The effects of 5-fluorouracil on flexor tendon healing by using a biodegradable gelatin, slow releasing system: experimental study in a hen model

This study investigated the effects of 5-fluorouracil in a slow-release biodegradable gelatin system on tendon healing. Gelatin blocks prepared in a size of 10 × 20 × 1 mm were loaded with 10, 20, and 30 mg of 5-fluorouracil, and 30 adult white Leghorn chickens were used. The tendons to the third and fourth toes were severed and repaired. The extremities were casted for three weeks. After sacrifice, the tendons were examined histologically and biomechanically for adhesion formation. The 10 mg-loaded gelatin group showed a decrease in adhesion formation when compared with the operative control group; the 20 and 30 mg groups showed signs of severe inflammation. Low doses of 5-fluorouracil applied via a slow-release gelatin system reduced adhesion formation in flexor tendon healing.

Partial necrosis of an amputated penis following replantation in a heavy smoker: a case report

A case of penile amputation in a heavy smoker who was treated by microsurgical replantation is presented. The penis was cut by a kitchen knife and the ischaemia time until revascularisation was 3 hours. Following successful microneurovascular repair the penis survived. However, a 3 cm portion of the ventral segment, including the corresponding urethral segment, sloughed. The adverse effects of nicotine on vascular anastomotic network in heavy smokers are well known and may be the cause of the partial necrosis in this case.

Semicircular lipoatrophy after intragluteal injection of benzathine penicillin

A 3-year old girl had localized lipoatrophy after an intragluteal injection of benzathine penicillin G. No associated abnormalities were found.

Sharing the radial forearm flap in reconstruction of two separate defects in the same patient

The radial forearm flap is used extensively to cover defects for which a thin skin flap is needed. It can be used either as a pedicle or a free flap in various designs. In this case report, a new application of this flap is presented in which two flaps were created out of a single radial forearm flap to cover two separate defects. One of the flaps was a distally based reverse island flap. We used this flap to cover a defect developed by releasing a burn contracture on the flexor surface of the thumb. The other flap consisted of the proximal portion of the forearm flap and was transferred to the neck region as a free flap to cover a defect resulting from the release of a burn contracture. The radial artery allows sharing the fasciocutaneous unit of the forearm into two different flaps and transferring them to separate areas. Thus, donor site morbidity is reduced when there is more than one defect to be reconstructed.

Macrodactyly: report of eight cases of a rare anomaly

Macrodactyly or megalodactyly is a rare anomaly of the extremities. Neural factors are involved in the etiology. Presented here are eight cases which comprise five macrodactylous toes and three fingers. The mean age at first referral was 6.8 years. Six patients underwent resection of the proximal phalanges together with bulk reduction of the soft tissue mass. Only soft tissue reduction was performed in the remaining two patients. Skin necrosis was observed in two cases, one of which necessitated amputation at the proximal interphalangeal joint level. The functional outcome was evaluated as poor with limited range of motion and stiffness in the joints. As far as functional results are concerned, macrodactylous toes had a better prognosis than that of fingers. It was concluded that none of the available methods as yet gives ideal functional and cosmetic results in macrodactyly.

Modified use of gate flap for the reconstruction of the lower lip

Surgical excision of advanced lower lip carcinomas with adequate safety margins, in some cases, causes defects as large as three-fourths of the width of the lip or total lip defects. This paper describes a modification of nasolabial 'gate flap' for reconstruction of extensive defects of the lower lip. Splitting the flap into skin and mucosal flaps provides the surgeon more skin on the inferior aspect of the reconstruction where he needs skin without any mucosa and more mucosa on the superior aspect of the reconstruction where he needs mucosa for reconstruction of the vermilion and lower labial sulcus. Four patients with total lower lip defects have been treated with this technique. The results were quite satisfactory both functionally and cosmetically.