Saline inflatable prostheses: 14 years' experience.

This article presents the author's experience with saline implants from 1977 through 1991. One thousand ninety-one women underwent cosmetic breast augmentation during that period. The accumulated surgical data represents the collective practice of the author during that period. From 1977 through 1981 all implants were placed in the submammary position. From 1982 through 1991 all implants were placed in the subpectoral position. The author reviews his experience including complications and results. The data supports the conclusion that saline implants are an effective, viable alternative to gel-filled implants for cosmetic breast augmentation.

Nine-year experience with subpectoral breast reconstruction after subcutaneous mastectomy in 98 patients utilizing saline-inflatable prostheses.

Over the past nine years, the saline-inflatable breast prosthesis has been used exclusively for submuscular reconstruction after subcutaneous mastectomy in 98 patients. Its expansion capability offers greater versatility in addressing various reconstructive situation. Acting as an immediate tissue expander, it accommodates a larger residual skin envelope or expands a smaller one for better cosmetic results. A low percentage of capsular contracture results in significant softness of the reconstructed breast. Indications, complications, technical considerations, and interesting findings are included for readers' consideration. The saline-inflatable breast prosthesis offers a unique alternative to the silicone and foam-covered prosthesis for subcutaneous mastectomy breast reconstruction.

Is the lacrimal apparatus injured following cosmetic rhinoplasty?

A study was undertaken to test the validity of the belief that lacrimal apparatus injury is common in patients who undergo a cosmetic rhinoplasty. Dacryocystography was done in 15 patients immediately following the lateral osteotomy, and there was no evidence of lacrimal sac injury or extravasation of the dye in any patient.

The failure to survive of autogenous free grafts of whole gracilis muscles in dogs.

An experimental study was undertaken to define the limits in size (if any) of successful free autogenous grafts of skeletal muscle. In 8 dogs, 16 gracilis muscle grafts were transplanted to the contralateral hind limb. The left hind limb served as a control for the right side, which contained paralyzed muscle. Macroscopic, microscopic, and EMG analyses demonstrated a complete failure of the free muscle grafts to take and survive. We have shown that one can exceed the limitations to the size of a successful muscle graft. Perhaps future investigators will define exactly what the maximum viable size is.