The Role of Checklists and Human Factors for Improved Patient Safety in Plastic Surgery.

Learning Objectives: After studying the article, participants should be able to: 1. Describe the role of human factors and nontechnical skills for patient safety and recognize the need for customization of surgical checklists. 2.

Expression of cell cycle proteins in T1a and T1b urothelial bladder carcinoma and their value in predicting tumor progression.

Background: Cell cycle proteins are important markers in predicting tumor behavior in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. The objectives of this study were 1) to determine the expression levels of some of those markers in a series of patients with bladder carcinoma, 2) to define their value in distinguishing T1a (minimally invasive) from T1b (invasive) tumors, and 3) to evaluate their use as predictive factors in the progression of T1a and T1b tumors.

Methods: Tumor specimens from 101 patients were included (22 Ta specimens, 34 T1a specimens, 15 T1b specimens, and 30 T2 specimens).

[Endoscopy and plastic surgery].

The advances of endoscopic techniques in plastic and reconstructive surgery are presented and compared to other specialties. Some typical applications of endoscopic plastic surgery are illustrated in details. Endoscopy is at the point of becoming a major new tool in the hands of the plastic and reconstructive surgeon, allowing him to take an important step towards minimal invasive surgery in an field that has always attempted to reduces trauma and scars.

[Leiomyosarcoma of the breast 16 years following successful treatment of a rhabdomyosarcoma of the orbit in childhood].

A case of a mammary leiomyosarcoma in a 23-year-old woman is presented. The tumor appeared 16 years after successful treatment of an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the orbit. Rhabdomyosarcomas are the most frequent soft tissue tumors of childhood, the orbit and the paratesticular region being the most common primary site for this tumor.

The surgical anatomy of the dorsal carpal branch of the ulnar artery: basis for a neurovascular dorso-ulnar pedicled flap.

In order to design a neurovascular flap from the dorso-ulnar aspect of the midhand for pedicled transfer to adjacent or distant locations, the surgical anatomy of the dorsal carpal branch of the ulnar artery (DCBUA) was studied in 12 cadavers. The DCBUA was identified in all specimens. It originates from the ulnar artery 1.

[Missed and iatrogenic nerve lesions in surgery].

Missed and iatrogenic nerve lesions are not encountered very often. Nevertheless, they represent an increasingly important subject because of their implications for the patient and the physician and their legal aspects. We present an overview of the patients with missed or iatrogenic nerve lesion treated at the Division for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Inselspital in Berne from 1980 to 1989.

Comminuted fractures of the basilar joint of the thumb: combined treatment by external fixation, limited internal fixation, and bone grafting.

Displaced, comminuted fractures of the thumb carpometacarpal joint were treated by intermetacarpal external fixation, anatomic reduction of the joint surfaces, bone grafting and adjunctive internal fixation in thirteen patients. Retrospectively, at an average follow-up time of 35 months, nine patients showed a good result and one patient had a fair result. All fractures had united without secondary displacement, but focal irregularities of the joint surface were commonly seen.