Objective To investigate the feasibility of differentiation of the marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into the cells of the skin appendages andthe mechanism of their involvement in the wound healing. Methods The bone marrow was collected from Wistar rats by the flushing of the femurs, MSCs were isolated and purified by the density gradient centrifugation. Then, the MSCs were amplified and labelled with 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU). The full-thickness skin wounds with an area of 1 cm×1 cm were made on the midback of the homogeneous male Wistar rats. At the same time, 1×106/ml BrdU-labelled MSCs were infused from thepenile vein. The specimens were harvested from the wound tissues on the 3rd dayand the 7th day after operation and were immunohistochemically stained by either BrdU or BrdU and pan-keratin. Results The BrdU positive cells appeared in thehypodermia, the sebaceous glands, and the hair follicles of the wounds, as wellas the medullary canal of the femurs. The double-staining showed the BrdU positive cells in the sebaceous glands and the hair follicles of the wounds expressedpan-keratin simultaneously. Conclusion During the course of the wound healing, MSCs are involved in the wound repair and can differentiate into the cells ofthe skin appendages under the microenvironment of the wound.
In order to preserve the major vessels of the extremities in the repair and reconstruction of wounds of the extremities, the distally based fascial pedicled island flap was applied clinically. Its axis and rotatary point were designed along orientation of the major arteries, and the blood supply was from the abundant vascular networks in the deep fascia. Twenty-two cases with exposure of tendon and bone including 10 upper limbs and 12 lower limbs were treated. The flap area of forearm ranged from 7 cm x 8 cm to 12 cm x 9 cm and the ratio of the length to width of the pedicle was 1: 1-2. The flap area of the calf ranged from 10 cm x 6 cm to 16.5 cm x 12 cm and the ratio of the length to width of the pedicle was 2:1. The rotatary angle was 130 degrees-170 degrees. After operation, 18 flaps were survived completely, 2 cases had partial necrosis on the margin, 2 failures received cross-leg flap in the second operation. The patients were followed up with an average of 13.5 months (ranged from 3 months to 2 years). The conclusions were as follows: 1. the blood supply of this type of flap was reliable and the major arteries of the extremities needed not to be sacrificed; 2. the preparation of the flap was easy and the survival rate was satisfactory; 3. the shortcomings of this flap were unsightly incision scar and the limited size of flap and; 4. during the operation, the compression of the pedicle must be avoided.
Objective To observe the effectiveness of skin graft combined with thorax wire fastening for repairing postoperative coloboma after resection of chest back giant nevus. Methods Between June 2007 and October 2010, 17 cases of chest back giant nevus were treated. There were 7 males and 10 females, aged from 3 years and 6 months to 15 years(mean, 8 years). The size of giant nevus was 20 cm × 12 cm to 60 cm × 50 cm. Two cases of them were ever treated by laser, while the others were never treated. The check before operation showed ulcer of the skin and effusion in 2 cases, hard skin in 3 cases, hair growth in 7 cases, and normal in 5 cases. Five cases had serious itch. After giant nevus was cut off, thorax wire was fastened to reduce the wound area, and then the intermediate spl it thickness skin graft of thigh was used to repair the wound. Comprehensive anti-scar treatment was given postoperatively. Results The wound size was (2 110.74 ± 725.69) cm2 after resection of giant nevus, and was (1 624.94 ± 560.57) cm2 after thorax wire fastening, showing significant difference (t=9.006, P=0.001). All the grafting skin survived; the incision and wound at donor site healed by first intention. The patients were followed up 6 months to 2 years (mean, 13 months). No scar prol iferation or contracture occurred. The skin color and elasticity were similar to the normal skin; the nipple, navel, and other local apparatus were not shifted after operation. Conclusion It can reduce donor site of skin and postoperative scar, and achieve satisfactory appearance to cover the wound by skin graft combined with thorax wire fastening after chest back giant nevus was cut off .
OBJECTIVE The biological effects of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) and recombinant human fibroblast growth factor (rhFGF) were evaluated on the model of incised wounds in mini pigs. METHODS Total of 160 incised wounds in 16 mini pigs were divided into two groups (rhEGF group and rhFGF group), each containing 80 wounds. In rhEGF group, 60 incised wounds were treated with different dosages of rhEGF (50, 10 and 0.5 micrograms/wound), and another 20 wounds were treated with solvent as control group. In rhFGF group, all wounds were treated in the same way as described in rhEGF group, the dosages of rhFGF were 150, 90 and 30 U/cm2 respectively. The measurements of cavity volume and area in wound, histological examination were used to evaluate the results of wound healing. RESULTS The results showed that wound healing was accelerated in all wounds treated with rhEGF and rhFGF. In rhEGF group, the velocity of re-epithelialization was faster than that of rhFGF group, however, new granulation tissue in rhFGF was more than that of rhEGF group. CONCLUSION The results indicate that rhEGF and rhFGF can stimulate wound healing, however, the mechanisms and the biological effects involved in these processes are quite different. It suggests that it is better to use rhFGF in those wounds which need more granulation tissue formation and use rhEGF in the wounds which mainly need re-epithelialization.
Objective To summarize the cl inical effect of anterolateral thigh pedicle or free perforator flap in repairing soft tissue defect in the extremities. Methods From March 2000 to January 2009, 32 cases of soft tissue defect were treated with pedicle or free anterolateral thigh perforator flap. There were 30 males and 2 females with an median age of28 years (4-53 years). Soft tissue defects included left radial side in 3 cases, the left lateral elbow in 1 case, knee in 5 cases, calf in 14 cases, dorsal is pedis in 5 cases, and planta pedis in 4 cases. The defect area ranged from 9 cm × 6 cm to 15 cm × 13 cm. Nine cases compl icated by bone defect and 1 case by radial nerve defect. The time from injury to hospital ization was 1 hourto 4 months (mean 5 days). Defects in 27 cases were repaired by anterolateral thigh perforator flap, simultaneously combined with transplantation with the second toe in 1 case, with sural nerve using arterial ized small saphenous vein in 1 case, nd with fibular or il ium in 4 cases. Defects in other 5 cases were repaired with flaps pedicled with superior lateral genicular artery. Neuroanastomosis was performed in 14 cases of the flaps. The size of the flaps ranged from 10 cm × 8 cm to 16 cm × 15 cm. Skin defects at donor site were repaired with spl it thickness skin graft or sutured directly. Results All patients were followed up from 8 months to 9 years with an average of 18 months. The flaps survived well and the wounds healed by first intention in 29 cases, 3 flaps necrosed and cured after symptomatic management. Skin graft at donor site survived completely in 9 cases. The color and texture and thickness of the flaps were similar to those of recipient site. After 6 months, the sensation of the flaps recovered to grade S3-4 in 14 patients whose cutaneous nerve were anastomosed, partial recovery was observed in other patients. In 4 patients receiving transplantation of fibular or il ium, the bony heal ing was achieved within 4 to 6 months. No obvious dysfunction was found at the donor site. Conclusion The pedicle anterolateral thigh perforator flap is long and thick with constant location. Anastomosis or transferring is easy to perform. It can provide big area and feel ing recovery by nerve anastomosis. It is an effective method to repair soft tissue defect of the extremities.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of a modified cross-lip flap with lip artery anatomosis so as to shorten inward time. MethodsBetween August 2010 and January 2014, 11 patients underwent cross-lip flap surgery with lip artery anatomosis to repair upper lip defects. There were 9 males and 2 females with an average age of 62 years (range, 13-70 years). The defects causes were tumors removal in 6 cases, animal bites in 2 cases, and secondary deformity after cleft lip repair surgery in 3 cases. The width and height of defect were 1.5-4.0 cm and 1.8- 3.5 cm respectively; the width and height of flap were 1.5-3.2 cm and 1.5-3.0 cm respectively. The donor site was directly sutured. ResultsAll flaps survived, and wound healed by first intention. The flap pedicle was cut off at 5 days after operation. No blister, desquamation, or circulatory malfunction was found. Delayed healing of incision occurred in 1 patient with diabetes. Eleven patients were followed up 5-24 months (mean, 11 months). The patients had normal facial expression, food intake, and language function. The function of brush directional stroke test sensation recovered in 7 (77.8%) of 9 followed patients at 12 months after operation. ConclusionThe modified cross-lip flap with lip artery anatomosis is feasible and effective in repair of upper lip defects, because it can gain much more blood supply from lip right now in first surgery, shorten inward time, and relief patient's discomfort.
ObjectiveTo investigate the anatomic features of the perforating branch flap of the medial vastus muscle, so as to provide a new perforating branch flap for repairing the soft tissue defect. MethodsSix fresh donated lower limb specimens underwent an intra-arterial injection of a lead oxide and lactoprene preparation. The integument of the thigh was dissected to observe the origin, course, size, and location of the perforating branch of the medial vastus muscle by angiography and photography. Based on the anatomic study, the free perforating branch flaps of the medial vastus muscle (14 cm × 6 cm to 20 cm × 5 cm) were used to repair skin and soft tissue defects (8 cm × 6 cm to 12 cm × 8 cm) of the feet in 4 patients between June 2009 and August 2011. ResultsThe artery of the medial vastus was sent out constantly from the femoral artery, and then descended in the vastus muscle to lateral patella where it anastomosed with the terminal branches of lateral femoral circumflex artery to form prepatellar vascular network. The artery of the medial vastus sent out 3-5 musculocutaneous perforating branches into the deep fascia and then extended superficially to the overlying skin. Four flaps survived after surgery; wounds at the donor site and recipient site healed by first intention. After follow-up of 6-12 months, the flaps had good appearance and texture. All ankles had normal movement range of plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. ConclusionThe free perforating branch flaps of the medial vastus muscle can be harvested easily, and have the advantage of good texture and abundant donor site.
ObjectiveTo observe the effectiveness of lateral arm free perforator flap by personalized design in repairing irregular defects of the hand. MethodsTwelve patients with irregular defects of the hand were repaired with lateral arm free perforator flaps by personalized design between January 2010 and January 2015. There were 7 males and 5 females with a mean age of 35 years (range, 18-52 years). The causes included crush injury in 5 cases, thermal injury in 3 cases, traffic accident injury in 2 cases, and friction injury in 2 cases. The time between injury and admission was 1.0-4.5 hours (mean, 3.1 hours). In 3 patients with skin and soft tissue defect of approximate square, the flap of less than 6 cm in width was designed and was segmented into foliated flaps to repair wound; the bilobed flaps were used in 5 cases of hand penetrating wounds; the bilobed flaps or trifoliate flaps were used in 4 cases of multiple finger skin soft tissue defects. The total area of the defects ranged from 6.0 cm×5.0 cm to 9.0 cm×8.0 cm, and the area of flap ranged from 10.0 cm×3.5 cm to 12.0 cm×6.0 cm. All the wounds at donor site were closed directly. ResultsAll the flaps survived, wounds and incisions at donor sites healed by first intention. The patients were followed up 6-15 months (mean, 10 months). Bulky flaps were observed in 2 cases of female patients, and flap thinning was performed at 3 months after operation. The hand function recovered satisfactorily, and the sensation was S1-S3 at 6 months after operation. According to the functional assessment criteria of upper limb formulated by the Hand Surgery Branch of Chinese Medical Association, the results were excellent in 2 cases, good in 7 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case. The linear scars was observed at the donor site. ConclusionThe lateral arm free perforator flap has constant vessels anatomy, and there are many perforators in the intermuscular septum. The lateral arm free perforator flap by personalized design can repair irregular defects of the hand.
Objective To review the research progress of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in burn wound repair. Methods The recent literature about MSCs involved in burn wound repair and mechanism was extensively reviewed and analyzed. Results MSCs have the capacity of self-renew, rapid proliferation, differentiation and paracrine, and promote burn wound repair through differentiating into a series of skin wound cells and regulating wound microenvironment. Conclusion MSCs have great potentials in the burn field. However, the cell survival and outcome are also facing challenges from poor microenvironment of the burn wound.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of anterolateral thigh and groin conjoined flap in emergent repair of ultra-long complex tissue defects in forearm and hand. Methods Between February 2009 and October 2011, 6 patients with complex tissue defect of dorsal forearm and hand were in adminsion. There were 5 male and 1 female with an average age of 38.5 years (range, 32-47 years). Injury reasons included machine injury in 5 cases and traffic accident injury in 1 case. Injury to admission time was from 3 to 16 hours (mean, 6 hours). All case were single limb injury, including right forearm and hand injury in 4 cases and left forearm and hand injury in 2 cases. The wound area was from 36 cm × 9 cm to 48 cm × 12 cm. The type of associated injury included elbow dislocation associated with open injury in 2 cases; fractures of the radial, ulnar, and metacarpal bone in 4 cases; defects of wrist dorsal skin and extensor tendons of fingers and wrist in 5 cases; and defects of ulnar artery and ulnar nerve in 1 case. The anterolateral thigh and groin conjoined free flaps were used to repair defects in the forearm and hand in emergency. The area of flap was from 36 cm × 9 cm to 48 cm × 12 cm. Meanwhile the partial functional reconstruction was performed. The donor site was repaired by skin grafts. Results The anastomotic embolization of vascular pedicle and arteria interossea dorsalis occurred in 1 case, purulent secretion under the flap in 1 case, which were cured after symptomatic treatment; the skin flaps completely survived, and primary healing of the wounds were obtained in the other cases. The donor skin grafts survived in 2 cases, and partial necrosis of the skin graft of lower abdominal occurred in 4 cases, and healed after changing dressing. All of the 6 patients were followed up 3 to 18 months (mean, 10 months). The appearance and texture of the flaps were good. The protective sensation was recovered in 2 cases followed up for more than 14 months; no sensory recovery was observed in the other cases. At last follow-up, according to the upper extremity functional evaluation standard by Hand Surgery Branch of Chinese Medical Association, the results were excellent in 1 case, good in 4 cases, and poor in 1 case, and the excellent and good rate was 83.3%. Conclusion It could get a good short-term effectiveness to use the anterolateral thigh and groin conjoined flap for emergent repair of the ultra-long and complex tissue defects in forearm and hand.