Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS
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J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg · May 2018
Outcome predictors in elderly head and neck free flap reconstruction: A retrospective study and systematic review of the current evidence.
Free flap tissue transfer has become the gold standard for reconstruction of composite head and neck defects. We sought to investigate the efficacy and morbidity of these procedures in the elderly. We retrospectively reviewed 245 head and neck free flap procedures (234 patients). ⋯ We conclude that advanced age does not preclude free flap success in head and neck reconstruction. Rather, the presence of comorbidity appears to predict the development of medical complications postoperatively. Elderly patients with low comorbidity scores may be offered free flap reconstruction with less reservation.
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J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg · May 2018
Rectus abdominis detrusor myoplasty (RADM) for acontractile/hypocontractile bladder in spinal cord injury patients: Preliminary report.
Urinary bladder dysfunction in the form of acontractile/hypocontractile bladder is very common after spinal cord injury and it may lead to recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI), stones formation, and deteriorating renal function. Conventionally, these patients evacuate their bladders by life-long clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) or an indwelling catheter (IC). For these patients, another option is to use innervated skeletal muscle wrap around the bladder to augment detrusor function and voluntary evacuation of bladder. ⋯ RADM appears to be a promising option in a patient with acontractile/hypocontractile bladder to restore the bladder function. It avoids CIC in all patients leading to improvement in quality of life in select group of patients.