Plastic and reconstructive surgery
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Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Dec 2007
Comparative StudyDevelopment and validation of a novel scar evaluation scale.
The authors previously developed a six-item ordinal wound evaluation scale to measure the short-term cosmetic outcome of wounds 1 week after injury. Although it was never intended to measure long-term outcomes, it has been used to assess scars 3 to 12 months after injury. The authors developed and validated a scar evaluation scale specifically aimed at measuring the long-term appearance of scars. ⋯ The authors describe a new long-term scar evaluation scale that is highly reliable and correlated with the cosmetic visual analogue scale, suggesting construct validity.
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Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Dec 2007
Case ReportsThe role of free-tissue transfer for head and neck burn reconstruction.
The reconstruction of head and neck burns is challenging, traditionally involving skin grafting and local flaps. Free flaps have improved in versatility and variability in recent years, and are now among the techniques used for burn reconstruction. ⋯ Free tissue transfer is a valuable tool in head and neck burn reconstruction. It can be used safely and effectively with minimal morbidity in selected patients.
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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.