Supraorbitary to infraorbitary nerve transfer for restoration of midface sensation in face transplantation: Cadaver feasibility study.
(2012)
Journal - Microsurgery
Abstract :
BACKGROUND: The collected experience from facial allotransplantations has shown that the recovery of sensory function of the face graft is unpredictable. Unavailability of healthy donor nerves, especially in central face defects may contribute to this fact. Herein, the technical feasibility of transferring the supraorbitary nerve (SO) to the infraorbitary nerve (IO) in a model of central facial transplantation was investigated. METHODS: Five heads from fresh cadavers were dissected with the aid of 3× loupe magnification. Measurements of the maximum length of dissection of the SO nerve through a supraciliary incision and the IO nerve from the skin of the facial flap to the infraorbital foramen were performed. The distance between supraorbital and infraorbital foramens and the calibers of both nerves were also measured. In all dissections, we simulated a central allotransplantation procedure and assessed the feasibility of directly transferring the SO to the IO nerve. RESULTS: The average maximum length of dissection for the IO and SO nerve was 1.4 ± 0.3 cm and 4.5 ± 1.0 cm, respectively. The average distance between the infraorbital and supraorbital foramina was 4.6 ± 0.3 cm. The average calibers of the nerves were of 1.1 ± 0.2 mm for the SO nerve and 2.9 ± 0.4 mm for the IO nerve. We were able to perform tension-free SO to IO nerve coaptations in all specimens. CONCLUSION: SO to IO nerve transfer is an anatomically feasible procedure in central facial allotransplantation. This technique could be used to improve the restoration of midfacial sensation by the use of a healthy recipient nerve in case of the recipient IO nerves are not available secondary to high-energy trauma. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The anteromedial thigh flap as a training model of a perforator flap in rat.
(2007)
Journal - Journal of reconstructive microsurgery (United States )
Abstract :
BACKGROUND: Perforator flap surgery is a complex surgery that is based on the use of a highly precise microsurgical technique that differs slightly from a conventional free flap, especially the intramuscular dissection of the pedicle. Herein, we report a new model of a perforator flap in rat, the anteromedial thigh flap, as a teaching model of a perforator flap. It is based on a constant musculocutaneous perforator that arises from the muscular vessels for the gracilis muscle. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty Wistar rats were used in this study. In 10 rats, an anatomical study was performed by means of anatomical dissection, Chinese ink injection, and microangiography studies, and in 10 rats, a flap transplantation study was carried out by means of transferring a pedicled perforator flap to the abdomen and monitoring its viability by direct inspection on the seventh day. RESULTS: Anatomical studies revealed a constant perforator that has an average length of pedicle up to 20 mm, an external diameter from 0.2 to 0.3 mm, and supplies blood to an area of approximately 3 x 3 cm of the anteromedial region of the thigh. In the flap studies, all the flaps survived on the seventh day after operation. CONCLUSIONS: The anteromedial thigh perforator flap is a reliable, reproducible inexpensive, replicates the handling of a perforator flap very closely, and has an easy method to record the outcomes by visual inspection, so we think that it is a useful tool as a teaching model for training a perforator flap in the preclinical setting.
| ISSN : | 0743-684X |
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| Mesh Heading : | Animals Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Male Microsurgery Models, Animal Rats Rats, Wistar Teaching blood supply methods |
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| Mesh Heading Relevant : | Surgical Flaps surgery education |
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