Body contouring by combined abdominoplasty and medial vertical thigh reduction: experience of 14 cases.

The common perception of beauty in the human body has shown a dramatic change over the past few decades culminating in a preoccupation not only with body weight, but also with body image. Obesity is becoming prevalent in our society, and yet generalised redundancy of skin following massive weight reduction can also be an affliction. Localised fat deposits in one or more regions of the trunk, upper arms and thighs are common and are virtually impossible to correct by diet, weight loss or exercise. Excision of the excess pendulous skin and/or the localised fat deposits are able to reduce or even eliminate the physical problems associated with the condition and contribute significantly to patient self-esteem. These procedures are usually multiple and extensive. Combining and reducing the number of such procedures while obtaining optimal results would be most beneficial to both the surgeon and the patient. We report our experience of 14 patients who underwent body contouring operations using combined abdominoplasty and medial thigh reduction with analysis of the results and discussion of the requirements and the advantages of the technique.

Subcutaneous metallic mercury injection of the hand.

Poisoning by subcutaneous metallic mercury is rare and usually accidental. Although it does not carry the same risks as mercury-vapour intoxication, it may still cause destructive early and late local reactions. Two deaths resulting from subcutaneous mercury injection have been reported in the literature. We present a case of accidental subcutaneous injection of mercury in the hand and discuss its management with a review of the literature.