The retrograde limb of the internal mammary vein: an additional outflow option in DIEP flap breast reconstruction.

Background: The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap has become an increasingly popular option for postmastectomy reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the retrograde limb of the internal mammary vein as a recipient vein in DIEP breast reconstruction.

Methods: Fifteen consecutive DIEP flaps in 13 patients were transferred with anastomosis of one DIEP vena comitans to the antegrade internal mammary vein and the other DIEP vena comitans to the retrograde internal mammary vein.

Marjolin's ulcer: modern analysis of an ancient problem.

Background: Marjolin's ulcer is a rare but highly aggressive squamous cell cancer that is most often associated with chronic burn wounds. Although many individual case reports exist, no thorough evaluation of Marjolin's ulcer patients has been conducted to date.

Methods: The authors present their experience with 10 patients encountered over a period of 15 years and analyze 25 previous publications, for a total of 443 patients diagnosed with Marjolin's ulcer.

Rib fracture pain and disability: can we do better?

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude and duration of pain and disability in patients with rib fractures treated using current standard therapy. This was a prospective case series.

Methods: Injured patients with a chest radiographic diagnosis of one or more rib fractures between June 1, 2001, and October 31, 2001, were asked to participate.