Customised silicone prostheses for the reconstruction of chest wall defects: technique of manufacture and final outcome.

Chest wall reconstruction with a customised silicone prosthesis in 13 patients (five patients with pectus excavatum, six Poland's syndrome and two with post-surgical chest wall deformity) is presented. An alginate impression or CT scan with three-dimensional reconstruction was used to produce the final mould from which the silicone prosthesis was fabricated. The surface of the silicone implant was roughened to reduce capsular contracture and holes were incorporated to allow for tissue integration.

The distal radioulnar joint as a load-bearing mechanism--a biomechanical study.

Purpose: A biomechanical study was performed to define the normal profiles of force transmission across the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) and their alteration as the result of surgical modification of the joint and its ligaments.

Methods: Twelve cadaver arms were used in this investigation. A custom-made jig was designed to hold the arm and allow axial loading of the hand.

The pulley system of the thumb: anatomic and biomechanical study.

To examine the precise conformation of the annular and oblique pulleys of the thumb flexor sheath, anatomic dissections were undertaken on 14 hands. In all specimens a distinct pulley was found between the A1 and oblique pulleys. This is named the variable annular pulley or Av pulley.