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Yvonne L Karanas

Publications and source records attributed to Yvonne L Karanas.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Preoperative CT angiography for free fibula transfer.

The role of preoperative imaging prior to free fibula flap harvest remains controversial. The standard method of preoperative imaging has been arteriography. However, arteriography is associated with known risks and potential complications to the patient. Alternatives to traditional angiography have been sought to attempt to reduce these risks. CT angiography is a noninvasive imaging modality that can accurately assess the arterial and venous circulation, while providing images equal to those of traditional angiography. CT angiography was used in 7 patients prior to free fibula flap harvest. There were no complications from the CT angiogram or the fibula harvest. We describe our use of CT angiography for vascular imaging of the lower extremity prior to free fibula harvest.

Angiography↗

Free latissimus dorsi flap used in treatment of cerebral aspergillosis: a case report and review of the literature.

Cerebral aspergillosis infection is a rare disease in children that carries extremely high morbidity and mortality. Although occurring most commonly in the immunosuppressed patient, cerebral aspergillosis infection has been reported after trauma or neurosurgical procedures. Amphotericin B is the main medical therapy for cerebral aspergillosis. However, surgical treatment is often required for cases of abscess or granuloma formation. Despite aggressive antifungal treatment and surgical intervention, aspergillosis of the central nervous system is often fatal. We present a case report in which a free latissimus dorsi muscle flap was used in conjunction with antifungal medication and surgical debridement to treat intracranial and epidural aspergillosis in a young male following complex craniofacial trauma.

Amphotericin B↗

The dorsal scapular island flap: an alternative for head, neck, and chest reconstruction.

The back has become an increasingly popular donor site for flaps because it can provide thin, pliable tissue, with minimal bulk, and the scar can be easily hidden under clothing. The authors performed a cadaveric and clinical study to evaluate the anatomy of the dorsal scapular vessels and their vascular contribution to the skin, fascia, and muscles of the back. On the basis of anatomical studies in 28 cadavers and clinical experience with 32 cases, it was concluded that the dorsal scapular vessels provide a reliable blood supply to the skin of the medial back, making it a versatile flap to use as an island flap. A flap raised on the dorsal scapular vessels can be harvested with a long pedicle and can be rotated to reach as far as the anterior regions of the head, neck, and chest wall. Delaying and expanding the flap may help to facilitate venous drainage. The authors recommend the use of this versatile island pedicle flap as an alternative to microvascular free-tissue transfer for the reconstruction of defects in the head, neck, and anterior chest.

Adolescent↗

Surgical treatment of breast cancer in previously augmented patients.

The incidence of breast cancer is increasing each year. Concomitantly, cosmetic breast augmentation has become the second most often performed cosmetic surgical procedure. As the augmented patient population ages, an increasing number of breast cancer cases among previously augmented women can be anticipated. The surgical treatment of these patients is controversial, with several questions remaining unanswered. Is breast conservation therapy feasible in this patient population and can these patients retain their implants? A retrospective review of all breast cancer patients with a history of previous augmentation mammaplasty who were treated at the Revlon/UCLA Breast Center between 1991 and 2001 was performed. During the study period, 58 patients were treated. Thirty patients (52 percent) were treated with a modified radical mastectomy with implant removal. Twenty-eight patients (48 percent) underwent breast conservation therapy, which consisted of lumpectomy, axillary lymph node dissection, and radiotherapy. Twenty-two of the patients who underwent breast conservation therapy initially retained their implants. Eleven of those 22 patients (50 percent) ultimately required completion mastectomies with implant removal because of implant complications (two patients), local recurrences (five patients), or the inability to obtain negative margins (four patients). Nine additional patients experienced complications resulting from their implants, including contracture, erosion, pain, and rupture. The data illustrate that breast conservation therapy with maintenance of the implant is not ideal for the majority of augmented patients. Breast conservation therapy with explantation and mastopexy might be appropriate for rare patients with large volumes of native breast tissue. Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction might be a more suitable choice for these patients.

Adult↗

Early experience with computed tomographic angiography in microsurgical reconstruction.

Preoperative angiography is frequently used in the planning of microsurgical reconstruction. However, several potentially devastating complications can result from angiography, including arterial occlusion and pseudoaneurysm. Computed tomographic angiography is a relatively new technique that can provide detailed information about vascular anatomy as well as soft and bony tissue without the risks of traditional angiography. In addition, three-dimensional image reconstruction uniquely demonstrates anatomical relationships among blood vessels, bones, and soft tissue. Fourteen computed tomographic angiograms were obtained in 10 patients undergoing microsurgical reconstruction of the head and neck, lower extremity, or upper extremity. The average patient age was 46.9 years (range, 22 to 67 years). Charges related to the computed tomographic procedure were compared with those of conventional preoperative imaging for microsurgical repair. At our institution, the average computed tomographic angiogram charge was 1140 US dollars, whereas the average charge for traditional arteriography was 3900 US dollars. When compared with intraoperative evaluation, computed tomographic angiograms demonstrated clinically relevant surgical anatomy. No complications were noted for the radiographic procedure or after free flap reconstruction. Computed tomographic angiography provides high-resolution, three-dimensional arterial, venous, and soft-tissue imaging without the risks of traditional angiogram and at a lower cost.

Adult↗

Use of the latissimus dorsi flap for recontouring and augmentation after TRAM flap breast reconstruction.

The transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap is the most commonly used autogenous tissue flap for breast reconstruction. However, it may not provide sufficient volume in all patients to match the contralateral breast. Insufficient abdominal bulk or bilateral reconstructions limit the amount of tissue available for the TRAM flap. Partial flap loss from fat necrosis or radiation injury may result in contour deformities of the reconstructed breast. Additional soft-tissue augmentation and contouring may be necessary to produce adequate volume, contour, and symmetry. The authors present 7 patients who underwent latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction to correct volume and contour abnormalities that developed after TRAM flap breast reconstruction. Preservation of the serratus branch of the thoracodorsal vessels allows this flap to be used even after free TRAM flap reconstruction.

Adult↗