Biomedical subjects

G E Seery

Publications and source records attributed to G E Seery.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Scalp surgery: anatomic and biomechanical considerations.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of surgery is to effect functional and/or cosmetic benefit while causing as few adverse consequences as possible. At its core lies incision/excision, tissue mobilization, and reconstruction. Each body region presents its own particular surgical challenge. Scalp is made up of collagen, elastin, blood vessels, nerve fibers, and lymphatics with mucopolysaccharide ground substance and tissue fluid, together with hair follicles, sweat, and sebaceous glands. All these elements are anatomically and biologically affected by each modality of surgery. OBJECTIVE: To establish technical guidelines for scalp surgery compatible with maximal functional/cosmetic benefit and complication-free results. METHODS: More than 3000 scalp operations done personally were reviewed. These included the entire spectrum of plastic and reconstructive surgery and hair restoration procedures. RESULTS: Some guidelines compatible with improved scalp surgery results were derived. CONCLUSION: Complication-free scalp surgery is most likely to occur when incisions spare neurovascular structures; do not transect collagen or elastin; undermining is modest and discriminate; deep plane fixation is used; and hair directional orientation (drape) is preserved.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMed2001

Improved scalp surgery results by controlling tension vector forces in the tissues by galea to pericranium fixation sutures.

BACKGROUND: Tension, manifesting at the time of wound closure, limits the extent of tissue excision and predisposes to complications. Extensive undermining may be an unreliable technique to reduce tissue tension in surgery. Pericranium is a rarely used tissue in scalp surgery. OBJECTIVE: To show that the surgical technique of deep plane fixation reduces tissue tension at and adjacent to the wound, allowing relatively greater excision and reduced tension closure, and extensive undermining may be an ineffectual and potentially harmful surgical technique. I also update the surgical anatomy of the pericranium and determine its utility in scalp reconstructive surgery. METHODS: More than 1000 scalp operations, including 700 clinical investigative procedures, were done which included pericranial flaps, subgaleal and subperiosteal scalp reductions, and deep plane fixation. RESULTS: The alopecia removal operation described herein utilizing deep plane fixation is largely complication free and achieves tension-reduced closure and between 18% and 50% greater tissue removal compared with conventional alopecia reduction procedures. CONCLUSION: Pericranium is a valuable and readily usable tissue in reconstructive scalp surgery.

Alopecia↗

PubMed2001

Galea fixation in alopecia reduction surgery.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia reduction surgery, because of a high incidence of complications, has become a seldom used operation. OBJECTIVE: To show that galea fixation alopecia removal/scalp reduction is simple, safe, highly effective, and largely complication-free. METHODS: Conclusions derived are based on studies of more than 1000 alopecia removal operations, done personally, including 700 performed as part of a surgical research project with specific protocols and goals. CONCLUSIONS: Effective, safe alopecia reduction surgery is possible when incision patterns do not transect either neurovascular structures or collagen and undermining is judicious. Deep plan fixation is regarded as critical to an optimal result.

Alopecia↗

PubMed1996

Anchor scalp reduction.

BACKGROUND: Unsightly scars, stretch-back, and stretch atrophy are common complications of scalp reduction. OBJECTIVE: To remove as much bald scalp as possible while preserving normal tissue integrity (e.g., thickness, vascularity) and cosmesis. METHODS: Surgical innovations anchor scalp reduction I & II, use pericranial flaps as aids to facilitate maximal reduction while limiting postoperative distraction vector forces responsible for stretch-back, stretch-atrophy, and wide scars. RESULTS: Anchor scalp reduction I consistently results in fine barely perceptible scars. Anchor scalp reduction II enables maximal bald area reduction while minimizing the incidence of stretch-back and wide scars. CONCLUSIONS: Anchor scalp reduction I is a simple innovation recommended for suturing scalp incisions where the primary objective is a fine barely discernible scar, e.g., in plastic surgery or neurosurgery. Anchor scalp reduction II is preferred for hair restoration procedures where the primary objective is maximizing reduction while minimizing stretch-back and stretch atrophy.

Alopecia↗