Background: Burn scar pain is considered as neuropathic pain. The anti-inflammation and anti-neuroinflammation effects of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) were observed in several studies. We designed a study using a murine model involving the transplantation of autologous ASCs in rats subjected to burn injuries. The aim was to detect the anti-neuroinflammation effect of ASC transplantation and clarify the relationships between ASCs, scar pain, apoptosis and autophagy. Methods: We randomized 24 rats into 4 groups as followings: Group A and B, received saline injections and autologous transplantation of ASCs 4 weeks after sham burn, respectively; Group C and D, received saline injections and autologous transplantation 4 weeks after burn injuries. A designed behavior test was applied for pain evaluation. Skin tissues and dorsal horn of lumbar spinal cords were removed for biochemical analysis. Results: ASC transplantation significantly restored the mechanical threshold reduced by burn injury. It also attenuated local inflammation and central neuroinflammation and ameliorated apoptosis and autophagy in the spinal cord after the burn injury. Conclusion: In a rat model, autologous ASC subcutaneous transplantation in post-burn scars elicited anti-neuroinflammation effects locally and in the spinal cord that might be related to the relief of post-burn neuropathic pain and attenuated cell apoptosis. Thus, ASC transplantation post-burn scars shows the potential promising clinical benefits.

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) has been used to reduce neuropathic pain. Melatonin and opioid receptors are involved in neuropathic pain, but it is not known if HBOT works through these pathways to achieve its antinociceptive effect. We divided anesthetized rats into two treatment and three sham groups. The two treatment groups received third-degree burns on their right hind paws, one treated in a hyperbaric chamber for a week and the other for two weeks. We evaluated the mechanical paw-withdrawal threshold (MWT) and expression of melatonin receptor 1 (MT1), melatonin receptor 2 (MT2), μ (MOR) and κ (KOR) opioid receptor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Substance P, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in cuneate nucleus, dorsal horn, and hind paw skin by immunohistochemical, immunofluorescence assays and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The group receiving one-week HBOT had increased expressions of MT1, MT2, MOR and KOR and decreased expressions of BDNF, Substance P, and CGRP. Their mechanically measured pain levels returned to normal within a week and lasted three weeks. This anti-allodynia effect lasted twice as long in those treated for two weeks. Our findings suggest that increasing the duration of HBOT can reduce burn-induced mechanical allodynia for an extended period of time in rats. The upregulation of melatonin and opioid receptors observed after one week of HBOT suggests they may be partly involved in attenuation of the mechanical allodynia. Downregulation of BDNF, substance P and CGRP may have also contributed to the overall beneficial effect of HBOT.

Background: Diplopia is a common symptom after blowout fractures, with an incidence of 43.6%–83%. Although there is some consensus toward surgical correction, diplopia is not always resolved by surgery. Thus, there is a clinical dilemma for surgeons with regard to performing surgery at a specific time. This review aimed to create an algorithm to support accurate and effective decision-making. Methods: We reviewed articles published on PubMed during 2013–2020 regarding orbital fractures. Articles discussing surgical treatment for blowout fractures and diplopia were included. Five reviews, six prospective cohort studies, and 33 retrospective studies were identified. After reviewing and summarizing these articles, a step-by-step algorithm was created. Results: Most authors advise immediate surgery when a patient presents with either a positive oculocardiac reflex or a “trapdoor” fracture. Early surgical correction is recommended in children to prevent profound muscle damage. In other scenarios, most authors recommend performing surgery within 2 weeks. The algorithm begins with the aspect of motility, including muscle entrapment assessed by computed tomography or limited movement of the extraocular muscle. When there is no abnormality in motility, the algorithm continues to the aspect of position. Generally, an orbital floor defect of more than 50% or 2 cm² or an enophthalmos of more than 2 mm is indicated for surgery. However, diplopia may also gradually resolve after improvement of periorbital edema or swelling. Conclusion: We proposed a step-by-step approach to help surgeons make effective decisions concerning surgical correction for patients suffering from blowout fractures with diplopia at different time points.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a significant cause of global mortality and morbidity. This study investigated the association between initial De Ritis ratio (serum AST/ALT) and mortality in moderate-to-severe TBI patients. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 4415 adult patients with moderate-to-severe TBI (head/neck AIS ≥ 3) from January 2009 to December 2020. Patients were categorized into three groups based on De Ritis ratios: ≤1.2 (n = 1296), 1.2 < ratio ≤ 1.64 (n = 1499), and >1.64 (n = 1620). Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for baseline characteristics including age, sex, comorbidities, Glasgow Coma Scale, and Injury Severity Score. Results: Higher De Ritis ratios were also associated with increased intensive care unit admission rates and longer hospital stays. After propensity score matching, patients with De Ritis ratio > 1.64 showed significantly higher mortality rates compared to the control group (10.3% vs. 7.9%, odds ratio (OR) = 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.77, p = 0.046). No significant mortality difference was found between patients with De Ritis ratio ≤1.2 and the control group. Conclusions: Initial De Ritis ratio>1.64 serves as an independent predictor of mortality in moderate-to-severe TBI patients. This readily available laboratory parameter could provide valuable prognostic information for early risk stratification in TBI management.

Hepatic artery reconstruction (HAR) for liver transplantation is crucial for successful outcomes. We evaluated transplantation outcome improvement through continual technical refinements. HAR was performed in 1448 living donor liver transplants by a single plastic surgeon from 2008 to 2020. Difficult HARs were defined as graft or recipient hepatic artery ≤2 mm, size discrepancy (≥2 to 1), multiple hepatic arteries, suboptimal quality, intimal dissection of graft or recipient hepatic artery (HA), and immediate redo during transplantation. Technique refinements include early vessel injury recognition, precise HA dissection, the use of clips to ligate branches, an oblique cut for all HARs, a modified funneling method for size discrepancy, liberal use of an alternative artery to replace a pathologic HA, and reconstruction of a second HA for grafts with dual hepatic arteries in the graft. Difficult HARs were small HA (21.35%), size discrepancy (12.57%), multiple hepatic arteries (11.28%), suboptimal quality (31.1%), intimal dissection (20.5%), and immediate redo (5.18%). The overall hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) rate was 3.04% in this series. The average HAT rate during the last 4 years (2017-2020) was 1.46% (6/408), which was significantly lower than the average HAT rate from 2008 to 2016 (39/1040, 3.8%) with a statistical significance (p = 0.025). Treatment for posttransplant HAT included anastomosis after trim back (9), reconstruction using alternatives (19), and nonsurgical treatment with urokinase (9). Careful examination of the HA under surgical microscope and selection of the appropriate recipient HA are key to successful reconstruction. Through continual technical refinements, we can reduce HA complications to the lowest degree.

Background: Malnutrition is a critical concern among elderly trauma patients and is associated with poorer outcomes. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is commonly used to assess nutritional risk in elderly patients; however, GNRI calculations depend on the ideal body weight (IBW) formula applied, which may vary significantly across populations. This study examines the impact of using different IBW formulas on GNRI classification and mortality prediction in elderly trauma patients. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on 2666 elderly trauma patients from the Trauma Registry System between 2009 and 2023. GNRI scores were calculated using nine different IBW formulas, including the original Lorentz formula, which are commonly used in clinical settings. Mortality odds ratios (ORs) were calculated across GNRI categories for each formula to assess the predictive accuracy of GNRI in stratifying nutritional risk. Results: Patients with lower GNRI scores (GNRI <82) consistently showed higher mortality rates, with the highest mortality in the GNRI 98 group ( P < 0.001). The Broca and Miller formulas categorized the highest proportion of patients into the high-risk GNRI <82 group (24.2% and 23.8%, respectively), whereas the Peterson formula had the lowest (14.9%). The Miller formula produced the highest OR for mortality in the high-risk GNRI <82 group (OR = 7.94), whereas the Lorentz formula yielded a lower OR (OR = 6.67). The Taiwan formula provided a balanced classification, similar to the Lorentz formula. Conclusions: This study confirms GNRI as a valuable predictor of mortality in elderly trauma patients, with lower scores linked to higher mortality. The choice of IBW formula significantly affects GNRI classification and its predictive accuracy. Although the Lorentz formula is reliable, the Miller and Broca formulas offer more sensitive assessments for high-risk groups, supporting early intervention. The Taiwan formula provides culturally appropriate outcomes for Asian populations. Clinicians should carefully select IBW formulas in GNRI calculations to ensure accurate nutritional risk assessment and optimal patient management.