Effect of lower leg compression during cesarean section on post-spinal hypotension and neonatal hemodynamic parameters: nonrandomized controlled clinical trial

ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the effect of lower leg compression during cesarean section (CS) on post-spinal hypotension (PSH) and neonatal hemodynamic parameters.MethodsThis study is a nonrandomized controlled clinical trial conducted in the cesarean delivery unit of the National Medical institute, Damanhour, Egypt. The sample included 120 parturients (60 intervention and 60 control). The researchers developed three tools for data collection: sociodemographic data and reproductive history interview schedule, electronic monitoring of maternal hemodynamic parameters, and neonatal hemodynamic assessment sheet. All parturients received ordinary pre-operative care. For the intervention group, a long elastic stocking (ordinary pressure 20–30 mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) was applied on both legs during cesarean section. The control group received the same care without the elastic stocking.ResultsSystolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial blood pressure were significantly higher in the intervention group throughout the entire operation period except in the last 5–15 min. Heart rate was significantly lower in the intervention group. Only 13.3% of the intervention group took ephedrine compared with 45% of the control group. Apgar score was higher among neonates of intervention group compared with the control group at 1 min. Neonatal acidosis was significantly higher in the control group than in the contral group.ConclusionLower leg compression technique can effectively reduce PSH and neonatal acidosis.     

Aesthetic aspects in reconstructive microsurgery

The reconstruction of a part of the body that has lost or inhibited function has been the most important aspect of reconstructive surgery in the past. Because of the existence of better techniques and the patient's wish for social reintegration, the plastic surgeon today is forced to consider the aesthetic results of his work more than in the past. Sometimes microsurgical procedures in reconstructive surgery are the only chance for the patient to be healed or palliated. Experience with more than 350 free tissue transfers gave us the opportunity to estimate the value of a donor flap with respect to the requirements of the receiving site. To satisfy the high aesthetic demands in these cases, it was necessary for the right place and shape the flap to fit as closely as possible, even if further corrections were necessary to achieve a satisfactory result. The transfer of latissimus dorsi and radial forearm flaps to the face and lower leg is discussed in cases of tumorus diseases and severe injuries of young and old patients.Presented to the IXth Congress of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, New York, October 13, 1987     

小腿骨折合并严重软组织缺损的显微外科治疗

目的 探讨应用显微外科技术治疗小腿骨折合并严重软组织缺损的合理方式。方法 早期彻底清创，重建肢体血运，选择髓内钉、外固定支架及钢板固定骨折及应用各种不同的皮瓣和肌皮瓣修复小腿骨折合并严重软组织缺损75例。结果 术后皮瓣1例因感染坏死，其余全部成活，随访6个月～4年，皮瓣外形及肢体功能恢复比较满意。结论 骨折的合理固定和应用显微外科技术对小腿骨折合并严重软组织缺损的治疗，可以取得良好的疗效，大大减少了小腿截肢率和并发症的发生。     

小腿创伤性软组织缺损的显微外科修复

目的 探讨小腿创伤性软组织缺损的显微外科治疗效果。方法 临床上应用腓骨骨皮瓣、背阔肌皮瓣、股前内、外侧皮瓣和腹股沟皮瓣等12种外科皮瓣，对小腿创伤组织缺损进行修复99例。结果 术后皮瓣全部成活，随访6个月-10年，皮瓣质地良好，功能改善。结论 应用显微外科技术修复小腿创伤组织缺损，疗程短，疗效好。根据缺损的不同部位、范围以及术者的技术水平，选择不同的显微外科皮瓣进行修复，可获得满意的临床效果。     

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging assessment of vascularized free fibular grafts

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging may be a noninvasive method for assessing perfusion of vascularized bone grafts placed for treatment of avascular necrosis. One proximal femur of seven beagles was devascularized, with insertion of a vascularized fibular graft. MR imaging at 1 week (seven dogs) and 6 weeks (five dogs) after surgery included pre- and postcontrast spin-echo sequences, unenhanced twodimensional time-of-flight (TOF) vascular imaging, and dynamic gradient-echo imaging during infusion of gadolinium. Relative signal intensity values of selected regions obtained from the dynamic gradientecho images were plotted as percent enhancement versus time. In the operated hip, MR imaging did not show enhancement in six of seven femoral heads and greater trochanters at 1 week after surgery, with similar results after 6 weeks. MR imaging of fibular grafts 6 weeks after surgery showed an initial rapid increase in enhancement and a subsequent slower increase in five of five dogs, although no enhancement was seen in six of seven dogs at 1 week. These findings contrasted with a rapid initial increase in enhancement followed by slow decline in non-operated hips. Two-dimensional TOP imaging did not show the vascular pedicle of the graft in any dog. Findings of radionuclide bone scanning performed 1 week after surgery were consistent with devascularization of the operated femur and fibular graft. However, tetracycline distribution and histologic findings confirmed the viability of five of five grafts within the devascularized femurs 6 weeks after surgery. Thus, dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging at 6 weeks after surgery is valuable for assessing vascular bone graft perfusion, while similar imaging at 1 week may suggest otherwise.     

Sclerosing epithelioid fiberosarcoma: short T2 on MR imaging

A case of sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma and its appearance on MRI is presented. The tumor showed a zonal architecture on MRI with a large central core of very low signal intensity and a peripheral rim of intermediate to high signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted spin echo pulse sequences. The core showed decreased cellularity with dense collagen deposition on histologic examination, and the peripheral zone increased cellularity with increased nuclear atypia. The presence of a prominent region of very low signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted images can be seen with neural tumors, giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath, aggressive fibromatosis, and, in rare instances, with soft tissue sarcomas rich in collagen.     

Quantitative bone gallium scintigraphy in osteomyelitis

Gallium imaging offers many practical advantages over indium-111-labeled leukocyte imaging, and calculating quantitative ratios in addition to performing the routine bone-gallium images allows accurate and easy evaluation of patients with suspected osteomyelitis. To add objectivity and improve the accuracy and confidence in diagnosis of osteomyelitis, quantitative comparison of abnormalities seen on bone scans and gallium scans was performed. One hundred and ten adult patients with 126 sites of suspected osteomyelitis were evaluated and categorized by gallium-to-bone ratios, gallium-tobackground ratios, and spatial incongruency of gallium and bone activity. Combined evaluation using these criteria gave a 70% sensitivity and 93% specificity for the diagnosis of osteomyelitis.