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Ayse Yuksel Barutcu

Publications and source records attributed to Ayse Yuksel Barutcu.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

The hatchet flap for reconstruction of fingertip amputations.

BACKGROUND: Emmett has described a single triangular flap that contains a partial skin bridge on one of its sides and called it the hatchet flap. It was successfully used for defects located on various body parts. The aim of this study was to present the authors' experience and results obtained with this flap in fingertip amputations. METHODS: Nine patients who have completed their 1-year follow-up period were included in the study. Two-point discrimination and stiffness were tested, and the patients were queried about the existence of cold intolerance, hypersensitivity, numbness, and pain in the early (3 months) and late (1 year) postoperative periods. RESULTS: The amputations were located on the thumb in three patients, index finger in one patient, middle finger in three patients, and ring finger in two patients. The average defect size was 2.1 x 1.5 cm. Partial wound dehiscence was observed in one patient. The flap has provided good protective padding and aesthetic contour for the fingers. All incisions healed with inconspicuous scars. Average two-point discrimination was 6.3 mm (range, 4 to 8 mm). Cold intolerance was observed in two (22.2 percent) and paresthesia in one patient (11.1 percent). Joint stiffness was not noted. Most patients could return to their normal routine in approximately 4 to 5 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The hatchet flap is a good alternative for transverse and lateral oblique fingertip amputations and valuable for volar oblique amputations (defects <2 cm) with more extensive flap designs. The technique is simple and safe and provides good protective padding and acceptable tactile gnosis.

Adult↗

The thenar index: an objective assessment and classification of thenar atrophy based on static hand imprints and clinical implications.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to test the effectiveness of the subjective clinical evaluation and to search for any possibility of constituting an objective assessment system for the diagnosis of thenar atrophy based on static hand imprints. METHODS: Static hand imprints were obtained from normal subjects (group A, n = 116) and carpal tunnel syndrome patients with thenar atrophy (group B, n = 26). Thenar index and the bilateral thenar index ratio were defined. Cutoff values were considered by analyses with receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference could be demonstrated in thenar index values of dominant and nondominant hands between genders and age groups (p > 0.05). A statistically significant difference was observed between severity groups in group B (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between thenar index and bilateral thenar index ratio values of groups A and B (p < 0.05). Cutoff values were considered a thenar index of 31 and a bilateral thenar index ratio of 0.8, which revealed acceptable specificity (95.3 percent) and sensitivity (77.4 percent). A new quantitative classification for thenar atrophy severity is proposed. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the true onset and natural progression of thenar atrophy can only be anticipated with the aid of an objective assessment system. Currently, this method should be regarded as a system for patient records and comparison for presurgical and postsurgical data. The authors believe that the thenar index classification has some merit for future use. It seems that additional objective and scientific evaluation systems and novel approaches are still needed to demystify the true nature of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Adult↗

The propeller flap for postburn elbow contractures.

Flexion contracture of the elbow is a common sequela of burn injury. Numerous methods have been suggested for release, including grafting, Z-plasty, Y-V flaps, local or distant fasciocutaneous flaps, muscle or myocutaneous flaps, free flaps, tissue expanders and non-surgical orthotics. In this article the authors present their experience with the propeller flap method in seven cases of elbow flexion contracture. Sufficient extension and an acceptable aesthetic outcome were obtained. Other benefits include easy design and rapid flap elevation that permits a single stage correction of the deformity without further sacrificing an artery or muscle. We think that the main disadvantage of the propeller flap is using the same skin that has suffered from the burn insult which has a poorer cosmetic result. Other than this and excluding deep burn injuries, we believe that the propeller flap is a useful alternative for elbow contracture release.

Adolescent↗

Transverse carpal muscle in association with carpal tunnel syndrome: report of three cases.

Anomalous muscles of the upper extremity are common, however, symptomatic anomalies causing CTS are rare. Three cases of CTS that are believed to be caused by an anomalous muscle located palmar to the transverse carpal ligament with transversely oriented muscle bundles is presented. Despite the arguments in literature, this is certainly an anomalous muscle that can be encountered during carpal tunnel release and be problematic to manipulate when minimally invasive approaches are chosen.

Adult↗