Soft tissue injuries to face and neck: early assessment and repair.

The principles of assessment and repair of soft tissue trauma of the face are outlined. The importance of an adequate preoperative evaluation is emphasized. Recognizing lesions in the deep vital structures is extremely important in the initial approach to these patients.

The W-W-Z rhomboid plasty for closure of excisional wounds.

A new method of repairing excisional wounds in the face, trunk, and extremities is demonstrated. The rhomboid W-W-Z-plasty approach is an evolution of the double-Z rhomboid plasty already published. The authors have recognized its value in covering even large defects.

Triangular mattress suture in abdominal diastasis to prevent epigastric bulging.

In the classic abdominoplasty, the treatment of large diastasis recti with simple or vertical mattress sutures may result in a nonaesthetic bulge. The surgeon may produce a craniocaudal bulge deformity by treating the flaccidity in the horizontal plane only, although it occurs in all directions. The authors describe the triangular mattress suture for the treatment of large diastasis recti, and demonstrate the mechanism involved in producing an epigastric bulge.

Utilization of muscle flaps in the treatment of bronchopleural fistulas.

This paper reports the results of a series of 5 patients who underwent closure of persistent bronchopleural fistula using extrathoracic muscle flaps over a 6-year period. All patients had failed more conservative treatment. The surgeries were one- or two-stage procedures performed with the collaboration of cardiovascular and reconstructive surgical staffs.

Muscle and musculocutaneous flap coverage of exposed spinal fusion devices.

Midline wound dehiscence in the back with exposure of spinal stabilization devices remains a challenging problem, mainly in the presence of infection. Usually, the treatment consists of instrumentation removal, wound debridement, and antibiotic therapy. These can result in instability of the spine and significantly prolong the hospitalization.