Evidence-Based Medicine: Management of Acute Lower Extremity Trauma.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Select and design flaps for the acutely injured lower limb based on wound location, size, and complexity. 2. Select and design tissue-specific flaps based on the functional demand of the zone of injury. 3. Understand the indications for using a flap with a skin component versus a muscle-only flap. 4. Understand the preoperative vascular assessment for lower extremity flap reconstruction. 5. Recognize and manage risk factors to decrease complications and improve flap survival. SUMMARY: The Maintenance of Certification series is designed to help the experienced surgeon structure the study of specific areas appropriate to his or her clinical practice. This article is designed to accompany practice-based evaluation of preoperative assessment, surgical treatment plan, and outcomes. In this format, he or she is invited to compare his or her methods with authoritative, information-based references. This information base is then used for self-assessment and benchmarking in Parts II and IV of the Maintenance of Certification process used by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This article is not meant to be an exhaustive treatise on the subject, but rather designed to serve as a reference point for further in-depth study by review of the articles referenced. The goal of this article is to present evidence that may serve as practice-changing information. Furthermore, this article is designed with the recognition that participants may have different backgrounds, experience, expertise, and resources. The breadth of the topics discussed is designed to accommodate these differences.

Paget's disease of the breast areola mimicking cutaneous melanoma.

Paget's disease of the breast nipple and areola complex represents a cutaneous manifestation of an underlying breast malignancy. The typical skin changes characteristic of breast Paget's disease are usually easily distinguished from those found of malignant melanoma. The rare finding of a pigmented cutaneous breast lesion mimicking melanoma presents a diagnostic dilemma. This case presentation describes a pigmented mammary lesion involving the areola that had undergone changes in diameter and pigmentation. The lesion was not associated with nipple drainage, nipple excoriation, dermal ulceration, or a palpable breast mass. The areola lesion was highly suggestive of a dermatologic malignancy such as malignant melanoma. As such, a biopsy was performed with initial findings suggestive of cutaneous melanoma. Upon more detailed analysis of a larger excision specimen, immunohistochemical staining was highly supportive of the diagnosis of breast Paget's disease. A total mastectomy with sentinel lymph node evaluation was performed along with immediate reconstruction. The final pathology revealed a small focus of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast associated with the areola changes. Histologic and immunohistochemical analysis of a biopsy specimen were paramount in differentiating these two lesions.

Case report: endoscopic excision of a nasoglabellar dermoid.

Endoscopic techniques have greatly reduced the morbidity of excising benign orbitofacial masses. Access, visualization, and dissection of these masses are comparable to open approaches without the use of large or conspicuous incisions. Existing reports focus on treatment of dermoids and other benign masses in the forehead, brow, and temple. We describe the successful endoscopic excision of a nasoglabellar dermoid, which is much less common.

The role of the pediatric plastic surgeon in limb salvage surgery for osteosarcoma of the lower extremity.

Limb salvage for management of osteosarcoma of the lower extremity has become the mainstay of treatment for patients with malignant bony and soft tissue tumors. The knee has become a special area of concern for the reconstructive surgeon due to the high rate of wound complications and difficulties of soft tissue reconstruction. With the availability of new prosthetic implants, the advancement of surgical soft tissue techniques and introduction of adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy, resection and reconstruction has become the standard approach for patients presenting to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The pediatric plastic surgeon's role usually requires handling of wound complications in these reconstructive procedures. This article will discuss the authors' approach to dealing with wound complications in this difficult patient population and their interaction with the orthopedic oncologic service in obtaining primary resection and soft tissue coverage.