Willy Boeckx
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
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Featured researches published by Willy Boeckx.
British Journal of Plastic Surgery | 1997
Ph. Blondeel; Guy Vanderstraeten; S. Monstrey; K. Van Landuyt; Patrick Tonnard; Roeland Lysens; Willy Boeckx; Guido Matton
This study was undertaken to demonstrate that the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap can provide the well-known advantages of autologous breast reconstruction with lower abdominal tissue while avoiding the abdominal wall complications of the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap. Eighteen unilateral free DIEP flap breast reconstruction patients were assessed 12-30 months (mean 17.8 months) after surgery. Clinical examination, physical exercises and isokinetic dynamometry were performed preoperatively and two months and one year postoperatively. Intraoperative segmental nerve stimulation, visual evaluation and postoperative CT scans were also used to quantify the damage to the rectus muscle. The 18 patients were then compared with 20 free TRAM flap patients and 20 non-operated controls. Two DIEP flap patients presented with abdominal asymmetry. A limited decrease of trunk flexing strength was noticed but rotatory function was intact. Ten of the TRAM flap patients had umbilical or abdominal asymmetry, bulging or hernias. TRAM flap patients showed a statistically significant reduction in strength to flex and to rotate the upper trunk compared to both the one year postoperative DIEP flap group and the control group. The answers to a questionnaire revealed impairment of activities of daily living for some TRAM flap patients while the activities of all DIEP flap patients were unaffected. Our data demonstrate that the free DIEP flap can limit the surgical damage to the rectus abdominis and oblique muscles to an absolute minimum. We believe it is worthwhile to spend extra operative time, the main disadvantage of this technique, to limit late postoperative weakness of the lower abdominal wall.
British Journal of Plastic Surgery | 1994
Phillip Blondeel; Willy Boeckx
Besides the enormous advantages of reconstructing the amputated breast by means of a conventional TRAM flap, the main disadvantage remains the elevation of small (free TRAM) or larger (pedicled TRAM) parts of the rectus abdominis muscle. In order to overcome this disadvantage, the free Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) skin flap has recently been used for breast mound reconstruction with excellent clinical results. After achieving favorable results with eight unilateral DIEP-flaps, we were challenged by an abdomen with a midline laparotomy scar. By dissecting a bilateral DIEP flap and making adjacent anastomoses to the internal mammary artery we were able to achieve sufficient flap mobility for easy free flap positioning and breast shaping. Intraoperative segmental nerve stimulation, postoperative functional abdominal wall tests and CT-scan examination showed normal abdominal muscle activity. On the basis of a case report, the technical considerations and advantages of anastomosing the bipedicled DIEP flap to the internal mammary artery are discussed.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology | 1980
Gloria Vasquez; Robert M.L. Winston; Willy Boeckx; Ivo Brosens
Tubal biopsy specimens were obtained at the time of tubal anastomosis in 26 previously sterilized women. Scanning electron microscopy showed that half the patients had abnormalities of tubal mucosa, including loss of mucosal folds, deciliation, and polyposis. These pathologic conditions, the morphologic features of which we describe, significantly increase in incidence the longer the time after sterilization. Our evidence suggests that the sooner reversal is performed after sterilization the greater the change of a successful intrauterine pregnancy.
British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology | 1987
Ivo Brosens; Willy Boeckx; P Delattin; Patrick Puttemans; Gloria Vasquez
Summary. Endoscopy of the fallopian tube allows examination of the tubal mucosa in subfertile patients. Clinical and morphological studies have shown a high correlation between the appearance of the tubal mucosa and the ultimate outcome in terms of pregnancies. Salpingoscopy was originally performed during laparotomy for reconstructive tubal surgery. The present study describes the use of a rigid 3 mm telescope passed along the channel of the operating laparoscope to assess the mucosa of the infundibulum and ampullary segment. Lesions of the infundibulum and ampullary segment have been detected in patients with apparently normal tubes on the hysterosalpingogram and at laparoscopy. The extent of the mucosal lesions can be assessed preoperatively in patients with tubal adhesions, tubo‐cornual or isthmic lesions and hydrosalpinges.
Fertility and Sterility | 1989
Filip De Bruyne; Patrick Puttemans; Willy Boeckx; Ivo Brosens
A specially designed rigid salpingoscope has been developed to allow inspection of the tubal mucosa during laparoscopy. The presence and extent of intratubal adhesion formation can be evaluated more accurately by this technique than by either HSG or laparoscopy. In 22 patients with bilateral hydrosalpinges, an intrauterine pregnancy rate of 59% was achieved in the group of patients with very mild mucosal lesions and absence of mucosal adhesions.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery | 1984
Paul J. Guelinckx; Willy Boeckx; Eric Fossion; Jacques A. Gruwez
Irradiated and control recipient blood vessels in a similar patient population were studied with scanning electron microscopy. The vessels that were biopsied were then anastomosed to a free flap. Irradiated arteries display a significantly greater wall thickness and higher incidence of intimal dehiscence compared with control arteries. Fibrin deposition, microthrombi, and endothelium cell dehiscence are present more frequently in irradiated vessels than in control vessels. Details of the preparation and anastomotic technique for irradiated blood vessels are discussed. Microvascular surgery in irradiated human blood vessels carries with it a higher risk of thrombosis due to preexisting vessel wall damage. This risk can be minimized by experience and attention to detail.
Fertility and Sterility | 1984
Stephan Gordts; Willy Boeckx; Ivo Brosens
From January 1973 to December 1980, 176 infertile women with endometriosis were treated with atraumatic and microsurgical techniques. None of these patients received preoperative or postoperative antigonadotropin therapy. The degree of endometriosis in these patients was classified according to the scaling point system of The American Fertility Society. After 2 years the cumulative pregnancy rate of the severe group (40%) was not different from that of the mild (43%) or moderate group (45%). It is therefore suggested that the use of microsurgical techniques can improve the pregnancy outcome in patients with severe endometriosis.
Annals of Plastic Surgery | 2005
Boukje J. E. Hermans; Willy Boeckx; Francesca De Lorenzi; René R. W. J. van der Hulst
The purpose of this study is to compare health-related quality of life in women with symptomatic macromastia before and after breast reduction. Two comparable groups of women were enrolled in the study, those waiting for breast reduction (group 1) and those who underwent surgery approximately 2 years before (group 2). To evaluate the specific beneficial effects of breast reduction, we used a unique combination of general and specific questionnaires: the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36), the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), the Self-Consciousness Scale (SCS), and the Derriford Appearance Scale 59 (DAS-59). The esthetic appearance of the breast was also evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS). In both groups, preoperative back pain was present in more than 50% of patients. Complaints were significantly reduced after surgery. SF-36 showed significant higher quality of life in group 2 with regard to 7 of 8 investigated domains. Increased self-esteem after surgery, increased personal and public self-consciousness were observed. Moreover, the condition-specific DAS-59 showed that insecurity, pain, shame, and unattractiveness were significantly scored higher in the nonoperated group. Subjective esthetic score was significantly higher in the operated group (2.5 vs. 7.1). The data of this study provide further evidence that women who have been operated for breast hypertrophy have a significant improvement in quality of life compared with those who are not yet operated. These data are further evidence that breast hypertrophy is not solely an esthetic problem.
Skin Research and Technology | 2001
Eric Van den Kerckhove; Filip Staes; Mieke Flour; Karel Stappaerts; Willy Boeckx
Background/aims: In this report the reproducibility of measurements with the Minolta Chromameter CR‐300 on healthy skin was investigated.
British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology | 1983
Gloria Vasquez; Robert M.L. Winston; Willy Boeckx; S. Gordts; Ivo Brosens
Summary. Multiple tubal biopsies from 21 patients with thin‐walled dilated hydrosalpinges and from 12 patients with thick‐walled fibrous hydrosalpinges were studied. All the biopsies were examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy and the ciliated surface area at multiple locations measured by planimetry. These biopsies were compared with control biopsies taken from 13 normal women at varying stages of the menstrual cycle.