Regeneration of the hamstring tendons after harvesting for arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a histological study in 11 patients

The purpose of our study is to evaluate whether the hamstring tendons can regrow after harvesting for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and whether the regenerate tissue can be histologically characterized as tendinous. Eleven of the patients (eight female and three male; mean age, 23 years; range 17–37 years) consented to participate in this study. One year after the ACL reconstruction, surgical biopsy was done. Regeneration of the tendon was detected macroscopically in 9 of the 11 patients. Histologically and immunohistochemically, the regenerated tendons closely resembled normal ones. The results of this study show the hamstring tendons can regenerate after harvesting for the ACL reconstruction.     

Surgical treatment for ureterocele with special reference to lower urinary tract reconstruction

OBJECTIVES: We reviewed the results of surgical treatment for children with ureterocele, especially addressing the importance of the lower urinary tract reconstruction. METHODS: We present medical records of 91 children with ureterocele (31 with the intravesical type, and 60 with the ectopic type) treated during the last 14 years. As the initial treatment, we carried out transurethral incision of the ureterocele (TUI). In patients with persistent reflux, breakthrough urinary tract infection (UTI), or signs of bladder outlet obstruction due to a collapsed cele wall, we recommended that patients undergo lower urinary tract reconstruction irrespective of the renal function involved in ureterocele. The average follow-up period was 5 years (ranging 1 year and 6 months to 14 years). RESULTS: Transurethral incision of the ureterocele was carried out as the initial treatment on 68 patients (75%). A total of 34 patients (21 intravesical [68%] and 13 ectopic [22%]) were followed medically after TUI alone. Reconstruction of the lower urinary tract was carried out in 59 patients (65%). Nephroureterectomy combined with bladder level reconstruction was carried out in four children with single system and non-functioning kidney. Follow-up voiding cystourethrography showed that only one girl had reflux, which disappeared after the first follow-up examination. Postoperative UTI occurred in 12 patients (20%) with ectopic ureterocele. Voiding dysfunction was suspected in eight patients. CONCLUSION: We believe that the primary objective for patients with ureterocele, especially of the ectopic type, is to reconstruct the original pathology of the lower urinary tract that may give rise to reflux, obstruction, or abnormalities of urination. Although surgery at the bladder level can be challenging, the lower urinary tract reconstruction successfully corrects the vesicoureteral reflux and bladder outlet pathology under a cosmetically acceptable incision.     

Preference for donor site scar orientation in pedicled latissimus dorsi breast reconstruction

A survey was carried out to ascertain the preference for donor site scar orientation in patients undergoing pedicled latissimus dorsi breast reconstruction and their views on breast reconstruction in general. One hundred twelve women (59 Chinese, 53 Western) completed the questionnaire. Participants were asked to state their preferred scar orientation (i.e., oblique, horizontal, or vertical) based on photographs showing the position of the scars. Demographic information and views on issues surrounding breast reconstruction in general were also collected. Data was analyzed non-parametrically with chi-square test and t test. The mean age of participants was 39.5 years (20–73 years). Seventy-seven percent of the participants would opt for an immediate breast reconstruction if offered (p < 0.001). Eighty-six percent would have objection to the use of silicone implant as a whole or part of a reconstruction (p < 0.001). Vertical and horizontal scars were the preferred orientation, with no women choosing the oblique orientation as their first choice (p < 0.001). The non-Chinese of 40 years or older, as well as Chinese women from all age groups, preferred the horizontal scar (p < 0.05). We demonstrated that both culture and age impact on the preferred scar orientation in breast reconstruction. Women in the age group we commonly reconstruct favored the horizontal scar. However, the younger women of non-Chinese origin tended to favor the vertical scar.     

The effect of intraosseous graft length on tendon-bone healing in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using flexor tendon

The current study was performed to understand the relationship between graft length placed within the bone tunnel and intraosseous graft healing in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Twenty-four adult beagle dogs were divided into two groups of 12 animals each. In each animal, ACL reconstruction using a 4-mm diameter autogenous flexor tendon graft was done in the left knee. In groups I and II, the graft having a length of 15 and 5 mm, respectively, was placed within the tibial tunnel. The proximal end of the graft was placed through the over-the-top route in all animals. In each group, five animals were sacrificed immediately after surgery, and the remaining seven were sacrificed at 6 weeks postoperatively. Biomechanical and histologic evaluations were performed. In pull out testing, the ultimate failure load and the linear stiffness of the graft-tibia complex harvested at 6 weeks were significantly greater than those harvested at the time-zero period. There were no significant differences in those parameters between groups I and II at 6 weeks. In each group, the perpendicular collagen fibers connecting the tendon to the bone tunnel wall were observed only in the narrow area located close to the intra-articular tunnel outlet. In conclusion, excessively long placement of the flexor graft within the bone tunnel does not result in an additional increase of anchoring strength and stiffness of the graft in ACL reconstruction.     

自发性高血压大鼠颈动脉血管平滑肌中抑癌基因P53和原癌基因c-jun、c-fos、c-myc mRNA表达的研究

目的探讨自发性高血压大鼠颈动脉中抑癌基因P53和原癌基因c-jun、c-fos、c-myc mRNA的表达.方法用逆转录聚合酶链式反应检测两种基因的表达水平.正常雄性大鼠作为对照组.结果 SHR颈动脉中,抑癌基因P53和原癌基因c-jun、c-fos、c-myc均有高表达,较WKY差异有显著性(P<0.05).结论自发性高血压大鼠颈动脉组织中抑癌基因P53和原癌基因c-jun、c-fos、c-myc均有高表达,癌基因的活化可能与自发性高血压大鼠颈动脉血管重构有关.     

麦冬类中药组织切片计算机三维重建图鉴

利用计算机技术实现麦冬类中药组织连续切片三维重建与动态显示,为计算机辅助生药学鉴定和教学提供了新的三维图像技术和研究资料。     

血管内支架模型及离体血管经腔内超声三维重建的实验研究

我们自制了16个不同形状和大小的金属支架模型，置入人造血管腔中，并采用高体正常血管8条（犬腹主动脉4条，人冠状动脉4条）进行经血管腔内超声显像（IVUS）的体元模型三维重建（3DR）研究。结果显示，该技术能真实地再现支架在管腔内的形态、支架与管壁之间的间隙及离体正常血管的管腔及管壁形态，经提取后重建的支架模型与实物非常相似。经3DR测得的支架及血管腔内径与实测值均高度相关（r分别为0.96和0.99，p＜0．001）。支架与管壁之间空隙的3DR测值与实测值也高度相关（r=0.97，p＜r.0.01）。     

“Chain-link” combined tissue transfer for the reconstruction of the mandible

We describe a procedure for “chain-link” combined tissue transfer connecting the vascular pedicle of a deep circumflex iliac flap with that of a forearm flap after wide resection of the mandible. Combination of these flaps facilitated the reconstruction of the defect in both intra- and extraoral soft tissue and the mandibular bone. This method is useful when cervical recipient blood vessels are limited due to the wide resection of the primary tumor and radical neck dissection.