Psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a common affliction that family practitioners and other primary care physicians are certain to encounter in their daily practice. This disease presents in many manifestations and in a diffuse patient population. The therapeutic tools available to combat this disease are numerous, as are their untoward effects. This article, directed at the primary care physician, is a review of the spectrum of psoriasis and its manifestations, diagnosis, and management.

The inferiorly based rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap for reconstruction of recurrent pressure sores.

Eight neurologically impaired patients underwent reconstruction of chronic perineal and ischial pressure sores utilizing an inferiorly based rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. Other local and regional flap options had been previously used or were not feasible. In six patients, healing was uncomplicated. One patient required local debridement and flap readvancement. The second involved minor separation of a suture line and healed by secondary intention. All donor sites were closed directly and healed by primary intention. There was no evidence of hernia formation, and no functional deficit was detected from removal of the rectus muscle in any of the patients. In conclusion, it was felt that the inferiorly based rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap should be considered a reconstructive option in dealing with perineal and ischial pressure sores. Furthermore, for reasons discussed, we found distinct advantages to using this flap in spinal cord injury patients.

Superomedial pedicle technique of reduction mammaplasty.

A series of 148 patients who underwent reduction mammaplasty utilizing the superomedial pedicle technique is presented. Resections as large as 4100 gm per breast with nipple-areola transpositions up to 30 cm were done with reliable nipple-areola survival, including preservation of sensation. The superior pedicle technique of breast reduction is recognized by many as technically easier and capable of producing a longer-lasting aesthetic effect. Classically, however, it has been limited to smaller resections. By incorporating the medial quadrant in the superior pedicle, more aggressive reductions can be safely undertaken with the same excellent results. Details of the procedure, the anatomic basis for its success, and complications are discussed.

The extended latissimus dorsi flap in repair of anterior abdominal wall defects.

Large abdominal wall defects (ventral hernias) can be difficult to repair. Some defects are not amenable to primary repair or the use of synthetic mesh because of repeated recurrence or wound infection. In complicated situations such as that mentioned above, the extended latissimus dorsi muscle flap has been used to repair upper and middle abdominal wall defects. This method has been utilized in six patients, and there has been no recurrence of the defect or evidence of a lumbar hernia. The follow-up has been from 7 to 66 months. The extended latissimus dorsi muscle flap has proven to be an excellent alternative in the repair of complicated abdominal wall defects.

The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone in the pharyngeal flap operation.

A prospective study was undertaken to determine whether there was a relationship between the pharyngeal flap operation and the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). From August 1982 to November 1983, 25 patients underwent pharyngeal flap procedures. They were compared to a control group made up of five patients who underwent major cleft lip revisions. Twelve of the twenty-five patients (48%) who underwent pharyngeal flap procedures had inappropriately elevated serum ADH levels, low serum osmolality, and hyponatremia in the postoperative period. There was a statistically significant (p less than 0.001) drop in the serum sodium levels in the pharyngeal flap group from the preoperative to postoperative period. There was neither a statistically significant change in the serum sodium levels nor inappropriate elevation of ADH levels in the control group. Two patients who underwent pharyngeal flap procedures developed SIADH. To our knowledge this complication has not been reported in association with the pharyngeal flap operation. No specific causes were found that would explain why SIADH developed.