H and transplantations have become a clinical reality and have been performed worldwide with good functional results in the last 18 years. The secondary surgery role for functional improvement is well recognized although infrequently dealt with. 1 The goal of this article is to report our recent experience on secondary surgical procedures in vascularized composite hand allotransplantation, achi...

This study evaluated the optical density of two microfilled and two microhybrid resins, as well as the composition of these materials with regard to their optical density. Cavities prepared in 12 2-mm- or 4-mm-thick acrylic plastic plates were filled with Z250 (3M-ESPE), A110 (3M-ESPE), Charisma (Heraeus-Kulzer) and DurafillVS (Heraeus-Kulzer). The resin increments (2-mm-thick) were light-cured...

Vascularized composite allotransplantations (VCAs) are not routinely performed for tissue reconstruction because of the potentially harmful adverse effects associated with lifelong administration of immunosuppressive agents. Researchers have been eagerly seeking alternative methods that circumvent the long-term use of immunosuppressants. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show promise as an immunomo...

Free tissue transfer is a safe and reliable mode of tissue reconstruction. Though it is the highest rung on the reconstructive ladder, this method of reconstruction is utilized by a multitude of surgical specialties including: plastic and reconstructive, orthopaedic, otolaryngology, and oral maxillofacial. There are multiple indications for free tissue transfer. A few examples are: skeletal def...

This study investigated the in vitro performance of the commercial bis-acryl composite resins Systemp C&B II (SYS, Ivoclar Vivadent), Protemp 4 (PT4, 3M ESPE), Structur 2C (ST2, Voco) and ProviPlast (PVP, Biodinamica). Characterization involved optical (color stability, translucency parameter, fluorescence), surface (roughness, morphology and elemental composition), physical-chemical (viscosity...

The face and scalp define functionally and aesthetically important units. Traumatic deformities of the head and neck region resulting from burn injuries, gunshot wounds, or ablative tumor surgeries may be presented as a single defect, such as of the skin, the subcutaneous tissue, or the muscle, or as a combination defect involving all three units. The optimal reconstruction of these specialized...

Successful hand and face transplantation in the last decade has firmly established the field of vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA). The experience in VCA has thus far been very similar to solid organ transplantation in terms of the morbidity associated with long-term immunosuppression. The unique immunological features of VCA such as split tolerance and resistance to chronic rejec...

PURPOSE: Developing novel treatment concepts to minimize/avoid immunosuppression by induction of immune tolerance represents the prime task in the field of transplantation. In the clinic to date, this was achieved in highly selected patients in clinical trials of kidney transplantation combined with concomitant stem cell or bone marrow transplantation. Vascularized composite allotransplantation...

Severe damage to cell repair mechanisms of the limbal region can lead to many disorders such as vascularized conjunctivalization, keratinization, corneal scarring, and corneal opacification, collectively described as limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Limbal stem cell deficiency may occur as a result of depletion of stem cells or destruction of their stromal niche. In such cases, apart from co...