Satoshi Yurugi

Experience with surgical treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa.

The authors report their experience with 23 sites of hidradenitis suppurativa, including cases with musculocutaneous flap repair, and discuss the surgical methods applied. Twenty-three sites in 19 patients with chronic inflammatory skin lesions were reviewed. The lesions were divided into two groups: The limited group was comprised of mild lesions, which appear isolated and have limited abscesses without sinus tract formations. The severe group was compromised of severe lesions, which included diffuse, multiple abscesses with severe sinus tract formation and fibrosis. Nine sites were limited and 14 sites were severe. After resecting the lesion, the defect was covered with a split-thickness skin graft (four sites were limited, nine sites severe), a musculocutaneous flap (five sites severe), primary closure (four sites limited), and a local skin flap (one site limited). In six sites in 6 severe-group patients, local recurrence occurred. The local recurrence rate differed significantly between the limited and the severe groups. The reason for this may be because the lesions in the limited group could be resected completely, whereas the lesions in the severe group were diffuse and total resection was sometimes difficult for various reasons. The method of surgical repair did not affect the local recurrence rate. In recurrent cases, four sites treated with skin grafting required further surgical treatment, and two sites treated with musculocutaneous flaps were controlled with oral antibiotics. In conclusion, sufficient resection of the lesion is the most important issue in treating follicular occlusion triad disease. In lesions that can be resected completely, the surgical procedure to cover the lesions should be selected to suit the size and site of the defect. However, in cases that cannot be resected completely, a musculocutaneous flap is recommended instead of a skin graft for enhanced postoperative management of the recurring wound, and its contribution to aesthetic and functional improvement.

Difference of Molecular Response to Ischemia???Reperfusion of Rat Skeletal Muscle as a Function of Ischemic Time: Study of the Expression of p53, p21WAF-1, Bax Protein, and Apoptosis

The authors investigated the expression of p53, p21WAF-1, Bax protein, and apoptosis to elucidate the cellular response to ischemia–reperfusion of skeletal muscle using the rat lower limb model. The rat left lower limb was dissected in the inguinal region, isolating the bony femoral muscles, and the femoral vessels were clamped to produce an ischemic condition. After 3 or 6 hours, the clamps were removed and the gastrocnemius muscle was resected at various times up to 72 hours after reperfusion. Five specimens of the muscle were obtained at each time point from 5 rats. When any rat died during the study, additional rats were used until 5 specimens could be obtained from 5 rats at each time point. The expression of three proteins was detected by Western blot analysis. The apoptotic cells were detected using terminal deoxytransferase-mediated dUDP (deoxyuridine[-5′]diphosphate) nick-end labeling assay. Histopathological study showed severe interstitial edema and leukocyte infiltration at 6 hours of ischemia compared with 3 hours of ischemia. Moreover, at 6 hours of ischemia, muscle fiber fragmentation was observed at 72 hours after reperfusion whereas no fragmentation was found at 3 hours of ischemia. At 3 hours of ischemia, p53 and p21WAF-1 accumulated after reperfusion, and there was a time lag in the time of onset of elevation and the peak time point between these two proteins. The level of Bax protein did not elevate and the rate of apoptotic cells did not increase. At 6 hours of ischemia, p53 and p21WAF-1 also accumulated, but the kinetics of p21WAF-1 were similar to that of p53 in the time of onset of elevation and the peak time point after reperfusion. In addition, the level of Bax protein increased and apoptosis was induced. These results demonstrated that p53 and p21WAF-1 accumulated after 3 and 6 hours of ischemia of skeletal muscle during reperfusion. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the kinetics of induced p53, p21WAF-1, and Bax protein differ between 3 hours and 6 hours of ischemia, and it is speculated that this difference plays an important role in determining the consequence of the cell exposed to ischemia.

Mortality and Recurrence Rate After Pressure Ulcer Operation for Elderly Long-term Bedridden Patients

We operated on 16 sacral pressure ulcers in elderly and long-term residential patients who were immobile as a result of cerebral vascular disease. The mean age of patients was 76 years. Eight ulcers were treated with local fascial flaps and 8 by simple closure. The follow-up period was from 1 to 4 years. Recurrence and mortality rates were examined retrospectively. In the 16 patients, recurrence occurred in 37.5%, and 43.8% died without recurrence. The recurrence rate was 37.5% for local fascial flaps and 37.5% for simple closure. Overall mortality was 68.8% in the follow-up period. Because postoperative death was common, we should not only focus on reducing local pressure but also pay attention to any underlying disease. Because of this high mortality rate, the least invasive procedure possible should be used. Because the recurrence rate of simple closure was the same as for local fascial flaps, simple closure should be considered as a reconstructive method.

Hard-palate mucosal graft in the management of severe pincer-nail deformity.

It is well recognized that a hard-palate mucosal graft offers adequate support with less shrinkage than full-thickness skin grafts and minimum keratinization, even when grafted under dry conditions.1–3 In addition, its thickness and firmness are similar to those of the nail bed. We thought that these characteristics of hard-palate mucosa may be applicable to nail-bed defects, and chose to use the graft as a covering material for the repair of a nail-bed defect after resecting subungual exostosis.4 We found that compared with a free-skin graft, the hard-palate mucosal graft provided good coverage of the nail-bed defect. As in most clinics, we encounter various types of nail deformities on a daily basis, including pincer nail. A severe case of pincer nail reveals a tubelike deformity of the nail plate in which the overcurvature increases along the axis from in a proximal-to-distal direction.5 The nail bed and nail-bed tissue generally shrink, especially at distal sites, resulting in a very narrow nail bed.6 To correct the pincer-nail deformity, the narrow nail bed must be spread. However, in severe cases, the shrunken nail-bed tissue may not be large enough to cover the entire area of the spread nail bed, which results in a nail-bed defect. In this case, a material that offers less shrinkage, provides rigid support, and maintains a flattened and spread nail bed must be used to cover the defect. We describe the use of a hard-palate mucosal graft in the correction of severe pincer-nail deformity.

Usefulness and Limitations of Artificial Dermis Implantation for Posttraumatic Deformity

We have previously reported the use of artificial dermis implantation to cover exposed major vessels and to correct a depressed region after tissue resection and bone deformity with satisfactory results. In this paper, we present cases with depressed lesions and adhesive lesions after trauma, treated with artificial dermis implantation. Artificial dermis (Terudermis®, Terumo Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) was implanted in 12 cases of posttraumatic deformity. Eight of the 12 cases involved a depressed lesion, and the other four involved adhesive lesions. There was no postoperative infection or allergic reaction in any of the patients. Improvement of the deformity was obtained in all cases, but the degree of volume reduction in traumatic cases is likely to be more severe than that in the non-traumatic cases previously reported. In conclusion, artificial dermis implantation is an easy, safe, and useful method to correct a posttraumatic deformity, such as a depression or an adhesion, although it is important to note that depressions require overcorrection in order to obtain satisfactory results, as compared with non-traumatic cases treated with artificial dermis.

Preshaped Hydroxyapatite Tricalcium-Phosphate Implant Using Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography in the Reconstruction of Bone Deformities of Craniomaxillofacial Region

We prepared solid life-sized models and templates of implants based on three-dimensional computed tomography data in six cases with a bone deformity of the craniomaxillofacial region. After simulation surgery using these models and templates, the preshaped hydroxyapatite-tricalcium phosphate (HAP-TCP) implants were prepared to fill in the facial bone defects, and implantation was performed. Consequently, implants fitted the individual bone defects, and satisfactory facial contouring was obtained in five cases. In one case with severe cutaneous scarring in the grafted site, it was necessary to reduce the volume of the preshaped HAP-TCP implant during surgery. In conclusion, the three-dimensional, solid, life-sized model and template are useful for preoperative detailed simulation, and the use of preshaped HAP-TCP implants based on the template probably contributes to successful reconstruction of complex facial bone deformities and to the reduction of surgical invasion, resulting in achievement of better results.

Histological evaluation of grafted hard palate mucosa in the reconstruction of the upper eyelid

We have used a hard palate mucosal graft for reconstruction of the posterior lamella of the eyelid and in only one case was replacement required because of discomfort and pain. The stratum corneum of the hard palate mucosa may have been the cause.

Application of artificial dermis graft to correct a depression after tissue resection.

&NA; The authors present 7 cases of artificial dermis implantation to correct a depression after tissue resection. Four of the seven cases resulted from resection of a malignant tumor (N = 3) and from a benign subcutaneous tumor (N = 1). The other 3 cases were the result of temporal muscle harvest to reconstruct facial palsy. In 1 patient a mild degree of bone deformity also existed. The pieces of artificial dermis employed varied from 35 × 40 to 40 × 80 mm in size. In 5 patients two sheets were implanted, and in 2 patients three sheets were implanted. In 2 patients the dermis sheets were covered by a pedicled temporal fascial flap with a free split‐thickness skin graft because whole skin was resected as a result of a malignant skin tumor. There was no postoperative infection or allergic reaction in any of the patients. In all cases there was no postoperative contracture, and the implanted area was soft. An adequate or acceptable thickness of subcutaneous tissue was obtained. Artificial dermis may be a useful option as implantation material to correct a depression after tissue resection, especially for wide and comparatively shallow depressions. Hatoko M, Kuwahara M, Tanaka A, et al. Application of artificial dermis graft to correct a depression after tissue resection. Ann Plast Surg 2000; 45:633‐640

Chronic expanding hematoma in the temporal region.

A rare case of chronic expanding hematoma in the right temporal region that developed into a large mass over the course of 12 years is reported. The patient, who had a history of blunt trauma to her right temporal region at the age of 4 months, noticed a slowly growing mass at the same site over the last few months. Computed tomography revealed a well-circumscribed subcutaneous tumor. The tumor was completely resected. Histopathologically, the diagnosis of chronic expanding hematoma was confirmed.

Penile reconstruction for extramammary Paget's disease.

The authors report their experience of an extremely rare case of extramammary Pagets disease presenting a deformational change of the penis, which required penile reconstruction after tumor resection. Tumor cells had invaded the dermis beyond the basement membrane of the epidermis. Tumor cells were found at the epithelium of the urethra, but had not invaded the corpus cavernosum. However, fibrotic changes were found in the corpus cavernosum. More than half the length of the penis was resected. Penile reconstruction was performed using a free sensory radial forearm flap. The defects in the mons pubis, scrotum, and the remaining corpus cavernosum were covered using a meshed split skin graft or sheeted split skin graft. Ten months after the operation, the tumor had not recurred and no metastasis was found. The urinary stream was narrow compared with that of a healthy man, but urinary voiding had not been disturbed. Sensory recovery was 12 mm with the two-point discrimination test at the distal end of the reconstructed penis.