ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The augmented breast frequently becomes ptotic by time and most of the patients may seek mastopexy. Although the rate of breast lift surgeries after breast augmentation is increasing, there are few studies regarding the nature of these procedures. METHODS: Sixty patients with moderate grade ptosis and previously augmented breast by breast implants seeking breast mastopexy. Group A included 30 patients who underwent intra-capsular circum-areolar mastopexy and Group B including another 30 patients who underwent extra-capsular circum-areolar mastopexy. Follow up after complete healing was scheduled at 3, 6, and 12 months post-operative. Frontal and lateral views photography were taken each visit and objective evaluation was carried on by a plastic surgeon not involved in the surgeries. A questionnaire was performed by using the Likert scale to assess patients' satisfaction. RESULTS: In group A; the overall rate of complications was 17%, while in group B; the overall rate of complications was 10%. Patients of group A showed overall satisfaction of 4.53±0.69 in comparison to 3.06±0.25 in group B. In group A; objective evaluation, was excellent in 87% while in group B it was excellent in 43%. CONCLUSION: Reshaping of breast pillars mastopexy augmentation is very important to prevent bottoming-out of the breasts.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The face is the central point of the physical features; it transmits expressions and emotions, communicates feelings and allows for individual identity. Facial burns are very common and are devastating to the affected patient and results into numerous physical, emotional and psychosocial sequels. Partial thickness facial burns are very common especially among children. This study compares the effect of standard moist open technique management and a moist closed technique for partial thickness burns of the face. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with partial-thickness facial burns admitted in the burn unit, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt in the period from April 2009 to December 2009 were included in this study. They were divided into two groups to receive either open treatment with MEBO(®) (n=20) or coverage with Aquacel(®) Ag (n=20). Demographics (age, gender, ethnicity, TBSA, burn areas), length of hospital stay (LOS), rate of infections, time to total healing, frequency of dressing changes, pain, cost benefit and patient discomfort were compared between the two groups. The long-term outcome (incidence of hypertrophic scarring) was assessed for up to 6 months follow-up period. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographics between the two groups. In the group treated with the Aquacel(®) Ag, the mean time for re-epithelialization was 10.5 days, while it was 12.4 days in the MEBO(®) group (p<0.05). Frequency of changes, pain and patient discomfort were less with Aquacel(®) Ag. Cost was of no significant difference between the two groups. Scar quality improved in the Aquacel(®) Ag treatment group. Three and 6 months follow-up was done and long-term outcomes were recorded in both groups. CONCLUSION: Moist occlusive dressing (Aquacel(®) Ag) significantly improves the management and healing rate of partial thickness facial burns with better long-term outcome compared to moist open dressing (MEBO(®)).
