1/21. Arterial embolization in the treatment of post-traumatic priapism.priapism is a prolonged penile erection not associated with sexual arousal. Two types of priapism have been described: the more common one is the "veno-occlusive" priapism and can be frequently observed as the consequence of an intracavernosal injection of vaso-active drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The less common type of priapism is known as "high flow" priapism and usually follows perineal or direct penile trauma. The clinical presentation in case of high flow priapism is quite typical: hystory of recent penile or perineal trauma followed, by the onset of a painless, incomplete and constant erection of the penis. A color-flow Doppler sonogram should be performed as first diagnostic step: this examination allows to identify the presence of patent cavernous arteries and prominent venous drainage with focal area of high flow turbulence along the pathway of one or both the cavernous arteries. An arterial blood sample taken from the corpora will confirm the diagnosis. At first, conservative therapeutical attempts can be suggested, with mechanical external compression of the perineum, the use of ice packs, corporeal aspiration and irrigation with saline. Besides, intracorporeal administration of alpha-agonists and methylene blue should be performed. Unfortunately, these conservative measures often result unsuccessful, and more invasive approaches must be considered. The radiological superselective transcatheter embolization of the proximal artery supplying arterial-lacunar fistula should be the present treatment of choice in these cases of high-flow priapism refractory to conservative and medical treatments. The first successful management of high flow priapism by selective arterial embolization was reported by Wear and coworkers in 1977. Autologous clots and gelatine sponge have been extensively used and become very popular as the embolic agent. More recently, platinum microcoils have been proposed with the aim to achieve more precise and selective embolization. In our single-case-experience on the treatment of high flow priapism by arterial embolization, we used the recently introduced tungsten microcoils. At the time of the follow-up, 2 months later, patient reported satisfactory intercourse with an approximately 75% of penile rigidity. By comparison with microsurgical ligature of the damaged vessel, selective embolization is, at least theoretically, a less invasive procedure, particularly with reference to the trauma caused to the erectile tissue. High-flow priapism is a fairly rare urological pathology which does not require immediate and emergency treatment (as is the case, instead, with venous-occlusive priapism), since the risk of post-ischaemic fibrosis is excluded thanks to the fact that oxygen is supplied to the cavernous tissue. Once the diagnosis has been established with certainty, therefore, the specialist has the necessary time at disposal to arrange for the most appropriate therapeutic steps. When, as is frequently the case, conservative measures prove ineffective, the current treatment of choice for cases of fistula of the cavernous artery would appear to be superselective embolization of the artery, provided same can be performed at specialized centres and by experienced personnel.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/21. Treatment and stabilization of complex wounds involving the pelvic bone, groin, and femur with the inferiorly based rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap and the use of power color Doppler imaging in preoperative evaluation.The authors present case reports demonstrating the trilevel utility of the inferiorly based rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap in the closure of complex wounds involving the pelvis, groin, and femur that had failed previously or were not amenable to traditional closure techniques. The use of the rectus abdominis flap was especially advantageous for achieving infection eradication and large dead space closure. Additionally they present the emerging technique of power color Doppler imaging as a valuable tool in preoperative flap planning. This technique is particularly useful in evaluating the candidacy for rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap placement of patients with a prior history of abdominal surgeries, trauma, infection, irradiation, or other conditions that might compromise the patency of the deep inferior epigastric vessels.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/21. Prehospital rounds. The quick stop.The coroner's post-mortem examination revealed a tom aorta. This case illustrates that although a patient may appear stable, a major catastrophic event may nonetheless be taking place. How many times have we responded to MVAs similar to the one described here and seen those involved deny injuries? We carry a higher suspicion of aortic injury after someone has been ejected from a vehicle or involved in a high-speed crash. That's not always the case, however, and understanding how internal organs respond to high-speed impacts is crucial. Damage to the aorta may result after a sudden deceleration injury of any type: a fall, vehicle crash or violence. The most common forms of traumatic aortic injury occur where the aorta is "tethered" in place: at its intersection with the heart and at its distal portion just beneath the left subclavian artery near the ligamenta arteriosum. Approximately 80% of patients with aortic injury die at the scene. The injury may be hidden in the other 20%, but they have the potential to rapidly deteriorate and die. Those who survive typically are at a trauma center and are cared for by providers who have a suspicion of the injury. A high index of suspicion should be maintained on all rapid-deceleration injuries and with patients who experience chest pain, dyspnea, a difference in pressure between the upper and lower extremities, and paralysis. paralysis can occur when aortic injury cuts off blood supply [table: see text] to the spinal cord. The spinal cord obtains its blood supply from arteries coming directly off the aorta, and a torn aorta can shear off these vessels, leaving the spinal cord to infarct and the patient to lose all distal function. When a victim sustains a sudden-deceleration injury to the chest, signs of aortic injury should be sought. It is imperative to maintain a high index of suspicion throughout patient care and be aware that although a patient may appear to be quite stable, the reality might be otherwise, and rapid transport to a trauma center will be necessary to save their life.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/21. Usefulness and limitations of artificial dermis implantation for posttraumatic deformity.We have previously reported the use of artificial dermis implantation to cover exposed major vessels and to correct a depressed region after tissue resection and bone deformity with satisfactory results. In this paper, we present cases with depressed lesions and adhesive lesions after trauma, treated with artificial dermis implantation. Artificial dermis (Terudermis, Terumo Co. Ltd., tokyo, japan) was implanted in 12 cases of posttraumatic deformity. Eight of the 12 cases involved a depressed lesion, and the other four involved adhesive lesions. There was no postoperative infection or allergic reaction in any of the patients. Improvement of the deformity was obtained in all cases, but the degree of volume reduction in traumatic cases is likely to be more severe than that in the non-traumatic cases previously reported. In conclusion, artificial dermis implantation is an easy, safe, and useful method to correct a posttraumatic deformity, such as a depression or an adhesion, although it is important to note that depressions require overcorrection in order to obtain satisfactory results, as compared with non-traumatic cases treated with artificial dermis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/21. The function of the spleen in adults after ligation of the splenic artery of the traumatized spleen in childhood.BACKGROUND: ligation of the splenic artery (LSA) has been successfully used as a spleen-saving procedure in rare cases of splenic trauma in children in which management with splenorrhaphy or partial splenectomy alone was not possible. There are no data regarding the long-term effects of the procedure on the functional status of the spleen. The purpose of this study is to present and discuss our clinical and laboratory findings in adults who underwent LSA in childhood. methods: Our first 2 patients in whom LSA was done at ages 4 and 2 years in 1977 underwent the following examinations in the year 2000: 1, imaging of the spleen; 2, immunologic studies; and 3, peripheral blood tests. Their ages at reexamination were 27 and 25 years, respectively. RESULTS: Results were as follows: triplex ultrasound revealed normal size and echomorphology; Doppler techniques revealed normal vasculature; 99mTc-Tin colloid scanning revealed normal uptake. immunoglobulins (IgG1 to IgG4, IgA, IgM, IgE), complement fraction (C3, C4), antibodies response to vaccinations, and peripheral blood tests all had normal results. No Howell-Jolly bodies were found. CONCLUSION: Laboratory investigations in adults with LSA during childhood disclosed undisturbed function of the spleen. LSA can be used as an adjunct to splenorrhaphy in children with rare splenic injuries involving major hilar vessels.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/21. Loupes-only microsurgery.Standard magnification in microsurgery is accomplished with the operating microscope. Loupes are perceived by the microsurgical community as technically less safe. However, after several years of microscope-only microsurgery, most of our microvascular procedures are performed under loupes 3.5-4x. Considering our results using loupes-only microsurgery, which are comparable with those obtained when using the microscope, we suggest that loupe-aided microsurgery might represent a natural progression for the experienced microsurgeon. Microsurgical skills and experience outweigh the importance of the magnification factor. While the microscope is mandatory for replantations distal to the palmary arch, microneurosurgery, and supramicrosurgery, loupes should be used in so-called "macro-microsurgery." One may include in this category replantations down to the palmar arch and free flaps with vessels more than 1.5 mm, such as the latissimus, serratus, (para)scapular, fibula, radial forearm, rectus abdominis, dorsalis pedis, omentum, and jejunum. Before starting loupes-only microsurgery, intensive training under the microscope is crucial. Less magnification does not mean less quality.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/21. Thoracoumbilical flap: experience with 33 cases.From August 1996 to June 2000, 33 free thoracoumbilical flaps were transferred to reconstruct a variety of soft-tissue defects. The size of the flaps ranged from 10 to 40 cm in length and 8 to 25 cm in width. The blood supply to the skin island came from the largest periumbilical perforator of the deep inferior epigastric vessels. The main indications were complex extremity trauma or soft-tissue tumor resection with extensive skin loss, either acute or postprimary. The overall success rate was 100 percent (33/33). The donor area was closed directly in 10- to 12-cm-wide flaps, leaving an inconspicuous scar. Larger flaps required skin grafting. After a 2-year follow-up, all flaps have healed uneventfully and donor abdominal morbidity is minimal.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/21. Microvascular anastomosis through the tibial tunnel: a new technique in free-tissue transfer to the leg.Free-tissue transfer to a severely traumatized leg has a high rate of vascular complications. We present three successful cases using a new technique of microvascular anastomosis through the tibial tunnel. Because of the unavailability of anterior tibial artery due to posttraumatic vascular disease, donor vascular pedicles were passed posterior to the tibia through the tibial tunnel and anastomosed to the posterior tibial artery or its branch in an end-to-end fashion. The flaps survived perfectly, without any vascular complication. This technique represents a safe route, and the shortest route, to an expected anastomosis point. Our technique is indicated especially in cases with a single-vessel leg.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/21. The thoracodorsal artery perforator-scapular osteocutaneous (TDAP-SOC) flap for reconstruction of palatal and maxillary defects.Despite technical advances over the past 3 decades, subtotal, total, and extended total maxillectomy defects remain challenging reconstructive problems. In particular, postoncologic resection of the maxilla results in complex 3-dimensional defects of the midface, which cause severe functional and esthetic deformities. Such defects generally require composite tissue flaps for reconstruction. Rebuilding the palate and maxilla is especially challenging because it requires reconstitution of the facial buttresses, occlusion, replacement of bony hard palate, and the thin intraoral and intranasal lining which normally constitute the soft palate. Various methods of reconstruction have been applied to this area in search of an ideal soft tissue-bone flap to restore the bony framework of the maxilla and palate while providing an internal lining. Osteocutaneous and osteomuscular flaps such originating from the scapular, iliac, peroneal, and radial vascular systems have been attempted with good success.We devised an osteocutaneous flap based on the scapular vascular system, which provided bone and soft tissue to successfully reconstruct the palate and maxilla in 2 patients. The skin paddle received its blood supply from the major perforating vessels of the thoracodorsal artery, and the scapular bone was nourished by the angular vessels. Although free tissue transfer using thoracodorsal perforator flaps has been described, this flap has not been previously reported in the literature as an osteocutaneous tissue transfer. With the use of rigid fixation, excellent results have been obtained with this technique for palatal and maxillary reconstruction.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/21. Free-flap monitoring using a chimeric sentinel muscle perforator flap.Muscle perforator flaps have become an important resource for the creation of cutaneous flaps based on musculocutaneous perforators, but without inclusion of the involved muscle. As a chimeric flap with or without the muscle, the cutaneous perforator flap can specifically serve as a sentinel or monitoring flap to allow the early detection of anastomotic compromise involving the common source vessel, without the need for direct observation of the major free-flap component. This can be a valuable adjunctive use of muscle perforator flaps for the continuous assessment of free muscle flaps or as an exteriorized flap for the monitoring of buried free flaps.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = vessel (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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