The effect of fibrin sealant on the prevention of seroma formation after postbariatric abdominoplasty.

Background: Seroma formation is one of the most common complications following abdominoplasty. Fibrin sealant/glue has shown mixed results in seroma prevention when used in a variety of procedures. Limited information is available on its effectiveness during postbariatric abdominoplasty.

The impact of a standardized consultation form for facial trauma on billing and evaluation and management levels.

Background: Facial trauma is among the most frequent consultations encountered by plastic surgeons. Unfortunately, the reimbursement from these consultations can be low, and qualified plastic surgeons may exclude facial trauma from their practice. An audit of our records found insufficient documentation to justify higher evaluation and management (EM) levels of service resulting in lower reimbursement.

Functional outcome following nerve repair in the upper extremity using processed nerve allograft.

Purpose: Reconstruction of peripheral nerve discontinuities with processed nerve allograft has become increasingly relevant. The RANGER Study registry was initiated in 2007 to study the use of processed nerve allografts in contemporary clinical practice. We undertook this study to analyze outcomes for upper extremity nerve repairs contained in the registry database.

Perceptions of family members of children with cleft lip and palate in hyderabad, India, and its rural outskirts regarding craniofacial anomalies: a pilot study.

Objective : This pilot study aimed to understand cultural perspectives on cleft anomalies in the community of Hyderabad, India, and its rural outskirts. Design : Interviews focusing on perceptions of cleft lip and palate were conducted using a 21-item interview guide approved by the director of the Gosla Srinivas Reddy Institute of Craniofacial Surgery (GSR). Settings : Interviews were conducted at GSR, a specialty surgical center located in Hyderabad, India.

Processed nerve allografts for peripheral nerve reconstruction: a multicenter study of utilization and outcomes in sensory, mixed, and motor nerve reconstructions.

Purpose: As alternatives to autograft become more conventional, clinical outcomes data on their effectiveness in restoring meaningful function is essential. In this study we report on the outcomes from a multicenter study on processed nerve allografts (Avance® Nerve Graft, AxoGen, Inc).

Patients And Methods: Twelve sites with 25 surgeons contributed data from 132 individual nerve injuries.

Intraoperative assessment of the umbilicopubic distance: a reliable anatomic landmark for transposition of the umbilicus.

Background: A clear understanding of the anatomic location and the aesthetic traits of the umbilicus is essential for the plastic surgeon repositioning the umbilicus during an abdominoplasty. Currently no consensus exists regarding the ideal location for this unique aesthetic unit of the abdomen. To their interest, the authors noted that the intraoperative distance from the pubic symphysis to midumbilical stalk measured 15 cm for several consecutive patients.

Inexpensive alternatives for extremity cast and bandage protection.

Cast and bandage protector bags that are available commercially are often used by patients to keep their splints dry while in the shower. Garbage bags are considered a less expensive, but cumbersome alternative to these commercially available bags. We report a case of a 22-year-old man who has discovered that newspaper bags serve as easy to use covers for casts and bandages that are essentially free.

Painful hidradenitis suppurativa.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronically relapsing skin disorder characterized by recurring inflammatory lesion in hair and apocrine gland-bearing skin creases in the axilla; groin or perineum, buttocks, and/or breast. HS may lead to painful eruptions and malodorous discharge significantly detracting from quality of life. HS causes a high degree of morbidity with the highest scores obtained for the level of pain caused by the disease.

A comparison of outcomes between immediate and delayed repair of mandibular fractures.

Medical records of patients treated with surgical repair of mandible fractures by the otolaryngology and plastic surgery departments at a level 1 trauma centre were obtained and reviewed. Two study groups were compared: patients treated within 72 h of the injury and those treated after this time period. Patient demographics, time to repair, fracture types, substance abuse history, etiology, surgical management, complications and length of hospital stay were assessed.

Delayed wound healing in Mac-1-deficient mice is associated with normal monocyte recruitment.

The Mac-1 integrin is an important mediator of migration and inflammatory activation of neutrophils and monocytes. However, the role of Mac-1 in modulating macrophage emigration and activation and its subsequent impact on cutaneous wound healing have not been fully elucidated. To examine the significance of Mac-1 to murine wound healing, we measured epithelialization and granulation tissue formation in partial-thickness ear wounds and full-thickness head wounds, respectively, in Mac-1-deficient mice.

The temporal effects of anti-TGF-beta1, 2, and 3 monoclonal antibody on wound healing and hypertrophic scar formation.

Background: A number of studies have implicated transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, 2, and 3 (TGF-beta) in wound healing and hypertrophic scarring. We propose that TGF-beta has a temporal effect on these processes. To test this hypothesis, we applied anti-TGF beta1, 2, and 3 monoclonal antibody topically to our dermal ulcer model in the rabbit ear.

Central slip tenotomy for the treatment of chronic mallet finger: an anatomic study.

Purpose: Tenotomy of the central slip, described by Fowler, can clinically improve chronic distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) extensor lag secondary to mallet finger (terminal tendon disruption). The goal of this study is to evaluate the potential of central slip tenotomy to restore DIP joint extension.

Methods: A mallet deformity was reproduced in 15 fresh-frozen cadaver fingers after the extensor tendon insertion was sectioned over the DIP joint.

Muscle flap salvage of spine wounds with soft tissue defects or infection.

Study Design: This retrospective study was designed to analyze the results of 22 patients treated for postoperative soft tissue defects of the spine.

Objective: To demonstrate the utility of flaps in the salvage of spine wounds.

Summary Of Background Data: In the literature, the treatment of postoperative spine infections is with serial débridement, antibiotic irrigation catheters, drains, and occasional removal of spinal implants.

Reduction mammaplasty is a functional operation, improving quality of life in symptomatic women: a prospective, single-center breast reduction outcome study.

Breast hypertrophy creates a functional disability, adversely affecting quality of life because of disproportionate upper body weight. No study to date has prospectively shown or statistically proved (using validated questionnaires) the functional benefits of breast reduction surgery. Moreover, no study has quantified the physical findings seen in these patients.

Primary cutaneous alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma of the perineum.

Primary alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) involving perineal skin is extremely rare, particularly in the infant age group. We report a case of an alveolar RMS in a newborn with abnormal symmetrical perineal overgrowth, causing ambiguous morphologic structure of the genitalia. Clinical and imaging studies were suggestive of Proteus syndrome with lymphatic malformation.

The prevention of emesis in plastic surgery: a randomized, prospective study.

Perhaps the most unpleasant experience following outpatient plastic surgery procedures is postoperative nausea and vomiting. Postoperative nausea and vomiting often results in delayed recovery time and unintended admission, and it can be a contributing factor to the formation of hematoma following rhytidectomy. Ondansetron (Zofran) has proven benefit in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting if given before general anesthesia in a variety of surgical procedures.

Silicone occlusive treatment of hypertrophic scar in the rabbit model.

Background: Hypertrophic scar formation at sites of healed cutaneous injury often produces functional and esthetic deficits. Treatments have been limited in part by a lack of understanding of scar etiology and the lack of animal models of hypertrophic scarring. Silicone dressing is reported to provide positive outcomes with respect to a reduction in scar hypertrophy and an improvement in color differences, although the exact mechanism is unknown.