Medial plantar artery flap: a versatile workhorse flap for foot reconstruction, our experience

Soft tissue defect in the foot is commonly seen as it is more prone to trophic ulcers since it is the main weight bearing area of the body. Reconstruction of the weight bearing area of the foot requires the provision of a stable, supple, durable and preferably sensate skin coverage. Following Sir Gilli’s principle of replacing like with like, medial plantar artery flap provides an anatomically similar, glabrous skin for coverage on the plantar surface. In the present study, we share our clinical experience with the use of medial plantar artery flap for coverage of soft tissue defect over sole of foot. At our institution, a total of 10 patients presented with soft tissue defect of the sole, underwent medial plantar artery flap coverage. All the 10 patients were diagnosed cases of type 2 DM. patient outcome was assessed according to patients’ age distribution, duration of surgery, hospital stay, and post operative complications. Out of all the 10 patients, 5 were male and 5 were female. All the flaps healed uneventfully without major complications like partial flap necrosis. Donor site was covered with split thickness skin graft. There was suture site dehience in 2 cases which healed with secondary healing. Medial plantar artery flap has been described as an optimal reconstructive option for this type of soft tissue defect.

Study of Nasal Height for Sexual Dimorhism in 18-30 Years age Group People in Bhavanagr City of Gujarat

Introduction: Nasal parameters are important for estimation of stature, gender identification and age estimation. Commonly used Nasal parameters are Nasal height, Nasal breadth and Nasal width; Nasal height is one of the most reliable of which. Previous studies have reported racial differences and geographical variation in Nasal height along with importance in gender differentiation. This study was conducted with aim to measure Nasal heights of Bhavangar city population and check for Nasal height differences among males and females. Subjects and Methods: 510 subjects (243 male and 267 female) were enrolled in the present cross-sectional study, conducted at Government Medical College, Bhavanagar in 2011 after institutional ethical committee approval. Age group of the subjects enrolled in the study was 18 to 30 years. Nasal height was measured with the help of sliding caliper after informed and written consent of the subject. The data was compiled and analyzed with standard statistical methods by Microsoft excel and Epiinfo 7.0TM software. Results: Difference in mean nasal height of Males (46.241 ± 3.518 mm) and females (43.799 ± 3.419) was statistically significant at 95% confidence interval (p value = 0.0001). Conclusion: Nasal height can be used as one of the parameters for gender determination of the subject.

Doubting atopy?

Sera of 37 patients attending the allergic clinic and of 10 normal healthy non-allergic controls were collected and in a double blind manner they were tested using phadiatop RIA for differentiation of patient's symptoms as due to atopy or otherwise without performing other troublesome investigations. It is an easy, less time consuming and reliable technique.