Gold weight implantation and lateral tarsorrhaphy for upper eyelid paralysis.

Background: Upper eyelid paralysis leads to lagophthalmos with the risk of exposure keratitis, corneal ulceration and blindness.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing gold weight implantation and/or lateral tarsorrhaphy were identified from our prospective database and reviewed.

Results: Sixty-three patients were identified, 36 of whom underwent immediate reanimation procedure either during cancer excision (n = 35) or repair of facial laceration (n = 1).

Flap reconstruction following gynaecological tumour resection for advanced and recurrent disease--a 12 year experience.

We have reviewed all the cases of flap reconstruction following resection of a gynaecological malignancy at the Royal Marsden Hospital over 12 years from 1993 until 2005. Forty-six patients were identified who required 53 flaps. The predominant site of the primary tumour was vulva, accounting for 83% of the cases, with cervix, ovary, vagina and endometrium making up the remainder.

Reconstructive surgery with Integra dermal regeneration template: histologic study, clinical evaluation, and current practice.

Background: Yannas and Burke developed the concept of the dermal regeneration template in the 1970s. It is now a widely accepted tool in the treatment of burns as well as in reconstructive surgery.

Methods: The authors present a previously published study of Integra used in 20 consecutive patients to reconstruct 30 anatomical sites and then analyze the histologic and clinical outcomes.

An anatomical method for re-siting the umbilicus.

The umbilicus is the only normal scar on the body and it is the most noticeable scar following abdominoplasty and TRAM or DIEP flap procedures. We describe a technique for resiting the umbilicus that attempts to recreate the anatomical structure by attaching the superficial fascia to the periumbilical skin to produce a fullness around the depression in which the umbilicus sits. This is aesthetically desirable and avoids the uncomfortable tethering of the umbilicus to the rectus sheath associated with other techniques.