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Venous malformations (VMs) occurring in the tongue base or pharynx are rare, but can cause airway obstruction. Considering the potential issues or morbidity related to surgical resection in the tongue or pharynx region, sclerotherapy is often preferred. We perform sclerotherapy for such lesions without conducting tracheotomy, but keep patients intubated for a certain period. Outcomes of sclerotherapy, and benefits and cautions related with our protocol were investigated.Our subjects were 10 cases in 9 patients who underwent sclerotherapy for VMs of the tongue base (6 patients) or pharynx (3 patients) from 2008 to 2017. One patient underwent treatment sessions twice. The sclerosants used were absolute ethanol (ET) (3 cases), 5% ethanolamine oleate (EO) (4 cases), or both ET and 5%EO (3 cases).In 5 of 9 patients, postoperative MRI was performed, which revealed lesion volume reduction by 12% to 47%. The intubation period varied according to the sclerosant used: ET, 5 to 11 days; 5% EO, 2 to 12 days; and combination of ET and 5% EO, 8 days. Postoperative complications included fever of unknown (n = 2), acute psychosis (n = 3), vocal cord paralysis (n = 2), and bradycardia induced from the use of a sedative agent (n = 1). One patient complained of mild transient swallowing difficulty that lasted for a month postoperatively.Although our method mandatorily requires careful postoperative management in an ICU, including sedation with anesthetic agents and artificial respiration by intubation for a certain period of time, no serious complications or post-therapeutic morbidities occurred.

BACKGROUND Breast scars after breast reconstruction can be hypertrophic and/or hyperpigmented, especially in Asian patients, whose skin is thicker and has increased melanin. Few studies have focused on breast scars after breast reconstruction, and the risk factors for an abnormal breast scar remain unknown. METHODS We examined 257 Asian patients who underwent an immediate 2-stage unilateral implant-based breast reconstruction. Vascularity, hypertrophy, and hyperpigmentation of the patients' breast scars were assessed at 1 year postoperatively. Risk factors for an abnormal scar were analyzed statistically. Analyzed patient factors included age, body mass index, incision site (frontal or lateral), breast size (the weight of the resected specimen), skin necrosis at the initial operation (expander placement), and adjuvant therapy. RESULTS At 1 year postoperatively, 161 patients (63%) showed normal vascularity, 77 patients (30%) showed mild vascularity, 18 patients (7%) showed moderate vascularity, and 1 patient (0.4%) showed severe vascularity. No patient factors were correlated with vascularity. Thirty-two patients (12%) showed hypertrophy, and the rate of hypertrophy was significantly higher in the patients with a lateral incision (n = 59) compared with those with a frontal incision (n = 198) (28.8% vs 7.6%, P < 0.01). Even in the frontal incision group, a lateral part of the frontal scar was likely to be hypertrophic. Forty-six patients (18%) showed hyperpigmentation, and the rate of hyperpigmentation was significantly higher in the patients with skin necrosis (n = 47) at the initial operation than those without skin necrosis (n = 210) (57.4% vs 9.0%, P < 0.01). Large breast was also a risk factor for hyperpigmentation due to its higher frequency of skin necrosis. CONCLUSIONS In Asian patients who undergo breast reconstruction, the use of a lateral incision is a risk factor for hypertrophy, and skin necrosis at the initial operation is a risk factor for hyperpigmentation at the breast scar.

Background Limb-salvage surgery with vascular reconstruction is the current standard treatment when sarcoma involves major vessels of the lower extremity. However, the low incidence of sarcoma and rarity of limb-salvage surgery are limiting factors for the reliable study of limb-salvage surgery. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted to establish better management of lower extremity sarcoma based on currently available evidence. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of data on limb-salvage surgery with vascular reconstruction for lower extremity sarcoma were conducted using MEDLINE through PubMed, Scopus, CINARL, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Overall limb-salvage rate was the primary outcome, and rates of perioperative complication and arterial patency were secondary outcomes. Results Among the 271 patients (18 studies) included in this study, 69.4% underwent arterial reconstruction with autologous graft, 22.0% underwent synthetic graft, and 8.6% underwent other reconstructive methods. Pooled overall limb-salvage rate was 89.8% [95% confidence interval (CI), 85.0-93.1%] after a mean follow-up of 19-74.7 months. Pooled overall perioperative complication and arterial patency rates were 49.5% (95% CI, 42.8-56.2%) and 85.4% (95% CI, 79.5-89.9%), respectively. Conclusions Current evidence suggests that limb-salvage surgery with vascular reconstruction has a high limb-salvage rate; however, the high perioperative complication rate remains problematic. Early and appropriate interventions are required to optimize the complications of limb-salvage surgery.

IMPORTANCE: Standardization of outcome measurement using a patient-centered approach in pediatric facial palsy may help aid the advancement of clinical care in this population. OBJECTIVE: To develop a standardized outcome measurement set for pediatric patients with facial palsy through an international multidisciplinary group of health care professionals, researchers, and patients and patient representatives. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A working group of health care experts and patient representatives (n = 21), along with external reviewers, participated in the study. Seven teleconferences were conducted over a 9-month period between December 3, 2016, and September 23, 2017, under the guidance of the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement, each followed with a 2-round Delphi process to develop consensus. This process defined the scope, outcome domains, measurement tools, time points for measurements, and case-mix variables deemed essential to a standardized outcome measurement set. Each teleconference was informed by a comprehensive review of literature and through communication with patient advisory groups. Literature review of PubMed was conducted for research published between January 1, 1981, and November 30, 2016. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The study aim was to develop the outcomes and measures relevant to children with facial palsy as opposed to studying the effect of a particular intervention. RESULTS: The 21 members of the working group included pediatric facial palsy experts from 9 countries. The literature review identified 1628 papers, of which 395 (24.3%) were screened and 83 (5.1%) were included for qualitative evaluation. A standard set of outcome measurements was designed by the working group to allow the recording of outcomes after all forms of surgical and nonsurgical facial palsy treatments among pediatric patients of all ages. Unilateral or bilateral, congenital or acquired, permanent or temporary, and single-territory or multiterritory facial palsy can be evaluated using this standard set. Functional, appearance, psychosocial, and administrative outcomes were selected for inclusion. Clinimetric and psychometric outcome measurement tools (clinician-, patient-, and patient proxy–reported) and time points for measuring patient outcomes were established. Eighty-six independent reviews of the standard set were completed, and 34 (85%) of the 40 patients and patient representatives and 44 (96%) of the 46 health care professionals who participated in the reviews agreed that the standard set would capture the outcomes that matter most to children with facial palsy. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This international collaborative study produced a free standardized set of outcome measures for evaluating the quality of care provided to pediatric patients with facial palsy, allowing benchmarking of clinicians, comparison of treatment pathways, and introduction of value-based reimbursement strategies in the field of pediatric facial palsy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.

Objectives Sclerotherapy is an essential component of the treatment for venous malformations, and ethanolamine oleate (EO) is known as a useful sclerosing agent. However, macroscopic haemoglobinuria (MH) and subsequent renal impairment are severe complications after sclerotherapy using EO. The present study aimed to clarify the MH risk factors for better peri-operative management of venous malformations. Methods Data collected during 130 procedures involving 94 patients who were undergoing sclerotherapy using EO for venous malformation were retrospectively analysed. Pre-operative and operative variables, including sex, age, pre-operative body mass index, location, depth, type of lesion, size, number of procedures, type of drainage vein, ratio of sclerosant to air, and injected total dose of 5% EO per body weight (BW), were examined. Univariable analysis and multivariable logistic regression were performed to determine the possible risk factors for MH. Results Following sclerotherapy, MH occurred in 27.7% of patients, but no patient developed post-operative renal impairment because of aggressive hydration and haptoglobin administration. On univariable analysis, diffuse lesion, lesion size ≥50 cm2, and total injected dose of 5% EO ≥ 0.18 mL/kg were found to be the MH risk factors. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified a total injected dose of 5% EO ≥ 0.18 mL/kg as the significant independent factor contributing to MH risk. Conclusions Macroscopic haemoglobinuria is a reversible complication if immediate and appropriate interventions with aggressive hydration and haptoglobin administration are performed; therefore, it should be closely monitored following sclerotherapy, especially when using 5% EO ≥ 0.18 mL/kg.

Although the margin reflex distance (MRD) is widely used to assess blepharoptosis, it has some drawbacks (e.g. inaccuracy in severe ptosis). A new parameter is desired. We digitally analyzed pre- and post-operative photographs of 95 patients with blepharoptosis. We set a rectangle with the vertical sides at the lateral and medial canthus and the horizontal sides at the highest and lowest points of the eyelids. We calculated the percentage of the vertical side (height) to the horizontal side (width) and defined this value as the vertical percentage of the palpebral fissure. The MRD and the vertical percentage values were strongly correlated (correlation coefficient 0.766). In the 77 bilateral cases, both sides showed significant improvement in vertical percentage (from 28.9 to 37.3%, right) and (28.7 to 36.1%, left). In the 18 unilateral cases, the affected side showed significant improvement in vertical percentage (from 29.6 to 38.7%), while the unaffected side showed no change. In the eight patients who underwent re-operation, the revised side's vertical percentage was not improved after the first operation (from 28.0 to 31.3%), and the revision significantly changed the vertical percentage to 39.0%. In the re-operated patients, the difference between the right and left sides decreased significantly from 6.7 to 1.9% post-revision. The aspect ratio of each palpebral fissure (the percentage of height to width) reflected the progression of blepharoptosis and the post-operative changes. The aspect ratio thus has the potential to be a new parameter for blepharoptosis.

Background Pathologic scarring including keloid and hypertrophic scar causes aesthetic and physical problems, and there are clinical difficulties (e.g., posttreatment recurrence) in dealing with pathologic scarring. Understanding the mechanisms that underlie scar control in wound healing will help prevent and treat pathologic scarring. The authors focused on CD206+ macrophages in the wound-healing process, and hypothesized that CD206+ macrophages have antifibrotic effects on fibroblasts. Methods The authors established a co-culture system for CD206+ macrophages and fibroblasts (cell ratio, 1:1). The authors examined the CD206+ macrophages' antifibrotic effects on fibroblasts after a 72-hour culture, focusing on fibrosis-related genes. To identify key factor(s) in the interaction between CD206+ macrophages and fibroblasts, the authors analyzed cytokines in a conditioned medium of the co-culture system. Results Under co-culture with CD206+ macrophages, expression of the following in the fibroblasts was significantly down-regulated: type 1 (fold change, 0.38) and type 3 collagen (0.45), alpha smooth muscle actin (0.24), connective tissue growth factor (0.40), and transforming growth factor-beta (0.66); the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 was significantly up-regulated (1.92). Conditioned medium in the co-culture showed a high interleukin (IL)-6 concentration (419 ± 88 pg/ml). When IL-6 was added to fibroblasts, antifibrotic changes in gene expression (as observed under the co-culture) occurred in the fibroblasts. Conclusions The authors' in vitro results revealed that CD206+ macrophages have antifibrotic effects on fibroblasts by means of a paracrine mechanism involving IL-6. Understanding these effects, especially in vivo, will help elucidate the mechanism of scar control in wound healing and contribute to the development of new scar treatments.

Summary Objective Weakness and synkinesis (involuntary cocontraction of different muscle groups) are common sequelae after facial nerve injury. We describe a rabbit model of facial nerve axotomy and repair, which can be used to study such sequelae and propose a grading tool to assess the facial movement outcomes. Using this rabbit model, we assess the effect of delaying facial nerve repair on the quality of the clinical result. Methods A total of 15 rabbits (30 facial halves) were divided into 4 groups: control, facial nerve main trunk axotomy and immediate repair, axotomy and repair at 2.5 weeks as well as axotomy, and repair at 2 months. Functional recovery was graded according to the observable criteria. We performed retrograde fluorescence labelling of the distal facial nerve branches and assessed the distribution of tracers in the facial nucleus. Results A consistent model of weakness and synkinesis was produced in all rabbits after immediate axotomy and repair. A grading tool was used to clinically grade the quality of the recovery. The somatotopy of the facial nucleus was disrupted, with axons projecting from the facial nucleus to incorrect facial muscle groups. Varying the denervation time before repair affected the quality of the recovery. The worst result was noted when repair was delayed for 2 months. Subtle changes in the pattern and severity of synkinesis was noted among the different treatment groups. Conclusion A slight delay in nerve repair by 2.5 weeks as well as contralateral facial paralysis (analogous to botulinum toxin (BTX) injection) appear to improve eye recovery and reduce synkinesis. Because of the large size of the rabbit, such variability in synkinesis severity can be graded.

On rare occasions, a lesion preoperatively diagnosed as a lipoma is ultimately diagnosed as a liposarcoma. It is important to differentiate liposarcomas from lipomas preoperatively.To examine characteristic features of liposarcomas preoperatively diagnosed as lipomas.Patients (n = 637) who underwent resection of tumors preoperatively diagnosed as lipomas from January 2006 to October 2016 were retrospectively reviewed.Based on pathological examination, 8 of 637 lesions were diagnosed as liposarcomas postoperatively. All the liposarcomas were well-differentiated liposarcomas. The rate of male patients was higher (87.5% vs 38.9%) and the size of tumors was larger (8.75 vs 4.64 cm) in these cases than in accurately diagnosed lipoma cases. On imaging, nonfatty septa were more frequently observed (71.4% vs 20.0%) and were thicker (2.22 vs 1.33 mm) than in true lipoma cases.If the patient with a lipomatous tumor is male and the tumor is large, we should consider the possibility of it being a liposarcoma. A thick internal septum in the image findings is a good predictor of malignancy.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text, In 1986, Altemir first reported the use of submental intubation to avoid tracheotomy in patients with panfacial and midfacial fractures for whom intermaxillary fixation is necessary, but orotracheal and nasotracheal intubations are not recommended. This novel technique allowed intraoperative access to perform dental occlusion and reconstruction of the nasal pyramid in patients with skull base fractures. Herein, we describe a refined technique based on Altemir's original procedure. Seven male patients with panfacial fractures underwent submental intubation using our refined technique. The technique was developed after encountering a technical error with Altemir's original procedure. In this new technique, we employed a 2-0 silk suture guide to allow the passage of both the endotracheal and cuff-inflation tubes through the same tunnel created from the oral cavity to the submental area. The success rate of the refined technique was 100%, and there were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. There was 20 seconds of ventilation outage time in total. Endotracheal and cuff-inflation tubes were easily and quickly passed through the same submental tunnel. Our refined technique is simple, easy, safe, fast, inexpensive, and does not require specific materials. Submental scars were smaller and relatively inconspicuous in this study, compared to those reportedly associated with other modified techniques.

The investigation of primary cells from a pathological lesion can elucidate the pathogenesis of diseases, but, for vascular malformations in humans, such basic research is still stagnant, because the isolation and culture of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) is very difficult. To obtain a sufficient amount of ECs from venous malformation (VM) this study took advantage of a Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor, Y27632, which had been used for the efficient procurement of primary keratinocytes.ECs were isolated and cultured from VM lesions, combining enzymatic digestion, cell sorting, and Y27632. The proliferative effect of Y27632 on ECs was examined by proliferation assay. The characteristics of the ECs cultured with Y27632 by EC marker expression and tube formation assay were also examined.Y27632 enhanced the proliferation of ECs and elongated the senescence of the cells. The expression of specific markers of ECs such as von Willebrand factor, endothelin-1, and VE-cadherin, was confirmed in the cells cultured with Y27632. In a tube formation assay, the cells cultured with Y27632 showed higher tube formation ability compared to the cells cultured without Y27632, indicating that Y27632 promoted the angiogenic capability of ECs.The protocol using Y27632 offers a new EC culture methodology and provides a new option for the biological investigation of vascular malformations. This new method will contribute to other types of vascular biology research as well.

Objective: Telemedicine is an essential support system for clinical settings outside the hospital. Recently, the importance of the model for assessment of telemedicine (MAST) has been emphasised. The development of an eHealth-supported wound assessment system using artificial intelligence is awaited. This study explored whether or not wound segmentation of a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) and a venous leg ulcer (VLU) by a convolutional neural network (CNN) was possible after being educated using sacral pressure ulcer (PU) data sets, and which CNN architecture was superior at segmentation. Methods: CNNs with different algorithms and architectures were prepared. The four architectures were SegNet, LinkNet, U-Net and U-Net with the VGG16 Encoder Pre-Trained on ImageNet (Unet_VGG16). Each CNN learned the supervised data of sacral pressure ulcers (PUs). Results: Among the four architectures, the best results were obtained with U-Net. U-Net demonstrated the second-highest accuracy in terms of the area under the curve (0.997) and a high specificity (0.943) and sensitivity (0.993), with the highest values obtained with Unet_VGG16. U-Net was also considered to be the most practical architecture and superior to the others in that the segmentation speed was faster than that of Unet_VGG16. Conclusion: The U-Net CNN constructed using appropriately supervised data was capable of segmentation with high accuracy. These findings suggest that eHealth wound assessment using CNNs will be of practical use in the future.

Summary: Periocular infantile hemangioma (IH) sometimes hinders proper eye opening and limits the visual field. Even short-term deprivation of hemilateral vision may cause amblyopia in infants during the visually sensitive period and, thus, necessitates prompt treatment. Propranolol is a commonly known remedy for IH, though it may not act sufficiently to rapidly resolve a vision-threatening critical condition in an infant. Low birth weight is a significant risk factor for IH incidence. Despite the high incidence, evidence-based treatment for IH in preterm infants has not been established. This report describes periocular IH of an extremely premature low-birth-weight infant (body weight: 526 g) whose lesion showed no reduction after oral administration of propranolol for 2 weeks but was successfully treated by topical steroid injection and eyelid thread-lifting management, with no eventual visual impairment.

We report a rare case of a 37-year-old man who presented with a huge arteriovenous malformation in the head and neck region. After resection, the 30 × 25 cm defect was reconstructed with a preexpanded musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap. The facial nerve had to be sacrificed during the resection, and smile reanimation was restored in a second operation with the contralateral latissimus muscle flap. A 15-cm length of thoracodorsal nerve was dissected and was anastomosed to the contralateral zygomatic branch in a single stage. He recovered well without any significant complications. At 6 years follow-up, there was no further growth of the arteriovenous malformation, and he had a spontaneous smile.

Background Fingertip replantation has become a standard operation for well-experienced microsurgeons, but naturally there are some unsuccessful cases. Furthermore, younger surgeons need experience with this procedure, as replantations are often an emergency operation and experts may not be available to attend. Therefore, we reviewed our cases to determine the most effective procedure that can enable young surgeons to obtain a good outcome. Methods We retrospectively investigated 69 fingertip replantation cases treated between January 2006 and December 2014 at the Kyorin University Hospital. All operations were performed by several young surgeons who were instructed by one experienced surgeon (the principal author, T.S.). In this study, cases were divided into three groups according to vein graft usage. In group A, a long vein graft that reached the proximal phalanx was employed. In group B, a short vein graft that was almost as long as the arterial defect was employed. In group C, no vein graft was used. The differences in the survival rates of the fingertips between the groups were analyzed. Results The total fingertip survival rate was 93% (64 out of 69). All 42 (100%) fingertips in group A survived, 5 of 6 (83%) fingertips in group B survived, and 17 of 21 (81%) fingertips in group C survived. Conclusion Preferential use of a long vein graft could provide superior results and enable young surgeons to perform successful fingertip replantations, as it is a reliable and relatively an easy procedure compared with other techniques.

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare vascular lesion that is difficult to treat. Radical surgical resection followed by free flap transfer is currently one of the preferred treatments, and this study aimed to assess the selection of recipient vessels and clinical outcomes for free flap transfer after AVM resection to establish better surgical management.Data from 22 consecutive patients who underwent free flap transfer after AVM resection were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, AVMs were located at the head and neck of 11 patients and at the extremities of another 11 patients. The first choice for a recipient vessel was a normal artery or vein. However, in the absence of suitable alternatives, the feeding arteries or drainage veins were employed as recipient vessels. Patient backgrounds and postoperative outcomes were evaluated.Two patients required double flap transfer to cover the defects. Hence, a total of 24 flaps were transferred. A normal artery could be used in all cases of head and neck lesions, whereas a feeding artery was used in all cases of extremity lesions. On the other hand, a normal vein could be used in all cases as the recipient vein. No anastomotic failure or flap loss occurred postoperatively.Free flap transfer is feasible and safe even after AVM resection. The feeding artery can be used as the recipient artery in the absence of a normal artery especially for AVMs in the extremity although the safety of the drainage vein as the recipient vein remains unclear.AVM: arteriovenous malformation; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging; 3DCT: threedimensional computed tomography; HN: head and neck; NR: not reported.

and methods: Twenty rats were used in this study. The 3 3 3c m 2 epigastric skin island flaps were elevated on either side. The animals were randomly assigned to two groups; an arterial occlusion group (n 510) and a venous occlusion group (n 510). The StO2 values of the flaps were observed for over 30 min for the pedicle artery or venous occlusion, followed by an additional 30 min release. Results: The baseline StO2 value was 78.4% 63.2% in the arterial occlusion group, compared to 78.5% 65.8% in the venous occlusion group, with no significant differences (P >0.05). The StO2 values decreased immediately after arterial occlusion, whereas a temporal StO2 increase was initially observed after venous occlusion, followed by a StO2 decrease. The StO2 values decreased 27.3% 67.1% after arterial occlusion and 28.4% 619.1% after venous occlusion at 30 min after pedicle vessel clamping (P >0.05). The StO2 values were 0.4% 65.8% lower than baseline 30 min after arterial release (P >0.05), while 18.9% 611.3% lower than baseline 30 min after venous release (P

For the treatment of skull defect compensation after neurosurgery, a customized artificial bone is often employed owing to its toughness and the relative ease of producing cosmetically good result. However, implants are vulnerable to infection and removal of implant is sometimes necessary. Several other treatment options such as autologous bone graft or free flap are likely to be considered for the secondary reconstruction to avoid reinfection; however, reimplantation of artificial bone is beneficial for the patients, being not concerned with donor site morbidity. The authors consider one of risk factors of infection of artificial bone as dead space between the implant and dura. To attain reduction of the dead space, we have employed thickened artificial bone.Between 2010 and 2014, 6 patients underwent implantation of thickened artificial bone for the secondary reconstruction.First, the infected artificial material was removed with proper debridement. More than 3 months after the closure of the infected wound, tissue expander was inserted beneath the surrounding scalp to ensure the coverage of subsequently implanted artificial bone without skin tension. The thickened artificial bone was designed from the computed tomography findings so as not to leave any dead space between the implant and dura. After optimal expansion of the scalp, the artificial bone was implanted.Postoperative courses were uneventful and the appearance of the cranial vault was satisfactory in all patients.The authors consider the use of the thickened artificial bone is easier and more suitable for patients having a skull defect, particularly in secondary reconstruction.

Summary We experienced three patients with long-standing unilateral complete facial paralysis who previously underwent temporalis muscle transfer to the cheek for smile reconstruction. All patients complained of insufficient and uncomfortable buccal motion synchronised with masticatory movements and incomplete eyelid closure with ptotic eyebrow. To attain a near-natural smile and reliable eyelid closure, temporalis muscle was displaced from the cheek to the eyelid, and a neurovascular free latissimus dorsi muscle was transferred for the replacement of cheek motion. As a result, cheek motion synchronised with the contralateral cheek upon smiling and sufficient eyelid closure were obtained in all cases. Smile reconstruction using the temporal muscle is an easy and a versatile way in general. However, spontaneous smile is not achieved and peculiar movement of the cheek while eating is conspicuous in some cases. Replacement with neurovascular free latissimus dorsi muscle and recycling previously used temporalis muscle for eyelid closure are considered to be valuable for such cases.

Background Few studies have performed a multiple factor analysis to assess the factors associated with successful mandibular reconstructions in a large number of subjects. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the functional outcome in mandibular reconstruction by means logistic regression analysis. Methods Since April 2005 to September 2009, 126 patients underwent segmental resection of the mandible for cancer ablation and mandibular reconstruction with free flaps at 6 Japanese institutions. The patients' charts were reviewed retrospectively. Twelve patients were excluded for the reconstruction was with double flaps, or they went under secondary reconstruction. With logistic regression analysis in 114 subjects, we assessed multiple factors influencing postoperative speech intelligibility, feeding ability, and postoperative complications of mandibular reconstruction. Results The use of a reconstruction plate with a soft-tissue free flap only was showed to have a deleterious effect on postoperative feeding. The strong association in the level of statistical significance between the use of a reconstruction plate with soft-tissue free flaps only and the occurrences of major complications was indicated. It was also statistically revealed that the postoperative presence of opposing teeth contributed to both speech intelligibility and oral intake. Conclusions In our research, osteocutaneous flaps were superior to reconstruction plates with soft-tissue free flaps regard to the postoperative feeding ability and major complication rate. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 33:337–341, 2013.

Neurovascular free muscle transfer is one of the main reconstructive options for established or long-standing facial paralysis. The two-stage gracilis muscle transfer combined with the cross-face nerve graft (two-stage method) has been supplanted by one-stage reconstruction using the latissimus dorsi muscle (LD) at our institution. This study retrospectively evaluated the results of one-stage LD transfer.Between September 1993 and December 2008, 344 patients (133 males, 211 females; age range, 5-75 years) with unilateral facial paralysis underwent 351 one-stage LD transfers. Patients were evaluated with a custom grading scale. Differences in grading scale score were compared according to age, past surgical history and the duration from operation to neuromuscular recovery.Contraction of the transferred muscle was recognised in 305 (87.0%) transfers. The duration until neuromuscular recovery ranged from 3 to 16 months (average ± standard deviation: 6.48 ± 1.92 months). The grading scale was significantly lower in middle-age group than in younger and elder groups (P 0.01). Duration until neuromuscular recovery was significantly different when comparing the younger group and the oldest group. There was no difference in grading scale score or in duration until neuromuscular recovery when comparing the patients with a past surgical history and those without. The grading scale negatively correlated with the duration until neuromuscular recovery.The results are consistent and statistical analysis revealed the versatility of the one-stage LD transfer. Although we believe the two-stage method is still a good option for facial reanimation, the one-stage method is advantageous regarding the shorter period of recovery and little donor-site morbidity.

Summary Background Patients with involutional blepharoptosis sometimes require reoperation because of functional or esthetic reasons after the primary operation. Few studies have analyzed the risk factors for reoperation in such cases. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the cases of 274 patients who underwent levator aponeurosis surgery for bilateral involutional blepharoptosis. We examined the risk factors for reoperation using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results Reoperation was performed for 89 of the 274 patients (32.5%). There was no significant difference in the rate of reoperation among surgeons. In the univariate analysis, patients with preoperative asymmetry, defined as a difference of >1 mm in the marginal reflex distance between the right and left sides, showed a significantly higher rate of reoperation (42.7%) than those without asymmetry (28.1%) ( p = 0.018). Age, sex, and ptosis severity did not affect the rate of reoperation. The multivariate analysis with a logistic regression showed that preoperative asymmetry was a significant risk factor for reoperation, with an odds ratio of 1.90 ( p = 0.019). Conclusion In involutional blepharoptosis, patients with preoperative asymmetry should be informed of the higher risk of reoperation, and the balance between the right and left sides should be carefully adjusted intraoperatively.

The relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF) and flap survival has not been fully characterized. Therefore, the goal of this study was to investigate the effect of AF on survival areas of pedicled flap and survival rates of free flap in an experimental rat AF model. An aconitine-induced rat AF model was established without intubation anesthesia. Survival areas of the pedicled rectangular epigastric flap were compared between AF rats (n = 7) and control rats (n = 7), and survival rates of the free epigastric flap were compared between AF rats (n = 10) and control rats (n = 10). Animals that died during the study or in which AF was not induced were excluded from study. A total of 64 rats were assessed in this study. Atrial fibrillation was induced with a success rate of 77.8% (21/27) throughout the study. Pedicled flap survival area was significantly higher in controls (75.1 ± 9.0%; n = 7) than that in AF animals (55.7 ± 13.0%; n = 7) (P < 0.01, nonpaired Student t test). Free flap survival rates were 80% in controls and 40% in AF animals (P = 0.07, χ² test). This is the first study to develop an aconitine-induced model of AF in rats. Atrial fibrillation has a detrimental effect on survival areas of the pedicled flap and survival rates of the free flap.

Clinically, wounds on the face tend to heal with less scarring than those on the trunk, but the causes of this difference have not been clarified. Fibroblasts obtained from different parts of the body are known to show different properties. To investigate whether the characteristic properties of facial and trunk wound healing are caused by differences in local fibroblasts, we comparatively analyzed the functional properties of superficial and deep dermal fibroblasts obtained from the facial and trunk skin of seven individuals, with an emphasis on tendency for fibrosis. Proliferation kinetics and mRNA and protein expression of 11 fibrosis-associated factors were investigated. The proliferation kinetics of facial and trunk fibroblasts were identical, but the expression and production levels of profibrotic factors, such as extracellular matrix, transforming growth factor-β1, and connective tissue growth factor mRNA, were lower in facial fibroblasts when compared with trunk fibro-blasts, while the expression of antifibrotic factors, such as collagenase, basic fibroblast growth factor, and hepatocyte growth factor, showed no clear trends. The differences in functional properties of facial and trunk dermal fibroblasts were consistent with the clinical tendencies of healing of facial and trunk wounds. Thus, the differences between facial and trunk scarring are at least partly related to the intrinsic nature of the local dermal fibroblasts.

Objectives Sclerotherapy is useful for the treatment of arteriovenous vascular malformations. However, intravascular administration of sclerotic agents into small arteriovenous niduses is often difficult. Extravascular administration of sclerotic agents causes reduction of vascular flow on Doppler echo during clinical sclerotherapy. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether the extravascular injection of sclerotic agents affects tiny vessels. Design Animal study. Materials The effect of extravascular injection of sclerotic agents on vessels was investigated using rat femoral and superficial inferior epigastric vessels. Methods After surgical exposure of vessels, absolute ethanol, 5% ethanolamine oleate and 3% polidocanol were injected into perivascular surrounding tissues, and their effect on vessels was evaluated after 14 days using histology and coloured silicone rubber injection. Results The integrity of the vascular lumen, endothelial cells and vascular patency were not affected by injection of sclerotic agents. Conclusions Attenuation of vascular flow of an arteriovenous shunt after extravascular injection of sclerotic agents is transient and/or trivial and does not cause disruption of vessels. Therefore, sclerotic agents should be delivered to obtain sufficient destruction of arteriovenous malformation lesions and blood flow.

The minimally-invasive nature of sclerotherapy makes it one of the first treatment options for venous malformations, although treatment-related complications, such as peripheral nerve paralysis, have been reported in some clinical cases. However, no studies of the aetiology of the detrimental effects of intraluminally-administered sclerotic agents on the surrounding tissues, including the peripheral nerves, have yet been published. This study therefore investigated the influences of intraluminally-administered sclerotic agents on the tissues surrounding the injection site using a newly-developed rat femoral vein model. Using this model, the effects of absolute ethanol, 5% ethanolamine oleate, and 1% polidocanol were compared histologically with those of normal saline controls. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated agents were administered and the leakage of sclerotic agents through the venous wall was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy. Damage to the adjacent femoral nerve was quantitatively evaluated by counting the numbers of axons in cross-sections. All the sclerotic agents caused vascular wall injuries and leakage into the surrounding tissues. The number of axons in the femoral nerve was significantly reduced following administration of absolute ethanol or 5% ethanolamine oleate, compared with normal saline. The results of this study suggest that sclerotic agents commonly leak out the vascular lumen, and some agents can cause adjacent nerve injury. It is important to be aware of this type of complication of sclerotherapy for venous malformations when selecting appropriate therapeutic interventions.

BACKGROUND Percutaneous sclerotherapy is an effective therapeutic option for the treatment of venous malformations. Absolute ethanol is used as a sclerotic agent because of its effectiveness but is often avoided for treatment of superficial lesions because of the possible risk of cutaneous necrosis. OBJECTIVE A preclinical experimental study was performed to validate whether the cytotoxic effects of ethanol on surrounding healthy tissues could be diminished with prophylactic subcutaneous injection of normal saline above the vascular lesion immediately after intraluminal injection of ethanol by dilution. METHODS AND MATERIALS The effect of normal saline dilution on cytotoxicity of ethanol to the main cells of the skin (fibroblasts and keratinocytes) were assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide colorimetric assay. Effects of subcutaneous injection of normal saline immediately after intraluminal ethanol injection were assessed in a newly developed animal experimental model using the rabbit auricular vein. RESULTS Cytotoxic effects of ethanol were decreased by saline dilution in vitro. Subcutaneous injection of normal saline after intraluminal injection of ethanol prevented the cutaneous ulceration observed in all cases without subcutaneous injection of normal saline in our animal model. CONCLUSION Subcutaneous injection of normal saline appears effective for preventing cutaneous complications after ethanol sclerotherapy for superficial vascular lesions. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.

Dermal fibroblasts (DF) obtained from the superficial dermal layer and those from the deep dermal layer have different cellular functions. These differences are often associated with excessive scarring; they also influence early wound healing. We therefore investigated the differences between superficial and deep dermal fibroblasts with special emphasis on their contractile properties, and ability to produce connective tissue. We investigated their proliferation kinetics, ability to contract collagen lattices, and chronological mRNA expression of eight genes associated with wound healing. To estimate the changes in the differences between them during the early phase of wound healing, we investigated mRNA expression in bFGF supplemented medium because bFGF is a representative cytokine that is familiar to clinicians. Superficial DF proliferate faster than deep DF in culture, whereas deep DF are better at contracting collagen lattices than superficial ones. In realtime analysis of polymerase chain reaction, the expression of type I and III collagen, fibronectin, TGF β1 and β3, and connective tissue growth factor were higher in deep DF than in superficial DF, while the expression of TGF β2 was higher in superficial DF. After bFGF supplementation, the relative dominance of mRNA expression between superficial and deep DF remained constant except for the expression of collagenase. According to our analysis, deep DF are superior to superficial DF at promoting wound healing (particularly contraction and production of connective tissue). The intradermal distribution of DF is appropriate for efficient wound healing.

To investigate blood flow alterations and their determinants after free flap transfer, we focused on a vascularized latissimus dorsi muscle segment for reconstruction of the paralyzed face as an ideal model, since the vascular pedicle and type of flap are identical among patients. Seventeen patients were studied using color Doppler ultrasonography at 6 time points from before the operation to >1 month postoperatively. The influences of preoperative facial arterial flow volume, volume of muscle, and duration of ischemia on postoperative pedicle arterial flow were analyzed. Arterial flow volume decreased dramatically after revascularization and remained constantly low in comparison with preoperative blood flow volume. The shape of the blood velocity waveform reflecting downstream vascular impedance changed, but recovered to the baseline state within 6 days. Preoperative flow volume and transferred muscle weight correlate with postoperative flow volume for 6 days postoperatively. The duration of ischemia was not influential.

We report the cases of two patients who had pronounced stenosis of the lower part of the vagina after vaginal reconstruction for congenital vaginal aplasia and hypoplasia. Bilateral pudendal thigh flaps were used for secondary reconstruction, and gave satisfactory results with no signs of recurrence or severe scarring at the donor site.

CAT分類は，C点：下顎頭，A点：下顎角，T点：オトガイ結節，の有無で下顎骨区域欠損を分類する方法である。その妥当性と有用性を多施設の症例データをもとに検証した結果について報告する。計259例の下顎骨即時再建症例データを研究の対象とした。1）各症例をCAT分類で分類し，C，A，Tの各基準点の有無と手術結果の関係をJonckheereの傾向性検定で検討した。2）各症例をCAT，HCL，Urkenの各方法で分類し，分類法ごとにWard法による分類型のクラスタリングを行った。検討の結果，1）切除されたCAT分類基準点の個数が増えるほど有意に手術結果が不良となる傾向性が認められた（P＝0.002）。また，2）各分類法のうち，クラスター間に手術結果に関して有意差があり，かつ各クラスターの臨床的意味づけが可能であったのはCAT分類のみであった。CAT分類は統計学的に妥当であり，他の下顎骨区域欠損分類法と比較して有用性が高い。

Summary Temporalis muscle transfer for paralytic lagophthalmos, which was first proposed by Gillies and later developed by Andersen, has been one of the most common treatment modalities for paralytic lagophthalmos. However, there have been no scientific reports statistically analysing the efficacy of temporalis muscle transfer. We, therefore, retrospectively analysed the functional and aesthetic results of temporalis muscle transfer. Between 1994 and 2006, we carried out temporalis muscle transfer (the so-called Gillies–Andersen method) on 95 established facial paralysis patients. We sent a postal questionnaire to these patients and 47 of them responded. The functional and aesthetic results were analysed based on the patients' replies together with clinical records and photographs, and unfavourable factors of this procedure were investigated. After surgery, most ocular symptoms (mechanical irritation, dry eye, soreness, and discharge) improved significantly. Achievement rate of complete eye closure was 78.7%. A morphometric study revealed that possible unfavourable factors (old age, intracranial disease, use of dentures, etc.) did not affect the achievement rates of complete eye closure. Deformity of eyelid fissure due to undue tension of the temporal fascia fixation was found in nine patients (19.1%) and six of these patients underwent secondary revision. Unlike lid loading with a gold implant, the results of temporalis muscle transfer depend greatly on the surgeon's skill. However, if this procedure is performed properly, strong eye closure can be obtained. We, therefore, recommend temporalis muscle transfer as the preferred option for reconstruction of paralytic lagophthalmos.

Oncologic resection of musculoskeletal sarcoma sometimes requires reconstruction with vascularized soft tissue transplantation. To date, few reports have described treatment outcomes of such cases. In the present study, 55 cases were enrolled to examine oncologic/functional outcomes, complications, and the risks for poor results. Five-year local recurrence-free survival, metastasis-free survival, and total survival rates were 83.0%, 87.6%, and 79.8%, respectively. In univariate analysis, bone origin was a risk for local recurrence. Local recurrence, inadequate margin, and trunk location were risks for metastasis, and inadequate margin and trunk location were risks for total survival. In multivariate analysis, local recurrence represented an independent risk for metastasis. The mean functional rating (Enneking) was 85.6%. Infection, distant metastasis, local recurrence, and prolonged operation time were risks for poor function. Use of artificial materials revealed a risk for infection. The results suggested that adequate margin and prevention of infection were critical to ensure excellent outcome.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the vascular anatomy of the pectoral region of the rat to develop a free pectoral skin flap model. In Experiment 1 (n = 6), we performed anatomic dissection and angiographic study of the pectoral region. In Experiment 2 (n = 20), we performed microsurgical free transfer of a pectoral skin flap to the cervical or groin region. Half of the flaps were transferred with flow-though arterial anastomoses. All flaps survived except for 2 cases of autocannibalization. We conclude that the free pectoral skin flap model in the rat is simple and reliable, and can be used as an alternative experimental and training model to the superficial epigastric flap.

Background Various types of arterial anastomosis are used in the recipient beds of clinical free flap transfers, but their respective hemodynamic efficiencies have not yet been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the type of arterial anastomosis and the area of free flap survival. The authors transferred free three-territory flaps in rats using three different types of arterial anastomosis (end-to-end, end-to-side, and retrograde) and compared their areas of survival. Methods Sixty Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n = 20 in each group). A free three-territory flap was elevated and transferred microsurgically to the left ventral region in each rat. The arterial anastomosis was performed in an antegrade end-to-end fashion in group 1, in an end-to-side fashion in group 2, and in a retrograde end-to-end fashion in group 3. The arterial blood flow to the flap was measured 30 minutes after revascularization. On day 5, the area of flap survival was evaluated and whole-body angiography was performed. Results The average area of flap survival was 90.8 +/- 12.9 percent in group 1, 91.5 +/- 14.3 percent in group 2, and 53.4 +/- 15.5 percent in group 3. There was a statistically significant difference between group 3 and each of the other two groups. Conclusions End-to-side and end-to-end arterial anastomoses resulted in an equivalent blood inflow and area of flap survival. Retrograde arterial anastomosis was far inferior to antegrade arterial anastomosis in terms of the area of flap survival, and only the first vascular territory was safe from necrosis.

Behçet’s disease is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory disorder. This case report describes how use of an improvised topical negative pressure (TNP) device in a patient with a non-healing para-ileostomal ulcer with Behçet’s disease