Putting it all together: recommendations for improving pain management in body contouring.

The authors present a review of pain management in body-contouring surgery. They also provide personal perspectives and recommendations given the senior author's (A.M.

The ever-changing role of biofilms in plastic surgery.

The goal of this article is to present a brief background of biofilms and how they pertain to plastic surgery. Of particular interest are how biofilms affect breast prosthesis and their subsequent complications. The authors also present information on how biofilms are involved in soft-tissue filler complications.

Simplifying the management of caudal septal deviation in rhinoplasty.

Correction of the deviated nose poses a challenge in even the most experienced hands. Frequently, the surgeon is faced with both a functional (airway obstruction) and an aesthetic problem that must be addressed conjointly. Accurate preoperative analysis and intraoperative diagnosis are integral to good outcomes.

Lift-and-fill face lift: integrating the fat compartments.

Background: Recent discovery of the numerous fat compartments of the face has improved our ability to more precisely restore facial volume while rejuvenating it through differential superficial musculoaponeurotic system treatment. Incorporation of selective fat compartment volume restoration along with superficial musculoaponeurotic system manipulation allows for improved control in recontouring while addressing one of the key problems in facial aging, namely, volume deflation. This theory was evaluated by assessing the contour changes from simultaneous face "lifting" and "filling" through fat compartment-guided facial fat transfer.

Validation of a laser-assisted wound measurement device for measuring wound volume.

Background: Accurate and precise wound measurement is an essential part of the medical record when monitoring a patient with a chronic wound. This study was designed to determine if a new device, a laser-assisted wound measurement (LAWM) device, provides valid measurements for wound area, depth, and volume.

Methods: We compared four methods to evaluate the area and volume of 12 wounds of differing size and depth that were created on the dorsum of a sacrificed pig.

Reconstruction of the nasal soft triangle subunit.

Background: Of all nine subunits, the soft triangle is perhaps the most challenging to recreate. The complexity of soft triangle reconstruction resides in its proximity to such important structures as the nasal tip, nasal ala, and distal columella. If the soft triangle is not properly reconstructed, problems with nasal function and aesthetics often arise.

Lower third nasal reconstruction: when is skin grafting an appropriate option?

Background: A full-thickness skin graft is generally not considered the ideal replacement for the thick, sebaceous skin of the nasal tip, ala, lower sidewalls, or dorsum. Instead, many clinicians prefer to reconstruct these defects with local or axial composite flaps that incorporate skin, subcutaneous tissue, and fat.

Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of 55 consecutive patients who underwent reconstruction of lower third nasal defects with full-thickness skin grafts between 2002 and 2007 performed by the senior author (J.

Nasal reconstruction: an overview and nuances.

Nasal reconstruction continues to be a formidable challenge for most plastic surgeons. This article provides an overview of nasal reconstruction with brief descriptions of subtle nuances involving certain techniques that the authors believe help their overall outcomes. The major aspects of nasal reconstruction are included: lining, support, skin coverage, local nasal flaps, nasolabial flap, and paramedian forehead flap.