Plastic and reconstructive surgery
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Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Nov 2007
Evaluation of elbow flexion as a predictor of outcome in obstetrical brachial plexus palsy.
The purpose of this study was to answer two questions. First, are there obstetrical brachial plexus palsy patients with no elbow flexion at 3 months who go on to recover useful upper extremity function without surgical intervention? Second, are there patients with evidence of elbow flexion at 3 months who do benefit from brachial plexus reconstruction? ⋯ Early elbow flexion alone is not a sufficient criterion to recommend a nonoperative approach. In addition, spontaneous recovery of useful upper extremity function has been observed in a carefully selected subset of patients without elbow flexion at 3 months.
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Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Nov 2007
Case ReportsReconstruction of postburn neck contractures using free thin thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps with cervicoplasty.
Severe postburn neck contractures are devastating functional and cosmetic deformities. The ideal material for coverage of defects created by neck contracture release is thin, supple, large, well-vascularized, healthy tissue. The thoracodorsal artery perforator flap, a workhorse flap for reconstruction, allows a large dimension and free thickness control with low donor-site morbidity. The value of a free thin thoracodorsal artery perforator flap for anterior neck burn deformities has not been evaluated in a substantial series. ⋯ The free thin thoracodorsal artery perforator flap with cervicoplasty provides good functional and aesthetic results in terms of neck contour and cervicomental angle, with a reduced necessity for secondary procedures and low donor-site morbidity. This method is highly valuable for reconstruction of severe postburn neck contractures.
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Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Nov 2007
Intravenous regional anesthesia administered by the operating plastic surgeon: is it safe and efficient? Experience of a medical center.
Intravenous regional anesthesia (Bier's block) is an effective method of providing anesthesia for extremity surgery. This technique is most suitable for short-duration, less than 60-minute surgical procedures in distal extremities. Earlier studies recommended that intravenous regional anesthesia be performed by anesthesiologists who are familiar with the technique and fully trained to treat its complications. This study was conducted to demonstrate that intravenous regional anesthesia administered by the operating plastic surgeon is safe, efficient, and simple to perform. ⋯ Despite earlier worries about the safety of intravenous regional anesthesia if not administered by anesthesiologists, the authors found that intravenous regional anesthesia represents a safe and efficient technique of anesthesia for extremity surgery when performed carefully and appropriately by the operating surgeon. The authors suggest that plastic surgeons familiarize themselves with this technique, which is simple to perform. This could probably result in lower overall costs and greater autonomy for the surgeon.