Dedicated general practitioner education sessions can improve diagnostic capabilities and may have a positive effect on referral patterns for common skin lesions.

Introduction: General practitioners (GPs) require the necessary skills to identify potentially malignant skin lesions and refer patients in an appropriate and timely manner. We examined the impact of a single consultant delivered education session to GP trainees on their diagnosis of common skin lesions.

Methods: A prospective analysis of baseline knowledge was assessed using a photographic questionnaire.

Is satisfaction with surgeon a determining factor in patient reported outcomes in breast reconstruction?

Background: Patient reported outcomes are increasingly being taken into account in planning health service provision. Few studies have examined how the process of care influences patients' perception of outcome. The aim of the current study was to quantify patient satisfaction with breast reconstruction and to examine the demographic, disease and process-of-care variables that contributed to satisfaction with breasts and overall outcome.

21 year follow up of a DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) flap: a tale of a "nulltiple".

Since the first description of "The free abdominoplasty flap for breast reconstruction" by Hans Holmstrom in 1979, [see Ref. 1] the use of lower abdominal tissue has revolutionised reconstruction of the breast. DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) free flap offers an abundance of reconstructive material, aesthetically-pleasing results and limited donor site morbidity.

The evolution of perforator flap breast reconstruction: twenty years after the first DIEP flap.

It is over 20 years since the inaugural deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. We review the type of flap utilized and indications in 2,850 microvascular breast reconstruction over the subsequent 20 years in the senior author's practice (Robert J. Allen).

Autologous microvascular breast reconstruction.

Autologous microvascular breast reconstruction is widely accepted as a key component of breast cancer treatment. There are two basic donor sites; the anterior abdominal wall and the thigh/buttock region. Each of these regions provides for a number of flaps that are successfully utilised in breast reconstruction.

Raman spectroscopic analysis of human skin tissue sections ex-vivo: evaluation of the effects of tissue processing and dewaxing.

Raman spectroscopy coupled with K-means clustering analysis (KMCA) is employed to elucidate the biochemical structure of human skin tissue sections and the effects of tissue processing. Both hand and thigh sections of human cadavers were analyzed in their unprocessed and formalin-fixed, paraffin-processed (FFPP), and subsequently dewaxed forms. In unprocessed sections, KMCA reveals clear differentiation of the stratum corneum (SC), intermediate underlying epithelium, and dermal layers for sections from both anatomical sites.

Structural adaptation and intracortical bone turnover in an ovine model of osteoporosis.

Compact bone makes up approximately 80% of the human skeletal mass. This study examines the effect of estrogen deficiency on compact bone turnover and associated geometrical structural adaptation over a 31-month period in a large animal model. Twenty-seven skeletally mature sheep were divided into control (n = 16) and ovariectomy group (OVX, n = 11).

Epidermoid cyst post dermofasciectomy.

We report the finding of an unusual presentation of an epidermoid cyst 3 years following dermofasciectomy for Dupuytren's disease. Epidermoid cysts remain a rare entity in the palmoplanter distribution but also a very unusual finding within the confines of a full thickness skin graft.

Silver nitrate masquerading as a radiopaque foreign body.

Silver nitrate is commonly used as a method of chemical cauterization to areas of hypergranulation. We report two cases wherein silver nitrate in the hand was misinterpreted radiologically as foreign bodies.

Postoperative stiffness and adhesion formation around repaired and immobilized Achilles tenotomies are prevented using a model of heat shock protein induction.

Background: Tendon repair and subsequent immobilization is frequently complicated by postoperative stiffness secondary to inflammation and peritendinous adhesions. Thermal preconditioning is known to reduce inflammation by inducing formation of cytoprotective heat shock proteins. This study evaluates the role of thermal preconditioning following complete division and repair of the Achilles tendon, with subsequent immobilization, mimicking the typical clinical scenario.