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    Morphostructural changes in transferred fasciocutaneous free flaps: a preliminary clinical and immunohistochemical report

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    Summary Many local factors, yet to be investigated, can promote changes in tissue transferred by microsurgical technique into the recipient site. Several studies have attempted to assess the nature of modifications that occur in the vascular network of such a flap after transfer. Although these investigations have interesting conclusions, the majority of them were based only on indirect evaluations. The aim of this study was to detect, by histological and statistical analysis, the morphostructural changes that occurred in fasciocutaneous free flaps transferred to the cephalic region or to the lower limb. Patients were enrolled in this study only when neither local inflammatory reactions nor systemic diseases were observed at the time of biopsy. Six patients consented to undergo biopsy at both the donor and the recipient area of a previously transferred fasciocutaneous free flap. Three flaps were used for facial reconstruction, and three others for lower limb reconstruction. Standard staining and immunohistochemical investigations were performed. The sections were also analysed by specific software. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using the student’s t-test and Fisher’s test. In five out of six transferred flaps (83%), there was increased microvascularity compared to the donor area. It was correlated to the neoangiogenesis in the dermal layer of the flaps. In five recipient sites there were more new vessels. In particular, a higher score of angiogenesis was observed both in the cheek (one flap) and in the non weight-bearing area of the foot (two flaps) (P < 0.001). Some differences in microvascularity between the donor and the recipient site in the same flap were related to the specific recipient site. This represents the first demonstration of adaptation of fasciocutaneous free flaps to the recipient area, as well as to their new function, at both the macroscopic and microscopic level. a 2008 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons

    Long-term follow-up in the treatment of keloids by combined surgical excision and immediate postoperative adjuvant irradiation

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    Aprospective study on the result of surgical excision and adjuvant irradiation for therapy-resistant keloids was conducted by van de Kar et al. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 119: 2248, 2007). This approach to keloids follows the International Clinical Recommendations on Scar Management based on retrospective studies that do not define recurrence. Moreover, the significant variations in methodology of most of the studies is well highlighted; many of them, being retrospective, refer to a treatment that is not standardized, and inclusion/exclusion criteria were set afterward (subjecting the study to bias), making it difficult to compare results. What is really clear is that there is still no consensus on the optimal treatment of keloids. After a mean follow-up of 19 months, van de Kar et al. had a cure rate of 28 percent, compared with the 78 percent average of previous studies. They ascribed their low rate to the “long” follow-up and the strict inclusion criteria of their study
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