The role of rapid tissue expansion in separating xipho-omphalopagus conjoined twins in Vietnam

Conjoined twins are rare, and each set of conjoined twins has a unique conjoined anatomy. It is necessary to perform separation to increase the chance of patient survival. Tissue expansion is an advanced technique for providing sufficient soft tissue and skin for wound closure. We report the successful application of rapid tissue expansion in 10-month-old xipho-omphalopagus conjoined twins in Vietnam. A tissue expander was placed on the anterior body between the sternum and umbilicus with a baseline of 70 mL sterile saline (0.9% NaCl). The first injection into the tissue expander began on the 6th day after expander insertion, and injections continued every 2 days with approximately 30–70 mL per injection according to the expansion of the skin. The expander reached 335 mL after six injections and within 10 days. In order to prepare for surgical separation, expansion was completed on the 15th day after insertion. The expanded skin area was estimated to be 180 cm2, which was sufficient to cover both patients’ skin deficiencies. The twins presented for surgical separation 6 days following the completion of tissue expansion. Both babies were discharged in good health 1 month after separation.

The role of rapid tissue expansion in separating xipho-omphalopagus conjoined twins in Vietnam

Conjoined twins are rare, and each set of conjoined twins has a unique conjoined anatomy. It is necessary to perform separation to increase the chance of patient survival. Tissue expansion is an advanced technique for providing sufficient soft tissue and skin for wound closure. We report the successful application of rapid tissue expansion in 10-month-old xipho-omphalopagus conjoined twins in Vietnam. A tissue expander was placed on the anterior body between the sternum and umbilicus with a baseline of 70 mL sterile saline (0.9% NaCl). The first injection into the tissue expander began on the 6th day after expander insertion, and injections continued every 2 days with approximately 30–70 mL per injection according to the expansion of the skin. The expander reached 335 mL after six injections and within 10 days. In order to prepare for surgical separation, expansion was completed on the 15th day after insertion. The expanded skin area was estimated to be 180 cm2, which was sufficient to cover both patients’ skin deficiencies. The twins presented for surgical separation 6 days following the completion of tissue expansion. Both babies were discharged in good health 1 month after separation.

Botulinum toxin - new choice for aesthetic surgery

Botulinum toxin type A has been used in clinical practice to treat some myoneural disorders for more than four decades. However, until recently this toxin has been used for aesthetic purpose, to remove and improve wrinkles on the face - one sign of ageing process. The therapy using botulinum toxin gradually takes vital roles in aesthetic surgery because it is simple, with the little side effects and complications. The effectiveness of the treatment can obttain immediately after treatment without interventionsurgery

Artificial skin Integra - new material for treating burn and for plastic surgery

Artificial skin Integra - a biological membrane that could restore derma, is new material in treating burn wound and in many other specialties such as plastic surgery, orthopedics, and pediatrics. Integra was commonly used in cases deep burn on head and neck, hands. It speeds up formation new derma layers at implanted areas and the successful rate was high (95%), gives good results in functional and aesthetic aspects

Breast augmentation by silicone implants and aesthetic aspect of plastic surgery

Author introduced materials: the shape of pocket, composition of pocket and elastomer shell; and techniques of breast augmentation including incision, implant pocket placement, post-operation care and complications. Breast augmentation by silicone implants resolves basically the needs of aesthetic aspect, emancipates women by erasing complexes of anatomical defects. Lack of information about new techniques and incorrect indications will give bad aesthetic consequences for patients, although breast augmentation is a specific surgery in plastic surgery

Plastic and reconstructive procedures for breast surgery

From 1996 to 2002, 72 female patients aged 10-42 years old with breast abnormalities were operated by various techniques (Z plasty, skin graft, local flap, musculocutaneous pedical flap, breast implant and tissue expansion). Results showed that plastic surgeries were applied more and more to response to the patient’s requests of aesthetics and functions. In mammaplasty, the first is aesthetic, therefore surgeons had to know many techniques and sensitize with each case

Notes on the results of plastic surgery in burn scars in the breast zone

16 patients were benefited by a plastic surgery for burn scars on the zone of breast. 56% of these patients acquired the burn on the zone of breast before their puberty. 62% of subjects with the wounds on breast were interened by various techniques of plastic surgery in the period of completed development of the mamonary glands. The most indicated (64%) ones were classic techniques such as Z shape plastic surgery, skin thick autograph, localflap. Skin thick autograph can be used mainly in the cases of plastic surgery under the breast plica (28%). The techniques of tissue dilation is used only 16% of cases, the skin largy flap is used in 2 patients with the burn scars of skin and of mamonary glands. In each patients, 1 to 4 various techniques can be used according to the age and the form of injury