Integra™ permits early durable coverage of improvised explosive device (IED) amputation stumps.

Introduction: Improvised explosive device (IED) blasts cause serious injury. Survivors are left with multiple amputations, considerable soft tissue loss and open fractures with gross contamination. We present our early experience of Integra™ in the acute management of military wounds.

Fasciotomy: a call for proper placement.

Introduction: It is important that acute compartment syndrome is recognised and treated early. Treatment involves surgical decompression and it is imperative that this is performed in a timely and appropriate manner. The knowledge of plastic and orthopaedic surgery trainees of the safe technique for performing lower leg fasciotomy was examined.

An Internet-based discussion forum as a useful resource for the discussion of clinical cases and an educational tool.

Introduction: An Internet-based group of plastic surgeons was formed in India in February 2001. It has 1290 members and seeks to facilitate online discussion. These discussions were reviewed to assess their value in education and aiding patient management.

Thermal injuries caused by hair straightening devices in children: a significant, but preventable problem.

The incidence of contact burns from heated hair straighteners is increasing. The aim of this paper is to assess the safety features of hair straighteners, the mechanism of contact burns and the resultant morbidity in children. This study involves retrospective analyses of patients' case notes and examination of hair straighteners during heating and cooling.