The Learning Curve of an Absorbable Subcuticular Stapling Device in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Background: Learning curves can reflect a surgical trainee's rate of progress and competence in acquiring new skills. The INSORB subdermal staple device has been well established to facilitate decreased closure time across various surgical procedures, with similar cosmesis, healing, and consistency as those of standard subdermal sutures. This study is unique, as it demonstrated an observable learning curve with this device when used by a junior surgeon.

Closed Partial Flexor Digitorum Profundus Rupture: An Unusual Cause of Pediatric Trigger Finger.

Background: Trigger finger is a common condition, causing impaired gliding of the digital flexor tendons. Chronic inflammation is the usual cause, but acute trigger finger following partial tendon laceration has also been described.

Methods: We describe the case of a four year old girl who presented with inability to flex her index finger.

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma and breast implants: five Australian cases.

Background: There has never been a convincing association between breast implants and breast malignancy. A total of 42 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the breast associated with implant capsules have been reported. The majority of the patients have anaplastic large cell lymphoma of T-cell origin.

Evaluation of a pediatric scald burn clinical pathway.

Scald burns make up more than 75% of the pediatric burns patients who are admitted to our burns unit. A pediatric scald burn pathway was implemented at our center in November 1999, the aim of which was to improve consistency in the management of the acute phase of injury. This study assessed the effectiveness of the first 18 months of this scald burn pathway.

Morbidity associated with axillary surgery for breast cancer.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of long-term complications of axillary surgery for breast cancer and whether preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) reduces this morbidity.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to all patients who had undergone breast cancer and axillary surgery 2.5-6 years previously.