Masatoshi Horiguchi

The Medial Plantar Flap Vascularized by the Reverse Flow Lateral Plantar Artery: A Novel Variation through the Case of Aggressive Digital Papillary Adenocarcinoma of the Sole

Aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinoma (ADPA) is a rare neoplasm of eccrine sweat gland origin that typically presents as a mass on the distal extremities. It is associated with high rates of local recurrence and distal metastasis. Presented here is the case of a 61-year-old male who developed ADPA on his distal sole just above the head of the first metatarsal bone. Wide excision of the tumor involving a 3-cm skin margin from previous surgical scar of biopsy was performed, and sentinel lymph node biopsies were taken from the popliteal fossa and inguinal regions. During this wide excision surgery, the pedicle for the reverse medial plantar flap had to be removed along with the tumor. Reconstructive surgery was performed with a medial plantar flap that was vascularized with a lateral plantar artery in a reverse fashion. This flap successfully covered the defect and the patient can walk without any problems. However, the pedicle crossed the donor site somewhat tightly and the flap became congested for a while. Therefore, it is important to ensure careful handling of the donor site when performing this procedure.

The availability of perifascial areolar tissue graft for deep cutaneous ulcer coverage

Soft tissue defects or skin ulcers associated with tendon or bone exposure located distally on the extremities are always difficult to treat. The introduction of the vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) and dermal templates has led to major changes in ulcer treatment strategies. However, it is necessary to find an alternative method to treat these defects when VAC is not available. Perifascial areolar tissue (PAT) is the loose connective tissue on the deep fascia that could be a candidate for repairing soft tissue defects or skin ulcers. Grafting PAT on the exposed bone or tendon, including a wide coverage of well-vascularized tissue surrounding the granulation tissue, can prepare the wound to be subsequently closed by a skin graft. In this study, the PAT was used in various situations and its optimal usage and outcomes were evaluated. A total of 13 PAT grafts were performed and were especially useful for covering narrow ulcers with narrow tendon exposure and filling fistula areas. In comparison to other cases, covering the exposed cortical bone ulcers seemed to be more difficult to perform. However, an option for these ulcers could be the exposure of bone marrow and usage of intraosseous blood flow. It was also possible for the simultaneous engraftment of PAT and skin in narrow areas and could be an alternative in cases of small concave ulcers or fistulae. The PAT graft is a simple and minimally invasive procedure that can be a good alternative when VAC is not available.

Conservative Treatment of Large Aplasia Cutis Congenita of the Scalp With Bone Defect With Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Application

The object of this report is to share our experience of conservative management of giant aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) of the scalp with the topical application of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Complete epithelialization of the 9 × 8 cm sized defect was achieved in 33 weeks. Careful conservative management could eliminate the requirement of surgery for giant ACC defects of the scalp with bone defects and should be tried if surgery is thought to be risky or has consecutive morbidity. Topical bFGF application seems to accelerate healing, also providing a better epithelium for later reconstructive treatments and its usage could be standardized in the future.

The Rapid Development of Squamous Cell Carcinoma on the Nasal Dorsum of a Patient Receiving Immunosuppressive Therapy.

Abstract The risk of cancer is significantly increased in patients undergoing renal transplant surgery than in the general population. In particular, skin cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in these patients. A 34-year-old man underwent living renal transplantation for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. After 18 months, he developed a lesion on the nasal dorsum, approximately 1 cm in size, and the lesion rapidly expanded to cover the entire dorsum. Owing to its rapid expansion, the lesion was suspected to be a malignant tumor and wide excision was planned. We removed the lesion with a 6-mm margin. Squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed through intraoperative rapid pathological examination. The nasal bone and septum were invaded by the tumor and, as a result, the entire external nose was removed. The patients nose was subsequently reconstructed using a free forearm flap for lining, iliac bone graft for the nasal frame, and a scalping forehead flap for skin coverage. Selective target radiotherapy was administered at the closest margin around the lesion, and the dosage of immunosuppressants was reduced. At >2 years postoperatively, the patient showed good cosmetic results with no relapse or metastasis of the tumor. We report the unusual case of a young man who developed a rapidly progressing squamous cell carcinoma on his nasal dorsum after 18 months of immunosuppression. Squamous cell carcinoma in organ transplant recipients may be more aggressive and may progress differently than in regular patients. Therefore, special attention is required for patients who take immunosuppressive drugs after renal transplant surgery.The risk of cancer is significantly increased in patients undergoing renal transplant surgery than in the general population. In particular, skin cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in these patients.A 34-year-old man underwent living renal transplantation for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. After 18 months, he developed a lesion on the nasal dorsum, approximately 1 cm in size, and the lesion rapidly expanded to cover the entire dorsum.Owing to its rapid expansion, the lesion was suspected to be a malignant tumor and wide excision was planned.We removed the lesion with a 6-mm margin. Squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed through intraoperative rapid pathological examination. The nasal bone and septum were invaded by the tumor and, as a result, the entire external nose was removed. The patients nose was subsequently reconstructed using a free forearm flap for lining, iliac bone graft for the nasal frame, and a scalping forehead flap for skin coverage.Selective target radiotherapy was administered at the closest margin around the lesion, and the dosage of immunosuppressants was reduced.At >2 years postoperatively, the patient showed good cosmetic results with no relapse or metastasis of the tumor.We report the unusual case of a young man who developed a rapidly progressing squamous cell carcinoma on his nasal dorsum after 18 months of immunosuppression. Squamous cell carcinoma in organ transplant recipients may be more aggressive and may progress differently than in regular patients. Therefore, special attention is required for patients who take immunosuppressive drugs after renal transplant surgery.

A preclinical study testing “Focused multiple laser beams,” a new concept of irradiation with the 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser for skin rejuvenation

ABSTRACT Introduction: In order to avoid epidermal heat damage, we developed a novel irradiation method termed “Focused multiple laser beams (FMLB),” which allows long-pulse neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser beams to be irradiated from several directions in a concentric fashion followed by focusing into the dermis without epidermal damage. This study aimed to assess whether FMLB achieves the desired dermal improvement without epidermal damage. Materials and methods: The dorsal skin of New Zealand White rabbits was irradiated with FMLB. Macroscopic and histological analyses were performed after 1 hour and 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. Real-time PCR analysis of type I and III collagen expression was performed at two and four weeks. Results: Control groups exhibited skin ulcers which were healed with scar formation whereas FMLB groups remained intact macroscopically. Histologically, FMLB group showed increase in dermal thickness at four weeks while the epidermis remained intact. Real-time PCR demonstrated that both type I and III collagen increased at two weeks but decreased at four weeks. Conclusions: FMLB can deliver the target laser energy to the dermis without significantly affecting the epidermis.

Microvascular Reconstruction of Free Jejunal Graft in Larynx-preserving Esophagectomy for Cervical Esophageal Carcinoma.

Background: Losing the ability to speak severely affects the quality of life, and patients who have undergone laryngectomy tend to become depressed, which may lead to social withdrawal. Recently, with advancements in chemoradiotherapy and with alternative perspectives on postoperative quality of life, larynx preservation has been pursued; however, the selection of candidates and the optimal reconstructive procedure remain controversial. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed our experience with free jejunal graft for larynx-preserving cervical esophagectomy (LPCE), focusing on microvascular reconstruction. Methods: Seven patients underwent LPCE for cervical esophageal carcinoma, and defects were reconstructed by free jejunal transfer subsequently. We collected preoperative and postoperative data of the patients and assessed the importance of the procedure. Results: We mostly used the transverse cervical artery as the recipient, and a longer operative time was required, particularly for the regrowth cases. The operative field for microvascular anastomosis was more limited and deeper than those in the laryngectomy cases. Two graft necrosis cases were confirmed at postoperative day 9 or 15, and vessels contralateral from the graft were chosen as recipients in both patients. Conclusions: Microvascular reconstruction for free jejunal graft in LPCE differed in several ways from the procedure combined with laryngectomy. Compression from the tracheal cartilage to the pedicle was suspected as the reason of the necrosis clinically and pathologically. Therefore, we should select recipient vessels from the ipsilateral side of the graft, and careful and extended monitoring of the flap should be considered to make this procedure successful.

Conjunctival Squamous Cell Carcinoma due to Long-term Placement of Ocular Prosthesis.

Summary: Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising from an anophthalmic socket is quite rare, with few reports in the English literature. A 59-year-old man who had used an ocular prosthesis for 40 years had not removed the ocular prosthesis at all during the last 5 years. He had developed a mass on his entire right upper eyelid, and biopsy revealed a moderately differentiated SCC. Orbital exenteration including the upper and lower eyelid skin was performed. The defect was reconstructed with a free forearm flap followed by the placement of a facial epithesis. The pathology revealed an intraepithelial carcinoma on the upper palpebral conjunctiva, which seemed to infiltrate exclusively from that site to the upper eyelid and into the orbit. Other risk factors were not detected; therefore, chronic irritation or microtrauma of the upper conjunctiva from the prosthesis due to persistent prosthesis placement could have been the main trigger for the development of SCC. In cases where the ocular prosthesis is not fitted properly or removed appropriately, clinicians should be aware of this possible long-term consequence.

Cylinder syringe suction: a simple and efficient technique for the evacuation of subcutaneous hematoma.

BackgroundSubcutaneous hematoma is commonly caused by trauma or surgery. Proper treatment of the condition is needed to avoid severe complications. The present paper introduces a simple technique of hematoma evacuation, called cylinder syringe suction (CSS). Experiments were also performed to determine the detailed mechanism underlying its effectiveness. MethodsThe CSS procedure was performed as follows. A cylindrical plastic cylinder syringe was used. Either a few stitches were removed or a very small incision was made on the site of the hematoma. The edge of the syringe was compressed to the skin, which was covered by a thin hydrocolloid dressing. Vacuum aspiration was enforced at the site of the wound or incision, and the hematoma was gradually aspirated.For the experiment, house rabbits were used. Hematoma evacuation was performed in 4 different ways, including needle aspiration alone (group 1), needle puncture followed by CSS (group 2), and creation of a small wound (5 mm) followed by needle aspiration (group 3) or CSS (group 4). The amount of evacuated hematoma and the suction pressure created by each of the 4 methods were compared. ResultsGroup 4 showed the highest suction pressure and the greatest evacuated amount of hematoma. High suction pressure was also obtained in group 1; however, the amount of evacuated hematoma was small as the other 2 groups. ConclusionThe CSS technique becomes effective mainly by creating high suction pressure, and the opening of a small wound enables the viscous coagula to pass through the skin.