[French plastic surgeons and humanitarian missions, does a French touch exist?]. / Chirurgie humanitaire, implication des plasticiens français et particularités. Recherche d'une spécificité française ?

France like many other countries has long since been committed to Humanitarian Medicine within the framework of evangelical and territorial expansion. As prodigies of the Age of Enlightenment and the universalisation of Human Rights, French surgeons have successfully exported these inherited values through The Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the creation of nongovernmental organisations recognised worldwide. In addition to the finely acquired medical skills that French surgeons share with other prestigious countries, the "French Touch" appears to be found in their transfer of this knowledge along with their will and commitment to return to the same places as often as possible in order to cultivate local self sustainability.

The limitation of primary excision of cicatricial alopecia: a report of 63 patients.

This 11-year retrospective study (1985-1996) of 63 patients demonstrates that cicatricial alopecia is almost always distressing for the patient and is considered as a social handicap, which makes repair a necessity. Two major therapeutic methods for remedying this condition were used in the study: suture excision and tissue expansion. The optimal use and limitations of each method are defined on the basis of treatment quality, as evaluated by the patient and the surgeon. Suture excision often ends with disappointing results for the surgeon as well as the patient and seems limited to alopecias no greater than 10 mm in width. Tissue expansion is considered generally satisfactory, but has the problem of scar enlargement, which reduces the quality of the result.

[Paraffinomas: history, clinical features and treatment. A case report]. / Les paraffinomes: historique, aspects cliniques et traitement. A propos d'une observation.

One case of paraffinoma is reported on a 60 years old man following injections of paraffin fourty years ago. The authors recalled with this observation history of paraffin, clinical aspect and surgical treatment of the paraffinoma.

[Cover of trochanter pressure sores by V-Y musculocutaneous flap of the fascia lata]. / Couverture des escarres trochantériennes par lambeau musculo-cutané de fascia lata en V-Y.

Authors report their experience with the V-Y advancement flap in the coverage of trochanteric pressure sores. Nine flaps have been performed concerning 7 patients. Trochanteric sores in paraplegia or tetraplegia may lead to suppurative arthritis of the hip, with a risk of anaerobic infection and acute septicaemia. The treatment has to be as complete as possible. The trochanteric sore is debrided, with special attention given to removing all necrotic material, the surrounding bursa, and the bony prominence of the greater trochanter. The debrided trochanteric region is then covered by a well-vascularized and thick tissue. We observed only one complication at the donor site which can be closed primarily by this technique. The V-Y advancement technique is a new, simple and safe design of tensor fasciae latae flap. The defect is covered by the thicker and the best vascularized portion of the musculo-cutaneous flap. It allows preservation of other donor sites of the gluteal region to cover other sores, which are often associated.

[Necrotizing fasciitis of the upper limb. Apropos of a case]. / Fasciite nécrosante du membre supérieur. A propos d'un cas.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare infection, serious because of its risk of functional sequelae and mortality. The first clinical and histological descriptions of acute Streptococcal infection of the fascia were published in 1924 by Meleney, who referred to this condition as "Streptococcal haemolytic gangrene". However, since Meleney, numerous authors have reported cases of necrotizing fasciitis due to a wide range of bacteria. The authors report a case of necrotizing fasciitis of the upper limb in a 45 year old man following a superficial lesion of the dorsum of the hand. Despite the use of antibiotics, the morbidity and mortality of this disease are still high. Treatment is surgical and must be performed urgently. A review of the literature groups together the published cases and analyses the various aetiologies and risk factors.

[Dermoid cyst of the scalp. Apropos of a case]. / Kyste dermoïde du cuir chevelu. A propos d'un cas.

A subgaleal dermoid cyst of a 32 years old white adult is reported. The lesion appeared at the age of several years and ten regularly. Clinical examination, complementary exams as well as the result of the operation are reported. Embryology, histological classification and the main clinical, laboratory and histological characteristics of such lesions are defined by the review of the literature. Subgaleal dermoid cyst is rare in childhood and exceptionally occurs in adults. Only six cases of subgaleal dermoid cyst of adult are mentioned in the literature. Most of the time, the lesion is situated on the anterior fontanelle. The treatment is surgical and the prognosis is excellent.