[Breast implants and silicone: silicone crisis' history]. / Implants mammaires et silicone: histoire d'une crise.

In 1992 the FDA declared a moratorium on silicone implants, after a fight with the manufacturers. This moratorium extended world wide and lasted differently among the different countries. In Europe, France was the most troublesome about this problem. It took 8 years of actions against several civil servants and at least a trial at the "Council of State" could succeed in 2000 and brough back the silicone implants to the market in 2001.

Analysis of silica hydride and surface hydrosilation reactions by solid-state NMR in the preparation of p-chlorobenzamide bonded silica phase.

29Si and (13)C CP-MAS NMR spectroscopy was used to follow the conversion of native silica to a p-chlorobenzamide bonded silica material. The benzamide bonded phase was prepared via a hydrosilation reaction of a hydride silica intermediate with p-chloro- N-allylbenzamide. Solid-state NMR was used to show the disappearance of reactive surface hydride species (M(H)) and to identify newly formed bonded chemical species on the silica surface. DRIFT spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and specific surface-area determinations (BET) of the prepared phases are also reported.

[Reduction mammaplasty using the modified inferior dermal-glandular pedicle].

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: A modification technique for reduction mammaplasty with an inferior dermal-glandular pedicle was designed. RESULTS: The paper reports the operation results of 132 breasts in 67 patients, who received reduction mammaplasty in "Chirurgic Esthetique Europeenne," Strasbourg, France, from Jan, 1994 to Nov, 1995. CONCLUSION: Clinical applications showed aesthetic and safe results with reliable nipple areola survival and preservation of nipple sensitivity.

Effect of selective alteration of membranous or cytoplasmic properties on erythrocyte elongation in shear flow.

This study examines the relative contributions of the cytoplasmic and membranous compartments to the shear-induced elongation of single red blood cells (RBC). The mechanical properties of the cell membrane of normal human RBC were altered by controlled heat treatment (HT) (48 degrees C for 1, 5 and 9 min). Using RBC transformed by conversion of intracellular hemoglobin to methemoglobin with nitrite as the oxidizing agent, a concomitant modification of cytosolic rheological properties was achieved by the same HT procedure. On exposure to heat, the viscosity of the methemoglobin solutions increased considerably. Cell elongation was measured in Dextran 60 suspensions sheared in a cone and plate rheoscope. Normal cells after 5 min of HT, and transformed cells after 1 min of HT yielded a two phase index of elongation curve which had a zero value within the lower shear rate range. Consequently, two indices of stiffening were introduced. One characterized the shear rate of transition from the zero value to the second inclined portion of the elongation curve. This index related to those cells that were oriented in the flow field but were not elongated. The other index characterized the maximum elongation at maximal shear rate in the rheoscope. In spite of the different kinematic states of cells described by the above two indices, identical rates of stiffening, as measured by the critical shear rate at which elongation sets in, or by the elongation parameter, with time of HT, were observed for normal and transformed cells. Further, transformed cells were stiffer than normal cells throughout the time of HT. These results may be explained by assuming that methemoglobin (MetHb) was bound to the endoface of the erythromembrane. The contribution of cytosolic dissipation of energy to cell elongation appears to be small.

[Subperiosteal endoscopic forehead facelifting].

The use of endoscopic techniques in facelifts has had a significant effect in recent two years. To reduce operation complications and trauma, the authors performed 31 endoscopic forehead rejuvenation procedures with corrugator-procerus resection and eyebrow elevation at a desired level in Chirurgie Esthetique Europeenne in Strasbourg, France from January to November 1995. Three to six months' follow-up revealed satisfactory operation results. Subperiosteal endoscopic forehead facelifting using resection and elevation of the muscle of the eyebrow is one of the best operations for facelifting.

[Breast implants and their history]. / Les implants mammaires et leur histoire.

The controversy concerning breast implants has led to a profound change in our surgical practice. Four years after the moratorium suspending the use of silicone implants, the situation still remains confused. Polyurethane implants, incriminated as being dangerous at the start of the anti-implant campaign, were cleared by the FDA in 1995, but have not been re-released onto the market. Silicone implants, the subject of a great many international studies on carcinogenicity and immunological risks which failed to confirm these risks, are now being used again throughout the world except in the USA, Canada and France. Hydrogel implants, victims of the bad reputation of the other implants, were suspended for dubious insurance reasons concerning the French Huriet law, although they satisfy the clinical and laboratory criteria required for breast implants. Only normal saline implants are currently used in France, although their safety is only relative, as the reoperation rate for deflation is not negligible. In our opinion, the Cronin type of bladder implant is obsolete and the new available technologies must be used, although they raise an economic problem following the overpublicized silicone implant catastrophe.

[Extended SMAS dissection as a modified approach to rhytidectomy].

A variation of the SMAS technique is introduced. During the operation, the SMAS was treated in two parts. The fixed part that is closely attached to the preparotid fascia is on the pre-auricle area. The movable part of the SMAS is from the lower part of the parotid gland to the platysma. The movable part of the SMAS was mobilized, elevated and fixed upwards to the fixed area. From January to November of 1995 at Chirurgie Esthetique Europeenne in Strasbourg, the authors did rhytidectomy on 31 cases using this technique with impressive results and minimal complications.

Endoscopic forehead lift: the subperiosteal pulling stitch.

The endoscopic-assisted forehead lift has overtaken the coronal approach since 1992. One of the controversial points was the fixation of the flap in the elevated position. This article presents a simple pulling stitch using resorbable thread, subperiosteally. The mobile forehead after muscle resection is tracted up and back and fixed to the attached periosteum of the occipital bone. This fixation is strong for 3-4 months until the thread has melt. Long-term results of 3 years confirm the strength and longlasting of this subperiosteal pulling stitch (SPPS).

Development of viscoelasticity in heated hemoglobin solutions.

Several previous studies have shown that exposure of RBC to temperatures in the range 47 to 48.8 degrees C causes an irreversible alteration of RBC rheological properties; membrane elasticity and viscosity are both increased and greater pressure is required for RBC entry into pipettes. While it has been tacitly assumed that these rheologic alterations are membrane specific, no data on heat-treated hemoglobin (Hb) solutions appear to exist. The present study was thus designed to evaluate the effects of heat-treatment (48.8 +/- 0.1 degrees C, 3 to 20 min) on the viscoelasticity of Hb solutions (30 to 45 g/100 ml) prepared from normal human RBC. Measurements of the viscous component (VC) and elastic component (EC) were made at 25 degrees C using Couette (GDM) and capillary (OCR-D) rheometers; shear rates ranged from 1 to 200 s-1. All unheated Hb solutions were Newtonian and did not exhibit elasticity. However, after 3 min of heating, an elastic component was measurable. Both VC and EC increased with heating time in a power law fashion. VC continued to exhibit Newtonian behavior, whereas the magnitude of EC was an inverse function of shear rate and directly related to Hb concentration and treatment time. A relaxation function applied to our data suggests a first order reaction. These results indicate that both cytoplasmic and membrane viscoelasticity should be considered in order to fully comprehend the rheologic behavior of heat-treated RBC.

Skin diseases of the Chinese Shar-Pei.

This article deals with the unique skin disorders seen only in the Shar-Pei. The difference between skin diseases in Shar-Pei and other breeds is described. Prevention and treatment are discussed. Suggestions are given to alter the breed's anatomy slightly to decrease the genetic predisposition to certain dermatoses.