Murat Sinan Engin

Finger pulp reconstruction with free dorsoulnar artery perforator (DUAP) flap.

Finger pulp is a common site for hand injuries, and pulp reconstruction is significantly important for optimal handling and sensation. Ideal substitute must provide matching texture, tenacity, and slim subcutaneous fat. This article presents six cases in which fingertip and finger pulp reconstruction were performed via free dorsoulnar artery perforator (DUAP) flap. All flaps survived and all patients healed uneventfully without any complications by the end of at least 3 months follow-up. Free DUAP flap has proved to be a suitable substitute for pulp reconstruction with its thin structure, minimally morbid donor site which is also close to the trauma zone, and possibility for neurotization. It can be especially favorable when splitting the surgical team for a glabrous flap harvest from the foot is not possible.

Reconstruction of Extensive Orbital Exenteration Defects Using an Anterolateral Thigh/Vastus Lateralis Chimeric Flap

Abstract Neglected malignant tumors within the orbital region can invade the eyeball, extraocular muscles, and bone substance surrounding the eye. Such patients require orbital exenteration, which may involve extraocular skeletal structures (even exposing paranasal sinuses), resulting in 3-dimensional defects requiring reconstruction. This study presents our experience with anterolateral thigh vastus lateralis (ALT/VL) chimeric free flaps for the reconstruction of extensive orbital exenteration defects involving various paranasal sinuses. Between 2012 and 2016, 4 patients with extensive 3-dimensional orbital defects with sinus involvement were treated using the ALT/VL chimeric flap. The ALT component (117–170 cm2) was used to resurface the cutaneous defect while the VL component (105–243 cm3) was used to obliterate the cavitary defect. The flaps were all based on the common descending pedicle, and branches to separate components were individually dissected. Recipient vessels were in the neck region, to which the donor pedicles were passed through a tunnel for anastomosis. All cavitary and surface defects were simultaneously reconstructed via the ALT/VL chimeric flap. Within an average of 17 months, no complications associated with flap surgery were observed. One patient received postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy with no complications. With its separate components supplied by a common vascular pedicle, the ALT/VL chimeric free flap allows the surgeon to conveniently reconstruct separate spatial and volumetric defects resulting from extensive orbital exenteration.Neglected malignant tumors within the orbital region can invade the eyeball, extraocular muscles, and bone substance surrounding the eye. Such patients require orbital exenteration, which may involve extraocular skeletal structures (even exposing paranasal sinuses), resulting in 3-dimensional defects requiring reconstruction. This study presents our experience with anterolateral thigh vastus lateralis (ALT/VL) chimeric free flaps for the reconstruction of extensive orbital exenteration defects involving various paranasal sinuses.Between 2012 and 2016, 4 patients with extensive 3-dimensional orbital defects with sinus involvement were treated using the ALT/VL chimeric flap. The ALT component (117-170 cm) was used to resurface the cutaneous defect while the VL component (105-243 cm) was used to obliterate the cavitary defect. The flaps were all based on the common descending pedicle, and branches to separate components were individually dissected. Recipient vessels were in the neck region, to which the donor pedicles were passed through a tunnel for anastomosis.All cavitary and surface defects were simultaneously reconstructed via the ALT/VL chimeric flap. Within an average of 17 months, no complications associated with flap surgery were observed. One patient received postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy with no complications. With its separate components supplied by a common vascular pedicle, the ALT/VL chimeric free flap allows the surgeon to conveniently reconstruct separate spatial and volumetric defects resulting from extensive orbital exenteration.

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.

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.

A Rare Complication of Rhinoplasty: Periorbital Emphysema

Subcutaneous emphysema is a clinical entity that may be associated with trauma. Rhinoplasty is not an atraumatic procedure. This report presents a case of acute periorbital emphysema after cosmetic rhinoplasty.Level of Evidence VThis 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.

Caudal Septal Support Versus Strut Graft in Achieving the Desired Lateral Profile in Rhinoplasty

Abstract Nasal tip support is critical to achieve a lasting result in rhinoplasty. In this article, the authors compared the effects of strut grafts (SG) and caudal septum-based nasal tip supporting techniques (CSB-T) in terms of reaching the desired tip projection. Included in this study were 40 patients (24 women and 16 men) who underwent primary open rhinoplasty via transcolumellar incision between January and June 2012. To achieve a good nasal projection, SG and CSB-T were used for 15 and 25 of these patients, respectively. Certain anatomic landmarks were identified on preoperative, simulative, and 1-year follow-up photos. With these landmarks, certain angular and proportional values were calculated. In the SG, the authors found no statistically significant difference in between simulative goals and postoperative results regarding bending angle. Postoperative nasolabial angle (NLA), tip angle, subnasal-tip/subnasal-radix (SnT/SnR) ratios were significantly lower than the simulation values; radix angle and supratip index values were significantly higher. In the CSB-T group, the authors found no statistically significant difference in between preoperative values and postoperative results regarding NLA, tip angle, bending angle, (SnT/SnR) ratio values. Postoperative supratip index and radix angle measurements were found to be significantly higher than the simulation values. With these findings, the authors concluded that CSB-T support is superior than the SG for supporting the nasal tip in noses that also need shortening in caudal length. In noses that do not need caudal shortening, nasal tip projection can again be supported by the caudal septum by just forming a bridge between lower lateral cartilage and quadrangular septum using a wider SG that mimics septal extension grafts.

Assessing the Expectations of Patients Demanding Rhinoplasty on Profile Photographs using Proportional Measurements and Simulation Programs

Material and Methods: Overall, 100 patients (60 women, 40 men) demanding rhinoplasty between January and December 2013 were included in this study. Standard profile photos were taken. Rhinoplasty and extra profile surgeries were simulated in those photos with both patient and surgeon decisions. These simulated photos were assumed as the desired profile view. In those photos, some angles or measurements were calculated to understand the desired proportions on the profile view. Then, these desired proportions were compared with the universal ideal proportions to understand the needs of extra profile surgeries in those patients.

Comparison of the effects of different vasoactive and antiplatelet drugs on perforator flap viability. An experimental study.

Perforator flaps are very popular in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects. As these flaps generally depend on a single perforator, drugs that increase the perfusion of the flap and/or prevent vascular complications may increase flap survival. In this study, we compared the effects of systemically administered hydralazine (arterial vasodilator via potassium channels), nifedipine (arterial vasodilator via calcium channels), piracetam (antiplatelet and regulator of microcirculation) and alprostadil (vasodilator, antiplatelet, rheological and cytoprotective) on flap survival in a rat epigastric artery perforator flap model. The percentage of necrosis was measured on each flap and evaluated using one-way analysis of variance (Anova). Histopathological analyses were also performed. Mean flap survival area was 3.85 cm(2) in the control group. Mean flap survival area was 4.88 cm(2) in the nifedipine group, 4.69 cm(2) in the hydralazine group, 10.55 cm(2) in the piracetam group and 11.3 cm(2) in the alprostadil group. When compared with the control group, all drugs except hydralazine improved flap survival; piracetam and alprostadil yielded significantly better results than nifedipine. Only the alprostadil group showed signs of improved vascularity in the histological analysis. As far as perforator flap survival is concerned, drugs that regulate the microcirculation by a combination of different antiaggregation mechanisms appear more beneficial than single action vasodilators. Alprostadil, a synthetic PGE-1 analogue, has combined antiplatelet and vasoactive effects that further increase flap survival.

Heterotopic Transarticular Replantation: A Functional Reconstruction Design for a Mutilated Hand with Multiple Digit Involvement

Case:A patient sustained a high-energy trauma that resulted in amputation of the middle and ring fingers, along with injuries to the thumb and the index finger. The amputations were not clean; therefore, heterotopic replantation of the best amputated part of the finger to the most functional stump was undertaken. Transarticular replantation was done at the level of the proximal interphalangeal joint without osseous fixation. Early active motion was initiated the next day. The replanted finger had excellent function. Conclusion:Whenever possible, designing a heterotopic transarticular replantation can minimize the functional drawbacks resulting from the prolonged immobilization often associated with fracture fixation.