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Former nasal reconstruction techniques were limited to skin coverage and to the middle part of the nasal framework. Unfortunately, the results were not stable in time, secondary distortions and scarring of the reconstructed nose occurred. Modern techniques are based on the complex reconstruction of all the nose layers, especially the reconstruction of the inner mucosal lining, where the septal flaps are commonly used. Supporting layer of the nose is completely reconstructed using the cartilage or even the bone graft is applied in the dorsal part. Local flaps are used for nasal surface reconstruction because of their vascularity, color and texture. The paramedian forehead flap in its three-stage modification is considered as an ideal solution for larger nose defects. In case the defect impacts more than 50% of the size of the aesthetic nasal subunit, the entire subunit is replaced. Although the overall length of the reconstruction is longer and the number of necessary treatments has increased, the good aesthetic and functional result of a nose reconstruction, that are stable over time, are achieved when above mentioned principles are followed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe our experience and outcome with the ‘Proximal first dorsal metacarpal artery free flap’. Ten consecutive cases utilizing the proximal first dorsal metacarpal artery free flap for complex digital defects were studied. Surgical technique, patient demographics, and flap outcome data were collected. Patient satisfaction was analysed using a questionnaire. All defects healed successfully with no loss of free flaps. The short-pedicle proximal first dorsal metacarpal artery free flap enables primary closure of the donor site up to 2 cm of width (in nine of the ten donor sites). The flap is a reliable and versatile alternative in selected cases of complex digital injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, St. Anne's University Hospital in Brno, and Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University, Brno, has a long history of surgical treatment of lymphedema and elephantiasis, which started in 1970s. There were many types of surgeries described and performed at our department - starting with prof. Bařinka's radical operation of elephantiasis, then lower limb end-to-side lymphovenous anastomosis pulled through the wall to the great saphenous vein, and genital lymphedema reduction. We call this era "the first period" of surgical lymphedema treatment. "The second period" started in 2016 by using free flaps with lymph nodes or vascularized lymph nodes and using microsurgical techniques of end-to-end, end-to-side and side-to-end lymphovenous anastomoses to the subcutaneous veins of a small calibre, which then drain the lymph into the blood stream. "The third period" started 2 years ago after the visit of prof. Yang from Taiwan - we started to use the method of single stitch end-to-side anastomosis to big subcutaneous veins like the great saphenous vein or the cephalic vein.

Background: Identifying relevant perforators is crucial in planning a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. Color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) has gained popularity for localizing perforators; however, current evidence on its efficiency is still inconclusive. This study aimed to compare the efficiency of CDU with that of computed tomography angiography (CTA) in localizing and selecting the relevant perforators., Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 60 patients undergoing DIEP flap breast reconstruction (uni- or bilateral) were randomly assigned to the CDU group (i.e., CDU was performed to map and select the relevant perforators preoperatively) or the CTA+CDU group (i.e., mapping was based on CTA and supplemented by CDU). CDU was performed by the same surgeon with a well-defined sonography experience from our previous study. The reference XY coordinates of the dissected perforators were measured intraoperatively, and deviations from preoperatively deducted coordinates were calculated (ΔCDU or ΔCTA+CDU). The flaps were categorized according to the number of dissected perforators, and adherence to the preoperative strategy was evaluated., Results: Overall, 22 patients (30 flaps) in the CTA+CDU group and 27 (39 flaps) patients in the CDU group were evaluated. The average ΔCDU (0.6 cm) was significantly lower than the average ΔCTA+CDU (1.0 cm) (p < 0.001). Adherence to the mapping-based dissection strategy was higher in the CDU group; however, the difference was insignificant (p = 0.092)., Conclusion: CDU is not inferior to CTA + CDU in localizing and selecting relevant DIEA perforators. Therefore, CDU mapping is a possible complementary or substitute modality for CTA mapping., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Perforator mapping using diagnostic methods facilitates deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap planning. Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is a well-proven tool for perforator mapping. However, the benefits of color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) are as follows: 1) CDU involves dynamic real-time examination and 2) does not use radiation. Comparing the accuracies of both methods in a cohort of patients, this study aimed to evaluate the learning curve of surgeon-conducted CDU perforator mapping., Methods: Twenty patients undergoing DIEP flap breast reconstruction were enrolled in a cohort study. All patients underwent CTA perforator mapping preoperatively. XY coordinates of significant perforators were subtracted by a radiologist. A single surgeon (sonographer) with minimal experience with CDU performed CDU perforator mapping, including XY coordinates subtraction. The sonographer was blinded to the CTA data. The reference coordinates of dissected perforators were measured during surgery. Deviations from reference coordinates for both methods were compared, and CDU mapping learning curve was assessed using Joinpoint Regression., Results: We included 20 women (32 DIEP flaps and 59 dissected perforators). The mean deviation between mapped and reference coordinates was 1.00 (0.50-1.12) cm for CDU and 0.71 (0.50-1.12) cm for CTA. The learning curve of CDU mapping showed the breaking point after the seventh patient (≈ 21 localized perforators). After the breaking point, no significant differences between the deviations of both methods were found (p = 0.980)., Conclusion: A limited number of examinations were needed for the surgeon to learn CDU DIEA perforator mapping with accuracy similar to that of CTA mapping., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest None., (Copyright © 2022 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Breast cancer is the leading cause of neoplasm mortality among women. Several prevention strategies have been implemented to early detect and prevent the cancer occurrence. The most effective protocol includes prevention mastectomy for the high-risk patients. In our study, we have compared the efficacy of subcutaneous mastectomy (SCM) and skin sparing mastectomy (SSM) in long-term follow up., Methods: We have included 201 female patients who have been treated at our department over the course of 20 years between 2000 and 2019. All the patients were at high risk of developing breast cancer and therefore were indicated for the prophylactic mastectomy. The main indication was the presence of the mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 cluster, however, even in the lack of such mutation, the family history was sufficient for the mastectomy indication. Patients underwent either SCM, SSM or areola sparing mastectomy (ASM), and were allocated to aforementioned groups, respectively. We have collected the data regarding the reconstruction method along with age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and presence of predisposing genetic mutations such as BRCA positivity., Results: The patients who underwent SSM compared to those who underwent SCM were of higher age, with higher BMI and body mass. The patients in SSM group had statistically significantly higher BMI than in ASM. There was no difference in efficacy between patients who underwent SSM and SCM. The majority of patients (91.5%) were positive for BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. In our study, only four patients were tested negative for known breast cancer inducing mutation (three in SCM and one in SSM). The most common reconstruction method was an abdominal flap and breast implant., Conclusions: Prophylactic mastectomy is a reliable strategy for significantly reducing the number of breast cancer incidence in high-risk patients regardless of the selected method of mastectomy. These operations allow for the subsequent reconstruction with the whole spectrum of reconstructive options.

Introduction: The bilobed flap was first described by Esser in 1918. He used it to reconstruct the defects of the nose. It has been used in the reconstructions of trunk and feet defects by many authors since then. Its principle is also advantageous in reconstructions of larger facial defects. Successful reconstruction of problematic suborbital area using the bilobed flap was reported by Yenidunya in 2007. The design of the flap can be successfully used in other atypical facial defects., Material and Methods: The bilobed flap was used to cover facial defects of 199 patients who underwent 203 tissue reconstructions from 1st January 2007 to 31st December 2016 at the Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery St. Anne´s University Hospital in Brno., Results: The flaps were equally distributed between the genders, men 101 and women 98. Ages of patients ranged from 39 to 98 years (mean 76 years). It was used in the reconstruction of the tip and alars defects of the nose 159 times, in the reconstruction of periorbital defects 16 times and in other atypical facial areas 28 times. The excision of malignant tumours of the face (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, SSM) were usually the causes of the defects (89.7%). There were 80 cases with defects of the nasal tip and ala in men and 79 cases in women. Complications occurred 41 times of all reconstructions (20.2%). The most common complication was abundance of the flap (4.9%). The postoperative results were favourable due to the preservation of colour, texture and function of the reconstructed areas., Conclusion: Bilobed flap in different modifications should always be considered in the reconstruction of extensive defects of the face, because unlike other techniques, it preserves good texture and colour of facial skin with minimal donor site morbidity.

Nowadays, free flap reconstruction in devastating lower limb trauma is a standard procedure in reconstructive surgery. The greatest factor directly affecting limb salvage is still the risk of infectious complications, whether local or systemic. Fungal wound infections are not among the most common infection complications in surgery, but their low incidence is compensated for by their fulminant and serious course, as well as severe local tissue destruction and strong angio-invasive potential together with the possibility of dissemination. In this case study, we present an example of a devastating lower leg injury, solved using latissimus free flap reconstruction, with subsequent difficult and prolonged healing, due to an invasive filamentous fungi infection. In the final part of the article, we focus briefly on the occurrence of similar cases in the literature.

Background: The latissimus dorsi flap is a reliable and one of the most commonly used methods of both immediate and delayed breast reconstruction. Its disadvantage is the limited volume of transferred tissue. The authors present their experience with the use of extended latissimus dorsi flap associated with immediate fat grafting into the pectoralis and latissimus dorsi muscles for secondary breast reconstruction., Methods: From 2013 to 2016, 14 patients underwent secondary unilateral total breast reconstruction with extended latissimus dorsi flap associated with primary fat grafting into the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi muscles. Fat was injected under visual control between muscle fibers. Fat injected into the pectoralis muscle formed an apparent bulging - autoprosthesis., Results: Mean patient age was 48.2 years (range, 34 to 64 years). Mean injected fat volume was 86.4 ml (range, 50 to 160 ml) and majority of this volume was injected into the pectoralis muscle. All flaps healed uneventfully and no fat grafting-related complications were observed. The most common complication was donor site seroma, which occurred in 57.1%. Results of postoperative ultrasound examination were evaluated. Incidence and the size of oil cysts and fat necroses were significantly lower in muscular layer in comparison with the subcutaneous layer of the reconstructed breast., Conclusions: Immediate fat transfer into the pectoralis and latissimus dorsi muscle increases the breast volume during the reconstruction with extended latissimus dorsi flap avoiding implant-related complications when abdominal tissue is not available. Pectoralis and latissimus dorsi muscles were shown as reliable and safe recipients for fat grafting.

Background: The abdominal tissue is an ideal source for autologous breast reconstruction. We propose a new approach for intramuscular dissection of a DIEP flap in this paper., Methods: A total of 84 women underwent breast reconstruction after mastectomy. From this group, 49 patients were treated with traditional DIEP flap of which 21 had unilateral procedure and 28 had bilateral procedure. This new type of dissection was performed in 35 women, with unilateral approach in 14 cases and bilateral approach in 21 cases., Results: The statistical differences are not significant in the two groups with regards to complications (p > 0.1). Mean operative time in this new approach was 3 hours and 10 minutes per flap. Mean operative time in the traditional dissection of DIEP was 3 hours and 41 minutes per flap. The operative time of the new approach is significantly shorter than the dissection of the traditional DIEP flap (p < 0.01)., Conclusion: The approach to DIEP flap dissection proposed by the authors is a new concept in autologous breast reconstruction. In this type of dissection no fascia is resected and it is more reliable than a traditional DIEP flap for the ease of dissection and for the presence of a small protective cuff of muscle around the vessel with a lower risk of perforator injury.It is a reproducible option of dissection, useful also in less experienced hands and it is a time reducing technique compared with the traditional DIEP flap.

The deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEAp) flap is becoming a widely used method of autologous breast reconstruction. Despite the huge use of the DIEAp flap in reconstructive field, an evidenced based approach in perforator selection has not yet been developed. Unfortunately there is no clear evidence about the relation between the number and dimension of the perforator vessel and the prediction of flap survival in a living model. An old technique like the vascular delay could be extremely useful as a lifeboat procedure when the vascularization of the flap after the dissection is inadequate.

Background: The effect of magnesium sulphate on mechanically provoked vasospasm of the flap pedicle on porcine model was not studied yet. Positive effect of magnesium sulphate on vasospasm was proved in previous studies on rat., Methods: The bilateral pedicled flaps based on the caudal superficial epigastric arteries were raised on 8 pigs. Flaps on the right side were the treatment group; flaps on the left side were the control group. The vasospasm was provoked by the tension applied on the pedicle in the axial direction using 160g weight. The blood perfusion of the flap was monitored using laser-Doppler. The duration of the vasospasm was defined as the time from the release of the tension until the blood flow began to rise. These times were detected using an automated computerized detection. In the treatment group, magnesium sulphate was given topically on the vessel; saline was used in the control group., Results: The duration of the vasospasm in the treatment group was significantly shorter than in the control group (P = 0.024)., Conclusion: Magnesium sulphate 10% shortened significantly the mechanically provoked vasospasm on caudal superficial epigastric flap in a porcine model. Further clinical studies are needed to prove the effect in humans.

Background: There has been no review study published yet comparing the effects of the vasodilating drugs that are most often used in clinical practice empirically. The aim of the authors' study was to perform this comparison and to select the drugs that are able to release vasospasm and the drugs that reduce vasospasm duration most effectively in an experimental model in vivo., Methods: Pedicled groin flaps were dissected in 300 male Wistar rats. Vasospasm was induced by tension applied on the pedicle in the axial direction using a 15-g weight. The blood perfusion of the flap was monitored using a laser Doppler device. The duration of vasospasm was defined as the time from the release of tension until blood flow began to rise. These times were detected using automated computerized detection. The effects of 11 different drugs were studied in 14 groups. The drugs were applied locally; some of them were tested in different concentrations or applied parenterally., Results: Ten percent magnesium sulfate reduced the duration of vasospasm most effectively (p < 0.01). Verapamil applied locally and also pentoxifylline applied parenterally were also very effective. In contrast, the duration of vasospasm was extended after local application of 2% lidocaine (p < 0.01)., Conclusions: The authors concluded that 10% magnesium sulfate applied locally has the best ability to relieve surgically induced vasospasm because of the highest level of significance and reliability. The finding that local application of 2% lidocaine prolongs vasospasm may be surprising.

Background: An experimental model for testing vasodilating drugs on vasospasm caused by standardized traumatisation of a pedicle has not been described yet. The aim of this study was to develop such model and to compare the effects of different types of surgical manipulations that can provoke vasospasm during flap dissection., Material and Methods: The pedicled groin flap was dissected in 185 male Wistar rats under standardised conditions. The blood perfusion curves of the flap were obtained using the Laser Doppler flow-meter. The vasospasm was provoked by the following manoeuvres: pulling on the pedicle; compression of the pedicle by vascular clamps; dissection of the vessels and by presence of blood around the pedicle. The perfusion recording curves were processed and two important time periods describing the progress of spasm were extracted. Combined non-parametrical ANOVA and WILCOXON tests were used to compare the time parameters between the groups. On the basis of statistical evaluation, we divided the factors responsible for vasospasm into categories labelled as strong and weak. The strong stimuli included dissection of the vessels; pulling on the pedicle using 15g, 20g and 25g weights and presence of blood around the pedicle. The weak stimuli included compression of the pedicle using vascular clamps and pulling on the pedicle using 10g weight. Pulling on the pedicle using 15g weight was chosen as the most appropriate stimulus for the experimental model., Results: A new experimental model for studying vasospasm caused by tension on the pedicle was developed. This model is well defined, easily repeatable and reproducible, produces vasospasm of appropriate duration and permits standardized topical application of vasodilating drugs., Discussion and Conclusion: The finding that certain kind of surgical traumatisation causes vasospasm that is longer than the others may help microsurgeons to review their methods of surgical manipulation.

We describe our experience and outcome with the 'Proximal first dorsal metacarpal artery free flap'. Ten consecutive cases utilizing the proximal first dorsal metacarpal artery free flap for complex digital defects were studied. Surgical technique, patient demographics, and flap outcome data were collected. Patient satisfaction was analysed using a questionnaire. All defects healed successfully with no loss of free flaps. The short-pedicle proximal first dorsal metacarpal artery free flap enables primary closure of the donor site up to 2 cm of width (in nine of the ten donor sites). The flap is a reliable and versatile alternative in selected cases of complex digital injuries.

This chapter provides a review of immune reactions involved in classic as well as alternative methods of peripheral nerve regeneration, and mainly with a view to understanding their beneficial effects. Axonal degeneration distal to nerve damage triggers a cascade of inflammatory events alongside injured nerve fibers known as Wallerian degeneration (WD). The early inflammatory reactions of WD comprise the complement system, arachidonic acid metabolites, and inflammatory mediators that are related to myelin fragmentation and activation of Schwann cells. Fine-tuned upregulation of the cytokine/chemokine network by Schwann cells activates resident and hematogenous macrophages to complete the clearance of axonal and myelin debris and stimulate regrowth of axonal sprouts. In addition to local effects, immune reactions of neuronal bodies and glial cells are also implicated in the survival and conditioning of neurons to regenerate severed nerves. Understanding of the cellular and molecular interactions between the immune system and peripheral nerve injury opens new possibilities for targeting inflammatory mediators to improve functional reinnervation., (© 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Women with BRCA1 gene mutation have 85% risk of breast cancer; the risk for BRCA2 carriers is 45%. The aim of the study was to verify if prophylactic mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction can prevent breast cancer in BRCA positive patients., Material: There were 100 BRCA positive women in which prophylactic mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, 75 dieps, 25 with implants, performed in period 2000-2011. Group A was composed of healthy, non-affected 41 patients, group B of 59 patients in remission after breast cancer treatment. These groups were compared to group C that consisted of 219 healthy carriers of BRCA1/2, non-operated, from registry of genetic department of the Masaryk Memorial Cancer in Brno, from 2000-2011., Method: Follow-up for oncology status was done in September 2011 for all 3 groups., Results: Average follow-up of 21 months revealed that in group A there was no breast cancer, in group B 4 patients died and 2 had treatment for metastases. In group C, there were 16 new cases of breast cancer., Conclusion: Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy with immediate reconstruction can be an effective way in breast cancer prevention in healthy carriers of BRCA1/2 mutation. In BRCA positive patients treated for breast cancer, the effect of prophylactic mastectomy is unclear. Their survival is more influenced by their previous disease than by a new tumor in the breast.

Background: The finger range of motion (ROM) was evaluated in patients with hand flexor tendon replacement using a tendon graft and the effect of smoking was investigated. The first hypothesis was: a tendon graft increases the post-operative ROM. The second hypothesis was: smoking has a negative effect on the final finger ROM., Patients and Methods: Fifty seven autologous tendon grafts in 48 patients were included. The patients were grouped as non-smokers or smokers ("light" or "heavy"). The modified Strickland system and Total Active Motion (TAM) system, were chosen for the evaluation., Results: The first hypothesis was proved by all the measurements. The post-operative status assessed by the Strickland method was different between the non-smokers and smokers with a better score in the smokers., Conclusion: A significant ROM improvement occurs after reconstruction and is even slightly better in smokers than in non-smokers.