Stable Cortical Body Maps Before and After Arm Amputation.

Neuroscientists have long debated the adult brain's capacity to reorganize itself in response to injury. A driving model for studying plasticity has been limb amputation. For decades, it was believed that amputation triggers large-scale reorganization of cortical body resources.

An Unusual Appearance of Base of First Metacarpal Fracture: A Case Report.

We present the case of an unusual base of the first metacarpal fracture. The presentation and radiological images are provided to demonstrate a first metacarpal base fracture but with a concurrent appearance at first glance of a trapeziectomy mimic on plain radiographs. The CT scan however demonstrates the true nature of the injury - a comminuted fracture with carpometacarpal subluxation.

A consecutive series of targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) cases for relief of neuroma and phantom limb pain: UK perspective.

Background: Studies have suggested that targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) can improve symptoms of neuroma pain (NP) and phantom limb pain (PLP) in patients.

Objectives: Our primary objective was to measure changes in NP and PLP levels following TMR surgery at 4-time points (baseline, 3, 6- and 12-months postoperatively). Secondary aims included identification of the character and rate of any surgical complications and patients' satisfaction with TMR.

The JAK inhibitor baricitinib inhibits oncostatin M induction of proinflammatory mediators in ex-vivo synovial derived cells.

Objectives: To investigate the ex vivo effect of the JAK1/2 inhibitor baricitinib on expression of pro-inflammatory mediators in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast like synoviocytes (FLS) stimulated with TNFα, IL-1β and oncostatin M (OSM), and in RA synovial membrane cells (SMCs).

Methods: RA and osteoarthritis (OA) SMCs, were isolated from arthroplasty specimens of RA (n=8) and OA (n=8) patients, respectively, using enzymatic digestion followed by cell propagation to obtain RA (n=5) and OA (n=3) FLS. Normal FLS and normal human foreskin fibroblasts (HSF) were purchased from commercial sources.

Earfold™: A combined approach with conchal bowl reduction.

Background: Prominent ear deformity is common amongst the human population and is partly due to underdevelopment of the antihelical fold, a prominent conchal bowl, or both. Recently, the senior author described a minimally invasive technique for changing the shape of the antihelical fold using the Earfold™ implant (Allergan plc, Dublin, Ireland). However, there is still a paucity of data regarding outcomes from combing this approach with surgical techniques to correct conchal bowl hypertrophy.

Periprosthetic osseointegration fractures are infrequent and management is familiar.

Aims: Osseointegrated prosthetic limbs allow better mobility than socket-mounted prosthetics for lower limb amputees. Fractures, however, can occur in the residual limb, but they have rarely been reported. Approximately 2% to 3% of amputees with socket-mounted prostheses may fracture within five years.

Earfold: A New Technique for Correction of the Shape of the Antihelix.

An absent or poorly defined antihelix often plays a central role in the perception of the prominent ear. A wide variety of otoplasty techniques have been described over the last 50 years that aim to reshape, create, or enhance the definition of the antihelix, which can, in turn, help to reduce the prominence of an ear. In addition to conventional suture and cartilage-scoring techniques, a permanent implantable clip system (Earfold ) has recently become available that is placed using a minimally invasive approach performed under local anesthesia.

Earfold Implantable Clip System for Correction of Prominent Ears: Analysis of Safety in 403 Patients.

Background: The Earfold system, a new treatment for the correction of prominent ears, consists of 3 components: the Earfold implant, the Earfold introducer, and the Prefold positioner.

Methods: This is an interim report based on an ongoing analysis of safety in a series of patients treated for prominent ears with the Earfold implant between February 2013 and September 2014. Safety was assessed based on adverse event reports and the need for implant revision; follow-up is ongoing.

A Universal Classification System of Skin Substitutes Inspired by Factorial Design.

The complexity of the dermal layer of skin means that damage to this section can result in permanent impairment of function. Partial or total dermal loss is a feature of deep burns and chronic wounds such as pressure sores or diabetic ulcers. The issues posed by traditional skin grafts have led to substantial research being carried out in the fields of tissue engineering and biomaterials science to develop a vast array of alternative skin substitutes.

Defining Normal Parameters for the Male Nipple-Areola Complex: A Prospective Observational Study and Recommendations for Placement on the Chest Wall.

Background: The nipple-areola complex (NAC) is important aesthetically and functionally for both sexes. Methods for positioning the NAC in males are less well established in the literature compared to females but are just as important.

Objectives: This study aims to determine the normal parameters for the male NAC, to review literature, and to present a reliable method for preoperative placement.

Treatment of Prominent Ears with an Implantable Clip System: A Pilot Study.

Background: The earFold™ implantable clip system is a new treatment for prominent ears using an implant made from nickel-titanium alloy, forged into a predetermined shape. The implant is fixed to the cartilage then released, causing the cartilage to fold back.

Objectives: The study aimed to test the safety and behaviour of the implant in vivo.

Use of ITAP implants for prosthetic reconstruction of extra-oral craniofacial defects.

We report the outcomes of a single-stage, surface-mounted implant used as a bone-anchor for prosthetic reconstruction of complex facial defects. The implant used differs from other designs of osseointegrated bone-anchor because it was designed to be implanted in one-stage with the added intention of integrating with the adjacent soft-tissue. Our aim was to extend the principles underlying the intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prosthesis (ITAP) into the design of infection-free implants suitable for direct skeletal attachment of a prosthesis to the craniofacial skeleton.

Osseocutaneous integration of an intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prosthesis implant used for reconstruction of a transhumeral amputee: case report.

Exoprosthetic replacement with an artificial limb is the main option for reconstruction after traumatic amputation of an upper limb. Direct skeletal attachment using an osseointegrated implant improves the ease of fixation of the exoprosthesis to the amputation stump. We now report the use of an intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prosthesis that is designed to achieve osseocutaneous integration.

Patient satisfaction and aesthetic outcomes after ear reconstruction with a Branemark-type, bone-anchored, ear prosthesis: a 16 year review.

Introduction: Reconstruction of the human ear with a bone-anchored prosthesis is a widely accepted alternative when autologous reconstruction is technically impossible or declined by the individual. However, there are relatively few data in the literature documenting patient satisfaction with this form of reconstruction.

Methods: This study examines different aspects of patient satisfaction using an eighteen-point postal questionnaire to measure patient outcomes against a Likert rating scale.

Quilting of full thickness grafts in the hand.

A skin graft is the simplest way to reconstruct an area of skin loss. To improve the chance of successful take, shearing forces and haematoma formation between the bed and the graft must be reduced. To achieve this, many surgeons use a tie-over dressing to secure the graft.

The tuberous breast revisited.

Background: The tuberous breast presents a problem for which many surgical solutions have been described. Current teaching describes how the tuberous breast deformity is the result of skin shortage as well as herniation of breast tissue through the nipple-areola complex. However, through careful clinical observation we now believe that the only abnormality present is herniation of breast tissue through the nipple-areola complex.