Photodynamic therapy using methylene blue to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to show the efficiency and underlying mechanism of action of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using methylene blue (MB) and non-coherent light sources to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL).

Background Data: Systemic treatment can cause severe side effects, and PDT using porphyrin precursors as sensitizers has been used as an alternative to treat CL. MB has been used under illumination or in the dark to treat a wide range of medical conditions, and it exhibits antimicrobial activity against protozoa and viruses.

Strauch's technique for epigastric free flaps in rats revisited: a simple and effective method to increase patency rates.

Described by Strauch and Murray in 1967, the rodent epigastric free flap remains a versatile tool for microsurgery research and training. We report herein three sequential phases of our quest to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the original technique, making it more accessible to more microsurgeons. Ninety-six allotransplants were performed.

Clinical case of ossifying fasciitis of the hand.

Ossifying fasciitis is a rare benign tumour similar to nodular fasciitis histopathologically, but, morphologically, composed of metaplastic bone with calcification and chondroid differentiation. This lesion may easily be misinterpreted as malignancy, clinically and histologically, because it presents as a rapidly growing mass originating from subcutaneous or deep fascial tissues. These lesions are usually located in upper and lower extremities and trunk.

Breast reconstruction using the entire transverse abdominal adipocutaneous flap based on unilateral superficial or deep inferior epigastric vessels.

Background: Among various alternatives for autologous breast reconstruction, the superficial inferior epigastric artery abdominal flap provides the least donor-site morbidity, as dissection of the rectus abdominis sheath and muscle is not required. However, because of inconsistencies in the existence and size of the superficial inferior epigastric artery, its use is limited. In addition, whether the perfusion from the superficial system is adequate across the midline is still a question to be answered.

Proximal forearm flap based on a septocutaneous vessel from the radial artery.

Background: The radial forearm flap has been a workhorse flap for soft-tissue or coverage reconstruction in the head and neck area. Although it has several major advantages, it requires sacrifice of the radial artery. In this article, the authors present their modification of harvesting a forearm flap based on a large septocutaneous branch of the radial artery in the proximal forearm with or without sacrificing the main radial artery.