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Gülden Avci

Publications and source records attributed to Gülden Avci.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Composite anterolateral thigh-fascia lata flap: a good alternative to radial forearm-palmaris longus flap for total lower lip reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Major defects of the lower lip are challenging to the reconstructive surgeon. The major goals in treating total lower lip defects are reconstruction of the external skin and mucosal lining and maintenance of oral competence and sphincter function. The authors describe reconstruction of total lower lip and larger full-thickness defects including the cheek and commissure by means of a composite anterolateral thigh-fascia lata free flap. METHODS: The flap was harvested with 5-cm fascial extensions at the superior and inferior margins. The flap was folded over the fascia lata to restore the intraoral lining and cover the external skin defect. Fascia lata extensions were divided longitudinally into two fascial strips at both margins of the flap. Two strips were tunneled through the orbicularis muscle in the upper lip and sutured to each other and to the orbicularis muscle. The remaining two strips were anchored to the zygomatic bone periosteum by permanent sutures. This procedure was used in 11 patients. RESULTS: In all cases, disease was advanced squamosus cell carcinoma. The patients' ages ranged from 37 to 72 years. Nine patients had cancer of the lower lip and two patients had a buccal cancer involving the lip. The entire lower lip, bilateral modiolus, and part of the cheek were resected in all patients, and mandibulectomy was performed in three patients. Flap survival was 100 percent. One patient died 10 days after the operation because of cardiopulmonary arrest. At the end of the 1-year follow-up period, all patients had good oral continence at rest and had achieved sufficient oral competence when eating. Eight patients were able to resume a regular diet and two patients could eat a soft diet. CONCLUSIONS: This flap is a good choice for reconstruction of the extensive head and neck defects. We think that anterolateral thigh-fascia lata composite flap has maximum reconstructive capacity and minimal donor-site morbidity. This flap has many advantages over the radial forearm flap and should replace to the composite radial forearm palmaris longus tendon flap when total lower lip reconstruction is concerned.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Can indications for lower limb replantation and revascularization be expanded with simultaneous free-flap transfer for limb salvage?

High-energy trauma from road accidents and work-related injuries is the most common cause of lower-limb traumatic amputations. Many of these cases require extensive debridement and substantial bone shortening for primary closure because of crushing and/or avulsion of the involved parts. Since 1998, the authors have replanted or revascularized five lower limbs in five patients. Free tissue transfers have been used to cover soft-tissue defects during replantation and revascularization in all patients. The numbers and kinds of free flaps include one latissimus dorsi muscle, two transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM), and two anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flaps. Survival of the replanted and revascularized limbs and transferred flaps was obtained in four patients. Below-knee amputation was performed because of flap necrosis and extensive infection in one patient. Simultaneous free-tissue transfers may be used simultaneously with lower limb replantation or revascularization to obtain functional extremities in appropriately selected patients. The indications for lower limb salvage may be enhanced and successful results may be obtained in one stage, with low complication rates and shorter hospital stays. The authors report their experience with simultaneous free tissue transfers and lower limb replantation or revascularization.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Anterolateral thigh flap in the treatment of postburn flexion contractures of the knee.

The use of the anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap in the reconstruction of soft-tissue defects around the knee among burn patients is described. The anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap was used for eight patients (all male; mean age, 45 years; age range, 32 to 60 years). Flexion contracture was observed for seven patients with unhealed wounds and one patient with a healed burn wound. The anterolateral thigh flap was used as a free flap for six patients and as a distally based island flap for two patients. The flaps ranged from 8 to 17 cm in width and from 12 to 30 cm in length. Seven flaps were based on a musculocutaneous perforator, and two of them were thinned before transfer to the defect. A true septocutaneous perforator was observed in only one case. The mean follow-up period was 12.5 months (range, 3 to 23 months). Only one flap exhibited distal superficial necrosis, which did not compromise the final result. All patients returned to ambulatory status in 15 to 22 days. Extensor splints were applied to prevent mobilization of the skin graft at the flap donor site for only 7 days. The anterolateral thigh flap has many advantages for the reconstruction of postburn flexion contracture of the knee, as follows: (1) very large thin flaps can be elevated, (2) the two-team approach is possible, (3) color and texture matches are good, (4) the donor-site scar can be easily hidden, and (5) the technique allows early mobilization and patients can return to normal daily activity in a short time. Free or distally based anterolateral thigh flaps are a good choice, both aesthetically and functionally, for the reconstruction of soft-tissue defects of the knee region.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

An alternative method to minimize pain in the split-thickness skin graft donor site.

In the art of plastic surgery, the reconstruction of tissue defects to obtain cosmetic and functional recovery is the major concern. Skin grafting is the most frequently used procedure for reconstructing defects of various size and anatomical localizations. On the other hand, donor-site problems associated with this invaluable procedure are inevitable. Various methods are used in the postoperative management of the partial-thickness donor site created during the harvest of a split-thickness skin graft. Each technique has the potential for complications of fluid loss, excessive pain, prolonged period of healing and immobilization, hypertrophic scarring, and undesirable pigmentation. Donor-site pain is probably the most disturbing complication in the early postoperative period. The aim of this article is to point out the significance of donor-site pain, which has not been emphasized thoroughly in the literature, and to introduce flap skin as a potential graft donor site for patients in whom reduction of donor-site morbidity is of primary concern. The principal goal of the technique described in this article is to eliminate donor-site pain by harvesting the graft from the flap that is insensate after the elevation. In 15 patients, the overlying skin of the flap that had been used for reconstructive purposes was used as the donor site (group I). In the remaining 23 patients, the posterolateral thigh was used as the donor site (group II). Donor-site discomfort was recorded during the first 8 days postoperatively using a visual analogue scale. To analyze the data, we used the Friedman test, Dunn's multiple comparison test, and Mann-Whitney U test. It was observed that the visual analogue scale of both of the groups showed a significant decrease within days (group I, p < 0.0001; group II, p < 0.0001). The mean pain scores were significantly lower in group I than in group II (p < 0.0001). When donor-site pain is of primary concern, this procedure provides uneventful and comfortable healing while avoiding postoperative pain in the donor site. For that reason, this technique might be used in appropriate cases to minimize donor-site pain.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Soft-tissue reconstruction using a free anterolateral thigh flap: experience with 28 patients.

The authors present their experience using the free anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap for head and neck and extremity reconstruction. From January 2000 through March 2002, 28 free anterolateral thigh flaps were transferred to reconstruct various soft-tissue defects. All patients were operated by two teams. All flaps were elevated based on one perforator only. The sizes of the flaps ranged from 9 x 11 to 20 x 26 cm. The success rate was 96.5% (27 of 28), with one partial failure. The cutaneous perforators were always found. Septocutaneous perforators were found in 3 of 28 patients (10.7%). Musculocutaneous perforators (89.3%) were found in the remaining patients, and the number of perforators ranged from two to five (average, three perforators). In 4 patients, flaps were used for sensate reconstruction. The authors used the anterolateral thigh flap as a thin flap in 10 patients. Mean follow-up was 13.5 months (range, 2-25 months). Soft-tissue reconstruction with the free anterolateral thigh flap in various regions of the body provides an excellent functional and cosmetic result with minimal donor site morbidity. The anterolateral thigh flap has many advantages over other conventional free flaps and it seems to be an ideal choice for the reconstruction of soft-tissue defects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Digital neurovascular compression due to a forgotten tourniquet.

The surgeon may, on occasion, wish to perform a relatively minor procedure on a single finger with some types of tourniquet at the base of the finger. A potential complication of a digital tourniquet is neurovascular damage due to excessive tissue pressure and prolonged application time. We presented a case where a hand surgery and digital tourniquet was forgotten on the finger for one and a half days. Although neurovascular compromise had occurred, the left index finger was successfully saved after extensive medical treatment and leech therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Complications of the reverse homodigital island flap in fingertip reconstruction.

Twenty-four digital artery island flaps with reversed flow were used to reconstruct 23 patients with fingertip injuries in the authors' clinic between June 1998 and August 2000. No nerve coaptation was performed in these patients. Patient age ranged between 18 and 35 years. All patients were evaluated at clinical follow-up for active range of motion, appearance, patient satisfaction, two-point discrimination, hypersensitivity and cold intolerance, previous hand injury, and flap viability in the repaired finger. Based on their experience, the authors consider that this procedure has several disadvantages: relatively high flap loss, sacrifice of one of the two major arteries of the finger, it is a time-consuming method, it is a difficult flap dissection, there is a requirement for loupe and microsurgical equipment. The authors think that this flap should not be the first choice for fingertip reconstruction especially for patients who have possibility of reinjuring their hands because of their jobs.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Simultaneous multiple pilomatrixomas.

We report a 10-year-old girl with synchronous multiple pilomatrixomas. Pilomatrixomas are generally solitary tumors; synchronous multiple tumors are very rare. Multiple or recurring tumors may be found in association with various syndromes, and multiple tumors may be familial. Concurrent disorders were not identified in our patient and the etiology of her pilomatrixomas was not understood. Thorough examination of the patient and long-term follow-up are necessary with these tumors.

Child↗