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Tensile strength of cadaveric fascia lata compared to small intestinal submucosa using suture pull through analysis.

PURPOSE: The modified pubovaginal sling has become popular as first line treatment for stress urinary incontinence. With the increasing use of cadaveric fascia as a sling material, widespread shortages are prevalent, hence limiting its availability. The increased morbidity with the use of synthetic sling materials and autologous fascia has stimulated investigation of other sling materials. We evaluated the tensile strength of 4 suture types, and compared tensile strength of cadaveric fascia lata to porcine small intestinal submucosa using suture pull through analysis to assess their efficacy and durability for use in anti-incontinence procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Suture breaking load was determined using 2 and 1-zero polypropylene suture, and 2 and 1-zero polyglactin suture. Freeze dried gamma irradiated human fascia lata and freeze-dried small intestinal submucosa were evaluated. Suture was fixed to sling material using the cross fold technique. Mean suture breakage and suture pull through were determined using a tensionometer by measuring the load applied to the sling/suture system. Statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Mean suture breakage load was greatest with 1-zero polyglactin (8.10 pounds) and least with 2-zero polypropylene (3.68 pounds). Mean suture breakage strength was similar for 1-zero polypropylene and 2-zero polyglactin at 5.26 and 5.40 pounds, respectively. Mean suture pull through load using 1-zero polypropylene suture and the cross fold technique was 5.64 pounds for cadaveric fascia and 2.74 pounds for small intestinal submucosa (p <0.0001). Maximum load was limited by the suture strength when using cadaveric fascia, whereas, maximum load was limited in small intestinal submucosa by its inherent tensile strength. However, using a new technique for suture fixation to the small intestinal submucosa, we were able to increase significantly mean suture pull through load to 3.36 pounds (p = 0.008). Additionally, with this new technique small intestinal submucosa allowed gross stretching before suture pull through that was not seen with cadaveric fascia. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the current standard use of 1-zero polypropylene suture for pubovaginal sling fixation, our data suggest that 1-zero polyglactin suture is the strongest, and its use with pubovaginal sling fixation warrants further investigation. Using the cross fold technique and 1-zero polypropylene suture, tensile strength was greatest with cadaveric fascia compared to small intestinal submucosa. Although small intestinal submucosa was not as strong as cadaveric fascia, our persuasive preliminary data suggest that further investigation is warranted in the use of small intestinal submucosa and other suture fixation techniques, and its observed stretch capacity. Hence, with further studies small intestinal submucosa may remain a viable option for pubovaginal sling material.

Cadaver↗

A tympanometric comparison of tympanoplasty with cartilage palisades or fascia after surgery for tensa cholesteatoma in children.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to compare the tympanometric and functional findings of cartilage palisade tympanoplasty with those of tympanoplasty with temporalis fascia grafting after one-stage surgery in children with tensa cholesteatoma. STUDY DESIGN: In children aged 5 to 15 years (mean, 9.5 years) with tensa cholesteatoma, cartilage palisade tympanoplasty was performed in 32 ears and fascia tympanoplasty in 29 ears. Tympanometry was performed in 31 ears with cartilage palisade tympanoplasty (the palisade group) and 28 ears with fascia tympanoplasty (the fascia group) at follow-up a median of 48 months after surgical removal of the cholesteatoma (range, 3-75 months). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative perforations, tympanometric parameters (tympanogram type, compliance, tympanometric width), and hearing. RESULTS: All postoperative re-perforations occurred in the fascia group. However, there was no difference between the palisade group and the fascia group in terms of tympanometric parameters, nor between the two groups when dividing into tensa retraction and sinus cholesteatoma subgroups. When comparing the types of tympanoplasty, the type II group reconstructed with cartilage palisades contained a higher number of ears with a normal compliance (0.2-1.6 mL) but a higher number of ears with a tympanometric width of more than 150 mmH2O. Regarding the number of ears with normal tympanometries, there was no significant difference between the palisade and the fascia group. The late functional hearing results were better in ears reconstructed with cartilage palisades, with functional success in 71%, compared with 54% in the group with fascia grafting. This difference in functional results was particularly pronounced in ears with an abnormal tympanogram (68% vs. 29%). CONCLUSION: Compared to fascia grafting, the present study showed better late functional hearing results after drum reconstruction using cartilage palisades, despite comparable tympanometric findings. Cartilage palisade reconstruction seems to provide better functional results, especially in ears with a poor tubal function, which is the common situation after cholesteatoma surgery.

Acoustic Impedance Tests↗

Processing of fascia for vocal fold injection. A study in vitro and in paralyzed canine vocal folds.

To evaluate the simplest and safest method to mince fascia for autologous vocal fold injection, we performed an in vitro study applying porcine fascia and a prospective study using a canine model. Six different surfaces were tested in the laboratory for mincing fascia. The ease of handling of tissue on each surface was noted. Minced fascia was studied by microscope under polarized illumination, and the number and nature of foreign particles were recorded. After the safest method to mince fascia was established, 2 dogs were operated on. The recurrent nerve was sectioned, and a piece of fascia lata was harvested and cut with scissors on a steel surface. Fascia injection deep into the thyroarytenoid muscle was performed. The dogs were painlessly sacrificed 6 months later, and the larynges were removed for histomorphological study. On cutting, all polymer surfaces released small amounts of particles. These were not evident when we used glass or steel plates, but their hard surfaces were difficult to work on. Cutting a piece of fascia with scissors was found to be effective and safe in terms of microscopic foreign particles. The two dogs suffered no perioperative or late complications. Six months later, a well-preserved, vascularized, collagen-rich tissue was in its place without any evidence of acute or chronic inflammation. The histomorphological findings were identical to those of our previous study, with the exception that this time, no foreign particles from the mincing surface were present. An autologous fascia graft proves to be well preserved and well tolerated in the augmentation of a paralyzed vocal fold, and scissors are simple and effective in mincing it for injection.

Animals↗

[Designing a surgical device for harvesting autologous fascia lata grafts as a minimal invasive procedure].

AIMS: Fascia lata is used in different shapes and sizes as a graft material in surgical procedures. The conventional method of harvesting a fascia lata graft is through a long skin incision on the lateral aspect of the thigh. Minimal invasive procedures have been established to reduce the disadvantages of an extensive surgical approach for obtaining the autotransplant. However, they do not facilitate to suture the remaining fascia after harvesting the transplant and therefore bear the risk of a symptomatic herniation of the muscle belly. The aim of this study was to design a surgical device to harvest a fascia lata graft and close the resulting fascia defect as a minimal invasive procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prototype was tested in 11 human cadaver specimens. It was introduced subcutanously via two small skin incisions. The device contained a special fixation- and working mechanism which enabled the fascial closure using a continuous suture. After the harvest procedure, both the transplant and the sutured fascia lata were examined. RESULTS: The experiments demonstrated the suitability of this method for minimal invasive harvesting of fascia lata. The removed transplants complied in all experiments with the expected dimensions. The continuous suture of the femoral fascia ran with accurate gaps between the sutures and constant tension without dehiscence. Neither the transplant nor the tissue in the region of harvest have shown unduly macroscopic damage due to the use of the device. CONCLUSION: The designed prototype can be used for harvesting a fascia lata graft and repairing the resulting defect minimal invasively. Clinical implementation seems possible. However, improvements could be made mainly concerning the handling of the device.

Cadaver↗

Temporoparietal fascia plication in rhytidectomy.

BACKGROUND: The temporal region has a complex subcutaneous fascial structure known as the temporoparietal fascia, which is part of the subcutaneous musculoaponeurotic system. The temporoparietal fascia is continuous with the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) of the face in the inferior border, the frontalis muscle, and the orbicularis oculi muscle in the anterior border. Therefore, a properly planned temporoparietal fascia plication can increase the tightness of the SMAS. In addition, plication of the temporoparietal fascia can provide lifting to decrease lateral canthal wrinkles with elevation of the lateral brows in rhytidectomy. Furthermore, plication of the temporoparietal fascia can yield deep tissue support, which prevents alopecia and visible scar formation in the temporal region by decreasing the tension along the skin incision. METHODS: Plication of the temporoparietal fascia was performed for 16 patients who had undergone face-lifts over the previous 10 years. Careful subcutaneous dissection, performed immediately under the hair follicles to avoid frontal nerve injury, provides excellent exposure of the temporoparietal fascia for plication in rhytidectomy and protects the auriculotemporal nerve and the superficial temporal vessels. RESULTS: There were no complications such as hematoma, facial nerve injury, alopecia, or visible scar formation attributable to the temporoparietal fascia plication. CONCLUSION: Temporoparietal fascia plication can be performed simply during rhytidectomy as an additional procedure. It not only augments the effects of the rhytidectomy, especially in the lateral brows, the lateral canthal, and the temporal regions, but also decreases the risk of possible complications.

Fasciotomy↗

Dimensional stability of free fascia grafts: clinical application.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Animal experiments and human studies show that autologous fascia lata and temporal fascia change their dimensions during first 5 days of healing. Poor dimensional stability of the temporal fascia grafts may be responsible for the residual perforation sometimes seen in clinical practice. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. METHODS: Tympanoplasties performed for large perforations or granular myringitis using either fascia lata or temporal fascia as graft material are included. The ears are divided into two groups. Group I includes ears with fascia lata, and group II includes ears with temporal fascia as graft material. Ears with minimum 1-year follow-up are included in the study. RESULTS: The results are studied in terms of 1) rate of primary closure of perforation, 2) rate of recurrent perforation, and 3) hearing improvement. It is noted that the ears with very large or subtotal perforations fared better (alpha = 0.05) in group I than similar ears in group II with respect to rate of primary closure of perforations. Similarly, ears in group I also have a lesser rate of recurrent perforation on long-term follow-up than ears in group II. No significant difference is noted in hearing improvement between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Shrinkage of graft during healing phase appears to have significant relevance in the clinical situation. Ears having large perforations have high chances of residual perforations caused by limited margin of remnant tympanic membrane overlapping the graft. It seems logical to use fascia lata as graft material for large perforations because it has better dimensional stability.

Fascia↗

Effects of plantar fascia stiffness on the biomechanical responses of the ankle-foot complex.

BACKGROUND: The plantar fascia is one of the major stabilizing structures of the longitudinal arch of human foot, especially during midstance of the gait cycle. Knowledge of its functional biomechanics is important for establishing the biomechanical rationale behind different rehabilitation, orthotic and surgical treatment of plantar fasciitis. This study aims at quantifying the biomechanical responses of the ankle-foot complex with different plantar fascia stiffness. METHODS: A geometrical detailed three-dimensional finite element model of the human foot and ankle, incorporating geometric and contact nonlinearities was constructed by 3D reconstruction of MR images. A sensitivity study was conducted to evaluate the effects of varying elastic modulus (0-700 MPa) of the plantar fascia on the stress/strain distribution of the bony, ligamentous and encapsulated soft tissue structures. FINDINGS: The results showed that decreasing the Young's modulus of plantar fascia would increase the strains of the long and short plantar and spring ligaments significantly. With zero fascia Young's modulus to simulate the plantar fascia release, there was a shift in peak von Mises stresses from the third to the second metatarsal bones and increased stresses at the plantar ligament attachment area of the cuboid bone. Decrease in arch height and midfoot pronation were predicted but did not lead to the total collapse of foot arch. INTERPRETATION: Surgical dissection of the plantar fascia may induce excessive strains or stresses in the ligamentous and bony structures. Surgical release of plantar fascia should be well-planned to minimise the effect on its structural integrity to reduce the risk of developing arch instability and subsequent painful foot syndrome.

Adult↗

Active fascial contractility: Fascia may be able to contract in a smooth muscle-like manner and thereby influence musculoskeletal dynamics.

Dense connective tissue sheets, commonly known as fascia, play an important role as force transmitters in human posture and movement regulation. Fascia is usually seen as having a passive role, transmitting mechanical tension which is generated by muscle activity or external forces. However, there is some evidence to suggest that fascia may be able to actively contract in a smooth muscle-like manner and consequently influence musculoskeletal dynamics. General support for this hypothesis came with the discovery of contractile cells in fascia, from theoretical reflections on the biological advantages of such a capacity, and from the existence of pathological fascial contractures. Further evidence to support this hypothesis is offered by in vitro studies with fascia which have been reported in the literature: the biomechanical demonstration of an autonomous contraction of the human lumbar fascia, and the pharmacological induction of temporary contractions in normal fascia from rats. If verified by future research, the existence of an active fascial contractility could have interesting implications for the understanding of musculoskeletal pathologies with an increased or decreased myofascial tonus. It may also offer new insights and a deeper understanding of treatments directed at fascia, such as manual myofascial release therapies or acupuncture. Further research to test this hypothesis is suggested.

Animals↗

Mechanical properties of nasal fascia and periosteum.

OBJECTIVE: To determine under which layer the silicone implants should be inserted into, the biomechanical properties of fascia and periosteum were investigated. DESIGN: Biomechanical testing of cadaveric tissues. BACKGROUND: In silicone augmentation rhinoplasty, most complications are closely related to the depth of implant and the mechanical character of the tissue surrounding the implant. METHODS: Biomechanical properties of human nasal periosteum and fascia were studied, including tensile strength, stress-strain relationship and stress relaxation under uniaxial elongation.Result. Although with less failure strain, the periosteum has more tensile strength than fascia. The slope of the linear part of stress-strain curve of the periosteum is bigger than that of fascia, which indicates the periosteum is stiffer than fascia. The stress-relaxation slope of periosteum is smaller than that of fascia. CONCLUSION: In the view of biomechanics, the periosteum is thicker, stronger and stiffer than fascia. Under periosteum the silicone implants are easier to be fixed at desired position, thus periosteum is more suitable for covering silicone implants. RELEVANCE: The periosteum is more suitable than fascia for covering silicone implants in augmentation rhinoplasty.

Adolescent↗

The effects of elevated compartment pressure on tibial arteriovenous flow and relationship of mechanical and biochemical characteristics of fascia to genesis of chronic anterior compartment syndrome.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of increased compartment pressure on anterior tibial arteriovenous flow patterns and to determine whether mechanical and biochemical properties of fascia are responsible for compartment pressure abnormalities. METHODS: Twenty patients with chronic anterior compartment syndrome (CACS) and 20 age-matched control subjects had compartment pressure measurements and analysis of tibial arterial and venous flow before and after fasciectomy. Fascia specimens were evaluated for thickness, stress failure, structural stiffness, and total collagen content and prevalence of collagen cross-linkage. RESULTS: Pressures were significantly elevated in patients with CACS versus control subjects (23.8 mm Hg vs 6 mm Hg). No significant difference in tibial arterial flow could be detected in either group (43 cm/sec mean vs 41.9 cm/sec mean). Venous drainage was severely impaired in patients with CACS but not in control subjects. CACS fascia was thicker and stiffer than control fascia specimens (0.35 mm +/- 0.12 mm, 109 +/- 65 MN/mm; versus 0.22 mm +/- 0.06 mm; 60.3 +/- 22 MN/mm). Fasciectomy normalized postoperative compartment pressures and improved venous drainage. Collagen content per unit mass was similar for both CACS and control fascia specimens, although collagen cross-linking was significantly lower in the CACS fascia than in the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Tibial venous drainage is impaired, but arterial flow is not in patients with CACS. Fascia thickness and structural stiffness can account for increased pressure in CACS compartments. Collagen content and cross-linkage are unrelated to fascia stiffness or thickness. Postoperative improvement in vascular hemodynamics and reduction in compartment pressure is caused by increased capacitance in the compartment after fasciectomy.

Anterior Compartment Syndrome↗

Changes of fascia and muscles before and 12 months after successful treatment of recalcitrant venous leg ulcers by shave therapy.

BACKGROUND: In chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) III typical changes of skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia and muscle can be found. It was believed, that the thickening of the fascia is irreversible and it has been postulated that the degeneration of muscles is causative for the persistence of recalcitrant leg ulcers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: By computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 8 patients with therapy resistant venous ulcers were examined. Changes of fascia and muscles were determined preoperatively and 12 months after successful shave therapy. RESULTS: By CT a thinning of the preoperatively thickened fascia could be demonstrated in all patients one year after surgery. Before shave therapy MRI showed that the fascia was not only thickened and blurred, but also had fluid accumulations perifascial. 12 months after therapy the fascia was thinner and sharply demarcated. The fluid was either absent or distinctively reduced. Referring to the thickness of fascia an average decrease of 0.084 cm (0.03-0.17 cm) was observed. Before surgery the muscles showed a fatty degeneration as a sign of atrophy; with CT and MRI no changes could be demonstrated after one year in all patients. CONCLUSION: The results after one year demonstrate for the first time, that the changes of the fascia in CVI III are reversible and that there is no direct correlation between the degeneration of muscles and the persistence of venous leg ulcers.

Aged↗

Comparison of the three-in-one and fascia iliaca compartment blocks in adults: clinical and radiographic analysis.

UNLABELLED: The 3-in-1 (Group 1) and fascia iliaca compartment (Group 2) blocks, two single-injection, anterior approach procedures used to simultaneously block the femoral, obturator, and lateral femoral cutaneous (LFC) nerves, were compared in 100 adults after lower limb surgery. Pain control, sensory and motor blockades, and radiographically visualized spread of local anesthetic solution were studied prospectively. Both approaches provided efficient pain control using 30 mL of 2% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine and 0.5% bupivacaine and 5 mL of contrast media (iopamidol). Complete lumbar plexus blockade was achieved in 18 (38%) Group 1 and 17 (34%) Group 2 patients (n = 50 patients per group). Sensory block of the femoral, obturator, genitofemoral, and LFC nerves was obtained in 90% and 88%, 52% and 38%, 38% and 34%, and 62% and 90% of the patients in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P < 0.05). Sensory LFC blockade was obtained more rapidly for the patients in Group 2 (P < 0.05). Concurrent internal and external spread of the local anesthetic solution under the fascia iliaca and between the iliacus and psoas muscles was noted in 62 of the 92 block procedures analyzed radiographically. Isolated external spreads under the fascia iliaca and over the iliacus muscle were noted in 10% and 36% of the patients in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P < 0.05). The local anesthetic solution reached the lumbar plexus in only five radiographs. We conclude that the fascia iliaca compartment block is more effective than the 3-in-1 block in producing simultaneous blockade of the LFC and femoral nerves in adults. After both procedures, blockade was obtained primarily by the spread of local anesthetic under the fascia iliaca and only rarely by contact with the lumbar plexus. IMPLICATIONS: In adults, the two anterior approaches, 3-in-1 and fascia iliaca compartment blocks, provide effective postoperative analgesia. The fascia iliaca compartment technique provides faster and more consistent simultaneous blockade of the lateral femoral cutaneous and femoral nerves. Sensory block is caused by the spread of local anesthetic solution under the fascia iliaca and only rarely to the lumbar plexus.

Adult↗

Autologous transplantation of fascia into the vocal fold: long-term results of a new phonosurgical technique for glottal incompetence.

OBJECTIVES: To study the long-term results of autologous transplantation of fascia into the vocal fold, and to evaluate our use of autologous transplantation instead of bovine collagen injection in cases of glottal incompetence. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of the patients who have undergone autologous fascia transplantation using our new technique. METHODS: Follow-up studies were performed for at least 1 year (up to 3 y) on 9 autologous fascia transplant patients (6 cases with type 1 procedures and 3 cases with type 2 procedures). Clinical observations, including laryngeal stroboscopy, and measurement of maximum phonation time (MPT) were carried out. RESULTS: During 3 months after autologous fascia transplantation, MPT gradually increased and stroboscopy showed improved glottal closure. These improvements continued beyond 1 year in all cases of type 1 surgery and 2 of 3 cases of type 2 surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous transplantation of fascia into the vocal folds as a phonosurgical treatment for glottal incompetence yields excellent long-term results. Temporal fascia appears to be a highly suitable tissue for transplantation in Reinke's space. However, the fascia is less suitable for transplantation in the muscle. We speculate that transplantation of temporal fascia leads to regeneration of vocal fold tissue, perhaps using a mechanism similar to stem cell transplantation in other organs.

Adult↗

Role of tensor fasciae latae in abdominal wall reconstruction.

The role of the tensor fasciae latae as autogenous tissue in reconstruction of abdominal wall defects is well established. The use of various forms of the tensor fasciae latae (free graft versus pedicled flap versus free flap) is determined by the characteristics of the defect. A review of abdominal wall reconstructions using tensor fasciae latae was completed to determine efficacy and establish guidelines for its use. Abdominal wall reconstructions from 1991 to 1994 using tensor fasciae latae were reviewed. Demographics, wound characteristics, and complications were evaluated. Twenty-seven patients with a mean follow-up of 23.6 months underwent abdominal wall reconstruction with the tensor fasciae latae: free grafts, 12; pedicled flaps, 9; and free flaps, 6. An average defect size of 14.4 x 13.1 cm was seen. Fourteen (52 percent) of the reconstructions were completed in contaminated or infected wounds. One recurrent enteric fistula was seen. Twelve (44 percent) of the patients had flap complications of which 50 percent involved partial flap necrosis. Donor site complications were seen in five patients (18 percent) and included a hematoma, seroma, and two cases of skin graft dehiscence along the edge of the wound. Tensor fasciae latae free grafts are an option for repair of abdominal hernias if abdominal soft tissue is adequate. Pedicled flaps may be used for defects of soft tissue and fascia but are limited by the arc of rotation and size of the defect. Tensor fasciae latae free flaps are versatile in orientation and may be used for supraumbilical defects. Tip necrosis is significant in both types of vascularized flaps.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Restoring abdominal wall integrity in contaminated tissue-deficient wounds using autologous fascia grafts.

Necrotizing abdominal wall infections, enteric fistulae, or exposed prosthetic material after ventral hernia repair often results in a loss of abdominal wall integrity. Further surgical reconstruction with prosthetic material is usually contraindicated in the contaminated wound because of the high infection rate necessitating prosthetic removal and further abdominal wall debridement. Consequently, for the past 9 years, we have been using free grafts of autologous fascia lata to replace deficient abdominal wall fascia and muscle in situations where prosthetic material is contraindicated and local tissue rearrangement (i.e., component separation) would be inadequate. Thirty-two patients (mean age 59 years) underwent abdominal wall reconstruction with autologous fascia lata grafts. Indications included exposed mesh (31 percent), enteric fistulae (28 percent), enteric contamination (22 percent), wound infection (13 percent), and immunosuppression alone (6 percent); 31 percent of all patients were immunosuppressed secondary to either a solid organ transplant or a systemic inflammatory disorder. Fascia grafts (mean size 10 x 17 cm) were sutured to the surrounding abdominal wall and covered by local skin flap advancement and/or myocutaneous flap rotation. All abdominal reconstructions were initially successful. Subsequent local abdominal wall complications included cellulitis (n = 3), seroma (n = 2), and skin dehiscence with exposed fascia grafts (n = 7). Five of seven patients with skin dehiscence healed by secondary intention, whereas two had split-thickness skin grafts successfully applied to the granulating fascia. Thigh donor site complications included hematoma (n = 1), skin dehiscence (n = 1), and seroma (n = 2). There have been no cases of lateral knee instability. The average follow-up period is 27 months (range 3 to 106 months). Recurrent hernia has been seen in three patients (9 percent). Interestingly, laparotomy has been performed through an intact fascia lata patch in three patients for unrelated intra-abdominal conditions. In each case, the graft was intact and revascularized, confirming experimental animal data performed in our laboratory. Recurrent hernia has not been observed through the laparotomy site. Our 9-year experience has demonstrated that in the face of large, contaminated abdominal wounds where prosthetic material is contraindicated and local tissue rearrangement would be inadequate, fascia lata autografts are a reliable adjuvant to abdominal wall reconstruction.

Abdominal Muscles↗

The in vivo elastic properties of the plantar fascia during the contact phase of walking.

The in vivo elastic properties of the plantar fascia during the contact phase of walking were determined experimentally by integrating a pressure-sensitive optical gait platform with a radiographic fluoroscopy system for recording skeletal motion. In order to calculate the fascia's tension-deformation relation, lateral images of the foot's skeleton that allowed evaluation of the fascia's transient length from the arch-contact to toe-off stages of walking were obtained simultaneously with the vertical foot-ground contact forces. The plantar fascia was shown to undergo continuous elongation from arch-contact to toe-off, reaching a deformation of 9 to 12% between these positions. Rapid elongation of the fascia, at a strain rate of about 0.9 +/- 0.1 Sec-1, was observed before and immediately after midstance, while a significantly slower elongation occurred at a strain rate of approximately 0.2 +/- 0.1 Sec-1 around push-off and toe-off. The average stiffness of the fascia at the slow-to-moderate walking velocities was 170 +/- 45 N/mm, which is similar to reported stiffness values for cadaver fascia specimens. The present technique may be useful for validation of computational models of the soft tissues of the foot as well as for testing the effectiveness of orthoses and shoe types for relieving excessive strain of the fascia in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

Adult↗

[Fascia lata transplant from cadaveric donor in the reconstruction of abdominal wall defects in children].

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal wall closure is not possible in large congenital defects, even after extensively stretching in to enlarge its capacity. The skin coverage is usually adequate but the aponeurotic defect has to be closed temporally using synthetic patches. The use of these materials leads to increase complication such as infection, fistula formation and extrusion. In addition a second operation is required to remove the material and to perform a definitive closure. The role of fascia lata in reconstruction of abdominal wall is well established as free grafts, pedicled flaps or free flaps. Bank cadaveric fascia lata is used extensively in neurosurgical, ophtalmological, orthopaedic and urogynecological procedures. This is the first description of the use of cadaveric fascia lata for the closure of large abdominal wall defects. CASE REPORTS: We present two cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The first patient was a newborn who presented the impossibility to close the fascia, that was salvaged by a teflón patch. Five months later the wound opened, leaving the mesh exposed that had to be removed. A cadaveric fascia lata patch was used to cover the defect, closing the skin satisfactorily. The second case was a two days newborn. We performed the diaphragmatic closure, and the aponeurotic defect was closed using cadaveric fascia lata. RESULTS: Cosmetic and functional appearance are satisfactory in both cases and no complications have been seen. CONCLUSION: Fascia lata patches are revascularized in the abdominal wall and incorporates into receptor tissue. They have the following advantages with respect to synthetic materials: First, the risk of complications is lower. Second, their removal is not necessary. Finally, no intraperitoneal adhesions occur. The risks of disease transmission and rejection are minimized by the Centro Comunitario de Transfusiones donor selection and processing of the cadaveric fascia lata.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Histological characteristics of the deep fascia of the upper limb.

Post-mortem specimens taken from the antebrachial and brachial fasciae of 20 upper limbs were studied by histological and immunohistochemical staining in order to evaluate collagen fibre bundle arrangement, the presence of elastic fibres, and the density of innervation in deep muscular fascia. The study demonstrated that the fasciae are formed of numerous layers of undulating collagen fibre bundles. In each layer, the bundles are parallel to each other, whereas adjacent layers show different orientations. Each layer is separated from the adjacent one by a thin layer of adipose tissue, like plywood. Many elastic fibres and a variety of both free and encapsulated nerve endings, especially Ruffini and Pacini corpuscles, are also present, suggesting a proprioceptive capacity of the deep fascia. Thanks to the undulating collagen fibre bundles and elastic fibres, the fasciae can adapt to stretching, but this is only possible within certain limits, beyond which nerve terminations are activated by stretching. This mechanism allows a sort of "gate control" on the normal activation of intrafascial receptors. The capacity of the various collagen layers to slide over each other may be altered in cases of over-use syndrome, trauma or surgery. In such cases, the amortising mechanism of the fascia on the nervous terminations is lost, causing incorrect paradoxical activation of nerve receptors within the fascia, resulting in the propagation of a nociceptive signal even in situations of normal physiological stretch. At the same time, the layered collagen fibres allow transmission of tension according to the various lines of force. This structure of the muscular fascia guarantees perceptive and directional continuity along a particular myokinetic chain, acting like a transmission belt between two adjacent joints and also between synergic muscle groups.

Aged↗