Evaluating anatomical subunit approximation technique for unilateral cleft lip repair

To evaluate the outcome of anatomical subunit approximation in unilateral cleft lip of different severity. Seventy four consecutive patients with cleft lip were seen in the outpatient department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar and Plastic Surgery unit at Said Anwar Medical Centre, Peshawar, from 1[st] June 2007 to 31[st] December 2008. The severity was assessed and all of them were operated using David Fisher's anatomical subunit approximation technique. Postoperatively the vertical height of the lip was compared on the cleft and non cleft side along with symmetry of Cupid's bow and philtral column, the alignment of white roll, quality of the cutaneous lip scar, vermilion fullness and vermilion notching. The nose was evaluated by noting the nasal tip symmetry; alar rim level; alar base height and width; and nostril sill size, both pre and post operatively. Seventy two patients showed adequate vertical height and good nostril size, alar base height. Two patients showed 1.0 mm discrepancy of the vertical height as compared to the non cleft side. These belonged to the severe complete cleft lip category. This technique has shown good results in achieving vertical height and nostril size symmetry especially in incomplete and mild to moderate severity of complete cleft lip

Distally based sural fasciocutaneous flap for soft tissue reconstruction of the distal leg, ankle and foot defects

Soft tissue management around the lower third of the leg and foot presents a considerable challenge to the reconstructive plastic surgeon. The options in this region are limited. A durable flap is the preferred option for coverage of such defects. This descriptive study was conducted at Hayatabad Medical Complex and Said Anwar Medical Centre Peshawar over a period of 4 years to evaluate the efficacy of distally based Sural flap in coverage of the lower third of leg, ankle and foot defects, in 25 patients. A descriptive study was conducted at the department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Hayatabad Medical Complex and Said Anwar Medical centre Peshawar. 25 patients with soft tissue defects over the distal leg and foot were included in this study. Distally based sural fasciocutaneous flap was used for coverage in all cases and its survival, successful coverage of the defect and donor site morbidity studied. Out of 25 flaps, 20 showed complete survival [80%]. Partial flap loss was found in 2 patients [8%], marginal flap necrosis in 2 patients [8%] and complete loss in 1 patient [4%]. The distally based sural flap is a versatile and reliable flap for the coverage of soft tissue defects of the distal lower extremity. The procedure is done as a single stage; the dissection is easy with short operating time and minimal morbidity