Nanocellulose obtained from residues of peach palm extraction (Bactris gasipaes).

The large amount of residues generated by the peach palm agroindustry and its cellulose content (34 g 100g) motivated the present investigation, where outer sheaths were used for nanocellulose production through ultrafine grinding. Protocols combining different chemical delignification with defibrillation intensity (10 and 20 cycles) were applied and their influence over some properties and characteristics of nanofibers evaluated. At all protocols applied it was possible produce cellulose at nanometric level (widths ˜100 nm), with high crystallinity index (49.

Oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors: A clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of 32 cases in a Brazilian population.

Background: Oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors (OPNSTs) are reactive or neoplastic diseases that develop from proliferation of the nerve itself or their limiting sheaths. Here we describe the clinicopathologic data of OPNSTs observed in a sample of the Brazilian population and evaluate the expression of molecules associated with neural biology to determine their usefulness in the diagnosis.

Material And Methods: Descriptive study of cases diagnosed as OPNSTs, from the Pathology Laboratory at the School of Dentistry/ Federal University of Uberlandia, followed by an immunohistochemical study of S-100, CD57, neurofilament protein (NFP) and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA).

Plastic surgery in chest wall reconstruction: relevant aspects - case series.

Objective: to discuss the participation of Plastic Surgery in the reconstruction of the chest wall, highlighting relevant aspects of interdisciplinaryness.

Methods: we analyzed charts from 20 patients who underwent extensive resection of the thoracic integument, between 2000 and 2014, recording the indication of resection, the extent and depth of the raw areas, types of reconstructions performed and complications.

Results: among the 20 patients, averaging 55 years old, five were males and 15 females.

Profile evaluation of patients with cleft lip and palate undergoing surgery at a reference center in rio de janeiro, Brazil.

In Brazil, the classic timeline for operating on cleft lip and palate is three months old for cheiloplasty and is 12 to 18 months old for palatoplasty. As from Brazilian treatment centers are usually located in major cities, patients living in more remote areas are often unable to receive treatment at the ideal ages. Data were analyzed retrospectively on 45 patients with cleft lip and/or palate, consecutively operated at the Reference Center, Rio de Janeiro Federal University, Brazil.

Use of autologous fibrin glue (platelet-poor plasma) in abdominal dermolipectomies.

Background: Autologous plasma is endowed with properties that speed up healing, hemostasis, and adhesiveness, in addition to growth factors. Through an established protocol, it was possible to isolate thrombin, as well as the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) fractions. The purpose of this study was to analyze autologous use of thrombin and PPP to foster adhesion between an abdominal dermoadipose flap and the aponeurotic surface in abdominal dermolipectomies.

Protocol for obtaining platelet-rich plasma (PRP), platelet-poor plasma (PPP), and thrombin for autologous use.

Background: Plasma has been widely studied and used in many different situations to speed up healing with better tissue adherence and hemostasis. Research projects are now attempting to isolate platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-poor plasma (PPP), making better use of their properties, particularly during operations and for wounds that are slow to heal. In view of the wide diversity of industrial machines and extraction protocols, together with the variety of industrially produced biologic glues, this article suggests an option for obtaining PRP, PPP, and human thrombin for autologous use.

Analysis of the use of fasciocutaneous flaps for immediate vulvar reconstruction.

Objective: To analyze the use of immediate reconstruction techniques of the vulva after surgical resection, with fasciocutaneous flaps of the medial and/or posterior thigh.

Methods: We conducted a transversal, retrospective study to analyse the outcome of immediate surgical reconstruction with fasciocutaneous flaps in nine patients who underwent vulvectomy from May 2009 to August 2010.

Results: Mean age was 61 years (range 36-82).

Use en autologous plasma in abdominoplasty: previous note.

Autologous plasma began to be studied in the 90's, mainly because its adhesive and angiogenic properties and the presence of growth factors of platelet origin. In fact, plasma can be isolated from autologous manner, from the patient's own blood and obtained in its two parts: a high concentration of platelets (platelet-rich plasma - PRP) and one with low concentration of platelets (platelet-poor plasma - PPP). The present study is in development at the Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ-HUCFF) and Marcilio Dias Naval Hospital (HNMD), both in Rio de Janeiro.

Postbariatric buttock contouring with dermolipectomy and gluteal implants.

The authors present their experience with the use of silicone implants in the buttocks after massive weight loss. The procedure is used in combination with gluteal dermolipectomy with or without dermal fat flaps. This report highlights the simplified method of identifying the gluteal muscles, recommends using the superior margin of the gluteus maximus muscle to access the space for implant placement, and prescribes placement of the implants in either the submuscular or the intramuscular space.

Male-to-female transsexual surgery: experience at the UFRJ University Hospital.

Objective: To describe the experience of male-to-female sex reassignment surgery conducted at the Transgenitalization Program of the Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital-UFRJ.

Methods: The selection of patients for operation followed the evaluation of a multidisciplinary team, meeting the criteria after two years of follow-up: medical diagnosis of transsexualism, patient over 21 years, no physical characteristics unsuitable for change, support at least one close relative.

Results: From 1997 to 2004 seventeen patients were followed, fifteen of which had confirmed transsexual condition, one was dismissed for bringing false examinations.

[Women and surgeons].

The authors present the current view of the women in Surgery since the end of the XIX century until now. They discuss the difficulties they face when they choose Surgery as a career and the progress now achieved.

Paracoccidioidomycosis: a series of 66 patients with oral lesions from an endemic area.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the most important systemic mycosis in Latin America. It has been regarded as a multifocal disease, with oral lesions as the prominent feature. To provide useful information concerning the diagnosis and management of the disease, this study describes demographic and clinical data from the medical records of a consecutive series of 66 Brazilian patients from an endemic area, evaluated in a referral centre for oral diagnosis.

Transsphenoidal meningoencephalocele associated with cleft lip and palate: challenges for diagnosis and surgical treatment.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to highlight the challenges for early diagnosis and the difficulties observed in surgical treatment of patients with transsphenoidal meningoencephalocele associated with cleft lip and/or palate.

Method: We evaluated six male patients treated over the course of 4 years. Five patients presented encephalic herniation with nonfunctional brain tissue; one of these presented herniation of the pituitary gland and cerebral ventricles.

Chondrocutaneous marginal ear flap.

This paper discusses a technique for the treatment of helical tumors that most times occur in aging patients with precarious clinical conditions and who wish to solve the problem in a single-stage operation. For these reasons, we have used a chondrocutaneous marginal flap of up to 4.0 cm in length based on the artery of the lobe that penetrates the helix at the level of the antitragushelicin cleft.

Supernumerary nostril: case report and review of the literature.

Supernumerary nostrils are extremely rare. A review of the literature revealed 21 published cases since 1906. We present a case of supernumerary nostril located above and to the side of the left nostril in a male patient.

[Subcutaneous emphysema during breast augmentation: case report].

Background And Objectives: Subcutaneous emphysema of the thoracic wall during a surgical procedure with infiltration of local anesthetics may suggest the presence of pneumothorax and its complications. The development of pneumothorax during breast augmentation has already been reported; however, we did not find any reports in the literature on isolated subcutaneous emphysema during this type of procedure. The objective of this report was to emphasize the importance of adequate intraoperative monitoring of the patient, integration of team members, and describe the isolated subcutaneous emphysema in a patient during breast augmentation.

Commissuroplasty for macrostomia.

Macrostomia is a rare facial malformation caused by failure of mesodermal migration merging to obliterate the embryonic grooves between the maxillary and mandibular processes during the early phase of gestation. This kind of malformation may require the use of several surgical techniques to repair the facial structure. Bibliographic studies concerning the repair of this malformation are focused on the description of mucosa, muscle, and skin flaps disconnected between them.

Tissue expansion in burn sequelae repair.

Burns may cause emotional, aesthetic and functional sequelae. Extended or hypertrophic scars are usually difficult to repair using local tissues, and the use of skin grafts may cause further injuries to the donor sites. The use of tissue expanders may offer a better option in the treatment of burn sequelae.

Dermolipectomy of the pubic area associated with abdominoplasty.

Aesthetic alterations of the pubic area, whether constitutional or the result of excessive weight, if not treated, may become more evident after an abdominoplasty. The authors recommend a simple and effective technique to be performed simultaneously with abdominoplasty that leads to satisfactory results and does not interfere with the lymphatic drainage of the area.

Umbilical reconstruction for patients with a midline scar.

The authors describe an approach to neo-umbilicoplasty for patients with vertical midline scars and those who have undergone extensive tegumental resections after bariatric surgery. Two lateral pedicle flaps sutured to each other are used to shape a cutaneous wall tube in which the inverted end is anchored to the aponeurotic plane. A navel cavity of adequate scoop is shaped with no surrounding scar, in addition to relief of the strain along the vertical scar, which will be less prone to hypertrophy and will have a better cosmetic appearance.

Management of cleft lip and palate in Brazil.

We aimed to evaluate the treatment protocols for cleft lip and palate that are used in Brazil, to compare them with the ones proposed from elsewhere, and to discuss the official data about admission for treatment of cleft lip or palate, or both, in Brazil. We also assessed the importance of integrated action of different specialities to treat this condition. A questionnaire related to attendance protocols was developed and sent out to all Brazilian Plastic Surgery Services connected to the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery, and to other units involved in such treatment.