【Abstract】 Objective To explore the effect of early scrotal dermatoplasty on spermatogenic functional rehabilitation of testis in juvenile pigs with third degree burn wound of the scrotum. Methods Thirty healthy male Guizhou miniature pigs (weighing 10-15 kg, 2-month-old) were divided into 3 groups: control group (group A, n=10), natural healing group (group B, n=10), and dermatoplasty group (group C, n=10). In group A, the pig was not given any treatment; after third degree burn model of the scrotum was prepared, wounds were not treated in group B and the burn skin was excised and whole hypogastric pachydermia was used for dermatoplasty in group C. At 3 months and 1 year after model preparation, bilateral testis were collected from 5 pigs, respectively. HE staining was performed to observe the effects of different repair method on the morphology of spermatogenic cells and immunohistochemical staining was used to detect Survivin protein expression. Results All pigs survived to the end of the experiment and the wound healed successfully. Histological observation showed that spermatogenic cells had normal shape at all stages and mature sperms were seen in lumens in group A; the thickness of seminiferous epithelium was thinner, having one layer or two layers of spermatogenic cells in group B; the spermatogenic cells in group C were slightly more than that in group B with some spermatids; and in groups B and C, the spermatogenic cells at 1 year were more than that at 3 months. Immunohistochemistry staining showed that the Survivin protein expression in groups B and C was less than in group A, and group B was less than group C, showing significant differences at 3 months and 1 year (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference between 3 months and 1 year in the same group (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Dermatoplasty has inhibitory effect on spermatogenic functional rehabilitation of testis. Dermatoplasty can decrease spermatogenic cells and reduce Survivin protein expression, but some spermatids still survive in seminiferous tubule.
Objective To summarize the effect of free skin graft for repairing scrotal avulsion injury, and to investigate the repair impact of the method on spermatogenesis. Methods Between June 2001 and June 2010, 8 cases of complete avulsion injury of the scrotal skin were treated with the free skin graft, aged 22 to 64 years (mean, 29 years). The causes of injury included machine twisting in 4 cases, animal attack in 3 cases, and traffic accident in 1 case. The time between injury and hospital ization was 1-7 hours (mean, 3.5 hours). Five cases compl icated by avulsion of penile skin, 3 by perineal lacerationwith exposure of testes and spermatic cord, and 1 by avulsion of leg skin. Results After 10 days, 80% to 95% grafted skinsurvived. The reconstructed scrotum had shrinks and the wound healed by first intention after dressing change. Eight patients were followed up 12 to 24 months (mean, 16 months). At last follow-up, the patients had relaxed and droop scrotum, and penile erection was normal. Semen qual ity analysis showed: semen volume of 2-6 mL (mean, 4.2 mL); complete l iquefaction with l iquefaction time of 15-30 minutes (mean, 23 minutes); sperm density of (12-27) × 106/mL (mean, 16 × 106/mL); sperm motil ity of 45%-65% (mean, 56%); and sperm motil ity (grade A) of 25%-42% (mean, 32%). Conclusion Complete avulsion of the scrotal skin can be repaired by free skin graft, which has no significant effect on spermatogenesis.
To explore the effect of burying testis in inguinal pocket on spermatogenesis. Methods Sixty New Zealand rabbits of 6-8 months old included 36 males and 24 females, weighing 2.5-2.7 kg. The male rabbits were randomly divided into the experimental group (n=18)and the control group (n=18). The model of repairing skin defect of scrotum were establ ished by burying testes in inguinal region subcutaneously in the experimental group. The rabbits were not treated in the control group. The sperms were collected and the surface temperature of testis was measured in both groups after 8 weeks. Testes biopsies were harvested from 6 rabbits of 2 groups randomly respectively. The apoptosis of spermatogeniccells was detected with TUNEL. The other 12 male rabbits in two groups were fed respectively with female rabbits to observe the fertil ity. Results The semen density and the spermid activity ratio were (237.3 ± 39.7) × 109/L and 76.9% ± 3.8% in the control group, and were (4.7 ± 2.7) × 109/L and 0 in the experimental group respectively; showing statistically significant difference between two groups (P lt; 0.05). The average superficial temperature of testes was (38.02 ± 0.36)℃ in the experimental group and (36.15 ± 0.64) in the control group (P lt; 0.05). TUNEL results showed: The spermatogenic epithel ium became thin and obvious apoptotic spermatogenic cells were found in experimental group; the spermatogenic epithel ium was normal and few apoptotic spermatogenic cells were found in the control group. The apoptotic index (AI) was 89.69% ± 3.76% in the experimental group and 7.73% ± 4.95% in the control group (P lt; 0.05). The Pairing results showed that the female rabbits pairing with male rabbits of the experimental group were all not pregnant, and those of the control group were all pregnant (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion As the same as the scrotum was reconstructed with skin flaps, it will induce the rabbit infertil ity that the testes were buried in inguinal region subcutaneously to repair defect of scrotum skin. The main reason is the excessive apoptosis of spermatogenic cell by the high testes environmental temperature.
Objective To investigate the characteristics of blood supply of popliteal fossa middle artery pedicled flaps and the feasibility of reconstruction of postburn popliteal fossa contractures using the flaps in children. Methods Between January 2008 and October 2010, 6 cases of postburn popliteal fossa contractures were recontructed using popliteal fossa middle artery pedicled flaps. Of them, 2 were boys and 4 were girls, aged from 2 years and 2 months to10 years. All burns were caused by hot water. The wound ranged from 5 cm × 4 cm to 10 cm × 8 cm after scar relaxation. The size of the flap ranged from 6 cm × 4 cm to 11 cm × 9 cm. Donor sites were covered with split-thickness skin graft in 5 cases, and sutured directly in 1 case. Results All the flaps and the skingraft survived; no vascular crisis or flap necrosis occurred. All incisions at donors and wounds healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-24 months. The color, texture, and appearance of the flaps were good. Hyperplastic scar was found at incision of popliteal fossa in 1 case at 6 months after operation; the range of motion (ROM) of the knee joint was 0-175°, and no obvious change was observed at 15 months after operation. The others had no functional disturbance of the knee joints or claudication; the ROM of the knee joint was 0-180°. Conclusion The popliteal fossa middle artery pedicled flap has reliable blood supply, simple operative procedure, and good results in reconstruction of popliteal fossa contracture.