Can we add auricular composite graft to our rhinoplasty armamentarium?

The ala of the nose, with its particular texture and characteristics, poses both aesthetically and functionally intriguing challenges and is rather problematic regarding choices for reconstructive methods. Both flaps and grafts have been used to restore natural structure of nasal ala. The present study summarizes a ten-year experience of reconstructive surgery using small composite grafts from non-cartilage bearing tissues, and large composite grafts, containing cartilaginous tissue, with a mean follow-up of 4 years and 8 months. Cumulatively 56 patients were reported. Some of them required surgery due to previous cosmetic rhinoplasty. In 47 of the cases, a small graft from the non-cartilage bearing junction of ear lobule to helical rim sufficed. Nine patients had rather large defects for which grafts were harvested from the helical root. Donor sites were primarily closed and grafts were implanted in place in a single, rapid session. All small grafts had excellent take. Of 9 large grafts, 5 had excellent take, three had acceptable, and one, in a male smoker, failed to take. During follow-up, no gross deformity or poor scar was detected in either donor or recipient site. We have demonstrated that using both large and small auricular composite grafts has favorable long term results for reconstruction of alar rim deformities. However, use of small grafts seems more beneficial and applicability of large grafts requires further studies

Incidence of breast cancer in Fars province, southern Iran: a hospital-based study

Breast cancer is still considered as one of the most common female cancers worldwide regardless of the countries' level of development. This study determines the incidence of breast cancer in Fars Province, Southern Iran. This study used patients' records from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Cancer Registry Centre, which is a Hospital- Based Registry of Nemazee Hospital. Data were recorded based on International Classification of Diseases for Oncology [ICD-O] and compromised all invasive cancers in ICD-10 categories of C- 00 to C-80. The findings were shown as the number of cases by site [ICD-10] and gender, with crude incidence [CRs], agespecific incidence and age-standardized incidence rates [ASRs] per 100,000 persons per year, performed by direct method using the world standard population. The age group of 40-49 years had the highest rate of breast cancer and naturally most cases were post-menopause ones. Most cases were diagnosed in moderate differentiated state with an increasing trend. Early diagnosis of in situ neoplasms has not increased over time in comprised with malignant cases. The number of diagnosed cases has sharply increased after year 2004 especially during post-menopause period. As the number of diagnosed cases has increased during postmenopausal period, screening and health programs seem necessary for menopause women