Sebat Karamürsel

Orbicularis oculi myocutaneous advancement flap for upper eyelid reconstruction.

Background: Reconstruction of large full-thickness defects of the upper eyelids is challenging because of their complex anatomy and specialized functions. The authors present and discuss a new, simple surgical technique for upper eyelid reconstruction. This is a single-stage procedure and has produced satisfactory to excellent results in the authors’ patients. It presents the reconstructive surgeon with several advantages over other techniques. Methods: The eyelid tumor is excised surgically until clear margins are obtained. The V-shaped orbicularis oculi myocutaneous advancement flap is marked on the remaining superior eyelid tissue and mobilized, leaving the base of the pedicle intact with submuscular tissue attachment. Posterior lamella reconstruction is performed with mucoperiosteal graft harvested from the hard palate in patients with full-thickness defects. Then, the flap is advanced to the defect and the donor site is closed primarily. Results: Eight patients, aged 17 to 72 years, have been operated on with this technique for upper eyelid reconstruction. Follow-up included assessment of position, closure, length of palpebral rim, eyelid opening, aesthetic balance, presence of corneal erosion, ulcer or entropion, levator function, and donor-site morbidity. The flap was viable in every patient, without total or partial necrosis. No patient required surgical revision. The oncologic result was good, and no recurrence was noted. Conclusions: This method is a simpler, single-stage operation; does not damage the lower lid; provides a thin, mobile eyelid; and, above all, is less invasive than other techniques, and at the same time allows a good functional and aesthetic reconstruction.

A new epineural nerve repair technique : Oblique nerve coaptation

Despite the existence of various nerve coaptation techniques, functional results of nerve repair are still inadequate. Potential benefits of developing modified coaptation techniques cannot be disregarded. The authors report a new coaptation technique in which the nerves are cut in an oblique fashion to increase the coaptational surface. The sciatic nerves of male Wistar albino rats were cut at an angle of 30 and 45 deg (experimental groups), and 90 deg (control group). The nerves were repaired with nine 10-0 epineural stitches. Functional and histological studies were performed at week 12 on 7 rats from the 30-deg group, 15 rats from the 45-deg group, and 7 rats from the 90-deg group. Mean sciatic function index values of walking track analysis were the following: 30-deg group, -42.4+/-15.4; 45-deg group, -44.7+/-17.9; and 90-deg group, -52.9+/-13.9 (p>0.05). The mean values of myelinated axonal counts for the 30-deg, 45-deg, and 90-deg transection groups were 196.2+/-3.7, 196.1+/- 3.7, and 176.1+/- 5.6 respectively for proximal nerve segments and 180.1+/-6.8, 178.2+/-3.8, and 114.1+/-17.3 respectively for distal samples. Both the 30-deg and 45-deg coaptational groups had a significantly lower reduction of myelinated axonal counts at the regeneration zone in comparison with the 90-deg group (p<0.01). Mean myelinated axonal diameters in the proximal nerve segments were 8.2+/-2.6 microm, 8.4+/-3.1 microm, and 8.1+/-3.2 microm respectively, and were 7.1+/-3.6 microm, 6.9+/-3.4 microm, and 6.7+/-3.4 microm respectively in the distal nerve segments (p>0.05). The oblique nerve coaptation technique may enhance nerve regeneration by enabling a larger sprouting and contact area for nerve fibers, but additional investigation by more experienced centers is needed before relying on the preliminary results of this simple modification.

Reconstruction of the columella with bilateral nostril sill flaps.

The treatment of total columellar defects is very difficult, and there is not any first choice in reconstruction of these defects. Various techniques have been reported for this purpose. Each technique has its own drawbacks, and few can be performed in one stage. We report a pediatric patient with a defect involving the entire columella. Reconstruction of the defect was accomplished with laterally based bilateral nostril sill flaps. An acceptable cosmetic result was obtained. This method can be done as a single-stage operation with an excellent color and texture match. We think that this method leads to good aesthetic results, and should be considered for total columellar reconstruction.

A new technique for microvascular anastomosis: external metallic circle.

Vessel anastomosis is the most critical step in free tissue transfers and replantation surgery. We report on a new microvascular anastomosis technique that uses a metallic circle around the anastomotic circumference. Sutures are first passed inside the circle and tied outside and over the circle so as to stretch open the anastomotic site. By retraction of vessel ends, the circle is totally exteriorized and thus there is no contact with blood. In 48 rats, the external circle method was compared with the conventional technique for constructing end-to-end anastomosis between carotid arteries (1 to 1.2 mm) and femoral veins (1 to 1.5 mm). The external circle method proved to be superior to the conventional end-to-end technique in speed of execution for both arterial and venous anastomoses. Patency rates at the third week were significantly higher in the venous group using the metallic circle (100 percent versus 70.8 percent, p < 0.05). This new method may be applicable in clinical microvascular surgery.

Use of the medial side of the knee skin as a free flap: saphenous flap.

Background: The knee region is a good free skin flap donor site, as it has minimal subcutaneous tissue and provides a hidden donor site. Acland et al. first used the skin over the medial side of the knee as a “saphenous flap” based on the saphenous branch of the descending genicular artery. Methods: The authors studied the descending genicular artery and its saphenous branch in six cadaver limbs and elevated the skin over the medial side of the knee as a free flap in six patients to reconstruct lower extremity defects. Results: In all clinical cases, the authors were able to elevate a skin flap from the skin on the medial side of the knee. The saphenous branch was absent in one cadaveric limb and one patient limb; instead, a direct cutaneous branch from the femoral artery reached the skin and had nearly the same caliber as the saphenous branch of the other cases. All the flaps survived and the defects healed well. Conclusion: The medial side of the knee is a good donor site, as it provides thin skin with innervation potential by means of the medial femoral cutaneous nerve and leaves an inconspicuous donor-site scar.

Rat penis as a replantation model.

The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of rat penile replantation as a new microsurgical training model. The study was performed in 2 parts. Anatomic studies:Fifteen Wistar albino rats were used to study and document the penile vascular anatomy. In 5 rats, dissections were performed after colored silicone injections, while 5 rats were operated under anesthesia to develop the strategy of flap elevation. In the remaining 5 rats, microangiographic study was performed with silicone–lead oxide mixture. Flap studies:As flap studies in 5 rats, penes were elevated based on right-side internal pudendal artery and internal pudendal vein and resutured. In 6 rats, penes were elevated as free flaps, and in 3 rats the penes were implanted in right thigh of the rats being the femoral artery and vein recipient. In the remaining 3 rats, penes were resutured in their original place, with saphenous artery and vein being the recipient and rerouted to the pubic region. At postoperative fifth day, the penes were examined for viability, and selected ones were histologically examined. Rat penis has a dual blood supply from bilateral internal pudendal arteries. Venous drainage is via both crural veins and dorsal vein. One side of the internal pudendal artery and anastomotic vein (branch of pudendal plexus) may be used as the vascular pedicle of the flap. Rat penis may be successfully elevated as a free flap and also may be replanted in its original place.

Two new intramedullary implant designs for phalanx fixation in digital replantation: an experimental study.

&NA; Bone fixation in digital replantation must provide adequate rigidity, and must be applied in a fast and easy manner. Various fixation methods have been used so far with certain advantages and disadvantages. The authors report two new intramedullary proximal phalangeal implant designs to secure two amputated bone segments tightly. They compare their intramedullary implants with commonly applied K‐wire fixation methods and plate fixation via biomechanical analysis in terms of bending rigidity and distraction strength. Their two‐sided asymmetrical screw provided the highest rigidity and distraction strength, whereas the hook‐trap system was nearly equal to cross‐K‐wire fixation. Intramedullary bone fixation may be a feasible method of bone fixation, and resorbable implant materials and different implant configurations deserve further investigation. Kayikçioğlu A, Karamürsel S, Mavili E, Keçik A. Two new intramedullary implant designs for phalanx fixation in digital replantation: an experimental study. Ann Plast Surg 2000;45:258‐263

Reverse-flow first dorsal metacarpal artery flap for index fingertip reconstruction

Dorsum of the hand is an ideal skin-flap donor site for coverage of hand or finger defects. We elevated 8 reverse-flow first dorsal metacarpal artery flap in 9 patients for soft-tissue cover of index fingertip injuries distal to distal interphalangeal joint with exposed bone. In 3 patients, the digital branch of the superficial radial nerve was coapted to the digital nerve. All flaps healed uneventfully, except for 1 patient in which partial necrosis of the flap occurred. Postoperative follow-up was 4–12 months (mean, 8 months). Reverse-flow first dorsal metacarpal artery flap is a good alternative for reconstruction of index fingertip injuries.

Urethral advancement for recurrent distal hypospadias fistula treatment.

Hypospadias fistula may be persistently recurrent in some patients. In distal hypospadiac fistula cases, carrying the fistulous opening to the glans tip may be possible with extensive urethral mobilization and advancement. In 9 patients who were operated for urethrocutaneous fistula, we used the urethral advancement technique. Patient ages ranged from 5 to 14 years (mean, 8 years). In all of the cases, the urethra was mobilized proximally to at least penoscrotal junction, and in some cases, the bulbar urethra was mobilized partially. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 16 months. In all but 1 child, a straight penis with the neomeatus at the glans tip was maintained without any urethrocutaneous fistula. In 1 child, chordee, which was already present, could not be prevented. Urethral advancement technique may effectively solve the problem of persistently recurrent hypospadias fistula. We recommend the technique to plastic surgeons’ armamentarium.

External metallic circle in microsurgical anastomosis of common bile duct

BACKGROUND Biliary stricture development is one of the most serious problems following biliary tract surgery. Here, we present a new technique for biliary tract reconstruction with an external metallic circle, and the results of this new technique in a rat model. METHODS Twelve male Sprague-Dawley rats (250 to 300 g) were divided into two groups. After transection of the bile duct, standard bile duct reconstruction (without the metallic circle) was performed in group 1 and reconstruction with the external metallic (silver) circle was performed in group 2. At the end of the fourth month, clinical, laboratory biochemical, and histopathologic parameters were compared between the groups. RESULTS Serum concentrations of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and operation time were higher in group 1 than in group 2. Differences were statistically significant. In histopathologic examination, biliary duct stricture was seen in group 1. Foreign body reaction and fibrosis in the bile duct wall were seen in group 2. CONCLUSION An external metallic circle prevents development of biliary stricture after primary end-to-end bile duct anastomosis in this rat model.