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This study investigated the effects of 5-fluorouracil in a slow-release biodegradable gelatin system on tendon healing. Gelatin blocks prepared in a size of 10 × 20 × 1 mm were loaded with 10, 20, and 30 mg of 5-fluorouracil, and 30 adult white Leghorn chickens were used. The tendons to the third and fourth toes were severed and repaired. The extremities were casted for three weeks. After sacrifice, the tendons were examined histologically and biomechanically for adhesion formation. The 10 mg-loaded gelatin group showed a decrease in adhesion formation when compared with the operative control group; the 20 and 30 mg groups showed signs of severe inflammation. Low doses of 5-fluorouracil applied via a slow-release gelatin system reduced adhesion formation in flexor tendon healing.

The importance of oxygen in wound healing and the negative effects of cigarette smoking have been demonstrated in various studies. In this study, our aim was to investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) treatment on wound healing in nicotinized and nonnicotinized rats. The study was conducted on 32 Sprague Dawley rats. The rats were divided into four groups, with eight rats in each: group 1, nonnicotinized rats; group 2, nonnicotinized rats treated with HBO2; group 3, nicotinized rats; and group 4, nicotinized rats treated with HBO2. To prepare the nicotinized groups, the rats were given nicotine for 28 days. At the end of day 28, standard, deep, second-degree to third-degree burns were created on the rats. The HBO2-treated groups underwent HBO2 treatment once a day for 7 days after the creation of the burn damage. All rats were killed 21 days after injury, and the burns were subjected to macroscopic, histopathological, and microbiological evaluation. During this evaluation, the smallest necrotic areas and the lowest rate of fibrosis were observed in group 2. The largest necrotic areas and the highest inflammation and fibrosis rates were observed in the nicotine-treated group 3. When the nicotinized and nonnicotinized groups were compared separately, there was a significant difference in favor of the groups treated with HBO2. Bacterial growth was the highest in the nicotinized group 3, whereas no statistically significant difference was observed among the other groups. We conclude that HBO treatment accelerates the recovery of burn wounds and provides more effective healing by reducing the development of scars both in nicotinized and nonnicotinized rats.

The difficulties faced in the reconstruction of the nasal alar defects are still continuing because of their unique anatomy, free margin, and triple-layered complex structure. In this study, we would like to present the results of the cartilage-supported nonfolded nasolabial flap reconstruction method that we applied to full-thickness alar defects involving the alar rim. Between March 2009 and October 2011, 5 patients with full-thickness alar defects underwent cartilage graft-supported nasolabial flap reconstructions. Three of the patients were men, whereas 2 patients were women. Their median age was 54.2 years (range, 43-62 y). The defects were caused by either tumor excision or trauma. According to the method we applied, cartilage grafts were placed into the pouches formed between the skin and the adipose tissue to provide cartilaginous support to the nasolabial flaps to be adapted to the defect areas. The deep surfaces that were going to form the nasal mucosa were grafted using postauricular full-thickness skin grafts. Patients were followed up for a median period of 7.3 months (range, 3-21 mo). In all patients, the flaps fully fitted the defect areas and provided enough coverage over the defects. Although minimal graft contractions were observed in the later phase because of the cartilage support placed within the pouches formed in the flaps, no nasal airway constrictions were observed.The technique we applied is a simple and reliable method providing adequate framework support, full color and texture harmony, an open nasal passage, and a single-session reconstruction in most cases.

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