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Reconstruction of oral defects using flaps following resection of oral cancer has become a standard approach for restoration of oral function. The purpose of this study was to investigate chronological changes in the volume of such flaps used for reconstruction and the factors affecting flap volume. We performed a retrospective analysis of 17 patients who had undergone oral cancer resection and reconstruction with flaps. Measurements were performed using data from computed tomography, and the flaps were selected semi-automatically using a computer-operated region-of-interest system. The data indicated that the change in total flap volume at 1 year after surgery was 30.6%, and that body weight loss was a risk factor for volume reduction. Our results suggested that flaps should be at least 30% larger than the defects they are intended to repair. However, as large flaps have the potential to cause upper airway obstruction, flap volume should be determined on an individual basis according to defect size and location.

The recovery process of a Sasa tsuboiana population after a mass flowering and death in 1977 was investigated by 15 years of observation in the Hira Mountains, Kinki district, western Japan. Seed production was high (6600-13 800 seeds m -2 in Sasa plots and 3900 seeds m -2 in a forest plot) but m ), probably because of seed predation by Microtus emergent seedling density was low (14-21 seedlings -2 montebelli occurring between seed shedding and the next spring. The seedling density had decreased further by the next year and the S. tsuboiana population recovered from only a limited number of seedlings. In spite of such a low initial density, the S. tsuboiana population was able to regenerate successfully and attained the previous full stand height in 7-16 years. Miscanthus sinensis invaded and delayed the recovery of S. tsuboiana in one plot, but S. tsuboiana became dominant as it caught up with the height of M. sinensis.Seedling growth patterns, such as frequent tillering, the onset of rhizome extension in the early stage of seedling growth and frequent culm production from rhizomes, played important roles in the successful regeneration of S. tsuboiana.

Duodenogastric reflux (DGR) was assessed in patients surgically treated for choledochal cyst, with emphasis on two different biliary reconstruction methods: Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) and hepaticoduodenostomy (HD). Gastric bile monitoring with the Bilitec device revealed excessive DGR in patients in the HD group. Endoscopic findings demonstrated mild to moderate gastric mucosal erosion in patients after HD. In contrast, neither DGR nor gastritis was found in patients after HJ. This preliminary study suggests that HJ, rather than HD, should be recommended as a method of biliary reconstruction for pediatric patients with choledochal cyst. Careful observation of DGR should be continued in patients who have undergone HD.

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