Laparoscopically assisted full thickness skin graft for reconstruction in congenital agenesis of vagina and uterine cervix.
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In patients with agenesis of the vagina and cervix but with a functional endometrium, the traditional treatment is hysterectomy with construction of a neovagina. We report successful treatment by laparoscopically assisted full thickness skin graft for reconstruction in a patient with congenital agenesis of the vagina and uterine cervix concomitant with haematometra and ovarian endometrioma in a 12 year old girl. Postoperatively, the vaginal skin graft healed well, and menstruation first appeared 4 weeks later. In our opinion, a combined laparoscopic and vaginal procedure with full thickness skin graft is an efficacious alternative in managing such genital defects. (+info)
Percutaneous repair of the ruptured tendo Achillis.
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Percutaneous repair of the ruptured tendo Achillis has a low rate of failure and negligible complications with the wound, but the sural nerve may be damaged. We describe a new technique which minimises the risk of injury to this nerve. The repair is carried out using three midline stab incisions over the posterior aspect of the tendon. A No. 1 nylon suture on a 90 mm cutting needle approximates the tendon with two box stitches. The procedure can be carried out under local anaesthesia. We reviewed 27 patients who had a percutaneous repair at a median interval of 35 months after the injury. They returned to work at four weeks and to sport at 16. One developed a minor wound infection and another complex regional pain syndrome type II. There were no injuries to the sural nerve or late reruptures. This technique is simple to undertake and has a low rate of complications. (+info)
The connective-tissue envelope in revascularisation of patellar tendon grafts.
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Free patellar tendon grafts used for the intra-articular replacement of ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) lack perfusion at the time of implantation. The central core of the graft undergoes a process of ischaemic necrosis which may result in failure. Early reperfusion of the graft may diminish the extent of this process. We assessed the role of peritendinous connective tissue in the revascularisation of the patellar tendon graft from the day of implantation up to 24 days in a murine model using intravital microscopy. The peritendinous connective-tissue envelope of the graft was either completely removed, partially removed or not stripped before implantation into dorsal skinfold chambers of recipient mice. Initial revascularisation of the grafts with preserved peritendinous connective tissues began after two days. The process was delayed by five to six times in completely stripped patellar tendons (p < 0.05). Only grafts with preserved connective tissues showed high viability whereas those which were completely stripped appeared to be subvital. The presence of peritendinous connective tissues accelerates the revascularisation of free patellar tendon grafts. (+info)
Effective securing of a drain.
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The importance of effective anchoring of drains cannot be over emphasized. In this paper, we describe a safe and effective method of drain fixation used in 118 cases between January 1998-99 in our department. This useful technique has the advantage of minimizing inadvertent drain displacement with its consequent complications. (+info)
Dermofasciectomy in the management of Dupuytren's disease.
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Dupuytren's disease may present with well-defined subcutaneous cords or as more diffuse disease with involvement of the skin. Fasciectomy is the procedure commonly carried out for the full range of disease, but is associated with rates of recurrence of up to 66%. We reviewed 143 rays in 103 patients undergoing dermofasciectomy for diffuse disease with involvement of the skin. We found recurrence in 12 rays (8.4% of rays; 11.6% of patients) during a mean follow-up of 5.8 years, eight as cords and four as nodules. We suggest that dermofasciectomy is a better method of disease control than fasciectomy for the more diffuse type of disease with involvement of the skin. (+info)
Fentanyl augments block of sympathetic responses to skin incision during sevoflurane anaesthesia in children.
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We studied 61 healthy ASA 1 patients (aged 2-6 yr) to determine if fentanyl affects the minimum alveolar concentration which blocks adrenergic responses to skin incision (MAC-BAR) in 50% of children in the presence of 60% nitrous oxide. Patients were allocated randomly to one of three fentanyl groups to receive 0, 2 or 4 micrograms kg-1. Patients also received sevoflurane at a preselected end-tidal concentration according to an 'up-and-down' design. After a steady-state sevoflurane concentration had been maintained for at least 15 min, fentanyl was given i.v. Skin incision was performed 5 min after administration of fentanyl. The response was considered positive if heart rate (HR) or mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased by 15% or more. The MAC-BAR of sevoflurane was 1.45 MAC (95% confidence intervals 1.25-1.65 MAC), and this was reduced markedly to 0.63 MAC and 0.38 MAC by addition of fentanyl 2 and 4 micrograms kg-1, respectively. A ceiling effect was not observed and there was a significant difference between the 2 and 4 micrograms kg-1 groups. (+info)
Implantation of a soft-tissue expander before operation for club foot in children.
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Primary skin closure after surgery for club foot in children can be difficult especially in revision operations. Between 1990 and 1996 a soft-tissue expander was implanted in 13 feet before such procedures. Two were primary operations and 11 were revisions. A standard technique was used for implantation of the expander. Skin augmentation was successful in 11 cases. There was failure of one expander and one case of wound infection. Sufficient stable skin could be gained at an average of five weeks. Primary skin closure after surgery was achieved in 12 cases. We conclude that soft-tissue expansion can be used successfully before extensive surgery for club foot. The method should be reserved for revision procedures and for older children. The technique is not very demanding, but requires experience to achieve successful results. (+info)
Dog ear: an overview of causes and treatment.
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Dog ear is a term used to describe a characteristic puckering of the skin that can occur after surgical wound closure. Every surgeon practising cutaneous surgery should be conversant with dog ears as they are a common and generally preventable problem. They are significant as they may mar an otherwise excellent aesthetic outcome and may, on occasions, require revisional surgery. (+info)