PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Gregory M Buncke

Publications and source records attributed to Gregory M Buncke.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Pediatric mutilating hand injuries.

Mutilating hand injuries in children are a devastating problem. With aggressive efforts at replantation and revascularization, methodic debridement, timely soft tissue coverage, and early mobilization, however, the results in these unfortunate children can be quite rewarding. The child often does well with the functional aspect of recovery and rehabilitation but will probably hide his or her deformed hand from friends and family. These children generally become more shy and reserved. The parents are the key to rehabilitation. A good relationship between the parent, the physician, and the hand therapist is essential for the best result. Interestingly, the parents who are the most demanding on the staff during the initial emergency period are often the most appreciative parents and their children often achieve the best result. Conscientious parents are the best advocates for their children. Obviously, the prevention of these devastating injuries is much preferable to extraordinary heroic reconstruction. Unfortunately, some injuries are inevitable. It is nearly impossible to create an absolutely hazard-free environment for children. Potential injuries can be avoided, however, simply by keeping hazardous machines and equipment out of the reach of the child and by keeping children out of the potentially dangerous workplace.

Amputation, Traumatic↗

Composite tissue allografting (CTA).

Composite tissue allografting (CTA) is a relatively new term that appears with increased frequency in the medical and surgical literature. The recent successful allografts, or homotransplantations, of hands has sparked a resurgence of research, both experimental and clinical. Plastic surgeons have long been interested--particularly in the field of skin grafts for extensive burns and wounds--but have been replaced by the organ transplant teams and immunogeneticists. The skin, one of the most strongly antigenic organs, has required such high levels of immunosuppressive drugs to date, that elective transplants of skin and other composite tissues have received little attention.

Animals↗

Cross-facial and functional microvascular muscle transplantation for longstanding facial paralysis.

Functional results continue to improve with advancing microsurgical techniques and monitoring to detect and correct problems within minutes [47]. However, failures do occur, even when one can project a 98% survival for the transplant. Figs. 9 and 10 show two of our early cases that were fortunately salvaged with a second microvascular transplant. Evaluation of the result is a continuing challenge--anatomically, physiologically, and psychologically [37]. If one can remove the stigma or stigmata of facial paralysis in the patient's mind. success has been achieved (Fig. II) [48].

Eyelids↗

The harvest and clinical application of the superficial peroneal sensory nerve for grafting motor and sensory nerve defects.

Potential donor nerves for autografting are finite and usually limited to cutaneous nerves of the extremities. The superficial peroneal nerve is the major lateral branch of the common peroneal nerve that innervates the peroneus longus and brevis muscles and provides sensation to the lateral aspect of the lower leg and the dorsal foot. It has generally been overlooked as a potential donor of nerve autografts. Cadaver dissections were performed on 10 fresh lower extremity specimens to investigate the anatomic characteristics of the superficial peroneal nerve and to refine a harvesting technique for the nerve. Thirty-one patients underwent nerve grafting of 39 upper and lower extremity nerves using the superficial peroneal donor. There were nine median nerves, four ulnar nerves, two radial nerves, two brachial plexus lesions, 16 digital nerves, and six lower extremity nerves grafted. The superficial peroneal nerve provided a consistently long donor, comparable in length to the sural nerve. The anatomic pattern is consistent, the patient positioning is simple, the surgical harvesting technique is straightforward, and the donor defect is acceptable. The superficial peroneal nerve provides a safe and valuable donor nerve, particularly in cases where multiple or very long nerve grafts are required.

Adolescent↗