Plastic and reconstructive surgery
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Rat models of experimental face transplantation have been widely used to study vascularized composite tissue allotransplantation. Because the mouse represents a superior species for vascularized composite tissue allotransplantation research, the authors developed a novel surgical technique with which to perform hemiface transplantation in mice. BALB/c hemifacial grafts were transplanted into BALB/c (group 1) or C57BL6 (group 2) recipients (n = 6 per group). ⋯ Allogeneic grafts gradually showed distinct rejection patterns progressing with time and similar to those observed after human face transplantation. This is the first description of a mouse hemiface allotransplantation model. The microsurgically demanding procedure may be used to investigate basic immunology and rejection and to address questions related to nerve regeneration in reconstructive face transplantation.
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Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Apr 2012
Comparative StudyPerioperative morbidity in posterior cranial vault expansion: distraction osteogenesis versus conventional osteotomy.
The treatment of multisuture syndromic craniosynostosis is in evolution, with an increasing prevalence of reports on posterior vault expansion with distraction osteogenesis over conventional osteotomy. The purported benefits of distraction osteogenesis include less perioperative morbidity. The authors conducted this preliminary study to compare the perioperative course in children undergoing posterior cranial vault expansion with distraction osteogenesis versus conventional osteotomy. ⋯ Therapeutic, II.
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Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Apr 2012
Protocol management of late-stage pressure ulcers: a 5-year retrospective study of 101 consecutive patients with 179 ulcers.
Despite a 12 to 82 percent pressure ulcer recurrence rate, no standard protocol exists for postoperative management. The authors reviewed a single surgeon's experience using a standard protocol: surgery and immediate reconstruction regardless of nutrition, intraoperative bone culture guiding postoperative antibiotic use, and hospital admission for 3 weeks of flat bedrest before graduated sitting. ⋯ Therapeutic, IV.
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Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Apr 2012
Clinical outcomes following supraorbital foraminotomy for treatment of frontal migraine headache.
Although 92 percent of patients who undergo surgical decompression of the supraorbital nerve for treatment of frontal migraine headaches through resection of the glabellar muscle group achieve at least 50 percent improvement, only two-thirds demonstrate complete resolution of symptoms. The authors investigated the role of additional decompression methods by comparing surgery outcomes between patients who underwent glabellar myectomy alone and patients who also underwent supraorbital foraminotomy. ⋯ Therapeutic, III.
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Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Apr 2012
PEDOT electrochemical polymerization improves electrode fidelity and sensitivity.
The goal of the authors is to restore fine motor control and sensation for high-arm amputees. They developed a regenerative peripheral nerve interface with the aim of attaining closed loop neural control by integrating directly with the amputee's residual motor and sensory peripheral nerves. PEDOT, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), has both electrical and ionic conduction characteristics. This hybrid character could help bridge the salutatory conduction of the nervous system to an electrode. The purpose of this study was to determine whether electrodes polymerized with PEDOT have improved ability to both record and stimulate peripheral nerve action potentials. ⋯ PEDOT electrochemical polymerization improves electrode fidelity. Electrodes that have been electropolymerized with PEDOT show improved sensitivity when recording or stimulating action potentials at the tissue-electrode interface.