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Biomedical subjects

A G Batchelor

Publications and source records attributed to A G Batchelor.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Submucous cleft palate with a discontinuous bony deformity.

An unusual submucous palatal cleft is presented. In addition to the usual triad of bifid uvula, posterior bony notching, and diastasis of the velar musculature, there was a linear bony cleft involving only the maxillary component of the hard palate. The palatine bone was intact between the posterior notch and the maxillary cleft. A discontinuous palatal cleft is an extremely rare deformity and is interesting because existing theories of cleft pathogenesis do not readily explain such a defect.

Child, Preschool↗

Vascularised reconstruction of the clavicle.

A rare malignant tumour presented as a pathological fracture in the clavicle of an 11-year-old girl. This was resected and the defect reconstructed using a pedicled bilobed flap based on the thoracodorsal system with latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior with a rib to replace the clavicle. The innervation of both donor muscles was preserved. The reconstruction was cosmetically acceptable and maintained the function of the thoracohumeral articulation. Although the use of vascularised rib grafts in composite flaps is well documented, this is the first report of clavicular reconstruction using the technique.

Bone Neoplasms↗

Successful preexpansion of a free scapular flap.

The use of pretransfer tissue expansion of a free scapular flap is described. This technique allows coverage of large defects with good quality skin and tensionless closure of the donor site.

Adolescent↗

The functional pectoralis major musculocutaneous island flap in head and neck reconstruction.

We describe our experience with the true island pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap in patients with high-volume defects for whom free-tissue transfer is unsuitable. Our operative technique is presented. We have modified the method of making a true island of the pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap on a muscle-free pedicle as first described by Wei et al. in 1984. This maintains maximal donor-site muscle function and facilitates closure of the donor-site defect. We present our results in 24 patients, in whom the flap has proved to be robust and reliable. The flap's advantages in terms of increased pedicle length, wider arc of rotation, decreased pedicle bulk, and improved cosmesis of the reconstruction are discussed.

Head↗

Reducing morbidity in the radial forearm flap donor site.

The radial forearm flap, although widely used, has been criticized for the poor quality of its donor site. To investigate the causes of morbidity, 100 radial artery free-flap donor sites have been reviewed. Sixty-seven patients required skin grafting (group 1), and the remaining 33 patients were closed directly (group 2). Seventeen patients in the series had compound osteocutaneous flaps (group 3). Wound healing proved to be a significant problem in groups 1 and 3, and fracture of the radius occurred in 4 of the 17 patients in group 3 and was the most significant cause of morbidity. The radial artery was reconstructed in 12 patients, but only 6 of the arteries (50 percent) were patent at the time of review. Subjective assessment on a scale of 0 to 10 demonstrated a relatively pain-free donor site with low pain scores (2.5 of 10). The cosmetic result was acceptable in men (1.5 of 10) but was less so in women (4 of 10). Angulated fracture of the radius produced an unacceptable cosmetic result (7 of 10). In light of this experience, we no longer reconstruct the radial artery as a matter of routine. The donor defect is closed directly wherever possible using an ulnar artery-based transposition flap when required. A "boat shaped" osteotomy is used in preference to right-angled bone cuts when harvesting a segment of radius to avoid the complications and sequelae of fracture. These changes in surgical technique have improved the acceptability and minimized the problems associated with this donor site.

Adult↗

Post-surgical pyoderma gangrenosum of the vaginal vault associated with ulcerative colitis and Behçet's disease; a case report.

A case is described in which a patient with ulcerative colitis developed chronic vaginal ulceration around the incision lines after cone biopsy. The ulcers persisted at the vaginal vault after abdominal hysterectomy and removal of a cuff of vagina. Non-specific histological features compatible with pyoderma gangrenosum were found on biopsy. The auto-immune nature of this chronic ulcer is further supported by its rapid response to steroid therapy and the subsequent development of Behçet's syndrome.

Adult↗

Cancrum oris in an adult Caucasian female.

This paper reports a case of cancrum oris in an adult Caucasian female who had no obvious pre-disposing cause. It highlights the difficulties in making this diagnosis in a part of the world unaccustomed to seeing the disease and it illustrates that early surgery and reconstruction can be undertaken. To our knowledge, this is the first published case of cancrum oris reconstructed with the use of micro-vascular free tissue transfer.

Face↗

The bi-scapular flap.

The free transfer of two transverse scapular flaps in continuity is described. This provides a donor site capable of yielding a skin flap 50 x 10 cm. Some observations on the vascularity of adjacent axial territories are made.

Adult↗

The muscle twitch monitor: a rapid unequivocal method of monitoring free muscle transfers.

A free latissimus dorsi muscle transfer, which required anastomotic revision on two occasions within twenty-four hours of operation, illustrates how the change in response of electrically induced muscle contraction to ischaemia can be used as a rapid and sensitive method of monitoring free muscle transfers. It is a response that has the great merit of being easily recognised by untrained observers because it relies on an absolute rather than a relative change in the measured modality. Furthermore it is not influenced by the clinical condition of the patient or by changes in the flap's environment. Its potential is discussed.

Adult↗

The properties and uses of non-expanded machine-meshed skin grafts.

Machine-meshing a split skin graft gives it a three-dimensional flexibility that enables it to conform to irregular and concave surfaces without fixation. The drainage of fluid through the slit-like perforations prevents haematoma formation and permits the graft to be applied to an actively bleeding wound. Rapid firm adhesion occurs, allowing early mobilisation. By ensuring that the skin is applied without expansion, excellent cosmetic results can be achieved. This technique has become the method of choice in our unit when grafting awkward sites and for the cover of tangentially-excised burn wounds and we report on 111 consecutive cases.

Adolescent↗

A multiple territory free tissue transfer for reconstruction of a large scalp defect.

A case of extensive basal cell carcinoma of the scalp, skull and meninges is presented. A large free tissue transfer was required for reconstruction, including the adjacent skin territories of the transverse scapular, parascapular, latissimus dorsi and lateral thoracic flaps. The entire flap was transferred without necrosis.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗

An improvised microsurgical sucker.

A simple makeshift microsurgical suction system is described. It may be assembled rapidly from disposable items of equipment available in any operating theatre.

Humans↗