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Complications with reconstruction procedures in pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy.

This study was conducted retrospectively to examine the efficacy of Traverso reconstruction compared with Billroth I reconstruction after pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, in the prevention of several complications. Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy is an aggressive surgery, and insufficiency of the pancreaticoenterostomy plays an important role in the postoperative progression. However, reports examining the correlation between pancreatic fistula and the type of reconstruction after pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy have been limited. Sixty-four patients who underwent pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (33 reconstructed by the Traverso technique and 31 reconstructed by the Billroth I technique) were entered into this study to investigate whether the complications were related to the type of reconstruction procedure employed. Insufficiency of the pancreaticojejunostomy, including major leakage and pancreatic fistula, occurred in 18.2% of the reconstructions by Billroth I and 0% of the reconstructions by Traverso (p < 0.05). In addition, jejunal obstruction by recurrent tumor in the remnant pancreas was observed in 3 patients reconstructed by Billroth I, and required palliative bypass surgery. Reconstruction by the Traverso procedure after pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy is a safe surgical method and has an advantage for advanced pancreatic cancer, which has high risk of jejunal obstruction by recurrent tumor in the remnant pancreas.

Aged↗

Optimized image reconstruction for detection of deep venous thrombosis at multidetector-row CT venography.

The aims of this study were to optimize image quality for indirect CT venography (sequential versus spiral), and to evaluate different image reconstruction parameters for patients with suspected deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Fifty-one patients (26/25 with/without DVT) were prospectively evaluated for pulmonary embolism (PE) with standard multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) protocols. Retrospective image reconstruction was done with different slice thicknesses and reconstruction increments in sequential and spiral modes. All reconstructions were read for depiction of DVT and to evaluate best reconstruction parameters in comparison with the thinnest reconstruction ("gold standard"). Image noise and venous enhancement were measured as objective criteria for image quality. Subjective image quality was rated on a four-point scale. Effective dose was estimated for all reconstructions. In sequential 10/50 reconstruction DVT was completely detected in 13/26 cases, partially in 10/26 cases and was not detected at all in 3/26 cases, and 15/26, 9/26 and 2/26 cases for the 10/20 reconstruction, respectively. DVT was completely detected in all spiral reconstructions. Image noise ranged between 14.8-29.1 HU. Median image quality was 2. Estimated effective dose ranged between 2.3 mSv and 11.8 mSv. Gaps in sequential protocols may lead to false negative results. Therefore, spiral scanning protocols for complete depiction of DVT are mandatory.

Adult↗

Mitral valve reconstruction versus replacement for degenerative or ischemic mitral regurgitation.

Between January 1985 and June 1992, 263 consecutive patients had mitral valve reconstruction (133 patients) or replacement (130 patients) for degenerative or ischemic mitral regurgitation. The two groups were similar in sex, age, prior infarctions or cardiac operations, hypertension, angina, and functional class. Both groups were similar in mean ejection fraction, pulmonary artery pressure, cardiac index, and incidence of coronary artery disease. More reconstruction than replacement patients had ischemic etiology (22 [16%] versus 12 [9%]; p = not significant), and fewer reconstruction patients had ruptured anterior leaflet chordae (9 [7%] versus 39 [30%]; p < 0.01). More reconstruction than replacement patients had concomitant cardiac procedures (67 [50%] versus 59 [45%]; p = not significant). Hospital death occurred in 4 reconstruction patients (3%) and 15 (12%) replacement patients (p < 0.01). Median postoperative stay was shorter in reconstruction patients (10 versus 12 days; p = 0.02). Late valve-related death occurred in 3 reconstruction patients (2%) and 8 (6%) replacement patients (p = 0.08). Six-year actuarial freedom from thromboembolism was 92% for the reconstruction group and 85% for the replacement group (p = 0.12). Freedom from all valve-related morbidity and mortality was 85% for the reconstruction patients and 73% for the replacement patients (p = 0.03). Significant multivariate predictors of hospital death were age, mitral valve replacement, functional class, congestive heart failure, no posterior chordal rupture, and nonelective operation. Mitral valve reconstruction, when technically feasible, is the procedure of choice for degenerative or ischemic mitral regurgitation because of significantly lower hospital mortality and late valve-related events.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Radiotherapy and breast reconstruction: clinical results and dosimetry.

Immediate or delayed reconstruction using implants or autologous tissue transfer is increasingly offered to women undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer. Some patients require radiotherapy for prevention of local/regional relapse, and some for post-surgical local/regional recurrence. Others with augmented breasts may opt for conservative surgery and irradiation. At Washington University, 70 breast cancers were irradiated in 66 patients following mastectomy with reconstruction (N = 61) or wide local excision of an augmented breast (N = 5). Two patients elected to have a second reconstruction after an unsatisfactory initial result. Thus, 72 breasts were evaluated after radiotherapy for tumor control, complications, cosmesis, and patient satisfaction. Locoregional failure occurred in only five patients, one following adjuvant radiotherapy after mastectomy with reconstruction and four following radiotherapy for recurrent breast cancer within a reconstructed breast. Grade 2 or 3 complications occurred in 34 patients (51%). The complication rate was highest in autologous tissue transfer reconstructions. Cosmetic results were evaluated good/excellent in 49% by physicians and 67% by patients. Immediate reconstructions had fewer good/excellent physician evaluations (32%) compared with reconstructions performed at least 6 weeks after radiotherapy (55%). Transverse rectus abdominis flaps had the best cosmesis scores, followed by permanent silicone prostheses, tissue expanders, latissimus dorsi, and gluteal flaps. Only 48% of patients would choose to have the same reconstructive procedure again. Phantom interface dosimetry with a parallel plate chamber and TLD measurements was performed. Radiotherapy and reconstruction are not incompatible, but careful consideration of their relative timing and technique appear to be important in optimizing cosmesis while minimizing complications.

Adult↗

A new integrated system for three-dimensional echocardiographic reconstruction: development and validation for ventricular volume with application in human subjects.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to improve three-dimensional echocardiographic reconstruction by developing an automated mechanism for integrating spark gap locating data with corresponding images in real time and to validate use of this mechanism for the measurement of left ventricular volume. BACKGROUND: Initial approaches to three-dimensional echocardiographic reconstruction were often limited by inefficient reconstructive processes requiring manual coordination of two-dimensional images and corresponding spatial locating data. METHODS: In this system, a single computer overlays the binary-encoded positional data on the two-dimensional echocardiographic image, which is then recorded on videotape. The same system allows images to be digitized, traced, analyzed and displayed in three dimensions. This system was validated by using it to reconstruct 11 ventricular phantoms (19 to 271 ml) and 11 gel-filled excised ventricles (21 to 236 ml) imaged in intersecting long- and short-axis views and by apical rotation. To measure cavity volume, a surface was generated by an algorithm that takes advantage of the full three-dimensional data set. RESULTS: Reconstructed cavity volumes agreed well with actual values: y = 0.96x + 2.2 for the ventricular phantoms in long- and short-axis views (r = 0.99, SEE = 2.7 ml); y = 0.95x + 2.9 for the phantoms, reconstructed by apical rotation (r = 0.99, SEE = 2.7 ml); and y = 0.99x + 0.11 ml for the excised ventricles (reconstructed in long- and short-axis views; r = 0.99, SEE = 5.9 ml). The mean difference between three-dimensional and actual volumes was 3% of the mean (3.0 ml) for the phantoms and 6% (4.6 ml) for the excised ventricles. Observer variability was 2.3% for the phantoms and 5.6% for the excised ventricles. Application to 14 normal subjects demonstrated feasibility of left ventricular reconstruction, which provided values for stroke volume that agreed well with an independent Doppler measure (y = 0.97x + 0.94; r = 0.95, SEE = 3.2 ml), with an observer variability of 4.9% (2.4 ml). CONCLUSIONS: A system has therefore been developed that automatically integrates locating and imaging data in no more time than the component two-dimensional echocardiographic scans. This system can accurately reconstruct ventricular volumes in vitro over a wide range and is feasible in vivo, thus laying the foundation for further applications. It has increased the efficiency of three-dimensional reconstruction and enhanced our ability to address clinical and research questions with this technique.

Adult↗

Three-dimensional densitometric reconstruction and visualization of stenosed coronary artery segments.

In this paper we report results from an ongoing study about the diagnostic benefits of three-dimensional (3D) visualization and quantification of stenosed coronary artery segments. Biplane angiographic images do not provide enough information for the exact reconstruction of the coronary arteries. Therefore, a priori information about the 3D shape to be reconstructed must be incorporated into the reconstruction algorithm. One approach is to assume a circular cross-section of the coronary artery. Hence, the diameter is estimated from the contours of the vessel in both projections. Another approach is based on densitometry and searches for a solution of the reconstruction problem close to the previously reconstructed adjacent slice. In this paper we apply contour information as well as the densitometrical profiles of the two orthogonal vessel projections. We present a new probabilistic densitometric reconstruction algorithm, which extends the correct handling of the stochastic properties of the density profiles into the network flow based reconstruction algorithm. The reconstructed coronary segment is visualized in three dimensions. In order to assess the accuracy of the reconstruction, the method is applied to tubes with artificial obstruction of known geometry, modeling coronary artery stenoses. These catheter tubes are filled with normal iodine contrast material. The results of the reconstruction and visualization are discussed with respect to clinical usefulness.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Treatment and outcome of patients with chest wall recurrence after mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Chest wall recurrence (CWR) in the setting of previous mastectomy and breast reconstruction can pose complex management dilemmas for clinicians. We examined the impact of breast reconstruction on the treatment and outcomes of patients who subsequently developed a CWR. METHODS: Between 1988 and 1998, 155 breast cancer patients with CWR after mastectomy were evaluated at our center. Of these patients, 27 had previously undergone breast reconstruction (immediate in 20; delayed in 7). Clinicopathologic features, treatment decisions, and outcomes were compared between the patients with and without previous breast reconstruction. Nonparametric statistics were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the reconstruction and no-reconstruction groups in time to CWR, size of the CWR, number of nodules, ulceration, erythema, and association of CWR with nodal metastases. In patients with previous breast reconstruction, surgical resection of the CWR and repair of the resulting defect tended to be more complex and was more likely to require chest wall reconstruction by the plastic surgery team rather than simple excision or resection with primary closure (26% [7 of 27] versus 8% [10 of 128], P = 0.013). Risk of a second CWR, risk of distant metastases, median overall survival after CWR, and distant-metastasis-free survival after CWR did not differ significantly between patients with and without previous breast reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Breast reconstruction after mastectomy does not influence the clinical presentation or prognosis of women who subsequently develop a CWR. Collaboration with a plastic surgery team may be beneficial in the surgical management of these patients.

Adult↗

Biomechanics of initial tibial fixation in posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Clinical success of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction continues to lag behind that of its anterior counterpart. The tibial site of PCL graft fixation has been a focus of recent research. This study examined the effect of combined distal and proximal tibial fixation on the ability of a transtibial PCL reconstruction to restore intact knee kinematics and in situ forces of the intact PCL. TYPE OF STUDY: Biomechanical study. METHODS: Ten human cadaveric knees were tested. A 134-N posterior tibial load was applied using a robotic/universal force moment sensor testing system at 0 degrees, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, and 120 degrees of knee flexion. Each knee was tested under 4 conditions: intact, PCL-deficient, single-bundle transtibial reconstruction with distal tibial fixation, and single-bundle transtibial reconstruction with combined distal and proximal tibial fixation. Knee kinematics in 5 degrees of freedom for each condition were recorded and in situ forces of the intact PCL and the PCL grafts were determined. RESULTS: Reconstruction with combined fixation resulted in significantly less posterior tibial translation than reconstruction with distal fixation at 30 degrees, 90 degrees, and 120 degrees (P < .05), and restored intact knee kinematics at 90 degrees and 120 degrees (P > .05). Reconstruction with combined fixation more closely restored intact PCL in situ forces at 90 degrees (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Transtibial reconstruction with combined fixation more closely restores intact knee kinematics and in situ forces in the PCL at initial fixation than does reconstruction with distal tibial fixation. The improved kinematics and in situ forces seen with the combined fixation may be attributed to decreased functional graft length and increased stiffness of the PCL graft. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Combined tibial fixation may provide a more stable reconstruction at initial fixation.

Achilles Tendon↗

Principles of microvascular reconstruction in burn and electrical burn injuries.

Free tissue transplantation is a rarely indicated procedure in burn reconstruction. As the versatility and variability of free flaps have significantly developed during recent years, so have the indications for this procedure expanded. This study reports retrospectively the results of 75 free flaps in 60 severely burned patients using 20 different free flaps. This experience enabled us to establish reconstructive principles pertinent to the type of injury (burn versus high voltage injuries) and the timing of reconstruction procedures. In high voltage injuries (n = 26) early free flap coverage (<21 days after trauma) with muscular flaps was the most frequently used type of reconstruction. Reconstruction site was predominantly the upper extremity and forearm. In burn injuries (flame, contact, fluid), free flap coverage was performed during a later stage of the treatment course (3-6 weeks after trauma), or as a secondary procedure. Reconstruction with cutaneous flaps was the preferred method. In contrast to high voltage injuries, the trunk and the face were also recipient sites. In the upper extremity, the elbow and dorsum of the hand were the most frequent sites of reconstruction. Overall, the flap failure rate was 13% (n = 10). We were able to show a relationship between flap failure rate and timing of the procedure. Eight out of 10 flap failures occurred within 5-21 days after trauma, all 10-flap failures occurred between 5 days and 6 weeks. No flap failure occurred during secondary reconstruction. For the reconstruction of complex or large defects (n = 14), we recommended combined 'chimeric' flaps, pre-expansion of free flaps, or the combination of a free and local flap. Our data demonstrate that burn and high voltage injuries are distinct entities, each requiring custom tailored reconstructive solution.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Reconstruction of the interosseous ligament restores normal forearm compressive load transfer in cadavers.

PURPOSE: Longitudinal radioulnar dissociation may result when compressive load to the hand causes excessive proximal migration of the radius with interosseous ligament (IOL) disruption and radial head fracture. Although radial head salvage or arthroplasty and temporary distal radioulnar joint pinning constitute the current treatment for this injury IOL reconstruction has been proposed to restore normal forearm mechanics. To help provide a biomechanical basis for IOL reconstruction we measured load transfer and proximal migration of the radius with the IOL intact, cut, and reconstructed while leaving the radial head intact. METHODS: We dissected the central third of 12 normal cadaveric forearms to bone-IOL-bone. We applied 136 N of compressive load to the hand and measured proximal radial migration and 3-dimensional force vectors acting in the distal radius, distal ulna, IOL, proximal radius, and proximal ulna. Experiments were performed in neutral forearm rotation and neutral elbow varus-valgus. The protocol was repeated with the IOL intact, cut, and reconstructed with single and double flexor carpi radialis allografts. RESULTS: With the IOL intact 94% +/- 3 % of hand load was in the distal radius with 75% +/- 2% was transmitted to the proximal radius. With the IOL cut 92% +/- 2% of hand load was in the distal radius and this was unchanged at the proximal radius. With single flexor carpi radialis reconstruction 94% +/- 3% of hand load was in the distal radius and 80% +/- 2% was in the proximal radius; with double flexor carpi radialis reconstruction these numbers changed to 95% +/- 3% and 74% +/- 2%, respectively. Forces in the forearm were mainly in the longitudinal and transverse directions with negligible components in the dorsal-volar direction. Transverse force in the IOL was about half that of the longitudinal force in the intact and reconstructed states. CONCLUSIONS: When the IOL is cut and load is applied to the hand the unloading of the proximal radius and the transversely directed force that compresses normally across the proximal and distalradioulnar joints is lost. Reconstruction of the IOL can restore the normal load transfer characteristics. These data help provide a biomechanical basis for IOL reconstruction. Further research on the biomechanics of IOL reconstruction in the setting of radial head replacement along with clinical evaluation is needed.

Aged↗

UCSF tomography: an integrated software suite for real-time electron microscopic tomographic data collection, alignment, and reconstruction.

A real-time alignment and reconstruction scheme for electron microscopic tomography (EMT) has been developed and integrated within our UCSF tomography data collection software. This newly integrated software suite provides full automation from data collection to real-time reconstruction by which the three-dimensional (3D) reconstructed volume is immediately made available at the end of each data collection. Real-time reconstruction is achieved by calculating a weighted back-projection on a small Linux cluster (five dual-processor compute nodes) concurrently with the UCSF tomography data collection running on the microscope's computer, and using the fiducial-marker free alignment data generated during the data collection process. The real-time reconstructed 3D volume provides users with immediate feedback to fully asses all aspects of the experiment ranging from sample choice, ice thickness, experimental parameters to the quality of specimen preparation. This information can be used to guide subsequent data collections. Access to the reconstruction is especially useful in low-dose cryo EMT where such information is very difficult to obtain due to extraordinary low signal to noise ratio in each 2D image. In our environment, we generally collect 2048 x 2048 pixel images which are subsequently computationally binned four-fold for the on-line reconstruction. Based upon experiments performed with thick and cryo specimens at various CCD magnifications (50000x-80000x), alignment accuracy is sufficient to support this reduced resolution but should be refined before calculating a full resolution reconstruction. The reduced resolution has proven to be quite adequate to assess sample quality, or to screen for the best data set for full-resolution reconstruction, significantly improving both productivity and efficiency of system resources. The total time from start of data collection to a final reconstructed volume (512 x 512 x 256 pixels) is about 50 min for a +/-70 degrees 2k x 2k pixel tilt series acquired at every 1 degrees.

Algorithms↗

Quantitative three-dimensional reconstruction of left ventricular volume with complete borders detected by acoustic quantification underestimates volume.

Recently a new acoustic-quantification (AQ) technique has been developed to provide on-line automated border detection with an integrated backscatter analysis. Prior studies have largely correlated AQ areas with volumes without direct comparison of volumes for agreement. By using complete AQ-detected borders as the input to a validated method for three-dimensional echocardiographic (3DE) reconstruction, we can compare an entire cavity volume measured with the aid of AQ against a directly measured volume. This would also explore the possibility of applying AQ to 3DE reconstruction to reduce tracing time and enhance routine applicability. To compare reconstructed volumes with actual values in a stable standard allowing direct volume measurement, the left ventricles of 13 excised animal hearts were studied with a 3DE system that automatically combines two-dimensional (2D) images and their locations. Intersecting 2D views were obtained with conventional scanning and AQ imaging, with gains optimized to permit 3D reconstruction by detecting the most continuous AQ borders for each view, with maximal cavity size. Reconstruction was performed with manually traced central endocardial reflections and AQ-detected borders visually reproduced the left ventricular shapes; the AQ reconstructions, however, were consistently smaller. The reconstructed left ventricular (LV) volumes correlated well with actual values by both manual and AQ techniques (r = 0.93 and 0.88, with standard errors of 2.3 cc and 2.0 cc, p = not significant [NS]). Agreement with actual values was relatively close for the manually traced borders (y = 0.93x + 0.68, mean difference = -0.8 +/-2.2 cc). AQ-derived reconstructions consistently underestimated LV volume by 39 +/- 10% (y = 0.62x-0.09, mean difference = -7.8 +/- 3.0 cc, different from manually traced and actual volumes by analysis of variance [ANOVA], F = 69, p<0.00001). The AQ-detected threshold signal was displaced into the cavity, and volume between walls and false tendons was excluded, leading to underestimation, which increased with increasing cavity volume (r = 0.76). The AQ technique can therefore be applied to 3DE reconstruction, providing volumes that correlate well with directly measured values in a stable in vitro standard, minimizing observer decisions regarding manual border placement after image acquisition. However, when the complete borders needed for 3D reconstruction are used, absolute volumes are underestimated with current algorithms that integrate backscatter and displace the detected threshold into the ventricular cavity.

Animals↗

An analysis of breast cancer surgery after free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Breast reconstruction is currently offered on a more routine basis to patients after mastectomy for breast cancer. This paper analyzes the outcomes of breast cancer surgery, and the results and effects of breast reconstruction using free TRAM flaps. METHODS: A retrospective review of 75 consecutive patients who had free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery was performed. A total of 92 free TRAM flaps were performed on 75 patients in Victoria, British Columbia, from January 1992 to May 1999. Thirty-three patients (44%) underwent primary breast cancer surgery and an immediate reconstruction (7 bilateral and 27 unilateral) and 42 patients (56%) had delayed reconstruction (10 bilateral and 32 unilateral). RESULTS: Twenty- one patients (28%) had stage 0 disease, 20 (26.7%) had stage I disease, 17 (22.7%) had stage IIA disease, 12 (15%) had stage IIB disease, and 4 (5.3%) had stage IIIA disease. In 1 patient the stage of disease was unknown. The mean patient age was 49.4 years (range 33 to 73). Of the patients undergoing immediate reconstruction 3 had postoperative chemotherapy and 1 had postoperative radiotherapy. Three patients had combined chemoradiotherapy. In none of these cases was the adjuvant therapy delayed by the reconstructive surgery. Overall mean follow-up time from cancer diagnosis was 56.8 months and from the time of TRAM flap reconstruction, 36.7 months. To date, 5 recurrences have been detected (6.6%). Mean time between reconstruction and detection of recurrence was 22.8 months. Detection of recurrence was achieved clinically and was not impaired in any of the cases by the presence of the free flap. Patient satisfaction was assessed via a telephone survey, with 93% of patients pleased with the cosmetic results of their surgery. CONCLUSIONS: For those patients with breast cancer requiring mastectomy, free TRAM flap reconstruction is a safe, cosmetically acceptable surgical alternative that impairs neither effective breast cancer surgery nor detection of recurrent disease.

Adult↗

Can specific preoperative counseling increase the likelihood a woman will choose postmastectomy breast reconstruction?

BACKGROUND: Low reconstruction rates after mastectomy for breast cancer raise questions about the impact of preoperative education. This study determines whether counseling about reconstruction influences the decision about reconstruction. METHODS: The study was based on a prospectively collected database of breast cancer surgery. RESULTS: A total of 299 operations for breast cancer were performed. Of 127 mastectomies, 21 (16%) were not candidates. In all, 106 women were specifically educated about reconstruction; 40 (37%) women consulted with a plastic surgeon; and 22 (21%) women ultimately chose reconstruction. Forty women had the option of mastectomy or breast conservation. Twelve (30%) women accepted a consultation with a plastic surgeon. Six of these women (15%) ultimately chose reconstruction. Mastectomy was required in 66 women; 28 (42%) accepted a consultation with a plastic surgeon; 16 (24%) underwent reconstruction; 3 additional women are planning delayed reconstruction (28%). CONCLUSIONS: Reconstruction is more likely when mastectomy is required than when it is chosen. Low reconstruction rates reflect patient desire rather than access or education.

Adult↗

Improved quality of life with jejunal pouch reconstruction after total gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that the effect of jejunal pouch reconstruction is satisfactory for reservoir function in several randomized control studies. However, these studies were performed in patients with advanced gastric cancer, where significant numbers of the patients died of disease recurrence. In order to exclude the influence of disease recurrence, we performed jejunal pouch reconstruction after total gastrectomy in patients with early gastric cancer in a randomized controlled study and investigated whether or not an improved quality of life (QOL) was observed with jejunal pouch reconstruction. METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients receiving total gastrectomy for early gastric cancer were prospectively divided into the Roux-en-Y reconstruction group without pouch (RY group) or the jejunal pouch reconstruction group (pouch group). Body weight, eating capacity, QOL assessment by gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS), nutritional parameters, endoscopical examination, 24-hour pH monitoring and Bilitec monitoring were evaluated at 3, 12, and 48 months after surgery. RESULTS: Jejunal pouch reconstruction provided the better QOL than Roux-en-Y reconstruction without pouch both at short-term and long-term periods in a randomized control study. Moreover, as a new finding, pouch reconstruction provided less bile reflux into the esophagus compared with Roux-en-Y reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Jejunal pouch reconstruction provided improvement of QOL in patients receiving total gastrectomy.

Aged↗

Long-term functional results after pharyngoesophageal reconstruction with the radial forearm free flap.

For recovery to be deemed adequate, the laryngectomized patient requires restoration of both the ability to swallow and to speak. Immediate results and long-term functional recovery after pharyngoesophageal (PE) reconstruction with the radial forearm free flap were studied in 22 consecutive patients who had undergone primary (n = 3) or secondary (n = 19) reconstructions after total laryngectomy. Circumferential reconstructions were done in 13 patients (mean length 10 cm, range 6 to 16) and patch reconstructions in 9 patients (defect size range 4 x 4 cm to 8 x 7 cm). Flap leakage was evaluated for all patients, and postoperative diet and ability to swallow were evaluated for 16 patients with an intact tongue base. Voice was evaluated for 6 patients with circumferential reconstructions who had later undergone tracheoesophageal puncture with placement of a Blom-Singer voice prosthesis, and the results compared with those of a control group of 5 voice-restored patients who had undergone laryngectomy with primary closure of the pharyngoesophagus. All 22 flaps survived and none of the patients died. Although 7 (32%) reconstructions leaked, all but 1 closed spontaneously. Fourteen (88%) of the patients with an intact tongue base have no dysphagia and are on a regular diet, and 2 remain on an oral liquid diet. Compared with controls, patients with a radial free-flap reconstruction had similar loudness with soft speech (43 dB for controls versus 52 dB for radial patients) and loud speech (61 dB versus 63 dB), comparable fundamental frequencies (136 Hz versus 125 Hz), and increased jitter (2% versus 5%). Speech intelligibility was judged by untrained listeners as excellent for 4 of the patients with radial flaps and good for the other 2. The radial free flap offers the advantages of rapid harvest, high flap reliability, and minimal donor-site and patient morbidity. Leakage rate and deglutition restoration were similar to those of other reconstructions, including the free jejunal flap. Speech rehabilitation in patients secondarily reconstructed with the radial free flap was nearly equivalent to that of total laryngectomy patients who have primary closure of the pharynx and was superior to that reported with other popular PE reconstructions, including the gastric pull-up and the free jejunal flap.

Aged↗

Is the pectoralis myocutaneous flap in intraoral and oropharyngeal reconstruction outdated?

METHODS: Our experience with 224 immediate pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstructions in patients with carcinomas of the oral and oropharyngeal cavities is presented. RESULTS: Although flap-related complications developed in 53% of the patients, all flaps survived, and we had no major skin paddle loss. The incidence of reoperation due to flap-related complications was 2%. All other complications were minor and did not affect the length of hospitalization. Analysis showed no significant risk factors for the development of complications. Because of fistula formation, infection, or metal exposure, plate removal was necessary in 10% of the AO fixation plates used in cases of mandibular swing. This occurred in 68% of the anterior and 22% of the lateral mandibular reconstructions performed with a reconstruction plate (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that a reconstruction plate is unsatisfactory for anterior mandibular continuity reconstruction and debatable for lateral mandibular reconstruction. At present, anterior defects are reconstructed with free vascularized osteocutaneous flaps that should probably also be used for lateral mandibular reconstruction. Furthermore, in a large number of series, it is reported that free flaps also have high complication rates and 5-10% flap loss. As all pectoralis major flaps survived in our series, it still remains a good choice in intraoral and oropharyngeal reconstruction when there is no necessity to reconstruct bone.

Adult↗

Three dimensional reconstruction of coronary arteries from two views.

Geometric representation and measurements of localized lumen stenosis of coronary arteries are important considerations in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. This discrete narrowing of the arteries typically impairs blood flow in regions of the heart, and can be present along the entire length of the artery. Three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction of coronary arterial tree allows clinician to visualize vascular geometry. Three-dimensional representation of tree topology facilitates calculation of hemodynamic measurements to study myocardial infarction and stenosis. The 3-D arterial tree, computed from two views, can provide more information about the tree geometry than individual views. In this paper, a 3-step algorithm for 3-D reconstruction of arterial tree using two standard views is presented. The first step is a multi-resolution segmentation of the coronary vessels followed by medial-axis detection along the entire arterial tree for both views. In the second step, arterial trees from the two views are registered using medial-axis representation at the coarsest resolution level to obtain an initial 3-D reconstruction. This initial reconstruction at the coarsest level is then modified using 3-D geometrical a priori information. In the third step, the modified reconstruction is projected on the next higher-resolution segmented medial-axis representation and an updated reconstruction is obtained at the higher resolution. The process is iterated until the final 3-D reconstruction is obtained at the finest resolution level. Linear programming based constrained optimization method is used for registering two views at the coarse resolution. This is followed by a Tree-Search method for registering detailed branches at higher resolutions. The automated 3-D reconstruction method was evaluated on computer-simulated as well as human angiogram data. Results show that the automated 3-D reconstruction method provided good registration of computer-simulated data. On human angiogram data, the computed 3-D reconstruction matched well with manual registration.

Algorithms↗