Objective To evaluate the angiogenesis of decidua in spontaneous abortion patients and to investigate the change of thyroid hormone receptor signal expression in decidua in miscarriage patients.Methods The decidua of pregnant women was collected.Patients with miscarriage were taken as the experimental group and healthy preg-nant women who underwent abortion by social factors were taken as the control group.The nuclear translocation of thyroid hormone receptor α(THR-α)and THR-β in decidua tissues was detected by Western blot method,and the distribution of THR-α and TH IR-β in decidua tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry.The expression of Deiodinase 2(DIO2)in decidua tissues was determined by Western blot.The distribution of DIO2 in decidua tissues was determined by immunofluorescence and the fluorescence intensity was measured.The decidual vessel density was determined by immunohistochemistry using CD34 as an endothelial marker.The protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor(VEGFR-1)was detected by Western blot.Results There was no sig-nificant difference in age,gestation days,TSH,T3,T4 and other basic data between the control group and the a-bortion group.The results of Western blot showed that the expression levels of THR-α and THR-β protein de-creased,and the results of immunohistochemical staining of decidual tissues showed that the nuclear translocation of decidual thyroid hormone receptor in patients with spontaneous abortion decreased(P＜0.05).Western blotting results showed that the expression of DIO2 protein in the abortion group was lower than that in the control group,suggesting that thyroid hormone metabolism in decidua of spontaneous abortion pregnant women was affected.The results of immunofluorescence test showed that the fluorescence intensity of DIO2 in the abortion group was weaker than that in the control group(P＜0.05).Immunohistochemical CD34 labeling of decidual small blood vessels showed that the number of CD34+blood vessels decreased in the abortion group with statistical difference(P＜0.05).Western blot results showed that there was no significant change in VEGFR-1 between the two groups,and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant.Conclusion The abnormal signal of thyroid hormone receptors in decidua may decrease decidua angiogenesis and participate in spontaneous abortion.

Objective: To investigate the effect of skin soft tissue expansion on repair of large area of scars on extremities. Methods: Twenty-five patients with large area of scars on extremities were admitted to our department from June 2007 to October 2014. There were 14 males and 11 females, aged 4 to 36 years. Operations were performed under local infiltration anesthesia or general anesthesia. In the first stage, 1 to 5 cylindrical expanders with capacities of 250 to 600 mL were placed at left or right sides or at upper or lower parts of the scars. In the second stage, scars of 21 patients were repaired with expanded transverse propulsive and lateral flaps, and scars of 4 patients were repaired with expanded perforator flaps whose pedicles were perforators of brachial artery, superior ulnar collateral artery, or posterior interosseous artery according to areas and shapes of the scars. The secondary wound areas ranged from 13 cm×7 cm to 34 cm×18 cm after dissolution or excision of scars. The areas of flaps ranged from 13 cm×7 cm to 20 cm×12 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly. The flaps after operation and follow-up of patients were observed and recorded. Results: All expanded flaps survived after operation. And the superficial distal part of flap whose pedicle was perforator of posterior interosseous artery in one patient was with necrosis, and other flaps survived well. During follow-up of 3 to 15 months after operation of the second stage, color and texture of flaps were similar to surrounding skin, while extremities of donor sites were thinner and auxiliary incisional scars formed after expansion. Conclusions Expanded flap is a good way to repair large area of scar on extremities. Bilateral skin of scar is the first choice of donor site of expanded flap. If there isn′t enough skin for expanding on bilateral sides, expanded perforator flap designed at upper or lower part of the scar is another choice to repair the scar.

Objective: To sum up the clinical manifestations and the method for repairing of secondary deformities of postoperation of hypospadias. Methods: Applying balanus tissue flaps and urethral meatus plastic could correct the flat balanus and prevent urethral meatus from falling back. Resecting scar completely in penis and rebuilding urethral tissues could treat secondary curved penis. Applying modified penile augmentation which involved girth enhancement by a free dermal-fat graft and penile elongation (suprapubic skin advancement-ligamentolysis) could correct shorter and much smaller penis. Results: Among January 1st 2007 to December 31st 2016, 62 cases were treated.All of them were male. Their ages were from 14 to 34 years old.55 cases were followed up from 6 months to 9 years after operations, but 7 cases could not be followed up because of the change of addresses and phone numbers.All patients achieved excellent cosmetic result. None of them had complications like urethral fistula. Conclusions After operations of hypospadias, the secondary deformities may happen when the children grow up.And these deformities always need to be corrected with operations. Balanoplasty, correction of penis and the penile augmentation are good methods for secondary deformities.Consequently, a good penis appearance and function can be acquired.

Objective: To investigate the therapeuctic effect of one-stage reconstruction of distal urethra with free graft of tublar oral mucosa. Methods: Two strips of oral mucosa graft( 0.4—0.6 cm in width), were harvested and sutured around an oiled silk roll to form mucosa tube. The mucosa tube was used to reconstruct distal urethra. Postoperative pressure dressing and earlier urination were recommended. Results: From May 2007 to October 2015, 16 cases with distal urethra defect or stenosis were treated with this method. The urethra defect was 2—4 cm in length. Urethral fistula happened in 3 patients. All the other 13 cases healed primarily. 10 cases were followed up for 1—5 years by telephone with normal function. Conclusions One-stage reconstruction with free graft of bulbar oral mucosa is suitable and reliable for distal urethra defect less than 4 cm in length.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the methods for urethral external meatus and glanuloplasty after correction of hypospadias.

METHODSThe V shape flap on the dorsal side of glan, combined with the bilateral glan flaps were moved to the ventral side. The flap at the ventral side of urethral external meatus was turned over. Then the urethral external meatus was repositioned to the top end of glan with the ventral defects covered by the dorsal flaps. Then the coniform glan was reconstructed.

RESULTSFrom January 2008 to December 2013, 28 cases were treated, including glandular hypospadias, postoperative retraction of external urethral meatus and meatal stenosis. 21 patients were followed up for 1 -12 months (average, 1 month) with marked improvement of glan appearance and retraction of external meatus. No meatal stenosis happened.

CONCLUSIONSPostoperative retraction of urethral external meatus and meatal stenosis can be corrected by V shape flap on the dorsal side of glan combined with the bilateral glan flaps. The flat appearance of glan can be improved. It is an ideal method for glandular hypospadias.

Humans ; Hypospadias ; surgery ; Male ; Penis ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; surgery ; Postoperative Period ; Surgical Flaps ; Urethra ; surgery ; Urethral Stricture ; etiology ; surgery

Objective To investigate the application of the repeated expanded bilateral deltopectoral flap for resurfacing severe facial cervical scar, with review of relating articles to discuss issue of repeated expanding flap.Methods Nine patients suffered from hyperplastic facial and cervical scar.Two soft tissue expanders were implanted into the anterior chest region at both sides of sternum.The center of inner border of the expander was at the cross of second intercostal and parasternal line, and the lengthways axe of the expander was located at the ligature of the second intercostals and mammary areola.After two weeks when the expander was filled, expanded flap was transferred to cervical defect.The transferred flap was repeated expanded after half a year and transferred to resurface facial defect.Results In the first expansion stage, 600 or 800 ml expander were implanted in each side of sternum.In the second stage, 400 or 500 ml were used.The first stage of expanding process was smooth, and 2 of the expanding flaps were ruptured during the second expansion period.400-520 cm2 (average 440 cm2) additional expanded flap was acquired during two stages of expanding.Conclusions The repeated expanded bilateral deltopectoral flap gives us greater opportunity to repair severe facial-cervical scar.The best interval time of the two-stage expansion is over half a year.The speed of second expansion should be lower than that in the first stage, and protecting the expanding flap carefully from external force compression is needed during the second expasion.

OBJECTIVETo introduce the application of pedicled anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap for total penile reconstruction and to investigate its feasibility and effect.

METHODSFrom May 2011 to May 2015, 12 male patients presented with absence of the penis or congenital malformation received phalloplasty with the pedicled ALT flap. Of them, the median age was 35 years old (range, 20-57 years). The size of the flaps ranged from 11 cm x 11 cm to 12 cm x 15 cm. 8 patients underwent urethra reconstruction with tube-in-tube flaps and other 4 patients with scrotal septal flaps. In this series, we performed one-stage urethral anastomosis in 4 cases and second-stage urethral anastomosis 6 months after the phalloplasty in 8 cases.

RESULTSAn acceptable reconstructed phallus was achieved in 10 patients. These flaps were primarily healed with satisfactory functional and cosmetic results. The reconstructed penis was completely necrosis because of the flap failure in one case. The distal half of the phallus was lost due to infection in one case. Both of them were treated with pedicled ALT flap from the other side. Reliable results were achieved. At a median follow-up of 1.5 year (range 1 to 4 years), 9 patients (90%) were fully satisfied with phallic cosmesis and size, and 4 patients who was married had successful sexual intercourse. 8 patients had normal urinate function. Fistula was developed in 2 patients (20%) which was treated with delayed repair at 6-12 months with local scrotal flaps.

CONCLUSIONSThe pedicled ALT flap can be simply used to reconstruct an entire penis as well as a urethra. It has several advantages including a less conspicuous donor site, greater bulk, better color match and no necessary for microsurgery.

Adult ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Coitus ; Feasibility Studies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; etiology ; Penis ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Scrotum ; Surgical Flaps ; pathology ; transplantation ; Thigh ; Time Factors ; Urethra ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the application of pedicled expanded flaps for the reconstruction of facial soft tissue defects.

METHODSThe expanded skin flaps, pedicled with orbicularis oculi muscle, submental artery, the branch of facial artery, superficial temporal artery, interior upper arm artery, had similar texture and color as facial soft tissue. The pedicled expanded flaps have repaired the facial soft tissue defects.

RESULTSBetween Jan. 2003 to Dec. 2013, 157 cases with facial soft tissue defects were reconstructed by pedicled expanded flaps. Epidermal necrosis happened at the distal end of 8 expanded flaps, pedicled with interior upper arm artery(4 cases), orbicularis oculi muscle(3 cases) and submental artery(1 case), which healed spontaneously after dressing. All the other flaps survived completely with similar color and inconspicuous scar. 112 cases were followed up for 8 months to 8 years. Satisfactory results were achieved in 75 cases. 37 cases with hypertrophic scar at incisions need secondary operation.

CONCLUSIONSIsland pedicled expanded flap with similar texture and color as facial soft tissue is suitable for facial soft tissue defects. The facial extra-incision and large dog-ear deformity could be avoided.

Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; surgery ; Eyelids ; Face ; surgery ; Facial Muscles ; Humans ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skin Pigmentation ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of three methods for penile reconstruction.

METHODSFrom Sept. 2000 to Dec. 2012, penile reconstruction was performed in 48 cases with free scapular flap transplantation, or pedicled superficial circumflex iliac artery skin flap, or anterolateral thigh skin flap pedicled with lateral circumflex femoral artery. The flaps were 12.0-14.5 cm in length, 10-12 cm in width and the urethra perimeter was about 2-3 cm.

RESULTSFree scapular flaps were used in 21 cases, with flap failure in 3 cases due to insufficient blood supply. Malleable penile prosthesis was implanted in 11 cases, which was exposed in 3 cases. Groin skin flaps were used in 21 cases, with flap failure in 8 cases due to insufficient blood supply. Malleable penile prostheses were implanted in 7 cases, which was exposed in 3 cases. Anterolateral thigh skin flaps were used in 6 cases, with flap failure in 2 cases due to necrosis and infection. No prosthesis was implanted in this group. All the failure cases underwent secondary reconstruction with successful results. 37 cases were followed up for 1-6 years, avevage 2.5 years. 26 cases were satisfied with the results of appearance and function.

CONCLUSIONSAmong these three methods, the free scapular flap is most recommended for its high survival rate, low complication rate and high patient satisfaction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penis ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the application of alar thin expanded cervical flap with pedicle in anterior neck for large scars on middle and lower face.

METHODSFrom February 2000 to July 2013, 26 patients with scars on the middle and lower face were treated with the alar thin expanded cervical flaps with pedicle in anterior neck. After the skin of anterior neck was expanded by implanting skin expanders, alar thin expanded cervical flap with pedicle in anterior neck was obtained with size of 163-275 cm(2). Then the scars on the middle and lower face with the size of 135-196 cm(2) were excised, with the area of excision allowing full coverage of the expanded flap. The flap was rotated and advanced to the middle and lower face, and the incision was closed in layers.

RESULTSThe 26 patients were followed up for 2 to 24 months. Twenty-one flaps survived, with good appearance and function. Four flaps showed venous retardation at distal part, and only one flap showed necrosis of the right edge. They were healed by free skin grafting.

CONCLUSIONSThe alar thin expanded cervical flap not only makes maximum use of expanded flap on the premise of ensuring blood supply, but also guarantees good color, texture, and contour of face and neck.

Cicatrix ; surgery ; Facial Injuries ; Humans ; Neck ; surgery ; Necrosis ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Expansion ; Treatment Outcome