Akın Yücel

Soft-tissue reconstruction of sole and heel defects with free tissue transfers.

&NA; Reconstruction of the weight‐bearing surface of the foot is a challenging problem for the reconstructive surgeon. Because local tissues are not usually available for reconstruction, distant tissue transfers are often necessary. The authors report 20 patients with sole and heel defects that were reconstructed with free flaps. Two patients had bilateral reconstruction. Three patients were younger than 10 years. Etiological causes were burn scar (N = 7), trauma (N = 7), chronic wound (N = 3), and tumor resection (N = 5). All defects were located at a weight‐bearing area. Gracilis muscle (N = 11), neurosensorial radial forearm (N = 7), latissimus dorsi muscle (N = 2), rectus abdominis muscle (N = 1), and posterolateral thigh flaps (N = 1) were used for reconstruction. Muscle flaps were preferred for the deep and irregular defects or chronic, open infected wounds. All flaps survived except for one total and two partial complications of necrosis. Recurrence of ulceration was observed in 1 patient with spinal cord trauma. The mean follow‐up period was 33.7 months (range, 1‐84 months). Patients were evaluated by direct gait observation, footprints, pedograms, and the Semmes‐Weinstein monofilament test. All patients returned to normal daily activity with individual gait patterns. Functional outcomes of both muscle and fasciocutaneous flaps were satisfactory. Presence of deep sensation, preservation of musculoskeletal integrity, and patient compliance are the main factors for durability of reconstruction. Yücel A, Ŝenyuva C, Aydin Y, Çinar C, Güzel Z. Soft‐tissue reconstruction of sole and heel defects with free tissue transfers. Ann Plast Surg 2000;44:259‐269

The efficacy of pre- versus postsurgical axillary block on postoperative pain in paediatric patients.

We compared the effects of pre‐ and postsurgical axillary block on pain after hand and forearm surgery in 55 children in a double‐blind randomized study. The successful blocks are reported here (n=49). Children aged 1–11 years and ASA I or II were allocated randomly to receive axillary block with 2 mg.kg−1 of 0.25% bupivacaine, either after induction but before the surgery (presurgical group, n=25) or immediately after surgery, before the end of anaesthesia (postsurgical, n=24). In all patients, a standard general anaesthesia technique was used. The Faces Pain Scale (FPS) and analgesic requirements were recorded for 24 h at various times after operation. Eight patients (32%) in the presurgical group and 20 patients (83.33%) in the postsurgical group did not require additional analgesic within the first 24 h after operation (P< 0.05). In patients who had pain during the observation period, the pain started 13.66±2.61 h in the presurgical group and 13.14±2.34 h in the postsurgical group after performing block (P> 0.05). The FPS scores were similar in both groups during the first 8 h in the postoperative period (P> 0.05). There was a significant difference at 10 h after surgery (P< 0.05). Cumulative FPS score was higher in the presurgical group (10.50±1.06) than in the postsurgical group (9.45±1.28) (P< 0.05), but both groups had effective analgesia overall, the mean FPS score being less than 2. Additional analgesic consumption was similar in these patients in both groups. A lower isoflurane concentration was used in the presurgical group (0.68%vs 1.72%, P< 0.001). We did not demonstrate the superiority of preemptive analgesia, but our results indicate that presurgical axillary block with 0.25% bupivacaine allows the use of inhalational anaesthetics at lower concentrations while providing a reasonably painless postoperative period.

Temporalis muscle flap for craniofacial reconstruction after tumor resection.

Temporalis muscle flap provides a good solution for the reconstruction of craniofacial defects after tumor resection. Nine patients with complicated defects located at the upper two thirds of the face, anterior cranial base, or mastoid region are presented. Five patients had orbital exenteration, two with total maxillectomy and two with anterior craniofacial resection. Temporalis muscle flap provided profuse well-vascularized tissue for the obliteration of orbital exenteration and total maxillectomy cavities and coverage of surface defects. Cranial, oral, and nasal spaces were separated successfully in all patients. Temporalis muscle flap is a very reliable technique with low complication rates and few donor site problems. This safe and technically easy flap can be preferred for the reconstruction of craniofacial defects after ablative tumor surgery, especially in older and debilitated patients.

Eye socket reconstruction with the prefabricated temporal Island flap

&NA; Insufficiency of tissues and progressive contraction usually restrict the application of prosthetic devices in anophthalmic eye sockets. To achieve a successful reconstruction, the plastic surgeon has to form a socket that has proper dimensions and is completely covered by a well vascularized epithelial surface. Eye socket reconstruction with free skin, mucous membrane, or dermis‐fat grafts usually remains unsatisfactory in severe cases. We have used a prefabricated temporal island flap to solve this difficult problem since 1983. In this method, a full‐thickness skin graft is applied over the temporal fascia to create a prefabricated island flap based on the superficial temporal vessels. This flap is transposed into the eye socket 3 weeks later. Some modifications in flap design have been done to get better fitting of the prosthesis since that time. Thirty‐three patients with constricted eye sockets that could not use prosthetic devices were treated with prefabricated temporal island flaps since 1983. The follow‐up period was between 1 and 13 years. Eye sockets with adequate size and volume were created in all patients, and the results were successful. This method prevented secondary graft shrinkage, and the prefabricated island flaps preserved their dome shape during the follow‐up period. We believe this method is a useful one in the treatment of the contracted socket. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 102: 980, 1998.)

An unusual long-term complication of burn injury : malignant fibrous histiocytoma developed in chronic burn scar

Development of malignant tumors in chronic burn wounds is a well-known complication. These tumors are almost always squamous cell carcinomas, although other types of malignancies such as basal cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma and sarcomas can be seen rarely. There are only three previously reported cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma developed in chronic burn scar in the literature. Two cases with malignant fibrous histiocytoma developed in chronic, badly treated burn wounds are presented. One of the tumors was multifocal and overexpression of the p53 gene was present. Both tumors were excised widely and skin grafted. Regional lymph node dissection was performed in one case. One of the patients died due to tumor recurrence and lymphatic metastases. These cases represent a very uncommon complication of burn injury and indicate the importance of the appropriate primary treatment of the burn wound.

Osteogenic Potential of Infant Durai Grafts in Different Recipient Beds

An experimental study in adult rats was designed to test whether infant dura, when transplanted as an isograft to different recipient beds, can maintain its osteogenic potential. There was bone regeneration in more than 50% of the defects in all animals in which infant dura was present. There was minimal bone regeneration in defects in which adult dura remained alone and in which the dural defect repaired with adult dural graft. Ectopic bone did not form on the abdominal fascia or in the abdominal muscles from either infant or adult dural transplantation.

The Prefabricated Temporal Island Flap for Eyelid and Eye Socket Reconstruction in Total Orbital Exenteration Patients A New Method

Anophtalmic socket reconstruction is a challenging problem in plastic surgery. We had described a prefabricated superficial temporal fascia island flap and used this technique in >50 enucleation patients with severe socket contraction ending in excellent or good results for 28 years (Altindas-1 procedure). However, the flap was not suitable for the exenteration patients with complete eyelid loss. The technique was modified and used in exenteration patients (Altindas-2 procedure). In this 2-staged procedure, the temporoparietal fascia is prefabricated with a full-thickness skin graft from the retroauricular area, and a strip of scalp is preserved at the middle of the flap. The flap is transferred to the orbit through a subcutaneous tunnel at the second stage. The prefabricated flap is used for the reconstruction of eyelids and periorbital skin; scalp island is used for the reconstruction of lid margins and eyelashes; and the neighboring bare temporoparietal fascia is used for the augmentation of the periorbital soft tissues. The orbital lining is elevated as a centrally based skin flap and used for the reconstruction of the eye socket, fornicles, and posterior lining of the eyelids. The technique was used successfully in 5 total exenteration patients with complete eyelid loss. In 1 patient, the ipsilateral temporal island flap was used previously, and the flap was prepared from the contralateral site and transferred to the anophtalmic orbit as a free flap 5 weeks later. By this procedure, it is possible to reconstruct a stable eye socket that is suitable for ocular prosthesis, upper and lower fornicles, periorbital skin with good color matching, naturally looking eyelids with eyelashes and lid margins, and medial and lateral canthal areas. It is also possible to improve periorbital soft tissue atrophy, which is an important problem in patients who had radiotherapy previously. Free transfer of the flap provides a new solution for the reconstruction of cases that were operated previously.

Malignant tumors requiring maxillectomy.

&NA; Seventy cases with malignant tumors requiring maxillary resection in the past 10 years were reviewed, retrospectively. The primary site of tumor was adjacent skin in 53%, maxillary sinus or maxilla in 20%, palate and alveolar arch in 13%, lip and buccal mucosa in 13%, and mandible in 1% of the cases. The most common histopathological diagnoses was squamous cell carcinoma (54%), followed by basal cell carcinoma (20%). Most of the patients had advanced tumors, either neglected or recurred. Orbital exenteration was performed in 28 cases, mandibulectomy in six cases, combined craniofacial resection in seven cases, and radical neck dissection in 18 cases. Major skin loss was present in majority of the patients. Postsurgical defects were reconstructed with pedicled flaps in 37 cases and free flaps in 12 cases. Lining of the maxillary sinus defects was provided with split‐thickness skin grafts. Patients with palatal defects were encouraged to use prosthetic obturators. Postoperative radiotherapy was performed in 32 patients and combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy in 12 patients. Communication could be established with only 52 patients. Sixty‐three percent of them have survived without recurrence and distant metastasis. Resection of the tumor with free surgical margins and appropriate evaluation of the surgical defect for the most suitable reconstruction are the mainstays of treatment of the midfacial tumors.

Reverse first dorsal metatarsal artery adipofascial flap.

An adipofascial flap distally based on the first dorsal metatarsal artery is described. This flap was used successfully in three cases with skin defects of the distal foot. The advantages of this flap are minimal donor site morbidity and its applicability for larger defects. The surgical technique is described, and indications, advantages, and disadvantages of the method are discussed and compared with the distally based first dorsal metatarsal artery fasciocutaneous flap. The reverse first dorsal metatarsal artery adipofascial flap offers a new solution for reconstruction of distal foot defects.

A well-differentiated giant liposarcoma originating from the buccal fat pad

Although liposarcoma is one of the most common soft-tissue sarcomas, facial localization is extremely rare. The buccal fat pad is an important anatomic structure located in the face that recently gained interest as a result of increasing research on facial anatomy. In this paper, we report a case of giant liposarcoma originating from the buccal fat pad. The precise localization of the tumor was determined preoperatively with computed tomography examination. The liposarcoma that invaded the body and the extensions of the buccal fat pad was resected completely. The pathological examination revealed a sclerosing, well-differentiated liposarcoma, which is known to be very rare in the head and neck region. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy were not necessary because of the favourable histological type of the tumor and the advanced age and poor general condition of the patient. Local recurrence and distant metastasis were not observed during the 1-year follow-up.