Inguinal hernia: Measurement of the biomechanics of the lower abdominal wall and the inguinal canal

Background. The stability of the lower abdominal wall may play a considerable role in the development of inguinal hernia. Therefore, the strength of the individual wall layers needs to be quantified. Despite numerous advances in hernia repair, comparatively few systematic biomechanic and morphometric analyses have been performed. Our aim was to establish and apply a standardised procedure for testing the abdominal wall layers stability. Methods. After dissecting the abdominal walls of 16 cadavers into separate layers, we used a spherical punch and a force transducer to investigate the forces necessary to foraminate the layer. In addition, maximum tensile-strength and suction tests and histologic morphometry were performed. Results. The transversalis fascia was torn up on an average of 10.5 N, the peritoneum including pre- and subperitoneal tissue on 46.6 N, the aponeurosis of obliquus internus abdominis muscle on 51.7 N, and the aponeurosis of obliquus externus abdominis muscle on 92.6 N. Tensile tests of tissue strips obtained from defined areas showed comparable results. In contrast, surgical mesh revealed values between 60 and 150 N in punching tests. Left-right comparisons, as well as comparisons of the individual areas, revealed considerable intra- and inter-individual differences. Conclusions. Biological hernia repair should focus on a reinforcement of the tissue layers with the highest biomechanic stability. Reinforcement of the transversal fascia must be questioned according to our results of poor mechanical resistance.     

Videostroboscopic assessment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis after augmentation with autologous fascia

Vocal fold augmentation by injection laryngoplasty is a simple and fast procedure. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the glottal closure and the travelling mucosal wave by videostroboscopic images after autologous fascia augmentation in unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) with a special reference to objective analysis of voice. A total of 14 UVFP patients with poor voice and open glottal gap were assessed by videostroboscopy, blinded perceptual evaluation of running speech and acoustical analysis of sustained vowel. Data were collected before the procedure and at a supplementary evaluation 5–32 months (mean: 13 months) after injection of autologous fascia deep into the paralysed vocal fold. Mean age was 59 years; there were eight women and six men. Frame-by-frame video analysis revealed that before the operation 10 out of 12 had large glottal gaps without any contact between vocal folds on phonation. After the procedure seven gaps were completely closed, four partly, and two had no mucosal contact in stroboscopic examination. Maximum gap between vocal folds decreased from 7.21 units to 1.65 units (paired t-test P<0.001). Mucosal wave amplitude symmetry and phase synchrony were present in most subjects with partial closure and phase synchrony in every patient with a proper glottic closure. A panel of listeners rated voice to be significantly better (P<0.01) ) after the procedure, and the improvement in acoustical parameters was also statistically significant (P<0.01). There was a good correlation between objective voice analysis and videostroboscopy. Residual glottal gap was the major reason for less than optimal postoperative voice. No signs of hampered mucosal wave were noticed. Videostroboscopy and objective voice analysis suggest that augmentation by autologous fascia does not induce scar or fibrous tissue in the subepithelial space. Slight over-correction should be attempted initially in order to accomplish sufficient augmentation. This might enhance complete glottic closure and improve the outcome.     

A modified temporalis transfer in facial reanimation

A modified surgical procedure for temporalis transfer in facial reanimation of five consecutive cases is presented. Instead of the traditional stripping of the temporalis from its origin, its attachment at the coronoid removed, and to its end, the harvested fascia lata graft was sutured to lengthen the muscle's action. These fibres were then passed to the Orbicularis Oculi and Oris to aid in reanimation and to improve their tone. The procedure is less extensive, provides a direct line of pull with good functional results, no muscle atropy since vascularity and innervation is maintained. No complaints of paresthesia, hyposthesia or scar on donor leg was noticed. None of the patients required a revision of surgery for unacceptable contour or asymmetry. This simple procedure has helped reconstruction of natural symmetrical smile with highly successful results.     

Comparison of PTFE,pericardium bovine and fascia lata for repair of incisional hernia in rat model,experimental study

Incisional hernia is a frequent complication of abdominal surgery developing in 11–20 % of patients undergoing an abdominal operation. Regarding morbidity and loss of manpower, incisional hernias continue to be a fundamental problem for surgeons. In this experimental study, three commonly used mesh materials (Goretex PTFE; Tutoplast Fascia lata; Tutopatch Pericardium bovine) were compared according to effectiveness, strength, adhesion formation, histological changes, and early complications. Three groups, each consisting of 14 rats, have been formed as group A: polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), group B: pericardium bovine and group C: fascia lata. Evaluations were achieved at the end of the first and second postoperative week, respectively. Adhesion formation, wound maturation, bursting pressure, and tensile strength were evaluated. No statistically significant difference regarding adhesion formation was observed between groups although adhesion formation was less significant in PTFE and pericardium bovine groups than in the fascia lata group. Bursting pressure and tensile strength values were significantly higher in PTFE group than in the fascia lata group (P <0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed between groups regarding wound maturation. In this experimental model, PTFE and pericardium bovine were found to be superior to fascia lata in abdominal wall repair. Electronic Publication     

Fascia augmentation of the vocal fold: graft yield in the canine and preliminary clinical experience

INTRODUCTION: Glottal insufficiency resulting from vocal fold bowing, hypomobility, or scar is frequently treated by injection augmentation. Injection augmentation with fat, collagen, gel foam, polytef, and recently, fascia lata has been previously reported. Variable graft yield and poor host-tissue tolerance have motivated the continued search for an ideal graft substance. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective trial of autologous fascia augmentation of the vocal cord in the human and in an animal model. METHODS: Autologous fascia injection augmentation (AFIA) was evaluated in 8 canines and 40 patients at our institution between 1998 and 2000. The animal study compared graft yield from AFIA with autologous fat yield. The outcome measure was graft yield calculated from histological examination of larynges 12 weeks after injection augmentation. Clinical trial outcome measures included symptom surveys, acoustical voice analyses, and subjective voice assessments. Mean follow-up was 9 months. RESULTS: In the canine larynx, the mean graft yield for AFIA was 33% (range, 5%-84%) compared with autologous lipoinjection (47%; range, 7%-96%; P =.57). Subjective improvement in vocal quality was reported by 95% of patients (38 of 40) after AFIA. Preoperative and postoperative voice analysis data were obtained from 26 patients. Subjective voice rating demonstrated a significant improvement after AFIA (P <.0001). Acoustical parameters of jitter, shimmer, noise-to-harmonic ratio, phonatory range, and degree unvoiced improved significantly (P <.05) in all patients after fascia augmentation. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the animal study, we concluded that graft yields are excellent but variable for AFIA. The result is similar in variability and overall yield to autologous lipoinjection. Subjective and objective analyses of voice outcomes after AFIA are universally improved. Fascia appears to be an excellent alternative to lipoinjection in properly selected cases of glottic insufficiency.     

Medialization of paralyzed vocal fold does not increase respiratory resistance measured by impulse oscillometry

Injection laryngoplasty restores voice in subjects with unilateral vocal fold paralysis, but knowledge of its effects on airflow dynamics is limited. Impulse oscillometry (IOS) is a non-invasive technique to investigate airway resistance. It is easily performed during normal breathing. A prospective study was conducted in order to investigate the effects of autologous fascia injection on airflow dynamics. IOS, flow-volume spirometry, acoustic analysis of voice, voice handicap index (VHI) questionnaire and subjective dyspnoea score were recorded before and 5–11 months after the operation. There was no significant change in respiratory resistance (Rres) or other variables of IOS. FEV1/FVC decreased from 0.80 to 0.77 (P = 0.02), but other variables of spirometry did not change significantly. Acoustic properties of voice (noise-to-harmonics ratio, shimmer, jitter, maximal phonation time) and VHI improved significantly. No change in dyspnoea occurred. In conclusion, medializing of a paralysed vocal fold improves voice, but does not have a clinically significant adverse effect on breathing. Flow-volume spirometry is more sensitive than IOS to changes in airflow dynamics after medialization.     

Foot disorders in the elderly: A mini-review

Ageing process is associated with changes to the aspect, biomechanics, structure and function of the foot, it may be related with a marked presence of foot conditions, pain, disability and other overall health problems that constitute a major public health concern.Also, the prevalence of epidemiologic research found an incidence of foot problems which is even higher as a consequence of increasing life expectation. Several studies have also suggested that such foot disorders currently affect between 71 and 87% of older patients and are a frequent cause of medical and foot care.Thus, these kind problems are extremely common conditions in the general population, especially in the elderly who are associated with poor quality of life, balance impairment, increase the risk of falls, dificulty on putting shoes, fractures, restrict mobility and performance of activities of daily living that turn can produce serious physical, mental and social consequences in the older people.The role of the physician in the assessment, evaluation, and examination of foot problems is very important, yet it is often an overlooked and undervalued component of geriatric health care.The purpose of this article is to review and to provide an overview of the most common foot deformities precipitating factors, clinical presentation, evidence-based diagnostic evaluation, and treatment recommendations with a view to preventing medical conditions or deformities affecting the feet that may alter foot condition and general health amongst the elderly.     

应用腹直肌前鞘-腹外斜肌腱膜瓣修复先天性膀胱外翻

目的总结先天性膀胱外翻的修复,探讨腹直肌前鞘—腹外斜肌腱膜瓣及肌蒂阔筋膜张肌肌皮瓣在修复膀胱外翻中的应用。方法应用腹直肌前鞘—腹外斜肌腱膜形成的前鞘—腱膜瓣加局部皮瓣或同侧肌蒂阔筋膜张肌肌皮瓣修复先天性膀胱外翻及腹壁缺损,局部皮瓣修复尿道上裂,肌皮瓣的应用面积最大为10cm×8cm。结果临床应用12例,膀胱外翻及腹壁的修复均达到了良好效果,膀胱括约肌功能基本恢复,二次尿道紧缩后12例均能控制排尿。肌蒂阔筋膜张肌肌皮瓣部分坏死2例,游离植皮后痊愈。结论选择性地应用腹直肌前鞘及腹外斜肌腱膜形成前鞘—腱膜瓣加强腹壁,局部皮瓣转移或应用同侧肌蒂阔筋膜张肌肌皮瓣转移修复腹壁缺损能有效地修复先天性膀胱外翻,恢复膀胱颈部括约肌的连续性及尿道紧缩,能达到自主控制排尿的目的。     

第一掌骨背逆行筋膜皮瓣修复拇指皮肤缺损

目的介绍一种修复拇指皮肤缺损的新型逆行筋膜皮瓣。方法取１０只新鲜尸体手，从桡动脉灌注红色乳胶，对第一掌骨背及拇指指背软组织的血管进行显微解剖，根据其血管分布设计成第一掌骨背逆行筋膜皮瓣。自甲根部桡侧缘至第一掌骨同侧背侧缘的连线为轴心线，其蒂部宜设在拇指指间关节近侧１ｃｍ以近的轴心线上。结果第一掌骨背及拇指指背软组织的血供主要由拇指两条指掌侧固有动脉向指背侧发出的分支，在指背筋膜内与两侧指背动脉及桡神经浅支伴行血管（桡、尺侧各２条）形成的血管网提供。１９９６年２月～１９９７年９月，临床应用该皮瓣修复拇指皮肤缺损６例，皮瓣全部成活。结论第一掌骨背及拇指指背软组织血供丰富，可形成第一掌骨背逆行筋膜皮瓣。该皮瓣设计合理、血供可靠、操作简便，适用于修复拇指，尤其是拇指桡侧皮肤的缺损     

Septal innervation of mossy cells in the hilus of the rat dentate gyrus: an anterograde tracing and intracellular labeling study

 Mossy cells in the hilus of the rat dentate gyrus are the main cells of origin of the dentate commissural and associational projections. They project along the septotemporal axis of the dentate gyrus and may thus influence the hippocampal signal flow in a longitudinal direction. To analyze the septal innervation of these hilar neurons, anterograde tracing with Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHAL) was used in combination with intracellular labeling of mossy cells (Lucifer yellow). Anterogradely labeled septal fibers impinge on proximal and distal dendrites of hilar mossy cells but spare the cell body. In contrast, numerous aspiny hilar neurons, presumably GABAergic interneurons, receive a septal innervation on their somata and proximal primary dendrites. These data demonstrate that septal fibers show a specificity for the dendritic segments of hilar mossy cells. Since mossy cells project predominantly to adjacent hippocampal lamellae, the activity of adjacent portions of the dentate gyrus may be influenced by the septal input onto these neurons. Received: 22 July 1996 / Accepted: 24 October 1996