Safeguarding Skin Grafts: An Evidence-Based Summary of Fixation Techniques.

Background: Effective skin graft fixation is vital in preventing sheering forces, seroma, and hematoma from compromising graft take. Yet, selecting the ideal technique for securing skin grafts remains a contentious subject, with significant variation in practice existing between surgeons. There is, therefore, benefit to be derived from assessing the literature for evidence-based recommendations to guide the decision-making process.

Split-thickness Skin Graft Harvest under Local Anesthetic: A Single Pass Technique.

Adequate local anesthetic, in harvesting a split-thickness skin graft (SSG), traditionally involves multiple passes of a needle across the length and width of the marked donor site. We describe a technique using hyaluronidase to uniformly anaesthetize an SSG donor site with one injection, in one pass, of one needle. 1.

A qualitative study of seven simulation models for tendon repairs.

Seven models for tendon repair simulation (urinary catheter, liquorice, fishing lure, dental rolls, drinking straw, silicone sealant and the authors' modification of silicone sealant with Micropore™ tape) were assessed for their performance in a number of domains. The silicone sealant and surgical tape model scored highest overall and for each individual domain. This was significantly higher than all other models with the exception of the silicone sealant alone.

Scar orientation: Principles in plastic surgery.

For biopsy proven skin cancers that are deemed to be high risk, a wide local excision (WLE) is recommended to reduce the risk of local recurrence. For this reason, it is pragmatic to account for the likelihood of a WLE at the time of the initial biopsy. We illustrate a staged approach to excision of lesions to facilitate this, bearing in mind the optimal reconstruction is primary closure.

Ring removal: an illustrated summary of the literature.

Objectives: The inability to remove a ring from a finger is a common presentation to Emergency Departments in addition to Orthopaedic and Plastic Surgery Units. This is often complicated by factors including trauma and infection, leading to a superimposed tourniquet effect by the ring, strangulating the subcutaneous tissues. The threat of neurovascular compromise favours early removal of the ring to limit associated morbidity.

Cosmetic Tourism: a Costly Filler Within the National Health Service Budget or a Missed Financial Opportunity? A Local Cost Analysis and Examination of the Literature.

Background: Cosmetic tourism is a global commodity, but patients seeking treatment for complications of international cosmetic tourism appear to be on the rise. We calculate the financial burden to a single NHS trust and summarise the literature, reviewing the implications of cosmetic tourism and summarising available guidance to assist surgeons in this ethically challenging, but expanding, field.

Methods: Hospital episodes for patients with complications from cosmetic tourism between January 2016 and March 2017 were retrieved using the patient management system.

Attribution bias underlying burns-induced anxiety symptoms.

Introduction: Burn injuries are a debilitating cause of morbidity and mortality associated with the long-term impact of psychological factors on quality of life. Accurate assessment of the differential impact of burn sequelae and anxiety is often complicated by the overlap between psychological and somatic symptoms in burns patients. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) is one validated psychometric tool for anxiety assessment.