Extended adipofascial wrap around radial forearm flap for hard palate reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: While using radial forearm free flap in palate reconstruction, the pedicle lies in the nasal floor, constantly exposed to the nasal secretions and turbulent air current. To overcome this problem, we have designed a procedure which utilises the adipofascial extension to wrap the pedicle and nasal side of the flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was done during 2017 and 2018, 2 years' period. Totally 13 consecutive patients with defect in the palate status post-oncological resection and those in whom local flaps were not enough to cover the defect were included into the study. These patients were divided into two groups. First group in whom adipofascial extension was not used to cover the pedicle and second group in whom adipofascial extension was used to cover the pedicle. The incidence of nasal crusting, secondary haemorrage, blow out and flap necrosis were analysed and compared. RESULTS: In Group 1, we had 2 among 6 (33%) patients with secondary haemorrage. One patient had partial flap loss. On exploring, we noticed thrombosis of cephalic vein. We did not had any incidence of blow out of the pedicle. In Group 2, none of the patients had any secondary haemorrage. All flaps healed well. On doing nasal endoscopy at 6 months of follow-up, all flaps showed complete mucosalisation at the nasal side. CONCLUSION: Use of adipofascial extension while planning a radial forearm free flap to cover the nasal side of the flap and pedicle in the nasal floor helps to reduce the nasal crusting and secondary haemorrhage.

Use of selfie sticks and iPhones to record operative photos and videos in plastic surgery.

Use of smartphone has become ubiquitous. With smartphone cameras becoming powerful, they are replacing digital cameras and digital SLRs as primary instruments to take photos and record videos. It is natural even for plastic surgeons that smartphones are handy to take still photographs and even record high-definition or 4K videos. Another invention which has become popular with smartphone photography is a selfie stick. We explain the possibility and methodology of using an iPhone and selfie stick to take operative photographs and high-quality videos.

A novel and innovative technique of using a disposable syringe and mesh for harvesting fat for structural fat grafting.

BACKGROUND: Successful restoration of structure and function using autologous free fat grafts has remained elusive. Review of literature shows that various harvesting and preparation techniques have been suggested. The goal of these techniques is to obtain greater adipocyte cell survival and consequently more reliable clinical results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our technique, a piece of mesh is kept at one end of the lipoaspiration syringe, which is then connected to the Suction pump. As one syringe fills, it is replaced by another one until the required amount of fat is obtained. RESULTS: By using a polypropylene mesh in our technique, we can separate the transfusate from the harvested fat graft during harvesting itself. The fat graft thus obtained is dense and concentrated, with fewer impurities. CONCLUSION: Hence, we recommend our technique as a reliable method for extracting sterile emulsified fat in an economical way.