In this study, the vascular architecture of rectus abdominis free flaps nourished by deep inferior epigastric vessels was investigated using an ex vivo intraoperative angiogram. Oblique rectus abdominis free flaps were elevated and isolated from the donor site. In 11 patients, the vascular architecture of these flaps was analyzed before the flap was thinned. Radiographic study identified an average of 2.1 large deep inferior epigastric arterial perforators in each flap. In nine of the 11 flaps, the axial artery was visible. In four flaps, the axial artery originated from the perforator of the lateral branch of the deep inferior epigastric artery; in five others, it originated from the medial branch. In each flap, the angle of the axial perforator from its anterior rectus sheath in the vertical plane was measured; its mean was 50.6 degrees. All flaps survived, although three showed partial necrosis in the distal portions. In two of these three flaps, the axial artery was not visible in the angiograms, and the third revealed a one-sided distribution of axial flap arteries. Using ex vivo intraoperative angiography, the architecture of the individual flap, its axial perforator, and its connecting axial flap vessel could be investigated. This information can help the surgeon safely thin and separate the flap. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 109: 2247, 2002.)
Recently, studies have begun on a functional heat transfer medium using fine spherical microcapsules encapsulated with phase-change material and dispersed in water. This enables the medium to maintain fluidity whether the phase-change material is solid or liquid. The present study has clarified the latent-heat storage characteristics of microcapsule slurry by increasing its heat transfer coefficient with the help of evolved heat condensing of vapor from the slurry in heat storage. Paraffin wax with the melting point of 62°C was encapsulated into the fine microcapsules and used as a phase-change material. The cooling coil surface temperature and concentration of paraffin in the microcapsule slurry were selected as the experimental parameters. As a result, the non-dimensional correlation equations of the heat release completion time and heat transfer coefficient were derived in terms of non-dimensional parameters.
Chronic wounds are often infected with Staphylococcus aureus. Such an infection causes deterioration of tissue repair mechanisms. Wounds are composed of granulation tissue and a superficial cover layer consisting of necrotic tissue and inflammatory cell infiltrates. In the present study, we examined 30 patients with skin wounds, with or without Staphylococcus aureus infection. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the number of Staphylococcus aureus at 10 5 CFU/g: lower value group (SA-I) , and higher value group (SA-II) . The thickness of the superficial layer and Staphylococcus aureus invasion were morphometrically analyzed. Staphylococcus aureus localized mostly in the superficial layer. The superficial layer becomes thicker in accordance with the increase in the number of Staphylococcus aureus. Patients in the SA -II group exhibit a significantly thicker superficial layer than those in SA-I group (p = 0.0001) ; however, no difference was found between the control and Staphylococcus aureus -I groups. Furthermore, the distance of Staphylococcus aureus invasion, measured histologically, was also significantly greater in SA-II than I (p = 0.003) . In the superficial layer, myeloperoxidase (MPO) -expressing neutrophils and MPO producing dibromotyrosine (DiBrY) , an oxidative product, were increasingly accumulated in accordance with the number of Staphylococcus aureus in the wound. These results suggest that DiBrY accumulation, which contributes to superficial layer thickening, is caused by the interaction between the infecting Staphylococcus aureus and the MPO-expressing activated neutrophils, which may form a biofilm in vivo. These events create poor conditions for tissue repair in chronic wounds.
Caudal Regression Syndrome (CRS) is a rare disorder which consists of abnormalities in the lumbosacral spine, rectum, urinary system and lower limbs. These abnormalities also include orthopaedic deformities, such as hip dislocation, knee-flexion contracture with popliteal webbing and talipes equinovarus. Because of the rarity of this condition, few medical personnel are aware of it. Here, we present a case of CRS in a 15-year-old girl with pressure ulcers on the lateral malleolus and plantar surface of the foot, which had come into contact with the wheelchair footrest. Although the foot ulcers healed after off-loading, the ulcer on the lateral malleolus did not heal with conservative treatment and was covered by a lateral supramalleolar flap after debridement. Stable coverage and good contours were present at 18 months postoperatively. CRS patients may have a risk factor for developing pressure ulcers of the foot due to the characteristic lower limb deformities and a loss of sensation. Preventive foot care measures such as off-loading devices combined with modern dressings should be applied as routine when the medical personnel is to attend such patients.