Permanent fecal abdominal stomas significantly decrease quality of life. Previous attempts to create continent stomas by using dynamic myoplasty procedures have resulted in disappointing outcomes, primarily owing to denervation atrophy of the muscle flap that was used in the creation of the sphincter and because of muscle fatigue resulting from continuous electrical stimulation that is received...

This article presents the case of a 35-year-old woman who sustained a shotgun blast injury to the left forearm and chest wall causing significant soft tissue loss of the extensor compartment. The patient suffered a Gustilo IIIB open radial shaft fracture requiring orthopedic stabilization and plastic surgery intervention. As a result, the patient eventually was reconstructed with the use of a p...

Quantitative descriptions of muscle architecture are needed to characterize the force-generating capabilities of muscles. This study reports the architecture of three major trunk muscles: the rectus abdominis, quadratus lumborum, and three columns of the erector spinae (spinalis thoracis, longissimus thoracis and iliocostalis lumborum). Musculotendon lengths, muscle lengths, fascicle lengths, s...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate and compare the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with conventional physical therapy on muscle thickness in critically ill patients. DESIGN Double-blind, randomized controlled trial. PATIENTS Twenty-five patients participated in the study. METHODS Patients on mechanical ventilation for 24-48 h were randomized to an intervention group (neuromusc...

PURPOSE To review the role of free tissue transfer in reconstructive surgery following resection of high-grade soft-tissue sarcomas of the lower limb. METHODS Medical records of all consecutive patients with high-grade soft-tissue sarcomas of the lower limbs between August 1997 and September 2003 were reviewed. RESULTS Of 8 patients (6 women and 2 men) aged between 19 and 65 years, 4 had ma...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To explore the methods of clinical classification in chronic radiation-induced ulcers in the chest wall (CRUCWs). MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 64 patients with CRUCWs were treated. We divided the cases into 3 types (mild, moderate, or severe) according to their clinical manifestations. Conservative treatments, axial-pattern myocutaneous or local flaps, or filleted f...

[Purpose] The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of the method of bridge exercise on the change of rectus abdominis muscle and the muscle activity of paraspinal muscles while doing treadmill walking with high heels. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects of this research are healthy female students consisting of 10 persons performing bridge exercises in a supine group, 10 person...

PURPOSE The aim of the present study was to assess, in cadavers, the resistance to medial traction of the posterior and anterior layer of the rectus abdominis muscle sheath. METHODS An anatomical, prospective, self-controlled study was carried out in 20 male cadavers. An evaluation of the tension of the posterior and anterior layers of the rectus abdominis muscle sheath was performed followin...

We report a case of umbilical necrosis after a unilateral pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in a patient post mastectomy. This uncommon complication of breast reconstruction is highlighted.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the changes of activation of the abdominal muscles depending on exercise angles and whether the activation of rectus abdominis differs according to the location, during curl up and leg raise exercises, by measuring the thickness ratio of abdominal muscles using ultrasonography. METHODS We examined 30 normal adults without musculoskeletal problems. Muscle thickness was...