Huseyin Karagoz

Comparison of efficacy of silicone gel, silicone gel sheeting, and topical onion extract including heparin and allantoin for the treatment of postburn hypertrophic scars

We compared the efficacy of silicone gel (Scarfade), silicone gel sheet (Epi-Derm), and topical onion extract including heparin and allantoin (Contractubex) for the treatment of hypertrophic scars. Forty-five postburn scars were included in the study. Patients with scars less than 6 months from injury were assigned at random to three groups each containing 15 scars, and their treatment was continued for 6 months. Scars were treated with Scarfade, Epiderm and Contractubex. Scar assessment was performed at the beginning of the treatment, and at the end of the sixth month when the treatment was completed by using the Vancouver scar scale. The difference between before and after treatment scores for each three groups was statistically significant. The difference between Scarfade group and Epi-Derm group was not significant; however, the differences of the other groups (Scarfade-Contractubex, Epiderm-Contractubex) were significant. Silicone products, either in gel or sheet, are superior to Contractubex in the treatment of the hypertrophic scar. The therapist should select the most appropriate agent according to the patients need and guidelines of these signs.

Early and Late Results of Nerve Decompression Procedures in Diabetic Neuropathy: A Series from Turkiye

We researched the effect of nerve decompression procedures on diabetic neuropathy cases just in the following day after surgery as well as later, at 6 months. Twenty-four patients with diabetic neuropathy who underwent surgical decompression were entered into this study. The common peroneal, the posterior tibial, and the deep peroneal nerves were decompressed. Visual analog scale was used for management of the pain. Patients were screened with neurosensory testing by using a Pressure-Specified Sensory Device. Preoperative values as well as values on the postoperative first day and 6 months postoperatively were compared. We found pain relief rate to be 80% at postoperative first day and 85% at 6 months postoperatively. Mean two-point discrimination length improvement rates were found to be 72.6% at postoperative first day and 89% at 6 months postoperatively, which mean excellent and good improvement. We concluded that peripheral nerve decompression can be used effectively in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy patients.

Carbon Dioxide Laser Therapy for an Inflammatory Linear Verrucous Epidermal Nevus: A Case Report

The treatment of an inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus (ILVEN), an uncommon type of epidermal nevus, is still controversial. The use of laser therapy is a recently reported method. Although various results have been reported with the use of the laser in the treatment epidermal nevis, the authors have not seen any report on the use of the carbon dioxide laser in ILVEN treatment. They present case of ILVEN treated with the carbon dioxide laser. All symptoms (erythema, excoriation, granulation, and pruritus) disappeared. Instead, a pale pigmentation was seen.

Effort-related compression of median and ulnar nerves as a result of reversed three-headed and hypertrophied palmaris longus muscle with extension of Guyon's canal

We explored a swelling on the anterior surface of the right distal forearm of a 21-year-old right-handed male soldier and effort-induced symptoms of median and ulnar nerve compression that showed a reversed, three-headed and hypertrophied palmaris longus muscle with extension of Guyons canal.

Flap choices to treat complex severe postburn hand contracture.

Many regions of the hand are affected seriously in the patients with complex severe postburn hand contractures. Multiple flap choices should be in count to treat complex severe postburn hand contractures affectively. We preferred dorsal ulnar flap for palmar region, cross-finger flap, side finger flap, and combined use of both for flexion contracture of the fingers, and rhomboid flap for web contractures. Eight patients having complex severe postburn hand contractures were treated between November 2001 and February 2005. The maximum improvements of the joint extensions were 75 degrees for median of digits metacarpophalangeal joint and 105 degrees for proximal interphalangeal joint. Grasp function of the hand dramatically improved, and the bulk of the flap did not interfere grasping. Complex severe postburn hand contracture can be treated sufficiently with dorsal ulnar flap, combined use of cross-finger and side finger transposition flap, and rhomboid flap.

Treatment of severely contracted fingers with combined use of cross-finger and side finger transposition flaps.

Background: In the present study, the authors combined use of the cross-finger flap and the side-finger transposition flap to cover the skin and soft-tissue defect created by contracture release of severely contracted fingers. Methods: Eight patients having Stern type III flexion contractures of the proximal interphalangeal joints were included. The cause of injury was burn in six patients and trauma in two patients. The average follow-up period was 11.6 months. Results: All operations were successful. Lack of extension of the proximal interphalangeal joint was improved by approximately 81.2 degrees for all digits. Conclusion: Stern type III contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint can be released by transverse incision and ample resection of scarred tissue, and the resulting palmar skin defect that cannot be covered by using the fingers own flaps or cross-finger flap can be covered by combined use of cross-finger and side-finger transposition flaps.

Vascular endothelial growth factor-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres-induced lateral axonal sprouting into the vein graft bridging two healthy nerves: nerve graft prefabrication using controlled release system.

The most commonly used surgical technique for repairing segmental nerve defects is autogenous nerve grafting; however, this method causes donor site morbidity. In this study, we sought to produce prefabricated nerve grafts that can serve as a conduit instead of autologous nerve using a controlled release system created with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐loaded poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres. The study was performed in vitro and in vivo. For the in vitro studies, VEGF‐loaded PLGA microspheres were prepared. Thirty rats were used for the in vivo studies. Vein grafts were sutured between the tibial and peroneal nerves in all animals. Three groups were created, and an epineural window, partial incision, and microsphere application were performed, respectively. Walking track analysis, morphologic, and electron microscopic assessment were performed at the end of the eight weeks. Microspheres were produced in spherical shapes as required. Controlled release of VEGF was achieved during a 30‐days period. Although signs of nerve injury occurred initially in the partial incision groups according to the indexes of peroneal and tibial function, it improved gradually. The index values were not affected in the other groups. There were many myelinated fibers with large diameters in the partial incision and controlled release groups, while a few myelinated fibers that passed through vein graft in the epineural window group. Thereby, prefabrication was carried out for the second and third groups. It was demonstrated that nerve graft can be prefabricated by the controlled delivery of VEGF.

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the delay procedure.

Background: This study evaluates the possibility of enhancing the beneficial effect of the delay procedure by using hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and the possibility of lessening the time required for maximal effect of delay procedure. Methods: Eight male Wistar rats were used in each of 10 groups. The surgical delay method was applied to the caudally based dorsal rat flap by incising the longitudinal borders and undermining the flap. In the first five groups, 3-, 7-, 10-, 14-, and 21-day delay periods were applied, and in the other five groups, hyperbaric oxygen therapy was applied during the delay periods. Blood circulation was measured with a laser Doppler flowmeter, and flap survival lengths were recorded. Histological analysis for vascular counting and determining vascular areas and microangiographic analysis for monitoring vascular status were performed. Results: In addition to the flap viabilities being increased, the maximum effect of the delay procedure could be achieved earlier with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Blood circulation in the flaps, vascular counts, and vascular areas were increased by applying hyperbaric oxygen during the delay period. Microangiographic results confirmed the beneficial effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Conclusions: Hyperbaric oxygen treatment during the delay period can lessen the time period needed for the delay procedure and increase the effect of the delay itself.

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.

Orthognathic surgical planning on three-dimensional stereolithographic biomodel.

The aim of this report was to present the orthognathic surgical planning of a patient with maxillary retrusion, mandibular prognathism, and midline shift on a three-dimensional stereolithographic biomodel.A patient who complained about facial deformity and difficulty in chewing was referred to our department. After a short-term presurgical orthodontic treatment, Le Fort I osteotomy and bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy were performed. Triangular axial gaps occurred anteriorly and posteriorly between the proximal and distal segments of the osteotomized mandible. These gaps were filled with bone grafts in accordance with templates that were constructed on a three-dimensional stereolithographic biomodel.Rotational movement of the distal mandibular segment around the y axis caused axial triangular gapping between the proximal and distal mandibular segments. In the presented case, orthognathic surgical planning was performed on the three-dimensional solid models, and templates were reconstructed according to these gaps. These templates were used to determine the size of the bone grafts during the surgical approach. The patient was diagnosed with lateral cephalometric and posteroanterior cephalometric analysis in postretention for 2 years, and it was determined that long-term results were perfect and skeletal relapse did not occur after 2.5 years of surgery.Movement at the site of the osteotomy is usually the main cause of relapse after orthognathic surgery. In the presented case, a three-dimensional stereolithographic biomodel was used to plan the orthognathic surgery and to reconstruct the templates to determine the size and shape of the bone grafts. Using bone grafts established close contact between proximal and distal osteotomized bone segments, enhanced bone healing, and diminished relapse risk.