Annals of plastic surgery
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Annals of plastic surgery · Jun 2007
Incidental discovery of bilateral breast cancer in a 24-year-old man presenting with gynecomastia.
We present a case of a 24-year-old man who was treated for gynecomastia with bilateral mastectomy and free nipple grafts with subsequent discovery of bilateral breast cancer in the submitted specimens. Surgical treatment of gynecomastia is becoming more popular with over 16,000 procedures of gynecomastia reduction performed in 2005, an increase of 17% compared with the previous year. ⋯ We caution that male breast tissue should be regarded with the same oncologic principle as female breast tissue. In cases in which ultrasound-assisted suction lipectomy is used, the inability to analyze the breast tissue should be disclosed to the patient.
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Annals of plastic surgery · Jun 2007
Rigid fixation of the sternum using a new coupled titanium transverse plate fixation system.
Restoration of sternal integrity after median sternotomy for cardiac interventions better ensures optimal postoperative pulmonary function and minimizes overall morbidity. Sternal dehiscence or nonunion mitigates against such a successful outcome. Under such circumstances, if enough viable and uninfected sternum remains, an anatomic reduction should be attempted. ⋯ A new titanium sternal fixation system that permits transverse orientation of plates has been used in 4 patients who had sterile complete or imminent sternal dehiscence to allow eventual sternal union. The specific advantage of this new system is the presence of a releasing pin in the center of coupled plates to allow rapid chest reentry if required without the specific need for cumbersome plate removal. One patient had delayed removal of an infected plate after sternal union was achieved.
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Annals of plastic surgery · May 2007
Prognostic factors in necrotizing fasciitis and myositis: analysis of 16 consecutive cases at a single institution in Switzerland.
Necrotizing fasciitis and myositis are life-threatening infections involving the superficial fascia and musculature, respectively. Outcome depends on early diagnosis and aggressive treatment. Here, we aimed to determine prognostic factors for necrotizing soft tissue infections. ⋯ As infectious agents, group A streptococci (GAS) were identified in 10 patients and multiple pathogens in 6 patients. Lethal outcome was always associated with GAS infection and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). In our patients, myonecrosis, GAS infection, and STSS appeared to be negative prognostic factors for survival in necrotizing soft tissue infections.
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Annals of plastic surgery · May 2007
Comparative StudyComparison of various methods and materials for treatment of skin laceration by a 3-dimensional measuring technique in a pig experiment.
The ability to obtain an objective comparison of scar formations by reproducible and quantitatively measurable results have posed a longstanding problem. This was especially troublesome when conclusions were to be drawn about the materials and methods applied. Two-dimensional methods (photography) gave no plastic impression about the spatial coherences in an examined scar. However, a quantifiable and reproducible recording of volumes and a 3-dimesional visualization of scars should provide the basis of any evaluation of methods and materials. ⋯ For objective comparison of intention and scarring, a scanning technique was used that permits a quantifiable, contact-free, single-session recording of volume differences. For this purpose, various suture materials and methods were used. Altogether, it could be shown that, if possible, wound closure treated with common suturing techniques, and especially with skin adhesive, should be enhanced by an intracutaneous suture with an increase in wound length. At the same time and under certain circumstances, skin adhesive poses an adequate substitute for the common suturing materials and methods. In the end, however, the final decision about the choice of method and material should be made depending on the localization and expanse of the wound as well as on the comfort of the patient (eg, absorbable suture/nonabsorbable suture), the time of exposure (eg, skin adhesive vs suture), and the economic efficiency (eg, producer of suture material).
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Annals of plastic surgery · May 2007
Flap choices to treat complex severe postburn hand contracture.
Many regions of the hand are affected seriously in the patients with complex severe postburn hand contractures. Multiple flap choices should be in count to treat complex severe postburn hand contractures affectively. We preferred dorsal ulnar flap for palmar region, cross-finger flap, side finger flap, and combined use of both for flexion contracture of the fingers, and rhomboid flap for web contractures. ⋯ The maximum improvements of the joint extensions were 75 degrees for median of digits metacarpophalangeal joint and 105 degrees for proximal interphalangeal joint. Grasp function of the hand dramatically improved, and the bulk of the flap did not interfere grasping. Complex severe postburn hand contracture can be treated sufficiently with dorsal ulnar flap, combined use of cross-finger and side finger transposition flap, and rhomboid flap.