Semih Baghaki

Psychiatric assessment of children with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to determine whether children with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (NSCLP) are more likely to be diagnosed with psychiatric disorders and whether cleft-related factors are related to psychopathology. METHOD Twenty children from 6 to 16 years of age with NSCLP, attending the Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Department of Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty between January and October 2010, were included as the case group. Forty healthy children who were matched on age and sex with the case group served as controls. Children were assessed by psychiatric interviews and scales. RESULTS Social anxiety disorder (SAD) (P=.003) and major depressive disorder (MDD) (P=.010) were more prevalent in children with NSCLP. The severity of dentofacial (P=.035) and cleft lip nose deformities (P=.002), appearance and competence of the lip (P=.008), dental alignment (P=.002), feeding (P=.044) and articulation problems (P<.001) were associated with clinical global functioning. CONCLUSIONS Children with NSCLP are at risk of developing psychopathology, especially SAD and MDD. The above cleft-related factors and articulation problems may be the target of interventions to prevent and treat psychiatric disorders in these children.

Axillary Web Syndrome after Sentinel Node Biopsy.

Background: Axillary web syndrome (AWS) is a self-limiting cause of morbidity in the early postoperative period after axillary surgery, but it is encountered also after sentinel lymph node biopsy. The syndrome is characterized by cords of subcutaneous tissue extending from the axilla into the medial arm. Case Report: Here, we report a patient presenting with AWS several weeks after sentinel lymph node biopsy. Conclusion: AWS has been reported to be resolved spontaneously in all patients 8–16 weeks after axillary surgery, and shoulder movements improve in this period. There is no definitive treatment modality for AWS. Patients should be reassured and informed that this condition will improve even without treatment.

A reliable method for treatment of nonhealing ulcers in the hindfoot and midfoot region in diabetic patients: reconstruction with abductor digiti minimi muscle flap.

AbstractThe foot has a unique anatomic composition and a perfect architecture, which is necessary for mobilization. However, this complex structure is also responsible for healing problems in foot reconstruction. After 25 years of experience in diabetic foot surgery practice, we observed that some hindfoot ulcers are like an iceberg in that they have much more involvement in the plantar fat pad than the skin, and the lateral midfoot region is a common site for ulcer formation. Also the fifth tarsometatarsal joint region is a prominent anatomic structure vulnerable to repetitive trauma and ulcer formation that may easily spread to other parts of the foot. These ulcers should be reconstructed with well-vascularized tissues such as muscle flaps after debridement. Between 2003 and 2010, 17 diabetic patients with foot ulcers, involving bone and joint, were reconstructed with abductor digiti minimi muscle flap. When it is needed, the flap is covered with a small split-thickness skin graft. In all cases, complete healing was achieved. The muscle flap functioned well as a versatile and shock absorbent coverage without recurrence of the ulcer during a mean follow-up period of around 2 years. Diabetic foot ulcers should be evaluated and treated individually depending on their location and affected tissue composition. The most appropriate reconstructive option should be selected for each lesion. The abductor digiti minimi muscle flap is extremely useful for the reconstruction of small- to moderate-sized defects that have exposed bone, joint, or tendons in the hindfoot and lateral plantar midfoot.

Locoregional use of lateral thoracic artery perforator flap as a propeller flap.

AbstractAlthough thoracodorsal system is a fundamental source of various flaps, lateral thoracic region has not been a popular flap donor area. There is limited data on the use of lateral intercostal artery perforator flap and lateral thoracic artery perforator flap. In this case series, lateral thoracic artery perforator flap has been used in locoregional (axilla, pectoral region, and arm) reconstruction as an island or propeller flap.Eighteen patients have been operated on between September 2010 and January 2013. The age of the patients ranged between 16 and 68 years with a median of 38 years. A thorough chart review has been performed with preoperative and postoperative photographs. Duration of hospitalization, complication rate and long term results have been documented.Nine patients had severe burn contracture of axilla, 7 patients had axillary hidradenitis suppurativa, 1 patient had giant neurofibroma of arm, and 1 patient had malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of pectoral area. Seventeen flaps survived totally, and in 1 flap, distal superficial slough of skin has been observed. No recurrence in hidradenitis or peripheral nerve sheath tumor has been observed. Donor site scar is well hidden in anatomical position. The range of motion of affected extremities returned to normal after reconstruction.Lateral thoracic area provides a reliable flap option with a wide arc of rotation when lateral thoracic artery perforators are used.

Pneumothorax due to electrical burn injury.

Deep tissue damage almost always accompanies local and regional cutaneous burn injuries, especially in electrical burns. The lungs and the heart can be affected by high-voltage arcs in electrical injuries of the chest wall. A 14-year-old boy was electrocuted by an electrical current of 25 000 V. There were second- and third-degree burns on 35% of the total body surface. There was also a severe burn injury extending …

Extended locoregional use of intercostal artery perforator propeller flaps.

Besides conventional flaps, intercostal artery perforator flaps have been reported to cover trunk defects. In this report the use of anterior intercostal artery perforator (AICAP) flap, lateral intercostal artery perforator (LICAP) flap and dorsal intercostal artery perforator (DICAP) flap for thoracic, abdominal, cervical, lumbar and sacral defects with larger dimensions and extended indications beyond the reported literature were reevaluated. Thirty‐nine patients underwent surgery between August 2012 and August 2014. The age of the patients ranged between 16 and 79 with a mean of 49 years. The distribution of defects were as follows; 12 thoracic, 8 parascapular, 3 cervical, 8 abdominal, 4 sacral and 4 lumbar. AICAP, LICAP and DICAP flaps were used for reconstruction. Fifty‐two ICAP flaps were performed on 39 patients. Flap dimensions ranged between 6 × 9 cm and 14 × 35 cm. Twenty‐six patients had single flap coverage and 13 patients had double flap coverage. Forty‐six flaps have been transferred as propeller flaps and 6 flaps have been transferred as perforator plus flap. Forty flaps (75%) went through transient venous congestion. In one DICAP flap, 30% of flap was lost. No infection, hematoma or seroma were observed in any patient. Follow‐up period ranged between 3 and 32 months with a mean of 9 months. The ICAP flaps provide reliable and versatile options in reconstructive surgery and can be used for challenging defects in trunk.

Prevention and Management of Abdominoplasty Complications

Abdominoplasty is performed to shape the anterior and lateral abdominal walls. Different forms of contour deformity should be addressed with modifications and combinations of techniques. Either traditional abdominoplasty or high-lateral-tension abdominoplasty (HLTA) is usually combined with liposuction of the anterior abdominal wall and love handles giving satisfactory results most of the time. Although this combination covers a good percentage of patients complaining of lower abdominal sagging or bulging, some other techniques are also present such as mini abdominoplasty, fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty, and reverse abdominoplasty. Post bariatric patients need further ablative procedures such as dermolipectomy and belt lipectomy.