Ismail Kucuker

The effect of learning curve on flap selection, re-exploration, and salvage rates in free flaps; A retrospective analysis of 155 cases.

The purpose of this study is to report our experience and learning curve in avoiding complications at both the recipient and donor sites as well in choosing the best flap for different anatomic locations. For this purpose 155 free flaps done between October 2005 and August 2012 were retrospectively examined. Patient demographics, flap types, etiology, re‐exploration indications, timing of the re‐explorations, and salvage rates were documented. In the first 60 cases, our re‐exploration rate was 26.7% (16 flaps), and the rate decreased to 15.0% for the second 60 flaps (9 flaps). In correlation with this decrease, in the last 35 cases, only three flaps were re‐explored (8.6%). This decrease in re‐exploration rates over time was statistically significant (P = 0.021). Re‐exploration rates for axial and perforator flaps were 14.6% and 22.7%, respectively. Salvage rates were 76.9% in axial flaps and 53.3% in perforator flaps. The total success rate for axial flaps was 95.5% and for perforator flaps was 89.4%. Besides, re‐exploration rates were higher with lower salvage rates in perforator flaps compared to axial flaps causing lower overall success rates in the former group. The mean time of re‐explorations was 21.4 hours. Salvage rates were significantly higher in re‐explorations done within the first 12 hours after the initial surgery than in re‐explorations done after 12 hours (83.3% vs. 47.3%) (P = 0.040). We can conclude that axial flaps have a steeper learning curve and are safer options for the inexperienced reconstructive micro‐surgeons until they have adequate experience with the perforator dissection.

Effects of different surgical techniques on cephalic index and intracranial volume in isolated bilateral coronal synostosis model.

Background Bilateral coronal synostosis (brachycephaly) is the most common single-suture synostosis that may lead to functional deficits such as mental retardation. This increases the importance of volume gain during surgery. This study was designed to understand the differences in volume gain, cranial index (CI), and aesthetic outcomes when additional osteotomies or rotations are applied on the frontoparietal segment. Methods Acrylic brachycephaly models were prepared. Frontoparietal osteotomy was standard in all models. Frontoparietal segment was fixed: to the same position in surgical control model, after 1.2-cm advancement in advancement model, after 180-degree rotation without advancement in rotation model, after 180-degree rotation plus a horizontal osteotomy and 1.2-cm advancement in rotation plus angled advancement model, and after a horizontal osteotomy without rotation and 1.2-cm advancement and in angled advancement model. Results Intracranial volume changes (in milliliters) and CIs were as follows between groups: control group, 828/94.1; surgical control group, 830/93.8; advancement model, 900/84.5; rotation model, 834/89.1; rotation plus angled advancement model, 897/82.7; angled advancement model, 902/81.8. Conclusions Advancement of the frontoparietal segment is the keystone of surgery in brachycephaly treatment. Making an additional horizontal osteotomy can angle this segment and may supply additional volume gain. Rotation of the frontoparietal segment does not provide additional volume or CI gain but increase better aesthetic outcomes.

Would you be a face transplant donor? A survey of the Turkish population about face allotransplantation.

AbstractWith the technical advancement in face allotransplantation, we decided to survey the Turkish population to gain perspective into their thoughts and reactions toward face transplantation. A questionnaire was given to 1000 volunteers, regarding data about demographics, educational status, religious, and behavioral preferences. Their attitudes about donating their faces, knowledge about the pros and cons of this procedure, and personal desire for face transplantation if needed were inquired.The results of the survey demonstrated that knowing more about the procedure increases its acceptance but even so, the majority would rather undergo multiple operations with self-tissues before getting a facial transplantation (FT). When the risks of immunosuppression were exposed, less people agreed to FT, thinking it was not worth the risks.The cultural, ethnical, religious, and social background of different societies may influence the way FT is perceived and accepted. As this procedure is thought to challenge many ethical, physiological, and social points of views, we believe that it is important for a surgical team to have insight into their population’s perception and general thoughts concerning the issue.

The Effect of Chemodenervation by Botulinum Neurotoxin on the Degradation of Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: An Experimental Study.

Background: Early degradation is a common complaint for hyaluronic acid fillers. Although the combination of hyaluronic acid fillers with botulinum neurotoxin type A presented improved clinical results, objective measurement of hyaluronic acid volumes has not been previously assessed. Methods: In this study, the authors have split the calvaria of the rabbit to mimic the glabellar region in humans. In this model, the authors applied hyaluronic acid alone to one side and hyaluronic acid combined with botulinum neurotoxin type A to the contralateral side. Two days and 3 months after the filler injection, magnetic resonance imaging was performed to assess the filler volumes. Results: Average initial volume of filler only and filler combined with botulinum neurotoxin type A was 0.61 cm3 on both sides, and there was no difference between initial volumes of the two sides (p = 0.735). At the end of 3 months, average degraded volumes of filler-only and filler combined with botulinum neurotoxin sides were 0.33 cm3 and 0.19 cm3, respectively, and the degradation difference was significant between the two groups (p = 0.001). End volumes for the filler-only and filler combined with botulinum neurotoxin sides were 0.28 cm3 and 0.42 cm3, respectively, and end volumes between two sides were also statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study showed that hyaluronic acid filler application in combination with botulinum neurotoxin type A significantly decreases the degradation process and increases the remaining volume of the hyaluronic acid fillers at the end of the paralyzed period.

The Effect of Epigallocatechin Gallate on Flap Viability of Rat Perforator Abdominal Flaps

Background Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a substance abundant in green tea. In this study, the effects of EGCG on perforator flap viability were investigated. Methods A total of 40 rats were assigned to four groups of 10 each. In each subject, a 4 × 6 cm abdominal skin flap was raised and adapted back onto its place. In the control group, no further procedures were taken. In the flap group, 40 mg/kg/d EGCG was injected into the flap. In the gavage group, 100 mg/kg/d EGCG was given through a feeding tube. In the intraperitoneal group, 50 mg/kg/d EGCG was injected intraperitoneally. On the 7th postoperative day, flaps were photographed and the viable areas were measured and compared via a one-way analysis of variance. Results The ratios of viable and contracted flap area were 9.15/12.01, 4.59/16.46, 11.56/11.20, and 11.65/10.77 cm(2) for the control, flap group, gavage group, and intraperitoneal group, respectively. While the flap group yielded the worst results in the sense of flap contraction and viability (p < 0.001), the gavage and intraperitoneal groups were significantly better than those of the control group (p = 0.03). Histologically, epidermal, papillary dermal, and capillary tissue volumes were evaluated. In comparison to the control group, the flap group yielded significantly increased epidermal and dermal volumes (p = 0.03), however, these values were significantly decreased (p = 0.04) in the gavage and intraperitoneal groups. Capillary volumes were significantly decreased in EGCG treatment groups (p < 0.01). Conclusion Our experiment has shown that oral and intraperitoneal administration of EGCG increases the perforator flap viability when compared with controls, while direct injection decreases the viability.

Our Treatment Approaches in Severe Maxillofacial Injuries Occurring After Failed Suicide Attempts Using Long-Barreled Guns.

AbstractMaxillofacial traumas with long-barreled guns may sometimes cause catastrophic results by means of smashing in facial structures. In these patients, reconstruction strategies of both fragmented/lost soft and hard tissues still remain controversial. In their clinic, the authors treated 5 patients with severely injured face after failed suicide attempt between 2008 and 2013. In this study, the authors aimed to present their clinical experiences on these severely injured maxillofacial gunshot traumas and offer a treatment algorithm to gain a result as possible as satisfactory in terms of functionality and appearance.

A propranolol nonresponsive mass: lymphangioma-mimicking hemangioma.

the surgeons understanding of the paranasal sinus anatomy and helpful in performing a more complete anatomic dissection. This helped to reduce intraoperative complications and provide better outcomes. Moreover, we found the navigation platform a valuable teaching tool in the residency training program in our institute. To conclude, the use of intraoperative navigation system is firmly established as a valuable technology in the management of paranasal sinus disease. It may improve the confidence of the surgeon by confirming the position within the challenging anatomic fields. This increases surgical effectiveness and improves surgical safety. The effect of navigation-aided endoscopic surgery on the clinical outcomes is to date not demonstrated.

Extended spreader graft placement before lateral nasal osteotomy.

The extended spreader graft technique in septorhinoplasty is presented. The procedure involves applying spreader grafts before lateral osteotomies to support the whole osteocartilaginous vault. This study enrolled 51 patients who had undergone open septorhinoplasty between January 2010 and March 2012. The dorsal width ratio (DWR) was calculated for each patient by dividing the keystone width score by the intercanthal width score. The preoperative DWR scores classified 32 of the 51 noses as normal, six noses as narrow, and 13 noses as wide. All the patients with a nose classified as narrow preoperatively had a nose with a normal width postoperatively. All but one patient who had a normal preoperative DWR score also had a normal DWR score postoperatively. Of the 13 patients who had a wide nose preoperatively, seven were classified in the normal-width group postoperatively. Although the remaining six patients had a positive DWR score change (DWR closer to 0.50), they still were in the wide-nose group postoperatively. All but three patients were satisfied with their cosmetic and aesthetic results. Inverted-V or open-roof deformities were not observed. For all 18 patients in the normal nasal width group preoperatively (18/32), the nasal dorsum seemed wide after lateral osteotomies due to the spacing effect of the graft. As a result of medializing the bones, the caudal end of the graft became palpable. Although the graft position was checked perioperatively, at the postoperative 6-month follow-up assessment, three patients had palpable cartilages in the keystone area, one of which needed a surgical revision. Extended spreader grafts applied before lateral nasal osteotomies can support the entire nasal dorsum, including the bony vault. This spacing effect could be highly advantageous for both narrow and wide noses. In narrow noses, these grafts prevent further narrowing of the osteocartilaginous vault and support the dorsal aesthetic lines. In wide noses, extended spreader grafts fill the bone gap before lateral osteotomy and help to prevent open-roof deformity. In addition, fixing the upper lateral cartilages before lateral osteotomies might further prevent bone collapses, even after premature fractures. In normal-width noses, after completion of the lateral osteotomies, the bone gap usually does not persist, and nasal bones push the cranial end of the spreader graft dorsally. Therefore, in normal-width noses, extending the graft along the bony gap is not necessary, and the use of extended spreader grafts is not preferred.Level of Evidence IVThis journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Auto-Rim Flap Technique for Lateral Crura Caudal Excess Treatment

Background There are many variables that influence nose tip harmony. Even in a rhinoplasty that appears successful in profile, one may see nostril asymmetries, alar retractions, or irregularities in the soft triangle, and patients express their dissatisfaction with these simple deformities. Objectives In this study, we define the ratio of caudal and cephalic excess of the lower lateral cartilage. We evaluate whether it is possible to eliminate nostril asymmetries and alar retractions by means of supporting the facet polygon with the help of a lower lateral cartilage auto-rim flap, a technique we have developed in our rhinoplasties. Methods The auto-rim flap was used successively on 498 primary rhinoplasty patients on whom the same surgeon operated between May 2013 and June 2015, performing marginal incisions. Results Of the 498 patients in the series, only 1 of the first 10 required a revision due to tip asymmetry related to the auto-rim flap. A minimal nostril asymmetry that did not require intervention occurred in 10 patients. In none of the patients could an increased alar retraction be seen postoperatively. All patients exhibited alar cartilage in the anatomically correct position. Conclusions With the auto-rim flap technique, a part of the caudal excess of the alar cartilage remains as a flap in the facet region; therefore, there is no need in the cephalic region to perform more of an excision than what is strictly necessary. Level of Evidence 4 Therapeutic

Accordion-style pedicle suspension in inferocentral pedicled mammoplasty

Abstract Objective: In breast reduction surgery, while the primary objective may appear to be decreasing the breast volume, the ultimate goal is to achieve symmetrical, appealing, and sustainable breast cosmesis. To circumvent late-term ptosis following inferior pedicle mammoplasty, methods such as pedicle suspension to the ribs, support with dermal flaps and grafts, and the use of some alloplastic materials have been proposed. This paper presents a method of folding and fixing the inferocentral pedicle on itself and the underlying pectoral fascia. Methods: Inferocentral pedicled, inverted T-scar reduction mammoplasties were performed on 50 patients from June 2009 to June 2014. The inferocentral pedicle, which was kept narrow and long, instead of the conventional inferior-based pyramidal design, was folded over its de-epithelialised surfaces in an accordion fashion and sutured. The confection was then sutured to the pectoral fascia by its lateral and superior borders for long-term preservation of breast moulding. Results: In inferocentral breast reduction, the quest for a method that achieves appealing and lasting pyramidal breast shape continues. Conclusions: This technique is regarded as a simple and effective method for achieving good short- and long-term results for patients being considered for moderate and advanced breast reduction.