PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Lynn E Tran

Publications and source records attributed to Lynn E Tran.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Split-thickness skin graft attachment to bone lacking periosteum.

OBJECTIVES: To develop an animal model to investigate the survival of split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) on bone without periosteum, to compare STSG attachment to bone with and without periosteum, and to determine the effect of fibrin glue on STSG attachment to bone. DESIGN: Prospective laboratory study. SETTING: University laboratory. SUBJECTS: Sprague-Dawley rats. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Percentage of survival of the STSGs at 2 weeks determined independently by the authors and a third, blinded head and neck surgeon. RESULTS: In experiment 1, which included 40 rats, the sutured STSGs showed an average survival rate of 38% when attached to bone with periosteum, 6% when attached to bare bone, and 10% when attached to bare bone using fibrin glue. The poor survival rate was thought to be attributable to the animals scratching at their bolster dressings. In experiment 2, 18 animals underwent a posteriorly based U-shaped flap of skin and subcutaneous tissue. The grafts were placed and isolated from the overlying flap with a biosynthetic wound dressing. The sutured STSG survival rates were as follows: 87% when attached to bone with periosteum, 94% when attached to bare bone, and 74% when attached to bare bone using fibrin glue. CONCLUSIONS: The survival of STSGs attached to bare bone was comparable to that of STSGs attached to bone with periosteum when grafts were protected with the skin-subcutaneous flap. The STSGs that were fixed with 0.1 cc of fibrin glue demonstrated poorer survival rates than those attached with sutures and were associated with more seromas.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Functional outcome after total parotidectomy reconstruction.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to compare and contrast the functional and cosmetic outcomes of patients who underwent total parotidectomy with and without reconstruction using an inferiorly based sternocleidomastoid muscle flap. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review in the setting of a university medical center. METHODS: Twenty-four patients underwent a total parotidectomy. Fifteen patients had reconstruction with an inferiorly based sternocleidomastoid muscle flap, and nine patients had no reconstruction. Clinical examination was performed independently by two head and neck surgeons and one aesthetician to evaluate cosmetic outcome, presence of gustatory flushing or sweating, and return of facial nerve and greater auricular nerve function. RESULTS: With the mean follow-up of 22 months, the group having reconstruction showed a better cosmetic outcome compared with the group without reconstruction. Objective testing for Frey syndrome demonstrated gustatory sweating in 20% of the group having reconstruction group versus 22% in the group without reconstruction. There was no difference in length of operation, hospital stay, or facial nerve function. Objective testing of facial sensation revealed that only 40% in the group having reconstruction had normal sensation to light touch compared with 78% in the group without reconstruction. CONCLUSION: The inferiorly based sternocleidomastoid muscle flap offers improved cosmetic results in patients undergoing total parotidectomy. However, there is a decreased return of greater auricular nerve function, probably attributable to relocation of the nerve stump anteriorly. Benefit was not seen in prevention of Frey syndrome measured objectively; however, the group having reconstruction had fewer clinical symptoms of gustatory sweating or flushing.

Cosmetic Techniques↗