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ABSTRACT: Radiation-induced angiosarcoma (RA) is a well-recognized complication of breast conservation therapy (BCT).
Over a 12-year period, 14 patients with a median age of 68 years were identified retrospectively. The median latency from BCT to onset of RA was 81 months. The incomplete excision rate (complete histologic margin taken to be > 10 mm) was 46%. There was a significant difference in the size of the cutaneous defect between the complete and incomplete excision groups (412 vs 592 cm(2), respectively; P < .05), indicating more extensive disease in the latter group.
The tumor recurred locally in 12 patients (92%). The median time to local recurrence (LR) in patients with incomplete excision was 3 versus 23 months in patients who had a complete excision. The median survival time for patients who underwent complete versus incomplete excision was 42 and 6 months, respectively.
RA is a challenging condition, with a prolonged latency period and variable clinical progression. Incomplete excision of RA is a surrogate marker of aggressive disease and is associated with rapid LR and poor survival.
American journal of surgery 06/2011; 203(2):156-61. · 2.36 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Growth factors are important in the development, maintenance and repair of cartilage. The principal aim of this study was to test the capacity of three growth factors with established roles in cartilage, namely insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1, to alter intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Explants of articular cartilage from young, mature, and aged rats were pretreated with IGF-1, FGF, or TGF-beta 1 and intracellular ROS levels were quantified using the free radical sensing probe dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123), confocal microscopy, and densitometric image analysis. Viability of chondrocytes following ROS stress and growth factor treatment was assessed using the live/dead cytotoxicity assay, and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes--catalase (CAT), total superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX)--were measured spectrophotometrically by decay of the substrate from the reaction mixture. The effect of IGF-1 on ROS levels in cultured human chondrocytes also was examined. In rat cartilage, FGF did not significantly affect ROS levels or antioxidant enzyme activity in any age group. TGF-beta1 significantly increased cellular ROS levels in mature and old cartilage whereas in marked contrast, IGF-1 significantly and age-dependently reduced ROS levels. IGF-1 also had a potent antioxidant effect on cultured human chondrocytes. Pretreatment of rat cartilage with IGF-1 significantly enhanced the activity of GPX, without altering the activity of SOD or CAT, and protected chondrocytes against ROS-induced cell death. TGF-beta 1 had no significant effect on the activity of the antioxidant enzymes. Despite promoting ROS production, TGF-beta 1 was not cytotoxic. We concluded that TGF-beta 1 exhibits an acute pro-oxidant effect in cartilage that is not cytotoxic, suggesting a role in physiological cell signalling. In marked contrast, IGF-1 is a potent antioxidant in mature and aged rat and human chondrocytes, protecting cells against ROS-induced cell death probably through the enhancement of the activity of the antioxidant enzyme GPX.
Connective Tissue Research 02/2007; 48(3):149-58. · 1.20 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Total loss of both lips is fortunately rare as reconstruction of such defects poses an enormous challenge. We present a case of concomitant loss of both lips as a result of fulminant pneumococcal septicemia, which was reconstructed with a free vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap due to lack of traditional donor sites.
Microsurgery 02/2005; 25(2):118-20. · 1.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To compare 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (Dermabond) with conventional suturing for closure of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) wounds in a prospective randomized controlled trial.
Twenty-five consecutive patients underwent LC at a teaching hospital in the United Kingdom. Patients were randomly allocated to have skin closed with 2-octyl cyanoacrylate or absorbable suture.
Fifty-one wounds underwent skin closure with absorbable subcuticular suture (3/0 polydiaxanone) and 48 wounds were closed with tissue adhesive. The time to close the wounds, including the placement of dressings, was recorded. At 6 to 8 weeks, the incisions were evaluated with the Hollander wound evaluation scale (HWES). Using a visual analogue scale (VAS), the wounds were also rated by a plastic surgeon who was blinded to the method of closure.
The wounds were closed significantly faster in the Dermabond group (mean 165 seconds versus 356 seconds, P = 0.03). There were no differences in the percentage of wounds achieving optimal scores on the HWES (suture 64.7% versus tissue adhesive 60.4%, P = 0.42) nor on the mean VAS (suture 62 mm versus tissue adhesive 59 mm, P = 0.45).
The tissue adhesive 2-octyl cyanoacrylate is a safe and fast method for closure of LC wounds, with cosmetic results comparable to suturing.
Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques 09/2004; 14(4):209-11. · 1.40 Impact Factor
