Objective To investigate the effects of botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) on the excessive expansion speed and blood supply of myocutaneous flap. Methods Seven adult Guizhou minipigs of clean grade were included, female or male and weighing 16-20 kg. The 2.4 mL BTXA solution (96 U) was injected in cutaneous muscle (24 points) of one side as experimental group (n=7), the 2.4 mL saline in the other side as control group (n=7). Two expanders (200mL) were implanted beneath the cutaneous muscle on the bilateral flank of each pig symmertrically at 3 days after injection. One week later, the expanders were filled with saline every 4 days with an intracapsular pressure of 11.97 kPa, and accumulative total amounted to 400 mL for 3 weeks in control group and 5 weeks in experimental group. Then the expanders were taken out; the myocutaneous flaps formed and were sutured in situ. The myocutaneous flaps were cut for histological examination and capillary count. The expansion speed of the myocutaneous flap were recorded. The blood supply of the myocutaneous flap were observed by infrared thermography at 1 week after implantation expanders, before removing the expanders, and at 5 days after myocutaneous flap suture in situ. Results All the animals survived to the end of the experiment. The total expansion time was (54.0 ± 3.1) days in experimental group and (67.0 ± 3.9) days in control group, showing significant difference (t= —8.107, P=0.000). All myocutaneous flaps survived after being sutured in situ. Infrared thermograhy revealed that the temperature of the distal myocutaneous flap in experimental group was significantly higher than that in control group at 1 week after implantation of expanders (P lt; 0.05); at 5 days after myocutaneous flap suture in situ, the temperature of the central flap in experimental group was significantly higher than that in control group (P lt; 0.05); and there was no significant difference between 2 groups at the other time points (P gt; 0.05). The histological observation showed that the blood vessel density of the dermal layer and tissue between the capsule and the muscle layer in experimental group was significantly higher than those in control group (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion When excessive expansion is performed, BTXA can accelerate the expansion rate and improve the blood supply of expanded myocutaneous flaps.
Objective To investigate the effect of scrotal septum vascular pedicle flap with two wing-l ike spl itthickness skin graft in reconstructing urethra in patients with hypospadias and in reducing the compl ications. Methods From January 2007 to March 2008, 30 cases of hypospadias were treated, with a median age of 10 years (2-20 years). There were 13 cases of proximal shaft type, 12 cases of penoscrotal type and 5 cases of scrotal type. There were 8 cases with operation history. The flap size ranged from 4.0 cm × 0.8 cm to 9.0 cm × 1.0 cm and 5 mm with two wing-l ike spl it-thickness skin graft.When the downward curvature corrected, length of the flap could be determined by the length of the urethra that neededto be reconstructed. Results All flaps survived. The incision healed by first intention in all patients except one whose incision healed after change dressing because of frequent erection. Incision at donor site healed well. Eighteen patients were followed up for 6-12 months, including 8 with second operation history. The reconstructed urethras were unobstructed and no urethrostenosis or urinary fistula happened. Conclusion This is an improved technique of the scrotal septum flap in urethra reconstruction. It takes advantages of both flap and spl it-thickness skin graft in reconstructing urethra and avoides the disadvantages of a single tissue. It is a good choice for treating hypospadias whose urinary meatus locates neighborly to penoscrotal junctional zone.
Objective To investigate the effect of vaginal reconstruction with autologous buccal micro-mucosa graft. Methods From March 2007 and April 2008, 10 patients with absence of vagina were treated, aged 18-31 years (mean 26 years). Nine of them were congenital absence of vagina, and the remaining one was vaginal stenosis after vaginal reconstruction.They all exhibited normal secondary sexual characteristics, normal hormonal levels and 46, XX karyotype. Their abdominal ultrasounography revealed the normal ovaries and tubes but absence of the uterus or small rudimentary horns. However the one with vaginal stenosis had normal uterus. The buccal mucosa graft was minced into 0.5 mm in size and was transplanted to the cavity which was dissected between the bladder and the rectum. Results The operation was performed successfully in all cases. The operative time was about 1-2 hours and operative blood loss was 80-100 mL. Postoperative compl ication occurred in only one case for vaginal bleeding. The patient recovered and the wound healed well after immediate management. The others healed primarily without any compl ications. All cases were followed up for 4-16 months. The depth of neovagina which was formed was 6-10 cm and the width was about two fingers. The l ining was pink-colored and smooth, and was confirmed as nonkeratizing squamous stratified mucosa by histopathological examination. The donor sites healed uneventfully with no change in mouth opening. The perineal area was not disturbed. Four patients were married and satisfied with their sexual l ife without pain and bleeding. Conclusion Vaginal reconstruction with autologous buccal micro-mucosa graft is an easy, minimally invasive and useful method.