1.The Role of Proliferation and Differentiation of Preadipocyte on High Fat Diet-induced Obesity and Prevention of Obesity through Exercises in Rats
Shaosheng LIU ; Yongjun ZHAO ; Linjing ZHANG ; Zhiyou JIA ; Junchao LIAN ; Yuxiu HE
Chinese Journal of Sports Medicine 2017;36(8):667-674
Objective To explore the influences of proliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes on high fat diet-induced obesity and obesity prevention through exercises in rats.Methods Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a normal diet control group (C,n=8),a normal diet with exercises group (E,n=8),a high fat diet control group (H,n=14) and a high fat diet with exercises group (HE,n=10).Group C and group H kept sedentary,while group E and group HE underwent treadmill exercises at about 75%VO2max level.After 12 weeks of intervention,the body weight,epididymal,perirenal and retroperitoneal fat mass were recorded,and the total fat mass was determinated.Stereology method was used to calculate the number and average diameter of fat cells.Western Blotting was conducted to measure the expression of PPARγ and C/EBPα protein in adipose tissues.Results (1) The body weight and total fat mass of group H were significantly higher than those of group C (P<0.01).Perirenal,retroperitoneal fat and total fat mass of group E and HE were significantly lower than those of group C and H respectively (P<0.01).(2) The total fat cell number of group H was significantly higher than that of group C.The average diameter of fat cells in perirenal and retroperitoneal fat pads of group E were significantly lower than that of group C (P<0.05,P<0.01),while that of group HE in epididymal,perirenal and retroperitoneal fat pads was significantly lower than that of group H (P<0.01).(3) Compared with group C,the expression of PPARγ protein of group E and H increased significantly in epididymal,perirenal and retroperitoneal fat pads (P<0.01).The expression of C/EBPα protein of group H was significantly higher than that of group C in epididymal and perirenal fat pads (P<0.01),the expression of C/EBPα protein of group E was significantly higher than that of group C in perirenal and retroperitoneal fat pads (P<0.01),while the expression of C/EBPα protein of group HE was significantly lower than that of group H in perirenal fat pads(P<0.01).Conclusion The proliferation and differentiation of preadipocyte was enhanced in the development of high fat diet induced obesity and exercises to prevent obesity,but its role and mechanisms were different.The high fat diet increases the number of fat cells which is a compensatory mechanism for the body to adapt to fat accumulation,while exercises might promote cell renewal and decrease the average size of fat cells which is an adaptive mechanism to improve fat storage.
2.A preliminary clinical application of sICAM-1 RIA in three kinds of thyroid disease.
Mei LU ; Peihua FANG ; Zhiyou ZHANG ; Hongpeng HE ; Shuo GAO ; Bingzhang HOU ; Rongxiu ZHENG ; Qian XIAO ; Liping YANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2002;115(10):1552-1555
OBJECTIVETo examine serum levels of sICAM-1 from normal controls and patients with thyroid diseases (simple goitre, Graves' disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis) with (125)I-sICAM-1 RIA established in our lab.
METHODSUsing (125)I-sICAM-1 RIA, serum sICAM-1 levels of 400 healthy individuals as the normal group and 1020 patients with simple goitre (SG), Graves' disease (GD) or Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) were examined for a comporative chinical study.
RESULTSThe serum level of sICAM-1 (x +/- s) in the normal group was 168.43 +/- 36.23 micro g/L. There was no significant difference between the normal and SG groups (P > 0.05), whereas the serum levels of sICAM-1 in autoimmune thyroid diseases (GD or HT) were higher than those in the normal or SG groups (P < 0.05, respectively). After GD patients received one of three medical treatments, their serum sICAM-1 levels decreased (P < 0.05). After GD patients were treated and their thyroid function decreased to normal, their serum sICAM-1 levels were lower than those in relapsed GD patients (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONSsICAM-1 RIA can be used to examine autoimmune thyroid diseases. Serum levels of sICAM-1 can be used as a parameter in diagnosing autoimmune thyroid disease and in evaluating the effects of therapy, drug administration or relapse in GD.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Goiter ; blood ; diagnosis ; Graves Disease ; blood ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radioimmunoassay ; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune ; blood ; diagnosis
3.The relation between the expression of P130Cas, PTEN and EMT of skin scar carcinoma
Zan LIU ; Jie ZHOU ; Pihong ZHANG ; Licheng REN ; Minghua ZHANG ; Jizhang ZENG ; Zhiyou HE ; Pengfei LIANG
Journal of Chinese Physician 2019;21(2):189-193
Objective To study the relation between the expression of P130 Crk-associated substrate (P130Cas),phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of skin scar carcinoma.Methods Tissues of skin scar carcinoma,scar and normal skin were collected from 8 patients who were pathologically diagnosed as skin scar carcinoma with high differentiated squamous cell carcinoma.The expression of PTEN,P130Cas,E-cadherin and Vimentin in normal skin,skin scar and skin scar carcinoma tissues were detected by immunohistochemical method of S-P.Results The expression of PTEN,P130Cas and E-cadherin in normal skin,scar and skin scar carcinoma tissues were all significantly different (P < 0.05).The expression of Vimentin in skin scar carcinoma tissues were significantly increased than that in normal skin and skin scar tissues,but there was no statistically significance difference between skin scar tissues and normal skin (P > 0.05).The expression of PTEN in skin scar carcinoma tissues was negatively correlated with P130Cas (r =-0.78,P =0.023) and positively correlated with E-cadherin (r =0.83,P =0.011),but there were no correlation between PTEN and Vimentin (P > 0.05);The expressions of P130Cas in skin scar carcinoma tissues was negatively correlated with Ecadherin (r =-0.74,P =0.035),but there were no statistically significant correlation between P130Cas and Vimentin (P>0.05).Conclusions Both PTEN and P130Cas involved in the EMT process of skin scar carcinoma and may be an important mechanism in scar carcinogenesis.
4. Clinical application of negative pressure dressing in the full-thickness skin grafting
Pengfei LIANG ; Jiaxiong HU ; Pihong ZHANG ; Minghua ZHANG ; Licheng REN ; Jizhang ZENG ; Jie ZHOU ; Le GUO ; Xu CUI ; Mitao HUANG ; Zhiyou HE ; Xiaoyuan HUANG
Chinese Journal of Burns 2018;34(7):492-496
Objective:
To investigate the effect of different negative pressure of wound negative pressure dressing (NPD) on the survival of full-thickness skin grafts of patients.
Methods:
One hundred and eleven patients who need skin grafting, conforming to the inclusion criteria were hospitalized in our unit from August 2012 to March 2017, and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Forty-seven patients hospitalized from August 2012 to October 2015 were assigned into traditional treatment group. Sixty-four patients hospitalized from November 2015 to March 2017 were divided into -9.975 kPa negative pressure treatment group (
5.Clinical effect of modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in repairing skin and soft tissue defects after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer
Mitao HUANG ; Zhan QU ; Pengfei LIANG ; Weidong LIU ; Zhiyou HE ; Xu CUI ; Le GUO ; Jie CHEN ; Mengjuan LI ; Xiaoyuan HUANG ; Pihong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Burns 2024;40(1):57-63
Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of the modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in repairing the skin and soft tissue defect after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. From June 2019 to July 2022, five male patients with low rectal cancer who were conformed to the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Basic Surgery of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, with ages ranging from 65 to 70 years and the sizes of the perianal skin ulcers ranging from 5 cm×4 cm to 11 cm×9 cm, and all of them underwent abdominoperineal resection. The secondary skin and soft tissue defects in the perineum with an area of 8 cm×6 cm-14 cm×12 cm (with the depth of pelvic floor dead space being 10-15 cm) were repaired intraoperatively with transplantation of modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps with the skin area being 9 cm×7 cm-16 cm×12 cm, the volume of the muscle being 18 cm×10 cm×5 cm-20 cm×12 cm×5 cm, and the vessel pedicle being 18-20 cm in length. During the operation, most of the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle was retained, the flap was transferred to the recipient area through the abdominal cavity, the remaining anterior sheaths of the rectus abdominis muscle on both sides of the donor area were repeatedly folded and sutured, the free edge of the transverse fascia of the abdomen was sutured with the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle, and the donor area skin was directly sutured. After the operation, the survival of the transplanted myocutaneous flap was observed. The occurrence of complications in the perineal recipient area was recorded within 2 weeks after the operation. The recovery of the perineal recipient area and the abdominal donor area was observed during follow-up, and the occurrence of complications in the donor area of the abdomen as well as the recurrence of tumors and metastasis were recorded.Results:All transplanted myocutaneous flaps in 5 patients survived after surgery. One patient had dehiscence of the incision in the perineal recipient area 2 days after surgery, which healed after 7 d with intermittent dressing changes and routine vacuum sealing drainage treatment. In the other 4 patients, no complications such as incisional rupture, incisional infection, or fat liquefaction occurred in the perineal recipient area within 2 weeks after surgery. Follow-up for 6-12 months after discharge showed that the skin of the perineal recipient area had good color, texture, and elasticity, and was not bloated in appearance; linear scars were left in the perineal recipient area and the abdominal donor area without obvious scar hyperplasia or hyperpigmentation; no complications such as incisional rupture, incisional infection, intestinal adhesion, intestinal obstruction, or weakening of the abdominal wall strength occurred in the abdominal donor area, and the abdominal appearance was good with no localized bulge or formation of abdominal hernia; there was no local recurrence of tumor or metastasis in any patient.Conclusions:The surgical approach of using the modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap to repair the skin and soft tissue defects after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer is relatively simple in operation, can achieve good postoperative appearances of the donor and recipient areas with few complications, and is worthy of clinical promotion.
6.Clinical effectiveness of simultaneous reconstructions of multiple joint scar contracture deformity of limb
Pihong ZHANG ; Yizhen WEN ; Jizhang ZENG ; Licheng REN ; Jie ZHOU ; Pengfei LIANG ; Minghua ZHANG ; Zhiyou HE ; Xu CUI ; Xiaoyuan HUANG
Chinese Journal of Burns 2020;36(4):308-312
Objective:To explore the clinical effects of simultaneous reconstruction of multiple joint scar contracture deformity of limb.Methods:From January 2010 to June 2018, 24 patients with multiple joint scar contracture deformity of the same limb were reconstructed in simultaneous operations in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, including 16 males and 8 females, aged 3-42 years, with 15 patients having deformities in the upper limbs and 9 patients having deformities in the lower limbs. One operation was performed to repair contracture deformity of axillary fossa and elbow in 3 patients, cubital fossa and palmar of wrist in 4 patients, cubital fossa and hand in 5 patients, palmar of wrist, palm, and palmar of finger in 3 patients, groin and medial knee in 2 patients, popliteal fossa and posterior ankle in 1 patient, and anterior ankle and dorsum of foot in 6 patients. After the release of various joint scar contractures, the area of skin defect was 140 to 580 cm 2. Autologous full-thickness skin grafts were used in 7 patients, autologous medium-thickness skin grafts were used in 4 patients, autologous full-thickness skin grafts combined with local skin flaps were used in 9 patients, and allogeneic acellular dermal matrix and autologous thin skin grafts were used in 4 patients. Comprehensive measures for rehabilitation were taken and the survival of the skin graft was observed after operation. Six months to eight years after the operation, all the patients were followed up for the functions of the affected limbs, among which the functions of the upper limbs were evaluated according to the trial standard for the evaluation of the functions of the upper limbs of the Hand Surgery Society of the Chinese Medical Association. The joint mobility, walking, and squatting function of lower extremity were examined after operation. Recurrence of contractures in all the affected limbs and reoperation were recorded. Results:The grafts survived after operation in 22 patients. Two patients had necrosis in small full-thickness skin area, of which one was healed by skin grafting after debridement, and the other one was healed after dressing changes. The deformity of scar contracture at each repaired joint was completely or partially corrected. During a follow-up for 6 to 96 months, the upper limb functions of 15 patients were rated excellent in 12 patients and good in 3 patients. Among the 9 patients of lower limb scar contractures, except for one 3-year-old child who experienced recurrence of medial knee scar contracture and underwent surgical release and skin grafting 5 years later, the remaining 8 patients basically recovered normal joint functions with pretty good outcomes.Conclusions:For continuous scar contracture deformity of multiple joints of the same limb, simultaneous surgical release and skin grafting can reduce operation frequency and obtain better outcomes of surgical operation.
7.Establishment and test results of an artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model based on convolutional neural network
Zhiyou HE ; Yuan WANG ; Pihong ZHANG ; Ke ZUO ; Pengfei LIANG ; Jizhang ZENG ; Situo ZHOU ; Le GUO ; Mitao HUANG ; Xu CUI
Chinese Journal of Burns 2020;36(11):1070-1074
Objective:To establish an artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model based on convolutional neural network, and to test its effectiveness.Methods:In this evaluation study on diagnostic test, 484 wound photos of 221 burn patients in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University (hereinafter referred to as the author′s unit) from January 2010 to December 2019 taken within 48 hours after injury which met the inclusion criteria were collected and numbered randomly. The target wounds were delineated by image viewing software, and the burn depth was judged by 3 attending doctors with more than 5-year professional experience in Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of the author′s unit. After marking the superficial partial-thickness burn, deep partial-thickness burn, or full-thickness burn in different colors, the burn wounds were cut according to 224×224 pixels to obtain 5 637 complete wound images. The image data generator was used to expand images of each burn depth to 10 000 images, after which, images of each burn depth were divided into training set, verification set, and test set according to the ratio of 7.0∶1.5∶1.5. Under Keras 2.2.4 Python 2.8.0 version, the residual network ResNet-50 of convolutional neural network was used to establish the artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model. The training set was input for training, and the verification set was used to adjust and optimize the model. The judging accuracy rate of various burn depths by the established model was tested by the test set, and precision, recall, and F1_score were calculated. The test results were visualized to generate two-dimensional tSNE cloud chart through the dimensionality reduction tool tSNE, and the distribution of various burn depths was observed. According to the sensitivity and specificity of the model for the recognition of 3 kinds of burn depths, the corresponding receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve was drawn, and the area under the ROC curve was calculated.Results:(1) After the testing of the test set, the precisions of the artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model for the recognition of superficial partial-thickness burn, deep partial-thickness burn, or full-thickness burn were 84% (1 095/1 301), 81% (1 215/1 499) and 82% (1 395/1 700) respectively, the recall were 73% (1 095/1 500), 81% (1 215/1 500) and 93% (1 395/1 500) respectively, and the F1_scores were 0.78, 0.81, and 0.87 respectively. (2) tSNE cloud chart showed that there was small overlapping among different burn depths in the test results for the test set of artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model, among which the overlapping between superficial partial-thickness burn and deep partial-thickness burn and that between deep partial-thickness burn and full-thickness burn were relatively more, while the overlapping between superficial partial-thickness burn and full-thickness burn was relatively less. (3) The area under the ROC curve for 3 kinds of burn depths recognized by the artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model was ≥0.94.Conclusions:The artificial intelligence burn depth recognition model established by ResNet-50 network can rather accurately identify the burn depth in the early wound photos of burn patients, especially superficial partial-thickness burn and full-thickness burn. It is expected to be used clinically to assist the diagnosis of burn depth and improve the diagnostic accuracy.
8.Repair methods and clinical effects of full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in fingers
Pengfei LIANG ; Pihong ZHANG ; Minghua ZHANG ; Jizhang ZENG ; Jie ZHOU ; Mitao HUANG ; Xu CUI ; Le GUO ; Zhuoxian YAN ; Yanqin RAN ; Situo ZHOU ; Zhiyou HE ; Xiaoyuan HUANG
Chinese Journal of Burns 2021;37(7):614-621
Objective:To explore the repair methods and clinical effects of full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in fingers.Methods:A retrospective non-randomized controlled trial was conducted on the 98 patients with full-thickness finger burns deep to tendon or even bone who met the inclusion criteria and were hospitalized in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2010 to December 2019. Among the 98 patients, there were 81 males and 17 females, aged from 1 to 72 years, with 160 fingers involved. The wound area of each of affected fingers ranged from 2.0 cm×1.5 cm to 12.0 cm×3.5 cm, and the maximum wound area after merging the affected fingers was 12.0 cm×10.0 cm. For adult hands with multiple full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in multiple fingers or children with full-thickness finger burns deep to tendon or even bone, pedicled abdominal flaps were selected. For adults with single or two fingers with full-thickness burns deep to tendon or even bone, the pedicled internal hand flaps and free tissue flaps were selected. The free tissue flap repair requires good vascular conditions in the recipient area with arteries and veins available for anastomosis. For thumb nail burns deep to tendon or even bone or partial absence of the thumb after burns, the thumbs were reconstructed with the first toenail flap or dorsal foot flap with the second toe. In this study, 45 pedicled abdominal flaps were used to repair the wounds in 91 fingers, 37 pedicled internal hand flaps were used to repair the wounds in 37 fingers, 26 free tissue flaps were used to repair the wounds in 28 fingers, 3 first toenail flaps were used to reconstruct 3 patients' thumb nails and to repair hand wounds, and 1 dorsal foot flap with the second toe was used to reconstruct 1 patient's thumb and to repair hand and wrist wounds. The tissue flap area was from 2.0 cm×1.5 cm to 20.0 cm×10.0 cm. The wound in the donor site was repaired by direct suture or full-thickness skin grafting from the medial upper arm of the affected limb or split-thickness skin grafting from the outer thigh. The postoperative survival of the tissue flap, postoperative complications, and appearance and function of the flap donor site were observed. For the patients who were followed up, their finger functions were evaluated at the last follow-up using the trial criteria for replantation function evaluation of the amputated finger issued by the Hand Surgery Society of the Chinese Medical Association, and the satisfaction of the patients was investigated using the Efficacy Satisfaction Scale. Data were statistically analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis H test and Nemenyi test. Results:Of the 112 tissue flaps, 104 tissue flaps survived completely and had good blood circulation; 1 pedicled thumb dorsal ulnar reverse island flap, 1 pedicled finger artery cutaneous branch reverse island flap, and 1 free grafted anterolateral thigh perforator flap were slightly necrotic at the end, which were repaired with outer thigh split-thickness skin graft after dressing change and granulation tissue growth; 2 free grafted tarsal external artery flaps and 1 pedicled thumb dorsal ulnar reverse island flap suffered from postoperative venous return obstruction, which survived after partial suture removal and heparin saline cleansing of the wound; 1 pedicled modified dorsal metacarpal artery retrograde island flap and 1 free grafted peroneal artery perforator flap were necrotic, which were repaired by a pedicled abdominal flap and a lateral upper arm flap free transplantation respectively in stage Ⅱ. After transplantation, the tissue flaps had good shape, soft texture, and good elasticity, without bloating. There was no functional disorder in the flap donor site, and only slight scar remained. A total of 117 fingers of the 72 patients received 3-24 months of outpatient or telephone follow-up. At the last follow-up, the excellent and good rates of function evaluation of fingers repaired with pedicled abdominal flap, pedicled internal hand flap, and free tissue flap were respectively 77.3% (51/66), 96.3% (26/27), and 95.8% (23/24). The function of fingers repaired with free tissue flap and pedicled internal hand flap was significantly better than that with pedicled abdominal flap ( P<0.01). The satisfaction of patients with fingers repaired by free tissue flaps was significantly higher than that by pedicled abdominal flap ( P<0.05). Conclusions:According to the specific situation of full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in fingers, the pedicled abdominal flap is used to repair the multiple full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in multiple fingers of adult or the full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in fingers of children, the pedicled internal hand flap or free tissue flap is used to repair the full-thickness burn wounds deep to tendon or even bone in single or two fingers of adult patients, and the first toenail flap or the dorsal foot flap with the second toe is used to reconstruct the thumbs with full-thickness burn deep to tendon or even bone, with high postoperative tissue flap survival rate and few complications. The functional recovery of the affected finger is better after repair with free tissue flap and pedicled internal hand flap, and the patients' satisfaction is the highest after free tissue flap repair.
9.Repair methods of complex facial defect wounds involving paranasal sinuses and their clinical effectiveness
Pengfei LIANG ; Xisheng XU ; Pihong ZHANG ; Changlong BI ; Hua ZHANG ; Mitao HUANG ; Zhiyou HE ; Jizhang ZENG ; Yun HUANG ; Jia LI ; Xu CUI ; Situo ZHOU ; Minghua ZHANG ; Xiaoyuan HUANG
Chinese Journal of Burns 2023;39(3):221-227
Objective:To explore the repair methods of complex facial defect wounds involving paranasal sinuses and their clinical effectiveness.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted. From January 2020 to May 2022, 5 patients admitted to the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University and 4 patients admitted to the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of Chenzhou First People's Hospital with complex facial defect wounds involving paranasal sinuses met the inclusion criteria, including 6 males and 3 females, aged 35-69 years, including 4 patients with titanium mesh exposure combined with paranasal sinuses injury and 5 patients with tumor involving paranasal sinuses. After an adequate assessment of the damage by a multiple discipline team, titanium mesh removal, paranasal sinus debridement, and paranasal sinus mucosa removal were performed in patients with exposed titanium mesh, and radical tumor resection was performed in patients with tumors, with postoperative skin and soft tissue defects areas of 5.0 cm×2.5 cm to 18.0 cm×7.0 cm, anterior paranasal sinus wall defects/absence areas of 3 cm×2 cm to 6 cm×4 cm, and sinus cavity depths of 1 to 4 cm. Depending on the perforator course of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery, the anterolateral femoral chimeric flap or anterolateral femoral myocutaneous flap (with flap area of 9 cm×4 cm to 19 cm×8 cm, muscle size of 5 cm×3 cm×3 cm to 11 cm×6 cm×3 cm) was transplanted to repair the defect, and the donor site wound was sutured directly. The type of tissue flap transplanted, the blood vessel of the recipient area, and the vascular anastomosis way during the operation, the recovery of the donor and recipient areas and the occurrence of complications after operation were observed. The appearance and blood supply of the recipient area and the recurrence of ulcers and tumors were followed up.Results:The anterolateral femoral myocutaneous flap transplantation was performed in 6 patients, and the anterolateral femoral chimeric flap transplantation was performed in 3 patients. The blood vessels in recipient areas were facial arteries and veins in 3 cases and superficial temporal arteries and veins in 6 cases. The superficial temporal arteries and veins were bridged with blood vessels in tissue flaps by flow-through way in 2 patients, and end-to-end anastomosis of blood vessels in donor and recipient areas was performed in 7 patients. After operation, all the tissue flaps survived, and the facial defect wounds were well repaired without cerebrospinal fluid leakage or paranasal sinus secretion leakage, no intracranial infection occurred, and the wounds in donor areas were healed well. Follow-up of 6-35 months after operation showed that all the patients had good blood supply in the recipient area, and the shape was acceptable; 4 patients with exposed titanium mesh had no recurrence of ulceration, and 5 patients with tumor had no local tumor recurrence or metastasis.Conclusions:Based on an adequate assessment of the extent of paranasal sinuses involved in the facial wound and the nature of the defect, good clinical effects can be achieved by using the anterolateral femoral muscle flap or the anterolateral femoral chimeric flap transplantation to repair complex facial defect wounds with open paranasal sinuses.
10.Methods and clinical effects of reconstructing facial and cervical scars with expanded flaps based on the "MLT" principle
Mingqiu TAO ; Mitao HUANG ; Pengfei LIANG ; Minghua ZHANG ; Pihong ZHANG ; Zhiyou HE ; Jizhang ZENG ; Jie ZHOU ; Xu CUI ; Le GUO ; Situo ZHOU ; Yan YANG ; Tinghong XIE ; Xiaoyuan HUANG
Chinese Journal of Burns 2024;40(7):657-664
Objective:To explore the methods and clinical effects of reconstructing facial and cervical scars with expanded flaps based on the "MLT" principle.Methods:The study was a retrospective observational study. From January 2019 to May 2022, 74 patients with facial and cervical scars after burn or trauma injuries who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, including 38 males and 36 females, aged from 5 to 58 years, including 24 patients with simple facial involvement, 24 patients with simple cervical involvement, and 26 patients with both facial and cervical involvement, with scar area ranging from 12 to 145 cm2. By following the "MLT" principle (color and texture similar to the face; flap area large enough to reconstruct the entire defect; skin tissue thin enough to transmit the expression, so as to facilitate the shape of the face and five features); in the stage Ⅰ surgery, the skin and soft tissue expanders (hereinafter referred to as the expanders) were implanted, and in the stage Ⅱ surgery, the expander removal+scar resection+flap transplantation to repair the secondary wound was performed, and the wound in the donor area of flap was directly sutured. After operation, silicone gel preparation and laser therapy were used to prevent scar hyperplasia. The expansion ratio and time period of expanders, the occurrence of complications of skin and soft tissue expansion surgery, the type of flap used, and the survival of flap after the stage Ⅱ surgery were observed and recorded. The long-term effect of facial and cervical reconstruction and the recovery of donor area and recipient area of flap were evaluated during the postoperative follow-up after surgery.Results:The expansion ratio of 135 expanders ranged from 1.36 to 3.00 times, and the expansion time period ranged from 6 to 14 months. During skin and soft tissue expansion surgery, 8 patients had poor healing of incisions after expander placement, 7 patients had expander rupture, 5 patients had infection in incisions after expander placement, 3 patients had expander exposure, 2 patients had difficult filling the injection pot, and 1 patient had water leakage from the injection pot. Dorsal shoulder expanded flaps with double blood supply of transverse cervical artery and circumflex scapular artery were used in 8 patients, the expanded flaps of anterior transverse carotid artery perforator were used in 11 patients, the expanded flaps of internal thoracic artery perforator were used in 12 patients, tandem expanded flaps of upper chest and neck were used in 16 patients, dorsal thoracic artery perforator expanded flaps were used in 5 patients, and adjacent rotary propulsive expanded flaps were used in 22 patients. After the stage Ⅱ surgery, the flaps of 71 patients were completely survived. One patient had blood circulation disorder in the flap, and the flap survived after hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Necrosis occurred at the end of the flaps in 2 patients, which healed after dressing change. After the surgery, 42 patients were followed up for 3 to 24 months. The color, texture, and thickness of flaps were good and similar to the surrounding normal skin tissue in the recipient area, the appearance and function of the face and neck were significantly improved, and the wound location in the donor and recipient areas of flaps was concealed with slight scar formation.Conclusions:In the reconstruction of facial and neck scars, by following the "MLT" principle, the expanded flap was carefully designed before surgery, the local aesthetic features within the subunit are reconstructed during the stage Ⅱ surgery, and standard anti-scar treatment measures are actively adopted after surgery. After reconstruction, the color, texture, and thickness of flaps were close to the normal skin in face and neck, and the appearance and function of face and neck are significantly improved, with less linear scars left. It is beneficial to improve the therapeutic effect.