, the authors performed an additional microvascular anastomosis at the distal end of the graft. The distal stumps of the ileocolic artery and vein were anastomosed to the cervical vessels. After surgery, aspiration pneumonia and localized wound infection were observed in two patients each, but slight anastomotic leakage was observed in only one patient. Postoperative swallowing function was satisfactory in all patients. Although the incidence of anastomotic leakage is reportedly high, the authors observed anastomotic leakage in only one of eight patients. The authors believe that additional microvascular anastomosis helps prevent anastomotic leakage, especially in patients who have undergone salvage esophagectomy after curative chemoradiotherapy.     

Free filet extremity flap: indications and options for reconstruction

Radical and extended forequarter and hind limb amputations have been used for curative and palliative intents. Concerns regarding wound healing and closure, especially in irradiated fields, have occasionally limited the extent of ablation. This article reports an experience with coverage of these large defects by using the free filet extremity flap. A retrospective review was performed of 11 patients who had undergone immediate reconstruction with free filet extremity flaps between 1991 and 1998. There were nine men and two women with an average age of 43.9 years. All except three patients received preoperative radiotherapy. Resections included four hindquarter and seven forequarter amputations for palliation of intractable pain, tissue necrosis, and infections. Donor vessels included the brachial artery, its venae comitantes, cephalic and basilic veins, and common femoral and popliteal vessels. Immediate reconstruction was successful in all cases by the use of the amputated limb as the free filet flap. All wounds healed despite irradiation inclusive of defects up to 50 cm x 70 cm (3500 cm2). The average follow-up time was 5 months with a mean survival of 3.5 months. Four patients currently are alive, and one patient died within 30 days of surgery. The remaining six patients have died of their disease within 9 months of the palliative procedures. Pain, tissue necrosis, and infections were improved in all patients after hospital discharge. Extensive defects can be reconstructed and healed successfully, even in irradiated wounds, with the use of the free filet extremity flap. Appropriate advanced preoperative and intraoperative planning is essential. Although survival was unchanged, this technique allowed healed wounds with an improvement in the quality of life.     

Porous, block hydroxyapatite as an interpositional bone graft substitute in orthognathic surgery

Forty-six nonconsecutive patients undergoing orthognathic surgery in whom blocks of coralline, porous hydroxyapatite (Interpore-200) were used in lieu of interpositional bone grafts are the subjects of this report. Surgical procedures included inferior repositioning of the maxilla (7) and chin (12), maxillary advancements in cleft (4) and noncleft individuals (13), and transverse maxillary expansions (12). Patients included in this study were only those in whom bone grafts would have been harvested had hydroxyapatite not been available. A total of 93 anatomic sites were implanted. The complication rate attributable to the use of the implant was 4.3 percent. Follow-up period ranged from 6 to 20 months, with a mean of 9.3 months. At this time, osseous stability was confirmed cephalometrically in all but two patients undergoing maxillary expansions. The biologic behavior and mechanical properties of coralline-derived, porous, block hydroxyapatite are discussed. These implant characteristics make it a feasible bone graft substitute for interpositional use in orthognathic surgery. Proper indications for its use as well as technical details to minimize complications are stressed.     

Treatment of resistant ascites by continuous ultrafiltration--reinfusion of ascitic fluid.

Eight patients with diuretic-resistant ascites due to cirrhosis were treated by reinfusion of concentrated ascitic fluid. In 11 procedures, with a mean duration of 21.9 hours, weight loss averaged 14.8 kg. Complications during reinfusion included septicemia in 1 procedure, left-sided heart failure in 5, pyrexia in 7 and coagulation abnormalities in 10. Ascites recurred within 2 months after reinfusion in all but one patient. Although this technique is an efficient and inexpensive method of treatment of ascites, it does not appear indicated in patients with cirrhosis and resistant ascites in view of the possibly serious complications associated with reinfusion and the poor long-term results.     

Hybrid thoracic stent graft repair of a complex type B aortic dissection in a patient who presented three weeks after repair of a type a aortic dissection

Long-term management after repair of a type A aortic dissection includes aggressive medical therapy and routine surveillance with serial imaging to ensure thrombosis of the false lumen. Retained patency of the false lumen can lead to either the development of a false lumen aneurysm with a subsequent rupture or extension of dissection. Typically such events occur late, usually months after repair, and are treated with either a conventional one-stage open thoracoabdominal repair or a two-stage "elephant trunk" procedure. However, most patients who undergo such procedures experience major complications and the procedure-related mortality rate is high. We present a unique case of a 61-year-old woman who presented with a ruptured type B aortic dissection 3 weeks after repair of a type A aortic dissection. She underwent an emergent thoracotomy and primary repair of the ruptured aorta followed by concomitant arch debranching and thoracic stent graft placement. Simultaneous surgical debranching with a median sternotomy and endovascular repair with stent grafts is an attractive hybrid approach in patients who present with an acute rupture of a false lumen aneurysm soon after initial repair of an aortic dissection, a situation in which a conventional repair is not feasible. This report emphasizes that hybrid thoracic stent graft repair should be considered for such high-risk patients in the near future as it offers them relatively lower morbidity and mortality compared with what is seen with conventional repairs.     

The separation of anatomic components technique for the reconstruction of massive midline abdominal wall defects: anatomy, surgical technique, applications, and limitations revisited

Reconstruction of massive abdominal wall defects has long been a vexing clinical problem. A landmark development for the autogenous tissue reconstruction of these difficult wounds was the introduction of "components of anatomic separation" technique by Ramirez et al. This method uses bilateral, innervated, bipedicle, rectus abdominis-transversus abdominis-internal oblique muscle flap complexes transposed medially to reconstruct the central abdominal wall. Enamored with this concept, this institution sought to define the limitations and complications and to quantify functional outcome with the use of this technique. During a 4-year period (July of 1991 to 1995), 22 patients underwent reconstruction of massive midline abdominal wounds. The defects varied in size from 6 to 14 cm in width and from 10 to 24 cm in height. Causes included removal of infected synthetic mesh material (n = 7), recurrent hernia (n = 4), removal of split-thickness skin graft and dense abdominal wall cicatrix (n = 4), parastomal hernia (n = 2), primary incisional hernia (n = 2), trauma/enteric sepsis (n = 2), and tumor resection (abdominal wall desmoid tumor involving the right rectus abdominis muscle) (n = 1). Twenty patients were treated with mobilization of both rectus abdominis muscles, and in two patients one muscle complex was used. The plane of "separation" was the interface between the external and internal oblique muscles. A quantitative dynamic assessment of the abdominal wall was performed in two patients by using a Cybex TEF machine, with analysis of truncal flexion strength being undertaken preoperatively and at 6 months after surgery. Patients achieved wound healing in all cases with one operation. Minor complications included superficial infection in two patients and a wound seroma in one. One patient developed a recurrent incisional hernia 8 months postoperatively. There was one postoperative death caused by multisystem organ failure. One patient required the addition of synthetic mesh to achieve abdominal closure. This case involved a thin patient whose defect exceeded 16 cm in width. There has been no clinically apparent muscle weakness in the abdomen over that present preoperatively. Analysis of preoperative and postoperative truncal force generation revealed a 40 percent increase in strength in the two patients tested on a Cybex machine. Reoperation was possible through the reconstructed abdominal wall in two patients without untoward sequela. This operation is an effective method for autogenous reconstruction of massive midline abdominal wall defects. It can be used either as a primary mode of defect closure or to treat the complications of trauma, surgery, or various diseases.     

Inferior turbinate surgery: an adjunct to successful treatment of nasal obstruction in 408 patients

Septal deviation is often associated with hypertrophy of the contralateral inferior turbinate. Failure to reduce the size of the turbinate at the time of septal reconstruction may result in persistent nasal obstruction. The authors present their experience with 408 patients who underwent one of four turbinate procedures over a 6-year period. Most patients underwent unilateral turbinate surgery, although bilateral procedures were undertaken in 7 percent of patients. A graduated surgical approach was taken that varied according to the amount of turbinate enlargement and the degree to which mucosa and bone were involved. Full-thickness excision of the anterior third to half of the inferior turbinate (turbinectomy) became a favored procedure. Relief of nasal obstruction was obtained in greater than 90 percent of patients. Healing was satisfactory regardless of the method, and complications, including hemorrhage and infection, were few. Long-term follow-up revealed no untoward sequelae, and no patient developed atrophic rhinitis. The authors conclude that turbinate surgery, particularly when unilateral, in the carefully selected patient with nasal obstruction is a useful adjunct to septal surgery.