Browsing by Author "Erdmann, Detlev"
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Item Open Access A model of sequential heart and composite tissue allotransplant in rats.(Plast Reconstr Surg, 2010-07) Yang, Jun; Erdmann, Detlev; Chang, JC; Komatsu, Issei; Zhang, YiXin; Wang, DanRu; Hodavance, Michael S; Hollenbeck, Scott T; Levinson, Howard; Klitzman, Bruce; Levin, LSBACKGROUND: Some of the 600,000 patients with solid organ allotransplants need reconstruction with a composite tissue allotransplant, such as the hand, abdominal wall, or face. The aim of this study was to develop a rat model for assessing the effects of a secondary composite tissue allotransplant on a primary heart allotransplant. METHODS: Hearts of Wistar Kyoto rats were harvested and transplanted heterotopically to the neck of recipient Fisher 344 rats. The anastomoses were performed between the donor brachiocephalic artery and the recipient left common carotid artery, and between the donor pulmonary artery and the recipient external jugular vein. Recipients received cyclosporine A for 10 days only. Heart rate was assessed noninvasively. The sequential composite tissue allotransplant consisted of a 3 x 3-cm abdominal musculocutaneous flap harvested from Lewis rats and transplanted to the abdomen of the heart allotransplant recipients. The abdominal flap vessels were connected to the femoral vessels. No further immunosuppression was administered following the composite tissue allotransplant. Ten days after composite tissue allotransplantation, rejection of the heart and abdominal flap was assessed histologically. RESULTS: The rat survival rate of the two-stage transplant surgery was 80 percent. The transplanted heart rate decreased from 150 +/- 22 beats per minute immediately after transplant to 83 +/- 12 beats per minute on day 20 (10 days after stopping immunosuppression). CONCLUSIONS: This sequential allotransplant model is technically demanding. It will facilitate investigation of the effects of a secondary composite tissue allotransplant following primary solid organ transplantation and could be useful in developing future immunotherapeutic strategies.Item Open Access A Rare Case of Malignant Transformation of Oral Lichen Planus of the Mandible.(Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open, 2016-12-23) Soo, Joanne; Kokosis, George; Ogilvie, Michael; Sara Jiang, Xiaoyin; Powers, David B; Rocke, Daniel J; Erdmann, DetlevOral lichen planus (OLP) is an immune-mediated mucocutaneous disease associated with an increased risk in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Nearly all cases of malignant transformation have been reported in patients >40 years old. We report the case of a 37-year-old woman with a 5-year history of erosive OLP who presented with malignant transformation to OSCC. Delineating the margins of the disease was impossible at presentation given her OLP, and she was initially treated with concurrent chemoradiation therapy. She then developed a recurrence of the mandibular alveolar ridge. The patient was successfully treated with a composite resection including a segmental mandibulectomy, buccal mucosa resection, partial glossectomy, and ipsilateral neck dissection. This was reconstructed with a free fibula osteo-septo-cutaneous flap. Mandibular OSCC is a rare complication of OLP with few reports on effective reconstructive interventions. The case represents the youngest reported patient with mandibular OSCC arising in the context of OLP and highlights the utility of the free vascularized fibula graft in the treatment of these patients.Item Open Access A review of scar scales and scar measuring devices.(Eplasty, 2010-06-21) Fearmonti, Regina; Bond, Jennifer; Erdmann, Detlev; Levinson, HowardObjective
Pathologic scarring affects millions of people worldwide. Quantitative and qualitative measurement modalities are needed to effectively evaluate and monitor treatments.Methods
This article reviews the literature on available tools and existent assessment scales used to subjectively and objectively characterize scar.Results
We describe the attributes and deficiencies of each tool and scale and highlight areas where further development is critical.Conclusion
An optimal, universal scar scoring system is needed in order to better characterize, understand and treat pathologic scarring.Item Open Access Bioburden after Staphylococcus aureus inoculation in type 1 diabetic rats undergoing internal fixation.(Plast Reconstr Surg, 2014-09) Brown, Nga L; Rose, Michael B; Blueschke, Gert; Cho, Eugenia H; Schoenfisch, Mark H; Erdmann, Detlev; Klitzman, BruceSUMMARY: Fracture stabilization in the diabetic patient is associated with higher complication rates, particularly infection and impaired wound healing, which can lead to major tissue damage, osteomyelitis, and higher amputation rates. With an increasing prevalence of diabetes and an aging population, the risks of infection of internal fixation devices are expected to grow. Although numerous retrospective clinical studies have identified a relationship between diabetes and infection, currently there are few animal models that have been used to investigate postoperative surgical-site infections associated with internal fixator implantation and diabetes. The authors therefore refined the protocol for inducing hyperglycemia and compared the bacterial burden in controls to pharmacologically induced type 1 diabetic rats after undergoing internal fracture plate fixation and Staphylococcus aureus surgical-site inoculation. Using an initial series of streptozotocin doses, followed by optional additional doses to reach a target blood glucose range of 300 to 600 mg/dl, the authors reliably induced diabetes in 100 percent of the rats (n = 16), in which a narrow hyperglycemic range was maintained 14 days after onset of diabetes (mean ± SEM, 466 ± 16 mg/dl; coefficient of variation, 0.15). With respect to their primary endpoint, the authors quantified a significantly higher infectious burden in inoculated diabetic animals (median, 3.2 × 10 colony-forming units/mg dry tissue) compared with inoculated nondiabetic animals (7.2 × 10 colony-forming units/mg dry tissue). These data support the authors' hypothesis that uncontrolled diabetes adversely affects the immune system's ability to clear Staphylococcus aureus associated with internal hardware.Item Open Access Breast reduction in a patient with gorham-stout vanishing bone syndrome.(Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open, 2014-07) DeLong, Michael R; Kokosis, Georgios; Erdmann, DetlevSummary
The authors describe a 23-year-old woman with Gorham's syndrome who underwent an uneventful bilateral reduction mammoplasty which has not been reported in the medical literature today. The patient had undergone multiple surgical and medical interventions before presentation in the senior author's clinic including a vascularized free fibular graft which ultimately disappeared due to disease progression. Preoperatively, the patient complained of debilitating neck and back pain secondary to her macromastia, which was noted to be asymmetric. A standard inferior pedicle breast reduction was performed with the removal of 600 g from the right breast and 400 g from the left. The patient healed well postoperatively without complication and was satisfied with her result.Item Open Access Co-Treatment of Chloroquine and Trametinib Inhibits Melanoma Cell Proliferation and Decreases Immune Cell Infiltration(Frontiers in Oncology) Degan, Simone; May, Brian L; Jin, Yingai J; Hammoda, Manel Ben; Sun, Huiying; Zhang, Guoqiang; Wang, Yan; Erdmann, Detlev; Warren, Warren; Zhang, Jennifer YAutophagy is characterized as a cytoprotective process and inhibition of autophagy with medicinally active agents, such as chloroquine (CQ) is proposed as a prospective adjuvant therapy for cancer. Here, we examined the preclinical effects of CQ combined with the MEK inhibitor trametinib (TRA) on melanoma. We found that cotreatment of CQ and TRA markedly slowed melanoma growth induced in Tyr-CreER.BrafCa.Ptenfl/fl mice. Immunostaining showed that trametinib decreased Ki-67+ proliferating cells, and increased TUNEL+ apoptotic cells. The combo treatment induced a further decrease of Ki-67+ proliferating cells. Consistent with the in vivo findings, CQ and TRA inhibited melanoma cell proliferation in vitro, which was correlated by decreased cyclin D1 expression. In addition, we found that tissues treated with CQ and TRA had significantly decreased numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes and F4/80+ macrophages. Together, these results indicate that cotreatment of CQ and TRA decreases cancer cell proliferation, but also dampens immune cell infiltration. Further study is warranted to understand whether CQ-induced immune suppression inadvertently affects therapeutic benefits.Item Open Access Enhanced Drug Delivery to the Skin Using Liposomes.(Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open, 2018-07-09) Blueschke, Gert; Boico, Alina; Negussie, Ayele H; Yarmolenko, Pavel; Wood, Bradford J; Spasojevic, Ivan; Fan, Ping; Erdmann, Detlev; Schroeder, Thies; Sauerbier, Michael; Klitzman, BruceEnhancing drug delivery to the skin has importance in many therapeutic strategies. In particular, the outcome in vascularized composite allotransplantation mainly depends on systemic immunosuppression to prevent and treat episodes of transplant rejection. However, the side effects of systemic immunosuppression may introduce substantial risk to the patient and are weighed against the expected benefits. Successful enhancement of delivery of immunosuppressive agents to the most immunogenic tissues would allow for a reduction in systemic doses, thereby minimizing side effects. Nanoparticle-assisted transport by low temperature-sensitive liposomes (LTSLs) has shown some benefit in anticancer therapy. Our goal was to test whether delivery of a marker agent to the skin could be selectively enhanced.In an in vivo model, LTSLs containing doxorubicin (dox) as a marker were administered intravenously to rats that were exposed locally to mild hyperthermia. Skin samples of the hyperthermia treated hind limb were compared with skin of the contralateral normothermia hind limb. Tissue content of dox was quantified both via high-performance liquid chromatography and via histology in skin and liver.The concentration of dox in hyperthermia-treated skin was significantly elevated over both normothermic skin and liver. (P < 0.02).We show here that delivery of therapeutics to the skin can be targeted and enhanced using LTSLs. Targeting drug delivery with this method may reduce the systemic toxicity seen in a systemic free-drug administration. Development of more hydrophilic immunosuppressants in the future would increase the applicability of this system in the treatment of rejection reactions in vascularized composite allotransplantation. The treatment of other skin condition might be another potential application.Item Open Access Hardware Removal in Craniomaxillofacial Trauma: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Management Algorithm.(Annals of plastic surgery, 2015-11) Cahill, Thomas J; Gandhi, Rikesh; Allori, Alexander C; Marcus, Jeffrey R; Powers, David; Erdmann, Detlev; Hollenbeck, Scott T; Levinson, HowardBackground
Craniomaxillofacial (CMF) fractures are typically treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Open reduction and internal fixation can be complicated by hardware exposure or infection. The literature often does not differentiate between these 2 entities; so for this study, we have considered all hardware exposures as hardware infections. Approximately 5% of adults with CMF trauma are thought to develop hardware infections. Management consists of either removing the hardware versus leaving it in situ. The optimal approach has not been investigated. Thus, a systematic review of the literature was undertaken and a resultant evidence-based approach to the treatment and management of CMF hardware infections was devised.Materials and methods
A comprehensive search of journal articles was performed in parallel using MEDLINE, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect electronic databases. Keywords and phrases used were maxillofacial injuries; facial bones; wounds and injuries; fracture fixation, internal; wound infection; and infection. Our search yielded 529 articles. To focus on CMF fractures with hardware infections, the full text of English-language articles was reviewed to identify articles focusing on the evaluation and management of infected hardware in CMF trauma. Each article's reference list was manually reviewed and citation analysis performed to identify articles missed by the search strategy. There were 259 articles that met the full inclusion criteria and form the basis of this systematic review. The articles were rated based on the level of evidence. There were 81 grade II articles included in the meta-analysis.Result
Our meta-analysis revealed that 7503 patients were treated with hardware for CMF fractures in the 81 grade II articles. Hardware infection occurred in 510 (6.8%) of these patients. Of those infections, hardware removal occurred in 264 (51.8%) patients; hardware was left in place in 166 (32.6%) patients; and in 80 (15.6%) cases, there was no report as to hardware management. Finally, our review revealed that there were no reported differences in outcomes between groups.Conclusions
Management of CMF hardware infections should be performed in a sequential and consistent manner to optimize outcome. An evidence-based algorithm for management of CMF hardware infections based on this critical review of the literature is presented and discussed.Item Open Access Mandibular Reconstruction Using the Free Vascularized Fibula Graft: An Overview of Different Modifications.(Archives of plastic surgery, 2016-01-15) Kokosis, George; Schmitz, Robin; Powers, David B; Erdmann, DetlevThe reconstruction of the mandible is a complex procedure because various cosmetic as well as functional challenges must be addressed, including mastication and oral competence. Many surgical techniques have been described to address these challenges, including non-vascularized bone grafts, vascularized bone grafts, and approaches related to tissue engineering. This review summarizes different modifications of the free vascularized fibula graft, which, since its introduction by Hidalgo in 1989, has become the first option for mandibular reconstruction. The fibula free flap can undergo various modifications according to the individual requirements of a particular reconstruction. Osteocutaneous flaps can be harvested for reconstruction of composite defects. 'Double-barreling' of the fibula can, for instance, enable enhanced aesthetic and functional results, as well as immediate one-stage osseointegrated dental implantation. Recently described preoperative virtual surgery planning to facilitate neomandible remodeling could guarantee good results. To conclude, the free fibula bone graft can currently be regarded as the "gold standard" for mandibular reconstruction in case of composite (inside and outside) oral cavity defects as well as a way of enabling the performance of one-stage dental implantation.Item Open Access Printing amphotericin B on microneedles using matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation.(International journal of bioprinting, 2017-01) Sachan, Roger; Jaipan, Panupong; Zhang, Jennifer Y; Degan, Simone; Erdmann, Detlev; Tedesco, Jonathan; Vanderwal, Lyndsi; Stafslien, Shane J; Negut, Irina; Visan, Anita; Dorcioman, Gabriela; Socol, Gabriel; Cristescu, Rodica; Chrisey, Douglas B; Narayan, Roger JTransdermal delivery of amphotericin B, a pharmacological agent with activity against fungi and parasitic protozoa, is a challenge since amphotericin B exhibits poor solubility in aqueous solutions at physiologic pH values. In this study, we have used a laser-based printing approach known as matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation to print amphotericin B on the surfaces of polyglycolic acid microneedles that were prepared using a combination of injection molding and drawing lithography. In a modified agar disk diffusion assay, the amphotericin B-loaded microneedles showed concentration-dependent activity against the yeast Candida albicans. The results of this study suggest that matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation may be used to print amphotericin B and other drugs that have complex solubility issues on the surfaces of microneedles.Item Open Access Salvage of Exposed Groin Vascular Grafts with Early Intervention Using Local Muscle Flaps.(Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open, 2015-09-22) May, Brian L; Zelenski, Nicole A; Daluvoy, Sanjay V; Blanton, Matthew W; Shortell, Cynthia K; Erdmann, DetlevBACKGROUND:Peripheral vascular surgery may be complicated by wound infection and potential graft exposure in the groin area. Muscle flap coverage of the graft has been promoted to address these wound complications. The authors present their findings regarding graft salvage rates and patient outcomes using local muscle flaps to address vascular graft complications of the groin. METHODS:Data were obtained by retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent a local muscle flap procedure by a single surgeon following vascular graft complication in the groin. RESULTS:Seventeen patients undergoing local muscle flap coverage of a vascular graft were reviewed. Six men and 9 women, 51-80 years old, were included in the study. Wound complications in the groin occurred anywhere from 3 days to 3.5 years following graft placement. Graft exposure was the most common presenting complication (14 of 17 patients). Muscle flap coverage occurred within 15 days of complication presentation in all patients (average, 6.4 days). Seven of the 15 patients experienced postoperative complications within 6 months of the procedure, most commonly wound dehiscence. However, analysis demonstrated that vascular grafts were successfully salvaged in 10 of the 17 patients (59%) over the course of follow-up (range, 104-1748 days). Average time to muscle flap coverage was 4.2 days in patients who retained the graft and 9.6 days in patients who ultimately lost their vascular graft. CONCLUSION:The authors demonstrate improved vascular graft salvage rate when local muscle flap procedure is performed early after initial wound complication presentation.Item Open Access Silicone Migration and Late Hematoma following Silicone Implant Rupture: Case Report and Literature Review.(Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open, 2018-08-06) Dean, Riley A; Glener, Adam D; Thomas, Analise B; Glener, Steven R; Kurtovic, Silvia; Erdmann, DetlevDistant silicone migration and late postoperative hematoma are rare but serious complications following breast implant rupture. This study describes a case report of both these complications occurring in the same patient. After a review of pertinent literature, the authors found 19 other case reports (20 total patients) with distant silicone migration following breast implant rupture. Median age at the time of presentation was 48 years (range, 21-76), and median time between initial breast augmentation and presentation with silicone migration was 10 years (range, 1-30 years). Sites of migrated silicone included arm/forearm (n = 11), thoracic cavity (n = 4), abdominal wall (n = 3), legs (n = 2), and back (n = 1). A total of 67% of patients had documented trauma to the chest before presentation. Our study highlights the need to consider distant silicone migration in the differential diagnosis when extracapsular implant rupture is suspected.Item Open Access Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Cellular and Transcriptional Changes Associated With M1 Macrophage Polarization in Hidradenitis Suppurativa.(Frontiers in medicine, 2021-01) Mariottoni, Paula; Jiang, Simon W; Prestwood, Courtney A; Jain, Vaibhav; Suwanpradid, Jutamas; Whitley, Melodi Javid; Coates, Margaret; Brown, David A; Erdmann, Detlev; Corcoran, David L; Gregory, Simon G; Jaleel, Tarannum; Zhang, Jennifer Y; Harris-Tryon, Tamia A; MacLeod, Amanda SHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by recurrent abscesses, nodules, and sinus tracts in areas of high hair follicle and sweat gland density. These sinus tracts can present with purulent drainage and scar formation. Dysregulation of multiple immune pathways drives the complexity of HS pathogenesis and may account for the heterogeneity of treatment response in HS patients. Using transcriptomic approaches, including single-cell sequencing and protein analysis, we here characterize the innate inflammatory landscape of HS lesions. We identified a shared upregulation of genes involved in interferon (IFN) and antimicrobial defense signaling through transcriptomic overlap analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in datasets from HS skin, diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), and the inflammatory stage of normal healing wounds. Overlap analysis between HS- and DFU-specific DEGs revealed an enrichment of gene signatures associated with monocyte/macrophage functions. Single-cell RNA sequencing further revealed monocytes/macrophages with polarization toward a pro-inflammatory M1-like phenotype and increased effector function, including antiviral immunity, phagocytosis, respiratory burst, and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Specifically, we identified the STAT1/IFN-signaling axis and the associated IFN-stimulated genes as central players in monocyte/macrophage dysregulation. Our data indicate that monocytes/macrophages are a potential pivotal player in HS pathogenesis and their pathways may serve as therapeutic targets and biomarkers in HS treatment.Item Open Access Surgical Techniques for Revascularization in Abdominal Wall Transplantation.(Journal of reconstructive microsurgery, 2020-04-25) Atia, Andrew; Hollins, Andrew; Shammas, Ronnie; Phillips, Brett T; Ravindra, Kadiyala V; Sudan, Debra L; Giele, Henk; Mithani, Suhail K; Erdmann, DetlevBACKGROUND: Abdominal wall vascularized composite allotransplantation (AW-VCA) can be considered as a technically feasible option for abdominal wall reconstruction in patients whose abdomen cannot be closed using traditional methods. However, successful initial abdominal wall revascularization in the setting of visceral organ transplantation can pose a major challenge as graft ischemia time, operating in a limited surgical field, and variable recipient and donor anatomy must be considered. Several techniques have been reported to accomplish abdominal wall revascularization. METHODS: A literature review was performed using PubMed for articles related to "abdominal wall transplantation (AWT)." The authors of this study sorted through this search for relevant publications that describe abdominal wall transplant anatomy, technical descriptions, and outcomes of various techniques. RESULTS: A total of four distinct revascularization techniques were found in the literature. Each of these techniques was described by the respective authors and reported varying patient outcomes. Levi et al published a landmark article in 2003 that described technical feasibility of AWT with anastomosis between donor external iliac and inferior epigastric vessels with recipient common iliac vessels in end-to-side fashion. Cipriani et al described a microsurgical technique with anastomosis between donor and recipient inferior epigastric vessels in an end-to-end fashion. Giele et al subsequently proposed banking the abdominal wall allograft in the forearm to reduce graft ischemia time. Recently, Erdmann et al described the utilization of an arteriovenous loop for synchronous revascularization of abdominal wall and visceral transplants for reduction of ischemia time, operative time, while eliminating the need for further operations. CONCLUSION: Vascularized composite allotransplantation continues to advance with improving immunotherapy and outcomes in solid organ transplantation. Optimizing surgical techniques remains paramount as the field continues to grow. Refinement of the presented methods will continue as additional evidence and outcomes become available in AW-VCA.Item Open Access Synchronous Abdominal Wall and Small-bowel Transplantation: A 1-year Follow-up.(Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open, 2020-07-24) Atia, Andrew; Hollins, Andrew; Erdmann, Ralph F; Shammas, Ronnie; Sudan, Debra L; Mithani, Suhail K; Ravindra, Kadiyala V; Erdmann, DetlevAbdominal wall-vascularized composite allotransplantation (AW-VCA) has evolved as a technically feasible but challenging option in the rare event of abdominal wall reconstruction in patients whose abdomen cannot be closed by applying conventional methods. The authors conducted the first synchronous child-to-adult recipient AW-VCA using an arteriovenous loop technique. This article presents a 1-year follow-up of the patient's postoperative course. Frequent skin biopsies were performed in accordance with Duke Institutional Review Board protocol, with 3 episodes of rejection treated with high-dose steroids and Thymoglobulin (Genzyme Corp, Cambridge, Mass.). The patient developed an opportunistic fungal brain abscess secondary to immunosuppression, which led to temporary upper extremity weakness. Future considerations for AW-VCA include a modified surgical technique involving utilization of donor vein graft for arteriovenous loop formation. In addition, reduction in postoperative biopsy schedule and changes in immunosuppression regimen may lead to improved outcomes and prevent unnecessary high-dose immunosuppression.Item Open Access Systematic Review of Tissue Expansion: Utilization in Non-breast Applications.(Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open, 2021-01-21) Langdell, Hannah C; Taskindoust, Mahsa; Levites, Heather A; Mateas, Catalin; Sergesketter, Amanda R; Kaplan, Samantha J; Marcus, Jeffrey R; Erdmann, DetlevBackground
Tissue expansion is a versatile reconstructive technique providing well-vascularized local tissue. The current literature focuses largely on tissue expansion for breast reconstruction and in the context of burn and pediatric skin/soft tissue replacement; however, less traditional applications are also prevalent. The aim of this study was to systematically review the utilization of tissue expansion in such less well-characterized circumstances.Methods
The authors conducted a systematic review of all publications describing non-breast applications of tissue expansion. Variables regarding expander specifications, expansion process, and complications were collected and further analyzed.Results
A total of 565 publications were identified. Of these, 166 publications described tissue expansion for "less traditional" indications, which fell into 5 categories: ear reconstruction, cranioplasty, abdominal wall reconstruction, orthopedic procedures, and genital (penile/scrotal and vaginal/vulva) reconstruction. While lower extremity expansion is known to have high complication rates, tissue expander failure, infection, and exposure rates were in fact highest for penile/scrotal (failure: 18.5%; infection: 15.5%; exposure: 12.5%) and vaginal/vulva (failure: 20.6%; infection: 10.3%; exposure: 6.9%) reconstruction.Conclusions
Tissue expansion enables index operations by providing additional skin before definitive reconstruction. Tissue expanders are a valuable option along the reconstructive ladder because they obviate the need for free tissue transfer. Although tissue expansion comes with inherent risk, aggregate outcome failures of the final reconstruction are similar to published rates of complications without pre-expansion. Thus, although tissue expansion requires a staged approach, it remains a valuable option in facilitating a variety of reconstructive procedures.Item Open Access The vascularized fibular graft in the pediatric upper extremity: a durable, biological solution to large oncologic defects.(Sarcoma, 2013-01) Zelenski, Nicki; Brigman, Brian E; Levin, L Scott; Erdmann, Detlev; Eward, William CSkeletal reconstruction after large tumor resection is challenging. The free vascularized fibular graft (FVFG) offers the potential for rapid autograft incorporation as well as growing physeal transfer in pediatric patients. We retrospectively reviewed eleven pediatric patients treated with FVFG reconstructions of the upper extremity after tumor resection. Eight male and three female patients were identified, including four who underwent epiphyseal transfer. All eleven patients retained a functional salvaged limb. Nonunion and graft fracture were the most common complications relating to graft site (27%). Peroneal nerve palsy occurred in 4/11 patients, all of whom received epiphyseal transfer. Patients receiving epiphyseal transplant had a mean annual growth of 1.7 cm/year. Mean graft hypertrophy index increased by more than 10% in all cases. Although a high complication rate may be anticipated, the free vascularized fibula may be used to reconstruct large skeletal defects in the pediatric upper extremity after oncologic resection. Transferring the vascularized physis is a viable option when longitudinal growth is desired.Item Open Access Tissue engraftment of hypoxic-preconditioned adipose-derived stem cells improves flap viability.(Wound Repair Regen, 2012-11) Hollenbeck, Scott T; Senghaas, Annika; Komatsu, Issei; Zhang, Ying; Erdmann, Detlev; Klitzman, BruceAdipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have the ability to release multiple growth factors in response to hypoxia. In this study, we investigated the potential of ASCs to prevent tissue ischemia. We found conditioned media from hypoxic ASCs had increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and enhanced endothelial cell tubule formation. To investigate the effect of injecting rat ASCs into ischemic flaps, 21 Lewis rats were divided into three groups: control, normal oxygen ASCs (10(6) cells), and hypoxic preconditioned ASCs (10(6) cells). At the time of flap elevation, the distal third of the flap was injected with the treatment group. At 7 days post flap elevation, flap viability was significantly improved with injection of hypoxic preconditioned ASCs. Cluster of differentiation-31-positive cells were more abundant along the margins of flaps injected with ASCs. Fluorescent labeled ASCs localized aside blood vessels or throughout the tissue, dependent on oxygen preconditioning status. Next, we evaluated the effect of hypoxic preconditioning on ASC migration and chemotaxis. Hypoxia did not affect ASC migration on scratch assay or chemotaxis to collagen and laminin. Thus, hypoxic preconditioning of injected ASCs improves flap viability likely through the effects of VEGF release. These effects are modest and represent the limitations of cellular and growth factor-induced angiogenesis in the acute setting of ischemia.Item Open Access Tissue Expander Scrotal Reconstruction.(Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 2020-03-24) Hollins, Andrew; Mundy, Lily R; Atia, Andrew; Levites, Heather; Peterson, Andrew; Erdmann, DetlevFournier's gangrene is a life-threatening soft tissue infection requiring aggressive debridement of the perineum. Surgical debridement results in large defects of the scrotum requiring reconstruction for functional coverage of the testes. Several studies have described scrotal reconstruction utilizing split thickness skin grafts or local flaps. These procedures create additional morbidity in an unhealthy patient population. This report describes a patient who presents for delayed scrotal reconstruction utilizing tissue expansion. Tissue expander-based reconstruction provides reconstruction of native scrotal soft tissue without additional donor site morbidity. A 40-year-old man presented to an outside hospital with Fournier's gangrene and underwent significant soft tissue debridement. He had an almost complete loss of his native scrotum with his testes surgically banked in his bilateral thighs. He presented to our clinic for a delayed scrotoplasty. The patient was taken to the operating room and a single tissue expander was inserted into the perineum. He underwent serial insufflations in the clinic setting and returned to the operating room for expander removal and scrotal reconstruction. The patient followed up in clinic 4 months postoperatively with a well-healed scrotoplasty. Our case report demonstrates a 2-stage procedure for patients presenting with significant soft tissue loss of the perineum. This reproducible method of reconstruction can be considered for excellent aesthetic and functional scrotoplasty.Item Open Access Vascularized Fibula TMJ Reconstruction: A Report of Five Cases featuring Computerized Patient-specific Surgical Planning.(Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open, 2022-08) Powers, David B; Breeze, John; Erdmann, DetlevBackground
Mandibular defects involving the condyle represent a complex reconstructive challenge for restoring proper function of the temporomandibular joint because it requires precise bone graft alignment, or alloplastic materials, for complete restoration of joint function. The use of computerized patient-specific surgical planning (CPSSP) technology can aid in the anatomic reconstruction of mandibular condyle defects with a vascularized free fibula flap without the need for additional adjuncts. The purpose of this study was to analyze clinical and functional outcomes after reconstruction of mandibular condyle defects using only a free fibula graft with the assistance of virtual surgery techniques.Methods
A retrospective review was performed to identify all patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction utilizing CPSSP with only a free fibula flap without any temporomandibular joint adjuncts after a hemimandibulectomy with total condylectomy.Results
From 2018 to 2021, five patients underwent reconstruction of mandibular defects involving the condyle with CPSSP technology and preservation of the native temporomandibular articulating disk. The average age was 62 years (range, 44-73 years). The average follow-up period was 29.2 months (range, 9-46 months). Flap survival was 100% (N = 5). The maximal interincisal opening range for all patients was 22-45 mm with no lateral deviation or subjective joint pain. No patients experienced progressive joint hypomobility or condylar migration.Conclusion
The use of CPSSP technology can aid in the anatomic reconstruction of mandibular condyle defects with a vascularized free fibula flap through precise planning and intraoperative manipulation with optimal functional outcomes.