PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the usefulness of Doppler parameters in transplanted kidney function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Doppler parameters, including resistive index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), peak systolic velocity (PSV), and end diastolic velocity (EDV) were measured in the interlobar artery of 55 transplant recipients. Patients were grouped according to glomerular filtration rate (GFR): Group A (GFR < 30 ml / min / 1.73 m2, n = 27) and group B (GFR > or = 30 ml / min / 1.73 m2, n = 28). Doppler parameters were compared between groups and correlated with the GFR. RESULTS: GFR (40.1 +/- 26.9) showed a significant negative correlation with RI (0.69 +/- .08) (p = .002, r = -.414). RI (0.72 vs. 0.67), PI (1.42 vs. 1.23), and EDV (10.5 vs. 15.3) differed significantly between groups (p < .05), however, PSV was not (36.9 vs. 47.1). Patients in group A (n = 11) with a lower RI than the mean had significantly lower PSV (31.7 vs. 45.1; p = .027) and EDV (11.1 vs. 16.7; p = .017), compared with such patients in group B (n = 21). CONCLUSIONS: Doppler parameters are useful for evaluation of function of transplanted kidney. Even if the RI is normal, PSV and EDV may be used as hemodynamic indicators.
Arteries ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Transplants

Vascular rejection injures the vascular endothelium in cardiac allografts in the absence of significant intramyocardial lymphocytic infiltration. When compared with cellular rejection, acute vascular rejection occurs earlier after transplantation, and is associated with high frequency of allograft loss. We describe a case of acute vascular rejection that occurred 11 months after heart transplantation. Graft failure was associated with active vasculitis in the coronary arteries and pericardial arteries, and extensive coagulation necrosis of myocardium. The extreme rarity of late onset of acute vascular rejection in a cardiac allograft prompted us to write this report.
Allografts ; Arteries ; Coronary Vessels ; Endothelium, Vascular ; Heart Transplantation* ; Heart* ; Myocardium ; Necrosis ; Transplantation ; Transplants ; Vasculitis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate breast reconstruction with a combined skin flap of the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) and the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM).

METHODSThe DIEP and TRAM united flap was elevated with the vessel pedicle of the deep inferior epigastric perforator on the affected side and the rectus abdominis muscle pedicle on the intact side. The reconstructive breast was shaped after the deep inferior epigastric vessels were anastomosed to the internal mammary vessels or the thoracodorsal vessels ipsilaterally.

RESULTSWe have used the DIEP and TRAM united flaps for breast reconstruction in 17 cases. All of the flaps survived, and the reconstructed breasts were well-shaped with the follow-up of 6-18 months.

CONCLUSIONSThe DIEP and TRAM united flap possesses of advantages such as rich blood supply, abundant tissue volume and easy shaping. It is especially applicable to the cases who have large chest defect and need large volume tissue.

Adult ; Epigastric Arteries ; transplantation ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Rectus Abdominis ; transplantation ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply

OBJECTIVETo analyse the reliability of concomitant venae of facial artery as the donor vein in microvascular autologous submandibular gland transfer.

METHODSOne hundred and seventeen cases with severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca treated by microvascular transfer of autogenous submandibular gland transfer from August of 1999 to November of 2007 were reviewed. The cases were divided into three groups according to their different donor veins, with group A using facial veins, group B using concomitant venae of facial artery, and group C using a vein near the duct. Group A and B were compared in terms of venous thrombosis rate and failure rate related to venous thrombosis.

RESULTSAmong 117 cases, there were 122 sides of submandibular gland transfers, with 93 in group A, 27 in group B, and 2 in group C. Postoperative venous thromboses rate was 15% in group A and 7% in group B, with significant difference (P < 0.01). The failure rate of transferred gland related to venous thrombosis was 8% in group A, and 7% in group B, with no significant difference (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSConcomitant venae of facial artery can be used as reliable donor vein in microvascular autologous submandibular gland transfer.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Arteries ; transplantation ; Child ; Face ; blood supply ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Submandibular Gland ; blood supply ; transplantation ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Veins ; transplantation ; Xerophthalmia ; surgery ; Young Adult

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a major factor that limits the long-term survival after cardiac transplantation. Because the main feature of CAV is a diffuse stenosis that predominantly develops in the distal arteries, reperfusion therapy has shown poor outcomes. The results of cardiac retransplantation for CAV are better than that for acute resection and the survival is identical to that of patients who undergo primary transplantation. We describe a case of performing cardiac retransplantation in a 28 year-old male patient with refractory CAV and who underwent primary transplantation due to dilated cardiomyopathy 8 years previously.
Arteries ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Heart Transplantation ; Humans ; Male ; Rejection (Psychology) ; Reperfusion ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Transplants

OBJECTIVETo discuss the therapeutic effect of thenar perforator flaps for the narrow cicatricial contracture at thumb and the first web.

METHODSFrom Aug. 2010 to Jan. 2012, 9 cases with narrow cicatricial contracture at thumb and the first web, were treated. The defect size after releasing the contracture ranged from 8 mm x 20 mm to 15 cm x 30 mm. The bilateral thenar perforator flaps beside the wound were designed which size was 10 mm x 25 mm to 15 mm x 35 mm. The wounds at donor sites were closed directly.

RESULTSAll the 9 flaps survived completely with primary healing. The patients were followed up for 6-18 months. The flaps had soft texture and good appearance. The shape of flaps and function of the fingers were satisfied after 6-18 months of follow-up. There was no scar contracture at incisions in thenar. The thumb motion was really normal. The abduction of first web was 70 degrees - 90 degrees degrees.

CONCLUSIONSThe thenar perforator flaps is one of the ideal methods for the treatment of narrow cicatricial contracture at thumb and the first web. The main artery is not sacrified.

Arteries ; Cicatrix ; surgery ; Contracture ; surgery ; Fingers ; Humans ; Perforator Flap ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Thumb ; surgery ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of free and pedicled thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flaps for repairing skin and soft tissue defects in limbs, neck, axillary and shoulder.

METHODSFrom October 2009 to Auguest 2011, 16 TDAP flaps were used to repair skin and tissue defects. Among them, five ipsilateral pedicled flaps were used to repair wounds in neck, axillary and shoulder. 11 free TDAP flaps were used to repair the wounds with bone or tendon exposure. In 12 cases, the flaps were pedicled with thoracodorsal artery and vein-lateral branches-perforators, in 4 cases, pedicled with thoracodorsal artery and vein-serratus anterior muscular branches-perforators. The deep fascia, the latissimus dorsi and thoracodorsal nerve were not included in all flaps. The flaps size ranged from 10 cm x 5 cm to 26 cm x 10 cm.

RESULTSAll 16 flaps survived completely with primary healing both at donor site and recipent area. After a follow-up of 3 to 24 months, all flaps gained good texture and appearance. Only linear scar was left at donor area. The shoulder could move freely.

CONCLUSIONSTDAP flap has good texture, long vascular pedicle,and reliable blood supply, leaving less morbidity at donor site. The latissimus dorsi and thoracodorsal nerve are also preserved. The pedicled TDAP flap is an ideal flap for repairing the ipsilateral skin and soft tissue defects of the neck, shoulder, axillary. The free TDAP flap is suited for repairing skin and soft tissue defects of the extremities.

Arteries ; Axilla ; Humans ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Perforator Flap ; transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; transplantation ; Thoracic Wall ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effect of reversed plantar metatarsal artery island flap in repairing the plantar soft tissue defects at the first and second toes.

METHODS12 cases with plantar soft tissue defects at the first and second toes were repaired by reversed plantar metatarsal artery island flap which size ranged from 2 cm x 3 cm to 4 cm x 6 cm, including 5 cases at emergency, 5 cases with the donor site defects at great toes after free lateral pulp flap transfer, and 2 cases with the donor site defects at second toes after free medial pulp flap transfer.

RESULTSAll the reversed plantar metatarsal artery island flaps at the first and second toes survived uneventfully with desirable appearance and sensation over a 3-35 month follow-up. No complication happened at the donor sites.

CONCLUSIONSIt is an reliable method to adopt the reversed plantar metatarsal artery island flap for the plantar soft tissue defects at the first and second toes, with the advantages of stable blood vessels, high survival rate, good skin texture and few complications.

Arteries ; Foot ; Humans ; Skin Transplantation ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; transplantation ; Toes ; Transplant Donor Site ; blood supply

OBJECTIVETo evaluate radial artery (RA) and internal mammary artery (IMA) grafts in coronary artery bypass and the use of color Doppler ultrasound in the peri-operative evaluation of IMA and radial-ulnar collateral circulation.

METHODSFrom June 1998 to June 2000, sixty cases of coronary bypass revascularization with RA and IMA were performed. Preoperatively, the radial-ulnar collateral circulation was evaluated with the modified Allen's test, color Doppler ultrasound and noninvasive oxygen saturation measurement. The IMA lumen and blood flow were measured at the first intercostal space with color Doppler ultrasound preoperatively and postoperatively.

RESULTSOne patient (1.7%) died of serious cardiac arrhythmia on the fourth postoperative day. There were no arterial graft harvest related complications. Before harvesting, the ulnar artery blood flow was 30.78 +/- 9.71 ml/min, and it increased to 43.36 +/- 13.98 ml/min (40.87% increase, P < 0.01) after the operation. Compared with the baseline, there was no obvious change of IMA blood flow postoperatively (P > 0.05), but the systolic/diastolic flow ratio markedly decreased from 8.57 +/- 3.98 ml/min to 3.41 +/- 4.87 ml/min (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSArterial grafts can be safely used for coronary bypass revascularization with good results. The ulnar artery blood flow can increase compensatively after RA harvesting. The diastolic blood flow of grafted IMA markedly increased postoperatively. Color Doppler ultrasound was very helpful both in evaluating the radial-ulnar collateral circulation before RA harvesting and in assessing the patency of the grafted IMA after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Adult ; Aged ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; methods ; Coronary Circulation ; Humans ; Mammary Arteries ; transplantation ; Middle Aged ; Radial Artery ; transplantation

Many factors are thought to be affecting to the graft and patient survival. We have analyzed our surgical 200 renal transplantation performed at Kosin Medical Center. Pusan, Korea from December l984 to May 1990. Overall 1 and 3 years graft and patient survival rates were 91.9%, 94.2% 83.6%. and 93.0% respectively. Arterial spasm was occurred in four cases but the difference of occurrence or acute tubular necrosis and graft survival rate were not significant statistically. End to side arterial anastomosis was performed in four cases. Polar artery was ligated in four cases. Average total ischemic time was 50.7 minutes There was no loss of graft loss due to urological complications. We found that there was no notable significance of these selected surgical factors which influencing patient and graft survival at our Medical Center.
Arteries ; Busan ; Graft Survival* ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Korea ; Necrosis ; Spasm ; Survival Rate ; Transplants*