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Biomedical subjects

Georg M Huemer

Publications and source records attributed to Georg M Huemer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Symmetrization reduction mammaplasty combined with sentinel node biopsy in patients operated for contralateral breast cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Occult invasive cancer found in reduction mammaplasty specimen in the contralateral breast in breast cancer patients requires axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) to assess the lymph node status. Routine Sentinel node (SN) biopsy in these patients may avoid secondary ALND when an occult cancer is found and the SN is negative in the permanent histological examination. METHODS: One hundred sixty-nine breast cancer patients underwent contralateral reduction mammaplasty for symmetrization and with SN biopsy of the non-cancer breast. SN mapping was done using a vital blue dye alone (n = 136) or in combination with a radiocolloid (n = 33). RESULTS: A mean number of 1.4 SNs (range 1-3 SNs) was identified in 158 of 169 patients (identification rate 93.5%). One of 158 patients revealed a positive SN but no tumor was found in the reduction mammaplasty/mastectomy specimen, whereas the SN was negative in 157 patients. Histological examination of the 169 reduction mammaplasty specimen revealed 5 occult invasive cancers and 4 patients with high grade DCIS but due to a negative SN biopsy the patients were spared a secondary ALND. CONCLUSION: The small number of patients with occult contralateral cancers may not warrant routine SN mapping in patients scheduled for contralateral reduction mammaplasty.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Diffuse phlegmonous phlebitis after endovenous laser treatment of the greater saphenous vein.

Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) has become a valuable and safe option in the treatment of varicose veins. Although long-term results are lacking, most patients seem to benefit in the short-term from EVLT. Reported postoperative complications are limited, consisting usually of pain, ecchymosis, induration, phlebitis, or spot skin burn injuries. The most feared complication is an extension of the saphenous thrombus into the femoral vein, with possible pulmonary embolism. Here we report a septic thrombophlebitis after EVLT resulting in a phlegmonous infection of the whole leg that was treated by surgical drainage. Aggressive local therapy and antibiotic treatment resulted in complete resolution of symptoms and eventual satisfactory healing.

Angioplasty, Laser↗
PubMed2006

Pulsatile perfused porcine coronary arteries for microvascular training.

Microsurgery is today an established technique in specialties such as plastic surgery, neurosurgery, and trauma surgery. However, specialized training is a prerequisite for mastering anastomosis of small-diameter vessels or coaptation of nerves in the operating room. The training should be as realistic as possible and thus, laboratory animals such as the rat are preferably used as a substitute. In an attempt to minimize the use of living animals without jeopardizing a realistic training setting, we developed a pulsatile perfused porcine coronary artery model for microsurgical education. The training model consists of a membrane pump that generates a pulsatile flow within a coronary artery of a porcine heart. The pump is commercially available with a dimension of approximately 130 x 100 x 60 mm and a weight of 190 g. The pump is energized by 220 B and the motor is run on a transformed power of approximately 12 V (range, 1.5-12 V). Different fluids from simple saline solution to theoretically whole blood can be used for perfusion. The membrane pump proved to be very reliable during microvascular training because of its convenient size and wide range of feed rate providing a very realistic training setting. A maximum fluid output of 850 mL/min can be achieved. The pump has a high acceptance in microsurgical trainees evaluated by questionnaires during several microsurgical courses. The pulsatile perfused porcine coronary artery system for microsurgical training enables the trainee to work under the most realistic training settings. It proved to be a valuable tool during microsurgical education, reducing the costs and sparing living laboratory animals. Thus, we can recommend this system to anyone who is involved in training and teaching microsurgical skills.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Immediate reconstruction of the nipple/areola complex in oncoplastic surgery after central quadrantectomy.

BACKGROUND: Oncoplastic surgery adds valuable techniques for breast-conservation therapy that allows for wide excisions and prevents breast deformities. However, no such technique has addressed loss of the nipple/areola complex (NAC) after central lumpectomy. We present a simple and effective technique for immediate reconstruction of the NAC after such loss due to tumorectomy. METHODS: After central tumorectomy, a local tissue flap is created above the defect to restore the nipple. Then the neonipple is carried on a superior-based, dermoglandular pedicle to its new position, similar to breast reduction surgery. The operation is continued with resection of redundant tissue lateral to the pedicle for optimal breast shape. From the discarded breast tissue, a full-thickness skin graft is harvested and used to reconstruct the areola. The contralateral breast is treated with a usual mammaplasty and tailored to the specific needs of the opposite side. RESULTS: Nine patients with central tumors of the breast were treated in this fashion at our institution. In all patients, the aesthetic result was good to excellent. In 1 patient, there was delayed wound healing of the full-thickness skin graft for the areola, which healed by secondary intention. CONCLUSION: The presented technique is easily achieved and produced excellent results after breast-conservation surgery. It will expand the armamentarium of oncoplastic surgery to meet central defects with loss of the nipple/areola complex.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Adolf Jarisch (1850-1902): an important contributor to Austrian dermatology.

Adolf Jarisch was born on the 15th of February 1850 in the city of Vienna, where he also studied medicine. He soon pursued a career in dermatology and venereology and, thus, joined the clinic of von Hebra, one of the founders of the famous new Vienna School of Medicine. After temporarily replacing von Hebra, Jarisch became the chief of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Innsbruck (1887). Although Adolf Jarisch was appointed chief of the dermatologic department at the University of Graz 5 years later (1892), his biggest dream, to become successor of his former teacher Ferdinand von Hebra and head the dermatological department of the Wiener Allgemeines Krankenhaus (Vienna General Hospital) did not come true. Although Adolf Jarisch is mainly known for his observations on skin reactions and a profound worsening of symptoms in syphilitic patients immediately following treatment with mercury (Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction), he authored more than 25 scientific articles and wrote a book, "Hautkrankheiten", which was considered as the most important in German-speaking literature at the beginning of the twentieth century. The purpose of this historical article is to discuss Jarisch's achievements in the field of dermatology based on a detailed analysis of his scientific work.

Austria↗
PubMed2005

Gracilis muscle flap for aesthetic reconstruction in the head and neck region.

Microsurgical tissue transfer has constantly improved the therapeutic options for reconstruction in the head and neck region, but the ideal flap has yet to be found. The purpose of this study is to discuss the aesthetic potential of the free gracilis muscle flap in difficult head and neck reconstruction. We report our experience with the free gracilis muscle flap in seven patients who underwent reconstruction in the head and neck region for a variety of indications. In all seven patients, the transplanted muscle flaps healed well, with no flap loss. Postoperative complications consisted of skin-graft loss in one patient requiring a second split-thickness skin graft. Donor-site morbidity was minimal in all patients. For difficult reconstruction in the head and neck region, the free gracilis muscle flap offers a number of advantages, including reliable vascular anatomy, relatively great plasticity, and a concealed donor area. Thus this type of flap offers a valuable option whenever an aesthetically pleasing result is sought.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Hemispheric brain volume replacement with free latissimus dorsi flap as first step in skull reconstruction.

Large skull defects lead to progressive depression deformities, with resulting neurological deficits. Thus, cranioplasty with various materials is considered the first choice in therapy to restore cerebral function. A 31-year-old female presented with a massive left-sided hemispheric substance defect involving bone and brain tissue. Computed tomography showed a substantial convex defect involving the absence of calvarial bone as well as more than half of the left hemisphere of the brain, with a profound midline shift and a compression of the ventricular system. There was a severe problem due to multiple deep-skin ulcerations at the depression margin, prone to skin perforation with a probability of intracranial infection. In a first step, a free myocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap was transplanted for volume replacement of the hemispheric brain defect, and 4 months later, artificial bone substitute was implanted in order to prevent progressive vault depression deformity. Healing was uneventful, and the patient showed definite neurological improvement postoperatively. Free tissue transfer can be a valuable option in addition to cranioplasty in the treatment of large bony defects of the skull. Besides providing stable coverage for the reconstructed bone or its substitute, it can also serve as a volume replacement.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Sciatic nerve enlargement in the Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome.

The case of a 35-year-old woman with Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome (KTWS) showing clinical symptoms of a peroneal nerve lesion is presented. An immense nerve enlargement along most of the sciatic, peroneal and tibial nerve was found to be due to a lipoma arising from the epi- and perineurium. Treatment consisted of extensive microsurgical neurolysis and excision of the tumor resulting in decompression of the affected nerves. Although rare, a perineural lipoma should be kept in mind in patients with KTWS showing neurological abnormalities.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Analysis of original contributions in three dermatology journals.

In a cross-sectional analysis, the three top ranking dermatology journals ( Archives of Dermatology , British Journal of Dermatology , and the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology ) were evaluated for their scientific content, the characteristics of their authors, and funding aspects in 2002. A flood of scientific papers are published each year covering a broad variety of dermatologic topics. Aside from the actual content, a scientific article provides information about the number of authors, their nationality and affiliations, and, with some limitation, about previous presentations and funding. The present study analyzes this situation in dermatology by evaluating the content in the three top dermatologic journals.

Advertising↗
PubMed2004

Management of a traumatically avulsed skin-flap on the dorsum of the foot.

BACKGROUND: It is common for traumatologists to see avulsion injuries with resulting composite skin flaps. Simply reattaching the avulsed flap by suturing it back into its bed may result in ischemic necrosis of the distal portion of the flap. CASE REPORT: The authors present a case in which an extensive avulsion injury of the dorsum of the foot with amputation of the fourth and fifth toe was treated by defatting the avulsed flap and reattachment as a full-thickness graft. Healing was uneventful and no skin necrosis was encountered. At 1-year follow-up there was a stable skin situation at the dorsum of the foot. The patient has no difficulties with wearing shoes. However, there is diminished sensibility. CONCLUSIONS: Indications for this type of surgical technique include all types of avulsion or degloving injuries that create composite skin flaps prone to undergo ischemic necrosis if simply reattached. This quick and easy method should be in the armamentarium of each surgeon possibly dealing with this type of injury.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Expression of C-type lectin receptors by subsets of dendritic cells in human skin.

C-type lectins are cell surface receptors that recognize carbohydrate structures which are often part of microbial pathogens. Several of these molecules are expressed on dendritic cells and are involved in antigen uptake. Expression of C-type lectins on dendritic cells of the human skin, i.e. Langerhans cells of the epidermis and dermal dendritic cells, has been incompletely studied to date. We therefore investigated C-type lectins in situ and on dendritic cells obtained by migration from skin explants by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Emphasis was laid on expression patterns of DEC-205/CD205 and BDCA-2, a marker for plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Langerhans cells in situ expressed low levels of DEC-205. Expression was upregulated upon maturation in skin explant organ culture. Most dermal dendritic cells were found to be positive for DEC-205 and DC-SIGN/CD209. Few BDCA-2-expressing cells were found in most skin samples. They were located in small groups in the dermis close beneath the basement membrane. The vast majority of all types of dendritic cells in normal human skin was of immature phenotype, i.e. did not express DC-LAMP/CD208. It is concluded that normal appearing human skin harbors different subsets of dendritic cells including few scattered BDCA-2-expressing cells, presumably plasmacytoid dendritic cells, expressing variable sets of C-type lectin receptors. This may critically contribute to the capacity of the skin immune system to flexibly respond to the world of microbial pathogens.

Antigens, CD↗