Since their introduction in 1993, anatomical implants have provided a more natural appearance in breast augmentation, and many surgeons advocate their use and promote the good aesthetic results. However, the risk of implant rotation makes some of them reluctant to use these devices. The rotation rate varies among authors. leer más
Body contouring performed for cosmetic purposes, or after weight loss, has the potential to improve body image and health-related quality of life (HRQL). The BODY-Q is a new patient-reported outcome (PRO) instrument designed to measure patient perceptions of weight loss and/or body contouring. In this article, we describe the psychometric properties of the BODY-Q scales after an international field-test. leer más
The dorsoradial flap is a recently described cutaneous flap, which is harvested from the distal forearm and indicated for covering dorsal soft tissue defects of the hand and thumb. Vascularization of the flap is assured by a cutaneous branch of the radial artery, which arises at the level of the first intermetacarpal space and supplies the skin of the distal quarter of the forearm dorsum. This area corresponds to the skin island of the dorsoradial flap. We report our clinical experience on seven patients where this flap was used for covering post-traumatic defects of the thumb. Dimensions of the defect varied from 18 to 28 cm(2). The donor site was skin grafted. All flaps survived and provided satisfactory coverage of the defect. Based on a secondary vascular axis, the flap has a large skin paddle and a wide rotation arc that allows soft tissue reconstruction of the dorsal and radiopalmar areas of the thumb. leer más
We report our experience of using tissue expansion where we deal particularly with complications and their management. Forty patients had tissue expanded during a 5-year period (2005-2010). Indications included reconstruction of a scar (after a burn, after injury, or postoperative), congenital naevi, microtia, and breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Of the 50 expanders inserted, complications occurred in 12 (10 patients). Exposure and perforation of the expander were the most common complications, followed by infection, seroma, and local pain. In all cases, complications were managed successfully either by conservative treatment or by a single procedure. The reconstructive plan ended in an acceptable aesthetic result in 9 of the 10 complicated areas. The insertion of multiple expanders over extensive scar tissue and particularly over the lower limb, is associated with high morbidity. Selection of patients, identification of high-risk sites, and suggestions for treatment are important. When complications occur, immediate management usually results in a successful outcome. leer más
