The fabella is a sesamoid bone located in the proximal tendon of the gastrocnemius muscle. In rare cases, its presence may lead to a variety of clinical problems, including fabella syndrome and common fibular (CF) nerve palsy. The purpose of this study was to analyze the morphology of the fabella and CF nerve and discuss the influence of any existing fabellae on the size of the CF nerve. The morphology of the fabella and CF nerve in the popliteal region of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle was investigated in 102 knees of 51 Japanese cadavers. The maximum circumference of the thigh, knee, and calf and the frequency, position, and size of the fabella were measured. In addition, the CF nerve width and thickness were measured proximal to the fabellar region and again as the CF nerve passed posterior, lateral, or medial to the region. A fabella was observed in 70 knees (68.6%). The CF nerve adjacent to the fabella was significantly wider and thinner than in the region proximal to the fabella (P < 0.001). In cases in which a bony fabella was present, there was a significant relationship between the thickness of the CF nerve and the circumference of the thigh and knee. The following factors were observed to contribute to the presence of a fabella causing alterations in the size of the CF nerve: a bony fabella, a CF nerve path posterior or lateral to the fabella, and subjects with a thin physique and bony fabella.
The two treatments of continuous irrigation and negative pressure were observed to have an additive and synergistic effect for earlier wound healing. Furthermore, the present method can dramatically reduce the number of dressing changes required, patient pain, psychological stress, and treatment cost.
The purpose of this study was to overcome the disadvantages associated with the shortness of the vascular pedicle of subscapular system combined flaps when performing the maxillary reconstruction procedure. Combined flaps of the subscapular artery system were used for maxillary reconstruction. A latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, a scapular fasciocutaneous flap, and two kinds of scapular bone flaps were elevated as combined flaps. Next, the circumflex scapular artery (CS) and vein were cut off from the combined flaps and anastomosed to the serratus anterior branch, thereby establishing chimeric flaps. Then, maxillary reconstruction was performed using these flaps. We encountered two patients who underwent maxillectomy for maxillary cancer. Satisfactory improvements in facial shape were obtained in both cases. In cases in which combined flaps of the subscapular artery system are used for maxillary reconstruction, the biggest problem is that the vascular pedicle does not reach the recipient vessel in the neck due to the shortness of the CS. Therefore, vein grafts are generally performed to extend the flaps to the maxilla. Our novel procedure has the great advantages of long vascular pedicles and high flexibility in setting the flaps without the use of vein grafts.
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