ObjectiveTo introduce the surgical method and effectiveness of repairing skin and soft tissue defect in the palm or dorsum of the hand and forearm with epigastric bilobed flap. MethodsBetween October 2010 and December 2013, 4 male patients with skin and soft tissue defect in the palm or dorsum of the hand and forearm were treated, aged from 36 to 62 years. Of them, 3 cases had degloving injury caused by machines and 1 case had necrosis of fingers and skin after surgery of crush injury. The time from injury to hospitalization was from 3 hours to 15 days. Among the 4 cases, the size of palmar defect was 7 cm×4 cm to 16 cm×6 cm, and the size of dorsal defect was 10 cm×7 cm to 20 cm×10 cm. The epigastric bilobed flap was designed based on the axial vessel which was formed by inferior epigastric artery, superior epigastric artery, and intercostals arteries. The size of flap ranged from 12 cm×4 cm to 18 cm×6 cm in the vertical direction, 15 cm×8 cm to 22 cm×11 cm in the oblique direction. The donor site was directly closed. The pedicles were cut at 22 to 24 days after repairing operation. ResultsAll the flaps survived well with the wound healing by first intention. Four patients were followed up 3 months to 1 year and 2 months. The other flaps had good appearance and texture except 1 bulky flap. The flap sensation basically restored to S2-S3. The function of the hands recovered well. ConclusionSkin and soft tissue defect in the palm or dorsum of the hand and forearm can be repaired with the epigastric bilobed flap, because it has such advantages as big dermatomic area and adequate blood supply. Besides, the operation is practical, safe, and simple.
Objective To study the role of ultracision harmonic scalpel and skin flap in axillary fossa external fixation in operation of breast cancer. Methods One hundred and sixty-six patients with breast cancer were included in this study between May 2009 and November 2009. Combined group (n=51) applied ultracision harmonic scalpel combined with skin flap external fixation. External fixation group （n=52） used the skill of skin flap external fixation. Routine group included 63 patients. Operative time, accidental injury during operation， volume of bleed and drainage, time of drainage, detection amount of lymph node, and complications such like subcutaneous fluidity were observed and recorded. Results The operative time and detection amount of lymph node were not different among three groups （Pgt;0.05）. The volume of bleed in combined group was less than that in other groups （Plt;0.05）. The volume of drainage and the time of drainage were decreased or shorten by turns from routine group, external fixation group to combined group （Plt;0.05）. The incidence rate of subcutaneous fluidity in combined group was lower than that in routine group （Plt;0.05）. Conclusions Using ultracision harmonic scalpel in operation of breast cancer can remarkably reduce the volume of bleed and drain postoperatively. Ultracision harmonic scalpel combined with skin flap external fixation is safety and can reduce the incidence rate of subcutaneous fluidity, thus can be applied widely in breast cancer operation.
ObjectiveTo explore the value of potaried technique with Trivex system in treatment for venous skin ulcer with deep venous thrombosis sequelae (DVTS) of lower limbs. MethodsTotal 166 patients with venous skin ulcer with DVTS of lower limbs were included in this study. The patients of operation group (94 patients involving 94 legs) were treated by using potaried technique with Trivex system. The patients of nonoperation group (72 patients involving 72 legs) were treated by using nonoperative method. The clinical indexes of skin infection rate, skin necrosis rate, shrinkage rate of wound area, skin depigmentation rate, ulcer healing rate and ulcer recurrence rate were used to assess the clinical curative effect between two groups on 5, 20, 120 and 360 d after operation or treatment, respectively. ResultsThere were no skin infection and skin necrosis in two groups on 5 d after operation or treatment. The rate of shrinkage of wound area and skin depigmentation of patients in operation group were significantly higher than those in nonoperation group on 20 d after operation or treatment 〔(95.8±2.138)% vs. (68.7±3.125)%，P=0.048; (87.6±1.263)% vs. (12.3±1.324)%， P=0.018〕. The rate of the ulcer healing of patients in operation group was significantly higher than that in nonoperation group on 120 d after operation or treatment (97.9%vs. 8.3%， P=0.014). The rate of the ulcer recurrence of patients in operation group was significantly lower than that in nonoperation group on 360 d after operation or treatment (5.3% vs. 97.2%， P=0.015). ConclusionThe potaried technique with Trivex system can be used as one of the surgical treatment methods for venous skin ulcer with DVTS of lower limbs.
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.
Objective To investigate the effect of human placental-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PMSCs) on immunological rejection in mouse allogeneic skin transplantation. Methods The placenta fetal tissues from voluntary donors were used to isolate and culture the PMSCs, and the 3rd passage PMSCs were used in the experiment. Thirty Vr ∶ CD1 (ICR) mice at age of 1-2 days were used as skin donors for allogeneic skin transplantation. Thirty C57BL/6 mice at age of 6-8 weeks as recipients were made back skin defect of 12 mm in diameter and were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=10): group A, autograft; group B, allogeneic graft + PBS tail vein injection; and group C, allogeneic graft + human PMSCs (1 × 105 cells/mouse) tail vein injection. The flap survival was observed. At 7 days after skin transplantation, blood leukocyte counting, abdominal fluid macrophage activation, and the expression levels of interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 17 (IL-17), and interferon γ (INF-γ) in blood and spleen were detected by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. Results The flap survival time was significantly longer in group A [(58.33 ± 4.04) days] than in groups B and C [(3.80 ± 0.92) days and (6.80 ± 0.82) days] (P lt; 0.05), and in group C than in group B (P lt; 0.05). At 7 days after transplantation, the blood leukocyte number was (6.32 ± 0.45) × 109/L in group A, (7.45 ± 0.52) × 109/L in group B, and (6.35 ± 0.39)× 109/ L in group C, and it was significantly more in group B than in groups A and C (P lt; 0.05). The macrophage activation rate of the abdominal fluid was 6.87% ± 2.40% in group A, 7.84% ± 0.44% in group B, and 15.98% ± 2.87% in group C; group C was significantly higher than groups A and B (P lt; 0.01). ELISA results showed that there was no significant difference in the concentrations of IL-4 among 3 groups (P gt; 0.05). Compared with group B, the concentrations of IL-17 and IFN-γ were significantly reduced in group C (P lt; 0.05), while the concentration of IFN-γ was significantly increased in group B when compared with group A (P lt; 0.05). RT-PCR results showed that there were significant differences in the expressions of IL-4, IL-17, and IFN-γ mRNA between groups B, C and group A (P lt; 0.05); the expressions of IL-4 and IFN-γ mRNA were significantly lower in group C than in group B (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Human PMSCs transplantation can suppress the acute immunological rejection in allogeneic skin transplantation. The possible mechanism may be partially related to the inhibitory effect on the secretion of IL-17 and IFN-γ.
【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the effectiveness of the vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) technique with split middle thickness skin replantation for the treatment of severe skin closed internal degloving injury (CIDI). Methods Between July 2008 and April 2011, 16 patients with severe skin CIDI were treated. There were 11 males and 5 females, aged 17-56 years (mean, 28 years). Injury was caused by traffic accident in all cases. The time between injury and operation was 2-8 hours (mean, 5 hours). Peeling skin parts included the upper limb in 3 cases and the lower limb in 13 cases. The range of skin exfoliation was 5%-12% (mean, 7%) of the body surface area with different degree of skin contamination. After thorough debridement, exfoliative skin was made split middle thickness skin graft for in situ replantation, and then VSD was performed. Results After 7 days of VSD therapy, graft skin survived successfully in 14 cases; partial necrosis of graft skin occurred in 2 cases, and was cured after thorough debridement combined with antibiotics for 7 days. All patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 12 months). The appearance of the limb was satisfactory without obvious scar formation, and the blood supply and sensation were normal.The joint function was normal. Conclusion For patients with severe skin CIDI, VSD treatment combined with split middle thickness skin replantation can improve the local blood circulation of the limb, promote replantation skin survival, and shorten healing time of wound. The clinical effectiveness is satisfactory.
【Abstract】 Objective To find out the best method to prepare platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and to evaluate the effect of PRP gel on skin flap survival and its mechanism. Methods Totally, 72 Wistar rats (aged 12 weeks, weighing 250-300 g) were used for the experiment. The arterial blood (8-10 mL) were collected from the hearts of 24 rats to prepare PRP with three kinds of centrifuge methods: in group A, 200 × g centrifuge for 15 minutes, and 500 × g centrifuge for 10 minutes；in group B, 312 × g centrifuge for 10 minutes, and 1 248 × g centrifuge for 10 minutes；and in group C, 200 × g centrifuge for 15 minutes, and 200 × g centrifuge for 10 minutes. The platelet was counted in the whole blood, PRP, and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) to determine an ideal centrifuge. PRP, PPP, and the serum after first centrifuge were collected. The concentrations of platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) were measured in the PRP, PPP, and serum using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, and PRP and PPP gels were prepared. The flaps of 11 cm × 3 cm in size were elevated on the back of 48 rats, which were divided into 3 groups: PRP gel (PRP group, n=16) and PPP gel (PPP group, n=16) were injected, no treatment was given in the control group (n=16). The flap survival rate was measured at 7 days. Histological and real-time PCR were used to count the inflammatory cells and blood vessel density, and to detect the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), PDGF-AA, and PDGF-BB mRNA at 8 hours, 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days. Results Platelet counting showed platelet in group A was the highest. ELISA evaluation showed that the concentrations of TGF-β1 and PDGF-BB were significantly higher in PRP than in PPP and serum (P lt; 0.05). The flap survival rate was 61.2% ± 9.1% in PRP group, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05) when compared with that in PPP group (35.8% ± 11.3%) and control group (28.0% ± 5.4%). The inflammatory cells were significantly lower and the blood vessel density was significantly higher in PRP group than in PPP group and control group (P lt; 0.05). When compared with PPP group and control group, the expressions of VEGF and PDGF-BB increased at all time after operation in PRP group; the expression of EGF increased within 24 hours; and the expression of PDGF-AA increased after 3 days. There were significant differences in PDGF-AA mRNA at 3 days and 7 days, PDGF-BB mRNA at 8 hours, VEGF mRNA at 24 hours and 3 days, and EGF mRNA at 24 hours between PRP group and PPP and control groups (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion 200 × g centrifuge for 15 minutes and 500 × g centrifuge for 10 minutes is the best PRP preparation method. PRP can improve the skin flap survival by regulating the genes involved in angiogenesis.
Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of ultrashort wave (USW) for prevention and treatment of vascular crisis after rat tail replantation. Methods Eighty 3-month old female Sprague Dawley rats (weighing 232.8-289.6 g) were randomly divided into 5 groups. In each group, based on the caudal vein and the coccyx was retained, the tail was cut off. The tail artery was ligated in group A; the tail artery was anastomosed in groups B, C, D, and E to establish the tail replantation model. After surgery, the rats of group B were given normal management; the rats of group C were immediately given intraperitoneal injection (3.125 mL/kg) of diluted papaverine hydrochloride injection (1 mg/mL); the rats of groups D and E were immediately given the local USW treatment (once a day) at anastomotic site for 5 days at the dosage of 3 files and 50 mA for 20 minutes (group D) and 2 files and 28 mA for 20 minutes (group E). The survival rate of the rat tails was observed for 10 days after the tail replantation. The tail skin temperature difference between proximal and distal anastomosis was measured at pre- and post-operation; the change between postoperative and preoperative temperature difference was calculated. The blood plasma specimens were collected from the inner canthus before operation and from the tip of the tail at 8 hours after operation to measure the content of nitric oxide (NO). Results The survival rates of the rat tails were 0 (0/14), 36.4% (8/22), 57.1% (8/14), 22.2% (4/18), and 75.0% (9/12) in groups A, B, C, D, and E, respectively, showing significant overall differences among 5 groups (χ2=19.935, P=0.001); the survival rate of group E was significantly higher than that of group B at 7 days (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found between the other groups by pairwise comparison (P gt; 0.05). At preoperation, there was no significant difference in tail skin temperature difference among 5 groups (P gt; 0.05); at 8 hours, 5 days, 6 days, and 7 days after operation, significant overall difference was found in the change of the skin temperature difference among groups (P lt; 0.05); pairwise comparison showed significant differences after operation (P lt; 0.05): group B gt; group D at 8 hours, group C gt; group D at 5 days, groups A, B, and C gt; group D at 6 days, groups B and C gt; groups A and E, and group B gt; group D at 7 days; but no significant difference was found between the other groups at the other time points (P gt; 0.05). Preoperative plasma NO content between each group had no significant difference (P gt; 0.05). The overall differences had significance in the NO content at postopoerative 8 hours and in the change of the NO content at pre- and post-operation among groups (P lt; 0.05). Significant differences were found by pairwise comparison (P lt; 0.05): group D gt; groups A, B, and C in the plasma NO content, group D gt; groups A and B in the change of the NO content at pre- and post-operation; but no significant difference was found between the other groups by pairwise comparison (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Rat tail replantation model in this experiment is feasible. USW therapy can increase the survival rate of replanted rat tails, reduce skin temperature at 7 days, improve blood supply, increase the content of nitric oxide at the early period and prevent vascular crisis.
Objective To observe the effectiveness of skin graft combined with thorax wire fastening for repairing postoperative coloboma after resection of chest back giant nevus. Methods Between June 2007 and October 2010, 17 cases of chest back giant nevus were treated. There were 7 males and 10 females, aged from 3 years and 6 months to 15 years(mean, 8 years). The size of giant nevus was 20 cm × 12 cm to 60 cm × 50 cm. Two cases of them were ever treated by laser, while the others were never treated. The check before operation showed ulcer of the skin and effusion in 2 cases, hard skin in 3 cases, hair growth in 7 cases, and normal in 5 cases. Five cases had serious itch. After giant nevus was cut off, thorax wire was fastened to reduce the wound area, and then the intermediate spl it thickness skin graft of thigh was used to repair the wound. Comprehensive anti-scar treatment was given postoperatively. Results The wound size was (2 110.74 ± 725.69) cm2 after resection of giant nevus, and was (1 624.94 ± 560.57) cm2 after thorax wire fastening, showing significant difference (t=9.006, P=0.001). All the grafting skin survived; the incision and wound at donor site healed by first intention. The patients were followed up 6 months to 2 years (mean, 13 months). No scar prol iferation or contracture occurred. The skin color and elasticity were similar to the normal skin; the nipple, navel, and other local apparatus were not shifted after operation. Conclusion It can reduce donor site of skin and postoperative scar, and achieve satisfactory appearance to cover the wound by skin graft combined with thorax wire fastening after chest back giant nevus was cut off .
Objective To investigate the method of constructing a tissue engineered epidermis with human epidermal cells and polycarbonate membrane, and to establ ish a tissue engineered epidermis with barrier function which is intended to be the replacing model in vitro of skin irritation test. Methods The tissue engineered epidermis was constructed by using polycarbonate membrane as scaffold and stratified differentiated epidermis derived from human keratinocytes. The tissue engineered epidermis was cultured on an inert polycarbonate filter at the air-liquid interface. After 13 days of culture, the composition and structure of tissue engineered epidermis were observed by HE staining, immunofluorescence staining of keratin 10 (K10) amp; K13, K14, laminin,involucrin, and filaggrin, and transmission electronic microscope. The half maximal inhibitory concentration of a substance (IC50) of SDS was determined in the penetration test of tissue engineered epidermis cultured in the absence (control group) or the presence (experimental group) of l i pid supplement for 18 hours. Results The constructed epidermis was similar to normalepidermis, which was consisted of a proliferating basal layer, differentiated spinous layer, granular layer, and stratum corneum. The IC50 values of tissue engineered epidermis cultured in the control group and experimental group were 0.072% (2.36 mmol/L) and 0.183% (6.00 mmol/L), respectively. Conclusion The tissue engineered epidermis constructed on polycarbonate membrane has normal composition and structure and barrier function corresponding to the normal epidermis.