Rembrandt's Ocular Pathologies.

Purpose: This article aims to medically and artistically analyze various ophthalmological ailments documented in self-portraits of Rembrandt to determine if those ailments were medical conditions or stylistic and age-related changes.

Methods: A systematic literature review using Pub Med and Google Scholar found 232 results from a search of "Rembrandt" and more than 5,000 results for "Rembrandt Aging." After extensive review of the literature, the authors found 17 relevant sources.

An intervention study to reduce the loss of pathology specimens.

Background: loss of an excised lesion can have devastating clinical and legal consequences. Previously, the incidence of pathological specimen loss was 1/1466 (0.07%) due to failure to place pathology specimens in correctly labeled containers.

Accuracy of malignant melanoma detection in the community.

Malignant melanoma (MM) has increased profoundly in the past three-four decades in white populations worldwide. Early diagnosis is crucial for successful treatment. We aimed to assess the accuracy rate of diagnosing MM in the community by the surgeon and referring physicians.

Effect of intradermal human recombinant copper-zinc superoxide dismutase on random pattern flaps in rats.

Background: Studies have focused on enhancing flap viability using superoxide dismutase (SOD), but only a few used SOD from human origin, and most gave the compound systemically. We evaluated the ability of SOD to improve random skin flap survival using human recombinant copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Hr-CuZnSOD) in variable doses, injected intradermally into the flap.

Methods: Seventy male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups.

Trends in breast reduction technique.

Background: There are two main approaches to breast reduction surgery today: the traditional long scar ("Wise-pattern") technique and the more recent short ("vertical") scar technique, which is becoming more popular. During the last two decades there has been a gradual shift between the two techniques, including at our institute.

Objectives: To evaluate the evidence behind this obvious trend.

Anterior rectus fascia back cut: a new modification to relieve the pressure in fascial closure of the superior pedicle of a transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap.

The maintenance of vascular patency is one of the key points to be considered after a pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap has been raised and when closing the anterior rectus fascia to avoid a hernia. In this study we describe a new approach to closing the most superior part of the fascia to help insure vascular patency. Forty patients who had their breasts reconstructed with TRAM flaps made up the study group.

Stretch test: effectiveness in identifying basal cell carcinoma borders.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignant tumor in the world. Total tumor ablation is the gold standard of treatment. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new clinical method, we dubbed the "stretch test," in reducing the incidence of incomplete excision of BCC.

Protective effect of human recombinant copper-zinc superoxide dismutase on zone of stasis survival in burns in rats.

Superoxide dismutase, acting as a scavenger of oxygen free radicals, has shown mixed results in increasing burn wound survival. Originally, we demonstrated that human recombinant copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Hr-CuZnSOD) could increase the survival of failing ischemic flaps in a rat model. Because of the possible similar pathophysiology of tissue ischemia in flaps and the zone of stasis in burns, we conducted a later study using 2 groups of rats with standardized intermediate burns, to ascertain whether Hr-CuZnSOD could increase zone of stasis survival in rats.

Effect of aspirin pre- and postburn on survival of experimental intermediate burns in rats.

Background: Burns are a major health care problem. Early treatment increases survival of intermediate burn zones, thus decreasing morbidity, mortality, surgery, and hospitalization. Previously, aspirin was shown to improve burn perfusion and increase failing flap survival.

The loss of pathological specimens: incidence and causes.

Background: Tissue biopsy loss can have devastating clinical and legal consequences.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence and cause of tissue biopsy loss.

Methods & Materials: The study followed biopsy specimens taken by one plastic surgeon in an outpatient clinic between October 2001 and April 2005.

Lack of complications in skin surgery of patients receiving clopidogrel as compared with patients taking aspirin, warfarin, and controls.

Clopidogrel, a new antiplatelet agent that irreversibly inhibits platelet aggregation, is widely used today. This prospective work was conducted to evaluate the safety of performing skin surgery on patients taking clopidogrel. Patients undergoing surgery for excision of skin or subcutaneous lesions under local anesthesia taking clopidogrel were the study group.

The "Brown sisters": photogrammetric analysis of brow and cheek descent.

Background: Due to the absence of accurate tools and appropriate photographic material there is a paucity of objective studies on facial aging in the modern literature.

Objectives: To measure changes in two elements of the face: brow ptosis and cheek mass migration, using an objective tool that we developed which we then used to evaluate facial aging in two subjects studying serial professional photographs over a 25 year period.

Methods: We studied the photographic atlas of the "Brown Sisters," a record of the yearly group photograph of four sisters taken by the photographer Nicolas Nixon.

Effect of recombinant human growth hormone on random pattern flaps in rats.

Recombinant human growth hormone, a very potent anabolic hormone, plays a significant role in growth regulation, bone metabolism, and wound healing. This study evaluates its effect on random flap survival. Rats were randomly divided into 2 groups.

Our experience with a "homemade" vacuum-assisted closure system.

Background: Negative-pressure therapy for the closure of wounds, a technique to accelerate secondary wound healing, is clinically available as the V.A.C.

[Diagnostic accuracy of skin lesions excised by a plastic surgeon].

Background: Skin tumors are the most common malignancies in the western population, with surgical excision as the definitive treatment.

Objectives: The author's objectives were to estimate the precision of clinical diagnosis of skin tumors by a plastic surgeon in a community clinic.

Methods: The study includes clinical and histological data of patients operated on solely by one plastic surgeon, between November 2001 to July 2003.

Detection and incidence of anomalies associated with hypospadias.

Hypospadias has been associated with synchronous congenital anomalies, especially in the urogenital system, and routine screening of patients with hypospadias has been advocated. In recent years, ultrasound (US) has replaced intravenous pyelography (IVP) as the primary screening test for urological deformities, yet there has never been a study of the relative diagnostic efficacy of the two tests in these patients. In this study, we assessed the incidence of urogenital and extraurogenital congenital anomalies in our hypospadias patients that were noted during physical examination and/or laboratory and imaging screening, and evaluated the efficacy of our changing routine screening protocols.

Effect of hyaluronic acid on random-pattern flaps in rats.

Background: Hyaluronic acid is a common component of the extracellular matrix, has many medical applications, and is widely used as a soft tissue filler in patients who simultaneously or eventually undergo cosmetic procedures to the areas treated.

Objective: The objective was to study the effect of hyaluronic acid on wound healing and viability of random-pattern flaps in rats.

Methods And Materials: Twenty-six male rats were randomly divided into two groups.

Complications of minor skin surgery performed under local anesthesia.

Background: Minor surgical procedures performed under local anesthesia are the most common surgical procedures routinely carried out in every plastic surgical practice.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the prevalence of immediate local and systemic complications of such procedures.

Methods And Materials: Records of 2,600 procedures performed under local anesthesia on 2,431 patients between November 2001 and May 2004 were reviewed.

Lack of complications in minor skin lesion excisions in patients taking aspirin or warfarin products.

Many patients undergoing surgical procedures take medications that influence the coagulation system. It is common practice to discontinue the use of aspirin and warfarin products 7 to 10 days before any major surgical procedure. However, there is some controversy as to whether these medications should be discontinued for minor dermatological procedures.

Effect of aspirin and heparin on random skin flap survival in rats.

Background: Aspirin and heparin are commonly given to patients undergoing microvascular procedures to increase flap survival and patency, yet there is scant information concerning the effect these flaps have on nonmicrovascular flaps.

Objective: The objective was to obtain baseline values concerning the effect of aspirin and heparin on the viability of standardized flap tissues.

Methods And Materials: One hundred rats were divided into five groups receiving high-dose aspirin, low-dose aspirin, high-dose aspirin in combination with heparin, and heparin alone and the final group were controls.

The effect of postoperative aspirin on random pattern flaps in rats.

Our laboratory has been studying the effect of aspirin, given alone or in combination with other medications, on random pattern skin flaps. We have consistently found that preoperative aspirin in high doses (200 mg/kg) increases flap survival, apparently as a result of its ability to modify the inflammatory reaction and/or direct vasodilatation, and not as a consequence of antiaggregation of platelets. In an effort to further elucidate how this effect is modulated, we designed this experiment in which we gave aspirin after the operative procedure to simulate an acute clinical surgical problem such as a failing or ischemic flap.

Rembrandt--aging and sickness: a combined look by plastic surgeons, an art researcher and an internal medicine specialist.

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) left behind the largest collection of self-portraits in the history of art. These portraits were painted over a period of 41 years, using a realistic technique. To evaluate Rembrandt's aging process we studied 25 uncontested Rembrandt oil self-portraits by means of objective and descriptive techniques.