VASER Liposuction. How to Get Natural Results with Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction?

Ultrasound assisted liposuction technology is a selective technique to emulsify fatty tissue and improve the removal of fat. This technique can be used on many areas of the body such as: chin neck, back, buttocks, abdomen, legs, arms. Fatty areas, as well as, skin and cellulite can be molded in a process known as ultrasound cavitation. Results can produce significant skin contraction and smoothing of areas. Using this method reduces the need for surgical intervention and requires less energy to achieve similar results. This method is also good for treatment of fibrous scar tissue, producing less bruising and blood loss. The advantages of the VASER ultrasound prepared liposuction in comparison to the mechanical liposuction method are better with fat extraction, less blood loss, and smoother results. While the disadvantages of VASER ultrasound method are possible thermal injuries, the need for larger incisions for protective ports, increased incidence of seromas, slightly increased cost and longer preparation and operative times. However further presentation will show the benefits of this newer generation of liposuction method. Also, various probes for better fat extraction and specific treatment areas will be discussed.

Fibrosis following Acute Skeletal Muscle Injury: Mitigation and Reversal Potential in the Clinic

Skeletal muscle injuries occur often in athletics and in daily life. In minor injuries, muscles are able to regenerate completely and recover their functional capabilities. However, in the case of severe injuries, the injured muscle cannot recover to a functional level because of the formation of fibrous scar tissue. The physical barrier of scars is significantly challenged in both research and clinical treatment. Fibrous scar tissue not only limits cells’ migration, but also contributes to normal tissue biomechanical properties. This scar formation creates an unsuitable environment for tissue structure resulting in frequent pain. Antifibrosis treatment is one of the major strategies used to augment muscle regeneration and accelerate its functional recovery. This review will discuss the currently available methods for improving muscle regeneration with a specific focus on antifibrosis applications. We also discussed several novel hypotheses and clinical applications in muscle fibrosis treatment currently in practice.

COMPARISON OF THE EFFICACY OF LOSARTAN, HYDROCORTISONE AND ACETYLSALICYLIC ACID (ASA) IN PREVENTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF FIBROUS SCAR TISSUE IN SKELETAL MUSCLE

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze fibrous scar tissue inhibition capacity with the use of losartan, hydrocortisone and acetylsalicylic acid. Method: The sample consisted of 120 male heterogeneic Wistar rats with a muscle laceration model. The rats were divided into four groups of 30 animals each: control group, losartan group, ASA group and hydrocortisone group. The animals were anesthetized and a 2.5 cm longitudinal incision was made in the left thoracolumbar paravertebral region. The muscles were subjected to a Grade III lesion caused by applying Kelly hemostatic forceps for 60 seconds, followed by sectioning with scissors. The skin was sutured with 3-0 nylon monofilament thread. The animals were placed in individual cages with plenty of food and water. The losartan group received losartan diluted in water at a dose of 0.1 mg/mL (10 mg/kg/day), the ASA Group received a 3 mg/mL ASA solution (300 mg/kg/day), and the hydrocortisone group received a 0.2 mg/mL hydrocortisone solution (20 mg/kg/day). Results: The control, losartan, hydrocortisone and aspirin groups had a fibrotic area of 0.95 ± 0.35 mm, 0.55 ± 0.34 mm, 0.93 ± 0.33 mm, and 0.66 ± 0.36 mm, respectively. We observed a significantly smaller fibrotic area in the losartan group compared to the control (p=0.01) and hydrocortisone (p=0.01) groups. There were no significant differences among the other groups. Conclusion: The healing of striated skeletal muscle produced less fibrous scar tissue when exposed to losartan in comparison to the control group or the hydrocortisone group. Level of Evidence I; Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.

Soft Tissue Management and Prosthetic Rehabilitation in a Tongue Cancer Patient

One major challenge in treating head and neck oncologic patients is to achieve an acceptable recovery of physiologic functions compatible with the complete tumor excision. However, after tumor resection, some patients present a surgically altered anatomy incompatible with prosthetic rehabilitation, unless some soft tissue correction is carried out. The aim of the present study is to describe the overall mandibular prosthetic rehabilitation of a postoncologic patient focusing on the possibility of soft tissue correction as a part of the treatment. A 72-year-old woman, who undergone a hemiglossectomy for squamous cell carcinoma several years before, was referred to our department needing a new prosthesis. The patient presented partial mandibular edentulism, defects in tongue mobility, and a bridge of scar tissue connecting one side of the tongue to the alveolar ridge. A diode laser (980 nm) was used to remove the fibrous scar tissue. After reestablishing a proper vestibular depth and soft tissue morphology, two implants were placed in the interforaminal region of the mandible to support an overdenture.

Dorsal myelopathy secondary to epidural fibrous scar tissue around a spinal cord stimulation electrode

The authors describe a patient with delayed thoracic spinal cord compression due to fibrous scar tissue around an epidural electrode used in spinal cord stimulation (SCS). One year after implantation of the system the stimulation became ineffective, and 1 year later the patient developed progressive paraparesis. There was no evidence of device-related complications on plain radiographs and CT scans, so the system was removed to perform MRI studies. These studies showed a dorsal myelopathy secondary to scar tissue around the electrode. At surgery thick scar tissue was resected, and the patient's neurological symptoms improved. The histological examination confirmed fibrosis, and microbiological studies excluded chronic infection. As far as the authors are aware, this complication has never been reported before at the thoracic level. Scarring around SCS electrodes should be considered as a late complication and as a possible cause of the tolerance phenomenon.

Xanthogranuloma of the Sellar Region

Xanthogranuloma of the sellar region is a rare tumor. We describe a 41-year-old man complaining of several years of headache and passing out. Physical examination revealed absence of pubic and axillary hair while laboratory analysis showed panhypopituitarism. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a partially calcified slightly enhancing intrasellar mass with suprasellar extension which was slightly hyperintense on T1 images and hypointense on T2 images. Complete resection of the tumor mass using trans-sphenoidal approach was performed. On histopathologic analysis, there was a combination of fibrous scar tissue with chronic inflammation, highlighted by CD45 immunostaining, and extensively calcified necrotic debris, including cholesterol crystals consistent with a diagnosis of xanthogranuloma.

A Bioactive Peptide Grafted Scaffold for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

Despite this innate regenerative potential of the peripheral nervous system, functional recovery often remains incomplete, especially as the severity of injury increases. This has been attributed to a number of sources including the ingrowth of fibrous scar tissue, lack of mechanical support for emerging neurites, and the malrouted reinnervation of neurites towards inappropriate targets. While research in the field is broad, it is generally accepted that an optimal nerve guidance conduit to encourage regeneration should include both biological and mechanical support for emerging neurites and glia.