BackgroundThe most common complication of latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap in breast reconstruction is seroma formation in the back. Many clinical studies have shown that fibrin sealant reduces seroma formation. We investigated any statistically significant differences in postoperative drainage and seroma formation when utilizing the fibrin sealant on the site of the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap harvested for immediate breast reconstruction after skin-sparing partial mastectomy.MethodsA total of 46 patients underwent immediate breast reconstruction utilizing a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous island flap. Of those, 23 patients underwent the procedure without fibrin sealant and the other 23 were administered the fibrin sealant. All flaps were elevated with manual dissection by the same surgeon and were analyzed to evaluate the potential benefits of the fibrin sealant. The correlation analysis and Mann-Whitney U test were used for analyzing the drainage volume according to age, weight of the breast specimen, and body mass index.ResultsAlthough not statistically significant, the cumulative drainage fluid volume was higher in the control group until postoperative day 2 (530.1 mL compared to 502.3 mL), but the fibrin sealant group showed more drainage beginning on postoperative day 3. The donor site comparisons showed the fibrin sealant group had more drainage beginning on postoperative day 3 and the drain was removed 1 day earlier in the control group.ConclusionsThe use of fibrin sealant resulted in no reduction of seroma formation. Because the benefits of the fibrin sealant are not clear, the use of fibrin sealant must be fully discussed with patients before its use as a part of informed consent.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to pathogenesis of many inflammatory skin diseases, including psoriasis. The aim of this study is to compare antioxidant protein expression in psoriasis vulgaris (PV) skin tissues with that in normal skin tissues in vivo and to evaluate the effects of dimethyl fumarate (DMF), used for the treatment of psoriasis, on ROS generation and apoptosis in a human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. Compared with normal skin tissues, PV skin tissues showed increased protein oxidation as well as down-regulation of Nrf2 and its regulatory proteins such as HO-1 and AKR1C3. Using HaCaT cells to model DMF-induced pro-oxidant effects in the skin cells, we found that DMF treatment induced increased ROS levels and apoptotic cell death, as signified by increased proportion of cells with Annexin V-PE(+) staining and a sub-G/G peak in the cell cycle. Preceding these changes, DMF treatment resulted in up-regulation of Nrf2, HO-1, and AKR1C3 proteins in these cells. Collectively, increased oxidative stress and impaired cellular anti-oxidant enzyme systems may participate in the pathogenesis of PV. DMF may exert an additive therapeutic efficacy in PV by attenuating the redox burden and subsequent oxidative damage to normal keratinocytes through activation of Nrf2 pathway relative to PV.

We herein present our experience with microsurgical training using a porcine thigh infusion model, which resembles living animal models. The main femoral artery was cannulated with a 24G angioneedle and fixed with 4-0 black silk sutures. Microanastomoses were performed on the femoral vessels of porcine thighs using end-to-end and end-to-side techniques. During the microanastomoses, dyed 0.9% isotonic sodium chloride was infused at 200 to 850 mL/min using an infusion pump. No anastomosis site leakage was observed and the patency of the anastomosis site was maintained. We consider the porcine thigh infusion model to be appropriate for the beginner trainee because the large vessel size enables him or her to practice. In addition, our model provides a circulation environment similar to the in vivo human environment. We believe that our model is more convenient than living animal models and more accurate than models that do not provide a circulation environment.

BackgroundMany novel approaches to mandibular condyle fracture have been reported, but there is a relative lack of reports on the Risdon approach. In this study, the feasibility of the Risdon approach for condylar neck and subcondylar fractures of the mandible is demonstrated.MethodsA review of patients with mandibular condylar neck and subcondylar fractures was performed from March 2008 to June 2012. A total of 25 patients, 19 males and 6 females, had 14 condylar neck fractures and 11 subcondylar fractures.ResultsAll of the cases were reduced using the Risdon approach. For subcondylar fractures, reduction and fixation with plates was done under direct vision. For condylar neck fractures, reduction and fixation was done with the aid of a trochar in adults and a percutaneous threaded Kirschner wire in children. There were no malunions or nonunions revealed in follow-up care. Mild transient neuropraxia of the marginal mandibular nerve was seen in 4 patients, which was resolved within 1–2 months.ConclusionsThe Risdon approach is a technique for reducing the condylar neck and subcondylar fractures that is easy to perform and easy to learn. Its value in the reduction of mandibular condyle fractures should be emphasized.

Blowout fracture can be treated safely under guidance of a surgical navigation system. In orbital surgery, navigation-assisted technology could give rise to improvements in the functional and aesthetic outcome and checking the position of the instruments on the surgical site in real time, without injuring important anatomic structures.