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Biomedical subjects

Ferit Demirkan

Publications and source records attributed to Ferit Demirkan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

An algorithm for deciding alternative grafting materials used in secondary rhinoplasty.

Severe middle vault deformity with disturbed nasal form and function is one of the most challenging procedures to correct in a secondary rhinoplasty. Reconstructing the deformity with autologous septal cartilage would be the primary choice of most surgeons, if it were always available. However in certain cases the lack of a sufficient quantity of autologous cartilage has forced surgeons to explore other viable options. This paper discusses our experience with the combined use of spreader and dorsal onlay grafts from various materials in the reconstruction of severe middle vault deformity in 110 patients. In follow up, (between 6 and 42 months; mean 21 months) all patients were noted to have improved in both aesthetics and function with no major complications noted. In summary, this study proposes that any engrafting material can be used safely when the proper surgical principals and technique are employed.

Adult↗

The potential of microscopic sterile sponge particles to induce foreign body reaction.

The sterile sponges may lose a significant amount of lint during their routine use in surgery, which is usually neglected. We designed an experimental model to evaluate the potential of sterile sponges to lose lint and to induce foreign body reaction in surgically created wounds. In 15 Wistar rats, separate subcutaneous pockets were created. Left-sided pockets were temporarily packed with sterile sponges, while the right-sided pockets remained empty. All the pockets were then irrigated with sterile saline. The presence of microscopic sponge particles was evaluated in the irrigation materials. After 4 weeks, the presence of inflammation and foreign body reaction were evaluated histologically. Microscopic sponge remnants were present in 14 of 15 samples collected from the left sides. The presence of foreign body giant cells with ingested sponge particles and formation of well-defined foreign body granulomas were observed only in samples collected from the left sides. A statistically significant difference was observed between the two sides when the intensity of inflammation was graded (P= 0.012). Cotton sponges used in surgery are shown to have a potential of losing invisible microscopic particles that have a potential to induce foreign body reaction.

Animals↗

The additive effects of carnitine and ascorbic acid on distally burned dorsal skin flap in rats.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of combined use of L-carnitine and vitamin C on partially burned skin flap in an experimental rat model. MATERIAL/METHODS: In the rat dorsal skin, a 10 x 3 cm flap was marked. The most distal 3 x 3 cm part was burned to full thickness. Twenty-four rats were randomized into four groups with 6 animals in each. Group 1 was simply followed up. Group 2 was given 0.5 mg/kg vitamin C per day for 7 days, group 3 100 mg/kg carnitine per day for 7 days, and group 4 both carnitine and vitamin C. On the eighth postoperative day, the animals were sacrificed and examined. The surviving and necrotic areas were determined by macroscopic examination and measured with a planimeter. RESULTS: The areas of flap necrosis were measured. The median surviving areas and areas of flap necrosis, respectively, of the groups were: group 1, 16.0 cm(2) and 14.0 cm(2); group 2, 18.25 cm(2) and 11.75 cm(2); group 3, 20.0 cm(2) and 10 cm(2) ; and group 4, 23.75 cm(2) and 6.25 cm(2). The surviving areas of the groups were found to be significantly different (p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of ischemia-induced necrosis in flap attempts made in damaged tissues may be reduced by the combination of two promising agents, L-carnitine and vitamin C. L-carnitine appears to be the major contributing factor that reduces necrosis, and vitamin C an additive agent.

Animals↗

The relationship between patient stress and the blood levels of acute phase proteins in rhinoplasty: the report of a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to interrogate the relationship between patient stress and the levels of acute phase proteins (APP) in rhinoplasty. METHODS: Twenty-six primary rhinoplasty patients were asked about the most stressful step of the rhinoplasty process, which were (1) deciding on the operation, (2) waiting in the preoperative room, (3) the first few postoperative hours, and (4) withdrawing the nasal pack, in order beginning from the most stressful one, preoperatively, and then postoperatively. C-reactive protein (CRP), alfa-1-acide glycoprotein (AAG), ceruloplasmin (CER), haptoglobulin (HPT), and alfa-1-antitrypsin (AT) have been studied in blood to detect a relation between the patient stress and the levels of APP. RESULTS: Preoperatively, the "imagined" most stressful step was Step 4 (61.53%). Postoperatively, the "declared" most stressful step was Step 3 (50%). The blood levels of APP matched with the imagined rather than the declared stress. CONCLUSION: Patient stress could be a preoperative issue, which should be eliminated preoperatively. Detailed description of the surgery and some pharmaceutics can inhibit the negative effects of the stressors and have a contribution to patient comfort.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Analysis of skin-graft loss due to infection: infection-related graft loss.

This prospective study was performed to analyze the causes of infection-related skin-graft loss in a general population of plastic and reconstructive surgery patients. One hundred thirty-two patients who received either full- or split-thickness skin grafts to reconstruct soft-tissue defects were included. The tissue defects were grouped according to the cause as follows: vascular ulcers (9.2%), burns (14.5%), traumatic tissue defects (36.6%), and flap donor-site defects (39.7%). In all cases, the preoperative evaluation indicated an adequate wound-bed preparation. However, graft loss secondary to infection was recorded in 31 patients (23.5%). The microbiological cultures revealed Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 58.1% of the cases (P<0.05), followed by Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter, enterococci, and Acinetobacter; 58.3% of grafts in vascular ulcers, 47.4% of grafts in burns, 16.7% of grafts in traumatic-tissue defects; and 13.5% of grafts in donor-site defects were lost due to infection. Vascular ulcers and burns were more commonly associated with graft losses due to infection than other tissue defects (P<0.001). No correlation was found between the etiological cause of the defects and the microorganisms cultured. However, Pseudomonas infections were more fulminant and caused an increased reoperation rate 4.2 times (P<0.05). Full-thickness grafts were more resistant to infection than split-thickness grafts (P<0.05). Graft loss due to infection was also more common in grafts applied to the lower extremities or when performed at multiple sites. In conclusion, 23.7% of skin grafts were lost due to infection in a group of general plastic surgery patients. Infection-related graft loss was more commonly encountered in vascular ulcers and burn wounds, and the most common cause was Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Adult↗

Enhanced frontalis sling with double-fixed, solvent-dehydrated cadaveric fascia lata allograft in the management of eye ptosis.

The article describes an enhanced frontalis sling procedure in the management of blepharoptosis with poor or no levator function. This modified method were used in the care of three patients and based on the principal of two-point fixation of the graft material that was prepared from solvent-dehydrated cadaveric fascia lata onto the frontalis muscle. After more than 1 year of follow-up, no recurrence was noted. With no extra incision over the skin, this surgical approach could be useful in the correction of difficult ptosis cases.

Adolescent↗

Late psychosocial effects of congenital hand anomaly.

Lifetime-standing psychosocial effects of congenital hand anomalies are inevitable in patients who have not received a comprehensive treatment with appropriate timing and approach. Herein, two adult cases of untreated thumb polydactyly are presented. Both of them had hands with striking appearance and late consequent psychosocial problems.

Adult↗

Comparison of ischemic and chemical preconditioning in jejunal flaps in the rat.

Jejunum is one of the most frequently used free flaps in esophagus reconstruction. However, the sensitivity of intestinal tissue to ischemia decreases the margin of safety of this donor site while increasing the risk of postoperative complications such as fistula formation and stenosis. Ischemic preconditioning can increase the tolerance of jejunal tissue to ischemia. In this study, the authors investigated the effects of chemical preconditioning with adenosine infusion on ischemia reperfusion injury in the rat jejunum, and evaluated the presence of any additive effects of adenosine administration when used together with ischemic preconditioning. Forty Sprague-Dawley rats weighting 200 to 250 mg were used in the study. Rats were randomly divided into five groups. In group I (sham-operated controls), only laparotomy was performed. In group II (ischemia-reperfusion injury), the superior mesenteric artery was clamped for 40 minutes to induce ischemia in the small bowel, followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion. In group III (ischemic preconditioning), two cycles of 5-minute ischemia and 5-minute reperfusion were performed before implementation of the ischemia-reperfusion protocol used in group II. In group IV (chemical preconditioning), adenosine (1000 microg/kg) was infused into the internal jugular vein before the group II ischemia-reperfusion schedule was implemented. In group V (adenosine-enhanced ischemic preconditioning), adenosine (1000 microg/kg) was infused into the internal jugular vein before ischemic preconditioning, followed by 40 minutes of ischemia and 60 minutes of reperfusion. At the end of the reperfusion period, samples from the jejunum were harvested and myeloperoxidase activity was determined as a measure of leukocyte accumulation. Malondialdehyde levels were measured to assess lipid peroxidation. Histopathologic sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin were evaluated for the presence of mucosal damage according to the Chiu scoring method. Immunohistochemical staining by M30 monoclonal antibodies was performed to quantify the number of ischemia-induced apoptotic cells in the intestinal mucosa. The myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower in groups I, III, IV, and V when compared with group II. Although there were no significant differences among myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde levels in groups III, IV, and V, group I had significantly lower levels of activity compared with the other three groups. Histological scoring reflected significantly less damage in groups I, III, IV, and V compared with group II. Similarly, the number of apoptotic cells was significantly lower in groups I, III, IV, and V when compared with group II. However, no difference was detected among these four groups with regard to either histopathological scoring or apoptosis numbers. This is the first study showing that adenosine administration is as effective as ischemic preconditioning in inducing ischemic tolerance in the rat jejunum. However, there was no enhancement of ischemic preconditioning with prior adenosine infusion.

Adenosine↗

Irradiated homologous costal cartilage: versatile grafting material for rhinoplasty.

For most surgeons, nasal septal cartilage is the first choice in septoplasty. However, when this source is depleted, an alloplastic implant material might be preferable over other autogenous donor sites in order to avoid additional scars, morbidity, and lengthened operating time. In the alloplastic spectrum, irradiated costal cartilage (ICC) has certain advantages. Herein, we present our results with ICC in a wide range of septorhinoplasties to show its versatility and reliability. Sixty-five patients were included in the study. There were 42 male and 23 female patients. According to the indications, there were four groups of patients: (I) secondary septorhinoplasty (n = 24), (II) traumatic deformity (n = 21), (III) primary septorhinoplasty (n = 13), (IV) deformity due to previous septal surgery (n = 7). The mean follow-up period was 33 months. No significant resorption was detected in any of the patients. Minor complications developed in four cases (6%), including deformity in the dorsal graft, excessive graft length, and erythematous nasal tips. Aesthetic and functional results were satisfactory in the remaining cases. The low incidence of major complications and the versatility of ICC make it a safe and reliable source of cartilage graft for both primary and secondary septorhinoplasties when autogenous septal cartilage is either insufficient or unsuitable.

Adult↗

The effects of carnitine on distally-burned dorsal skin flap: an experimental study in rats.

OBJECTIVE: In ischemia and burn injuries, there are major alterations threatening tissue survival. Increased energy flow requirements are among the major problems in these disorders. Carnitine is an endogenous cofactor, which has a regulatory action on the energy flow from different oxidative sources. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of carnitine in an experimental flap model. Biochemically, nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and acetylcholinesterase levels, and histopathologically tissue examination under light microscope were studied. METHODS: In the rat dorsal skin, a 10 cm x 3 cm flap was marked. The most distal 3 cm x 3 cm of the flap was burned to full-thickness. The dorsal flap was elevated, and sutured back to its original site. Sixteen rats were divided into two groups (a control (1) and a study group (2)), consisting of eight rats in each. While the animals in the control group were just followed, the animals in the study group were administrated carnitine with a dose of 100 mg/kg per day for 7 days. RESULTS: At the end of the experiment: the mean surviving areas of the flaps were 15.22 cm(2) (50.73%) in group 1, 20.53 cm(2) (68.43%) in group 2, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.008). In the analysis of blood samples; the mean levels of NO were 22.63 and 40.78 micromol/l; of MDA were 6.74 and 3.79 ng/ml; and of acetylcholinesterase were 136.14 and 222.85 U/l in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The differences in the levels of NO (P=0.001), MDA (0.027) and acetylcholinesterase (P=0.006) were statistically significant. Histopathological examination revealed a full-thickness muscle necrosis in addition to skin tissue in the control group, while healing tissue was present with marked cellularity including mixed inflammatory cells and fibroblast proliferation with an increased vascularity in the form of capillary budding in the study group. CONCLUSION: Carnitine has a positive effect in such a model, particularly in preventing the progressive effect of burn, and limiting the necrosis in the full-thickness burned part.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Versatile anterolateral thigh perforator flap: case of tailored reconstruction for a large temporal and parotidectomy defect.

Perforator flaps have introduced an advance in microsurgical reconstruction, by allowing the design of flaps that are tailored for a specific defect. In this report, the reconstructive technique in a case of temporal squamous-cell carcinoma is presented as an example of this trend. Following wide resection of the skin tumor, superficial parotidectomy was performed as a part of the lymph-node dissection. An anterolateral thigh perforator flap was harvested, including a segment of the vastus lateralis muscle in connection with the skin perforators, to reconstruct both the skin defect and the parotidectomy-related soft-tissue deficit. The muscle segment was reinnervated by the greater auricular nerve to diminish atrophy. The aesthetic result was satisfactory. Minor's starch-iodine test demonstrated prevention of Frey's syndrome. The anterolateral thigh flap is a versatile donor that allows individual variations in design for custom-made flaps.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗