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Biomedical subjects

M Revol

Publications and source records attributed to M Revol.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Kinematics of prehension and pointing movements in C6 quadriplegic patients.

AIMS: C6 quadriplegic patients lack voluntary control of their triceps muscle but can still perform reaching movements to grasp objects or point to targets. The present study documents the kinematic properties of reaching in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the kinematics of prehension and pointing movements in four quadriplegic patients and five control subjects. Prehension and pointing movements were recorded for each subject using various object positions (ie different directions and distances from the subject). The 3D motion was analyzed with Fastrack Polhemus sensors. RESULTS: During prehension tasks the velocity profile of control subjects showed two peaks (go and return); the first velocity peak was scaled to the distance of the object. In quadriplegic patients there was a third intermediary peak corresponding to the grasping of the object. The amplitude of the first peak was slightly smaller than in control subjects. Velocity was scaled to the distance of the object, but with a greater dispersion than in control subjects. Total movement time was longer in quadriplegics because of the prolonged grasping phase. There were few differences in the pointing movements of normal and quadriplegic subjects. The scapula contributed more to the reaching phase of both movements in quadriplegic patients. CONCLUSION: In spite of some quantitative differences, the kinematics of the hand during reaching and pointing in quadriplegic patients are surprisingly similar to those of control subjects. Spinal Cord (2000) 38, 354 - 362.

Adult↗

[The second chart. A retrospective critical analysis of hospital stays of long duration in a public plastic surgery department].

A nine-month retrospective survey related to the long-duration hospital stays was carried out in our plastic surgery department. Twenty five patients were concerned by a more than 21 days hospitalization, the sum of which reached 1,098 days. These figures corresponded to 1.4% of the patients and 14.5% of the hospitalization days. A critical analysis was based on four principles: 1--a plastic surgery department is exclusively devoted to plastic surgery, 2--nursing cares required by the healing of a soft tissues defect don't usually need hospitalization, 3--even if it has a wide surface and/or if it is located on the lower limbs, a skin graft doesn't usually require more than ten days of hospitalization, 4--without complications, a free tissue transfer doesn't usually require more than 15 days of hospitalization. Application of these principles showed that 633 days (58%) could have been theoretically spared. Consequently, it could have permitted to treat a greater number of patients. The cause of delaying patient exit was related to the surgeon in all but one cases. It was associated in 16% of cases with a bed shortage in the convalescent or nursing homes. As hospitalization durations longer than 25 days seemed unwarranted to the authors even in the most complex cases, they suggest a simple way to alert surgeons of their department to the long-duration stays. As the department patient's chart represents 13 days of hospitalization, they ask surgeons make a decision upon planning the exiting of patients before adding a second chart.

Adult↗

Biceps-to-triceps transfer in tetraplegia. The medial route.

Eight tetraplegic patients (13 elbows) were treated by biceps-to-triceps transfer. To avoid the risk of radial nerve injury, we chose a medial routing of the biceps. The mean follow-up after surgery was 17.8 months (range, 4-47 months). No complications were encountered. Active extension of the elbow was achieved in each case. The mean postoperative active range of motion of the elbow was 6 degrees extension and 137 degrees flexion. After the biceps-to-triceps transfer mean extension torque of the elbow was 3.7 Nm and mean flexion torque was 10 Nm. In eight elbows in which it was measured, there was a 47% reduction in elbow flexion power. Nevertheless no patient complained about that reduction, and all of them were satisfied.

Adult↗

Development of metastases in malignant melanoma is associated with an increase in the plasma L-dopa/L-tyrosine ratio.

In this prospective study we evaluated a new biochemical approach in which the plasma ratio of the melanin precursors L-dopa and L-tyrosine serves as a marker of metastatic dissemination in malignant melanoma. Control values (11.20 x 10(-5) +/- 2.92 x 10(-5)) were determined. The L-dopa/L-tyrosine ratio was evaluated in the plasma of 90 patients with malignant melanoma (stage I/II, n = 33; stage III, n = 33; stage IV, n = 24) classified according to the tumour/node/metastasis (pTNM) classification. A total of 106 samples were studied. Serial measurements were performed in eight stage III-IV patients. The L-dopa/L-tyrosine ratio was significantly elevated in melanoma patients with clinical stage III (15.23 x 10(-5) +/- 3.34 x 10(-5)) compared with stage I (10.88 x 10(-5) +/- 2.52 x 10(-5)). Stage IV patients showed a significant increase in the plasma L-dopa/L-tyrosine ratio (45.73 x 10(-5) +/- 61.75 x 10(-5)) compared with the other groups. The ratio was higher for those with two rather than one metastatic site and markedly higher for those with widespread metastases. The development of metastases was associated with an increase in plasma L-dopa, a decrease in plasma L-tyrosine and a significant increase in the plasma L-dopa/L-tyrosine ratio. These data suggest that the plasma L-dopa/L-tyrosine ratio reflects the tumour burden and correlates with the progression of malignant melanoma.

Adult↗

[Latissimus dorsi free flap with "Y" anastomoses. Technical variant and use in leg reconstruction].

The authors report a new technique for harvesting and anastomosis of the latissimus dorsi free flap. The latissimus dorsi free flap is elevated with the subscapular and circumflex scapular vessels forming a "Y" pedicle. The recipient artery is sectioned and the arterial tree of the flap is anastomosed to the recipient vessel by two end-to-end anastomoses. This technique is particularly useful in leg reconstructive surgery when only one vessel remains: it simplifies transfer (end-to-end anastomosis), anastomoses are easier because more superficial.

Adult↗

[Breast reconstruction by inflatable anatomical implant. Retrospective study of 65 cases].

This study reports the first mammary reconstruction series with anatomic saline implants after mastectomy for breast cancer. 65 patients were reviewed with a 10-month follow-up. The authors used Mac Gahn anatomic saline implant style 468 or 363. The contralateral breast mammaplasty for symmetrisation was performed in 53 patients, usually during implantation of the implant. The nipple areola reconstruction was usually performed with full thickness' skin graft and Little's flap. The implants, (average volume of 275 ml before changing), were changed for 17 patients, because of insufficient reconstruction or an excessively high mammary fold. The most frequent complication was pain, despite morphine protocols (19 patients). These were a cases of 9 rippling; but only a small percentage of internal dimple (4 patients). Patient and surgeon satisfaction was rated (1-20) and classified into three levels. In conclusion, the advantages of anatomic saline implants are: to avoid some symmetrisations, reconstruction of a stable breast, to avoid internal dimple. The disadvantages are: persistent rippling, specific learning for their implantation and difficulty of the choice of size.

Adult↗

[Evaluation of a two-stage surgical strategy for the treatment of skin carcinomas. Retrospective study of 367 cases].

The treatment of skin carcinomas in France is mainly based on surgical resection. However, when the cutaneous surgical defect cannot be sutured, repair by skin graft or skin flap can be either immediate or delayed. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the value of delayed repair. A six-month retrospective study was designed between November 1997 and April 1998, on a total of 367 resections of skin carcinomas and/or premalignant lesions. Two parameters were recorded: management of the skin defect, and the histological results. Out of the 367 resections, there were 275 resections with suture, 42 resections with skin graft, 11 resections with skin flap, and 39 resections without wound closure. In 41 cases further re-excisions were performed because the tumors were incompletely excised. Incompletely excised tumors were found in 6% of sutures, 9% of skin flaps, 24% of skin grafts, and 36% of delayed repairs. The high rate of incomplete surgical resections supports two-step surgery without wound closure when the defect cannot be sutured. This attitude is reinforced by the difficulty of the re-excision when a skin graft or a skin flap has been previously performed.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗

[Surgical repair of abdominal wall].

Surgical repair of abdominal wall defects following tumour resection only raises real problems when the nature of the tumour required wide, or even transfixing excision, as in the case of sarcomas or very advanced carcinomas. Superficial repair is performed according to the algorithm of the simplest technique: secondary healing, partial suture, total suture, transplant, or flap (pedicled or free). In the case of transfixing resection, the combination of a biomaterial for reconstruction of the deep plane and a superficial flap is necessary. For very large transfixing defects of the abdomen, a free flap may be required and, in this case, delayed insertion after initial transfer may further reduce the operative risk ("apple turnover" technique). The complications observed in a detailed series of 9 cases operated at Saint-Louis Hospital consisted of one intraoperative cardio-circulatory arrest during second-stage surgery and one late infection at three years. The authors believe that the indications for delayed insertion of a free flap are still very topical in cases in which a very large grafted free flap is necessary in conjunction with a prosthesis. Large abdominal defects after cancer resection can be reconstructed by modern reconstructive surgery.

Abdominal Muscles↗

[Malignant tumors of the abdominal wall. 10 years of experience at the Saint-Louis Hospital].

The authors present a 10-year retrospective study of 52 patients with dermatofibrosarcomas (33 cases), sarcomas (13 cases) and desmoid tumours (6 cases) operated in their department. All these tumours were located in the abdomen or adjacent regions. Resection margins were 5 cm for dermatofibrosarcomas and 2 cm for sarcomas and desmoid tumours, with a healthy deep anatomical barrier. Dermatofibrosarcomas were repaired by direct suture in 18% of cases, directed healing in 15%, healing and graft in 45% and flap in 31% of cases. 61% of sarcomas were sutured directly, 7% were treated by directed healing and 23% required cover by a flap. All desmoid tumours were closed by primary suture. The quality of the first surgical resection remains the predominant prognostic factor.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

[Main abdominal flap donor sites].

The main flaps derived from the abdominal wall are described, indicating the following points for each one: vascular anatomy, the cutaneous and/or muscle territory of the flap, the arc of rotation, the main applications and finally comments concerning certain specific anatomical or technical points. Rectus abdominis flaps are by far the most frequently used in routine clinical practice for mammary reconstruction and cover of the thorax, abdomen or groin areas. Groin flaps are also frequently used, either as pedicled flaps to cover defects of the upper extremity or abdomen, or as free flaps, especially for mandibular reconstructions.

Abdominal Muscles↗

[Anatomical study of the distal tendon of the brachial biceps muscle. Application to biceps-triceps transfer in tetraplegic patients].

In some cases of biceps-to-triceps transfer the muscle fibres of the biceps are inserted very distally, preventing correct setting of the transfer. A knowledge of the anatomy of the intramuscular part of the distal tendon of the biceps is useful to lengthen this tendon proximally. A study of 40 specimens showed that the intramuscular part of the distal tendon of the biceps is a large flattened lozenge-shaped aponeurosis located in a frontal plane. It receives muscle fibre insertions on both aspects. The length of the invisible part of the tendon can be estimated by a simple formula: 0.55 a + 4 cm, where "a" represents the length of the tendon between the most proximal tendinous point visible, and the most distal muscle point visible.

Cadaver↗

[Method of esthetic evaluation of the reconstructed breast after cancer. Report of 76 cases].

The authors propose a simple method of aesthetic evaluation of breast reconstructions after cancer, based on a 20-point score. In the 76 patients included in this study and mainly reconstructed by implant, the following seven criteria were evaluated by a score: the reconstructed breast, the symmetrized breast, symmetry of the 2 breasts, the areola, the nipple, the areolo-nipple complex (ANC) and the overall reconstruction. The first score was established during the visit by the patient and independently by the same plastic surgeon. The score was then established during two sessions of projection of standardized photographs, by two groups, A and B, composed of 9 nurses and secretaries and 10 plastic surgeons, respectively. Statistical analysis of the results showed that the scores for these criteria were all correlated for all examiners. This study confirms the reliability of aesthetic evaluation of breast reconstruction after cancer, by a group composed of 2 men and 2 women, surgeons or non-surgeons, on photographs or on clinical examination, based on a 20-point score.

Breast Neoplasms↗

[VCS microclip anastomosis on blood vessels of less than 2 millimeters in diameter. Preliminary experimental study in the rat].

The aim of this work was to study the possibilities and limits of the vascular microanastomoses with VCS microclips. VCS Microclips are a new mechanical anastomotic device, allowing a single operator to perform anastomoses without microsutures. The two arcuate limbs of the titanium microclips do not penetrate the vascular intima. The microclip anastomosis technique is based on symmetric eversion of the vessel walls, facilitated by everting forceps. We studied the medium and small Autosuture VCS microclips on different vessels ranging from 0.3 to 2 millimeters in diameter: aorta, carotid artery, femoral artery and femoral vein. Thirty nine end-to-end or end-to-side anastomoses were performed on Wistar rats. These anastomoses were performed by a single operator without the use of sutures. Patency was studied by the "empty and refill" test immediately and at two months. Histologic analysis of the anastomosis was performed at two months (hematein-eosin and orcein stains on longitudinal sections). Four out of thirty nine anastomoses were occluded during the 15 minutes following clamp release. Failure was always due to a technical error and occurred during the first trials. The thirty five other anastomoses were patent immediately and at two months post-operatively, except for the by-pass which was not viable. These anastomoses were still patent 30 minutes post-operatively. Light microscopy analysis confirmed that the microclip extremities did not penetrate the lumen, although the internal media was usually very thin at the level of the microclip jaws, especially for the smallest vessels. For vessels larger than 1 mm in diameter, the microclip extremities were usually outside the internal elastic lamina. No anastomotic aneurysm was found. Vascular healing was comparable with microsutures at 2 months. Microvascular anastomoses performed with microclips have numerous advantages, compared to usual microsutures: they are two to three times quicker, they can be performed step by step without turning the clamp and they can be performed with the right or left hand. There is theoretically no thrombogenic risk. The drawbacks are the need for complementary training and the cost of microclips which is five to six times that of sutures. End-to-side anastomoses of small vessels are more difficult than end-to-end anastomoses. The recipient vessels must be larger than 1.5 mm in diameter, otherwise the anastomosis may become stenosed. Microclips are especially useful to save time, i.e. for multiple anastomoses and for anastomoses of vessels larger than 1 millimeter in diameter. Some modifications of the material could allow vascular or hollow organ anastomoses with endoscopic assistance.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

[What is the cost of excision-suture of a skin lesion under local anesthesia? 2-month prospective evaluation in a public sector hospital].

The purpose of this study was to assess the cost of a minimal surgical operation: skin surgery under local anesthesia in the outpatients department. A two-month prospective study was carried out on 149 operations, with a mean duration of 33 minutes. The mean cost of the operation was 434 FF. Although this study is very specific and its results cannot be generalized, it gives a method and an order of magnitude. It shows that it is difficult to save money without decreasing the quality of the operation. The price list of the French national health care system, and the price of the surgeon himself are discussed.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗

Surgical treatment of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a rare dermal tumor that recurs after inadequate primary treatment. In a retrospective study, we analyzed the outcomes of 117 patients (mean age 39 years) treated surgically for a dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. In most cases (107 patients), surgery was performed according to a protocol of taking wide peripheral resection margins of 5 cm and by resecting a disease-free anatomic zone deep to the lesion. The mean follow-up was 61 months. The results suggest a difference in prognosis between patients treated primarily with wide initial resection and those referred secondarily with recurrent disease following previous treatment by narrow resection margins. There was no recurrent disease in the 66 patients treated primarily by wide peripheral (5 cm) and deep resection of the tumor. Of the 41 patients referred secondarily at the time of recurrence, 2 developed further local disease within a year, despite equally aggressive local treatments. Both patients eventually died of metastatic fibrosarcoma. We emphasize the value of a highly aggressive local resection in the primary treatment of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans to minimize local recurrence and potential malignant transformation. Modern reconstructive techniques provide satisfactory solutions for defects of almost any size and composition. Our findings suggest that radical primary resection of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in conjunction with immediate reconstruction of the primary defect provides the best outcome for the patient.

Adult↗

[Iatrogenic extravasations of cytotoxic or hyperosmolar aqueous solutions. Value of surgical emergency by aspiration and lavage].

Iatrogenic extravasations are characterized by their unpredictable course, the possible repercussions of functional, cosmetic and psychological sequelae, and the absence of a therapeutic consensus. The authors present the protocol used in Hôpital Saint-Louis, based on a synthesis of current procedures, consisting of emergency conservative surgical aspiration and lavage, performed in a context of close collaboration with oncolosits, intensive care physicians and radiologists. From 1994 to March 1997, fifteen patients were operated following extravasation during seven chemotherapeutic protocols, three radiographic examinations with injection of contrast agents and five resuscitation procedures. This simple protocol, applied systematically, achieved cure without cutaneous or functional sequelae in all patients. Aspiration-lavage during the first twelve hours therefore constitutes the treatment of choice of iatrogenic extravasation with cytotoxic or hyperosmolar aqueous solutions.

Aged↗

[Lipoma of the superficial lobe of the parotid gland. A case report].

We report the case of a patient with a lipoma of the superficial lobe of the right parotid gland. Lipomas of the parotid gland are very rare. They are said to constitute one to two percent of all parotid tumours. Only six cases were found in the recent literature. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult when the physical examination reveals a renitent, well-localized and painless mass. However, magnetic resonance imaging is now the imaging modality of choice to facilitate the diagnosis, but the diagnosis can only be confirmed by histological examination of the tumour. We discuss the value of superficial parotidectomy, while some authors suggest an enucleation of lipomas of the superficial lobe of parotid.

Humans↗