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Biomedical subjects

N R McLean

Publications and source records attributed to N R McLean.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Microvascular reconstruction of complex craniofacial defects.

Many large vault or skull base tumours are best treated by wide surgical excision and primary reconstruction using a microvascular free tissue transfer (free flap). We report 23 patients who were reconstructed using free flaps, eight having been previously treated surgically elsewhere and seven of whom had recurrent disease after radiotherapy. There was one flap failure and a local recurrence rate of 16% (3/19). The outcome at a mean follow-up period of 29 months, was 19 patients alive and four deaths.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Free tissue transfer in the management of burns.

Although the majority of burn wounds undergoing surgical treatment require only excision with split-skin grafting, the introduction of free microvascular tissue transfer has allowed for the preservation of otherwise unsalvageable deep burn injuries and the resurfacing of burn scars in areas with no available local tissue. A total of 1699 patients with burn injuries were admitted to the Burns Unit in Newcastle upon Tyne in the 5 years 1989-1993. During this period 604 patients (35.5 per cent) required surgical treatment of their burns. Of these patients 582 (96.4 per cent) underwent excision of their burns with split-skin grafting, 13 (2.1 per cent) of the patients required local flap cover and nine patients (1.5 per cent) had free tissue transfer. Free flap loss in this study was 22 per cent in burns patients as compared to only 3 per cent in patients undergoing microsurgical reconstruction for other reasons.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

A review of 120 Becker permanent tissue expanders in reconstruction of the breast.

In reconstructive breast surgery, the permanent tissue expander has become popular because it avoids expander-implant exchange and gives the patient some control over the final breast size. It may, however, be associated with a number of complications. We therefore analysed the clinical notes of 111 consecutive recipients of Becker breast expanders with respect to complications and their possible predisposing factors. 120 prostheses were inserted in 111 consecutive patients with a mean age of 42.6 years. Median follow-up was 12 months (range 8 to 22). The commonest indication was postmastectomy breast reconstruction (81%) followed by congenital hypoplasia (14%) and acquired breast asymmetry following repeated biopsies (3%). Overexpansion before size adjustment was achieved after an average of 8 expander inflations. Complications included capsular contracture (9%), local tumour recurrence (8%), wound dehiscence (8%), filling port failure (6%), infected prostheses (4.5%) and ruptured implants (1.6%). The significant predisposing factors to wound dehiscence/infection were heavy smoking and radiotherapy (P < or = 0.05, chi 2 test). Expansion rate was not a factor. 89% of patients expressed satisfaction with the final aesthetic result. Despite the excellent results obtained with this technique, caution must be exercised in heavy smokers and the previously irradiated.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

An objective assessment of speech and swallowing following free flap reconstruction for oral cavity cancers.

In this prospective study, eight consecutive patients underwent excision of oral cavity cancer and reconstruction with a microvascular free flap. Six patients had one pre- and two postoperative assessments of speech and swallowing at four to six weeks and four to six months respectively. One patient could not attend for the preoperative assessment and another for the first postoperative assessment. The speech assessment consisted of an intelligibility score and an articulation score. The swallowing assessment consisted of a videofluoroscopic examination. Five patients had an excellent postoperative speech assessment score, two had a moderate and one a poor result. Videofluoroscopy demonstrated minor swallowing problems preoperatively in one patient. Postoperatively, three patients had severe or moderate loss of control of bolus. Significant aspiration was detected in two and mild aspiration in one patient at the second postoperative assessment. The abnormalities of speech and swallowing were minor in the majority of the patients and the overall outlook was good. This information should be of value for preoperative counselling.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Gustatory sweating in a free flap.

A case of Frey's syndrome arising in a free radial forearm flap used to reconstruct a defect in the parotid region is reported. To our knowledge, Frey's syndrome, although common following parotidectomy, has not been reported in a free flap. It is possible that parasympathetic secretomotor fibres gained access to the fasciocutaneous flap via the cutaneous nerve stumps in its edge, resulting in gustatory sweating.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1996

Early post-operative brachytherapy and free flap reconstruction in the management of sarcomas.

Brachytherapy delivered within the early post-operative period has been associated with delayed healing and wound breakdown. The objective of this study was to determine whether reconstruction with a microvascular free flap reduced the incidence of wound breakdown after early post-operative brachytherapy and wide excision of soft tissue sarcomas. Four patients with sarcomas underwent excision and free flap reconstruction. Brachytherapy was administered in the early post-operative period using Iridium-192 wires via tubes inserted intraoperatively. In three of the four patients the wounds healed uneventfully, demonstrating that brachytherapy can be delivered in the early post-operative period following free flap reconstruction without an increase in the frequency of wound breakdown. There has been no local recurrence to date in this group of patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Adnexal adenocarcinoma of the upper lip.

A case of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of adnexal origin in the upper lip of a man aged 75 is reported which on presentation and initial biopsy was thought to be a salivary neoplasm. He had been aware of the lesion for 10 years but had sought treatment because of recent increase in size of the tumour. He subsequently developed bilateral metastases in cervical nodes. The histopathologic features and relationship of the tumour to the orbicularis oris muscle were consistent with a poorly differentiated adnexal adenocarcinoma of sweat-gland origin. Although carcinomas of skin adnexae are rare they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tumours in the orofacial region.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

Initial experience of using GRAFTAC absorbable staples to attach split skin grafts.

The GRAFTAC skin stapler with absorbable tacs has been used to attach split-skin grafts in 28 patients, under a variety of clinical situations, and the outcomes studied. This knowledge has been reviewed in the light of our existing experience with the more familiar metal staple. Details of the patients and their conditions are presented, with two illustrative case histories, including one where both Graftac and metal staples were used. The relative costs were analysed and an attempt made to compare the cost-effectiveness of tacs and staples. A rationale for use of the more expensive GRAFTAC stapler is presented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Sialadenosis of the salivary glands.

Sialadenosis (sialosis) is an uncommon, non-inflammatory condition which usually causes bilateral, diffuse enlargement of the salivary glands, particularly the parotid. We present a series of 7 patients with sialadenosis. Two had bilateral and 4 unilateral parotid involvement. One patient had unilateral submandibular gland sialadenosis. One patient had bilateral parotid and bilateral submandibular gland sialadenosis. The clinicopathological features and management of the condition are reviewed.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The role of MRI scanning in the diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathy.

In a blind, prospective trial, 42 patients undergoing 51 cervical lymph node dissections for head and neck malignancies were investigated by a preoperative MRI scan. Histological examination of the dissection specimens recorded the distribution, size, percentage of neoplastic involvement and any extra-capsular spread of the sampled nodes. The MRI correctly diagnosed all 17 positive nodes (sensitivity 100%). However it could not differentiate between enlarged reactive and malignant nodes, so there was a significant false positive rate (specificity 53%). Routine use of MRI scans will allow an unnecessary neck dissection to be avoided in a patient with a clinically negative neck who also has a negative MRI scan.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1994

Cross-leg free muscle flaps for reconstruction of open fractures of the tibia.

In two patients in whom the injured leg was not suitable for reconstruction using a routine free tissue transfer, a cross-leg free muscle flap was used, i.e. the vessels of a free muscle flap were anastomosed to donor vessels on the uninjured leg and the muscle flap used to reconstruct a defect on the opposite leg. Both operations were successful, with the transferred muscle becoming well vascularized from the recipient bed at the site of injury. In both cases, use of the uninjured leg to transfer the free flap caused minimal morbidity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Mandibular reconstruction using a 'parasitic' flap.

A case of reconstruction of a large mandibular defect is presented, in which a 17 cm free vascularised fibular bone graft was first anastomosed to a radial fasciocutaneous flap in situ in the forearm, and then the combined flap was transferred and revascularised in the neck.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1994

Ulnar nerve entrapment due to epitrochleo-anconeus muscle.

Two cases are described of ulnar nerve compression at the elbow due to an anomalous muscle--the epitrochleo-anconeus. In both cases the onset of symptoms may have been related to a period of excessive exercise of the upper limb. Both cases recovered rapidly and completely following medial epicondylectomy and excision of the abnormal muscle.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The radial forearm flap: a reconstructive chameleon.

The authors present a ten-year series of consecutive one-stage reconstructions of defects following excision of malignant disease and of traumatic defects, using the radial forearm flap. Of the 155 radial forearm flaps performed, 144 were free flaps and 11 were pedicled flaps; 55 of the 144 free flaps were osteofasciocutaneous. Microvascular reconstructions with this versatile flap had a 98 percent success rate in this series.

Extremities↗