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Biomedical subjects

E Gur

Publications and source records attributed to E Gur.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Comparison of flash lamp pulsed-dye laser (585 nm) and conventional surgery in the delay of random dorsal rat flaps.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Delay is a basic surgical technique used by flap surgeons to improve the blood supply to the distal parts of a random skin flap. The aim of this study was to determine whether a scarless delay can be done by the use of the flash lamp pulsed-dye laser operating at a wavelength of 585 nm. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: The pilot study showed that 6 J/cm(2) had a selective photothermolysis effect and therefore was chosen for testing the delay procedure on 15 rats. The percentage of flap necrosis of this group was compared to the results of 15 rats that underwent delay by surgery and 15 rats that were not treated prior to flap surgery (control group). RESULTS: Laser delay of McFarlane flaps resulted in an average of 15.5% smaller necrotic area compared to the control group (52.7% +/- 14.4% and 68.2% +/- 9.6%, respectively, P < 0.01) and was as effective as surgical delay (53.3% +/- 13.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the flash lamp pulsed-dye laser operating at 585 nm is effective for delaying cutaneous flaps in the rat model.

Analysis of Variance↗

The free iliac crest and fibula flaps in vascularized oromandibular reconstruction: comparison and long-term evaluation.

BACKGROUND: A variety of free flaps have been successfully used for mandible reconstruction. This study compared the short- and long-term results of using the free iliac crest and fibula flaps. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 117 patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction, 59 patients with iliac crest and 58 with free fibula. Accurate long-term functional assessment was possible in 31 cases in the iliac crest group and in 48 patients with fibular reconstruction. Anterior or combined anterolateral defects formed 72% and 64% in the iliac crest and fibula groups, respectively. The remainder were pure lateral defects. In both series, a skin paddle was included to provide either lining, skin cover, or both in 77% of the cases, whereas in 23% bone only was used. RESULTS: Complications included two perioperative deaths and three flap losses in the iliac crest group and five flap losses in the fibula group. Long-term functional and cosmetic assessment showed no statistically significant differences in oral continence (p > 0.9), speech (p = 0.57), and contour results (p = 0.80) between the two groups. However, oral deglutition was statistically significantly better in the fibula free flap group (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Although the fibula free flap is the flap of choice, the iliac crest is an excellent and reliable complementary flap for mandibular reconstruction.

Adult↗

A biomechanical analysis of the orbitozygomatic complex in human cadavers: examination of load sharing and failure patterns following fixation with titanium and bioresorbable plating systems.

The orbitozygomatic complex (OZC) and zygomatic arch act as key buttresses in the restoration of midfacial projection and width in the treatment of panfacial fractures, yet little is known about the biomechanical and deformational forces placed on this region under applied load conditions. The aims of this project were (1) to study the stress-force relationships and load sharing of the intact human OZC under subfailure loads, (2) to assess load sharing and breaking strength of the OZC when intact and after four-point miniplate fixation with either titanium (1.2 and 1.7 mm) or bioresorbable (1.5 and 2.0 mm) systems, and (3) to analyze failure patterns. Using the MTS machine, fresh frozen human skulls stripped of soft tissue underwent loading with subfailure and failure forces directed in a standard fashion. Electrical resistance gauges applied directly to local and remote bony buttresses demonstrated temporary deformation at local (zygomatic arch, lateral and inferior orbital rim) and remote (supraorbital rim) buttresses under subfailure loading conditions. Breaking strength of the OZC (N = 10) measured before and after four-point application of 1.2- or 1.7-mm titanium or 1.5- or 2.0-mm bioresorbable miniplates demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) decrease compared with intact controls. Surprisingly, the 2.0-mm bioresorbable miniplate construct provided only 13% of the intact breaking strength of the OZC compared with 39% for the 1.7-mm titanium system (p < 0.05). Plate bending or breakage was responsible for failure of the OZC following rigid fixation. Biomechanical testing of the OZC demonstrates (1) load sharing at regional and remote bony buttresses, (2) significant decreases in breaking strength following miniplate fixation, and (3) deformation of miniplates as a primary cause of failure under load conditions. Data generated from this project may be useful with regard to optimizing fixation of the OZC in the context and treatment of panfacial fractures.

Absorbable Implants↗

The vascularized pig fibula bone flap model: effects of multiple segmental osteotomies on growth and viability.

Previous work by this laboratory introduced the pig fibula bone flap as a model for the study of the pathophysiology of vascularized bone flaps. Anatomic and hemodynamic studies demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in vascular perfusion after a series of segmental osteotomies and rigid fixation (lag screws and miniplates) in the distal end of the flap, suggesting that blood flow to the distal osteotomized segment of the flap may be impaired. Killing the animals after blood flow studies precluded assessment of the effect of these hemodynamic changes on bone healing. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the pig fibula bone flap model with respect to viability, healing, and subsequent growth after multiple segmental osteotomies and rigid fixation to contribute to the understanding of vascularized bone flap pathophysiology. Yorkshire pigs (20 to 25 kg) were used for all experiments. Eight pigs underwent unilateral elevation of a vascularized fibula bone flap, which was osteotomized into three segments and orthotopically rigidly fixed using a 2.4-mm mandibular reconstruction plate. The left fibula remained as the control. Fluorochrome labels were injected to assess bone viability and turnover, and both fibulae were assessed for growth radiologically. The fibulae were harvested 21 days postoperatively (when the animals were killed), and bone healing was assessed histologically and clinically. There were no significant differences in preoperative and postoperative lengths of the osteotomized fibulae compared with the controls, suggesting that there was no impairment of growth potential after multiple segmental osteotomies and rigid fixation. Significant (p < 0.05) bony hypertrophy of the osteotomized fibulae was noted when compared with controls. Mobility was observed in 3 of the 32 osteotomies (9 percent), occurring across one proximal and two distal osteotomies in association with failure of fixation. However, histologic and fluorochrome assessment confirmed the viability of all bone segments, as supported by the presence of tetracycline given 2 days postoperatively. The pig fibula bone flap model is well tolerated by the pig. Multiple segmental osteotomies and rigid fixation, previously associated with a significant decrease in blood flow in the distal segment, did not impair either growth potential, viability, or healing ability. It is suggested that the pig fibula is a suitable model for the study of bone flap pathophysiology.

Animals↗

Blindness as a complication of subcutaneous nasal steroid injection.

Blindness as a result of steroid injection into areas adjacent to the eyes, namely the interior of the nose and eyelids, has been described in the otolaryngologic and ophthalmologic literature but at no time in the plastic surgery literature. We describe a case of permanent visual loss at the time of injection of a long-acting steroid to the dorsum of the nose for postrhinoplasty scarring. We suggest that before steroid injection for elective procedures, the patient be informed of all possible consequences of complications even if their occurrence is very rare.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Chronic clomipramine and triiodothyronine increase serotonin levels in rat frontal cortex in vivo: relationship to serotonin autoreceptor activity.

Augmentation of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) treatment with triiodothyronine (T3) has been shown to potentiate the therapeutic effect of TCA drugs in depressed patients. We have attempted to elucidate the mechanism of this potentiation by determining the effects of T3 alone and together with a TCA on serotonin (5-HT) levels in living rats, using in vivo microdialysis. A single s.c. injection of T3 at 0.1 mg/kg had no effect on 5-HT levels in frontal cortex or hippocampus. Chronic administration of clomipramine (10 mg/kg i.p. daily for 4 weeks) to rats resulted in increased basal 5-HT levels in the frontal cortex. Administration of T3 daily for 7 days at 0.1 mg/kg s.c. also resulted in elevated 5-HT levels, whereas in rats administered both clomipramine and T3, cortical 5-HT levels were significantly elevated compared with the levels in rats that had received only one treatment. Basal levels in hippocampus were unaffected by these treatments. Subcutaneous injection of the 5-HT-1a receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (0.2 mg/kg) resulted in a decrease in 5-HT levels in both cortex and hippocampus. In frontal cortex of animals that had received T3 or a combination of clomipramine and T3, the extent of the decrease was significantly reduced compared to that seen in control animals. The extent of the decrease in hippocampus was not affected by any of the treatments. Subcutaneous injection of the 5-HT-1b/1d antagonist GR 127935 (5 mg/kg) resulted in an increase in 5-HT levels in both brain areas. The extent of the increase was not affected by any of the treatments in either brain area. It is concluded that the action of T3 in potentiating the clinical response to TCA drugs may be due to its effect on 5-HT levels in the frontal cortex, which is due to desensitization of the presynaptic 5-HT-1a autoreceptors.

Animals↗

Role of serotonin in the amygdala in hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical responses.

In view of the fact that the amygdala (AMG) and hypothalamic serotonin (5-HT) have an excitatory effect on the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, we have investigated the role of 5-HT in the AMG on this response. In intact freely moving rats, a mildly stressing short photic stimulation caused depletion of median eminence CRH-41, due to its release into the portal circulation and a rise in serum ACTH and corticosterone levels. This effect was significantly inhibited in rats in which 5-HT was depleted in the AMG following local 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine administration, which did not affect hypothalamic 5-HT content. Also, local pretreatment with ketanserin (a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist) in the AMG had the same inhibitory effect on the HPA axis response. These results indicate that AMG 5-HT has an important role in the activation of the HPA axis following neural stimulation and that 5-HT2 receptors are involved.

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine↗

Clinical-radiological evaluation of poststernotomy wound infection.

The presumption that computed tomography is the "gold standard" imaging method for diagnosing poststernotomy sternal wound infection was never validated. This study was designed to evaluate the accuracy and role of computed tomography in diagnosing the extent of infectious complications following sternotomy. A high postoperative infection recurrence rate in our earliest cases (30 percent, 1984 to 1988) motivated us to assess whether this modality enables the surgeon to choose the optimal surgical approach, which will make it possible to reduce morbidity and mortality rates. Two-hundred three patients with poststernotomy sternal wound infections were operated upon between 1984 and 1993. All pertinent clinical and radiological data of these patients were collected retrospectively and reinterpreted by an unbiased radiologist; the radiological data were correlated both to the intraoperative clinical findings and to histological interpretation of the surgical specimens. The study group available for statistical analysis included 160 patients. Predictive statistical analysis confirmed that computed tomography is a highly reliable imaging method for identifying the different pathologies as soft tissue, sternum mediastinal infections, in sternal wound infection with overall sensitivity of 93.5 percent and specificity of 81.7 percent. New radiographic findings were identified for the distinction of costochondral infection. This complication was, and still is, a major deceptive clinical problem in these patients and the major contributor to recurrences. We propose a sternal wound infection classification system that outlines the recommended approach for each clinical-radiological condition. Since computerized tomography was found to be a highly accurate modality, we strongly believe that the surgeon should take its pathological-radiographic findings into serious consideration, even if there are no "clear-cut" clinical signs for an existing or recurring infection.

Adolescent↗

Light and electron microscopic evaluation of the pectoralis major muscle following tissue expansion for breast reconstruction.

The placement of tissue expanders under the pectoralis major muscle has become a common procedure in breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Little information is available regarding the changes caused by tissue expansion on human skeletal muscle. In this study, we report the light and electron microscopic changes observed in 20 expanded pectoralis major muscles from 12 patients undergoing two-stage breast reconstruction procedures. Standard 400-cc round Radovan tissue expanders were placed, eight bilaterally and four unilaterally. Three biopsies were taken from each muscle at different locations during both the first stage (pre-expansion) and 23 weeks later at the second stage (postexpansion). The operative procedures and expansion protocol were the same in all reconstructions. No postoperative radiation therapy was added. The histologic changes were reported in a blind fashion by one pathologist. Light microscopy did not show significant pathologic changes. All but one of the pre-expansion specimens examined by electron microscope were reported as normal, whereas all of the postexpansion biopsies were grossly altered. Focal muscle fiber degeneration with glycogen deposits and mild interstitial fibrosis was noted. In addition, some fibers showed disorganization of the myofilaments in the sarcomeres. The above ultrastructural changes are significant morphologic alterations, which may be the result of muscle hypoxia. Whether these changes indicate permanent or transient transformation is yet unclear. Patient follow-up did not reveal any functional muscular deficit. We conclude that there is definite evidence to suggest significant muscular structural damage after routine subpectoral expansion for breast reconstruction.

Adult↗

The excised preauricular sinus in 14 years of experience: is there a problem?

The congenital preauricular sinus is usually asymptomatic. However, if recurrent infection occurs, complete surgical excision of the sinus is required. If the sinus tracts are not entirely removed, recurrence is likely to follow. A retrospective study of the surgical results at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario, was completed. One-hundred sixty-five primary preauricular excision procedures, performed in 146 patients between the years 1982 and 1996, were reviewed. All clinical, operative, and postoperative data were gathered. Patient outcome and epidemiologic issues were addressed. The overall recurrence rate of this series was 9.09 percent (15 of 165 sinuses). For the group of patients with active infection present at surgery, the recurrence rate was 15.79 percent, and when no infection was present, recurrence rate was 8.22 percent (p value = 0.32, odds ratio = 2.09). Moreover, in patients who underwent surgical drainage of an abscess before the procedure, 16.7 percent of the sinuses recurred, whereas in the patients who did not have an abscess, only 8.16 percent recurred (p value = 0.25, odds ratio = 2.25). In the group of patients in whom auricular cartilage was not excised from the base of the tract, 18.52 percent of the sinuses recurred; when cartilage was excised, the recurrence rate was 4.5 percent (p value = 0.006). A very high recurrence rate of 21.95 percent was found in the group of patients in whom no modality was used to demonstrate the sinus tract at surgery. A high recurrence rate of 10.87 percent was found in the group for whom probing with a cannula was used to identify the tract (p value = 0.17); a low recurrence rate of 2 percent was found in a group with dye injection only (p value = 0.015). In those patients in whom sinus probing and dye injection were used simultaneously, there were no recurrences (0 percent, p value < 0.05). In conclusion, a patient with an actively infected preauricular sinus or one with a previous abscess may have a tendency to experience a higher recurrence rate after excisional surgery. Excising a cartilage piece at the base of the tract and demonstrating the sinus with dye injection or with dye injection and probing at the time of surgery will reduce recurrence rates. In conclusion, we advise the excision of cartilage in the base of the tract as well as the use of methylene blue injection and probing of the sinus at surgery.

Adolescent↗

Neurochemical mechanisms of action of ECS: evidence from in vivo studies.

Recent advances in receptor pharmacology and in the understanding of intracellular signal-transduction systems have given rise to new theories of the mechanism of action of antidepressant drugs. The relevance of these theories to the antidepressant mechanism(s) of electroconvulsive shock (ECS) is discussed, with a view to increasing understanding of the mechanism of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Particular attention is given to results obtained with in vivo methods both in experimental animals and in human subjects.

Animals↗

Oromandibular reconstruction with the fibular free flap. Analysis of 50 consecutive flaps.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results and functional outcome associated with fibular free flap reconstruction of orofacial and mandibular defects. DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 50 consecutive fibular free flaps during a 3-year period. Forty patients were available for follow-up, which ranged from 4 to 39 months. SETTING: Academic tertiary care referral medical center. PATIENTS: Fifty consecutive mandibular reconstructions using the fibular free flap were performed on 47 patients. Thirty-five patients (74%) underwent primary reconstruction. Sixty-six percent of the mandibular defects were anterior or combined anterolateral types; the remainder were pure lateral defects. In 38 patients (81%), a skin paddle was included with the flap to provide either a mucosal lining or skin cover, whereas in only 9 patients (19%), bone was used alone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Factors reflecting functional properties and processes as well as complications of the upper aerodigestive tract were evaluated clinically and radiographically. RESULTS: Four flaps required reexploration as emergencies, and none were successfully salvaged (8.5% failure). Three patients underwent further free vascularized fibula transfer with 1 failure. During follow-up, swallowing was normal in 25 patients (64%), oral continence was normal or almost normal in 26 patients (67%), and speech was normal or easily intelligible in 35 patients (90%). Aesthetic results were excellent or acceptable in 37 patients (95%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal that the vascularized fibular free flap is very suitable with an excellent success rate for reconstructing both the composite or simple long-spanned mandibular defect. The overlying skin island is reliable and provides lining or coverage for intraoral and extraoral defects. Superior functional cosmetic results are expected in the majority of patients, while donor site morbidity is minimal.

Adult↗

Chronic electroconvulsive shock and 5-HT autoreceptor activity in rat brain: an in vivo microdialysis study.

In vivo microdialysis was used to determine the effects of chronic electroconvulsive shock (ECS), given daily for 10 days, on basal 5-HT levels in rat frontal cortex and hippocampus and on the effect of systemic administration of the 5-HT-la receptor agonist, 8-OH-DPAT (0.2 mg/kg), to reduce 5-HT levels in these areas by activation of somatodendritic autoreceptors. Neither basal 5-HT levels nor the effects of 8-OH-DPAT on 5-HT levels were altered after chronic ECS. The effect of systemic administration of the 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B antagonist, (+/-)-pindolol (10 mg/kg), to increase 5-HT levels in hippocampus, was also not affected by chronic ECS.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗

Reduction of restrictive adhesions by local aprotinin application and primary sheath repair in surgically traumatized flexor tendons of the rabbit.

The effects of microsurgical and medical treatments on reduction of adhesions in surgically traumatized flexor tendons of rabbits are quantified in this study. The effects of the mentioned techniques were investigated for the following 4 groups: (1) neither primary sheath repair nor aprotinin application was done, (2) primary sheath repair was done but no aprotinin was used, (3) primary sheath repair was not done but local aprotinin (15,000 IU/kg) was applied, and (4) primary sheath repair was done and local aprotinin was applied. At the sixth and twelfth postoperative weeks, the flexor digitorum profundus tendons of the second and the third digits were subjected to biomechanical tests. Only the third digit was used in macroscopic and histopathologic evaluations. There were 6 digits included in each subgroup of biomechanical tests and 4 digits per subgroups in macroscopic and histopathologic evaluations. Work of flexion (WOF) values were obtained by calculating the area under the load-displacement curve. Percent resistive work of flexion (PRWOF) was obtained by calculating the difference between the WOF value for the repaired right digit and the WOF value for the contralateral corresponding nonrepaired digit. Combined primary sheath repair and medical treatment yielded the best results in reducing the restrictive adhesions in injured tendons. The differences between the PRWOF values of group 4 were 33.7% +/- 8.2% and 15.8% +/- 7.7% for the sixth and twelfth postoperative weeks, respectively. The corresponding values for group 1 were 95.7% +/- 13.8% and 51.75% +/- 10.25%.

Animals↗