PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C M E Avery

Publications and source records attributed to C M E Avery.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Biomechanical study of prophylactic internal fixation of the radial osteocutaneous donor site using the sheep tibia model.

This study investigated the strengthening effect of different types of plate and position after osteotomy of the sheep tibia, which is a model for the radial osteocutaneous donor site. Fifty matched pairs of adult sheep tibias were tested in torsion and four-point bending. Firstly, the weakening effect of an osteotomy was compared with the intact bone. Then pairs of bones with an osteotomy were compared with and without reinforcement with different types of 3.5mm plate. The plate was placed in either the anterior (over the defect) or posterior (on the intact cortex) position. In torsion the mean strength of the intact bone was 45% greater than after osteotomy (P=0.02). The reinforced bone was on average 61% stronger than the unreinforced bone (P<0.001). In bending the mean strength of the intact bone was 188% greater than after osteotomy (P=0.02). The reinforced bone was on average 184% stronger then the unreinforced bone (P<0.001). The tibia was able to withstand much greater loads in bending. The dynamic compression plate was the strongest reinforcement in both torsion and bending. The position of the plate did not alter the strengthening effect in torsion but the posterior position resisted greater bending loads (P=0.01). This may not be relevant in clinical practice as the radius is likely to fracture first as a result of lower torsional forces.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2006

Prophylactic internal fixation of the radial osteocutaneous donor site.

The technique of prophylactic internal fixation (PIF) of the radial osteocutaneous donor site is described and reviewed. Twenty-two donor sites were reinforced with a 3.5mm dynamic compression plate across the anterior defect. The incidence of fracture was 4.5% (1 out of 22). The single fracture was due to a technical error and was managed conservatively. Fracture at a donor site that has not been plated is more frequent and often becomes displaced, requiring secondary surgery. In contrast, the incidence of fracture, displacement and secondary surgery following prophylactic internal fixation (PIF) is relatively low. There have been no significant long-term complications with PIF. It is now the method of choice for managing the radial osteocutaneous donor site.

Bone Plates↗
PubMed2005

Recovery of sensation in the skin of non-innervated radial flaps after subfascial and suprafascial dissection.

We compared the extent of recovery of sensation in 40 non-innervated radial free flaps, 20 of which had been raised subfascially and 20 suprafascially. We found no significant difference in sensory recovery between the two groups. The mean extent of sensory recovery was light touch (68%); sharp touch (84%); warm (29%) and cold (40%) temperature; and static (25%) and moving (31%) two-point discrimination. Nearly all the flaps responded to at least one stimulus (excluding two-point discrimination) and half of them to three or more. Sharp touch sensation in the flap was similar to that in the surrounding tissues and light touch was less sensitive. There was no dysaesthesia. Recovery was not related to sex, age, alcohol consumption, or site of reconstruction. Smoking and radiotherapy had a slight effect.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Infection of surgical wounds in the maxillofacial region and free flap donor sites with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

We studied the acquisition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in two groups of patients who had free flap reconstructions of defects after excision of lesions in the head and neck. The first group (n=31) was given a 5-day perioperative course of antibiotic prophylaxis (long-term) and the second (n=33) a 24-h course (short-term). MRSA was the main infecting organism. Seventeen of the 64 patients (27%) developed an infection with MRSA, including seven at donor sites of free flaps. All infections were acquired after operation, and delayed healing or discharge in five patients with MRSA and four with infections with other organisms. The median length of hospital admission was greater for patients that acquired MRSA (p=0.005). There were significantly fewer patients with wounds infected by MRSA in the short-term group (4/33 compared with 13/31, p=0.01). We recommend the short-term use of an antibiotic for surgical prophylaxis and the application of cross-infection control measures on the ward.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Repair of radial free flap donor site by full-thickness skin graft from inner arm.

Sixty-two consecutive patients had 63 radial free flaps taken and the donor site repaired with either a full-thickness or split-skin graft. A full-thickness graft was harvested from the inner upper arm in 53 patients (85%). The donor site was assessed using a visual analogue scale, tactile sensitivity, and the Vancouver scar assessment score. All donor sites healed without complications except for two minor wound dehiscences. Both patients and surgeons rated the aesthetic outcome as good. The advantages included; single operation site; simple execution; thin hairless graft, good colour match and an inconspicuous scar causing minimal morbidity.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Rapid healing of MRSA infection at the suprafascial radial donor site.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection at the radial suprafascial donor site resulted in significant loss of the skin graft, but no tendon exposure, in two patients. The complication was successfully managed with wound debridement, appropriate antibiotics, a negative-pressure wound dressing and early partial-thickness skin grafting. The suprafascial dissection creates a donor site that resists both skin graft loss and tendon exposure. It also allows early re-grafting with no loss of function in the event of skin graft loss from infection. These advantages have not been described previously.

Aged↗