The Effect of Blepharoplasty on Our Patient's Quality of Life, Emotional Stability, and Self-Esteem.

Background: Several studies have been conducted evaluating psychological effects following aesthetic surgery, however few of them following blepharoplasty!

Purpose: To determine whether blepharoplasty affects quality of life and satisfaction as well as, emotional stability and self-esteem in patients who underwent only blepharoplasty.

Design: A retrospective study including transdermal blepharoplasty operations between the years 1995 and 2008.

Methods: A self-developed and indication-specific questionnaire especially for blepharoplasty, as well as the standardized testing instruments FLZM, FPI-R, and RSES, concerning quality of life, body image, personality, and self-esteem was utilized.

Beneficial Effect of U-74389 G and Sildenafil in An Experimental Model of Flap Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Swine. Histological and Biochemical Evaluation of the Model.

Tissue reconstruction after burns, tumor excisions, infections or injuries is a frequent surgical challenge to avoid Ischemia-reperfusion injury. Lazaroids and sildenafil, through their mechanisms of action, have been studied for their protective effects on various organs subjected to IRI. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of U-74389G and sildenafil in a swine model of ischemia and reperfusion injury of latissimus dorsi flap.

Changing the Paradigm in Medial Canthal Reconstruction: The Bridge Principle and the Croissant-Like Keystone Island Perforator Flap as An Alternative for Medium Size Soft Tissue Defects in Internal Canthus Reconstruction.

Introduction: Medial canthus is a common area of skin cancer prevalence. Defects in this region represent a challenging reconstructive task. The nasal version of keystone perforator island flap (KPIF) has proven its versatility.

Application of adipose-derived stromal cells in fat grafting: Basic science and literature review.

Autologous fat is considered the ideal material for soft-tissue augmentation in plastic and reconstructive surgery. The primary drawback of autologous fat grafting is the high resorption rate. The isolation of mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue inevitably led to research focusing on the study of combined transplantation of autologous fat and adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) and introduced the theory of 'cell-assisted lipotransfer'.

Low-Molecular-Weight Hydrophilic and Lipophilic Antioxidants in Nonmelanoma Skin Carcinomas and Adjacent Normal-Looking Skin.

Low-molecular-weight antioxidants are some of the most efficient agents of the skin defense mechanism against environmental factors, such as cosmic rays, smoke, and pollutants. The total skin concentrations of hydrophilic ascorbic and uric acids, as well as lipophilic α-tocopherol, β-carotene, and ubiquinol-10 antioxidants were determined by an HPLC-EC detector from 18 biopsies of human nonmelanoma skin carcinomas and 18 biopsies from skin areas adjacent to carcinomas. No significant differences in the concentrations of lipophilic antioxidants in both carcinomas and normal-looking skin areas adjacent to carcinomas were observed.

Predictable Pattern Digital Artery Perforator Flap: An Alternative Concept in Digital Reconstruction.

Background: The proper digital arteries as any other axial vessel give rise to multiple cutaneous perforators either volar or dorsal along their course. Their identification is performed with Doppler flowmetry. The vasculo-cutano-tendino-osseous complex (VCTOC), which was described by the senior authors, was responsible for the vascularization of all digital anatomic structures (extensor apparatus, skin, periosteum).

Keystone Perforator Island Flap as an Alternative Reconstructive Option for Partial Thickness Alar Defects Up to 1.5 Centimeters.

Introduction: The ala is a unique landmark of the nose disposing aesthetic and functional properties. The head and neck area is the main site of appearance of nonmelanoma skin cancer. One third of them are located in the nose with an alar preponderance compared with other nasal subunits.

The Use of Vascularized Fascia as Carrier in Cases of Prelaminated Fasciocartilaginous and Osseofascial Flaps.

Background This experimental study investigates the use of vascularized fascia as carrier for prelaminated cartilage and bone flaps. Methods A total of 30 male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into two equal groups (A and B). The fascia surrounding the inguinal fat and superficial inferior epigastric vessels was dissected.

The Psychologic and Psychosocial Impact of Otoplasty on Children and Adults.

Background: In previous studies, our research group already evaluated the impact of aesthetic surgery on "quality of life" (QoL). This study evaluates QoL factors and perceptions of well-being after otoplasty as a single indication.

Methods: Eighty-one patients who underwent otoplasty were divided into three age groups: Youth 1 (Y1) = 8-12 years (n = 17), Youth 1 (Y2) = 13-17 years (n = 13), and Adult ≥18 years (n = 51).

Surgical Treatment and Recurrence of Cutaneous Nasal Malignancies: A 26-Year Retrospective Review of 1795 Patients.

Frequent localization of facial malignancies in the nasal area and their required complete surgical extirpation pose a significant challenge to the plastic surgeon, who is called to perform a suitable delicate reconstruction of produced nasal skin defects. The present study was aimed to examine the role of tumor characteristics in the prognosis of patients with nasal skin cancer undergoing surgical management.A retrospective review of 1795 patients operated on for nasal cutaneous neoplasms during a 26-year period is presented in our study.

The impact of Ets-1 oncoprotein and human endoglin (CD105) on the recurrence of non-melanoma skin cancers.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate if the expression of CD105 and Ets-1 was predictive of aggressive biologic behavior of non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) and to evaluate indicators of local recurrence.

Patients And Methods: A total of 144 patients with NMSC were included in the current study. Surgical specimens were independently examined for diagnosis confirmation and immunohistochemical expression of Ets-1 and CD105 by two dermatopathologists.

The Keystone Perforator Island Flap in Nasal Reconstruction: An Alternative Reconstructive Option for Soft Tissue Defects up to 2 cm.

The aim of this study was to present our experience with the use of the Keystone Perforator Island Flap (KPIF) in a case series of patients with small size (diameter ≤ 2 cm) nasal defects which will be useful prospectively to assist plastic surgeons in planning a reconstructive strategy that will work. The KPIF was utilized in 30 patients with nasal defects post tumor extirpation. More than one type of KPIF (type I or type III) was used following the nasal subunit principle or a modified version of it.

The microvascular anatomy of superior and inferior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP and IGAP) flaps: a fresh cadaveric study and clinical implications.

Background: Our study aimed to highlight anatomical similarities, differences, and variations in the microvascular anatomy between superior and inferior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP and IGAP) flaps.

Method: Thirty gluteal flaps (15 SGAP and 15 IGAP) were studied on 22 adult fresh cadavers. We recorded the number and location of perforators, the characteristics of the main perforator (course, length, and diameter at the level of division at the greater sciatic foramen), and the anatomical variations of the submuscular venous plexus.

Redefining Vascular Anatomy of Posterior Tibial Artery Perforators: A Cadaveric Study and Review of the Literature.

Introduction: Perforator flaps whether in a free or pedicled form are essential in leg reconstruction, requiring meticulous dissection based on a detailed understanding of vascular topographic anatomy. Numerous investigators have addressed this issue. However, the directionality of their fascial exit has not been greatly discussed in the literature.

High-frequency p16(INK) (4A) promoter methylation is associated with histone methyltransferase SETDB1 expression in sporadic cutaneous melanoma.

Epigenetic mechanisms participate in melanoma development and progression. The effect of histone modifications and their catalysing enzymes over euchromatic promoter DNA methylation in melanoma remains unclear. This study investigated the potential association of p16(INK) (4A) promoter methylation with histone methyltransferase SETDB1 expression in Greek patients with sporadic melanoma and their correlation with clinicopathological characteristics.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy for cutaneous melanoma: a propos of 144 cases.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the predictive factors of a positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) in patients with cutaneous malignant melanomas and tumor progression.

Methods: From October of 2000 to January of 2006, 144 patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma underwent SLN biopsy. Patients were divided into two groups according to the SLN status (positive vs negative) which were compared with regards to patient demographics and primary tumor characteristics.

A new hypofractionated schedule of weekly irradiation for basal cell carcinoma of the head and neck skin area in elderly patients.

The effectiveness of radiotherapy in patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has been already reported in the literature. However, there is little information about the irradiation of BCC in elderly patients, especially due to the low conformity of them to daily irradiation. Thirty-eight retrospectively selected elderly patients (78 years as median age) diagnosed with skin BCC of the head and neck area were treated with five weekly fractions of 600 cGy by three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) as an adjuvant treatment.

Are females predisposed to complications in head and neck cancer free flap reconstruction?

Purpose: To investigate gender and other possible factors affecting the frequency and severity of postoperative complications in head and neck cancer free flap reconstruction.

Materials And Methods: A prospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted at the Greek Anticancer Institute, St. Savvas Hospital in head and neck cancer free flap reconstruction concerning postoperative complications.

Autologous transplantation of adipose-derived stem cells enhances skin graft survival and wound healing in diabetic rats.

Background: Diabetes can lead to impaired wound healing and skin grafts used surgically for diabetic wounds are often complicated with necrosis, although different therapies have been proposed. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) participate in tissue repair processes and may have a role during impaired wound healing. In this study, autologous transplantation of ASCs was used to determine if it increases angiogenesis and skin graft survival and enhances wound healing in diabetic rats.

Management of a complicated ruptured infected pseudoaneurysm of the femoral artery in a drug addict.

Infected pseudoaneurysm of the femoral artery represents a devastating complication of intravenous drug abuse, especially in the event of rupture. Operative strategy depends upon the extent of arterial injury and the coexistence of infection or sepsis. Options range from simple common femoral artery (CFA) ligation to complex arterial reconstruction with autologous grafts (arterial, venous, or homografts).

Does abdominoplasty have a positive influence on quality of life, self-esteem, and emotional stability?

Background: In a previous prospective study, the authors evaluated the quality of life in patients undergoing aesthetic surgery. In this survey, the authors split up the operative indication and analyzed quality of life, self-esteem, and emotional stability after abdominoplasty alone.

Methods: Sixty-three patients participated in the study.

Gracilis myocutaneous flap: evaluation of potential risk factors and long-term donor-site morbidity.

This study reviewed our experience with the gracilis myocutaneous (GMC) flap, potential risk factors for flap necrosis, and long-term morbidity at the donor-site. From 1993 to 2002, 29 GMC flaps were harvested from 27 patients (pedicled n = 21 and free n = 8). The overall incidence of flap necrosis was 13.

Women's quality of life and surgical long-term outcome after breast reconstruction in Poland syndrome patients.

Background: In the last decades, several surgical approaches have been used to improve the appearance and quality of life of female Poland syndrome patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the women's quality of life and long-term outcome after breast reconstruction.

Methods: Forty-nine women with Poland syndrome who were treated surgically between 1974 and 2007 received standardized questionnaires to evaluate their quality of life and satisfaction after surgical treatment.

Coverage strategies in exposed implants.

Implants are widely used and are not without complications. The most serious complication is infection with consequent exposure of the implant and is characterized by increased morbidity and mortality. Until recently, infected implants were removed and replaced with another one.

Double scalping flap: a versatile technique in scalp reconstruction.

Scalp reconstruction is a challenging area in plastic surgery. The susceptibility of potentially exposed brain tissue is almost always a concern along with the provision of adequate soft tissue coverage in cases of full-thickness defects. The applied reconstructive strategy also affects efficiency in malignant disease treatment providing both local control of the disease and vigorous monitoring for recurrence or metastasis.