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Biomedical subjects

W C Lineaweaver

Publications and source records attributed to W C Lineaweaver.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Eleven consecutive combined latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior free muscle transplantations.

We reviewed our experience with 11 consecutive combined latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior free-muscle transplantations from 1980 to 1990. All 11 flaps were successful and there was minimal morbidity. This combined muscle flap is ideal for soft-tissue coverage in extensive lower extremity wounds, in mutilating hand injuries with dorsal and palmar defects, and in situations when a long vascular pedicle is needed to get out of the "zone of injury."

Adult↗

Lower extremity replantation.

Replantation of the traumatically amputated lower extremity is a technically feasible surgical undertaking. Successful outcome must be judged by functional achievements of the patient toward returning to the preinjury level. Appropriate patient selection significantly increases the potential for obtaining a satisfactory outcome. Patients in whom peripheral nerve injury precludes return of sensation in the extremity or in whom severe joint destruction will yield an immobile extremity will have marginal results. The risks of replantation, including blood transfusions, sepsis, and prolonged hospitalization, must be weighted heavily against prosthetic substitution as an alternative. If the lower extremity can be successfully replanted, however, this provides a superior functional and aesthetic result for the patient. Salvage replantation to preserve maximal functional length and durability of an extremity must always be considered when assessing a patient with a traumatic amputation. Free-tissue transfer to salvage a threatened replanted limb must be similarly a part of the armamentarium of the replantation surgeon. Although lower limb replantation may continue to be controversial, improved surgical techniques and increasing experience make it an excellent alternative to prosthetic substitution. In the well-motivated patient, an excellent result may be achieved.

Adult↗

Aeromonas hydrophila infections following clinical use of medicinal leeches: a review of published cases.

Ten Aeromonas hydrophila infections following postsurgical leech applications have been reported. These cases indicate that postsurgical wounds and damaged tissue can provide entry for either acute or delayed A. hydrophila infection. These infections can range from localized cellulitis to progressive myonecrosis and sepsis. These infections may occur with measurable frequency in groups of patients exposed to leeches. Based on this review, it is recommended that leeches be applied only to tissue with a reasonably certain arterial supply; that patients receive antibiotics against A. hydrophila prior to leech administration; and that consideration be given to prolonged antibiotic administration to patients discharged home with open wounds or questionably viable tissue after leech administration.

Aeromonas↗

Microvascular reconstruction of the lower extremity in the elderly.

The natural changes of aging increase perioperative medical risk factors in the elderly population. Aggressive preoperative patient evaluation and perioperative monitoring can effectively decrease morbidity and mortality rates to equal those of younger patients. The surgical strategy must take into account the increased incidence of atherosclerosis in the inflow and free-tissue transfer recipient vessels. Lower extremity microvascular reconstruction can be performed safely and successfully in the elderly patient.

Aged↗

Microsurgery: directions for the 1990s.

Speculating on the possible advances of microsurgery in the 1990s has encompassed discussion of transplantation technique, biochemistry, monitoring, and nerve and motor reconstruction. This article, however, is by no means exhaustive, and many other discoveries and innovations may come from areas not discussed here. The only clearly incorrect possibility concerning microsurgery in the 1990s is that nothing exciting will happen.

Fingers↗

Treatment of migraine headache in a postoperative microsurgical patient.

Immediately following a double-toe transfer to her hand, a 40-year-old woman developed a severe migraine headache unrelieved by narcotics. Medical consultation was obtained, and available medical treatments were discussed in relation to their possible effects on the patient's recent microvascular procedure. Intravenous steroids were administered, with resolution of the headache. This case illustrates an approach to the management of medical problems in which treatment options are weighed against their possible microsurgical effects.

Adult↗

Clinical results of bony fixation methods in digital replantation.

Clinical results comparing different techniques of fixation in replanted digits have not been described in detail, and bony deformities after replantation have been documented only in limited series. We retrospectively analyzed our population of phalangeal replants over a 5-year period to assess the outcome of different fixation methods with regard to frequency of angulation, fracture instability, nonunion, and need for corrective osteotomy. Techniques evaluated included: single and crossed Kirschner wires, intraosseous wires with and without Kirschner wire support, and the tetrahedral (Cassel) wire. Initial results show similar early angulation deformities in all groups. Intraosseous wires alone were found to have the lowest nonunion and complication rate. The Cassel wire was found to have the highest number of digits with fixation problems. Overall, bony problems were seen in nearly 50% of replants in our series.

Bone Wires↗

Functional restoration in the upper extremity using free muscle transplantation.

Since 1973, fourteen free muscle transfers for functional upper limb reconstruction have been performed in twelve patients at the Ralph K. Davies Medical Center in San Francisco. All of the patients in this series had lost finger flexion, extension, and/or thumb opposition and were not candidates for simpler methods of reconstruction because of weakness or traumatic loss of balancing musculature. The 12 patients have been followed for one to 9 years. All muscles were successfully transferred without flap loss. Evaluation of the EMG data has shown evidence of reinnervation beginning at approximately two months with fibrillation potentials decreasing and recruitment of increasing numbers of motor units over two to three years. Eleven of the 14 muscles attained movement against resistance; two had movement against gravity and one regained only a flicker of motion. In our experience, the use of free muscle transplantation to restore function is not only technically feasible, but moreover, has resulted in a relatively high degree of patient satisfaction.

Adolescent↗

Sensitivities of Aeromonas hydrophila cultured from medicinal leeches to oral antibiotics.

Infections associated with medicinal leech application are caused by Aeromonas hydrophila, an organism that resides in the leech gut. We cultured the intestinal tracts of 25 leeches and evaluated the efficacy of oral antibiotics against Aeromonas hydrophila. Cultures of this organism showed no sensitivity to ampicillin and inconsistent sensitivity to cephalothin (equivalent to cephalexin). The Aeromonas hydrophila cultures did show consistent sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxasole. These three antibiotics should be considered if oral antibiotic coverage is used in association with leech application.

Administration, Oral↗

Scalp reconstruction by microvascular free tissue transfer.

We report on a series of patients with scalp defects who have been treated with a variety of free flaps, spanning the era of microvascular free tissue transfer from its incipient stages to the present. Between 1971 and 1987, 18 patients underwent scalp reconstruction with 21 free flaps: 11 latissimus dorsi, 3 scalp transfers between identical twins, 3 groin, one combined latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior, two serratus anterior, and one omentum. These flaps were used to cover scalp defects resulting from burns, trauma, radiation, and tumors in patients ranging from 7 to 79 years of age. Follow-up has ranged from 3 weeks to 7 years. All of our flaps survived and covered complex defects, many of which had failed more conservative attempts at cover. One patient received radiation therapy to his flap without unfavorable sequelae. This experience began with a pioneering omental flap and includes cutaneous and muscle flaps. The latissimus dorsi is our first choice for free flap reconstruction of extensive, complicated scalp wounds because of its large size, predictable blood supply, ease of harvesting, and provision of excellent vascularity to compromised beds.

Adolescent↗

Microsurgical transfer of the rectus abdominis muscle using the superior epigastric vessels.

A microsurgical transplant of the rectus abdominis muscle based on its superior pedicle is described. This procedure represents a salvage maneuver used in a patient in whom the inferior pedicle was found to have been previously injured. Vessels of adequate caliber and a pedicle of sufficient length were found by dissecting the superior epigastric pedicle to the level of the costal margin. In cases in which rectus flap harvest is complicated by a damaged deep inferior epigastric pedicle, we recommend exploration of the superior pedicle before abandoning the flap.

Abdominal Muscles↗

An aberrant independent origin of the serratus anterior pedicle.

We present an anomaly of the subscapular vascular tree that has not been previously reported. The serratus anterior pedicle originated directly from the subscapular vessels from the proximal third of the axillary artery. The thoracodorsal vessels arose separately, directly from the distal third of the axillary vessels. This vascular pattern was not encountered in any previous patient in our series of serratus anterior muscle transfers.

Abdominal Muscles↗

The serratus anterior free-muscle flap: experience with 100 consecutive cases.

We report free serratus transplantation in 100 consecutive patients, 10 in combination with the latissimus muscle and 2 with rib. Transplantation was performed for extremity soft-tissue coverage, contour correction, and facial reanimation. Twenty-two patients received serratus transplantation as part of complex reconstruction requiring multiple microvascular transplants. Overall success was 99 percent, with a single flap failure. Four patients suffered partial flap loss. Emergent reexploration for suspected vascular occlusion was infrequent, required in six flaps (6.0 percent), with an 83 percent salvage rate. Significant complications occurred in 18 percent of recipient sites and 12 percent of donor sites, with eight patients developing seroma/hematoma. No scapular winging was noted, and all patients retained full shoulder range of motion. The serratus muscle flap is a highly reliable flap characterized by a consistently long pedicle, excellent malleability, and multipennate anatomy permitting coverage of complex three-dimensional wounds and consistent performance as a functional transplant. Underlying rib can be included as a myo-osseous flap to expand the versatility of this flap.

Adolescent↗

Quantitative fluorimetric effects of leeching on a replanted ear.

Leeching is used to relieve venous congestion in microscopically replanted tissues. A quantitative description of the effects of leech application on tissue perfusion has not been reported. We report a case of an ear replantation in which venous congestion was consistently improved with leeching. In four instances, quantitative fluorimetry, which indicated impaired circulation and prompted leech application, showed restoration of normal circulation patterns following leech application. The fluorometric studies suggested that arterial inflow improved and venous congestion was relieved.

Adult↗

Single pedicle microvascular transfers of the serratus anterior and latissimus dorsi muscles in rats.

In the rat, the serratus anterior and latissimus dorsi muscles receive axial vascular pedicles from the thoracodorsal artery. This anatomy was confirmed by dissections, and 10 microvascular transfers of the latissimus-serratus flap on a common pedicle were performed with a 90% success rate. The flaps had an average weight of 1.8 g. This flap is a reliable small animal model for microvascular muscle transplants and contains sufficient tissue to be used in multiple biochemical assays.

Animals↗