To observe the effect of percutaneous electrical stimulation on peripheral nerve regeneration, a model was created on the sciatic nerves of 56 rats from either sectioned and followed by direct anastomosis or clamping of the nerve. The indices, such as conducting velocity of nerve, maximal induced action potential of muscle, growth speed of nerve, rateof axon crossing anastomosis site, number of muscular fiber on transverse area and weight of muscle by autocontrol were compared. In this study, 36 rats were divided into two groups, 24 rats in Group 1 and 12 rats in Group 2. In Gourp 1, both sciatic nerves were sectioned and was anastomozed 4 weeks later. One side of the nerve was stimulated with percutaneous electric current, the other side was served as control. In Group 2, both sides of nerves were clamped and the electical stimulationwas carried out on one side. The parameters of the electric current were 2～5HZ, 0.4m/s, 24～48V. The electrophysiological and histomorphological features were observed 1 to 6 weeks after operation. The results showed that in the stimulatedside, the indices were all superior to that of the control side. This suggestedthat electrical stimulation could promote peripheral nerve regeneration.
Objective To investigate the change law of the intracapsular pressure in vitro without outside force and the pressure of the expander upon the skin soft tissue in vivo during clinical routine expansion so as to provide some references for the safe application of the expander. Methods The rectangle expanders of 50, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, and 400 mL were used for in vitro expansion at room temperature to 400% volume of the expander capacity. The pressures before and after saline injection were recorded. Twelve patients who needed scar plastic surgery were enrolled; 17 rectangle expanders were implanted in 5 areas (cheek, trunk, forehead and temporal, limb, and head) and expanded routinely. The pressures before and after saline injection were recorded. The pressure of the expander upon the skin soft tissue was calculated and the values of the pressure at 50%, 100%, 150%, and 200% volume of 5 areas were chosen and analyzed statistically. Results The intracapsular pressure of the expanders at different volumes in vitro without outside force during routine expansion before and after saline injection was beyond 0 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa) at around 100% volume, increased rapidly from 100% to 250% volume, and kept stable from 250% to 400% volume. In vivo, 16 expanders within 200% volume had the maximum pressure before saline injection, 15 had the maximum pressure after saline injection. Before saline injection, the pressure of the expander upon the skin soft tissue was lowest in the cheek, showing significant difference when compared with those of the forehead and temporal and head (P lt; 0.05); the pressure in the trunk was significantly lower than that in the head (P lt; 0.05); and there was no significant difference between the other body sites (P gt; 0.05). After saline injection, the pressure of the expander upon the skin soft tissue was lowest in the cheek, and showed an increasing trend in the trunk, the limb, the forehead and temporal, and the head; no significant difference was found between in the cheek and in the trunk, and between in the forehead and temporal and in the limb (P gt; 0.05), and significant differences were found between the other body sites (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The pressure of expander upon skin soft tissue at early stage or middle stage is higher than that at late stage during expansion. The pressure is high in the head, and low in the cheek comparatively, and the pressures in the trunk, the forehead and temporal, and the limb are between them.
To evaluate an improved treatment of an autologous fat injection for hemifacial atrophy to increase the survival rate of the fat graft and decrease complications including colliquation, necrosis, and absorption of the graft fat. Methods From March 1999 to October 2004, 31 patients with hemifacial atrophy underwent an improved treatment by an autologous fat injection for their diseases. There were 12 males and 19 females aged 1928 years (average, 23.5 years). The patients were divided into the following 3 groups according to the atrophy extent: the mild group (n=9), the moderate group (n=19), and the severe group (n=3). Based on the previous researches on the fat transplantation techniques, the improved treatment combined the following strategies that were simply called “3L3M”: low position for the fat donation, low pressure for the fat harvesting, and lowspeed centrifugation for purification of the fat; multipoint, multitunnel, and multiplane for injections of the fat graft. The preoperative and the postoperative photos were taken and the findings were compared to make clear whether the hard and firm masses and cysts existed; then, the decision was made about whether the patients needed another operation according to whether the patients had a natural facial expression and whether the patients had comfortable feelings as well as the ray findings. Results All the patients had a satisfactory symmetrical face after 1 injection of the fat in 15 patients, 2 injections in 13 patients, and 3 injections in 3 patients. The effect of the 3rd injection was better than that of the 2nd injection; the effect of the 2nd injection was better than that of the 1st injection; the fat volume for the injection could be gradually decreased. The fat volumes for injections were as follows: 814 ml (average, 11 ml) in the submaxillary region, 1525 ml (average, 20 ml) in the buccal region, 510 ml (average, 75 ml) in the zygomatic region, and 1820 ml (average, 19 ml) in the forehead region. The followup for 35 years revealed that there wasno infection, hard and firm mass, cyst or other complications. The pigmentationin the affected face was significantly improved. Conclusion Compared with the traditional treatments, the improved treatment of an autologousfat injection for hemifacial atrophy can achieve a satisfactory symmetry of theface with no injury to the donor site or complications in the recipient site. This improved method is an ideal treatment for hemifacial atrophy.
Objective To separate each protein band from the nerve regeneration conditioned fluid(NRCF）and to study whether there are somenew and unknown neurotrophic factors in the protein bands with a relative molecular mass of 220×103. Methods The silicone nerve regenerationchambers were formed in the sciatic nerve of the 25 New Zealand rabbits (weight,1.8-2.5 kg), and NRCF was taken from it at 1 week after operation. The Nativepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Native-PAGE) was used for separating the proteins from NRCF and detecting the relative molecular mass. The Western blot and ELISA were used to observe whether the protein bands ［220×103 (Band a), (20-40)×103(Band c)］ of NRCF could combine with the antibody of the known antibody of neurotrophic factor (NTF):nerve growth factor(NGF), glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF), brainderived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), neurotrophin 3(NT-3)， NT-4, ciliang neurotrophic factor(CNTF). Results Separated by Native-PAGE, NRCF mainly contained two protein bands:Band a had a relative molecular mass about 220×103, and Band c had a relative molecular mass about (20-40)×103. Band a could not combine with the antibodies of the NGF, BDNF, CNTF, and NT-3, but could combine with the antibody of NT-4.Band c could combine with the antibodies of NGF, BDNF, CNTF and NT-3, but could not combine with the antibodies of NT-4 and GDNF. Conclusion The protein bands with a relative molecular mass of 220×103 have ber neurotropic and neurotrophic effects than the protein bands with a relative molecular mass of (20-40)×103, which contains NGF,CNTF, etc. NT-4 just has a weak or no effect on the sympathetic neurone. This indicates that there is a new NTF in the protein bands with a relative molecular mass of 220×103, which only combines with the antibody of NT-4.
Objective To review the current progress of human facial allotransplantation in China and the other countries. Methods The recent literature concerned with human facial allotransplantation was extensively reviewed and briefly summarized. Results According to the literature reviewed, the main issues could be divided into four categories: technical aspects,immunological aspects,psychological and social issues ethicaland legal problems related to facial allotransplantation. However, because of the complexity of the human facial allotransplantation, which involved many problems related to immunity, psychology, society, ethics, etc., there was much controversy in this field. Conclusion In spite of the existent problems, facial allotransplantation in humans has still benefited the patient whose face is severely disfigured.