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Biomedical subjects

A De Mey

Publications and source records attributed to A De Mey.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Eyelid tumour and juvenile hyaline fibromatosis.

We report the case of a 2-year-old boy suffering from juvenile hyaline fibromatosis. Our patient had all the main clinical features of the disease, i.e. multiple cutaneous facial nodules, gingival fibromatosis and osteolytic lesions in the proximal metaphysis of the tibia and humerus symmetrically. However, he also presented an eyelid tumour scalloping the superior orbital osseous rim, causing blepharoptosis. The histopathology confirmed this very rare condition. After 6 months, our patient has improved functionally and cosmetically following surgical resection of the eyelid tumours without recurrence.

Blepharoptosis↗

[Plastic surgery: is it still medicine?].

Esthetic surgery is today a commercial product. However, it remains a real surgical practice with its results but also its complications and the difficulty to have the good indication in order to avoid the possible excess dictated by the medias.

Plastic Surgery Procedures↗

[Esthetic surgery, a luxury...but at which price?].

Esthetic surgery became very popular during the last years. It helps many patients psychologically. However, the operations have to correspond to the wishes of the patients. Therefore, the patients have not to be only informed of the possible results but also of the risk of complications, the presence of scars, of swellings, etc. At this condition only will the patients be satisfied of their esthetic operation.

Face↗

[A case report of desmoid tumor of the finger].

We report the case of a 20-year-old woman with a desmoid fibroma of the finger, which is an extremely rare location. Desmoid fibromas are benign but very infiltrative tumors, known for their frequent recurrences. Because of the many vascular and nervous structures concentrated in the finger, complete surgical excision is difficult.

Adult↗

[Trapeziometacarpal denervation. Description of surgical technique and preliminary results from a prospective series of 14 cases].

INTRODUCTION: The main goal of first carpometacarpal arthritis surgical treatment is to relieve pain. The main disadvantages of the usual techniques (trapeziectomy, implant arthroplasty) are loss of strength or presence of a prosthetic device. It is difficult to propose such extensive surgery at an early stage of the disease. Selective denervation of the first carpometacarpal joint seems to be an interesting choice. We propose a new technique of denervation based on our previous anatomical investigations. TECHNIQUE: Two incisions are needed to cut all the articular branches derive from the superficial branch of the radial nerve, the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve, the thenar branch of the median nerve and the lateral ante brachial cutaneous nerve. MATERIAL: Fourteen patients were prospectively included in our study with a mean follow-up of 5 months. RESULTS: Pain relief was very satisfying in 12 cases (mean decrease 84%). An increase in grip and key pinch strength was noted. Complications were uncommon, excepted temporary paresthésia in the radial nerve area. DISCUSSION: This technique seems to be promising and a good indication for patients with no disabling deformity, but only long-term results will confirm the place of denervation in the treatment of first carpometacarpal arthritis.

Adult↗

The nerve supply of the trapeziometacarpal joint.

Ten forearm and hand specimens from fresh cadavers were dissected and examined under magnification for articular branches to the trapeziometacarpal joint arising from the thenar and palmar cutaneous branches of the median nerve, the superficial branch of the radial nerve and the lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm. In all but one specimen the thenar branch of the median nerve sent an articular branch to the trapeziometacarpal joint. Multiple branches from the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve, the superficial branch of the radial nerve and the lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm were also found. All these branches need to be divided during a "complete" denervation of the trapeziometacarpal joint.

Cadaver↗

[Thenar branch of the median nerve and innervation of the trapeziometacarpal joint].

INTRODUCTION: Denervation has been proposed successfully for chronic wrist pain. This procedure is not commonly performed for degenerative osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint. According to the classic anatomical descriptions of the wrist innervation, it seems that the thenar branch of the median nerve (TBMN) is the only nerve of the wrist for which no articular branches are clearly defined. The aim of this study is to complete the few anatomical descriptions of the trapeziometacarpal joint innervation with microdissections of the TBMN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten wrist and hand specimens from fresh cadavers were dissected by the same operator under magnification (3.5-12x). The TBMN was identified at its origin from the median nerve and followed in the thenar muscles. All the divisions of the TBMN were identified and followed to their terminal branches. RESULTS: The TBMN divided in at least two main branches, one each to the opponens and to the abductor pollicis brevis. In all but one specimen, the branch to the opponens pollicis muscle passed over or into its medial aspect to spread on the palmar side of the trapezium. Each dissected articular branches were histologically confirmed. DISCUSSION: Our results show a clear participation of the TBMN in the innervation of the trapeziometacarpal joint. The lack of knowledge of this anatomical feature may explain the inconstant results obtained with selective denervation of the trapeziometacarpal joint.

Cadaver↗

A prospective quantitative comparison of breast sensation after superior and inferior pedicle mammaplasty.

Reduction mammaplasty techniques using the inferior pedicle have been recommended to preserve the nipple and areolar sensation after surgery. The vertical scar mammaplasty with a superior pedicle has often been criticised because of the potential for damage to the sensory supply of the nipple-areola complex. The aim of this study was to assess the breast sensation in two prospective series of patients operated upon using superior pedicle and inferior pedicle mammaplasties. Between November 1996 and February 1997, 20 consecutive patients (39 breasts) underwent breast reduction using the inferior pedicle technique with inverted T scar (Robbin's technique). This series of patients was matched with another series of 18 patients (36 breasts) who had breast reduction using a vertical scar mammaplasty with superior pedicle (Lejour's technique) in another centre. Cutaneous pressure thresholds were recorded using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. The values were obtained on the quadrants of the skin of the breast, the areola and the nipple. The sensitivity test was performed preoperatively, then at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Patients' characteristics (age, weight, breast ptosis, breast mass resected and risk factors) were statistically similar between the two groups. The preoperative values of pressure sensation on the different areas tested were statistically similar between the two groups. The sensitivity decreased on almost all the tested areas of the breast at 3 months postoperatively. No patient had an insensitive area on the breast at 6 months after surgery. Some areas of the breast showed a significant difference in pressure sensitivity after one technique compared to the other: better sensation on the skin of the superior and lateral quadrants after the superior pedicle technique at 3 months (P< 0.001), poorer areolar sensation on the inferior quadrant after the superior pedicle technique at 3 and 6 months (P< 0.05) and on the superior quadrant after the inferior pedicle technique at 3 months only (P< 0.05). However, the mean value of the areolar quadrants was statistically similar after both techniques. The nipple sensation was significantly decreased in both groups at 3 months but remained comparable between the two groups. Breast innervation was damaged by breast reduction using both the inferior and the superior pedicle techniques. The breast skin had better sensation after the superior pedicle technique while the areola had slightly better sensation after the inferior pedicle technique. At 6 months, the mean value of nipple-areola complex pressure sensation was comparable in the two series of patients.

Adult↗

Breast sensation after superior pedicle versus inferior pedicle mammaplasty: anatomical and histological evaluation.

Despite contradictory information about the course and distribution of the nerves supplying the breast, surgical techniques using an inferior pedicle have been recommended over those using a superior pedicle for preserving the nipple-areolar sensation after surgery. This anatomical study was designed to quantify the nerve branches preserved in inferior and superior pedicles after reduction mammaplasty performed on cadavers. Reduction mammaplasty was done on four fresh cadavers (within 48h of death) using a superior pedicle on the right and an inferior pedicle on the left in a standard way. The pedicle was cut at its base and then fixed in formalin. The base was divided in biopsy specimens and embedded in paraffin. The nerves were quantified and located in each pedicle with haematoxylin-eosin stain and light-microscopic evaluation. Histological evaluation of the pedicles showed the presence of a variable number of nerves (between one and seven) within two superior pedicles and three inferior pedicles. The nerves were located in fibrous tissue and accompanied by vessels in most cases. The nerves were always found superficially and were most likely to be located in the central part of the pedicle. Our results showed that including the nerves within the pedicle is technically uncertain regardless of the mammaplasty technique used. The final recovery of sensation in the breast after mammaplasty seems to result from the regeneration of severed cutaneous nerve branches or the remaining cutaneous innervation rather than the preserved adjacent cutaneous branches.

Biopsy↗

Maxillary distraction osteogenesis: a method with skeletal anchorage.

Maxillary distraction osteogenesis is a challenging technique to treat severe maxillary retrusion. Maxillary advancement by distraction has the advantage to provide new bone in combination with simultaneous expansion of the soft-tissue functional matrix. Cleft lip and palate patients can present with severe maxillary retrusion and Class III malocclusion. Two 13-year-old patients, born with non-syndromic cleft lip and palate, underwent maxillary distraction--one had a bilateral, the other a unilateral complete cleft lip and palate. Maxillary advancement was performed using an external distraction device in combination with titanium miniplates as a skeletal maxillary anchorage. After a complete Lefort I osteotomy with pterygomaxillary disjunction, a latency period of 3 days was respected. On the fourth postoperative day, distraction was initiated at the rate of 1 mm/d. Preoperative clinical photographs, dental casts, lateral cephalograms, and panoramic radiographs were taken. Further lateral cephalograms were obtained after the latency period, after completion of the active period of distraction, at the completion of the consolidation period, and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The aesthetic outcome was excellent and skeletal advancement of 8 and 7 mm was measured without dentoalveolar compensations.

Adolescent↗

[Surgical treatment of lipodystrophies].

Esthetic body contouring has become the most common esthetic surgical procedure since the advent of liposuction. The interest in this surgery led us to focus on the physiology of adipose tissue that behaves differently according to its localisation. Besides, a better knowledge of the anatomy of the subcutaneous tissue has helped us to treat the deep and superficial adipose deposits more effectively. Many technical refinements have been proposed in order to improve the results and decrease the risks. Local infiltration allows us to remove large amounts of fat with a minimal blood loss. Syringe aspiration is less traumatic and avoids the purchase of an expensive suction pump. However, although the technique of suction lipectomy looks simple, this procedure can induce important local complications (contour deformities, skin waves, ...) and general complications (pulmonary embolism, fat embolism, cardio-pulmonary decompensation). A rigorous technique, performed by a well trained surgeon in an adequate medical environment is essential to obtain the best results with suction lipectomy. In order to correct excesses of skin on the abdomen or the thighs after an important weight loss, skin excisions will be necessary. In there cases, the scars are often wide and sometimes difficult to hide.

Adipose Tissue↗

Incidence of calcifications in the breast after surgical reduction and liposuction.

Liposuction of the breast in combination with vertical mammaplasty was applied to 250 breasts among 386 reductions of large breasts performed in 2 years (1989 to 1991). To evaluate the possible damage to the breast caused by this combined procedure, especially in terms of the occurrence of the postoperative development of calcifications, a comparative study of preoperative and postoperative mammograms was undertaken in 60 randomly selected cases (120 breasts), 34 with and 26 without liposuction. Altogether, 13 calcifications (11 percent) were discovered during the 6- to 30-month follow-up, representing the lowest rate reported in the literature. Deep intraparenchymal calcifications were more frequent after liposuction; most (5 of 7) were macrocalcifications. None could be confused with malignant calcifications because they were more scattered, more regular, and less numerous. Attempts to evaluate the fat content of breasts via preoperative mammography failed to prove this examination a useful way to predict the viability of breast liposuction.

Adult↗

Clinical experience with the reverse lateral arm flap in soft-tissue coverage of the elbow.

Coverage of soft-tissue defects of the posterior aspect of the elbow is a difficult problem. Many techniques have been published, mostly case reports. The radial recurrent fasciocutaneous flap as described by Maruyama and Takeuchi represents one of the best solutions for medium-sized defects. We used it successfully in five clinical cases. The anatomy of this flap, based on the radial recurrent artery, has been confirmed by our cadaver studies, and a technique to raise this flap safely will be described.

Adult↗

Correction of supernumerary nostrils.

Two rare cases of hypoplastic heminose associated with a supernumerary nostril are presented. In both cases a patent nasal cavity was present on the hypoplastic side. The hypoplastic heminose was reconstructed with the skin and the lining of the second nostril.

Child, Preschool↗

Neonatal treatment of giant naevi.

A technique of curettage of giant congenital naevi in newborns was proposed by Moss in 1987. We used this technique in 6 children during the last 2 years. The long-term aesthetic results appear to be better than those observed after other methods of treatment. Light microscopy of the pigmented skin confirmed the presence of the majority of naevus cells in the upper dermis. For 3 patients, cultures of the curetted cells showed a melanocyte behaviour similar to that seen in malignant melanoma. These observations are limited to in vitro cultures and are not representative of the in vivo evolution as biopsies of the remaining naevus cells at 3 months of age did not show any malignant characteristics.

Curettage↗

[Treatment of cleft lip and palate: long-term results].

Since 1958, 900 children with cleft lip and palate were operated on at the University Hospital Brugmann in Brussels. Until 1981, the children were operated at 6 months for the lip and at 18 months for the palate with two flap palatoplasties. Since 1982, R. Malek's technique and sequence were adopted. The results after 5 years follow-up are analyzed between two groups of 50 and 49 children operated with the two techniques. Growth of the maxillary arch and phonation are well improved in the second group, but no improvement was observed in terms of hearing.

Child, Preschool↗