Reducing the donor site morbidity in radial forearm free flaps by utilizing a narrow radial forearm free flap

BACKGROUND: The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) has remained a leading choice of many plastic surgeons as a fasciocutaneous flap due to its versatility, pedicle length, and simple elevation technique. However, donor site morbidity has led many reconstructive surgeons to limit their use of the RFFF and to use other flaps instead. We propose that using a narrow RFFF (nRFFF) decreases the aesthetic and functional morbidity of the donor site. METHODS: We report our experiences with the nRFFF from April 2012 through May 2015 at the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery at Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi. The donor defects were closed primarily. The Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale and comparison with the contralateral hand were used to assess aesthetic and functional outcomes, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients underwent nRFFF procedures during the study period. The donor arm showed excellent motor function in 22 cases (91.7%), and very good function in the remaining two cases (8.3%). The aesthetic outcomes were excellent in four patients (16.6%), very good in eight patients (33.3%), good in 10 patients (41.6%), and fair in two patients (8.3%) who developed a hypertrophic scar. All flaps were successful and there were no cases of partial or complete loss. CONCLUSIONS: For small to medium-sized soft tissue defects, the nRFFF had acceptable outcomes due to its thinness, pliability, and major reduction in donor site aesthetic and functional morbidity.

Parathyroid carcinoma

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare cause of hypercalcaemia due to primary hyperparathyroidism. Ninety five percent of parathyroid carcinomas are functional tumours. Surgery is the only potential curative treatment. This is a case of a 53 years lady, who presented with pathological fracture of femur, hypercalcaemia, deranged renal functions, change in voice, difficulty in swallowing and markedly raised parathormone levels. Doppler ultrasound localized an irregular mass at right lower gland. SESTAMIBI scan showed probability of adenoma in the region of right lower thyroid pole. Intra-operatively, tumour was found stuck to esophagus and right recurrent laryngeal nerve passing through it. Enlarged parathyroid gland was removed in toto along with the recurrent laryngeal nerve, right thyroid lobe and its isthmus

Frequency and psychosocial impact of acne on university and college students

Objectives of the study were to describe the frequency of acne in late adolescent and adult students and to evaluate psychosocial impact of the disease. It was a cross-sectional study conducted in four institutions, from June to August 2008. Questionnaires with Cardiff Acne Disability Index [CADI] were filled by 950 students. They were examined for presence and severity of acne. Age ranged from 17 to 28 years. Frequency of facial acne was 74.6%. Difference between the genders was not statistically significant. Mean ADI score was 2.67 + 5.35, and range was 0-13. The disease had a greater psychosocial impact on females as compared to males