ObjectiveTo introduce the advances in diagnosis and treatment of superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS). MethodsLiteratures about SMAS published in domestic and abroad were collected and reviewed. ResultsSMAS was a rare medical condition characterized by acute or chronic ileus resulting from vascular compression of the third part of the duodenum by superior mesenteric artery. Images of upper gastrointestinal series, CT, MRI, and color Doppler ultrasonography were the major methods of diagnosing the syndrome and the upper gastrointestinal series was the most important. Conservative approaches were usually preferred to the treatment of SMAS. Surgery was performed on symptomatic patients when conservative treatment failed, and duodenojejunostomy was the best surgical procedure. ConclusionAwareness of the clinical and imaging features may be helpful to diagnosis and treatment of SMAS, and reasonable therapy shall include etiological treatment and relief of the obstruction by conservative treatment or surgery.
Objective To evaluate surgical treatment of infected pseudoaneurysm (PA) caused by injection of addictive drugs. Methods The clinical data of 17cases of infected PA caused by drug injection were reviewed retrospectively. Ofthem, 1 case was female, and the other 16 cases were male, aging 24-38 years. The locations were brachial artery in 1 case and femoral artery in 16 cases. Fourteen cases were treated by artificial blood vessel transplantation after resection of the aneurysm and radical debridement, 1 case by amputation for serious infection, and 2 cases by non-operation for different reasons. Results Among 14 cases treated by prosthetic grafts, 13 cases achieved satisfactory results, no blood drawback of lower extremity occurred after operation; 1 case had to be amputated for serious infection. After 3 months of operation, the color Doppler examination showed that the 9 artificial vessel grafts were patent and the pulse of arteria dorsal pedis was good. Conclusion Though artificial vessel grafting has high risk in the vicinity of infected PA, it is still an effective procedure for revascularization in condition that there is no suitable autogenous conduit available for auto transplantation. Sufficient drainage, anti-infection and anti-coagulation therapy should be the key factors after the operation.
Objective To study the effect of myofibroblast on the development of pathological scar. Methods From 1998 to 2000， 14 cases of keloid(k), 13 cases of hypertrophic scar(HS), and 7 cases of scar were studied through immunohistochemistry and electronical microscope. Results Myofibroblasts were often observed in the hypertrophic HS by electronical microscope, but no myofibroblast was observed in the K and NS. αSMactin was expressed in fibroblast of HS, but was not expressed in K and NS. Conclusion Myofibroblast may play a role in the development of hypertrophic scar. The difference between the absence of myofibroblast in keloid and the invasion of keloid deserves further study.
Objective To summarize the prevention and treatment of postoperative complications after the skin soft tissue expansion for scar alopecia. Methods From January 1995 to June 2005, 57 patients with scar alopecia were admitted to our department for treatment. Of the patients, 25 were males and 32 were females with their ages ranging from 5 to 55 years. The causes were burn in 33 patients, trauma in 14, alopecia after head surgery in 8, and other causes in 2. Their disease courses ranged from 6 months to 15 years. Fortreatment, 89 therapeutic expanders were utilized in 57 patients. The retrospective analysis on the complications and their prevention and treatment were performed. Results The follow-up for 3-12 months averaged 6 monthsrevealed that 81 areas undergoing the expander insertion healed well and the hair grew well, too. Eight areas undergoing the expander insertions had complications, including expander exposure in 2 patients, infection in 2, hematoma in 1, expander rupture in 1, necrosis of the flap tip in 1, and scar necrosis at the injection port in 1. The results also revealed that there was a significantly increased rate of complications in the patients aged 5-10 years and the patients older than 50 years （Plt;0.05）. The complication rate in the patients who received 2 expanders at one time was significantly higher than that in the patients whoreceived only 1 expander（Plt;0.05）. However, there was no significant difference in the complication rate in the other kinds of patients. All the complicationswere effectively treated with a satisfactory therapeutic result. Conclusion The skin soft tissue expansion for scar alopecia can effectively prevent and treat postoperative complications. If the complications are identified early and treated properly, the therapeutic results will be satisfactory.