[Humanitarian plastic surgery missions. Actions and reflections]. / Les missions humanitaires en chirurgie plastique. Actions et réflexions.

After recalling the various possible objectives of humanitarian missions in underprivileged countries, the authors describe the context of their plastic surgery missions, each lasting two to three weeks, with the support of Interplast. These missions have been conducted in India, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam and Afghanistan. The organization is now classical: on site supply of anaesthetic and all disposable material, 50 to 100 operations over a fortnight in a local hospital. The diseases most frequently observed were cleft lip and palate and post-burn skin retractions. The authors emphasize the fact that the mission director must be an experienced surgeon in order to select the most reliable and the simplest procedure. They analyse the meaning of their commitment and the way in which this humanitarian action is perceived by the recipient country.

[Prosthetic breast reconstruction and radiotherapy: analysis of 67 cases)]. / Reconstruction mammaire prothétique et radiothérapie: analyse de 67 cas.

Authors inquire into repercussions of radiotherapy (RT) on prosthetic mammary reconstruction (PMR) by using the retrospective analysis of 67 cases, 59 of which were performed in irradiated areas. The particular aspect of irradiated prosthesis is evoked regarding 8 cases, and with the support of a literature review. Surgical complications and late results are evaluated comparatively to 339 PMR among non irradiated patients. According to available data in our series, harmfulness of RT not appeared statistically demonstrated. From both their experience and the literature, authors clarify indications of PMR following RT. They conclude to the necessity of a high quality RT, and optimal adaptation of surgical technique to tissular conditions.