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J E Zins

Publications and source records attributed to J E Zins.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[A model for allogenic extremity transplantation in the rat with possible microcirculatory monitoring].

A rat model for monitoring allograft rejection of transplanted rat hindlimbs at the microcirculatory level is described. The well-established rat cremaster flap model is combined with a rat hindlimb transplantation procedure at a level proximal to the neurovascular pedicle of the cremaster muscle. The cremaster serves as a microcirculatory monitor for in vivo evaluation of graft rejection by measuring skeletal muscle perfusion. Donor animals are male Lewis Brown Norway rats and recipients are Lewis rats. The right cremaster muscle of the donor animal is dissected as a tubular island flap and preserved in a subcutaneous tunnel in the hindlimb. Afterwards, the right hindlimb including the cremaster is amputated at the mid level of the common iliac vessels and transplanted to the recipient at the level of the external iliac vessels. Over a time period of five days, the cremaster muscle of the composite transplants showed appropriate tissue quality for intravital microscopical observations. This transplantation model allows evaluation of allograft rejection in vivo at the microcirculatory level.

Animals↗

[Improving microcirculation of muscle flaps by tissue plasminogen activator in the rat cremaster muscle flap model].

Currently, tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA) is the most potent and nevertheless safe fibrinolytic in clinical use. Its indications are fibrinolysis in acute myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary thromboembolism, as well as different kinds of peripheral arterial embolism. However, controlled studies on the effect of t-PA in microsurgery and free tissue transplantation are lacking. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of tissue-plasminogen activator on skeletal muscle flap perfusion after a thrombogenic stimulus. 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four experimental groups of six animals each. In group 1, the cremaster was isolated as an end organ flap, in group 2 after cremaster isolation a semicircular inverted suture as a thrombogenic insult was performed at the ipsilateral common iliac artery. In group 3, local t-PA infusion followed the inverted suture and in group 4, vehicle was infused. After 24 hours, we measured cremaster muscle flap hemodynamics using intravital microscopy. Capillary perfusion significantly decreased after the inverted suture from 6.23 (group 1) to 1.50 (group 2) functional capillaries per visual field (medians). t-PA significantly increased capillary perfusion after the thrombogenic insult from 1.50 (group 2) and 2.50 (group 4) to 6.00 (group 3) (medians). Restoring capillary perfusion after a thrombogenic insult t-PA may increase flap survival rates.

Animals↗

Relationship of obesity and specimen weight to complications in reduction mammaplasty.

Obesity and specimen weight have both been associated with a higher incidence of complications for patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty. However, obesity has been arbitrarily and inconsistently defined, and the degree of obesity has not been considered in these previous studies. Because insurance companies are increasingly demanding weight loss before authorizing surgery, the relationship of obesity and breast size to complications is of great importance. Upon critical review of the literature, a number of fundamental questions remain unanswered. If complications are more frequent in the obese patient, are these complications directly proportional to the degree of obesity? Also, if the patient is required to lose weight before surgery, is weight loss effective in reducing complication rates? In an attempt to clarify these issues, 395 patients who underwent reduction mammaplasty over a 10-year period were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were arbitrarily divided into five groups in which, depending on their degree of relative obesity, they were classified as less than 5 percent, 5 to 10 percent, 10 to 15 percent, 15 to 20 percent, or greater than 20 percent above average body weight. To evaluate the relationship of specimen weight to complications, patients were also arbitrarily divided into five groups according to weight of the breast reduction specimen, which was classified as less than 300 g, 300 to 600 g, 600 to 900 g, 900 to 1200 g, and greater than 1200 g reduction per breast. Complications were then divided into local and systemic and major and minor. When bilateral reductions alone were analyzed (n = 267), there was a statistically significant increase in complication rate in the obese (p = 0.01). However, when the obese population was further subdivided according to their degree of obesity (less than 5 percent, 5 to 10 percent, 10 to 15 percent, 15 to 20 percent, and greater than 20 percent above average body weight), no further correlation was found. However, the relationship between specimen weight per breast and complications was much stronger with a direct correlation existing between increasing specimen weight and the incidence of complications. Although this study has shown that patients who are average body weight have fewer complications than obese patients after breast reduction surgery, it has not shown an increasing incidence of complication with increasing degrees of obesity. The implications of these findings and their relationship for denying patients surgery on the basis of weight alone are discussed in detail.

Adolescent↗

Arterial crush injury causes decrease in tissue perfusion at the level of the microcirculation in skeletal muscle flap.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of crush injuries to the feeding arteries of a muscle flap on microcirculatory haemodynamics. Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three experimental groups for intravital microscopy of the cremaster muscle flap. Group 1 served as control. In group 2 the common iliac artery and in group 3 additionally the lower abdominal aorta was crushed with a Kocher clamp (17.4 N) over 5 min. Microcirculatory parameters (red blood cell velocity, vessel diameter, and capillary perfusion) were monitored before and 2 h after crush. In the one-level crush group, red blood cell velocities significantly decreased by 39.17% (P=0.046) in first order arterioles and by 32. 91% (P=0.0106) in second order arterioles. In capillary perfusion, a drop of 48.02% (P=0.0039) was noted. In the two-level crush group, red blood cell velocities significantly dropped over 32.06% (P=0. 0250) in first order arterioles, 35.91% (P=0.0065) in second order arterioles, and 45.69% (P=0.0782) in first order venules. Capillary perfusion was reduced by 20.16% (P=0.374). Arterial crush injuries as possible thrombogenic insults may result in a significant decrease in skeletal muscle perfusion although the blood supply through the crushed supplying vessel is maintained.

Animals↗

Failure in developing a model for complete vascular thrombosis in the common iliac artery in the rat.

The purpose of this study was to develop a model for complete arterial thrombosis proximal to the rat cremaster flap for subsequent fibrinolytic studies at the microcirculatory level. We divided 20 male Sprague-Dawley rats into four experimental groups of five animals each. We assigned each group to an established thrombosis model using crush and standard microsurgical anastomosis, crush and intimal abrasion, inverted arterial suture, and intravascular silk sutures combined with microsurgical anastomosis at the common iliac artery. Vessel patency was examined using the milking test 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after the thrombogenic insults. The model of perpendicular silk sutures and anastomosis caused complete arterial thrombosis in one animal over 120 min. The other models failed in all animals. In conclusion, the thrombogenic models used in this study are not capable of creating a reliable complete arterial thrombosis in the common iliac artery of the rat.

Animals↗

Tissue-plasminogen activator restores muscle flap perfusion in the rat.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of tissue-plasminogen activator on skeletal muscle flap perfusion after a thrombogenic insult. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 experimental groups of 6 animals each. In group 1 (sham), the cremaster muscle was isolated as an end-organ flap. In group 2, after cremaster muscle isolation, a semicircular inverted suture as a thrombogenic insult was performed at the ipsilateral common iliac artery. In group 3, local tissue-plasminogen activator infusion followed the inverted suture. In group 4, vehicle was infused. After 24 hours, the cremaster muscle flap hemodynamics and leukocyte-endothelial interactions were measured using intravital microscopy. Capillary perfusion significantly decreased after the inverted suture from a median of 6.23 (group 1) to 1.50 (group 2) functional capillaries per visual field. Tissue-plasminogen activator significantly increased capillary perfusion after the thrombogenic insult from a median of 1.50 (group 2) and 2.50 (group 4) to 6.00 (group 3). Tissue-plasminogen activator restored capillary perfusion after a thrombogenic insult to the main feeding artery.

Animals↗

[Applicability of the robot arm for microsurgical operations].

In this project, we evaluated a new robotic arm, RAMS (Robot Assisted Microsurgery) Workstation, for microsurgical procedures. We assigned seven microsurgical tasks to the robotic arm to investigate its capabilities and limitations during microsurgery. The robotic arm was able to function as the primary operating tool in removal of foreign bodies and thrombi as well as in intravascular positioning and holding of needles and catheters. The robot worked with great precision and without vibration. It served as an assisting tool in vessel dissection, ligation of side branches, and microsurgical anastomosis. The main drawbacks include a long warm-up period, the large size, poor rotation of the tip of the robotic arm, and frequent unintended shut-downs. The RAMS Workstation is a precise tool and can assist the surgeon as a "second" or "third hand". It cannot entirely replace the microsurgical instruments held by the surgeon.

Animals↗

Thrombogenic stimulus causes long-term decrease of muscle flap perfusion.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of a continuous thrombogenic insult at the feeding artery on skeletal muscle flap perfusion over 24 hours. Twelve male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two experimental groups. In the control group (N = 6) and in the treatment group (N = 6) the right cremaster muscle was isolated on its neurovascular pedicle and the tubular muscle flap was preserved in the medial part of the hind limb over a 24-hour period for subsequent microcirculatory observation. In the treatment group, an inverting suture was applied over half of the circumference of the ipsilateral common iliac artery to create a continuous thrombogenic stimulus. Intravital microcirculatory measurements obtained were red blood cell velocities, vessel diameters, capillary perfusion, endothelial edema index, and leukocytic-endothelial interactions. There were no statistically significant differences seen in red blood cell velocities, vessel diameters, and leukocytic-endothelial interactions between the groups. However, the inverting suture caused a significant drop in capillary perfusion from 6.23 to 1.50 capillaries per visual field (median; p = 0.002). An arterial thrombogenic insult may result in a significant decrease in capillary perfusion in muscle flaps over 24 hours although the blood flow through the thrombogenic main feeding vessel is maintained.

Animals↗

Muscle flaps' triphasic microcirculatory response to sympathectomy and denervation.

Whether sympathectomy and somatic denervation in muscle flaps increased microcirculatory flow in the short or long term, thus producing an effect similar to the delay phenomenon, which increases survival in transferred skin flaps, was determined. The rat cremaster muscle flap model was used for in vivo microscopy. In the left cremasters of 30 Sprague-Dawley rats, the genitofemoral nerve was divided and the proximal vessels were stripped of their adventitia. The muscle was not elevated. In each rat, the contralateral cremaster served as the control. The rats were assigned to one of five groups: no delay before observation, a 24-hour delay, a 48-hour delay, a 7-day delay, or a 14-day delay. After the delay, red blood cell velocity, vessel diameters, number of functional capillaries, and leukocyte-endothelial interactions were measured. Microvessel response to topical vasoactive substances was measured. Immediately after denervation, red blood cell velocity increased transiently (71 percent; p = 0.006). Main arterioles dilated (20 percent; p = 0.02) at 24 hours, and capillary perfusion increased 36 percent (p = 0.001) at 2 weeks. The microvessels had hyperactive responses to all vasoactive agents 2 weeks after denervation. These findings indicate that proximal sympathectomy with somatic denervation leads to a triphasic, dynamic response in the peripheral microcirculation of the cremaster muscle flap. An initial acute hyperadrenergic phase was followed by a nonadrenergic phase, with significant vasodilatation, and a sensitized phase, with increased capillary perfusion and hyperresponsiveness to vasoactive substances. This study shows that with minimal access to the cremaster muscle flap neurovascular pedicle and without changing the blood supply to the flap, significant hemodynamic improvements can be made in the peripheral microcirculation.

Animals↗

Effects of 8-Gy radiation on the microcirculation of muscle flaps in the rat.

Combination of radical excision and radiation has been used as a treatment modality for cancer patients. As a result, in reconstructive surgery there is often a need to harvest flaps in the vicinity of previously irradiated tissues. Radiation has been shown to cause progressive injury to the macrocirculation and microcirculation, often jeopardizing flap survival. The purpose of this study was to examine whether radiation significantly affects the sequence of leukocyte-endothelial interactions or the hemodynamics of the muscle flap in both acute and chronic situations. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 42) were divided into seven groups of six rats each. Rats in group I were not irradiated. Groups II through VII received 8-Gy radiation to the right groin and scrotum. Groups II, III, and IV were examined at 4, 24 and 72 hours, respectively, and groups V, VI, and VII were examined at 1, 2 and 12 weeks. For intravital microscopy, the cremaster muscle was dissected on its neurovascular pedicle. Vessel diameters and red blood cell velocities were measured in the central cremasteric branches and branch arterioles. Capillary perfusion was evaluated in 27 visual fields of each flap. Leukocyte-endothelial interactions were evaluated by numbers of rolling, adhering, and transmigrating leukocytes in post-capillary venules. In the same postcapillary venule, we measured the endothelial edema index (constriction index). The hemodynamics of irradiated flaps did not differ significantly from those of controls. Diameter and red blood cell velocity were increased in the first- and second-order arterioles and were highest at 72 hours and 1 week. After irradiation, third-order arterioles were constricted. Radiation reduced capillary perfusion by 4.3, percent. None of the differences were statistically significant. Neither leukocyte behavior nor the constriction indices differed among the groups. In conclusion, low-dose radiation of 8 Gy does not affect hemodynamics or leukocyte-endothelial interactions of muscle flaps in the rat. Muscle tissue with intact microvasculature can be harvested for reconstructive procedures after low-dose radiation.

Animals↗

The microdissection cautery needle versus the cold scalpel in bicoronal incisions.

Craniofacial procedures commonly use scalp incisions to optimize surgical access and aesthetic results. Although the use of traditional electrocautery instruments on hair-bearing tissue has been limited secondary to the width of resulting alopecia, needle-tipped electrocautery devices with decreased energy transmission have been developed. This study investigates the cosmetic effect of such instruments on scalp incisions. Twelve children undergoing craniosynostotic correction via bicoronal incisions were included. One side of the incision was completed with the cold scalpel whereas the contralateral portion was effected using the Colorado MicroDissection Needle (Colorado Biomedical Inc., Evergreen, CO, U.S.A.) according to optimal usage instructions. At the conclusion of the study period, precise measurements of the resultant width of alopecia were obtained from the parietal and temporal regions bilaterally, and were analyzed statistically. Also, parents completed a questionnaire concerning subjective observations of the surgical incision and its healing. The portions of the incision completed with the Colorado MicroDissection Needle demonstrated a wider area of peri-incisional alopecia (5.8 +/- 1.8 mm) than that produced by the cold scalpel (3.5 +/- 0.87 mm). Not only was this increased width significant statistically (P < 0.05), in addition the disparity was noted by the majority of parents (10 of 12) either on the patient questionnaire or with nonsuggestive verbal questioning. The benefit of the hemostatic incisional technique of electrocautery with even needle-tipped instruments must be weighed carefully against its cosmetic consequences.

Alopecia↗

Effect of tissue-plasminogen activator on leukocyte-endothelial interactions at the microcirculatory level.

In free tissue transfer and replantation surgery, there is a debate over whether any pharmacologic agents should be used to improve vessel patency and tissue survival. Because tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA) is a highly effective and safe fibrinolytic, it may be useful in obtaining and maintaining vessel patency. The direct effects of t-PA on skeletal muscle hemodynamics and leukocyte activation at the microcirculatory level were investigated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 20) were divided into three experimental groups: control (n = 8), vehicle (n = 6), and t-PA (n = 6). Using the cremaster muscle flap model and intravital microscopy, red blood cell velocity, vessel diameter, capillary perfusion, endothelial edema index, and leukocyte-endothelial interactions (rolling, adhering, and transmigrating leukocytes) in postcapillary venules were measured. In the vehicle and t-PA groups, vehicle or t-PA was infused by means of a catheter inserted into the lower abdominal aorta for local infusion. Except for a significant reduction in the diameter of the first order arterioles from 117 microm to 82 microm (medians; p = 0.026), t-PA did not significantly affect red blood cell velocity, vessel diameter, or capillary perfusion compared with vehicle. However, leukocyte-endothelial interactions did differ significantly in postcapillary venules. Adhering leukocytes counted per visual field decreased from 4.67 in the vehicle group and 3.50 in the control group to 1.67 in the t-PA group (medians; p = 0.015 and p = 0.005, respectively); transmigrating leukocytes in the t-PA group decreased from 4.75 in the vehicle group and 3.50 in the control group to 1.67 in the t-PA group (medians; p = 0.002 and p = 0.043, respectively). t-PA treatment significantly decreased the number of both adhering and transmigrating leukocytes. These novel findings on leukocyte-endothelial interactions suggest that t-PA has anti-inflammatory effect.

Animals↗

Split calvarial bone graft in cranio-orbital sphenoid wing reconstruction.

Sphenoid wing defects of the posterior orbit and frontal and middle cranial fossae, secondary to tumor ablation, create difficulties in orbital and cranial base reconstruction. Autogenous split calvarial bone grafts harvested at the time of neurosurgical tumor ablation were used to reconstruct sphenoid wing defects in nine patients between July 1983 and January 1993. Meningioma is the most common tumor resected in this series, followed by fibrous dysplasia. Patient follow-up ranged from 1 to 5 years with a mean of 3 years. Calvarial bone grafting was performed to restore continuity of frontal bone, supraorbital ridge, orbital roof, and lateral wall and floor. All patients demonstrating proptosis showed either complete resolution or significant improvement postoperatively by exophthalmometry. Postoperative pulsatile exophthalmos occurred transiently in one patient but resolved spontaneously. Postoperative diplopia occurred in two patients, which subsequently resolved within 6 weeks. There were no incidents of postoperative osteomyelitis or bone graft loss within the reported postoperative period. Conventional and three-dimensional computed axial tomographic scans did not demonstrate bony resorption resulting in structural instability in any of the cases with this reconstructive method.

Adult↗

A simple fail-safe method for the harvesting of cranial bone.

The technique of cranial bone graft harvesting with the sagittal saw is described. With this technique regular bone grafts of any size can be obtained. Bone-graft size dictates the technique to be used. Small grafts (less than 3.0 cm in shortest dimension) are harvested in situ, while larger grafts are harvested by formal craniectomy.

Bone Transplantation↗

Fibrous dysplasia: a case report.

Fibrous dysplasia is a benign fibro-osseous disorder that often affects both the maxilla and mandible. The dentist, therefore, is often the first person to identify and diagnose the disease. This article focuses on the pathology, diagnosis, clinical course, and treatment of this complex problem. A case report demonstrates the multidisciplinary approach to the management of this disease entity.

Adolescent↗

The rate of vascularization of coralline hydroxyapatite.

Coralline hydroxyapatite (CHAP) is a porous, biocompatible bone-graft substitute manufactured by the Replamineform process. The use of this material in the experimental and clinical settings for maxillofacial onlay grafting has been recently described. This study was designed to quantitate the rate of vascularization of coralline hydroxyapatite when used in an onlay application to membranous bone in an animal model. Sixteen onlay grafts of coralline hydroxyapatite (0.5 X 0.5 X 1.0 cm Interpore 200) were placed in a subperiosteal location on the nasal dorsum of 2- to 3-kg male New Zealand white rabbits. The grafts and nasal bones were harvested en bloc at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after onlay. Prior to harvest, injectable silicone visualizing agent (Microfil*) was injected by means of carotid artery cutdown. The decalcified specimens were examined on a digitizing pad to count the number of vessels appearing in the blocks of hydroxyapatite. Counting was summed and integrated by an Apple IIe microcomputer. A significant difference (p less than 0.05) was noted in both the number of vessels and the fraction of implants infiltrated by vessels between 1 and 4 weeks. The usefulness of these previously undescribed data may be in their extrapolation to onlay grafts of coralline hydroxyapatite in maxillofacial reconstruction in humans.

Animals↗