Cihan Sahin

Thoracodorsal artery perforator fasciocutaneous flap: A versatile alternative for coverage of various soft tissue defects.

Objective: The thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap has contributed to the efficient reconstruction of tissue defects that require a large amount of cutaneous tissue. The optimal reconstruction method should provide thin, and well-vascularized tissue with minimal donor-site morbidity. The indications for the use of this particular flap with other flaps are discussed in this article. Materials and Methods: Thirteen patients underwent soft tissue reconstruction using TDAP flaps between 2009 and 2011. Of those, there were four cases of antecubital burn contracture, three cases of axillary burn contracture, two cases of giant hair cell nevus of upper extremity, two cases of axillary reconstruction following severe recurrent hidradenitis, and two cases of crush injury. All patients were male and their ages ranged from 20 to 23 (average, 21 years). The mean follow-up period was 8 months (range, 4-22 months). Results: All reconstructive procedures were completed without any major complications. Minor complications related to transfered flaps were wound dehiscence in one case, transient venous congestion in two cases. Minor complication related to the donor site was seroma in one case. The success rate was 100%, with satisfactory cosmetic results. Conclusions: The TDAP flap is a safe and extremely versatile flap that offers significant advantages in acute and delayed reconstruction. Although the vascular anatomy may be variable, free and pedicled TDAP flap is a versatile alternative for soft tissue defects. It adapts very well to the soft tissue defects with acceptable donor site scar.

Treatment of facial burn scars with CO2 laser resurfacing and thin skin grafting.

Background: Facial burns are very common and have significant clinical impact. Facial scars are easily recognized in the community and become a source of lifelong guilt, shame, and regret for the patients. In the presented clinical study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of CO2 laser resurfacing and thin skin grafting for burn scars of face. Methods: Sixteen white men, whose ages ranged from 20 to 26 years (mean, 22 y), were operated on for elimination of facial burn scars. Burn areas were de-epithelialized by CO2 laser. Each area was grafted with a split-thickness skin graft. The follow-up period for these patients ranged from 3 to 15 months, with a mean follow-up period of 9 months. Results: The scars were successfully treated and converted to a socially acceptable appearance. The color match was good or excellent in all patients. No new hypertrophic scar developed. Conclusions: Facial burn scars may be dermabraded in a short time, and a bloodless and smooth raw surface may be created by a flashed-scanned CO2 laser. The CO2 laser resurfacing and thin skin grafting method is effective in treating facial burn scars.

Reconstruction of postburn cervical contractures using expanded supraclavicular artery flap.

Postburn cervical contractures involving the anterior neck represent a serious social, public, and medical problem. The expanded supraclavicular artery flap is a good reconstructive option for these defects to improve functional and aesthetic appearance. Its main vascular supply is the supraclavicular artery, and it may be harvested as either a skin pedicled flap or an island flap. In our clinic, 10 patients with severe cervical burn contractures were reconstructed with preexpanded supraclavicular artery flaps between 2005 and 2012. All the flaps primarily healed with good functional and cosmetic results, and the donor sites primarily closed without any tension. A complete range of motion at the cervical region was obtained in all patients by the end of the reconstruction period. The preexpanded supraclavicular artery flap is a suitable alternative for coverage of the cervical defects after the release of the burn contractures. It is a thin tissue of both good color and texture, and is easy to harvest.

Bilobed flap for web reconstruction in adult syndactyly release: A new technique that can avoid the use of skin graft

AIM The aim of the study was to describe the use of a bilobed flap for web formation of syndactyly release, which decreases the need for graft and also avoids the use of skin grafting in syndactyly cases. METHODS A retrospective review of this procedure was performed for 15 web space reconstructions. Patients were aged 20-23 years. The mean follow-up period was 7-12 months (mean 7 + 3.2). The operations were performed for the beneficial use of the dorsal hand skin by lowering the need for a skin graft. The flap was on the dorsum of the hand and proximal phalanx and was used for web formation. RESULTS Surgery was completed without skin grafting in nine cases of 14 web spaces; two of them were complex/complete syndactylies, and two of them were simple/complete syndactylies. We used a skin graft in one patient because of triangular flap necrosis in a second operation. The use of a bilobed flap allowed the construction of web spaces, providing satisfactory cosmetic outcomes. No partial necrosis or complications was observed in bilobed flaps. No secondary correction was needed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION The present surgical technique could be a new surgical option for web formation and reconstruction in primary and secondary cases, especially in an adult population in which the skin on the dorsum of the hand is more pliable. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV.

Burn Assault With Paint Thinner Ignition: An Unexpected Burn Injury Caused by Street Children Addicted to Paint Thinner

The frequency of assault by burning among all burn patients varies from country to country. Assault by burning, although uncommon, is a serious form of trauma and a significant source of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify the epidemiologic features, current etiological factors, and the mortality of nine patients admitted to our burn unit between January 1999 and January 2009 after unexpected burn assault by paint thinner ignition caused by street children addicted to paint thinner. The circumstances of this injury and preventive measures are discussed.

Custom-made approach to a patient with post-burn breast deformity

Second and third degree burns on breasts at preadolescent period may cause severe breast deformations. This deformation can be variable depending on severity and location of the burns, personal adolescent patterns, and treatment modality in acute burn period. A 21 year old female patient admitted to our department for her breast deformation due to burn contracture at the inferior pole of the right breast. On physical examination we defined that development of the volume of the right breast was equal to the left, and inferior pole of the right breast was flattened due to contracture, and nipple was projected to inferior. We found that inframammary crease of the right breast was 2 cm lower than that of left; andthe distance of nipple-inframamary crease was 4.7 cm while areola-inframmary crease was 2 cm. New nipple-areola complex level was identified according to left breasts level. Medial and lateral lines were planned to merge inferiorly at 2 cm above inframmary crease in a plan similar to vertical mammaplasty. Superior pedicle carrying nipple areola was desepitelised. Lower parenchymal V flap was transposed superiorly and attached to the pectoral muscle. Inferior parts of the lateral and medial glandular flaps were excised to form new inframammary crease. The desired laxity of skin at the lower pole was obtained by performing a new Z- plasty between lateral and medial skin flaps. Breast symmetry was confirmed by postoperative objective measurements between left and right breasts. Patients satisfaction and aesthetic appearance levels were high. Breasts deformation patterns caused by burns, trauma and mass exsicion due to cancer could not be addressed with traditional defined techniques. Special deformations can be corrected by custom made plannings as we presented here.

Minced nerve tissue in vein grafts used as conduits in rat tibial nerves.

IntroductionPeripheral nerve injuries are encountered frequently in clinical practice. In nerve repair, an end-to-end suture is the preferable choice of treatment. However, where primary closure is not possible, the defect is to be repaired with a nerve graft. MethodsA total of 21 female Wistar rats weighing 230 to 290 g were used in the study. They were classified into the following 3 groups: (I) nerve graft, (II) vein graft, and (III) minced nerve graft. In group I, after exposure of the tibial nerve, a 1-cm-long nerve gap was created on the tibial nerve, and the defect was repaired epineurally by using the autogenous nerve. In group II, the 1-cm tibial nerve defect was repaired by using an autogenous vein graft. In group III, a 1-cm nerve graft was divided to 3 equal parts, with one of the nerve parts being minced with microscissors and placed in the vein graft lumen. Thereafter, a 1-cm tibial nerve defect was repaired by the vein graft filled with minced nerve tissue. The tibial function indices (TFIs) were calculated for functional assessment using the Bain-Mackinnon-Hunter formula. Light and electron microscopic evaluations were performed for morphometric assessment. In addition, the myelinated fibers were counted in all groups. ResultsThe TFIs of group II were found to be the lowest among all the groups after the sixth week, whereas the TFI of group I was found to be better than the other groups after the sixth week. There was no difference in TFIs between group I and group III. On the basis of the number of myelinated fibers, there was no statistically significant difference between group I and group III, whereas the difference was significant (P < 0.05) between groups I/III and group II. Presence of peripheral nerves in light microscopic evaluation revealed normal characteristics of myelinated fibers in all groups. The myelinated axon profile was near normal in the nerve graft group in electron microscopic evaluation. However, there were more degenerated axons with disturbed contours and vacuolizations in the vein graft group compared to the minced nerve graft group. ConclusionsWe can conclude that using minced nerve tissue in vein grafts as a conduit increases the regeneration of nerves (almost like the nerve graft group) and it may not be caused by donor-site morbidity. It can be used in the repair of nerve defects instead of autogenous nerve grafts after further experimental evidence and clinical trials.

Burn caused by cupping therapy.

Cupping therapy is an ancient Chinese method of using glass or plastic cups to create localized pressure by a vacuum. Cupping therapy has been found in ancient records dating back 3500 years, and it is still used today by many alternative medicine practitioners. Despite widespread use of cupping massage, a few burn cases have been reported in the literature. We would like to report a case of a 32-year-old man who suffered burns on his back and shoulders as the result of contact glasses. The patient had a back pain. The patient’s mother burned cotton in four to five glasses and vacuumed the air out and then placed these turned over glasses on the back of the patient for about 5 minutes. Because of this application, the patient has eight burn areas with circle shapes on his back. Burn areas were dressed every day, and antibiotic therapy was begun. The burn area was treated conservatively within 3 weeks. In this application, the air in a glass is taken away via burning, and without letting any air in, the glass is placed in a certain area of the body. The hot air inside the glass has the effect of a vacuum, and thus the skin is pulled toward the inside of the glass. On a deeper therapeutic level, massage cupping is very beneficial for many conditions, such as high blood pressure, anxiety, fatigue, chronic headache, fibromyalgia, and neuralgia. Contracted, congested muscle tissue will soften quickly with only a few minutes of negative pressure. Another profound application of the negative pressure technique is in the treatment of cellulite. These burns are preventable, and therefore the first step is increasing the awareness of the public and health care professionals of the risk of these injuries. We hope that this case report will succeed in raising awareness of the dangers involved in cupping therapy.

Thermal Burns Associated With the Misuse of Flammable Liquids in Stoves: A Continuing Problem

Coal stoves that are used for heating purposes are more popular in economically developing and undeveloped countries because of their lower operational costs. Unfortunately, they may cause serious burn injuries when flammable liquids are misused to kindle or to accelerate a fire within them. Every year, particularly in the winter, many citizens in Turkey have suffered burn injuries caused by this dangerous practice. During the period from January 1989 to January 2009, 82 patients sustained burn injuries as a consequence of coal stove fires and were admitted to burn units. Efforts to inform the public about the danger of using flammable liquids with these kinds of stoves are recommended to minimize the incidence, morbidity, mortality, and cost of this relatively common and preventable type of injury.

The mini incision technique for carpal tunnel decompression using nasal instruments.

AIM Mini incision techniques for carpal tunnel release have become increasingly popular for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. The main advantages of mini incision techniques are shorter recovery and return-to-work time. However, the risk of neurovascular injury still remains worrisome. We present a novel method to release the carpal tunnel by using nasal instruments. This novel technique combines the advantages of endoscopic and open techniques while utilizing standard instruments. The advantages, disadvantages and results of this technique are discussed. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty-five patients (15 male, 30 female, age 28-62; mean 48) with isolated carpal tunnel syndrome were enrolled to the study. Atotal of 55 wrists (bilateral in 7 cases, the right wrist in 41 and the left wrist in 14) underwent carpal tunnel decompression with a mini longitudinal incision technique. Grip strength--key pinch and sensorial evaluations were performed in all patients by one examiner using the Pressure-Specified Sensory Device. RESULTS Significant differences between the pre- and postoperative periods were observed in either grip strength or pinch strength (p<0.05). No recurrence or injury to the neurovascular structures was noted in the follow-up period. CONCLUSION The technique is simple and effective, employs inexpensive instruments, and has a low complication rate.