Sample records for donor skin grafts

  1. Fractional Skin Harvesting: Autologous Skin Grafting without Donor-site Morbidity

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Ying; Farinelli, William A.; Jiménez-Lozano, Joel; Franco, Walfre; Sakamoto, Fernanda H.; Cheung, Evelyn J.; Purschke, Martin; Doukas, Apostolos G.; Anderson, R. Rox

    2013-01-01

    Background: Conventional autologous skin grafts are associated with significant donor-site morbidity. This study was conducted to determine feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a new strategy for skin grafting based on harvesting small columns of full-thickness skin with minimal donor-site morbidity. Methods: The swine model was used for this study. Hundreds of full-thickness columns of skin tissue (~700 µm diameter) were harvested using a custom-made harvesting device, and then applied directly to excisional skin wounds. Healing in donor and graft sites was evaluated over 3 months by digital photographic measurement of wound size and blinded, computer-aided evaluation of histological features and compared with control wounds that healed by secondary intention or with conventional split-thickness skin grafts (STSG). Results: After harvesting hundreds of skin columns, the donor sites healed rapidly without scarring. These sites reepithelialized within days and were grossly and histologically indistinguishable from normal skin within 7 weeks. By contrast, STSG donor sites required 2 weeks for reepithelialization and retained scar-like characteristics in epidermal and dermal architecture throughout the experiment. Wounds grafted with skin columns resulted in accelerated reepithelialization compared with ungrafted wounds while avoiding the “fish-net” patterning caused by STSG. Conclusion: Full-thickness columns of skin can be harvested in large quantities with negligible long-term donor-site morbidity, and these columns can be applied directly to skin wounds to enhance wound healing. PMID:25289241

  2. [Features of skin graft in pediatric plastic surgery].

    PubMed

    Depoortère, C; François, C; Belkhou, A; Duquennoy-Martinot, V; Guerreschi, P

    2016-10-01

    Skin graft is a skin tissue fragment transferred from a donor site to a receiving site with a spontaneous revascularization. Basic process of plastic surgery, skin graft known in children, specific, warnings and refinements. It finds its indication in many pediatric cases: integumental diseases (neavus, hamartoma), acute burns and scars, traumatic loss of substance or surgically induced, congenital malformations of the hands and feet, etc. Specific skin graft techniques in children are developed: donor sites, sampling technique and procedure, early postoperative care. Especially in children, the scalp is a perfect site for split skin graft and technique is actively developed. Refinements and special cases are discussed: use of dermal matrices, allografts, xenografts, negative pressure therapy, prior skin expansion of the donor site. Results of skin graft in children are exposed: taking of graft, growth and shrinkage, pigmentation. Skin graft sometimes allows to stay the complex movement and get the best final benefit, permanent or at least temporary, in a growing being. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  3. Prospective, double-blinded, randomised controlled trial assessing the effect of an Octenidine-based hydrogel on bacterial colonisation and epithelialization of skin graft wounds in burn patients.

    PubMed

    W, Eisenbeiß; F, Siemers; G, Amtsberg; P, Hinz; B, Hartmann; T, Kohlmann; A, Ekkernkamp; U, Albrecht; O, Assadian; A, Kramer

    2012-01-01

    Moist wound treatment improves healing of skin graft donor site wounds. Microbial colonised wounds represent an increased risk of wound infection; while antimicrobially active, topical antiseptics may impair epithelialization. The aim of this prospective randomised controlled clinical trial was to examine the influence of an Octenidine-dihydrochloride (OCT) hydrogel on bacterial colonisation and epithelialization of skin graft donor sites. The study was designed as a randomised, double-blinded, controlled clinical trial. Skin graft donor sites from a total of 61 patients were covered either with 0.05% OCT (n=31) or an OCT-free placebo wound hydrogel (n=30). Potential interaction with wound healing was assessed by measuring the time until 100% re-epithelialization. In addition, microbial wound colonisation was quantitatively determined in all skin graft donor sites. There was no statistically significant difference in the time for complete epithelialization of skin graft donor sites in the OCT and the placebo group (7.3±0.2 vs. 6.9±0.2 days; p=0.236). Microbial wound colonisation was significantly lower in the OCT group than in the placebo group (p=0.014). The OCT-based hydrogel showed no delay in wound epithelialization and demonstrated a significantly lower bacterial colonisation of skin graft donor site wounds.

  4. Prospective, double-blinded, randomised controlled trial assessing the effect of an Octenidine-based hydrogel on bacterial colonisation and epithelialization of skin graft wounds in burn patients

    PubMed Central

    W, Eisenbeiß; F, Siemers; G, Amtsberg; P, Hinz; B, Hartmann; T, Kohlmann; A, Ekkernkamp; U, Albrecht; O, Assadian; A, Kramer

    2012-01-01

    Background: Moist wound treatment improves healing of skin graft donor site wounds. Microbial colonised wounds represent an increased risk of wound infection; while antimicrobially active, topical antiseptics may impair epithelialization. Objectives: The aim of this prospective randomised controlled clinical trial was to examine the influence of an Octenidine-dihydrochloride (OCT) hydrogel on bacterial colonisation and epithelialization of skin graft donor sites. Methods: The study was designed as a randomised, double-blinded, controlled clinical trial. Skin graft donor sites from a total of 61 patients were covered either with 0.05% OCT (n=31) or an OCT-free placebo wound hydrogel (n=30). Potential interaction with wound healing was assessed by measuring the time until 100% re-epithelialization. In addition, microbial wound colonisation was quantitatively determined in all skin graft donor sites. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the time for complete epithelialization of skin graft donor sites in the OCT and the placebo group (7.3±0.2 vs. 6.9±0.2 days; p=0.236). Microbial wound colonisation was significantly lower in the OCT group than in the placebo group (p=0.014). Conclusions: The OCT-based hydrogel showed no delay in wound epithelialization and demonstrated a significantly lower bacterial colonisation of skin graft donor site wounds. PMID:23071904

  5. Avoiding secondary skin graft donor site morbidity in the fibula free flap harvest.

    PubMed

    Kim, Paul D; Fleck, Terry; Heffelfinger, Ryan; Blackwell, Keith E

    2008-12-01

    To compare donor site morbidity in patients who have undergone fibula free flap reconstruction in which the skin graft was taken from the expected cutaneous paddle of the fibula with the known complications of the popular technique of obtaining a split-thickness skin graft (STSG) from a secondary donor site. Cohort study. The tertiary care centers at Loma Linda University Medical Center and University of California, Los Angeles, Medical Center. From September 1, 2006, to March 30, 2007, 30 patients underwent fibula free flap harvest by 2 surgeons at separate tertiary care centers. Twenty-one of those procedures took place at the University of California, Los Angeles, and 9 at Loma Linda University. Patients included 15 men (50%) and 15 women (50%), with a mean age of 58 (range, 19-88) years. All 30 patients underwent fibula free flap harvest with a split-thickness skin graft (graft thickness, 0.04 cm), obtained from osteocutaneous paddle using a 5.1-cm-wide dermatome, as well as oral cavity and oropharyngeal reconstruction with the de-epithelialized skin paddle. Measures of donor site morbidity, including graft failure and wound breakdown, and measures of recipient site morbidity, including flap failure, hardware complications, intraoral complications, and the need for additional surgery. Of the 30 patients who underwent this procedure, 4 had partial skin graft failures, for a complete skin graft survival of 87%. There were no complete skin graft losses. Regarding the fibula osteocutaneous free flap, there were no complete flap losses, 1 skin paddle necrosis that required debridement, 2 postoperative orocutaneous fistulas, 1 case of infected/extruded hardware, and 1 adhesion formation that required additional surgery for lysis of adhesion and placement of the split-thickness skin graft. The outlined novel technique has similar rates of free flap survival and skin graft take compared with previously described methods. Harvesting the skin graft over the expected osteocutaneous paddle results in decreased lower extremity morbidity by providing equivalent graft tissue for donor site closure and eliminating the morbidity of a secondary donor site. As long as there will not be 2 large opposing grafted surfaces, this technique should be considered when harvesting fibula free flaps for reconstruction of oromandibular resection defects, especially in cancers of the alveolar ridge and floor of the mouth.

  6. Rapid onset of squamous cell carcinoma in a thin skin graft donor site.

    PubMed

    Herard, C; Arnaud, D; Goga, D; Rousseau, P; Potier, B

    2016-01-01

    Squamous cell carcinomas are malignant tumours of epithelial origin that can appear on sites subjected to chronic inflammation after a period of several years. The rapid development of squamous cell carcinoma at the donor site for a thin skin graft is a rare and poorly understood situation. We report the case of a patient undergoing thin skin grafting to cover the area of removal of a vertex squamous cell carcinoma and in whom squamous cell carcinoma appeared at the donor site within 9 weeks. In our case, we ruled out intraoperative contamination because two sets of surgical instruments were used. Given the number of cases reported in the literature, a chance event seems unlikely. The hypothesis of an acute inflammatory process caused by scarring of the thin skin graft site appears to us the most convincing. Development of cancer at the graft donor site may thus be added to the list of complications of thin skin grafting. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  7. Local full-thickness skin graft of the donor arm--a novel technique for the reduction of donor site morbidity in radial forearm free flap.

    PubMed

    Riecke, B; Assaf, A T; Heiland, M; Al-Dam, A; Gröbe, A; Blessmann, M; Wikner, J

    2015-08-01

    A novel technique to reduce donor site morbidity after radial forearm free flap (RFFF) harvest, using a local full-thickness skin graft (FTSG), is described. Thirty consecutive patients undergoing RFFF for head and neck reconstruction were enrolled in a prospective study. Donor site defect closure was performed with spindle-shaped FTSGs excised from the wavelike skin incision made for the vascular pedicle. Both the removal site of the FTSG on the volar forearm and the covered RFFF donor site healed uneventfully in 29 cases, with no impairment of function related to the skin graft. No skin graft failure and no exposure, tenting, or adherence of the flexor tendons occurred. All patients expressed satisfaction with postoperative pain, the functional outcome, and cosmetic appearance. Primary donor site defect closure could be achieved in all cases with the use of a local FTSG. This graft can be gained at the access incision for the vascular pedicle, avoids expansion of the incision for a local flap technique, and does not prolong wound healing, and thus reduces both donor site and graft site morbidity of the RFFF. This technique leads to an inconspicuous aesthetic result with no apparent relevant functional deficits and avoids the need for a second donor site. Copyright © 2015 International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. Effects of Biosynthetic Human Epidermal Growth Factor on Wound Healing

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1986-10-27

    regenerated or been replaced with autograft skin. The limiting factor in covering major third degree burns is the availability of autogenous skin grafts . Although...tho patient’s own skin. Since the only permant solution currently available is autografting, an agent that would accelerate healing of skin graft donor...biodegradation. Additional valuable information will be obtained when the limited clinical trial using EGF in Silvadene to treat skin graft donor sites begins

  9. Long-term tolerance to kidney allografts in a preclinical canine model.

    PubMed

    Kuhr, Christian S; Yunusov, Murad; Sale, George; Loretz, Carol; Storb, Rainer

    2007-08-27

    Durable immune tolerance supporting vascularized allotransplantation offers the possibility of extending graft survival and avoiding harmful complications of chronic immunosuppression. Immune tolerance to renal allografts was induced in a preclinical canine model through engraftment of donor hematopoietic cells using a combination of low-dose total body irradiation and a short course of immunosuppression. Subsequently, donor renal allografts were transplanted accompanied by bilateral native nephrectomies. With 5-year follow up, we found normal renal function in all recipients and no histological evidence of acute or chronic rejection. This tolerance does not extend universally to donor skin grafts, however, with two of four animals rejecting delayed donor skin grafts. Hematopoietic chimerism produces durable and robust immune tolerance to kidney allografts, although incomplete tolerance to donor skin grafting.

  10. Closure of the Radial Forearm Free Flap Donor Site Using the Combined Local Triangular Full-Thickness Skin Graft.

    PubMed

    Moreno-Sánchez, Manuel; González-García, Raúl; Ruiz-Laza, Luis; Manzano Solo de Zaldívar, Damián; Moreno-García, Carlos; Monje, Florencio

    2016-01-01

    Traditional donor-site closure has been associated with serious esthetic and functional morbidity. The purpose of this study was to assess morbidity in esthetics and function and measure the postoperative complications of the radial forearm free flap (RFFF) donor site after using combined local triangular full-thickness skin grafting. This prospective study of patients who underwent reconstruction of head and neck defects using an RFFF was conducted from July 2008 through December 2014. The donor site was repaired with a combined local triangular full-thickness skin graft. Quality of the scar, color match, tendon exposure, presence of necrosis, dehiscence of the suture, and presence of dysesthesia were recorded and analyzed using SPSS 21.0 software. One hundred consecutive patients (71 male and 29 female) underwent RFFF harvesting. RFFF donor-site defects ranged from 15 to 70 cm2; partial skin graft loss occurred in 7% of patients. Five patients (5%) had small dehiscences of the forearm skin graft, and 2 cases (2%) presented tendon exposure. In all cases, these sites healed secondarily by conservative management, with no final impairment of function. Esthetic results were considered excellent in 87%, good in 11%, and suboptimal in 2% of the cases. The combined local triangular full-thickness skin graft is a reliable method for closing RFFF donor-site defects because it obviates a second surgical site, it provides excellent color match and pliability, and it can be used for covering large defects of the donor site. Copyright © 2016 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Health-related quality of life and patient burden in patients with split-thickness skin graft donor site wounds.

    PubMed

    Humrich, Marco; Goepel, Lisa; Gutknecht, Mandy; Lohrberg, David; Blessmann, Marco; Bruning, Guido; Diener, Holger; Dissemond, Joachim; Hartmann, Bernd; Augustin, Matthias

    2018-04-01

    Split-thickness skin grafting is a common procedure to treat different kinds of wounds. This systematic, multicentre, observational, cross-sectional study of adult patients with split-thickness skin graft (STSG) donor site wounds was conducted to evaluate quality of life (QoL) impairments caused by donor site wounds following split-thickness skin grafting. Therefore, 112 patients from 12 wound centres in Germany were examined based on patient and physician questionnaires as well as a physical examination of the donor site wound. Most indications for skin grafting were postsurgical treatment (n = 51; 42.5%) and chronic wounds (n = 47; 39.2%). European QoL visual analoque scale (EQ VAS) averaged 64.7 ± 23.3, European QoL 5 dimensions (EQ-5D) averaged 77.4 ± 30.0. Wound-QoL (range: 0-4) was rated 0.8 ± 0.8 post-surgery and 0.4 ± 0.6 at the time of survey (on average 21 weeks between the time points). Compared to averaged Wound-QoL scores of chronic wounds donor site-related QoL impairments in split-thickness skin-graft patients were less pronounced. There were significant differences in patient burden immediately after surgery compared to the time of the survey, with medium effect sizes. This supports the hypothesis that faster healing of the donor site wound leads to more favourable patient-reported outcomes. © 2017 Medicalhelplines.com Inc and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  12. Full thickness skin grafts in periocular reconstructions: long-term outcomes.

    PubMed

    Rathore, Deepa S; Chickadasarahilli, Swaroop; Crossman, Richard; Mehta, Purnima; Ahluwalia, Harpreet Singh

    2014-01-01

    To evaluate the outcomes of eyelid reconstruction in patients who underwent full thickness skin grafts. A retrospective, noncomparative intervention study of patients who underwent periocular reconstruction with full thickness skin grafts between 2005 and 2011. One hundred consecutive Caucasian patients were included in the study, 54 women and 46 men. Mean follow up was 32 months. Indications for full thickness skin grafts were excision of eyelid tumors (98%) and cicatricial ectropion (2%). Site of lid defects were lower lid (60%), medial canthus (32%), upper lid (6%), and lateral canthus (2%). The skin graft donor sites were supraclavicular (44%), upper eyelid (24%), inner brachial (18%), and postauricular (14%).Early postoperative complications included lower eyelid graft contracture (1%) and partial failure (1%). Late sequelae included lower eyelid graft contracture (4%) and hypertrophic scarring (23%). Of the 23 patients with hypertrophic scar, 21 achieved good outcomes following massage with silicone gel and steroid ointment and 2 had persistent moderate lumpiness. No statistically significant association was found between graft hypertrophy and donor site or graft size. As high as 95% of all patients achieved good final eyelid position. Good color match was seen in 94% and graft hypopigmentation in 6%. An association between hypopigmentation and supraclavicular and inner brachial donor site was found to be statistically significant. Most patients (94%) achieved good eyelid position and color match. Majority (91%) of the early postoperative cicatricial sequelae can be reversed by massage, steroid ointment, and silicone gel application. Full thickness skin grafts have excellent graft survival rates and have minimal donor site morbidity.

  13. Efficacy of Epidermal Skin Grafts Over Complex, Chronic Wounds in Patients With Multiple Comorbidities.

    PubMed

    Fearmonti, Regina M

    2016-07-01

    Epidermal skin grafting presents an alternative to traditional autografts since only epidermal skin is harvested from the donor site. Split-thickness skin grafts are associated with difficulties at the donor site, including excessive pain, delayed healing, fluid loss, and unsatisfactory cosmetic results - all exacerbated in patients with comorbidities. A new automated epidermal harvesting tool (CelluTome Epidermal Harvesting System, KCI, an Acelity company, San Antonio, TX) involves concurrent application of heat and suction to normal skin to produce epidermal grafts. This article outlines the author's experience using this automated epidermal harvesting tool to harvest epidermal grafts and apply them on 23 chronic lower extremity wounds of patients with multiple comorbidities. Vacuum and heat were applied until epidermal microdomes were formed (30-45 minutes); an epidermal microdome array was collected onto a transfer dressing and applied over the wound. The automated harvesting tool yielded viable epithelium with every use. In addition to the epidermal skin graft, 16 of 23 wounds (70%) received adjunctive wound treatment, including negative pressure wound therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and/or regenerative tissue matrix. The average reepithelialization rate was 88.1% during a mean follow-up period of 76.4 days; no use of an anesthetic/operating room was required for the procedure. All donor sites were completely healed within 2 weeks without complications or scarring. Epidermal skin grafting provided a simplified, office-based grafting option with no donor site morbidity, and assisted in closure or size reduction of chronic wounds in this series.

  14. Calculations for reproducible autologous skin cell-spray grafting.

    PubMed

    Esteban-Vives, Roger; Young, Matthew T; Zhu, Toby; Beiriger, Justin; Pekor, Chris; Ziembicki, Jenny; Corcos, Alain; Rubin, Peter; Gerlach, Jörg C

    2016-12-01

    Non-cultured, autologous cell-spray grafting is an alternative to mesh grafting for larger partial- and deep partial-thickness burn wounds. The treatment uses a suspension of isolated cells, from a patient's donor site skin tissue, and cell-spray deposition onto the wound that facilitates re-epithelialization. Existing protocols for therapeutic autologous skin cell isolation and cell-spray grafting have defined the donor site area to treatment area ratio of 1:80, substantially exceeding the coverage of conventional mesh grafting. However, ratios of 1:100 are possible by maximizing the wound treatment area with harvested cells from a given donor site skin tissue according to a given burn area. Although cell isolation methods are very well described in the literature, a rational approach addressing critical aspects of these techniques are of interest in planning clinical study protocols. We considered in an experimental study the cell yield as a function of the donor site skin tissue, the cell density for spray grafting, the liquid spray volume, the sprayed distribution area, and the percentage of surface coverage. The experimental data was then used for the development of constants and mathematical equations to give a rationale for the cell isolation and cell-spray grafting processes and in planning for clinical studies. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

  15. Feasibility and Advantages of Full Thickness Skin Graft from the Anterolateral Thigh.

    PubMed

    Shin, Seung-Han; Kim, Chulkyu; Lee, Yong-Suk; Kang, Jin-Woo; Chung, Yang-Guk

    2017-12-01

    Full thickness skin graft (FTSG) gives better outcomes than split thickness skin graft (STSG), but it has the drawback of limited donor sites. Anterolateral thigh (ALT), a popular donor site of STSG, is also a popular donor site of perforator flaps. This area has the advantage of large flap size available with primary closure. Based on this we harvested FTSG instead of STSG from the ALT. We retrospectively reviewed 10 cases of FTSG from the ALT, with the recipient site of foot in 3, ankle in 2, lower leg in 2, forearm in 2, and wrist in 1 patient. In all cases elliptical full thickness skin was harvested from the ALT, and the donor site was closed primarily. The skin was defatted and placed onto the defect with vacuum-assisted closure (VAC). The skin size ranged 7-30 cm in length and 3-12 cm in width. Mean follow up period was 7 months (range, 3-13). FTSG from the ALT provided durable wound coverage, with excellent color and texture matching. Partial (< 20%) graft failure was observed in 1 case, but no additional surgery was necessary. No patient reported donor site pain at postoperative 2 weeks. No donor site complications were encountered. No patient complained a feeling of tension in the thigh at final follow-up. FTSG from the ALT is feasible with the aid of VAC. Considering the skin quality, large skin size available, early pain relief, and little donor site morbidity, the ALT should be revisited as a donor site of FTSG.

  16. Double-layered collagen graft to the radial forearm free flap donor sites without skin graft.

    PubMed

    Park, Tae-Jun; Kim, Hong-Joon; Ahn, Kang-Min

    2015-12-01

    Radial forearm free flap is the most reliable flap for intraoral soft tissue reconstruction after cancer ablation surgery. However, unesthetic scar of the donor site and the need for a second donor site for skin graft are major disadvantages of the forearm flap. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical results of double-layered collagen graft to the donor site of the forearm free flap without skin graft. Twenty-two consecutive patients who underwent oral cancer ablation and forearm reconstruction between April 2010 and November 2013 were included in this study. Male to female ratio was 12:10, and average age was 61.0 years old (27-84). Double-layered collagen was grafted to the donor site of the forearm free flap and healed for secondary intention. Upper silicone had been trimmed at the periphery during secondary intention, and dry dressing was used. Postoperative scar healing and esthetic results and function were evaluated. An average follow-up period was 34.9 months. The scar area was decreased to 63.9 % in average. The complete healing was obtained between 1.5 and 3 months according to the defect size. There was no functional defect or impairment 3 months after operation. All patients were satisfied with the esthetic results. Three patients died of recurred cancer. Double-layered collagen graft was successfully performed in this study. Without the thigh skin graft, patients had experienced less painful postoperative healing periods and discomfort.

  17. Distally based sural neuro-fasciocutaneous perforator flap for foot and ankle reconstruction: Surgical modifications for flap pedicle and donor site closure without skin graft.

    PubMed

    Chi, Zhenglin; Chen, Yiheng; Chu, Tinggang; Gao, Weiyang; Li, Zhijie; Yan, Hede; Song, Yonghuan

    2018-02-01

    The conventional procedure of the sural neuro-fasciocutaneous flap enables the supply of blood and venous drainage by increasing the width of the adipofascial tissue and preserving tiny venous return routes. Moreover, skin graft is a common method for donor site closure, which may lead to some complications and influence the aesthetic appearance. We report modifications for a distally based sural neuro-fasciocutaneous perforator flap and a relaying flap for donor site closure without skin graft. Twelve patients undergoing the modified flap for foot and ankle reconstruction were included in this study between 2014 and 2016. A peroneal-based perforator, a superficial vein, and the vascular axis of the sural nerve were included in the pedicle. A Z-shape skin incision was performed to explore the perforator vessels and a relaying island perforator flap was used to close the donor site. All flaps survived completely without necrosis. The area of the flaps ranged from 16 × 8 cm to 30 × 15 cm. The diameter width of the pedicle ranged from 1.0 to 2.0 cm. A relaying perforator island flap was used in 10 cases for donor site closure and no skin graft was performed. There were no serious donor site complications. All patients were satisfied with the aesthetic outcome postoperatively at the final follow-up. The distally based sural neuro-fasciocutaneous perforator flap is considered a reliable method for foot and ankle reconstruction. The modification for flap pedicle and donor site closure method without skin graft should be recommended. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  18. Honey Dressing Accelerates Split-Thickness Skin Graft Donor Site Healing.

    PubMed

    Subrahmanyam, M

    2015-12-01

    The management of the donor site after harvesting a skin graft is an important issue, as patients often report more discomfort at the donor site than at the recipient site. There is, however, a plethora of dressings available for the treatment and management of donor sites, yet, there is no widely accepted method established for these partial thickness wounds. Honey has been found to be useful in the treatment of burns and other wounds, split-thickness skin graft donor sites are like partial thickness burn wounds and honey's healing effect on burn wound can also be expected on these types of wounds. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of honey on skin graft donor sites. From 2002 to 2004, 100 patients who have undergone skin grafting for various reasons formed the material of the randomized study divided into two groups of 50 each in honey-treated group and Vaseline gauze-treated group. Graft donor site area ranged from 30 to 48 cm(2), mean 32.6 cm(2). In the group treated with honey, 90 % of the patients had nil or only moderate pain, whereas in the group treated with Vaseline gauze,88 % had nil or mild pain (p > 0.001, not significant). There were no allergic reactions in any of the patients in either group. On opening of the dressing on the 7th day, epithelialization has occurred in 48 patients as compared to 39 in group 2, i.e., donor sites treated with Vaseline gauze (p < 0.05, statistically significant). By the 10th day, all the wounds healed in honey-treated group, whereas 76 % of wounds healed in Vaseline gauze-treated group (p < 0.05). At 1 month follow-up, the results were comparable in both groups, with regard to patient satisfaction. In conclusion, honey-impregnated gauze causes less pain and heals donor sites wounds faster with good cosmetic result.

  19. Induction of Scleroderma Fibrosis in Skin-Humanized Mice by Administration of Anti-Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor Agonistic Autoantibodies.

    PubMed

    Luchetti, Michele M; Moroncini, Gianluca; Jose Escamez, Maria; Svegliati Baroni, Silvia; Spadoni, Tatiana; Grieco, Antonella; Paolini, Chiara; Funaro, Ada; Avvedimento, Enrico V; Larcher, Fernando; Del Rio, Marcela; Gabrielli, Armando

    2016-09-01

    To describe a skin-SCID mouse chimeric model of systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) fibrosis based on engraftment of ex vivo-bioengineered skin using skin cells derived either from scleroderma patients or from healthy donors. Three-dimensional bioengineered skin containing human keratinocytes and fibroblasts isolated from skin biopsy specimens from healthy donors or SSc patients was generated ex vivo and then grafted onto the backs of SCID mice. The features of the skin grafts were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, and the functional profile of the graft fibroblasts was defined before and after treatment with IgG from healthy controls or SSc patients. Two procedures were used to investigate the involvement of platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR): 1) nilotinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was administered to mice before injection of IgG from SSc patient sera (SSc IgG) into the grafts, and 2) human anti-PDGFR monoclonal antibodies were injected into the grafts. Depending on the type of bioengineered skin grafted, the regenerated human skin exhibited either the typical scleroderma phenotype or the healthy human skin architecture. Treatment of animals carrying healthy donor skin grafts with SSc IgG resulted in the appearance of a bona fide scleroderma phenotype, as confirmed by increased collagen deposition and fibroblast activation markers. Results of the experiments involving administration of nilotinib or monoclonal antibodies confirmed the involvement of PDGFR. Our results provide the first in vivo demonstration of the fibrotic properties of anti-PDGFR agonistic antibodies. This bioengineered skin-humanized mouse model can be used to test in vivo the progression of the disease and to monitor response to antifibrotic drugs. © 2016, American College of Rheumatology.

  20. Routine closure of the donor site with a second dorsal metacarpal artery flap to avoid the use of a skin graft after harvest of a first dorsal metacarpal artery flap.

    PubMed

    Chi, Zhenglin; Lin, Damu; Chen, Yiheng; Xue, Jixin; Li, Shi; Chu, Tinggang; Li, Zhijie

    2018-06-01

    Closure of the donor site on the index finger after raising a first dorsal metacarpal artery (DMA) flap harvest is challenging. The conventional choice is to use a full-thickness skin graft. However, this procedure is associated with several complications and a second donor site to harvest the skin graft is inevitable. The aim of this study was to design a modified incision to allow harvest of a first DMA flap without skin graft. From 2015 to 2016, 18 patients with a soft tissue defect of the thumb had reconstruction of the defect using a first DMA flap. A modified incision was used and a relaying perforator flap pedicled on the second DMA was raised through the same incision to cover the donor site. Patient satisfaction, appearance of the injured hand, and the active range of motion (ROM) were assessed. The sensitivity was evaluated by the 2-point discrimination (2-PD) test. All flaps survived completely without complications. Good coverage was obtained with only one linear scar in the dorsum of the hand and no skin grafts. All patients recovered full range of movement in their fingers and regained sensitivity of the flaps. All patients were satisfied with their hand function according to the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ). The mean cosmetic score for the appearance of the injured hand was 8.2 out of 10. Using our modified incision, it was possible to harvest a second DMA flap at the same time as a first DMA flap allowing simultaneous coverage of the donor defect on the index finger. This prevented the need for a skin graft with all of the associated disadvantages. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  1. Resurfacing glabrous skin defects in the hand: the thenar base donor site.

    PubMed

    Milner, Chris S; Thirkannad, Sunil M

    2014-06-01

    Defects of the glabrous skin surfaces of the palm and fingers result from numerous causes including larger fingertip injuries, unhealed burns, and after surgery for diverse pathologies. The qualities of glabrous skin are specifically tailored to the functional requirements of high-shear strength and robustness. Despite these unique properties, graft reconstruction of defects in the glabrous regions of the hand is frequently achieved with skin from nonglabrous donor sites such as the medial forearm. Nonglabrous skin has a poor color and texture match for such applications and is frequently associated with tender and unsightly donor scars. We describe our experiences of harvesting full-thickness grafts from the glabrous skin centered over the proximal flexion crease at the level of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. We have utilized this site to harvest skin grafts of up to 2 cm in width for the resurfacing of small-sized to medium-sized defects on the palmar surfaces of the hands and fingers in 28 patients under both traumatic and elective circumstances. The skin has an excellent type-match to the defect and is quick and easy to harvest due to its adjacent location to the defect. The donor scar matures quickly, and as it lies along the thumb base crease, it runs along one of the least used contact surfaces, thereby limiting the potential discomfort associated with FTSG harvest sites from other areas. Patient satisfaction with the procedure has been high, and it represents a useful alternative to traditional nonglabrous skin graft donor sites for small-sized to medium-sized defects.

  2. The Use of Split-Thickness Skin Grafts on Diabetic Foot Ulcerations: A Literature Review

    PubMed Central

    McCartan, Brant; Dinh, Thanh

    2012-01-01

    Diabetic foot ulcerations are historically difficult to treat despite advanced therapeutic modalities. There are numerous modalities described in the literature ranging from noninvasive topical wound care to more invasive surgical procedures such as primary closure, skin flaps, and skin grafting. While skin grafting provides faster time to closure with a single treatment compared to traditional topical wound treatments, the potential risks of donor site morbidity and poor wound healing unique to the diabetic state have been cited as a contraindication to its widespread use. In order to garner clarity on this issue, a literature review was undertaken on the use of split-thickness skin grafts on diabetic foot ulcers. Search of electronic databases yielded four studies that reported split-thickness skin grafts as definitive means of closure. In addition, several other studies employed split-thickness skin grafts as an adjunct to a treatment that was only partially successful or used to fill in the donor site of another plastic surgery technique. When used as the primary closure on optimized diabetic foot ulcerations, split-thickness skin grafts are 78% successful at closing 90% of the wound by eight weeks. PMID:22666573

  3. Prospective randomized controlled trial: fibrin sealant reduces split skin graft donor-site pain.

    PubMed

    Healy, Ciaran; Greig, Aina V H; Murphy, Adrian D; Powell, Christopher; Pinder, Richard J; Saour, Samer; Abela, Christopher; Knight, William; Geh, Jenny L C

    2013-07-01

    Pain at split skin graft donor sites is common. Fibrin sealant has been demonstrated to reduce time to hemostasis at wound sites, and patients receiving this treatment were incidentally noted to report less pain. This study aimed to evaluate pain and incapacity in split skin graft donor sites treated with and without fibrin sealant. Fifty patients requiring thigh donor-site split skin grafts were prospectively randomized to receive either a self-adhesive fabric dressing alone or fibrin sealant plus the self-adhesive fabric dressing as primary donor-site dressings. External secondary dressings were the same. Patients were blinded with regard to treatment group. Using visual analogue scales (scored 0 to 5), patients rated their donor-site pain and incapacity for 14 days postoperatively. Secondary endpoints were length of hospital stay and duration of requirement for dressings. Forty patients were included in the study analysis and completed self-reported pain and incapacity scores. Twenty received the fibrin sealant plus self-adhesive fabric dressing and 20 received the fabric dressing only (controls). Patients using the fibrin sealant plus the dressing reported significantly less pain (mean score, 0.42 versus 1.60, p < 0.001) and significantly less incapacity (mean score, 0.48 versus 1.71, p < 0.001). Patients allocated to the fibrin sealant group recorded shorter lengths of stay and faster time to discontinuation of dressing, though statistical significance was not achieved. Patients whose split skin graft donor sites were dressed with fibrin sealant plus self-adhesive fabric dressing experienced significantly less pain and incapacity than patients with self-adhesive fabric dressings alone, allowing a more rapid return to normal activity. Therapeutic, II.

  4. Using an adhesive retention tape on split skin graft donor areas.

    PubMed

    McPhee, Helen

    Donor split skin graft areas are often painful, a problem that can be exacerbated when dressings that have been applied slip, particularly when they are on the patient's thigh. Helen McPhee carried out a small trial to assess whether Mefix, an adhesive retention tape, could help to reduce these problems

  5. Subjective and objective observation of skin graft recovery on Indonesian local cat with different periods of transplantation time.

    PubMed

    Erwin; Gunanti; Handharyani, Ekowati; Noviana, Deni

    2016-05-01

    The success of a skin graft in a cat is highly dependent on the granulation formed by the base of recipient bed. Granulation by the base of recipient bed will form after several days after injury. This research aimed to observe subjective and objective profile of skin graft recovery on forelimb of cats with different periods of donor skin placement. Nine male Indonesian local cats aged 1-2 years old, weighing 3-4 kg were divided into three groups. The first surgery for creating defect wound of 2 cm×2 cm in size was performed in the whole group. The wound was left for several days with the respective interval for each group, respectively: Group I (for 2 days), Group II (for 4 days), and Group III (for 6 days). In the whole group, the second surgery was done by the harvesting skin of thoracic area which then applied on recipient bed of respective groups. The donor skin on Group II was accepted faster compared to Group I and Group III. The donor skin did not show color differences compared to surrounding skin, painless, bright red in bleeding test had faster both hair growth and drug absorption. Test toward the size of donor skin and the effect of drugs did not show a significant difference between each group. The observe subjective and objective profile of skin graft recovery on forelimb of cats on Group II were accepted faster compared to Group I and III.

  6. Nanofibrillar cellulose wound dressing in skin graft donor site treatment.

    PubMed

    Hakkarainen, T; Koivuniemi, R; Kosonen, M; Escobedo-Lucea, C; Sanz-Garcia, A; Vuola, J; Valtonen, J; Tammela, P; Mäkitie, A; Luukko, K; Yliperttula, M; Kavola, H

    2016-12-28

    Although new therapeutic approaches for burn treatment have made progress, there is still need for better methods to enhance wound healing and recovery especially in severely burned patients. Nanofibrillar cellulose (NFC) has gained attention due to its renewable nature, good biocompatibility and excellent physical properties that are of importance for a range of applications in pharmaceutical and biomedical fields. In the present study, we investigated the potential of a wood based NFC wound dressing in a clinical trial on burn patients. Previously, we have investigated NFC as a topical functionalized wound dressing that contributes to improve wound healing in mice. Wood based NFC wound dressing was tested in split-thickness skin graft donor site treatment for nine burn patients in clinical trials at Helsinki Burn Centre. NFC dressing was applied to split thickness skin graft donor sites. The dressing gradually dehydrated and attached to donor site during the first days. During the clinical trials, physical and mechanical properties of NFC wound dressing were optimized by changing its composition. From patient 5 forward, NFC dressing was compared to commercial lactocapromer dressing, Suprathel® (PMI Polymedics, Germany). Epithelialization of the NFC dressing-covered donor site was faster in comparison to Suprathel®. Healthy epithelialized skin was revealed under the detached NFC dressing. NFC dressing self-detached after 11-21days for patients 1-9, while Suprathel® self-detached after 16-28days for patients 5-9. In comparison studies with patients 5-9, NFC dressing self-detached on average 4days earlier compared with Suprathel®. Lower NFC content in the material was evaluated to influence the enhanced pliability of the dressing and attachment to the wound bed. No allergic reaction or inflammatory response to NFC was observed. NFC dressing did not cause more pain for patients than the traditional methods to treat the skin graft donor sites. Based on the preliminary clinical data, NFC dressing seems to be promising for skin graft donor site treatment since it is biocompatible, attaches easily to wound bed, and remains in place until donor site has renewed. It also detaches from the epithelialized skin by itself. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. Autologous Skin Cell Spray for Massive Soft Tissue War Injuries: A Prospective, Case-Control, Multicenter Trial

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-04-01

    randomization design, after all patients are treated with dermal matrix, patients will be randomized to Arm 1 (control group; standard skin grafting with... grafts are often “meshed” or flattened and spread out to increase the size of the skin graft to better cover a large wound. Standard “meshing” increases...the size of the donor graft by 1.5 times (1:1.5). Problems with healing and skin irritation remain with such skin grafts when the injured areas are

  8. Epidermal grafting versus split-thickness skin grafting for wound healing (EPIGRAAFT): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

    PubMed

    Kanapathy, Muholan; Hachach-Haram, Nadine; Bystrzonowski, Nicola; Harding, Keith; Mosahebi, Afshin; Richards, Toby

    2016-05-17

    Split-thickness skin grafting (SSG) is an important modality for wound closure. However, the donor site becomes a second, often painful wound, which may take more time to heal than the graft site itself and holds the risk of infection and scarring. Epidermal grafting (EG) is an alternative method of autologous skin grafting that harvests only the epidermal layer of the skin by applying continuous negative pressure on the normal skin to raise blisters. This procedure has minimal donor site morbidity and is relatively pain-free, allowing autologous skin grafting in an outpatient setting. We plan to compare EG to SSG and to further investigate the cellular mechanism by which each technique achieves wound healing. EPIGRAAFT is a multicentre, randomised, controlled trial that compares the efficacy and wound-healing mechanism of EG with SSG for wound healing. The primary outcome measures are the proportion of wounds healed in 6 weeks and the donor site healing time. The secondary outcome measures include the mean time for complete wound healing, pain score, patient satisfaction, health care utilisation, cost analysis, and incidence of adverse events. This study is expected to define the efficacy of EG and promote further understanding of the mechanism of wound healing by EG compared to SSG. The results of this study can be used to inform the current best practise for wound care. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier, NCT02535481 . Registered on 11 August 2015.

  9. Autologous Skin Cell Spray for Massive Soft Tissue War Injuries: A Prospective, Case-Control, Multicenter Trial

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-01-01

    control group; standard skin grafting with 1:1.5 meshing); Arm 2 (experimental group 1; wide 1:6 mesh graft with sprayed cells), and Arm 3...injured patient’s body and grafted over the wounded area to obtain a healed wound. These skin grafts are often “meshed” or flattened and spread out to...increase the size of the skin graft to better cover a large wound. Standard “meshing” increases the size of the donor graft by 1.5 times (1:1.5

  10. Adhesive retention dressings are more comfortable than alginate dressings on split-skin-graft donor sites.

    PubMed

    Hormbrey, E; Pandya, A; Giele, H

    2003-07-01

    Painful split-skin-graft donor sites remain a common problem for patients. We undertook a prospective randomised trial to examine the comparative comfort and ease of care of two different donor-site dressings. One dressing is the alginate Kaltostat, the standard plastic-surgical dressing in the UK and abroad, and the other is the adhesive retention tape Mefix, a novel use of a readily available dressing. We randomised 50 patients requiring split-skin grafts to receive either alginate (Kaltostat) or retention (Mefix) donor-site dressings. Dressings were assessed by interview and questionnaire at 24, 72 h and 2 weeks, and by wound review at 2 weeks. Retention dressings were found to be more comfortable, required less nursing intervention and allowed patients easier mobility with a greater range of daily activities, especially washing, without compromising wound healing. We recommend adhesive retention dressings as cost-effective comfortable dressings, which readily conform to any donor site.

  11. Reconstitution of full‐thickness skin by microcolumn grafting

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Ying; Vuong, Linh N.; Fisher, Jeremy M.; Farinelli, William A.; Anderson, R. Rox

    2016-01-01

    Abstract In addition to providing a physical barrier, skin also serves a diverse range of physiological functions through different specialized resident cell types/structures, including melanocytes (pigmentation and protection against ultraviolet radiation), Langerhans cells (adaptive immunity), fibroblasts (maintaining extracellular matrix, paracrine regulation of keratinocytes), sweat glands (thermoregulation) and hair follicles (hair growth, sensation and a stem cell reservoir). Restoration of these functional elements has been a long‐standing challenge in efforts to engineer skin tissue, while autologous skin grafting is limited by the scarcity of donor site skin and morbidity caused by skin harvesting. We demonstrate an alternative approach of harvesting and then implanting μm‐scale, full‐thickness columns of human skin tissue, which can be removed from a donor site with minimal morbidity and no scarring. Fresh human skin microcolumns were used to reconstitute skin in wounds on immunodeficient mice. The restored skin recapitulated many key features of normal human skin tissue, including epidermal architecture, diverse skin cell populations, adnexal structures and sweat production in response to cholinergic stimulation. These promising preclinical results suggest that harvesting and grafting of microcolumns may be useful for reconstituting fully functional skin in human wounds, without donor site morbidity. © 2016 The Authors Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. PMID:27296503

  12. Divided and Sliding Superficial Temporal Artery Flap for Primary Donor-site Closure

    PubMed Central

    Sugio, Yuta; Seike, Shien; Hosokawa, Ko

    2016-01-01

    Summary: Superficial temporal artery (STA) flaps are often used for reconstruction of hair-bearing areas. However, primary closure of the donor site is not easy when the size of the necessary skin island is relatively large. In such cases, skin grafts are needed at the donor site, resulting in baldness. We have solved this issue by applying the divided and sliding flap technique, which was first reported for primary donor-site closure of a latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap. We applied this technique to the hair-bearing STA flap, where primary donor-site closure is extremely beneficial for preventing baldness consequent to skin grafting. The STA flap was divided into 3, and creation of large flap was possible. Therefore, we concluded that the divided and sliding STA flap could at least partially solve the donor-site problem. Although further investigation is necessary to validate the maximum possible flap size, this technique may be applicable to at least small defects that are common after skin cancer ablation or trauma. PMID:27975020

  13. Use of split-thickness plantar skin grafts in the management of leg and foot skin defects.

    PubMed

    Liu, Hung-Hui; Chang, Chun-Kai; Huang, Chih-Han; Wu, Jen-Ru; Chen, Chun-Yu; Huang, Dun-Wei; Chu, Tzi-Shiang; Hsu, Kuo-Feng; Wang, Chi-Yu; Chiang, I-Han; Ou, Kuang-Ling; Wang, Chih-Hsin; Dai, Niann-Tzyy; Chen, Shyi-Gen; Tzeng, Yuan-Sheng

    2018-05-24

    The basic principle of donor site selection is to take skin from areas that will heal with minimal scarring while balancing the needs of the recipient site. For skin loss from the lower legs and feet, the most common harvest site for split-thickness skin grafts is the anterior or posterior thigh; grafts from the plantar areas have been mostly used to cover the volar aspect of digits and palms. Between September 2015 and September 2017, 42 patients with areas of skin loss on the legs or feet were treated with plantar skin grafts because of their cosmetic benefits and the convenience of the surgical procedure and postoperative wound care. Our technique of harvesting a single layer of split-thickness skin graft (0.014 in. thick) from a non-weight-bearing area of the foot of the injured leg is simple and provided good functional and cosmetic outcomes at both the donor and recipient sites. All patients were very satisfied with the recovery progress and final results. Therefore, in the management of skin defects in the lower legs or feet that comprise less than 1.5% of the total body surface area, our surgical method is a reliable alternative to anterior or posterior thigh skin grafting. © 2018 Medicalhelplines.com Inc and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  14. Delayed grafting for banked skin graft in lymph node flap transfer.

    PubMed

    Ciudad, Pedro; Date, Shivprasad; Orfaniotis, Georgios; Dower, Rory; Nicoli, Fabio; Maruccia, Michele; Lin, Shu-Ping; Chuang, Chu-Yi; Chuang, Tsan-Yu; Wang, Gou-Jen; Chen, Hung-Chi

    2017-02-01

    Over the last decade, lymph node flap (LNF) transfer has turned out to be an effective method in the management of lymphoedema of extremities. Most of the time, the pockets created for LNF cannot be closed primarily and need to be resurfaced with split thickness skin grafts. Partial graft loss was frequently noted in these cases. The need to prevent graft loss on these iatrogenic wounds made us explore the possibility of attempting delayed skin grafting. We have herein reported our experience with delayed grafting with autologous banked split skin grafts in cases of LNF transfer for lymphoedema of the extremities. Ten patients with International Society of Lymphology stage II-III lymphoedema of upper or lower extremity were included in this study over an 8-month period. All patients were thoroughly evaluated and subjected to lymph node flap transfer. The split skin graft was harvested and banked at the donor site, avoiding immediate resurfacing over the flap. The same was carried out in an aseptic manner as a bedside procedure after confirming flap viability and allowing flap swelling to subside. Patients were followed up to evaluate long-term outcomes. Flap survival was 100%. Successful delayed skin grafting was done between the 4th and 6th post-operative day as a bedside procedure under local anaesthesia. The split thickness skin grafts (STSG) takes more than 97%. One patient needed additional medications during the bedside procedure. All patients had minimal post-operative pain and skin graft requirement. The patients were also reported to be satisfied with the final aesthetic results. There were no complications related to either the skin grafts or donor sites during the entire period of follow-up. Delayed split skin grafting is a reliable method of resurfacing lymph node flaps and has been shown to reduce the possibility of flap complications as well as the operative time and costs. © 2016 Medicalhelplines.com Inc and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  15. Immediate Regrafting of the Split Thickness Skin Graft Donor Site Assists Healing.

    PubMed

    Bradow, Brian P; Hallock, Geoffrey G; Wilcock, Samuel P

    2017-05-01

    Delayed or even lack of healing of a split-thickness skin graft (STSG) donor site is a potential problem with elderly patients or those with poor wound healing capabilities. A proactive solution that may minimize this risk is to regraft that donor site using otherwise discarded skin graft remnants. A prospective, nonrandomized, consecutive study was designed to compare the time to healing of the commonly used anterior thigh STSG donor site in patients who had routine dressings (n = 113) versus those with comorbidities known to adversely affect wound healing and had planned regrafting (n = 204). Those comorbidities included age (≥65 years), diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, chronic renal disease, and chronic steroid use. The average number of comorbidities in the regrafted subgroup versus those not regrafted was 1.41 and 0.31, respectively. This was considered to be a significant difference ( P < 0.0001) confirming the validity in predicting patients at risk for adverse donor-site healing that would benefit by regrafting. The mean time required for donor-site reepithelialization of those regrafted was 17.2 days compared with 17.8 days for those not regrafted ( P = 0.2395), which was not significantly different. Regrafting the STSG donor site of patients with known comorbidities, that is, those expected to have delayed healing in general, had a mean time to reepithelialization comparable with conventionally treated individuals. This was considered a direct consequence of recycling rather than discarding any excess skin graft materials when so indicated and can be a proactive solution to a potentially cumbersome dilemma.

  16. Local Burn Injury Promotes Defects in the Epidermal Lipid and Antimicrobial Peptide Barriers in Human Autograft Skin and Burn Margin: Implications for Burn Wound Healing and Graft Survival

    PubMed Central

    Plichta, Jennifer K.; Holmes, Casey J.; Gamelli, Richard L.; Radek, Katherine A.

    2016-01-01

    Burn injury increases the risk of morbidity and mortality by promoting severe hemodynamic shock and risk for local or systemic infection. Graft failure due to poor wound healing or infection remains a significant problem for burn subjects. The mechanisms by which local burn injury compromises the epithelial antimicrobial barrier function in the burn margin, containing the elements necessary for healing of the burn site, and in distal unburned skin, which serves as potential donor tissue, are largely unknown. The objective of this study was to establish defects in epidermal barrier function in human donor skin and burn margin, in order to identify potential mechanisms that may lead to graft failure and/or impaired burn wound healing. In the present study, we established that epidermal lipids and respective lipid synthesis enzymes were significantly reduced in both donor skin and burn margin. We further identified diverse changes in the gene expression and protein production of several candidate skin antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in both donor skin and burn margin. These results also parallel changes in cutaneous AMP activity against common burn wound pathogens, aberrant production of epidermal proteases known to regulate barrier permeability and AMP activity, and greater production of pro-inflammatory cytokines known to be induced by AMPs. These findings suggest that impaired epidermal lipid and AMP regulation could contribute to graft failure and infectious complications in subjects with burn or other traumatic injury. PMID:27183442

  17. The Gradual Expansion Muscle Flap

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-01-01

    acute shortening and angulation of the tibia and rotational muscle flap coverage and split thickness skin grafting of the soft tissue defect...is also amenable to split-thickness skin grafting after tissue incorporation.11 In addition to donor site morbidity, free tissue transfer is dependent...necessary soft tissue coverage. In the second stage, after the flap has adequately set and overlying skin graft has full adherence, a Taylor Spatial

  18. Changes in histopathology and cytokeratin AE1/AE3 expression in skin graft with different time on Indonesian local cats.

    PubMed

    Erwin; Etriwati; Gunanti; Handharyani, Ekowati; Noviana, Deni

    2017-06-01

    A good skin graft histopathology is followed by formation of hair follicle, sweat gland, sebaceous gland, blood vessel, lightly dense connective tissue, epidermis, and dermis layer. This research aimed to observe histopathology feature and cytokeratin AE1/AE3 expression on cat skin post skin grafting within a different period of time. Nine male Indonesian local cats aged 1-2 years old weighing 3-4 kg were separated into three groups. First surgery created defect wound of 2 cm × 2 cm in size to whole groups. The wounds were left alone for several days, differing in interval between each group, respectively: Group I (for 2 days), Group II (for 4 days), and Group III (for 6 days). The second surgery was done to each group which harvested skin of thoracic area and applied it on recipient wound bed. On day 24 th post skin graft was an examination of histopathology and cytokeratin AE1/AE3 immunohistochemistry. Group I donor skin's epidermis layer had not formed completely whereas epidermis of donor skin of Groups II and III had completely formed. In all group hair follicle, sweat gland, sebaceous gland, and neovascularization were found. The density of connective tissue in Group I was very solid than other groups. Cytokeratin AE1/AE3 expression was found on donor skin's epithelial cell in epidermis and dermis layer with very brown intensity for Group II, brown intensity for Group II, and lightly brown for Group I. Histopathological structure and cytokeratin AE1/AE3 expression post skin graft are better in Groups II and III compared to Group I.

  19. Treatment of the concrete scalp donor site.

    PubMed

    Engrav, L H; Grube, B J; Bubak, P J

    1990-02-01

    The scalp has become a popular donor site for split-thickness skin, and few complications have been reported. However, we have been troubled by 5 patients in whom the donor site did not epithelialize but rather turned into dried granulation tissue with embedded growing hairs, a situation rather like concrete with steel reinforcing rods. The pathophysiology is not clear but seems to be related to thick grafts from hair-bearing areas. We treated the lesions by removing the granulation tissue, shaving the hair, and treating the wound as a new donor site. Four lesions healed with total or near total regrowth of hair, and one required a small skin graft.

  20. Reconstitution of full-thickness skin by microcolumn grafting.

    PubMed

    Tam, Joshua; Wang, Ying; Vuong, Linh N; Fisher, Jeremy M; Farinelli, William A; Anderson, R Rox

    2017-10-01

    In addition to providing a physical barrier, skin also serves a diverse range of physiological functions through different specialized resident cell types/structures, including melanocytes (pigmentation and protection against ultraviolet radiation), Langerhans cells (adaptive immunity), fibroblasts (maintaining extracellular matrix, paracrine regulation of keratinocytes), sweat glands (thermoregulation) and hair follicles (hair growth, sensation and a stem cell reservoir). Restoration of these functional elements has been a long-standing challenge in efforts to engineer skin tissue, while autologous skin grafting is limited by the scarcity of donor site skin and morbidity caused by skin harvesting. We demonstrate an alternative approach of harvesting and then implanting μm-scale, full-thickness columns of human skin tissue, which can be removed from a donor site with minimal morbidity and no scarring. Fresh human skin microcolumns were used to reconstitute skin in wounds on immunodeficient mice. The restored skin recapitulated many key features of normal human skin tissue, including epidermal architecture, diverse skin cell populations, adnexal structures and sweat production in response to cholinergic stimulation. These promising preclinical results suggest that harvesting and grafting of microcolumns may be useful for reconstituting fully functional skin in human wounds, without donor site morbidity. © 2016 The Authors Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. © 2016 The Authors Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  1. A review of negative-pressure wound therapy in the management of burn wounds.

    PubMed

    Kantak, Neelesh A; Mistry, Riyam; Halvorson, Eric G

    2016-12-01

    Negative pressure has been employed in various aspects of burn care and the aim of this study was to evaluate the evidence for each of those uses. The PubMed and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were queried for articles in the following areas: negative pressure as a dressing for acute burns, intermediate treatment prior to skin grafting, bolster for skin autografts, dressing for integration of dermal substitutes, dressing for skin graft donor sites, and integrated dressing in large burns. Fifteen studies met our inclusion criteria. One study showed negative pressure wound therapy improved perfusion in acute partial-thickness burns, 8 out of 9 studies showed benefits when used as a skin graft bolster dressing, 1 out of 2 studies showed improved rate of revascularization when used over dermal substitutes, and 1 study showed increased rate of re-epithelialization when used over skin graft donor sites. Negative pressure can improve autograft take when used as a bolster dressing. There is limited data to suggest that it may also improve the rate of revascularization of dermal substitutes and promote re-epithelialization of skin graft donor sites. Other uses suggested by studies that did not meet our inclusion criteria include improving vascularity in acute partial-thickness burns and as an integrated dressing for the management of large burns. Further studies are warranted for most clinical applications to establish negative pressure as an effective adjunct in burn wound care. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

  2. [Split-thickness skin graft donor site: which dressing use?].

    PubMed

    Caliot, J; Bodin, F; Chiriac, S; Correia, N; Poli-Mérol, M-L; François-Fiquet, C

    2015-04-01

    The management of split-thickness skin graft donor sites is targeted towards promoting the healing process, reducing pain. This has been an inconclusive topic. The aim of this study was to list and to discuss the French practices in term of split-thickness skin graft (STSG) donor site dressing. Multicentric national study by questionnaire (Google Drive(®)) for the attention of the plastic and/or pediatric surgeons. The type of dressing used on skin and sclap and the rhythm of dressing changes were analyzed. The study included 26 surgical centers on 40 contacted. The alginate is mainly used (Algostéril(®)) (17/26). It is left in position until healing (13/17). Five other types of dressings have been reported: paraffin gauze (3/26), lipidocolloides (1/26), Mepitel(®) (1/26), Mepilex(®) (1/26), indifferent use of gauze or alginate dressings (4/26). Twenty-two out of 26 centers make no difference in dressing choice between skin and scalp. Medical practices did not differ between adult or pediatric departments. Cost-effectiveness has become an important issue in wound management, requiring judicious use. The lack of consensus regarding split-thickness skin graft donor site dressing and our clinical practices force us to reconsider the best therapeutic option. This study coupled with the analysis of the literature highlights the difficulties of the practitioner in choosing the best dressing. The alginate seems to get the preference of our practices by its ease of use, its absence of change (reduces pain by limiting manipulations) and its moderate cost. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  3. Simultaneous Transplantation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells and a Vascularized Composite Allograft Leads to Tolerance

    PubMed Central

    Mathes, David W.; Chang, Jeff; Hwang, Billanna; Graves, Scott S.; Storer, Barry E.; Butts-Miwongtum, Tiffany; Sale, George E.; Storb, Rainer

    2014-01-01

    Background We have previously demonstrated that tolerance to a vascularized composite allograft (VCA) can be achieved after the establishment of mixed chimerism. Here, we test the hypothesis that tolerance to a VCA in our dog leukocyte antigen (DLA)-matched canine model is not dependent on the previous establishment of mixed chimerism and can be induced coincident with hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Methods Eight DLA-matched, minor antigen mismatched dogs received 200 cGy of radiation and a VCA transplant. Four dogs received donor bone marrow at the time of VCA transplantation (group 1) while a second group of 4 dogs did not (group 2). All recipients received a limited course of post-grafting immunosuppression. All dogs that received HCT and VCA were given donor, third party and autologous skin grafts. Results All group 1 recipients were tolerant to their VCA (> 62 weeks). Three of the four dogs in group 2 rejected their VCA transplants after the cessation of immunosuppression. Biopsies obtained from muscle and skin of VCA from group 1 showed few infiltrating cells compared to extensive infiltrates in biopsies of VCA from group 2. Compared to autologous skin and muscle, elevated levels of CD3+ FoxP3+ T-regulatory cells were found in skin and muscle obtained from VCA of HCT recipients. All group 1 animals were tolerant to their donor skin graft and promptly rejected the third-part skin grafts. Conclusion These data demonstrated donor specific tolerance to all components of the VCA can be established through simultaneous nonmyeloablative allogeneic HCT and VCA transplant protocol. PMID:24918616

  4. Associated use of silicone-vitamin E gauzes and α-tocopherol acetate oil in healing of skin graft donor sites.

    PubMed

    Stanizzi, Antonio; Bottoni, Manuela; Tartaglione, Caterina; Bolletta, Elisa; Benedetto, Giovanni Di

    2017-10-01

    Split-thickness skin graft is one of the most used procedures in plastic surgery. This procedure involves numerous painful dressings at the donor site. α-Tocopherol acetate has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties and it can reduce the local bacterial growth, thereby promoting wound healing. We designed a prospective study to evaluate the effects of two different kinds of dressings at skin graft donor sites. A total of 30 patients were subjected to daily dressings with α-tocopherol acetate oil and traditional moist gauzes (group 1). Another 30 patients were subjected to dressings every 4 days with α-tocopherol acetate oil and silicone-vitamin E gauzes (group 2). Healing time, infection rate, patient's pain perception and costs were evaluated in both the groups. No statistically significant difference was found in terms of healing time. The infection rate was slightly different in the two groups. Significant reduction of pain perception was detected in group 2. In the same group, significant reduction in the total cost of the treatment was also observed. α-Tocopherol acetate oil and silicone-vitamin E gauzes may represent a safe, simple, painless and inexpensive method for improving skin graft donor site healing. © 2017 The Authors. International Wound Journal published by Medicalhelplines.com Inc and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  5. Clinical Experience and Best Practices Using Epidermal Skin Grafts on Wounds.

    PubMed

    Kirsner, Robert S; Bernstein, Brent; Bhatia, Animesh; Lantis, John; Le, Lam; Lincoln, Katherine; Liu, Paul; Rodgers, Lee; Shaw, Mark; Young, David

    2015-11-01

    Over the years, autologous skin grafting has been used extensively to achieve wound closure, optimize a functional scar, and improve aesthetic outcomes for the patient. Although a vast majority of the literature is on the use of full-thickness and split-thickness skin grafts, epidermal skin grafts (ESGs) have emerged as a viable option in the reconstructive ladder when only the epidermal layer is needed. These grafts are distinct from other types of autologous skin grafts in that they can be harvested without anesthesia and leave minimal or no scarring at the donor site. In order to explore the use of ESGs in the continuum of primary wound closure, a multidisciplinary expert panel convened in October 2014, in Las Vegas, NV, to review the scientific basis and clinical uses of epidermal grafting. This publication provides an overview of epidermal grafting, recommendations for graft application, and potential roles for its use in wound care and closure.

  6. Haemostatic effects of adrenaline-lidocaine subcutaneous infiltration at donor sites.

    PubMed

    Gacto, P; Miralles, F; Pereyra, J J; Perez, A; Martínez, E

    2009-05-01

    This study sought methods in burn surgery to reduce postoperative pain and blood loss at donor sites. A prospective, randomised, controlled, blinded trial included 56 people undergoing burn surgery, divided into two groups. Both groups received subcutaneous infiltration at donor sites, with either 1:500,000 adrenaline solution containing added lidocaine or with 0.45% normal saline (controls). Outcome measurements included amount of intraoperative bleeding, need for electrocautery, days the hydrocolloid dressing remained on donor sites, percentage of re-epithelialised skin at donor sites 1 week after surgery and viability of skin grafts. Results indicated that subcutaneous adrenaline-lidocaine infiltration at donor sites reduced intraoperative bleeding, decreased postoperative pain, shortened the duration of surgery and general anaesthesia and accelerated re-epithelialisation at the donor site. The overall graft take in both groups was similar.

  7. Randomized Clinical Trial of the Innovative Bilayered Wound Dressing Made of Silk and Gelatin: Safety and Efficacy Tests Using a Split-Thickness Skin Graft Model

    PubMed Central

    Hasatsri, Sukhontha; Angspatt, Apichai

    2015-01-01

    We developed the novel silk fibroin-based bilayered wound dressing for the treatment of partial thickness wounds. And it showed relevant characteristics and accelerated the healing of full-thickness wounds in a rat model. This study is the clinical evaluation of the bilayered wound dressing to confirm its safety and efficacy for the treatment of split-thickness skin donor sites. The safety test was performed using a patch model and no evidence of marked and severe cutaneous reactions was found. The efficacy test of the bilayered wound dressing was conducted on 23 patients with 30 split-thickness skin graft donor sites to evaluate healing time, pain score, skin barrier function, and systemic reaction in comparison to Bactigras. We found that the healing time of donor site wounds treated with the bilayered wound dressing (11 ± 6 days) was significantly faster than those treated with Bactigras (14 ± 6 days) (p = 10−6). The wound sites treated with the bilayered wound dressing showed significantly less pain and more rapid skin functional barrier recovery than those treated with Bactigras (p = 10−5). Therefore, these results confirmed the clinical safety and efficacy of the bilayered wound dressing for the treatment of split-thickness skin graft donor sites. PMID:26221170

  8. Incidence of the concrete scalp deformity associated with deep scalp donor sites and management with the Unna cap.

    PubMed

    Carter, Y M; Summer, G J; Engrav, L H; Hansen, F L; Costa, B A; Matsumura, H

    1999-01-01

    The scalp has become a popular donor site for split-thickness skin grafts. This donor site does, however, have complications, including the concrete scalp deformity, which consists of hairs embedded in a thick, desiccated, exudative crust. This article presents our burn unit's experience with this complication. Fifty-six patients underwent scalp skin graft harvesting between 1984 and 1996. All grafts were quite thick and were used for resurfacing facial burns. Thirty-eight donor sites were treated with medicated gauze, and 18 were treated with the Unna cap, which is an Unna dressing applied over Aquaphor gauze (Beiersdorf, Norwalk, Conn). Eighteen of the 38 patients (32%) treated with medicated gauze developed the concrete scalp deformity. None of the patients treated with the Unna cap developed the deformity. Although useful, the deep scalp donor site has complications, including the concrete scalp deformity. However, with use of the Unna cap dressing, we have had no occurrences of this problem.

  9. Prolongation of GFP-expressed skin graft after intrathymic injection of GFP positive splenocytes in adult rat

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hakamata, Yoji; Igarashi, Yuka; Murakami, Takashi; Kobayashi, Eiji

    2006-02-01

    GFP is a fluorescent product of the jellyfish Aequorea victoria and has been used for a variety of biological experiments as a reporter molecule. While GFP possesses advantages for the non-invasive imaging of viable cells, GFP-positive cells are still considered potential xeno-antigens. It is difficult to observe the precise fate of transplanted cells/organs in recipients without immunological control. The aim of this study was to determine whether intrathymic injection of GFP to recipients and the depletion of peripheral lymphocytes could lead to donor-specific unresponsiveness to GFP-expressed cell. LEW rats were administered intraperitoneally with 0.2 ml of anti-rat lymphocyte serum (ALS) 1 day prior to intrathymic injection of donor splenocytes or adeno-GFP vector. Donor cells and vector were non-invasively inoculated into the thymus under high frequency ultrasound imaging using an echo-guide. All animals subsequently received a 7 days GFP-expressed skin graft from the same genetic background GFP LEW transgenic rat. Skin graft survival was greater in rats injected with donor splenocytes (23.6+/-9.1) compared with adeno-GFP (13.0+/-3.7) or untreated control rats (9.5+/-1.0). Intrathymic injection of donor antigen into adult rats can induce donor-specific unresponsiveness. Donor cells can be observed for a long-term in recipients with normal immunity using this strategy.

  10. Immune Dysfunctions and Abrogation of the Inflammatory Response by Environmental Chemicals.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1981-08-01

    vitro effects in cats, mice, and humans. Materials and Methods: Animals: Mice: Young adult Swiss outbred mice and C57BL/6 (for skin graft donors) were...was used to determine significant differences between control (untreated) and MNU-treated cell cultures or animal groups. Results: Skin grafts : The...MNU-treated mice showed a dose-related increase in skin graft retention time, which was significant at 25 and 50 mg/kg MNU (p<.001). This is compared

  11. A new continuous suture technique in ear reconstruction with full-thickness skin grafts.

    PubMed

    Bramhall, Russell James; Gorman, Mark; Khan, Muhammad Adil Abbas; Riaz, Muhammad

    2012-07-01

    Ear reconstruction with full-thickness skin grafts can be a challenging task for plastic surgeons. It is often necessary to remove the underlying cartilage with the skin lesion and the resultant defect may be deeply concave. We present a short clinical report to describe an improved technique that we find useful in reducing the diameter and depth of anterior pinna contour defects, in improving graft take, and in reducing the size of the donor-site scar.

  12. When Is It Appropriate to Put a Live Donor at Risk to Help Another Patient?

    PubMed

    Khandelwal, Anjay

    2018-06-01

    This article considers the nature and scope of ethical decision making in monozygotic sibling (MZS) skin grafting. Although rare, identical twin-to-twin skin grafting has been reported with excellent survival rates in burn patients. Of 16 cases published to date, only a few address the ethical decision making process that is involved with monozygotic sibling skin grafting; this article discusses clinical indications and ethical challenges. © 2018 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.

  13. Analyzing contraction of full thickness skin grafts in time: Choosing the donor site does matter.

    PubMed

    Stekelenburg, Carlijn M; Simons, Janine M; Tuinebreijer, Wim E; van Zuijlen, Paul P M

    2016-11-01

    In reconstructive burn surgery full thickness skin grafts (FTSGs) are frequently preferred over split thickness skin grafts because they are known to provide superior esthetic results and less contraction. However, the contraction rate of FTSGs on the long term has never been studied. The surface area of FTSGs of consecutive patients was measured during surgery and at their regular follow up (at approximately 1, 6,13 and 52 weeks postoperatively) by means of 3D-stereophotogrammetry. Linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the influence of age, recipient- and donor site and operation indication. 38 FTSGs in 26 patients, with a mean age of 37.4 (SD 21.9) were evaluated. A significant reduction in remaining surface area to 79.1% was observed after approximately 6 weeks (p=0.002), to 85.9% after approximately 13 weeks (p=0.040) and to 91.5% after approximately 52 weeks (p=0.033). Grafts excised from the trunk showed significantly less contraction than grafts excised from the extremities (94.0% vs. 75.7% p=0.036). FTSGs showed a significant reduction in surface area, followed by a relaxation phase, but remained significantly smaller. Furthermore, the trunk should be preferred as donor site location over the extremities. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

  14. Cultured Skin Substitutes Reduce Donor Skin Harvesting for Closure of Excised, Full-Thickness Burns

    PubMed Central

    Boyce, Steven T.; Kagan, Richard J.; Yakuboff, Kevin P.; Meyer, Nicholas A.; Rieman, Mary T.; Greenhalgh, David G.; Warden, Glenn D.

    2002-01-01

    Objective Comparison of cultured skin substitutes (CSS) and split-thickness skin autograft (AG) was performed to assess whether donor-site harvesting can be reduced quantitatively and whether functional and cosmetic outcome is similar qualitatively in the treatment of patients with massive cutaneous burns. Summary Background Data Cultured skin substitutes consisting of collagen-glycosaminoglycan substrates populated with autologous fibroblasts and keratinocytes have been shown to close full-thickness skin wounds in preclinical and clinical studies with acceptable functional and cosmetic results. Methods Qualitative outcome was compared between CSS and AG in 45 patients on an ordinal scale (0, worst; 10, best) with primary analyses at postoperative day 28 and after about 1 year for erythema, pigmentation, pliability, raised scar, epithelial blistering, and surface texture. In the latest 12 of the 45 patients, tracings were performed of donor skin biopsies and wounds treated with CSS at postoperative days 14 and 28 to calculate percentage engraftment, the ratio of closed wound:donor skin areas, and the percentage of total body surface area closed with CSS. Results Measures of qualitative outcome of CSS or AG were not different statistically at 1 year after grafting. Engraftment at postoperative day 14 exceeded 75% in the 12 patients evaluated. The ratio of closed wound:donor skin areas for CSS at postoperative day 28 was significantly greater than for conventional 4:1 meshed autografts. The percentage of total body surface area closed with CSS at postoperative day 28 was significantly less than with AG. Conclusions The requirement for harvesting of donor skin for CSS was less than for conventional skin autografts. These results suggest that acute-phase recovery of patients with extensive burns is facilitated and that complications are reduced by the use of CSS together with conventional skin grafting. PMID:11807368

  15. Cultured skin substitutes reduce donor skin harvesting for closure of excised, full-thickness burns.

    PubMed

    Boyce, Steven T; Kagan, Richard J; Yakuboff, Kevin P; Meyer, Nicholas A; Rieman, Mary T; Greenhalgh, David G; Warden, Glenn D

    2002-02-01

    Comparison of cultured skin substitutes (CSS) and split-thickness skin autograft (AG) was performed to assess whether donor-site harvesting can be reduced quantitatively and whether functional and cosmetic outcome is similar qualitatively in the treatment of patients with massive cutaneous burns. Cultured skin substitutes consisting of collagen-glycosaminoglycan substrates populated with autologous fibroblasts and keratinocytes have been shown to close full-thickness skin wounds in preclinical and clinical studies with acceptable functional and cosmetic results. Qualitative outcome was compared between CSS and AG in 45 patients on an ordinal scale (0, worst; 10, best) with primary analyses at postoperative day 28 and after about 1 year for erythema, pigmentation, pliability, raised scar, epithelial blistering, and surface texture. In the latest 12 of the 45 patients, tracings were performed of donor skin biopsies and wounds treated with CSS at postoperative days 14 and 28 to calculate percentage engraftment, the ratio of closed wound:donor skin areas, and the percentage of total body surface area closed with CSS. Measures of qualitative outcome of CSS or AG were not different statistically at 1 year after grafting. Engraftment at postoperative day 14 exceeded 75% in the 12 patients evaluated. The ratio of closed wound:donor skin areas for CSS at postoperative day 28 was significantly greater than for conventional 4:1 meshed autografts. The percentage of total body surface area closed with CSS at postoperative day 28 was significantly less than with AG. The requirement for harvesting of donor skin for CSS was less than for conventional skin autografts. These results suggest that acute-phase recovery of patients with extensive burns is facilitated and that complications are reduced by the use of CSS together with conventional skin grafting.

  16. Influence of human fibroblasts on development and quality of multilayered composite grafts in athymic nude mice.

    PubMed

    Cedidi, C Can; Wilkens, L; Berger, A; Ingianni, G

    2007-11-05

    In patients after extensive burn injury the lack of split thickness skin graft donor sites, and consecutive delay in wound closure are critical factors of morbidity and mortality. In addition limited functional and aesthetic results after transplantation of split thickness skin grafts present a socioeconomic problem. For improved wound closure the aim of this study was the development of a one stage technique for the establishment of a multi layer composite graft, existing of a collagen-GAG-matrix with silicon layer of a two layer synthetic dermal equivalent (DE) with integrated fibroblasts, and ceratinocytes. - In 64 athymic nude mice the evaluation of the multi layer skin grafts potential to re-establish a human epidermis, and high quality dermal structure was performed. In addition to clinical investigations we measured wound contraction, and analyzed histomorphologic, immunohistologic, "in situ hybridisation", and electro microscopic data. - Our results show, that the seeding of DE with human fibroblasts and ceratinocytes as a composite skin graft reproducible enabled a wound healing with an organised human dermis and epidermis within 10 - 15 days. The histological studies of the grafted composite skin grafts in this model showed morphologically a characteristic dermal-epidermal skin structure with a cornifying epithelium, being of human origin ("in situ hybridisation"). Through the co-cultivation of fibroblasts and ceratinocytes in the DE the generation and structural morphology of collagen fibres, and inflammatory reaction in the neodermis is positively influenced, and as a consequence wound contraction significantly reduced. In regard to the early preparation of composite grafts, and the minimal requirements for donor sites - with dependable stable reconstruction of the integument - this technique may present a step forward in the treatment of patients with extensive burns.

  17. Clinical potential of a silk sericin-releasing bioactive wound dressing for the treatment of split-thickness skin graft donor sites.

    PubMed

    Siritientong, Tippawan; Angspatt, Apichai; Ratanavaraporn, Juthamas; Aramwit, Pornanong

    2014-01-01

    An ethyl alcohol-precipitated silk sericin/PVA scaffold that controlled the release of silk sericin was previously developed and applied for the treatment of full-thickness wounds in rats and demonstrated efficient healing. In this study, we aimed to further evaluate the clinical potential of this scaffold, hereafter called "silk sericin-releasing wound dressing", for the treatment of split-thickness skin graft donor sites by comparison with the clinically available wound dressing known as "Bactigras®". In vitro characterization and in vivo evaluation for safety of the wound dressings were performed. A clinical trial of the wound dressings was conducted according to standard protocols. The sericin released from the wound dressing was not toxic to HaCat human keratinocytes. A peel test indicated that the silk sericin-releasing wound dressing was less adhesive than Bactigras®, potentially reducing trauma and the risk of repeated injury upon removal. There was no evidence of skin irritation upon treatment with either wound dressing. When tested in patients with split-thickness skin graft donor sites, the wounds treated with the silk sericin-releasing wound dressing exhibited complete healing at 12 ± 5.0 days, whereas those treated with Bactigras® were completely healed at 14 ± 5.2 days (p = 1.99 × 10(-4)). In addition, treatment with the silk sericin-releasing wound dressing significantly reduced pain compared with Bactigras® particularly during the first 4 postoperative days (p = 2.70 × 10(-5) on day 1). We introduce this novel silk sericin-releasing wound dressing as an alternative treatment for split-thickness skin graft donor sites.

  18. Randomized, Paired-site Comparison of Autologous Engineered Skin Substitutes and Split-thickness Skin Graft for Closure of Extensive, Full-thickness Burns

    PubMed Central

    Boyce, Steven T.; Simpson, Peggy S.; Rieman, Mary T.; Warner, Petra M.; Yakuboff, Kevin P.; Bailey, J. Kevin; Nelson, Judith K.; Fowler, Laura A.; Kagan, Richard J.

    2016-01-01

    Objectives Stable closure of full-thickness burn wounds remains a limitation to recovery from burns of greater than 50% of the total body surface area (TBSA). Hypothetically, engineered skin substitutes (ESS) consisting of autologous keratinocytes and fibroblasts attached to collagen-based scaffolds may reduce requirements for donor skin, and decrease mortality. Methods ESS were prepared from split-thickness skin biopsies collected after enrollment of 16 pediatric burn patients into an approved study protocol. ESS and split-thickness autograft (AG) were applied to 15 subjects with full-thickness burns involving a mean of 76.9% TBSA. Data consisted of photographs, tracings of donor skin and healed wounds, comparison of mortality with the National Burn Repository (NBR), correlation of TBSA closed wounds with TBSA full-thickness burn, frequencies of regrafting, and immunoreactivity to the biopolymer scaffold. Results One subject expired before ESS application, and 15 subjects received 2056 ESS grafts. The ratio of closed wound to donor areas was 108.7±9.7 for ESS compared with a maximum of 4.0±0.0 for AG. Mortality for enrolled subjects was 6.25%, and 30.3% for a comparable population from the NBR (p<0.05). Engraftment was 83.5±2.0% for ESS and 96.5±0.9 for AG. Percentage TBSA closed was 29.9±3.3% for ESS, and 47.0±2.0 for AG. These values were significantly different between the graft types. Correlation of % TBSA closed with ESS with % TBSA full-thickness burn generated an R2 value of 0.65 (p<0.001). Conclusions These results indicate that autologous ESS reduce mortality and requirements for donor skin harvesting, for grafting of full-thickness burns of greater than 50% TBSA. PMID:27404165

  19. Randomized, Paired-Site Comparison of Autologous Engineered Skin Substitutes and Split-Thickness Skin Graft for Closure of Extensive, Full-Thickness Burns.

    PubMed

    Boyce, Steven T; Simpson, Peggy S; Rieman, Mary T; Warner, Petra M; Yakuboff, Kevin P; Bailey, J Kevin; Nelson, Judith K; Fowler, Laura A; Kagan, Richard J

    Stable closure of full-thickness burn wounds remains a limitation to recovery from burns of greater than 50% of the total body surface area (TBSA). Hypothetically, engineered skin substitutes (ESS) consisting of autologous keratinocytes and fibroblasts attached to collagen-based scaffolds may reduce requirements for donor skin, and decrease mortality. ESS were prepared from split-thickness skin biopsies collected after enrollment of 16 pediatric burn patients into an approved study protocol. ESS and split-thickness autograft (AG) were applied to 15 subjects with full-thickness burns involving a mean of 76.9% TBSA. Data consisted of photographs, tracings of donor skin and healed wounds, comparison of mortality with the National Burn Repository, correlation of TBSA closed wounds with TBSA full-thickness burn, frequencies of regrafting, and immunoreactivity to the biopolymer scaffold. One subject expired before ESS application, and 15 subjects received 2056 ESS grafts. The ratio of closed wound to donor areas was 108.7 ± 9.7 for ESS compared with a maximum of 4.0 ± 0.0 for AG. Mortality for enrolled subjects was 6.25%, and 30.3% for a comparable population from the National Burn Repository (P < .05). Engraftment was 83.5 ± 2.0% for ESS and 96.5 ± 0.9% for AG. Percentage TBSA closed was 29.9 ± 3.3% for ESS, and 47.0 ± 2.0% for AG. These values were significantly different between the graft types. Correlation of % TBSA closed with ESS with % TBSA full-thickness burn generated an R value of 0.65 (P < .001). These results indicate that autologous ESS reduce mortality and requirements for donor skin harvesting, for grafting of full-thickness burns of greater than 50% TBSA.

  20. Platelet-rich plasma-containing fragmin-protamine micro-nanoparticles promote epithelialization and angiogenesis in split-thickness skin graft donor sites.

    PubMed

    Takabayashi, Yuki; Ishihara, Masayuki; Sumi, Yuki; Takikawa, Makoto; Nakamura, Shingo; Kiyosawa, Tomoharu

    2015-01-01

    Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains multiple growth factors, and fragmin-protamine micro-nanoparticles (F-P M-NPs) significantly enhance and stabilize growth factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of PRP-containing F-P M-NPs (PRP&F-P M-NPs) on wound repair in split-thickness skin graft (STSG-) donor sites (DS). A total of 56 inbred male rats were anesthetized and split-thickness skin graft donor site (STSG-DS) were created with a Padgett dermatome. PRP&F-P M-NPs, F-P M-NPs, PRP, and saline (control) were then intradermally injected evenly into the STSG-DSs. On 3, 4, 5, 7, and 10 d after creation of STSG-DS, skin sample sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to evaluate reepithelialization and angiogenesis. Treatment of STSG-DS with PRP&F-P M-NPs effectively promoted epithelialization and new vessel formation compared with those treated with PRP, F-P M-NPs, and control (saline). The intradermal injection of PRP&F-P M-NPs promotes epithelialization and angiogenesis in STSG-DS wounds. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Grafting of burns with widely meshed autograft split skin and Langerhans cell-depressed allograft split skin overlay

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Alsbjoern, B.F.S.; Sorensen, B.

    1986-12-01

    Extensively burned patients suffer from lack of sufficient autologous donor skin. Meshing and wide expansion of the obtained split skin has met the requirement to a large degree. However, the wider the expansion, the less chance of a proper take. By covering widely expanded autografts with viable cadaver split skin, the take has been improved. If the epidermal Langerhans cells in the cadaver split skin are depressed by ultraviolet B light and glucocorticosteroids before grafting, a prolonged allograft take can be achieved and the healing of the underlying autografts is ensured for an extended period. Grafting results in 6 patientsmore » with extensive burns are reported.« less

  2. Novel expansion techniques for skin grafts

    PubMed Central

    Kadam, Dinesh

    2016-01-01

    The quest for skin expansion is not restricted to cover a large area alone, but to produce acceptable uniform surfaces, robust engraftment to withstand mechanical shear and infection, with a minimal donor morbidity. Ease of the technique, shorter healing period and reproducible results are essential parameters to adopt novel techniques. Significant advances seen in four fronts of autologous grafting are: (1) Dermal–epidermal graft expansion techniques, (2) epidermal graft harvests technique, (3) melanocyte-rich basal cell therapy for vitiligo and (4) robust and faster autologous cell cultures. Meek's original concept that the sum of perimeter of smaller grafts is larger than the harvested graft, and smaller the graft size, the greater is the potential for regeneration is witnessed in newer modification. Further, as graft size becomes smaller or minced, these micrografts can survive on the wound bed exudate irrespective of their dermal orientation. Expansion produced by 4 mm × 4 mm sized Meek micrografts is 10-folds, similarly 0.8 mm × 0.8 mm size micrografts produce 100-fold expansion, which becomes 700-fold with pixel grafts of 0.3 mm × 0.3 mm size. Fractional skin harvest is another new technique with 700 μ size full thickness graft. These provide instant autologous non-cultured graft to cover extensive areas with similar quality of engraftment surface as split skin grafts. Newer tools for epidermal blister graft harvest quickly, with uniform size to produce 7-fold expansions with reproducible results. In addition, donor area heals faster with minimal scar. Melanocyte-rich cell suspension is utilised in vitiligo surgery tapping the potential of hair root melanocytes. Further advances in the cell culture to reduce the cultivation time and provide stronger epidermal sheets with dermal carrier are seen in trials. PMID:27274117

  3. Grafting both acute wound site and adjacent donor site with the same graft: an easy and safe procedure to improve healing and minimize pain in elderly and bedridden patients.

    PubMed

    Keilani, C; Agard, D; Duhoux, A; Lakhel, A; Giraud, O; Brachet, M; Duhamel, P; Bey, E

    2017-03-31

    In harvesting skin to cover the defect caused by a burn, a second wound is created, the donor site wound. We propose an alternative method to manage the donor site: taking a split-thickness skin graft (STSG) from a donor site adjacent to the burn wound to be treated, and meshing at a 3:1 ratio to cover both sites at once. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of covering both burn wound and adjacent donor site with the same STSG in elderly and bedridden patients. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 6 patients over 60 years old or/and bedridden presenting with a small burn wound who underwent STSG of both burn wound and adjacent donor site between April 2016 and November 2016 in the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burn Treatment at Percy Military Hospital (France). Their data were compared with data of five patients who had undergone the usual STSG procedure during the same period. There was a statistically significant difference between patients who underwent adjacent STSG procedure and those who underwent usual STSG procedure in healing time (days) mean (SD) (7,33 ± 1,03 vs. 16,2 ± 0,83; p = 0,007) and Numeric Rating Scale pain mean (SD) at day 2 (0,33 ± 0,33 vs. 2,4 ± 1,35; p = 0,04). Grafting both acute burn wound and adjacent donor site with the same graft seems to be an easy method to improve healing and minimize pain in the STSG donor site in elderly and bedridden patients.

  4. Grafting both acute wound site and adjacent donor site with the same graft: an easy and safe procedure to improve healing and minimize pain in elderly and bedridden patients

    PubMed Central

    Keilani, C.; Agard, D.; Duhoux, A.; Lakhel, A.; Giraud, O.; Brachet, M.; Duhamel, P.; Bey, E.

    2017-01-01

    Summary In harvesting skin to cover the defect caused by a burn, a second wound is created, the donor site wound. We propose an alternative method to manage the donor site: taking a split-thickness skin graft (STSG) from a donor site adjacent to the burn wound to be treated, and meshing at a 3:1 ratio to cover both sites at once. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of covering both burn wound and adjacent donor site with the same STSG in elderly and bedridden patients. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 6 patients over 60 years old or/and bedridden presenting with a small burn wound who underwent STSG of both burn wound and adjacent donor site between April 2016 and November 2016 in the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burn Treatment at Percy Military Hospital (France). Their data were compared with data of five patients who had undergone the usual STSG procedure during the same period. There was a statistically significant difference between patients who underwent adjacent STSG procedure and those who underwent usual STSG procedure in healing time (days) mean (SD) (7,33 ± 1,03 vs. 16,2 ± 0,83; p = 0,007) and Numeric Rating Scale pain mean (SD) at day 2 (0,33 ± 0,33 vs. 2,4 ± 1,35; p = 0,04). Grafting both acute burn wound and adjacent donor site with the same graft seems to be an easy method to improve healing and minimize pain in the STSG donor site in elderly and bedridden patients. PMID:28592936

  5. Skin graft donor site: a procedure for a faster healing.

    PubMed

    Cuomo, Roberto; Grimaldi, Luca; Brandi, Cesare; Nisi, Giuseppe; D'Aniello, Carlo

    2017-10-23

    The authors want to evaluate the efficacy of fibrillary tabotamp dressing in skin graft-donor site. A comparison was made with Vaseline gauzes. Tabotamp is an absorbable haemostatic product of Ethicon (Johnson and Johnson) obtained by sterile and oxidized regenerated cellulose (Rayon). It is used for mild to moderate bleeding. 276 patients were subject to skin graft and divided into two group: Group A and Group B. The donor site of patients in Group A was medicated with fibrillary tabotamp, while the patients of Group B were medicated only with Vaseline gauze. We recorded infection, timing of healing, number of dressing change, the pain felt during and after the dressing change with visual analog scale (VAS) and a questionnaire. Patients allocated in Group A healed faster than the Group B. Questionnaires and VAS analysis showed lower pain felt, lower intake of pain drugs and lower infection rate in the Group A than the Group B. Analysis of coast showed lower dressing change in Group A than the Group B. We believe that the use of tabotamp is a very viable alternative to improve healing.

  6. [Skin graft combined with thorax wire fastening for repairing postoperative coloboma After resection of chest back giant nevus].

    PubMed

    Zhao, Weimin; Dai, Tao; Yuan, Depin; Zhang, Gongbao

    2011-11-01

    To observe the effectiveness of skin graft combined with thorax wire fastening for repairing postoperative coloboma after resection of chest back giant nevus. Between June 2007 and October 2010, 17 cases of chest back giant nevus were treated. There were 7 males and 10 females, aged from 3 years and 6 months to 15 years (mean, 8 years). The size of giant nevus was 20 cm x 12 cm to 60 cm x 50 cm. Two cases of them were ever treated by laser, while the others were never treated. The check before operation showed ulcer of the skin and effusion in 2 cases, hard skin in 3 cases, hair growth in 7 cases, and normal in 5 cases. Five cases had serious itch. After giant nevus was cut off, thorax wire was fastened to reduce the wound area, and then the intermediate split thickness skin graft of thigh was used to repair the wound. Comprehensive anti-scar treatment was given postoperatively. The wound size was (2 110.74 +/- 725.69) cm2 after resection of giant nevus, and was (1 624.94 +/- 560.57) cm2 after thorax wire fastening, showing significant difference (t = 9.006, P = 0.001). All the grafting skin survived; the incision and wound at donor site healed by first intention. The patients were followed up 6 months to 2 years (mean, 13 months). No scar proliferation or contracture occurred. The skin color and elasticity were similar to the normal skin; the nipple, navel, and other local apparatus were not shifted after operation. It can reduce donor site of skin and postoperative scar, and achieve satisfactory appearance to cover the wound by skin graft combined with thorax wire fastening after chest back giant nevus was cut off.

  7. Aesthetic Total Reconstruction of Lower Eyelid Using Scapha Cartilage Graft on a Vascularized Propeller Flap.

    PubMed

    Uemura, Tetsuji; Watanabe, Hidekata; Masumoto, Kazuyuki; Kikuchi, Mamoru; Satake, Yoshiyasu; Yanai, Tetsu; Harada, Yoshimi; Ishihara, Yasuhiro; Yasuta, Masato

    2016-04-01

    The aim of this study was to review the results of a cohort of patients based on our experience with a new technique for total lower eyelid reconstruction after a large defect caused by malignant tumor and trauma. A scapha cartilage graft with small skin on a vascularized propeller flap was used for 16 cases requiring lower eyelid reconstruction. Patients were identified from a database, and a retrospective case note review was conducted. The scapha cartilage graft was sutured to the margin of the defect of the palpebral conjunctiva and tarsus. The propeller flap, rotated by a perforator-based lateral orbital flap or a subcutaneous-based nasolabial flap, was vascularized on the scapha cartilage graft as anterior lining of the lower eyelid. The follow-up, including results of slit-lamp examination, lasted for varying periods, but often it was for 12 months. The scapha cartilage graft with small skin on a vascularized propeller flap was viable in all cases. Slit-lamp examination detected no irritation or injury of the conjunctiva and cornea, and visual acuity was maintained in all cases. A deformity in the donor helix by this technique was also improved by getting a smaller skin harvested from the scapha. Use of the scapha cartilage graft with small skin on a vascularized propeller flap allows for a good fit to the orbit, short operative time under local anesthesia, good graft viability, and a good esthetic result with minimal donor site morbidity.

  8. Unique Use of Cross-Finger Flap for Reconstruction of an Index Fingertip Electrical Injury

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-01-01

    5-0 nylon suture (Figures 3, 4). A full thickness (FT) skin graft was harvested from the left groin and was used to cover the donor long finger...following day and returned for weekly wound examinations. The tie-over bolster was removed from the FT skin graft of the left dorsal middle finger on

  9. Wound-healing improvement by resurfacing split-thickness skin donor sites with thin split-thickness grafting.

    PubMed

    Bian, Yongqian; Sun, Chaofeng; Zhang, Xinping; Li, Yuejun; Li, Wangzhou; Lv, Xiaoxing; Li, Jing; Jiang, Li; Li, Jinqing; Feng, Jian; Li, Xue-Yong

    2016-02-01

    Split-thickness skin graft (STSG) donor site dressing has been controversial until now. Our study aimed to assess the patient comfort and wound-healing efficacy with the application of thin split-thickness skin grafts regrafting on STSG donor sites. One hundred ninety-two consecutive patients undergoing split-thickness skin grafting were included in the study, and the participants were randomly divided into the following three groups: group A was regrafted with thin STSGs and groups B and C were covered with occlusive hydrocellular dressing and paraffin gauze, respectively. The participants were compared according to the epithelialization time, pain and scar formation. The average time of epithelialization was 6.2 ± 1.1 days in group A, 11.1 ± 2.1 days in group B and 13.5 ± 2.5 days in group C. The pain scores on days 2 and 5 after operation were 2.3 ± 0.8 and 1.9 ± 0.8 in group A, 2.5 ± 1.1 and 3.9 ± 1.3 in group B, and 3.8 ± 1.4 and 5.9 ± 2.1 in group C. The scar scores at half a year and one year after operation were 4.3 ± 0.6 and 2.50 ± 0.6 in group A, 7.4 ± 0.6 and 6.2 ± 0.6 in group B, and 11.8 ± 0.4 and 10.9 ± 1.0 in group C, separately. The difference in the three groups was significant. Utilizing thin STSGs regrafting on donor sites could significantly shorten the epithelialization time, reduce pain and prevent hyperplastic scar formulation. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  10. [Clinical study of full-thickness skin graft for reconstruction of completely defect nail unit].

    PubMed

    Li, Wen-jun; Li, Chun; Zhu, Jin; Tian, Guang-lei; Chen, Shan-lin; Tian, Wen

    2012-12-18

    To explore a reconstruction method for complete nail bed defect caused by various kinds of reasons and to retrospectively analyze the effect of application of free full-thickness skin graft for the whole nail unit repair. Between Apr. 2010 and Mar. 2012, the method of free full-thickness skin graft was done for reconstruction of the completely nail unit defect in seven cases. There were 2 male and 5 female patients; the mean age of these patients at the time of surgery was 51.9 years (range: 7 to 70 years). The preoperative diagnoses included two cases of malignant melanoma, one of chronic infection, one of squamous cell carcinoma, two of subungual pigmentation and one of junctional nevus. There were 2 thumb lesions, 3 middle and 2 index finger lesions. Nail unit defect was in the range of 1.5 cm×2 cm to 2.5 cm × 3.5 cm and full thickness skin graft was harvested from the same medial side of upper arm (3 cases), forearm cubital fossa (1 case) and contralateral side of groin region (3 cases). All the patients were followed with an average follow-up time being 10 months. All the free skin graft taken was achieved with 100% in all the 7 cases, even in those patients whose partial cortical bone had been curetted. The skin graft was often bluish initially, and superficial blisters were always noticed within 1.5 months postoperatively and the survival skin graft was smooth eventually, and skin graft was adhered to the underlying bone tightly. There was no epidermal inclusion cyst and no residual nail formation. The skin donor sites were without complications. Aesthetic appearance was assessed by the surgeons and found no unacceptable for their patients. And all the patients were satisfied with the cosmetic appearance and active range of motion of their involved fingers, who did not express a desire to undergo any further of nail reconstruction. Free full-thickness skin grafting for reconstruction of the complete nail unit defect is a simple, safe and effective procedure which provides a satisfactory aesthetic appearance and does not make any significant skin donor site morbidity especially for middle-aged and elder patients.

  11. Burn Injury Alters Epidermal Cholinergic Mediators and Increases HMGB1 and Caspase 3 in Autologous Donor Skin and Burn Margin

    PubMed Central

    Holmes, Casey J.; Plichta, Jennifer K.; Gamelli, Richard L.; Radek, Katherine A.

    2016-01-01

    Burn wound healing complications, such as graft failure or infection, are a major source of morbidity and mortality in burn patients. The mechanisms by which local burn injury alters epidermal barrier function in autologous donor skin and surrounding burn margin are largely undefined. We hypothesized that defects in the epidermal cholinergic system may impair epidermal barrier function and innate immune responses. The objective was to identify alterations in the epidermal cholinergic pathway, and their downstream targets, associated with inflammation and cell death. We established that protein levels, but not gene expression, of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (CHRNA7) were significantly reduced in both donor and burn margin skin. Furthermore, the gene and protein levels of an endogenous allosteric modulator of CHRNA7, secreted mammalian Ly-6/urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor-related protein-1 (SLURP1) and acetylcholine were significantly elevated in donor and burn margin skin. As downstream proteins of inflammatory and cell death targets of nAChR activation, we found significant elevations in epidermal High Mobility Group Box Protein 1 (HMGB1) and caspase 3 in donor and burn margin skin. Lastly, we employed a novel in vitro keratinocyte burn model to establish that burn injury influences the gene expression of these cholinergic mediators and their downstream targets. These results indicate that defects in cholinergic mediators and inflammatory/apoptotic molecules in donor and burn margin skin may directly contribute to graft failure or infection in burn patients. PMID:27648692

  12. Foreskin-isolated keratinocytes provide successful extemporaneous autologous paediatric skin grafts.

    PubMed

    Mcheik, Jiad N; Barrault, Christine; Pedretti, Nathalie; Garnier, Julien; Juchaux, Franck; Levard, Guillaume; Morel, Franck; Lecron, Jean-Claude; Bernard, François-Xavier

    2016-03-01

    Severe burns in children are conventionally treated with split-thickness skin autografts or epidermal sheets. However, neither early complete healing nor quality of epithelialization is satisfactory. An alternative approach is to graft isolated keratinocytes. We evaluated paediatric foreskin and auricular skin as donor sources, autologous keratinocyte transplantation, and compared the graft efficiency to the in vitro capacities of isolated keratinocytes to divide and reconstitute epidermal tissue. Keratinocytes were isolated from surgical samples by enzymatic digestion. Living cell recovery, in vitro proliferation and epidermal reconstruction capacities were evaluated. Differentiation status was analysed, using qRT-PCR and immunolabelling. Eleven children were grafted with foreskin-derived (boys) or auricular (girls) keratinocyte suspensions dripped onto deep severe burns. The aesthetic and functional quality of epithelialization was monitored in a standardized way. Foreskin keratinocyte graft in male children provides for the re-epithelialization of partial deep severe burns and accelerates wound healing, thus allowing successful wound closure, and improves the quality of scars. In accordance, in vitro studies have revealed a high yield of living keratinocyte recovery from foreskin and their potential in terms of regeneration and differentiation. We report a successful method for grafting paediatric males presenting large severe burns through direct spreading of autologous foreskin keratinocytes. This alternative method is easy to implement, improves the quality of skin and minimizes associated donor site morbidity. In vitro studies have highlighted the potential of foreskin tissue for graft applications and could help in tissue selection with the prospect of grafting burns for girls. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  13. Surgical correction of cryptotia combined with an ultra-delicate split-thickness skin graft in continuity with a full-thickness skin rotation flap.

    PubMed

    Yu, Xiaobo; Yang, Qinghua; Jiang, Haiyue; Pan, Bo; Zhao, Yanyong; Lin, Lin

    2017-11-01

    Cryptotia is a common congenital ear deformity in Asian populations. In cryptotia, a portion of the upper ear is hidden and fixed in a pocket of the skin of the mastoid. Here we describe our method for cryptotia correction by using an ultra-delicate split-thickness skin graft in continuity with a full-thickness skin rotation flap. We developed a new method for correcting cryptotia by using an ultra-delicate split-thickness skin graft in continuity with a full-thickness skin rotation flap. Following ear release, the full-thickness skin rotation flap is rotated into the defect, and the donor site is covered with an ultra-delicate split-thickness skin graft raised in continuity with the flap. All patients exhibited satisfactory release of cryptotia. No cases involved partial or total flap necrosis, and post-operative outcomes using this new technique for cryptotia correction have been more than satisfactory. Our method of using an ultra-delicate split-thickness skin graft in continuity with a full-thickness skin rotation flap to correct cryptotia is simple and reliable. Copyright © 2017 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. An evaluation of fibrin tissue adhesive concentration and application thickness on skin graft survival.

    PubMed

    O'Grady, K M; Agrawal, A; Bhattacharyya, T K; Shah, A; Toriumi, D M

    2000-11-01

    To examine the effects of fibrinogen concentration and application thickness of fibrin tissue adhesive on skin graft survival. Prospective controlled study. Ten domestic pigs were included in the study. A 20 x 5-cm area of skin was harvested bilaterally along the flanks of the animals using a Padgett dermatome. The harvested grafts were trimmed into four 4 x 4-cm squares. Donor sites were treated according to group assignment and the non-meshed grafts were placed on the side opposite their initial orientation and secured with staples. Both single- and multiple-donor human fibrin tissue adhesive preparations, with low and high average fibrinogen concentrations of 30 mg/mL and 60 mg/ mL, were used. Adhesive preparations were applied in either a thin layer (0.015 mL/cm2) or a thick layer (0.06 mL/cm2) using a spray applicator. A constant thrombin concentration of 10 U/mL was used in the study. No adhesive was used in the control group and grafts were stabilized with staples. No topical dressings were applied to any of the treatment sites. Animals were sacrificed 4 weeks after graft application. Based on statistical analysis, thickness of adhesive application had a significant effect on skin graft survival. Percent mean graft survival in the control and thin application groups was found to be 92% and 97.8% respectively; the mean survival rate in the thick application group was 63.1%. Fibrinogen concentration, when evaluated independently within the thin and thick application groups, was found to have no significant effect on graft survival. Independent of fibrinogen concentration, a thin layer of fibrin tissue adhesive, when applied between two opposing surfaces, does not interfere with and may support the healing process, whereas a thick layer of adhesive inhibits skin graft healing.

  15. [A case of skin autograft for skin ulcers in ichthyosis].

    PubMed

    Li, Shiwei; Yang, Xiaodong; Liu, Lijun; Tang, Xueyang

    2017-10-28

    Ichthyosis refers to a group of skin diseases characterized by abnormal keratinization of the epidermis, resulting in dryness, roughness and scale of the skin. A girl with ichthyosis, who presented with skin ulcers and infection of the right dorsal foot, was admitted to our department. An autologous razor-thin skin grafting procedure was performed to repair the skin ulcers after debridement and vacuum sealing drain. After 8 months of follow-up, both the donor and recipient site healed well and there were no newly formed ulcers or infections. Although the skin quality of ichthyosis is poor, the lesion area can still be used as donor or recipient cite.

  16. Reduction of pain via platelet-rich plasma in split-thickness skin graft donor sites: a series of matched pairs

    PubMed Central

    Miller, John D.; Rankin, Timothy M.; Hua, Natalie T.; Ontiveros, Tina; Giovinco, Nicholas A.; Mills, Joseph L.; Armstrong, David G.

    2015-01-01

    In the past decade, autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has seen increasingly widespread integration into medical specialties. PRP application is known to accelerate wound epithelialization rates, and may also reduce postoperative wound site pain. Recently, we observed an increase in patient satisfaction following PRP gel (Angel, Cytomedix, Rockville, MD) application to split-thickness skin graft (STSG) donor sites. We assessed all patients known to our university-based hospital service who underwent multiple STSGs up to the year 2014, with at least one treated with topical PRP. Based on these criteria, five patients aged 48.4±17.6 (80% male) were identified who could serve as their own control, with mean time of 4.4±5.1 years between operations. In both therapies, initial dressing changes occurred on postoperative day (POD) 7, with donor site pain measured by Likert visual pain scale. Paired t-tests compared the size and thickness of harvested skin graft and patient pain level, and STSG thickness and surface area were comparable between control and PRP interventions (p>0.05 for all). Donor site pain was reduced from an average of 7.2 (±2.6) to 3 (±3.7), an average reduction in pain of 4.2 (standard error 1.1, p=0.0098) following PRP use. Based on these results, the authors suggest PRP as a beneficial adjunct for reducing donor site pain following STSG harvest. PMID:25623477

  17. A prospective, randomised study of a novel transforming methacrylate dressing compared with a silver-containing sodium carboxymethylcellulose dressing on partial-thickness skin graft donor sites in burn patients.

    PubMed

    Assadian, Ojan; Arnoldo, Brett; Purdue, Gary; Burris, Agnes; Skrinjar, Edda; Duschek, Nikolaus; Leaper, David J

    2015-06-01

    This prospective, randomised study compares a new transforming methacrylate dressing (TMD) with a silver-containing carboxymethylcellulose dressing (CMC-Ag) after application to split-thickness skin graft (STSG) donor sites. This was an unblinded, non-inferiority, between-patient, comparison study that involved patients admitted to a single-centre burn unit who required two skin graft donor sites. Each patient's donor sites were covered immediately after surgery: one donor site with TMD and the other with CMC-Ag. The donor sites were evaluated until healing or until 24 days post-application, whichever came first. Study endpoints were time to healing, daily pain scores, number of dressing changes, patient comfort and physicians' and patients' willingness to use the dressings in the future. Nineteen patients had both the dressings applied. No statistically significant difference was noted in time to healing between the two dressings (14·2 days using TMD compared with 13·2 days using CMC-Ag). When pain scores were compared, TMD resulted in statistically significantly less pain at three different time periods (2-5 days, 6-10 days and 11-15 days; P < 0·001 at all time periods). Patients also reported greater comfort with TMD (P < 0·001). Users rated TMD as being less easy to use because of the time and technique required for application. Reductions in pain and increased patient comfort with the use of the TMD dressing, compared with CMC-Ag, were seen as clinical benefits as these are the major issues in donor site management. © 2013 The Authors. International Wound Journal © 2013 Medicalhelplines.com Inc and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  18. INDUCTION OF DONOR-SPECIFIC TRANSPLANTATION TOLERANCE TO SKIN AND CARDIAC ALLOGRAFTS USING MIXED CHIMERISM IN (A + B → A) IN RATS

    PubMed Central

    Markus, Peter M.; Selvaggi, Gennaro; Cai, Xin; Fung, John J.; Starzl, Thomas E.

    2010-01-01

    Mixed allogeneic chimerism (A + B → A) was induced in rats by reconstitution of lethally irradiated LEW recipients with a mixture of T-cell depleted (TCD) syngeneic and TCD allogeneic ACI bone marrow. Thirty-seven percent of animals repopulated as stable mixed lymphopoietic chimeras, while the remainder had no detectable allogeneic chimerism. When evaluated for evidence of donor-specific transplantation tolerance, only those recipients with detectable allogeneic lymphoid chimerism exhibited acceptance of donor-specific skin and cardiac allografts. Despite transplantation over a major histocompatibility complex (MHO)- and minor-disparate barrier, animals accepted donor-specific ACI skin and primarily vascularized cardiac allografts permanently, while rejecting third party Brown Norway (BN) grafts. The tolerance induced was also donor-specific in vitro as evidenced by specific hyporeactivity to the allogeneic donor lymphoid elements, yet normal reactivity to MHC-disparate third party rat lymphoid cells. This model for mixed chimerism in the rat will be advantageous to investigate specific transplantation tolerance to primarily vascularized solid organ grafts that can be performed with relative ease in the rat, but not in the mouse, and may provide a method to study the potential existence of organ- or tissue-specific alloantigens in primarily vascularized solid organ allografts. PMID:8162277

  19. A prospective, multicentre study on the use of epidermal grafts to optimise outpatient wound management.

    PubMed

    Hachach-Haram, Nadine; Bystrzonowski, Nicola; Kanapathy, Muholan; Smith, Oliver; Harding, Keith; Mosahebi, Ash; Richards, Toby

    2017-02-01

    Current wound management through the use of a split-thickness skin graft often requires hospital admission, a period of immobility, attentive donor site wound care and pain management. This study evaluates the feasibility of using a novel epidermal graft-harvesting device (CelluTome) that allows pain-free epidermal skin grafting in the outpatient clinic setting. A prospective series of 35 patients was performed in 2 centres, involving 10 acute and 25 chronic wounds. All patients were subjected to epidermal grafting in the outpatient specialist clinic, without the use of anaesthesia, and allowed to return home after the procedure. Completely healed wounds were noted in 22 patients (62·9%). The overall mean time for 50% and 100% reduction in wound size was 3·31 ± 2·33 and 5·91 ± 3·48 weeks, respectively. There was no significant difference in healing times between the acute and chronic wounds (50% reduction in wound size; acute 2·20 ± 0·91 weeks versus chronic 3·73 ± 2·63 weeks, P = 0·171. Hundred percent reduction in wound size; acute 4·80 ± 1·61 weeks versus chronic 6·83 ± 4·47 weeks, P = 0·183). The mean time for donor site healing was 5·49 ± 1·48 days. The mean pain score during graft harvest was 1·42 ± 0·95, and the donor site Vancouver Scar Scale was 0 for all cases at 6 weeks. This automated device offers autologous skin harvesting in the outpatient setting with minimal or no pain and a scar free donor site, equally benefiting both the acute and chronic wounds. It has the potential to save NHS resources by eliminating the need for theatre space and a hospital bed while at the same time benefiting patient care. © 2016 Medicalhelplines.com Inc and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  20. Liver transplantation using elderly donors: a risk factor analysis.

    PubMed

    Kim, Dae Y; Moon, Jang; Island, Eddie R; Tekin, Akin; Ganz, Susan; Levi, David; Selvaggi, Gennaro; Nishida, Seigo; Tzakis, Andreas G

    2011-01-01

    Survival after liver transplantation is negatively impacted by use of elderly deceased donors, but excluding them would increase waiting times and waiting list mortality. We reviewed our experience with liver transplantation (LT) utilizing livers from deceased donors 65 yr of age and older to identify those factors that impact graft survival. All adult patients (≥ 18 yr old) who underwent primary LT using deceased donor livers from donors aged ≥ 65 yr between February 1995 and November 2003 were included. With multivariate analysis we found four unfavorable characteristics significantly associated with higher post-transplant graft failure rate. These characteristics are hepatitis C as an etiology of liver disease, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score >20, serum glucose level of donor > 200 mg/dL at the time of liver recovery, and skin incision to aortic cross-clamp time > 40 minutes in the donor surgery. The five-yr estimated graft survival rates having 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 unfavorable characteristics were 100%, 82.0%, 81.7%, 39.3%, and 25.0%, respectively (p < 0.05). Our data demonstrated good graft survival can be achieved in LT using elderly donor liver allografts with appropriate patient selection, donor blood glucose management and efficient liver recovery with minimal manipulation of the liver during donor surgery. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

  1. The effects of Alkanna tinctoria Tausch on split-thickness skin graft donor site management: a randomized, blinded placebo-controlled trial.

    PubMed

    Kheiri, Aliasghar; Amini, Shahideh; Javidan, Abbas Norouzi; Saghafi, Mohammad Mehdi; Khorasani, Ghasemali

    2017-05-08

    A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to compare the healing effectiveness of Alkanna tinctoria (L.) Tausch (Boraginaceae) with standard dressing on wound healing at the donor site after removal of the skin graft. Enrolled patients were randomly allocated to receive topicalA. tinctoria extract ointment (20%) or standard dressing (dressing with base ointment) daily. Wound healing was assessed using the Bates-Jenson assessment tool at the 2 nd and 4 th weeks after intervention. Decreases in wound score were significantly greater in the A. tinctoria group compared with the placebo group (P <0.05). The surface areas of graft donor sites in the A. tinctoria group were significantly reduced as compared with the control group at day 28 of the intervention (P < 0.05). The proportion of patients in the A. tinctoria group achieving complete wound healing within 2 to 4 weeks was 50% and 96.66%, respectively, significantly higher than in patients receiving standard care: 0% and 23.3%, respectively. This clinical study showed that A. tinctoria dressing accelerates wound healing after graft harvesting. IRCT ID: IRCT201511165781N2 .

  2. K-wire assisted split-thickness skin graft harvesting from the anterior trunk.

    PubMed

    Yontar, Yalcin; Coruh, Atilla; Severcan, Mehmet

    2016-02-01

    Split thickness skin graft (STSG) harvesting from the anterior chest and abdominal wall skin is quite a difficult process. The main reason for the difficulty to perform this process is the unsuitable anatomic characteristics of the anterior trunk, such as irregular wavy-like surface over the ribs and lax abdominal wall skin resulting in collapse due to lack of adequate underneath supporting structures when a downward force is applied by the skin graft dermatome. Lower extremity and especially the thigh are generally chosen as the donor site where the STSGs are easily harvested from. However, extensive lower extremity burns, with or without other region burns, preclude harvesting auto STSGs from this invaluable anatomic site. We harvested K-wire assisted STSGs from the anterior chest and abdominal wall skin of 7 patients with lower extremity burns and also a patient that sustained motor vehicle collision. We encountered no problems in any of our patients both intra and postoperatively by using K-wire assisted STSG harvesting. All of the STSGs donor sites healed uneventfully without complications. In our opinion, K-wire assisted STSG harvesting must always be in the tool-box of any surgeon who deals with extensive burns with or without lower extremity burns and extensive traumas of lower extremities. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

  3. Reepithelialization from stem cells of hair follicles of dermal graft of the scalp in acute treatment of third-degree burns: first clinical and histologic study.

    PubMed

    Zakine, Gilbert; Mimoun, Maurice; Pham, Julien; Chaouat, Marc

    2012-07-01

    The scalp, an excellent donor site for thin skin grafts, presents a limited surface but is rich in keratinocyte stem cells. The purpose of this study was to double scalp harvesting in one procedure and to evaluate the capacity of the dermal layer to spontaneously reepithelialize from hair follicle stem cells. Two layers of 0.2-mm split-thickness skin graft, a dermoepidermal graft and a dermal graft, were harvested from scalp during the same procedure. Fifteen burn patients were included in this study. Healing of the scalp donor site and percentage of graft taken were evaluated. The Vancouver Scar Scale was used at 3 months and 1 year. Histologic studies were performed at day 0 and 3 months on grafts, and on the scalp at day 28. Nine patients were treated on the limbs with meshed dermal graft. Six were treated on the hands with unmeshed dermal graft. Graft take was good for both types of grafts. The mean time for scalp healing was 9.3 days. Histologic study confirmed that the second layer was a dermal graft with numerous annexes and that, at 3 months, the dermis had normal thickness but with rarer and smaller epidermal crests than dermal graft. The difference between the mean Vancouver Scar Scale score of dermal graft and dermoepidermal graft was not significant. The authors' study shows the efficacy of dermal graft from the scalp and good scalp healing. Therapeutic, II.

  4. A Comparative Study of the ReCell® Device and Autologous Spit-thickness Meshed Skin Graft in the Treatment of Acute Burn Injuries.

    PubMed

    Holmes, J H; Molnar, J A; Carter, J E; Hwang, J; Cairns, B A; King, B T; Smith, D J; Cruse, C W; Foster, K N; Peck, M D; Sood, R; Feldman, M J; Jordan, M H; Mozingo, D W; Greenhalgh, D G; Palmieri, T L; Griswold, J A; Dissanaike, S; Hickerson, W L

    2018-05-24

    Early excision and autografting are standard care for deeper burns. However, donor sites are a source of significant morbidity. To address this, the ReCell® Autologous Cell Harvesting Device (ReCell) was designed for use at the point-of-care to prepare a non-cultured, autologous skin cell suspension (ASCS) capable of epidermal regeneration utilizing minimal donor skin. A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the clinical performance of ReCell versus meshed split-thickness skin grafts (STSG, Control) for the treatment of deep partial-thickness (DPT) burns. Effectiveness measures were assessed to 1 year for both ASCS and Control treatment sites and donor sites, including the incidence of healing, scarring, and pain. At 4 weeks, 98% of the ASCS-treated sites were healed compared to 100% of the Controls. Pain and assessments of scarring at the treatment sites were reported to be similar between groups. Significant differences were observed between ReCell and Control donor sites. The mean ReCell donor area was approximately 40 times smaller than that of the Control (194.1±158.5 cm2; p<0.0001), and after 1 week, significantly more ReCell donor sites were healed than Controls (p=0.04). Over the first 16 weeks, patients reported significantly less pain at the ReCell donor sites compared with Controls (p≤0.05 at each time point). Long-term, patients reported higher satisfaction with ReCell donor site outcomes compared with the Controls. This study provides evidence that the treatment of DPT burns with ASCS results in comparable healing, with significantly reduced donor site size and pain and improved appearance relative to STSG.

  5. Five years' experience of the modified Meek technique in the management of extensive burns.

    PubMed

    Hsieh, Chun-Sheng; Schuong, Jen-Yu; Huang, W S; Huang, Ted T

    2008-05-01

    The Meek technique of skin expansion is useful for covering a large open wound with a small piece of skin graft, but requires a carefully followed protocol. Over the past 5 years, a skin graft expansion technique following the Meek principle was used to treat 37 individuals who had sustained third degree burns involving more than 40% of the body surface. A scheme was devised whereby the body was divided into six areas, in order to clarify the optimal order of wound debridements and skin grafting procedures as well as the regimen of aftercare. The mean body surface involvement was 72.9% and the mean area of third degree burns was 41%. The average number of operations required was 1.84. There were four deaths among in this group of patients. The Meek technique of skin expansion and the suggested protocol are together efficient and effective in covering an open wound, particularly where there is a paucity of skin graft donor sites.

  6. Split thickness skin graft meshing ratio indications and common practices.

    PubMed

    Pripotnev, Stahs; Papp, Anthony

    2017-12-01

    Split thickness skin grafting is a commonly used technique in burn surgery for resurfacing wounds that are unlikely to heal without scarring. Meshing and expanding skin grafts allow for reconstruction of larger wounds with smaller donor sites. A retrospective chart review was performed of 210 patients with burns equal to or greater than 20% total body surface area admitted to Vancouver General Hospital between 1998 and 2014. Charts were reviewed to collect data on patient and burn demographics. A survey was sent to Canadian plastic surgeons registered with the CSPS to collect data on common practices in burn surgery nationwide. The patients that received 3:1 or higher meshed grafts were all flame burns, had a significantly higher average TBSA (51.89%±14.87 vs 29.13%±9.48, p=0.001), and a significantly higher full thickness burn TBSA (25.76%±21.97 vs 6.20%±9.04, p=0.001). We found no significant differences in gender, age, or burn location between the less than 2:1 and 3:1 or greater meshing ratio groups. The survey of plastic surgeons performing burn surgery in Canada revealed that 60% of responders had experience with skin grafts using meshing ratios of 3:1 or higher. Of these surgeons, 100% felt that burn size and 36% felt that burn location would influence their decision to use a 3:1 or higher meshing ratio. A larger burn size is the major influencing factor for the use of higher skin graft meshing ratios by Canadian burn surgeons. Furthermore, burn location determines the choice of donor and recipient sites in these cases. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

  7. Natural killer T cell facilitated engraftment of rat skin but not islet xenografts in mice.

    PubMed

    Gordon, Ethel J; Kelkar, Vinaya

    2009-01-01

    We have studied cellular components required for xenograft survival mediated by anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and a transfusion of donor spleen cells and found that the elimination of CD4(+) but not CD8(+) cells significantly improves graft survival. A contribution of other cellular components, such as natural killer (NK) cells and natural killer T (NKT) cells, for costimulation blockade-induced xenograft survival has not been clearly defined. We therefore tested the hypothesis that NK or NKT cells would promote rat islet and skin xenograft acceptance in mice. Lewis rat islets or skin was transplanted into wild type B6 mice or into B6 mice that were Jalpha18(null), CD1(null), or beta2 microglobulin (beta2M)(null) NK 1.1 depleted, or perforin(null). Graft recipients were pretreated with an infusion of donor derived spleen cells and a brief course of anti-CD154 mAb treatments. Additional groups received mAb or cells only. We first observed that the depletion of NK1.1 cells does not significantly interfere with graft survival in C57BL/6 (B6) mice. We used NKT cell deficient B6 mice to test the hypothesis that NKT cells are involved in islet and skin xenograft survival in our model. These mice bear a null mutation in the gene for the Jalpha18 component of the T-cell receptor. The component is uniquely associated with NKT cells. We found no difference in islet xenograft survival between Jalpha18(null) and wild type B6 mice. In contrast, median skin graft survival appeared shorter in Jalpha18(null) recipients. These data imply a role for Jalpha18(+) NKT cells in skin xenograft survival in treated mice. In order to confirm this inference, we tested skin xenograft survival in B6 CD1(null) mice because NKT cells are CD1 restricted. Results of these trials demonstrate that the absence of CD1(+) cells adversely affects rat skin graft survival. An additional assay in beta2M(null) mice demonstrated a requirement for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression in the graft host, and we demonstrate that CD1 is the requisite MHC component. We further demonstrated that, unlike reports for allograft survival, skin xenograft survival does not require perforin-secreting NK cells. We conclude that MHC class I(+) CD1(+) Jalpha18(+) NKT cells promote the survival of rat skin but not rat islet xenografts. These studies implicate different mechanisms for inducing and maintaining islet vs. skin xenograft survival in mice treated with donor antigen and anti-CD154 mAb, and further indicate a role for NKT cells but not NK cells in skin xenograft survival.

  8. The influence of intraperitoneal transplantation of free and encapsulated Langerhans islets on the second set phenomenon.

    PubMed

    Orłowski, Tadeusz; Godlewska, Ewa; Mościcka, Maria; Sitarek, Elzbieta

    2003-12-01

    To protect the allografts or xenografts against transplant rejection special semipermeable membranes are applied. So far, there are only a few studies on the influence of an immunoisolated graft on the recipient immune system. Therefore, the possibility that an intraperitoneally grafted alginate/poly L-lysine/alginate (APA) coated pancreatic islets graft can effectively sensitize the recipient and provoke second set phenomenon was studied. C3H male mice and male WAG rats were used as donors of full-thickness skin and of free or encapsulated islet intraperitoneal grafts. Male BALB/c mice served as recipients. Skin grafts were performed following the method of Billingham and Medawar. The length of the second skin graft survival time served as the criterion for the sensitizing capacity of the primary graft. APA encapsulation of islets delayed but has not prevented the development of the second set phenomenon. However, the second skin graft rejection time was significantly longer after grafting of encapsulated islets than after free islets transplantation. APA microencapsulation of intraperitoneally transplanted islets delayed but did not prevent the development of the second set phenomenon. Encapsulation does not ensure complete immunoisolation, but only creates "an artificially immunoprivileged site of transplantation."

  9. Evaluation of Amniotic Membrane Effectiveness in Skin Graft Donor Site Dressing in Burn Patients.

    PubMed

    Salehi, Seyed Hamid; As'adi, Kamran; Mousavi, Seyed Jaber; Shoar, Saeed

    2015-12-01

    Although the recipient site in burn wounds is dressed with universally accepted materials, the ideal management of split-thickness skin donor sites remains controversial. The aim of our study is to compare two methods of wound dressing in donor sites of split-thickness skin graft in patients undergoing burn wound reconstructive surgery. Forty-two consecutive patients with second- and third-degree burns with a total body surface area between 20 and 40 % were enrolled in this randomized clinical trial conducted in Motahari Burn Hospital in Tehran, Iran. In each patient, two anatomic areas with similar features were randomly selected as intervention and control donor sites. The intervention site was dressed with amniotic membrane, whereas the control site was treated with Vaseline-impregnated gauze. Wounds were examined daily by expert surgeons to measure the clinical outcomes including duration of healing, severity of pain, and infection rate. The mean ± SD age of patients was 31.17 ± 13.72 years; furthermore, burn percentage had a mean ± SD of 31.19 ± 10.56. The mean ± SD of patients' cooperation score was 1.6 ± 0.79 in the intervention group compared with 2.93 ± 0.71 in the control group, revealing a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Duration of wound healing was significantly shorter (P < 0.05) in the intervention group (17.61 ± 2.56 days) compared with the control group (21.16 ± 3.45 days). However, there was no significant difference in terms of wound infection rate between donor sites in the control and intervention groups (P > 0.05). Amniotic membrane as an alternative for dressing of skin graft donor sites provides significant benefits by increasing patients' comfort via diminishing the number of dressing changes and facilitating the process of wound healing.

  10. [Repairing severe cicatricial contracture deformity in web-space by kite-like incision combined with full-thickness skin grafting].

    PubMed

    Liang, Liming; Chai, Jiake; Jia, Xiaoming; Wang, Yirong; Meng, Suyu; Liu, Tao

    2012-12-01

    To investigate the effectiveness of repairing severe cicatricial contracture deformity in the web-space by kite-like incision combined with full-thickness skin grafting. Between June 2008 and September 2011, 31 patients (87 web-spaces) with severe cicatricial contracture deformities in the web-spaces were treated. There were 24 males and 7 females, aged 5-43 years (median, 22 years). The causes of injuries were flame burn (26 cases), scald (3 cases), electric arc burn (1 case), and chemical burn (1 case). The degree of burn was deep second degree (14 cases) and third degree (17 cases). The interval time from injury to operation was 10 months to 17 years (median, 2.2 years). The kite-like incision was marked on the scar in the web-space. The rhombic scar between the adjacent metacarpophalangeal joints was excised, and cicatricial contracture was released completely. The secondary wound in the web-space was repaired with full-thickness autogeneic skin grafting. The secondary wound at donor site was directly sutured. All full-thickness skin grafts survived well. The incisions at donor sites healed primarily. Of 31 patients, 29 (82 web-spaces) were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 13 months). The sizes and depths of reconstructed web-spaces were similar to those of normal ones. No secondary cicatricial contracture was observed, and the function of fingers recovered well. The short-term effectiveness is satisfactory by kite-like incision combined with full-thickness skin grafting for repairing severe cicatricial contracture deformities in the web-space, while the long-term effectiveness needs further observation.

  11. Treating pain on skin graft donor sites: Review and clinical recommendations.

    PubMed

    Sinha, Sarthak; Schreiner, Amanda J; Biernaskie, Jeff; Nickerson, Duncan; Gabriel, Vincent A

    2017-11-01

    Split-thickness skin grafting is the most common reconstructive procedure in managing burn injuries. Harvesting split-thickness skin creates a new partial thickness wound referred to as the donor site. Pain at the donor site is reported to be one of the most distressing symptoms during the early postoperative period. Here, we (a) identify strategies for managing donor site pain, (b) assess the quality of individual studies, and (c) formulate evidence-based recommendations based on the amount and consistency of evidence. Our analysis revealed five distinct approaches to minimize donor site pain. These include: continuous subcutaneous local anesthetic infusion (three studies), subcutaneous anesthetic injection (five studies), topical agents (six studies), nonpharmacological interventions (three studies), and wound dressings (18 studies). Available randomized control trials typically evaluated pain on standardized scales (i.e. Visual Analog Scale, Numerical Rating Scale), and compared the experimental group with standard care. Recommended treatments include: (a) subcutaneous anesthetic injection of adrenaline-lidocaine; (b) ice application; (c) topical agents, such as lidocaine and bupivacaine; and (d) hydrocolloid- and polyurethane-based wound dressings accompanied with fibrin sealant. Methodologically sound randomized control trials examining the efficacy of modified tumescent solution, ropivacaine, plasma therapy, noncontact ultrasound, and morphine gels are lacking and should be a priority for future research.

  12. Adoptive immunotherapy against allogeneic kidney grafts in dogs with stable hematopoietic trichimerism.

    PubMed

    Graves, Scott S; Hogan, William J; Kuhr, Christian; Diaconescu, Razvan; Harkey, Michael; Sale, George E; Stone, Brad; Georges, George E; Storb, Rainer

    2008-11-01

    Dogs given nonmyeloablative conditioning and marrow grafts from 2 dog leukocyte antigen (DLA)-identical littermate donors developed stable trichimerism and stably accepted a subsequent kidney graft from one of the marrow donors without the need for immunosuppression. In this study, we used trichimeras to evaluate strategies for adoptive immunotherapy to solid tumors, using the kidney as a tumor surrogate. Three DLA-identical trichimeric recipients were established by simultaneously infusing marrow from 2 DLA-identical donor dogs into a DLA-identical recipient conditioned with 2 Gy of total body irradiation (TBI) and given a short course of postgraft immunosuppression. After stable hematopoietic engraftment was confirmed, a kidney was transplanted from 1 of the 2 marrow donors into each respective trichimeric recipient. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from each kidney donor were then used to sensitize the alternate marrow donor. The trichimeric recipients were given donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs) from the sensitized dogs and monitored for chimerism, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and kidney rejection. After DLI, we observed both prompt rejection of the transplanted marrow and donor kidney and disappearance of corresponding hematopoietic chimerism. Presumably due to shared minor histocompatibility antigens, host chimerism also disappeared, and GVHD in skin, gut, and liver developed. The native kidneys, although exhibiting lymphocytic infiltration, remained functionally normal. This study demonstrates that under certain experimental conditions, the kidney--an organ ordinarily not involved in graft-versus-host reactions--can be targeted by sensitized donor lymphocytes.

  13. Adoptive Immunotherapy against Allogeneic Kidney Grafts in Dogs with Stable Hematopoietic Trichimerism

    PubMed Central

    Graves, Scott S.; Hogan, William J.; Kuhr, Christian; Diaconescu, Razvan; Harkey, Michael; Sale, George E.; Stone, Brad; Georges, George E.; Storb, Rainer

    2008-01-01

    Dogs given nonmyeloablative conditioning and marrow grafts from two dog leukocyte antigen- (DLA) identical littermate donors developed stable trichimerism and stably accepted a subsequent kidney graft from one of the marrow donors without the need for immunosuppression. Here, we used trichimeras to evaluate strategies of adoptive immunotherapy to solid tumors, using the kidney as a tumor surrogate. Three DLA-identical trichimeric recipients were established by simultaneously infusing marrow from two DLA-identical donor dogs into a DLA-identical recipient conditioned with 2 Gy total body irradiation and given a short course of postgrafting immunosuppression. After confirming stable hematopoietic engraftment, a kidney was transplanted from one of the two marrow donors into each respective trichimeric recipient. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from each kidney donor were then used to sensitize the alternate marrow donor. Donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) from the sensitized dogs were given to the trichimeric recipients, whereupon chimerism, graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), and kidney rejection were monitored. After DLI, we observed both prompt rejection of the transplanted marrow-donor kidney and disappearance of corresponding hematopoietic chimerism. Presumably, owing to shared minor histocompatibility antigens, host chimerism also disappeared and GvHD in skin, gut, and liver developed. The native kidneys, while showing lymphocytic infiltration, remained functionally normal. The current study demonstrated that under certain experimental conditions, the kidney, an organ ordinarily not involved in graft-versus-host reactions, can be targeted by sensitized donor lymphocytes. PMID:18940673

  14. Meek micrografting history, indications, technique, physiology and experience: a review article.

    PubMed

    Quintero, Eduardo Camacho; Machado, Jesús Francisco Escrivá; Robles, Roger Andres Damian

    2018-02-01

    Traumatic loss of skin, particularly in major burns, requires skin grafting to repair the tissue. For a large burn, where donor sites are limited, the skin graft may need to be expanded. In addition, rapid wound closure is a large factor in successful recovery and is usually achieved by debridement and skin grafting. Micrografting was introduced by Meek and involved dividing the skin into small pieces, allowing for up to a tenfold skin expansion. We conducted a review of the literature, searched via Medline, Pubmed and Embase (from 1958 to June 2017), searching to identify studies and reports of micrografting. We searched using the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) 'micrograft', 'micrograft technique', 'Meek', 'Meek technique', 'Parker Cicero', 'major burn treatment' and 'mesh skin graft'. We analysed 24 articles in which the description and modifications presented by the micrograft technique were presented, along with evidence that supports or rejects its use. The consensus was for the use of micrografting in burns of >30% total body surface area (TBSA). On poor wound beds, the evaluation of re-epithelialisation had greater success due to low metabolic demands and greater skin coverage compared with control groups (p<0.005). Comparing the 'mesh' with 'Meek' group, the micrograft group had fewer surgeries (10 versus 19.75), shorter average length of hospital stay (51 days versus 120.5 days; p<0.05). Micrografting can be used where there is poor bed vascularity (such as in patients with diabetes), with higher success due to low metabolic demand. This is recommended for major burns, >30% TBSA, with inadequate donor sites and comorbidities, such as diabetes. However, disadvantages include a 'polka dot' appearance on healing and the fact the initial surgeries, creating the micrograft squares, are labour-intensive.

  15. Promising long-term outcomes of the reused skin-graft technique for chronic gluteal hidradenitis suppurativa.

    PubMed

    Maeda, Taku; Kimura, Chu; Murao, Naoki; Takahashi, Kikuko

    2015-09-01

    The reused skin-graft technique can be used to treat chronic gluteal hidradenitis suppurativa, but long-term outcomes and the reliability of the technique have not been reported. In a retrospective review of 18 men with chronic gluteal hidradenitis suppurativa (age range, 18-68 years) treated with a reused skin graft between June 2004 and March 2012, we evaluated disease severity (Hurley classification system), skin-graft thickness, the need for an additional normal skin graft, histological findings and recurrence rate at the surgical site. The mean duration of follow-up was 61.3 months (range, 17-113 months). Five cases were classified into severity group I, 12 cases into severity group II and one case into severity group III. The range of skin-graft thicknesses was 0.013-0.020 inches. An additional donor site was unnecessary in 10 cases (three cases in group I (60%) and seven cases in group II (58.3%)). Histological examination indicated that a buried epidermal cyst could cause chronic gluteal hidradenitis suppurativa recurrence, although none of the patients experienced recurrence at the surgical site during follow-up. The reused skin-graft technique is reliable for chronic gluteal hidradenitis suppurativa resection, and it shows promising long-term outcomes. Copyright © 2015 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. The evolution of acute burn care - retiring the split skin graft.

    PubMed

    Greenwood, J E

    2017-07-01

    The skin graft was born in 1869 and since then, surgeons have been using split skin grafts for wound repair. Nevertheless, this asset fails the big burn patient, who deserves an elastic, mobile and robust outcome but who receives the poorest possible outcome based on donor site paucity. Negating the need for the skin graft requires an autologous composite cultured skin and a material capable of temporising the burn wound for four weeks until the composite is produced. A novel, biodegradable polyurethane chemistry has been used to create two such products. This paper describes the design, production, optimisation and evaluation of several iterations of these products. The evaluation has occurred in a variety of models, both in vitro and in vivo, employing Hunterian scientific principles, and embracing Hunter's love and appreciation of comparative anatomy. The process has culminated in significant human experience in complex wounds and extensive burn injury. Used serially, the products offer robust and elastic healing in deep burns of any size within 6 weeks of injury.

  17. Liquid Collagen (Type I) Wound Coverings

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1991-09-10

    Medical School, has been recruited to the project for the coming year. He has continued to apply the Iodocol preparation to split " " thickness skin ... graft donor sites with very encouraging results. Again, study patients continue to report a decrease in pain on the donor site. = In June Dr. Waldorf

  18. Effect of low-level laser therapy on the healing process of donor site in patients with grade 3 burn ulcer after skin graft surgery (a randomized clinical trial).

    PubMed

    Vaghardoost, Reza; Momeni, Mahnoush; Kazemikhoo, Nooshafarin; Mokmeli, Soheila; Dahmardehei, Mostafa; Ansari, Fereshteh; Nilforoushzadeh, Mohammad Ali; Sabr Joo, Parisa; Mey Abadi, Sara; Naderi Gharagheshlagh, Soheila; Sassani, Saeed

    2018-04-01

    Skin graft is a standard therapeutic technique in patients with deep ulcers, but managing donor site after grafting is very important. Although several modern dressings are available to enhance the comfort of donor site, using techniques that accelerate wound healing may enhance patient satisfaction. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used in several medical fields, including healing of diabetic, surgical, and pressure ulcers, but there is not any report of using this method for healing of donor site in burn patients. The protocols and informed consent were reviewed according to Medical Ethics Board of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (IR.SBMU.REC.1394.363) and Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT2016020226069N2). Eighteen donor sites in 11 patients with grade 3 burn ulcer were selected. Donor areas were divided into 2 parts, for laser irradiation and control randomly. Laser area was irradiated by a red, 655-nm laser light, 150 mW, 2 J/cm 2 , on days 0 (immediately after surgery), 3, 5, and 7. Dressing and other therapeutic care for both sites were the same. The patients and the person who analyzed the results were blinded. The size of donor site reduced in both groups during the 7-day study period (P < 0.01) and this reduction was significantly greater in the laser group (P = 0.01). In the present study, for the first time, we evaluate the effects of LLLT on the healing process of donor site in burn patients. The results showed that local irradiation of red laser accelerates wound healing process significantly.

  19. GVHD (Graft-Versus-Host Disease): A Guide for Patients and Families After Stem Cell Transplant

    MedlinePlus

    ... the first 100 days after your transplant or infusion of T-cells (in a donor lymphocyte infusion, or DLI). Acute GVHD commonly affects your skin, ... mouth or put on your skin or an infusion through a vascular access device. Also, treatment may ...

  20. A Burn Intensive Care Unit Nurse’s Perspective

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-01-01

    graft, is a continuous layer of donor skin that is harvested from the donor site and secured to the patient with staples, sutures, or adhesive strips...sterile burn sponges soaked in a solution of 10 cc epinephrine 1:100,000 U in 1 L sterile normal saline irrigation) then compressed with an elastic bandage

  1. Monoblock Expanded Full-thickness Graft for Resurfacing of the Burned Face in Young Patients.

    PubMed

    Allam, A M; El Khalek, A E A; Mustafa, W; Zayed, E

    2007-12-31

    It has been emphasized by many authors that to obtain better aesthetic results in a burned facial area to be resurfaced - if it extends into more than one aesthetic territory - the units involved should be combined into a single large composite unit allowing the largest possible skin graft to be used. Unfortunately, the donor site for full-thickness grafts is limited in young patients and hence tissue expansion is used. A monoblock expanded full-thickness skin graft for facial resurfacing after post-burn sequelae excision was used in 12 young patients after expansion of the superolateral aspect of the buttock. Females made up the majority of the patients (75%) and the ages ranged between 8 and 18 yr. The operating time was 3-3.5 hours, in two sessions. Post-operatively, we recorded partial graft necrosis in two cases (16.7%) and infection in one (8.3%), and some minor donor-site-related complications were reported, such as haematoma in one patient (8.3%), wound infection in one patient (8.3%), and wide scarring in two patients (16.7%). At follow-up, eight of the patients (66.7%) were satisfied with their new facial look as the mask effect of facial scarring had been overcome. With monoblock expanded full-thickness graft we were able to resurface the face in nine cases (75%). A second complementary procedure to reconstruct the eyebrows or reshape the nose was required in two cases (16.7%). We concluded that the monoblock expanded full-thickness graft was a suitable solution for limitation of the donor site in young patients, as the resulting wound could be closed primarily with a scar that could be concealed by the underwear, with lim.

  2. Monoblock Expanded Full-thickness Graft for Resurfacing of the Burned Face in Young Patients

    PubMed Central

    Allam, A.M.; El Khalek, A.E.A.; Mustafa, W.; Zayed, E.

    2007-01-01

    Summary It has been emphasized by many authors that to obtain better aesthetic results in a burned facial area to be resurfaced - if it extends into more than one aesthetic territory - the units involved should be combined into a single large composite unit allowing the largest possible skin graft to be used. Unfortunately, the donor site for full-thickness grafts is limited in young patients and hence tissue expansion is used. A monoblock expanded full-thickness skin graft for facial resurfacing after post-burn sequelae excision was used in 12 young patients after expansion of the superolateral aspect of the buttock. Females made up the majority of the patients (75%) and the ages ranged between 8 and 18 yr. The operating time was 3-3.5 hours, in two sessions. Post-operatively, we recorded partial graft necrosis in two cases (16.7%) and infection in one (8.3%), and some minor donor-site-related complications were reported, such as haematoma in one patient (8.3%), wound infection in one patient (8.3%), and wide scarring in two patients (16.7%). At follow-up, eight of the patients (66.7%) were satisfied with their new facial look as the mask effect of facial scarring had been overcome. With monoblock expanded full-thickness graft we were able to resurface the face in nine cases (75%). A second complementary procedure to reconstruct the eyebrows or reshape the nose was required in two cases (16.7%). We concluded that the monoblock expanded full-thickness graft was a suitable solution for limitation of the donor site in young patients, as the resulting wound could be closed primarily with a scar that could be concealed by the underwear, with lim. PMID:21991093

  3. Refining the cross-finger flap: Considerations of flap insetting, aesthetics and donor site morbidity.

    PubMed

    Chong, Chew-Wei; Lin, Cheng-Hung; Lin, Yu-Te; Hsu, Chung-Chen; Chen, Shih-Heng

    2018-04-01

    We described a laterally based cross-finger flap for reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the fingers. This modification enables coverage of volar or dorsal soft tissue defects at the distal, middle or proximal phalanx. From March 2015 to January 2017, a total of 12 patients (13 fingers) underwent soft tissue reconstruction of the fingers with a laterally based cross-finger flap. The flap dimensions ranged from 13 ×7 mm to 43 ×13 mm. Eleven of the 13 flaps survived completely. The two flap failures were attributed to injuries in the donor fingers, rendering the blood supply of the flaps unreliable. All donor sites were closed primarily without the need for skin grafting, negating the problem of donor site morbidity that is associated with skin graft harvesting. The laterally based cross-finger flap is a versatile flap with less donor site morbidity and better aesthetics than a conventional cross-finger flap. We described the design of the flap, as well as the advantages and disadvantages, in doing a laterally based cross-finger flap. Copyright © 2017 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Management of split skin graft donor site in the West African sub region: survey of plastic surgeons' practice.

    PubMed

    Olawoye, O A; Ademola, S A; Iyun, A O; Michael, A I; Oluwatosin, O M

    2017-06-30

    Split skin graft (SSG) is one of the most commonly performed operations on any Plastic Surgery service. Rate of donor site healing is affected by various factors including the type of dressing applied. The aim of this study was to survey the practice of plastic surgeons in the sub region with respect to management of SSG donor site and see how it conforms to international standards. Structured questionnaires on various aspects of the harvest and management of SSG donor sites were administered to plastic surgeons during the 53rd annual conference of the West African College of Surgeons (WACS) at Lome, Togo in March 2013. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. There were 47 respondents out of 55 plastic surgeons from four West African countries, which represented 85.4% of registered participants at the plastic surgery section of the conference. All the respondents performed SSG regularly, and the thigh was the most commonly used donor site. Different types of paraffin gauze remained the most commonly used primary donor site dressing. Only 17% of the respondents apply a topical local anaesthetic agent on the donor site. The choice of SSG donor site dressing in the sub region was driven mainly by availability. Concerted efforts must be made to access newer wound care products for optimum management of this commonly performed operation.

  5. The love surrounding the first skin graft in Taiwan: "British skin" that will stay in Taiwanese hearts.

    PubMed

    Lai, Chung-Sheng; Chen, Austin Deng; Lai, Ya-Wei; Kuo, Shou-Jen

    2012-12-01

    There is a painting that looks like a representation of a simple surgical procedure. However, it holds a warm story of the love surrounding the first skin graft made by Dr. David Landsborough III for a Taiwanese child in 1928. He harvested the donor skin from his wife, Marjorie Landsborough, to save a poor boy. Although the grafted skin could not grow onto the wound, the graft of love was permanently imprinted on Taiwanese People's hearts. The first Taiwanese recipient of MD, PhD degree, Dr. Tsung-Ming Tu invited an artist to recreate and draw the surgical procedure to immortalize the unforgettable love and memory of Dr. Landsborough III. The painting hanging on the hospital wall portrays an important professional role model for every student and health care provider. The life story of this medical missionary in Formosa from 1895 to 1936 contributed greatly to the development of medical care in Taiwan. It is hoped that this story, outlining great love and selflessness, can be glorified and remembered for the world to appreciate for generations to come.

  6. Auricular Split-Thickness Skin Graft for Ear Canal Coverage.

    PubMed

    Haidar, Yarah M; Walia, Sartaaj; Sahyouni, Ronald; Ghavami, Yaser; Lin, Harrison W; Djalilian, Hamid R

    2016-12-01

    Split-thickness skin graft (STSG) continues to be the preferred means of external auditory canal (EAC) reconstruction. We thus sought to describe our experience using skin from the posterior aspect of the auricle (SPAA) as a donor site in EAC reconstruction. Grafts were, on average, 5 × 10 mm in size and obtained with a No. 10 blade after tumescence injection. The cases of 39 patients who underwent 41 procedures were retrospectively reviewed. Of the 38 patients with both 3- and 6-month follow-ups, no postoperative stenosis or bony exposure occurred. STSG from the SPAA can be a good option in EAC reconstruction. Total EAC/tympanic membrane coverage can be obtained with STSG from the SPAA. © American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation 2016.

  7. Late outcomes after grafting of the severely burned face: a quality improvement initiative.

    PubMed

    Philp, Lauren; Umraw, Nisha; Cartotto, Robert

    2012-01-01

    Many approaches to surgical management of the severely burned face are described, but there are few objective outcome studies. The purpose of this study was to perform a detailed evaluation of the late outcomes in adult patients who have undergone grafting using a standardized surgical and rehabilitation approach for full-thickness (FT) facial burns to identify areas for improvement in the treatment strategy of authors. This was a prospective observational study in which patients who had undergone grafting for FT facial burns by the senior investigator at a regional burn centre between 1999 and 2010 were examined by a single evaluator. The surgical approach included tangential excision based on the facial aesthetic units, temporary cover with allograft then autografting with scalp skin preferentially, split grafts for the upper eyelid, and FT grafts for the lower eyelid. Rehabilitation included compression (uvex and or soft cloth), scar massage, and silicone gel sheeting. Of 35 patients with facial grafts, 14 subjects (age 43 ± 16 years with 22 ± 21% TBSA burns) returned for late follow-up at 40 ± 33 months (range, 5-91 months). A mean of four facial aesthetic units per patient were grafted (range, 1-9 units), with six full facial grafts performed. Scalp was used as donor in 10 of 14 cases. Scalp donor sites were well tolerated with minor alopecia visible in only one case although the donor site visibly extended slightly past the hairline in two cases. Color match with native skin was rated at 8.8 ± 0.8 of 10 when scalp skin was used compared with 7.5 ± 1.6 with other donor sites (P = .06). On the lip and chin, hypertrophic scars were significantly worse compared with the rest of the facial grafts (Vancouver scar scale 8 ± 2 vs 3 ± 1, P < .01). Sensory recovery was poor with overall moving two-point discrimination at 11 ± 3 mm (range, 4-15 mm), and monofilament light touch was 3.8 ± 0.6. Graft borders were significantly more elevated than graft seams. On the forehead, the most notable problem was a gap between the graft and hairlines of the frontal scalp and eyebrows (range, 0-40 mm). Grafted eyelids required one or more subsequent ectropion releases in the majority of cases. The most common problem for the nose was asymmetry of the nostril apertures. The most problematic late outcomes that the authors identified after facial grafting for FT facial burns included relatively poor sensory return, elevation of graft edges, eyelid ectropion, gaps between grafts and hairline, and marked hypertrophic scarring around the mouth and chin. The results indicate that possible areas for quality improvement include greater attention to the limits of scalp harvest, more attention to pressure application to graft borders and the lip and chin during rehabilitation, greater accuracy in excision and graft placement on the forehead to avoid gaps with the hairlines, and counseling of the patient regarding the high probability of diminished facial sensation.

  8. Successful Treatment of Plantar Hyperkeratosis in the Form of Recurrent Corns With Split-Thickness Sole Skin Graft.

    PubMed

    Wang, Chi-Yu; Chang, Chun-Kai; Chou, Chang-Yi; Wu, Chien-Ju; Chu, Tzi-Shiang; Chiao, Hao-Yu; Chen, Chun-Yu; Chen, Tim-Mo; Tzeng, Yuan-Sheng

    2018-02-01

    Plantar hyperkeratosis, such as corns and calluses, is common in older people and associated with pain, mobility impairment, and functional limitations. It usually develops on the palms, knees, or soles of feet, especially under the heels or balls. There are several treatment methods for plantar hyperkeratosis, such as salicylic acid plaster and scalpel debridement, and conservative modalities, such as using a shoe insert and properly fitting shoes. We present an effective method of reconstructing the wound after corn excision using a split-thickness sole skin graft (STSSG). We harvested the skin graft from the arch of the sole using the dermatome with a skin thickness of 14/1000th inches. Because the split-thickness skin graft, harvested from the sole arch near the distal sole, is much thicker than the split-thickness skin graft from the thigh, it is more resistant to weight and friction. The healed wound with STSSG coverage over the distal sole was intact, and the donor site over the sole arch had healed without complication during the outpatient follow-up, 3 months after surgery. The recovery time of STSSG for corn excision is shorter than that with traditional treatment. Therefore, STSSG can be a reliable alternative treatment for recurrent palmoplantar hyperkeratosis.

  9. A Simple Strategy in Avulsion Flap Injury: Prediction of Flap Viability Using Wood's Lamp Illumination and Resurfacing with a Full-thickness Skin Graft.

    PubMed

    Lim, Hyoseob; Han, Dae Hee; Lee, Il Jae; Park, Myong Chul

    2014-03-01

    Extensive degloving injuries of the extremities usually result in necrosis of the flap, necessitating comprehensive skin grafting. Provided there is a sufficient tool to evaluate flap viability, full-thickness skin can be used from a nonviable avulsed flap. We used a Wood's lamp to determine the viability of avulsed flaps in the operation field after intravenous injection of fluorescein dye. We experienced 13 cases during 16 months. Fifteen minutes after the intravenous injection of fluorescein dye, the avulsed skin flaps were examined and non-fluorescent areas were marked under Wood's lamp illumination. The marked area was defatted for full-thickness skin grafting. The fluorescent areas were sutured directly without tension. The non-fluorescent areas were covered by defatted skin. Several days later, there was soft tissue necrosis within the flap area. We measured necrotic area and revised the flap. Among all the cases, necrotic area was 21.3% of the total avulsed area. However, if we exclude three cases, one of a carelessly managed patient and two cases of the flaps were inappropriately applied, good results were obtained, with a necrotic area of only 8.4%. Eight patients needed split-thickness skin grafts, and heel pad reconstruction was performed with free flap. A full-thickness skin graft from an avulsed flap is a good method for addressing aesthetic concerns without producing donor site morbidity. Fluorescein dye is a useful, simple, and cost-effective tool for evaluating flap viability. Avulsed flap injuries can be managed well with Wood's lamp illumination and a full-thickness skin graft.

  10. Immediate breast reconstruction using autologous skin graft associated with breast implant.

    PubMed

    Dutra, A K; Andrade, W P; Carvalho, S M T; Makdissi, F B A; Yoshimatsu, E K; Domingues, M C; Maciel, M S

    2012-02-01

    Immediate breast reconstruction with skin graft is still little mentioned in the literature. Follow-up studies regarding the technique aspects are particularly scarce. The objective was to detail immediate breast reconstruction using autologous skin graft. Patients (n = 49) who underwent mastectomies and autologous immediate breast reconstruction with skin graft associated with a breast implant at A. C. Camargo Hospital (São Paulo, Brazil) between January 2007 and July 2010 were included. Information on clinical data, technique details and clinical outcome were prospectively collected. Following mastectomy, the autologous full-thickness skin graft was obtained through an inframammary fold incision along the contralateral breast in most patients. The skin graft was placed on the surface of the pectoralis major muscle after adjustments to conform to the mastectomy defect. A minimum of 10-month follow-up period was established. Patients' age ranged from 35 to 55 years and all received a silicone gel textured surface implant to obtain the necessary breast mound. The mean surgical time was 45 min, and the mean amount of skin resection was 4.5 cm in the largest diameter. Follow-up ranged from 10 to 35 months (median 23). All patients had silicone-gel textured surface implants to perform the breast mound reconstruction. No complications were observed in 87.8% of reconstructions. Forty-six patients (94%) had no complaints about the donor-site aesthetics. The result was a breast mound with a central ellipse of healed skin graft. Three (6%) poor results were observed. Thirty-six patients (67%) reported the results as good or very good. Our results lead us to conclude that autologous skin graft provided a reliable option in immediate breast reconstruction to skin-sparing mastectomy defects. The technique accomplished a single-stage implant breast reconstruction when there is inadequate skin coverage. Copyright © 2011 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. Skin grafting impairs postsynaptic cutaneous vasodilator and sweating responses.

    PubMed

    Davis, Scott L; Shibasaki, Manabu; Low, David A; Cui, Jian; Keller, David M; Purdue, Gary F; Hunt, John L; Arnoldo, Brett D; Kowalske, Karen J; Crandall, Craig G

    2007-01-01

    This study tested the hypothesis that postsynaptic cutaneous vascular responses to endothelial-dependent and -independent vasodilators, as well as sweat gland function, are impaired in split-thickness grafted skin 5 to 9 months after surgery. Intradermal microdialysis membranes were placed in grafted and adjacent control skin, thereby allowing local delivery of the endothelial-dependent vasodilator, acetylcholine (ACh; 1 x 10(-7) to 1 x 10(-1) M at 10-fold increments) and the endothelial-independent nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 5 x 10(-8) to 5 x 10(-2) M at 10-fold increments). Skin blood flow and sweat rate were simultaneously assessed over the semipermeable portion of the membrane. Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated from the ratio of laser Doppler-derived skin blood flow to mean arterial blood pressure. deltaCVC responses from baseline to these drugs were modeled via nonlinear regression curve fitting to identify the dose of ACh and SNP causing 50% of the maximal vasodilator response (EC50). A rightward shift in the CVC dose response curve for ACh was observed in grafted (EC50 = -2.61 +/- 0.44 log M) compared to adjacent control skin (EC50 = -3.34 +/- 0.46 log M; P = .003), whereas the mean EC50 for SNP was similar between grafted (EC50 = -4.21 +/- 0.94 log M) and adjacent control skin (EC50 = -3.87 +/- 0.65 log M; P = 0.332). Only minimal sweating to exogenous ACh was observed in grafted skin whereas normal sweating was observed in control skin. Increased EC50 and decreased maximal CVC responses to the exogenous administration of ACh suggest impairment of endothelial-dependent cutaneous vasodilator responses in grafted skin 5 to 9 months after surgery. Greatly attenuated sweating responses to ACh suggests either abnormal or an absence of functional sweat glands in the grafted skin.

  12. Can Skin Allograft Occasionally Act as a Permanent Coverage in Deep Burns? A Pilot Study 

    PubMed Central

    Rezaei, Ezzatollah; Beiraghi-Toosi, Arash; Ahmadabadi, Ali; Tavousi, Seyed Hassan; Alipour Tabrizi, Arash; Fotuhi, Kazem; Jabbari Nooghabi, Mehdi; Manafi, Amir; Ahmadi Moghadam, Shokoofeh

    2017-01-01

    BACKGROUND Skin allograft is the gold standard of wound coverage in patients with extensive burns; however, it is considered as a temporary wound coverage and rejection of the skin allograft is considered inevitable. In our study, skin allograft as a permanent coverage in deep burns is evaluated. METHODS Skin allograft survival was assessed in 38 patients from March 2009 to March 2014, retrospectively. Because of the lack of tissue specimen from the skin donors, patients with long skin allograft survival in whom the gender of donor and recipient of allograft was the same were excluded. Seven cases with skin allograft longevity and opposite gender in donor and recipient were finally enrolled. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on the biopsy specimen from recipients and donors were undertaken. RESULTS PCR on the biopsy specimen from recipients confirmed those specimens belong to the donors. All patients received allograft from the opposite sex. Two (28.57%) patients received allograft from their first-degree blood relatives, and in one (14.29%) case, the allograft was harvested from an alive individual with no blood relation. The rest were harvested from multiorgan donors. In eight months of follow up, no clinical evidence of graft rejection was noted. CONCLUSION Long term persistence of skin allograft in patients is worthy of more attention. Further studies An increase in knowledge of factors influencing this longevity could realize the dream of burn surgeons to achieve a permanent coverage other than autograft for major burn patients. PMID:28289620

  13. Can Skin Allograft Occasionally Act as a Permanent Coverage in Deep Burns? A Pilot Study.

    PubMed

    Rezaei, Ezzatollah; Beiraghi-Toosi, Arash; Ahmadabadi, Ali; Tavousi, Seyed Hassan; Alipour Tabrizi, Arash; Fotuhi, Kazem; Jabbari Nooghabi, Mehdi; Manafi, Amir; Ahmadi Moghadam, Shokoofeh

    2017-01-01

    Skin allograft is the gold standard of wound coverage in patients with extensive burns; however, it is considered as a temporary wound coverage and rejection of the skin allograft is considered inevitable. In our study, skin allograft as a permanent coverage in deep burns is evaluated. Skin allograft survival was assessed in 38 patients from March 2009 to March 2014, retrospectively. Because of the lack of tissue specimen from the skin donors, patients with long skin allograft survival in whom the gender of donor and recipient of allograft was the same were excluded. Seven cases with skin allograft longevity and opposite gender in donor and recipient were finally enrolled. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on the biopsy specimen from recipients and donors were undertaken. PCR on the biopsy specimen from recipients confirmed those specimens belong to the donors. All patients received allograft from the opposite sex. Two (28.57%) patients received allograft from their first-degree blood relatives, and in one (14.29%) case, the allograft was harvested from an alive individual with no blood relation. The rest were harvested from multiorgan donors. In eight months of follow up, no clinical evidence of graft rejection was noted. Long term persistence of skin allograft in patients is worthy of more attention. Further studies An increase in knowledge of factors influencing this longevity could realize the dream of burn surgeons to achieve a permanent coverage other than autograft for major burn patients.

  14. Meiotic activity in orthotopic xenografts derived from human postpubertal testicular tissue.

    PubMed

    Van Saen, D; Goossens, E; Bourgain, C; Ferster, A; Tournaye, H

    2011-02-01

    Grafting of frozen-thawed testicular tissue has been suggested as a novel fertility preservation method for patients undergoing gonadotoxic treatments. However, this technique still needs further optimization before any clinical application. So far, grafting of human testicular tissue has only been performed to the back skin of nude mice and has shown spermatogonial stem-cell survival and occasionally differentiation up to primary spermatocytes. In this study, orthotopic grafting to mouse testes was evaluated as an alternative, and the effect of freezing and the donor's age was studied. Human testicular tissue was obtained from two prepubertal (aged 3 and 5) and two postpubertal (aged 12 and 13) boys. Both fresh and frozen-thawed testicular tissue was grafted to the testis of immuno-deficient nude mice. Four and nine months after transplantation, testes were analyzed by histology and immunohistochemistry. Four and nine months after transplantation, spermatogonial stem cells were observed in all tissue grafts. Germ cell survival was found to be higher in xenografts from the older boys when compared with that from younger donors. Furthermore, no differentiation was observed in the xenografts from younger patients, but the grafts of two older donors showed differentiation up to the primary spermatocyte level, with the presence of secondary spermatocytes in the oldest donor 9 months after transplantation. This xenografting study shows that intratesticular grafting results in high germ cell survival. In grafts derived from the older boys, meiotic activity was maintained in the xenografts for at least 9 months. Although difficult to conduct due to the scarcity of the tissue, more comparative research is needed to elucidate an optimal grafting strategy.

  15. Both rejection and tolerance of allografts can occur in the absence of secondary lymphoid tissues

    PubMed Central

    Kant, Cavit D.; Akiyama, Yoshinobu; Tanaka, Katsunori; Shea, Susan; Yamada, Yohei; Connolly, Sarah E; Marino, Jose; Tocco, Georges; Benichou, Gilles

    2014-01-01

    In this study, we show that aly/aly mice, which are devoid of lymph nodes and Peyer’s patches, rejected acutely fully allogeneic skin and heart grafts. They mounted potent inflammatory direct alloresponses but failed to develop indirect alloreactivity after transplantation. Remarkably, skin allografts were also rejected acutely by splenectomized aly/aly mice (aly/aly-spl−) devoid of all secondary lymphoid organs. In these recipients, the rejection was mediated by alloreactive CD8+ T cells presumably primed in the bone marrow. In contrast, cardiac transplants were not rejected in aly/aly-spl− mice. Actually, aly/aly-spl− mice having spontaneously accepted a heart allotransplant displayed donor-specific tolerance also accepted skin grafts from the same but not a third-party donor via a mechanism involving CD4+ regulatory T cells producing IL-10 cytokine. Therefore, direct priming of alloreactive T cells, as well as rejection and regulatory tolerance of allogeneic transplants, can occur in recipient mice lacking secondary lymphoid organs. PMID:25535285

  16. Tissue procurement and transplantation: a Tuscany perspective.

    PubMed

    Filipponi, F; De Simone, P; Saviozzi, A; Bozzi, G

    2008-01-01

    Tissue procurement and transplantation are rarely taken into account as indicators of the efficiency of a regional donor procurement network. We present herein a retrospective review on Tuscany tissue procurement activities from 2004 until 2006. In 2003 the Tuscan Regional Government appointed a transplantation service authority to reorganize all regional donation and transplantation activities: the Organizzazione Toscana Trapianti (OTT). The regional tissue procurement network was based on either brain death (BD) and cardiac death (CD) donors under the responsibility of in-hospital transplantation coordinators (IHTCs). From 2004 to 2006, a total of 397 tissue donors were procured in Tuscany, and 4151 tissue transplantations were performed: 2909 skin grafts, 1209 bone grafts, and 33 heart valves. Over the same period, a total of 2116 cornea donors were procured; 4117 corneas were retrieved; 1779 were fit for transplantation, and 1418 were transplanted. Based on our experience, implementation of tissue procurement requires use of BD donors and paramount organizational efforts from IHTCs.

  17. Two simple leg net devices designed to protect lower-extremity skin grafts and donor sites and prevent decubitus ulcer.

    PubMed

    Hedman, Travis L; Chapman, Ted T; Dewey, William S; Quick, Charles D; Wolf, Steven E; Holcomb, John B

    2007-01-01

    Burn therapists routinely are tasked to position the lower extremities of burn patients for pressure ulcer prevention, skin graft protection, donor site ventilation, and edema reduction. We developed two durable and low-maintenance devices that allow effective positioning of the lower extremities. The high-profile and low-profile leg net devices were simple to fabricate and maintain. The frame was assembled using a three-quarter-inch diameter copper pipe and copper fittings (45 degrees, 90 degrees, and tees). A double layer of elasticized tubular netting was pulled over the frame and doubled back for leg support to complete the devices. The devices can be placed on any bed surface. The netting can be exchanged when soiled and the frame can be disinfected between patients using standard techniques. Both devices were used on approximately 250 patients for a total of 1200 treatment days. No incidence of pressure ulcer was observed, and graft take was not adversely affected. The devices have not required repairs or replacement. Medical providers reported they are easy to apply and effectively maintain proper positioning throughout application. Neither device interfered with the application of other positioning devices. Both devices were found to be an effective method of positioning lower extremities to prevent pressure ulcer, minimize graft loss and donor site morbidity, and reduce edema. The devices allowed for proper wound ventilation and protected grafted lower extremities on any bed surface. The devices are simple to fabricate and maintain. Both devices can be effectively used simultaneously with other positioning devices.

  18. Effectiveness of Acellular Dermal Matrix on Autologous Split-Thickness Skin Graft in Treatment of Deep Tissue Defect: Esthetic Subjective and Objective Evaluation.

    PubMed

    Lee, Yoo Jung; Park, Myong Chul; Park, Dong Ha; Hahn, Hyung Min; Kim, Sue Min; Lee, Il Jae

    2017-10-01

    A split-thickness skin graft (STSG) is performed to cover a large full-thickness skin defect. Esthetic and functional deficits can result, and many studies have sought to overcome them. This study compared the effectiveness of the acellular dermal matrix (ADM) graft and STSG concerning esthetic and functional effectiveness of ADM on scar quality. Of the patients who underwent anterolateral thigh free flap from 2011 to 2015, patients who received skin graft only (n = 10) or skin graft with ADM (n = 20) for coverage of the donor site were enrolled. In all cases, autologous STSG was performed with 1:1.5 meshed 0.008-0.010-inch-thick skin. In the skin graft with ADM group, 0.008-0.013-inch-thick meshed ADM (CGderm ® ; CGBio, Inc., Seungnam, Korea) was co-grafted. Negative-pressure wound therapy (CuraVAC ® ; CGBio, Inc., Seungnam, Korea) was applied to both groups in continuous mode at -120 mmHg. We investigate early outcomes (skin loss rate, duration of negative-pressure wound therapy, days to removal of stitches, days to achieve complete healing, and complications) and late outcomes in terms of scar quality (vascularity, pigmentation, pliability and height) and graft-related symptoms (itching sensation and pain). Assessments used the Vancouver Scar Scale and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale. Skin fold was measured to evaluate the elasticity of scar tissue. In the Vancouver Scar Scale, vascularity subscore (p = 0.003) and total score (p = 0.016) were significantly lower in the skin graft with ADM group. In Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale, the pain (p = 0.037) and stiffness subscores (p = 0.002), and total score (p = 0.017) were significantly lower in the skin graft with ADM group. Skin graft with ADM results in better scar quality in objective and subjective aspects. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

  19. Application of a high-level peracetic acid disinfection protocol to re-process antibiotic disinfected skin allografts.

    PubMed

    Lomas, R J; Huang, Q; Pegg, D E; Kearney, J N

    2004-01-01

    Skin allografts, derived from cadaveric donors, are widely used for the treatment of burns and ulcers. Prior to use in clinical situations, these allografts are disinfected using a cocktail of antibiotics and then cryopreserved. Unfortunately, this antibiotic disinfection procedure fails to decontaminate a significant proportion and these contaminated grafts can not be used clinically. We have investigated whether it is possible to apply a second, more potent disinfection procedure to these contaminated grafts and effectively to re-process them for clinical use. Cadaveric skin grafts, treated with antibiotics and cryopreserved, were thawed and a peracetic acid (PAA) disinfection protocol applied. The grafts were then preserved in a high concentration of glycerol or propylene glycol, and properties thought to be essential for successful clinical performance assessed. The cytotoxicity of the grafts was assessed using both extract and contact assays; damage to the skin collagen was assessed using a collagenase susceptibility assay and the capacity of the grafts to elicit an inflammatory response in vitro was assessed by quantifying the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha by human peripheral blood mononuclear phagocytes. PAA disinfection, in conjunction with either glycerol or propylene glycol preservation, did not render the grafts cytotoxic, pro-inflammatory, or increase their susceptibility to collagenase digestion. The rates of penetration of glycerol and propylene glycol into the re-processed skin were comparable to those of fresh skin. This study has demonstrated that PAA disinfection combined with immersion in high concentrations of either glycerol or propylene glycol was an effective method for re-processing contaminated skin allografts, and may justify their clinical use.

  20. Ursolic acid promotes robust tolerance to cardiac allografts in mice

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Y; Huang, X; Li, Y; Li, C; Hu, X; Xue, C; Meng, F; Zhou, P

    2011-01-01

    Nuclear factor (NF)-κB is an important molecule in T cell activation. Our previous work has found that T cell-restricted NF-κB super-repressor (IκBαΔN-Tg) mice, expressing an inhibitor of NF-κB restricted to the T cell compartment, can permanently accept fully allogeneic cardiac grafts and secondary donor skin grafts. In this study, we explore if transient NF-κB inhibition by a small molecular inhibitor could induce permanent graft survival. Ursolic acid, a small molecular compound, dose-dependently inhibited T cell receptor (TCR)-triggered NF-κB nuclear translocation and T cell activation in vitro. In vivo, ursolic acid monotherapy prolonged significantly the survival of cardiac allograft in mice. Assisted with donor-specific transfusion (DST) on day 0, ursolic acid promoted 84·6% of first cardiac grafts to survive for more than 150 days. While the mice with long-term surviving grafts (LTS) did not reject the second donor strain hearts for more than 100 days without any treatment, they all promptly rejected the third-party strain hearts within 14 days. Interestingly, this protocol did not result in an increased proportion of CD4+CD25+forkhead box P3+ regulatory T cells in splenocytes. That adoptive transfer experiments also did not support regulation was the main mechanism in this model. Splenocytes from LTS showed reduced alloreactivity to donor antigen. However, depletion of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells did not alter the donor-reactivity of LTS splenocytes. These data suggest that depletion of donor-reactive T cells may play an important role in this protocol. PMID:21391985

  1. A comparison between DACC with chlorhexidine acetate-soaked paraffin gauze and foam dressing for skin graft donor sites.

    PubMed

    Lee, Jun Won; Park, Seong Hoon; Suh, In Suck; Jeong, Hii Sun

    2018-01-02

    Retrograde infections often occur with excessive or incomplete drainage of exudate, or as a result of adherence of dressings to wounds. Dialkylcarbamoyl chloride (DACC) irreversibly binds to bacterial surfaces and physically removes bacteria when dressings are changed. Chlorhexidine acetate-soaked paraffin gauze provides a moist wound-healing environment. We hypothesise that when DACC is combined with chlorhexidine acetate-soaked paraffin gauze, wound healing times decrease. From January 2013 to June 2015, medical records were retrospectively evaluated in 60 patients who underwent split-thickness skin grafts (STSG). Patients were divided into two groups: a 'thick skin group' and a 'thin skin group'. These two groups were further subdivided into a control group, where conventional foam dressings were applied to wounds, and an experimental group, where chlorhexidine acetate-soaked paraffin gauze with DACC was applied (DACC group). We compared the wound healing time between these subgroups. Differences in infected wound healing times were also compared. The Mann-Whitney test was applied to compare wound healing times between groups. Epithelialisation duration was significantly shorter in the DACC group. The control group had longer wound healing times, regardless of wound size. In the thick skin group, the median healing duration was 12 days in the control subgroup, compared with 9.5 days in the DACC subgroup (p=0.049). In the thin skin subgroup, the median healing duration in the control group was 18 days, compared with 10 days in the DACC subgroup (p=0.013). Application of DACC and chlorhexidine acetate-soaked paraffin gauze to skin graft donor sites can shorten healing times and is effective in treating infected wounds.

  2. Prolonged survival of reconstituted skin grafts without immunosuppression.

    PubMed

    Sasamoto, Y; Alexander, J W; Babcock, G F

    1990-01-01

    Reconstituted skin composed of a cultured allogeneic epithelial sheet (CAES) and a cultured allogeneic dermis (CAD) was evaluated in a rat model to determine whether it could survive for a prolonged period without immunosuppression. Additionally, free CAD grafts were evaluated for their suitability as dermal substitutes. Male Buffalo rats were used as donors and male Lewis rats as recipients. Split-thickness skin obtained from Buffalo rats was separated into epidermis and dermis by means of Dispase II enzyme. The epidermal layers were minced and trypsinized. Then dispersed single keratinocytes were inoculated onto a irradiated 3T3 cell feeder layer. After a suitable period, a confluent cultured keratinocyte layer was detached and provided CAES grafts. Cultured allogeneic dermis grafts were prepared from cultures of the dermal component. Cultured allogeneic dermis grafts, covered by split thickness isografts (STIG) or local skin flaps, became revascularized at a rate of 94.6% and 90.9%, respectively, 7 days after grafting. However, only 25% of CAD grafts covered by synthetic materials became vascularized. Four types of wound coverage were compared including: (1) CAES grafts, (2) CAES over CAD grafts, (3) split-thickness isografts, and (4) STIG over CAD grafts. In groups 2 and 4, CAD grafts were applied 7 days before CAES grafts or STIG. Grafts of groups 1 and 2 were successful in only 36.7% and 31.1% of the animals and resulted in a high rate of wound contracture--72.4%, 66.7%, respectively. On the other hand, in groups 3 and 4, higher average rates of revascularization (92.0% and 88.3%) and lower rates of wound contracture (25.4% and 24.2%) were obtained.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

  3. The unique and valuable soft tissue free flap in head and neck reconstruction: Lateral arm.

    PubMed

    Kang, Stephen Y; Eskander, Antoine; Patel, Krupal; Teknos, Theodoros N; Old, Matthew O

    2018-07-01

    While the lateral arm free flap has been well described, there is a relative paucity in its use compared to other free flaps and regional flaps. The lateral arm free flap is a unique soft tissue free flap that provides several reconstructive advantages in head and neck reconstruction: excellent contour and color match to facial skin, well compartmentalized fat, donor nerves for nerve grafting, and the ability to two-team harvest and close the donor site without a skin graft. A detailed anatomic and harvest technique is described, along with indications and advantages of using lateral free flap for head and neck reconstruction. A scoping literature review was also conducted to tabulate indications, overall success and complications of the flap. The lateral arm flap is a primary option for defects requiring soft tissue reconstruction in the head and neck. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. [Plastic surgery to correct deformities of the ear].

    PubMed

    Naumann, A

    2005-08-18

    For the plastic-surgical correction of mild deformities of the ears, well-proven incisional and suturing techniques are available. Only in exceptional cases is skin grafting or the use of cartilage ersatz material required. In the plastic surgical treatment of moderate to severe ear deformities, in contrast, not only incisional and suturing techniques, but also free skin grafts and ersatz materials are needed. At the ENT Department of the Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich, plastic reconstruction of moderate to severe deformities of the external ear using porous polyethylene implants instead of rib cartilage grafts has been practiced with success for the past two years or so. Porous polyethylene implants provide good results and may help to avoid pre- and postoperative morbidity at donor site defects.

  5. Epidermal culture and grafting. A brief review.

    PubMed

    Muehleman, C; Wise, R D

    1993-08-01

    In summary, technological advances in culturing epidermis for the purpose of grafting allow this approach in the treatment of cutaneous wounds. Certainly, full- and split-thickness autografts offer immediate availability and permanent wound coverage, but they also involve a large, painful donor site. Cultured epidermal autografts can provide permanent wound coverage, but the delay required for cultivation of confluent sheets of keratinocytes makes them somewhat less desirable. Both allografts and cultured allografts, on the other hand, are available for immediate use, but the possibility of infectious disease transmission may be a concern. In any case, all types of skin grafts function as biological dressings that promote the proliferation of the host's epidermis and, thus, facilitate the ability of the patient's skin to repair itself.

  6. An Investigation of Immunological Tolerance Based on Chimaera Analysis

    PubMed Central

    Michie, Donald; Woodruff, M. F. A.; Zeiss, Irmgard M.

    1961-01-01

    Newborn mice of strain A were injected intravenously at birth with 9–15 million spleen cells from adult CBA donors. The recipients exhibited splenomegaly and other signs of graft-versus-host reaction during the first 3 weeks of life. Adult survivors were uniformly tolerant of CBA skin. They showed no sign of a continuing graft-versus-host reaction. The spleens of the treated mice were tested for the presence of immunologically competent donor and host cells by Simonsen's discriminant spleen assay. From the age of 7 days onwards the spleens were found to contain a small percentage of donor cells which were immunologically active against antigens of a third strain. In spleens from adult survivors activity, attributable to the host component, against third-party antigens was undiminished as compared with that of untreated A-strain mice. But activity against the CBA donor strain was absent. PMID:14473459

  7. The treatment of deep dermal hand burns: How do we achieve better results? Should we use allogeneic keratinocytes or skin grafts?

    PubMed

    Haslik, W; Kamolz, L-P; Lumenta, D B; Hladik, M; Beck, H; Frey, M

    2010-05-01

    The treatment of deep dermal burns has a broad spectrum and has been subject to discussion over the past years. The treatment of hand burns is challenging due to the high requirements to aesthetic and functional outcome. 27 patients, 7 women and 20 men with deep dermal hand burns with a mean age of 41.3+/-16.5 and a mean TBSA of 15%+/-19.6% were treated either with allogeneic cryopreserved keratinocytes or with split skin grafts. Long-term follow-up revealed no statistical significant differences between the two groups concerning Vancouver Scar Scale as well as hand function judged by the DASH score; however there was a tendency to higher VSS scores and impaired aesthetic results in the keratinocyte group. Allogeneic keratinocytes are a suitable armentarium for the treatment of deep dermal hand burns; and, if used correctly, they can produce a timely healing comparable to split-thickness skin grafts. Limited availability, high costs as well as the need for special skills are key factors, which render application of this technique outside specialist burn centres virtually impossible. In our opinion, the cultivation and use of keratinocytes should be reserved to these centres in order to facilitate a sensible application for a full range of indications. We recommend usage of allogeneic keratinocytes for deep dermal hand burns only in severely burned patients with a lack of donor sites. Patients with unrestricted availability of donor sites seem to profit from the application of split-thickness skin grafts according to our results. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

  8. Prenatal tolerance induction: relationship between cell dose, marrow T-cells, chimerism, and tolerance.

    PubMed

    Chen, Jeng-Chang; Chang, Ming-Ling; Huang, Shiu-Feng; Chang, Pei-Yeh; Muench, Marcus O; Fu, Ren-Huei; Ou, Liang-Shiou; Kuo, Ming-Ling

    2008-01-01

    It was reported that the dose of self-antigens can determine the consequence of deletional tolerance and donor T cells are critical for tolerance induction in mixed chimeras. This study aimed at assessing the effect of cell doses and marrow T cells on engraftment and tolerance induction after prenatal bone marrow transplantation. Intraperitoneal cell transplantation was performed in FVB/N (H-2K(q)) mice at gestational day 14 with escalating doses of adult C57BL/6 (H-2K(b)) marrows. Peripheral chimerism was examined postnatally by flow cytometry and tolerance was tested by skin transplantation. Transplantation of light-density marrow cells showed a dose response. High-level chimerism emerged with a threshold dose of 5.0 x 10(6) and host leukocytes could be nearly replaced at a dose of 7.5-10.0 x 10(6). High-dose transplants conferred a steady long-lasting donor-specific tolerance but were accompanied by >50% incidence of graft-versus-host disease. Depletion of marrow T cells lessened graft-versus-host disease to the detriment of engraftment. With low-level chimerism, tolerance was a graded phenomenon dependent upon the level of chimerism. Durable chimerism within 6 months required a threshold of > or = 2% chimerism at 1 month of age and predicted a 50% chance of long-term tolerance, whereas transient chimerism (<2%) only caused hyporesponsiveness to the donor. Tolerance induction did not succeed without peripheral chimerism even if a large amount of injected donor cells persisted in the peritoneum. Neither did an increase in cell doses or donor T-cell contents benefit skin graft survivals unless it had substantially improved peripheral chimerism. Thus, peripheral chimerism level can be a simple and straightforward test to predict the degree of prenatal immune tolerance.

  9. Allogeneic cultured keratinocytes vs. cadaveric skin to cover wide-mesh autogenous split-thickness skin grafts.

    PubMed

    Monstrey, S; Beele, H; Kettler, M; Van Landuyt, K; Blondeel, P; Matton, G; Naeyaert, J M

    1999-09-01

    Improved shock therapy has extended the limits of survival in patients with massive burns, and nowadays skin coverage has become the major problem in burn management. The use of mesh skin grafts is still the simplest technique to expand the amount of available donor skin. However, very wide-mesh skin grafts take a very long time to heal, often resulting in unaesthetic scar formation. On the other hand, allogeneic cultured keratinocytes have been reported as a natural source of growth factors and thus could be useful to improve wound healing of these wide-mesh grafts. A clinical study was performed to compare the use of cryopreserved allogeneic cultured keratinocytes vs. the traditional cadaveric skin as a double layer over widely expanded autogenous skin grafts. This procedure was performed in 18 pairs of full-thickness burn wounds (with similar depth and location) in 11 severely burned patients. Early clinical evaluation was made at 2, 3, and 4 to 5 weeks. Parameters such as epithelialization, granulation tissue formation, infection, and scar formation were evaluated. Biopsies were taken to compare the histological characteristics of the epidermis, the epidermal-dermal junction, and the dermis. Late evaluations were performed at 6 and 12 months regarding color, softness, thickness, and subjective feeling of the scar tissue. Aside from a faster (p < 0.05) epithelialization in the keratinocyte group at 2 weeks, there were no statistically different results in any of the early evaluated parameters, neither clinically nor histologically. At long-term follow-up, clinical results and scar characteristics were not significantly different in the two compared groups. It is concluded from the results of this study that, during the early phase, epithelialization was faster with allogeneic cultured keratinocytes compared with cadaveric skin. However, taking into account the substantial difference in costs, the described use of cryopreserved allogeneic cultured keratinocytes as a double layer on meshed autogenous split-thickness skin grafts can hardly be advocated.

  10. Electrical burns of the abdomen.

    PubMed

    Srivastava, Rakesh Kumar; Kumar, Ritesh

    2013-09-01

    A 35-year-old male farmer came in contact with 11,000 volts high tension electric wire and sustained full thickness burn wounds over scapula, upper limb and anterior abdominal wall along with perforation of the intestine. Patient was initially managed conservatively in general surgery ward and was referred to us after 3 days with necrosis of the burned skin and muscles over the shoulder and abdomen. Patient was initially managed conservatively and then thorough debridement of the necrotic skin over the left shoulder and upper arm was done and the area was split skin grafted. Patient developed enterocutaneous fistula, which healed over a period of 8 weeks. The granulating wound over the abdomen was also skin grafted and patient was discharged after 18 days. About 4 months, after the discharge patient presented with ventral hernia. Repair of ventral hernia by synthetic mesh application and reconstruction of the abdominal wall with a free tensor fascia lata flap was done over the mesh, but the flap failed. Then after debridement two random pattern transposition skin flaps, one from the right upper and another from the left lower abdomen were transposed over the abdominal wound and donor area was skin grafted. Patient was discharged after 17 days.

  11. Evaluation of human amniotic membrane as a wound dressing for split-thickness skin-graft donor sites.

    PubMed

    Loeffelbein, Denys J; Rohleder, Nils H; Eddicks, Matthias; Baumann, Claudia M; Stoeckelhuber, Mechthild; Wolff, Klaus-D; Drecoll, Enken; Steinstraesser, Lars; Hennerbichler, Simone; Kesting, Marco R

    2014-01-01

    Human amniotic membrane (HAM) has been used as a biomaterial in various surgical procedures and exceeds some qualities of common materials. We evaluated HAM as wound dressing for split-thickness skin-graft (STSG) donor sites in a swine model (Part A) and a clinical trial (Part B). Part A: STSG donor sites in 4 piglets were treated with HAM or a clinically used conventional polyurethane (PU) foil (n = 8 each). Biopsies were taken on days 5, 7, 10, 20, 40, and 60 and investigated immunohistochemically for alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA: wound contraction marker), von Willebrand factor (vWF: angiogenesis), Ki-67 (cell proliferation), and laminin (basement membrane integrity). Part B: STSG donor sites in 45 adult patients (16 female/29 male) were treated with HAM covered by PU foam, solely by PU foam, or PU foil/paraffin gauze (n = 15 each). Part A revealed no difference in the rate of wound closure between groups. HAM showed improved esthetic results and inhibitory effects on cicatrization. Angioneogenesis was reduced, and basement membrane formation was accelerated in HAM group. Part B: no difference in re-epithelialization/infection rate was found. HAM caused less ichor exudation and less pruritus. HAM has no relevant advantage over conventional dressings but might be a cost-effective alternative.

  12. Stability of Chimerism in Non-Obese Diabetic Mice Achieved By Rapid T Cell Depletion Is Associated With High Levels of Donor Cells Very Early After Transplant.

    PubMed

    Lin, Jiaxin; Chan, William F N; Boon, Louis; Anderson, Colin C

    2018-01-01

    Stable mixed hematopoietic chimerism is a robust method for inducing donor-specific tolerance with the potential to prevent rejection of donor islets in recipients with autoimmune type-1 diabetes. However, with reduced intensity conditioning, fully allogeneic chimerism in a tolerance resistant autoimmune-prone non-obese diabetic (NOD) recipient has rarely been successful. In this setting, successful multilineage chimerism has required either partial major histocompatability complex matching, mega doses of bone marrow, or conditioning approaches that are not currently clinically feasible. Irradiation free protocols with moderate bone marrow doses have not generated full tolerance; donor skin grafts were rejected. We tested whether more efficient recipient T cell depletion would generate a more robust tolerance. We show that a combination of donor-specific transfusion-cyclophosphamide and multiple T cell depleting antibodies could induce stable high levels of fully allogeneic chimerism in NOD recipients. Less effective T cell depletion was associated with instability of chimerism. Stable chimeras appeared fully donor-specific tolerant, with clonal deletion of allospecific T cells and acceptance of donor skin grafts, while recovering substantial immunocompetence. The loss of chimerism months after transplant was significantly associated with a lower level of chimerism and donor T cells within the first 2 weeks after transplant. Thus, rapid and robust recipient T cell depletion allows for stable high levels of fully allogeneic chimerism and robust donor-specific tolerance in the stringent NOD model while using a clinically feasible protocol. In addition, these findings open the possibility of identifying recipients whose chimerism will later fail, stratifying patients for early intervention.

  13. Donor transmitted and de novo cancer after liver transplantation

    PubMed Central

    Desai, Rajeev; Neuberger, James

    2014-01-01

    Cancers in solid organ recipients may be classified as donor transmitted, donor derived, de novo or recurrent. The risk of donor-transmitted cancer is very low and can be reduced by careful screening of the donor but cannot be abolished and, in the United Kingdom series is less than 0.03%. For donors with a known history of cancer, the risks will depend on the nature of the cancer, the interventions given and the interval between diagnosis and organ donation. The risks of cancer transmission must be balanced against the risks of death awaiting a new graft and strict adherence to current guidelines may result increased patient death. Organs from selected patients, even with high-grade central nervous system (CNS) malignancy and after a shunt, can, in some circumstances, be considered. Of potential donors with non-CNS cancers, whether organs may be safely used again depends on the nature of the cancer, the treatment and interval. Data are scarce about the most appropriate treatment when donor transmitted cancer is diagnosed: sometimes substitution of agents and reduction of the immunosuppressive load may be adequate and the impact of graft removal should be considered but not always indicated. Liver allograft recipients are at increased risk of some de novo cancers, especially those grafted for alcohol-related liver disease and hepatitis C virus infection. The risk of lymphoproliferative disease and cancers of the skin, upper airway and bowel are increased but not breast. Recipients should be advised to avoid risk behavior and monitored appropriately. PMID:24876738

  14. Evaluation of Six Split-thickness Skin Graft Donor-site Dressing Materials in a Swine Model

    PubMed Central

    Masella, Pamela C.; Balent, Eric M.; Carlson, Terri L.; Lee, Karen W.

    2013-01-01

    Background: Numerous dressings for split-thickness skin graft donor sites are commercially available with no conclusive evidence-based consensus regarding the optimal dressing choice. This study was conducted to identify which of 5 commonly used materials promotes wound healing most effectively for use on split-thickness donor sites in comparison with our standard dressing, Xeroform (petrolatum gauze). Methods: Twenty-four partial-thickness wounds were created on the backs of 4 pigs using a dermatome. Wounds (n = 4 per dressing type per pig) were treated with Xeroform, Opsite (polyurethane film), Kaltostat ( calcium sodium alginate), DuoDERM (hydrocolloid), Aquacel (hydrofiber), and Mepilex (silicone foam). Full-thickness skin samples were excised at 3 or 5 days and evaluated histologically for reepithelialization and inflammation. Comparisons also included incidence of infection, ease of use, and cost analyses. Results: DuoDERM elicited the greatest percent reepithelialization (81%) and Mepilex the lowest (33%) after 3 days (P = 0.004). All dressings demonstrated complete reepithelialization except Mepilex (85%) at 5 days. There were no infections and inflammation was mild among all treatments. Mepilex was easiest to use, whereas Aquacel, Kaltostat, and Opsite were most difficult (P = 0.03). Xeroform was most cost-effective and Aquacel most expensive. Combined scoring revealed DuoDERM = Xeroform > Opsite = Mepilex > Kaltostat > Aquacel. Conclusions: DuoDERM and Xeroform were most effective overall. DuoDERM tended to outperform all dressings in reepithelialization at 3 days, while Xeroform was least expensive, easy to use, and demonstrated rapid reepithelialization. These findings suggest that Xeroform may be preferred for use on large donor-site areas. DuoDERM may be more appropriate for small donor sites when healing time is a priority. PMID:25289278

  15. Wound Healing from Dermal Grafts Containing CD34+ Cells Is Comparable to Wound Healing with Split-Thickness Skin Micrografts.

    PubMed

    Nuutila, Kristo; Singh, Mansher; Kruse, Carla; Eriksson, Elof

    2017-08-01

    Epidermal stem cells present in the skin appendages of the dermis might be crucial in wound healing. In this study, the authors located these cells in the dermis and evaluated their contribution to full-thickness wound healing in a porcine model. Four sequentially deeper 0.35-mm-thick skin grafts were harvested from the same donor site going down to 1.4 mm in depth (layers 1 through 4). The layers were minced to 0.8 × 0.8 × 0.35-mm micrografts and transplanted (1:2) onto full-thickness porcine wounds. Healing was monitored up to 28 days and biopsy specimens were collected on days 6 and 10. Multiple wound healing parameters were used to assess the quality of healing. The authors' results showed that wounds transplanted with layer 2 (0.35 to 0.7 mm) and layer 3 (0.7 to 1.05 mm) micrografts demonstrated reepithelialization rates comparable to that of split-thickness skin graft (layer 1, 0.00 to 0.35 mm; split-thickness skin graft) at day 10. At day 28, dermal micrografts (layers 2 and 3) showed quality of healing comparable to that of split-thickness skin grafts (layer 1) in terms of wound contraction and scar elevation index. The amounts of epidermal stem cells [cluster of differentiation (CD) 34] and basal keratinocytes (KRT14) at each layer were quantified by immunohistochemistry. The analysis showed that layers 2 and 3 contained the most CD34 cells and layer 1 was the richest in KRT14 cells. The immunohistochemistry also indicated that, by day 6, CD34 cells had differentiated into KRT14 cells, which migrated from the grafts and contributed to the reepithelialization of the wound.

  16. Large-for-size liver transplant: a single-center experience.

    PubMed

    Akdur, Aydincan; Kirnap, Mahir; Ozcay, Figen; Sezgin, Atilla; Ayvazoglu Soy, Hatice Ebru; Karakayali Yarbug, Feza; Yildirim, Sedat; Moray, Gokhan; Arslan, Gulnaz; Haberal, Mehmet

    2015-04-01

    The ideal ratio between liver transplant graft mass and recipient body weight is unknown, but the graft probably must weigh 0.8% to 2.0% recipient weight. When this ratio > 4%, there may be problems due to large-for-size transplant, especially in recipients < 10 kg. This condition is caused by discrepancy between the small abdominal cavity and large graft and is characterized by decreased blood supply to the liver graft and graft dysfunction. We evaluated our experience with large-for-size grafts. We retrospectively evaluated 377 orthotopic liver transplants that were performed from 2001-2014 in our center. We included 188 pediatric transplants in our study. There were 58 patients < 10 kg who had living-donor living transplant with graft-to-bodyweight ratio > 4%. In 2 patients, the abdomen was closed with a Bogota bag. In 5 patients, reoperation was performed due to vascular problems and abdominal hypertension, and the abdomen was closed with a Bogota bag. All Bogota bags were closed in 2 weeks. After closing the fascia, 10 patients had vascular problems that were diagnosed in the operating room by Doppler ultrasonography, and only the skin was closed without fascia closure. No graft loss occurred due to large-for-size transplant. There were 8 patients who died early after transplant (sepsis, 6 patients; brain death, 2 patients). There was no major donor morbidity or donor mortality. Large-for-size graft may cause abdominal compartment syndrome due to the small size of the recipient abdominal cavity, size discrepancies in vascular caliber, insufficient portal circulation, and disturbance of tissue oxygenation. Abdominal closure with a Bogota bag in these patients is safe and effective to avoid abdominal compartment syndrome. Early diagnosis by ultrasonography in the operating room after fascia closure and repeated ultrasonography at the clinic may help avoid graft loss.

  17. The influence of immune system stimulation on encapsulated islet graft survival.

    PubMed

    Orłowski, Tadeusz M; Godlewska, Ewa; Tarchalska, Magda; Kinasiewicz, Joanna; Antosiak, Magda; Sabat, Marek

    2005-01-01

    The aim of this study was to determine the influence activating of the recipient immune system on the function of microencapsulated islet xenografts. The skin of WAG or Fisher rats and WAG free or encapsulated (APA) Langerhans islets were transplanted to healthy or to streptozotocin diabetic BALB/c mice. Skin grafts were performed following the method of Billingham and Medawar. Rat islets were isolated from pancreas by the Lacy and Kostianovsy method and encapsulated with calcium alginate-poly-L-lysine-alginate according to the 3-step coating method of Sun. The transplantation of encapsulated WAG islets, despite activation of the host immune system, restored euglycemia for over 180 +/-100 days. A subsequent skin graft taken from the same donor was rejected in the second set mode, but euglycemia persisted. In diabetic recipients, impaired immune response was corrected by successful encapsulated islet transplantation. In diabetic mice, strong stimulation with 2-fold skin transplantation induced primary non-function of grafted islets despite their encapsulation. The survival of an islet xenograft depends on the level of activation of the recipient immune system. The immune response of diabetic mice was impaired, but increased after post-transplant restitution of euglycemia. Microencapsulation sufficiently protected grafted islets, and remission of diabetes was preserved. However, after strong specific or non-specific stimulation of the host immune system, non-function of xenografted islets developed despite their encapsulation. Therefore, islet graft recipients should avoid procedures which could stimulate their immune systems. If absolutely necessary, the graft should be protected by exogenous insulin therapy at that time.

  18. Mixed Donor Chimerism Following Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplant.

    PubMed

    Rashidi, Armin; Brennan, Daniel C; Amarillo, Ina E; Wellen, Jason R; Cashen, Amanda

    2018-06-01

    Graft-versus-host disease after solid-organ transplant is exceedingly rare. Although the precise pathogenetic mechanisms are unknown, a progressive increase in donor chimerism is a requirement for its development. The incidence of mixed donor chimerism and its timeline after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant is unknown. After encountering 2 cases of graft-versus-host disease after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant at our institution over a period of < 2 years, a collaborative pilot study was conducted by the bone marrow transplant, nephrology, and abdominal transplant surgery teams. We enrolled all consecutive patients undergoing sex-mismatched simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant over 1 year and longitudinally monitored donor chimerism using fluorescence in situ hybridization for sex chromosomes. We found no evidence for chimerism in our 7 patients. In a comprehensive literature review, we found a total of 25 previously reported cases of graft-versus-host disease after kidney, pancreas, and simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplants. The median onset of graft-versus-host disease was approximately 5 weeks after transplant, with a median of about 2 weeks of delay between first presentation and diagnosis. Skin, gut, and bone marrow were almost equally affected at initial presentation, and fever of unknown origin occurred in more than half of patients. The median survival measured from the first manifestation of graft-versus-host disease was only 48 days. Within the limitations related to small sample size, our results argue against an unusually high risk of graft-versus-host disease after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant. Collaboration between solid-organ and stem cell transplant investigators can be fruitful and can improve our understanding of the complications that are shared between the 2 fields.

  19. Conducted healing to treat large skin wounds.

    PubMed

    Salgado, M I; Petroianu, A; Alberti, L R; Burgarelli, G L; Barbosa, A J A

    2013-01-01

    Improvement of the healing process to provide better aesthetical and functional results continues to be a surgical challenge. This study compared the treatment of skin wounds by means of conducted healing (an original method of treatment by secondary healing) and by the use of autogenous skin grafts. Two skin segments, one on each side of the dorsum,were removed from 17 rabbits. The side that served as a graft donor site was left open as to undergo conducted healing (A)and was submitted only to debridement and local care with dressings. The skin removed from the side mentioned above was implanted as a graft (B) to cover the wound on the other side. Thus, each animal received the two types of treatment on its dorsum (A and B). The rabbits were divided into two groups according to the size of the wounds: Group 1 - A and B (4 cm2)and Group 2 - A and B (25 cm2). The healing time was 19 days for Group 1 and 35 days for Group 2. The final macro- and microscopic aspects of the healing process were analysed comparatively among all subgroups. The presence of inflammatory cells, epidermal cysts and of giant cells was evaluated. No macro- or microscopic differences were observed while comparing the wounds that underwent conducted healing and those in which grafting was employed, although the wounds submitted to conducted healing healed more rapidly. Conducted wound healing was effective for the treatment of skin wounds. Celsius.

  20. VASCULARIZED COMPOSITE ALLOGRAFT TRANSPLANT SURVIVAL IN MINIATURE SWINE: IS MHC TOLERANCE SUFFICIENT FOR ACCEPTANCE OF EPIDERMIS?

    PubMed Central

    Cetrulo, Curtis L.; Torabi, Radbeh; Scalea, Joseph R.; Shimizu, Akira; Leto Barone, Angelo A.; Gillon, Brad C.; Tasaki, Masayuki; Leonard, David A.; Cormack, Taylor A.; Villani, Vincenzo; Randolph, Mark A.; Sachs, David H.; Yamada, Kazuhiko

    2014-01-01

    Background We have previously reported that MGH miniature swine which had accepted class-I mismatched kidneys long-term (LT) following 12 days of high dose Cyclosporine (CyA), uniformly accepted donor-MHC matched kidneys without immunosuppression but rejected donor-MHC matched split-thickness skin grafts (STSG) by day 25, without changes in renal graft function or anti-donor in vitro responses. We have now tested whether this “split tolerance” would also be observed for the primarily-vascularized skin of vascularized composite allografts (VCAs). Methods Group 1 animals (n=3) received donor-MHC matched VCAs <70 days following primary kidney transplant (KTx). Group 2 animals (n=3) received a second donor-matched t KTx followed by a donor-matched VCA >200 days after primary KTx. Results Animals in Group 1 lost the epidermis on days 28, 30, and 40, with all other components of the VCAs remaining viable. Histology showed cellular infiltration localized to dermal-epidermal junction. One of 3 recipients of VCAs including epidermis in Group 2 accepted all components of the VCAs (>200 days). The other two recipients lost only the epidermis at day 45 and 85, with survival of the remainder of the VCA long-term. Conclusions All tissues of a VCA are accepted long-term on animals tolerant of class-I mismatched kidneys, with the exception of epidermis, the survival of which is markedly prolonged compared to STSG, but not indefinite. Exposure of tolerant animals to second donor-matched kidneys prior to VCA increases the longevity of the VCA epidermis, suggesting an increase in the immunomodulatory mechanisms associated with tolerance of the kidney. PMID:24056624

  1. Basiliximab versus daclizumab combined with triple immunosuppression in deceased donor renal graft recipients.

    PubMed

    Grego, K; Arnol, M; Bren, A F; Kmetec, A; Tomaziĉ, J; Kandus, A

    2007-12-01

    In this prospective, randomized, open-label, single-center study, we compared the efficacy and safety of two anti-interleukin-2 receptor monoclonal antibodies among adult recipients of at least 1 HLA-mismatched deceased donor renal grafts. Eligible patients were randomized to induction with either basiliximab or daclizumab. Both groups received cyclosporine microemulsion (CsA Neoral), mycophenolate mofetil, and methylprednisolone. An intent-to-treat analysis of 1-year data assessed the incidence of acute rejection episodes, the renal graft function, the safety, and the patient and graft survivals. Among 127 patients, six (10.0%) and seven (11.5%) patients experienced biopsy-confirmed acute rejection at 12 months, in the basiliximab and the daclizumab groups, respectively. Two renal grafts were lost in the basiliximab and six in the daclizumab cohort, one of them due to rejection. One basiliximab and two daclizumab patients died. Hospital treatment was required for 25 and 33 infections in basiliximab and daclizumab groups, respectively. One basal cell carcinoma of skin was detected. One hypersensitivity reaction was observed with daclizumab. At 12 months, serum creatinine was 101+/-28 micromol/L with basiliximab and 109+/-41 micromol/L with daclizumab. Patient survival was 98.4% with basiliximab and 96.7% with daclizumab, and graft survival was 96.8% versus 90.8%, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the groups. Basiliximab or daclizumab combined with triple therapy was an efficient and safe immunosuppression strategy, demonstrated with low incidence of acute rejection episodes, an acceptable adverse event profile, excellent graft function, and high survival rates in adult recipients within the first year after deceased donor renal transplantation.

  2. Evaluation of Epidermal Skin Grafts for the Treatment of Complex Wounds in a Wound Care Center: A 94-Patient Case Series.

    PubMed

    Lincoln, Katherine; Hyde, Jessica

    2016-10-01

    In recent years, a new technology for autologous epidermal harvesting has been developed to produce epidermal skin grafts (ESGs) for use over wounds. This technology employs negative pressure and heat to raise the epidermal skin layer, allowing for consistent and reproducible epidermal harvesting. The aim of this case series is to present the authors' experience using an automated, epidermal harvesting system to produce ESGs to treat wounds of patients with multiple comorbidities. This case series was conducted between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2014. Patients with wounds (≤ 25 cm2) that failed to heal were treated with ESGs by a group of 3 wound care physicians in 2 outpatient wound care centers in a community health center setting. A total of 94 patients with 102 wounds were identified. Of the 94 patients, 3 were noncompliant and 9 were lost to follow-up. Therefore, 82 patients with 90 wounds were included in the analysis. The majority of wounds demonstrated epithelialization (83/90, 92.2%). Of the 90 wounds, 75 (83.3%) healed following epidermal grafting, 4 (4.4%) wounds displayed improvement, and 11 (12.2%) did not heal. Minimal or no pain at the donor site was reported by the patients, and all donor sites healed without complications. This case series provides additional evidence for the use of ESGs for the treatment of wounds that fail to heal.

  3. Cellulose Dressing Versus Rayon Dressing in Skin Graft Donor Sites: Aspects of Patients' Health-related Quality of Life and Self-esteem .

    PubMed

    Ferreira, Lydia M; Blanes, Leila; Gragnani, Alfredo; Veiga, Daniela F; Veiga, Frederico; Nery, Gilka B; Rocha, Gustavo H; Gomes, Heitor C; Rocha, Mario G; Okamoto, Regina

    2009-06-01

     Objective. The aim of this study was to compare the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and self-esteem of patients who underwent split-thickness skin grafting, when either cellulose dressings or rayon dressings were applied to the donor sites. A total of 25 patients, who were enrolled at five participant hospitals and required split-thickness skin grafting for various clinical reasons, were randomized into two treatment groups, the rayon dressing group (n = 13), or the cellulose dressing group (n = 12). All patients were assessed preoperatively and 60 days postoperatively. The HRQoL was assessed with the Short Form-36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire, and self-esteem was evaluated using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE)/UNIFESP-EPM (Brazilian versions). There were no surgery-related complications during the study period. In both treatment groups, SF-36 scores for emotional role, mental health, vitality, and general health decreased from baseline. RSE scores increased from baseline in both treatment groups, showing a reduction in self-esteem after treatment. There was a statistical difference (P = 0.024) in the SF-36 bodily pain domain for the rayon group. There were no significant differences in HRQoL and self-esteem between treatment groups. In the rayon-dressing group, there was a significant decrease in bodily pain from baseline .

  4. Enhancement of islet engraftment and achievement of long-term islet allograft survival by Toll-like receptor 4 blockade.

    PubMed

    Giovannoni, Laurianne; Muller, Yannick D; Lacotte, Stéphanie; Parnaud, Géraldine; Borot, Sophie; Meier, Raphaël P H; Lavallard, Vanessa; Bédat, Benoît; Toso, Christian; Daubeuf, Bruno; Elson, Greg; Shang, Limin; Morel, Philippe; Kosco-Vilbois, Marie; Bosco, Domenico; Berney, Thierry

    2015-01-01

    Toll-like receptors are key players in sterile inflammation phenomena and can link the innate and adaptive immune systems by enhancing graft immunogenicity. They are also considered mediators of types 1 and 2 diabetes development. The aim of the present study was to assess the role of Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) in mediating the inflammatory and immune responses to pancreatic islets, thereby promoting inflammatory destruction and immune rejection of islet grafts. Experiments were conducted in murine and human in vitro systems and in vivo murine islet transplant models, using species-specific anti-TLR4 monoclonal antibodies. In vitro, mixed lymphocyte-islet reaction experiments were performed to assess T-cell activation and proliferation. In vivo, both a syngeneic (B6-to-B6) marginal mass islet transplant model to assess the impact of TLR4 blockade on islet engraftment and an allogeneic (DBA1-to-B6) model were used. In vitro TLR4 blockade decreased lipopolysaccharide-mediated β-cell apoptosis and T-cell activation and proliferation against allogeneic islets. In vivo, TLR4 blockade resulted in significantly better syngeneic marginal mass islet engraftment and in indefinite allogeneic islet graft survival. Tolerance was not observed because donor-specific skin graft rechallenge in nonrejecting animals resulted in rejection of both skin and islets, but without accelerated rejection as compared to naive animals. Taken together, our data indicate that TLR4 blockade leads to a significant improvement of syngeneic islet engraftment and of allogeneic islet graft survival. A mechanism of graft accommodation with concurrent inhibition of donor-specific immune memory is likely to be involved.

  5. Anterior versus posterior approach in reconstruction of infected nonunion of the tibia using the vascularized fibular graft: potentialities and limitations.

    PubMed

    Amr, Sherif M; El-Mofty, Aly O; Amin, Sherif N

    2002-01-01

    The potentialities, limitations, and technical pitfalls of the vascularized fibular grafting in infected nonunions of the tibia are outlined on the basis of 14 patients approached anteriorly or posteriorly. An infected nonunion of the tibia together with a large exposed area over the shin of the tibia is better approached anteriorly. The anastomosis is placed in an end-to-end or end-to-side fashion onto the anterior tibial vessels. To locate the site of the nonunion, the tibialis anterior muscle should be retracted laterally and the proximal and distal ends of the site of the nonunion debrided up to healthy bleeding bone. All the scarred skin over the anterior tibia should be excised, because it becomes devitalized as a result of the exposure. To cover the exposed area, the fibula has to be harvested with a large skin paddle, incorporating the first septocutaneous branch originating from the peroneal vessels before they gain the upper end of the flexor hallucis longus muscle. A disadvantage of harvesting the free fibula together with a skin paddle is that its pedicle is short. The skin paddle lies at the antimesenteric border of the graft, the site of incising and stripping the periosteum. In addition, it has to be sutured to the skin at the recipient site, so the soft tissues (together with the peroneal vessels), cannot be stripped off the graft to prolong its pedicle. Vein grafts should be resorted to, if the pedicle does not reach a healthy segment of the anterior tibial vessels. Defects with limited exposed areas of skin, especially in questionable patency of the vessels of the leg, require primarily a fibula with a long pedicle that could easily reach the popliteal vessels and are thus better approached posteriorly. In this approach, the site of the nonunion is exposed medial to the flexor digitorum muscle and the proximal and distal ends of the site of the nonunion debrided up to healthy bleeding bone. No attempt should be made to strip the scarred skin off the anterior aspect of the bone lest it should become devitalized. Any exposed bone on the anterior aspect should be left to granulate alone. This occurs readily when stability has been regained at the fracture site after transfer of the free fibula. The popliteal and posterior tibial vessels are exposed, and the microvascular anastomosis placed in an end-to-side fashion onto either of them, depending on the length of the pedicle and the condition of the vessels themselves. To obtain the maximal length of the pedicle of the graft, the proximal osteotomy is placed at the neck of the fibula after decompressing the peroneal nerve. The distal osteotomy is placed as distally as possible. After detaching the fibula from the donor site, the proximal part of the graft is stripped subperiosteally, osteotomized, and discarded. Thus, a relatively long pedicle could be obtained. To facilitate subperiosteal stripping, the free fibula is harvested without a skin paddle. In this way, the use of a vein graft could be avoided. Patients presenting with infected nonunions of the tibia with extensive scarring of the lower extremity, excessively large areas of skin loss, and with questionable patency of the anterior and posterior tibial vessels are not suitable candidates for the free vascularized fibular graft. Although a vein graft could be used between the recipient popliteal and the donor peroneal vessels, its use decreases flow to the graft considerably. These patients are better candidates for the Ilizarov bone transport method with or without free latissimus dorsi transfer. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  6. Vermillion Reconstruction With Anal Verge Transitional Epithelium: Turning Things Upside Down.

    PubMed

    Levi, Benjamin; Ricci, Joseph A; Donelan, Matthias B

    2018-02-20

    Postburn lip deformities pose a significant set of challenges to reconstructive burn surgeons because of the complex anatomy, diverse functions, and specialized nature of the lip tissues. There has been a paucity of literature on restoration of the vermillion to date. The authors report on two patients who suffered burn injuries resulting in significant lip deformities who underwent a novel method of vermillion reconstruction with a full thickness anal verge skin graft. Both patients tolerated the procedure well without complications. One patient had slight hyperpigmentation of the graft which was treated with a phenol peel to cause intentional lightening. Overall, both patients had a restored vermillion border and improved color match and contour of the lip. Histologic analysis of the anal verge demonstrates that it has a nonkeratinized, transitional epithelial architecture which is nearly identical to that of the vermillion tissue. Skin grafting remains one of the cornerstones of tissue replacement in acute burn care and burn reconstruction. The vermillion represents an area of specialized tissue that is not well reconstructed with simple skin grafts. Other methods for reconstruction involve lip switch operations or local flaps, like a ventral tongue flap. These procedures are not without limitation and can often cause microstomia among other issues. With no donor site morbidity, a full thickness anal verge skin graft represents the closest approximation of actual vermillion tissue found anywhere else in the body and should be considered a viable option in the reconstruction of these challenging patients.

  7. [Cutaneo-fascial flaps in restorative and reconstructive surgery of burns].

    PubMed

    Kurbanov, Sh I; Moroz, V Iu; Grishkevich, V M

    1990-06-01

    On the basis of experience with the treatment of more than 1,500 patients with post-burn defects, deformities, and trophic ulcers, the authors distinguished types of affection in which the traditional methods are ineffective. These 133 patients were subjected to plasty with ++cutaneo-fascial grafts; the zones of donor areas from which the grafts are taken are determined. Plasty with ++cutaneo-fascial grafts is indicated in defects of the face, deformity of the neck, total adduction contracture of the arm, defect of the breast, and affections of the hand, leg, and foot. Concrete grafts and the site from which they are taken for restoration of certain regions of the body are suggested. ++Cutaneo-fascial grafts make it possible to restore the shape, function, and the skin of the involved region.

  8. Full-Thickness Reconstruction with Pedicle Flap and Diced Homologous Cartilage Over the Pericardium Complicated. Cardiac Arrest

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Rees, Thomas D.

    1961-01-01

    Successful repair by plastic surgery of nonhealing ulceration of the chest wall, induced by radiotherapy for breast cancer, is described. Reconstruction of the chest wali defect by pedicle flap coverage was carried out. Radiation injury extended through the entire thickness of the chest wall and osteoradionecrosis of the ribs was present. Reconstruction with thoracoabdominal tube was considered to be the best technique, so a 4- by 9-in. tube pedicle was constructed. The underlying donor wound of the pedicle was covered with a split- thickness skin graft. Healing was without incident, and approximates 3 weeks after formation, the inferior end ofmore » this tube pedicle was migrated to the left epigastrium as an intermediate step. Healing was uncomplicated, and the lateral attachment of the pedicle was partially severed. Three weeks later, resection of all avascular tissue along with portions of the fourth and fifth ribs was carried out. This created a full-thickness chest wall defect measuring 4 by 8 in., with the anterior surface of the pericardial sac exposed in the wound. The end of the abdominal tube pedicle was elevated from its bed, rotated into position, and sutured to the healthy margins of the chest wall defect. The exposed subcutaneous fat of the undersurface of the pedicle was placed in juxtaposition to the pericardium. A split-thickness skin graft was cut from the skin of the left thigh and draped over the pedicle flap donor wound. All sutured wounds healed per primum and the entire skin graft survived. The inferior inset of the tube pedicle was cut free and the pedicle flap was tailored into position 6 weeks later. The patient was discharged from the hospital in good condition and engaged in normal activities. An attempt was made to provide protection for the heart beneath the pedicle inset by introduction of diced homologous cartilage grafts, just beneath the skin of the pedicle flap. This healed with the formation of a thick fibrocartilaginous structure providing some protection for the pericardial contents beneath.« less

  9. CSF-1–dependant donor-derived macrophages mediate chronic graft-versus-host disease

    PubMed Central

    Alexander, Kylie A.; Flynn, Ryan; Lineburg, Katie E.; Kuns, Rachel D.; Teal, Bianca E.; Olver, Stuart D.; Lor, Mary; Raffelt, Neil C.; Koyama, Motoko; Leveque, Lucie; Le Texier, Laetitia; Melino, Michelle; Markey, Kate A.; Varelias, Antiopi; Engwerda, Christian; Serody, Jonathan S.; Janela, Baptiste; Ginhoux, Florent; Clouston, Andrew D.; Blazar, Bruce R.; Hill, Geoffrey R.; MacDonald, Kelli P.A.

    2014-01-01

    Chronic GVHD (cGVHD) is the major cause of late, nonrelapse death following stem cell transplantation and characteristically develops in organs such as skin and lung. Here, we used multiple murine models of cGVHD to investigate the contribution of macrophage populations in the development of cGVHD. Using an established IL-17–dependent sclerodermatous cGVHD model, we confirmed that macrophages infiltrating the skin are derived from donor bone marrow (F4/80+CSF-1R+CD206+iNOS–). Cutaneous cGVHD developed in a CSF-1/CSF-1R–dependent manner, as treatment of recipients after transplantation with CSF-1 exacerbated macrophage infiltration and cutaneous pathology. Additionally, recipients of grafts from Csf1r–/– mice had substantially less macrophage infiltration and cutaneous pathology as compared with those receiving wild-type grafts. Neither CCL2/CCR2 nor GM-CSF/GM-CSFR signaling pathways were required for macrophage infiltration or development of cGVHD. In a different cGVHD model, in which bronchiolitis obliterans is a prominent manifestation, F4/80+ macrophage infiltration was similarly noted in the lungs of recipients after transplantation, and lung cGVHD was also IL-17 and CSF-1/CSF-1R dependent. Importantly, depletion of macrophages using an anti–CSF-1R mAb markedly reduced cutaneous and pulmonary cGVHD. Taken together, these data indicate that donor macrophages mediate the development of cGVHD and suggest that targeting CSF-1 signaling after transplantation may prevent and treat cGVHD. PMID:25157821

  10. An Automated and Minimally Invasive Tool for Generating Autologous Viable Epidermal Micrografts

    PubMed Central

    Osborne, Sandra N.; Schmidt, Marisa A.; Harper, John R.

    2016-01-01

    ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: A new epidermal harvesting tool (CelluTome; Kinetic Concepts, Inc, San Antonio, Texas) created epidermal micrografts with minimal donor site damage, increased expansion ratios, and did not require the use of an operating room. The tool, which applies both heat and suction concurrently to normal skin, was used to produce epidermal micrografts that were assessed for uniform viability, donor-site healing, and discomfort during and after the epidermal harvesting procedure. DESIGN: This study was a prospective, noncomparative institutional review board–approved healthy human study to assess epidermal graft viability, donor-site morbidity, and patient experience. SETTING: These studies were conducted at the multispecialty research facility, Clinical Trials of Texas, Inc, San Antonio. PATIENTS: The participants were 15 healthy human volunteers. RESULTS: The average viability of epidermal micrografts was 99.5%. Skin assessment determined that 76% to 100% of the area of all donor sites was the same in appearance as the surrounding skin within 14 days after epidermal harvest. A mean pain of 1.3 (on a scale of 1 to 5) was reported throughout the harvesting process. CONCLUSIONS: Use of this automated, minimally invasive harvesting system provided a simple, low-cost method of producing uniformly viable autologous epidermal micrografts with minimal patient discomfort and superficial donor-site wound healing within 2 weeks. PMID:26765157

  11. An Automated and Minimally Invasive Tool for Generating Autologous Viable Epidermal Micrografts.

    PubMed

    Osborne, Sandra N; Schmidt, Marisa A; Harper, John R

    2016-02-01

    A new epidermal harvesting tool (CelluTome; Kinetic Concepts, Inc, San Antonio, Texas) created epidermal micrografts with minimal donor site damage, increased expansion ratios, and did not require the use of an operating room. The tool, which applies both heat and suction concurrently to normal skin, was used to produce epidermal micrografts that were assessed for uniform viability, donor-site healing, and discomfort during and after the epidermal harvesting procedure. This study was a prospective, noncomparative institutional review board-approved healthy human study to assess epidermal graft viability, donor-site morbidity, and patient experience. These studies were conducted at the multispecialty research facility, Clinical Trials of Texas, Inc, San Antonio. The participants were 15 healthy human volunteers. The average viability of epidermal micrografts was 99.5%. Skin assessment determined that 76% to 100% of the area of all donor sites was the same in appearance as the surrounding skin within 14 days after epidermal harvest. A mean pain of 1.3 (on a scale of 1 to 5) was reported throughout the harvesting process. Use of this automated, minimally invasive harvesting system provided a simple, low-cost method of producing uniformly viable autologous epidermal micrografts with minimal patient discomfort and superficial donor-site wound healing within 2 weeks.

  12. Diagnostic value of tolerance-related gene expression measured in the recipient alloantigen-reactive T cell fraction.

    PubMed

    Lim, Dong-Gyun; Park, Youn-Hee; Kim, Sung-Eun; Jeong, Seong-Hee; Kim, Song-Cheol

    2013-08-01

    The efficient development of tolerance-inducing therapies and safe reduction of immunosuppression should be supported by early diagnosis and prediction of tolerance in transplantation. Using mouse models of donor-specific tolerance to allogeneic skin and islet grafts we tested whether measurement of tolerance-related gene expression in their alloantigen-reactive peripheral T cell fraction efficiently reflected the tolerance status of recipients. We found that Foxp3, Nrn1, and Klrg1 were preferentially expressed in conditions of tolerance compared with rejection or unmanipulated controls if their expression is measured in CD69(+) T cells prepared from coculture of recipient peripheral T cells and donor antigen-presenting cells. The same pattern of gene expression was observed in recipients grafted with either skin or islets, recipients of different genetic origins, and even those taking immunosuppressive drugs. These findings suggest that the expression of tolerance-related genes in the alloantigen-reactive T cell fraction could be used to detect tolerance in the clinic. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. [Is there an age limit for cadaveric kidney donors currently?].

    PubMed

    Cofán Pujol, F; Oppenheimer Salinas, F; Talbot-Wright, R; Carretero González, P

    1996-12-01

    The insufficient number of kidney transplants has gradually raised the age limit to the cadaver kidney donor. The use of grafts harvested from older donors has been debated due to the existing structural and functional changes that might influence renal function and long-term graft survival. The foregoing aspects are discussed herein. The anatomical, histological and functional changes in the kidney associated with ageing are analyzed. The clinical experience with renal grafts from older donors before and after cyclosporine became available are reviewed. The ethical issues on whether grafts from very old donors should be used and who should receive these grafts are discussed. The use of grafts from donors over 60 years old had no significant short and medium term differences in comparison with younger donors in terms of graft survival, although a higher incidence of acute tubular necrosis and poor renal function have been observed. There are no conclusive studies on the long-term effects on graft survival when kidneys from donors aged over 65 are utilized. In our experience, the results achieved with grafts from donors over 70 has been unsatisfactory. The guidelines utilized in the selection of grafts derived from older donors are presented. Grafts from donors aged 60 to 70 may be utilized in renal transplantation following precise selection criteria. Graft survival has been satisfactory, although a higher incidence of acute tubular necrosis and higher creatinine levels have been observed. We do not advocate the use of grafts from donors over 70, except in very exceptional cases. Long-term multicenter studies on grafts from very old donors and trials using alternative immunosuppressor modalities that might permit optimal use of these grafts are warranted.

  14. Gut microbes contribute to variation in solid organ transplant outcomes in mice.

    PubMed

    McIntosh, Christine M; Chen, Luqiu; Shaiber, Alon; Eren, A Murat; Alegre, Maria-Luisa

    2018-05-25

    Solid organ transplant recipients show heterogeneity in the occurrence and timing of acute rejection episodes. Understanding the factors responsible for such variability in patient outcomes may lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Rejection kinetics of transplanted organs mainly depends on the extent of genetic disparities between donor and recipient, but a role for environmental factors is emerging. We have recently shown that major alterations of the microbiota following broad-spectrum antibiotics, or use of germ-free animals, promoted longer skin graft survival in mice. Here, we tested whether spontaneous differences in microbial colonization between genetically similar individuals can contribute to variability in graft rejection kinetics. We compared rejection kinetics of minor mismatched skin grafts in C57BL/6 mice from Jackson Laboratory (Jax) and Taconic Farms (Tac), genetically similar animals colonized by different commensal microbes. Female Tac mice rejected skin grafts from vendor-matched males more quickly than Jax mice. We observed prolonged graft survival in Tac mice when they were exposed to Jax mice microbiome through co-housing or fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) by gastric gavage. In contrast, exposure to Tac mice did not change graft rejection kinetics in Jax mice, suggesting a dominant suppressive effect of Jax microbiota. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons from Jax and Tac mice fecal samples confirmed a convergence of microbiota composition after cohousing or fecal transfer. Our analysis of amplicon data associated members of a single bacterial genus, Alistipes, with prolonged graft survival. Consistent with this finding, members of the genus Alistipes were absent in a separate Tac cohort, in which fecal transfer from Jax mice failed to prolong graft survival. These results demonstrate that differences in resident microbiome in healthy individuals may translate into distinct kinetics of graft rejection, and contribute to interpersonal variability in graft outcomes. The association between Alistipes and prolonged skin graft survival in mice suggests that members of this genus might affect host physiology, including at sites distal to the gastrointestinal tract. Overall, these findings allude to a potential therapeutic role for specific gut microbes to promote graft survival through the administration of probiotics, or FMT.

  15. Evaluation of dermal-epidermal skin equivalents ('composite-skin') of human keratinocytes in a collagen-glycosaminoglycan matrix(Integra artificial skin).

    PubMed

    Kremer, M; Lang, E; Berger, A C

    2000-09-01

    Integra artificial skin (Integra LifeSciences Corp., Plainsboro, NJ, USA) is a dermal template consisting of bovine collagen, chondroitin-6-sulphate and a silastic membrane manufactured as Integra. This product has gained widespread use in the clinical treatment of third degree burn wounds and full thickness skin defects of different aetiologies. The product was designed to significantly reduce the time needed to achieve final wound closure in the treatment of major burn wounds, to optimise the sparse autologous donor skin resources and to improve the durable mechanical quality of the skin substitute. The clinical procedure requires two stages. The first step creates a self neodermis, the second creates a self epidermis on the neodermis. However, it is desirable to cover major burn wounds early in a single step by a skin substitute consisting of a dermal equivalent seeded in vitro with autologous keratinocytes ('composite-skin') out of which a full thickness skin develops in vivo.The goal of this experimental study was to develop a method to integrate human keratinocytes in homogeneous distribution and depth into Integra Artificial Skin. The seeded cell-matrix composites were grafted onto athymic mice in order to evaluate their potential to reconstitute a human epidermis in vivo. We were able to demonstrate that the inoculated human keratinocytes reproducibly displayed a homogeneous pattern of distribution, adherence, proliferation and confluence. The cell-matrix composites grafted in this model exhibited good wound adherence, complete healing, minor wound contraction and had the potential to reconstitute an elastic, functional and durable human skin. Histologically we were able to show that the inoculated human keratinocytes in vivo colonised the matrix in a histomorphologically characteristic epidermal pattern (keratomorula, keratinocyte bubbling) and developed a persisting, stratified, keratinising epidermis which immunohistologically proved to be of human origin. These experimental results demonstrate the establishment of an effective cell cultivation process which may be suitable for scale-up production of the epidermal component as large-scale composite-skin grafts. When seeded into Integratrade mark and grafted onto the nude mouse a replacement skin with normal functioning dermal-epidermal components was developed. These results encourage the design of a clinical trial to assess the function of this composite graft in man.

  16. In vitro and in vivo assessment of lactic acid-modified chitosan scaffolds for potential treatment of full-thickness burns.

    PubMed

    Velasquillo, Cristina; Silva-Bermudez, Phaedra; Vázquez, Nadia; Martínez, Alan; Espadín, Andres; García-López, Julieta; Medina-Vega, Antonio; Lecona, Hugo; Pichardo-Baena, Raúl; Ibarra, Clemente; Shirai, Keiko

    2017-10-01

    Autologous skin transplantation is today's "gold standard" treatment for full-thickness burns. However, when > 30% of total body surface area is damaged, there is an important shortage of autologous donor sites for skin grafting; then, treatment alternatives become crucial. Such alternatives can be based on polymeric scaffolds capable of functioning as protective covers and cells/factors carriers. Chitosan (CTS) is a natural-derived polymer with relevant biological-related properties but poor mechanical performance. Improved mechanical properties can be achieved through lactic acid grafting (LA-g); nevertheless, LA-g affects the biological response towards the CTS-based materials. In this work, CTS-LA scaffolds with different LA-g percentages were synthesized and evaluated to determine appropriate LA-g degrees for full-thickness burns treatment. In vitro results indicated that the higher the LA-g percentage, the lower the capability of the scaffolds to sustain fibroblasts culture. Scaffolds with LA-g around 28% (CTS-LA28) sustained cell culture and allowed normal cell functionality. Further evaluation of CTS-LA28 as acellular and cellular grafts in a full-thickness burn mouse model showed that at 28 days post-burn, macroscopic characteristic of the reparation tissue were closer to healthy skin when cellular grafts were used for treatment; histological evaluation also showed that dermis cellularity and collagenous fibers structure were similar to those in healthy skin when cellular grafts were used for burns treatment. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2875-2891, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  17. Results of liver transplantation from old donors.

    PubMed

    Dudek, K; Kornasiewicz, O; Remiszewski, P; Zieniewicz, K; Wróblewski, T; Krawczyk, M

    2014-10-01

    Faced with a shortage of organs for liver transplantation, the use of grafts from older donors is justified. However, there remains little consensus on how this use impacts the graft and patient outcomes after transplantation from these older donors. The aim of the present analysis was to assess the graft and patient outcomes after liver transplantation from deceased donors >60 years of age. From January 2007 to January 2011, 505 subjects were identified as liver graft donors after brain death, of which 7.35% were ≥60. To determine the effect of donor age on graft and patient outcomes, we analyzed donor age, recipient age, the Model for End-State Liver Disease (MELD) score of recipients at the time of transplantation, early posttransplant complications, and mortality. The posttransplant follow-up was 29 ± 25.5 months, and 3-year patient mortality from donors, grouped according to age, was 7.92% with donors <30; 15.78% with donors 30-50, 10.68% with donors 50-60, and 12.50% with donors >60. After analysis of patient and graft survival based on donor graft age, 3-year patient survival according donor age was 89.29% with donors <30, 83.85% with donors 30-50, 89.89% with donors 50-60, and 87.50% with donors >60. Analysis showed overall patient and graft survival rates from older donors were not worse than those from younger donors (P > .1). Among the cases, 3-year patient survival according to MELD score was 91.19% with a MELD of I, 85.37% with a MELD of II, and 67.67% with a MELD of III; differences in graft and patient survival when comparing low MELD I and high MELD III were significantly different (P < .01). A more advanced age of a donor should not be a contraindication for liver transplantation. The present analysis shows that liver grafts from donors >60 can be used safely in older recipients who presented with relatively low MELD scores. Analyses also indicate that high MELD obtained before transplantation may be an important prognostic factor for graft and patient survival.

  18. [DORSALIS PEDIS FLAP SERIES-PARALLEL BIG TOE NAIL COMPOSITE TISSUE FLAP TO REPAIR HAND SKIN OF DEGLOVING INJURY WITH THUMB DEFECT].

    PubMed

    Shi, Pengju; Zhang, Wenlong; Zhao, Gang; Li, Zhigang; Zhao, Shaoping; Zhang, Tieshan

    2015-07-01

    To investigate the effectiveness of dorsalis pedis flap series-parallel big toe nail composite tissue flap in the repairment of hand skin of degloving injury with tumb defect. Between March 2009 and June 2013, 8 cases of hand degloving injury with thumb defect caused by machine twisting were treated. There were 7 males and 1 female with the mean age of 36 years (range, 26-48 years). Injury located at the left hand in 3 cases and at the right hand in 5 cases. The time from injury to hospitalization was 1.5-4.0 hours (mean, 2.5 hours). The defect area was 8 cm x 6 cm to 15 cm x 1 cm. The thumb defect was rated as degree I in 5 cases and as degree II in 3 cases. The contralateral dorsal skin flap (9 cm x 7 cm to 10 cm x 8 cm) combined with ipsilateral big toe nail composite tissue flap (2.5 cm x 1.8 cm to 3.0 cm x 2.0 cm) was used, including 3 parallel anastomosis flaps and 5 series anastomosis flaps. The donor site of the dorsal flap was repaired with thick skin grafts, the stumps wound was covered with tongue flap at the shank side of big toe. Vascular crisis occurred in 1 big toe nail composite tissue flap, margin necrosis occurred in 2 dorsalis pedis flap; the other flaps survived, and primary healing of wound was obtained. The grafted skin at dorsal donor site all survived, skin of hallux toe stump had no necrosis. Eight cases were followed up 4-20 months (mean, 15.5 months). All flaps had soft texture and satisfactory appearance; the cutaneous sensory recovery time was 4-7 months (mean, 5 months). At 4 months after operation, the two-point discrimination of the thumb pulp was 8-10 mm (mean, 9 mm), and the two-point discrimination of dorsal skin flap was 7-9 mm (mean, 8.5 mm). According to Society of Hand Surgery standard for the evaluation of upper part of the function, the results were excellent in 4 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 1 case. The donor foot had normal function. Dorsalis pedis flap series-parallel big toe nail composite tissue flap is an ideal way to repair hand skin defect, and reconstructs the thumb, which has many advantages, including simple surgical procedure, no limitation to recipient site, soft texture, satisfactory appearance and function of reconstructing thumb, and small donor foot loss.

  19. Impact of donor age in liver transplantation from donation after circulatory death donors: A decade of experience at Cleveland Clinic.

    PubMed

    Firl, Daniel J; Hashimoto, Koji; O'Rourke, Colin; Diago-Uso, Teresa; Fujiki, Masato; Aucejo, Federico N; Quintini, Cristiano; Kelly, Dympna M; Miller, Charles M; Fung, John J; Eghtesad, Bijan

    2015-12-01

    The use of liver grafts from donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors remains controversial, particularly with donors of advanced age. This retrospective study investigated the impact of donor age in DCD liver transplantation. We examined 92 recipients who received DCD grafts and 92 matched recipients who received donation after brain death (DBD) grafts at Cleveland Clinic from January 2005 to June 2014. DCD grafts met stringent criteria to minimize risk factors in both donors and recipients. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year graft survival in DCD recipients was significantly inferior to that in DBD recipients (82%, 71%, 66% versus 92%, 87%, 85%, respectively; P = 0.03). Six DCD recipients (7%), but no DBD recipients, experienced ischemic-type biliary stricture (P = 0.01). However, the incidence of biliary stricture was not associated with donor age (P = 0.57). Interestingly, recipients receiving DCD grafts from donors who were <45 years of age (n = 55) showed similar graft survival rates compared to those receiving DCD grafts from donors who were ≥45 years of age (n = 37; 80%, 69%, 66% versus 83%, 72%, 66%, respectively; P = 0.67). Cox proportional hazards modeling in all study populations (n = 184) revealed advanced donor age (P = 0.05) and the use of a DCD graft (P = 0.03) as unfavorable factors for graft survival. Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of DBD graft failure increased with increasing age, but the risk of DCD graft failure did not increase with increasing age (P = 0.13). In conclusion, these data suggest that stringent donor and recipient selection may ameliorate the negative impact of donor age in DCD liver transplantation. DCD grafts should not be discarded because of donor age, per se, and could help expand the donor pool for liver transplantation. © 2015 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

  20. WHEN FUE GOES WRONG!

    PubMed Central

    Poswal, Arvind; Bhutia, Sangay; Mehta, Ruby

    2011-01-01

    Follicular unit extraction (FUE) is an accepted method of extracting individual follicular unit grafts for hair transplant surgery. Since follicles are harvested from the back of the scalp using tiny punches resulting in minimal scarring, it has gained rapid acceptance among the patients. However, due care needs to be exercised while performing FUE. FUE should not be confused with the older plug graft extraction methods of coring out hair-bearing skin plugs. Lack of due diligence while performing such extractions can lead to subluxation of the grafts into the subdermal layer of scalp. Overtumescence of the scalp donor area, use of blunt punches and trying to “core” out the full thickness grafts can all contribute to this. The following cases illustrate some pitfalls to be avoided while performing FUE and the adverse consequences if they occur. PMID:22121268

  1. Expanded Transposition Flap Technique for Total and Subtotal Resurfacing of the Face and Neck

    PubMed Central

    Spence, Robert J.

    2007-01-01

    Background: The reconstruction of major burn and other deformities resulting from significant soft tissue deficits of the face and neck is a continuing challenge for surgeons who wish to reliably restore facial function and aesthetic appearance. A primary problem is deficiency of well-matched donor skin. Other problems include the unique characteristics of facial skin, the fine anatomic nuances, and the unique functional demands placed on the face. This article describes an expanded shoulder transposition flap that can provide a large amount of both flap and full-thickness skin graft for total and subtotal reconstruction of the face. Methods: An expanded shoulder transposition flap has been used since 1986 for head and neck resurfacing 58 times in 41 patients ranging in age from 2 to 62 years. The details of the technique and the results of the flap including complications are described. Results: The flap proved remarkably reliable and reproducible in resurfacing the peripheral facial aesthetic units. The pedicle skin is often used for grafting of the central face with its finer features. The donor site of the flap is closed primarily. Conclusions: Twenty years' experience with expanded transposition flaps has shown it to be reliable and versatile in the reconstruction of major soft tissue deficits of the face and neck. It is a technique that provides economy of tissue, versatility, and is well within the skill, patience, and courage of most reconstructive surgeons. PMID:17534420

  2. HISTOCOMPATIBILITY STUDIES IN A CLOSELY BRED COLONY OF DOGS

    PubMed Central

    Rapaport, F. T.; Watanabe, K.; Cannon, F. D.; Mollen, N.; Blumenstock, D.; Ferrebee, J. W.

    1972-01-01

    17 Cooperstown beagles of known DL-A genotypes were exposed to supralethal total body irradiation and received a bone marrow allograft from a DL-A-identical donor; 11 littermate and 6 nonlittermate donor-recipient pairs were studied. The recipients are surviving uneventfully for 315, 364, 424, 440, 531, 531, 584, 605, 625, 635, and 649 days in the littermate group and for 211, 279, 280, 368, 479, and 480 days in the nonlittermate group. The radiation chimeras underwent bilateral nephrectomy and received a kidney allograft obtained from their respective marrow donor within 43–120 days after bone marrow transplantation. The renal allografts are surviving for 191, 200, 221, 234, 313, 349, 361, 377, 378, 405, 441, 444, 482, 557, 580, 581, and 586 days, respectively. 12 of 13 skin allografts obtained from the marrow donor are at present surviving in the recipients for 107, 110, 110, 110, 116, 122, 128, 143, 143, 162, 178, and 199 days, respectively; one graft was rejected at 84 days. In contrast, the radiation chimeras rejected 25 skin allografts obtained from DL-A-incompatible donors within 10.5–21 days (MST = 15.2 days). Skin transplants obtained from DL-A-identical siblings of the bone marrow donors were rejected within 20–36 days (MST = 25.8 days) in recipients of bone marrow cells obtained from littermate donors. Recipients of nonlittermate bone marrow transplants accorded such allografts a prolonged survival time of 27–76 days (MST = 56.2 days). Prospective selection of genotypically DL-A-identical donor-recipient pairs results in the regularly reproducible long-term survival of bone marrow allografts. The radiation chimeras produced in this manner have developed a donor-specific state of unresponsiveness to kidney and skin allografts. The results are consistent with the existence in the canine species of at least three closely linked genetic systems relevant to transplantation, including DL-A, MLC, and a possible bone marrow transplantation locus. PMID:4404277

  3. Using on-site liver 3-D reconstruction and volumetric calculations in split liver transplantation.

    PubMed

    Reichman, Trevor W; Fiorello, Brittany; Carmody, Ian; Bohorquez, Humberto; Cohen, Ari; Seal, John; Bruce, David; Loss, George E

    2016-12-01

    Split liver transplantation increases the number of grafts available for transplantation. Pre-recovery assessment of liver graft volume is essential for selecting suitable recipients. The purpose of this study was to determine the ability and feasibility of constructing a 3-D model to aid in surgical planning and to predict graft weight prior to an in situ division of the donor liver. Over 11 months, 3-D volumetric reconstruction of 4 deceased donors was performed using Pathfinder Scout© liver volumetric software. Demographic, laboratory, operative, perioperative and survival data for these patients along with donor demographic data were collected prospectively and analyzed retrospectively. The average predicted weight of the grafts from the adult donors obtained from an in situ split procedure were 1130 g (930-1458 g) for the extended right lobe donors and 312 g (222-396 g) for left lateral segment grafts. Actual adult graft weight was 92% of the predicted weight for both the extended right grafts and the left lateral segment grafts. The predicted and actual graft weights for the pediatric donors were 176 g and 210 g for the left lateral segment grafts and 308 g and 280 g for the extended right lobe grafts, respectively. All grafts were transplanted except for the right lobe from the pediatric donors due to the small graft weight. On-site volumetric assessment of donors provides useful information for the planning of an in situ split and for selection of recipients. This information may expand the donor pool to recipients previously felt to be unsuitable due to donor and/or recipient weight.

  4. Suprafascial versus traditional harvesting technique for free antero lateral thigh flap: A case-control study to assess the best functional and aesthetic result in extremity reconstruction.

    PubMed

    Maruccia, Michele; Fallico, Nefer; Cigna, Emanuele; Ciudad, Pedro; Nicoli, Fabio; Trignano, Emilio; Nacchiero, Eleonora; Giudice, Giuseppe; Ribuffo, Diego; Chen, Hung-Chi

    2017-11-01

    Clinical applications of ALT flap have currently extended to extremity (hand and foot) as well as oral cavity reconstruction. In these anatomical areas, the traditional harvesting technique presents a few disadvantages such as bulkiness of the recipient site and potential donor site morbidity including damage to the deep fascia and skin graft adhesions. The purpose of the present study was to compare the functional and aesthetic outcomes of upper and lower extremity reconstruction with either suprafascial or subfascial harvested anterolateral (ALT) flaps. Sixty patients who underwent hand or foot reconstruction with an ALT flap between January 2013 and January 2015 were included in the study (34 flaps elevated on a subfascial plane and 26 on a suprafascial plane). Group 1 (subfascial harvested ALT flap) was composed of 23 male and 11 female patients with an average age of 53.4 years (range, 36-72 years). Group 2 (suprafascial harvested ALT flap) was composed of 18 male and 8 female patients with an average age of 48.7 years (range, 32-69 years). Surgical indication was tumor resection for 20 patients in group 1 and 16 patients in group 2, chronic ulcer for 8 patients in group 1 and 6 patients in group 2, and trauma for 6 patients in group 1 and 4 patients in group 2. Complications were documented. Aesthetic outcomes were considered in terms of bulkiness of the recipient site, subsequent request for a debulking procedure, and donor site morbidity. Donor site scars were evaluated for cosmesis using a modified Hollander Wound Evaluation Scale (HWES). Skin grafts outcomes were assessed according to the modified Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). Functional outcome at the recipient site was measured using the Enneking functional outcome score (ESS). Total range of motion (ROM) was recorded. All flaps were successfully elevated with at least one viable perforator with both approaches. The survival rates of suprafascial and subfascial harvested ALT flaps were 96.2 and 97% respectively (P = .85). The mean flap size was 110.4 ± 27.8 cm 2 in group 1 and 159.7 ± 44.4 cm 2 in group 2. The average flap thickness was 26.2± 5.2 mm in group 1 and 13.9 mm ± 4.1 in group 2. Complications included total flap loss (1 case in group 1 and 1 case in group 2), partial flap loss (2 cases in group 1 and 1 case in group 2), skin graft failure (3 cases in group 1), and muscle herniation at the donor site (1 case in group 1; P < .17). Secondary debulking procedures were needed for 20 flaps in the subfascial group and for one flap in the suprafascial group (P-value <.01). Donor site closure with skin grafts was necessary in 42 cases: 32 in group 1 and 10 in group 2. The suprafascial harvested ALT flap group reported a significant difference in terms of donor site morbidity. The HWES score of donor site scars was significantly lower in group 1 (mean 1.2 ± 0.54) than in group 2 (mean 2.4 ± 0.58), P < .01. Similarly, the VSS score for skin graft outcomes was lower in patients of group 1 (mean 4.5 ± 0.93) than in patients of group 2 (mean 6.7 ± 0.96), P < .01. There was also a significant lower score of postoperative ESS in patients of group 1 (mean 21.2 ± 3.4) when compared with patients of group 2 (mean 23.6 ± 2.7), P < .01. Total ROM improved on average 60° after surgery (P-value <.01). The suprafascial plane for elevating ALT flaps presented several advantages over the traditional subfascial approach in terms of functional and aesthetic outcomes, providing a thin flap allowing increased versatility to achieve better contour of flap, and minimizing the need for secondary debulking. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  5. How can we utilize livers from advanced aged donors for liver transplantation for hepatitis C?

    PubMed

    Uemura, Tadahiro; Nikkel, Lucas E; Hollenbeak, Christopher S; Ramprasad, Varun; Schaefer, Eric; Kadry, Zakiyah

    2012-06-01

    Advanced age donors have inferior outcomes of liver transplantation for Hepatitis C (HCV). Aged donors grafts may be transplanted into young or low model for end stage liver disease (MELD) patients in order to offset the effect of donor age. However, it is not well understood how to utilize liver grafts from advanced aged donors for HCV patients. Using the UNOS database, we retrospectively studied 7508 HCV patients who underwent primary liver transplantation. Risk factors for graft failure and graft survival using advanced aged grafts (donor age ≥ 60 years) were analyzed by Cox hazards models, donor risk index (DRI) and organ patient index (OPI). Recipient's age did not affect on graft survival regardless of donor age. Advanced aged grafts had significant inferior survival compared to younger aged grafts regardless of MELD score (P < 0.0001). Risk factors of HCV patients receiving advanced aged grafts included donation after cardiac death (DCD, HR: 1.69) and recent hospitalization (HR: 1.43). Advanced aged grafts showed significant difference in graft survival of HCV patients with stratification of DRI and OPI. In conclusion, there was no offsetting effect by use of advanced aged grafts into younger or low MELD patients. Advanced aged grafts, especially DCD, should be judiciously used for HCV patients with low MELD score. © 2012 The Authors. Transplant International © 2012 European Society for Organ Transplantation.

  6. A prospective comparison of a new, synthetic donor site dressing versus an impregnated gauze dressing.

    PubMed

    Hickerson, W L; Kealey, G P; Smith, D J; Thomson, P D

    1994-01-01

    Three institutions enrolled 38 patients who required bilateral skin graft donor sites into a safety and efficacy study of a new synthetic donor site dressing. Bilateral donor sites were randomized to receive either a new, synthetic donor site dressing or an impregnated gauze dressing. Wounds were assessed by time to healing, pain, and patient preference. Synthetic dressing wounds were treated 7.9 days compared with 10.2 days for gauze dressing wounds (p < 0.001), and synthetic dressing wounds were more completely epithelialized. Visual analogue pain analysis revealed significantly less donor site pain with synthetic dressing (2.94) versus gauze dressing (4.64) (p < 0.001). Synthetic dressing had fewer treatment-related adverse experiences than gauze dressing (2 vs 7) and was judged by recipients to be superior to gauze dressing in comfort, pain relief, cosmetic appeal, ease of ambulation, and overall acceptance.

  7. Long-term acceptance of major histocompatibility complex mismatched cardiac allografts induced by CTLA4Ig plus donor-specific transfusion

    PubMed Central

    1993-01-01

    Allograft rejection is a T cell-dependent process. Productive T cell activation by antigen requires antigen engagement of the T cell receptor as well as costimulatory signals delivered through other T cell surface molecules such as CD28. Engagement of CD28 by its natural ligand B7 can be blocked using a soluble recombinant fusion protein, CTLA4Ig. Administration of CTLA4Ig blocks antigen-specific immune responses in vitro and in vivo, and we have shown that treatment of rats with a 7-d course of CTLA4Ig at the time of transplantation leads to prolonged survival of cardiac allografts (median 30 d), although most grafts are eventually rejected. Here, we have explored additional strategies employing CTLA4Ig in order to achieve long-term allograft survival. Our data indicate that donor-specific transfusion (DST) plus CTLA4Ig can provide effective antigen-specific immunosuppression. When DST is administered at the time of transplantation followed by a single dose of CTLA4Ig 2 d later, all animals had long-term graft survival (> 60 d). These animals had delayed responses to donor-type skin transplants, compared with normal rejection responses to third-party skin transplants. Furthermore, donor-matched second cardiac allografts were well tolerated with minimal histologic evidence of rejection. These data indicate that peritransplant use of DST followed by subsequent treatment with CTLA4Ig can induce prolonged, often indefinite, cardiac allograft acceptance. These results may be clinically applicable for cadaveric organ and tissue transplantation in humans. PMID:8228826

  8. Penile reconstruction with bilateral superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flaps.

    PubMed

    Koshima, Isao; Nanba, Yuzaburo; Nagai, Atsushi; Nakatsuka, Mikiya; Sato, Toshiki; Kuroda, Shigetosi

    2006-04-01

    The free radial forearm flap is a very common material for penile reconstruction. Its major problems are donor-site morbidity with large depressive scar after skin grafting, urethral fistula due to insufficiency of suture line for the urethra, and need for microvascular anastomosis. A new method using combined bilateral island SCIP flaps for the urethra and penis is developed for gender identity disorder (GID) patients. The advantages of this method are minimal donor-site morbidity with a concealed donor scar, and possible one-stage reconstruction for a longer urethra of 22 cm in length without insufficiency, even for GID female-to-male patients. A disadvantage is poor sensory recovery.

  9. How I do it: combined direct (STA-MCA) and indirect (EDAS) EC-IC bypass.

    PubMed

    Nossek, Erez; Langer, David J

    2014-11-01

    EC-IC bypass for the treatment of a hypoperfused hemisphere is currently the treatment of choice for symptomatic moyamoya patients. Use of the combination of direct (STA-MCA) and indirect (an STA branch lay-on bypass and flipped dural flaps; EDAS) EC-IC bypass is advocated as the optimal treatment option as it allows immediate augmentation of flow in the postoperative period while allowing the brain to acquire additional indirect flow in the long term. We describe the technical nuances of a combined direct and indirect bypass in a 41-year-old woman with moyamoya syndrome diagnosed with transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) and cognitive decline. Combined direct and indirect bypass option should become a familiar treatment modality among vascular neurosurgeons. (1) Pay critical attention to not injuring the Superficial Temporal Artery, Parietal branch (STApb) while turning the skin incision anteriorly. Use the operating microscope to dissect the STApb. (2) Always mark the origin of the Superficial Temporal Artery, Frontal branch (STAfb) on the skin so that its location can be anticipated during STApb dissection. (3) When no frontal branch is available or if the frontal branch is of poor quality, the STApb can be used as a direct or indirect graft. (4) A craniotomy should be done 2-3 cm posterior to the course of the STApb to allow for adequate exposure for an indirect graft. (5) Manipulation of the donor vessels should be done with extreme care as spasm of the artery or intraluminal thrombosis may occur. Low cut flow in the direct graft should be interpreted with caution as vasospasm can result in significant temporary reduction of flow. (6) Aggressive distal dissection of the direct donor is a must. The distal 1-2 cm of the vessel should be cleaned of any loose tissue and be fishmouthed prior to anastomosis. (7) A blood-free field is mandatory. Perforators on the backside of the recipient should be sacrificed and cut to avoid backbleeding into the anastomotic segment during temporary occlusion. (8) When recirculating after the anastomosis has been completed, open the temporary clips on the recipient first. Backflow into the donor segment confirms a patent anastomosis. (9) Utilization of intraoperative angiography is not necessary as long as one utilizes flow measurements and ICG angiography. (10) Take great care with the bone flap reconstruction and the skin closure as the grafts can easily be compressed or sutured. Create a generous craniectomy in the bone flap to avoid any graft compression.

  10. A New Technique for Coronaplasty in Penile Reconstruction.

    PubMed

    Sommeling, Casper E; De Wolf, Edward J; Salim, Ali; Monstrey, Stan; Opsomer, Dries; Claes, Karel; D'Arpa, Salvatore

    2018-06-01

    The coronaplasty is an important step of the phalloplasty procedure as it creates a prominent coronal ridge and a constricted coronal sulcus, resulting in the transformation of a regular skin flap into a flap resembling a circumcised penis. The aim of this article is to describe our new coronaplasty technique that exploits opposing contracting forces of 2 different skin grafts to hold the shape of a thick, distally based skin flap, resulting in a natural looking neo-phallus. A distally based flap is raised at the junction of the middle and distal thirds of the neo-phallus. The dissection continues until adequate mobilization is obtained, so the flap can stand almost perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. 2 separate full-thickness skin grafts are harvested and placed: the first at the raw undersurface of the flap, the second at the flap's donor site. To make the sulcus deeper and to define the ridge, the lower part of the graft placed on the undersurface of the distal flap is sutured with tacking sutures. Depending on the type of flap used this procedure can be done during the phalloplasty procedure itself (axial flaps) or at least 1 week later (perforator flaps). The new technique that we developed shows a more distinct coronal sulcus and coronal ridge, long-lasting results, and a more aesthetically pleasing and natural-appearing glans penis. The harvested distal flap is progressively thicker and not folded, resulting in a more naturally looking ridge. The donor site is deeper than other techniques, creating a well-defined sulcus. By using 2 skin grafts the opposing force vectors increase the projection of the ridge and the deepness of the sulcus. This technique results in a more prominent glans penis and is an important step in creating an almost naturally looking neo-phallus. This procedure can be applied to all different kind of flaps used for phalloplasty, both in an immediate or delayed fashion. As grafts are used, partial or complete graft lost can appear. Furthermore, attention must be paid not to incise the distal flap too deep so vascularity to the distal part of the flap will not be impaired. A continuous search to optimize the aesthetic outcome of the phalloplasty procedure is necessary and with this new coronaplasty technique we hope to raise attention and take another step toward creating "the real thing." Sommeling CE, De Wolf EJ, Salim A, et al. A New Technique for Coronaplasty in Penile Reconstruction. J Sex Med 2018;15:920-923. Copyright © 2018 International Society for Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Sliced Costochondral Chip Grafts in Posttraumatic Enophthalmos Correction.

    PubMed

    Kim, Tae-Hoon; Park, Ie-Hyon; Hong, Sa-Hyeok; Eun, Seok-Chan

    2017-03-01

    Posttraumatic enophthalmos is a relatively common problem following orbitozygomatic fractures. However, inadequate long-term results are frequently observed due to the difficulty of performing intraoperative fine adjustments to soft-tissue volume and orbital size and gradual absorption of some grafted materials. Here, the authors describe an efficient method of enophthalmos correction using sliced costochondral bone and cartilage combination grafts. From 2005 to 2011, the authors corrected enophthalmos in 12 patients using sliced costochondral grafts. The mean follow-up period was 13 months. For costochondral graft harvest, an approximately 5-cm skin incision was made directly above the seventh costal cartilage, the perichondrium was peeled back, and a small piece of rib bone and costal cartilage was harvested from the anterior part of the seventh rib bone and cartilage and cut into 2-mm-thick slices. A subciliary and/or transcaruncular incision was made in the affected side eyelid to expose the operating field, subperiosteal dissection was performed in the orbit and orbital floor. The cartilage chips were gradually grafted onto the dissected areas from the posterior orbit. Aesthetically satisfactory results were obtained in all patients. No complications in the donor area were observed. Furthermore, no patients experienced a recurrence or deterioration of diplopia over the follow-up period. One patient experienced temporary high intraocular pressure, which spontaneously resolved with medication and eye drops. The costochondral graft is adequate for the reconstruction of the fracture, easy to obtain, easily adaptable to the orbital walls, and has minimal morbidity at the donor site.

  12. Graft selection strategy in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation: When both hemiliver grafts meet volumetric criteria.

    PubMed

    Kurihara, Takeshi; Yoshizumi, Tomoharu; Yoshida, Yoshihiro; Ikegami, Toru; Itoh, Shinji; Harimoto, Norifumi; Ninomiya, Mizuki; Uchiyama, Hideaki; Okabe, Hirohisa; Kimura, Koichi; Kawanaka, Hirofumi; Shirabe, Ken; Maehara, Yoshihiko

    2016-07-01

    To ensure donor safety in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), the left and caudate lobe (LL) is the preferred graft choice. However, patient prognosis may still be poor even if graft volume (GV) selection criteria are met. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of right lobe (RL) donation when the LL graft selection criteria are met. Consecutive donors (n = 135) with preoperative LL graft volumetric GV/standard liver volume (SLV) of ≥35% and RL remnant of ≥35% were retrospectively studied. Patients were divided into 2 groups: LL graft and RL graft. Recipient's body surface area (BSA), Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, and the donor's age were higher in the RL group. The donor's BSA and preoperative volumetric GV/SLV of the LL graft were smaller in the RL group. The predicted score (calculated using data for graft size, donor age, MELD score, and the presence of portosystemic shunt, which correlated well with graft function and with 6-month graft survival) of the RL group, was significantly lower if the LL graft were used, but using the actual RL graft improved the score equal to that of the LL group. Six-month and 12-month graft survival rates did not differ between the 2 groups. In patients with a poor prognosis, a larger RL graft improved the predicted score and survival was equal to that of patients who received LL grafts. In conclusion, graft selection by GV, donor age, and recipient MELD score improves outcomes in LDLT. Liver Transplantation 22 914-922 2016 AASLD. © 2016 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

  13. Cranial Bone Graft Donor Site Reconstruction.

    PubMed

    Çelik, Muzaffer

    2017-01-01

    My most important concern, in my entire experience with cranial bone grafting procedures, is managing the bone graft donor site such as donor site cavity from harvesting and weakness of the cranium. The most common patient complaint, following cranial bone grafting for aesthetic indications, is the presence of a cavity at the donor site. The authors have managed more than 200 patients since 2001, wherein the cranial bone graft-donor sites were reconstructed with tiny bone chip lamellae harvested from the area adjacent to the donor site. This procedure was associated with a low incidence of patient complaints, thereby suggesting higher patient satisfaction. This approach for cranial bone grafting appears to have a high patient acceptance.

  14. [Management of chicken pox purpura fulminans: a pediatric case report].

    PubMed

    Domergue, S; Rodiere, M; Bigorre, M; Guye, E; Captier, G

    2006-06-01

    The authors report a case of a 4 years old girl who had presented a chicken-pox purpura fulminans. Lesions appeared 5 days after chicken-pox start and were quickly evoluted in cutaneous and sub-cutaneous necrosis on external side of thighs and behind side of right calf. A medical management was done with fresh plasma, blood, antithrombine 3, and fibrin. Specifics treatments were done: heparin and activated C protein. Surgical treatment was realised 5 weeks later. It consisted of clean necrosis areas and put a thin skin graft witch was took on the scalp. The evolution was fast good. The follow-up is 3 years without big esthetic and functional consequences. Some cases of this pathology were described in literature with serious lesions. The management should be multidisciplinary. Surgical treatment should be realised when lesions are stabilized. Scalp is a donor site for skin graft very interesting because of big quantity of skin and not esthetic consequence.

  15. Internal and external contamination of donor corneas before in situ excision: bacterial risk factors in 93 donors.

    PubMed

    Robert, Pierre-Yves; Camezind, Philippe; Drouet, Mireille; Ploy, Marie-Cécile; Adenis, Jean-Paul

    2002-04-01

    Most studies of corneal donor contamination concentrate on postenucleation contamination of the eyeball. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relative contamination of in situ excised corneal tissue and relevance to final success or rejection by recipients of the corneal grafts. Ninety-three donors underwent anterior chamber puncture (ACP) and corneal epithelium scarification (CS) before and after disinfection with 5% povidone-iodine. Following in situ excision, corneas were preserved in culture medium at +35 degrees C. Morphological and bacteriological assessment was carried out after culture, and recipients were followed up over a 2-year period. Samples taken by ACP, CS before disinfection, CS after disinfection and a culture medium sample were contaminated by bacteria in, respectively, 8 (8.6%), 23 (24.7%) 4 (4.3%) and 5 (5.4%) donors. Contamination of aqueous humor was significantly associated with age, death-to-sample time and premortem systemic infection. Contamination of epithelium significantly increased culture medium contamination. External bacteria on donor cornea are mainly skin bacteria (especially Staphylococcus) and can be partially eliminated by a povidone-iodine wash. Internal bacteria are mainly gut bacteria and may be due to perimortem bacteriemia. However, bacterial infection at the time of death appears to have no effect on the incidence of endophthalmitis in recipients and should no longer prevent use of such corneal tissue in grafts.

  16. Treatment with mPEG-SPA improves the survival of corneal grafts in rats by immune camouflage.

    PubMed

    Wang, Shuangyong; Li, Liangliang; Liu, Ying; Li, Chaoyang; Zhang, Min; Wang, Bowen; Huang, Zheqian; Gao, Xinbo; Wang, Zhichong

    2015-03-01

    We investigated the immune camouflage effects of methoxy polyethylene glycol succinimidyl propionate (mPEG-SPA) on corneal antigens and explored a novel approach for reducing corneal antigenicity, thereby decreasing corneal graft rejection. Importantly, this approach did not alter normal local immunity. Corneal grafts were treated with mPEG-SPA 5KD or 20KD (3% W/V), which could shield major histocompatibility antigen class I molecules (RT1-A) of corneal grafts. Skin grafts of Wistar rats were transplanted to SD rats. Then the splenic lymphocytes were isolated from SD rats. Subsequently, the lymphocytes were co-cultured with autologous corneal grafts or untreated corneal grafts and PEGylated grafts treated with mPEG-SPA 5KD or 20KD obtained from the counterpart skin donors, which were used as autologous control, allogeneic control, mPEG-SPA 5KD group and mPEG-SPA 20KD group, respectively. Lymphocyte proliferation was lower in mPEG-SPA 5KD group and mPEG-SPA 20KD group than in the allogeneic control. SD rats with corneal neovascularisation were used as recipients for high-risk corneal transplantation and were randomly divided into four groups: autologous control, allogeneic control, mPEG-SPA 5KD group and mPEG-SPA 20KD group. The recipients received corneal grafts from Wistar rats. Corneal graft survival was prolonged and graft rejection was reduced in the mPEG-SPA 5KD group and the mPEG-SPA 20KD group compared to the allogeneic control. Thus, we think that mPEG-SPA could immunologically camouflage corneal antigens to prolong corneal grafts survival in high-risk transplantation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Cryptotia correction--the post-auricular transposition flap.

    PubMed

    Marsh, D; Sabbagh, W; Gault, D

    2011-11-01

    Cryptotia is a congenital ear deformity in which the upper pole appears buried beneath mastoid skin. Here we describe our method of cryptotia correction which we have used to good effect with minimal complications. 20 patients and 24 ears were operated on. All surgery was performed by the senior authors WS and DG. Patient age range was 4-19 years and mean follow up was 2.1 years. We use a superiorly based V-shaped flap raised from the post-auricular skin. Following ear release, the flap is rotated into the defect and donor site closed directly. Our technique ensures all scars are hidden behind the ear, there are no skin grafts required. All patients had a satisfactory release of cryptotia, there were no cases of partial or total flap failure, none of wound dehiscence and no patients required revisional surgery. The post-auricular flap is a simple technique, retaining the depth of the auriculotemporal sulcus, providing a good skin colour match without the need for skin grafting and without distorting the hair line. Our results are comparable or superior to those seen with other techniques previously described. Copyright © 2011 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Alcohol abuse in deceased liver donors: impact on post-transplant outcomes.

    PubMed

    Mangus, Richard S; Kubal, Chandrashekhar A; Fridell, Jonathan A; Pena, Jose M; Frost, Evan M; Joseph Tector, A

    2015-01-01

    Many deceased liver donors with a history of alcohol abuse are excluded based upon medical history alone. This paper summarizes the transplant outcomes for a large number of deceased liver donors with a documented history of alcohol abuse. The records for 1478 consecutive deceased liver donors were reviewed (2001-2012). As per the United Network for Organ Sharing criteria, heavy alcohol use by an organ donor is defined as chronic intake of two or more drinks per day. Donors with a documented history of alcohol abuse were divided into three groups according to duration of abuse (<10 years, 10-24 years and 25 + years). Reperfusion biopsies are reported. Outcomes include biopsy appearance, early graft function and early and late graft survival. There were 161 donors with alcohol abuse: <10 years (29%); 10-24 years (42%); and ≥25 years (29%). Risk of 90-day graft loss for these three groups was: 0%, 3% and 2%, compared to 3% for all other donors (P = 0.62). Graft survival at 1 year for donor grafts with and without alcohol abuse was 89% and 87% (P = 0.52). There was no difference in early graft function. Cox proportional hazards modelling for graft survival demonstrates no statistically significant difference in survival up to 10 years post-transplant. This study demonstrates successful transplantation of a large number of deceased donor liver grafts from donors with a documented history of alcohol abuse (n = 161; 11% of all grafts). These extended criteria donor allografts may, therefore, be utilized successfully with similar outcomes. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  19. Volumetry-based selection of right posterior sector grafts for adult living donor liver transplantation.

    PubMed

    Kim, Bong-Wan; Xu, Weiguang; Wang, Hee-Jung; Park, Yong-Keun; Lee, Kwangil; Kim, Myung-Wook

    2011-09-01

    To determine the feasibility of volumetric criteria without anatomic exclusion for the selection of right posterior sector (RPS) grafts for adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), we reviewed and compared our transplant data for RPS grafts and right lobe (RL) grafts. Between January 2008 and September 2010, adult-to-adult LDLT was performed 65 times at our institute; 13 of the procedures (20%) were performed with RPS grafts [the posterior sector (PS) group], and 39 (60%) were performed with RL grafts (the RL group). The volumetry of the 13 RPS donor livers showed that the RPS volume was 39.8% ± 7.6% of the total liver volume. Ten of the 13 donors had to donate RPS grafts because the left liver volume was inadequate. All donor procedures were performed successfully, and all donors recovered from hepatectomy. However, longer operative times were required for the procurement of RPS grafts versus RL grafts (418 ± 40 versus 345 ± 48 minutes, P < 0.001). The postoperative recovery of liver function was smoother for the donors of the PS group versus the donors of the RL group. The RPS grafts had significantly smaller hepatic artery and bile duct openings than the RL grafts. All recipients with RPS grafts survived LDLT. No recipients experienced vascular graft complications or small-for-size graft dysfunction. There were no significant differences in the incidence of posttransplant complications between the donors and recipients of the PS and RL groups. The 3-year graft survival rates were favorable in both groups (100% in the PS group versus 91% in the RL group). In conclusion, the selection of RPS grafts by volume criteria is a feasible strategy for an adult-to-adult LDLT program. Copyright © 2011 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

  20. Transplantation Immunity in the Isologous Mouse Radiation Chimaera

    PubMed Central

    Bridges, J. B.; Loutit, J. F.; Micklem, H. S.

    1960-01-01

    The survival of skin homo- and heterografts on isologous CBA mouse chimaeras has been investigated. Homografts usually persist for considerably longer than on normal unirradiated mice. Immunization of the host against the appropriate foreign antigens before irradiation neither reduces nor increases the duration of this persistence. When an irradiated non-immune host is restored with bone marrow from an immunized donor, a measure of immunity is transferred. If adult spleen cells from normal or immunized donors are added to the restorative inoculum, strongly antigenic foreign skins are shed with something like normal rapidity, but weakly antigenic skins may be retained for 100 days or more, and even indefinitely. Heterografts do not enjoy a span of survival comparable with that of homografts. These findings are discussed, and it is concluded that two factors are of importance in the prolongation of graft survival: (1) A weakening of the mechanism by which antigens are recognized as foreign, (2) an overall central depression of the immune response. ImagesPLATE IPLATE IIPLATE III PMID:13804388

  1. Graft survival of diabetic versus nondiabetic donor tissue after initial keratoplasty.

    PubMed

    Vislisel, Jesse M; Liaboe, Chase A; Wagoner, Michael D; Goins, Kenneth M; Sutphin, John E; Schmidt, Gregory A; Zimmerman, M Bridget; Greiner, Mark A

    2015-04-01

    To compare corneal graft survival using tissue from diabetic and nondiabetic donors in patients undergoing initial Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) or penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). A retrospective chart review of pseudophakic eyes that underwent DSAEK or PKP was performed. The primary outcome measure was graft failure. Cox proportional hazard regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were used to compare diabetic versus nondiabetic donor tissue for all keratoplasty cases. A total of 183 eyes (136 DSAEK, 47 PKP) were included in the statistical analysis. Among 24 procedures performed using diabetic donor tissue, there were 4 cases (16.7%) of graft failure (3 DSAEK, 1 PKP), and among 159 procedures performed using nondiabetic donor tissue, there were 18 cases (11.3%) of graft failure (12 DSAEK, 6 PKP). Cox proportional hazard ratio of graft failure for all cases comparing diabetic with nondiabetic donor tissue was 1.69, but this difference was not statistically significant (95% confidence interval, 0.56-5.06; P = 0.348). There were no significant differences in Kaplan-Meier curves comparing diabetic with nondiabetic donor tissue for all cases (P = 0.380). Statistical analysis of graft failure by donor diabetes status within each procedure type was not possible because of the small number of graft failure events involving diabetic tissue. We found similar rates of graft failure in all keratoplasty cases when comparing tissue from diabetic and nondiabetic donors, but further investigation is needed to determine whether diabetic donor tissue results in different graft failure rates after DSAEK compared with PKP.

  2. Impact of Graft Selection on Donor and Recipient Outcomes After Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

    PubMed

    Braun, Hillary J; Dodge, Jennifer L; Roll, Garrett R; Freise, Chris E; Ascher, Nancy L; Roberts, John P

    2016-06-01

    Balancing donor and recipient risks in living donor liver transplantation remains an issue of debate. This study assessed the impact of graft selection on outcomes and complications for left lobe (LL) versus right lobe (RL) donors and recipients. The medical records of donors and recipients, who underwent living donor liver transplantation at our institution between 2003 and 2015, were reviewed. For donors, we evaluated graft volume, residual liver volume per standard liver volume, length of hospital stay (LOS), complications, and readmissions. For recipients, we looked at graft and patient survival, graft function at postoperative days 7 and 14, graft volume, LOS, biliary complications, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease at transplant, and hepatitis C virus status. At 5 years posttransplant, there were no significant differences in graft survival for LL recipients (86% [95% confidence interval, 74-93]) compared with 82% (95% confidence interval, 69-89) for RL recipients (P = 0.85) or recipient survival (90% vs 84%; P = 0.44). In LL recipients, postoperative days 7 and 14 median international normalized ratio (1.5 and 1.2, respectively) and total bilirubin (4.6 and 2.7) were significantly greater compared with RL recipients (7 and 14 days international normalized ratio [1.2, P < 0.001; 1.1, P = 0.001] and total bilirubin (2.7, P = 0.001; 2.1, P = 0.05)). The LL recipients also had a significantly greater median LOS (14 vs 10, P = 0.008). Median donor LOS was significantly greater for RL donors (7 [interquartile range, 7-8] vs 7 [interquartile range, 6-7] days, P < 0.001). The RL and LL grafts provide comparable long-term outcomes in properly selected donor-recipient pairs and the appropriate use of LL grafts does not impact graft or patient survival at 5 years posttransplant.

  3. Tuberculin-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction in a model of hu-PBMC-SCID mice grafted with autologous skin.

    PubMed Central

    Tsicopoulos, A.; Pestel, J.; Fahy, O.; Vorng, H.; Vandenbusche, F.; Porte, H.; Eraldi, L.; Wurtz, A.; Akoum, H.; Hamid, Q.; Wallaert, B.; Tonnel, A. B.

    1998-01-01

    We have developed an animal model to study human delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions. Previous studies in humans have shown after tuberculin injection the presence of a mononuclear cell infiltration, with almost no eosinophils, associated with a preferential Th-1-type cytokine profile. Human skin graft obtained from tuberculin-reactive donors was grafted onto the back of severe combined immunodeficient mice. After healing, mice were reconstituted intraperitoneally with peripheral mononuclear cells. Tuberculin and diluent were injected intradermally, and skin biopsies were performed 72 hours later. Skin grafts were divided into two parts, one for immunohistochemistry and one for in situ hybridization studies. Immunohistochemistry was performed on cryostat sections using the alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase technique. In the tuberculin-injected sites as compared with the diluent-injected sites, there were significant increases in the number of CD45+ pan leukocytes and CD4+, CD8+, CD45RO+ T cells but not in CD68+ monocytes/macrophages and EG2 or MBP+ eosinophils. The activation markers CD25 and HLA-DR were up-regulated in the tuberculin-injected sites. In situ hybridization was performed using 35S-labeled riboprobes for interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-gamma, IL-4, and IL-5. After tuberculin injection, a preferential Th-1-type cytokine profile was observed with significant increases in the numbers of IL-2 and IFN-gamma mRNA-expressing cells. These results are similar to those reported after tuberculin-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity in humans, suggesting that this model might be useful to study cutaneous inflammatory reaction. Images Figure 4 PMID:9626072

  4. Tuberculin-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction in a model of hu-PBMC-SCID mice grafted with autologous skin.

    PubMed

    Tsicopoulos, A; Pestel, J; Fahy, O; Vorng, H; Vandenbusche, F; Porte, H; Eraldi, L; Wurtz, A; Akoum, H; Hamid, Q; Wallaert, B; Tonnel, A B

    1998-06-01

    We have developed an animal model to study human delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions. Previous studies in humans have shown after tuberculin injection the presence of a mononuclear cell infiltration, with almost no eosinophils, associated with a preferential Th-1-type cytokine profile. Human skin graft obtained from tuberculin-reactive donors was grafted onto the back of severe combined immunodeficient mice. After healing, mice were reconstituted intraperitoneally with peripheral mononuclear cells. Tuberculin and diluent were injected intradermally, and skin biopsies were performed 72 hours later. Skin grafts were divided into two parts, one for immunohistochemistry and one for in situ hybridization studies. Immunohistochemistry was performed on cryostat sections using the alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase technique. In the tuberculin-injected sites as compared with the diluent-injected sites, there were significant increases in the number of CD45+ pan leukocytes and CD4+, CD8+, CD45RO+ T cells but not in CD68+ monocytes/macrophages and EG2 or MBP+ eosinophils. The activation markers CD25 and HLA-DR were up-regulated in the tuberculin-injected sites. In situ hybridization was performed using 35S-labeled riboprobes for interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-gamma, IL-4, and IL-5. After tuberculin injection, a preferential Th-1-type cytokine profile was observed with significant increases in the numbers of IL-2 and IFN-gamma mRNA-expressing cells. These results are similar to those reported after tuberculin-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity in humans, suggesting that this model might be useful to study cutaneous inflammatory reaction.

  5. Availability of the lateral calcaneal region as a donor site of free flaps.

    PubMed

    Cho, Seung Woo; Park, Ji Ung; Kwon, Sung Tack

    2017-09-01

    Various methods have been used for the coverage of soft-tissue defects, such as local and free flaps, as well as perforator flaps performed using even supermicrosurgery. However, the techniques have some limitations regarding flap size and location when used to reconstruct small defects. We introduced the lateral calcaneal region as a donor site for free flaps in order to overcome these disadvantages and presented the results from a series of cases. A retrospective chart review was performed on 10 patients with small soft-tissue defects who underwent reconstruction with a lateral calcaneal free flap between January 2011 and May 2014. The reconstruction was performed on the defects at medial and lateral plantar area, dorsum of the foot, great toes and preauricular area. The size of the flaps ranged from 2.5 × 2.5 cm to 4.5 × 4.5 cm. The flaps exhibited complete survival in five cases. Partial necrosis occurred in three cases, two cases healed with secondary intention, and one case required a skin graft. The donor sites were treated with skin grafts and healed completely, with no complications. Lateral calcaneal free flaps have several advantages, such as anatomically constant pedicles, a pliable and thin texture, and the ability to be used as sensory flaps. They therefore represent an alternative option when conventional local or free flaps are not suitable, especially in cases of small defects. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:494-501, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  6. Donor brain death predisposes human kidney grafts to a proinflammatory reaction after transplantation.

    PubMed

    de Vries, D K; Lindeman, J H N; Ringers, J; Reinders, M E J; Rabelink, T J; Schaapherder, A F M

    2011-05-01

    Donor brain death has profound effects on post-transplantation graft function and survival. We hypothesized that changes initiated in the donor influence the graft's response to ischemia and reperfusion. In this study, human brain dead donor kidney grafts were compared to living and cardiac dead donor kidney grafts. Pretransplant biopsies of brain dead donor kidneys contained notably more infiltrating T lymphocytes and macrophages. To assess whether the different donor conditions result in a different response to reperfusion, local cytokine release from the reperfused kidney was studied by measurement of paired arterial and renal venous blood samples. Reperfusion of kidneys from brain dead donors was associated with the instantaneous release of inflammatory cytokines, such as G-CSF, IL-6, IL-9, IL-16 and MCP-1. In contrast, kidneys from living and cardiac dead donors showed a more modest cytokine response with release of IL-6 and small amounts of MCP-1. In conclusion, this study shows that donor brain death initiates an inflammatory state of the graft with T lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration and massive inflammatory cytokine release upon reperfusion. These observations suggest that brain dead donors require a novel approach for donor pretreatment aimed at preventing this inflammatory response to increase graft survival. ©2011 The Authors Journal compilation©2011 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.

  7. Extended criteria donors in liver transplantation: adapting donor quality and recipient.

    PubMed

    Gastaca, M

    2009-04-01

    Despite the progressive increase in the number of liver transplantations, the mortality on the waiting list remains between 5% and 10%, and patients have to deal with longer waiting periods. Facing this situation, transplant centers have developed alternatives to increase the number of grafts by accepting donors who were previously considered to be inadequate, because they are at higher risk of initial poor function and graft failure or may cause disease transmission. Currently, some marginal donors are being routinely used: elderly donors, steatotic grafts, non-heart-beating donors, hepatitis C virus-positive (HCV+) or hepatitis B core antibody-positive donors. These so-called marginal or extended-criteria donors were initially used in high-risk or urgent recipients; however, the number of marginal grafts has significantly increased, forcing the transplant community toward their more rationale use to maintain excellent results of liver transplantation. In this new scenario, the adequacy between donor and recipient may be paramount. Advanced donor age seems to be related to a greater graft failure rate in HCV+ recipients. Early survival seems to be significantly reduced when steatotic grafts are used in recipients with high Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores. Moreover, a decreased survival has been observed among high-risk patients receiving organs from marginal donors. No benefit seems to exist when high-donor risk index grafts are transplanted into recipients with low MELD Scores. The recognition of various donor groups according to their quality and the need for good donor and recipient selection must lead us to define new policies for organ allocation of marginal grafts that may come into conflict with current policies of organ allocation according to the risk of death among patients awaiting a liver transplantation.

  8. The biopsied donor liver: incorporating macrosteatosis into high-risk donor assessment.

    PubMed

    Spitzer, Austin L; Lao, Oliver B; Dick, André A S; Bakthavatsalam, Ramasamy; Halldorson, Jeffrey B; Yeh, Matthew M; Upton, Melissa P; Reyes, Jorge D; Perkins, James D

    2010-07-01

    To expand the donor liver pool, ways are sought to better define the limits of marginally transplantable organs. The Donor Risk Index (DRI) lists 7 donor characteristics, together with cold ischemia time and location of the donor, as risk factors for graft failure. We hypothesized that donor hepatic steatosis is an additional independent risk factor. We analyzed the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients for all adult liver transplants performed from October 1, 2003, through February 6, 2008, with grafts from deceased donors to identify donor characteristics and procurement logistics parameters predictive of decreased graft survival. A proportional hazard model of donor variables, including percent steatosis from higher-risk donors, was created with graft survival as the primary outcome. Of 21,777 transplants, 5051 donors had percent macrovesicular steatosis recorded on donor liver biopsy. Compared to the 16,726 donors with no recorded liver biopsy, the donors with biopsied livers had a higher DRI, were older and more obese, and a higher percentage died from anoxia or stroke than from head trauma. The donors whose livers were biopsied became our study group. Factors most strongly associated with graft failure at 1 year after transplantation with livers from this high-risk donor group were donor age, donor liver macrovesicular steatosis, cold ischemia time, and donation after cardiac death status. In conclusion, in a high-risk donor group, macrovesicular steatosis is an independent risk factor for graft survival, along with other factors of the DRI including donor age, donor race, donation after cardiac death status, and cold ischemia time.

  9. Air Pump-Assisted Graft Centration, Graft Edge Unfolding, and Graft Uncreasing in Young Donor Graft Pre-Descemet Endothelial Keratoplasty.

    PubMed

    Jacob, Soosan; Narasimhan, Smita; Agarwal, Amar; Agarwal, Athiya; A I, Saijimol

    2017-08-01

    To assess an air pump-assisted technique for graft centration, graft edge unfolding, and graft uncreasing while performing pre-Descemet endothelial keratoplasty (PDEK) using young donor grafts. Continuous pressurized air infusion was used for graft centration, graft edge unfolding, and graft unwrinkling. Ten eyes of 10 patients underwent PDEK with donors aged below 40 years. In all eyes, the donor scrolled into tight scrolls. In all cases, the air pump-assisted technique was effective in positioning and centering the graft accurately and in straightening infolded graft edges and smoothing out graft creases and wrinkles. Endothelial cell loss was 38.6%. Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity at 6 months was 0.66 ± 0.25 in decimal equivalent. Continuous pressurized air infusion acted as a third hand providing a continuous pressure head that supported the graft and prevented graft dislocation as well as anterior chamber collapse during intraocular maneuvering. Adequate maneuvering space was available in all cases, and bleeding, if any, was tamponaded successfully in all cases. Although very young donor grafts may be used for PDEK, they are difficult to center and unroll completely before floating against host stroma. An air pump-assisted technique using continuous pressurized air infusion allows successful final graft positioning even with very young donor corneas. It thus makes surgery easier as several key steps are made easier to handle. It additionally helps in tamponading hemorrhage during peripheral iridectomy, increasing surgical space, preventing fluctuations in the anterior chamber depth, and promoting graft adherence.

  10. Donor Indocyanine Green Clearance Test Predicts Graft Quality and Early Graft Prognosis After Liver Transplantation.

    PubMed

    Tang, Yunhua; Han, Ming; Chen, Maogen; Wang, Xiaoping; Ji, Fei; Zhao, Qiang; Zhang, Zhiheng; Ju, Weiqiang; Wang, Dongping; Guo, Zhiyong; He, Xiaoshun

    2017-11-01

    Transplantation centers have given much attention to donor availability. However, no reliable quantitative methods have been employed to accurately assess graft quality before transplantation. Here, we report that the indocyanine green (ICG) clearance test is a valuable index for liver grafts. We performed the ICG clearance test on 90 brain-dead donors within 6 h before organ procurement between March 2015 and November 2016. We also analyzed the relationship between graft liver function and early graft survival after liver transplantation (LT). Our results suggest that the ICG retention rate at 15 min (ICGR15) of donors before procurement was independently associated with 3-month graft survival after LT. The best donor ICGR15 cutoff value was 11.0%/min, and we observed a significant increase in 3-month graft failure among patients with a donor ICGR15 above this value. On the other hand, a donor ICGR15 value of ≤ 11.0%/min could be used as an early assessment index of graft quality because it provides additional information to the transplant surgeon or organ procurement organization members who must maintain or improve organ function to adapt the LT. An ICG clearance test before liver procurement might be an effective quantitative method to predict graft availability and improve early graft prognosis after LT.

  11. Protocol for a systematic review of the efficacy of epidermal grafting for wound healing.

    PubMed

    Kanapathy, Muholan; Smith, Oliver J; Hachach-Haram, Nadine; Bystrzonowski, Nicola; Mosahebi, Afshin; Richards, Toby

    2016-06-03

    Autologous skin grafting is an important modality for wound coverage; however, it can result in donor site morbidity. Epidermal grafting is an emerging option to overcome this challenge. Furthermore, it can be done in an outpatient setting with minimal or no pain. To date, the evidence on the efficacy of this technique for wound healing has yet to be outlined. We aim to synthesise the current evidence on epidermal grafting for wound healing to establish the efficacy of this technique. We will conduct a comprehensive search in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases (up to May 2016) to identify studies on epidermal grafting for wound healing. We will include any primary studies (excluding case reports or case series lesser than three patients) or systematic reviews of such studies to assess the outcome of epidermal grafting for wound healing either on its own or compared to other methods. The expected primary outcome measures are the efficacy of epidermal grafting for wound healing (measured by the proportion of wounds healed at 6 weeks) and the mean wound-healing time (time for complete re-epithelialisation). Secondary outcome measures are the mean donor site-healing time, need for anaesthesia, costs associated with resource use, health-related quality of life, and proportion of patients with adverse event. Subgroup analysis will be performed for the proportions of wounds healed based on wound aetiology. This is a timely systematic review, and the finding of this systematic review is expected to guide research and clinical practice aimed at improving wound care. PROSPERO CRD42016033051.

  12. Lichenoid exanthema mimicking graft-versus-host disease associated with obstructive lung disease in a non-transplanted patient.

    PubMed

    Eberle, Franziska Carola; Holland, Angelique; Hörster, Stefan; Vogelmeier, Claus; Hertl, Michael

    2010-01-01

    Lichenoid graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is commonly observed in patients who have received donor lymphocyte infusions or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Here we report a striking case of lichenoid GVH-like exanthema in a young woman without any history of blood transfusions or BMT. A polymorphous, multiforme-like exanthema was observed after systemic antibiotic therapy of bronchitis and was initially diagnosed as drug eruption. Later on, disseminated lichenoid papules were noticed on the trunk and extremities with all histologic and clinical characteristics of lichenoid GVHD. Cutaneous GVH-like disease developed, as did obstructive lung disease. Pulmonary as well as skin disease were both refractory to various immunosuppressive therapies. The immune pathogenesis that caused the skin and lung disease in this patient remains unclear. Multiple pregnancies with two abortions with the potential induction of microchimerism may play a role in the disease pathogenesis.

  13. Diabetes mellitus increases risk of unsuccessful graft preparation in Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty: a multicenter study.

    PubMed

    Greiner, Mark A; Rixen, Jordan J; Wagoner, Michael D; Schmidt, Gregory A; Stoeger, Christopher G; Straiko, Michael D; Zimmerman, M Bridget; Kitzmann, Anna S; Goins, Kenneth M

    2014-11-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate preparation outcomes of tissue prepared for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) from diabetic and nondiabetic donors. In this nonrandomized, consecutive case series, DMEK grafts were prepared from diabetic and nondiabetic donors by experienced technicians in 2 eye banks using slightly different, modified submerged manual preparation techniques to achieve "prestripped" graft tissue. Graft preparation results were analyzed retrospectively. The main outcome measure was the rate of unsuccessful (failed) DMEK graft preparations, defined as tears through the graft area that prevent tissue use. A total of 359 corneas prepared from 290 donors (114 diabetic and 245 nondiabetic) were included in the statistical analysis of graft preparation failure. There were no significant differences between diabetic and nondiabetic donor tissue characteristics with respect to donor age, death to preservation time, death to preparation time, endothelial cell density, percent hexagonality, or coefficient of variation. DMEK tissue preparation was unsuccessful in 19 (5.3%) cases. There was a significant difference in the site-adjusted rate of DMEK preparation failure between diabetic [15.3%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 9.0-25.0] and nondiabetic donors (1.9%; 95% CI, 0.8-4.8), and the corresponding site-adjusted odds ratio of DMEK graft preparation failure in diabetic donor tissue versus nondiabetic donor tissue was 9.20 (95% CI, 2.89-29.32; P = 0.001). Diabetes may be a risk factor for unsuccessful preparation of donor tissue for DMEK. We recommend caution in the use of diabetic tissue for DMEK graft preparation. Further study is needed to identify what subset of diabetic donors is at risk for unsuccessful DMEK graft preparation.

  14. Use of octogenarian donors for liver transplantation: a survival analysis.

    PubMed

    Ghinolfi, D; Marti, J; De Simone, P; Lai, Q; Pezzati, D; Coletti, L; Tartaglia, D; Catalano, G; Tincani, G; Carrai, P; Campani, D; Miccoli, M; Biancofiore, G; Filipponi, F

    2014-09-01

    Use of very old donors in liver transplantation (LT) is controversial because advanced donor age is associated with a higher risk for graft dysfunction and worse long-term results, especially for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive recipients. This was a retrospective, single-center review of primary, ABO-compatible LT performed between 2001 and 2010. Recipients were stratified in four groups based on donor age (<60 years; 60-69 years; 70-79 years and ≥80 years) and their outcomes were compared. A total of 842 patients were included: 348 (41.3%) with donors <60 years; 176 (20.9%) with donors 60-69 years; 233 (27.7%) with donors 70-79 years and 85 (10.1%) with donors ≥80 years. There was no difference across groups in terms of early (≤30 days) graft loss, and graft survival at 1 and 5 years was 90.5% and 78.6% for grafts <60 years; 88.6% and 81.3% for grafts 60-69 years; 87.6% and 75.1% for grafts 70-79 years and 84.7% and 77.1% for grafts ≥80 years (p = 0.065). In the group ≥80 years, the 5-year graft survival was lower for HCV-positive versus HCV-negative recipients (62.4% vs. 85.6%, p = 0.034). Based on our experience, grafts from donors ≥80 years may provide favorable results but require appropriate selection and allocation policies. © Copyright 2014 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.

  15. Liver Grafts for Transplantation from Donors with Diabetes: An Analysis of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients Database

    PubMed Central

    Zheng, Jun; Xiang, Jie; Zhou, Jie; Li, Zhiwei; Hu, Zhenhua; Lo, Chung Mau; Wang, Weilin

    2014-01-01

    Patients with a history of diabetes mellitus (DM) have worse survival than those without DM after liver transplantation. However, the effect of liver grafts from DM donors on the post-transplantation survival of recipients is unclear. Using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database (2004–2008), 25,413 patients were assessed. Among them, 2,469 recipients received grafts from donors with DM. The demographics and outcome of patients were assessed. Patient survival was assessed using Kaplan–Meier methodology and Cox regression analyses. Recipients from DM donors experienced worse graft survival than recipients from non-DM donors (one-year survival: 81% versus 85%, and five-year survival: 67% versus 74%, P<0.001, respectively). Graft survival was significantly lower for recipients from DM donors with DM duration >5 years (P<0.001) compared with those with DM duration <5 years. Cox regression analyses showed that DM donors were independently associated with worse graft survival (hazard ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.19). The effect of DM donors was more pronounced on certain underlying liver diseases of recipients. Increases in the risk of graft loss were noted among recipients from DM donors with hepatitis-C virus (HCV) infection, whereas those without HCV experienced similar outcomes compared with recipients from non-DM donors. These data suggest that recipients from DM donors experience significantly worse patient survival after liver transplantation. However, in patients without HCV infection, using DM donors was not independently associated with worse post-transplantation graft survival. Matching these DM donors to recipients without HCV may be safe. PMID:24847864

  16. Management of wounds with exposed bone structures using an artificial dermis and skin grafting technique.

    PubMed

    Chen, Xin; Chen, Hui; Zhang, Guoan

    2010-06-01

    The task of managing an open wound complicated by exposed bony structures underneath is difficult, if not challenging. We have instituted a method of managing the problems in stages using an artificial dermis and skin grafting technique in 17 wounds in 15 individuals from Sept. 2006 to Feb. 2009. While all wounds were noted to assume aberrant healing processes, the majority of involved bony structures were devoid of periosteal covering compounded by various degrees of infection. Of 15 incidents, mechanical trauma was responsible for 10, chemical burns for two and electrical burns for two patients. A chronic non-healing ulcer with exposed bone formed in an old burn scar accounted for the remaining one. The regimen of surgical management consisted of initial debridement, the coverage of the resultant wound with an artificial dermis and a partial-thickness skin grafted over this dermis-like structure grown with granulation tissues. Complete wound healing was attained in 15 out of 17 with outstanding cosmetic and minimal donor-site morbidity. Despite initial failure encountered in two, the morbidities noted were low. It is especially useful in large defects that usually require flaps for coverage. Copyright 2009 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Dual kidneys from marginal adult donors as a source for cadaveric renal transplantation in the United States.

    PubMed

    Bunnapradist, Suphamai; Gritsch, H Albin; Peng, Alice; Jordan, Stanley C; Cho, Yong W

    2003-04-01

    The current organ shortage has led to the utilization of double kidney transplants from marginal adult donors, but outcomes data are limited. The United Network for Organ Sharing registry database was used to compare the outcomes of 403 dual adult kidney transplantations (DKT) and 11,033 single kidney transplantations (SKT) from 1997 to 2000. Graft and patient survival and the effect of multiple risk factors were evaluated. It was found that DKT patients were older, less sensitized, and received grafts from older, more mismatched donors with longer cold ischemia times. There was also a greater percentage of donors with a history of diabetes or hypertension and African-American recipients and donors in the DKT group. Graft survival was inferior in the DKT group, with a 7% lower graft survival rate at 1 yr. There was a higher incidence of primary nonfunction in the DKT group, although the incidence of delayed graft function, early rejection treatment, and graft thrombosis did not differ. Multivariate analysis was used to identify African-American recipient ethnicity and retransplant as risk factors for graft loss. Graft survival was comparable in DKT and SKT with donors over 55 yr of age. DKT resulted in inferior graft outcomes compared with SKT. When compared with SKT with donors over 55 yr of age, DKT resulted in similar graft outcomes. These otherwise discarded kidneys should be cautiously considered as a source of marginal donors.

  18. Combined predictive value of the expanded donor criteria for long-term graft survival of kidneys from donors after cardiac death: A single-center experience over three decades.

    PubMed

    Kusaka, Mamoru; Kubota, Yusuke; Sasaki, Hitomi; Fukami, Naohiko; Fujita, Tamio; Hirose, Yuichi; Takahashi, Hiroshi; Kenmochi, Takashi; Shiroki, Ryoichi; Hoshinaga, Kiyotaka

    2016-04-01

    Kidneys procured from the deceased hold great potential for expanding the donor pool. The aims of the present study were to investigate the post-transplant outcomes of renal allografts recovered from donors after cardiac death, to identify risk factors affecting the renal prognosis and to compare the long-term survival from donors after cardiac death according to the number of risk factors shown by expanded criteria donors. A total of 443 grafts recovered using an in situ regional cooling technique from 1983 to 2011 were assessed. To assess the combined predictive value of the significant expanded criteria donor risk criteria, the patients were divided into three groups: those with no expanded criteria donor risk factors (no risk), one expanded criteria donor risk factor (single-risk) and two or more expanded criteria donor risk factors (multiple-risk). Among the donor factors, age ≥50 years, hypertension, maximum serum creatinine level ≥1.5 mg/dL and a warm ischemia time ≥30 min were identified as independent predictors of long-term graft failure on multivariate analysis. Regarding the expanded criteria donors criteria for marginal donors, cerebrovascular disease, hypertension and maximum serum creatinine level ≥1.5 mg/dL were identified as significant predictors on univariate analysis. The single- and multiple-risk groups showed 2.01- and 2.40-fold higher risks of graft loss, respectively. Renal grafts recovered from donors after cardiac death donors have a good renal function with an excellent long-term graft survival. However, an increased number of expanded criteria donors risk factors increase the risk of graft loss. © 2016 The Japanese Urological Association.

  19. Recent advances on biomedical applications of scaffolds in wound healing and dermal tissue engineering.

    PubMed

    Rahmani Del Bakhshayesh, Azizeh; Annabi, Nasim; Khalilov, Rovshan; Akbarzadeh, Abolfazl; Samiei, Mohammad; Alizadeh, Effat; Alizadeh-Ghodsi, Mohammadreza; Davaran, Soodabeh; Montaseri, Azadeh

    2018-06-01

    The tissue engineering field has developed in response to the shortcomings related to the replacement of the tissues lost to disease or trauma: donor tissue rejection, chronic inflammation and donor tissue shortages. The driving force behind the tissue engineering is to avoid the mentioned issues by creating the biological substitutes capable of replacing the damaged tissue. This is done by combining the scaffolds, cells and signals in order to create the living, physiological, three-dimensional tissues. A wide variety of skin substitutes are used in the treatment of full-thickness injuries. Substitutes made from skin can harbour the latent viruses, and artificial skin grafts can heal with the extensive scarring, failing to regenerate structures such as glands, nerves and hair follicles. New and practical skin scaffold materials remain to be developed. The current article describes the important information about wound healing scaffolds. The scaffold types which were used in these fields were classified according to the accepted guideline of the biological medicine. Moreover, the present article gave the brief overview on the fundamentals of the tissue engineering, biodegradable polymer properties and their application in skin wound healing. Also, the present review discusses the type of the tissue engineered skin substitutes and modern wound dressings which promote the wound healing.

  20. Gender Matches in Liver Transplant Allocation: Matched and Mismatched Male-Female Donor-Recipient Combinations; Long-term Follow-up of More Than 2000 Patients at a Single Center.

    PubMed

    Schoening, Wenzel N; Helbig, Michael; Buescher, Niklas; Andreou, Andreas; Bahra, Marcus; Schmitz, Volker; Pascher, Andreas; Pratschke, Johann; Seehofer, Daniel

    2016-04-01

    The influence of donor-recipient sex mismatches on long-term graft survival after liver transplant is controversial. In this study, our aim was to characterize the differences in long-term graft outcome after liver transplant in more than 2000 cases with special regard to sex match and mismatch. In this retrospective, single center study of 2144 adult primary liver transplant recipients (median follow-up of 92 months), we analyzed specific long-term graft survival and the effect of different donor and recipient sex combinations (Kaplan-Meier, multivariate regression). In the 15-year follow-up, female recipients (58.6%) had significantly better graft survival than male recipients did (51.6%, P = .031). Matched and mismatched male-female combinations revealed significant differences (P = .003): a male donor-female recipient combination showed the best 15-year graft survival (61.1%), and a female donor-male recipient combination showed the worst graft survival (48.6%), whereas male-male (53.3%) and female-female combinations (55.6%) were not significantly different (P = .967). Donor age (P ≤ .0001), body mass index (P = .021), female sex (P = .015), Eurotransplant Donor Risk Index > 1.4 (P ≤ .001), recipients' age (P < .0001), indication for liver transplant (P < .0001), and kidney function (P = .003) significantly affected graft survival. In the multivariate analysis model, a Eurotransplant Donor Risk Index > 1.4 and impaired kidney function at liver transplant again emerged as significant negative predictors. Female donors and male recipients showed significantly more unfavorable characteristics concerning long-term graft survival. The impressive long-term graft survival benefit of male donor-female recipient versus female donor-male recipient and of male donor-female recipient versus matched groups (male-male, female-female) in liver transplant may be caused by significant differences in donor quality and recipient characteristics and may not be related to sex itself.

  1. Key donor factors associated with graft loss among liver transplant recipients with human immunodeficiency virus.

    PubMed

    Campos-Varela, Isabel; Dodge, Jennifer L; Stock, Peter G; Terrault, Norah A

    2016-09-01

    Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected liver transplant (LT) recipients have higher risk of graft loss than HIV-uninfected recipients. As the original donor risk index excluded HIV-positive patients, donor factors associated with graft loss in HIV-positive recipients are unknown. Identifying all HIV-positive patients in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, supplemented by all HIV-infected patients in the solid organ transplantation in HIV: Multi-Site Study (HIV-TR), we evaluated donor factors associated with graft loss among HIV-positive recipients transplanted between March 2002 and August 2012. A total of 249 HIV-positive LT recipients were followed for median 2.4 (interquartile range [IQR]: 0.8-4.9) years. In univariate analysis, donor diabetes (HR=2.09; P=.002) and donor hypertension (HR=1.43; P=.048) were significantly associated with graft loss, and African-American (AA) recipient:non-AA donor race mismatch (HR=1.60; P=.07), other cause of donor death compared to trauma (HR=2.02; P=.09), and donor age 30 years or older (HR=1.53; P=.05) were of borderline significance. In multivariate analysis, donor diabetes (HR=2.12; 95% CI: 1.33-3.38; P=.002) was the only significant predictor of graft loss. In HIV-positive LT recipients, risk of graft loss is strongly influenced by donor diabetes. This information may be useful to transplant physicians seeking to optimize overall graft survival in their HIV-positive LT recipients. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  2. Release of hand burn contracture: comparing the ALT perforator flap with the gracilis free flap with split skin graft.

    PubMed

    Misani, M; Zirak, C; Hau, Lê Thua Trung; De Mey, A; Boeckx, W

    2013-08-01

    The use of microsurgery in the management of burn sequelae is not a new idea. According to the properties of various types of free flaps different goals can be achieved or various additional procedures have to be combined. We report the comparison of two different free flaps on a single patient for reconstruction of both upper extremities for burn sequelae. A 1-year-old child sustained severe burns on both hands, arms and thorax and was initially only treated conservatively. This resulted in severe contractures. At the age of 4-years a free gracilis flap was selected for reconstruction of his left hand and a free anterolateral thigh flap for the right hand. We noticed a better functional and esthetic result for the gracilis flap associated with a shorter operative time and a minor donor site morbidity. The intraoperative technique and time, postoperative complications, functional and esthetic results and donor site morbidities were studied in the two types of flaps chosen. A review of literature was also performed. Our experience reported a better success of the gracilis muscle flap covered with a split skin graft compared to the anterolateral thigh flap in the reconstruction of hand function after severe burn sequelae. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

  3. Distally based posterior interosseous flap: primary role in soft-tissue reconstruction of the hand.

    PubMed

    Agir, Hakan; Sen, Cenk; Alagöz, Sahin; Onyedi, Murat; Isil, Eda

    2007-09-01

    A series of 15 consecutive patients with various hand defects requiring flap coverage was reviewed in this study. The defects were all covered with the distally based posterior interosseous flap. Its main indications were in complex hand trauma, severe burn injury, or skin cancer ablation, either acute or postprimary. In 12 of the patients, flaps survived completely. In 3 patients, there was partial necrosis of the distal part of the flap, which did not require additional surgical procedure. Radial nerve palsy was noted in one of the cases, with a complete recovery after 3 months. Donor site was closed directly in up to 4-cm-wide flaps, while larger flaps required skin grafting. No major anatomic variation was observed. Distally based posterior interosseous flap is a reliable choice for various types and areas of hand defects, with very low donor-site morbidity, and should be more commonly considered in clinical practice.

  4. Delayed Graft Function in Living-Donor Kidney Transplant: A Middle Eastern Perspective.

    PubMed

    Al Otaibi, Torki; Ahmadpoor, Pedram; Allawi, Ali Abdulmajid Dyab; Habhab, Wael Taher; Khatami, Mohammad Reza; Nafar, Mohsen; Glotz, Denis

    2016-02-01

    With an increased incidence of living-donor kidney transplants, in response to increasing unmet needs for renal transplant, a clear understanding of determinants of posttransplant outcomes is essential. The importance of delayed graft function in deceased-donor kidney transplant is now part of conventional medical wisdom, due to the large amount of evidence focused on this aspect. However, the same is not true for living-donor kidney transplant, partly due to lack of evidence on this crucial clinical question and partly due to lack of awareness about this issue. The current review aims to highlight the importance of delayed graft function as a crucial determinant of outcomes in living-donor kidney transplant. An exhaustive search of online medical databases was performed with appropriate search criteria to collect evidence about delayed graft function after living-donor kidney transplant, with a special focus on studies from the Middle East. Data on incidence, impact, risk factors, and possible prevention modalities of delayed graft function in patients undergoing living-donor kidney transplant are presented. A key finding of this review is that contemporary incidence rates reported from the Middle East are comparatively higher than those reported from outside the region. Although in absolute terms the incidence is lower than deceased donor kidney transplant, the effects of delayed graft function on graft rejection and graft and patient survival are sufficiently large to warrant the formulation of specific treatment protocols. Key to formulating prevention and treatment strategies is identifying discrete risk factors for delayed graft function. Although this evidence is scant, an overview has been provided. Further studies examining different aspects of delayed graft function incidence after living-donor kidney transplant are urgently needed to address a so far little known clinical question.

  5. Skin graft

    MedlinePlus

    ... that need skin grafts to heal Venous ulcers, pressure ulcers , or diabetic ulcers that do not heal Very ... graft; Full thickness skin graft Patient Instructions Preventing pressure ulcers Surgical wound care - open Images Skin graft Skin ...

  6. Creation of Nepal's First Skin Bank: Challenges and Outcomes.

    PubMed

    Cai, Lawrence; Long, Chao; Karki, Bishal; Nakarmi, Kiran; Iqbal, Adnan; Casertano, Michele; Anderson, Sara; Patell, James; Chang, James; Rai, Shankar Man

    2017-11-01

    In Nepal, burn trauma causes more than 55,000 injuries each year. Burn-related mortality is high in Nepal, in part due to lack of allograft, leading to high infection rates. To address this challenge, our collaboration between Kirtipur Hospital, America Nepal Medical Foundation, Stanford University, and ReSurge International established Nepal's first skin bank. We identified 3 major tasks to create a sustainable skin banking program: 1) identify and acquire the equipment and personnel needed to collect, process, store, and graft cadaveric skin for burn injuries; 2) develop safe donation protocols and documentation tools that remain feasible for low-resource settings; and 3) develop a long-term awareness program to educate the Nepali people on skin donation, a previously foreign concept. Kirtipur Hospital acquired the necessary equipment and materials for the skin bank through a combination of local and international fundraising efforts. Existing U.S. skin banking protocols were adapted for the Nepali setting and piloted on potential patients, donors, and physicians. For the first time in the hospital's history, patients with > 40% total body surface area burns were successfully treated with extensive allografts. It is feasible to create a skin bank in a country with no tradition of allograft skin use. Long-term sustainability now depends on spreading awareness and education in the Kathmandu Valley to overcome religious and cultural barriers that have hindered donor recruitment. Our low-cost and high-impact skin bank provides a model to expand this system to other hospitals both within Nepal and beyond.

  7. Soft tissue engineering with micronized-gingival connective tissues.

    PubMed

    Noda, Sawako; Sumita, Yoshinori; Ohba, Seigo; Yamamoto, Hideyuki; Asahina, Izumi

    2018-01-01

    The free gingival graft (FGG) and connective tissue graft (CTG) are currently considered to be the gold standards for keratinized gingival tissue reconstruction and augmentation. However, these procedures have some disadvantages in harvesting large grafts, such as donor-site morbidity as well as insufficient gingival width and thickness at the recipient site post-treatment. To solve these problems, we focused on an alternative strategy using micronized tissue transplantation (micro-graft). In this study, we first investigated whether transplantation of micronized gingival connective tissues (MGCTs) promotes skin wound healing. MGCTs (≤100 µm) were obtained by mincing a small piece (8 mm 3 ) of porcine keratinized gingiva using the RIGENERA system. The MGCTs were then transplanted to a full skin defect (5 mm in diameter) on the dorsal surface of immunodeficient mice after seeding to an atelocollagen matrix. Transplantations of atelocollagen matrixes with and without micronized dermis were employed as experimental controls. The results indicated that MGCTs markedly promote the vascularization and epithelialization of the defect area 14 days after transplantation compared to the experimental controls. After 21 days, complete wound closure with low contraction was obtained only in the MGCT grafts. Tracking analysis of transplanted MGCTs revealed that some mesenchymal cells derived from MGCTs can survive during healing and may function to assist in wound healing. We propose here that micro-grafting with MGCTs represents an alternative strategy for keratinized tissue reconstruction that is characterized by low morbidity and ready availability. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  8. Optimized donor management and organ preservation before kidney transplantation.

    PubMed

    Mundt, Heiko M; Yard, Benito A; Krämer, Bernhard K; Benck, Urs; Schnülle, Peter

    2016-09-01

    Kidney transplantation is a major medical improvement for patients with end-stage renal disease, but organ shortage limits its widespread use. As a consequence, the proportion of grafts procured from extended criteria donors (ECD) has increased considerably, but this comes along with increased rates of delayed graft function (DGF) and a higher incidence of immune-mediated rejection that limits organ and patient survival. Furthermore, most grafts are derived from brain dead organ donors, but the unphysiological state of brain death is associated with significant metabolic, hemodynamic, and pro-inflammatory changes, which further compromise patient and graft survival. Thus, donor interventions to preserve graft quality are fundamental to improve long-term transplantation outcome, but interventions must not harm other potentially transplantable grafts. Several donor pretreatment strategies have provided encouraging results in animal models, but evidence from human studies is sparse, as most clinical evidence is derived from single-center or nonrandomized trials. Furthermore, ethical matters have to be considered especially concerning consent from donors, donor families, and transplant recipients to research in the field of donor treatment. This review provides an overview of clinically proven and promising preclinical strategies of donor treatment to optimize long-term results after kidney transplantation. © 2015 Steunstichting ESOT.

  9. Differential effects of donor-specific HLA antibodies in living versus deceased donor transplant.

    PubMed

    Kamburova, E G; Wisse, B W; Joosten, I; Allebes, W A; van der Meer, A; Hilbrands, L B; Baas, M C; Spierings, E; Hack, C E; van Reekum, F E; van Zuilen, A D; Verhaar, M C; Bots, M L; Drop, A C A D; Plaisier, L; Seelen, M A J; Sanders, J S F; Hepkema, B G; Lambeck, A J A; Bungener, L B; Roozendaal, C; Tilanus, M G J; Voorter, C E; Wieten, L; van Duijnhoven, E M; Gelens, M; Christiaans, M H L; van Ittersum, F J; Nurmohamed, S A; Lardy, N M; Swelsen, W; van der Pant, K A; van der Weerd, N C; Ten Berge, I J M; Bemelman, F J; Hoitsma, A; van der Boog, P J M; de Fijter, J W; Betjes, M G H; Heidt, S; Roelen, D L; Claas, F H; Otten, H G

    2018-02-21

    The presence of donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSAs) is associated with increased risk of graft failure after kidney transplant. We hypothesized that DSAs against HLA class I, class II, or both classes indicate a different risk for graft loss between deceased and living donor transplant. In this study, we investigated the impact of pretransplant DSAs, by using single antigen bead assays, on long-term graft survival in 3237 deceased and 1487 living donor kidney transplants with a negative complement-dependent crossmatch. In living donor transplants, we found a limited effect on graft survival of DSAs against class I or II antigens after transplant. Class I and II DSAs combined resulted in decreased 10-year graft survival (84% to 75%). In contrast, after deceased donor transplant, patients with class I or class II DSAs had a 10-year graft survival of 59% and 60%, respectively, both significantly lower than the survival for patients without DSAs (76%). The combination of class I and II DSAs resulted in a 10-year survival of 54% in deceased donor transplants. In conclusion, class I and II DSAs are a clear risk factor for graft loss in deceased donor transplants, while in living donor transplants, class I and II DSAs seem to be associated with an increased risk for graft failure, but this could not be assessed due to their low prevalence. © 2018 The Authors. American Journal of Transplantation published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.

  10. A Kidney Graft Survival Calculator that Accounts for Mismatches in Age, Sex, HLA, and Body Size.

    PubMed

    Ashby, Valarie B; Leichtman, Alan B; Rees, Michael A; Song, Peter X-K; Bray, Mathieu; Wang, Wen; Kalbfleisch, John D

    2017-07-07

    Outcomes for transplants from living unrelated donors are of particular interest in kidney paired donation (KPD) programs where exchanges can be arranged between incompatible donor-recipient pairs or chains created from nondirected/altruistic donors. Using Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data, we analyzed 232,705 recipients of kidney-alone transplants from 1998 to 2012. Graft failure rates were estimated using Cox models for recipients of kidney transplants from living unrelated, living related, and deceased donors. Models were adjusted for year of transplant and donor and recipient characteristics, with particular attention to mismatches in age, sex, human leukocyte antigens (HLA), body size, and weight. The dependence of graft failure on increasing donor age was less pronounced for living-donor than for deceased-donor transplants. Male donor-to-male recipient transplants had lower graft failure, particularly better than female to male (5%-13% lower risk). HLA mismatch was important in all donor types. Obesity of both the recipient (8%-18% higher risk) and donor (5%-11% higher risk) was associated with higher graft loss, as were donor-recipient weight ratios of <75%, compared with transplants where both parties were of similar weight (9%-12% higher risk). These models are used to create a calculator of estimated graft survival for living donors. This calculator provides useful information to donors, candidates, and physicians of estimated outcomes and potentially in allowing candidates to choose among several living donors. It may also help inform candidates with compatible donors on the advisability of joining a KPD program. Copyright © 2017 by the American Society of Nephrology.

  11. Pain and itch outcome trajectories differ among European American and African American survivors of major thermal burn injury.

    PubMed

    Mauck, Matthew C; Smith, Jennifer; Shupp, Jeffrey W; Weaver, Mark A; Liu, Andrea; Bortsov, Andrey V; Lateef, Bilal; Jones, Samuel W; Williams, Felicia; Hwang, James; Karlnoski, Rachel; Smith, David J; Cairns, Bruce A; McLean, Samuel A

    2017-11-01

    More than half of individuals experiencing major thermal burn injury (MThBI) receive an autologous skin graft (autograft), in which skin is removed from a healthy "donor" site and transplanted to the burn site. Persistent pain and itch at the graft site are major causes of suffering and disability in MThBI survivors. African Americans have a higher risk of MThBI, and in other clinical settings African Americans experience a greater burden of pain and itch relative to European Americans. However, to our knowledge, ethnic differences in skin graft site pain and itch outcomes after MThBI have not been assessed. We evaluated skin graft site pain and itch severity (0-10 Numeric Rating Scale [NRS]) over 1 year in a prospective multicenter cohort sample of African Americans and European Americans. In adjusted linear mixed models, African Americans experienced a slower rate of pain resolution in the acute phase of recovery (β = -0.05 vs -0.08 NRS points per day, P < 0.001), which resulted in a higher pain severity in the persistent phase of recovery (NRS mean difference = 1.21, 95% confidence interval [0.12-2.29]), although not statistically significant after correction for multiple comparisons. African Americans also experience greater itch severity in 6 weeks to 12 months after burn injury compared with European Americans (NRS mean difference = 1.86 [0.80-2.93]), which results from a faster rate of itch development in African Americans in the acute recovery phase after burn injury. Future studies may improve outcomes in African Americans and lead to new pathogenic insights that benefit all burn injury survivors.

  12. [The Effects of Thymosin alpha1 on Immune Function of Mice after Skin Transplantation].

    PubMed

    Chen, Yang; Lu, Hui-min; Guo, Qiang; Hu, Wei-ming

    2015-11-01

    By establishing C57-BABL/c mice allogeneic skin transplantation model, to analyze the immune system function with the administration of thymosin al (Tal) in mouse after skin transplantation; and to explore the mechanism of specific immune tolerance induced by Tal in vivo. 80 C57 mice and 80 BABL/c mice were used as donor and acceptor respectively to establish C57-BABL/c mice allogeneic skin transplantation model and divided into four groups: Group A, control group (without any treatment, n=20); Group B, CsA treatment group (CsA 10 mg/kg, n=20); Group C, Tal treatment group (Tal 400 microg/kg, n=20) and Group D, combination therapy group (CsA 10 mg/kg & Talphal 400 microg/kg, n=20). In the three experimental group, the drug of each group were respectively administrated by intraperitoneal injection daily, for 21 d. The survival of skin graft were observed and recorded, the Luminexx MAP for cytokine detection were performed in 1, 7, 14, 21 d after treatment, skin grafts were taking for HE staining, and flow cytometry were performed for lymphocyte phenotype. After transplantation, in 1, 7, 14, 21 d, the cytokine of Group B, C and ID compared to Group A, as well as Group D to B&C respectively, shows a decreaing of IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-17 value and increasing of IL-10 significantly (P<0.05) at the same time point; While no statistical significance shows between Group B and C. Compared with other groups, Group D have a high ratio of CD4/CD8, and a high percentage of CD4+ CD25+ T cells (P<0.05). Administrated Tal after transplantation, can decrease the graft damage from T cells, but could not prevent rejection.

  13. Determining the origin of cells in tissue engineered skin substitutes: a pilot study employing in situ hybridization.

    PubMed

    Weber, Andreas Daniel; Pontiggia, Luca; Biedermann, Thomas; Schiestl, Clemens; Meuli, Martin; Reichmann, Ernst

    2011-03-01

    Definitive and high-quality coverage of large and, in particular, massive skin defects remains a significant challenge in burn as well as plastic and reconstructive surgery because of donor site shortage. A novel and promising approach to overcome these problems is tissue engineering of skin. Clearly, before eventual clinical application, engineered skin substitutes of human origin must be grafted and then evaluated in animal models. For the various tests to be conducted it is indispensable to be able to identify human cells as such in culture and also to distinguish between graft and recipient tissue after transplantation. Here we describe a tool to identify human cells in vitro and in vivo. In situ hybridization allows for the detection and localization of specific DNA or RNA sequences in morphologically preserved cells in culture or tissue sections, respectively. We used digoxigenin-labeled DNA probes corresponding to human-specific Alu repeats in order to identify human keratinocytes grown in culture together with rat cells, and also to label split and full thickness skin grafts of human origin after transplantation on immuno-incompetent rats. Digoxigenin-labeled DNA probing resulted in an intensive nuclear staining of human cells, both in culture and after transplantation onto recipient animals, while recipient animal cells (rat cells) did not stain. In situ hybridization using primate-specific Alu probes reliably allows distinguishing between cells of human and non-human origin both in culture as well as in histological sections. This method is an essential tool for those preclinical experiments (performed on non-primate animals) that must be conducted before novel tissue engineered skin substitutes might be introduced into clinical practice.

  14. Long-term results after transplantation of pediatric liver grafts from donation after circulatory death donors.

    PubMed

    van Rijn, Rianne; Hoogland, Pieter E R; Lehner, Frank; van Heurn, Ernest L W; Porte, Robert J

    2017-01-01

    Liver grafts from donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors are increasingly accepted as an extension of the organ pool for transplantation. There is little data on the outcome of liver transplantation with DCD grafts from a pediatric donor. The objective of this study was to assess the outcome of liver transplantation with pediatric DCD grafts and to compare this with the outcome after transplantation of livers from pediatric donation after brain death (DBD) donors. All transplantations performed with a liver from a pediatric donor (≤16 years) in the Netherlands between 2002 and 2015 were included. Patient survival, graft survival, and complication rates were compared between DCD and DBD liver transplantation. In total, 74 liver transplantations with pediatric grafts were performed; twenty (27%) DCD and 54 (73%) DBD. The median donor warm ischemia time (DWIT) was 24 min (range 15-43 min). Patient survival rate at 10 years was 78% for recipients of DCD grafts and 89% for DBD grafts (p = 0.32). Graft survival rate at 10 years was 65% in recipients of DCD versus 76% in DBD grafts (p = 0.20). If donor livers in this study would have been rejected for transplantation when the DWIT ≥30 min (n = 4), the 10-year graft survival rate would have been 81% after DCD transplantation. The rate of non-anastomotic biliary strictures was 5% in DCD and 4% in DBD grafts (p = 1.00). Other complication rates were also similar between both groups. Transplantation of livers from pediatric DCD donors results in good long-term outcome especially when the DWIT is kept ≤30 min. Patient and graft survival rates are not significantly different between recipients of a pediatric DCD or DBD liver. Moreover, the incidence of non-anastomotic biliary strictures after transplantation of pediatric DCD livers is remarkably low.

  15. Long-term results after transplantation of pediatric liver grafts from donation after circulatory death donors

    PubMed Central

    Hoogland, Pieter E. R.; Lehner, Frank; van Heurn, Ernest L. W.; Porte, Robert J.

    2017-01-01

    Background Liver grafts from donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors are increasingly accepted as an extension of the organ pool for transplantation. There is little data on the outcome of liver transplantation with DCD grafts from a pediatric donor. The objective of this study was to assess the outcome of liver transplantation with pediatric DCD grafts and to compare this with the outcome after transplantation of livers from pediatric donation after brain death (DBD) donors. Method All transplantations performed with a liver from a pediatric donor (≤16 years) in the Netherlands between 2002 and 2015 were included. Patient survival, graft survival, and complication rates were compared between DCD and DBD liver transplantation. Results In total, 74 liver transplantations with pediatric grafts were performed; twenty (27%) DCD and 54 (73%) DBD. The median donor warm ischemia time (DWIT) was 24 min (range 15–43 min). Patient survival rate at 10 years was 78% for recipients of DCD grafts and 89% for DBD grafts (p = 0.32). Graft survival rate at 10 years was 65% in recipients of DCD versus 76% in DBD grafts (p = 0.20). If donor livers in this study would have been rejected for transplantation when the DWIT ≥30 min (n = 4), the 10-year graft survival rate would have been 81% after DCD transplantation. The rate of non-anastomotic biliary strictures was 5% in DCD and 4% in DBD grafts (p = 1.00). Other complication rates were also similar between both groups. Conclusions Transplantation of livers from pediatric DCD donors results in good long-term outcome especially when the DWIT is kept ≤30 min. Patient and graft survival rates are not significantly different between recipients of a pediatric DCD or DBD liver. Moreover, the incidence of non-anastomotic biliary strictures after transplantation of pediatric DCD livers is remarkably low. PMID:28426684

  16. Reduced-intensity conditioning for alternative donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with dyskeratosis congenita.

    PubMed

    Nishio, Nobuhiro; Takahashi, Yoshiyuki; Ohashi, Haruhiko; Doisaki, Sayoko; Muramatsu, Hideki; Hama, Asahito; Shimada, Akira; Yagasaki, Hiroshi; Kojima, Seiji

    2011-03-01

    DC is an inherited bone marrow failure syndrome mainly characterized by nail dystrophy, abnormal skin pigmentation, and oral leukoplakia. Bone marrow failure is the most common cause of death in patients with DC. Because previous results of HSCT with a myeloablative regimen were disappointing, we used a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen for two patients with classic DC, and one patient with cryptic DC who harbored the TERT mutation. Graft sources included two mismatched-related bone marrow (BM) donors and one unrelated BM donor. Successful engraftment was achieved with few regimen-related toxicities in all patients. They were alive 10, 66, and 72 months after transplantation, respectively. Long-term follow-up is crucial to determine the late effects of our conditioning regimen. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

  17. Using old liver grafts for liver transplantation: where are the limits?

    PubMed

    Jiménez-Romero, Carlos; Caso Maestro, Oscar; Cambra Molero, Félix; Justo Alonso, Iago; Alegre Torrado, Cristina; Manrique Municio, Alejandro; Calvo Pulido, Jorge; Loinaz Segurola, Carmelo; Moreno González, Enrique

    2014-08-21

    The scarcity of ideal liver grafts for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has led transplant teams to investigate other sources of grafts in order to augment the donor liver pool. One way to get more liver grafts is to use marginal donors, a not well-defined group which includes mainly donors > 60 years, donors with hypernatremia or macrosteatosis > 30%, donors with hepatitis C virus or hepatitis B virus positive serologies, cold ischemia time > 12 h, non-heart-beating donors, and grafts from split-livers or living-related donations. Perhaps the most practical and frequent measure to increase the liver pool, and thus to reduce waiting list mortality, is to use older livers. In the past years the results of OLT with old livers have improved, mainly due to better selection and maintenance of donors, improvements in surgical techniques in donors and recipients, and intra- and post-OLT management. At the present time, sexagenarian livers are generally accepted, but there still exists some controversy regarding the use of septuagenarian and octogenarian liver grafts. The aim of this paper is to briefly review the aging process of the liver and reported experiences using old livers for OLT. Fundamentally, the series of septuagenarian and octogenarian livers will be addressed to see if there is a limit to using these aged grafts.

  18. Using old liver grafts for liver transplantation: Where are the limits?

    PubMed Central

    Jiménez-Romero, Carlos; Caso Maestro, Oscar; Cambra Molero, Félix; Justo Alonso, Iago; Alegre Torrado, Cristina; Manrique Municio, Alejandro; Calvo Pulido, Jorge; Loinaz Segurola, Carmelo; Moreno González, Enrique

    2014-01-01

    The scarcity of ideal liver grafts for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has led transplant teams to investigate other sources of grafts in order to augment the donor liver pool. One way to get more liver grafts is to use marginal donors, a not well-defined group which includes mainly donors > 60 years, donors with hypernatremia or macrosteatosis > 30%, donors with hepatitis C virus or hepatitis B virus positive serologies, cold ischemia time > 12 h, non-heart-beating donors, and grafts from split-livers or living-related donations. Perhaps the most practical and frequent measure to increase the liver pool, and thus to reduce waiting list mortality, is to use older livers. In the past years the results of OLT with old livers have improved, mainly due to better selection and maintenance of donors, improvements in surgical techniques in donors and recipients, and intra- and post-OLT management. At the present time, sexagenarian livers are generally accepted, but there still exists some controversy regarding the use of septuagenarian and octogenarian liver grafts. The aim of this paper is to briefly review the aging process of the liver and reported experiences using old livers for OLT. Fundamentally, the series of septuagenarian and octogenarian livers will be addressed to see if there is a limit to using these aged grafts. PMID:25152573

  19. Liver Transplantation With Old Grafts: A Ten-Year Experience.

    PubMed

    Roullet, S; Defaye, M; Quinart, A; Adam, J-P; Chiche, L; Laurent, C; Neau-Cransac, M

    2017-11-01

    The persistent scarcity of donors has prompted liver transplantation teams to find solutions for increasing graft availability. We report our experience of liver transplantations performed with grafts from older donors, specifically over 70 and 80 years old. We analyzed our prospectively maintained single-center database from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2014, with 380 liver transplantations performed in 354 patients. Six groups were composed according to donor age: <40 (n = 84), 40 to 49 (n = 67), from 50 to 59 (n = 62), from 60 to 69 (n = 76), from 70 to 79 (n = 64), and ≥80 years (n = 27). Donors <40 years of age had a lower body mass index, died more often from trauma, and more often had cardiac arrest and high transaminase levels. In contrast, older donors (≥70 years of age) died more often from stroke. Recipients of grafts from donors <50 years of age were more frequently infected by hepatitis C virus; recipients of oldest grafts more often had hepatocellular carcinoma. Cold ischemia time was the shortest in donors >80 years of age. Patient survival was not significantly different between the groups. In multivariate analysis, factors predicting graft loss were transaminase peak, retransplantation and cold ischemia time but not donor age. Older donors >70 and >80 years of age could provide excellent liver grafts. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Comparison of long-term outcomes between spousal transplants and other living unrelated donor transplants: single-center experience.

    PubMed

    Yoon, Hye Eun; Song, Joon Chang; Hyoung, Bok Jin; Hwang, Hyeon Seok; Lee, So Young; Jeon, Youn Joo; Park, Sun Cheol; Choi, Bum Soon; Kim, Yong Soo; Moon, In Sung; Yang, Chul Woo

    2009-01-01

    The greater use of living unrelated donors (LUDs) as kidney donors is a worldwide trend in the current era of organ shortage, and spouses are an important source of LUDs. This study was to compare the long-term outcomes of spousal donor grafts with other LUD grafts. Among 445 LUD grafts, 77 were spouses and 368 were other LUDs. The clinical characteristics and long-term survival rates for spousal transplants were compared with those for other LUD transplants, and risk factors affecting graft survival were assessed. Spousal donors had a significantly higher average number of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatches (4.2 vs. 3.4, p < 0.001) and were older (41 vs. 33 years, p < 0.001) than LUDs. The 10-year survival rates for spousal donor grafts were 60.6%, similar to those for LUD grafts (58.5%, p = 0.61). The 10-year biopsy-proven acute rejection-free survival rates (85.5 vs. 89.6%, p = 0.45) and patient survival rates were also similar (84.3 vs. 79.6%, p = 0.35). The degree of HLA mismatching, the spousal donor type or donor age did not affect the graft survival. Renal transplants from spousal donors show similar long-term outcomes to those from better HLA-matched and younger LUDs. (c) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  1. [Modified anterolateral thigh perforator flap pedicled by cross-bridge microvascular anastomosis for repairing soft tissue defects in middle and lower segments of leg].

    PubMed

    Yang, Lin; Liu, Hongjun; Zhang, Wenzhong; Song, Guoxun; Xia, Shicong; Zhang, Naichen; Gu, Jiaxiang; Yuan, Chaoqun

    2017-10-01

    To explore the effectiveness of modified anterolateral thigh perforator flap pedicled by cross-bridge microvascular anastomosis in treatment of soft tissue defects in the middle and lower segments of the leg. Between March 2011 and June 2015, 15 cases with skin and soft tissue defects in the middle and lower segments of the legs were treated. There were 9 males and 6 females, aged 22-48 years (mean, 32.6 years). Of whom, 8 patients caused by traffic accidents, 5 by machine twist, and 2 by crash injury of heavy object. The mean interval from injury to admission was 82.6 hours (range, 2 hours to 1 week). The area of defect ranged from 13 cm×9 cm to 23 cm×16 cm. After primary debridement and vaccum sealing drainage treatment, the defects were repaired with modified anterolateral thigh perforator flap pedicled by cross-bridge microvascular anastomosis. The size of flap ranged from 15 cm×10 cm to 25 cm×15 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly or repaired with the skin grafts. The pedicle division was done at 4 weeks after operation. After operation, venous crisis occurred in 1 case and distal skin necrosis in 2 cases which was healed by dressing change. The other tissue flaps survived successfully and wounds healed by first intention. All skin grafts at donor site survived after operation, and primary healing of wound was obtained. All patients were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 13 months). All flaps were characterized by soft texture, satisfactory appearance, and restoring the protective sensation. Moreover, the two-point discrimination ranged from 15 to 28 mm (mean, 19.5 mm) at 6 months after operation. The function of both lower extremities were normal without obvious contracture of scar at donor site. Modified free anterolateral thigh perforator flap, with little damage in donor site, a reliable blood supply by making a cross-bridge microvascular anastomosis with pretibial or posterior tibial blood vessel on normal leg, is a reliable alternative method for repairing soft tissue defects with the main vessels of serious injury in the middle and lower segments of the leg.

  2. Donor age and early graft failure after lung transplantation: a cohort study.

    PubMed

    Baldwin, M R; Peterson, E R; Easthausen, I; Quintanilla, I; Colago, E; Sonett, J R; D'Ovidio, F; Costa, J; Diamond, J M; Christie, J D; Arcasoy, S M; Lederer, D J

    2013-10-01

    Lungs from older adult organ donors are often unused because of concerns for increased mortality. We examined associations between donor age and transplant outcomes among 8860 adult lung transplant recipients using Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and Lung Transplant Outcomes Group data. We used stratified Cox proportional hazard models and generalized linear mixed models to examine associations between donor age and both 1-year graft failure and primary graft dysfunction (PGD). The rate of 1-year graft failure was similar among recipients of lungs from donors age 18-64 years, but severely ill recipients (Lung Allocation Score [LAS] >47.7 or use of mechanical ventilation) of lungs from donors age 56-64 years had increased rates of 1-year graft failure (p-values for interaction = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). Recipients of lungs from donors <18 and ≥65 years had increased rates of 1-year graft failure (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.23, 95% CI 1.01-1.50 and adjusted HR 2.15, 95% CI 1.47-3.15, respectively). Donor age was not associated with the risk of PGD. In summary, the use of lungs from donors age 56 to 64 years may be safe for adult candidates without a high LAS and the use of lungs from pediatric donors is associated with a small increase in early graft failure. © Copyright 2013 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.

  3. Improved scar quality following primary and secondary healing of cutaneous wounds.

    PubMed

    Atiyeh, Bishara S; Amm, Christian A; El Musa, Kusai A

    2003-01-01

    Poor wound healing remains a critical problem in our daily practice of surgery, exerting a heavy toll on our patients as well as on the health care system. In susceptible individuals, scars can become raised, reddish, and rigid, may cause itching and pain, and might even lead to serious cosmetic and functional problems. Hypertrophic scars do not occur spontaneously in animals, which explains the lack of experimental models for the study of pathologic scar modulation. We present the results of three clinical comparative prospective studies that we have conducted. In the first study, secondary healing and cosmetic appearance following healing of partial thickness skin graft donor sites under dry (semi-open Sofra-Tulle dressing) and moist (moist exposed burn ointment, MEBO) was assessed. In the second study, healing of the donor sites was evaluated following treatment with Tegaderm or MEBO, two different types of moisture-retentive dressings. In the third study, 3 comparable groups of primarily healed wounds were evaluated. One group was treated by topical antibiotic ointment, the second group was treated by Moist Exposed Burn Ointment (MEBO), and the third group did not receive any topical treatment. In the second study, secondary healing of partial thickness skin graft donor sites was evaluated following treatment with Tegaderm or MEBO, two different types of moisture-retentive dressings. In the second and third studies, healed wounds were evaluated with the quantitative scale for scar assessment described by Beausang et al. Statistical analysis revealed that for both types of wound healing, scar quality was significantly superior in those wounds treated with MEBO.

  4. Pediatric living donor liver transplantation for congenital hepatic fibrosis using a mother's graft with von Meyenburg complex: A case report.

    PubMed

    Yamada, Naoya; Sanada, Yukihiro; Katano, Takumi; Tashiro, Masahisa; Hirata, Yuta; Okada, Noriki; Ihara, Yoshiyuki; Miki, Atsushi; Sasanuma, Hideki; Urahashi, Taizen; Sakuma, Yasunaru; Mizuta, Koichi

    2016-11-28

    This is the first report of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) using a mother's graft with von Meyenburg complex. A 6-year-old girl with CHF, who suffered from recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, was referred to our hospital for liver transplantation. Her 38-year-old mother was investigated as a living donor and multiple biliary hamartoma were seen on her computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scan. The mother's liver function tests were normal and she did not have any organ abnormality, including polycystic kidney disease. LDLT using the left lateral segment (LLS) graft from the donor was performed. The donor LLS graft weighed 250 g; the graft recipient weight ratio was 1.19%. The operation and post-operative course of the donor were uneventful and she was discharged on post-operative day (POD) 8. The graft liver function was good, and the recipient was discharged on POD 31. LDLT using a graft with von Meyenburg complex is safe and useful. Long-term follow-up is needed with respect to graft liver function and screening malignant tumors.

  5. Extra-large negative pressure wound therapy dressings for burns - Initial experience with technique, fluid management, and outcomes.

    PubMed

    Fischer, Sebastian; Wall, Jennifer; Pomahac, Bohdan; Riviello, Robert; Halvorson, Eric G

    2016-03-01

    The use of negative-pressure-wound-therapy (NPWT) is associated with improved outcomes in smaller burns. We report our experience using extra-large (XL) NPWT dressings to treat ≥15% total body surface area (TBSA) burned and describe our technique and early outcomes. We also provide NPWT exudate volume for predictive fluid resuscitation in these critically ill patients. We retrospectively reviewed patients treated with XL-NPWT from 2012 to 2014. Following excision/grafting, graft and donor sites were sealed with a layered NPWT dressing. We documented wound size, dressing size, NPWT outputs, graft take, wound infections, and length of stay (LOS). Mean NPWT exudate volume per %TBSA per day was calculated. Twelve burn patients (mean TBSA burned 30%, range 15-60%) were treated with XL-NPWT (dressing TBSA burned and skin graft donor sites range 17-44%). Average graft take was 97%. No wound infections occurred. Two patients had burns ≥50% TBSA and their LOS was reduced compared to ABA averages. XL-NPWT outputs peaked at day 1 after grafting followed by a steady decline until dressings were removed. Average XL-NPWT dressing output during the first 5 days was 101±66mL/%BSA covered per day. 2 patients developed acute kidney injury. The use of XL-NPWT to treat extensive burns is feasible with attention to application technique. NPWT dressings appear to improve graft take, and to decrease risk of infection, LOS, and pain and anxiety associated with wound care. Measured fluid losses can improve patient care in future applications of NPWT to large burn wounds. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

  6. Matching donor to recipient in liver transplantation: Relevance in clinical practice

    PubMed Central

    Reddy, Mettu Srinivas; Varghese, Joy; Venkataraman, Jayanthi; Rela, Mohamed

    2013-01-01

    Achieving optimum outcomes after liver transplantation requires an understanding of the interaction between donor, graft and recipient factors. Within the cohort of patients waiting for a transplant, better matching of the donor organ to the recipient will improve transplant outcomes and benefit the overall waiting list by minimizing graft failure and need for re-transplantation. A PubMed search was conducted to identify published literature investigating the effects of donor factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, viral serology; graft factors such as size and quality, recipient factors such as age, size, gender and transplant factors such as major or minor blood group incompatibility and immunological factors. We also report technical and therapeutic modifications that can be used to manage donor-recipient mismatch identified from literature and the authors’ clinical experience. Multiple donor and recipient factors impact graft survival after liver transplantation. Appropriate matching based on donor-organ-recipient variables, modification of surgical technique and innovative peri-transplant strategies can increase the donor pool by utilizing grafts from marginal donors that are traditionally turned down. PMID:24303088

  7. Adhesion monitoring of skin grafts by photoacoustic measurement: experiment using rat allograft models

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yamazaki, Mutsuo; Sato, Shunichi; Saito, Daizo; Okada, Yoshiaki; Ashida, Hiroshi; Obara, Minoru

    2004-07-01

    Adhesion monitoring of grafted skins is very important in successful treatment of severe burns and traumas. However, current diagnosis of skin grafting is usually done by visual observation, which is not reliable and gives no quantitative information on the skin graft adhesion. When the grafted skin adheres well, neovascularities will be generated in the grafted skin tissue, and therefore adhesion may be monitored by detecting the neovascularities. In this study, we attempted to measure photoacoustic signals originate from the neovascularities by irradiating the grafted skins with 532-nm nanosecond light pulses in rat autograft and allograft models. The measurement showed that immediately after skin grafting, photoacoustic signal originate from the blood in the dermis was negligibly small, while 6 - 24 hours after skin grafting, signal was observed from the dermis in the graft. We did not observe a significant difference between the signals from the autograft and the allograft models. These results indicate that neovascularization would take place within 6 hours after skin grafting, and the rejection reaction would make little effect on adhesion within early hours after grafting.

  8. Long-term results using old liver grafts for transplantation: sexagenerian versus liver donors older than 70 years.

    PubMed

    Jiménez-Romero, Carlos; Clemares-Lama, Marta; Manrique-Municio, Alejandro; García-Sesma, Alvaro; Calvo-Pulido, Jorge; Moreno-González, Enrique

    2013-09-01

    The most practical measure to augment the available number of liver grafts and thus reduce waiting list mortality is to increase the donor age limit. We hypothesized that with careful selection of old liver donors without age limit it should be possible to obtain good patient and graft survival. The present study comprises 351 adults who underwent liver transplantation. They were divided into three groups according to the age of the liver donors: group 1: 226 recipients of donors <60 years; group 2: 75 recipients of donors between 60 and 70 years; and group 3: 50 recipients of donors >70 years. A comparative study among the groups was performed. Patient survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were, respectively, 81.0, 76.1, and 71.1 % in group 1; 83.8, 74, and 72.2 % in group 2; and 76, 70.0, and 62.9 % in group 3 (P = NS). Graft survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was, respectively, 74.8, 69.0, and 64.1 % in group 1; 82.7, 71.4, and 69.6 % in group 2; and 71.4, 64.8, and 58.3 % in group 3 (P = NS). We analyzed the use of older grafts in recipients with HCV cirrhosis and did not find significant differences in patient and graft survival at 1, 3, and 5 years. In multivariate analysis increased donor body mass index and decreased recipient albumin were associated with lower patient and graft survival. Because patient and graft survival rates are not affected by donor age, well-selected older donor livers can be safely used if they show good function and preharvesting conditions.

  9. Living unrelated donor kidney transplantation--a fourteen-year experience.

    PubMed

    Ignjatović, Ljiljana; Jovanović, Dragan; Kronja, Goran; Dujić, Aleksandar; Marić, Mihailo; Ignjatović, Dragan; Hrvacević, Rajko; Kovacević, Zoran; Petrović, Milija; Elaković, Dejan; Marenović, Tomislav; Lukić, Zoran; Trkuljić, Miroljub; Stanković, Bratislav; Maksić, Doko; Butorajac, Josip; Colić, Miodrag; Drasković-Pavlović, Biljana; Kapulica-Kuljić, Nada; Drasković, Nada; Misović, Sidor; Stijelja, Borislav; Milović, Novak; Tosevski, Perica; Filipović, Nikola; Romić, Predrag; Jevtić, Miodrag; Drasković, Miroljub; Vavić, Neven; Rabrenović, Violeta; Paunić, Zoran; Radojević, Milorad; Bjelanović, Zoran; Tomić, Aleksandar; Aleksić, Predrag; Kosević, Branko; Mocović, Dejan; Bancević, Vladimir; Magić, Zvonko; Vojvodić, Danilo; Balint, Bela; Ostojić, Gordana; Tukić, Ljiljana; Murgić, Jadranka; Pervulov, Svetozar; Rusović, Sinisa; Sjenicić, Goran; Vesna, Bućan; Milavić-Vujković, Merica; Jandrić, Dusan; Raicević, Ranko; Mijusković, Mirjana; Obrencević, Katarina; Pilcević, Dejan; Cukić, Zoran; Petrović, Marijana; Petrović, Milica; Tadić, Jelena; Terzić, Brankica; Karan, Zeljko; Bokonjić, Dubravko; Dobrić, Silva; Antunović, Mirjana; Bokun, Radmila; Dimitrijević, Jovan; Vukomanović-Djurdjević, Biserka

    2010-12-01

    In countries without a national organization for retrieval and distribution of organs of the deceased donors, problem of organ shortage is still not resolved. In order to increase the number of kidney transplantations we started with the program of living unrelated - spousal donors. The aim of this study was to compare treatment outcome and renal graft function in patients receiving the graft from spousal and those receiving ghe graft from living related donors. We retrospectively identified 14 patients who received renal allograft from spousal donors between 1996 and 2009 (group I). The control group consisted of 14 patients who got graft from related donor retrieved from the database and matched than with respect to sex, age, kidney disease, immunological and viral pretransplant status, the initial method of the end stage renal disease treatment and ABO compatibility. In the follow-up period of 41 +/- 38 months we recorded immunosuppressive therapy, surgical complications, episodes of acute rejection, CMV infection and graft function, assessed by serum creatinine levels at the beginning and in the end of the follow-up period. All patients had pretransplant negative cross-match. In ABO incompatible patients pretransplant isoagglutinine titer was zero. The patients with a spousal donor had worse HLA matching. There were no significant differences between the groups in surgical, infective, immunological complications and graft function. Two patients from the group I returned to hemodialysis after 82 and 22 months due to serious comorbidities. In spite of the worse HLA matching, graft survival and function of renal grafts from spousal donors were as good as those retrieved from related donors.

  10. Early and late recipient graft function and donor outcome after laparoscopic vs open adult live donor nephrectomy for pediatric renal transplantation.

    PubMed

    Troppmann, Christoph; Pierce, Jonathan L; Wiesmann, Kevin M; Butani, Lavjay; Makker, Sudesh P; McVicar, John P; Wolfe, Bruce M; Perez, Richard V

    2002-08-01

    Laparoscopically procured live donor kidney grafts are increasingly transplanted into pediatric recipients. The safety and efficacy of this changed surgical practice are unknown. Outcomes of laparoscopic vs open donor grafts in recipients 18 years and younger are equivalent. Retrospective review at an academic tertiary care referral center. Eleven consecutive pediatric recipients of laparoscopically procured kidneys between April 1, 1997, and December 31, 2001, were pair matched for age with 11 recipients of openly procured kidneys between December 1, 1991, and March 31, 1997; the 22 adult donors were also studied. Recipients: surgical complications, graft function and survival. Donors: perioperative morbidity and length of hospital stay. Twenty (91%) of 22 kidneys were donated by a parent of the recipient. In recipients of laparoscopically procured grafts, we observed significantly lower creatinine clearances and higher creatinine levels on days 1, 4, and 6, but by 1 month, graft function was similar in both groups. No significant differences in surgical complications, delayed function, acute and chronic rejection, and graft survival rates were found. No laparoscopic or open donor required blood transfusion, reoperation, or hospital readmission. One laparoscopic donor (9%) was converted to open nephrectomy. For laparoscopic vs open donors, median operative time was longer (difference, 67 min; P =.08), but median postoperative length of stay was significantly shorter (3 vs 5 days; P =.02). Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy has no adverse impact on pediatric recipient outcomes. For donors, the laparoscopic operation is safe and the hospital stay is shortened. These results support the continued use of laparoscopically procured live donor kidneys in pediatric renal transplantation.

  11. Excellent Aesthetic and Functional Outcome After Fractionated Carbon Dioxide Laser Skin Graft Revision Surgery: Case Report and Review of Laser Skin Graft Revision Techniques.

    PubMed

    Ho, Derek; Jagdeo, Jared

    2015-11-01

    Skin grafts are utilized in dermatology to reconstruct a defect secondary to surgery or trauma of the skin. Common indications for skin grafts include surgical removal of cutaneous malignancies, replacement of tissue after burns or lacerations, and hair transplantation in alopecia. Skin grafts may be cosmetically displeasing, functionally limiting, and significantly impact patient's quality-of-life. There is limited published data regarding skin graft revision to enhance aesthetics and function. Here, we present a case demonstrating excellent aesthetic and functional outcome after fractionated carbon dioxide (CO2) laser skin graft revision surgery and review of the medical literature on laser skin graft revision techniques.

  12. Novel Application of Extracorporeal Photopheresis as Treatment of Graft-versus-Host Disease Following Liver Transplantation.

    PubMed

    Brown, Timothy J; Gentry, Cathy; Hammer, Suntrea T G; Hwang, Christine S; Vusirikala, Madhuri; Patel, Prapti A; Matevosyan, Karén; Tujios, Shannan R; Mufti, Arjmand R; Collins, Robert H

    2017-01-01

    A 48-year-old man with hepatitis C virus (HCV) cirrhosis complicated by hepatocellular carcinoma underwent liver transplantation. His course was complicated by fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and pancytopenia. He developed a diffuse erythematous rash, which progressed to erythroderma. Biopsies of the colon and skin were consistent with acute graft-versus-host disease. Donor-derived lymphocytes were present in the peripheral blood. The patient was treated with corticosteroids and cyclosporine; however, he had minimal response to intensive immunosuppressive therapy. Extracorporeal photopheresis was initiated as a salvage therapy. He had a dramatic response, and his rash, diarrhea, and pancytopenia resolved. He is maintained on minimal immunosuppression 24 months later.

  13. Donor hypernatremia before procurement and early outcomes following pediatric liver transplantation.

    PubMed

    Kaseje, Neema; McLin, Valerie; Toso, Christian; Poncet, Antoine; Wildhaber, Barbara E

    2015-08-01

    The demand for transplantable organs far outweighs the supply. Recently, efforts have been made to increase the donor pool by adopting extended criteria for livers, including those from hypernatremic donors. Currently, there is no clear evidence that the use of organs from hypernatremic donors has detrimental effects on pediatric liver transplantation (LT) recipients. Our aim was to use the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database to evaluate the effects of donor hypernatremia on 30-day outcomes in pediatric LT recipients. We performed an analysis of 2325 children who underwent whole or partial LT between 2005 and 2010. First, we sought to determine a donor sodium threshold for increased mortality following pediatric LT. Second, we examined rates of mortality and graft failure at 30 days after LT in patients receiving grafts from hypernatremic donors compared to patients receiving grafts from normonatremic donors. Hypernatremia was defined as a donor sodium level of ≥160 µmol/L. The primary outcome measure was mortality at 30 days after transplant. The secondary outcome measure was graft failure at 30 days after transplant. There was no threshold sodium level for increased 30-day mortality following pediatric LT. Mean recipient ages/weights, Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease/Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores, and mean cold and warm ischemia times were similar between the 2 study groups. There were no significant differences in mortality rates (3.9% versus 4.5%; P = 0.87) and graft failure rates (2.2% versus 1.9%; P = 1.00) in patients receiving grafts from hypernatremic donors compared to patients receiving grafts from normonatremic donors at 30 days after LT. In conclusion, donor hypernatremia just before procurement does not appear to have negative effects on mortality and graft failure rates at 30 days following pediatric LT. © 2015 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

  14. Selection of a right posterior sector graft for living donor liver transplantation.

    PubMed

    Yoshizumi, Tomoharu; Ikegami, Toru; Kimura, Koichi; Uchiyama, Hideaki; Ikeda, Tetsuo; Shirabe, Ken; Maehara, Yoshihiko

    2014-09-01

    Right posterior sector (RPS) grafts have been used to overcome graft size discrepancies, the major concern of living donor liver transplantation. Previous studies have reported the volumetry-based selection of RPS grafts without anatomical exclusion. We reviewed our data and established selection criteria for RPS grafts. The procurement of RPS grafts [conventional (n = 3) and extended (n = 5)] was performed for 8 of 429 recipients at our center. Extended RPS grafts contained the drainage area of the right hepatic vein. The mean graft weight (GW) according to 3-dimensional computed tomography volumetry was 488 g, and the GW/standard liver weight (SLW) ratio was 42.6%. The mean actual GW was 437 g, and the GW/SLW ratio was 38.4%. One donor exhibited standard bifurcation of the right portal vein (PV) and the left PV, and 2 donors exhibited trifurcation of the left PV, the right anterior portal vein (APV), and the posterior PV. The remaining 5 donors exhibited APV branching from the left PV, which is the most suitable anatomy for RPS grafts. Two recipients died of sepsis or small-for-size graft syndrome. One underwent retransplantation because of an intractable bile leak and fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis. Intractable bile duct (BD) stenosis developed in 4 of the 6 survivors. In conclusion, with the significant complications and potential concerns associated with RPS grafts, these grafts should be used very rarely and with extreme caution. Donors with the standard bifurcation of the PV and the posterior BD running through the dorsal side of the posterior PV are not suitable candidates for RPS grafts. Extended RPS graft procurement is recommended for easier parenchymal transection. © 2014 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

  15. Evolution of skin grafting for treatment of burns: Reverdin pinch grafting to Tanner mesh grafting and beyond.

    PubMed

    Singh, Mansher; Nuutila, Kristo; Collins, K C; Huang, Anne

    2017-09-01

    Skin grafting is the current standard care in the treatment of full thickness burns. It was first described around 1500 BC but the vast majority of advancements have been achieved over the past 200 years. An extensive literature review was conducted on Pubmed, Medline and Google Scholar researching the evolution of skin grafting techniques. The authors concentrated on the major landmarks of skin grafting and also provide an overview of ongoing research efforts in this field. The major innovations of skin grafting include Reverdin pinch grafting, Ollier grafting, Thiersch grafting, Wolfe grafting, Padgett dermatome and modifications, Meek-wall microdermatome and Tanner mesh grafting. A brief description of the usage, advantages and limitations of each technique is included in the manuscript. Skin grafting technique have evolved significantly over past 200 years from Reverdin pinch grafting to modern day meshed skin grafts using powered dermatome. Increasing the expansion ratio and improving the cosmetic and functional outcome are the main focus of ongoing skin grafting research and emerging techniques (such as Integra ® , Recell ® , Xpansion ® ) are showing promise. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

  16. Troponin I levels from donors accepted for pediatric heart transplantation do not predict recipient graft survival.

    PubMed

    Lin, Kimberly Y; Sullivan, Patrick; Salam, Abdul; Kaufman, Beth; Paridon, Stephen; Hanna, Brian D; Spray, Thomas L; Weber, Janice; Shaddy, Robert

    2011-08-01

    Troponin I is often obtained during the evaluation of a potential transplant donor heart. It is not clear whether elevations in donor troponin I levels predict adverse outcomes and should thus preclude acceptance of a donor heart. This study examined whether troponin I levels from donors accepted for pediatric heart transplantation predicted graft failure. Deidentified data on heart transplants performed in recipients aged < 21 years between April 2007 and April 2009 was provided by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. Donor troponin I level and recipient outcomes, including survival without retransplantation (graft survival), were examined for statistical correlation. Overall graft survival in 839 heart transplants was 81% at 2 years. At least 1 troponin I level was recorded in 657 donors before transplant, with a median value of 0.1 ng/ml (range, 0-50 ng/ml). Troponin I level and graft status were not correlated (p = 0.74). A receiver operating characteristic curve showed no association between troponin I and graft status (area under the curve, 0.51; p = 0.98). Graft survival did not differ significantly (p = 0.60) among quartiles of troponin I levels (<0.04, 0.04-<0.1, 0.1-<0.35, ≥ 0.35 ng/ml). A troponin I level ≥ 1 ng/ml was found in 74 transplanted donor hearts; graft survival was not associated with troponin I ≥ 1 (80%) vs < 1 (80%) at 2 years (p = 0.93). Troponin I values were not associated with post-transplant hospital length of stay (r = -0.06; p = 0.10). In donor hearts accepted for pediatric heart transplantation, troponin I elevation before procurement is not associated with increased graft failure. The significance of elevated troponin I levels, which occurs in many heart donors, remains unclear and should therefore be considered in the context of other clinical information. Copyright © 2011 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. [Reconstruction of ankle and foot with combination of free perforator flaps and skin graft].

    PubMed

    Yin, Lu; Gong, Ketong; Yin, Zhonggang; Zhang, Bo; Xu, Jianhua

    2017-03-01

    To evaluate the clinical outcomes of free perforator flaps combined with skin graft for reconstruction of ankle and foot soft tissue defects. Between June 2014 and October 2015, 20 cases of ankle and foot soft tissue defects were treated. There were 16 males and 4 females, aged from 19 to 61 years (mean, 43.3 years). Injury was caused by traffic accident in 7 cases, by crashing in 9 cases, and machine twist in 4 cases. The locations were the ankle in 6 cases, the heel in 3 cases, the dorsum pedis in 4 cases, and the plantar forefoot in 7 cases of avulsion injury after toes amputation. The size of wound ranged from 15 cm×10 cm to 27 cm×18 cm. The time from injury to treatment was from 11 to 52 days (mean, 27 days). The anterolateral thigh perforator flap was used in 11 cases, thoracodorsal antery perforator flap in 3 cases, medial sural artery perforator flap in 4 cases, deep inferior epigastric perforator flap in 1 case, and anteromedial thigh perforator flap in 1 case, including 5 chimeric perforator flaps, 5 polyfoliate perforator flaps, 3 flow-through perforator flaps, and 3 conjoined perforator flaps. The size of the perforator flap ranged from 10.0 cm×6.5 cm to 36.0 cm×8.0 cm, the size of skin graft from 5 cm×3 cm to 18 cm×12 cm. Venous crisis occurred in 2 flaps which survived after symptomatic treatment; 18 flaps survived successfully and skin grafting healed well. The follow-up time ranged 4-18 months (mean, 8.3 months). The flaps had good appearance, texture and color, without infection. The patients could walk normally and do daily activities. Only linear scars were observed at the donor sites. Free perforator flap can be used to reconstruct defects in the ankle and foot, especially in the weight-bearing area of the plantar forefoot. A combination of free perforator flap and skin graft is ideal in reconstruction of great soft tissue defects in the ankle and foot.

  18. A multilayered polyurethane foam technique for skin graft immobilization.

    PubMed

    Nakamura, Motoki; Ito, Erika; Kato, Hiroshi; Watanabe, Shoichi; Morita, Akimichi

    2012-02-01

    Several techniques are applicable for skin graft immobilization. Although the sponge dressing is a popular technique, pressure failure near the center of the graft is a weakness of the technique that can result in engraftment failure. To evaluate the efficacy of a new skin graft immobilization technique using multilayered polyurethane foam in vivo and in vitro. Twenty-six patients underwent a full-thickness skin graft. Multiple layers of a hydrocellular polyurethane foam dressing were used for skin graft immobilization. In addition, we created an in vitro skin graft model that allowed us to estimate immobilization pressure at the center and edges of skin grafts of various sizes. Overall mean graft survival was 88.9%. In the head and neck region (19 patients), mean graft survival was 93.6%. Based on the in vitro outcomes, this technique supplies effective pressure (<30 mmHg) to the center region of the skin graft. This multilayered polyurethane foam dressing is simple, safe, and effective for skin graft immobilization. © 2011 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  19. DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSE TO ALLOGENIC AND XENOGENIC SKIN GRAFTS BY SUBLETHALLY IRRADIATED (670 RAD) AND NON-IRRADIATED MICE SENSITIZED BY VARIOUS MEANS

    DTIC Science & Technology

    consecutive BALB/c or rat skin tail grafts. One week following the last injection or the rejection of the second, skin graft , the mice either were grafted...resulted in prolonged survival of subsequent allogenic skin grafts in sublethally irradiated mice. The second-set response to a xenogenic skin graft was

  20. Extended-criteria donors in liver transplantation Part II: reviewing the impact of extended-criteria donors on the complications and outcomes of liver transplantation.

    PubMed

    Nemes, Balázs; Gámán, György; Polak, Wojciech G; Gelley, Fanni; Hara, Takanobu; Ono, Shinichiro; Baimakhanov, Zhassulan; Piros, Laszlo; Eguchi, Susumu

    2016-07-01

    Extended-criteria donors (ECDs) have an impact on early allograft dysfunction (EAD), biliary complications, relapse of hepatitis C virus (HCV), and survivals. Early allograft dysfunction was frequently seen in grafts with moderate and severe steatosis. Donors after cardiac death (DCD) have been associated with higher rates of graft failure and biliary complications compared to donors after brain death. Extended warm ischemia, reperfusion injury and endothelial activation trigger a cascade, leading to microvascular thrombosis, resulting in biliary necrosis, cholangitis, and graft failure. The risk of HCV recurrence increased by donor age, and associated with using moderately and severely steatotic grafts. With the administration of protease inhibitors sustained virological response was achieved in majority of the patients. Donor risk index and EC donor scores (DS) are reported to be useful, to assess the outcome. The 1-year survival rates were 87% and 40% respectively, for donors with a DS of 0 and 3. Graft survival was excellent up to a DS of 2, however a DS >2 should be avoided in higher-risk recipients. The 1, 3 and 5-year survival of DCD recipients was comparable to optimal donors. However ECDs had minor survival means of 85%, 78.6%, and 72.3%. The graft survival of split liver transplantation (SLT) was comparable to that of whole liver orthotopic liver transplantation. SLT was not regarded as an ECD factor in the MELD era any more. Full-right-full-left split liver transplantation has a significant advantage to extend the high quality donor pool. Hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion can be applied clinically in DCD liver grafts. Feasibility and safety were confirmed. Reperfusion injury was also rare in machine perfused DCD livers.

  1. A System Approach to Navy Medical Education and Training. Appendix 10. Operating Room Technician.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1974-08-31

    WOUND 38 IPATCH EYES 39 IAPPLY/CHANGE SKIN GRAFT DRESSINGS 40 1APPLY/CHANGE PEDICLE SKIN GRAFT DRESSINGS 41 IFIRST ASSIST DURING MAJOR SURGERY 42...GRAFTS CIRCULATE 44 ISPLIT THICKN-cSS SKIN GRAFT SCRUB 45 ISPLIT THICKNESS SKIN GRAFT CIRCULATE 46 lHOMO GRAFTS SCRUB 47 IHOMO GRAFTS CIRCULATE 48

  2. Negative pressure wound therapy using polyvinyl alcohol foam to bolster full-thickness mesh skin grafts in dogs.

    PubMed

    Or, Matan; Van Goethem, Bart; Kitshoff, Adriaan; Koenraadt, Annika; Schwarzkopf, Ilona; Bosmans, Tim; de Rooster, Hilde

    2017-04-01

    To report the use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) foam to bolster full-thickness mesh skin grafts in dogs. Retrospective case series. Client-owned dogs (n = 8). Full-thickness mesh skin graft was directly covered with PVA foam. NPWT was maintained for 5 days (in 1 or 2 cycles). Grafts were evaluated on days 2, 5, 10, 15, and 30 for graft appearance and graft take, granulation tissue formation, and complications. Firm attachment of the graft to the recipient bed was accomplished in 7 dogs with granulation tissue quickly filling the mesh holes, and graft take considered excellent. One dog had bandage complications after cessation of the NPWT, causing partial graft loss. The PVA foam did not adhere to the graft or damage the surrounding skin. The application of NPWT with a PVA foam after full-thickness mesh skin grafting in dogs provides an effective method for securing skin grafts, with good graft acceptance. PVA foam can be used as a primary dressing for skin grafts, obviating the need for other interposing materials to protect the graft and the surrounding skin. © 2017 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

  3. Hepatitis B-core antibody positive donors in liver transplantation and their impact on graft survival: evidence from the Liver Match cohort study.

    PubMed

    Angelico, Mario; Nardi, Alessandra; Marianelli, Tania; Caccamo, Lucio; Romagnoli, Renato; Tisone, Giuseppe; Pinna, Antonio D; Avolio, Alfonso W; Fagiuoli, Stefano; Burra, Patrizia; Strazzabosco, Mario; Costa, Alessandro Nanni

    2013-04-01

    The appropriate allocation of grafts from HBcAb positive donors in liver transplantation is crucial, yet a consensus is still lacking. We evaluated this issue within Liver Match, a prospective observational Italian study. Data from 1437 consecutive, first transplants performed in 2007-2009 using grafts from deceased heart beating donors were analyzed (median follow-up: 1040 days). Of these, 219 (15.2%) were HBcAb positive. Sixty-six HBcAb positive grafts were allocated to HBsAg positive and 153 to HBsAg negative recipients. 329 graft losses occurred (22.9%): 66 (30.1%) among 219 recipients of HBcAb positive grafts, and 263 (21.6%) among 1218 recipients of HBcAb negative grafts. Graft survival was lower in recipients of HBcAb positive compared to HBcAb negative donors, with unadjusted 3-year graft survival of 0.69 (s.e. 0.032) and 0.77 (0.013), respectively (log-rank, p=0.0047). After stratifying for recipient HBsAg status, this difference was only observed among HBsAg negative recipients (log rank, p=0.0007), 3-year graft survival being excellent (0.88, s.e. 0.020) among HBsAg positive recipients, regardless of the HBcAb donor status (log rank, p=0.4478). Graft loss due to de novo HBV hepatitis occurred only in one patient. At Cox regression, hazard ratios for graft loss were: MELD (1.30 per 10 units, p=0.0002), donor HBcAb positivity (1.56, p=0.0015), recipient HBsAg positivity (0.43, p <0.0001), portal vein thrombosis (1.99, p=0.0156), and DRI (1.41 per unit, p=0.0325). HBcAb positive donor grafts have better outcomes when transplanted into HBsAg positive than HBsAg negative recipients. These findings suggest that donor HBcAb positivity requires more stringent allocation strategies. Copyright © 2012 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Increased primary non-function in transplanted deceased-donor kidneys flushed with histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution.

    PubMed

    Stevens, R B; Skorupa, J Y; Rigley, T H; Yannam, G R; Nielsen, K J; Schriner, M E; Skorupa, A J; Murante, A; Holdaway, E; Wrenshall, L E

    2009-05-01

    Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate (HTK) solution is increasingly used to flush and preserve organ donor kidneys, with efficacy claimed equivalent to University of Wisconsin (UW) solution. We observed and reported increased graft pancreatitis in pancreata flushed with HTK solution, which prompted this review of transplanting HTK-flushed kidneys. We analyzed outcomes of deceased-donor kidneys flushed with HTK and UW solutions with a minimum of 12 months follow-up, excluding pediatric and multi-organ recipients. We evaluated patient and graft survival and rejection rates, variables that might constitute hazards to graft survival and renal function. Two-year patient survival, rejection, renal function and graft survival were not different, but early graft loss (<6 months) was worse in HTK-flushed kidneys (p < 0.03). A Cox analysis of donor grade, cold ischemic time, panel reactive antibodies (PRA), donor race, first vs. repeat transplant, rejection and flush solution showed that only HTK use predicted early graft loss (p < 0.04; relative risk = 3.24), almost exclusively attributable to primary non-function (HTK, n = 5 (6.30%); UW, n = 1 (0.65%); p = 0.02). Delayed graft function and early graft loss with HTK occurred only in lesser grade kidneys, suggesting it should be used with caution in marginal donors.

  5. Safe use of liver grafts from hepatitis B surface antigen positive donors in liver transplantation.

    PubMed

    Yu, Songfeng; Yu, Jun; Zhang, Wei; Cheng, Longyu; Ye, Yufu; Geng, Lei; Yu, Zhiyong; Yan, Sheng; Wu, Lihua; Wang, Weilin; Zheng, Shusen

    2014-10-01

    Liver grafts from hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive donors could have potential to increase the donor pool. However, knowledge is extremely limited in this setting because currently available data are mostly from case reports. We aimed to assess the outcomes and experiences of liver transplantation from HBsAg positive donors in a single centre study. From January 2010 to February 2013, 42 adult patients underwent liver transplantation from HBsAg positive donors and 327 patients from HBsAg negative ones. The outcomes including complications and survival of two groups were compared and antiviral therapy retrospectively reviewed. HBsAg positive liver grafts were more likely to be allocated to patients with hepatitis B (HBV)-related diseases. Post-transplant evaluation showed similar graft function regaining pace and no differences in complications such as primary non-function, acute rejection and biliary complications. Patient and graft survivals were comparable to that of HBsAg negative grafts. Furthermore, HBsAg persisted after transplant in all patients that received positive grafts. The donor HBV serum status determined the one of the recipient after transplantation. No HBV flare-ups were observed under antiviral therapy of oral nucleotide analogues, regardless of using hepatitis B immunoglobulin combination. Utilization of HBsAg positive liver grafts seems not to increase postoperative morbidity and mortality. Therefore it is a safe way to expand the donor pool when no suitable donor is available. Our experience also suggests that hepatitis B immunoglobulin should be abandoned in recipients of HBsAg positive liver grafts, in whom HBV prophylaxis could be the only oral antiviral therapy. Copyright © 2014 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Explainable variation in renal transplant outcomes: a comparison of standard and expanded criteria donors.

    PubMed

    Gjertson, David W

    2004-01-01

    In 2002, OPTN/UNOS altered kidney allocation rules to allow patients to be listed separately to receive kidneys from expanded criteria donors (ECD). Our aim was to quantify the short- and long-term impacts of 21 prognostic factors on recipients of ECD as well as recipients of living (LD) and deceased standard criteria (SCD) donors. A factor's impact depends on both the risk and diversity of its effects. Using OPTN/UNOS Registry data from 1996-2003, we have analyzed kidney-only, adult-recipient grafts for factor effects among 35,878 LD, 47,941 SCD and 10,399 ECD transplants. During an early risk period, all 94,218 recipients were followed through one year, and, in the late risk period, 85,270 recipients whose grafts survived beyond one year were followed for 5 years post-transplant. Impact was measured by determining a factor's percentage of assignable variation in one- and 5-year graft failure rates. Scores for 21 factors were estimated via generalized logistic models, which contained a random component for transplant center. The assignable variation associated with a given factor was computed as the factor score variance multiplied by the square of the corresponding regression coefficient. Impacts were heterogeneous with regard to posttransplant period and donor type. The top 5 factors influencing one-year graft survival rates were as follows: * For LD grafts - pretransplant dialysis time (14% of the variation in short-term outcomes), recipient age (13%), body mass (12%), PRA (10%) and induction therapy (10%). * For SCD grafts - donor age (24%), recipient age (12%), pretransplant dialysis time (12%), HLA-DR matching (6%) and pretransplant medical condition (6%). * For ECD grafts - donor age (18%), pre-transplant dialysis time (10%), recipient age (10%), pretransplant medical condition (10%) and recipient body mass (6%). Ranking long-term outcomes demonstrated the following top 5 influential factors: * For LD grafts - donor age (28% of the variation in long-term outcomes), recipient race (15%), age (15%), transplant year (13%) and recipient sex (11%). * For SCD grafts - donor age (35%), recipient race (23%), transplant year(15%), recipient sex (8%)and age (5%). * For ECD grafts - donor age (33%), recipient sex (20%), race (15%), transplant year (8%) and recipient's original disease (5%). Donor age was the dominant factor governing the survival rates among deceased donor kidney transplants. Advancing donor age was still the major risk factor for SCD transplant failure despite setting aside all donors 60 and up, and a large fraction of 50-59 year-old donors, from this group. Current ECD/SCD definitions warrant review and possible revision.

  7. Creation of Nepal’s First Skin Bank: Challenges and Outcomes

    PubMed Central

    Long, Chao; Karki, Bishal; Nakarmi, Kiran; Iqbal, Adnan; Casertano, Michele; Anderson, Sara; Patell, James; Chang, James; Rai, Shankar Man

    2017-01-01

    Background: In Nepal, burn trauma causes more than 55,000 injuries each year. Burn-related mortality is high in Nepal, in part due to lack of allograft, leading to high infection rates. To address this challenge, our collaboration between Kirtipur Hospital, America Nepal Medical Foundation, Stanford University, and ReSurge International established Nepal’s first skin bank. Methods: We identified 3 major tasks to create a sustainable skin banking program: 1) identify and acquire the equipment and personnel needed to collect, process, store, and graft cadaveric skin for burn injuries; 2) develop safe donation protocols and documentation tools that remain feasible for low-resource settings; and 3) develop a long-term awareness program to educate the Nepali people on skin donation, a previously foreign concept. Results: Kirtipur Hospital acquired the necessary equipment and materials for the skin bank through a combination of local and international fundraising efforts. Existing U.S. skin banking protocols were adapted for the Nepali setting and piloted on potential patients, donors, and physicians. For the first time in the hospital’s history, patients with > 40% total body surface area burns were successfully treated with extensive allografts. Conclusions: It is feasible to create a skin bank in a country with no tradition of allograft skin use. Long-term sustainability now depends on spreading awareness and education in the Kathmandu Valley to overcome religious and cultural barriers that have hindered donor recruitment. Our low-cost and high-impact skin bank provides a model to expand this system to other hospitals both within Nepal and beyond. PMID:29263946

  8. Bone allograft banking in South Australia.

    PubMed

    Campbell, D G; Oakeshott, R D

    1995-12-01

    The South Australian Bone Bank had expanded to meet an increased demand for allograft bone. During a 5 year period from 1988 to 1992, 2361 allografts were harvested from 2146 living donors and 30 cadaveric donors. The allografts were screened by contemporary banking techniques which include a social history, donor serum tests for HIV-1, HIV-2, hepatitis B and C, syphilis serology, graft microbiology and histology. Grafts were irradiated with 25 kGy. The majority of grafts were used for arthroplasty or spinal surgery and 99 were used for tumour reconstruction. Of the donated grafts 336 were rejected by the bank. One donor was HIV-positive and two had false positive screens. There were seven donors with positive serology for hepatitis B, eight for hepatitis C and nine for syphilis. Twenty-seven grafts had positive cultures. Bone transplantation is the most frequent non-haematogenous allograft in South Australia and probably nationally. The low incidence of infectious viral disease in the donor population combined with an aggressive discard policy has ensured relative safety of the grafts. The frequency of graft rejection was similar to other bone banks but the incidence of HIV was lower.

  9. Stable trichimerism after marrow grafting from 2 DLA-identical canine donors and nonmyeloablative conditioning

    PubMed Central

    Hogan, William; Kuhr, Christian S.; Diaconescu, Razvan; Harkey, Michael A.; Georges, George E.; Sale, George E.; Zellmer, Eustacia; Baran, Szczepan; Jochum, Christoph; Stone, Brad; Storb, Rainer

    2007-01-01

    Although hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is generally accomplished using a single donor, multiple donors have been used to enhance the speed of engraftment, particularly in the case of umbilical cord blood grafts. Here we posed the question in the canine HCT model whether stable dual-donor chimerism could be established using 2 DLA-identical donors. We identified 8 DLA-identical littermate triplets in which the marrow recipients received 2 Gy total body irradiation followed by marrow infusions from 2 donors and postgrafting immunosuppression. All 8 dogs showed initial “trichimerism,” which was sustained in 5 dogs, while 2 dogs rejected one of the allografts and remained mixed chimeras, and 1 dog rejected both allografts. Immune function in one trichimeric dog, as tested by mixed leukocyte culture response and antibody response to sheep red blood cells, was found to be normal. Five dogs received kidney grafts from one of their respective marrow donors at least 6 months after HCT without immunosuppressive drugs, and grafts in 4 dogs are surviving without rejection. In summary, following nonmyeloablative conditioning, simultaneous administration of marrow grafts from 2 DLA-identical littermates could result in sustained trichimerism, and immunologic tolerance could include a kidney graft from one of the marrow donors. PMID:17369487

  10. Fetal tissue banking for transplantation: characteristics of the donor population and considerations for donor and tissue screening.

    PubMed

    Newman-Gage, H; Bravo, D; Holmberg, L; Mason, J; Eisenhower, M; Nekhani, N; Fantel, A

    2000-01-01

    We initiated this study to evaluate the suitability for therapeutic use in transplantation of tissues obtained from human abortuses. We have developed protocols for the collection, handling and preservation of hepatic stem cells from electively aborted embryos and have developed methods for assessment of the cells so derived and processed. In this paper we present our findings regarding screening of potential donors, acquisition of fetal tissues, and assessment of the tissues for potentially infectious contaminants. We assess the suitability of the tissue donors according to current standards used for donors of commonly transplanted tissues (e.g., bone grafts, skin grafts and heart valves) and present data regarding the real availability of tissues from elective abortion procedures that would meet those standard tissue banking criteria.We specifically evaluated the donor's willingness to provide a blood sample for testing, conducted a detailed interview similar to those used for typical organ and tissue donors, and assessed the type and incidence of contamination in collected tissues. We find that although many women are willing to consent to use of the tissues for transplantation, attrition from the study for various reasons results in few fetal organs ultimately realistically available for transplantation. Typical reasons for attrition include: unwillingness to have a blood sample drawn or tested, positive serology results, social/medical high risk factors for acquisition of transmissible disease, no identifiable organs available, and unacceptable microbial contamination. Thus, although it might seem that due to the numbers of abortions performed annually, that there would be substantial numbers of suitable tissues available, only a small proportion are truly suitable for transplantation.

  11. Donor Age-Based Analysis of Liver Transplantation Outcomes: Short- and Long-Term Outcomes Are Similar Regardless of Donor Age.

    PubMed

    Chapman, William C; Vachharajani, Neeta; Collins, Kelly M; Garonzik-Wang, Jackie; Park, Yikyung; Wellen, Jason R; Lin, Yiing; Shenoy, Surendra; Lowell, Jeffrey A; Doyle, M B Majella

    2015-07-01

    The shortage of donor organs has led to increasing use of extended criteria donors, including older donors. The upper limit of donor age that produces acceptable outcomes continues to be explored. In liver transplantation, with appropriate selection, graft survival and patient outcomes would be comparable regardless of age. We performed a retrospective analysis of 1,036 adult orthotopic liver transplantations (OLT) from a prospectively maintained database performed between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2013. The study focus group was liver transplantations performed using grafts from older (older than 60 years) deceased donors. Deceased donor liver transplantations done during the same time period using grafts from younger donors (younger than 60 years) were analyzed for comparison. Both groups were further divided based on recipient age (less than 60 years and 60 years or older). Donor age was the primary variable. Recipient variables included were demographics, indication for transplantation, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD), graft survival, and patient survival. Operative details and postoperative complications were analyzed. Patient demographics and perioperative details were similar between groups. Patient and graft survival rates were similar in the 4 groups. Rates of rejection (p = 0.07), bile leak (p = 0.17), and hepatic artery thrombosis were comparable across all groups (p = 0.84). Hepatitis C virus recurrence was similar across all groups (p = 0.10). Thirty-one young recipients (less than 60 years) received grafts from donors aged 70 or older. Their survival and other complication rates were comparable to those in the young donor to young recipient group. Comparable outcomes in graft and patient survivals were achieved using older donors (60 years or more), regardless of recipient age, without increased rate of complications. Copyright © 2015 American College of Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Feasibility of liver graft procurement with donor gallbladder preservation in living donor liver transplantation.

    PubMed

    Dong, Jia-Hong; Ye, Sheng; Duan, Wei-Dong; Ji, Wen-Bing; Liang, Yu-Rong

    2015-10-01

    Cholecystectomy is routinely performed at most transplant centers during living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). This study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of liver graft procurement with donor gallbladder preservation in LDLT. Eighty-nine LDLTs (from June 2006 to Dec 2012) were retrospectively analyzed at our hospital. The surgical approach for liver graft procurement with donor gallbladder preservation was assessed, and the anatomy of the cystic artery, the morphology and contractibility of the preserved gallbladder, postoperative symptoms, and vascular and biliary complications were compared among donors with or without gallbladder preservation. Twenty-eight donors (15 right and 13 left-liver grafts) successfully underwent liver graft procurement with gallbladder preservation. Among the 15 right lobectomy donors, for 12 cases (80.0 %) the cystic artery originated from right hepatic artery. From the left hepatic artery and proper hepatic artery accounted for 6.7 % (1/15), respectively. Postoperative symptoms among these 28 donors were slight, although donors with cholecystectomy often complained of fatty food aversion, dyspepsia, and diarrhea during an average follow-up of 58.6 (44-78) months. The morphology and contractibility of the preserved gallbladders were comparable with normal status; the rate of contraction was 53.8 and 76.7 %, respectively, 30 and 60 min after ingestion of a fatty meal. Biliary and vascular complications among donors and recipients, irrespective of gallbladder preservation, were not significantly different. These data suggest that for donors compliant with anatomical requirements, liver graft procurement with gallbladder preservation for the donor is feasible and safe. The preserved gallbladder was assessed as functioning well and postoperative symptoms as a result of cholecystectomy were significantly reduced during long-term follow-up.

  13. Septuagenarian and octogenarian donors provide excellent liver grafts for transplantation.

    PubMed

    Darius, T; Monbaliu, D; Jochmans, I; Meurisse, N; Desschans, B; Coosemans, W; Komuta, M; Roskams, T; Cassiman, D; van der Merwe, S; Van Steenbergen, W; Verslype, C; Laleman, W; Aerts, R; Nevens, F; Pirenne, J

    2012-11-01

    Wider utilization of liver grafts from donors ≥ 70 years old could substantially expand the organ pool, but their use remains limited by fear of poorer outcomes. We examined the results at our center of liver transplantation (OLT) using livers from donors ≥ 70 years old. From February 2003 to August 2010, we performed 450 OLT including 58 (13%) using donors ≥ 70 whose outcomes were compared with those using donors <70 years old. Cerebrovascular causes of death predominated among donors ≥ 70 (85% vs 47% in donors <70; P < .001). In contrast, traumatic causes of death predominated among donors <70 (36% vs 14% in donors ≥ 70; P = .002). Unlike grafts from donors <70 years old, grafts from older individuals had no additional risk factors (steatosis, high sodium, or hemodynamic instability). Both groups were comparable for cold and warm ischemia times. No difference was noted in posttransplant peak transaminases, incidence of primary nonfunction, hepatic artery thrombosis, biliary strictures, or retransplantation rates between groups. The 1- and 5-year patient survivals were 88% and 82% in recipients of livers <70 versus 90% and 84% in those from ≥ 70 years old (P = .705). Recipients of older grafts, who were 6 years older than recipients of younger grafts (P < .001), tended to have a lower laboratory Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score (P = .074). Short and mid-term survival following OLT using donors ≥ 70 yo can be excellent provided that there is adequate donor and recipient selection. Septuagenarians and octogenarians with cerebrovascular ischemic and bleeding accidents represent a large pool of potential donors whose wider use could substantially reduce mortality on the OLT waiting list. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. Epidermal skin grafting in vitiligo: a pilot study.

    PubMed

    Janowska, Agata; Dini, Valentina; Panduri, Salvatore; Macchia, Michela; Oranges, Teresa; Romanelli, Marco

    2016-09-01

    Vitiligo is a multifactorial acquired dermatosis characterised by achromic or hypochromic macules and by the absence of functioning melanocytes. Treatment depends on the extent of the affected areas and on disease activity. Surgical techniques have proven to be effective in stable cases but can be time-consuming and, in some cases, aesthetically unsatisfying or painful for the patients. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical safety and effectiveness of a new automatic epidermal skin harvesting device in patients with stable localised vitiligo over a minimum 12-month period. This new system (CELLUTOME™ Epidermal Harvesting System, KCI, an ACELITY Company, San Antonio, TX) is a commercially available epidermal skin harvesting system that can be used without local anaesthesia or other pre-treatments and has been shown to have low rates of donor site morbidity. Epidermal skin grafts can used in patients with acute and hard to heal chronic wounds, burns and stable vitiligo. The use of advanced therapies may improve the quality of life, have cost benefits and accelerate re-pigmentation of patients with vitiligo. In our preliminary study, this system was seen to be a safe and efficacious means of harvesting epidermal micrografts containing melanocytes for use in patients with stable vitiligo unresponsive to standard therapies. © 2016 Medicalhelplines.com Inc and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  15. What Is the Influence of Both Risk Donor and Risk Receiver on Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation?

    PubMed

    Sánchez-Hidalgo, J M; Salamanca-Bustos, J J; Arjona-Sánchez, Á; Campos-Hernández, J P; Ruiz Rabelo, J; Rodríguez-Benot, A; Requena-Tapia, M J; Briceño-Delgado, J

    2018-03-01

    Some factors affect the pancreas of a marginal donor, and although their influence on graft survival has been determined, there is an increasing consensus to accept marginal organs in a controlled manner to increase the pool of organs. Certain factors related to the recipient have also been proposed as having negative influence on graft prognosis. The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of these factors on the results of our simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation series. Retrospective analysis of 126 SPK transplants. Donors and recipients were stratified in an optimal group (<2 expanded donor criteria) and a risk group (≥2 criteria). A pancreatic graft survival analysis was performed using a Kaplan-Meier test and log-rank test. Prognostic variables on graft survival were studied by Cox regression. Postoperative complications (graded by Clavien classification) were compared by χ 2 test or Fisher test. Median survival of pancreas was 66 months, with no significant difference between groups (P > .05). Multivariate analysis showed risk factors to be donor age, cold ischemia time, donor body mass index, receipt body mass index, and receipt panel-reactive antibody. In our series, the use of pancreatic grafts from donors with expanded criteria is safe and has increased the pool of grafts. Different variables, both donor and recipient, influence the survival of the pancreatic graft and should be taken into account in organ distribution systems. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. Effect of donor-recipient age gradient on graft outcomes in deceased donor liver transplantation.

    PubMed

    Shin, M; Kim, J M; Park, J B; Kwon, Ch H D; Kim, S-J; Joh, J-W

    2013-10-01

    Donor age is a well-known factor influencing graft function after deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT). However, the effect of donors older than recipients on graft outcomes remains unclear. This study investigated the relationship between the donor-recipient age gradient (DRAG) and posttransplant outcomes after DDLT. We included 164 adult recipients who underwent DDLT between May 1996 and April 2011. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the value of DRAG: Negative (DRAG -20 to -1; n = 99) versus positive (DRAG 0-20; n = 65). Medical records were reviewed and laboratory data were retrospectively collected. The median age of donors and recipients was 43 (range, 10-80) and 46 (range, 19-67) years, respectively. The mean follow-up time was 57.4 months. A positive DRAG had a negative effect on levels of alkaline phosphatase until 2 weeks after transplantation. However, the positive group showed a lower incidence of hepatitis B viral disease recurrence. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year graft survival rates were 80.4%, 76.8%, and 71.4% in the negative group, and 65.8%, 58.4%, and 56.3% in the positive group, respectively. The positive DRAG group showed significantly inferior graft survival compared with the negative DRAG group (P = .036). This study demonstrated that donors older than recipients had a deleterious effect on graft outcomes. DRAG could be a meaningful determinant of graft survival among DDLT recipients. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Impact of donor histology on survival following liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis C virus infection: a Scandinavian single-center experience.

    PubMed

    Ydreborg, Magdalena; Westin, Johan; Lagging, Martin; Castedal, Maria; Friman, Styrbjörn

    2012-06-01

    Survival following liver transplantation for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is affected by several factors. The aims of this single-center study were to evaluate survival from 1992 to 2006 in HCV-infected liver transplant recipients and to identify factors influencing patient and graft survival, with particular focus on donor liver histopathology. Survival among 84 patients transplanted for HCV-related liver disease at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital during the above period was evaluated. Median follow-up time was 57 months (range 28-87). A perioperative liver biopsy from the donor liver graft was available in 68 cases. Biopsies were assessed for fibrosis, necroinflammatory activity, and degree of steatosis. Patient and graft survival according to relevant factors including donor histopathology were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier analysis. We found an association between donor liver fibrosis and patient survival (p = 0.016) as well as between graft survival and portal inflammation in the donor liver (p = 0.026). Both these associations remained significant in multivariate analysis (p = 0.007 and 0.017 respectively). Moreover, recipient age over 60 was found predictive of patient survival and repeated steroid boluses or steroid-resistant rejection of graft survival. Donor age was high throughout the study period. Histopathological features, especially portal inflammation and stage of fibrosis, in the donor liver may deleteriously affect graft and patient survival following HCV-related liver transplantation. Thus, pretransplant evaluation of donor histopathology may be of value in the selection of donors for transplantation of HCV-positive individuals, especially among donors older than 60 years.

  18. Metabolomics discloses donor liver biomarkers associated with early allograft dysfunction.

    PubMed

    Cortes, Miriam; Pareja, Eugenia; García-Cañaveras, Juan C; Donato, M Teresa; Montero, Sandra; Mir, Jose; Castell, José V; Lahoz, Agustín

    2014-09-01

    Early allograft dysfunction (EAD) dramatically influences graft and patient outcome after orthotopic liver transplantation and its incidence is strongly determined by donor liver quality. Nevertheless, objective biomarkers, which can assess graft quality and anticipate organ function, are still lacking. This study aims to investigate whether there is a preoperative donor liver metabolomic biosignature associated with EAD. A comprehensive metabolomic profiling of 124 donor liver biopsies collected before transplantation was performed by mass spectrometry coupled to liquid chromatography. Donor liver grafts were classified into two groups: showing EAD and immediate graft function (IGF). Multivariate data analysis was used to search for the relationship between the metabolomic profiles present in donor livers before transplantation and their function in recipients. A set of liver graft dysfunction-associated biomarkers was identified. Key changes include significantly increased levels of bile acids, lysophospholipids, phospholipids, sphingomyelins and histidine metabolism products, all suggestive of disrupted lipid homeostasis and altered histidine pathway. Based on these biomarkers, a predictive EAD model was built and further evaluated by assessing 24 independent donor livers, yielding 91% sensitivity and 82% specificity. The model was also successfully challenged by evaluating donor livers showing primary non-function (n=4). A metabolomic biosignature that accurately differentiates donor livers, which later showed EAD or IGF, has been deciphered. The remarkable metabolomic differences between donor livers before transplant can relate to their different quality. The proposed metabolomic approach may become a clinical tool for donor liver quality assessment and for anticipating graft function before transplant. Copyright © 2014 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. The use of modern dressings in managing split-thickness skin graft donor sites: a single-centre randomised controlled trial.

    PubMed

    Kazanavičius, M; Cepas, A; Kolaityte, V; Simoliuniene, R; Rimdeika, R

    2017-06-02

    To identify the most appropriate, most suitable and most efficient dressing for split-thickness skin graft (STSG) donor sites. Comparing the wound healing rate, pain severity and duration, as well as the dressing change frequency in four randomised patient groups. A single-centre non-blinded randomised controlled trial was carried out during 2010-2014. All patients treated for skin defects/lesions (due to burns, trauma or ulcers) using STSG were included in the study. All patients were randomly allocated in four different donor site treatment groups; polyurethane (PU group, Mepilex); polyurethane with silicone membrane (PUSM group; Mepilex border,); transparent, breathable film (TBF group; Mepitel film) and cotton gauze dressings (CG group) using Excel 2007. We evaluated: wound healing time, pain severity and duration, the frequency of dressing change, donor site re-epithelialisation, donor site complications (signs of inflammation or infection). Patients were assessed on postoperative days: 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21. After random allocation of study participants the number of patients in each group were: PU group n=25; PUSM group n=24; TBF group n=24; CG group n=25. The groups were homogenous according to gender, age, main pathology, donor site area and wound size. The STSG donor site healing time varied from 9 to 21 days. The mean healing time in the CG group was 14.76 days, whereas in the PU, PUSM, and TBF group it was significantly shorter; 12.25 days, 11.63 days and 10 days, respectively. Patients in the TBF group demonstrated the most rapid healing time with 66.7% of STSG donor sites healed by postoperative day 9. The pain duration interval in modern dressing groups (PU, PUSM and TBF groups) was 0-9 days, whereas it was 6-18 day in the CS group. Pain intensity mean on postoperative day 1 was 2.21 in the PU group; 1.67 in the PUSM group; 1.46 in the TBF group and 3.04 in the CG group. The average pain duration in Group PU, PUSM, and TBF was 4.08 days; 2.5 days; 2.29 days, respectively. The average number of times each dressing was changed in each group was, 2.83 times in the PU group and PUSM group and 1.46 times in the TBF group. The CG dressing group were changed once when the donor site wound re-epithelialised. There was one patient in the PU group who experienced signs of infection, was treated accordingly and excluded from the study. The fastest healing time was demonstrated by patients in the TBF group. The pain was not as severe and for a shorter period of time in modern dressing study groups. However, the pain was lightest and felt shortest in TBF dressing group. The modern dressings PU and PUSM had to be changed more frequently than TBF.

  20. Living Donation Versus Donation After Circulatory Death Liver Transplantation for Low MELD Recipients.

    PubMed

    Kling, Catherine E; Perkins, James D; Reyes, Jorge D; Montenovo, Martin I

    2018-04-10

    Background In this era of organ scarcity, living donor liver transplant (LDLT) is an alternative to using deceased donors and in Western countries is more often used in low model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) recipients. We sought to compare the patient survival and graft survival between recipients of liver transplantation from living donors and donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors in patients with low MELD scores. Methods Retrospective cohort analysis of adult liver transplant recipients with a laboratory MELD <= 20 who underwent transplantation between 01/01/2003 and 03/31/2016. Recipients were categorized by donor graft type (DCD or LDLT) and recipient and donor characteristics were compared. Ten-year patient and graft survival curves were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analyses and a mixed-effects model was performed to determine the contributions of recipient, donor and center variables on patient and graft survival. Results 36,705 liver transplants were performed - 2,166 (5.9%) were from DCD donors and 2,284 (6.2%) from living donors. In the mixed-effects model, DCD status was associated with a higher risk of graft failure (RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.16-1.38) but not worse patient survival (RR 1.27, 95% CI: 0.96-1.67). Lower DCD center experience was associated with a 1.21 higher risk of patient death (95% CI: 1.17-1.25) and 1.13 higher risk of graft failure (95% CI: 1.12-1.15). LDLT center experience was also predictive of patient survival (RR 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02-1.03) and graft failure (RR 1.05, 95% CI: 1.05-1.06). Conclusion For liver transplant recipients with low laboratory MELD, LDLT offers better graft survival and a tendency to better patient survival than DCD donors. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. © 2018 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

  1. Improved Survival After Transplantation of More Donor Plasmacytoid Dendritic or Naïve T Cells From Unrelated-Donor Marrow Grafts: Results From BMTCTN 0201

    PubMed Central

    Waller, Edmund K.; Logan, Brent R.; Harris, Wayne A.C.; Devine, Steven M.; Porter, David L.; Mineishi, Shin; McCarty, John M.; Gonzalez, Corina E.; Spitzer, Thomas R.; Krijanovski, Oleg I.; Linenberger, Michael L.; Woolfrey, Ann; Howard, Alan; Wu, Juan; Confer, Dennis L.; Anasetti, Claudio

    2014-01-01

    Purpose To characterize relationships between specific immune cell subsets in bone marrow (BM) or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor–mobilized peripheral blood (PB) stem cells collected from unrelated donors and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing transplantation in BMTCTN 0201. Patients and Methods Fresh aliquots of 161 BM and 147 PB stem-cell allografts from North American donors randomly assigned to donate BM or PB stem cells and numbers of transplanted cells were correlated with overall survival (OS), relapse, and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Results Patients with evaluable grafts were similar to all BMTCTN 0201 patients. The numbers of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and naïve T cells (Tns) in BM allografts were independently associated with OS in multivariable analyses including recipient and donor characteristics, such as human leukocyte antigen mismatch, age, and use of antithymocyte globulin. BM recipients of > median number of pDCs, naïve CD8+ T cells (CD8Tns), or naïve CD4+ T cells (CD4Tns) had better 3-year OS (pDCs, 56% v 35%; P = .025; CD8Tns, 56% v 37%; P = .012; CD4Tns, 55% v 37%; P = .009). Transplantation of more BM Tns was associated with less grade 3 to 4 acute GvHD but similar rates of relapse. Transplantation of more BM pDCs was associated with fewer deaths resulting from GvHD or from graft rejection. Analysis of PB grafts did not identify a donor cell subset significantly associated with OS, relapse, or GvHD. Conclusion Donor immune cells in BM but not PB stem-cell grafts were associated with survival after unrelated-donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. The biologic activity of donor immune cells in allogeneic transplantation varied between graft sources. Donor grafts with more BM-derived Tns and pDCs favorably regulated post-transplantation immunity in allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. PMID:24982459

  2. Improved survival after transplantation of more donor plasmacytoid dendritic or naïve T cells from unrelated-donor marrow grafts: results from BMTCTN 0201.

    PubMed

    Waller, Edmund K; Logan, Brent R; Harris, Wayne A C; Devine, Steven M; Porter, David L; Mineishi, Shin; McCarty, John M; Gonzalez, Corina E; Spitzer, Thomas R; Krijanovski, Oleg I; Linenberger, Michael L; Woolfrey, Ann; Howard, Alan; Wu, Juan; Confer, Dennis L; Anasetti, Claudio

    2014-08-01

    To characterize relationships between specific immune cell subsets in bone marrow (BM) or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized peripheral blood (PB) stem cells collected from unrelated donors and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing transplantation in BMTCTN 0201. Fresh aliquots of 161 BM and 147 PB stem-cell allografts from North American donors randomly assigned to donate BM or PB stem cells and numbers of transplanted cells were correlated with overall survival (OS), relapse, and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Patients with evaluable grafts were similar to all BMTCTN 0201 patients. The numbers of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and naïve T cells (Tns) in BM allografts were independently associated with OS in multivariable analyses including recipient and donor characteristics, such as human leukocyte antigen mismatch, age, and use of antithymocyte globulin. BM recipients of > median number of pDCs, naïve CD8(+) T cells (CD8Tns), or naïve CD4(+) T cells (CD4Tns) had better 3-year OS (pDCs, 56% v 35%; P = .025; CD8Tns, 56% v 37%; P = .012; CD4Tns, 55% v 37%; P = .009). Transplantation of more BM Tns was associated with less grade 3 to 4 acute GvHD but similar rates of relapse. Transplantation of more BM pDCs was associated with fewer deaths resulting from GvHD or from graft rejection. Analysis of PB grafts did not identify a donor cell subset significantly associated with OS, relapse, or GvHD. Donor immune cells in BM but not PB stem-cell grafts were associated with survival after unrelated-donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. The biologic activity of donor immune cells in allogeneic transplantation varied between graft sources. Donor grafts with more BM-derived Tns and pDCs favorably regulated post-transplantation immunity in allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. © 2014 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

  3. Adoptive immunotherapy against kidney targets in dog-leukocyte antigen-identical mixed hematopoietic canine chimeras.

    PubMed

    Junghanss, Christian; Takatu, Alessandra; Little, Marie-Terese; Maciej Zaucha, J; Zellmer, Eustacia; Yunusov, Murad; Sale, George; Georges, George E; Storb, Rainer

    2003-02-15

    Stable mixed-donor-host-hematopoietic chimerism can serve as a platform for adoptive immunotherapy. Infusions of donor lymphocytes (DLI) sensitized against hematopoietic cells converted mixed hematopoietic into full-donor chimerism in dog-leukocyte antigen (DLA)-identical littermates. Whether sensitization against tissue of solid organs leads to organ-specific immunity that can be transferred by DLI was unknown and was investigated in these experiments using the kidney as target. DLA-identical recipients with established stable mixed-donor-host-hematopoietic chimerism were used. In five pairs, hematopoietic stem-cell transplant (HSCT) donors were sensitized by kidney transplantation from the respective chimeras. In a second group, five HSCT donors received vaccinations that were generated from kidney cells of the respective mixed chimeras. Twenty-eight days after sensitization, DLI were administered to the mixed-hematopoietic chimeras. All HSCT donors rejected their kidney grafts from their mixed-chimeric recipients within 22 to 45 days. DLI caused no sustained graft-versus-kidney effects in the mixed-chimeric recipients. However, DLI donors sensitized by kidney transplantation converted 4 of 5 mixed chimeras into virtually complete (>95%) donor-type chimeras, compared with 1 of 5 mixed chimeras given DLI by vaccination from sensitized donors. Although DLA-identical kidney grafts from mixed-hematopoietic chimeras were readily rejected by their HSCT donors, subsequent transfusions of sensitized-donor lymphocytes into mixed chimeras converted mixed to all-donor chimerism but failed to induce graft-versus-kidney effects. Vaccination strategies in lieu of kidney grafts failed to convert mixed chimerism.

  4. Donor Risk Index for African American liver transplant recipients with hepatitis C virus.

    PubMed

    Shores, Nathan J; Dodge, Jennifer L; Feng, Sandy; Terrault, Norah A

    2013-10-01

    African American (AA) liver transplant (LT) recipients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) have higher rates of graft loss than other racial/ethnic groups. The Donor Risk Index (DRI) predicts graft loss but is neither race- nor disease-specific and may not be optimal for assessing donor risk for AA HCV-positive LT recipients. We developed a DRI for AA with HCV with the goal of enhancing graft loss predictions. All U.S. HCV-positive adult AA first deceased donor LTs surviving ≥30 days from March 2002 to December 2009 were included. A total of 1,766 AA LT recipients were followed for median 2.8 (interquartile range [IQR] 1.3-4.9) years. Independent predictors of graft loss were donor age (40-49 years: hazard ratio [HR] 1.54; 50-59 years: HR 1.80; 60+ years: HR 2.34, P < 0.001), non-AA donor (HR 1.66, P < 0.001), and cold ischemia time (CIT) (HR 1.03 per hour >8 hours, P = 0.03). Importantly, the negative effect of increasing donor age on graft and patient survival among AAs was attenuated by receipt of an AA donor. A new donor risk model for AA (AADRI-C) consisting of donor age, race, and CIT yielded 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year predicted graft survival rates of 91%, 77%, and 68% for AADRI <1.60; 86%, 67%, and 55% for AADRI 1.60-2.44; and 78%, 53%, and 39% for AADRI >2.44. In the validation dataset, AADRI-C correctly reclassified 27% of patients (net reclassification improvement P = 0.04) compared to the original DRI. AADRI-C identifies grafts at higher risk of failure and this information is useful for risk-benefit discussions with recipients. Use of AA donors allows consideration of older donors. Copyright © 2013 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

  5. A perspective on the selection of unrelated donors and cord blood units for transplantation

    PubMed Central

    Spellman, Stephen R.; Eapen, Mary; Logan, Brent R.; Mueller, Carlheinz; Rubinstein, Pablo; Setterholm, Michelle I.; Woolfrey, Ann E.; Confer, Dennis L.; Hurley, Carolyn K.

    2012-01-01

    Selection of a suitable graft for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation involves consideration of both donor and recipient characteristics. Of primary importance is sufficient donor-recipient HLA matching to ensure engraftment and acceptable rates of GVHD. In this Perspective, the National Marrow Donor Program and the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research provide guidelines, based on large studies correlating graft characteristics with clinical transplantation outcomes, on appropriate typing strategies and matching criteria for unrelated adult donor and cord blood graft selection. PMID:22596257

  6. Deceased donor renal transplantation from older donors to increase the donor pool.

    PubMed

    Kute, Vivek B; Trivedi, Hargovind L; Vanikar, Aruna V; Shah, Pankaj R; Gumber, Manoj R; Patel, Himanshu V; Modi, Pranjal R; Shah, Veena R

    2012-09-01

    Use of kidneys from donors aged 70 years and older is controversial. Organ shortage has led many transplant centers to accept kidneys from old, suboptimal deceased donors and make increasing use of old-for-old allocation systems. We describe our institutional experience with outcomes from transplanting deceased-donor kidneys from older donors (=70 years). 20 deceased donor renal transplants (DDRTx) were performed at our center using grafts from deceased donors 70 years and older between June 2004 and September 2011. Kidneys were allocated to dual or single grafting according to pre-transplant biopsy. Mean age of recipients was 47.60 ± 11.38 years, 13 of whom were males. Mean donor age was 76.49 ± 4.9 years; 10 of whom were males. The most common cause of donor death was cerebrovascular/road traffic accidents. Mean dialysis duration pre-transplantation was 19.5 ± 6.5 months. Mean HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigens) match was 1 ± 0.8. Most common recipient diseases leading to ESRD were chronic glomerulonephritis (25%), diabetes (20%), and hypertension (20%). Post-transplant immunosuppression consisted of a calcineurin inhibitor-based regimen. Over a mean follow-up of 2.8 ± 1.7 years, patient and graft survival rates were 75% (n = 15) and 80% ( n = 16), respectively, with a mean serum creatinine of 1.78 ± 0.56 mg/dl; 20% of the patients had biopsy-proven acute rejection episodes. A total of 25% (n = 5) patients died, mainly due to infections. DDRTx from older donors achieves acceptable graft function with patient/graft survival, provided that organs are allocated to dual or single grafting according to pre-transplant biopsy. These findings encourage the use of this approach even in low-income countries.

  7. The impact of blood transfusions in deceased organ donors on the outcomes of 1,884 renal grafts from United Network for Organ Sharing Region 5.

    PubMed

    de la Cruz, J Salvador; Sally, Mitchell B; Zatarain, John R; Crutchfield, Megan; Ramsey, Katrina; Nielsen, Jamison; Patel, Madhukar; Lapidus, Jodi; Orloff, Susan; Malinoski, Darren J

    2015-10-01

    Historically, strategies to reduce acute rejection and improve graft survival in kidney transplant recipients included blood transfusions (BTs) before transplantation. While advents in recipient immunosuppression strategies have replaced this practice, the impact of BTs in the organ donor on recipient graft outcomes has not been evaluated. We hypothesize that BTs in organ donors after neurologic determination of death (DNDDs) translate into improved recipient renal graft outcomes, as measured by a decrease in delayed graft function (DGF). Donor demographics, critical care end points, the use of BTs, and graft outcome data were prospectively collected on DNDDs from March 2012 to October 2013 in the United Network for Organ Sharing Region 5 Donor Management Database. Propensity analysis determined each DNDD's probability of receiving packed red blood cells based on demographic and critical care data as well as provider bias. The primary outcome measure was the rate of DGF (dialysis in the first week after transplantation) in different donor BT groups as follows: no BT, any BT, 1 to 5, 6 to 10, or greater than 10 packed red blood cell units. Regression models determined the relationship between donor BTs and recipient DGF after accounting for known predictors of DGF as well as the propensity to receive a BT. Data were complete for 1,884 renal grafts from 1,006 DNDDs; 52% received any BT, 32% received 1 to 5 U, 11% received 6 to 10, and 9% received greater than 10 U of blood. Grafts from transfused donors had a lower rate of DGF compared with those of the nontransfused donors (26% vs. 34%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for known confounders, grafts from donors with any BT had a lower odds of DGF (odds ratio, 0.76; p = 0.030), and this effect was greatest in those with greater than 10 U transfused. Any BT in a DNDD was associated with a 23% decrease in the odds of recipients developing DGF, and this effect was more pronounced as the number of BTs increased. Therapeutic study, level III; epidemiologic/prognostic study, level II.

  8. Reconstruction of two separate defects in the upper extremity using anterolateral thigh chimeric flap.

    PubMed

    Peng, Feng; Chen, Lin; Han, Dong; Xiao, Chenwei; Bao, Qiyuan; Wang, Tao

    2013-11-01

    We presented our experience on the use of anterolateral thigh (ALT) chimeric flap to reconstruct two separate defects in upper extremity. From December 2009 to August 2012, we used this ALT chimeric flap to reconstruct two separate defects in upper extremity on five patients (mean age: 36.6 years; range: 15 ∼ 47 years). The locations of defect were palm and fingers in four patients and forearm in the other patient. The sizes of defect ranged from 4.5 × 1.5 cm to 20 × 10 cm. A minimum of two separate perforator vessels in the flap were identified. The skin paddle was then split between the two perforators to shape two separate paddles with a common vascular supply. There were no cases of flap failure or re-exploration. Four donor sites were directly closed and one was covered by a skin graft. Donor-site morbidity was negligible. The ALT chimeric flap provides customized cover for two separate defects in upper extremity. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  9. The Combination of Expanded Scalp Flap and 800 nm Diode Laser in the Reconstruction of Forehead Defect.

    PubMed

    Li, Yang; Li, Weiyang; Liu, Chaohua; Yang, Qing; Xue, Ping; Liu, Hengxin; Cui, Jiangbo; Ding, Jianke; Su, Yingjun; Ma, Xianjie

    2018-05-03

    Skin grafting is often the first choice for closing forehead defects. However, the aesthetics of skin grafting-reconstructed forehead defects are still not accepted by a large number of patients. With the technological advancement of laser hair removal, scalp flaps have been considered as donors for reconstruction of forehead defects. We evaluated 10 cases of forehead defect reconstructions with expanded scalp flaps followed by hair removal by an 800 nm diode laser. All flaps survived uneventfully and underwent 4-6 laser treatments for hair removal. The appearances of the reconstructed foreheads were similar to that of the adjacent skin, and all patients were satisfied with the treatment outcomes during the 6-24 months of follow-up. It is concluded that the combined treatments of expanded scalp flaps and diode laser hair removal are effective for repairing forehead defects.Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

  10. Immunosuppression and temporary skin transplantation in the treatment of massive third degree burns.

    PubMed Central

    Burke, J F; Quinby, W C; Bondoc, C C; Cosimi, A B; Russell, P S; Szyfelbein, S K

    1975-01-01

    A method of burn treatment (immunosuppression and temporary skin transplantation) for patients suffering from massive third degree burns is evaluated. The method is based on the prompt excision of all dead tissue (burn eschar) and immediate closure of the wound by skin grafts. Total wound closure is achieved before bacterial infection or organ failure takes place by carrying out all initial excision and grafting procedures within the first ten days post burn and supplementing the limited amount of autograft with allograft. Continuous wound closure is maintained for up to 50 days through immunosuppression. Both azathioprine and ATG have been used but ATG is preferred. During the period of immunosuppression, allograft is stepwise excised and replaced with autograft donor sites regenerate for recropping. Bacterial complications are minimized by housing the patient in the protected environment of the Bacteria Controlled Nursing Unit. Intensive protein and calorie alimentation are provided, and 0.5% aqueous AgNO3 dressings are used. A swinging febrile illness has been associated with large areas of allograft rejection. Eleven children have been treated and seven have been returned to normal, productive schooling. Images Fig. 1. Fig. 2. Fig. 3. Fig. 4. PMID:809014

  11. Management of facial burns with a collagen/glycosaminoglycan skin substitute-prospective experience with 12 consecutive patients with large, deep facial burns.

    PubMed

    Klein, Matthew B; Engrav, Loren H; Holmes, James H; Friedrich, Jeffrey B; Costa, Beth A; Honari, Shari; Gibran, Nicole S

    2005-05-01

    Management of deep facial burns remains one of the greatest challenges in burn care. We have developed a protocol over the past 20 years for management of facial burns that includes excision and coverage with thick autograft. However, the results were not perfect. Deformities of the eyelids, nose and mouth as well as the prominence of skin graft junctures demonstrated the need to explore novel approaches. Integra has been used with success in the management of burns of the trunk and extremities. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the aesthetic outcome of the use of Integra for deep facial burns. Twelve consecutive patients underwent excision of large, deep facial burns and placement of Integra. Integra provides excellent color and minimally visible skin graft junctures. The texture is good but not as supple as thick autograft. Integra is not well suited for use in the coverage of eyelid burns due to the need to wait 2 weeks for adequate vascularization. In summary, thick autograft remains the gold standard for deep facial burns. However, for patients with extensive burns and limited donor sites, Integra provides an acceptable alternative.

  12. Critical assessment of the anterolateral thigh flap donor site.

    PubMed

    Townley, W A; Royston, E C; Karmiris, N; Crick, A; Dunn, R L R

    2011-12-01

    The free anterolateral thigh flap (ALT) is now used as a 'workhorse flap'. The donor site morbidity is thought to be minimal, although most evidence derives from questionnaire-based studies rather than rigorous objective clinical assessment. In particular, robust quantitative data on thigh sensibility and quadriceps function is lacking. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive clinical assessment of donor site morbidity. We performed a prospective study of consecutive free ALT perforator flaps performed at Salisbury Foundation Trust between March 2008 and April 2010. The donor site was assessed at six months including a questionnaire (symptoms, function), scar analysis (Vancouver Scar Scale, VSS), and evaluation of quadriceps power and lateral thigh sensibility (compared with the contralateral unoperated thigh). One hundred ALT flaps were performed on 97 patients (mean age 46.8 years). The donor site was closed directly in 88 cases and using a split skin graft in 12 cases. At follow-up (n=68), tingling was the most common reported symptom (59%), whereas pain, itching and muscle herniation were reported infrequently. Donor site scars were mostly flat, pale and soft but widened. Pathological scarring was rare. Sensibility was reduced in donor thighs (p<0.001) and correlated with flap width but peak quadriceps contraction was similar between donor and unoperated thighs. There was a high throughput and diverse application of ALT flap reconstructions during the study period. Reduced sensibility was common around the scar but rarely troublesome. Quadriceps function was not affected even when dissection of intramuscular perforators was required. The ALT is a versatile flap that can deliver a large skin paddle with minimal impact on thigh function. Copyright © 2011 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Poor Long-Term Outcomes of Adult Liver Transplantation Involving Elderly Living Donors.

    PubMed

    Tokodai, K; Kawagishi, N; Miyagi, S; Nakanishi, C; Hara, Y; Fujio, A; Kashiwadate, T; Maida, K; Goto, H; Kamei, T; Ohuchi, N

    2016-05-01

    Donor hepatectomy requires particular care to ensure the safety of the donor and the success of the liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of donor age on the postoperative outcomes of liver transplant donors and the long-term graft survival rates. We retrospectively reviewed 56 consecutive adult patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation at our institution between April 2001 and August 2010. Donors and recipients were divided into 2 groups, based on the age of the donor: the elderly donor group (donor age ≥50 years) and the younger donor group (donor age <50 years). Perioperative variables, postoperative complication rates, and long-term graft survival rates were compared between the 2 groups. The average ages in the elderly donor group and younger donor group were 58 years and 32 years, respectively. Baseline data excluding the age of the donor did not differ between the groups, nor did the overall complication rates of the donors. Hospital stays were longer in the elderly donor group than in the younger donor group (25 vs 18 days, P < .05). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year graft survival rates were 80%, 60%, and 50% in the elderly donor group, and 89%, 87%, and 82% in the younger donor group, respectively (P = .0002). Donor hepatectomy can be performed safely in elderly patients. However, compared with younger donors, their hospital stays were longer and the graft survival rates were shorter. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. Donor Hemodynamics as a Predictor of Outcomes After Kidney Transplantation From Donors After Cardiac Death.

    PubMed

    Allen, M B; Billig, E; Reese, P P; Shults, J; Hasz, R; West, S; Abt, P L

    2016-01-01

    Donation after cardiac death is an important source of transplantable organs, but evidence suggests donor warm ischemia contributes to inferior outcomes. Attempts to predict recipient outcome using donor hemodynamic measurements have not yielded statistically significant results. We evaluated novel measures of donor hemodynamics as predictors of delayed graft function and graft failure in a cohort of 1050 kidneys from 566 donors. Hemodynamics were described using regression line slopes, areas under the curve, and time beyond thresholds for systolic blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and shock index (heart rate divided by systolic blood pressure). A logistic generalized estimation equation model showed that area under the curve for systolic blood pressure was predictive of delayed graft function (above median: odds ratio 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.90). Multivariable Cox regression demonstrated that slope of oxygen saturation during the first 10 minutes after extubation was associated with graft failure (below median: hazard ratio 1.30, 95% CI 1.03-1.64), with 5-year graft survival of 70.0% (95%CI 64.5%-74.8%) for donors above the median versus 61.4% (95%CI 55.5%-66.7%) for those below the median. Among older donors, increased shock index slope was associated with increased hazard of graft failure. Validation of these findings is necessary to determine the utility of characterizing donor warm ischemia to predict recipient outcome. © Copyright 2015 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.

  15. Midterm Results of Renal Transplantation From Controlled Cardiac Death Donors Are Similar to Those From Brain Death Donors.

    PubMed

    Lafuente, O; Sánchez-Sobrino, B; Pérez, M; López-Sánchez, P; Janeiro, D; Rubio, E; Huerta, A; Marques, M; Llópez-Carratala, M R; Rubio, J J; Portolés, J

    2016-11-01

    The systematic use of grafts from controlled donors after cardiac death (cDCD) started in our country in 2012 and expanded with the strategic support of National Transplant Organization. We present our experience in kidney transplantation with organs from cDCD donors with a mean follow-up of 3 years. Observational prospective study of all transplants performed in our center in 2012-2013 followed to 2016. The immunosuppression protocols were triple therapy for low-risk recipients from a standard brain death donor (DBD), adding basiliximab or thymoglobulin induction for extended-criteria donor or high-risk recipient, respectively, and thymoglobulin induction plus triple therapy for all cDCD recipients. A total of 42 donors were included (84 grafts in total, but 1 discarded due to multiple cysts); 25 DBD and 17 cDCD without differences in age or sex. The graft use rate was 98.9% for cDCD; 55 grafts were implanted in our hospital (26 DBD and 29 cDCD), and the remaining 28 grafts were transferred to other centers. There were no differences in primary failure (3.4% cDCD vs 7.4% DBD), but the cDCD organs had a higher incidence of delayed graft function (51.7% vs 25.9%). Despite that, graft and patient survivals, as well as glomerular filtration rate (66.3 vs 59.6 mL/min) were similar in both groups. Only 1 patient died at home with a functioning graft in the cDCD group. Despite a higher rate of delayed graft function with cDCD, the midterm outcomes are at least similar to those with DBD. The cDCD programs should be promoted to increase the chances of a transplant in our patients. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. Size mismatch in liver transplantation.

    PubMed

    Fukazawa, Kyota; Nishida, Seigo

    2016-08-01

    Size mismatch is an unique and inevitable but critical issue in live donor liver transplantation. Unmatched metabolic demand of recipient as well as physiologic mismatch aggravates the damage to liver graft, inevitably leading to graft failure on recipient. Also, an excessive resection of liver graft for better recipient outcome in live donor liver transplant may jeopardize the healthy donor well-being and even put donor life in danger. There is a fine balance between resected graft volume required to meet the recipient's metabolic demand and residual graft volume required for donor safety. The obvious clinical necessity of finding that balance has prompted a clinical need and promoted the improvement of knowledge and development of management strategies for size-mismatched transplants. The development of the size-matching methodology has significantly improved graft outcome and recipient survival in live donor liver transplants. On the other hand, the effect of size mismatch in cadaveric transplants has never been observed as being so pronounced. The importance of matching of the donor recipient size has been unrecognized in cadaveric liver transplant. In this review, we attempt to summarize the current most updated knowledge on the subject, particularly addressing the definition and complications of size-mismatched cadaveric liver transplant, as well as management strategies. © 2016 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.

  17. Using negative pressure therapy for improving skin graft taking on genital area defects following Fournier gangrene.

    PubMed

    Orhan, Erkan; Şenen, Dilek

    2017-09-01

    Fournier's gangrene is an infective necrotizing fasciitis of the perineal, genital and perianal regions. Treatment includes aggressive surgical debridement that often results in extensive loss of genital skin. Skin grafts may be used for reconstruction but skin grafting of the male genitalia is diffucult because the penis and scrotum are mobile and deformable. A variety of methods are used to secure skin graft to recipient beds. We used negative pressure therapy (NPT) to secure skin grafts and improve skin graft taking. We used negative pressure therapy for graft fixation in 13 male patients who underwent debridements with the indication of Fournier gangrene, and whose defects formed were reconstructed with grafts between January 2009, and January 2014. Information about age of the patients, sessions of negative pressure therapy applied before, and after reconstruction, duration of hospital stay, and graft losses during postoperative period were recorded. Median age of the patients was 56.15 (46-72) years. NPT was applied to patients for an average of 6.64 sessions (4-12) before and 1 sessions after graft reconstruction. Patients were hospitalized for an average of 26.7 (20-39) days. Any graft loss was not seen after NPT. Because of the peculiar anatomy of the genital region, anchoring of grafts is difficult so graft losses are often encountered. Use of NPT for ensuring graft fixation on the genital region prevents skin graft shearing.

  18. Reconstruction with a 180-degree Rotationally Divided Latissimus-dorsi-musculocutaneous Flap after the Removal of Locally Advanced Breast Cancer

    PubMed Central

    Kirita, Miho; Sakurai, Hiroyuki

    2014-01-01

    Summary: This study described a technique for reconstruction of a large lateral thoracic region defect after locally advanced breast cancer resection that allows for full coverage of the defect and primary closure of the flap donor site. The authors performed reconstruction using the newly designed 180-degree rotationally-divided latissimus-dorsi-musculocutaneous flap in a 42-year-old woman for coverage of a large skin defect (18 × 15 cm) following extensive tissue resection for locally advanced breast cancer. The latissimus-dorsi-musculocutaneous flap, consisting of two rotated skin islands (18 × 7.5 cm each) that were sutured to form a large skin island, was used for coverage of the defect. The flap was sutured without causing excessive tension in the recipient region and the donor site was closed with simple reefing. No skin grafting was necessary. The flap survived completely, shoulder joint function was intact, and esthetic outcome was satisfactory. Quick wound closure allowed postoperative irradiation to be started 1 month after surgery. The technique offered advantages over the conventional pedicled latissimus-dorsi-musculocutaneous flap, but the flap was unable to be used, when the thoracodorsal artery and vein were damaged during extensive tissue removal. Detailed planning before surgery with breast surgeons would be essential. PMID:25426400

  19. Outcomes of kidney transplants from non-heart-beating deceased donors as reported to the Japan Organ Transplant Network from April 1995-December 2003: a multi-center report.

    PubMed

    Teraoka, S; Nomoto, K; Kikuchi, K; Hirano, T; Satomi, S; Hasegawa, A; Uchida, K; Akiyama, T; Tanaka, S; Babazona, T; Shindo, K; Nakamura, N

    2004-01-01

    Between April 1995-December 2003, 1,324 deceased donor kidney transplantations were performed in 139 transplant institutes in Japan. Of these, 45 transplants were from heart-beating and 1,279 transplants were from non-heart-beating deceased donors (NHBDD). Clinical outcomes for the 1,279 recipients of NHBDD kidney transplants were investigated. The overall 5-year patient and graft survival rates were 90% and 72%, respectively. A total of 112 NHBDD kidney grafts never functioned after transplantation and the recipients had to remain on dialysis. The causes of nonfunction were rejection, primary nonfunction, death, thrombosis and others in the order of the incidence. The major causes of graft loss were nonfunction, death, chronic rejection and acute rejection in that order. Major causes of recipient deaths were pneumonia, sepsis and CVA within 12 months, and heart diseases, sepsis, malignancy and pneumonia more than 12 months after transplantation. Kidneys from female donors, donors aged 15 or less or over age 60, donors with extrinsic causes of death other than head trauma, recipients over age 60 and those with diabetic nephropathy as their original disease were found to be at risk for poor graft survival. The lowest and last donor serum creatinine level did not influence the incidence of nonfunction or graft survival. However, graft survival was significantly poorer among recipients of older "expanded" donor kidneys than for recipients of younger grafts. The warm and total ischemia times should be kept shorter than 30 minutes (better 15 minutes), and 12 hours, respectively to minimize the incidence of nonfunction and early graft loss. It is especially important in cases with WIT over 30 minutes that the total ischemia should be kept within 12 hours. Cannulation before cardiac standstill was important to reduce the incidence of nonfunction and achieve high graft survival rates with NHBDD kidneys. The discontinuance of ventilator support also reduced the incidence of graft nonfunction. The combination of CsA or Tacrolimus and MMF as both the induction and maintenance regimen significantly improved graft survival. The use of either anti-T cell antibodies or basiliximab was also associated with significantly better graft survival for NHBDD kidneys. The combination of basiliximab, CsA and MMF resulted in a graft survival rate of 98% at one and 2 years.

  20. Donor Brain Death Exacerbates Complement-Dependent Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Transplanted Hearts

    PubMed Central

    Atkinson, Carl; Floerchinger, Bernhard; Qiao, Fei; Casey, Sarah; Williamson, Tucker; Moseley, Ellen; Stoica, Serban; Goddard, Martin; Ge, Xupeng; Tullius, Stefan G.; Tomlinson, Stephen

    2013-01-01

    Background Brain death (BD) can immunologically prime the donor organ and is thought to lead to exacerbated ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) post-transplantation. Using a newly developed mouse model of BD, we investigated the effect of donor BD on post transplant cardiac IRI. We further investigated the therapeutic effect of a targeted complement inhibitor in recipients of BD donor hearts, and addressed the clinical relevance of these studies by analysis of human heart biopsies from BD and domino (living) donors. Methods and Results Hearts from living or brain dead donor C57BL/6 mice were transplanted into C57BL/6 or BALB/c recipients. Recipient mice were treated with the complement inhibitor CR2-Crry or vehicle control (n=6). Isografts were analyzed 48 hours post-transplant for injury, inflammation and complement deposition, and allografts monitored for graft survival. Human cardiac biopsies were analyzed for complement deposition and inflammatory cell infiltration. In the murine model, donor BD exacerbated IRI and graft rejection as demonstrated by increased myocardial injury, serum cardiac troponin, cellular infiltration, inflammatory chemokine and cytokine levels, complement deposition, and decreased graft survival. CR2-Crry treatment of recipients significantly reduced all measured outcomes in grafts from both BD and living donors compared to controls. Analysis of human samples documented the relevance of our experimental findings and revealed exacerbated complement deposition and inflammation in grafts from BD donors compared to grafts from living donors. Conclusions BD exacerbates post-transplant cardiac IRI in mice and humans, and decreases survival of mouse allografts. Further, targeted complement inhibition in recipient mice ameliorates BD-exacerbated IRI. PMID:23443736

  1. Lung Transplantation From Donors After Previous Cardiac Surgery: Ideal Graft in Marginal Donor?

    PubMed

    Palleschi, A; Mendogni, P; Tosi, D; Montoli, M; Carrinola, R; Mariolo, A V; Briganti, F; Nosotti, M

    2017-05-01

    Lung transplantation is a limited by donor pool shortage. Despite the efforts to extend the graft acceptability with recurrent donor criteria reformulations, previous cardiothoracic surgery is still considered a contraindication. A donor who underwent cardiac surgery could potentially provide an ideal lung but high intraoperative risks and intrinsic technical challenges are expected during the graft harvesting. The purpose of this study is to present our dedicated protocol and four clinical cases of successful lung procurements from donors who had a previous major cardiac surgery. One donor had ascending aortic root (AAR) substitution, another had mitral valve substitution, and two had coronary artery bypass surgery. The others' eligibility criteria for organ allocation, such as ABO compatibility, PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratio, absence of aspiration, or sepsis were respected. In one of the cases with previous coronary bypass grafting, the donor had a veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. Consequently, the grafts required an ex vivo lung perfusion evaluation. We report the technical details of procurement and postoperative courses of recipients. All procurements were uneventful, without lung damage or waste of abdominal organs related to catastrophic intraoperative events. All recipients had a successful clinical outcome. We believe that successful transplantation is achievable even in a complicated setting, such as cases involving donors with previous cardiac surgery frequently are. Facing lung donor shortage, we strongly support any effort to avoid the loss of possible acceptable lungs. In particular, previous major cardiac surgery does not strictly imply a poor quality of lungs as well as unsustainable graft procurement. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. Prospective randomized comparison of scar appearances between cograft of acellular dermal matrix with autologous split-thickness skin and autologous split-thickness skin graft alone for full-thickness skin defects of the extremities.

    PubMed

    Yi, Ju Won; Kim, Jae Kwang

    2015-03-01

    The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of cografting of acellular dermal matrix with autologous split-thickness skin and autologous split-thickness skin graft alone for full-thickness skin defects on the extremities. In this prospective randomized study, 19 consecutive patients with full-thickness skin defects on the extremities following trauma underwent grafting using either cograft of acellular dermal matrix with autologous split-thickness skin graft (nine patients, group A) or autologous split-thickness skin graft alone (10 patients, group B) from June of 2011 to December of 2012. The postoperative evaluations included observation of complications (including graft necrosis, graft detachment, or seroma formation) and Vancouver Scar Scale score. No statistically significant difference was found regarding complications, including graft necrosis, graft detachment, or seroma formation. At week 8, significantly lower Vancouver Scar Scale scores for vascularity, pliability, height, and total score were found in group A compared with group B. At week 12, lower scores for pliability and height and total scores were identified in group A compared with group B. For cases with traumatic full-thickness skin defects on the extremities, a statistically significant better result was achieved with cograft of acellular dermal matrix with autologous split-thickness skin graft than with autologous split-thickness skin graft alone in terms of Vancouver Scar Scale score. Therapeutic, II.

  3. Effect of airplane transport of donor livers on post-liver transplantation survival.

    PubMed

    Huang, Yi; MacQuillan, Gerry; Adams, Leon A; Garas, George; Collins, Megan; Nwaba, Albert; Mou, Linjun; Bulsara, Max K; Delriviere, Luc; Jeffrey, Gary P

    2016-11-07

    To evaluate the effect of long haul airplane transport of donor livers on post-transplant outcomes. A retrospective cohort study of patients who received a liver transplantation was performed in Perth, Australia from 1992 to 2012. Donor and recipient characteristics information were extracted from Western Australian liver transplantation service database. Patients were followed up for a mean of six years. Patient and graft survival were evaluated and compared between patients who received a local donor liver and those who received an airplane transported donor liver. Predictors of survival were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis using cox regression. One hundred and ninety-three patients received a local donor liver and 93 patients received an airplane transported donor liver. Airplane transported livers had a significantly lower alanine transaminase (mean: 45 U/L vs 84 U/L, P = 0.035), higher donor risk index (mean: 1.88 vs 1.42, P < 0.001) and longer cold ischemic time (CIT) (mean: 10.1 h vs 6.4 h, P < 0.001). There was a weak correlation between CIT and transport distance ( r 2 = 0.29, P < 0.001). Mean follow up was six years and 93 patients had graft failure. Multivariate analysis found only airplane transport retained significance for graft loss (HR = 1.92, 95%CI: 1.16-3.17). One year graft survival was 0.88 for those with a local liver and was 0.71 for those with an airplane transported liver. One year graft loss was due to primary graft non-function or associated with preservation injury in 20.8% of recipients of an airplane transported liver compared with 4.6% in those with a local liver ( P = 0.027). Airplane transport of donor livers was independently associated with reduced graft survival following liver transplantation.

  4. An evaluation of the impact of donor BMI on survival and post-transplant obesity in pediatric liver transplant recipients

    PubMed Central

    Perito, Emily Rothbaum; Rhee, Sue; Glidden, Dave; Roberts, John Paul; Rosenthal, Philip

    2012-01-01

    Introduction In adult liver transplant recipients, donor BMI is associated with post-transplant obesity but not graft or patient survival. Given the U.S. obesity epidemic and already-limited supply of liver donors, clarifying whether donor BMI affects pediatric outcomes is important. Methods UNOS data on pediatric U.S. liver transplants 1990-2010 was evaluated. Data on transplants 2004-2010 (n=3788) was used for survival analysis with Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models and for post-transplant obesity analysis with generalized estimating equations. Results For children receiving adult donor livers, donor BMI 25-35 kg/m2 was not associated with graft or patient survival in univariate or multivariate analyses. Donor BMI>35 kg/m2 increased the risk of graft loss (HR 2.54, 95%CI 1.29-5.01, p=0.007) and death (HR 3.56, 95%CI 1.64-7.72, p=0.001). For pediatric donors, donor BMI was not associated with graft loss or mortality in univariate or multivariate analysis. Donor overweight/obesity was not a risk factor for post-transplant obesity. Conclusions Overweight/obesity is common among liver transplant donors. This analysis suggests that for adult donors, BMI 25-35 should not by itself be a contraindication to liver donation. Severe obesity (BMI>35) in adult donors increased the risk of graft loss and mortality, even after adjustment for recipient, donor, and transplant risk factors. Post-transplant obesity was not associated with donor BMI in this analysis. Further research is needed to clarify the impact of donor obesity on pediatric liver transplant recipients. PMID:22467594

  5. Skin graft take and healing following 193-nm excimer, continuous-wave carbon dioxide (CO2), pulsed CO2, or pulsed holmium: YAG laser ablation of the graft bed.

    PubMed

    Green, H A; Burd, E E; Nishioka, N S; Compton, C C

    1993-08-01

    Ablative lasers have been used for cutaneous surgery for greater than two decades since they can remove skin and skin lesions bloodlessly and efficiently. Because full-thickness skin wounds created after thermal laser ablation may require skin grafting in order to heal, we have examined the effect of the residual laser-induced thermal damage in the wound bed on subsequent skin graft take and healing. In a pig model, four different pulsed and continuous-wave lasers with varying wavelengths and radiant energy exposures were used to create uniform fascial graft bed thermal damage of approximately 25, 160, 470, and 1100 microns. Meshed split-thickness skin graft take and healing on the thermally damaged fascial graft beds were examined on a gross and microscopic level on days 3 and 7, and then weekly up to 42 days. Laser-induced thermal damage on the graft bed measuring greater than 160 +/- 60 microns in depth significantly decreased skin graft take. Other deleterious effects included delayed graft revascularization, increased inflammatory cell infiltrate at the graft-wound bed interface, and accelerated formation of hypertrophied fibrous tissue within the graft bed and underlying muscle. Ablative lasers developed for cutaneous surgery should create less than 160 +/- 60 microns of residual thermal damage to permit optimal skin graft take and healing. Pulsed carbon dioxide and 193-nm excimer lasers may be valuable instruments for the removal of full-thickness skin, skin lesions, and necrotic tissue, since they create wound beds with minimal thermal damage permitting graft take comparable to that achieved with standard surgical techniques.

  6. Pediatric Donor to Adult Recipients in Donation After Cardiac Death Liver Transplantation: A Single-Center Experience.

    PubMed

    Lan, C; Song, J L; Yan, L N; Yang, J Y; Wen, T F; Li, B; Xu, M Q

    The impact of using liver allografts from donors who are younger than 14 years at the time of donation after cardiac death (DCD) liver transplantation in terms of early allograft dysfunction (EAD) and graft survival is undefined. To determine if adults undergoing DCD liver transplantation who receive a graft from a donor age younger than or equal to 13 years have similar outcomes to recipients of organs from older than 18-year-old donors. Records from adult patients undergoing DCD liver transplantation between March 2012 and December 2015 who received whole grafts from donors after cardiac death were reviewed. Patients with donors younger than or equal to 13 years (group 1) and older than 18 years (group 2) were compared for EAD rates, hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT), and graft survival. Records of 60 DCD liver transplantation patients were analyzed. The 90-day and 1-year graft survival rate of both groups was 90% versus 96% (P = .427) and 80% versus 84% (P = .668), respectively. The EAD rates of groups 1 and 2 were 30% versus 34% (P = .806). The incidence of HAT was 20% in group 1 compared with 12% in group 2 (P = .610). Also, 0.7% < graft to recipient weight ratio (GRWR) <0.8% was also usable for pediatric donor to adult recipients. Whole liver grafts from donors younger than or equal to 13 years can potentially be used in selected size-matched (GRWR >0.7%) DCD adult recipients. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. Donor age and delayed graft function as predictors of renal allograft survival in rejection-free patients.

    PubMed

    Moreso, F; Serón, D; Gil-Vernet, S; Riera, L; Fulladosa, X; Ramos, R; Alsina, J; Grinyó, J M

    1999-04-01

    Transplant recipients of kidneys harvested from old donors have a high incidence of delayed graft function (DGF) and a poor graft outcome. This result is partly explained by the increased incidence of acute rejection in patients suffering from DGF. However, the long-term impact of donor age and DGF in rejection free renal transplants is not well established. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the impact of donor age and DGF on long-term outcome in renal transplants with or without acute rejection. We review all cadaveric kidney transplants performed in our centre between April 1984 and December 1995 treated with a cyclosporin-based immunosuppression. Five hundred and ninety-five patients were included. The overall incidence of DGF was 29.1%, and this event was associated with an increased donor age and cold ischaemia time. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that graft loss was associated with acute rejection (relative risk (RR) 2.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.62-3.01); DGF (RR 1.83, 95% CI 1.32-2.54); donors >50 years (RR 1.65, 95% CI 1.13-2.38); and retransplantation (RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.01-2.31). In rejection-free patients there were two independent predictors of graft failure: donor >50 years (RR 2.40, 95% CI 1.45-4.01); and DGF (RR 2.42, 95% CI 1.53-3.84). Regardless of the presence of acute rejection, delayed graft function amplifies the detrimental effect of advanced donor age on long-term graft outcome.

  8. Effect of donor fasting on survival of pancreas and heart grafts after warm ischemia.

    PubMed

    Nishihara, M; Sumimoto, R; Asahara, T; Fukuda, Y; Southard, J H; Dohi, K

    1996-09-01

    Livers from fasted animals are believed to be more vulnerable to ischemic injury than those from fed donors. However, we have recently shown the opposite: livers from fasted rats were more tolerant to ischemic injury. Indeed, the survival rate of 60 min warm ischemic damaged livers increased from 0 to 90% if donor rats were fasted for three days. In this study, we examined how donor fasting affects the outcome of pancreas and heart preservation. BN rats were used as both donors and recipients, and recipients of pancreatic grafts were rendered diabetic prior to transplantation. Pancreatic or heart grafts were subjected to 90 min or 25 min of warm ischemia and were transplanted into the right side of the necks of recipients rats. The viability rate of hearts transplanted from fed donors into fed recipients was only about 11% (1/9) after transplantation. However, the viability rate with fasted donors was 75% (6/8). The rate of successful pancreatic grafting from fed donors into fed recipients was 28.6% (2/7), and that from fasted donors to fed recipients was 41.7% (5/12). These results confirm that the nutritional status of the donor is an important factor in the outcome of not only liver, but also pancreas and heart preservation during transplantation, although the effect of fasting on pancreatic graft is marginal.

  9. Selectivity of a bromelain based enzymatic debridement agent: a porcine study.

    PubMed

    Rosenberg, Lior; Krieger, Yuval; Silberstein, Eldad; Arnon, Ofer; Sinelnikov, Igor A; Bogdanov-Berezovsky, Alex; Singer, Adam J

    2012-11-01

    Debridement of the burn eschar is a cornerstone of burn wound care. Rapid enzymatic debridement with a bromelain-based agent (Debriding Gel Dressing-DGD) has recently been investigated. The current study was designed to further investigate the selectivity of DGD to burned eschar in a larger number and more varied types of wounds. A systematic animal experiment was conducted to determine the effects of DGD on normal, non-injured skin, burns, exposed dermis of donor sites, and skin punch biopsy wells. Partial thickness dermal burns and partial thickness skin graft donor sites were created on a pig and treated with a 4-h application of DGD or its control hydrating vehicle that does not have any activity except hydration. Punch biopsy samples were taken before and after treatment and microscopically assessed for evidence of tissue viability and its respective components thickness. Rapid dissolution of the burn eschar was noted in all DGD but not vehicle treated burns. There was no apparent damage to the underlying sub eschar dermis, donor sites, normal skin or punch biopsy wells after exposure to DGD. While the thickness of the treated tissues slightly increased due to edema, the increase in dermal thickness was similar after treatment with DGD or its vehicle. The increase in the cross section surface area of the treated punch biopsy wells was similar after treatment with DGD and its control vehicle. Exposure of the burn eschar to DGD results in its rapid dissolution. Exposure of normal skin or non-burned dermis to DGD has no effects demonstrating its selectivity to eschar. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

  10. 500-Gray γ-Irradiation May Increase Adhesion Strength of Lyophilized Cadaveric Split-Thickness Skin Graft to Wound Bed.

    PubMed

    Wei, Lin-Gwei; Chen, Chieh-Feng; Wang, Chi-Hsien; Cheng, Ya-Chen; Li, Chun-Chang; Chiu, Wen-Kuan; Wang, Hsian-Jenn

    2017-03-01

    Human cadaveric skin grafts are considered as the "gold standard" for temporary wound coverage because they provide a more conductive environment for natural wound healing. Lyophilization, packing, and terminal sterilization with gamma-ray can facilitate the application of cadaveric split-thickness skin grafts, but may alter the adhesion properties of the grafts. In a pilot study, we found that 500 Gy γ-irradiation seemed not to reduce the adherence between the grafts and wound beds. We conducted this experiment to compare the adherences of lyophilized, 500-Gy γ-irradiated skin grafts to that of lyophilized, nonirradiated grafts. Pairs of wounds were created over the backs of Sprague- Dawley rats. Pairs of "lyophilized, 500-Gy γ-irradiated" and "lyophilized, nonirradiated" cadaveric split-thickness skin grafts were fixed to the wound beds. Adhesion strength between the grafts and the wound beds was measured and compared. On post-skin-graft day 7 and day 10, the adhesion strength of γ-irradiated grafts was greater than that of the nonirradiated grafts. Because lyophilized cadaveric skin grafts can be vascularized and the collagen of its dermal component can be remodeled after grafting, the superior adhesion strength of 500-Gy γ-irradiated grafts can be explained by the collagen changes from irradiation.

  11. Nanofat grafting under a split-thickness skin graft for problematic wound management.

    PubMed

    Kemaloğlu, Cemal Alper

    2016-01-01

    Obesity and certain medical disorders make the reconstruction of skin defects challenging. Different kind of procedure can be used for these defect, besides, skin grafting is one of the most common and simplest procedure. Fat grafting and stem cells which are located in the adipose tissue have been commonly used in plastic surgery for regeneration and rejuvenation purposes. To decrease graft failure rate we performed nanofat grafting under an autologous split-thickness skin graft in our patient who had a problematic wound. The case of a 35-year-old female patient with a traumatic skin defect on her left anterior crural region is described herein. After subsequent flap reconstruction, the result was disappointing and the defect size was widened. The defect was treated with combined grafting (nanofat grafting under an autologous split-thickness skin graft). At the 6 months follow-up assessment after combined grafting, the integrity of the skin graft was good with excellent pliability. Combined grafting for problematic wounds seems to be a useful technique for cases requiring reconstruction. The potential existence of stem cells may be responsible for the successful result in our patient.

  12. Graft Growth and Podocyte Dedifferentiation in Donor-Recipient Size Mismatch Kidney Transplants.

    PubMed

    Müller-Deile, Janina; Bräsen, Jan Hinrich; Pollheimer, Marion; Ratschek, Manfred; Haller, Hermann; Pape, Lars; Schiffer, Mario

    2017-10-01

    Kidney transplantation is the treatment choice for patients with end-stage renal diseases. Because of good long-term outcome, pediatric kidney grafts are also accepted for transplantation in adult recipients despite a significant mismatch in body size and age between donor and recipient. These grafts show a remarkable ability of adaptation to the recipient body and increase in size in a very short period, presumably as an adaptation to hyperfiltration. We investigated renal graft growth as well as glomerular proliferation and differentiation markers Kiel-67, paired box gene 2 and Wilms tumor protein (WT1) expression in control biopsies from different transplant constellations: infant donor for infant recipient, infant donor for child recipient, infant donor for adult recipient, child donor for child recipient, child donor for adult recipient, and adult donor for an adult recipient. We detected a significant increase in kidney graft size after transplantation in all conditions with a body size mismatch, which was most prominent when an infant donated for a child. Podocyte WT1 expression was comparable in different transplant conditions, whereas a significant increase in WT1 expression could be detected in parietal epithelial cells, when a kidney graft from a child was transplanted into an adult. In kidney grafts that were relatively small for the recipients, we could detect reexpression of podocyte paired box gene 2. Moreover, the proliferation marker Kiel-67 was expressed in glomerular cells in grafts that increased in size after transplantation. Kidney grafts rapidly adapt to the recipient size after transplantation if they are transplanted in a body size mismatch constellation. The increase in transplant size is accompanied by an upregulation of proliferation and dedifferentiation markers in podocytes. The different examined conditions exclude hormonal factors as the key trigger for this growth so that most likely hyperfiltration is the key trigger inducing the rapid growth response.

  13. Graft Growth and Podocyte Dedifferentiation in Donor-Recipient Size Mismatch Kidney Transplants

    PubMed Central

    Müller-Deile, Janina; Bräsen, Jan Hinrich; Pollheimer, Marion; Ratschek, Manfred; Haller, Hermann; Pape, Lars; Schiffer, Mario

    2017-01-01

    Background Kidney transplantation is the treatment choice for patients with end-stage renal diseases. Because of good long-term outcome, pediatric kidney grafts are also accepted for transplantation in adult recipients despite a significant mismatch in body size and age between donor and recipient. These grafts show a remarkable ability of adaptation to the recipient body and increase in size in a very short period, presumably as an adaptation to hyperfiltration. Methods We investigated renal graft growth as well as glomerular proliferation and differentiation markers Kiel-67, paired box gene 2 and Wilms tumor protein (WT1) expression in control biopsies from different transplant constellations: infant donor for infant recipient, infant donor for child recipient, infant donor for adult recipient, child donor for child recipient, child donor for adult recipient, and adult donor for an adult recipient. Results We detected a significant increase in kidney graft size after transplantation in all conditions with a body size mismatch, which was most prominent when an infant donated for a child. Podocyte WT1 expression was comparable in different transplant conditions, whereas a significant increase in WT1 expression could be detected in parietal epithelial cells, when a kidney graft from a child was transplanted into an adult. In kidney grafts that were relatively small for the recipients, we could detect reexpression of podocyte paired box gene 2. Moreover, the proliferation marker Kiel-67 was expressed in glomerular cells in grafts that increased in size after transplantation. Conclusions Kidney grafts rapidly adapt to the recipient size after transplantation if they are transplanted in a body size mismatch constellation. The increase in transplant size is accompanied by an upregulation of proliferation and dedifferentiation markers in podocytes. The different examined conditions exclude hormonal factors as the key trigger for this growth so that most likely hyperfiltration is the key trigger inducing the rapid growth response. PMID:29026873

  14. Hypomagnesemia and mild rhabdomyolysis in living related donor renal transplant recipient treated with cyclosporine A.

    PubMed

    Cavdar, C; Sifil, A; Sanli, E; Gülay, H; Camsari, T

    1998-12-01

    Since cyclosporine A (CsA) had been used in renal transplant recipients, important improvements in short-term and long-term graft survivals have been detected. In spite of these improvements CsA seems to have several adverse effects. First, CsA leads to nephrotoxicity. Moreover, CsA affects the other organs and systems (skin, liver, nervous system, etc.) and causes, increased risks of infections and malignancies. Hypomagnesemia is one of the side effects of CsA therapy, but it is a rare condition in living related donor renal transplant recipients. It may also cause multi-system dysfunction, especially hypocalcemia and hypokalemia, which cannot be corrected without magnesium therapy. In addition, rhabdomyolysis was detected in animals, but it has not been reported in living related donor renal transplant recipients. In this case report, a living related donor renal transplant recipient who suffered from hypomagnesemia and mild rhabdomyolysis due to CsA therapy will be described and discussed.

  15. Penile Reconstruction with Skin Grafts and Dermal Matrices: Indications and Management

    PubMed Central

    Triana Junco, Paloma; Dore, Mariela; Nuñez Cerezo, Vanesa; Jimenez Gomez, Javier; Miguel Ferrero, Miriam; Díaz González, Mercedes; Lopez-Pereira, Pedro; Lopez-Gutierrez, Juan Carlos

    2017-01-01

    Introduction  The penis eventually needs specific cutaneous coverage in the context of reconstructive procedures following trauma or congenital anomalies. Local flaps are the first choice but are not always available after multiple previous procedures. In these cases, skin graft and dermal matrices should be considered. Materials and Methods  This study was a retrospective review of the past 4 years of four patients with severe loss of penile shaft skin who underwent skin reconstruction. Dermal matrices and skin grafts were utilized. Dermal matrices were placed for a median of 4.5 weeks (3.0–6.0 weeks). The skin graft was harvested from the inner thigh region for split-thickness skin graft (STSG) and the inguinal region for full-thickness skin graft (FTSG). Results  The four patients presented with complete loss of skin in the penile shaft. One patient had a vesical exstrophy, one had a buried penis with only one corpus cavernosum, one had a wide congenital lymphedema of the genitalia, and one had a lack of skin following circumcision at home. They underwent reconstruction with three patients undergoing split-thickness skin graft; two dermal matrices; and one full-thickness graft, respectively, thereby achieving a good cosmetic and functional result. There were no complications, and all the patients successfully accepted the graft. Conclusion  Dermal matrices and skin grafts may serve as effective tools in the management of severe penile skin defects unable to be covered with local flaps. PMID:28868232

  16. Skin grafts: a rural general surgical perspective.

    PubMed

    Henderson, Nigel J; Fancourt, Michael; Gilkison, William; Kyle, Stephen; Mosquera, Damien

    2009-05-01

    Skin grafts are a common method of closing skin defects. The literature comparing methods of graft application and subsequent outcomes is poor, but reports indicate a graft failure rate between 2 and 30%. The aim of this study was to audit our current skin graft practice. Data were collected prospectively on all skin grafts performed by the general surgical department between 1st December 2005 and 1st December 2006. A standardized proforma on each patient included data on age, gender, graft indication, application method, comorbidities, length of stay, and graft outcomes including graft take at 1, 2 and 6 weeks post-operatively. There were 85 grafts performed on 74 patients, median age 72 years (9-102 years), with 10 (12%) acute admissions. Prophylactic antibiotics were given to 50% (38 of 74) of patients. Successful grafts (>80% take) were performed in 68 (80%) patients. The overall graft complication rate was 24.7% (22 of 85 grafts). Infection occurred in 13 of 17 graft failures. No patients underwent re-operation for graft failure. Patients who received prophylactic antibiotics had a reduced risk of graft failure (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.016). Skin grafts were performed successfully in the majority of patients. Graft complication and failure rates compare well with the world literature. The use of prophylactic antibiotics was the only predictor of successful graft take.

  17. Outcomes Using Grafts from Donors after Cardiac Death.

    PubMed

    Doyle, M B Majella; Collins, Kelly; Vachharajani, Neeta; Lowell, Jeffrey A; Shenoy, Surendra; Nalbantoglu, Ilke; Byrnes, Kathleen; Garonzik-Wang, Jacqueline; Wellen, Jason; Lin, Yiing; Chapman, William C

    2015-07-01

    Previous reports suggest that donation after cardiac death (DCD) liver grafts have increased primary nonfunction (PNF) and cholangiopathy thought to be due to the graft warm ischemia before cold flushing. In this single-center, retrospective study, 866 adult liver transplantations were performed at our institution from January 2005 to August 2014. Forty-nine (5.7%) patients received DCD donor grafts. The 49 DCD graft recipients were compared with all recipients of donation after brain death donor (DBD) grafts and to a donor and recipient age- and size-matched cohort. The DCD donors were younger (age 28, range 8 to 60 years) than non-DCD (age 44.3, range 9 to 80 years) (p < 0.0001), with similar recipient age. The mean laboratory Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) was lower in DCD recipients (18.7 vs 22.2, p = 0.03). Mean cold and warm ischemia times were similar. Median ICU and hospital stay were 2 days and 7.5 days in both groups (p = 0.37). Median follow-ups were 4.0 and 3.4 years, respectively. Long-term outcomes were similar between groups, with similar 1-, 3- and 5-year patient and graft survivals (p = 0.59). Four (8.5%) recipients developed ischemic cholangiopathy (IC) at 2, 3, 6, and 8 months. Primary nonfunction and hepatic artery thrombosis did not occur in any patient in the DCD group. Acute kidney injury was more common with DCD grafts (16.3% of DCD recipients required dialysis vs 4.1% of DBD recipients, p = 0.01). An increased donor age (>40 years) was shown to increase the risk of IC (p = 0.006). Careful selection of DCD donors can provide suitable donors, with results of liver transplantation comparable to those with standard brain dead donors. Copyright © 2015 American College of Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  18. Personal experience with the procurement of 132 liver allografts

    PubMed Central

    Yanaga, K.; Tzakis, A.G.; Starzl, T.E.

    2010-01-01

    A single donor surgeon's experience procuring the livers from 132 donors is described. Thirty-seven grafts (28.9%) had hepatic arterial anomalies, 19 (14.4%) of which required arterial reconstruction prior to transplantation. Of the 121 grafts evaluated for early function, 103 grafts (85.2%) functioned well, whereas 14 grafts (11.6%) functioned poorly and 4 grafts (3.3%) failed to function at all. The variables associated with less than optimal function of the graft consisted of donor age (P < 0.05), duration of donor's stay in the intensive care unit (P < 0.005), abnormal graft appearance (P < 0.05), and such recipient problems as vascular thromboses during or immediately following transplantation (P < 0.005). A new preservation fluid, University of Wisconsin solution, allowed safe and longer cold storage of the liver allograft than did Euro-Collins' solution (P < 0.0001). A parameter of liver allograft viability, which is simple and predictive of allograft function prior to the actual transplant procedure, is urgently needed. PMID:2803485

  19. PRFM enhance wound healing process in skin graft.

    PubMed

    Reksodiputro, Mirta; Widodo, Dini; Bashiruddin, Jenny; Siregar, Nurjati; Malik, Safarina

    2014-12-01

    Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery often used skin graft on defects that cannot be covered primarily by a local flap. However, wound healing using skin graft is slow, most of the time the graft is contractured and the take of graft is not optimal. Platelet rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) is a new generation of concentrated platelets that produce natural fibrin and reported to speed up the healing process. Application of PRFM in the skin graft implants is expected to increase the survival of the graft. We used porcine as animal models to elucidate the effect of autologous PRFM on wound healing in full-thickness (FTSG) and split-thickness (STSG) skin grafts. Survival level of the skin graft was determined by using ImageJ software based on the formation of collagen type 1 and graft take. We observed that the use of PRFM in FTSG and STSG increased type 1 collagen formation. We also found that PRFM addition in STSG gave the best skin graft take. Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

  20. Raman-based detection of hydroxyethyl starch in kidney allograft biopsies as a potential marker of allograft quality in kidney transplant recipients

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vuiblet, Vincent; Fere, Michael; Bankole, Ezechiel; Wynckel, Alain; Gobinet, Cyril; Birembaut, Philippe; Piot, Olivier; Rieu, Philippe

    2016-09-01

    In brain-dead donor resuscitation, hydroxyethyl starch (HES) use has been associated with presence of osmotic-nephrosis-like lesions in kidney transplant recipients. Our aim was to determine whether the presence of HES in protocol renal graft biopsies at three months (M3) after transplantation is associated with renal graft quality. According to the HES administered to the donor during the procurement procedure, two groups of patients were defined according graft exposition to HES: HES group, (N = 20) and control group (N = 6). Detection and relative quantification of HES was performed by Raman spectroscopy microimaging on M3 protocol renal graft biopsies. Statistical analyses were used to investigate the association between Raman data and graft characteristics. HES spectral signal was revealed negative in the control group, whereas it was positive in 40% of biopsies from the HES group. In the HES group, a stronger HES signal was associated with a lower risk of graft failure measured by the Kidney Donor Risk Index (KDRI) and was correlated with the allograft kidney function. Thus, HES accumulation in donor kidney, as probed by Raman biophotonic technique, is correlated with the quality of donor kidney and consequently the graft renal function and graft survival.

  1. Management of defects on lower extremities with the use of matriderm and skin graft.

    PubMed

    Choi, Jun-Young; Kim, Seong-Hun; Oh, Gwang-Jin; Roh, Si-Gyun; Lee, Nae-Ho; Yang, Kyung-Moo

    2014-07-01

    The reconstruction of large skin and soft tissue defects on the lower extremities is challenging. The skin graft is a simple and frequently used method for covering a skin defect. However, poor skin quality and architecture are well-known problems that lead to scar contracture. The collagen-elastin matrix, Matriderm, has been used to improve the quality of skin grafts; however, no statistical and objective review of the results has been reported. Thirty-four patients (23 male and 11 female) who previously received a skin graft and simultaneous application of Matriderm between January 2010 and June 2012 were included in this study. The quality of the skin graft was evaluated using Cutometer, occasionally accompanied by pathologic findings. All 34 patients showed good skin quality compared to a traditional skin graft and were satisfied with their results. The statistical data for the measurement of the mechanical properties of the skin were similar to those for normal skin. In addition, there was no change in the engraftment rate. The biggest problem of a traditional skin graft is scar contracture. However, the dermal matrix presents an improvement in skin quality with elastin and collagen. Therefore, a skin graft along with a simultaneous application of Matriderm is safe and effective and leads to a significantly better outcome from the perspective of skin elasticity.

  2. Study on Surgical Management of Post Burn Hand Deformities

    PubMed Central

    Ahmed, Firdos; Jash, Prabir Kumar; Gupta, Madhumita; Suba, Santanu

    2015-01-01

    Context Functionality of the hands is the major determinants of the quality of life in burns survivors. If contractures or scarring affect the dominant hand, as they do on most occasions, the vocation and there by the economic status of the patient suffer. Aim The aim of this study is to evaluate the different surgical procedures for resurfacing after release of post-burn hand contractures in terms of functional recovery and aesthetic outcome. Settings and Design It’s a prospective, non-randomised study of 50 patients admitted and undergoing surgical reconstructive procedures for post burn hand contractures in our plastic surgery department. Materials and Methods Resurfacing procedures were done according to type of contracture with individualisation for each case. All cases were followed up with physiotherapy and splinting advices. Functional and aesthetic outcome and recurrence of contracture for each procedure was noted at 6 months. Results Forty seven percent of the cases were reconstructed with skin grafting, 30% cases with Z plasties and 23% with flap coverage. Split thickness skin grafts (STSG) and full thickness graft (FTSG) reconstructed cases had good recovery of joint mobility in 43% and 75% of cases respectively. Reconstructive procedures were aesthetically acceptable to the patients in 63%, 75% and 94% of STSG, FTSG and Z plasty cases respectively. Recurrence was seen in 17% of STSG done cases. Conclusion Most of the cases can be resurfaced with skin grafting and few cases have clear indication for flap coverage which needs to be planned and executed cautiously. Z plasties with proper planning gives maximum length gain with no donor morbidity as other procedures. Postoperative physiotherapy and splinting is must for better outcome in all cases. PMID:26435994

  3. Decreasing Skin Graft Contraction through Topical Wound Bed Preparation with Anti-Inflammatory Agents

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-10-01

    factor in the development of skin graft contraction. Using a porcine model of skin graft contraction, we will screen for anti- inflammatory agents (dose...Award Number: W81XWH-14-2-0153 TITLE: Decreasing Skin Graft Contraction through Topical Wound Bed Preparation with Anti-Inflammatory Agents ...09/14/2017 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE “Decreasing Skin Graft Contraction through Topical Wound Bed Preparation with Anti-Inflammatory Agents ” 5a

  4. Tolerance to Vascularized Composite Allografts in Canine Mixed Hematopoietic Chimeras

    PubMed Central

    Mathes, David W.; Hwang, Billanna; Graves, Scott S.; Edwards, James; Chang, Jeff; Storer, Barry E.; Butts-Miwongtum, Tiffany; Sale, George E.; Nash, Richard A.; Storb, Rainer.

    2012-01-01

    Background Mixed donor-host chimerism, established through hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), is a highly reproducible strategy for the induction of tolerance towards solid organs. Here, we ask whether a nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen establishing mixed donor-host chimerism leads to tolerance of highly antigenic vascularized composite allografts. Methods Stable mixed chimerism was established in dogs given a sublethal dose (1–2 Gy) total body irradiation before and a short course of immunosuppression after dog leukocyte antigen-identical marrow transplantation. Vascularized composite allografts from marrow donors were performed after a median of 36 (range 4-54) months after HCT. Results All marrow recipients maintained mixed donor-host hematopoietic chimerism and accepted composite tissue grafts for periods ranging between 52 and 90 weeks; in turn, marrow donors rejected vascularized composite allografts from their respective marrow recipients within 18–29 days. Biopsies of muscle and skin of vascularized composite allografts from mixed chimeras showed few infiltrating cells compared to extensive infiltrates in biopsies of vascularized composite allografts from marrow donors. Elevated levels of CD3+ FoxP3+ T-regulatory cells were found in skin and muscle of vascularized composite allografts of mixed chimeras compared to normal tissues. In mixed chimeras, increased numbers of T-regulatory cells were found in draining compared to non-draining lymph nodes of vascularized composite allografts. Conclusion These data suggest that nonmyeloablative HCT may form the basis for future clinical applications of solid organ transplantation and that T-regulatory cells may function towards maintenance of the vascularized composite allograft. PMID:22082819

  5. Graft failure after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

    PubMed

    Ozdemir, Zehra Narli; Civriz Bozdağ, Sinem

    2018-04-18

    Graft failure is a serious complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) defined as either lack of initial engraftment of donor cells (primary graft failure) or loss of donor cells after initial engraftment (secondary graft failure). Successful transplantation depends on the formation of engrafment, in which donor cells are integrated into the recipient's cell population. In this paper, we distinguish two different entities, graft failure (GF) and poor graft function (PGF), and review the current comprehensions of the interactions between the immune and hematopoietic compartments in these conditions. Factors associated with graft failure include histocompatibility locus antigen (HLA)-mismatched grafts, underlying disease, type of conditioning regimen and stem cell source employed, low stem cell dose, ex vivo T-cell depletion, major ABO incompatibility, female donor grafts for male recipients, disease status at transplantation. Although several approaches have been developed which aimed to prevent graft rejection, establish successful engraftment and treat graft failure, GF remains a major obstacle to the success of allo-HSCT. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) still remains to be the curative treatment option for various non-malignant and malignant hematopoietic diseases. The outcome of allo-HSCT primarily depends on the engraftment of the graft. Graft failure (GF), is a life-threatening complication which needs the preferential therapeutic manipulation. In this paper, we focused on the definitions of graft failure / poor graft function and also we reviewed the current understanding of the pathophysiology, risk factors and treatment approaches for these entities. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  6. Donor B cells in Transplants Augment Clonal Expansion and Survival of Pathogenic CD4+ T cells That Mediate Autoimmune-like Chronic GVHD

    PubMed Central

    Young, James S; Wu, Tao; Chen, Yuhong; Zhao, Dongchang; Liu, Hongjun; Yi, Tangsheng; Johnston, Heather; Racine, Jeremy; Li, Xiaofan; Wang, Audrey; Todorov, Ivan; Zeng, Defu

    2013-01-01

    We reported that both donor CD4+ T and B cells in transplants were required for induction of an autoimmune-like chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) in a murine model of DBA/2 donor to BALB/c recipient, but mechanisms whereby donor B cells augment cGVHD pathogenesis remain unknown. Here, we report that, although donor B cells have little impact on acute GVHD (aGVHD) severity, they play an important role in augmenting the persistence of tissue damage in the acute and chronic GVHD overlapping target organs (i.e. skin and lung); they also markedly augment damage in a prototypical cGVHD target organ- the salivary gland. During cGVHD pathogenesis, donor B cells are activated by donor CD4+ T cells to upregulate MHC II and co-stimulatory molecules. Acting as efficient APCs, donor B cells augment donor CD4+ T clonal expansion, autoreactivity, IL-7Rα expression, and survival. These qualitative changes markedly augment donor CD4+ T cells' capacity in mediating autoimmune-like cGVHD, so that they mediate disease in the absence of donor B cells in secondary recipients. Therefore, a major mechanism whereby donor B cells augment cGVHD is through augmenting the clonal expansion, differentiation and survival of pathogenic CD4+ T cells. PMID:22649197

  7. Donor-to-host transmission of bacterial and fungal infections in lung transplantation.

    PubMed

    Ruiz, I; Gavaldà, J; Monforte, V; Len, O; Román, A; Bravo, C; Ferrer, A; Tenorio, L; Román, F; Maestre, J; Molina, I; Morell, F; Pahissa, A

    2006-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and etiology of bacterial and fungal infection or contamination in lung allograft donors and to assess donor-to-host transmission of these infections. Recipients who survived more than 24 h and their respective donors were evaluated. The overall incidence of donor infection was 52% (103 out of 197 donors). Types of donor infection included isolated contamination of preservation fluids (n = 30, 29.1%), graft colonization (n = 65, 63.1%) and bacteremia (n = 8, 7.8%). Donor-to-host transmission of bacterial or fungal infection occurred in 15 lung allograft recipients, 7.6% of lung transplants performed. Among these cases, 2 were due to donor bacteremia and 13 to colonization of the graft. Twenty-five percent of donors with bacteremia and 14.1% of colonized grafts were responsible for transmitting infection. Excluding the five cases without an effective prophylactic regimen, prophylaxis failure occurred in 11 out of 197 procedures (5.58%). Donor-to-host transmission of infection is a frequent event after lung transplantation. Fatal consequences can be avoided with an appropriate prophylactic antibiotic regimen that must be modified according to the microorganisms isolated from cultures of samples obtained from donors, grafts, preservation fluids and recipients.

  8. Liver Transplantation With Older Donors: A Comparison With Younger Donors in a Context of Organ Shortage.

    PubMed

    Barbier, Louise; Cesaretti, Manuela; Dondero, Federica; Cauchy, François; Khoy-Ear, Linda; Aoyagi, Takeshi; Weiss, Emmanuel; Roux, Olivier; Dokmak, Safi; Francoz, Claire; Paugam-Burtz, Catherine; Sepulveda, Ailton; Belghiti, Jacques; Durand, François; Soubrane, Olivier

    2016-11-01

    Older liver grafts have been considered in the past decade due to organ shortage. The aim was to compare outcomes after liver transplantation with either younger or older donors. Patients transplanted in our center between 2004 and 2014 with younger donors (younger than 60 years; n = 253) were compared with older donors (older than 75 years; n = 157). Multiorgan transplantations, split grafts, or non-heart-beating donors were not included. Donors in the older group were mostly women deceased from stroke, and only 3 patients had experienced cardiac arrest. Liver tests were significantly better in the older group than in the younger group. There was no difference regarding cold ischemia time, model for end-stage liver disease score, and steatosis. There was no significant difference regarding primary nonfunction and dysfunction, hepatic artery and biliary complications, and retransplantation rates. Graft survival was not different (65% and 64% in the older and younger groups, P = 0.692). Within the older group, hepatitis C infection, retransplantation, and emergency transplantation were associated with poor graft survival. Provided normal liver tests and the absence of cardiac arrest in donors, older liver grafts (>75 years) may be safely attributed to non-hepatitis C-infected recipients in the setting of a first and nonurgent transplantation.

  9. Hepatitis C Virus Recurrence Occurs Earlier in Patients Receiving Donation After Circulatory Death Liver Transplant Grafts Compared With Those Receiving Donation After Brainstem Death Grafts.

    PubMed

    Townsend, S A; Monga, M A; Nightingale, P; Mutimer, D; Elsharkawy, A M; Holt, A

    2017-11-01

    Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis remains the commonest indication for liver transplantation worldwide, yet few studies have investigated the impact of donation after circulatory death (DCD) graft use on HCV recurrence and patient outcomes. DCD grafts have augmented the limited donor organ pool and reduced wait-list mortality, although concerns regarding graft longevity and patient outcome persist. This was a single-center study of all HCV + adults who underwent DCD liver transplantation between 2004 and 2014. 44 HCV+ patients received DCD grafts, and were matched with 44 HCV+ recipients of donation after brainstem death (DBD) grafts, and their outcomes examined. The groups were matched for age, sex, and presence of hepatocellular carcinoma; no significant differences were found between the group's donor or recipient characteristics. Paired and unpaired analysis demonstrated that HCV recurrence was more rapid in recipients of DCD organs compared with DBD grafts (408 vs 657 days; P = .006). There were no significant differences in graft survival, patient survival, or rates of biliary complications between the cohorts despite DCD donors being 10 years older on average than those used in other published experience. In an era of highly effective direct acting antiviral therapy, rapid HCV recrudescence in grafts from DCD donors should not compromise long-term morbidity or mortality. In the context of rising wait-list mortality, it is prudent to use all available sources to expand the pool of donor organs, and our data support the practice of using extended-criteria DCD grafts based on donor age. Notwithstanding that, clinicians should be aware that HCV recrudescence is more rapid in DCD recipients, and early post-transplant anti-viral therapy is indicated to prevent graft injury. Crown Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  10. Transplantation of a 2-year-old deceased-donor liver to a 61-year-old male recipient.

    PubMed

    Dai, Wing Chiu; Sharr, William W; Chok, Kenneth S H; Cheung, Tan To; Fung, James Y Y; Chan, Albert C Y; Chan, See Ching; Lo, Chung Mau

    2015-04-01

    The suitable size of a graft is a key element in the success of liver transplantation. A small-for-size liver graft is very likely to sustain a significant degree of injury as a result of ischemia, preservation, reperfusion, and rejection. Usually, small-for-size grafts are a concern in living-donor liver transplantation rather than in deceased-donor liver transplantation. Here, we describe the successful transplantation of a liver from a 2-year-old deceased donor to a 61-year-old male recipient who suffered from liver failure related to hepatitis B. No report of successful deceased-donor liver transplantation with discrepancies between donor and recipient age and size to such an extent has been found in the literature. Despite unusually large discrepancies, with effort in minimizing the ischemic time, revised surgical techniques, and strong regenerative power of the "young" graft, the old patient's liver function gradually returned to normal. This again proves that the definition of a "suitable graft" evolves with time and experience. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Taiwan.

  11. [Effects of unified surgical scheme for wounds on the treatment outcome of patients with extensive deep burn].

    PubMed

    Tang, Wenbin; Li, Xiaojian; Deng, Zhongyuan; Zhang, Zhi; Zhang, Xuhui; Zhang, Tao; Zhong, Xiaomin; Chen, Bin; Liu, Changling

    2015-08-01

    To investigate the effects of unified surgical scheme for wounds on the outcome of patients with extensive deep partial-thickness to full-thickness (briefly referred to as deep) burn. One hundred and thirty-seven patients with extensive deep burn hospitalized from July 2007 to November 2012 underwent unified surgery according to area of deep wound (unified scheme group, US). Among them, 57 patients with deep wound area less than 51% TBSA received escharectomy or tangential excision by stages followed by autologous mesh skin grafting; 52 patients with deep wound area from 51% to 80% TBSA underwent escharectomy or tangential excision by stages followed by autologous mesh skin grafting and/or small skin grafting, or escharectomy or tangential excision followed by large sheet of allogeneic skin covering plus autologous mesh skin grafting and/or small skin grafting after the removal of allogeneic skin; 28 patients with deep wound area larger than 80% TBSA received escharectomy or tangential excision by stages followed by autologous microskin grafting plus coverage of large sheet of allogeneic skin, or escharectomy or tangential excision followed by small autologous skin grafting and/or intermingled grafting with small autologous and/or allogeneic skin. Another 120 patients with extensive deep burn hospitalized from January 2002 to June 2007 who did not receive unified surgical scheme were included as control group (C). Except for the surgical methods in group US, in 53 patients with deep wound area less than 51% TBSA in group C escharectomy or tangential excision was performed followed by autologous small skin grafting; in 40 patients with deep wound area from 51% to 80% TBSA in group C escharectomy or tangential excision was performed followed by autologous microskin grafting plus large sheet of allogeneic skin covering, or escharectomy or tangential excision followed by large sheet of allogeneic skin embedded with stamp-like autologous skin; in 27 patients with deep wound area larger than 80% TBSA in group C escharectomy or tangential excision was performed followed by covering with large sheet of allogeneic skin embedded with stamp-like autologous skin without intermingled grafting with small autologous and allogeneic skin in group US. In group US, escharectomy of full-thickness wound in extremities was performed with the use of tourniquet in every patient; saline containing adrenaline was subcutaneously injected when performing escharectomy or tangential excision over the trunk and skin excision; normal skin and healed superficial-thickness wound were used as donor sites for several times of skin excision. The baseline condition of patients and their treatment in the aspects of fluid resuscitation, nutrition support, anti-inflammation, and organ function support were similar between the two groups. The mortality and incidence of complications of all patients and wound healing time and times of surgery of healed patients were compared between the two groups. Data were processed with independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Fisher's exact test. (1) Both the mortality and the incidence of complications of patients with deep wound area less than 51% TBSA in group US were 0, which were close to those of group C (with P values above 0.05). The number of times of surgery of healed patients with deep wound area less than 51% TBSA in group US was 2.4 ± 0.9, which was obviously fewer than that of group C (3.5 ± 1.8, U=-5.085, P<0.001), but with wound healing time close to that of group C (U=-1.480, P>0.05). (2) Both the mortality and the incidence of complications of patients with deep wound area from 51% to 80% TBSA in group US were 0, which were significantly lower than those of group C [both as 20.0% (8/40), with P values below 0.01]. The number of times of surgery and wound healing time of healed patients with deep wound area from 51% to 80% TBSA in group US were respectively 3.0 ± 1.0 and (43 ± 13) d, which were obviously fewer or shorter than those in group C [4.2 ± 2.3 and (61 ± 34) d, with U values respectively -2.491 and -2.186, P values below 0.05]. (3) Both the mortality and the incidence of complications of patients with deep wound area larger than 80% TBSA in group US were 25.0% (7/28), which were close to those of group C [both as 25.9% (7/27), with P values above 0.05]. The number of times of surgery and wound healing time of healed patients with deep wound area larger than 80% TBSA in group US were close to those of group C (with U values respectively -0.276 and -0.369, P values above 0.05). Unified surgical scheme can indirectly decrease the mortality and the incidence of complications of burn patients with deep wound area from 51% to 80% TBSA; it can reduce times of surgery of healed patients of this type and shorten their wound healing time.

  12. Unrelated umbilical cord blood transplant for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first and second complete remission: a comparison with allografts from adult unrelated donors

    PubMed Central

    Marks, David I.; Woo, Kwang Ahn; Zhong, Xiaobo; Appelbaum, Frederick R.; Bachanova, Veronika; Barker, Juliet N.; Brunstein, Claudio G.; Gibson, John; Kebriaei, Partow; Lazarus, Hillard M.; Olsson, Richard; Perales, Miguel-Angel; Pidala, Joseph; Savani, Bipin; Rocha, Vanderson; Eapen, Mary

    2014-01-01

    Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation has an established role in the treatment of adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia whose survival when recipients of grafts from adult unrelated donors approaches that of recipients of grafts from sibling donors. Our aim was to determine the role of mismatched unrelated cord blood grafts in transplantation for 802 adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first or second complete remission. Using Cox regression we compared outcomes after 116 mismatched single or double cord blood transplants, 546 peripheral blood progenitor cell transplants and 140 bone marrow transplants. The characteristics of the recipients and their diseases were similar except cord blood recipients were younger, more likely to be non-Caucasians and more likely to have a low white blood cell count at diagnosis. There were differences in donor-recipient human leukocyte antigen-match depending on the source of the graft. Most adult donor transplants were matched at the allele-level considering human leukocyte antigens-A, -B, -C and –DRB1. In contrast, most cord blood transplants were mismatched and considered antigen-level matching; 57% were mismatched at two loci and 29% at one locus whereas only 29% of adult donor transplants were mismatched at one locus and none at two loci. There were no differences in the 3-year probabilities of survival between recipients of cord blood (44%), matched adult donor (44%) and mismatched adult donor (43%) transplants. Cord blood transplants engrafted slower and were associated with less grade 2–4 acute but similar chronic graft-versus-host disease, relapse, and transplant-related mortality. The survival of cord blood graft recipients was similar to that of recipients of matched or mismatched unrelated adult donor grafts and so cord blood should be considered a valid alternative source of stem cells for adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the absence of a matched unrelated adult donor. PMID:24056817

  13. Donor age as a risk factor in donation after circulatory death liver transplantation in a controlled withdrawal protocol programme.

    PubMed

    Detry, O; Deroover, A; Meurisse, N; Hans, M F; Delwaide, J; Lauwick, S; Kaba, A; Joris, J; Meurisse, M; Honoré, P

    2014-06-01

    Results of donation after circulatory death (DCD) liver transplantation are impaired by graft loss, resulting mainly from non-anastomotic biliary stricture. Donor age is a risk factor in deceased donor liver transplantation, and particularly in DCD liver transplantation. At the authors' institute, age is not an absolute exclusion criterion for discarding DCD liver grafts, DCD donors receive comfort therapy before withdrawal, and cold ischaemia is minimized. All consecutive DCD liver transplantations performed from 2003 to 2012 were studied retrospectively. Three age groups were compared in terms of donor and recipient demographics, procurement and transplantation conditions, peak laboratory values during the first post-transplant 72 h, and results at 1 and 3 years. A total of 70 DCD liver transplants were performed, including 32 liver grafts from donors aged 55 years or less, 20 aged 56-69 years, and 18 aged 70 years or more. The overall graft survival rate at 1 month, 1 and 3 years was 99, 91 and 72 per cent respectively, with no graft lost secondary to non-anastomotic stricture. No difference other than age was noted between the three groups for donor or recipient characteristics, or procurement conditions. No primary non-function occurred, but one patient needed retransplantation for artery thrombosis. Biliary complications were similar in the three groups. Graft and patient survival rates were no different at 1 and 3 years between the three groups (P = 0.605). Results for DCD liver transplantation from younger and older donors were similar. Donor age above 50 years should not be a contraindication to DCD liver transplantation if other donor risk factors (such as warm and cold ischaemia time) are minimized. © 2014 BJS Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  14. A comparative study of spray keratinocytes and autologous meshed split-thickness skin graft in the treatment of acute burn injuries.

    PubMed

    Sood, Rajiv; Roggy, David Edward; Zieger, Madeline Jane; Nazim, Muhammad; Hartman, Brett Colby; Gibbs, Jeff Thomas

    2015-02-01

    ReCell (Avita Medical, Northridge, CA) is an autologous cell harvesting (ACH) device that enables a thin split-thickness skin biopsy to be processed to produce a cell population that includes a mixed population of keratinocytes, melanocytes, Langerhans cells, and papillary dermal fibroblasts for immediate delivery via a spray applicator onto a prepared skin surface. In this Institutional Review Board-approved US Food and Drug Administration phase 2 study, the authors prospectively evaluated the treatment of partial-thickness burns in patients with two 320 cm2 areas, 1 area treated with the ACH device and the other with a meshed split-thickness skin graft (MSTSG) as a control. The authors compared the treatment areas for graft take, pigmentation, and color match to surrounding healthy tissue, scarring, and pain. In this preliminary study, 10 patients were treated with this protocol. Eight patients had 100% take to both treatment areas and 2 patients had significant non-take and graft loss attributable to underexcised wound beds and difficulty with the spray applicator. Pigmentation and color match ratings were identical at week 52 and the Modified Vancouver Scar Scale scores were comparable. One subject rated the autologous cell harvesting site as having a better appearance, while the remaining subjects rated their ACH and MSTSG sites' appearances as being comparable. In early follow-up visits, pain ratings were slightly elevated in the ACH group due to graft healing; however, in visits following week 2, pain ratings at the ACH and MSTSG sites were rated similarly by all patients. This preliminary report describes an early experience with the ACH device and the treatment of partial-thickness burn injuries. In this 10-patient series, patients benefitted from having a decreased donor site size and comparable outcomes with MSTSG treatment. While this preliminary underpowered study has provided positive results, there is a learning curve with choosing the proper wound for treatment with the ACH device, as well as with using the device.

  15. Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the deceased donor: impact on early post-transplant liver allograft function.

    PubMed

    Mangus, Richard S; Fridell, Jonathan A; Kubal, Chandrashekhar A; Davis, Jason P; Tector, A Joseph

    2015-02-01

    Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels are frequently elevated with liver injury and such elevations are common in deceased organ donors. The impact of this injury on early liver allograft function has not been well described. This study analyses the immediate function and 1-year graft and patient survival for liver allografts stratified by peak serum ALT levels in the deceased donor. The on-site organ procurement records for 1348 consecutive deceased liver donors were reviewed (2001–2011). Serum ALT was categorized into three study groups: normal/mild elevation, 0–499 μ/L; moderate elevation, 500–999 μ/L (>10× upper limit of normal) and severe elevation, ≥1000 μ/L (>20× upper limit of normal). Outcomes included early graft function and graft loss, and 1-year graft and patient survival. Distribution of subjects included: normal/mild, 1259 (93%); moderate, 34 (3%) and severe, 55 (4%). Risk of 30-day graft loss for the three study groups was: 72 (6%), 3 (9%) and 3 (6%) (P = 0.74). Graft and patient survival at 1 year for the three groups was: normal/mild, 1031 (87%), 1048 (88%); moderate, 31 (91%), 31 (91%) and severe, 43 (88%), 44 (90%) (P = 0.71, 0.79). Cox proportional hazards modelling of survival while controlling for donor age and recipient model for end-stage liver disease score (MELD) demonstrates no statistically significant difference among the three study groups. This study demonstrates clinical equivalence in early graft function and 1-year graft and patient survival for donor livers with varying peak levels of serum ALT. These donor allografts may, therefore, be utilized successfully.

  16. [Comparison of immunosuppressive effects between human placental MSCs derived from fetal and maternal origins on the rejection of allogenic skin grafts in mice].

    PubMed

    Hao, Guiliang; Wang, Libin; Chen, Dongmei; Liang, Xueyun; Wang, Qiong; Zhu, Yongzhao; Ma, Xiaona; Liu, Xiaoming; Li, Yukui

    2015-05-01

    To compare the immunosuppressive effects of maternal and fetal placental mesenchymal stem cells (mPMSCs and fPMSCs, respectively) on the rejection of allogenic skin transplants in mice, and further to investigate the mechanism underlying this suppression. The mPMSCs and fPMSCs were isolated from human term placentas. The expressions of cell surface markers were detected by flow cytometry. Cell proliferation capacity was characterized by MTT colorimetric assay. CD200 protein expressed on fPMSCs was neutralized with streaming monoclonal antibodies, and mPMSCs were infected with adenovirus expression vector carrying CD200 cDNA. For skin transplantation, 60 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups as skin transplant recipients, and ICR mice served as skin donors. After establishment of the allogenic skin transplants, recipient mice of the 6 groups were intravenous injected respectively with PBS, mPMSCs, fPMSCs, fPMSCs combined with anti-CD200 antibodies, mPMSCs with CD200 expressing vectors, and mPMSCs with empty vectors. The conditions and survival time of the skin grafts were inspected daily, and the expressions of interleukin 17 (IL-17), interferon γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 12 (IL-12) in blood and spleen were measured at the end of the study by ELISA and reverse transcription PCR. The majority (>70%) of fPMSCs were detected CD200 positive, while only a minor fraction (about 2%) of CD-200 positive cells were seen in mPMSCs. In the allogenic skin graft mice, the graft survival time in both mPMSCs- and fPMSCs-treated groups were significantly longer than that in PBS group [(5.6±1.17) days], while the fPMSCs group [(10.6±1.43) days] was more dominant than mPMSCs group [(7.7±1.42) days]. Neutralizing anti-CD200 antibody reduced the graft survival [(8.2±1.14) days] of the fPMSCs group to the level of that in mPMSCs group, while enforced expression of CD200 increased the graft survival [(10.7±1.34) days] of the mPMSCs group to the level of the fPMSCs group. The empty vector-transfected mPMSCs showed a similar effect on graft survival [(7.8±1.32) days] as that in mPMSCs group, longer than PBS group but shorter than fPMSCs and mPMSCs combined with CD200 groups. Comparing with PBS group, the expressions of IL-17, IFN-γ and TNF-α were significantly reduced in mPMSCs and fPMSCs groups. The reduction of these cytokine expressions in the fPMSCs group was neutralized when anti-CD200 antibody was applied, while this reduction in the mPMSCs-treated mice was further enhanced when the mPMSCs were enforced to express CD200. The immunosuppressive effect of fPMSCs on the rejection of allogenic skin transplantation was higher than that of mPMSCs, and this difference was partially contributed by CD200 signaling pathway. The mechanism of this suppression may mediate the inhibition of IL-17, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-12 expressions. The fPMSCs may be a suitable choice for immunosuppression on skin transplantation.

  17. Antimicrobial-impregnated dressing combined with negative-pressure wound therapy increases split-thickness skin graft engraftment: a simple effective technique.

    PubMed

    Wu, Cheng-Chun; Chew, Khong-Yik; Chen, Chien-Chang; Kuo, Yur-Ren

    2015-01-01

    Immobilization and adequate surface contact to wounds are critical for skin graft take. Techniques such as the tie-over dressing, cotton bolster, and vacuum-assisted closure are used to address this, but each has its limitations. This study is designed to assess the effect of antimicrobial-impregnated dressing (AMD) combined with negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on skin graft survival. Retrospective case-control study : Patients with chronic or contaminated wounds treated with split-thickness skin graft. A broad spectrum of wounds was included, from causes such as trauma, burns, chronic diabetic ulcers, and infection. Antimicrobial-impregnated dressing, which contains 0.2% polyhexamethylene biguanide, with NPWT MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:: Success of skin graft : In the AMD group, all skin grafts achieved 100% take without secondary intervention. No infection or graft failure was observed in any patients, and no complications, such as hematoma or seroma formation, were noted, although in the control group partial loss of skin grafts was noted in 3 patients. Infection and inadequate immobilization were thought to be the main reasons. There were no hematoma or seroma formations in the control group. Use of an AMD dressing with NPWT after split-thickness skin grafting can be an effective method to ensure good graft to wound contact and enhances skin graft take in chronic and contaminated wounds.

  18. Comparison of in vivo immune responses following transplantation of vascularized and non-vascularized human dermo-epidermal skin substitutes.

    PubMed

    Klar, Agnes S; Biedermann, Thomas; Simmen-Meuli, Claudia; Reichmann, Ernst; Meuli, Martin

    2017-03-01

    Autologous bio-engineered dermo-epidermal skin substitutes (DESS) represent an alternative therapeutic option for a definitive treatment of skin defects in human patients. Largely, the interaction of host immune cells with transplanted DESS is considered to be essential for the granulation tissue formation, graft take, and its functionality. The aim of this study was to compare the spatiotemporal distribution and density of host-derived monocytes/macrophages and granulocytes in vascularized (vascDESS) versus non-vascularized DESS (non-vascDESS) in a rat model. Keratinocytes and the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) were derived from human skin or human adipose tissue, respectively. Human SVF containing both endothelial and mesenchymal/stromal progenitors was used to develop a vascularized collagen type I-based dermal component in vitro. The donor-matched, monolayer-expanded adipose stromal cells lacking endothelial cells were used as a negative control. Subsequently, human keratinocytes were seeded on top of hydrogels to build dermo-epidermal skin grafts. After transplantation onto full-thickness skin wounds on the back of immuno-incompetent rats, grafts were excised and analyzed after 1 and 3 weeks. The expression of distinct inflammatory cell markers specific for host-derived monocytes/macrophages (CD11b, CD68) or granulocytes (HIS48) was analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy. All skin grafts were infiltrated by host-derived monocytes/macrophages (CD11b + , CD68 + ) and granulocytes (HIS48 + ) between 1-3 week post-transplantation. When compared to non-vascDESS, the vascDESS showed an increased granulocyte infiltration at all time points analyzed with the majority of cells scattered throughout the whole dermal part. Whereas a moderate number of rat monocytes/macrophages (CD11b + , CD68 + ) were found in vascDESS at 1 week, only a few cells were detected in non-vascDESS. We observed a time-dependent decrease of monocytes/macrophages in all transplants at 3 weeks. These results demonstrate a distinct spatiotemporal distribution of monocytes/macrophages as well as granulocytes in our transplants that closely resemble the one observed during physiological wound healing. The differences identified between vascDESS and non-vascDESS may indicate that human endothelial cells lining blood capillaries of vascDESS accelerate infiltration of monocytes and leukocytes.

  19. Donor cornea preparation in partial big bubble deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty.

    PubMed

    Lim, Li; Lim, Samuel Wen Yan

    2014-01-01

    The purpose of this paper is to describe a technique of donor cornea preparation to ensure good graft-host apposition in incomplete big bubble deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty. Following a partial-thickness trephination, manual dissection and excision of corneal stroma was performed. Anwar's big-bubble technique involving a deep stromal air injection was then initiated. However, the big bubble could not extend to the trephination edge and the peripheral residual corneal stroma could not be removed. Donor cornea preparation involving trimming of the posterior lip of the corneal button was then performed and good graft-host apposition was obtained without graft over-ride. We performed peripheral donor cornea trimming prior to allograft placement in order to ensure good graft-host apposition. Postoperatively, best-corrected visual acuity in both eyes was 6/7.5. Donor cornea preparation involving trimming of the posterior lip of the corneal button is a useful technique in instances where the big bubble does not extend to the trephination edge and ensures good graft-host apposition.

  20. Associations between Deceased-Donor Urine Injury Biomarkers and Kidney Transplant Outcomes

    PubMed Central

    Reese, Peter P.; Hall, Isaac E.; Weng, Francis L.; Schröppel, Bernd; Doshi, Mona D.; Hasz, Rick D.; Thiessen-Philbrook, Heather; Ficek, Joseph; Rao, Veena; Murray, Patrick; Lin, Haiqun

    2016-01-01

    Assessment of deceased-donor organ quality is integral to transplant allocation practices, but tools to more precisely measure donor kidney injury and better predict outcomes are needed. In this study, we assessed associations between injury biomarkers in deceased-donor urine and the following outcomes: donor AKI (stage 2 or greater), recipient delayed graft function (defined as dialysis in first week post-transplant), and recipient 6-month eGFR. We measured urinary concentrations of microalbumin, neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), IL-18, and liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) from 1304 deceased donors at organ procurement, among whom 112 (9%) had AKI. Each biomarker strongly associated with AKI in adjusted analyses. Among 2441 kidney transplant recipients, 31% experienced delayed graft function, and mean±SD 6-month eGFR was 55.7±23.5 ml/min per 1.73 m2. In analyses adjusted for donor and recipient characteristics, higher donor urinary NGAL concentrations associated with recipient delayed graft function (highest versus lowest NGAL tertile relative risk, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 1.43). Linear regression analyses of 6-month recipient renal function demonstrated that higher urinary NGAL and L-FABP concentrations associated with slightly lower 6-month eGFR only among recipients without delayed graft function. In summary, donor urine injury biomarkers strongly associate with donor AKI but provide limited value in predicting delayed graft function or early allograft function after transplant. PMID:26374609

  1. Comparison of Recipient Outcomes After Kidney Transplantation: In-House Versus Imported Deceased Donors.

    PubMed

    Lim, S Y; Gwon, J G; Kim, M G; Jung, C W

    2018-05-01

    Increased cold ischemia time in cadaveric kidney transplants has been associated with a high rate of delayed graft function (DGF), and even with graft survival. Kidney transplantation using in-house donors reduces cold preservation time. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes after transplantation in house and externally. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of donors and recipients of 135 deceased-donor kidney transplantations performed in our center from March 2009 to March 2016. Among the 135 deceased donors, 88 (65.2%) received the kidneys from in-house donors. Median cold ischemia time of transplantation from in-house donors was shorter than for imported donors (180.00 vs 300.00 min; P < .001). The risks of DGF and slow graft function were increased among the imported versus in-house donors. Imported kidney was independently associated with greater odds of DGF in multivariate regression analysis (odds ratio, 4.165; P = .038). However, the renal function of recipients at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years after transplantation was not significantly different between the 2 groups. Transplantation with in-house donor kidneys was significantly associated with a decreased incidence of DGF, but long-term graft function and survival were similar compared with imported donor kidneys. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. Fixation of split-thickness skin graft using fast-clotting fibrin glue containing undiluted high-concentration thrombin or sutures: a comparison study.

    PubMed

    Han, Hyun Ho; Jun, Daiwon; Moon, Suk-Ho; Kang, In Sook; Kim, Min Cheol

    2016-01-01

    For skin defects caused by full-thickness burns, trauma, or tumor tissue excision, skin grafting is one of the most convenient and useful treatment methods. In this situation, graft fixation is important in skin grafting. This study was performed to compare the effectiveness of skin graft fixation between high-concentration fibrin sealant and sutures. There have been numerous studies using fibrin sealant for graft fixation, but they utilized slow-clotting fibrin sealant containing less than 10 IU/mL thrombin. Twenty-five patients underwent split-thickness skin grafting using fast-clotting fibrin sealant containing 400 IU/mL thrombin, while 30 patients underwent grafting using sutures. Rates of hematoma/seroma formation, graft dislocation, graft necrosis, and graft take were investigated postoperatively. The graft surface area was calculated using Image J software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA). After 5 days, rates of hematoma/seroma formation and graft dislocation were 7.84 and 1.29% in group I, and 9.55 and 1.45% in group II, respectively. After 30 days, rates of graft necrosis and graft take were 1.86 and 98.14% in group I, and 4.65 and 95.35% in group II. Undiluted fibrin sealant showed significantly superior results for all rates ( p  < 0.05) except graft dislocation. When high-concentration fast-clotting fibrin sealant was applied to skin grafts without dilution, no difficulty was experienced during surgery. Sealant showed superior results compared with sutures and had an excellent graft take rate. II.

  3. Five-Year Follow-Up on Transplanted Organs From Donors After Brain Death After Acute Stroke.

    PubMed

    Spatenkova, Vera; Pokorna, Eva; Suchomel, Petr

    2017-08-01

    Efficient intensive care donor management can help alleviate the shortage of organs for transplant. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of management of donors after brain death from our neurointensive care unit. We conducted a prospective observational 5-year follow-up on 29 transplanted organs from 14 brain-dead donors after acute stroke (7 subarachnoid and 4 intracerebral hemorrhages, 3 ischemic strokes). Mean age of donors was 56.2 ± 8.70 years, and mean number of days of artificial ventilation was 5.0 ± 3.84. We transplanted 27 kidneys and 2 livers to 29 patients with mean age of 55.3 ± 9.76 years. No hearts or lungs were transplanted from these donors. Of the 27 patients who underwent kidney transplant, 21 patients (78%) lived 5 years; of those, 17 patients (63%) had functional grafts. One patient (4%) had a primary afunctional graft, and 3 patients (11%) had graft rejection (at 3, 15, and 41 mo). Six patients (22%) died after kidney transplant, with 1 patient in this group having a functional graft, 1 patient having a primary afunctional graft, and 4 patients (15%) having graft rejection (at 1, 12, 44, and 56 mo). The 2 patients with liver transplants lived 5 years with functional grafts. The 5-year follow-up showed that organs from 14 brain-dead donors improved and saved 19 lives, with 17 patients receiving kidney transplants and 2 patients receiving liver transplants. Another 7 patients had only partially improved quality of life.

  4. Living donor liver transplantation in children: should the adult donor be operated on by an adult or pediatric surgeon? Experience of a single pediatric center.

    PubMed

    Andrade, Wagner de Castro; Velhote, Manoel Carlos Prieto; Ayoub, Ali Ahman; Silva, Marcos Marques; Gibelli, Nelson Elias M; Tannuri, Ana Cristina A; Santos, Maria Merces; Pinho-Apezzato, Maria Lucia; de Barros, Fabio; Moreira, Daniel Rangel; Miyatani, Helena T; Pereira, Raimundo Renato; Tannuri, Uenis

    2014-04-01

    Living donor liver transplantation has become a cornerstone for the treatment of children with end-stage hepatic dysfunction, especially within populations or countries with low rates of organ utilization from deceased donors. The objective is to report our experience with 185 living donors operated on by a team pediatric surgeons in a tertiary center for pediatric liver transplantation. Retrospective analysis of medical records of donors of hepatic grafts for transplant undergoing surgery between June 1998 and March 2013. Over the last 14 years, 185 liver transplants were performed in pediatric recipients of grafts from living donors. Among the donors, 166 left lateral segments (89.7%), 18 left lobes without the caudate lobe (9.7%) and 1 right lobe (0.5%) were harvested. The donor age ranged from 16 to 53 years, and the weight ranged from 47 to 106 kg. In 10 donors, an additional graft of the donor inferior mesenteric vein was harvested to substitute for a hypoplastic recipient portal vein. The transfusion of blood products was required in 15 donors (8.1%). The mean hospital stay was 5 days. No deaths occurred, but complications were identified in 23 patients (12.4%): 9 patients experienced abdominal pain and severe gastrointestinal symptoms and 3 patients required reoperations. Eight donors presented with minor bile leaks that were treated conservatively, and 3 patients developed extra-peritoneal infections (1 wound collection, 1 phlebitis and 1 pneumonia). Eight grafts (4.3%) showed primary dysfunction resulting in recipient death (3 cases of fulminant hepatitis, 1 patient with metabolic disease, 1 patient with Alagille syndrome and 3 cases of biliary atresia in infants under 1 year old). There was no relation between donor complications and primary graft dysfunction (P=0.6). Living donor transplantation is safe for the donor and presents a low morbidity. The donor surgery may be performed by a team of trained pediatric surgeons. © 2014.

  5. Clinical application and viability of cryopreserved cadaveric skin allografts in severe burn: a retrospective analysis.

    PubMed

    Cleland, Heather; Wasiak, Jason; Dobson, Hannah; Paul, Michelle; Pratt, George; Paul, Eldho; Herson, Marisa; Akbarzadeh, Shiva

    2014-02-01

    Cadaveric cutaneous allografts are used in burns surgery both as a temporary bio-dressing and occasionally as definitive management of partial thickness burns. Nonetheless, limitations in the understanding of the biology of these grafts have meant that their role in burns surgery continues to be controversial. A review of all patients suffering 20% or greater total body surface area (TBSA) burns over an eight year period that received cadaveric allografts were identified. To investigate whether tissue viability plays a role in engraftment success, five samples of cryopreserved cadaveric cutaneous allograft processed at the Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria (DTBV) were submitted to our laboratory for viability analysis using two methods of Trypan Blue Exclusion and tetrazolium salt (MTT) assays. During the study period, 36 patients received cadaveric allograft at our institution. The average total burn surface area (TBSA) for this group of patients was 40% and all patients received cadaveric skin as a temporizing measure prior to definitive grafting. Cadaveric allograft was used in complicated cases such as wound contamination, where synthetic dressings had failed. Viability tests showed fewer than 30% viability in processed allografts when compared to fresh skin following the thawing process. However, the skin structure in the frozen allografts was histologically well preserved. Cryopreserved cutaneous cadaveric allograft has a positive and definite role as an adjunct to conventional dressing and grafting where available, particularly in patients with large TBSA burns. The low viability of cryopreserved specimens processed at DTBV suggests that cell viability in cadaveric allograft may not be essential for its clinical function as a wound dressing or even as permanent dermal substitute. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

  6. Peptides of a major histocompatibility complex class I (Kb) molecule cause prolongation of skin graft survival and induce specific down-regulatory T cells demonstrable in the mixed lymphocyte reaction.

    PubMed Central

    Brondz, B D; Kazansky, D B; Chernyshova, A D; Ivanov, V S

    1995-01-01

    Six individual peptides of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule H-2Kb were synthesized. Intravenous injection of peptide 6 into mice prolonged the survival of Kb (BL/6 or B10.MBR) skin grafts on allogeneic R101 and B10.AKM mice, respectively. This was specific, as control skin grafts from Kk (B10.BR) or Kd (DBA/2) donors, respectively, were rejected at the same time in both control and peptide-treated mice. The optimal doses for peptide 6, which is from the alpha 2 domain, were defined. The test system was the inhibition of proliferation in vitro of naive lymph node cells by syngeneic mitomycin c-treated spleen cells from R101 mice preimmunized with irradiated stimulator splenocytes of Kb (BL/6) origin. Down-regulation was specific, as proliferation in response to third-party allogeneic stimulator Kk (B10.BR) splenocytes was not inhibited. Of the six peptides of H-2Kb tested, potent down-regulatory cells were induced by peptides 2 (alpha 1 domain) and 5 and 6 (alpha 2 domain). The greatest down-regulatory activity was obtained by giving peptide 2 to mice that had already been immunized against H-2Kb by injecting EL4 cells. Under the same conditions, injecting peptide 2 did not induce any cytotoxic T cells. In contrast, specific cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) were induced when cells from primed mice were incubated for 4 days with heated stimulator cells from BL/6 mice. The data suggest that peptides from MHC class I molecules activate precursors of down-regulatory T cells, but not of CTL, and this may explain their ability to prolong skin allograft survival. PMID:7490121

  7. Healing efficacy of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) seed oil in an ovine burn wound model.

    PubMed

    Ito, Hiroshi; Asmussen, Sven; Traber, Daniel L; Cox, Robert A; Hawkins, Hal K; Connelly, Rhykka; Traber, Lillian D; Walker, Timothy W; Malgerud, Erik; Sakurai, Hiroyuki; Enkhbaatar, Perenlei

    2014-05-01

    To investigate the efficacy of sea buckthorn (SBT) seed oil - a rich source of substances known to have anti-atherogenic and cardioprotective activity, and to promote skin and mucosa epithelization - on burn wound healing, five adult sheep were subjected to 3rd degree flame burns. Two burn sites were made on the dorsum of the sheep and the eschar was excised down to the fascia. Split-thickness skin grafts were harvested, meshed, and fitted to the wounds. The autograft was placed on the fascia and SBT seed oil was topically applied to one recipient and one donor site, respectively, with the remaining sites treated with vehicle. The wound blood flow (LASER Doppler), and epithelization (ultrasound) were determined at 6, 14, and 21 days after injury. 14 days after grafting, the percentage of epithelization in the treated sites was greater (95 ± 2.2% vs. 83 ± 2.9%, p<0.05) than in the untreated sites. Complete epithelization time was shorter in both treated recipient and donor sites (14.20 ± 0.48 vs. 19.60 ± 0.40 days, p<0.05 and 13.40 ± 1.02 vs. 19.60 ± 0.50 days, p<0.05, respectively) than in the untreated sites, confirmed by ultrasound. In conclusion, SBT seed oil has significant wound healing activity in full-thickness burns and split-thickness harvested wounds. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

  8. Evolution of human cytomegalovirus-seronegative donor/-seropositive recipient high-risk combination frequency in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantations at Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion during 1995-2014.

    PubMed

    Nemeckova, S; Sroller, V; Stastna-Markova, M

    2016-04-01

    Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) establishes lifelong latent infection that can result in severe life-threatening disease in immunosuppressed patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). An HCMV-seropositive transplant recipient who receives a graft from a seronegative donor (R+/D-) is at high risk of recurrent HCMV reactivation. To assess the incidence of R+/D- combination, we retrospectively evaluated HCMV-seronegative donors for 746 allogeneic HSCT treatments carried out at our center during 1995-2014. In our cohort, 20% HCMV-seronegative HSCT recipients, 21% HCMV-seronegative related graft donors, and 52% HCMV-seronegative unrelated graft donors were included. Analyses of the HCMV serostatus of hematopoietic stem cell donors during 2 consecutive calendar periods (1995-2005 and 2006-2014) showed a significant increase in the proportion of seronegative donors (odds ratio [OR] = 1.947). In addition, the number of HSCT treatments using an unrelated donor increased (OR = 2.376). Finally, the use of grafts from countries with a very low HCMV prevalence increased. This increase in HCMV seronegativity in unrelated donors and the increased proportion of unrelated donors were responsible for the increased occurrence of the high-risk combination R+/D- (OR = 1.680). If the reduction in the rate of HCMV-seropositive graft donors continues, an increased frequency of HCMV reactivation events in our transplant recipients can be expected, because of the increasing occurrence of the high-risk R+/D- combination. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  9. Joint impact of donor and recipient parameters on the outcome of liver transplantation in Germany.

    PubMed

    Frühauf, Nils R; Fischer-Fröhlich, Carl-Ludwig; Kutschmann, Marcus; Schmidtmann, Irene; Kirste, Günter

    2011-12-27

    The shortage of donor organs in Germany has led to the use of organs from donors with extended donor criteria (EDC). EDC have been defined on the basis of expert opinions, but their clinical relevance is controversial. This may cause loss of organs otherwise available for transplantation. We evaluated the impact of donor and recipient factors in liver transplants on patient and graft survival in a nationwide multicenter analysis, with special focus on EDC and donor risk index. A database was created from data on livers donated and transplanted in Germany between 2006 and 2008 as provided by Deutsche Stiftung Organ transplantation and BQS Institute. Cox regression (significance level 5%, risk ratio [95% confidence interval]) was used for calculating the impact on patient survival (n=2095) and on graft survival (n=2175). Patient and graft survival were significantly affected only by donor age (1.012 and 1.011/year), recipient age (1.019 and 1.014/year), creatinine (1.248 and 1.205/mg/dL), bilirubin (1.022 and 1.023/mg/dL), and high urgency status (1.783 and 1.809). Inferior organ quality resulted in lower graft survival (1.243) and donor history of smoking in lower patient survival (1.249). Multiple Cox regression revealed no significant impact of EDC or donor risk index on patient and graft survival except for donor age after donor selection at recovery. Among recipient variables, only age, creatinine and bilirubin, and high urgency status were associated with poorer outcome.

  10. Disparities in liver transplantation: the association between donor quality and recipient race/ethnicity and sex.

    PubMed

    Mathur, Amit K; Schaubel, Douglas E; Zhang, Hui; Guidinger, Mary K; Merion, Robert M

    2014-04-27

    We aimed to examine the association between recipient race/ethnicity and sex, donor liver quality, and liver transplant graft survival. Adult non-status 1 liver recipients transplanted between March 1, 2002, and December 31, 2008, were identified using Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data. The factors of interest were recipient race/ethnicity and sex. Donor risk index (DRI) was used as a donor quality measure. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between race/ethnicity and sex in relation to the transplantation of low-quality (high DRI) or high-quality (low DRI) livers. Cox regression was used to assess the association between race/ethnicity and sex and liver graft failure risk, accounting for DRI. Hispanics were 21% more likely to receive low-quality grafts compared to whites (odds ratio [OR]=1.21, P=0.002). Women had greater odds of receiving a low-quality graft compared to men (OR=1.24, P<0.0001). Despite adjustment for donor quality, African American recipients still had higher graft failure rates compared to whites (hazard ratio [HR]=1.28, P<0.001). Hispanics (HR=0.89, P=0.023) had significantly lower graft failure rates compared to whites despite higher odds of receiving a higher DRI graft. Using an interaction model of DRI and race/ethnicity, we found that the impact of DRI on graft failure rates was significantly reduced for African Americans compared to whites (P=0.02). This study shows that while liver graft quality differed significantly by recipient race/ethnicity and sex, donor selection practices do not seem to be the dominant factor responsible for worse liver transplant outcomes for minority recipients.

  11. [Marketing role of corneal graft tissue donation to an eye bank and donors' socioeconomic profile].

    PubMed

    Farias, Roberta Jansen de Mello; Sousa, Luciene Barbosa de

    2008-01-01

    Penetrating keratoplasty has been the leading and the most successful type of transplant in the world, however corneal deficiency is a commom problem usually presented to corneal surgeons. Impact evaluation of the number of corneal graft donations to the Sorocaba Eye Bank after the implementation of a corneal graft procurement system; to draw the socioeconomic profile of corneal graft donors of the Sorocaba Eye Bank (SEB). Retrospective study on donations to SEB from its creation and after the development of media marketing. Prospective analysis of the socioeconomic profile of corneal graft donors by a questionnaire sent as letters to the families of the donors in a certain month. SEB began its work in 1971 by spreading need of organ donation through lectures in churches, shopping malls, community meetings, radio programs, television programs, etc. In the 70s, the number of retrieved corneal grafts was 1 or 2/month. Between 1984 - 1989 a procurement coordination team was trained to act in mortuaries and by 2000 they also began to work in public hospitals. In 1984 only 260 corneal grafts were retrieved. This number has been increasing to 2,778 corneal graft donations in 2004. The questionnaire was answered by 76 of the 93 donor families, with a response rate of 81.7%. Donor age had a mean of 65.1 +/- 14.7 y/o, forty-two (55.3%) were men. Educational level of the donor families was an important factor for organ donation, once 36.8% had concluded high school and 34.2% completed university. The great majority, sixty-three (82.9%) of the corneal grafts were donated through the efforts of the procurement coordination team. The role of the media and institutional credibility are mandatory for public commitment to organ donation. The proficiency of the procurement coordination team requires intensive training, as the results show that 82.9% donations were made thanks to their efforts.

  12. Decreasing Skin Graft Contraction through Topical Wound Bed Preparation with Anti-Inflammatory Agents

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-10-01

    AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-14-2-0153 TITLE: Decreasing Skin Graft Contraction through Topical Wound Bed Preparation with Anti - Inflammatory Agents...Sep 2015 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Decreasing Skin Graft Contraction Through Topical Wound Bed Preparation with Anti - Inflammatory Agents 5a. CONTRACT...applied anti - inflammatory drugs that will reduce recipient site inflammation and skin graft contraction. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Graft contraction, anti

  13. CT-based renal volume and graft function after living-donor kidney transplantation: Is there a volume threshold to avoid?

    PubMed

    Dias, Jorge; Malheiro, Jorge; Almeida, Manuela; Dias, Leonídio; Silva-Ramos, Miguel; Martins, La Salete; Xambre, Luís; Castro-Henriques, António

    2015-05-01

    Donated kidney volume influences post-transplant outcomes and graft survival. We evaluated the relationship between living-donor kidney volume and recipient graft function at 12 months post-transplantation, exploring a volume threshold for a suboptimal graft function, and compared two different formulas of volume estimation. A retrospective analysis of 82 pairs of living-donor kidney transplants was conducted. Donor renal volumes were estimated from computerized tomography scans using the ellipsoid formula and the voxel counting technique. Linear and restricted cubic regression spline was used to analyze the association of volume with graft function. Additionally, we determined the correlation between the two volume estimation formulas and established a correction factor for the ellipsoid formula. Renal volume (adjusted to recipient BSA) had the strongest independent effect (B = 1.65 per 10 ml/m(2) increase, p value <0.001) on graft function at 12 months. The eGFR at 12 months was 52.5, 63.6 and 67.6 ml/min/1.73 m(2) for the low, medium and high volume ratio terciles, respectively (p value <0.001). The odds of a GFR <50 ml/min became significantly reduced with volumes above 145 cc/1.73 m(2). A strong positive correlation between the two formulas was identified (R(2) = 0.705), but the optimal correction factor for our cohort was 0.566. In a Caucasian population, higher donor kidney volumes estimated from preoperative CT scans are associated with higher recipient eGFRs at 12 months after live-donor transplantation. Using this criterion, transplant teams can potentially improve selection of living donors if multiple donors are available. However, the need for precise estimation of donor kidney volumes should not be overlooked.

  14. Effect of airplane transport of donor livers on post-liver transplantation survival

    PubMed Central

    Huang, Yi; MacQuillan, Gerry; Adams, Leon A; Garas, George; Collins, Megan; Nwaba, Albert; Mou, Linjun; Bulsara, Max K; Delriviere, Luc; Jeffrey, Gary P

    2016-01-01

    AIM To evaluate the effect of long haul airplane transport of donor livers on post-transplant outcomes. METHODS A retrospective cohort study of patients who received a liver transplantation was performed in Perth, Australia from 1992 to 2012. Donor and recipient characteristics information were extracted from Western Australian liver transplantation service database. Patients were followed up for a mean of six years. Patient and graft survival were evaluated and compared between patients who received a local donor liver and those who received an airplane transported donor liver. Predictors of survival were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis using cox regression. RESULTS One hundred and ninety-three patients received a local donor liver and 93 patients received an airplane transported donor liver. Airplane transported livers had a significantly lower alanine transaminase (mean: 45 U/L vs 84 U/L, P = 0.035), higher donor risk index (mean: 1.88 vs 1.42, P < 0.001) and longer cold ischemic time (CIT) (mean: 10.1 h vs 6.4 h, P < 0.001). There was a weak correlation between CIT and transport distance (r2 = 0.29, P < 0.001). Mean follow up was six years and 93 patients had graft failure. Multivariate analysis found only airplane transport retained significance for graft loss (HR = 1.92, 95%CI: 1.16-3.17). One year graft survival was 0.88 for those with a local liver and was 0.71 for those with an airplane transported liver. One year graft loss was due to primary graft non-function or associated with preservation injury in 20.8% of recipients of an airplane transported liver compared with 4.6% in those with a local liver (P = 0.027). CONCLUSION Airplane transport of donor livers was independently associated with reduced graft survival following liver transplantation. PMID:27895402

  15. Results of kidney transplantation from high-terminal creatinine donors and the role of time-zero biopsy.

    PubMed

    Lin, N C; Yang, A H; King, K L; Wu, T H; Yang, W C; Loong, C C

    2010-11-01

    Deceased-donor kidney transplantation (DDKT) from high-terminal creatinine donors is associated with lower graft survival. These kidneys may be considered for discarding, worsening the organ shortage crisis. Using time-zero biopsy for histologic evaluation of these kidneys, we identified those organs eligible for transplantation, seeking to achieve better graft utility with comparable outcomes. From April 2004 to April 2008, 55 patients underwent DDKT. A time-zero biopsy was used to examine glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, and arteriolar narrowing. A scoring system was used to determine a discard. Twenty-five patients received DDKT from donors whose terminal creatinine levels were >2.0 mg/dL (high terminal creatinine, HTC group) and 30 from donors whose terminal creatinine levels were <2.0 mg/dL (low terminal creatinine, LTC group). Patients who accepted kidneys from HTC donors had shorter waiting times (P = .011) but a higher incidence of delayed graft function after transplantation (P < .001). Nonetheless, 5-year graft survival rates were similar between the two groups. With a time-zero biopsy for histologic evaluation, kidneys recovered from high-terminal creatinine donors can be transplanted to overcome the organ shortage while achieving reasonable graft survival. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. Influence of delayed graft function and acute rejection on outcomes after kidney transplantation from donors after cardiac death.

    PubMed

    Nagaraja, Pramod; Roberts, Gareth W; Stephens, Michael; Horvath, Szabolcs; Fialova, Jana; Chavez, Rafael; Asderakis, Argiris; Kaposztas, Zsolt

    2012-12-27

    Delayed graft function (DGF) and acute rejection (AR) exert an adverse impact on graft outcomes after kidney transplantation using organs from donation after brain-stem death (DBD) donors. Here, we examine the impact of DGF and AR on graft survival in kidney transplants using organs from donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors. We conducted a single-center retrospective study of DCD and DBD donor kidney transplants. We compared 1- and 4-year graft and patient survival rates, as well as death-censored graft survival (DCGS) rates, between the two groups using univariate analysis, and the impact of DGF and AR on graft function was compared using multivariate analysis. Eighty DCD and 206 DBD donor transplants were analyzed. Median follow-up was 4.5 years. The incidence of DGF was higher among DCD recipients (73% vs. 27%, P<0.001), and AR was higher among DBD recipients (23% vs. 9%, P<0.001). One-year and 4-year graft survival rates were similar (DCD 94% and 79% vs. DBD 90% and 82%). Among recipients with DGF, the 4-year DCGS rate was better for DCD recipients compared with DBD recipients (100% vs. 92%, P=0.04). Neither DGF nor AR affected the 1-year graft survival rate in DCD recipients, whereas in DBD recipients, the 1-year graft survival rate was worse in the presence of DGF (88% vs. 96%, P=0.04) and the 4-year DCGS rate was worse in the presence of AR (88% vs. 96%, P=0.04). Despite the high incidence of DGF, medium-term outcomes of DCD kidney transplants are comparable to those from DBD transplants. Short-term graft survival from DCD transplants is not adversely influenced by DGF and AR, unlike in DBD transplants.

  17. Can zero-hour cortical biopsy predict early graft outcomes after living donor renal transplantation?

    PubMed

    Rathore, Ranjeet Singh; Mehta, Nisarg; Mehta, Sony Bhaskar; Babu, Manas; Bansal, Devesh; Pillai, Biju S; Sam, Mohan P; Krishnamoorthy, Hariharan

    2017-11-01

    The aim of this study was to identify relevance of subclinical pathological findings in the kidneys of living donors and correlate these with early graft renal function. This was a prospective study on 84 living donor kidney transplant recipients over a period of two years. In all the donors, cortical wedge biopsy was taken and sent for assessment of glomerular, mesangial, and tubule status. The graft function of patients with normal histology was compared with those of abnormal histological findings at one, three, and six months, and one year post-surgery. Most abnormal histological findings were of mild degree. Glomerulosclerosis (GS, 25%), interstitial fibrosis (IF, 13%), acute tubular necrosis (ATN 5%), and focal tubal atrophy (FTA, 5%) were the commonly observed pathological findings in zero-hour biopsies. Only those donors who had histological changes of IF and ATN showed progressive deterioration of renal function at one month, three months, six months, and one year post-transplantation. In donors with other histological changes, no significant effect on graft function was observed. Zero-hour cortical biopsy gave us an idea of the general status of the donor kidney and presence or absence of subclinical pathological lesions. A mild degree of subclinical and pathological findings on zero-hour biopsy did not affect early graft renal function in living donor kidney transplantation. Zero-hour cortical biopsy could also help in discriminating donor-derived lesions from de novo alterations in the kidney that could happen subsequently.

  18. Studies in fat grafting: Part III. Fat grafting irradiated tissue--improved skin quality and decreased fat graft retention.

    PubMed

    Garza, Rebecca M; Paik, Kevin J; Chung, Michael T; Duscher, Dominik; Gurtner, Geoffrey C; Longaker, Michael T; Wan, Derrick C

    2014-08-01

    Following radiation therapy, skin becomes fibrotic and can present a difficult problem for reconstructive surgeons. There is an increasing belief that fat grafting under irradiated skin can reverse the damage caused by radiation. The present study evaluated the effect of fat grafting on irradiated skin, along with fat graft quality and retention rates in irradiated tissue. Nine adult Crl:NU-Foxn1 CD-1 mice underwent 30-Gy external beam irradiation of the scalp. Four weeks after irradiation, scalp skin from irradiated and nonirradiated mice was harvested and compared histologically for dermal thickness, collagen content, and vascular density. Human fat grafts were then injected in the subcutaneous plane of the scalp. Skin assessment was performed in the irradiated group at 2 and 8 weeks after grafting, and fat graft retention was measured at baseline and every 2 weeks up to 8 weeks after grafting using micro-computed tomography. Finally, fat graft samples were explanted at 8 weeks, and quality scoring was performed. Fat grafting resulted in decreased dermal thickness, decreased collagen content, and increased vascular density in irradiated skin. Computed tomographic analysis revealed significantly decreased fat graft survival in the irradiated group compared with the nonirradiated group. Histologic scoring of explanted fat grafts demonstrated no difference in quality between the irradiated and nonirradiated groups. Fat grafting attenuates dermal collagen deposition and vessel depletion characteristic of radiation fibrosis. Although fat graft retention rates are significantly lower in irradiated than in nonirradiated tissue, the quality of retained fat between the groups is similar.

  19. Overextended Criteria Donors: Experience of an Italian Transplantation Center.

    PubMed

    Nure, E; Lirosi, M C; Frongillo, F; Bianco, G; Silvestrini, N; Fiorillo, C; Sganga, G; Agnes, S

    2015-09-01

    The increasing gap between the number of patients who could benefit from liver transplantation and the number of available donors has fueled efforts to maximize the donor pool using marginal grafts that usually were discarded for transplantation. This study included data of all patients who received decreased donor liver grafts between January 2004 and January 2013 (n = 218) with the use of a prospectively collected database. Patients with acute liver failure, retransplantation, pediatric transplantation, and split liver transplantation were excluded. Donors were classified as standard donor (SD), extended criteria donor (ECD), and overextended criteria donor (OECD). The primary endpoints of the study were early allograft primary dysfunction (PDF), primary nonfunction (PNF), and patient survival (PS), whereas incidence of major postoperative complications was the secondary endpoint. In our series we demonstrated that OECD have similar outcome in terms of survival and incidence of complication after liver transplantation as ideal grafts. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Apremilast Use in a Case of Cicatricial Ectropion Secondary to Severe Lamellar Ichthyosis.

    PubMed

    Abboud, Jean-Paul J; Whittington, Alexander; Ahmed, Masih; Himebaugh, Jesse T; Wiley, Lee A; Haffar, Ahmad; Nguyen, John

    Ichthyosis is a cutaneous disorder characterized by excessive amounts of dry thickened skin surface scales. Ocular manifestations of ichthyosis include cicatricial ectropion, which may cause exposure keratoconjunctivitis and rarely corneal perforation. Topical emollients, anti-inflammatory ointments, and systemic retinoids have been used to control the disease process, while surgical correction with donor graft has been reserved for severe cases involving corneal exposure. The authors report a case of a Caucasian male with lamellar ichthyosis with severe bilateral upper and lower eyelid cicatricial ectropion and corneal ulceration requiring surgical correction. Treatment with apremilast, a novel phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, for the treatment of a concomitant plaque psoriasis achieved good control of his skin diseases and minimized the recurrence of eyelid ectropion.

  1. Recipient Risk Factors for Graft Failure in the Cornea Donor Study

    PubMed Central

    Sugar, Alan; Tanner, Jean Paul; Dontchev, Mariya; Tennant, Brad; Schultze, Robert L.; Dunn, Steven P.; Lindquist, Thomas D.; Gal, Robin L.; Beck, Roy W.; Kollman, Craig; Mannis, Mark J.; Holland, Edward J.

    2009-01-01

    Purpose Identify recipient factors which may be related to risk of corneal graft failure Design Multi-center prospective, double-masked, controlled clinical trial Participants 1090 subjects undergoing corneal transplantation for a moderate risk condition (principally Fuchs’ dystrophy or pseudophakic corneal edema) Methods Donor corneas were assigned using a random approach without respect to recipient factors, and surgeons were masked to information about the donor cornea including donor age. Surgery and post-operative care were performed according to the surgeons’ usual routines and subjects were followed for five years. Baseline factors were evaluated for their association with graft failure. Main Outcome Measures Graft failure, defined as a regraft or a cloudy cornea that was sufficiently opaque to compromise vision for a minimum of three consecutive months. Results Preoperative diagnosis of pseudophakic/aphakic corneal edema increased graft failure risk approximately 4-fold compared with Fuchs’ dystrophy (27% vs. 7%). Prior glaucoma surgery with preoperative glaucoma medication use substantially increased the graft failure rate. Factors not strongly associated with graft failure included age, gender, diabetes, smoking, and graft size. Conclusion The risk of graft failure is significantly increased in eyes with pseudophakic or aphakic corneal edema compared with Fuchs’ dystrophy, independent of lens status, and in eyes with a history of glaucoma. PMID:19395036

  2. Recipient-donor age matching in liver transplantation: a single-center experience.

    PubMed

    Pagano, D; Grosso, G; Vizzini, G; Spada, M; Cintorino, D; Malaguarnera, M; Donati, M; Mistretta, A; Gridelli, B; Gruttadauria, S

    2013-09-01

    The aim of this study was to investigate whether donor age was a predictor of outcomes in liver transplantation, representing an independent risk factor as well as its impact related to recipient age-matching. We analyzed prospectively collected data from 221 adult liver transplantations performed from January 2006 to September 2009. Compared with recipients who received grafts from donors <60 years old, transplantation from older donors was associated with significantly higher rates of graft rejection (9.5% vs 3.5%; P = .05) and worse graft survival (P = .021). When comparing recipient and graft survivals according to age matching, we observed significantly worse values for age-mismatched (P values .029 and .037, respectively) versus age-matched patients. After adjusting for covariates in a multivariate model, age mismatch was an independent risk factor for patient death (hazard ratio [HR] 2.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-4.17; P = .027) and graft loss (HR 3.86, 95% CI 1.02-15.47; P = .046). The results of this study suggest to that optimized donor allocation takes into account both donor and recipient ages maximize survival of liver-transplanted patients. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Autologous transplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells: a promising therapeutic strategy for prevention of skin-graft contraction.

    PubMed

    Xu, Y; Huang, S; Fu, X

    2012-07-01

    Hypertrophic scars result from abnormal healing of severe burns, and are characterized by loss of the original structure and function of the skin. Transplantation of autologous split skin is the preferred treatment after scar excision; however, there will be some unavoidable degree of contraction within the grafts. To our knowledge, it is very rare that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) have been used for the treatment of skin-graft contraction. However, in our clinics, we found that during a 2-year follow-up analysis, areas treated with autologous BM-MSCs combined with transplantation of split skin were less likely to have contraction of the skin grafts than areas treated with skin grafts alone. This result indicates that BM-MSCs may be a potential and promising treatment to prevent contraction of skin grafts. © The Author(s). CED © 2012 British Association of Dermatologists.

  4. [The application of delayed skin grafting combined traction in severe joint cicatricial contracture].

    PubMed

    Xu, Zihan; Zhang, Zhenxin; Wang, Benfeng; Sun, Yaowen; Guo, Yadong; Gao, Wenjie; Qin, Gaoping

    2014-11-01

    To investigate the effect of delayed skin grafting combined traction in severe joint cicatricial contracture. At the first stage, the joint cicatricial contracture was released completely with protection of vessels, nerves and tendons. The wound was covered with allogenetic skin or biomaterials. After skin traction for 7-14 days, the joint could reach the extension position. Then the skin graft was performed on the wound. 25 cases were treated from Mar. 2000 to May. 2013. Primary healing was achieved at the second stage in all the cases. The skin graft had a satisfactory color and elasticity. Joint function was normal. All the patients were followed up for 3 months to 11 years with no hypertrophic scar and contraction relapse, except for one case who didn' t have enough active exercise on shoulder joint. Delayed skin grafting combined traction can effectively increase the skin graft survival rate and improve the joint function recovery.

  5. Pain in donor site after BTB-ACL reconstruction with PRGF: a randomized trial.

    PubMed

    Seijas, Roberto; Cuscó, Xavier; Sallent, Andrea; Serra, Iván; Ares, Oscar; Cugat, Ramón

    2016-06-01

    Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are highly incident injuries in young athletes within our work area. The use of the patellar graft, despite being the treatment of choice, presents post-operative problems such as anterior knee pain, which limits its use and leads to preference being taken for alternative grafts. Our aim was to evaluate if the application of PRGF reduces anterior knee pain in donor site in BTB-ACL reconstruction. 43 patients were included in the double-blinded and randomized clinical trial comparing two patient groups who underwent ACL reconstruction using patellar tendon graft, comparing anterior knee pain with and without the application of PRGF at the donor site after harvesting the graft. The PRGF group showed decreased donor site pain in comparison to the control group, with significant differences in the first two months of follow-up. The application of PRGF decreased donor site pain compared to the control group.

  6. Control of the Inflammatory Process.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1980-04-04

    injected on alternate days I.P. into C-57 mice receiving Balb-6 skin grafts , will defer and delay the normal rejection of this graft over a...it is injected into mice I.P. for studies of inhibition of skin graft rejection. RESULTS As described in the enclosed referencesoafter membrane...which apparently can paralyze lymphocytes in vitro and in vivo. C-57 mice receive BALB/6 skin grafts in vivo normally will reject these skin grafts in 11

  7. Single-Center Experience Using Marginal Liver Grafts in Korea.

    PubMed

    Park, P-J; Yu, Y-D; Yoon, Y-I; Kim, S-R; Kim, D-S

    2018-05-01

    Liver transplantation (LT) is an established therapeutic modality for patients with end-stage liver disease. The use of marginal donors has become more common worldwide due to the sharp increase in recipients, with a consequent shortage of suitable organs. We analyzed our single-center experience over the last 8 years in LT to evaluate the outcomes of using so-called "marginal donors." We retrospectively analyzed the database of all LTs performed at our institution from 2009 to 2017. Only patients undergoing deceased-donor LTs were analyzed. Marginal grafts were defined as livers from donors >60 years of age, livers from donors with serum sodium levels >155 mEq, graft steatosis >30%, livers with cold ischemia time ≥12 hours, livers from donors who were hepatitis B or C virus positive, livers recovered from donation after cardiac death, and livers split between 2 recipients. Patients receiving marginal grafts (marginal group) were compared with patients receiving standard grafts (standard group). A total of 106 patients underwent deceased-donor LT. There were 55 patients in the standard group and 51 patients in the marginal group. There were no significant differences in terms of age, sex, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, underlying liver disease, presence of hepatocellular carcinoma, and hospital stay between the 2 groups. Although the incidence of acute cellular rejection, cytomegalovirus infection, and postoperative complications was similar between the 2 groups, the incidence of early allograft dysfunction was higher in the marginal group. With a median follow-up of 26 months, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall and graft (death-censored) survivals in the marginal group were 85.5%, 75%, and 69.2% and 85.9%, 83.6%, and 77.2%, respectively. Patient overall survival and graft survival (death-censored) were significantly lower in the marginal group (P = .023 and P = .048, respectively). On multivariate analysis, receiving a marginal graft (hazard ratio [HR], 4.862 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.233-19.171]; P = .024) and occurrence of postoperative complications (HR, 4.547 [95% CI, 1.279-16.168]; P = .019) were significantly associated with worse patient overall survival. Also, when factors associated with marginal graft were analyzed separately, graft steatosis >30% was independently associated with survival (HR, 5.947 [95% CI, 1.481-23.886]; P = .012). Patients receiving marginal grafts showed lower but acceptable overall survival and graft survival. However, because graft steatosis >30% was independently associated with worse survival, caution must be exercised when using this type of marginal graft by weighing the risk and benefits. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Evaluation of Permacol as a cultured skin equivalent.

    PubMed

    MacLeod, T M; Cambrey, A; Williams, G; Sanders, R; Green, C J

    2008-12-01

    Skin loss following severe burn requires prompt wound closure to avoid such complications as fluid and electrolyte imbalance, infection, immune suppression, and pain. In clinical situations in which insufficient donor skin is available, the development of cultured skin equivalents (dermal matrices seeded with keratinocytes and fibroblasts) may provide a useful alternative. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of a porcine-derived dermal collagen matrix (Permacol) to function as a cultured skin equivalent in supporting the growth of keratinocytes in vitro and providing cover to full thickness wounds in the BALB C/nude mouse model. A histological comparison was against Glycerol treated-Ethylene Oxide Sterilised Porcine Dermis (Gly-EO Dermis) which has successfully been used as a cultured skin equivalent in previous studies. Both Gly-EO Dermis and to a lesser extent Permacol were able to support the growth of cultured keratinocytes following a 16-day period of cell culture, however, this study was only able to demonstrate the presence of an epidermal layer on Gly-EO dermis 2 weeks after grafting onto full-thickness wounds in the BALB C/nude mouse model.

  9. PRODUCTION OF IMMUNOLOGICAL TOLERANCE IN MICE AFTER REPEATED INJECTIONS OF DISRUPTED SPLEEN CELLS

    PubMed Central

    Martinez, C.; Smith, J. M.; Blaese, M.; Good, R. A.

    1963-01-01

    1. Tolerance of male skin isografts has been regularly produced in female mice of the C57B1 strain sublines 1, 4, and 6 during adult life by repeated injection of completely disrupted spleen cells derived from male donors. The tolerant state is long-lasting since such grafts have remained in place more than 9 months. 2. Prolonged survival of homotransplants of skin has regularly been produced in DBA/2 mice during adult life by repeated injections of completely disrupted spleen cells from Balb/C donors. When injections of disrupted spleen cell material are continued over a sufficiently long period, permanent acceptance of the skin homografts may be obtained between these strains. 3. Immunological tolerance across even the strong H-2 histocompatibility barrier was obtained in the neonatal period and during adult life by repeated injection of disrupted spleen cell preparations. The tolerant state has been revealed by both mammary adenocarcinoma and skin homografting across this strong histocompatibility barrier. 4. In contradistinction to the tolerant state produced by injection of intact spleen cells in neonatal animals or during adult life or that produced by parabiotic union, the tolerance produced by repeated injection of disrupted spleen cell preparations cannot be transferred to syngenic neonatal mice with spleen cells of the tolerant animal. 5. The implications of these findings in transplantation biology and in consideration of the basic nature of tolerance are discussed. PMID:14087619

  10. Honey: A Skin Graft Fixator Convenient for Both Patient and Surgeon.

    PubMed

    Maghsoudi, Hemmat; Moradi, Sohrab

    2015-12-01

    Skin grafts can be used effectively to cover burn injuries. A critical element of this treatment is the adherence of the graft to the wound bed. Honey has been shown to increase the adherence of skin grafts to wound beds and have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects and increase healing rate of wounds. We therefore devised a clinical trial to determine the effect of honey on skin graft fixation in burn injuries. Sixty patients were included in this study (in 30 patients, graft was fixed with medical honey, and in 30 patients, it was fixed with dressing or suturing). All patients in two groups were evaluated for infection, graft loss, graft contraction, severity of pain, and need for re-operation. The most common cause of burn was kerosene. Honey significantly decreased infection rate on fifth day and reduced the patient pain. The mean hospital stay was shorter in honey group. Contraction of graft was significantly less in honey group. Honey has strong adhesive properties for skin graft fixation. Medical honey is a natural material, not synthetic. For this reason, we can advise the application of medical honey for the fixation of split thickness skin graft.

  11. Inhibition of warm ischemic injury to rat liver, pancreas, and heart grafts by controlling the nutritional status of both donor and recipient.

    PubMed

    Nishihara, V; Sumimoto, R; Fukuda, Y; Southard, J H; Asahara, T; Dohi, K

    1997-01-01

    In this study, we tested the effect of donor fasting with or without the use of an essential fatty acids deficiency (EFAD) diet in the recipient using rat heart, pancreas, and liver transplant models. We then compared the survivals, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) response, and white cell accumulation in rats in order to clarify the mechanisms of the beneficial effect of donor fasting and recipient EFAD. It was found that when the grafts were obtained from fasted donors and then transplanted into fed recipients, the survival rate was significantly higher for all three grafts than for those obtained from fed rats and transplanted into fed rats. The best survival was seen for pancreas grafts obtained from fasted donors and then transplanted into EFAD recipients. TNF-alpha secretion was significantly suppressed in both fasted and EFAD rats, and both the total cell count and neutrophil count were suppressed in EFAD rats. These results clearly indicate that in addition to liver grafts, both heart and pancreas grafts obtained from fasted animals are more tolerant to warm ischemic injury. Furthermore, the combination of donor fasting and recipient EFAD acts synergistically to inhibit the post-transplantation inflammatory reaction (through decreased TNF-alpha secretion and white cell accumulation), thus resulting in an improved survival.

  12. Synthetic Biology in Cell and Organ Transplantation.

    PubMed

    Stevens, Sean

    2017-02-01

    The transplantation of cells and organs has an extensive history, with blood transfusion and skin grafts described as some of the earliest medical interventions. The speed and efficiency of the human immune system evolved to rapidly recognize and remove pathogens; the human immune system also serves as a barrier against the transplant of cells and organs from even highly related donors. Although this shows the remarkable effectiveness of the immune system, the engineering of cells and organs that will survive in a host patient over the long term remains a steep challenge. Progress in the understanding of host immune responses to donor cells and organs, combined with the rapid advancement in synthetic biology applications, allows the rational engineering of more effective solutions for transplantation. Copyright © 2017 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; all rights reserved.

  13. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of epsilon-aminocaproic acid for reducing blood loss in coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

    PubMed

    Kikura, Mutsuhito; Levy, Jerrold H; Tanaka, Kenichi A; Ramsay, James G

    2006-02-01

    Epsilon-aminocaproic acid is a plasmin inhibitor that potentially reduces perioperative bleeding when administered prophylactically to cardiac surgery patients. To evaluate the efficacy of epsilon-aminocaproic acid, a prospective placebo-controlled trial was conducted in patients undergoing primary coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. One hundred patients were randomly assigned to receive either epsilon-aminocaproic acid (100 mg/kg before skin incision followed by 1 g/hour continuous infusion until chest closure, 10 g in cardiopulmonary bypass circuit) or placebo, and the efficacy of epsilon-aminocaproic acid was evaluated by the reduction in postoperative thoracic-drainage volume and in donor-blood transfusion up to postoperative day 12. Postoperative thoracic-drainage volume was significantly lower in the epsilon-aminocaproic acid group compared with the placebo group (epsilon-aminocaproic acid, 649 +/- 261 mL; versus placebo, 940 +/- 626 mL; p=0.003). There were no significant differences between the epsilon-aminocaproic acid and placebo groups in the percentage of patients requiring donor red blood cell transfusions (epsilon-aminocaproic acid, 24%; versus placebo, 18%; p=0.62) or in the number of units of donor red blood cells transfused (epsilon-aminocaproic acid, 2.2 +/- 0.8 U; versus placebo, 1.9 +/- 0.8 U; p=0.29). Epsilon-aminocaproic acid did not reduce the risk of donor red blood cell transfusions compared with placebo (odds ratio: 1.2, 95% confidence interval; 0.4 to 3.2, p=0.63). Prophylactic administration of epsilon-aminocaproic acid reduces postoperative thoracic-drainage volume by 30%, but it may not be potent enough to reduce the requirement and the risk for donor blood transfusion in cardiac surgery patients. This information is useful for deciding on a therapy for hemostasis in cardiac surgery.

  14. Successful Management of Graft Reinfection of HCV Genotype 2 in Living Donor Liver Transplantation from a Hepatitis B Core Antibody-Positive Donor with Sofosbuvir and Ribavirin

    PubMed Central

    Sasaki, Reina; Kanda, Tatsuo; Ohtsuka, Masayuki; Yasui, Shin; Haga, Yuki; Nakamura, Masato; Yokoyama, Masayuki; Wu, Shuang; Nakamoto, Shingo; Arai, Makoto; Maruyama, Hitoshi; Miyazaki, Masaru; Yokosuka, Osamu

    2016-01-01

    Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are relatively safe and highly effective for the eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in liver transplant recipients. In this case study, we present a female with a graft reinfected with HCV genotype 2 who was treated with a combination of sofosbuvir and ribavirin after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Because the graft was from a hepatitis B core antibody-positive donor, passive immunization with hyperimmune hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and entecavir were also provided to prevent hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation. It became clear that the combination of sofosbuvir and ribavirin promptly led to a sustained virologic response and that this combination was safe to treat graft reinfection with HCV genotype 2 after LDLT. Adverse events caused by DAAs were not observed, except for slight anemia. HBIG and entecavir were useful in the prevention of HBV reactivation. In conclusion, the present case indicated that DAA treatment for graft reinfection with HCV is safe and effective in LDLT from hepatitis B core antibody-positive donors. PMID:27721720

  15. An External Wire Frame Fixation Method of Skin Grafting for Burn Reconstruction.

    PubMed

    Yoshino, Yukiko; Ueda, Hyakuzoh; Ono, Simpei; Ogawa, Rei

    2017-06-28

    The skin graft is a prevalent reconstructive method for burn injuries. We have been applying external wire frame fixation methods in combination with skin grafts since 1986 and have experienced better outcomes in percentage of successful graft take. The overall purpose of this method was to further secure skin graft adherence to wound beds in hard to stabilize areas. There are also location-specific benefits to this technique such as eliminating the need of tarsorrhaphy in periorbital area, allowing immediate food intake after surgery in perioral area, and performing less invasive fixing methods in digits, and so on. The purpose of this study was to clarify its benefits and applicable locations. We reviewed 22 postburn patients with skin graft reconstructions using the external wire frame method at our institution from December 2012 through September 2016. Details of the surgical technique and individual reports are also discussed. Of the 22 cases, 15 (68%) were split-thickness skin grafts and 7 (32%) were full-thickness skin grafts. Five cases (23%) involved periorbital reconstruction, 5 (23%) involved perioral reconstruction, 2 (9%) involved lower limb reconstruction, and 10 (45%) involved digital reconstruction. Complete (100%) survival of the skin graft was attained in all cases. No signs of complication were observed. With 30 years of experiences all combined, we have summarized fail-proof recommendations to a successful graft survival with an emphasis on the locations of its application.

  16. Genetically Modified Porcine Skin Grafts for Treatment of Severe Burn Injuries

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-07-01

    TITLE: Genetically Modified Porcine Skin Grafts for Treatment of Severe Burn Injuries PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: David H. Sachs, M.D...4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Genetically Modified Porcine Skin Grafts for Treatment of 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER Severe Burn Injuries 5b. GRANT NUMBER...DISTRIBUTION / AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public release; distribution unlimited 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES Burns, skin grafts , genetic

  17. Comparison of exendin-4 on beta-cell replication in mouse and human islet grafts.

    PubMed

    Tian, Lei; Gao, Jie; Weng, Guangbin; Yi, Huimin; Tian, Bole; O'Brien, Timothy D; Guo, Zhiguang

    2011-08-01

    Exendin-4 can stimulate β-cell replication in mice. Whether it can stimulate β-cell replication in human islet grafts remains unknown. Therefore, we compared the effects of exendin-4 on β-cell replication in mouse and human islet grafts. Islets, isolated from mouse and human donors at different ages, were transplanted into diabetic mice and/or diabetic nude mice that were given bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) with or without exendin-4. At 4 weeks post-transplantation, islet grafts were removed for insulin and BrdU staining and quantification of insulin(+)/BrdU(+) cells. Although diabetes was reversed in all mice transplanting syngeneic mouse islets from young or old donors, normoglycemia was achieved significantly faster in exendin-4 treated mice. Mouse islet grafts in exendin-4 treated mice had significantly more insulin(+)/BrdU(+) β cells than in untreated mice (P < 0.01). Human islet grafts from ≤22-year-old donors had more insulin(+)/BrdU(+) β cells in exendin-4 treated mice than that in untreated mice (P < 0.01). However, human islet grafts from ≥35-year-old donors contained few insulin(+)/BrdU(+) β cells in exendin-4 treated or untreated mice. Our data demonstrated that the capacity for β-cell replication in mouse and human islet grafts is different with and without exendin-4 treatment and indicated that GLP-1 agonists can stimulate β-cell replication in human islets from young donors. © 2011 The Authors. Transplant International © 2011 European Society for Organ Transplantation.

  18. Two Simple Leg Net Devices Designed to Protect Lower-Extremity Skin Grafts and Donor Sites and Prevent Decubitus Ulcer

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2007-02-01

    Outcomes in clinical practice: pressure ulcer prevalence and incidence studies. Ostomy /Wound Manage 1997;43:28–38. 4. Gordon M, Gottschlich M, Helvig... Ostomy Continence Nurs 2000;27:209–15. 20. Ooka M, Kemp MG, McMyn R, et al. Evaluation of three types of support surfaces for preventing pressure ulcers...in patients in a surgical intensive care unit. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs 1995;22:271–9. 21. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. Pressure

  19. Evolution of instruments for harvest of the skin grafts

    PubMed Central

    Ameer, Faisal; Singh, Arun Kumar; Kumar, Sandeep

    2013-01-01

    Background: The harvest of autologous skin graft is considered to be a fundamental skill of the plastic surgeon. The objective of this article is to provide an interesting account of the development of skin grafting instruments as we use them today in various plastic surgical procedures. Materials and Methods: The authors present the chronological evolution and modifications of the skin grafting knife, including those contributions not often cited in the literature, using articles sourced from MEDLINE, ancient manuscripts, original quotes, techniques and illustrations. Results: This article traces the evolution of instrumentation for harvest of skin grafts from free hand techniques to precise modern automated methods. Conclusions: Although skin grafting is one of the basic techniques used in reconstructive surgery yet harvest of a uniform graft of desired thickness poses a challenge. This article is dedicated to innovators who have devoted their lives and work to the advancement of the field of plastic surgery. PMID:23960303

  20. Acellular dermal matrix in soft tissue reconstruction prior to bone grafting. A case report.

    PubMed

    Ruiz-Magaz, Vanessa; Hernández-Alfaro, Federico; Díaz-Carandell, Artur; Biosca-Gómez-de-Tejada, María-José

    2010-01-01

    When hard tissue augmentation is scheduled as a part of an oral rehabilitation, prior to the treatment, it is important to assess if the quality of the underlying gingiva at the recipient site can support the bone grafting procedure. The most frequent complication during autologous onlay grafts are wound dehiscences in the recipient site, so the integrity of soft tissues is a basic aspect of successful reconstructive and plastic surgical procedure. Connective tissue grafts can improve the quality and quantity of soft tissue in oral sites where a hard tissue reconstruction is going to take place. However, particularly when large grafts are harvested, the autogenous donor site can present significant postoperative morbidity, such as necrosis of the palate fibromucosa and bone exposition, pain and bleeding. Another important limitation with the use of autogenous grafts is the limited supply of donor connective tissue. If a large site needs to be grafted, more than one surgical procedure may be required. An Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM) graft has become increasingly popular as a substitute for donor connective tissue, eliminating the disadvantages described for the autogenous donor graft. The amount of tissue harvested is unlimited, so it gives an option for treating patients that have inadequate harvestable tissue or that present a large defect to be treated. The outcome of using ADM as a matrix for soft tissue reconstruction 12 weeks before bone grafting can reduce the risk of exposure and failure of the bone graft.

  1. Donor-specific anti-HLA Abs and graft failure in matched unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

    PubMed Central

    Ciurea, Stefan O.; Thall, Peter F.; Wang, Xuemei; Wang, Sa A.; Hu, Ying; Cano, Pedro; Aung, Fleur; Rondon, Gabriela; Molldrem, Jeffrey J.; Korbling, Martin; Shpall, Elizabeth J.; de Lima, Marcos; Champlin, Richard E.

    2011-01-01

    Anti-HLA donor-specific Abs (DSAs) have been reported to be associated with graft failure in mismatched hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; however, their role in the development of graft failure in matched unrelated donor (MUD) transplantation remains unclear. We hypothesize that DSAs against a mismatched HLA-DPB1 locus is associated with graft failure in this setting. The presence of anti-HLA Abs before transplantation was determined prospectively in 592 MUD transplantation recipients using mixed-screen beads in a solid-phase fluorescent assay. DSA identification was performed using single-Ag beads containing the corresponding donor's HLA-mismatched Ags. Anti-HLA Abs were detected in 116 patients (19.6%), including 20 patients (3.4%) with anti-DPB1 Abs. Overall, graft failure occurred in 19 of 592 patients (3.2%), including 16 of 584 (2.7%) patients without anti-HLA Abs compared with 3 of 8 (37.5%) patients with DSA (P = .0014). In multivariate analysis, DSAs were the only factor highly associated with graft failure (P = .0001; odds ratio = 21.3). Anti-HLA allosensitization was higher overall in women than in men (30.8% vs 12.1%; P < .0001) and higher in women with 1 (P = .008) and 2 or more pregnancies (P = .0003) than in men. We conclude that the presence of anti-DPB1 DSAs is associated with graft failure in MUD hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. PMID:21967975

  2. Role of donor hemodynamic trajectory in determining graft survival in liver transplantation from donation after circulatory death donors.

    PubMed

    Firl, Daniel J; Hashimoto, Koji; O'Rourke, Colin; Diago-Uso, Teresa; Fujiki, Masato; Aucejo, Federico N; Quintini, Cristiano; Kelly, Dympna M; Miller, Charles M; Fung, John J; Eghtesad, Bijan

    2016-11-01

    Donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors show heterogeneous hemodynamic trajectories following withdrawal of life support. Impact of hemodynamics in DCD liver transplant is unclear, and objective measures of graft viability would ease transplant surgeon decision making and inform safe expansion of the donor organ pool. This retrospective study tested whether hemodynamic trajectories were associated with transplant outcomes in DCD liver transplantation (n = 87). Using longitudinal clustering statistical techniques, we phenotyped DCD donors based on hemodynamic trajectory for both mean arterial pressure (MAP) and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) following withdrawal of life support. Donors were categorized into 3 clusters: those who gradually decline after withdrawal of life support (cluster 1), those who maintain stable hemodynamics followed by rapid decline (cluster 2), and those who decline rapidly (cluster 3). Clustering outputs were used to compare characteristics and transplant outcomes. Cox proportional hazards modeling revealed hepatocellular carcinoma (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.53; P = 0.047), cold ischemia time (HR = 1.50 per hour; P = 0.027), and MAP cluster 1 were associated with increased risk of graft loss (HR = 3.13; P = 0.021), but not SpO 2 cluster (P = 0.172) or donor warm ischemia time (DWIT; P = 0.154). Despite longer DWIT, MAP and SpO 2 clusters 2 showed similar graft survival to MAP and SpO 2 clusters 3, respectively. In conclusion, despite heterogeneity in hemodynamic trajectories, DCD donors can be categorized into 3 clinically meaningful subgroups that help predict graft prognosis. Further studies should confirm the utility of liver grafts from cluster 2. Liver Transplantation 22 1469-1481 2016 AASLD. © 2016 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

  3. Photoacoustic detection of neovascularities in skin graft

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yamazaki, Mutsuo; Sato, Shunichi; Saitoh, Daizo; Ishihara, Miya; Okada, Yoshiaki; Ashida, Hiroshi; Obara, Minoru

    2005-04-01

    We previously proposed a new method for monitoring adhesion of skin graft by measuring photoacoustic (PA) signal originated from the neovascularities. In this study, immunohistochemical staining (IHC) with CD31 antibody was performed for grafted skin tissue to observe neovascularity, and the results were compared with PA signals. We also used a laser Doppler imaging (LDI) to observe blood flow in the grafted skin, and sensitivity of PA measurement and that of LDI were compared. In rat autograft models, PA signals were measured for the grafted skin at postgrafting times of 0-48 h. At 6 h postgrafting, PA signal was observed in the skin depth region of 500-600 mm, while the results of IHC showed that angiogenesis occurred at the depth of about 600 mm. Depths at which PA signal and angiogenesis were observed decreased with postgrafting time. These indicate that the PA signal observed at 6 h postgrafting originated from the neovascularities in the skin graft. Results of LDI showed no blood-originated signal before 48 h postgrafting. These findings suggest that PA measurement is effective in monitoring the adhesion of skin graft in early stage after transplantation.

  4. Combined flaps based on the superficial temporal vascular system for reconstruction of facial defects.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Renpeng; Wang, Chen; Qian, Yunliang; Wang, Danru

    2015-09-01

    Facial defects are multicomponent deficiencies rather than simple soft-tissue defects. Based on different branches of the superficial temporal vascular system, various tissue components can be obtained to reconstruct facial defects individually. From January 2004 to December 2013, 31 patients underwent reconstruction of facial defects with composite flaps based on the superficial temporal vascular system. Twenty cases of nasal defects were repaired with skin and cartilage components, six cases of facial defects were treated with double island flaps of the skin and fascia, three patients underwent eyebrow and lower eyelid reconstruction with hairy and hairless flaps simultaneously, and two patients underwent soft-tissue repair with auricular combined flaps and cranial bone grafts. All flaps survived completely. Donor-site morbidity is minimal, closed primarily. Donor areas healed with acceptable cosmetic results. The final outcome was satisfactory. Combined flaps based on the superficial temporal vascular system are a useful and versatile option in facial soft-tissue reconstruction. Copyright © 2015 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Utilization of advanced-age donors in renal transplantation.

    PubMed

    Olaverri, J G; Mora Christian, J; Elorrieta, P; Esnaola, K; Rodríguez, P; Marrón, I; Uriarte, I; Landa, M J; Zarraga, S; Gainza, F J; Aranzabal, J; Zabala, J A; Pertusa, C

    2011-11-01

    The shortage of organ availability in recent years has made it necessary to use grafts from advanced-aged donors to maintain the rate of renal transplantation in our country. The objective of this study was to evaluate the graft function and patient survival using kidneys from deceased donors of over 65 year of age. From 2005 until 2010, we compared the outcomes of patients who received grafts from donors over 65 years old vs less than 65 years. We observed no significant difference in sex, time on dialysis, or cold ischemia time between the groups. As expected the recipient age was significantly different. For the analysis of survival, we used the Tablecloth-Haenzel test and the Kaplan-Meier survival estimator. Actuarial survivals at 3 years after transplantation showed 84.8% among patients transplanted with kidneys from donors over 65 years old versus 97.5% in the control group. The graft survival was 78.8% among expanded criteria versus 86.85% in the control group. When we analyzed graft survival using an "exitus-censured" analysis, we obtained graft survivals of 89.1% in the expanded criteria kidney group versus 88.6% among the controls. We concluded that the use of kidney from donors over 65 years of age allows us to increase the rate of renal transplantation to about 15 to 20 per million population, with good graft and patient survivals provided that the protocol for expanded criteria organs ensured proper macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of the organ for transplantation. Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  6. Grafting of ARPE-19 and Schwann cells to the subretinal space in RCS rats.

    PubMed

    Wang, Shaomei; Lu, Bin; Wood, Patrick; Lund, Raymond D

    2005-07-01

    To study the distribution of the human retinal pigment epithelium (hRPE) cell line ARPE-19 and human Schwann (hSC) cells grafted to the subretinal space of the Royal College of Surgeon (RCS) rat and the relation of graft cell distribution to photoreceptor rescue. Cell suspensions of both donor types were injected into the subretinal space of 3-week-old dystrophic RCS rats through a transscleral approach, human fibroblast and medium were used as control grafts. All animals were maintained on oral cyclosporine. At 1, 2, 4, 6, 15, 28, and 36 weeks after grafting, animals were killed. Human cell-specific markers were used to localize donor cells. Both donor cell types, as revealed by antibodies survived for a substantial time. Their distribution was very different: hRPE cells formed a large clump early on and, with time, spread along the host RPE in a layer one to two cells deep, whereas hSCs formed many smaller clumps, mainly in the subretinal space. Both cells rescued photoreceptors beyond the area of donor cell distribution. The number of surviving cells declined with time. Both hRPE and hSC grafts can survive and rescue photoreceptors for a substantial time after grafting. The number of both donor cell types declined with time, which could be an immune-related problem and/or due to other factors intrinsic to the host RCS retina. The fact that rescue occurred beyond the area of donor cell distribution suggests that diffusible factors are involved, raising the possibility that the two cell types function in a similar manner to rescue photoreceptors.

  7. Gender in the allocation of organs in kidney transplants: meta-analysis

    PubMed Central

    Santiago, Erika Vieira Almeida e; Silveira, Micheline Rosa; de Araújo, Vânia Eloisa; Farah, Katia de Paula; Acurcio, Francisco de Assis; Ceccato, Maria das Graças Braga

    2015-01-01

    OBJECTIVE To analyze whether gender influence survival results of kidney transplant grafts and patients. METHODS Systematic review with meta-analysis of cohort studies available on Medline (PubMed), LILACS, CENTRAL, and Embase databases, including manual searching and in the grey literature. The selection of studies and the collection of data were conducted twice by independent reviewers, and disagreements were settled by a third reviewer. Graft and patient survival rates were evaluated as effectiveness measurements. Meta-analysis was conducted with the Review Manager® 5.2 software, through the application of a random effects model. Recipient, donor, and donor-recipient gender comparisons were evaluated. RESULTS : Twenty-nine studies involving 765,753 patients were included. Regarding graft survival, those from male donors were observed to have longer survival rates as compared to the ones from female donors, only regarding a 10-year follow-up period. Comparison between recipient genders was not found to have significant differences on any evaluated follow-up periods. In the evaluation between donor-recipient genders, male donor-male recipient transplants were favored in a statistically significant way. No statistically significant differences were observed in regards to patient survival for gender comparisons in all follow-up periods evaluated. CONCLUSIONS The quantitative analysis of the studies suggests that donor or recipient genders, when evaluated isolatedly, do not influence patient or graft survival rates. However, the combination between donor-recipient genders may be a determining factor for graft survival. PMID:26465666

  8. Perforator Peroneal Artery Flap for Tongue Reconstruction.

    PubMed

    Chauhan, Shubhra; Chavre, Sachin; Chandrashekar, Naveen Hedne; B S, Naveen

    2017-03-01

    Reconstruction has evolved long way from primary closure to flaps. As time evolved, better understanding of vascularity of flap has led to the development of innovative reconstructive techniques. These flaps can be raised from various parts of the body for reconstruction and have shown least donor site morbidity. We use one such peroneal artery perforator flap for tongue reconstruction with advantage of thin pliable flap, minimal donor site morbidity and hidden scar. Our patient 57yrs old lady underwent wide local excision with selective neck dissection. Perforators are marked about 10 and 15 cm inferiorly from the fibular head using hand held Doppler. Leg is positioned in such a way to give better exposure during dissection of the flap and flap is harvested under a tourniquet with pressure kept 350 mm Hg. The perforator is kept at the eccentric location, so as to gain length of the pedicle. Skin incison is placed over the peroneal muscle and deepened unto the deep facia, then the dissection is continued over the muscle and the perforator arising from the lateral septum. The proximal perforator about 10 cm from the fibular head is a constant perforator and bigger one, which is traced up to the peroneal vessel. We could get a 6 cm of pedicle length. Finally the flap is islanded on this perforator and the pedicle is ligated and flap harvested. Anastamosis was done to the ipsilateral side to facial vessels. The donor site is closed primarily and in the upper half one can harvest 5 cm width flap without requiring a skin graft along with a length of 8 to 12 cm. Various local and free flap has been used for reconstruction of partial tongue defects with its obvious donor site problems, like less pliable skin and not so adequate tissue from local flaps and sacrificing a important artery as in radial forearm flap serves as the work horse in reconstruction of partial tongue defects, Concept of super microsurgery was popularized by Japanese in 1980s and the concept of angiosome proposed by Taylor paved the way for development of new flaps. True perforator flaps are those where the source vessel is left undisturbed and overlying skin flap is raised. Yoshimura proposed cutaneous flap could be raised from peroneal artery (Br J Plast Surg 42:715-718, 1989). Wolff et al. (Plast Reconstr Surg 113:107-113, 2004) first used perforator based peroneal artery flap for oral reconstruction. Location of perforators vary, hence pre operative localisation can be done by ultrasound doppler, CT angio or MR angiography. Disadvantages over radial flap include varying anatomic location of perforators, need for imaging and difficult dissection of delicate vessels through muscles and hence a learning curve. Our patient had an arterial thrombus within few hours post-operatively which was successfully salvaged with immediate re-exploration and re-anastomosis of artery. Post-operative healing was uneventful and donor site was closed primarily without the need for graft. Perforator peroneal flap serves as a useful armamentarium for reconstruction of moderate size defects of tongue, buccal mucosa and floor of mouth with advantages of thin pliable flap, minimal donor site morbidity and hidden scar.

  9. Prediction models of donor arrest and graft utilization in liver transplantation from maastricht-3 donors after circulatory death.

    PubMed

    Davila, D; Ciria, R; Jassem, W; Briceño, J; Littlejohn, W; Vilca-Meléndez, H; Srinivasan, P; Prachalias, A; O'Grady, J; Rela, M; Heaton, N

    2012-12-01

    Shortage of organs for transplantation has led to the renewed interest in donation after circulatory-determination of death (DCDD). We conducted a retrospective analysis (2001-2009) and a subsequent prospective validation (2010) of liver Maastricht-Category-3-DCDD and donation-after-brain-death (DBD) offers to our program. Accepted and declined offers were compared. Accepted DCDD offers were divided into donors who went on to cardiac arrest and those who did not. Donors who arrested were divided into those producing grafts that were transplanted or remained unused. Descriptive comparisons and regression analyses were performed to assess predictor models of donor cardiac arrest and graft utilization. Variables from the multivariate analysis were prospectively validated. Of 1579 DCDD offers, 621 were accepted, and of these, 400 experienced cardiac arrest after withdrawal of support. Of these, 173 livers were transplanted. In the DCDD group, donor age < 40 years, use of inotropes and absence of gag/cough reflexes were predictors of cardiac arrest. Donor age >50 years, BMI >30, warm ischemia time >25 minutes, ITU stay >7 days and ALT ≥ 4× normal rates were risk factors for not using the graft. These variables had excellent sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of cardiac arrest (AUROC = 0.835) and graft use (AUROC = 0.748) in the 2010 prospective validation. These models can feasibly predict cardiac arrest in potential DCDDs and graft usability, helping to avoid unnecessary recoveries and healthcare expenditure. © Copyright 2012 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.

  10. Living Bone Allotransplants Survive by Surgical Angiogenesis Alone: Development of a Novel Method of Composite Tissue Allotransplantation

    PubMed Central

    Larsen, Mikko; Pelzer, Michael; Friedrich, Patricia F.; Wood, Christina M.; Bishop, Allen T.

    2011-01-01

    Background: Segmental bone defects pose reconstructive challenges. Composite tissue allotransplantation offers a potential solution but requires long-term immunosuppression with attendant health risks. This study demonstrates a novel method of composite-tissue allotransplantation, permitting long-term drug-free survival, with use of therapeutic angiogenesis of autogenous vessels to maintain circulation. Methods: Ninety-three rats underwent femoral allotransplantation, isotransplantation, or allografting. Group-1 femora were transplanted across a major histocompatibility complex barrier, with microsurgical pedicle anastomoses. The contralateral saphenous artery and vein (termed the AV bundle) of the recipient animal were implanted within the medullary canal to allow development of an autogenous circulation. In Group 2, allotransplantation was also performed, but with AV bundle ligation. Group 3 bones were frozen allografts rather than composite-tissue allotransplantation femora, and Group 4 bones were isotransplants. Paired comparison allowed evaluation of AV bundle effect, bone allogenicity (isogeneic or allogeneic), and initial circulation and viability (allotransplant versus allograft). Two weeks of immunosuppression therapy maintained blood flow initially, during development of a neoangiogenic autogenous blood supply from the AV bundle in patent groups. At eighteen weeks, skin grafts from donor, recipient, and third-party rats were tested for immunocompetence and donor-specific tolerance. At twenty-one weeks, bone circulation was quantified and new bone formation was measured. Results: Final circulatory status depended on both the initial viability of the graft and the successful development of neoangiogenic circulation. Median cortical blood flow was highest in Group 1 (4.6 mL/min/100 g), intermediate in Group 4 isotransplants (0.4 mL/min/100 g), and absent in others. Capillary proliferation and new bone formation were generally highest in allotransplants (15.0%, 6.4 μm3/μm2/yr) and isotransplants with patent AV bundles (16.6%, 50.3 μm3/μm2/yr) and less in allotransplants with ligated AV bundles (4.4%, 0.0 μm3/μm2/yr) or allografts (8.1%, 24.1 μm3/μm2/yr). Donor and third-party-type skin grafts were rejected, indicating immunocompetence without donor-specific tolerance. Conclusions: In the rat model, microvascular allogeneic bone transplantation in combination with short-term immunosuppression and AV bundle implantation creates an autogenous neoangiogenic circulation, permitting long-term allotransplant survival with measurable blood flow. Clinical Relevance: These methods may allow future composite-tissue allotransplantation of bone without the appreciable health risks that are associated with long-term immunosuppression or immune tolerance induction. PMID:21266640

  11. Clinical and Biochemical Characteristics of Brain-Dead Donors as Predictors of Early- and Long-Term Renal Function After Transplant.

    PubMed

    Kwiatkowska, Ewa; Domański, Leszek; Bober, Joanna; Safranow, Krzysztof; Pawlik, Andrzej; Ciechanowski, Kazimierz; Wiśniewska, Magda; Kędzierska, Karolina

    2017-08-01

    Organs from brain-dead donors are the main source of allografts for transplant. Comparisons between living-donor and brain-dead donor kidneys show that the latter are more likely to demonstrate delayed graft function and lower long-term survival. This study aimed to assess the effects of various clinical and biochemical factors of donors on early- and long-term renal function after transplant. We analyzed data from kidney recipients treated between 2006 and 2008 who received organs from brain-dead donors. Data from 54 donors and 89 recipients were analyzed. No relation was observed between donor sodium concentration and the presence of delayed graft function. Donor height was positively correlated with creatinine clearance in recipients in the 1 to 3 months after renal transplant. Donor diastolic blood pressure was negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate throughout the observation period. Donor age was negatively correlated with the allograft recipient's estimated glomerular filtration rate throughout 4 years of observation. Donor estimated glomerular filtration rate was positively correlated with that of the recipient throughout 3 years of observation. The results of this study indicate that various factors associated with allograft donors may influence graft function.

  12. The Need for New Donor Stratification to Predict Graft Survival in Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation.

    PubMed

    Yang, Shin Seok; Yang, Jaeseok; Ahn, Curie; Min, Sang Il; Ha, Jongwon; Kim, Sung Joo; Park, Jae Berm

    2017-05-01

    The aim of this study was to determine whether stratification of deceased donors by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) criteria negatively impacts graft survival. We retrospectively reviewed deceased donor and recipient pretransplant variables of kidney transplantations that occurred between February 1995 and December 2009. We compared clinical outcomes between standard criteria donors (SCDs) and expanded criteria donors (ECDs). The deceased donors consisted of 369 patients. A total of 494 transplant recipients were enrolled in this study. Mean age was 41.7±11.4 year (range 18-69) and 273 patients (55.4%) were male. Mean duration of follow-up was 8.8±4.9 years. The recipients from ECD kidneys were 63 patients (12.8%). The overall mean cold ischemia time was 5.7±3.2 hours. Estimated glomerular filtration rate at 1, 2, and 3 years after transplantation were significantly lower in ECD transplants (1 year, 62.2±17.6 vs. 51.0±16.4, p<0.001; 2 year, 62.2±17.6 vs. 51.0±16.4, p=0.001; 3 year, 60.9±23.5 vs. 54.1±18.7, p=0.047). In multivariate analysis, donor age (≥40 years) was an independent risk factor for graft failure. In Kaplan-Meier analyses, there was no significant difference in death-censored graft survival (Log rank test, p>0.05), although patient survival was lower in ECDs than SCDs (Log rank test, p=0.011). Our data demonstrate that stratification by the UNOS criteria does not predict graft survival. In order to expand the donor pool, new criteria for standard/expanded donors need to be modified by regional differences. © Copyright: Yonsei University College of Medicine 2017

  13. Skin graft - slideshow

    MedlinePlus

    ... this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/presentations/100100.htm Skin graft - series—Normal anatomy To use the sharing features ... entire body, and acts as a protective barrier. Skin grafts may be recommended for: Extensive wounds Burns Specific ...

  14. A new model for studying the revascularization of skin grafts in vivo: the role of angiogenesis.

    PubMed

    Lindenblatt, Nicole; Calcagni, Maurizio; Contaldo, Claudio; Menger, Michael D; Giovanoli, Pietro; Vollmar, Brigitte

    2008-12-01

    Models of skin graft revascularization are based mostly on histologic evaluations but lack the possibility of analyzing the vascular biology in vivo. The aim of the present study was therefore to develop an animal model that allows continuous monitoring of the microcirculation during skin graft healing. Skin and subcutaneous tissue were removed from the back of dorsal skinfold chamber preparations in mice, leaving one layer of striated muscle and subcutaneous tissue as a wound bed (n = 5). A corresponding full-thickness skin graft was harvested from the groin and sutured into the defect in the back of the chamber. To study graft healing, repetitive intravital microscopy was performed during the first 10 days after engraftment. Capillary widening in the wound bed appeared at day 1 after grafting and increased until day 4. Capillary buds and sprouts first appeared at day 2. Blood filling of autochthonous graft capillaries occurred at day 3, resulting in almost complete restoration of the original skin microcirculation on day 5. This was achieved by interconnections between the microvasculature of the wound bed and the skin graft through a temporary angiogenic response. In principle, angiogenic blood vessel growth originated in the wound bed and was directed toward the graft. This new model allows for repetitive analysis of the microcirculation during skin graft healing. It provides ideal in vivo conditions to further delineate the exact mechanisms of blood vessel interconnection during the complex process of angiogenesis, and may also allow study of the vascularization of tissue-engineered skin substitutes.

  15. Small-for-size syndrome in live donor liver transplantation-Pathways of injury and therapeutic strategies.

    PubMed

    Goldaracena, Nicolas; Echeverri, Juan; Selzner, Markus

    2017-02-01

    Due to the severe organ shortage and the increasing gap between the supply and demand for donor grafts, live donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has become an accepted and alternative technique for the expansion of the donor pool. However, donor safety and good recipient outcomes must be balanced regarding risk stratification and decision-making within this patient population. Small-for-size syndrome (SFSS) is one of the complications encountered after LDLT, thus increasing the burden of optimizing donor graft selection and effective treatments during its occurrence. A graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) <0.8 predisposes the graft to SFSS. However, other factors may induce this complication even without a graft-to-patient size mismatch. Several strategies to prevent this complication include portal vein flow and liver outflow modulation, as well as pharmacological treatment. Also, as an entity with a multifactorial etiology, outcomes vary between right-lobe, left-lobe, and posterior-lobe donation among series encountered in the literature. In this review, we analyze the pathophysiology and classification of this complication, the state-of-the-art on management of SFSS, and the outcomes regarding the best treatment strategy on this patient population. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  16. The implementation of nucleic acid amplification technology testing for living tissue donors.

    PubMed

    Westby, J; Lomas, R J; Kearney, J N

    2010-05-01

    There is a significant requirement within the United Kingdom for tissue grafts from living donors. To ensure safety, blood samples from these donors are tested for pathogens at donation, and at 180 days post donation. Nucleic acid amplification technology (NAT) permits more sensitive detection of pathogens in blood samples than serum antigen testing. NAT testing can be applied to samples from living tissue donors to eliminate the need to re-test these donors 180 days post-donation before grafts can be implanted. This has major financial and operational advantages for a tissue bank, and this manuscript describes how NAT testing was assessed and implemented by NHSBT Tissue Services. When compared to traditional serum antigen testing, NAT testing was more cost effective, more convenient for donors and resulted in a greater proportion of donated grafts being made available for transplant.

  17. Impact of Donor Source on the Outcome of Live Donor Kidney Transplantation: A Single Center Experience

    PubMed Central

    Matter, Yasser Elsayed; Nagib, Ayman M; Lotfy, Omar E; Alsayed, Ahmed Maher; Donia, Ahmed F; Refaie, Ayman F; Akl, Ahmed I; Abbas, Mohamed Hamed; Abuelmagd, Mohammed M; Shaeashaa, Hussein A; Shokeir, Ahmed A

    2016-01-01

    Background Renal transplantation is the ideal method for management of end-stage renal disease. The use of living donors for renal transplantation was critical for early development in the field and preceded the use of cadaveric donors. Most donors are related genetically to the recipients, like a parent, a child, or a sibling of the recipient, but there are an increasing percentage of cases where donors are genetically unrelated like spouses, friends, or altruistic individuals. Donor shortages constitute the major barrier for kidney transplantation, and much effort has been made to increase the supply of living donors. The impact of donor source on the outcome of renal transplantation is not adequately studied in our country. Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of donor source on the outcome of live donor kidney transplantation. Patients and Methods From March 1976 to December 2013, the number of patients that underwent living renal transplantation sharing at least one HLA haplotype with their donors was 2,485. We divided these patients into two groups: (1) 2,075 kidney transplant recipients (1,554 or 74.9% male and 521 or 25.1% female) for whom the donors were living related, (2) 410 kidney transplant recipients (297 or 72.4% male and 113 or 27.6% female) for whom the donors were living unrelated. All patients received immunosuppressive therapy, consisting of a calcineurin inhibitor, mycophenolate mofetil, or azathioprine and prednisolone. We compared acute rejection and complication rates, as well as long-term graft and patient survival of both groups. Demographic characteristics were compared using the chi-square test. Graft survival and patient survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results The percentages of patients with acute vascular rejection were significantly higher in the unrelated group, while percentages of patients with no rejection were significantly higher in the related group, but there were no significant differences regarding patient and graft survivals between both groups. Conclusions Kidney transplant recipients who received their grafts either from live related donors or live unrelated donors had comparable patient and graft survival outcomes. PMID:27570751

  18. [Skin graft, smoking and diabetes mellitus type 2].

    PubMed

    Pérez-Guisado, Joaquín; Fidalgo-Rodríguez, Félix T; Gaston, Kate L; Rioja, Luis F; Thomas, Steven J

    2012-01-01

    Smoking and hyperglycemia decrease the success of skin graft survival in specific circumstances. It is well known that smoking and diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2 increase the oxidative and impair the endothelial function. The objective of this retrospective study was to determine if smoking and DM type 2 are factors associated with lower skin graft survival, in different etiologies of the injury associated to the skin loss. It was a bicentric, retrospective, cross sectional case control study, carried out on 2457 medical patients who met the inclusion criteria. It was carried out over a 10 years period between January 2000-December 2009, at Reina Sofía University Hospital (Córdoba, Spain) and UAB Hospital at Birmingham (Alabama, USA). The percentage of successful graft for each group and its control were analyzed by Chi-square test. The confidence interval chosen for statistical differences was 95%. Smoking and DM type 2 decreased the percentage of skin graft survival when compared with their control groups. DM type 2 was associated with greater negative success on skin graft survival than smoking when compared with their control groups. There was a statistically significant drop in skin graft of 18% in smoking group (range: 68-86%) and 25% in DM type 2 group (53-78%). The OR showed a clear association between the risk factors studied and the lower skin graft success, being stronger for DM type 2. In conclusion, DM type 2 and smoking are factors associated to lower skin graft take.

  19. Pathogen stimulation history impacts donor-specific CD8+ T cell susceptibility to costimulation/integrin blockade-based therapy

    PubMed Central

    Badell, IR; Kitchens, WH; Wagener, ME; Lukacher, AE; Larsen, CP; Ford, ML

    2017-01-01

    Recent studies have shown that the quantity of donor-reactive memory T cells is an important factor in determining the relative heterologous immunity barrier posed during transplantation. Here, we hypothesized that the quality of T cell memory also potently influences the response to costimulation blockade-based immunosuppression. Using a murine skin graft model of CD8+ memory T cell-mediated costimulation blockade resistance, we elicited donor-reactive memory T cells using three distinct types of pathogen infections. Strikingly, we observed differential efficacy of a costimulation and integrin blockade regimen based on the type of pathogen used to elicit the donor-reactive memory T cell response. Intriguingly, the most immunosuppression-sensitive memory T cell populations were composed primarily of central memory cells that possessed greater recall potential, exhibited a less differentiated phenotype, and contained more multi-cytokine producers. These data therefore demonstrate that the memory T cell barrier is dependent on the specific type of pathogen infection via which the donor-reactive memory T cells are elicited, and suggest that the immune stimulation history of a given transplant patient may profoundly influence the relative barrier posed by heterologous immunity during transplantation. PMID:26228897

  20. Liver Transplantation Outcomes Using Grafts From Donors Older Than the Age of 80 Years.

    PubMed

    Rabelo, A V; Alvarez, M J; Méndez, C S M; Villegas, M T; MGraneroa, K; Becerra, A; Dominguez, M; Raya, A M; Exposito, M; Suárez, Y F

    2015-11-01

    We performed a retrospective cohort study between 2002 and 2014 to compare liver transplantation outcomes between recipients of grafts from donors older than and younger than the age of 80 years. Numerical variables were compared with the Student t test when their distribution was normal and the Mann-Whitney test when it was not, whereas categorical variables were compared with Pearson chi-squared test or Fisher test, as appropriate; P < .05 was considered significant. The study included 312 patients with organs from donors younger than 80 years of age and 17 with organs from older donors. The 2 recipient groups did not significantly differ in weight, height, gender, body mass index (BMI), CHILD or MELD score, intensive care unit (ICU) or hospital stay, need for intraoperative hemoderivatives, postreperfusion syndrome, biliary or vascular complications, ischemic cholangiopathy, number of repeat surgeries, graft rejection, retransplantation, or survival at 6 months. Although earlier studies considered livers from elderly donors to be suboptimal, our results support the proposition that octogenarian donors can be an excellent source of liver grafts. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. The use of micro-plasma radiofrequency technology in secondary skin graft contraction: 2 case reports.

    PubMed

    Ding, Jin-Ping; Fang, Lin; Wang, Lian-Zhao

    2015-01-01

    Secondary skin graft contraction leading to cosmetic deformity remains a great challenge. These two case reports present serious skin graft contraction and the treatment with micro-plasma radiofrequency technology. Two patients presented with complaints of post-burn depigmentation on the forehead and the hand, respectively, and received dermabrasion and thin split-thickness skin grafting. Then, many localized contraction lesions occurred after 4 weeks. The treatment selected was non-surgical removal using micro-plasma radiofrequency technology with the following energy parameters: a roller tip at 80 watts, three passes in different directions. No complications were observed. The contracted skin was ablated without affecting the pigment distribution. The consequents were that the color, appearance, and texture of the grafted skin matched the adjacent skin well and had better patient acceptance.

  2. Costimulatory molecule-targeted immunotherapy of cutaneous graft-versus-host disease.

    PubMed

    Kim, Juyang; Kim, Hye J; Park, Keunhee; Kim, Jiyoung; Choi, Hye-Jeong; Yagita, Hideo; Nam, Seok H; Cho, Hong R; Kwon, Byungsuk

    2007-07-15

    Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is an increasingly frequent complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Current therapies for cGVHD reduce symptoms but are not cures. The B10.D2-->Balb/c (H-2(d)) minor histocompatibility antigen-mismatched model, which reflects clinical and pathological symptoms of human cGVHD, was used in this study. We demonstrated that a single injection of an agonistic monoclonal antibody (mAb) against CD137, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, reverses skin fibrosis, ulceration, and alopecia, a dominant feature of cGVHD (cutaneous GVHD), ultimately improving general health conditions. The reversal is associated with markedly reduced CD4(+) T-cell cytokines and increased apoptosis of donor CD4(+) T cells. The Fas pathway is required for ameliorating cutaneous GVHD by anti-CD137 mAb. Taken together, these data indicate that the anti-CD137 mAb has a therapeutic effect on cutaneous GVHD by removing donor CD4(+) T cells that cause cutaneous GVHD. Thus, our study demonstrates an agonistic mAb, specific for a costimulatory molecule, as a possible target for therapeutic intervention in cutaneous GVHD.

  3. A different and safe method of split thickness skin graft fixation: medical honey application.

    PubMed

    Emsen, Ilteris Murat

    2007-09-01

    Honey has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. Its antibacterial effects have been established during the past few decades. Still, modern medical practitioners hesitate to apply honey for local treatment of wounds. This may be because of the expected messiness of such local application. Hence, if honey is to be used for medicinal purposes, it has to meet certain criteria. The authors evaluated its use for the split thickness skin graft fixation because of its adhesive and other beneficial effects in 11 patients. No complications such as graft loss, infection, and graft rejection were seen. Based on these results, the authors advised honey as a new agent for split thickness skin graft fixation. In recent years there has been a renewed interest in honey wound management. There are a range of regulated wound care products that contain honey available on the Drug Tariff. This article addresses key issues associated with the use of honey, outlining how it may be best used, in which methods of split thickness skin graft fixations it may be used, and what clinical outcomes may be anticipated. For this reason, 11 patients who underwent different diagnosis were included in this study. In all the patients same medical honey was used for the fixation of the skin graft. No graft loss was seen during both the first dressing and the last view of the grafted areas. As a result, it has been shown that honey is also a very effective agent for split thickness skin graft fixations. Because it is a natural agent, it can be easily used in all skin graft operation for the fixation of the split thickness skin grafts.

  4. Risk analysis of ischemic-type biliary lesions after liver transplant using octogenarian donors.

    PubMed

    Ghinolfi, Davide; De Simone, Paolo; Lai, Quirino; Pezzati, Daniele; Coletti, Laura; Balzano, Emanuele; Arenga, Giuseppe; Carrai, Paola; Grande, Gennaro; Pollina, Luca; Campani, Daniela; Biancofiore, Gianni; Filipponi, Franco

    2016-05-01

    The use of octogenarian donors to increase the donor pool in liver transplantation (LT) is controversial because advanced donor age is associated with a higher risk of ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBL). The aim of this study was to investigate retrospectively the role of a number of different pre-LT risk factors for ITBL in a selected population of recipients of octogenarian donor grafts. Between January 2003 and December 2013, 123 patients underwent transplantation at our institution with deceased donor grafts from donors of age ≥80 years. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the presence of ITBL in the posttransplant course. Exclusion criteria were retransplantations, presence of vascular complications, and no availability of procurement liver biopsy. A total of 88 primary LTs were included, 73 (83.0%) with no posttransplant ITBLs and 15 (17.0%) with ITBLs. The median follow-up after LT was 2.1 years (range, 0.7-5.4 years). At multivariate analysis, donor hemodynamic instability (hazard ratio [HR], 7.6; P = 0.005), donor diabetes mellitus (HR, 9.5; P = 0.009), and donor age-Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (HR, 1.0; P = 0.04) were risk factors for ITBL. Transplantation of liver grafts from donors of age ≥80 years is associated with a higher risk for ITBL. However, favorable results can be achieved with accurate donor selection. Donor hemodynamic instability, a donor history of diabetes mellitus, and allocation to higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score recipient all increase the risk of ITBL and are associated with worse graft survival when octogenarian donors are used. Liver Transplantation 22 588-598 2016 AASLD. © 2016 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

  5. Reconstructive Surgery in the Thermally Injured Patient

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-01-01

    Pedicle flaps • Reconstructive Surgery • Thermal injury • Z-plasties • Skin grafting AN INCREASED NEED FOR RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY Reconstruction is a...dermal structure and include the tendency for recurrent contractures. full-thickness skin graft s are usually reserved for reconstructions with...dermatologic surgery: review and update on full- and split thickness skin grafts , free cartilage grafts, and composite grafts. Dermatol Surg 2005;31

  6. Decreasing Skin Graft Contraction through Topical Wound Bed Preparation with Anti-Inflammatory Agents

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-10-01

    This proposal aims to identify topically applied anti-inflammatory drugs that will reduce recipient site inflammation and skin graft contraction. We...hypothesize that the elevated and prolonged inflammatory state of the recipient wound bed is a causative factor in the development of skin graft contraction...Using a porcine model of skin graft contraction, we will screen for anti-inflammatory agents (dose, schedule of administration, drug class

  7. [Clinical application of artificial dermis combined with basic fibroblast growth factor in the treatment of cicatrix and deep skin wounds].

    PubMed

    Liu, Yang; Zhang, Yilan; Huang, Yalan; Luo, Gaoxing; Peng, Yizhi; Yan, Hong; Luo, Qizhi; Zhang, Jiaping; Wu, Jun; Peng, Daizhi

    2016-04-01

    To observe the effects of artificial dermis combined with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the treatment of cicatrix and deep skin wounds. The clinical data of 72 patients with wounds repaired with artificial dermis, hospitalized in our unit from October 2010 to April 2015, conforming to the study criteria, were retrospectively analyzed. The types of wounds were wounds after resection of cicatrices, deep burn wounds without exposure of tendon or bone, and wounds with exposure of small area of tendon or bone, in a total number of 102. Wounds were divided into artificial dermis group (A, n=60) and artificial dermis+ bFGF group (B, n=42) according to whether or not artificial dermis combined with bFGF. In group A, after release and resection of cicatrices or thorough debridement of deep skin wounds, artificial dermis was directly grafted to wounds in the first stage operation. After complete vascularization of artificial dermis, wounds were repaired with autologous split-thickness skin grafts in the second stage operation. In group B, all the procedures were exactly the same as those in group A except that artificial dermis had been soaked in bFGF for 30 min before grafting. Operation area, complete vascularization time of artificial dermis, survival of skin grafts, and the follow-up condition of wounds in the two groups were recorded. Data were processed with t test and Fisher's exact test. (1) Operation areas of wounds after resection of cicatrices, deep burn wounds without exposure of tendon or bone, and wounds with exposure of small area of tendon or bone in the two groups were about the same (with t values from -1.853 to -0.200, P values above 0.05). Complete vascularization time of artificial dermis in wounds after resection of cicatrices, deep burn wounds without exposure of tendon or bone, and wounds with exposure of small area of tendon or bone in group B were respectively (15.6 ± 2.9), (14.7 ± 2.7), and (20.3 ± 4.4) d, and they were shorter by an average time of 2.7, 4.0, 7.4 d, respectively, as compared with those in corresponding types of wounds in group A [respectively (18.3 ± 4.7), (18.7 ± 4.2), and (27.7 ± 8.8) d, with t values from -2.779 to -2.383, P values below 0.05]. (2) The ratio of skin grafts with excellent survival in the three types of wounds in group B were higher than those in corresponding types of wounds in group A, but there were no statistically significant differences (with P values above 0.05). (3) Patients were followed up for 1 to 48 months, and there were no obvious cicatrices in skin graft sites and the donor sites during the following time. Artificial dermis combined with bFGF can effectively shorten the vascularization time of artificial dermis in wounds after resection of cicatrices and deep skin wounds.

  8. Vγ4 γδ T Cells Provide an Early Source of IL-17A and Accelerate Skin Graft Rejection.

    PubMed

    Li, Yashu; Huang, Zhenggen; Yan, Rongshuai; Liu, Meixi; Bai, Yang; Liang, Guangping; Zhang, Xiaorong; Hu, Xiaohong; Chen, Jian; Huang, Chibing; Liu, Baoyi; Luo, Gaoxing; Wu, Jun; He, Weifeng

    2017-12-01

    Activated γδ T cells have been shown to accelerate allograft rejection. However, the precise role of skin-resident γδ T cells and their subsets-Vγ5 (epidermis), Vγ1, and Vγ4 (dermis)-in skin graft rejection have not been identified. Here, using a male to female skin transplantation model, we demonstrated that Vγ4 T cells, rather than Vγ1 or Vγ5 T cells, accelerated skin graft rejection and that IL-17A was essential for Vγ4 T-cell-mediated skin graft rejection. Moreover, we found that Vγ4 T cells were required for early IL-17A production in the transplanted area, both in skin grafts and in the host epidermis around grafts. Additionally, the chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20-chemokine receptor 6 pathway was essential for recruitment of Vγ4 T cells to the transplantation area, whereas both IL-1β and IL-23 induced IL-17A production from infiltrating cells. Lastly, Vγ4 T-cell-derived IL-17A promoted the accumulation of mature dendritic cells in draining lymph nodes to subsequently regulate αβ T-cell function after skin graft transplantation. Taken together, our data reveal that Vγ4 T cells accelerate skin graft rejection by providing an early source of IL-17A. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. [Donor supply of scalp and specificities of hair transplantation in Asians].

    PubMed

    Tsilosani, A Z; Mshvenieradze, E G

    2008-01-01

    In 2005--2007 in a hair transplantation clinic 'Talizi' the flow of international patients increased dramatically, including those from Central and Eastern Asia. During this period 211 ethnic Asian patients underwent operations, including 146 patients from South Korea, 2--from China, 62-- from Kazakhstan and 1--from Philippines. Black and straight hair give impact of low density due to considerable contrast with characteristic for Asians light color scalp; therefore, from the very beginning we tried to transplant as many grafts (follicular units - FU) as possible. For the operation we chose strip version (FUSS) that enables to receive large number of grafts. The scale of transplantation varied in a range of 1200-3800 FU, on average--2500-3000 FU. Though, even from the very first cases we faced specificities of ethnic Asian scalp that significantly complicated our work: low density and low hair/graft ratio in donor zone in contrast to information from special literature, and low laxity (flexibility) of the scalp. We set an objective to specify indicators of donor density (number of FU on a sq.cm and hair/FU ratio), to study bio-mechanical specificities of ethnic Asian scalp and develop optimal surgical tactics for these patients after the evaluation of transplantation results. Observation group was composed of 211 patients from abovementioned countries and a sub-group--50 Korean patients for medium-scale hair transplantation (2000-3000 FU) by strip version. Study of donor characteristics of these patients revealed low density--74 FU/cm2; on 1 cm2 grow only 121 hairs, whereas hair/FU ration was 1,63. Strength required to close would edges (scalp tension power) varied from 1,4 kg-f to 2,6 kg-f depending on scalp flexibility and number of transplanted grafts (strip width), and amounted on average to 2,16 +/- 0,02 kg-f, p < 0,001%. This indicator is about 1,5 times exceeding the one of ethnic Caucasian patient group (1,47 +/- 0,02 kg-f, p < 0,001%). Low donor density of our Korean patients compelled us to increase width of the obtained skin strip (sometimes to 2,5 cm) in order to get required number of grafts (FU). In case of low flexibility of the scalps this resulted in high percentage (10-15%) of wide (4-10 mm) scar formation in donor area. In order to find the way out from this situation (restrict the width of the strip to 1,5 cm without affecting FU to be transplanted in one operation), we proposed the combination of the strip version (FUSS) with FU extraction (FUE). While this solution increased the duration and price of the operation, we believe that it is the most optimal version in case of large-scale hair transplantation for the ethnic Asian patients.

  10. Corneal Tissue From Dry Eye Donors Leads to Enhanced Graft Rejection.

    PubMed

    Inomata, Takenori; Hua, Jing; Nakao, Takeshi; Shiang, Tina; Chiang, Homer; Amouzegar, Afsaneh; Dana, Reza

    2018-01-01

    To assess the effect of dry eye disease (DED) in graft donors on dendritic cell (DC) maturation, host T-cell sensitization, and corneal allograft rejection. Corneas of control (healthy donor) and DED mice (C57BL/6) were transplanted onto fully allogeneic naive BALB/c recipients (n = 10 mice/group). Long-term allograft survival was evaluated for 8 weeks. Corneas and draining lymph nodes (dLNs) were harvested at posttransplantation day 14 (n = 5 mice/group). The frequencies of MHCII CD11c DCs in the donor corneas and host dLNs and the frequencies of interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-17 CD4 T cells and Foxp3 expression by Tregs in host dLNs were investigated using flow cytometry. The enzyme-linked immunospot assay was used to assess host T-cell allosensitization through direct and indirect pathways (n = 3/group). Recipients of DED donor corneas showed significantly reduced graft survival (10%) compared with control mice (50% survival, P = 0.022), and had significantly increased frequencies of mature DCs in the grafted cornea (DED donor 44.0% ± 0.36% vs. healthy donor 35.4 ± 0.5%; P < 0.0001) and host dLNs (DED donor 25.1% ± 0.66% vs. healthy donor 13.7% ± 1.6%; P = 0.005). Frequencies of IFN-γ and IL-17 T cells were increased in the dLNs of recipients of DED corneas, whereas the expression (mean fluorescence intensity) of Foxp3 in Tregs was decreased significantly in these mice (DED donor 6004 ± 193 vs. healthy donor 6806 ± 81; P = 0.0002). Enzyme-linked immunospot analysis showed that the direct pathway of allosensitization was significantly amplified in recipients of grafts with DED (P = 0.0146). Our results indicate that DED in the donor is a significant risk factor for subsequent corneal allograft rejection.

  11. Section 17. Laparoscopic and minimal incisional donor hepatectomy.

    PubMed

    Choi, YoungRok; Yi, Nam-Joon; Lee, Kwang-Woong; Suh, Kyung-Suk

    2014-04-27

    Living donor hepatectomy is now a well-established surgical procedure. However, a large abdominal incision is still required, which results in a large permanent scar, especially for a right liver graft. This report reviews our techniques of minimally invasive or minimal incisional donor hepatectomy using a transverse incision.Twenty-five living donors underwent right hepatectomy with a transverse incision and 484 donors with a conventional incision between April 2007 and December 2012. Among the donors with a transverse incision, two cases were totally laparoscopic procedures using a hand-port device; 11 cases were laparoscopic-assisted hepatectomy (hybrid technique), and 14 cases were open procedures using a transverse incision without the aid of the laparoscopic technique. Currently, a hybrid method has been exclusively used because of the long operation time and surgical difficulty in totally laparoscopic hepatectomy and the exposure problems for the liver cephalic portion during the open technique using a transverse incision.All donors with a transverse incision were women except for one. Twenty-four of the grafts were right livers without middle hepatic vein (MHV) and one with MHV. The donors' mean BMI was 21.1 kg/m. The median operation time was 355 minutes, and the mean estimated blood loss was 346.1±247.3 mL (range, 70-1200). There was no intraoperative transfusion. These donors had 29 cases of grade I [14 pleural effusions (56%), 11 abdominal fluid collections (44%), 3 atelectasis (12%), 1bile leak (4%)], 1 case of grade II (1 pneumothorax) and two cases of grade III complications; two interventions were needed because of abdominal fluid collections by Clavien-Dindo classification. Meanwhile, donors with a conventional big incision, which included the Mercedes-Benz incision or an inverted L-shaped incision, had 433 cases of grade I, 19 cases of grade II and 18 cases of grade III complications. However, the liver enzymes and total bilirubin of all donors were normalized within 1 month, and they recovered fully. Additionally, in a survey inquiring about cosmetic outcomes with a numeric scale of 1 through 10 (1, Not confident; 10, Very confident), the transverse incision had more satisfactory scores compared to the conventional big incision (9.80 vs. 6.17, P=0.001). In conclusion, the hybrid technique can be safely performed in donor right hepatectomy, with a minimal transverse skin incision, resulting in a good cosmetic outcome.

  12. Rib Bone Graft Adjusted to Fit the Facial Asymmetry: A Frame Structure Graft.

    PubMed

    Lee, Yoon Ho; Choi, Jong Hwan; Hwang, Kun; Choi, Jun Ho

    2015-10-01

    The authors introduce the concept of a "frame structure graft" in which a harvested rib bone was adjusted to fit facial asymmetry. On the costochondral junction of the sixth or seventh rib, a 5 cm incision was made. Through a subperiosteal dissection, the rib bone was harvested. Using a reciprocating saw, the harvested rib was scored on its anterior surface as well as its posterior surface with a partial depth at different intervals. The harvested rib bone was placed on the skin surface of the unaffected side of the face and a curvature was created exactly matching that of the unaffected side by bending the bone using a greenstick fracture. Thereafter, the graft was adjusted to conceal the asymmetry of the deficient side. The adjusted "frame structure" was transferred to the defect through the incisions on the affected side, and the "frame structure" graft was placed on the mandible or zygoma. The graft fixation was done externally with at least 2 Kirschner wires (K-wires). From January 2005 to August 2013, a total of 30 patients (13 men, 17 women, mean age 25.6 years) received a frame structure graft. All 30 patients achieved good healing at the operation site without complications. Donor-site morbidity as pneumothorax from the rib bone harvest was not found. Merits of this frame structure graft, the authors think, are that this method could allow a similar curvature to the normal side. In addition, the procedure itself is easy.

  13. Iliac Crest Donor Site for Children With Cleft Lip and Palate Undergoing Alveolar Bone Grafting: A Long-term Assessment.

    PubMed

    Wheeler, Jonathan; Sanders, Megan; Loo, Stanley; Moaveni, Zac; Bartlett, Glenn; Keall, Heather; Pinkerton, Mark

    2016-05-01

    The authors aimed to accurately assess the donor site morbidity from iliac crest bone grafts for secondary bone grafting in patients with cleft lip and palate alveolar defects. Fifty patients between 3 months and 10 years following alveolar bone grafting for cleft lip and palate were entered into the study. Two-thirds of patients had no significant concerns about the donor site. The remaining third had some concerns about the appearance of their hips and less than 10% of patients expressing strong agreement with statements about concerns with shape, appearance, and self-consciousness about the iliac crest donor site. Examination findings showed the average length of scar being 5.4 cm and a third of patients having some minor palpable boney irregularities of the iliac crest. The authors found that the alveolar crest donor site is well tolerated by patients long term but has a measurable morbidity long term.

  14. Propeller Flap for Complex Distal Leg Reconstruction: A Versatile Alternative when Reverse Sural Artery Flap is Not Feasible.

    PubMed

    Ademola, Samuel A; Michael, Afieharo I; Oladeji, Femi J; Mbaya, Kefas M; Oyewole, O

    2015-01-01

    Reverse sural artery fasciocutaneous flap has become a workhorse for the reconstruction of distal leg soft tissue defects. When its use is not feasible, perforator-based propeller flap offers a better, easier, faster, and cheaper alternative to free flap. We present our experience with two men both aged 34 years who sustained Gustilo 3B injuries from gunshot. The donor area for reversed sural artery flap was involved in the injuries. They had early debridement, external fixation, and wound coverage with perforator-based propeller flaps. The donor sites were covered with skin graft. All flaps survived. There were minor wound edge ulcers due to the pressure of positioning that did not affect flap survival and the ulcers healed with conservative management. Perforator-based propeller flap is a versatile armamentarium for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the distal leg in resource-constrained settings, especially when the donor area for a reverse flow sural flap artery is involved in the injury.

  15. Liver transplantation for HBsAg-positive recipients using grafts from HBsAg-positive deceased donors.

    PubMed

    Choi, YoungRok; Choi, Jong Young; Yi, Nam-Joon; Lee, Kyoungbun; Mori, Shozo; Hong, Geun; Kim, Hyeyoung; Park, Min-Su; Yoo, Tae; Suh, Suk-Won; Lee, Hae Won; Lee, Kwang-Woong; Suh, Kyung-Suk

    2013-12-01

    This study reports our experience using deceased donor liver grafts from HBsAg-positive donors. We performed eight cases of liver transplantation (LT) using grafts from deceased HBsAg-positive donors between November 2005 and October 2010. The median age of donors was 48 years (range: 26-64). HBV DNA in the serum of donors ranged from 44 to 395 IU/ml, but HBeAg in all donors was negative. Preoperative laboratory and liver biopsy samples revealed the absence of definitive cirrhotic features and hepatitis. All recipients showed HBsAg positive preoperatively except one patient with HBsAg(-) status post previous LT for HBV related liver cirrhosis. The median age was 60 years (range: 46-76) at LT. Post-LT antiviral management consisted of hepatitis B immunoglobulin and antiviral nucleos(t)ide analogues. The median follow-up period was 25.5 months (range: 14-82). Of eight recipients, two recipients experienced serum HBsAg and HBV DNA disappearance postoperatively. Three recipients died of HBV-unrelated causes. The remaining five recipients were stable with normal liver function and no marked pathologic changes on follow-up biopsies. This experience shows that LT using grafts from deceased HBsAg-positive donors is feasible, and may represent a valuable expansion of the pool of organ donors with appropriate antiviral management and monitoring. © 2013 Steunstichting ESOT. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  16. Excellent long-term patient and graft survival are possible with appropriate use of livers from deceased septuagenarian and octogenarian donors

    PubMed Central

    Chedid, Marcio F; Rosen, Charles B; Nyberg, Scott L; Heimbach, Julie K

    2014-01-01

    Background Although increasing donor age adversely affects survival after liver transplantation, livers have been used from selected deceased donors older than 70 years. Although there are reports of excellent short-term results, long-term results are unknown. Our experience was reviewed with septuagenarian and octogenarian deceased donors to determine long-term outcomes. Methods All primary deceased donor liver transplants performed at our institution between July 1998 and December 2010 were reviewed. Recipients of livers procured after circulatory arrest, split and reduced-size livers and multiple organ transplants were excluded from the study. Patient and graft survival were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and survival comparisons were made with the log-rank test. Results In total, 780 patients met inclusion criteria, and 109 patients received livers from donors older than 70 years (range = 70–86). There were no differences in long-term patient (P = 0.67) or graft (P = 0.42) survival between hepatitis C negative recipients of livers from older compared with younger donors. In contrast, 7-year survival for HCV-positive recipients of older donor livers was less than half that of HCV-negative recipients. Discussion Transplantation of livers from septua- and octogenarian donors can achieve excellent long-term patient and graft survival for selected HCV-negative patients. PMID:24467292

  17. [The advantages in using cyanoacrylate glue over skin staples as a method of skin graft fixation in the pediatric burns population].

    PubMed

    Curings, P; Vincent, P-L; Viard, R; Gir, P; Comparin, J-P; Voulliaume, D

    2017-11-23

    Local postoperative care and burn wound management can present with a certain degree of difficulty in the pediatric population. While the use of skin staples as a method of skin graft fixation is a well-known, rapid and simple method, their removal can be painful and may necessitate some sedation or even general anesthesia. We studied in this article the advantages and economic value of using the cyanoacrylate glue as a fixation method for skin grafts. A comparative study was carried out from 2012 to 2016. Hundred and eighteen infants with burns up to 5% of total body surface area were included in the study. Seventy-two infants had split thickness skin grafts fixed with skin staples. Forty-six infants had split thickness skin grafts fixed with cyanoacrylate glue. We compared the quality of graft, the sedation used during the first postoperative dressing, the length of hospital stay, the amount of glue used and the presence of complications. There is a difference between the two groups studied in terms of age and total burn surface area. The rate of graft take was 100% in both groups. The first postoperative dressing was carried out without the use of powerful analgesia in the cyanoacrylate group, while it was necessary to use general anesthesia in 64% of the skin staples group. The average length of stay in hospital after skin grafting was 4.9 days for the cyanoacrylate glue versus 6.5 days in the skin staples group. No complications were noted in the 2 groups. The use of cyanoacrylate glue allows rapid fixation of skin grafts and avoid general anesthesia for postoperative cares. Subsequently the length of hospital stay is reduced within 25%. The medico-economic value of glue protocol is highly significant compared to skin staples, while having similar good results and without significant problems. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  18. Antecedent thermal injury worsens split-thickness skin graft quality: A clinically relevant porcine model of full-thickness burn, excision and grafting.

    PubMed

    Carlsson, Anders H; Rose, Lloyd F; Fletcher, John L; Wu, Jesse C; Leung, Kai P; Chan, Rodney K

    2017-02-01

    Current standard of care for full-thickness burn is excision followed by autologous split-thickness skin graft placement. Skin grafts are also frequently used to cover surgical wounds not amenable to linear closure. While all grafts have potential to contract, clinical observation suggests that antecedent thermal injury worsens contraction and impairs functional and aesthetic outcomes. This study evaluates the impact of antecedent full-thickness burn on split-thickness skin graft scar outcomes and the potential mediating factors. Full-thickness contact burns (100°C, 30s) were created on the backs of anesthetized female Yorkshire Pigs. After seven days, burn eschar was tangentially excised and covered with 12/1000th inch (300μm) split-thickness skin graft. For comparison, unburned wounds were created by sharp excision to fat before graft application. From 7 to 120days post-grafting, planimetric measurements, digital imaging and biopsies for histology, immunohistochemistry and gene expression were obtained. At 120days post-grafting, the Observer Scar Assessment Scale, colorimetry, contour analysis and optical graft height assessments were performed. Twenty-nine porcine wounds were analyzed. All measured metrics of clinical skin quality were significantly worse (p<0.05) in burn injured wounds. Histological analysis supported objective clinical findings with marked scar-like collagen proliferation within the dermis, increased vascular density, and prolonged and increased cellular infiltration. Observed differences in contracture also correlated with earlier and more prominent myofibroblast differentiation as demonstrated by α-SMA staining. Antecedent thermal injury worsens split-thickness skin graft quality, likely by multiple mechanisms including burn-related inflammation, microscopically inadequate excision, and dysregulation of tissue remodeling. A valid, reliable, clinically relevant model of full-thickness burn, excision and skin replacement therapy has been demonstrated. Future research to enhance quality of skin replacement therapies should be directed toward modulation of inflammation and assessments for complete excision. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

  19. Evaluation of pre-implantation kidney biopsies: comparison of Banff criteria to a morphometric approach.

    PubMed

    Lopes, José António; Moreso, Francesc; Riera, Luis; Carrera, Marta; Ibernon, Meritxell; Fulladosa, Xavier; Grinyó, Josep Maria; Serón, Daniel

    2005-04-01

    Donor glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, and fibrous intimal thickening correlate with graft outcome. We evaluate chronic lesions in donor biopsies according to Banff criteria and with a morphometric technique to ascertain their predictive value on graft outcome. We evaluated 77 cadaveric donor biopsies according to Banff criteria. Glomerulosclerosis was expressed as the percentage of global sclerotic glomeruli. The following morphometric parameters were obtained: cortical interstitial volume fraction (Vvint/c), cortical glomerular volume fraction (Vvglom/c), mean glomerular volume (Vg), mean and maximal intimal arterial volume fraction (Vvintima/art), and Vvintima/art of the largest artery. We evaluated the correlation of histologic lesions with delayed graft function, 3 months' glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and death-censored graft survival. Multivariate logistic regression showed that delayed graft function was associated with cv score [relative risk (RR) 4.2 and 95% CI 1.1 to 16.0) and glomerulosclerosis (RR 1.06 and 95% CI 1.01 to 1.13). Stepwise regression showed that Vvint/c and glomerulosclerosis were independent predictors of 3 months' GFR (R= 0.62, P= 0.0001). Repeated analysis not considering morphometric parameters showed that glomerulosclerosis, cv score and ci score were independent predictors of 3 months' GFR (R= 0.64, P= 0.0001). A donor chronic damage score was generated considering glomerulosclerosis, cv score and ci score. This score after adjusting for clinical variables was associated with 3 months' GFR (R= 0.71, P < 0.0001) and death-censored graft survival (RR 2.2 and 95% CI 1.3 to 3.7). Combined evaluation of donor glomerulosclerosis, chronic vascular and interstitial damage according to Banff criteria allows a precise prediction of graft outcome. Morphometric evaluation of donor biopsies does not improve the predictive value of semiquantitative grading.

  20. Outcomes of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation from brain-dead and controlled circulatory death donors.

    PubMed

    Qureshi, M S; Callaghan, C J; Bradley, J A; Watson, C J E; Pettigrew, G J

    2012-06-01

    Organ scarcity has prompted increased use of organs from donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors. An early single-centre experience of simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation from controlled DCD donors is described here. Outcomes of SPK transplants from DCD and donation after brain death (DBD) donors between August 2008 and January 2011 were reviewed retrospectively. SPK transplants from 20 DCD and 40 DBD donors were carried out. Donor and recipient characteristics were similar for both groups, although pancreas cold ischaemia times were shorter in DCD recipients: median (range) 8·2 (5·9-10·5) versus 9·5 (3·8-12·5) h respectively (P = 0·004). Median time from treatment withdrawal to cold perfusion was 24 (range 16-110) min for DCD donors. There were no episodes of delayed pancreatic graft function in either group; the graft thrombosis rates were both 5 per cent. Similarly, there were no differences in haemoglobin A1c level at 12 months: median (range) 5·4 (4·9-7·7) per cent in DCD group versus 5·4 (4·1-6·2) per cent in DBD group (P = 0·910). Pancreas graft survival rates were not significantly different, with Kaplan-Meier 1-year survival estimates of 84 and 95 per cent respectively (P = 0·181). DCD SPK grafts had comparable short-term outcomes to DBD grafts, even when procured from selected donors with a prolonged agonal phase. Copyright © 2012 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  1. Dupuytren Disease Infiltrating a Full-Thickness Skin Graft.

    PubMed

    Wade, Ryckie George; Igali, Laszlo; Figus, Andrea

    2016-08-01

    Although the role of the skin in the development and propagation of Dupuytren disease remains unclear, dermofasciectomy and full-thickness skin grafting (FTSG) appears to delay recurrence. In 2011, a 71-year-old, left-handed man presented with recurrent Dupuytren disease in the dominant hand. In 1991, he originally underwent a primary dermofasciectomy and FTSG for Dupuytren disease involving the palmar skin. Twenty years later, the left middle finger was drawn into flexion by a recurrent cord, and the old graft and adjacent palmar skin were clinically involved by fibromatosis. We performed a revision dermofasciectomy and FTSG. Microscopic analysis of the excised graft demonstrated dense infiltration of the entire skin graft by Dupuytren disease, with areas of active and burnt-out fibromatosis distinct from hypertrophic scarring. This report of Dupuytren fibromatosis infiltrating a skin graft raises questions about the pathophysiology of Dupuytren disease. Copyright © 2016 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. Comparable short- and long-term outcomes in deceased-donor and living-donor liver retransplantation.

    PubMed

    Chok, Kenneth Siu Ho; Chan, Albert C Y; Fung, James Y Y; Dai, Wing Chiu; Cheung, Tan To; Lo, Chung Mau

    2017-11-01

    There is a big controversy over liver retransplantation, the only life-saving treatment for patients with a failing or failed liver graft. This retrospective study tried to determine if living-donor liver retransplantation (re-LDLT) is a justifiable alternative to deceased-donor liver retransplantation (re-DDLT). Anonymous data of liver transplant patients from January 2000 to April 2016 were reviewed. Recipients of retransplantation were divided into the re-DDLT and re-LDLT groups. The groups were compared in demographic characteristics, pre-retransplant and intraoperative details, and short- and long-term outcomes. Risk for living donors was examined. Twenty-nine patients had 33 re-DDLTs and 15 patients received re-LDLT. The re-LDLT group had lighter grafts (525 vs. 1295 g, p ≤ 0.001), a smaller ratio of graft weight to recipient standard liver volume (56.98 vs. 107.7%, p ≤ 0.001), and shorter cold ischemia (106 vs. 451 min, p ≤ 0.001). The groups were otherwise comparable. Two patients in the re-DDLT group had Grade-5 complication. The groups were similar in patient survival (p = 0.326) and graft survival (p = 0.102). No living donors died, but three of them developed Grade-1 complications. With the required expertise, re-LDLT can produce results comparable to those of re-DDLT while keeping donor risk at bay. In places where the demand for deceased-donor liver grafts far outstrips supply, re-LDLT can be considered as an alternative to re-DDLT if the expertise is available and if the potential recipient benefits can balance out the potential donor risks.

  3. Octogenarian liver grafts: Is their use for transplant currently justified?

    PubMed

    Jiménez-Romero, Carlos; Cambra, Felix; Caso, Oscar; Manrique, Alejandro; Calvo, Jorge; Marcacuzco, Alejandro; Rioja, Paula; Lora, David; Justo, Iago

    2017-05-07

    To analyse the impact of octogenarian donors in liver transplantation. We present a retrospective single-center study, performed between November 1996 and March 2015, that comprises a sample of 153 liver transplants. Recipients were divided into two groups according to liver donor age: recipients of donors ≤ 65 years (group A; n = 102), and recipients of donors ≥ 80 years (group B; n = 51). A comparative analysis between the groups was performed. Quantitative variables were expressed as mean values and SD, and qualitative variables as percentages. Differences in properties between qualitative variables were assessed by χ 2 test. Comparison of quantitative variables was made by t -test. Graft and patient survivals were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. One, 3 and 5-year overall patient survival was 87.3%, 84% and 75.2%, respectively, in recipients of younger grafts vs 88.2%, 84.1% and 66.4%, respectively, in recipients of octogenarian grafts ( P = 0.748). One, 3 and 5-year overall graft survival was 84.3%, 83.1% and 74.2%, respectively, in recipients of younger grafts vs 84.3%, 79.4% and 64.2%, respectively, in recipients of octogenarian grafts ( P = 0.524). After excluding the patients with hepatitis C virus cirrhosis (16 in group A and 10 in group B), the 1, 3 and 5-year patient ( P = 0.657) and graft ( P = 0.419) survivals were practically the same in both groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that overall patient survival was adversely affected by cerebrovascular donor death, hepatocarcinoma, and recipient preoperative bilirubin, and overall graft survival was adversely influenced by cerebrovascular donor death, and recipient preoperative bilirubin. The standard criteria for utilization of octogenarian liver grafts are: normal gross appearance and consistency, normal or almost normal liver tests, hemodynamic stability with use of < 10 μg/kg per minute of vasopressors before procurement, intensive care unit stay < 3 d, CIT < 9 h, absence of atherosclerosis in the hepatic and gastroduodenal arteries, and no relevant histological alterations in the pre-transplant biopsy, such as fibrosis, hepatitis, cholestasis or macrosteatosis > 30%.

  4. Octogenarian liver grafts: Is their use for transplant currently justified?

    PubMed Central

    Jiménez-Romero, Carlos; Cambra, Felix; Caso, Oscar; Manrique, Alejandro; Calvo, Jorge; Marcacuzco, Alejandro; Rioja, Paula; Lora, David; Justo, Iago

    2017-01-01

    AIM To analyse the impact of octogenarian donors in liver transplantation. METHODS We present a retrospective single-center study, performed between November 1996 and March 2015, that comprises a sample of 153 liver transplants. Recipients were divided into two groups according to liver donor age: recipients of donors ≤ 65 years (group A; n = 102), and recipients of donors ≥ 80 years (group B; n = 51). A comparative analysis between the groups was performed. Quantitative variables were expressed as mean values and SD, and qualitative variables as percentages. Differences in properties between qualitative variables were assessed by χ2 test. Comparison of quantitative variables was made by t-test. Graft and patient survivals were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS One, 3 and 5-year overall patient survival was 87.3%, 84% and 75.2%, respectively, in recipients of younger grafts vs 88.2%, 84.1% and 66.4%, respectively, in recipients of octogenarian grafts (P = 0.748). One, 3 and 5-year overall graft survival was 84.3%, 83.1% and 74.2%, respectively, in recipients of younger grafts vs 84.3%, 79.4% and 64.2%, respectively, in recipients of octogenarian grafts (P = 0.524). After excluding the patients with hepatitis C virus cirrhosis (16 in group A and 10 in group B), the 1, 3 and 5-year patient (P = 0.657) and graft (P = 0.419) survivals were practically the same in both groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that overall patient survival was adversely affected by cerebrovascular donor death, hepatocarcinoma, and recipient preoperative bilirubin, and overall graft survival was adversely influenced by cerebrovascular donor death, and recipient preoperative bilirubin. CONCLUSION The standard criteria for utilization of octogenarian liver grafts are: normal gross appearance and consistency, normal or almost normal liver tests, hemodynamic stability with use of < 10 μg/kg per minute of vasopressors before procurement, intensive care unit stay < 3 d, CIT < 9 h, absence of atherosclerosis in the hepatic and gastroduodenal arteries, and no relevant histological alterations in the pre-transplant biopsy, such as fibrosis, hepatitis, cholestasis or macrosteatosis > 30%. PMID:28533667

  5. How important is donor age in liver transplantation?

    PubMed

    Lué, Alberto; Solanas, Estela; Baptista, Pedro; Lorente, Sara; Araiz, Juan J; Garcia-Gil, Agustin; Serrano, M Trinidad

    2016-06-07

    The age of liver donors has been increasing in the past several years because of a donor shortage. In the United States, 33% of donors are age 50 years or older, as are more than 50% in some European countries. The impact of donor age on liver transplantation (LT) has been analyzed in several studies with contradictory conclusions. Nevertheless, recent analyses of the largest databases demonstrate that having an older donor is a risk factor for graft failure. Donor age is included as a risk factor in the more relevant graft survival scores, such as the Donor Risk Index, donor age and Model for End-stage Liver Disease, Survival Outcomes Following Liver Transplantation, and the Balance of Risk. The use of old donors is related to an increased rate of biliary complications and hepatitis C virus-related graft failure. Although liver function does not seem to be significantly affected by age, the incidence of several liver diseases increases with age, and the capacity of the liver to manage or overcome liver diseases or external injuries decreases. In this paper, the importance of age in LT outcomes, the role of donor age as a risk factor, and the influence of aging on liver regeneration are reviewed.

  6. Hot topics in liver transplantation: organ allocation--extended criteria donor--living donor liver transplantation.

    PubMed

    Müllhaupt, Beat; Dimitroulis, Dimitrios; Gerlach, J Tilman; Clavien, Pierre-Alain

    2008-01-01

    Liver transplantation has become the mainstay for the treatment of end-stage liver disease, hepatocellular cancer and some metabolic disorders. Its main drawback, though, is the disparity between the number of donors and the patients needing a liver graft. In this review we will discuss the recent changes regarding organ allocation, extended donor criteria, living donor liver transplantation and potential room for improvement. The gap between the number of donors and patients needing a liver graft forced the transplant community to introduce an objective model such as the modified model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) in order to obtain a transparent and fair organ allocation system. The use of extended criteria donor livers such as organs from older donors or steatotic grafts is one possibility to reduce the gap between patients on the waiting list and available donors. Finally, living donor liver transplantation has become a standard procedure in specialized centers as another possibility to reduce the donor shortage. Recent data clearly indicate that center experience is of major importance in achieving good results. Great progress has been made in recent years. However, further research is needed to improve results in the future.

  7. How important is donor age in liver transplantation?

    PubMed Central

    Lué, Alberto; Solanas, Estela; Baptista, Pedro; Lorente, Sara; Araiz, Juan J; Garcia-Gil, Agustin; Serrano, M Trinidad

    2016-01-01

    The age of liver donors has been increasing in the past several years because of a donor shortage. In the United States, 33% of donors are age 50 years or older, as are more than 50% in some European countries. The impact of donor age on liver transplantation (LT) has been analyzed in several studies with contradictory conclusions. Nevertheless, recent analyses of the largest databases demonstrate that having an older donor is a risk factor for graft failure. Donor age is included as a risk factor in the more relevant graft survival scores, such as the Donor Risk Index, donor age and Model for End-stage Liver Disease, Survival Outcomes Following Liver Transplantation, and the Balance of Risk. The use of old donors is related to an increased rate of biliary complications and hepatitis C virus-related graft failure. Although liver function does not seem to be significantly affected by age, the incidence of several liver diseases increases with age, and the capacity of the liver to manage or overcome liver diseases or external injuries decreases. In this paper, the importance of age in LT outcomes, the role of donor age as a risk factor, and the influence of aging on liver regeneration are reviewed. PMID:27275089

  8. Outcomes of liver transplantation with liver grafts from pediatric donors used in adult recipients.

    PubMed

    Croome, Kristopher P; Lee, David D; Burns, Justin M; Saucedo-Crespo, Hector; Perry, Dana K; Nguyen, Justin H; Taner, C Burcin

    2016-08-01

    Although there is an agreement that liver grafts from pediatric donors (PDs) should ideally be used for pediatric patients, there remain situations when these grafts are turned down for pediatric recipients and are then offered to adult recipients. The present study aimed to investigate the outcomes of using these grafts for liver transplantation (LT) in adult patients. Data from all patients undergoing LT between 2002 and 2014 were obtained from the United Network for Organ Sharing Standard Analysis and Research file. Adult recipients undergoing LT were divided into 2 groups: those receiving a pediatric liver graft (pediatric-to-adult group) and those receiving a liver graft from adult donors (adult-to-adult group). A separate subgroup analysis comparing the PDs used for adult recipients and those used for pediatric recipients was also performed. Patient and graft survival were not significantly different between pediatric-to-adult and adult-to-adult groups (P = 0.08 and P = 0.21, respectively). Hepatic artery thrombosis as the cause for graft loss was higher in the pediatric-to-adult group (3.6%) than the adult-to-adult group (1.9%; P < 0.001). A subanalysis looking at the pediatric-to-adult group found that patients with a predicted graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) < 0.8 had a higher 90-day graft loss rate than those with a GRWR ≥ 0.8 (39% versus 9%; P < 0.001). PDs used for adult recipients had a higher proportion of donors with elevated aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (20% vs. 12%; P < 0.001), elevated creatinine (11% vs. 4%; P < 0.001), donation after cardiac death donors (12% vs. 0.9%; P < 0.001), and were hepatitis B virus core positive (1% vs. 0.3%; P = 0.002) than PDs used for pediatric recipients. In conclusion, acceptable patient and graft survival can be achieved with the use of pediatric liver grafts in adult recipients, when these grafts have been determined to be inappropriate for usage in the pediatric population. Liver Transplantation 22 1099-1106 2016 AASLD. © 2016 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

  9. Outcome of organs procured from donors on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support: an analysis of kidney and liver allograft data.

    PubMed

    Carter, Timothy; Bodzin, Adam S; Hirose, Hitoshi; West, Sharon; Hasz, Richard; Maley, Warren R; Cavarocchi, Nicholas C

    2014-07-01

    Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has become rescue therapy for adults with overwhelming cardiac and/or respiratory failure. Not all patients are saved, creating a new cohort of potential organ donors. This study examines the outcomes of liver and kidney allografts procured from donors on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). A retrospective review was conducted through the local organ procurement organization. Donors on ECMO prior to notification were classified into donation after brain death (DBD) and donation after cardiac death (DCD). We compared short-term outcome data against published standards. Between 1995 and 2012, 97 organs were procured from 41 donors supported on ECMO. There were 68 kidneys donated, 51 were transplanted and 17 discarded. Excluding extended criteria donors, 29 DBD and 13 DCD kidneys were transplanted from donors supported on ECMO. Delayed graft function occurred in 34% of DBD kidneys and 38% of DCD kidneys. Kidney allograft survival at one yr was 93%. Twenty-four livers were procured, nine discarded, and 15 transplanted. Ninety-three percent of liver transplant recipients were alive with graft function at one yr. Donation after brain death kidneys procured from donors on ECMO perform similarly to non-ECMO organs with regard to delayed graft function (DGF), one-yr graft survival and function. Livers from ECMO donors have a higher discard rate than non-ECMO donors, but function similarly at six months and one yr. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  10. Feasibility of Human Skin Grafts on an Isolated but Accessible Vascular Supply on Athymic Rats as a System to Study Percutaneous Penetration and Cutaneous Injury.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1983-11-01

    HUMAN SKIN GRAFTS ON AN ISOLATED BUT ACCESSIBLE VASCULAR SUPPLY ON ATHYMIC RATS AS A SYSTEM TO STUDY PERCUTANEOUS PENETRATION AND CUTANEOUS INJURY...RECIPIENT’S CATALOG NUMBER 4. TITLE (aend Subtitle) S. TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVERED Feasibility of Human Skin Grafts on an Isolated Annual report...Human skin graft on athymic rat Human skin model to study percutaneous penetration and cutaneous injury 20. ABSTRACT (Contiue an reverse *ftb it

  11. Feasibility of Human Skin Grafts on an Isolated But Accessible Vascular Supply on Athymic Rats as a System to Study Percutaneous Penetration and Cutaneous Injury.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1986-04-01

    Ai87 466 FEASIBILITY OF HUMAN SKIN GRAFTS ON AN ISOLATED BUT / ACCESSIBLE VASCULAR 5 (U) UTAH UNIV SALT LAKE CITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE 6 G KRUEGER APR...GOVT ACCESSION NO . RrCIPIcNTrS CATALOG NUMIER Feasibility of Human Skin Grafts on an Isolated 9 but Accessible Vascular Supply on Athymic Rats as...of the Skin Sandwich Flap....... . . . . . . . 35 Figure 15. Photograph of Hair Growth in a Human Split-Thickness Skin Graft on a Nude Rat

  12. Effects of combination therapy using basic fibroblast growth factor and mature adipocyte-derived dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells on skin graft revascularisation.

    PubMed

    Asami, Takashi; Soejima, Kazutaka; Kashimura, Tsutomu; Kazama, Tomohiko; Matsumoto, Taro; Morioka, Kosuke; Nakazawa, Hiroaki

    2015-01-01

    Although the benefits of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for wound healing and angiogenesis are well known, its effects on the process of skin graft revascularisation have not been clarified. It was hypothesised that bFGF would be beneficial to promote taking of skin grafts, but that the effect might be limited in the case of bFGF monotherapy. Therefore, this study investigated the efficacy of combination therapy using bFGF and dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells. DFAT cells have multilineage differentiation potential, including into endothelial cells, similar to the case of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Commercially available human recombinant bFGF was used. DFAT cells were prepared from SD strain rats as an adipocyte progenitor cell line from mature adipocytes. Full-thickness skin was lifted from the back of SD strain rats and then grafted back to the original wound site. Four groups were established prior to skin grafting: control group (skin graft alone), bFGF group (treated with bFGF), DFAT group (treated with DFAT cells), and combination group (treated with both bFGF and DFAT cells). Tissue specimens for histological examination were harvested 48 hours after grafting. The histological findings for the bFGF group showed vascular augmentation in the grafted dermis compared with the control group. However, the difference in the number of revascularised vessels per unit area did not reach statistical significance against the control group. In contrast, in the combination group, skin graft revascularisation was significantly promoted, especially in the upper dermis. The results suggest that replacement of the existing graft vessels was markedly promoted by the combination therapy using bFGF and DFAT cells, which may facilitate skin graft taking.

  13. Full-thickness skin graft vs. synthetic mesh in the repair of giant incisional hernia: a randomized controlled multicenter study.

    PubMed

    Clay, L; Stark, B; Gunnarsson, U; Strigård, K

    2018-04-01

    Repair of large incisional hernias includes the implantation of a synthetic mesh, but this may lead to pain, stiffness, infection and enterocutaneous fistulae. Autologous full-thickness skin graft as on-lay reinforcement has been tested in eight high-risk patients in a proof-of-concept study, with satisfactory results. In this multicenter randomized study, the use of skin graft was compared to synthetic mesh in giant ventral hernia repair. Non-smoking patients with a ventral hernia > 10 cm wide were randomized to repair using an on-lay autologous full-thickness skin graft or a synthetic mesh. The primary endpoint was surgical site complications during the first 3 months. A secondary endpoint was patient comfort. Fifty-three patients were included. Clinical evaluation was performed at a 3-month follow-up appointment. There were fewer patients in the skin graft group reporting discomfort: 3 (13%) vs. 12 (43%) (p = 0.016). Skin graft patients had less pain and a better general improvement. No difference was seen regarding seroma; 13 (54%) vs. 13 (46%), or subcutaneous wound infection; 5 (20%) vs. 7 (25%). One recurrence appeared in each group. Three patients in the skin graft group and two in the synthetic mesh group were admitted to the intensive care unit. No difference was seen for the primary endpoint short-term surgical complication. Full-thickness skin graft appears to be a reliable material for ventral hernia repair producing no more complications than when using synthetic mesh. Patients repaired with a skin graft have less subjective abdominal wall symptoms.

  14. An in vivo comparison of commonly used topical antimicrobials on skin graft healing after full-thickness burn injury.

    PubMed

    Abbas, Ozan L; Borman, Huseyin; Bahar, Taner; Ertaş, Nilgün M; Haberal, Mehmet

    2015-01-01

    Topical antimicrobials are frequently used for local control of infections in burn patients. It has been postulated that these agents retard wound healing. There are limited data about the effects of topical antimicrobial agents on skin graft healing. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of nitrofurazone, 1% silver sulfadiazine, and povidone-iodine on skin graft healing. Forty male rats were used in this study. A meshed skin graft, placed on an excised burn wound, was used as a model to compare topical agents with a control group. Skin graft survival rates, closure of meshed graft interstices (based on physical parameters, namely epithelialization and wound contraction), and histological changes were analyzed. Graft take was more than 85% in all groups. There was no difference between the mean values of the percent graft survival for each group (P > .05). Epithelialization occurred significantly earlier in animals in the nitrofurazone group (P < .05). There was no significant difference between groups in wound contraction rates (P >.05). There was no histological difference between the biopsy specimens of skin grafts. In specimens obtained from the interstices of the meshed graft, no significant differences were found among the groups regarding the wound healing parameters (P > .05). We found that nitrofurazone, silver sulfadiazine, and povidone-iodine had no negative effect on graft healing and take in noncontaminated burn wounds.

  15. A fast and simple method for detecting and quantifying donor-derived cell-free DNA in sera of solid organ transplant recipients as a biomarker for graft function.

    PubMed

    Adamek, Martina; Opelz, Gerhard; Klein, Katrin; Morath, Christian; Tran, Thuong Hien

    2016-07-01

    Timely detection of graft rejection is an important issue in the follow-up care after solid organ transplantation. Until now, biopsy has been considered the "gold standard" in the diagnosis of graft rejection. However, non-invasive tests such as monitoring the levels of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a sensitive biomarker for graft integrity have attracted increasing interest. The rationale of this approach is that a rejected organ will lead to a significant release of donor-derived cfDNA, which can be detected in the serum of the transplant recipient. We have developed a novel quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) approach for detecting an increase of donor-derived cfDNA in the recipient's serum. Common insertion/deletion (InDel) genetic polymorphisms, which differ between donor and recipient, are targeted in our qPCR assay. In contrast to some other strategies, no specific donor/recipient constellations such as certain gender combinations or human leukocyte antigen (HLA) discrepancies are required for the application of our test. The method was first validated with serial dilutions of serum mixtures obtained from healthy blood donors and then used to determine donor-derived cfDNA levels in patients' sera within the first 3 days after their kidney transplantation had been performed. Our method represents a universally applicable, simple and cost-effective tool which can potentially be used to detect graft dysfunction in transplant recipients.

  16. EASEPort NPWT System to Enhance Skin Graft Survival--A Simple Assembly.

    PubMed

    Prasetyono, Theddeus O H; Rini, Irena Sakura; Wibisono, Cindy

    2015-03-01

    Skin graft has been known to be prone to failure. This study was aimed to make a simplification of the negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), which follows EASEPort (effective, affordable, safe, easily handled, and portable) concept to support the take of skin graft. The design of the EASEPort-NPWT was then made and technically verified. Thereafter, an animal experimental study comparing the EASEPort-NPWT to the classic tie-over technique on skin graft over exudative wound was conducted. The EASEPort-NPWT was verified to be able to yield and sustain the subatmospheric pressure needed. In the animal study, the treatment group showed better skin graft survival rate (97.55 ± 11.18% take) than the control group (54.88 ± 19.73%) on day-7. Histopathology examination showed good quality of the skin structures taken from the treatment group, which was better than the structures of the skin in the control group. In summary, this study has been able to fulfill its objective to create a device following EASEPort concept. Subsequently, the EASEPort-NPWT was able to enhance skin graft survival rate in exudative wound.

  17. Heart transplantation on the first day of life from an anencephalic donor.

    PubMed

    Parisi, F; Squitieri, C; Carotti, A; Di Carlo, D; Gagliardi, M G

    1999-05-01

    Heart transplantation on the first day of life, and graft harvesting from anencephalic donors, have been very rare events in the history of transplantation. At Bambino Gesù Hospital (Rome), heart transplantation was performed on a newborn 9 h after birth, using a graft harvested from an anencephalic donor. This graft achieved a good cardiocirculatory function, but the recipient died of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) on post-operative day (POD) 10. Despite failure, this case and other reports support the concept that hearts from anencephalic donors can work normally, and indicate that heart transplantation on the first day of life may have a favorable outcome if postoperative maintenance of multi-organ balance and function is successful.

  18. The effect of donor diabetes history on graft failure and endothelial cell density 10 years after penetrating keratoplasty.

    PubMed

    Lass, Jonathan H; Riddlesworth, Tonya D; Gal, Robin L; Kollman, Craig; Benetz, Beth A; Price, Francis W; Sugar, Alan; Terry, Mark A; Soper, Mark; Beck, Roy W

    2015-03-01

    To examine the long-term effect of donor diabetes history on graft failure and endothelial cell density (ECD) after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in the Cornea Donor Study. Multicenter, prospective, double-masked, controlled clinical trial. One thousand ninety subjects undergoing PK for a moderate risk condition, principally Fuchs' dystrophy or pseudophakic or aphakic corneal edema, were enrolled by 105 surgeons from 80 clinical sites in the United States. Corneas from donors 12 to 75 years of age were assigned by 43 eye banks to participants without respect to recipient factors. Donor and recipient diabetes status was determined from existing medical records. Images of the central endothelium were obtained before surgery (baseline) and at intervals for 10 years after surgery and were analyzed by a central image analysis reading center to determine ECD. Time to graft failure (regraft or cloudy cornea for 3 consecutive months) and ECD. There was no statistically significant association of donor diabetes history with 10-year graft failure, baseline ECD, 10-year ECD, or ECD values longitudinally over time in unadjusted analyses, nor after adjusting for donor age and other significant covariates. The 10-year graft failure rate was 23% in the 199 patients receiving a cornea from a donor with diabetes versus 26% in the 891 patients receiving a cornea from a donor without diabetes (95% confidence interval for the difference, -10% to 6%; unadjusted P=0.60). Baseline ECD (P=0.71), 10-year ECD (P>0.99), and changes in ECD over 10 years (P=0.86) were similar comparing donor groups with and without diabetes. The study results do not suggest an association between donor diabetes and PK outcome. However, the assessment of donor diabetes was imprecise and based on historical data only. The increasing frequency of diabetes in the aging population in the United States affects the donor pool. Thus, the impact of donor diabetes on long-term endothelial health after PK or endothelial keratoplasty, or both, warrants further study with more precise measures of diabetes and its complications. Copyright © 2015 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. The Effect of Donor Diabetes History on Graft Failure and Endothelial Cell Density Ten Years after Penetrating Keratoplasty

    PubMed Central

    Lass, Jonathan H.; Riddlesworth, Tonya D.; Gal, Robin L.; Kollman, Craig; Benetz, Beth A.; Price, Francis W.; Sugar, Alan; Terry, Mark A.; Soper, Mark; Beck, Roy W.

    2014-01-01

    Objective To examine the long term effect of donor diabetes history on graft failure and endothelial cell density (ECD) after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in the Cornea Donor Study Design Multi-center prospective, double-masked, controlled clinical trial Participants 1090 subjects undergoing PKP for a moderate risk condition, principally Fuchs’ dystrophy or pseudophakic/aphakic corneal edema (PACE), were enrolled by 105 surgeons from 80 clinical sites in the United States. Methods Corneas from donors 12 to 75 years old were assigned by 43 eye banks to participants without respect to recipient factors. Donor and recipient diabetes status was determined from existing medical records. Images of the central endothelium were obtained preoperatively (baseline) and at intervals for ten years postoperatively and analyzed by a central image analysis reading center to determine ECD. Main Outcome Measure(s) Time to graft failure (regraft or cloudy cornea for 3 consecutive months) and ECD. Results There was no statistically significant association of donor diabetes history with 10-year graft failure, baseline ECD, 10-year ECD or ECD values longitudinally over time in unadjusted analyses nor after adjusting for donor age and other significant covariates. The 10-year graft failure rate was 23% in the 199 cases receiving a cornea from a donor with diabetes versus 26% in the 891 cases receiving a cornea from a donor without diabetes (95% confidence interval for the difference: −10% to +6%; unadjusted p = 0.60). Baseline ECD (p=0.71), 10-year ECD (p>0.99), and changes in ECD over 10 years (p=0.86) were similar comparing donor diabetes and no-diabetes groups. Conclusions and Relevance The study results do not suggest an association between donor diabetes and PKP outcome. However, the assessment of donor diabetes was imprecise and based on historical data only. The increasing frequency of diabetes in the aging population in the United States affects the donor pool, thus the impact of donor diabetes on long term endothelial health after penetrating and/or endothelial keratoplasty warrants further study with more precise measures of diabetes and its complications. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov NCT00006411 PMID:25439611

  20. Proof of concept of a new autologous skin substitute for the treatment of deep wounds in dogs.

    PubMed

    Ramió-Lluch, L; Cerrato, S; Brazis, P; Rabanal, R M; Fondevila, D; Puigdemont, A

    2017-12-01

    Autologous skin grafts are effective for the repair of large skin wounds, but the availability of large amounts of skin is often limited. Through bioengineering, several autologous skin substitutes have been developed for use in human clinical practice. However, few skin substitutes are available for use in animals. The aim of this study was to develop and assess an engineered autologous skin substitute for the treatment of deep wounds in veterinary medicine. Canine keratinocytes and fibroblasts were isolated after double enzyme digestion from 8mm punch biopsies from four healthy Beagle dogs. Skin substitutes were constructed on a fibrin-based matrix and grafting capacity was assessed by xenografting in six athymic mice. Bioengineered autologous skin was assessed clinically in two dogs with large deep skin wounds. The canine skin construct was ready for use within 12-14days after the initial biopsy specimens were obtained. Grafting capacity in this model was confirmed by successful grafting of the construct in athymic mice. In both dogs, grafts were established and permanent epithelialisation occurred. Histological studies confirmed successful grafting. This full thickness skin substitute developed for the management of large skin defects in dogs appears to be a safe and useful tool for clinical veterinary practice. Further studies are needed to validate its efficacy for the treatment of deep wounds. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  1. High Center Volume Does Not Mitigate Risk Associated with Using High Donor Risk Organs in Liver Transplantation.

    PubMed

    Beal, Eliza W; Black, Sylvester M; Mumtaz, Khalid; Hayes, Don; El-Hinnawi, Ashraf; Washburn, Kenneth; Tumin, Dmitry

    2017-09-01

    High-risk donor allografts increase access to liver transplant, but potentially reduce patient and graft survival. It is unclear whether the risk associated with using marginal donor livers is mitigated by increasing center experience. The United Network for Organ Sharing registry was queried for adult first-time liver transplant recipients between 2/2002 and 12/2015. High donor risk was defined as donor risk index >1.9, and 1-year patient and graft survival were compared according to donor risk index in small and large centers. Multivariable Cox regression estimated the hazard ratio (HR) associated with using high-risk donor organs, according to a continuous measure of annual center volume. The analysis included 51,770 patients. In 67 small and 67 large centers, high donor risk index predicted increased mortality (p = 0.001). In multivariable analysis, high-donor risk index allografts predicted greater mortality hazard at centers performing 20 liver transplants per year (HR 1.35; 95% CI 1.22, 1.49; p < 0.001) and, similarly, at centers performing 70 per year (HR 1.35; 95% CI 1.26, 1.43; p < 0.001). The interaction between high donor risk index and center volume was not statistically significant (p = 0.747), confirming that the risk associated with using marginal donor livers was comparable between smaller and larger centers. Results were consistent when examining graft loss. At both small and large centers, high-risk donor allografts were associated with reduced patient and graft survival after liver transplant. Specific strategies to mitigate the risk of liver transplant involving high-risk donors are needed, in addition to accumulation of center expertise.

  2. Liver transplantation in Asia: past, present and future.

    PubMed

    Ng, Kelvin K; Lo, Chung Mau

    2009-04-01

    With the technical advances and improvements in perioperative management and immunosuppressants, liver transplantation is the standard treatment for patients with end-stage liver diseases. In Asia, a shortage of deceased donor liver grafts is the universal problem to be faced with in all transplant centres. Many surgical innovations are then driven to counteract this problem. This review focuses on 3 issues that denote the development of liver transplantation in Asian countries. These include living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), split liver transplantation (SLT) and liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Minimal graft weight, types of liver graft to donate and the inclusion of the middle hepatic vein with the graft are the main issues to be established in LDLT. The rapid growth and wide dissemination of LDLT has certainly alleviated the supply-and-demand problem of liver grafts in Asia. SLT is another attractive approach. Technical expertise, donor selection and graft allocation are the main determinants for its success. Liver transplantation plays a key role in the management of HCC in Asia. LDLT would be the main strategy in this aspect. The issue of extending the selection criteria for HCC patients for LDLT is still controversial. On the whole, future developments to increase the donor pool for the expanding recipient need in Asia would involve transplantation from non-heart beating donor and ABO incompatible transplantation.

  3. Unique Presentation of Orf Virus Infection in a Thermal-Burn Patient After Receiving an Autologous Skin Graft.

    PubMed

    Hsu, Christopher H; Rokni, Ghasem Rahmatpour; Aghazadeh, Nessa; Brinster, Nooshin; Li, Yu; Muehlenbachs, Atis; Goldsmith, Cynthia S; Zhao, Hui; Petersen, Brett; McCollum, Andrea M; Reynolds, Mary G

    2016-10-15

    We describe a burn patient who developed skin lesions on her skin-graft harvest and skin-graft recipient (burn) sites. Orf virus infection was confirmed by a combination of diagnostic assays, including molecular tests, immunohistochemical analysis, pathologic analysis, and electron microscopy. DNA sequence analysis grouped this orf virus isolate among isolates from India. Although no definitive source of infection was determined from this case, this is the first reported case of orf virus infection in a skin graft harvest. Skin graft recipients with exposures to animals may be at risk for this viral infection. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America 2016. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.

  4. Skin Graft Fixation Using Hydrofiber (Aquacel® Extra).

    PubMed

    Yen, Ya-Hui; Lin, Chih-Ming; Hsu, Honda; Chen, Ying-Chen; Chen, Yi-Wen; Li, Wan-Yu; Hsieh, Chia-Nan; Huang, Chieh-Chi

    2018-06-01

    The traditional method of skin graft fixation is with tie-over bollus dressing. The use of splints in the extremities for skin graft fixation is a common practice. However, these splints are heavy and uncomfortable and contribute considerably to our overall medical waste. Hydrofiber (Aquacel Extra) has a strong fluid absorption property and fixates well to the underlying wound once applied. In this study, we used hydrofiber for fixation, avoiding the use of splints after skin grafting. A total of 56 patients reconstructed with split-thickness skin graft that was fixated only with hydrofiber between March 2015 and March 2016 were included in this retrospective study. There were 44 men and 12 women with a mean age of 61 ± 18 years. The defect size ranged from 1 × 1 cm for fingertips to 30 × 12 cm for lower limb defects. The average defect size was 61 ± 78 cm. The mean skin graft take was 96% ± 6%. Because splints were not required, we saved around 48 kg of medical waste over the space of 1 year. The use of hydrofiber for skin graft fixation was effective and technically very simple. Splints were not required with this method, decreasing the medical waste created and increasing patient comfort. We suggest that this is an excellent alternative for skin graft fixation while at the same time decreasing our carbon footprint as surgeons.

  5. De novo noncutaneous malignancies after kidney transplantation are associated with an increased risk of graft failure: results from a time-dependent analysis on 672 patients.

    PubMed

    Cena, Tiziana; Musetti, Claudio; Quaglia, Marco; Magnani, Corrado; Stratta, Piero; Bagnardi, Vincenzo; Cantaluppi, Vincenzo

    2016-10-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between cancer occurrence and risk of graft failure in kidney transplant recipients. From November 1998 to November 2013, 672 adult patients received their first kidney transplant from a deceased donor and had a minimum follow-up of 6 months. During a median follow-up of 4.7 years (3523 patient-years), 47 patients developed a nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and 40 a noncutaneous malignancy (NCM). A total of 59 graft failures were observed. The failure rate was 6 per 100 patient-year (pt-yr) after NCM versus 1.5 per 100 pt-yr in patients without NCM. In a time-dependent multivariable model, the occurrence of NCM appeared to be associated with failure (HR = 3.27; 95% CI = 1.44-7.44). The effect of NCM on the cause-specific graft failure was different (P = 0.002) when considering events due to chronic rejection (HR = 0.55) versus other causes (HR = 15.59). The reduction of the immunosuppression after NCM was not associated with a greater risk of graft failure. In conclusion, our data suggest that post-transplant NCM may be a strong risk factor for graft failure, particularly for causes other than chronic rejection. © 2016 Steunstichting ESOT.

  6. Left lobe living donor liver transplantation in adults: What is the safety limit?

    PubMed

    Ikegami, Toru; Yoshizumi, Tomoharu; Sakata, Kazuhito; Uchiyama, Hideaki; Harimoto, Norifumi; Harada, Noboru; Itoh, Shinji; Nagatsu, Akihisa; Soejima, Yuji; Maehara, Yoshihiko

    2016-12-01

    Small-for-size syndrome (SFSS) is the most significant cause of graft loss after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), especially after left lobe (LL) LDLT in adults. The safety limit of applying LL-LDLT in adults without severe SFSS with a high rate of lethality needs to be determined. A total of 207 LL-LDLTs in adults since September 2005 were evaluated to analyze the risk factors for severe SFSS, defined as a serum total bilirubin concentration of ≥20.0 mg/dL after LDLT. Although there were no significant differences in cumulative graft survival after LDLT between medium grafts (graft volume [GV] to standard liver volume [SLV] ratio ≥ 40.0%), small grafts (35.0% ≤ GV/SLV < 40.0%), and extra small grafts (GV/SLV < 35.0%), patients with severe SFSS showed a significantly lower 5-year graft survival rate than those without (42.9% versus 94.3%, respectively; P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis for severe SFSS after LL-LDLT showed that donor age of ≥48 years (P = 0.01), Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score of ≥ 19 (P < 0.01), and end portal venous pressure of ≥19 mm Hg (P = 0.04) were the significant and independent factors for severe SFSS after LL-LDLT. Within such high-risk subgroups of patients with a donor age of ≥48 years or MELD score of ≥ 19 before LDLT, operative blood loss volume of ≥8.0 L was a risk factor for severe SFSS. LL-LDLT in adults could be indicated and provide acceptable outcomes for the combinations of donors aged < 48 years and recipients with a MELD score of <19. Smaller grafts might yield acceptable outcomes in appropriately selected donor-recipient combinations. Liver Transplantation 22 1666-1675 2016 AASLD. © 2016 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

  7. Durable Clinical and Immunologic Advantage of Living Donor Liver Transplantation in Children.

    PubMed

    Przybyszewski, Eric M; Verna, Elizabeth C; Lobritto, Steven J; Martinez, Mercedes; Vittorio, Jennifer M; Fox, Alyson N; Samstein, Benjamin; Kato, Tomoaki; Griesemer, Adam D; Emond, Jean C

    2018-06-01

    Despite high survival in pediatric living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), only 10% of liver transplants in children in the United States are from living donors, reflecting reluctance to embrace this approach. In addition to optimal timing and graft quality, LDLT may offer immunologic benefit because most donors are haploidentical parents. We sought to quantify the benefit of LDLT compared to deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) using granular clinical and immunologic outcomes over the long term. A retrospective cohort of children (age <18 years) surviving 1 year or longer posttransplant was evaluated to determine the impact of donor type on graft survival and immunologic outcomes. Two hundred forty-one children (177 DDLT and 64 LDLT) were assessed. In multivariable analysis, LDLT was associated with a lower rate of acute cellular rejection (hazard ratio [HR], 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-0.98; P = 0.04), a lower rate of chronic rejection (HR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.03-0.56; P = 0.007), better graft survival on monotherapy immunosuppression at 3 years posttransplant (87.7% vs 46.7%; odds ratio, 7.41; 95% CI, 2.80-19.66; P < 0.001), and a lower rate of graft loss (HR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.10-0.88; P = 0.03). Graft type was not an independent predictor of posttransplant mortality (LDLT HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.16-2.01; P = 0.38). Maternal graft LDLT was associated with a lower rate of acute cellular rejection (HR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.03-0.64; P = 0.01) and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (HR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.004-0.44; P = 0.008) compared with paternal grafts. This study demonstrates the potential benefit of LDLT, particularly with maternal grafts, for pediatric liver transplant recipients on multiple clinical parameters over long-term follow-up.

  8. Liver grafts from selected older donors do not have significantly more ischaemia reperfusion injury

    PubMed Central

    Martins, Paulo N; Chang, Sue; Mahadevapa, Basant; Martins, Ann-Britt; Sheiner, Patricia

    2011-01-01

    Background There is a general concern that aged organs are more susceptible to ischaemia. In the light of recent proposals to change the liver allocation system by expanding regional sharing, it is feared that increased cold ischaemia time of grafts from older donors may reduce graft survival. The aim of this study was to correlate donor age and the patterns of ischaemia reperfusion injury and synthetic function early after liver transplantation. Methods We performed a retrospective study of first transplants using a single-centre electronic database. Patterns of liver injury (based on transaminases and post-reperfusion biopsy), synthetic function (international normalized ratio [INR]), and graft and patient survival in recipients receiving liver grafts from donors aged ≥65 years (group 1, n= 50) were compared with equivalent patterns in a matched cohort of recipients transplanted with grafts from donors aged <65 years (group 2, n= 50). Results There was no significant difference in transaminase levels from day 0 to day 6 after transplantation. When groups 1 and 2 were subdivided into two subgroups based on the duration of graft cold ischaemia time (<8 h and ≥8 h), there was no statistical difference in transaminase levels during the first 7 days. There were two cases (4%) of primary non-function in group 1 and one (2%) in group 2. Initial poor function did not differ significantly between the groups (26% vs. 24%; P= 0.81). In addition, there was no difference in histological changes in post-reperfusion biopsies (21% vs. 34%; P= 0.078) and rate of acute rejection episodes in the first year (30% vs. 32%; P= 0.99). There was no significant difference between groups 1 and 2 in 1-year patient and graft survivals (78% vs. 90% [P= 0.17]; 88% vs. 94% [P= 0.48], respectively). Conclusions Judiciously selected livers from aged donors are not associated with major increased susceptibility to ischaemia reperfusion injury. PMID:21309940

  9. Immune mechanisms in organ allograft rejection. V. Pivotal role of the cytotoxic-suppressor T cell subset in the rejection of heart grafts bearing isolated class I disparities in the inbred rat

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lowry, R.P.; Forbes, R.D.; Blackburn, J.H.

    1985-11-01

    The cellular requirements for rejection of heart grafts bearing isolated major histocompatibility complex (MHC) subregion RT1A-encoded class I disparities was assessed by adoptive transfer. Sublethally irradiated (780 rads) (PVG X WF)F1 recipients of irradiated PVG-RT1r1 heart grafts were selectively reconstituted with spleen cells from syngeneic donors previously sensitized with two sequential PVG-RT1r1 skin grafts. PVG-RT1r1 heart grafts were rejected acutely in recipients reconstituted with 10 X 10(6) unfractionated immune spleen cells or inocula (5 X 10(6) cells) depleted of SIg+ cells, but additional depletion of cytotoxic T cells and their precursors resulted in marked prolongation of graft survival. Reducing themore » reconstituting inocula from 4 X 10(6) to 2.5 X 10(6) spleen cells prolonged graft survival to that observed in unreconstituted recipients. Additional studies were performed to define the immunologic basis for prolonged survival of PVG-RT1r1 heart grafts in homozygous PVG recipients. Although lymphoid cells of naive PVG failed to proliferate on coculture with irradiated PVG-RT1r1, bulk cultures yielding but weak and variable CTL generation, lymphoid cells from specifically sensitized PVG proliferated and generated greater cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity under identical conditions, strongly suggesting, therefore, that prolonged heart graft survival in this strain combination is related to low CTL precursor frequency.« less

  10. Use of a Right Lateral Sector Graft in Living Donor Liver Transplantation Is Feasible, but Special Caution Is Needed With Respect to Liver Anatomy.

    PubMed

    Kokudo, T; Hasegawa, K; Arita, J; Yamamoto, S; Kaneko, J; Akamatsu, N; Sakamoto, Y; Makuuchi, M; Sugawara, Y; Kokudo, N

    2016-04-01

    Right lateral sector (RLS) grafting has been introduced to enlarge the potential donor pool for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT); however, evidence of its feasibility is limited. Data from 437 LDLTs carried out between 2000 and 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. LDLTs using a right liver graft (n = 251) were compared with those using a RLS graft (RLSG; n = 28). No donor mortality occurred, and the major complication rates were similar between the two groups. Postoperative liver function preservation was better in the RLSG donors. Concerning the recipients, the mortality and overall survival rates were similar between the two groups. The complication rate for the recipients was higher when more than two arterial or biliary anastomoses were necessary. A systematic literature search identified four reports on LDLT using RLSGs. Among 66 LDLTs, including the present series, there were no cases of donor death, and the rates of major and minor complications in the donors were 6% and 29%, respectively. The major complication and overall mortality rates in the recipients were 29% and 6%, respectively. LDLT using an RLSG is feasible, with an acceptable survival rate among the recipients. © Copyright 2015 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.

  11. Influence of body mass index on skin grafting in pediatric burns.

    PubMed

    Sharp, Nicole E; Thomas, Priscilla G; Sherman, Ashley K; St Peter, Shawn D; Juang, David

    2015-03-01

    There is heterogeneous literature on the association of obese and underweight body habitus on burn outcomes in adult and pediatric literature. We examine the effect of standardized pediatric body mass index (BMI) categories skin graft utilisation. A retrospective chart review was performed on children who underwent burn treatment from January 1995 to November 2011. BMI was categorized by standard definitions: underweight (<5%), normal (5-85%), overweight (85-95%), obese (>95%). There were 1164 patients: 77 underweight, 604 normal, 215 overweight, and 268 obese patients. No differences existed between group demographics. Grafts were performed in 39% of underweight, 27% of normal, 22% of overweight, and 27% of obese patients. Underweight children had nearly a 2 fold increase in their risk of full thickness burns and were 1.8 times more likely to undergo skin grafting than normal BMI children. Overweight children had a significant decrease in the incidence skin grafting by 23% then compared to normal weight children. There were no differences in percent TBSA burned or percent TBSA grafted using ANOVA. Underweight pediatric burn victims have an increased risk for skin grafting while mildly overweight children are slightly protected from skin grafting. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

  12. [Antegrade extended peroneal artery perforator flap for knee reconstruction].

    PubMed

    Ruan, Hongjiang; Cai, Peihua; Fan, Cunyi; Chai, Yimin; Liu, Shenghe

    2009-03-01

    To investigate the operative technique and clinical results of repairing the soft tissue defects of knee with antegrade extended peroneal artery perforator flap. From October 2007 to January 2008, 3 patients (2 men and 1 woman) with the soft tissue defects of knee were treated, with the ages of 18, 31 and 42 years, respectively. The first case sustained femur and pelvis fractures and soft tissue defect over his right popliteal fossa, which were treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and debridement of knee joint 2 weeks ago. The second case was necrosis of skin 3 weeks after ORIF for fracture of tibial plateau. The third case suffered from open fracture of tibial plateau and soft tissue defect, which were treated with external fixation and debridement 3 weeks ago. The defect sizes were 16 cm x 9 cm, 11 cm x 6 cm and 14 cm x 7 cm. The flap was raised by dividing the peroneal artery and veins distally and elevating them proximally, which covered for the defects of knee. The flaps were designed with the size of 18 cm x 10 cm, 12 cm 7 cm and 15 cm x 8 cm. The pure vascular pedicle of the flap was 10 cm to 17 cm in length, including the peroneal vessels and one or two perforator branches. The donor site is covered by a split thickness skin graft. All flaps survived after surgery. The donor sites healed by first intention and the skin grafts survived. After following up for 6, 8 and 11 months, the appearance and function of the flaps were all satisfactory. Based on the modified HSS knee performance system, post-operative knee functional outcomes of three patients were excellent. The antegrade extended peroneal artery perforator flap supplied by a pure vascular pedicle can be a good alternative for reconstruction of knee. The flap, with a long and thin pure vascular pedicle, could provide good texture and contour matching the recipient area.

  13. HLA-DQ Mismatching and Kidney Transplant Outcomes.

    PubMed

    Leeaphorn, Napat; Pena, Jeremy Ryan A; Thamcharoen, Natanong; Khankin, Eliyahu V; Pavlakis, Martha; Cardarelli, Francesca

    2018-05-07

    Recent evidence suggests that HLA epitope-mismatching at HLA-DQ loci is associated with the development of anti-DQ donor-specific antibodies and adverse graft outcomes. However, the clinical significance of broad antigen HLA-DQ mismatching for graft outcomes is not well examined. Using the United Network Organ Sharing/the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (UNOS/OPTN) data, patients with primary kidney transplants performed between 2005 and 2014 were included. Patients were classified as having either zero HLA-DQ mismatches, or one or two HLA-DQ mismatches. Primary outcomes were death-censored graft survival and incidence of acute rejection. A total of 93,782 patients were included. Of these, 22,730 (24%) and 71,052 (76%) received zero and one or two HLA-DQ mismatched kidneys, respectively. After adjusting for variables including HLA-ABDR, HLA-DQ mismatching was associated with a higher risk of graft loss in living kidney donor recipients with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.18 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.07 to 1.30; P <0.01), but not in deceased kidney donor recipients (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.12; P =0.18) ( P value for interaction <0.01). When taking cold ischemic time into account, HLA-DQ mismatching was associated with a higher risk of graft loss in deceased kidney donor recipients with cold ischemic time ≤17 hours (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.27; P =0.002), but not in deceased kidney donor recipients with cold ischemic time >17 hours (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.06; P =0.49) ( P value for interaction <0.01). Recipients with one or two HLA-DQ mismatched kidneys had a higher incidence of acute rejection at 1 year, with adjusted odds ratios of 1.13 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.23; P <0.01) in deceased donor and 1.14 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.27; P =0.02) in living donor kidney transplant recipients. Specific donor-DQ mismatches seemed to be associated with the risk of acute rejection and graft failure, whereas others did not. HLA-DQ mismatching is associated with lower graft survival independent of HLA-ABDR in living donor kidney transplants and deceased donor kidney transplants with cold ischemia time ≤17 hours, and a higher 1-year risk of acute rejection in living and deceased donor kidney transplants. Copyright © 2018 by the American Society of Nephrology.

  14. The association of HLA antigen and GVHD in allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation with histocompatible sibling donor: a single-center experience in Korea.

    PubMed

    Kim, Hee Je; Park, Soo Jeong; Im, Hyun Woo; Kim, Dong Wook; Min, Woo Sung; Kim, Hack Ki; Kim, Won Il; Kim, Kwang Sung; Kim, Chun Choo

    2002-10-01

    We analyzed the association of HLA antigens with incidence of organ-specific graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) from an HLA-matched sibling donor. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of allo-HSCT recipients and found 389 patients who had received matched-sibling HSCT. HLA types, GVHD grades, and the development of acute or chronic GVHD, factors that reflect a certain immunological impact associated with involved organs, were investigated. The overall incidence of acute and chronic GVHD was 24.8% (96 cases) and 21.2% (82 cases), respectively. The incidence of acute GVHD with grades II through IV was higher among patients who had HLA-B61 (P = .0153) and HLA-Cw3 (P = .0208). The donor sex (P = .0040) and the conditioning regimen (P = .0010) were also associated with severe acute GVHD. The extensive-type chronic GVHD incidence was higher in patients who had HLA-B54 (P = .0159). The donor sex (P = .0406) and the pretransplantation diagnosis (P = .0184) were other factors associated with the development of extensive-type chronic GVHD. Furthermore, HLA-B35 (P = .0226) and HLA-B54 (P = .0091) were associated with a higher incidence of severe acute skin GVHD and chronic skin and oral GVHD (in descending order of incidence rates). HLA-B7,27 was associated with chronic liver GVHD (P = .0476) in addition to other parameters including patient (P = .0246) and donor sex (P = .0019). This study shows that these remarkable HLA antigens may be potent transplantation immune regulators, but there is a need for further evaluation using larger study samples.

  15. Improvement of skin-graft survival after autologous transplantation of adipose-derived stem cells in rats.

    PubMed

    Zografou, A; Tsigris, C; Papadopoulos, O; Kavantzas, N; Patsouris, E; Donta, I; Perrea, D

    2011-12-01

    Skin grafts are frequently used for a variety of indications in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Their necrosis is a common complication, while different therapies have been proposed. Currently, adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) hold great promise for their angiogenic potential and role during tissue repair. In this study, autologous transplantation of ASCs was used in skin grafts in rats to determine if it increases angiogenesis, skin-graft survival and wound healing. ASCs were isolated, cultured, labelled with fluorescent dye and injected under full-thickness skin grafts in 10 rats (group 1), while 10 others served as controls (group 2). Skin grafts were analysed after 1 week. Collagen's framework was assessed with Masson's trichrome stain and angiogenesis with von Willebrand factor (vWF) immunohistochemistry. In addition, immunohistochemical staining intensity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor b3 (TGFb3) was assessed in all grafts. Mean area of graft necrosis was significantly less in group 1 than in group 2 (6.12% vs. 32.62%, p<0.01). Statistically significant increase of microvessel density, collagen density, VEGF and TGFb3 expression was noted in group 1 compared with group 2 (all: p<0.01). These findings suggest that autologous ASCs transplantation increases full-thickness skin-graft survival and shows promise for use in skin-graft surgery. This might be both due to in situ differentiation of ASCs into endothelial cells and increased secretion by ASCs of growth factors, such as VEGF and TGFb3 that enhance angiogenesis and wound healing. Copyright © 2011 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Penile Inversion Vaginoplasty with or without Additional Full-Thickness Skin Graft: To Graft or Not to Graft?

    PubMed

    Buncamper, Marlon E; van der Sluis, Wouter B; de Vries, Max; Witte, Birgit I; Bouman, Mark-Bram; Mullender, Margriet G

    2017-03-01

    Penile inversion vaginoplasty is considered to be the gold standard for gender reassignment surgery in transgender women. The use of additional full-thickness skin graft as neovaginal lining is controversial. Some believe that having extra penile skin for the vulva gives better aesthetic results. Others believe that it gives inferior functional results because of insensitivity and skin graft contraction. Transgender women undergoing penile inversion vaginoplasty were studied prospectively. The option to add full-thickness skin graft is offered in patients where the penile skin length lies between 7 and 12 cm. Neovaginal depth was measured at surgery and during follow-up (3, 13, 26, and 52 weeks postoperatively). Satisfaction with the aesthetic result, neovaginal depth, and dilation regimen during follow-up were recorded. Satisfaction, sexual function, and genital self-image were assessed using questionnaires. A total of 100 patients were included (32 with and 68 without additional full-thickness skin graft). Patient-reported aesthetic outcome, overall satisfaction with the neovagina, sexual function, and genital self-image were not significantly associated with surgical technique. The mean intraoperative neovaginal depth was 13.8 ± 1.4 cm. After 1 year, this was 11.5 ± 2.5 cm. The largest decline (-15 percent) in depth is observed in the first 3 postoperative weeks (p < 0.01). The authors can confirm neither of the suggested arguments, for or against full-thickness skin graft use, in penile inversion vaginoplasty. The additional use of full-thickness skin graft does not influence neovaginal shrinkage, nor does it affect the patient- and physician-reported aesthetic or functional outcome. Therapeutic, IV.

  17. Revision Vaginoplasty: A Comparison of Surgical Outcomes of Laparoscopic Intestinal versus Perineal Full-Thickness Skin Graft Vaginoplasty.

    PubMed

    Van der Sluis, Wouter B; Bouman, Mark-Bram; Buncamper, Marlon E; Mullender, Margriet G; Meijerink, Wilhelmus J

    2016-10-01

    Vaginal (re)construction can greatly improve the quality of life of indicated patients. If primary vaginoplasty fails, multiple surgical approaches exist for revision. The authors compared surgical results of laparoscopic intestinal versus full-thickness skin graft revision vaginoplasty. A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent revision vaginoplasty at the authors' institution was conducted. Patient demographics, surgical characteristics, complications, hospitalization, reoperations, and neovaginal depth for both surgical techniques were recorded and compared. The authors studied a consecutive series of 50 transgender and three biological women who underwent revision vaginoplasty, of which 21 were laparoscopic intestinal and 32 were perineal full-thickness skin graft vaginoplasties, with a median clinical follow-up of 3.2 years (range, 0.5 to 19.7 years). Patient demographics did not differ significantly. There was no mortality. Two intraoperative rectal perforations (10 percent) occurred in the intestinal group versus six (19 percent) in the full-thickness skin graft group. Operative time was shorter for the full-thickness skin graft vaginoplasty group (131 ± 35 minutes versus 191 ± 45 minutes; p < 0.01). Hospitalization length did not differ significantly. Successful vaginal (re)construction was achieved in 19 intestinal (91 percent) and 26 full-thickness skin graft (81 percent) vaginoplasty procedures. A deeper neovagina was achieved with intestinal vaginoplasty (15.9 ± 1.4 cm versus 12.5 ± 2.8 cm; p < 0.01). Both laparoscopic intestinal and full-thickness skin graft vaginoplasty can be used as secondary vaginal reconstruction. Intraoperative and postoperative complications do not differ significantly, but rectal perforation was more prevalent in the full-thickness skin graft vaginoplasty group. Although the operative time of laparoscopic intestinal vaginoplasty is longer, adequate neovaginal depth was more frequently achieved than in secondary perineal full-thickness skin graft vaginoplasty. Therapeutic, III.

  18. Skin allograft and vascularized composite allograft: potential for long-term efficacy in the context of lymphatic modulation.

    PubMed

    Rinkinen, Jacob; Selley, Ryan; Agarwal, Shailesh; Loder, Shawn; Levi, Benjamin

    2014-01-01

    Tissue transplantation restores form and function in burn patients. The treatment of burn injuries is influenced by severity, location, and the percentage of total body surface area. There have been a number of different techniques developed to temporize and repair the destroyed tissue. However, in patients with large wound burden, sufficient donor site tissue may not be available for autograft harvesting. Such extensive burns necessitate other temporary and permanent options for wound coverage such as skin or vascularized composite allografts (VCA). Rejection of these tissues presents an ongoing problem which is currently managed using a host of systemic immunosuppressive medications. This article discusses the mechanism behind the innate and adaptive immune systems rejection of the allografts. By understanding these pathways, various techniques using immunomodulatory protocols have led to increased allograft survival. However, our primary interest lies in the initial recognition of the graft. We tailor this article to have a specific emphasis on lymphatic modulation as a potential adjunctive therapy. Reviews of the studies evaluating the effect of lymph node modulation on graft survival are described with future implications to allograft transplant research.

  19. A comparative study of tissue expansion and free parascapular flaps in extensive facial burn scar reconstruction

    PubMed Central

    Kalra, G S; Bedi, Mitesh; Barala, Vipin Kumar

    2017-01-01

    Background: Large post burn scars are a very difficult problem to treat. Available methods include skin grafts and tissue expansion. The reconstructive method used should be tailored according to individual patient rather than following a textbook approach in each. Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis was done of cases with extensive facial burn scars in whom secondary reconstruction was done with either free parascapular flap cover or tissue expansion and flap advancement following facial burn scar excision by a single surgeon (GSK) in Department of Burns, Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Results: A total of 15 patients with free parascapular flap and 15 patients with tissue expansion followed by flap advancement were analyzed in the group. There were no free flap failures, but 2 patients required skin graft at donor site. In patients undergoing tissue expansion, minor complication was noted in 1 patient. Conclusion: Tissue expansion is a useful technique in reconstruction of post burn scars, but has its limitations, especially in patients with extensive burns in head and neck region with limited local tissue availability. Parascapular free flap may provide a good alternative option for reconstruction in such cases. PMID:28804686

  20. Bilateral syndactyly. A unique case with surgical correction.

    PubMed

    Cisco, R W; Pitts, T E; Cicchinelli, L D; Caldarella, D J

    1993-11-01

    Cases must be treated on an individual basis, appreciating the complexity of the syndactyly, considering the patient compliance, and understanding the goals of the surgical correction. Extensive discussion with the patient and parents must occur to clarify the goals of the surgery, the expectations, and possible complications. Careful preoperative planning and incision design is paramount in obtaining satisfactory results. Skin grafting may be required, either full-thickness from a variety of donor sites or split-thickness grafting as in one case study reported. Adjunctively, manipulation and stretching of the web space for 2 to 3 months preoperatively may be helpful to achieve more laxity of the soft tissues. The choice of suture material is of particular concern when dealing with a small child. It is usually wise to use an absorbable suture material for skin closure in a small child to prevent undue emotional stress to the child or even further anesthesia upon suture removal. Vascular compromise caused by soft tissue tension in not an infrequent occurrence. As with any surgery that addresses largely cosmetic deformities, there is no substitute for exact prior planning, meticulous technique, and surgeon experience to optimize results.

  1. Xenotransplantation of testicular tissue into nude mice can be used for detecting leukemic cell contamination.

    PubMed

    Hou, Mi; Andersson, Margareta; Eksborg, Staffan; Söder, Olle; Jahnukainen, Kirsi

    2007-07-01

    Xeno-grafting of testicular tissue may allow viable gamete maturation. This would be beneficial for prepubertal cancer patients in that it may allow restoration of fertility without the risk of a cancer relapse. However it is unknown whether cancer cells in the testicular graft can transmit the malignancy into the host animal and also if gametes can be retrieved from testicular grafts that are contaminated with malignant cells. Rat T-cell leukemia was employed as the source of leukemic lymphoblasts and testicular tissue. This was injected i.p. (lymphoblasts) or grafted s.c. (fresh or cryopreserved testicular tissue) into the back skin of intact nude mice. To simulate clinical autografting, testicular tissue was also transplanted into healthy piebald variegated (PVG) rats. 50-70% of the mice, receiving 200 or 6000 leukemic lymphoblasts, developed terminal leukemia. All mice, grafted with either fresh or cryopreserved testicular tissue from leukemic donor, developed generalized leukemia and/or local tumors. All syngenic PVG rats, treated in the same manner, died of generalized leukemia. In all of the retrieved leukemic grafts, rat spermatogenesis was destroyed and only leukemic infiltration was detected. Grafting testicular tissue contaminated with leukemic cells led to tumor growth at the injection site without potential to differentiate germline stem cells into gametes. Xenografting could provide a novel functional strategy for simultaneous detection of malignant cell contamination and spermatogonial potential in testicular xenografts collected for fertility preservation.

  2. Bilayered negative-pressure wound therapy preventing leg incision morbidity in coronary artery bypass graft patients

    PubMed Central

    Yu, Yongchao; Song, Zhigang; Xu, Zhiyun; Ye, Xiaofei; Xue, Chunyu; Li, Junhui; Bi, Hongda

    2017-01-01

    Abstract Backgrounds: The harvesting of great saphenous veins for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients may result in significant complications, including lymphorrhagia, lymphoedema, incision infection, wound dehiscence, and skin flap necrosis. We investigated the function of a self-designed bilayered negative pressure wound therapy (b-NPWT) for reducing the above-mentioned complications using a clinical randomized controlled trial. Methods: A single-center, pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted. From December 2013 to March 2014, a total of 72 coronary heart disease patients (48 men and 24 women) received CABG therapy, with great saphenous veins were selected as grafts. Patients were equally randomized into a treatment and a control group. After the harvesting of the great saphenous veins and direct closure of the wound with sutures, b-NPWT was used for the thigh incision in the treatment group for 5 days (treatment thigh). Traditional surgical pads were applied to both the shank incisions of the treatment group patients (treatment shank) and the entire incisions of the control group (control thigh, control shank). Postoperative complications were recorded and statistically analyzed based on outcomes of thigh treatment, shank treatment, thigh control, and shank control groups. Results: The incidence rates of early complications, such as lymphorrhagia, lymphoedema, infection, wound dehiscence, and skin flap necrosis, of the vascular donor site in the thigh treatment group was significantly lower than those in the 3 other groups. Conclusions: The self-designed b-NPWT can effectively reduce postoperative complications, such as lymphedema, incision infection, wound dehiscence, and skin flap necrosis, in CABG patients who underwent great saphenous veins harvesting. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov. The unique registration number is NCT02010996. PMID:28099357

  3. The healthy donor profile of immunoregulatory soluble mediators is altered by stem cell mobilization and apheresis.

    PubMed

    Melve, Guro Kristin; Ersvaer, Elisabeth; Paulsen Rye, Kristin; Bushra Ahmed, Aymen; Kristoffersen, Einar K; Hervig, Tor; Reikvam, Håkon; Hatfield, Kimberley Joanne; Bruserud, Øystein

    2018-05-01

    Peripheral blood stem cells from healthy donors mobilized by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and thereafter harvested by leukapheresis are commonly used for allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Plasma levels of 38 soluble mediators (cytokines, soluble adhesion molecules, proteases, protease inhibitors) were analyzed in samples derived from healthy stem cell donors before G-CSF treatment and after 4 days, both immediately before and after leukapheresis. Donors could be classified into two main subsets based on their plasma mediator profile before G-CSF treatment. Seventeen of 36 detectable mediators were significantly altered by G-CSF; generally an increase in mediator levels was seen, including pro-inflammatory cytokines, soluble adhesion molecules and proteases. Several leukocyte- and platelet-released mediators were increased during apheresis. Both plasma and graft mediator profiles were thus altered and showed correlations to graft concentrations of leukocytes and platelets; these concentrations were influenced by the apheresis device used. Finally, the mediator profile of the allotransplant recipients was altered by graft infusion, and based on their day +1 post-transplantation plasma profile our recipients could be divided into two major subsets that differed in overall survival. G-CSF alters the short-term plasma mediator profile of healthy stem cell donors. These effects together with the leukocyte and platelet levels in the graft determine the mediator profile of the stem cell grafts. Graft infusion also alters the systemic mediator profile of the recipients, but further studies are required to clarify whether such graft-induced alterations have a prognostic impact. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  4. Skin donors and human skin allografts: evaluation of an 11-year practice and discard in a referral tissue bank.

    PubMed

    Gaucher, Sonia; Khaznadar, Zena; Gourevitch, Jean-Claude; Jarraya, Mohamed

    2016-03-01

    The Saint Louis hospital tissue bank provides skin allografts to pediatric and adult burn units in the Paris area. The aim of this study was to analyze our activity during the last 11 years focusing on the reasons for skin discard. Skin is procured solely from the back of the body, which is divided into 10 zones that are harvested and processed separately. This retrospective study included all skin donors harvested between June 2002 and June 2013, representing a total of 336 donors and 2770 zones. The donors were multiorgan heart-beating donors in 91 % of cases (n = 307). The main reason for discarding harvested skin was microbial contamination, detected in 99 donors (29 %). Most contaminants were of low pathogenicity. Other reasons for discard included positive serologic tests for 2 donors [17 zones (0.61 %)], unsuitable physical skin characteristics for 3 zones (0.11 %), the donor's medical history for 53 zones (1.91 %), and technical issues with processing or distribution for 61 zones (2.2 %). In our experience, microbial contamination continues to be the main reason for discarding potential skin allografts. However, discards are limited by separate harvesting and processing of multiple zones in each donor.

  5. Early graft dysfunction and mortality rate in marginal donor liver transplantation.

    PubMed

    Sarkut, Pmar; Gülcü, Bariş; Işçimen, Remzi; Kiyici, Murat; Türker, Gürkan; Topal, Naile Bolca; Ozen, Yilmaz; Kaya, Ekrem

    2014-01-01

    To determine the effect of marginal donor livers on mortality and graft survival in liver transplantation (LT) recipients. Donors with any 1 of following were considered marginal donors: age ≥65 years, sodium level ≥ 165 mmol/L and cold ischemia time ≥ 12 h. Donors were classified according to the donor risk index (DRI) < 1.7 and ≥ 1.7. The transplant recipients' model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores were considered low if < 20 and high if ≥ 20. Early graft dysfunction (EGD) and mortality rate were evaluated. During the study period 47 patients underwent cadaveric LT. The mean age of the donors and recipients was 45 years (range: 5-72 years) and 46 years (range: 4-66 years), respectively. In all, there were 15 marginal donors and 18 donors with a DRI > 1.7. In total, 4 LT patients that received livers from marginal donors and 5 that received livers from donors with a DRI ≥ 1.7 had EGD. Among the recipients of marginal livers, 5 died, versus 4 of the recipients of standard livers. There was no significant difference in EGD or mortality rate between the patients that received livers from marginal donors or those with a DRI ≥ 1.7 and patients that received standard donor livers. Marginal and DRI ≥ 1.7 donors negatively affected LT outcomes, but not significantly.

  6. [Microsurgery for severe flexion contracture of proximal interphalangeal joint].

    PubMed

    Fei, Xiaoxuan; Feng, Shiming; Gao, Shunhong

    2012-07-01

    To investigate the clinical results of cross-finger flap combined with laterodigital pedicled skin flap for repair of severe flexion contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint. Between October 2008 and February 2011, 11 patients (11 fingers) with severe flexion contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint were treated with cross-finger flap combined with laterodigital pedicled skin flap. There were 7 males and 4 females, aged 20-63 years (mean, 32.6 years). The causes of injury were crush or electric-saw injury in 7 cases, burn or explosive injury in 3 cases, and electrical injury in 1 case. The locations were the index finger in 4 cases, the middle finger in 2 cases, the ring finger in 2 cases, and the little finger in 3 cases. The mean disease duration was 12.4 months (range, 6-24 months). All cases were rated as type III according to Stern classification standard. The volar tissue defect ranged from 3.0 cm x 1.5 cm to 5.0 cm x 2.5 cm, with exposed tendons, nerves, vessels, or bone after scar relaxation. The defects were repaired with cross-finger flaps (2.2 cm x 1.8 cm to 3.8 cm x 2.5 cm) combined with laterodigital pedicled skin flaps (1.5 cm x 1.2 cm to 2.5 cm x 2.0 cm). Double laterodigital pedicled skin flaps were used in 3 cases. The flap donor site was sutured directly or repaired with the skin graft. All flaps survived completely and wound healed by first intention. The donor skin graft survived. All the patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 11.3 months). The finger appearance was satisfactory. The flaps had soft texture and good color in all cases. No obvious pigmentation or contraction was observed. The contracted fingers could extend completely with good active flexion and extension motion. At last follow-up, the extension of the proximal interphalangeal joint was 10-150. Based on proximal interphalangeal joint motion standard of Chinese Medical Association for hand surgery, the results were excellent in 6 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 1 case; the excellent and good rate was 90.9%. It is an easy and simple therapy t o cover wound area of severe flexion contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint after scar relaxation using cross-finger flap combined with laterodigital pedicled skin flap, which can repair large defect and achieve good results in finger appearance and function.

  7. Pancreas outcomes between living and deceased kidney donor in pancreas after kidney transplantation patients.

    PubMed

    Ventura-Aguiar, Pedro; Ferrer, Joana; Revuelta, Ignacio; Paredes, David; de Sousa-Amorim, Erika; Rovira, Jordi; Esmatjes, Enric; Garcia-Valdecasas, Juan Carlos; Campistol, Josep M; Oppenheimer, Federico; Diekmann, Fritz; Ricart, Maria José

    2018-06-08

    Pancreas outcomes in pancreas after kidney transplantation (PAK) patients have been reported as being inferior to those of patients who receive simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPK). The influence of the kidney donor (i.e. living versus deceased) has never been previously addressed. We retrospectively analysed all pancreas transplants performed in a single centre since 2007 and compared the outcomes between those patients who had previously received a living-donor kidney transplant (pancreas transplantation after living-donor kidney transplantation, PAldK; n = 18) or a deceased-donor kidney transplant (pancreas transplantation after deceased-donor kidney transplantation, PAddK; n = 28), using SPK (n = 139) recipients as a reference. Pancreas survival was similar between all groups, but inferior for PAldK when including only those with a functioning graft at day 90 post-transplantation (P = 0.004). Pancreas acute rejection was significantly increased in PAldK (67%; 1.8 ± 1.4 episodes/graft) when compared with PAddK (25%) and SPK (32%) (P < 0.05) patients. In a multivariate Cox regression model including known risk factors for pancreas rejection, PAldK was the only predictor of acute rejection (hazard ratio 6.82, 95% confidence interval 1.51-30.70, P < 0.05). No association was found between donor-recipient HLA mismatches and graft rejection. Repeated HLA mismatches between kidney and pancreas donors (0 versus 1-6) did not correlate with pancreas graft rejection or survival in either PAK transplantation group (P > 0.05). Pancreas graft outcomes are worse for PAldK when compared with PAddK and SPK patients.

  8. Descemet’s stripping and non-Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty for microcornea using 6.0 mm donor grafts

    PubMed Central

    Yokogawa, Hideaki; Kobayashi, Akira; Yamazaki, Natsuko; Ueta, Yoshiki; Hashimoto, Yoshihiro; Tachi, Naoko; Sugiyama, Kazuhisa

    2013-01-01

    Background The purpose of this paper is to report our experience of Descemet’s stripping and non-Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK/nDSAEK) for microcorneas using 6.0 mm donor grafts. Methods Three eyes of two patients (a 56-year-old woman and a 59-year-old woman) with microcornea and suffering from bullous keratopathy were treated with either DSAEK or nDSAEK. A small donor graft (6.0 mm) was inserted into the anterior chamber using a double glide (Busin glide and intraocular lens sheet glide) donor insertion technique. Both patients were followed for at least 12 months. Clinical outcomes, including intraoperative and postoperative complications, visual acuity, and endothelial cell density were evaluated. Results In all three cases (100%), no intraoperative complications were noted. In one case with a flat keratometry value (32.13 D), a partial donor detachment was noted one day postoperatively, but it was reattached by rebubbling. In another case, rejection was noted 8 months postoperatively, but treatment with systemic corticosteroids was successful. A clear cornea remained in all three cases (100%), with best-corrected visual acuity greater than 20/100 (mean 20/50) at 12 months. Mean postoperative endothelial cell counts were 2,603 ± 18 cells/mm2 at 6 months (7.4% decrease from preoperative donor cell counts) and 1,799 ± 556 cells/mm2 at 12 months (36.5% decrease). Conclusion We report for the first time the successful use of a small donor graft (6.0 mm) for DSAEK/nDSAEK in cases of microcornea. Additional stud ies using a large number of patients are required to evaluate fully the potential advantages and drawbacks of small diameter donor grafts for microcornea. PMID:24109176

  9. Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) in graft by blood donor antibodies against host leukocytes.

    PubMed

    Goodwin, Jodi; Tinckam, Kathryn; denHollander, Neal; Haroon, Ayesha; Keshavjee, Shaf; Cserti-Gazdewich, Christine M

    2010-09-01

    It is unknown the extent to which transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) contributes to primary graft dysfunction (PGD), the leading cause of death after lung transplantation. In this case of suspected transfusion-associated acute bilateral graft injury in a 61-year-old idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patient, recipient sera from before and after transplantation/transfusion, as well as the sera of 22 of the 24 implicated blood donors, were individually screened by Luminex bead assay for the presence of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies, with recipient and lung donor HLA typing to explore for cognate relationships. A red-cell-unit donor-source anti-Cw6 antibody, cognate with the HLA type of the recipient, was identified. This is the second reported case of TRALI in the setting of lung transplantation, and the first to show an associated interaction between donor antibodies (in a low-plasma volume product) with recipient leukocytes (rather than graft antigens); therefore, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of PGD. Copyright 2010 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  10. T-cell replete haploidentical donor transplantation using post-transplant CY: an emerging standard-of-care option for patients who lack an HLA-identical sibling donor.

    PubMed

    Bashey, A; Solomon, S R

    2014-08-01

    Availability of an HLA-identical sibling (MRD) or suitably matched unrelated donor (MUD) has historically been a limiting factor in the application of allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation. Although almost all patients have an HLA-haploidentical family donor, prior attempts at transplantation from such donors using T-cell replete grafts and conventional immunosuppression were associated with unacceptable rates of GVHD, and when stringent ex vivo T-cell depletion was used to control GVHD, rates of graft rejection and post-transplant infections were prohibitive. The recent approach to HLA-haploidentical donor transplantation developed in Baltimore that uses T-cell replete grafts and post-transplant CY (Haplo-post-HCT-CY) to control post-transplant allo-reactivity appears to have overcome many of the obstacles historically associated with haploidentical donor transplantation. In particular, TRM rates of <10% are usual and rapid reconstitution of immunity leads to a low rate of post-transplant infections and no post-tranplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD), consistent with the hypothesis that post-transplant CY selectively depletes proliferating alloreactive T cells responsible for GVHD and graft rejection while preserving resting memory T cells essential for post-transplant immunologic recovery. In parallel trials using similar non-myeloablative conditioning regimens, Haplo-post-HCT-CY produced similar overall survival to double umbilical cord blood transplantation(DUCBT) in adult patients (62% vs 54%), with low rates of TRM (7% vs 24%), severe acute GVHD (0% vs 21%) and chronic GVHD (13% vs 25%). Furthermore, recent non-randomized comparisons adjusted for risk factors show that Haplo-post-HCT-CY achieve at least equivalent outcomes to conventional MRD and MUD transplants. Although most experience has been obtained using BM, emerging data suggest that a G-CSF mobilized PBSC graft can also safely be used for Haplo-post-HCT-CY. Haplo-post-HCT-CY also avoids the graft acquisition costs of DUCBT and MUDs and the cost of cell selection associated with T-depleted grafts. Although randomized comparisons will be forthcoming, Haplo-post-HCT-CY can already be considered a valid standard-of-care in patients who lack conventional donors thus extending the availability of allogeneic transplants to almost all patients. This donor source may also challenge the routine preference for a MUD in patients lacking an MRD.

  11. 10 years' experience with regular haemodialysis and renal transplantation.

    PubMed Central

    Chantler, C; Carter, J E; Bewick, M; Counahan, R; Cameron, J S; Ogg, C S; Williams, D G; Winder, E

    1980-01-01

    75 children aged under 15 years have entered the regular haemodialysis/renal transplant programme at Guy's Hospital in the 10 years since its inception; 13 children have subsequently died. A combination of hospital and home haemodialysis and renal transplantation was used. 64 children received 80 renal allografts; 37 1st grafts were from live, related donors and 27 were from cadaver donors. The 5-year acturial patient survival for the whole group and for those who had transplants was 76%. Live donor graft survival was 65% at 3 years, and 55% at 5 years; 1st cadaver graft survival was 42% at 3 years. Results obtained during the last 6 years of the 10-year period showed an improvement with a live related donor graft survival rate of 71%, and a 1st cadaver graft survival rate of 47% at 3 years. Particular experience was gained with home haemodialysis and live, related donor transplantation. Despite growth, and psychosocial and rehabilitation problems, the overall results were encouraging, particularly for the 46 children who had successful transplants. These children grew better, had fewer psychosocial difficulties, and were rehabilitated more successfully into normal life than those on long-term dialysis. We conclude that dialysis and transplantation should be offered to all suitable children with terminal renal failure. PMID:7002057

  12. Determinants of graft survival in pediatric and adolescent live donor kidney transplant recipients: a single center experience.

    PubMed

    El-Husseini, Amr A; Foda, Mohamed A; Shokeir, Ahmed A; Shehab El-Din, Ahmed B; Sobh, Mohamed A; Ghoneim, Mohamed A

    2005-12-01

    To study the independent determinants of graft survival among pediatric and adolescent live donor kidney transplant recipients. Between March 1976 and March 2004, 1600 live donor kidney transplants were carried out in our center. Of them 284 were 20 yr old or younger (mean age 13.1 yr, ranging from 5 to 20 yr). Evaluation of the possible variables that may affect graft survival were carried out using univariate and multivariate analyses. Studied factors included age, gender, relation between donor and recipient, original kidney disease, ABO blood group, pretransplant blood transfusion, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching, pretransplant dialysis, height standard deviation score (SDS), pretransplant hypertension, cold ischemia time, number of renal arteries, ureteral anastomosis, time to diuresis, time of transplantation, occurrence of acute tubular necrosis (ATN), primary and secondary immunosuppression, total dose of steroids in the first 3 months, development of acute rejection and post-transplant hypertension. Using univariate analysis, the significant predictors for graft survival were HLA matching, type of primary urinary recontinuity, time to diuresis, ATN, acute rejection and post-transplant hypertension. The multivariate analysis restricted the significance to acute rejection and post-transplant hypertension. The independent determinants of graft survival in live-donor pediatric and adolescent renal transplant recipients are acute rejection and post-transplant hypertension.

  13. Real-Time Demonstration of Split Skin Graft Inosculation and Integra Dermal Matrix Neovascularization Using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy

    PubMed Central

    Greenwood, John; Amjadi, Mahyar; Dearman, Bronwyn; Mackie, Ian

    2009-01-01

    Objectives: During the first 48 hours after placement, an autograft “drinks” nutrients and dissolved oxygen from fluid exuding from the underlying recipient bed (“plasmatic imbibition”). The theory of inosculation (that skin grafts subsequently obtain nourishment via blood vessel “anastomosis” between new vessels invading from the wound bed and existing graft vessels) was hotly debated from the late 19th to mid-20th century. This study aimed to noninvasively observe blood flow in split skin grafts and Integra™ dermal regeneration matrix to provide further proof of inosculation and to contrast the structure of vascularization in both materials, reflecting mechanism. Methods: Observations were made both clinically and using confocal microscopy on normal skin, split skin graft, and Integra™. The VivaScope™ allows noninvasive, real-time, in vivo images of tissue to be obtained. Results: Observations of blood flow and tissue architecture in autologous skin graft and Integra™ suggest that 2 very different processes are occurring in the establishment of circulation in each case. Inosculation provides rapid circulatory return to skin grafts whereas slower neovascularization creates an unusual initial Integra™ circulation. Conclusions: The advent of confocal laser microscopy like the VivaScope 1500™, together with “virtual” journals such as ePlasty, enables us to provide exciting images and distribute them widely to a “reading” audience. The development of the early Integra™ vasculature by neovascularization results in a large-vessel, high-volume, rapid flow circulation contrasting markedly from the inosculatory process in skin grafts and the capillary circulation in normal skin and merits further (planned) investigation. PMID:19787028

  14. Case Report of Relay Liver Transplantation With Graft Infected With Hepatitis B Virus.

    PubMed

    Wong, T C L; She, W H; Cheung, T T; Chan, S C; Lo, C M

    2015-11-01

    Reuse of liver graft for transplantation is extremely uncommon. We report the 1st case of reuse of liver graft from a recipient who had hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, 11 years after the 1st transplantation. Our relay liver transplantation challenged conventional thinking because of late reuse of graft in the presence of HBV infection. Moreover, both the 1st and the 2nd donors were of advanced age. The key questions were whether the liver graft could be reused safely, especially in the setting of HBV infection, and technical concerns during organ procurement and implantation. The absence of HBV replication was confirmed with negative hepatitis B surface antigen and undetectable serum HBV DNA in the 2nd donor. Based on our experience in managing HBV infection after liver transplantation, we were confident that the adequately suppressed HBV infection in the donor would not jeopardize graft function and that the graft would be able to withstand another ischemia-perfusion injury to continue to function well in our recipient. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  15. Subungual and periungual congenital blue naevus.

    PubMed

    Gershtenson, Platina Coy; Krunic, Aleksandar; Chen, Helen; Konanahalli, Madhuri; Worobec, Sophie

    2009-05-01

    Subungual pigmented lesions should raise concern about malignant melanoma. Blue naevus of the nail apparatus is a rare entity, with only ten cases described in the literature. We report a 21-year-old Hispanic woman with a slowly enlarging 1.7 x 2.3-cm subungual and periungual pigmented plaque present since birth on her right second toe. Initial biopsy was consistent with a blue naevus of the cellular type and, given the recent clinical change and periungual extension, complete excision was recommended. The entire nail unit was resected down to periosteum with prior avulsion of the nail plate. Reconstruction was performed with a full-thickness skin graft. Follow up at 1 year revealed well-healed graft and donor sites with complete return of function. We present a case of a congenital subungual and periungual blue naevus of the cellular type and review the literature on this rare presentation of a congenital blue naevus.

  16. Development of Graft-Site Candidiasis in 3 Solid Organ Transplant Recipients from the Same Donor.

    PubMed

    El-Bandar, Nasrin; Kroy, Daniela C; Fuller, Tom Florian; Kramer, Jürgen; Liefeldt, Lutz; Budde, Klemens; Blobel, Conrad; Miller, Kurt; Friedersdorff, Frank

    2017-07-11

    BACKGROUND Graft-site candidiasis rarely develops in solid organ transplant recipients; however, severe life-threatening complications can occur. We report the course of 3 solid organ transplant recipients developing graft-site candidiasis. CASE REPORT All grafts, consisting of 2 kidneys and 1 liver, were procured from a single donor. Patient data were collected from our database. Candida albicans was isolated from a swab taken during multiple-organ recovery. Complications associated with candidiasis occurred in all 3 recipients with preservation of the liver transplant. Both renal transplant recipients had vascular complications, eventually resulting in graft nephrectomy and subsequent return to dialysis. The patients recovered completely without residual effects of their prior fungal infection. CONCLUSIONS Fungal infections in solid organ transplant recipients are rare. Since the sequelae of these infections are serious and usually pertain to more than 1 recipient at a time, antifungal prophylaxis may be warranted in select donors.

  17. Effectiveness of Fibrin Glue in Adherence of Skin Graft.

    PubMed

    Reddy, Konda Sireesha; Chittoria, Ravi Kumar; Babu, Preethitha; Marimuthu, Senthil Kumaran; Kumar, Sudhanva Hemanth; Subbarayan, Elan Kumar; Chavan, Vinayak; Mohapatra, Devi Prasad; Sivakumar, Dinesh Kumar; Friji, M T

    2017-01-01

    Graft fixation is important for graft take. Fibrin glue has been proposed as an ideal material, because of its human origin and it provides firm adhesion in seconds or minutes. To evaluate the efficiency of fibrin glue, in increasing the take of skin graft. Assessment includes surgical time taken for graft fixation, haematoma/seroma formation, engraftment and wound closure by day 14. The study is an observational prospective study conducted in the Department of Plastic Surgery, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, from January 2016 to June 2016. Sixteen patients who underwent split skin grafting were assessed during the study period. Fibrin glue was used on the recipient bed before grafting. Better haemostasis and graft adhesion, with a significant reduction of surgical time, were noted. The safety profile of fibrin glue was excellent as indicated by the lack of any related serious adverse experiences. These findings demonstrate that it is safe and effective for attachment of skin grafts, with outcomes at least as good as conventional methods.

  18. Immunohistochemical evaluation for outflow reconstruction using opened round ligament in living donor right posterior sector graft liver transplantation: A case report.

    PubMed

    Sanada, Yukihiro; Sakuma, Yasunaru; Sasanuma, Hideki; Miki, Atsushi; Katano, Takumi; Hirata, Yuta; Okada, Noriki; Yamada, Naoya; Ihara, Yoshiyuki; Urahashi, Taizen; Sata, Naohiro; Yasuda, Yoshikazu; Mizuta, Koichi

    2016-09-14

    Utilizing the opened round ligament as venous grafts during liver transplantation is useful but controversial, and there are no pathological analyses of this procedure. Herein, we describe the first reported case of a pathological analysis of an opened round ligament used as a venous patch graft in a living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). A 13-year-old female patient with biliary atresia underwent LDLT using a posterior segment graft from her mother. The graft had two hepatic veins (HVs), which included the right HV (RHV; 15 mm) and the inferior RHV (IRHV; 20 mm). The graft RHV and IRHV were formed into a single orifice using the donor's opened round ligament (60 mm × 20 mm) as a patch graft during bench surgery; it was then anastomosed end-to-side with the recipient inferior vena cava. The recipient had no post-transplant complications involving the HVs, but she died of septic shock with persistent cholangitis and jaundice 86 d after LDLT. The HV anastomotic site had no stenosis or thrombus on autopsy. On pathology, there was adequate patency and continuity between the recipient's HV and the donor's opened round ligament. In addition, the stains for CD31 and CD34 on the inner membrane of the opened round ligament were positive. Hepatic venous reconstruction using the opened round ligament as a venous patch graft is effective in LDLT, as observed on pathology.

  19. The correlation between preoperative volumetry and real graft weight: comparison of two volumetry programs.

    PubMed

    Mussin, Nadiar; Sumo, Marco; Lee, Kwang-Woong; Choi, YoungRok; Choi, Jin Yong; Ahn, Sung-Woo; Yoon, Kyung Chul; Kim, Hyo-Sin; Hong, Suk Kyun; Yi, Nam-Joon; Suh, Kyung-Suk

    2017-04-01

    Liver volumetry is a vital component in living donor liver transplantation to determine an adequate graft volume that meets the metabolic demands of the recipient and at the same time ensures donor safety. Most institutions use preoperative contrast-enhanced CT image-based software programs to estimate graft volume. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of 2 liver volumetry programs (Rapidia vs . Dr. Liver) in preoperative right liver graft estimation compared with real graft weight. Data from 215 consecutive right lobe living donors between October 2013 and August 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. One hundred seven patients were enrolled in Rapidia group and 108 patients were included in the Dr. Liver group. Estimated graft volumes generated by both software programs were compared with real graft weight measured during surgery, and further classified into minimal difference (≤15%) and big difference (>15%). Correlation coefficients and degree of difference were determined. Linear regressions were calculated and results depicted as scatterplots. Minimal difference was observed in 69.4% of cases from Dr. Liver group and big difference was seen in 44.9% of cases from Rapidia group (P = 0.035). Linear regression analysis showed positive correlation in both groups (P < 0.01). However, the correlation coefficient was better for the Dr. Liver group (R 2 = 0.719), than for the Rapidia group (R 2 = 0.688). Dr. Liver can accurately predict right liver graft size better and faster than Rapidia, and can facilitate preoperative planning in living donor liver transplantation.

  20. Blast Injuries And Heterotopic Ossification

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-08-01

    transfemoral amputation. Note the skin graft over the terminal portion of the residual limb. Although we advocate avoiding terminal skin grafting of...of the overlying skin graft . Fig. 2a 177 K. A. ALFIERI, J. A. FORSBERG, B. K. POTTER BONE & JOINT RESEARCH mimimum of six months prior to performing

  1. Transient hyperglycemia during liver transplantation does not affect the early graft function.

    PubMed

    Blasi, Annabel; Beltran, Joan; Martin, Nuria; Martinez-Pallí, Graciela; Lozano, Juan J; Balust, Jaume; Torrents, Abigail; Taura, Pilar

    2015-01-01

    Background and rationale for the study. Hyperglycemia after graft reperfusion is a consistent finding in liver transplantation (LT) that remains poorly studied. We aim to describe its appearance in LT recipients of different types of grafts and its relation to the graft function. 436 LT recipients of donors after brain death (DBD), donors after cardiac death (DCD), and familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) donors were reviewed. Serum glucose was measured at baseline, during the anhepatic phase, after graft reperfusion, and at the end of surgery. Early graft dysfunction (EAD) was assessed by Olthoff criteria. Caspase-3, IFN-γ, IL1β, and IL6 gene expression were measured in liver biopsy. The highest increase in glucose levels after reperfusion was observed in FAP LT recipients and the lowest in DCD LT recipients. Glucose level during the anhepatic phase was the only modifiable predictive variable of hyperglycemia after reperfusion. No relation was found between hyperglycemia after reperfusion and EAD. However, recipients with the highest glucose levels after reperfusion tended to achieve the best glucose control at the end of surgery and those who were unable to control the glucose value after reperfusion showed EAD more frequently. The highest levels of caspase-3 were found in recipients with the lowest glucose values after reperfusion. In conclusion, glucose levels increased after graft reperfusion to a different extent according to the donor type. Contrary to general belief, transient hyperglycemia after reperfusion does not appear to impact negatively on the liver graft function and could even be suggested as a marker of graft quality.

  2. Megasessions for Robotic Hair Restoration.

    PubMed

    Pereira, Joa O Carlos; Pereira Filho, Joa O Carlos; Cabrera Pereira, Joa O Pedro

    2016-11-01

    A robotic system can select and remove individual hair follicles from the donor area with great precision and without fatigue. This report describes the use of the robotic system in a megasession for hair restoration. Patients were instructed to cut their hair to 1.0 to 1.2 mm before surgery. The robot selected and removed 600 to 800 grafts per hour so the follicular units (FU)s could be transplanted manually to recipient sites. The robot arm consists of a sharp inner punch and a blunt outer punch which together separate FUs from the sur- rounding tissue. Stereoscopic cameras controlled by image processing software allow the system to identify the angle and direction of hair growth. The physician and one assistant control the harvesting with a hand-held remote control and computer monitor while the patient is positioned in an adjustable chair. When the robot has harvested all the FUs they are removed by technicians with small forceps. Hairline design, creation of recipient sites, and graft placement are performed manually by the physician. Clinical photographs before and after surgery show that patients experience excellent outcomes with the robotic megasession. Phy- sician fatigue during graft extraction is reduced because the robot performs the repetitive movements without fatigue. Variability of graft extraction is minimized because the robot's optical system can be programmed to choose the best FUs. The transection rate is reduced because the robot's graft extraction system uses two needles, a sharp one to piece the skin and a blunt needle to dissect the root without trauma. A robotic megasession for hair restoration is minimally invasive, does not result in linear scars in the donor area, and is associated with minimal fatigue and discomfort for both patient and physician. Healing is rapid and patients experience a high level of satisfaction with the results. J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(11):1407-1412..

  3. Liver regeneration in donors and adult recipients after living donor liver transplantation.

    PubMed

    Haga, Junko; Shimazu, Motohide; Wakabayashi, Go; Tanabe, Minoru; Kawachi, Shigeyuki; Fuchimoto, Yasushi; Hoshino, Ken; Morikawa, Yasuhide; Kitajima, Masaki; Kitagawa, Yuko

    2008-12-01

    In living donor liver transplantation, the safety of the donor operation is the highest priority. The introduction of the right lobe graft was late because of concerns about donor safety. We investigated donor liver regeneration by the types of resected segments as well as recipients to assess that appropriate regeneration was occurring. Eighty-seven donors were classified into 3 groups: left lateral section donors, left lobe donors, and right lobe donors. Forty-seven adult recipients were classified as either left or right lobe grafted recipients. Volumetry was retrospectively performed at 1 week, 1, 2, 3, and 6 months, and 1 year after the operation. In the right lobe donor group, the remnant liver volume was 45.4%, and it rapidly increased to 68.9% at 1 month and 89.8% at 6 months. At 6 months, the regeneration ratios were almost the same in all donor groups. The recipient liver volume increased rapidly until 2 months, exceeding the standard liver volume, and then gradually decreased to 90% of the standard liver volume. Livers of the right lobe donor group regenerated fastest in the donor groups, and the recipient liver regenerated faster than the donor liver. Analyzing liver regeneration many times with a large number of donors enabled us to understand the normal liver regeneration pattern. Although the donor livers did not reach their initial volume, the donors showed normal liver function at 1 year. The donors have returned to their normal daily activities. Donor hepatectomy, even right hepatectomy, can be safely performed with accurate preoperative volumetry and careful decision-making concerning graft-type selection.

  4. Is there a stronger graft-versus-leukemia effect using HLA-haploidentical donors compared with HLA-identical siblings?

    PubMed

    Ringdén, O; Labopin, M; Ciceri, F; Velardi, A; Bacigalupo, A; Arcese, W; Ghavamzadeh, A; Hamladji, R M; Schmid, C; Nagler, A; Mohty, M

    2016-02-01

    Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCTs) are increasingly used, but it is unknown whether they have a stronger graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. We analyzed 10 679 acute leukemia patients who underwent HSCT from an HLA-matched sibling donor (MSD, n=9815) or a haploidentical donor (⩾2 HLA-antigen disparity, n=864) between 2007 and 2012, reported to the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. In a Cox regression model, acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was added as time-dependent variables. There was no difference in probability of relapse between recipients of haploidentical and MSD grafts. Factors of importance for relapse after T-cell-replete grafts included remission status at HSCT, Karnofsky score ⩽80, acute GVHD of grade II or higher and chronic GVHD (P<10(-5)). Patients with post-transplant cyclophosphamide (n=194) had similar outcome as other T-cell-replete haploidentical transplants (n=369). Non-relapse mortality was significantly higher in the haploidentical group compared with that in MSD patients (P<10(-5)). Leukemia-free survival was superior in the MSD patients receiving T-cell-replete (P<10(-5)) or T-cell-depleted grafts (P=0.0006). The risk of relapse was the same in acute leukemia patients who received haploidentical donor grafts as in those given MSD transplants, suggesting a similar GVL effect.

  5. Efficacy of bubaline fibrin glue on full-thickness pinch and punch skin grafting in a pig.

    PubMed

    Dejyong, Krittee; Kaewamatawong, Theerayuth; Brikshavana, Pasakorn; Durongphongtorn, Sumit

    2017-03-01

    Fibrin glue, which is formed from the action of thrombin (a serine protease) on fibrinogen, has been developed for use as an adhesive to increase the success of skin graft surgery. The objective of this study was to evaluate if bubaline fibrin glue would promote skin graft survival in pigs. The grafting was divided into two steps. First, granulation wound preparation was performed in a healthy swine by creating four full-skin depth wounds (3 × 12 cm 2 ) at the dorsal part of the loin area on each side. Second, pinch and punch skin grafting, where eight skin discs (0.6 cm diameter) were regularly placed (0.6 cm distance apart) in the granulation tissue bed of each wound, was performed 5 days later. The bubaline fibrin glue was added prior to application of the 16 skin graft discs in two of the wounds, while no glue was added to the other 16 skin graft discs in the other two wounds. The number of surviving graft pieces and histological examination was evaluated after 3, 7, and 14 days post-operation and compared by pairing between the control and the bubaline fibrin glue groups. The number of grafts that remained at 3 and 7 days post-operation and the number of new microvessels at 3 days post-operation were significantly higher ( p < 0.05) in the bubaline fibrin glue group than in the control group. However, there was no significant difference in the number of fibroblasts, the intensity of scarring and the intensity of inflammation between the two groups, except for the significantly lower intensity of inflammation at 7 days post-operation in the bubaline fibrin glue group. In conclusion, bubaline fibrin glue has the advantage of decreasing the skin graft loss by approximately 31.3-37.5% compared with the control group and also promotes angiogenesis.

  6. Vacuum-assisted closure device as a split-thickness skin graft bolster in the burn population.

    PubMed

    Waltzman, Joshua T; Bell, Derek E

    2014-01-01

    The vacuum-assisted closure device (VAC) is associated with improved wound healing outcomes. Its use as a bolster device to secure a split-thickness skin graft has been previously demonstrated; however, there is little published evidence demonstrating its benefits specifically in the burn population. With use of the VAC becoming more commonplace, its effect on skin graft take and overall time to healing in burn patients deserves further investigation. Retrospective review of burn registry database at a high-volume level I trauma center and regional burn center during a 16-month period was performed. Patients who had a third-degree burn injury requiring a split-thickness skin graft and who received a VAC bolster were included. Data points included age, sex, burn mechanism, burn location, grafted area in square centimeters, need for repeat grafting, percent graft take, and time to complete reepithelialization. Sixty-seven patients were included in the study with a total of 88 skin graft sites secured with a VAC. Age ranged from <1 year to 84 years (average 41 years). The average grafted area was 367 ± 545 cm. The three most common were the leg, thigh, and arm (28, 15, and 12%, respectively). Average percent graft take was 99.5 ± 1.5%. Notably, no patients returned to the operating room for repeat grafting. The average time to complete reepithelialization was 16 ± 7 days. The VAC is a highly reliable and reproducible method to bolster a split-thickness skin graft in the burn population. The observed rate of zero returns to the operating room for repeat grafting was especially encouraging. Its ability to conform to contours of the body and cover large surface areas makes it especially useful in securing a graft. This method of bolstering results in decreased repeat grafting and minimal graft loss, thus decreasing morbidity compared with conventional bolster dressings.

  7. Donor cytomegalovirus status influences the outcome of allogeneic stem cell transplant: a study by the European group for blood and marrow transplantation.

    PubMed

    Ljungman, Per; Brand, Ronald; Hoek, Jennifer; de la Camara, Rafael; Cordonnier, Catherine; Einsele, Hermann; Styczynski, Jan; Ward, Katherine N; Cesaro, Simone

    2014-08-15

    The use of a cytomegalovirus (CMV)-seronegative donor for a CMV-seronegative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipient is generally accepted. However, the importance of donor serostatus in CMV-seropositive patients is controversial. A total of 49 542 HSCT patients, 29 349 seropositive and 20 193 seronegative, were identified from the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation database. Cox multivariate models were fitted to estimate the effect of donor CMV serological status on outcome. Seronegative patients receiving seropositive unrelated-donor grafts had decreased overall survival (hazard ratio [HR], 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.21; P < .0001) compared with seronegative donors, whereas no difference was seen in patients receiving HLA-matched sibling grafts. Seropositive patients receiving grafts from seropositive unrelated donors had improved overall survival (HR, 0.92; 95% CI, .86-.98; P < .01) compared with seronegative donors, if they had received myeloablative conditioning. This effect was absent when they received reduced-intensity conditioning. No effect was seen in patients grafted from HLA-identical sibling donors. The same association was found if the study was limited to patients receiving transplants from the year 2000 onward. We confirm the negative impact on overall survival if a CMV-seropositive unrelated donor is selected for a CMV-seronegative patient. For a CMV-seropositive patient, our data support selecting a CMV-seropositive donor if the patient receives a myeloablative conditioning regimen. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  8. The First Dorsal Metatarsal Artery Perforator Propeller Flap.

    PubMed

    Hallock, Geoffrey G

    2016-06-01

    Distal foot and toe defects requiring a vascularized flap for coverage have very limited options, oftentimes justifying even a free flap. Perforator flaps in general and propeller flaps in particular have opened up an entirely new subset of local tissue transfer alternatives that can potentially avoid the difficulties that accompany microvascular tissue transfers. The first dorsal metatarsal artery (FDMA) perforator propeller flap represents another variation of this theme. A standard FDMA flap from the dorsum of the foot was raised in reversed fashion based on the distal communicating branch or "perforator" from the plantar foot circulation in 2 patients with great toe defects. All distal skin tissue between this perforator and the defect was kept with the FDMA flap as an attached minor blade, to thereby create an FDMA propeller flap. Salvage of the great toe in both patients was achieved. The benefit of the minor blade of the propeller was to fill a portion of the donor site defect of the traditional FDMA major blade, to permit tension-free donor site closure of the dorsal foot without sequela. The distal-based FDMA flap can be useful as a local flap for coverage of distal foot and toe wounds, but direct donor site closure can be problematic as mirrored by its relative the dorsalis pedis flap. The FDMA perforator propeller flap variation can achieve the same reconstructive goals while simultaneously transferring vascularized tissue into the dorsal foot donor site to thereby minimize the tension if direct closure is possible or minimize the need for a skin graft in this notoriously difficult region.

  9. A Study to Determine the Feasibility of Establishing an Ambulatory Surgery Program at Keller Army Community Hospital, West Point, New York

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1987-05-01

    18.79 Other plastic repair of external ear Otoplasty; Postauricular skin graft ; Repair of lop ear 19.4 Myringoplasty Epitympanic, type I; Myringoplasty...of lip 27.53 Closure of fistula of mouth * 27.54 Repair of cleft lip * 27.55 Bill-thickness skin graft to lip and mouth * 27.56 Other skin graft to...structure 86.60 Free skin graft , not otherwise specified *d :935 Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield- New York Dvisior 56 INTEGUMENTARY SYSTIA continued

  10. Candida Endophthalmitis After Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty With Grafts From Both Eyes of a Donor With Possible Systemic Candidiasis.

    PubMed

    Palioura, Sotiria; Sivaraman, Kavitha; Joag, Madhura; Sise, Adam; Batlle, Juan F; Miller, Darlene; Espana, Edgar M; Amescua, Guillermo; Yoo, Sonia H; Galor, Anat; Karp, Carol L

    2018-04-01

    To report 2 cases with late postoperative Candida albicans interface keratitis and endophthalmitis after Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) with corneal grafts originating from a single donor with a history of presumed pulmonary candidiasis. Two patients underwent uncomplicated DSAEK by 2 corneal surgeons at different surgery centers but with tissue from the same donor and were referred to the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute with multifocal infiltrates at the graft-host cornea interface 6 to 8 weeks later, and anterior chamber cultures that were positive for the same genetic strain of C. albicans. Immediate explantation of DSAEK lenticules and daily intracameral and instrastromal voriconazole and amphotericin injections failed to control the infection. Thus, both patients underwent therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty with intraocular lens explantation, pars plana vitrectomy, and serial postoperative intraocular antifungal injection. Both patients are doing well at 2 years postoperatively with best-corrected vision of 20/20 and 20/30+ with rigid gas permeable lenses. One patient required repeat optical penetrating keratoplasty and glaucoma tube implantation 1 year after the original surgery. Literature review reveals that donor lenticule explantation and intraocular antifungals are often inadequate to control fungal interface keratitis, and a therapeutic graft is commonly needed. Interface fungal keratitis and endophthalmitis due to infected donor corneal tissue is difficult to treat, and both recipients of grafts originating from the same donor are at risk of developing this challenging condition.

  11. Factors affecting DSAEK graft lenticle adhesion: an in vitro experimental study.

    PubMed

    Vaddavalli, Pravin K; Diakonis, Vasilios F; Canto, Ana P; Kankariya, Vardhaman P; Pappuru, Rajeev R; Ruggeri, Marco; Banitt, Michael R; Kymionis, George D; Yoo, Sonia H

    2014-06-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate different factors that affect Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) donor graft lenticle adhesion to the recipient cornea. This experimental study included 10 eye bank recipient corneas and 10 donor DSAEK lenticles. Recipient corneas were mounted on an artificial anterior chamber (AC), whereas donor lenticles were placed beneath the host cornea. Using optical coherence tomography and imaging software, the interface gap (IG) between the donor and recipient cornea was quantified to evaluate the effect of variations in AC air fill pressure, AC air fill duration, corneal massage, and corneal venting incisions on DSAEK donor graft lenticle adhesion. Different intraocular pressures (IOP) under air for the same time intervals, do not significantly correlate with the IG; nevertheless, it was noticed that the IG decreases as the IOP increases. With respect to the magnitude of AC IOP, there was no statistically significant difference when comparing 10 mm Hg with 30 mm Hg and assessing IG (P = 0.4). Complete air-fluid exchange resulted in significantly higher IG when compared with AC air bubble of 10 and 30 mm Hg that was sustained for 1 hour (P < 0.05). Furthermore, corneal surface massage did not facilitate DSAEK graft adhesion (P = 0.59). Finally, paracentral venting incisions followed by interface fluid aspiration seemed to significantly decrease the IG (P = 0.014). Corneal venting incisions and higher AC IOP values seem to facilitate DSAEK donor graft lenticle adhesion to the recipient cornea.

  12. Living donor liver transplantation in a recipient with anti-Fy(a) and Jk(a) antibodies.

    PubMed

    Kaibori, Masaki; Kishimoto, Yuji; Yanagida, Hidesuke; Yokoigawa, Norio; Yamamoto, Hidekazu; Kitade, Hiroaki; Fukuhara, Shirou; Egawa, Hiroto; Tanaka, Koichi; Kamiyama, Yasuo

    2005-01-01

    We report a case of a living donor liver transplantation using right lobe graft to a recipient having anti-Fy(a) and Jk(a) antibodies. The red blood cell (RBC) antigens of the donor were Fy (a+) and Jk (a-). We attempted to eliminate donor RBCs remaining in the graft by perfusing histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate. Further, Fy (a-)/Jk (a-) RBC concentrates were transfused during the operation. However, the anti-Fy(a) titer increased approximately 8-fold on the seventh postoperative day. On the same day, serum levels of transaminase and total bilirubin increased presumably due to acute cellular rejection. Steroid administration immediately reduced levels of transaminase, total bilirubin and anti-Fy(a) titer. The increase of anti-Fy(a) titer may be due to a secondary immune response to the donor's Fy(a) antigen on RBCs remaining in the graft.

  13. Expanding the Margins: High Volume Utilization of Marginal Liver Grafts Among >2000 Liver Transplants at a Single Institution.

    PubMed

    Halazun, Karim J; Quillin, Ralph C; Rosenblatt, Russel; Bongu, Advaith; Griesemer, Adam D; Kato, Tomoaki; Smith, Craig; Michelassi, Fabrizio; Guarrera, James V; Samstein, Benjamin; Brown, Robert S; Emond, Jean C

    2017-09-01

    Marginal livers (ML) have been used to expand the donor pool. National utilization of MLs is variable, and in some centers, they are never used. We examined the outcomes of MLs in the largest single center series of MLs used to date and compared outcomes to standard (SL) and living donor (LD) livers. Analysis of a prospectively maintained database of all liver transplants performed at our institution from 1998 to 2016. ML grafts were defined as livers from donors >70, livers discarded regionally and shared nationally, livers with cold ischemic time >12 hours, livers from hepatitis C virus positive donors, livers from donation after cardiac death donors, livers with >30% steatosis, and livers split between 2 recipients. A total of 2050 liver transplant recipients were studied, of these 960 (46.8%) received ML grafts. ML recipients were more likely to have lower MELDs and have hepatocellular carcinoma. Most MLs used were from organs turned down regionally and shared nationally (69%) or donors >70 (22%). Survival of patients receiving MLs did not significantly differ from patients receiving SL grafts (P = 0.08). ML and SL recipients had worse survival than LDs (P < 0.01). Despite nearly half of our recipients receiving MLs, overall survival was significantly better than national survival over the same time period (P = 0.04). Waitlist mortality was significantly lower in our series compared with national results (19% vs 24.0%, P < 0.0001). Outcomes of recipients of ML grafts are comparable to SL transplants. Despite liberal use of these grafts, we have been able to successfully reduce waitlist mortality while exceeding national post-transplant survival metrics.

  14. Large-scale expansion of human skin-derived precursor cells (hSKPs) in stirred suspension bioreactors.

    PubMed

    Surrao, Denver C; Boon, Kathryn; Borys, Breanna; Sinha, Sarthak; Kumar, Ranjan; Biernaskie, Jeff; Kallos, Michael S

    2016-12-01

    Human skin-derived precursor cells (hSKPs) are multipotent adult stem cells found in the dermis of human skin. Incorporation of hSKPs into split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs), the current gold standard to treat severe burns or tissue resections, has been proposed as a treatment option to enhance skin wound healing and tissue function. For this approach to be clinically viable substantial quantities of hSKPs are required, which is the rate-limiting step, as only a few thousand hSKPs can be isolated from an autologous skin biopsy without causing donor site morbidity. In order to produce sufficient quantities of clinically viable cells, we have developed a bioprocess capable of expanding hSKPs as aggregates in stirred suspension bioreactors (SSBs). In this study, we found hSKPs from adult donors to expand significantly more (P < 0.05) at 60 rpm in SSBs than in static cultures. Furthermore, the utility of the SSBs, at 60 rpm is demonstrated by serial passaging of hSKPs from a small starting population, which can be isolated from an autologous skin biopsy without causing donor site morbidity. At 60 rpm, aggregates were markedly smaller and did not experience oxygen diffusional limitations, as seen in hSKPs cultured at 40 rpm. While hSKPs also grew at 80 rpm (0.74 Pa) and 100 rpm (1 Pa), they produced smaller aggregates due to high shear stress. The pH of the media in all the SSBs was closer to biological conditions and significantly different (P < 0.05) from static cultures, which recorded acidic pH conditions. The nutrient concentrations of the media in all the SSBs and static cultures did not drop below acceptable limits. Furthermore, there was no significant build-up of waste products to limit hSKP expansion in the SSBs. In addition, hSKP markers were maintained in the 60 rpm SSB as demonstrated by immunocytochemistry. This method of growing hSKPs in a batch culture at 60 rpm in a SSB represents an important first step in developing an automated bioprocess to produce substantial numbers of clinically viable hSKPs aimed at regenerating the dermis to improve healing of severe skin wounds. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 2725-2738. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  15. [Vacuum sealing drainage combined with free skin graft in repairing cutaneous deficiency of traumatic shank amputation stump].

    PubMed

    Zhao, Xiao-fei; Li, Chun-you; Jin, Guo-qiang; Ming, Xiao-feng; Wang, Guo-jie

    2014-12-01

    To observe clinical efficacy in treating cutaneous deficiency of traumatic shank amputation stump with full-thickness skin graft combined with vacuum sealing drainage. From September 2009 to December 2012, 15 patients with cutaneous deficiency of traumatic shank amputation stump were treated with full-thickness skin graft combined with vacuum sealing drainage. Among patients, there were 11 males and 4 females with an average age of 41.5 (ranged from 25 to 62) years old. Ten cases were caused by traffic accident and 5 cases were caused by heavy object, 9 cases on left and 6 cases on right. Six patients with smashed wound were treated with debridement and amputation, combined with vacuum aspiration in-emergency; 9 patients caused by infection and necrosis were treated with debridement and amputation, combined with vacuum aspiration, and full-thickness skin graft were performed at stage II. The skin defect area of residual limbs ranged from 40 cm x 20 cm to 25 cm x 15 cm. All patients were followed up from 3 months to 1 year. Full-thickness skin graft of residual limbs were survived,and obtained satisfactory walking function with prosthetic. Residual skin increased thicken, wearproof without rupture and pain. Full-thickness skin graft combined with vacuum sealing drainage in treating cutaneous deficiency of traumatic shank amputation stump could reserve the length of residual limbs, increase survival rate of skin graft with less scar of survival skin, get good wearability and it is conducive to prosthetic wear. It is a simple and easy treatment method.

  16. Hey! A Brown Recluse Spider Bit Me!

    MedlinePlus

    ... like antibiotics, antihistamines, or pain medicines. Rarely, a skin graft might be needed if the skin is really damaged at the area of the bite. (A skin graft is when a small amount of skin is ...

  17. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from unrelated donors in children with DOCK8 deficiency.

    PubMed

    Uygun, Dilara Fatma K; Uygun, Vedat; Reisli, İsmail; Keleş, Sevgi; Özen, Ahmet; Yılmaz, Mustafa; Sayar, Esra H; Daloğlu, Hayriye; Öztürkmen, Seda I; Çakı, Suar; Karasu, Gülsün T; Yeşilipek, Akif

    2017-11-01

    DIDS is a unique form of combined immune deficiency characterized by an unusual susceptibility to cutaneous viral infections, severe allergies with eosinophilia and elevated immunoglobulin E titers, autoimmunity, and cancer. HSCT is considered the standard of care for this deadly disease. We have retrospectively analyzed the outcome of allogeneic HSCT from unrelated donors in patients with DIDS. Data from four patients, with five transplants, are presented. All patients received transplants from unrelated donors' BM, except for one patient who received a cord blood transplant. The conditioning regimens were based on myeloablative protocols for BM derived transplants; a NM regimen was pursued for the patient who received a cord blood transplant, which resulted in graft rejection. Although recurrent pneumonia and skin infections resolved immediately after transplantation, all patients subsequently developed human herpesvirus infection, including cutaneous herpetic lesions, cytomegalovirus reactivation, and zona zoster, which could be attributed to the use of ATG. Despite the presence of serious morbidities prior to transplantation, all patients recovered successfully. DIDS can be successfully treated with allogeneic HSCT from unrelated donors following a myeloablative conditioning regimen, with a reasonable safety profile. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  18. Assessment of cryopreserved donor skin viability: the experience of the regional tissue bank of Siena.

    PubMed

    Pianigiani, E; Tognetti, L; Ierardi, F; Mariotti, G; Rubegni, P; Cevenini, G; Perotti, R; Fimiani, M

    2016-06-01

    Skin allografts from cadaver donors are an important resource for treating extensive burns, slow-healing wounds and chronic ulcers. A high level of cell viability of cryopreserved allografts is often required, especially in burn surgery, in Italy. Thus, we aimed to determine which conditions enable procurement of highly viable skin in our Regional Skin Bank of Siena. For this purpose, we assessed cell viability of cryopreserved skin allografts procured between 2011 and 2013 from 127 consecutive skin donors, before and after freezing (at day 15, 180, and 365). For each skin donor, we collected data concerning clinical history (age, sex, smoking, phototype, dyslipidemia, diabetes, cause of death), donation process (multi-tissue or multi-organ) and timing of skin procurement (assessment of intervals such as death-harvesting, harvesting-banking, death-banking). All these variables were analysed in the whole case study (127 donors) and in different groups (e.g. multi-organ donors, non refrigerated multi-tissue donors, refrigerated multi-tissue donors) for correlations with cell viability. Our results indicated that cryopreserved skin allografts with higher cell viability were obtained from female, non smoker, heartbeating donors died of cerebral haemorrhage, and were harvested within 2 h of aortic clamping and banked within 12 h of harvesting (13-14 h from clamping). Age, cause of death and dyslipidaemia or diabetes did not appear to influence cell viability. To maintain acceptable cell viability, our skin bank needs to reduce the time interval between harvesting and banking, especially for refrigerated donors.

  19. Prognostic Impact of Donor Source on Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Outcomes in Adults with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia: A Nationwide Retrospective Analysis in Japan.

    PubMed

    Itonaga, Hidehiro; Aoki, Kazunari; Aoki, Jun; Ishikawa, Takayuki; Ishiyama, Ken; Uchida, Naoyuki; Sakura, Toru; Ohashi, Kazuteru; Kurokawa, Mineo; Ozawa, Yukiyasu; Matsuoka, Ken-Ichi; Nakamura, Yukinori; Kimura, Fumihiko; Iwato, Koji; Nawa, Yuichiro; Hirokawa, Makoto; Kato, Koji; Ichinohe, Tatsuo; Atsuta, Yoshiko; Miyazaki, Yasushi

    2018-04-01

    Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a curative therapeutic option for patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). We retrospectively compared the post-transplantation outcomes of 159 patients with CMML who underwent allo-HSCT using 4 types of donor sources: HLA-matched related donor graft, unrelated bone marrow (U-BM), unrelated cord blood (U-CB), and HLA-mismatched related donor graft. The median patient age at allo-HSCT was 54 years (range, 16 to 75 years). In multivariate analyses, the use of HLA-matched related donor grafts correlated with better overall survival than U-BM (hazard ratio [HR], 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 3.48; P = .008), U-CB (HR, 3.80; 95% CI, 2.07 to 6.95; P < .001), or HLA-mismatched related donor grafts (HR, 6.18; 95% CI, 2.70 to 14.15; P < .001). Mortality after the relapse or progression of CMML did not significantly differ among the 4 types of donor source. Transplantation-related mortality was highest in recipients of U-CB (HR, 3.32; 95% CI, 1.33 to 8.26; P = .010). In patients with CMML, allo-HSCT using an alternative donor may contribute to durable remission; however, further improvements in transplantation-related mortality are required for this type of transplantation. Copyright © 2017 The American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Short-term survival in renal transplantation from brain-death donors: focusing on recipients with diabetes background.

    PubMed

    Nakhjavani, Manoochehr; Ghaemi, Fatemeh; Ravaghi, Hamid; Aghighi, Mohammad; Ghaemi, Farahnaz

    2014-05-06

    Our aim was to evaluate short term survival rates in renal transplant recipients from deceased donors, while focusing on recipients with diabetes mellitus background. This is a longitudinal follow-up study based on national registry of recipients in Ministry of Health and Medical Education in Iran from 2010-11. Five hundred fifty-five recipients, 226 (40.8%) females and 328 (59.2%) males, were included in the study. Mean (± SD) age of the recipients was 39 ± 14 years. Of donors 18.4% were females and 81.6% were males. Age of the donors was 33 ± 14 years. All allograft recipients from deceased donors enrolled in the study. Short-term graft survival (1 year) was determined. Data regarding age, gender, background disease and cold ischemic time of recipients and donors were collected from the organ procurement units. Allografts were functioning in 499 (90.1%) of recipients after one year. Of recipients 38 (6.9%) died and rejection of transplanted kidney occurred in 17 (3.1%) cases. So, in 55 (9.9%) cases, allografts were not functioning. There were significant relationships between short term graft survival of donors' gender, age of recipients, cold ischemic time and level of clearance of creatinine of recipients. In addition to cold ischemic time, graft survival can be affected by recipients' age. There are some other considerations and implications regarding the short term graft survival in renal transplantation from cadaver donors which are discussed in this paper.

  1. Successful transplantation of kidneys from elderly circulatory death donors by using microscopic and macroscopic characteristics to guide single or dual implantation.

    PubMed

    Mallon, D H; Riddiough, G E; Summers, D M; Butler, A J; Callaghan, C J; Bradbury, L L; Bardsley, V; Broecker, V; Saeb-Parsy, K; Torpey, N; Bradley, J A; Pettigrew, G J

    2015-11-01

    Most kidneys from potential elderly circulatory death (DCD) donors are declined. We report single center outcomes for kidneys transplanted from DCD donors over 70 years old, using preimplantation biopsy Remuzzi grading to inform implantation as single or dual transplants. Between 2009 and 2012, 43 single transplants and 12 dual transplants were performed from elderly DCD donors. Remuzzi scores were higher for dual than single implants (4.4 vs. 3.4, p < 0.001), indicating more severe baseline injury. Donor and recipient characteristics for both groups were otherwise similar. Early graft loss from renal vein thrombosis occurred in two singly implanted kidneys, and in one dual-implanted kidney; its pair continued to function satisfactorily. Death-censored graft survival at 3 years was comparable for the two groups (single 94%; dual 100%), as was 1 year eGFR. Delayed graft function occurred less frequently in the dual-implant group (25% vs. 65%, p = 0.010). Using this approach, we performed proportionally more kidney transplants from elderly DCD donors (23.4%) than the rest of the United Kingdom (7.3%, p < 0.001), with graft outcomes comparable to those achieved nationally for all deceased-donor kidney transplants. Preimplantation biopsy analysis is associated with acceptable transplant outcomes for elderly DCD kidneys and may increase transplant numbers from an underutilized donor pool. © Copyright 2015 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.

  2. Machine-Learning Algorithms Predict Graft Failure After Liver Transplantation.

    PubMed

    Lau, Lawrence; Kankanige, Yamuna; Rubinstein, Benjamin; Jones, Robert; Christophi, Christopher; Muralidharan, Vijayaragavan; Bailey, James

    2017-04-01

    The ability to predict graft failure or primary nonfunction at liver transplant decision time assists utilization of scarce resource of donor livers, while ensuring that patients who are urgently requiring a liver transplant are prioritized. An index that is derived to predict graft failure using donor and recipient factors, based on local data sets, will be more beneficial in the Australian context. Liver transplant data from the Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, from 2010 to 2013 has been included in the study. The top 15 donor, recipient, and transplant factors influencing the outcome of graft failure within 30 days were selected using a machine learning methodology. An algorithm predicting the outcome of interest was developed using those factors. Donor Risk Index predicts the outcome with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) value of 0.680 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.669-0.690). The combination of the factors used in Donor Risk Index with the model for end-stage liver disease score yields an AUC-ROC of 0.764 (95% CI, 0.756-0.771), whereas survival outcomes after liver transplantation score obtains an AUC-ROC of 0.638 (95% CI, 0.632-0.645). The top 15 donor and recipient characteristics within random forests results in an AUC-ROC of 0.818 (95% CI, 0.812-0.824). Using donor, transplant, and recipient characteristics known at the decision time of a transplant, high accuracy in matching donors and recipients can be achieved, potentially providing assistance with clinical decision making.

  3. Cytokine mRNA expression in normal skin of various age populations before and after engraftment onto nude mice.

    PubMed

    Gilhar, A; Ullmann, Y; Shalagino, R; Weisinger, G

    1998-01-01

    Whether the impact of skin biological age on cytokine expression is a result of this tissue's proliferation potential or not is an important issue in dermatology. We investigated these questions by monitoring cytokine marker mRNA expression from human skin samples from healthy groups of individuals. The skin samples studied represented three age groups: fetal (17-21 weeks), young (18-35 years) and aged (76-88 years). Furthermore, upon skin transplantation of tissue from different age groups onto nude mice, we investigated whether cytokine marker RNA levels would change or normalize. Interestingly, both TNF-alpha and P53 mRNA showed a similar pattern of expression. Both were significantly higher in fetal skin (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.05, respectively), and no difference was noted between aged versus young skin. In contrast to this, IL1-alpha mRNA was expressed at its lowest and highest levels in fetal and young skin, respectively. Following skin transplantation, cytokines and P53 mRNA expression were normalized to similar levels in all age groups. This study implies that when cytokine expression was determined directly at the mRNA level, post-natal expression was not significantly different at either age group. Furthermore, it seems that the environmental conditions surrounding the grafted human skin found on nude mice encouraged normalization of donor cytokine expression.

  4. Renal Transplants from Older Deceased Donors: Use of Preimplantation Biopsy and Differential Allocation to Dual or Single Kidney Transplant according to Histological Score Has No Advantages over Allocation to Single Kidney Transplant by Simple Clinical Indication.

    PubMed

    Casati, Costanza; Colombo, Valeriana Giuseppina; Perrino, Marialuisa; Rossetti, Ornella Marina; Querques, Marialuisa; Giacomoni, Alessandro; Binaggia, Agnese; Colussi, Giacomo

    2018-01-01

    Grafts from elderly donors (ECD) are increasingly allocated to single (SKT) or dual (DKT) kidney transplantation according to biopsy score. Indications and benefits of either procedure lack universal agreement. A total of 302 ECD-transplants in period from Jan 1, 2000, to Dec 31, 2015, were allocated to SKT (SKT pre ) on clinical grounds alone (before Dec 2010, pre-DKT era, n = 170) or according to a clinical-histological protocol (after Dec 2010, DKT era, n = 132) to DKT ( n = 48), SKT biopsy-based protocol ("high-risk", SKT hr , n = 51), or SKT clinically based protocol ("low-risk", SKT lr , n = 33). Graft and patient survival were compared between the two periods and between different transplant categories. Graft and overall survival in recipients from ECD in pre-DKT and DKT era did not differ (5-year graft survival 87.7% and 84.2%, resp.); equal survival in the 2 ECD periods was shown in both donor age ranges of 60-69 and >70-years, and in low-risk or high-risk ECD categories. Within the DKT protocol SKT hr showed worst graft and overall survival in the 60-69 donor age range; DKT did not result in significantly better outcome than SKT from ECD in either era. One-year posttransplant creatinine clearance in recipients did not differ between any ECD transplant category. At 3 and 5 years after transplantation there were significantly higher total dialysis-free recipient life years from an equal donor number in the pre-DKT era than in the DKT protocol. Use of a biopsy-based protocol to allocate grafts from aged donors to SKT or DKT did not result in better short term graft survival than a clinically based protocol with allocation only to SKT and reduced overall recipient dialysis-free life years in time.

  5. Renal Transplants from Older Deceased Donors: Use of Preimplantation Biopsy and Differential Allocation to Dual or Single Kidney Transplant according to Histological Score Has No Advantages over Allocation to Single Kidney Transplant by Simple Clinical Indication

    PubMed Central

    Casati, Costanza; Colombo, Valeriana Giuseppina; Perrino, Marialuisa; Rossetti, Ornella Marina; Querques, Marialuisa; Giacomoni, Alessandro; Binaggia, Agnese

    2018-01-01

    Background Grafts from elderly donors (ECD) are increasingly allocated to single (SKT) or dual (DKT) kidney transplantation according to biopsy score. Indications and benefits of either procedure lack universal agreement. Methods A total of 302 ECD-transplants in period from Jan 1, 2000, to Dec 31, 2015, were allocated to SKT (SKTpre) on clinical grounds alone (before Dec 2010, pre-DKT era, n = 170) or according to a clinical-histological protocol (after Dec 2010, DKT era, n = 132) to DKT (n = 48), SKT biopsy-based protocol (“high-risk”, SKThr, n = 51), or SKT clinically based protocol (“low-risk”, SKTlr, n = 33). Graft and patient survival were compared between the two periods and between different transplant categories. Results Graft and overall survival in recipients from ECD in pre-DKT and DKT era did not differ (5-year graft survival 87.7% and 84.2%, resp.); equal survival in the 2 ECD periods was shown in both donor age ranges of 60–69 and >70-years, and in low-risk or high-risk ECD categories. Within the DKT protocol SKThr showed worst graft and overall survival in the 60–69 donor age range; DKT did not result in significantly better outcome than SKT from ECD in either era. One-year posttransplant creatinine clearance in recipients did not differ between any ECD transplant category. At 3 and 5 years after transplantation there were significantly higher total dialysis-free recipient life years from an equal donor number in the pre-DKT era than in the DKT protocol. Conclusions Use of a biopsy-based protocol to allocate grafts from aged donors to SKT or DKT did not result in better short term graft survival than a clinically based protocol with allocation only to SKT and reduced overall recipient dialysis-free life years in time. PMID:29862061

  6. Strategies to optimize the use of marginal donors in liver transplantation

    PubMed Central

    Pezzati, Daniele; Ghinolfi, Davide; De Simone, Paolo; Balzano, Emanuele; Filipponi, Franco

    2015-01-01

    Liver transplantation is the treatment of choice for end stage liver disease, but availability of liver grafts is still the main limitation to its wider use. Extended criteria donors (ECD) are considered not ideal for several reasons but their use has dramatically grown in the last decades in order to augment the donor liver pool. Due to improvement in surgical and medical strategies, results using grafts from these donors have become acceptable in terms of survival and complications; nevertheless a big debate still exists regarding their selection, discharge criteria and allocation policies. Many studies analyzed the use of these grafts from many points of view producing different or contradictory results so that accepted guidelines do not exist and the use of these grafts is still related to non-standardized policies changing from center to center. The aim of this review is to analyze every step of the donation-transplantation process emphasizing all those strategies, both clinical and experimental, that can optimize results using ECD. PMID:26609341

  7. History and evolution of dorsal onlay urethroplasty for bulbar urethral stricture repair using skin or buccal mucosal grafts.

    PubMed

    Barbagli, G; Lazzeri, M

    2007-01-01

    OBJECTIVES. To illustrate the history and the evolution over time of bulbar dorsal onlay urethroplasty, comparing outcomes when using buccal mucosa or skin grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Ninety-four patients underwent bulbar urethral reconstruction using two dorsal onlay techniques, namely augmented anastomotic urethroplasty and dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty. Preoperative evaluation included clinical history, physical examination, urine culture, residual urine measurement, uroflowmetry and urethrography. Thirty-four patients underwent augmented anastomotic urethroplasty using penile skin (10 cases) or buccal mucosa (24 cases) grafts. Sixty patients underwent dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty using penile skin (38 cases) or buccal mucosa (22 cases) grafts. Forty-eight out of 94 patients received skin grafts and 46 buccal mucosal grafts. RESULTS. Sixty-four (68%) out of 94 cases were successful, whereas 30 (32%) failed. The 34 augmented anastomotic urethroplasties provided successful outcomes in 24 cases (70.6%), but poor outcomes in 10 (29.4%) cases. The 60 dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty proved to be successful in 42 cases (70%), failing in 18 (30%) cases. Twenty-eight (58.3%) out of 48 penile skin grafts were successful and 20 (41.7%) failed. Thirty-six (78.3%) out of 46 buccal mucosa grafts were successful and 10 (21.7%) failed. The 30 failed cases were then treated with internal urethrotomy in 14 cases (46.7%), perineal urethrostomy in 8 cases (26.7%), two-stage repair in 4 cases (13.3%), and one-stage repair in 4 cases (13.3%). CONCLUSIONS. The dorsal onlay technique used for bulbar urethral stricture repair has changed over time. In our experience, the buccal mucosa seems to be the best substitute graft material for bulbar urethroplasty using dorsal approach.

  8. Living Liver Donor Selection and Resection at the University of Tokyo Hospital.

    PubMed

    Akamatsu, N; Kokudo, N

    2016-05-01

    Donor selection and operative procedures for adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation at the University of Tokyo are presented. Donor selection criteria are as follows: age between 20 and 65 years, within 3 degrees of consanguinity, without coercion, free from any major comorbidities, body mass index (BMI) < 30, and ABO blood type identical or compatible. Liver biopsy is indicated for BMI > 25 kg/m(2) or any liver function abnormality, and those with macroscopic steatosis >10% are rejected. Thereafter, an indocyanine green retention test and dynamic computed tomography are evaluated. Graft type is determined based on computed tomography volumetry. An estimated graft volume of 40% to recipient standard liver volume ratio is the lower limit. For donor safety, the left liver is the first choice, provided that it satisfies the lower limit. Otherwise, right liver harvesting is indicated, providing that the estimated remnant liver volume is >30% of the donor's total liver volume. A posterior sector graft is a possible option. Between 1996 and 2014, 462 donor hepatectomies were performed, with 257 right livers, 179 left livers, and 26 posterior sectors. There was no mortality, and the incidence of morbidity grades I, II, IIIa, and IIIb was 16%, 5%, 5%, and 3%, respectively, without a difference between right and left liver grafts. The left liver was used without impairing recipient outcome. Two aborted hepatectomies (0.4%) and 3 near-miss events (0.6%) were encountered. Maximal effort should be applied to donor selection and operation for donor safety. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. The Auckland experience with laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

    PubMed

    Muthu, Carl; McCall, John; Windsor, John; Harman, Richard; Dittmer, Ian; Smith, Pat; Munn, Stephen

    2003-07-25

    To examine the initial experience of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) in New Zealand and compare it with open donor nephrectomy (ODN). All LDNs performed between June 2000 and June 2002 were reviewed. An equal number of ODNs were reviewed. Data were also collected on the recipients of the grafts. Key clinical data were prospectively collected; remaining data were collected by retrospectively reviewing patient charts. Auckland Hospital databases were accessed for costing analysis. Thirty five cases of each procedure had been performed. There has been 100% LDN graft survival. There was no significant difference in graft function (serum creatinine) at one and 12 months (p = 0.25 and 0.35) between the two groups. There was no significant difference in donor morbidity (26% vs 31%, p = 0.59). LDN resulted in a shorter hospital stay (3 vs 6.5 days, p <0.0001) and convalescence period (3 vs 6 weeks, p <0.0001). LDN was significantly more expensive (13 357 dollars vs 6713 dollars, p <0.0001). LDN in the New Zealand setting provides effective grafts for renal transplant recipients and is safe for the donor. Advantages for the donor are a shorter hospital stay and convalescence period. The major disadvantage of LDN is its higher cost compared with ODN.

  10. Transhilar passage in right graft live donor liver transplantation: intrahilar anatomy and its impact on operative strategy.

    PubMed

    Radtke, A; Sotiropoulos, G C; Molmenti, E P; Sgourakis, G; Schroeder, T; Beckebaum, S; Peitgen, H-O; Cicinnati, V R; Broelsch, C E; Broering, D C; Malagó, M

    2012-03-01

    The passage through the hilar plate during right graft live donor liver transplantation (LDLT) can have dangerous consequences for both donors and recipients. The purpose of our study was to delineate hilar transection and biliary reconstruction strategies in right graft LDLT, with special consideration of central and peripheral hilar anatomical variants. A total of 71 consecutive donors underwent preoperative three-dimensional (3D) CT reconstructions and virtual 3D hepatectomies. A three-modal hilar passage strategy was applied, and its impact on operative strategy analyzed. In 68.4% of cases, type I and II anatomical configurations allowed for an en block hilar transection with simple anastomotic reconstructions. In 23.6% of cases, donors had "difficult" type II and types III/IV hilar bile duct anatomy that required stepwise hilar transections and complex graft biliary reconstructions. Morbidity rates for our early (A) and recent (B) experience periods were 67% and 39%, respectively. (1) Our two-level classification and 3D imaging technique allowed for donor-individualized transhilar passage. (2) A stepwise transhilar passage was favored in types III and IV inside the right-sided hilar corridor. (3) Reconstruction techniques showed no ameliorating effect on early/late biliary morbidity rates. © copyright 2012 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.

  11. Safety and tolerability of allogeneic dendritic cell vaccination with induction of Wilms tumor 1-specific T cells in a pediatric donor and pediatric patient with relapsed leukemia: a case report and review of the literature.

    PubMed

    Saito, Shoji; Yanagisawa, Ryu; Yoshikawa, Kentaro; Higuchi, Yumiko; Koya, Terutsugu; Yoshizawa, Kiyoshi; Tanaka, Miyuki; Sakashita, Kazuo; Kobayashi, Takashi; Kurata, Takashi; Hirabayashi, Koichi; Nakazawa, Yozo; Shiohara, Masaaki; Yonemitsu, Yoshikazu; Okamoto, Masato; Sugiyama, Haruo; Koike, Kenichi; Shimodaira, Shigetaka

    2015-03-01

    A 15-year-old girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia received allogeneic dendritic cell vaccination, pulsed with Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) peptide, after her third hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The vaccines were generated from the third HSCT donor, who was her younger sister, age 12 years. The patient received 14 vaccines and had no graft-versus-host disease or systemic adverse effect, aside from grade 2 skin reaction at the injection site. WT1-specific immune responses were detected after vaccination by both WT1-tetramer analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay. This strategy may be safe, tolerable and even feasible for patients with a relapse after HSCT. Copyright © 2015 International Society for Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Mesenchymal stromal cells from pooled mononuclear cells of multiple bone marrow donors as rescue therapy in pediatric severe steroid-refractory graft-versus-host disease: a multicenter survey

    PubMed Central

    Kuçi, Zyrafete; Bönig, Halvard; Kreyenberg, Hermann; Bunos, Milica; Jauch, Anna; Janssen, Johannes W.G.; Škifić, Marijana; Michel, Kristina; Eising, Ben; Lucchini, Giovanna; Bakhtiar, Shahrzad; Greil, Johann; Lang, Peter; Basu, Oliver; von Luettichau, Irene; Schulz, Ansgar; Sykora, Karl-Walter; Jarisch, Andrea; Soerensen, Jan; Salzmann-Manrique, Emilia; Seifried, Erhard; Klingebiel, Thomas; Bader, Peter; Kuçi, Selim

    2016-01-01

    To circumvent donor-to-donor heterogeneity which may lead to inconsistent results after treatment of acute graft-versus-host disease with mesenchymal stromal cells generated from single donors we developed a novel approach by generating these cells from pooled bone marrow mononuclear cells of 8 healthy “3rd-party” donors. Generated cells were frozen in 209 vials and designated as mesenchymal stromal cell bank. These vials served as a source for generation of clinical grade mesenchymal stromal cell end-products, which exhibited typical mesenchymal stromal cell phenotype, trilineage differentiation potential and at later passages expressed replicative senescence-related markers (p21 and p16). Genetic analysis demonstrated their genomic stability (normal karyotype and a diploid pattern). Importantly, clinical end-products exerted a significantly higher allosuppressive potential than the mean allosuppressive potential of mesenchymal stromal cells generated from the same donors individually. Administration of 81 mesenchymal stromal cell end-products to 26 patients with severe steroid-resistant acute graft-versus-host disease in 7 stem cell transplant centers who were refractory to many lines of treatment, induced a 77% overall response at the primary end point (day 28). Remarkably, although the cohort of patients was highly challenging (96% grade III/IV and only 4% grade II graft-versus-host disease), after treatment with mesenchymal stromal cell end-products the overall survival rate at two years follow up was 71±11% for the entire patient cohort, compared to 51.4±9.0% in graft-versus-host disease clinical studies, in which mesenchymal stromal cells were derived from single donors. Mesenchymal stromal cell end-products may, therefore, provide a novel therapeutic tool for the effective treatment of severe acute graft-versus-host disease. PMID:27175026

  13. Association of human leukocyte antigen donor-recipient matching and pediatric heart transplant graft survival.

    PubMed

    Butts, Ryan J; Scheurer, Mark A; Atz, Andrew M; Moussa, Omar; Burnette, Ali L; Hulsey, Thomas C; Savage, Andrew J

    2014-07-01

    The effect of donor-recipient human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching on outcomes remains relatively unexplored in pediatric patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of donor-recipient HLA matching on graft survival in pediatric heart transplantation. The UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) database was queried for heart transplants occurring between October 31, 1987, and December 31, 2012, in a recipient aged ≤17 years with ≥1 postoperative follow-up visit. Retransplants were excluded. Transplants were divided into 3 donor-recipient matching groups: no HLA matches (HLA-no), 1 or 2 HLA matches (HLA-low), and 3 to 6 HLA matches (HLA-high). Primary outcome was graft loss. Four thousand four hundred seventy-one heart transplants met the study inclusion criteria. High degree of donor-recipient HLA matching occurred infrequently: HLA-high (n=269; 6%) versus HLA-low (n=2683; 60%) versus HLA-no (n=1495; 34%). There were no differences between HLA matching groups in the frequency of coronary vasculopathy (P=0.19) or rejection in the first post-transplant year (P=0.76). Improved graft survival was associated with a greater degree of HLA donor-recipient matching: HLA-high median survival, 17.1 (95% confidence interval, 14.0-20.2) years; HLA-low median survival, 14.2 (13.1-15.4) years; and HLA-no median survival, 12.1 (10.9-13.3 years) years; P<0.01, log-rank test. In Cox-regression analysis, HLA matching was independently associated with decreased graft loss: HLA-low versus HLA-no hazard ratio, 0.86 (95% confidence interval, 0.74-0.99), P=0.04; HLA-high versus HLA-no, 0.62 (95% confidence interval, 0.43-0.90), P<0.01. Decreased graft loss in pediatric heart transplantation was associated with a higher degree of donor-recipient HLA matching, although a difference in the frequency of early rejection or development of coronary artery vasculopathy was not seen. © 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.

  14. Association of Human Leukocyte Antigen Donor-Recipient Matching and Pediatric Heart Transplant Graft Survival

    PubMed Central

    Butts, Ryan J.; Scheurer, Mark A.; Atz, Andrew M.; Moussa, Omar; Burnette, Ali L.; Hulsey, Thomas C.; Savage, Andrew J.

    2014-01-01

    Background The effect of donor-recipient human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching on outcomes remains relatively unexplored in pediatric patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of donor-recipient HLA matching on graft survival in pediatric heart transplantation. Methods and Results The UNOS database was queried for heart transplants occurring between October 31, 1987 to December 31, 2012 in a recipient aged ≤ 17 with at least one postoperative follow-up visit. Retransplants were excluded. Transplants were divided into 3 donor-recipient matching groups: no HLA matches (HLA-no), 1 or 2 HLA matches (HLA-low), and 3-6 HLA matches (HLA-high). Primary outcome was graft loss. 4471 heart transplants met study inclusion criteria. High degree of donor-recipient HLA matching occurred infrequently; (HLA-high n=269 (6 %) v. HLA-low n=2683 (60%) v. HLA-no n=1495 (34%). There were no differences between HLA matching groups in frequency of coronary vasculopathy (p=0.19) or rejection in the first post-transplant year (p=0.76). Improved graft survival was associated with a greater degree of HLA donor-recipient matching: HLA-high median survival 17.1yrs (14.0-20.2yrs, 95%CI), HLA-low median survival 14.2yrs (13.1-15.4), and HLA-no median survival 12.1yrs (10.9-13.3), p<0.01 log rank test. In Cox-regression analysis, HLA matching was independently associated with decreased graft loss [HLA-low v. HLA-no HR 0.86 (0.74-0.99, 95%CI), p=0.04; HLA-high v. HLA-no 0.62 (0.43-0.90, 95%CI), p<0.01]. Conclusions Decreased graft loss in pediatric heart transplantation was associated with a higher degree of donor-recipient HLA matching, although a difference in the frequency of early rejection or development of coronary artery vasculopathy was not seen. PMID:24833649

  15. Pros and Cons: Usage of organs from donors infected with hepatitis C virus - Revision in the direct-acting antiviral era.

    PubMed

    Coilly, Audrey; Samuel, Didier

    2016-01-01

    Should organs from hepatitis C antibody positive donors (HCVD+) be used for transplantation? Organ shortage forces transplant teams to use donors with extended criteria. The decision to transplant a HCVD+ graft is a balance between the risk of transmission of a virus that could lead to end-stage liver diseases and the benefit of access to transplantation, specifically in patients with life-threatening disease. The other issue is the impact of HCV-related liver fibrosis in the donor graft on the long-term outcome in the recipient. Thus, the use of HCVD+ demonstrated a shorter meantime on the waiting list in kidney transplantation. When a HCVD+ graft is transplanted, the risk of HCV transmission depends on; 1) the quality of screening of the donor; 2) the presence of viral replication in the donor at the time of transplantation and the ability to detect it; and 3) the HCV status of the recipient but also the type of transplanted organ. In liver transplantation, the use of HCVD+ graft is usually restricted to recipients with a chronic HCV infection. Several reports showed some competition between HCV donor and recipient strain without deleterious impact on graft and patient survival. Controversies are still pending regarding the quality of the graft and the progression of fibrosis. The recent approval of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) dramatically changes the landscape of HCV infection treatment. After transplantation, combinations of DAA show high efficacy and good safety profile. In the near future, extensive use of DAA should reduce the number of HCVD+ with a positive HCV RNA, limiting the risk of transmission but also the number of patients on waiting lists for a disease related to HCV. Copyright © 2015 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. Impact of Donor Epstein-Barr Virus Serostatus on the Incidence of Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Patients With Acute Leukemia After Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation: A Study From the Acute Leukemia and Infectious Diseases Working Parties of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

    PubMed

    Styczynski, Jan; Tridello, Gloria; Gil, Lidia; Ljungman, Per; Hoek, Jennifer; Iacobelli, Simona; Ward, Katherine N; Cordonnier, Catherine; Einsele, Hermann; Socie, Gerard; Milpied, Noel; Veelken, Hendrik; Chevallier, Patrice; Yakoub-Agha, Ibrahim; Maertens, Johan; Blaise, Didier; Cornelissen, Jan; Michallet, Mauricette; Daguindau, Etienne; Petersen, Eefke; Passweg, Jakob; Greinix, Hildegard; Duarte, Rafael F; Kröger, Nicolaus; Dreger, Peter; Mohty, Mohamad; Nagler, Arnon; Cesaro, Simone

    2016-07-01

    We investigated the effect of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) serostatus on the overall outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The study included 11,364 patients who underwent allogeneic peripheral-blood or bone marrow transplantation for acute leukemia between 1997 and 2012. We analyzed the impact of donor and recipient EBV serologic status on overall survival, relapse-free survival, relapse incidence, nonrelapse mortality, and incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allo-HSCT. Patients receiving grafts from EBV-seropositive donors had the same overall survival as patients who received grafts from EBV-seronegative donors (hazard ratio [HR], 1.05; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.12; P = .23). Seropositive donors also had no influence on relapse-free survival (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.11; P = 0.31), relapse incidence (HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.94 to 1.12; P = .58), and nonrelapse mortality (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.94 to 1.17; P = .37). However, in univariate analysis, recipients receiving grafts from seropositive donors had a higher risk of chronic GVHD than those with seronegative donors (40.8% v 31.0%, respectively; P < .001; HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.30 to 1.56). When adjusting for confounders, higher risk was identified for both acute and chronic GVHD. In seronegative patients with seropositive donors, the HR for chronic GVHD was 1.30 (95% CI, 1.06 to 1.59; P = .039). In seropositive patients with seropositive donors, the HR was 1.24 (95% CI, 1.07 to 1.45; P = .016) for acute GVHD and 1.43 (95% CI, 1.23 to 1.67; P < .001) for chronic GVHD. Seropositive patients with seronegative donors did not have an increased risk of GVHD. Our data suggest that donor EBV status significantly influences development of acute and chronic GVHD after allo-HSCT. © 2016 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

  17. [Late results following surgical correction of syndactyly and symbrachydactyly].

    PubMed

    Deutinger, M; Mandl, H; Frey, M; Holle, J; Freilinger, G

    1989-02-01

    Growth and the type of surgical treatment of the hand play an important role in the results of surgery in children. 29 patients have been operated on because of syndactyly and symbrachydactyly and were controlled. The following parameters were assessed: kind of incision and skin graft, functional results, x-ray to examine the skeleton and the depth of the commissure, colour of the skin graft and use of the hand. After operation of syndactyly all patients were able to use their hands normally, although full extend of flexion and extension was achieved only in 20 of 22 hands. In 5 divided pairs of fingers there was recurrence of syndactyly. In all cases except one, a split thickness skin graft has been used. After operative treatment of symbrachydactyly and complex syndactyly, full extent of flexion was achieved in 13 of 19 hands, in 6 hands the range of flexion was incomplete because of skeleton abnormalities. Recurrence occurred in 9 divided pairs of fingers; in 7 cases, a split thickness skin graft had been used. Despite this, all patients were able to use their hands normally. The use of split thickness skin grafts resulted in a 60% recurrence rate, whereas the use of full thickness skin graft led merely to 7.5% recurrence rate. Our results show the advantage of the full thickness skin graft. As a consequence, full thickness skin graft should be used in all cases. Furthermore, the operation should be performed at an early age, if fingers of unequal length have to be separated. Zig-zag incision should be used in all cases.

  18. Skin grafting the contaminated wound bed: reassessing the role of the preoperative swab.

    PubMed

    Aerden, D; Bosmans, I; Vanmierlo, B; Spinnael, J; Keymeule, B; Van den Brande, P

    2013-02-01

    To investigate use of the preoperative wound swab to predict graft failure compared with establishing the indication for skin grafting on clinical grounds alone. Patients requiring meshed split-thickness skin grafting were prospectively included; the indication for grafting was established on clinical grounds exclusively. A preoperative swab of the wound bed was taken, but its result was concealed to prevent it influencing clinical decision-making. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) was used for both wound bed preparation and graft fixation.After 2 months, graft area take percentage was measured using digital image processing software and the results validated against the result of the preoperative wound swab. Eighty-seven wounds were included in the study. Mean graft area take percentage was 88%,with five grafts considered complete failures(< 25% take).A posteriori analysis of the wound cultures showed that 53% had been contaminated on grafting, but these did not fare any worse than near-sterile wounds. Qualitative analysis of cultures showed that wounds containing either Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus did have inferior outcome (mean take percentage 78.9% vs 91.3%; p=0.038).Diabetes was also a deteriorating factor (mean take percentage 83.0% vs 90.7%; p=0.004). Establishing the indication for skin grafting on clinical grounds exclusively does not yield grossly inferior results. In light of recent advances in skin grafting, including use of NPWT as adjuvant therapy, the requirement for routine preoperative wound swabs may be questioned.

  19. The use of short spreader grafts in rhinoplasty for patients with thick nasal skin.

    PubMed

    Grigoryants, Vladimir; Baroni, Arpa

    2013-06-01

    Thick nasal skin presents a challenge in rhinoplasty. Conventional spreader grafts in patients with thick nasal skin may result in an undesirable widening of the lower half of the nose where the nasal skin is thick. The use of short spreader grafts was evaluated in patients with thick nasal skin. For this study, 32 patients underwent closed rhinoplasty in which short spreader grafts were used. The spreader graft was 1 to 2 cm long and extended only to the transition of thin and thick nasal skin. The patients were followed for more than 1 year postoperatively. Aesthetic improvement was observed in all the patients. Nasal airway patency was improved or maintained in 94 % of the patients. Short spreader grafts effectively restore or maintain the internal nasal valve area after dorsal hump reduction while allowing for more aggressive narrowing of the lower part of the nose where nasal skin is thick. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

  20. Intestinal microbiota-related effects on graft-versus-host disease.

    PubMed

    Shono, Yusuke; Docampo, Melissa D; Peled, Jonathan U; Perobelli, Suelen M; Jenq, Robert R

    2015-05-01

    Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is an increasingly important treatment for conditions including hematopoietic malignancies and inherited hematopoietic disorders, and is considered to be the most effective form of tumor immunotherapy available to date. However, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a major source of morbidity and mortality following allo-HSCT, and understanding the mechanisms of GVHD has been highlighted as a key research priority. During development of GVHD, activation of various immune cells, especially donor T cells, leads to damage of target organs including skin, liver, hematopoietic system, and of particular clinical importance, gut. In addition to histocompatibility complex differences between the donor and recipient, pretransplant conditioning with chemotherapy and irradiation also contributes to GVHD by damaging the gut, resulting in systemic exposure to microbial products normally confined to the intestinal lumen. The intestinal microbiota is a modulator of gastrointestinal immune homeostasis. It also promotes the maintenance of epithelial cells. Recent reports provide growing evidence of the impact of intestinal microbiota on GVHD pathophysiology. This review summarizes current knowledge of changes and effects of intestinal microbiota in the setting of allo-HSCT. We will also discuss potential future strategies of intestinal microbiota manipulation that might be advantageous in decreasing allo-HSCT-related morbidity and mortality.

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