Limiting complication rates in implant-based breast reconstruction.

Background: External beam radiotherapy (XRT) to the breast has been shown to increase complication rates in women undergoing implant-based breast reconstruction (IBBR). Owing to concerns about high complication and failure rates, our department began to favour autologous reconstructive in patients requiring XRT in 2013. This study assesses the outcomes of IBBR prior to and following this policy change.

Effect of a See and Treat clinic on skin cancer treatment time.

Background: Many plastic surgery departments in Australasia have experienced increasing referrals for management of skin lesions. This has driven a demand for new strategies to decrease patient waiting time and administrative costs. The aim of this study was to determine if a purpose-built See and Treat skin cancer clinic could provide a faster skin cancer treatment pathway with comparable clinical outcomes and acceptability to patients.

Sunscreen compliance with regional clinical practice guidelines and product labeling standards in New Zealand.

INTRODUCTION For general practitioners, practice nurses and community pharmacists in New Zealand, a core duty is to educate patients about sun protection. We aimed to evaluate compliance of locally available sunscreens with regional clinical practice guidelines and sunscreen labelling standards, to assist clinicians in advising consumers on sunscreen selection. METHODS We audited all sunscreens available at two Auckland stores for three New Zealand sunscreen retailers.

Control of hair growth using long-pulsed alexandrite laser is an efficient and cost effective therapy for patients suffering from recurrent pilonidal disease.

Pilonidal sinus (PNS) and its surgical management have a profound impact on hospital resources in terms of finances and productive man-hours. Surgical treatment has been the mainstay of treatment of both acute and chronic pilonidal sinus but recurrence is common. The control of hair growth in the sinus region plays an important role in preventing recurrence.

Periocular lentigo maligna treated with imiquimod.

Topical imiquimod 5% cream has been used successfully to treat eyelid basal cell carcinoma, Bowen's disease of the eyelid and eyelid lentigo maligna. We report a case of borderline lentigo maligna on the eyelid that proved difficult to treat with surgery and, when the patient deferred surgery for personal reasons, imiquimod 5% cream was used with complete resolution of the lesion and no recurrence so far over a 3-year period of follow-up. The use of imiquimod in lentigo maligna and around the eye is discussed.

Pulsed dye laser and non-ablative wrinkle reduction.

Background And Objectives: Non-ablative wrinkle reduction is currently an issue, which is being widely discussed in the literature and at academic meetings worldwide. We present the findings of our randomized within patient controlled clinical trial into periorbital wrinkle reduction with a 595 nm pulsed dye laser.

Study Design/materials And Methods: Twenty-six volunteers, 25 female and 1 male were enrolled into our study.

Carbon dioxide laser dermabrasion for giant congenital melanocytic nevi.

The management of giant congenital melanocytic nevi remains controversial. There is a balance to be achieved between minimizing the disfiguring appearance of these lesions, both before and after surgical treatment, and limiting the risk of malignant change. A series of seven patients who were treated in the same manner, with carbon dioxide laser dermabrasion, is presented.

The psychological effect of mastectomy with or without breast reconstruction: a prospective, multicenter study.

A multicenter, prospective study ( = 103) examined the psychological implications of women's decisions for or against breast reconstruction. Recognized measures of anxiety, depression, body image, and quality of life were completed before the operation, and 6 and 12 months later. A reduction in psychological distress over the year following the operation was evident in each surgical group (mastectomy alone or immediate or delayed reconstruction), indicating that reconstructive surgery can offer psychological benefits to some women; however, others report improved psychological functioning without this surgical procedure.