Perforator flap: A novel method for providing skin cover to lower limb defects

Background

Soft tissue defects in the lower limb pose a formidable challenge due to lack of reliable local flap options. Due to thin non-expendable soft tissues and predisposition to massive edema formation, even small defects become problematic. Perforator flaps represent the latest trends in soft tissue coverage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of perforator flaps as coverage of soft tissue defects in lower limbs.

Material and methods

A series of patients with soft tissue defects of various etiologies in the lower limb were treated using perforator flap at a tertiary care service hospital. Six were free flaps and fourteen pedicled flaps. Doppler ultrasound was used to identify recipient and donor vessels pre-operatively.

Results

Only one flap was lost due to venous congestion. In another case of carcinoma penis there was delayed healing due to persistent lymphorrhoea as a result of post-operative status following lymph node dissection and radiotherapy. Fifteen donor sites required split skin grafting, as they could not be closed directly.

Conclusion

Perforator flaps are a reliable option for closure of soft tissue defects of lower limb irrespective of size, location and depth. There is minimal donor site morbidity. It has the advantage of rapid dissection, flap elevation and reliable skin territory. As no special equipment is required it can be replicated in smaller centers also.     

白癜风细胞免疫研究新进展

白癜风是一种常见的色素脱失性皮肤病,其病因复杂,发病机制尚未完全明确。近年来的研究表明,细胞免疫与白癜风的发病发展关系密切。异常分布的CD4+T细胞、CD8+T细胞、朗格汉斯细胞、自然杀伤细胞、黑素特异性T细胞及其他免疫细胞及细胞因子在白癜风的发病与黑素细胞损伤和凋亡过程中发挥着重要的作用。     

Diagnosis of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection without catheter removal: A prospective observational study

Background

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) resulting from bacterial colonisation of an intravascular catheter are the leading cause of nosocomially acquired sepsis contributing significantly towards in-hospital morbidity and mortality. Suspicion of central venous CRBSI leads frequently to catheter withdrawal but not all infection requires the catheter to be withdrawn; therefore, diagnosis of central venous CRBSI without catheter withdrawal is a necessity.

Methods

The study was prospectively performed in a cohort of adult patients who had short term central venous catheter use. The samples collected from each patients included, skin swab from insertion site, swab from catheter hub, paired blood samples from catheter and from the peripheral vein for quantitative blood culture collected within 15 min of each other and catheter-tip sample by cutting off the tip (distal 5-cm segment). All samples were processed immediately.

Results

50 episodes of clinical sepsis involving 100 patients occurred in the study population. 28 of the episodes were confirmed as CR-BSI (56%). Blood culture from the central venous catheter had the highest sensitivity (71.43%) and the greatest negative predictive value (86.67%). However, the peripheral blood culture was most specific and had the highest positive predictive value (specificity75%; positive predictive value 50%). The most accurate technique was differential quantitative blood cultures (accuracy 72%), followed by semiquantitative superficial cultures (accuracy 68%), although there were no statistically significant differences between values.

Conclusion

We recommend combining semiquantitative cultures and peripheral blood cultures to screen for CR-BSI, leaving differential quantitative blood cultures as a confirmatory and more specific technique.     

Clinical evaluation of Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK) for stromal corneal opacities

Background

Corneal scars are commonly formed following many diseases of the eye like trauma, inflammation and infections. They lead to permanent diminution of vision which can be managed by Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK). PK is removing diseased as well as healthy tissues and is associated with many post-operative complications. Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK) is a relatively newer procedure which replaces only the diseased stroma, leaving the original corneal endothelium intact. This procedure is associated with lesser incidence of post-operative complications.

Methods

The study was conducted at a large tertiary care centre. 10 patients with stromal corneal scars were subjected to DALK and results were analysed after 06 months. Poor quality donor corneal tissue of B− and C grade was used in all cases.

Results

7 out of 10 patients (70%) undergoing DALK had post-operative visual acuity of 6/24 or better. 03 patients who did not have adequate recovery of visual acuity were due to over-riding of the graft in 01 case (10%), fungal keratitis in 01 case (10%) and interface haze in 01 case (10%).

Conclusion

DALK is a promising new technique for management of superficial corneal stromal scars using poor quality donor corneal tissue. Initial results are encouraging with minimal complications.     

自体黑色素细胞移植治疗白癜风的系统评价

’目的对自体黑色素细胞移植治疗白癜风的方法进行系统分析,以期对其疗效作出客观、可信的评价。方法计算机检索Cochrane图书馆（2013年第2期）、PubMed、EMBASE、中国生物医学文献数据库、中国期刊全文数据库、万方学位论文数据库。手工检索相关期刊和会议文献,收集所有自体黑色素细胞移植治疗白癜风的有关文献。按照纳入和排除标准筛选。采用Cochrane协作网的RevMan5．1软件进行统计分析。结果符合纳入标准的有7篇临床对照试验文献,包括341例患者。Meta分析显示：①黑色素细胞（培养与非培养）移植治疗效果总体要优于对照组[优势比2．92,95％可信区间（1．71,5．00）];②自体黑色素细胞（培养或非培养）移植治疗的疗效高于液氮冷冻及紫外线治疗[优势比4．00,95％可信区间（1．28,12．49）];③黑色素细胞培养移植治疗的疗效肯定,明显优于对照组[优势比18．26,95％可信区间（4．8l,69．42）];④黑色素细胞（培养或非培养）移植治疗与表层上皮移植治疗的疗效无明显区别[优势比2．42,95％可信区间（0．90,6．53）];⑤未行培养直接移植的黑色素细胞与培养的黑色素细胞移植治疗的疗效无明显区别[优势比0．41,95％可信区间（0．11,1．56）]。结论稳定期白癜风采用自体黑色素细胞移植治疗,疗效肯定而且比较安全,疗效与解剖部位等有关,而与表层上皮移植治疗的有效性无明显区别,但结果仍有待更多高质量多中心的随机双盲对照试验进一步证实。     

Donor outcome in live-related liver transplantation

Background

Live donor liver transplant has become an accepted, effective and lifesaving alternative to deceased donor transplant. The effect on donor and his safety remains a cause of concern. The donors are all in productive age and in our setting may have to go back to active service. This study is aimed at knowing the results of donor hepatectomies at our centre.

Methods

Data of all donor hepatectomies done at our centre from Apr 2007 to Jun 2013 reviewed. This included the preoperative workup, operative details and postoperative follow-up.

Results

35 Donors of age between 20 and 50 years were taken up for procedure of which one was abandoned due to haemodynamic instability after intubation. In the 34 procedures done the percentage of the residual liver was at least 30%. No donor required blood transfusion. The overall complication rate was 26.5% which was stratified according to the modified Clavien classification of postoperative complications. There was transient rise of bilirubin and liver enzymes in all which returned back to normal with time. Infections were the most common cause of complication. All the donors had gone back to their work after a mean of 42 days after surgery. All donors were willing to donate again if needed.

Conclusion

Living donor liver transplant a widely practiced modality for end-stage liver disease. It is a safe procedure with good recovery and results. Our study shows that meticulous selection criteria and strict adherence to protocols leads to good outcome.     

Revisiting the Boyne procedure

Background

The technique involving the free grafting of the mandibular condyle with a vertical ramus osteotomy was described by Philip Boyne in 1987 along with a series of 15 cases where a patient presented with a markedly displaced fracture dislocation of the mandibular condyle.

Method

Twenty-one cases (25 condylar fractures) were treated with a modified Boyne technique.

Results

Results showed that we had a complication rate of 12% (8% resorption, 4% fracture of the plate).

Conclusion

The Boyne procedure should be thought of as a mainstream treatment method for the displaced fractured mandibular condyle.     

Treatment of segmental vitiligo with normal-hair follicle autograft

Background

Segmental vitiligo is a small subset albeit persistent form of focal vitiligo with dermatomal distributionand resistant to medical therapy. In recent years, surgical therapy as hair follicle autograft transplantationhas been a hot topic in management of segmental vitiligo. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of thismethod in segmental vitiligo lesions.

Methods

The study recruited 10 patients who suffered from resistant segmental vitiligo to evaluate the effectof transplantation of pigmented hair follicles on re-pigmentation of the affected area. In this method, one or twopunched-biopsy skin sample with a diameter of 5mm were harvested from occipital area of the scalps. Graftswere trimmed and divided into the follicular segments with at least one follicle in the interior and then insertedin the depigmented areas. Follow-up plan studies were scheduled to evaluate presence of pigmentation in theperifollicular areas.

Results

After 2 weeks, re-pigmentation was detectable surrounding the grafted hair follicles in 60 % of thecases. After 6 months, all of the patients had detectable re-pigmented area of about 2-9 mm.

Conclusion

giving the surprising result of the study, hair follicle autograft transplant is an effective treatmentoption in the persistent segmental vitiligo.     

Initial experience with lingual mucosal graft urethroplasty for anterior urethral strictures

Background

To present the feasibility of lingual mucosal graft urethroplasty in anterior urethral strictures and appraisal of donor site morbidity.

Methods

From November 2007 to December 2010, 14 patients underwent dorsal onlay lingual mucosal graft urethroplasty for anterior urethral strictures. Lingual mucosal graft was harvested from the lateral and undersurface of the tongue. Check micturating cystourethrograms were done 2 weeks after catheter removal and uroflowmetry after 3 months. Success was defined as normal uroflowmetry rates at 3 months in the absence of any postoperative instrumentation. Tongue was assessed for any residual pain, taste disturbances or restricted movement at 3 months.

Results

Four patients had submucosal fibrosis of the oral cavity and their buccal mucosa was unfit for grafting. Mean (range) stricture length was 5 (3–16) cm and the operation time 170 (140–210) min. Graft width averaged 1.6 cm. Average length of harvested graft was 6.5 cm. Mean duration of follow-up was 12.8 months. Two patients developed stricture at the proximal anastomotic site. There were no donor site complications.

Conclusions

Lingual mucosal graft harvesting is simple, gives graft lengths comparable to buccal mucosa and is associated with negligible donor site morbidity.     

Seroprevalence of human parvovirus B19 in healthy blood donors

Background

Human parvovirus B19 is an emerging transfusion transmitted infection. Although parvovirus B19 infection is connected with severe complications in some recipients, donor screening is not yet mandatory. To reduce the risk of contamination, plasma-pool screening and exclusion of highly viraemic donations are recommended. In this study the prevalence of parvovirus B19 in healthy blood donors was detected by ELISA.

Methods

A total of 1633 samples were screened for IgM and IgG antibodies against parvovirus B19 by ELISA. The initial 540 samples were screened for both IgM and IgG class antibodies and remaining 1093 samples were screened for only IgM class antibodies by ELISA.

Results

Net prevalence of IgM antibodies to human parvovirus B19 in our study was 7.53% and prevalence of IgG antibodies was 27.96%. Dual positivity (IgG and IgM) was 2.40%.

Conclusion

The seroprevalence of human parvovirus B19 among blood donor population in our study is high, and poses an adverse transfusion risk especially in high-risk group of patients who have no detectable antibodies to B19. Studies with large sample size are needed to validate these results.     

A Comparative Study of Laparoscopic with Conventional Open Donor Nephrectomy in Renal Transplantation

Background

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) has been gaining popularity among kidney donors. There have been concerns about the safety and efficacy of the procedure as compared to open donor nephrectomy (ODN). We compare our results on LDN with ODN.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed our data of LDN and ODN. Duration of surgery, blood loss, period of hospitalisation, per oral intake and analgesic requirements.

Result

22 LDNs were done, the operation time ranged from 220-300 minutes, and blood loss from 100-150ml. In the first 10 laparoscopic operations four cases required conversion to open surgical dissection. Only one case was converted to open surgery in the subsequent 12 laparoscopic cases. Oral intake was started on the first postoperative day. Analgesic requirement in laparoscopy cases was less. Patients were mobilised on the first day after surgery. Patients were discharged by seventh day. There was no significant difference in the functioning of the graft after revascularisation in the recipient.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is a safe and effective technique of donor nephrectomy.Key Words: Laparoscopy, Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, Living kidney donors, Kidney transplantation     

Use of marginal organs in kidney transplantation for marginal recipients: too close to the margins of safety?

Objective

Due to organ shortage, average waiting time for a kidney in Germany is about 4 years after start of dialysis. Number of kidney grafts recovered can only be maintained by accepting older and expanded criteria donors. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of donor and recipient risk on kidney long-term function.

Methods

All deceased kidney transplantations were considered. We retrospectively studied 332 patients between 2002 and 2006; divided in 4 groups reflecting donor and recipient risk.

Results

Non-marginal recipients were less likely to receive a marginal organ (69 of 207, 33%) as compared to marginal recipients, of whom two-thirds received a marginal organ (p < 0.0001). Graft function significantly differed between the groups, but detrimental effect of marginal recipient status on eGFR after 12 months (-6 ml/min/1.73 qm, 95% CI -2 to -9) was clearly smaller than the effect of marginal donor status (-10 ml/min/1.73 qm, 95% CI -7 to -14).

Conclusions

As we were able to show expanded criteria donor has a far bigger effect on long-term graft function than the "extra risk" recipient. Although there have been attempts to define groups of recipients who should be offered ECD kidneys primarily the discussion is still ongoing.     

Perforator flap: A novel method for providing skin cover to lower limb defects

Background

Soft tissue defects in the lower limb pose a formidable challenge due to lack of reliable local flap options. Due to thin non-expendable soft tissues and predisposition to massive edema formation, even small defects become problematic. Perforator flaps represent the latest trends in soft tissue coverage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of perforator flaps as coverage of soft tissue defects in lower limbs.

Material and methods

A series of patients with soft tissue defects of various etiologies in the lower limb were treated using perforator flap at a tertiary care service hospital. Six were free flaps and fourteen pedicled flaps. Doppler ultrasound was used to identify recipient and donor vessels pre-operatively.

Results

Only one flap was lost due to venous congestion. In another case of carcinoma penis there was delayed healing due to persistent lymphorrhoea as a result of post-operative status following lymph node dissection and radiotherapy. Fifteen donor sites required split skin grafting, as they could not be closed directly.

Conclusion

Perforator flaps are a reliable option for closure of soft tissue defects of lower limb irrespective of size, location and depth. There is minimal donor site morbidity. It has the advantage of rapid dissection, flap elevation and reliable skin territory. As no special equipment is required it can be replicated in smaller centers also.     

Pro-pigmentary action of 5-fluorouracil through the stimulated secretion of CXCL12 by dermal fibroblasts

Background:There is growing evidence that 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) combined with therapeutic trauma can effectively induce skin repigmentation in vitiligo patients who are unresponsive to conventional treatments. Previous studies have mainly focused on identifying the antimitotic activity of 5-FU for the treatment of skin cancer, but few studies have investigated its extra-genotoxic actions favoring melanocyte recruitment.Methods:We utilized the full thickness excisional skin wound model in Dct-LacZ transgenic mice to dynamically assess the migration of melanocytes in the margins of wounds treated with or without 5-FU. The in-situ expression of CXCL12 was examined in the wound beds using immunofluorescence staining. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analyses were performed to detect the expression levels of CXCL12 mRNA and protein in primary mouse dermal fibroblasts treated with or without 5-FU. Transwell assays and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-phalloidin staining were used to observe cell migration and filamentous actin (F-actin) changes of melan-a murine melanocytes.Results:Whole mount and cryosection X-gal staining showed that the cell numbers of LacZ-positive melanocytes were much higher in the margins of dorsal and tail skin wounds treated with 5-FU compared with the controls. Meanwhile, CXCL12 immunostaining was significantly increased in the dermal compartment of wounds treated with 5-FU (control vs. 5-FU, 22.47 ± 8.85 vs. 44.69 ± 5.97, P < 0.05). Moreover, 5-FU significantly upregulated the expression levels of CXCL12 mRNA (control vs. 5-FU, 1.00 ± 0.08 vs. 1.54 ± 0.06, P < 0.05) and protein (control vs. 5-FU, 1.00 ± 0.06 vs. 2.93 ± 0.10, P < 0.05) in cultured fibroblasts. Inhibition of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis suppressed melanocyte migration in vitro using a CXCL12 small interfering RNA (siRNA) or a CXCR4 antagonist (AMD3100).Conclusion:5-FU possesses a pro-pigmentary activity through activation of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis to drive the chemotactic migration of melanocytes.     

Liver transplantation in Indian Armed Forces—initial experience

Background

This study retrospectively analyses the initial experience of liver transplantation (LT) in the Indian Armed Forces.

Methods

Fifty-three patients underwent LT at Army Hospital (R&R) Delhi Cantt. between March 2007 and March 2011. Of these 35 patients underwent deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) and living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) was carried out in 18 patients. The surgical techniques, complications and mortality were analysed.

Results

A high consent rate of 35.9% for organ donation was achieved by the Armed Forces Organ Retrieval and Transplantation Authority (AORTA). Biliary complications occurred in five patients (9.4%). However, most of them could be managed by endoscopic interventions. Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) occurred in five patients (9.4%). Of these, two DDLT grafts were revascularised following HAT, by creating extra-anatomic arterial conduits with excellent outcome. The overall mortality was 18.8% (n = 10). There was no significant difference in the overall complications or mortality in patients undergoing DDLT or LDLT.

Conclusion

The overall survival and morbidity in this study is comparable to those from other centres. Urgent revascularisation of grafts following HAT should be attempted as it can salvage grafts with satisfactory outcome. There is a reduction in the incidence of biliary complications with refinements in surgical techniques.     

Production of asiaticoside from centella (Centella asiatica L. Urban) cells in bioreactor

Objective

To investigate the effects of some culture conditions on production of asiaticoside from centella (Centella asiatica L. Urban) cells cultured in 5-L bioreactor.

Methods

The centell cell suspension culture was conducted in 5-L bioreactor to investigate the growth and asiaticoside accumulation under various conditions. Asiaticoside content was determined by HPLC analysis.

Results

The results showed that the cell growth and asiaticoside accumulation peaked after 24 d of culture at an agitation speed of 150 r/min and aeration rate of 2.5 L/min. The cell biomass reached a maximum value of 302.45 g fresh weight (31.45 g dry weight) and growth index of 3.03 with inoculum size of 100 g. However, asiaticoside content was the highest (60.08 mg/g dry weight) when culture was initiated with an inoculum size of 50 g.

Conclusions

The present study found the suitable conditions for growth of centella cells and their asiaticoside production in bioreactor.     

Clinico-radiological evaluation of juxta articular fractures and diaphyseal fractures of upper limb managed with locking compression plating

Background

Locking compression plate (LCP) fixation of juxta articular and diaphyseal fractures of upper limb is a new modality of operative management.

Methods

Twenty-five consecutive cases of juxta articular and diaphyseal fractures of upper limb were fixed with LCP and results were analyzed.

Results

All fractures healed in good anatomical position in 6–8 weeks with good functional outcome.

Conclusion

LCP is a reliable fixation device for juxta articular and diaphyseal fractures of upper limb.     

Modifications to Norman's procedure for hypermobility of the TMJ

Background

Norman's procedure is a well known surgical technique for the hypermobility of temporomandibular joint. In this procedure after performing glenotemporal osteotomy the augmentation of the zygomatic root of the temporal bone is done by placing a bone graft from the iliac crest to prevent forward movement of the condyle beyond the eminence. This paper describes the clinical outcome of two modifications added to Norman's procedure. In addition to the conventional procedure inferiorly based pedicled flap from the temporal fascia was sutured to the antero-lateral aspect of the capsule. Intraorally pterygoid disjunction was carried out only in those case in which hypermobility was associated with painful temporomandibular joint disorder.

Methods

Modified Norman’s procedure was performed in 10 patients (4 females & 6 males), 7 of them were bilateral and 3 cases were unilateral under general anesthesia.

Results

After one year follow up in none of the cases graft failed or rejected though recurrence along with TMJ pain was noticed in 2 cases.

Conclusion

This technique is versatile but long-term follow up on a larger number of patients is necessary to be able to draw definitive conclusions.     

A Systemic Review of Autologous Fat Grafting Survival Rate and Related Severe Complications

Objective:

Clinical application of autologous fat grafting (AFG) is quickly expanding. Despite the widely acceptance, long-term survival rate (SR) of AFG remains a question not yet solved. Meanwhile, although rare, severe complications related to AFG including vision loss, stroke even death could be seen in the literature.

Data Sources:

A comprehensive research of PubMed database to June 2013 was performed according to guidelines of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Fat Graft Task Force Assessment Methodology. Articles were screened using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Study Selection:

Data collected included patient characteristics, surgical technique, donor site, recipient site, graft amount, and quantified measurement methods. Patient cohorts were pooled, and SR was calculated. All the severe complications were also summarized according to the different clinical characteristics.

Results:

Of 550 articles, 16 clinical articles and 10 animal studies met the inclusion criteria and provided quantified measurement methods. Totally, 596 patients were included. SR varied from 34% to 82% in breast and 30–83% in the facial area. Nude mice were applied to investigate human fat grafting SR (38.3–52.5% after 15 weeks). Rabbits were commonly used to study animal AFG SR (14.00–14.56% after 1-year). Totally, 21 severe complications were reported, including death (2), stroke (10), vision loss (11, 8 of which accompanied with stroke), sepsis (3), multiple abscess (1) and giant fat necrotic cyst (2). Ten of these complications happened within 10 years.

Conclusions:

There is no unified measurement method to evaluate fat graft SR until now and no clinical evidence to show better SR according to different donor and recipient cite. Body mass index change between pre- and postoperation may be the bias factor in evaluating fat SR. Fat embolisms of the ophthalmic artery and the middle cerebral artery are the most severe complication of AFG and still lack of effective treatment.     

Can hormone replacement therapy prior to oocyte donation cycle in women with premature ovarian failure improve pregnancy rate?

Background

Infertility is an important issue in women with Premature Ovarian Failure (POF). With no conclusive treatment available to enhance fertility in these women, it is the use of donor eggs with In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) which can fulfil their desire to become a mother in a novel way. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in POF apart from correcting the endocrine defect also helps in improving the milieu of the uterus by improving its vascularisation and the sub endometrial blood flow. We thus aimed to carry out a study to find out whether hormone replacement therapy if administered prior to the oocyte donation cycle in patients of premature ovarian failure improves the pregnancy rate.

Methods

A comparative study was carried out incorporating 46 subjects with 23 in each group. Group A received HRT prior to their oocyte donation cycle while the second group entered into the oocyte donation programme directly after an artificially induced menstruation.

Results

It was observed that, although the HRT group had a slightly higher pregnancy rate, with a better mean endometrial thickness as compared to the non HRT group it was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Institution of hormone replacement therapy does improve the vascularisation of the uterus, corrects the histologic features of the uterine lining and makes the endometrium receptive but whether it enhances the pregnancy rate needs to be elucidated with further studies.