PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A H Salibian

Publications and source records attributed to A H Salibian.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Role of ulnar forearm free flap in oromandibular reconstruction.

The ulnar forearm flap is not frequently utilized for oromandibular reconstruction. This study evaluated the usefulness of the ulnar free flap for reconstruction. A retrospective study of 32 patients was conducted. The ulnar forearm flap was combined with an osseous flap in 24 patients. Nine females and 23 males with a mean age of 58.15 years comprised our study population. Squamous-cell carcinoma was the diagnosis in 93.75% of cases (56.25% T4), of which 20% were recurrent. Functional evaluation of swallowing was based on the University of Washington Questionnaire (UWQ). The mean hospital stay was 9.8 days. The external carotid (100%) was the recipient artery, and the internal jugular (74.07%) was the main recipient vein. Overall flap survival was 96.8%. One flap was lost due to unsalvageable venous thrombosis. Major local complications were seen in 9.4% of cases and included partial flap loss, hematoma, and an orocutaneous fistula. At the time of this study, 21 patients were available for functional evaluation. Speech was rated excellent and good in 33.3% of patients. Swallowing was found good in 28.6% of patients. Chewing was rated excellent and good in 47.6% of patients. Cosmetic acceptance was rated good in 71.4% of cases. The ulnar forearm is a useful free flap in oromandibular reconstruction. It is available when the radial artery is the dominant artery of the hand. Being more hidden, it may be more cosmetically accepted. It affords pliable soft tissue for lining and/or covering of oromandibular defects, and can be used as a second choice after other free-flap failures.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗
PubMed2004

Oromandibular reconstruction with vascularized free flaps: a review of 50 cases.

Fifty cases of oromandibular reconstruction using vascularized free flaps to evaluate functional parameters of results were evaluated. There were 23 iliac crest flaps, 17 fibula flaps, 30 ulnar forearm flaps, and 3 radial forearm flaps with bone. Thirteen female and 37 male patients comprised the study, with a mean age of 57.66 years. Squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) constituted 86% of cases, of which 60% were T4 lesions and 13.9% were recurrent. Anterolateral mandibular defects constituted 48.7%, and the mean bone gap was 8.13 cm. Functional evaluation was based on the University of Washington Questionnaire (UWQ) through phone calls and personal communication. The mean hospital stay was 12.42 days. The external carotid (75%) and facial (18.3%) were the main recipient arteries. The internal jugular (47.05%) was the main recipient vein. Overall flap survival was 95.9%. Three flaps were lost due to unsalvageable venous thrombosis. Major local complications such as partial flap loss, hematoma, and orocervical fistula constituted 10% of cases. Speech was classified as "excellent" and "good" in 43.3% of cases. Swallowing was identified as "excellent" and "good" in 53.3% of cases. Cosmetic acceptance was rated "good" in 63.3% of cases. Vascularized free flap reconstruction of oromandibular defects provides excellent functional and aesthetic results. The majority of patients are able to tolerate a regular diet. Intelligible speech and acceptable appearance are restored, providing patient satisfaction.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Functional hemitongue reconstruction with the microvascular ulnar forearm flap.

Thirteen patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue underwent full-thickness longitudinal resection of the hemitongue and immediate microvascular reconstruction using a large, contoured ulnar forearm flap. Six of the 13 patients had a composite resection for which an additional vascularized iliac crest graft was used to reconstruct the mandible and to provide support to the overlying contoured flap. To increase tongue mobility, the skin flap was designed for independent reconstruction of the hemitongue and the floor of mouth. Twelve patients were evaluated for swallowing and speech, including dietary assessment, cineradiography, and voice spectrographic analysis. Contrast cineradiography was performed to determine oral tongue mobility during the first phase of swallow. Nine patients with a narrow reconstructed tongue root and a large surface area in the floor of the mouth had good tongue mobility, allowing them to transfer food dynamically from the mouth into the pharynx for swallowing. The remaining three patients, who had a wide tongue root and an ill-defined floor of the mouth, had decreased tongue mobility and poor oral transport. The functional outcome of swallowing and speech strongly correlated with the shape of the root of the tongue, the proximity of the reconstructed tongue to the palate, and the surface area of the floor of the mouth.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Pharyngoesophageal reconstruction with the ulnar forearm flap.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of a generous fasciocutaneous ulnar forearm free flap in pharyngoesophageal reconstruction. DESIGN: Tertiary referral center. SETTING: Private practice. PATIENTS: From September 1, 1991, to October 30, 1996, 20 ulnar forearm free flaps were used to reconstruct the pharyngoesophagus in 19 patients after surgery for squamous cell carcinoma. There were 13 circumferential defects and 7 near-circumferential defects (<2 cm of mucosa remaining). The reconstructions were performed primarily (at the time of tumor resection) in 16 cases and secondarily in 4 cases. INTERVENTION: A generous fasciocutaneous ulnar forearm flap with a minimum dimension of 9 x 22 cm was harvested to reconstruct the pharyngoesophagus. A 2-layer closure was performed in flap tailoring and proximal (pharynx to flap) and distal (flap to esophagus) anastomoses to minimize the risk of leakage. Also, portions of the flap were used to monitor flap viability, to cover cervical vessels, to obliterate dead space, and as skin coverage when the skin flaps were deficient. RESULTS: Nineteen of the 20 flaps transferred were successful. Swallow function was restored in 18 cases, and voice was rehabilitated in all the patients using either tracheoesophageal puncture and a voice device or an electrolarynx device. There was 1 perioperative mortality. Three fistulas occurred, all of which healed with nonsurgical treatment. One stricture developed that required intermittent dilatation. The donor site morbidity was minor. CONCLUSIONS: This versatile technique achieves excellent results with a decreased complication rate compared with other methods currently available in pharyngoesophageal reconstruction.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Reconstruction of the base of the tongue with the microvascular ulnar forearm flap: a functional assessment.

Ten patients with infiltrating carcinomas of the base of the tongue/tonsillar region underwent 30 to 100 percent resection of the base of the tongue and lateral pharyngeal wall. The surgical defect was reconstructed (9 primary, 1 secondary) with a large microvascular ulnar forearm flap that was selectively contoured to provide bulk for the base of the tongue and a thin lining for the pharyngeal wall. Seven patients were evaluated for swallowing and speech 6 weeks to 2 years following the reconstruction. Cineradiographic studies showed excellent base of the tongue and flap mobility allowing glossopharyngeal closure in all patients and complete pharyngeal evacuation in four patients. Four patients who were in good health preoperatively were able to eat a regular diet postoperatively, and the remaining three patients were able to handle soft food. Functional recovery after major tongue base surgery is contingent upon a three-dimensional microvascular reconstruction using a thin forearm flap.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Total and subtotal glossectomy: function after microvascular reconstruction.

Twelve patients with advanced carcinoma of the floor of the mouth and tongue were treated with total (five patients) or subtotal (seven patients) glossectomy, partial mandibulectomy, and immediate reconstruction with the microvascular composite groin flap. The osteomusculocutaneous groin flap was used in eleven patients, and the osteomuscular flap was used in one patient. The groin musculocutaneous or muscle flap was designed to resemble the shape of the tongue for dynamic food transport, improved swallowing, and acceptable speech. Eight of the 12 patients who survived more than 1 year were evaluated for speech and swallowing. Eight patients were able to speak intelligibly, six patients could tolerate a soft/pureed diet, and two patients were limited to fluids. Cinefluorographic swallow studies using semisolid contrast material showed voluntary active intraoral transport and propulsive pharyngeal emptying without aspiration in six patients with complete flap to palate contact; the remaining two patients were unable to move the intraoral contrast material effectively for swallowing because of poor palatal contact.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Adaptive mechanisms of speech and swallowing after combined jaw and tongue reconstruction in long-term survivors.

Twelve patients have been studied for speech and swallowing function after major combined jaw and tongue reconstruction with the microvascular iliac bone and groin skin composite flap. Cinegraphic barium swallows demonstrated that for bolus propulsion, it is important to be able to occlude the palate with the flap. Glottic competence prevents aspiration. Speech studies show that although there is loss of certain speech sounds, approximate sounds are substituted. Speech is intelligible when soft-tissue contact to the palate can be accomplished. The adaptive mechanisms in these patients have been compared with the mechanisms used by a patient with uncorrected congenital aglossia and hypomandibulosis who developed excellent speech and swallowing. The mobility of this patient's mouth and pharynx was similar to that in the reconstructed cancer patients who were able to swallow and speak. This procedure has become our reconstruction method of choice for these major defects.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Transfer of vascularized grafts of iliac bone to the extremities.

We treated sixteen patients, all of whom had a large segmental defect of bone in an extremity, with transfer of a vascularized graft of the iliac crest. Thirteen patients had an open defect that required an osteomuscular or osteocutaneous graft; the other three had a closed segmental osseous defect and the graft of the iliac crest was transferred without soft tissue. The average length of the osseous defect was seven centimeters. For the defects of the lower extremity, the average time to osseous union was 8.8 months. For the defects of the upper extremity, it was four months. Three patients had delayed union due to difficulty in positioning the graft on the tibia and maintaining circulation to the overlying skin; this led us to modify our method of transfer. In six patients, we used an osteomuscular graft and a separate skin graft instead of the osteocutaneous flap. When performing the transfers to the tibia, we tried to place the graft in the coronal plane against the fibula for better alignment and stability. For the transfers to the distal part of the forearm, we did a double microvascular anastomosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Functional oromandibular reconstruction with the microvascular composite groin flap.

Ten patients were reconstructed with the microvascular osteocutaneous groin flap for oromandibular defects with the objective of improving function. The flap was based on the superficial and deep circumflex iliac vessels for optimal positioning of the bone and contouring of the skin. Patients with major glossectomies and arch resections had intelligible speech and were able to eat a soft diet without aspirating. Cineradiographic studies to evaluate swallowing in selected patients showed that the shape of the intraoral flap and the location of the bone graft played an important role in swallowing and prevention of aspiration.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Microvascular reconstruction for close-range gunshot injuries to the distal forearm.

Three patients with compound defects in the distal forearm resulting from close-range gunshot injuries were treated with a free microvascular composite groin flap. The composite flap, which consisted of groin skin, the iliac crest, and abdominal muscles, was used to cover the exposed nerves, tendons, and vessels in one stage. The iliac crest replaced the segmental radial and ulnar defects, and the attached muscles were placed deep to the tendons to provide a gliding surface and to prevent adhesions to the bone. "Sandwiching" the damaged nerves and tendons between highly vascular soft tissue has the potential to improve tendon excursion, nerve regeneration, and ultimately the functional result in the hand. This microvascular reconstruction is presented as an alternative to conventional staged skin flap transfer and cancellous bone grafting.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Microvascular gastrocnemius muscle transfer to the distal leg using saphenous vein grafts.

The gastrocnemius muscle has been transferred to the distal leg by lengthening its vascular pedicle with interposition saphenous vein grafts. This procedure is presented as an alternative to free-flap transfers requiring vein grafts to the proximal leg. By increasing the arc of rotation of the gastrocnemius muscle with vein grafts, the full dimensions of the muscle can be used to cover large prepatellar, suprapatellar, and distal leg defects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Staged transfer of a free microvascular latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap using saphenous vein grafts.

The use of long vein grafts in the axilla adds a new dimension to the versatility of the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. When suitable recipient vessels are not available for a microvascular anastomosis, long vein grafts can be used in the axilla to double the arc of rotation of the flap, allowing it to cover the buttocks, lower torso, and scalp (Fig. 8). A case is presented in which the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap was transferred in stages to cover a large radiation ulcer of the right buttock.

Aged↗
PubMed1982

Bipedicle gastrocnemius musculocutaneous flap for defects of the distal one-third of the leg.

A bipedicle gastrocnemius musculocutaneous flap has been designed to cover soft-tissue defects over the lower one-third of the tibia. The flap, which consists of the entire medial or lateral half of the posterior leg skin and the underlying gastrocnemius muscle, combines the advantages of the axial-pattern blood supply of a musculocutaneous flap and the dual blood supply to a bipedicle flap. The augmented circulation from the proximal end of the flap allows the distal pedicle to be narrowed and advanced anteriorly in one stage without jeopardizing the blood supply. Bipedicle gastrocnemius musculocutaneous flaps are best suited for moderate-sized defects over the anterior lower one-third of the leg. Indications for use of the flap are presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Microvascular reconstruction of the mandible.

Five microvascular reconstructions of the mandible were performed in the past 2 years. One dorsalis pedis osteocutaneous flap was used to reconstruct the alveolar ridge and four groin osteocutaneous flaps were used for various defects of the mandible. Free microvascular bone grafts were found useful in previously irradiated fields, in anterior arch reconstruction, and in patients with massive soft tissue and bone loss.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

The myocutaneous flap: a versatile approach to major reconstructive problems.

Our experience with 50 myocutaneous flaps shows that the remarkable flexibility in design and execution of these flaps has opened up a new frontier in plastic and reconstructive surgery. The complication rate was 20 percent. Only one complication, partial flap necrosis, caused serious compromise of the reconstruction. Not only could the flaps be transposed in any direction locally, but they could be transferred to distant sites with microvascular anastomoses, and muscle function could be restored by incorporating nerve repairs into the reconstruction. Myocutaneous flaps permit us now to solve reconstructive problems that were heretofore unsolvable.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Orchiopexy using microvascular surgical technique.

Orchiopexy of high intra-abdominal testes with division of the internal spermatic artery and vein is associated with subsequent testicular atrophy in a significant percentage of cases. We herein describe 2 patients in whom arterial supply and venous drainage to the testis were maintained using microvascular anastomosis. The internal spermatic artery and vein were anastomosed to the deep inferior epigastric artery and vein. Patency of the vascular anastomosis was verified by subsequent radionuclide examinations and selective arteriography in 1 patient.

Adolescent↗