[French plastic surgeons and humanitarian missions, does a French touch exist?].

France like many other countries has long since been committed to Humanitarian Medicine within the framework of evangelical and territorial expansion. As prodigies of the Age of Enlightenment and the universalisation of Human Rights, French surgeons have successfully exported these inherited values through The Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the creation of nongovernmental organisations recognised worldwide. In addition to the finely acquired medical skills that French surgeons share with other prestigious countries, the "French Touch" appears to be found in their transfer of this knowledge along with their will and commitment to return to the same places as often as possible in order to cultivate local self sustainability.

The limitation of primary excision of cicatricial alopecia: a report of 63 patients.

This 11-year retrospective study (1985-1996) of 63 patients demonstrates that cicatricial alopecia is almost always distressing for the patient and is considered as a social handicap, which makes repair a necessity. Two major therapeutic methods for remedying this condition were used in the study: suture excision and tissue expansion. The optimal use and limitations of each method are defined on the basis of treatment quality, as evaluated by the patient and the surgeon.

[Paraffinomas: history, clinical features and treatment. A case report].

One case of paraffinoma is reported on a 60 years old man following injections of paraffin fourty years ago. The authors recalled with this observation history of paraffin, clinical aspect and surgical treatment of the paraffinoma.

[Cover of trochanter pressure sores by V-Y musculocutaneous flap of the fascia lata].

Authors report their experience with the V-Y advancement flap in the coverage of trochanteric pressure sores. Nine flaps have been performed concerning 7 patients. Trochanteric sores in paraplegia or tetraplegia may lead to suppurative arthritis of the hip, with a risk of anaerobic infection and acute septicaemia.

[Dermoid cyst of the scalp. Apropos of a case].

A subgaleal dermoid cyst of a 32 years old white adult is reported. The lesion appeared at the age of several years and ten regularly. Clinical examination, complementary exams as well as the result of the operation are reported.