Flap surgery has wide use in plastic surgery in the closure of tissue defects. In spite of the major advances in plastic surgery in the past years, flap surgery is still associated with significant mortality. Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, which is a complex injury associated with flap blood flow, is one of the most important causes of flap failure. The main pathophysiology underneath I/R injury is associated with reactive oxygen species, which can be prevented by certain antioxidant applications. Antioxidants have been widely used in flap surgery and I/R injury previously. There have been a lot of articles showing positive effects of antioxidants on I/R injury. In this chapter, we focus the mechanism of I/R injury and how antioxidants can able to diminish the damage, moreover demonstrating the effect of certain antioxidants on I/R injury that has been investigated previously.
Part of the book: Antioxidants
Free radicals are chemicals that play a role in the etiopathogenesis of ischemia–reperfusion injury. To prevent or reduce this damage, many protective or therapeutic antioxidants are used effectively in alternative medicine. These antioxidants include immunological or pharmacological agents, vitamins, food and herbal products, and spices. Herbs and spices have been used for a long time as coloring or preservative agents by adding to the content of foods, and at the same time to increase the nutritional value of foods. More recently, the nutritional effects of herbs and spices have become more perceived and the area of interest for these products has increased. Concordantly, the biological contents of herbs and spices have begun to be studied in more detailed way at the cellular and molecular level. Sample plants are classified according to different chemical families, with the diet. Therefore, they have different levels of antioxidant capacity. These products also have potent anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, glucoregulatory, antithrombotic, anticarcinogenic and so forth effects. These properties are used in the treatment of some chronic diseases. In this review, the antioxidant properties of various herbs and spices used to add flavor to foods or to extend their shelf life have been examined in the light of large-scale nutritional epidemiological studies, in vitro cellular/animal studies and clinical trials.
Part of the book: Antioxidants
Breast reconstruction, after cancer surgery, is not only a reconstructive surgery but also an esthetic surgery. No woman should be expected to give up the breast tissue, which is the symbol of female identity, easily. The reconstruction stage after breast cancer is difficult enough in the early and late stages. It is generally not possible to cover the defect and to equalize the two breasts in a single step. General surgery and plastic surgery should work together. Recently, innovative solutions have been offered in breast reconstruction. Starting from skin grafts and local flaps, various flap options, dermal equivalents, fat transfer, and tissue expansion operations are among the options. Breast reconstruction is difficult enough in breasts that have undergone radiotherapy, and reconstruction with autologous tissue is preferred.
Part of the book: Breast Cancer Updates
Hernias represent a common surgical concern that can significantly impact patients’ quality of life. In the field of plastic surgery, hernias have garnered attention due to their association with abdominal wall weakness and the potential implications for esthetic procedures such as abdominoplasty. This abstract provides an overview of the latest updates in hernia management within the context of plastic surgery.
Part of the book: Hernia Updates and Approaches