Effective use of simple computer programmes and clay models to demonstrate the planning and operative steps for teaching and presentations.

Background: Presenting and demonstrating a surgical procedure in the current era is difficult without good intraoperative pictures and videos. A long, complex, multi-staged surgery is better illustrated by detailed intraoperative images at various stages. Although desirable, it may be difficult due to various reasons.

Unfavourable results in free tissue transfer.

With recent advances in the instrumentation and with increased expertise the results of microvascular surgery are getting better. Complications though, cannot be completely avoided. This paper gives a brief introduction to the possible complications at various stages of free tissue transfer.

An effective technique of helical cartilage scoring for correction of prominent ear deformity.

Otoplasty has a long history starting from 1948, when Dieffenbach described it first. Multiple technical modifications have been reported since. We propose a technique of scoring the helical cartilage without a visible incision on the lateral aspect of pinna for easier remolding of cartilage through posterior approach.

Traction splints: effective nonsurgical way of managing proximal phalanx fractures.

Background: Treating proximal phalanx fracture without compromising the mobility is difficult.

Methods: Clinical and radiologic results of 30 patients with proximal phalangeal fracture of the hand treated conservatively from January 2004 to December 2006 were evaluated. Application of traction splint was followed by supervised rehabilitation.

Extensor digitorum brevis muscle flap: modified approach preserving extensor retinaculum.

Background: Although numerous reconstructive options for covering defects over distal third of leg and dorsum of foot have been suggested, obtaining satisfactory cover remains difficult problem. Extensor digitorum brevis muscle flap as proximally or distally based island flap has been well described to be a promising alternative.

Methods: Between 2004 and 2005, 10 defects over dorsum of foot and around malleoli were reconstructed with extensor digitorum brevis muscle flap.

Endoscopic-assisted shoulder-contour-defect augmentation.

Need for cosmetic reconstruction around the shoulder is uncommon and is always challenging to the plastic surgeon. In this area, the scars often have a tendency to undergo hypertrophy. Any reconstruction in this area requires careful planning of incisions.

Coverage of defects over toes with distally based local flaps: A report of four cases.

Reconstruction of the distal foot, especially of the toe has always been a challenging problem. Various methods have been tried with variable success rates and limitations. Presented here is a series of four cases, where distally based flaps were used.

Bilateral high upper limb replantation in a child.

Bilateral high amputation of upper limbs in a child is a very unusual injury. In the present case, although the amputation was high and significant avulsion was present, the age of the child (6 years) made the case both challenging and encouraging--challenging because of the anticipated systemic effects of reperfusion, and encouraging because the long-term prognosis is always more encouraging in a child.