Mustafa Deveci

Measurement of orbital volume by a 3-dimensional software program: an experimental study.

PURPOSE This study reports a simple method with high accuracy for determining orbital volume from computed tomography (CT) scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS The volume of 20 orbits was evaluated in 20 dry skulls by use of a 3-dimensional software program in General Electric High-Speed Advantage CT/I (Milwaukee, WI), and compared with the volume obtained by direct measurement using the water displacement method. Accuracy of volume measurement by this software program was assessed statistically by paired samples t-test. RESULTS The mean volume was found to be 28.37 mL +/- 2.15 by direct impression and 28.41 mL +/- 2.09 by the software program. Volume difference between the 2 methods averaged 0.93 +/- 1.08 mL for each orbit (P < .01). The correlation between the techniques was found to be high (r = 0.887, P < .01). There was no significant volume discrepancy between the 2 methods. CONCLUSION Measurement by the technique described is an easy and accurate method of assessing the volume of the orbit.

Long-term outcomes of ultra-thin porous polyethylene implants used for reconstruction of orbital floor defects.

Purpose:The objective of this article is to present the long-term outcomes of ultra-thin polyethylene implants used for orbital floor reconstruction in facial trauma patients. Materials and Methods:From 1998 to 2004, 38 patients underwent orbital floor reconstruction with porous polyethylene implants with a mean follow-up of 4 years. A subciliary incision and preexisting facial wounds or scars were used. The boundaries of the maxillofacial injury and the orbital volumes of both orbits were assessed by computed tomography images obtained pre- and postoperatively. In all patients, ultra-thin porous polyethylene implants in various sizes were used to reconstruct the orbital floor defect. Results:None of the patients needed removal of the implants during the follow-up. The volume increase of the traumatized orbits ranged from 0.04 to 6.18 (average 3.12 ± 1.48) mL compared with the intact orbit (P < 0.01). This difference was not significant postoperatively (P > 0.01). Postoperative ectropion in three cases was corrected under local anesthesia. Persistence of complications were as follows: enophthalmos, 3 in 28; diplopia, 1 in 16; dystopia, 1 in 4; and infraorbital nerve hypoesthesia, 3 in 31. One patient underwent late enucleation of the globe because of initial penetrating trauma. Conclusions:We recommend the use of ultra-thin porous polyethylene implants in the reconstruction of the orbital floor defects in facial trauma patients. The implants are durable in the long-term and mimic the anatomy of the thin orbital floor and avoid the morbidity of autogenous bone grafts.

Effects of cerium nitrate bathing and prompt burn wound excision on IL-6 and TNF-α levels in burned rats

The physiopathological events following thermal injury are not limited to the surface effects of heat but are also related to acute inflammatory reactions. Both tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are important mediators of the acute and severe inflammatory reaction in thermal injury. Surgical manipulation of the burn wound is known to prevent excessive release of cytokines. Cerium nitrate--a rare earth element--has been reported to have a protective effect against postburn immunosuppression. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of burn wound debridement and treatment with cerium nitrate bathing on the serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in rats. Treatment by cerium nitrate bathing prevented the elevation of TNF-alpha levels in the early period after thermal injury. The experimental study showed, as in other studies, that high levels of IL-6 appear to inhibit TNF-alpha elevation. High levels of IL-6 and, as a result, relatively low levels of TNF-alpha in the early period of thermal injury may limit the severity of the inflammatory reaction, which is caused by TNF, the most potent inflammatory cytokine. Since similar levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were achieved by both cerium nitrate bathing and burn wound debridement, cerium nitrate may be considered as equivalent to prompt excision of burn eschar.

A retrospective analysis of 101 zygomatico-orbital fractures.

A 5-year review of 101 cases of zygomatico-orbital fractures is presented. The epidemiology, fracture patterns, treatment modalities, and complications were evaluated in this retrospective study. A majority of fractures were sustained by males and resulted from trauma inflicted during altercations and traffic accidents. The most common fracture pattern was tripod fracture and the most common associated facial fractures were mandibular fractures. Open reduction and rigid fixation was the most frequently employed treatment modality. Depending on the stability of reduced zygoma, one, two and three-point fixations were applied. Orbital floor exploration was performed in 41 cases. Ten out of 16 orbital floor bone defects required reconstruction. In these cases orbital floor was reconstructed with 1.5-mm porous polyethylene implant. Although we encountered a few complications related to the incisions for open reduction, the rate of complication in which correction was difficult (e.g. facial asymmetry) was lower with this approach when compared with the literature.

Accurate method for determining functional penile length in Turkish young men.

There are only a few reports that investigate the measurement of functional penile length and compare the methods used for this purpose. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the measurement techniques and to determine an appropriate method that correlates the erect state most closely. Measurements of penile length in 200 healthy men were made during three different states—flaccid, erect, and stretched—of the penis. The results were evaluated using descriptive statistics, paired t-test, correlation coefficients, and regression equations. The correlation between the flaccid and the erect lengths was 71.2%, and it was 80.2% between the stretched and the erect lengths (p < 0.01). Using regression equations, the degree of accuracy in estimating the erect length by using the stretched length was 65.3% (R2 = determination coefficient;p < 0.01) and was 50.8% by using the flaccid length (p < 0.01). When both the flaccid and the stretched lengths were considered together, the predictability of erect length was R2 = 65.5%. The results obtained using different statistical methods showed that the most accurate results can be obtained by considering stretched penile length, whereas flaccid length had little importance in determining erect penile length. In conclusion, the stretched penile length measurement technique is highly recommended for the accurate prediction of the erect penile length.

Evaluation of chitosan gel containing liposome-loaded epidermal growth factor on burn wound healing.

The objective of this study is to develop a chitosan gel formulation containing liposomes loaded with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and to evaluate their effects on the healing of second‐degree burn wounds in rats by immunohistochemical, histochemical and histological methods. EGF‐containing multilamellar liposomes which were carried in chitosan gel, EGF gel and EGF‐loaded liposome formulations were prepared. The in vivo experiments were performed on female Sprague Dawley rats. Second‐degree standard burn wounds were formed on rats and liposomes containing 10 µg/ml EGF in 2% chitosan gel, EGF‐chitosan gel and EGF‐loaded liposome formulations were applied daily to the burn wounds and biopsies were taken at the 3rd, 7th and 14th day of the treatment. When the results were evaluated immunohistochemically, there were significant increases in cell proliferation observed in the EGF‐containing liposome in chitosan gel (ELJ) formulation applied group (P < 0·001). The histochemical results showed that the epithelisation rate in the ELJ group was the highest compared with the other group results (P < 0·001). The histological results indicated and supported these findings and faster epithelisation was observed in the ELJ group compared with the other groups.

Versatility of the medial plantar flap: our clinical experience.

&NA; The medial plantar flap presents an ideal tissue reserve, particularly for the reconstruction of the plantar and palmar areas, which require a sensate and unique form of skin. In the past 5 years, the authors performed 16 free flaps, 10 locally pedicled flaps, and five cross‐leg flaps on 31 patients for the reconstruction of palmar and plantar defects. All flaps transferred to the palmar area survived, providing good color match and sufficient bulkiness. The overall results were satisfactory in terms of function and sensation, and no complications related to flap survival in the plantar area were observed. All flaps used to cover defects in the heel and ankle region adapted well to their recipient areas, and all lower extremities remained functional. Because the medial plantar flap presents glabrous, sensate skin with proper bulkiness and permits the movement of underlying structures, the authors advocate its use and view this procedure as an excellent alternative in the reconstruction of palmar and plantar weight‐bearing areas. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 109: 1007, 2002.)

Effect of VEGF gene therapy and hyaluronic acid film sheath on peripheral nerve regeneration.

Functional nerve regeneration after reconstructive nerve surgery remains unsatisfying. In this study, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene therapy combined with a hyaluronic acid (HA)‐enriched microenvironment in nerve regeneration was investigated. Sciatic nerve was transected, and end‐to‐end neurorrhaphy was performed on 32 male Sprague‐Dawley rats, which were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8 per group): nerve coaptation without treatment (group I); nerve coaptation covered with HA film sheath (group II); nerve coaptation with intramuscular VEGF gene in plasmid injection (group III); and nerve coaptation combined with HA film sheath and intramuscular VEGF gene in plasmid injection (group IV). Contralateral sciatic nerves were used as control. VEGF expression was verified from gluteal muscle biopsies surrounding the sciatic nerve by reverse transcriptase‐PCR. Electrophysiological, histopathological, and electron microscopic evaluations were performed after 4 weeks. Mean peak amplitude of groups I–IV and nonoperated sciatic nerve were 4.5 ± 0.6 mV, 6.4 ± 0.4 mV, 6.7 ± 0.5 mV, 8.5 ± 0.4 mV, and 9.8 ± 0.5 mV, respectively. Mean myelinated axonal counts of groups I–IV and nonoperated sciatic nerve were 105 ± 24, 165 ± 19, 181 ± 22, 271 ± 23, and 344 ± 17, respectively. Treatment with HA film sheath coverage combined with intramuscular VEGF gene in plasmid injection yielded statistically significant higher peak amplitudes and myelinated axonal counts (P < 0.001). In addition, significantly less scar formation with HA administration (groups II and IV; P < 0.001) was found. Thus, it was found that VEGF might crucially regulate nerve regeneration processes and that HA can reduce the scar formation. This study showed that the combination of HA film sheath and VEGF gene may synergistically promote peripheral nerve regeneration.

Vertical distraction osteogenesis of fibular bone flap in reconstructed mandible

Excellent functional and aesthetic results can be achieved in mandibular reconstructions with using free fibular bone flap. However, the vertical deficiency between the reconstructed segment and the occlusal plane made dental rehabilitation impossible in some cases. We encountered this problem in our 3 patients who had mandibular reconstruction with fibular flap due to extensive bone defect result from gunshot injury. To overcome this segmental vertical distraction of the reconstructed mandible was performed. Fibular bone segments (40–70 mm) were distracted with using extraoral distraction device after a latency period of 5–7 days. The rate of distraction was 1 mm/day, and the rhythm was 4 times (4 × 0.25 mm). Distraction was continued until the desired height was achieved, and the distractor left in place for 12 weeks for bony consolidation. No minor or major complications were encountered. The increase of vertical height was between 9 and 13 mm, and it was stable during the follow-up period (7–22 months). Following the vertical distraction and vestibuloplasty operations, the dental restoration of the patients was performed with mandibular removable partial dentures.

Treatment with cerium nitrate bathing modulate systemic leukocyte activation following burn injury: an experimental study in rat cremaster muscle flap

It is suggested that burn toxin known as lipid protein complex (LPC) stimulates phagocytic cells that cause the release of a variety of inflammatory mediators which induce the activation of leukocytes. It is reported that cerium nitrate (CN) might fix LPC in eschar tissue and prevent LPC from entering the circulation. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that prevention or modulation of LPC initiated cell activation by fixing LPC in eschar tissue with CN treatment, would reduce the number of activated leukocytes, which is an important indicator of inflammation, in rat cremaster muscle flap model. Twenty-eight animals were studied in four groups--group I (control), only cremaster muscle flap was dissected; group II (burn injury), burn injury was performed and flap was dissected; group III (saline); and group IV (CN), following burn injury rats treated with saline and CN, respectively, and than flaps were dissected. Blood vessels were observed in vivo under an intravital microscopy system and the number of rolling, sticking, and transmigrating leukocytes were measured in each group. Burn injury significantly increased the number of activated leukocytes (P<0.001). We observed that CN treatment significantly reduced the number of activated leukocytes following burn injury (P<0.001). In conclusion, we demonstrated that CN treatment significantly decreased the activation of leukocytes, which plays an important role in systemic inflammation. Decreased leukocyte activation is interpreted as prevention or modulation of systemic inflammatory response following burn injury.