A Cadaveric Study Comparing the Efficacy of the Sheen Spreader Graft and the Fulcrum Spreader Graft: Part 1.

Background: Middle vault collapse is one of the common causes of airway obstruction. Several techniques have been described to alleviate this problem. The Sheen spreader graft is a well-established technique.

Frontofacial advancement by distraction osteogenesis: a long-term review.

Background: Frontofacial advancement by distraction osteogenesis is known to produce significant functional and aesthetic gains in the short and medium term. Little is known about the long-term effects of this technique. The authors present a long-term review of frontofacial advancement by distraction in patients with syndromic craniosynostosis.

The Christmas tree foreheadplasty: a novel technique used in combination with a bandeau for fronto-orbital remodelling in craniosynostosis.

Purpose: Craniosynostosis of the coronal, metopic and frontosphenoidal sutures results in deformity of the forehead. This may cause both functional and psychological difficulties for patient and parent. We describe a novel surgical technique, the 'Christmas tree foreheadplasty', used in combination with a supraorbital bandeau to achieve fronto-orbital remodelling.

Facial transplantation revisited: findings from the very first public engagement exercise.

Objectives: Facial transplantation has emerged as a treatment option in facial reconstruction. In this pilot study, we investigate initial attitudes to this concept in relevant patient and health professional groups.

Method: Attitudes towards facial transplantation as a procedure were examined among 200 participants, including 30 nurses, 30 doctors, 30 plastic surgeons, 30 renal transplant patients, 30 medical students, 30 members of the lay public and 20 patients with facial disfigurements through the use of a questionnaire.

A model for structuring the donor discussion in emergent transplant procedures.

Objective: To investigate the potential for maximizing organ and tissue donation by identifying an empirical basis for structuring donor discussions.

Design: Intentions to donate organs and tissues were recorded in 2 separate samples of participants and analyzed separately by using Guttman scaling, the second sample providing a replication of the findings from the first.

Participants: 304 participants were recruited from the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2004, and 200 health professionals were recruited from the Royal Free Hospital.

Enhanced fibroblast contraction of 3D collagen lattices and integrin expression by TGF-beta1 and -beta3: mechanoregulatory growth factors?

Generation of contractile forces as fibroblasts attach and migrate through collagenous substrates is a fundamental behavior, yet its regulation and consequences are obscure. Although the transforming growth factor-betas (TGF-beta) are similarly important in fibrosis and tissue repair, their role in contraction is controversial. Using a quantitative, 3D collagen culture model we have measured the effects of TGF-beta1 and -beta3 on contractile forces generated by human dermal fibroblasts.