Partial Graft Research Articles

Ex Situ Dual Hypothermic Oxygenated Machine Perfusion for Human Split Liver Transplantation.

After transport using static cold storage, a 51-year-old brain death donor liver underwent end-ischemic DHOPE. During DHOPE, the donor liver was maintained <10 °C and oxygenated with a Po2 of >106 kPa. An ex situ ERL/LLS split was performed with continuing DHOPE throughout the procedure to avoid additional ischemia time. Total cold ischemia times for the LLS and ERL were 205 minutes and 468 minutes, respectively. Both partial grafts were successfully transplanted at 2 different transplant centers. Peak aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were 172 IU/L and 107 IU/L for the LLS graft, and 839 IU/L and 502 IU/L for the ERL graft, respectively. The recipient of the LLS experienced an episode of acute cellular rejection. The ERL transplantation was complicated by severe acute pancreatitis with jejunum perforation requiring percutaneous drainage and acute cellular rejection. No device-related adverse events were observed. Liver splitting during continuous DHOPE preservation is feasible, has the potential to substantially shorten cold ischemia time and may optimize transplant logistics. Therefore liver splitting with DHOPE can potentially improve utilization of split liver transplantation.

Patient selection for islet or solid organ pancreas transplantation: experiences from a multidisciplinary outpatient-clinic approach.

Objectiveβ-cell replacement therapy (βCRT), including pancreas transplantation alone (PTA) and islet transplantation (ITX), is a treatment option for selected type 1 diabetes patients. All potential candidates for βCRT in Norway are referred to one national transplant centre for evaluation before any pre-transplant workup is started. This evaluation was performed by a transplant nephrologist alone prior to 2015 and by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) from 2015. We have reviewed the allocation of patients to treatment modality and the 1-year clinical outcome for the patients after transplantation.Research design and methodsMedical charts of all patients evaluated for βCRT between 2010 and 2020 in Norway were retrospectively analysed and the outcome of patients receiving βCRT were studied.ResultsOne hundred and forty-four patients were assessed for βCRT eligibility between 2010 and 2020. After MDT evaluation was introduced for βCRT eligibility in 2015, the percentage of referred patients accepted for the transplant waiting list fell from 84% to 40% (P < 0.005). One year after transplantation, 73% of the PTA and none of the ITX patients were independent of exogenous insulin, 8% of the PTA and 90% of the ITX patients had partial graft function while 19% of the PTA and 10% of the ITX patients suffered from graft loss.ConclusionThe acceptance rate for βCRT was significantly reduced during a 10-year observation period and 81% of the PTA and 90% of the ITX patients had partial or normal graft function 1 year post-transplant.

Outcome of Comparison between Partial Thickness Skin Graft Harvesting from Scalp and Lower Limb for Scalp Defect: A Clinical Trial Study

Outcome of Comparison between Partial Thickness Skin Graft Harvesting from Scalp and Lower Limb for Scalp Defect: A Clinical Trial Study

SUPRACLAVICULAR ARTERY FLAP: A SAFE, VERSATILE AND A RELIABLE FLAP A NEW WORKHORSE IN HEAD AND NECK RECONSTRUCTION OUR CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

Background: Anterior cervical contractures of the neck represent a great challenge for plastic and reconstructive surgeons. Necks can be reconstructed with a wide range of surgical techniques. The supraclavicular flap is easy to harvest without the need for free tissue transfer. It provides a relatively large flap for neck resurfacing with tissue very similar to that of the neck. Material and Methods: This study was carried out in the Plastic Surgery Department of GMC Srinagar between November 2015 and October 2019. It involved 50 patients (40 females and 10 males), in whom supraclavicular artery flap was done to reconstruct head and neck. Follow-up period ranged from 2-27 months (average 12.3). Results: The study involved 50 patients. Mean age was 26.5 years (range 57-12 years). Thirty five patients had post-burn neck contractures, five patients had portwine stain face, three had marjolin ulcer, four patients had post traumatic and three had post bear maul defect. We harvested unilateral flaps in all of patients. In thirty five patients the flap was pedicled, three had adipofascial pedicle and twelve were islanded. The size of the reconstructed defect ranged from 23x10 to 14x6, and the size of the flap varied from 16x7cm to 25x11. Mean length was 21.7 cm. We used a partial thickness skin graft for donor site closure in 41 cases and closed primarily in 9 cases. Flap was used to resurface neck in 35 patients, face resurfacing in 10 patients, as intraoral lining in 3 patients. The following complications occurred: hematoma in 3 cases, partial distal necrosis in 2 cases, and donor site graft loss in 3 cases. Follow-up period ranged from 2-27 months Conclusion: The supraclavicular artery island flap is a thin, malleable fasciocutaneous flap that is easily and rapidly harvested, with a reliable pedicle and minimal donor site morbidity. It constitutes an alternative to local flaps, while providing equivalent functional results, and must be an integral part of the head and neck reconstructive surgeons therapeutic armamentarium.

RECONSTRUCTION OF NASAL ALA DEFECTS USING THREE STAGED FOLDED FOREHEAD FLAP: AESTHETIC AND FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES

Objective: To assess short and long term aesthetic and functional outcomes of nasal ala reconstruction by three staged folded forehead flap.&#x0D; Study Design: Prospective study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department of Combined Military HospitalBahawalpur and Quetta, from Dec 2014 to Dec 2018.&#x0D; Methodology: Total of 29 patients were enrolled through consecutive sampling technique. Nasal ala defects were reconstructed by three staged frontal forehead flap under general anesthesia. Follow up visit at 2 weeks bleeding, wound Infection, partial skin graft loss and partial flap necrosis was documented. Follow up at 24 weeks, functional outcome of nasal reconstruction was assessed by history and clinical examination for nasal obstruction and/or crusting. Patients’ subjective satisfaction about aesthetic outcome of nasal reconstruction was documented on 5 point likert scale. Objective aesthetic assessment of reconstruction was done on 2D photograph by two independent surgeons.&#x0D; Results: Twenty six (89.66%) males and 3 (10.34%) females participated in study. The mean age was 35 yearsrange 16 to 64 years. Follow up at two weeks revealed postoperative bleeding in 2 (6.8%), wound infection in 1(3.4%) and partial flap loss in 1 (3.4%) patient. At 24 weeks follow up all patients had patent nasal ala. Subjectiveand objective assessment of nose shape was documented.&#x0D; Conclusion: Use of three staged folded forehead flapis useful method of reconstruction for full thickness defects of nasal alaewith good functional and aesthetic outcome.

SHORT AND LONG TERM FOLLOW UP RESULTS OF (THE VERSATILE) GASTROCNEMIUS MUSCLE FLAP

Objective: To see the long and short term outcome of the Gastrocnemius muscle flap for coverage of soft tissue defects of knee and proximal Tibia.&#x0D; Study Design: Case series.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Surgery Department of Combined Military Hospital Bahawalpur, from Dec 2014 to Oct 2017.&#x0D; Methodology: A total of 33 patients were enrolled for the study through consecutive sampling. Data was processed using SPSS-17. All patients were followed up at first and second week (early morbidity), and then at 06 months (late morbidity) from operation. During early follow up, they were examined for Hematoma at donor site, wound Infection, sural nerve injury, partial skin graft loss and Partial Flap Necrosis. In late follow up patients were examined for reduced Knee mobility and Gastrocnemius muscle contractions.&#x0D; Results: The studied 33 patients consisted of 30 (90.90%) men and 3 (9.09%) women. The mean age was 35 years (range: 16 to 64) years. Hematoma was commonest complication. It occurred in 6.06%. Wound infection, partial loss of flap, partial loss of skin graft and wound infection occurred in 3.03% patients. Late follow up revealed reduced knee mobility in 9.09% patients (n=3) and bothersome contraction of gastrocnemius muscle in same number of patients.&#x0D; Conclusion: The gastrocnemius flap is reliable, versatile, and very useful for provision of supple soft tissue coverage for defects around the knee and the upper leg.

Practical model to identify liver transplant recipients at low risk of postoperative haemorrhage, bile leakage and ascites.

BackgroundThis study aimed to identify a subgroup of recipients at low risk of haemorrhage, bile leakage and ascites following liver transplantation (LT).MethodsFactors associated with significant postoperative ascites (more than 10 ml/kg on postoperative day 5), bile leakage and haemorrhage after LT were identified using three separate multivariable analyses in patients who had LT in 2010–2019. A model predicting the absence of all three outcomes was created and validated internally using bootstrap procedure.ResultsOverall, 944 recipients underwent LT. Rates of ascites, bile leakage and haemorrhage were 34.9, 7.7 and 6.0 per cent respectively. The 90-day mortality rate was 7.0 per cent. Partial liver graft (relative risk (RR) 1.31; P = 0.021), intraoperative ascites (more than 10 ml/kg suctioned after laparotomy) (RR 2.05; P = 0.001), malnutrition (RR 1.27; P = 0.006), portal vein thrombosis (RR 1.56; P = 0.024) and intraoperative blood loss greater than 1000 ml (RR 1.39; P = 0.003) were independently associated with postoperative ascites and/or bile leak and/or haemorrhage, and were introduced in the model. The model was well calibrated and predicted the absence of all three outcomes with an area under the curve of 0.76 (P = 0.001). Of the 944 patients, 218 (23.1 per cent) fulfilled the five criteria of the model, and 9.6 per cent experienced postoperative ascites (RR 0.22; P = 0.001), 1.8 per cent haemorrhage (RR 0.21; P = 0.033), 4.1 per cent bile leak (RR 0.54; P = 0.048), 40.4 per cent severe complications (RR 0.70; P = 0.001) and 1.4 per cent 90-day mortality (RR 0.13; P = 0.004).ConclusionA practical model has been provided to identify patients at low risk of ascites, bile leakage and haemorrhage after LT; these patients could potentially qualify for inclusion in non-abdominal drainage protocols.

Impact of Biliary Complications on Outcomes after Pediatric Liver Transplant

Introduction: Biliary complications (BCs) are seen in up to 50% of pediatric liver transplant (PLT) recipients and contribute to considerable post-procedural morbidity. Methods: Retrospective review of all patients developing BC's after PLT at tertiary care hospital from 2002-2019. Outcomes of BC patients were compared with PLT recipients who did not develop BCs (control) and risk factors were identified. Results: BC's were seen in 39 (18%) of the 221 PLT's performed during the study-period: 8 leaks, 26 strictures, 5 leaks+strictures. There was no difference between BC and control groups in recipient age, gender, weight, etiology, type of biliary reconstruction, and cold and warm ischemia times. Univariate and multivariate analysis identified Caucasian race, use of living donor and/or partial grafts, use of T-tubes and/or internal stents, operative time>7hrs, acute cellular rejection (ACR), PLT before 2010 and donor age>10 kg as independent risk factors of BC's(P< 0.05), while use of T-tubes/internal stents was independently associated with decreased survival. The 39 BC patients required 10 surgeries, 23 ERCPs and 223 PTC procedures for definitive repair, and demonstrated higher rates of 30- and 90- day readmission (p< 0.05). There was no difference in overall patient and graft survival between the two groups. Conclusions: T-tubes/internal stents, partial grafts, prolonged operative-time and ACR in post-transplant period are risk factors for BC's and add considerable morbidity and cost through frequent readmissions and need for multiple procedures. Timely and effective intervention strategies based on multidisciplinary approach can help successfully treat BC's without impacting patient and graft survival.

A Proposed Predictive Model for Hyperperfusion Syndrome After Living Donor Liver Transplantation Using Platelet Count and Portal Vein Flow as Surrogates for Portal Pressure Measurement

Background: Graft hyperperfusion syndrome (HPS) is a deterrent to transplantation using partial grafts. Numerous risk factors were described but no predictive model exists. Thrombocytopenia early after LDLT mainly occurs secondary to graft/splenic sequestration, a product of Portal vein pressure (PVP). Post-operative Portal vein flow (PVF) monitoring unlike PVP, measures inflow, does not directly reflect sinusoidal pressure and predict graft dysfunction secondary to HPS. This study aims to determine whether post-LDLT platelet count (PC) can serve as a biomarker for PVP and present a predictive model for HPS.

Somatostatin Infusion Inhibits Stellate Cell Activation and Collagen Deposition in the Acute Phase of “Small-for-Size” Liver Regeneration

Purpose: The development of “small-for-size” syndrome (SFSS) after extended hepatectomies is associated with dreadful consequences for the patient. Excessive portal pressure and flow in the remnant liver may cause severe endothelial injury and impairs the normal process of liver regeneration leading to postoperative liver insufficiency. Somatostatin has been described as a protective pharmacological agent to prevent this syndrome when a partial graft is transplanted for its hemodynamic effects in the splanchnic area.

Supraclavicular Artery Flap versus Skin Graft: Which Is a Better Reconstructive Tool for Managing Post-Burn Contractures in the Neck.

BACKGROUNDBurn in developing countries still has high burden of inadequately managed severe burns. This study compared supraclavicular artery flap and skin graft in managing neck post-burn contractures.METHODSIn National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan, 30 patients with neck post-burn contractures were enrolled. Half of patients randomly underwent supraclavicular artery flap and half received skin graft. The outcome measures including initial improvement in neck extension, patient’s satisfaction with color-texture-match and recurrent contracture formation rate were assessed.RESULTSAmong patients, 80% were female and 20% were male. Preoperatively, each group had post-burn contractures of grade II among 26.66% of patients, grade III among 60% and grade III among 13.3%. Postoperatively after three months in the two groups, 86.66% improved to grade I and 13.3% improved to grade II. Patient’s satisfaction with color-texture was 84.66% in supraclavicular artery flap group, whereas it was 42.66% for skin graft group. Complications were hypertrophic scar at donor site (13%) and flap tip necrosis (6.66%) in supraclavicular artery flap group. In skin graft group, partial skin graft loss was noticed among 33% of patients and delayed healing of donor site among 20%. The recurrent contracture formation rate at one year was 73.33% in skin graft group, whereas there was no case of recurrent contracture in supraclavicular artery flap group. CONCLUSIONSupraclavicular artery flap was superior to skin graft in managing post-burn neck contractures. It provided better color-texture match and was associated with no recurrence of contracture formation.

Fournier's gangrene: its management remains a challenge.

Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a rapidly progressive necrotizing bacterial dermo-hypodermitis of the perineum and external genitalia. It represents a real medical and surgical emergency requiring multidisciplinary care. Our study was based on the retrospective analysis of 18 cases of FG, collected in the Department of General and Visceral Surgery of Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital in Monastir over an 18-year period extending from January 2000 to December 2018. Our series included 18 cases of FG collected over an 18-year period, an annual incidence of one case per year. The average age of our patients was 58 years (36 to 77). The male prevalence was clear. Diabetes and old age were found to be the major risk factors. The treatment was based on an aggressive surgical debridement remains to be the cornerstone of therapy and is commonly preceded by patient preparation for the surgical act by perioperative resuscitation and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, possibly accompanied by hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). The vaccum assisted closure (VAC) therapy is also used, which is a non-invasive system that promotes open wound healing. Healing techniques can be once the septic risk is controlled. Dressings topical treatments, such as fatty substances or calcium alginate, in addition to skin grafts, musculo-neurotic or musculo-cutaneous cover flaps can be used. During the follow-up period, no reccurrence occurred in 14 out of the 18 cases (2 patients were lost to follow-up and 2 patients died). A colostomy was closed in 10 out of 11 cases with simple follow-ups. Restorative surgery (partial thickness skin graft) at the perineal level was performed in only one case. Despite the better understanding of its etiopathogenesis, the advent of targeted antibiotic therapy, the establishment of a better codification of surgical procedures, the contribution of hyperbaric oxygenation and reconstruction techniques, mortality rates are still high and FG remains a real health threat, thus constituting a real medical and surgical emergency.

Graft-Augmented Repair of Irreparable Massive Rotator Cuff Tears with Latissimus Dorsi Transfer to Treat Pseudoparesis.

Background:Irreparable massive rotator cuff tears are characterized by a poor prognosis with high failure rates following repair. Numerous strategies, such as partial repair, graft interposition, latissimus dorsi (LD) transfer, balloon arthroplasty, and superior capsular reconstruction, have been proposed. We have adopted a graft-augmented LD-transfer procedure, in which partial repair, graft interposition, and LD transfer are performed simultaneously.Methods:Thirty-nine patients underwent the graft-augmented LD-transfer procedure using autologous fascia lata from 2007 to 2016. All patients underwent a 5-year assessment at a mean (and standard deviation) of 54.8 ± 3.5 months. Of 20 patients with a history of >10 years, 14 underwent a 10-year assessment at a mean of 112.6 ± 5.6 months. To characterize the therapeutic effects of the procedure, the patients were divided into 3 groups according to the tear pattern: superior-posterior tears (Group A), superior-anterior tears (Group B), and global tears (Group C).Results:The overall mean Constant-Murley score improved from 33.8 ± 5.3 preoperatively to 63.1 ± 9.4 at the 5-year assessment (p < 0.001). The overall mean active anterior elevation (AE) improved from 57.3° ± 13.2° preoperatively to 131.3° ± 18.2° at 5 years (p < 0.001). Preoperatively, AE was significantly different between Groups A and C (p < 0.001) and between Groups B and C (p < 0.001), reflecting the difference in cuff tear patterns. Postoperatively, AE was significantly higher in Group A than in Groups B (p < 0.001) and C (p < 0.001). The present study also showed that AE was electromyographically synchronized to the contraction of the transferred LD. The transferred LD was kinetically more potent at a slower speed, but it was easier to exhaust, than the native rotator cuff. Osteoarthritis progression was radiographically found to occur during the first 5 years.Conclusions:The graft-augmented LD-transfer procedure may be a treatment option for massive rotator cuff tears, especially for active patients who are <60 years old.Level of Evidence:Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Single Stage Reconstruction of Large Calvarial Exposure after Tumor Resection: A 3-Year Experience.

BACKGROUNDWe aimed to review the treatment and outcome of patients’ undergone reconstruction of large full thickness scalp defects with exposed calvarium after oncologic resection with the combined local flap and split-thickness skin graft (STSG) technique. METHODSA retrospective review of 45 patients with scalp defects secondary to tumor extirpation was performed at the Plastic Surgery Department, Tanta University Hospital, Tanta, Egypt from Nov 2016 to Nov 2019. Patients, with large (>50 cm2) and full-thickness (exposed calvarium) scalp defects, who underwent scalp reconstruction with the combined local flap and STSG technique and had completed their medical records were enrolled. RESULTSOnly 38 met the inclusion criteria. Thirty-three were male (86.8). The mean age was 61.5 years. The lesions removed were BCC in 30 cases (78.9%) and SCC in 8 cases (21.1%). Defect sizes ranged from 55 to 196 cm2. There was complete survival of all flaps. Complications were noticed in 5 patients (13.2%);2 developed small hematomas, 2 suffered from partial graft losses and one had wound infection. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 27 months. Overall, 34 patients were satisfied with the functional and cosmetic results (89.5%), while 4 female patients weren't satisfied with the esthetic results (10.5%). CONCLUSIONThe combination of local flap and skin graft technique is highly reliable, easy to perform and safe single-stage reconstructive modality of large skull exposed scalp defects, providing durable coverage and favorable esthetic outcome.

Use of Adipofascial Reverse Sural Artery Flap for Distal Leg and Ankle Region Reconstruction- A Prospective Cohort Study

Introduction: Though distally based sural artery fasciocutaneous flap is a good choice for distal leg and ankle reconstruction, shortcomings like venous congestion and flap bulkiness are matters of concern. Aim: To assess the utility of adipofascial flap for distal leg and ankle reconstruction, complications, and long-term functional results with range of motion at ankle joint. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study (January 2018 to December 2019) was conducted at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India on patients having distal leg defect and ankle defects reconstructed with Distally Based Sural Artery Adipofascial Flap (DBSAAF). Participants of any age and aetiology were included in the study while polytrauma patients, life-threatening injuries, mangled extremity patients were excluded. Postoperatively flap survival, complications and functional outcome were assessed. Results: Total 21 patients with above defects had undergone DBSAAF reconstruction. Fifteen (71.4%) patients were males and 6 (28.6%) were females, with mean age of 34.85 years. Causes of defect were road traffic injury in 6 (28.6%) patients, additional Tendoachilles tear was repaired in 5 (23.8%) patients. Four (19%) patients had avulsion injury, 3 (14.3%) patients had postburn unstable scar, and chronic ulcer was found in 3 (14.3%) patients. The maximum defect size was 8.5×7 cm (mean of 5.24×4.34 cm). The width of flap pedicle was kept at 4 cm maximum (mean=3.04 cm). All flaps were transported to the defect site by incising the intervening bridge, tunneling was not done. Fourteen patients did not have any co-morbidity, whereas four patients were chronic smokers, and three were diabetics. Flap survived completely in all patients. Three patients had partial graft loss and one patient had chronic discharge. Follow-up for maximum of six months (mean=4.04 months) were done. Conclusion: DBSAAF is a reliable flap for defects of distal leg and ankle region. Advantages are aesthetically better donor area, normal contour, and minimal scarring. It does not require a secondary debulking making it a one stage procedure and allowing patients to use their normal footwear.

Split liver transplantation in two recipients for urgent indications: an example and logistics of interregional cooperation

Aim. To report a rare case of split liver transplantation in two urgent recipients treated in hospitals that are very far from each other. Material and methods. Partial liver grafts were obtained by controlled full-right/full-left in situ splitting. The left lobe was transplanted in a 7-year-old child with severe hepatic failure (PELD score 39) resulting, probably from an progressive intrahepatic familial cholestasis in Novosibirsk. The right lobe was used for re-transplantation in a 28-year-old patient with hepatic artery thrombosis (UNOS status 1A) after living donor right lobe liver transplantation in Moscow. Results. The course of the early post-operative period in recipient 1 was complicated by infected total pancreatonecrosis with the development of limited biliary leakage and the formation of a stricture, which required reconstructive cholangiojejunostomy 12 months after transplantation. Recipient 2 consistently underwent biliary leakage, arrosive arterial bleeding, graft artery thrombosis, all of which could become fatal. Complications were successfully eliminated by the consistent use of surgical and endovascular interventions. Conclusion. The presented observation is, firstly, an example of effective inter-center cooperation, and secondly, a demonstration of the existing problems of postmortem organ donation, which determine the need for such extreme surgery in critical situations.

2020 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines.

2020 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Early Complications With Preloaded Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty Are Not Dependent on Optisol-GS Washout or Trypan Blue Restaining.

To describe the intraoperative and early postoperative complications using preloaded Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) grafts with intraocular injection of the graft in Optisol-GS and omission of trypan blue restaining. This is a retrospective case series of 132 consecutive eyes with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy or endothelial failure who underwent DMEK using preloaded donor tissue prepared as previously described. The graft was not restained with trypan blue by the surgeon, and Optisol-GS was injected with the graft into the eye instead of being rinsed from the injector. Early postoperative complications (0-8 wk) including intraoperative fibrin formation, intraocular inflammation, elevated intraocular pressure, partial graft detachment requiring rebubble, and early graft failure were recorded. No eyes developed intraoperative fibrin formation or postoperative inflammation (such as toxic anterior segment syndrome) or elevated intraocular pressure. For eyes with Fuchs corneal dystrophy, our rebubble rate was 21% (22/106 eyes). Early graft failure was noted in 2% (3/132 eyes), which is similar to previous reports. Our results suggest that injection of Optisol-GS into the anterior chamber during DMEK graft injection does not lead to increases in intraoperative or early postoperative complications. Trypan blue restaining is not necessary for intraoperative visualization. This simplification can reduce graft manipulation and save time and resources for this procedure.

A Novel Marking Technique for Descemet Membrane Endothelial Graft Using an Ophthalmic Viscoelastic Device.

To describe the viscoelastic marking technique, a novel marking technique of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) grafts that enables usage of a single donor cornea for 2 surgeries-one that uses Descemet membrane and endothelium (DMEK) and the other using the stroma and Bowman layer. A retrospective case analysis was performed on 26 eyes of 26 consecutive patients who underwent DMEK using the "viscoelastic marking technique." In this novel technique, an ophthalmic viscoelastic device (Healon 5) is placed over the endothelial side. Descemet membrane is then folded in half over the ophthalmic viscoelastic device with the stromal side up, and the F mark is drawn on the stromal side of the folded Descemet membrane. Primary outcome was best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, and secondary outcomes included graft detachment and rebubble rate, graft failure, and endothelial cell density. Mean best spectacle-corrected visual acuity improved significantly from 1.0 ± 0.7 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) before the surgery to 0.9 ± 0.7 LogMAR, 0.5 ± 0.6 LogMAR, 0.4 ± 0.2 LogMAR, and 0.4 ± 0.4 LogMAR at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, respectively. Seven eyes (27%) had partial graft detachment that required air injection. Primary failure occurred in 3 eyes (11%). There were no free-floating donors or recognized inverted donors. The endothelial cell density loss at 12 months after surgery was a cell-loss rate of 38.3%. The viscoelastic marking technique is a simple, approachable, and safe technique for marking DMEK grafts while preserving the anterior cornea for additional surgery.

Lateral Column Lengthening as a Single or Combined Procedure in Flexible Flatfoot

Abstract Background: Lateral column lengthening is currently the most attractive procedure to correct the deformity. In this study we aimed to evaluate the effect of lateral column lengthening as a single or combined procedure on the clinical and radiological outcome of symptomatic patients with flexible flatfoot. Aim of Study: This study aims was to evaluate the effect of lateral column lengthening as a single or combined proce-dure on the clinical and radiological outcome of symptomatic patients with flexible flatfoot. Prospective study. Patients and Methods: 24 pediatric patients with sympto-matic flexible flatfoot. Post-operative evaluation was done via AOFAS Ankle-hindfoot Scale. Results: There were significant improvements of the radiological alignment angles post-operatively. Also asignif-icant improvement of AOFAS score after 3 months post-operatively and the end of follow-up is noticed. Concerning complications, persistent pain (8.4%), delayed union (8.4%), graft site hematoma (4.2%), partial graft extrusion (4.2%) and wound dehiscence (4.2%). Conclusion: Lateral column lengthening in treatment of pediatric flexible flatfoot has a good clinical and radiological outcome. It is associated with few or minor post-operative complications.