Which Tissue Should Be Removed in Upper Blepharoplasty? Analysis and Evaluation of Satisfaction.

Background: Due to various options for tissue resection and preoperative markings, many different reports on aesthetics and patient's satisfaction exist. To assess differences among tissue resections and risk factors, we herein analyzed satisfaction levels of patients that underwent upper blepharoplasty.

Methods: A retrospective analysis during the period from January 2006 to June 2013 was conducted by reviewing patient's electronic medical files.

Correlation between MRI results and intraoperative findings in patients with silicone breast implants.

Background: Silicone gel breast implants may silently rupture without detection. This has been the main reason for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the augmented or reconstructed breast. The aim of the present study was to investigate the accuracy of MRI for implant rupture.

Sural nerve harvesting beyond the popliteal region allows a significant gain of donor nerve graft length.

Background: The sural nerve is the nerve most commonly used for peripheral nerve reconstruction. According to requirements for nerve graft length, it is dissected from the retromalleolar up to the popliteal region, where the main root of the sural nerve fibers, the medial sural cutaneous nerve, arises from the tibial nerve. It has been recommended to complete sural nerve harvesting below this area, to avoid damage to the tibial nerve.

Breast-conserving therapy for centrally located breast cancer.

Objective: To analyze whether breast-conserving therapy (BCT) may be an oncologically safe approach and result in a good cosmesis in patients with centrally located breast cancer (CLBC).

Summary Background Data: Only underpowered, retrospective, single-arm studies have suggested that oncoplastic BCT for CLBC may be oncologically safe and may result in a good cosmesis.

Methods: The authors retrospectively analyzed the overall and recurrence-free survival in 1485 patients with breast cancer undergoing BCT comparing CLBC with non-CLBC.

Hypertrophy of the breast: a problem of beauty or health?

Background: Despite the complex health burden for women with breast hypertrophy, medical directors of health insurance companies are not convinced that this procedure is of medical benefit for patients. Therefore, coverage of cost by the health insurance companies is no longer guaranteed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of breast weight on the physical and psychological morbidity of women and to prove the medical necessity of reduction mammaplasty.

Crucial aspects of smoking in wound healing after breast reduction surgery.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of cigarette smoking on wound-healing in patients undergoing breast reduction.

Methods: In our prospective study, 50 patients (25 smokers, 25 nonsmokers) scheduled for breast reduction have been evaluated. Urine cotinine levels were measured to analyse perioperative smoking habits.

Flexor tendon synovitis of the hand as first manifestation of atypical tuberculosis.

We present the case of a 73-year old patient suffering from chronic flexor tendon synovitis of the wrist with carpal tunnel syndrome. He underwent synovectomy and median nerve release. Primary bacteriology was negative.

Vagus nerve stimulation: treatment modality for epilepsy.

Anticonvulsant medication is the golden standard for treatment of epilepsy. For patients who do not benefit sufficiently from anticonvulsants, vagal nerve stimulation using an implantable electrical nerve stimulator may be an option to reduce seizure frequency and intensity, thus improving patients' quality of life. The results of a series of vagus nerve stimulator implantations are described.

[Surgical reduction of fat surplus leading to pulmonary embolism].

Surgical reduction of fat surplus is usually performed on healthy individuals and is reported as a safe procedure as it is not associated with a lethal outcome. Due to the anticipation of peri- and postoperative bleeding as a result of the large wound area, which may have a negative influence on the cosmetic result, patients often receive no or only inadequate anticoagulation. We report three cases in which surgical reduction of fat surplus led to sudden collapse and cardiac arrest.

Management strategies for peripheral iatrogenic nerve lesions.

For diagnostic or therapeutic reasons, various medical procedures may cause iatrogenic injury of peripheral nerves. The authors treated 82 patients for iatrogenic nerve injury between 1990 and 2000. The main reasons for iatrogenic nerve injury were surgical failure, traction or pressure lesions, hematoma, or inadequate positioning of the patient.