Surgical treatment of breast asymmetry

Since the original description of the most severe from of breast asymmetry by Poland [1], this matter has been revised from time to time. Not all breast asymmetries can be classified as pathologic. Indeed, most women have slightly different breasts. The therapeutic arsenal of modern Plastic Surgery includes techniques of reduction mammaplasty, augmentation mammaplasty and mastopexy, that should be used in accordance with the specific need of each case [2]. In the present study four cases of breast asymmetry are reported, analyzing esthetic aspects and surgical procedures employed in each case.

Sheen's tip graft in primary rhinoplasty: critical analysis

In 1975, Sheen reported on a technique of nasal tip projection by means of a cartilaginous graft [1[. This technique, allied to some general principles in primary and secondary rhinoplasties presented in his book [2[, revolutionized the nasal surgery. Unfortunately, the execution of Sheen's technique of nasal tip grafting, as originaly described, is not easy nor is the procedure troublefree, and the fantastic esthetic results obtained by the author seem to be irreproducible for a less skilled surgeon. The authors of this article present their experience with Sheen's tip graft in primary rhinoplasty and analyze critically the procedure, stressing the necessity of correct selection of patients.

Modified treatment of the alar cartilages in primary rhinoplasty

Traditionally, the treatment of the alar cartilages in primary rhinoplasty consists of resection of the cranial portions of the lateral crura, leaving about 5 mm wide caudal remnants untouched. This approach is very effective and time proven, but in selected patients, in whom tip of the nose needs little (if any) cranial rotation, but must be narrowed, agressive resection of superomedial portions of the lateral crura seems unnecessary. In order to optimize the procedure, the authors suggest a modified treatment of the alar cartilages with conservation of greater portions of the superomedial lateral crura.