Técnicas reconstructivas de elección por unidades estéticas faciales / Reconstruction Techniques of Choice for the Facial Cosmetic Units

Introducción y objetivos: Existe una enorme variedad de colgajos cutáneos empleados para la reparación de defectos quirúrgicos faciales tras la extirpación de tumores. El objetivo del estudio fue consensuar una guía práctica de los colgajos más útiles para cada una de las distintas unidades estéticas faciales. Material y métodos: Estudio multicéntrico donde 10 dermatólogos de larga experiencia quirúrgica reconstructiva eligieron sus técnicas preferidas para cada unidad estética. La elección de estos colgajos se fundamentó en la experiencia personal de cada dermatólogo basándose en factores como la idoneidad de la técnica reconstructiva para ese defecto, el resultado estético final, la facilidad de ejecución y la baja probabilidad de complicaciones, entre otros. Eligieron 2 colgajos por orden de preferencia para cada subunidad estética y se le asignaron 10 puntos al primer colgajo y 5 al segundo. Resultados: Con la suma obtenida de todas las opciones aportadas por los dermatólogos encuestados se obtuvo una relación de los 3 mejores colgajos para cada localización. Destacar la unanimidad de criterio por parte de la mayoría de los dermatólogos para técnicas reconstructivas como el colgajo glabelar para defectos de canto interno del ojo, el colgajo de avance bilateral en bandera o H para frente, el colgajo en puerta giratoria para concha auricular, el colgajo pangeniano para mejilla infraorbitaria, el colgajo de rotación O-Z para cuero cabelludo, el colgajo de Tenzel para párpado inferior y el colgajo en isla para labio superior. Conclusiones: Los resultados de este estudio son de utilidad para ofrecer una guía práctica para la elección de las mejores técnicas reconstructivas en cada una de las distintas subunidades estéticas faciales (AU)

Background and objectives: A broad range of skin flaps can be used to repair facial surgical defects after the excision of a tumor. The aim of our study was to develop a practical guideline covering the most useful skin grafts for each of the distinct facial cosmetic units. Material and methods: This was a multicenter study in which 10 dermatologists with extensive experience in reconstructive surgery chose their preferred technique for each cosmetic unit. The choice of flaps was based on personal experience, taking into account factors such as suitability of the reconstruction technique for the specific defect, the final cosmetic result, surgical difficulty, and risk of complications. Each dermatologist proposed 2 flaps in order of preference for each cosmetic subunit. A score of 10 was given to the first flap and a score of 5 to the second. Results: The total score obtained for each of the options proposed by the participating dermatologists was used to draw up a list of the 3 best grafts for each site. There was notable unanimity of criteria among most of the dermatologists for reconstructive techniques such as the glabellar flap for defects of the medial canthus of the eye, the bilateral advancement flag flap or H flap for the forehead, the rotary door flap for the auricle of the ear, the Mustarde flap for the infraorbital cheek, the O-Z rotation flap for the scalp, the Tenzel flap for the lower eyelid, and the island flap for the upper lip. Conclusions: The results of this study will be useful as a practical guide to choosing the best reconstruction technique for each of the facial cosmetic units (AU)

Reconstruction Techniques of Choice for the Facial Cosmetic Units. / Técnicas reconstructivas de elección por unidades estéticas faciales.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A broad range of skin flaps can be used to repair facial surgical defects after the excision of a tumor. The aim of our study was to develop a practical guideline covering the most useful skin grafts for each of the distinct facial cosmetic units. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a multicenter study in which 10 dermatologists with extensive experience in reconstructive surgery chose their preferred technique for each cosmetic unit. The choice of flaps was based on personal experience, taking into account factors such as suitability of the reconstruction technique for the specific defect, the final cosmetic result, surgical difficulty, and risk of complications. Each dermatologist proposed 2 flaps in order of preference for each cosmetic subunit. A score of 10 was given to the first flap and a score of 5 to the second. RESULTS: The total score obtained for each of the options proposed by the participating dermatologists was used to draw up a list of the 3 best grafts for each site. There was notable unanimity of criteria among most of the dermatologists for reconstructive techniques such as the glabellar flap for defects of the medial canthus of the eye, the bilateral advancement flag flap or H flap for the forehead, the rotary door flap for the auricle of the ear, the Mustarde flap for the infraorbital cheek, the O-Z rotation flap for the scalp, the Tenzel flap for the lower eyelid, and the island flap for the upper lip. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study will be useful as a practical guide to choosing the best reconstruction technique for each of the facial cosmetic units.

Burow's grafts in the facial region.

BACKGROUND: Full-thickness skin grafts are an important tissue source for reconstructive surgery. Burow's grafts are full-thickness skin grafts that use adjacent lax skin as the donor site. This technique has also been referred to as island grafts, dog-ear grafts or adjacent-tissue skin grafts. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to describe the technique of Burow's grafts for reconstruction of facial defects taking account of its benefits and limitations. METHODS: The operative technique is simple: after a circular excision of the cutaneous lesion, we enlarged the excision line (towards one or both sides of the defect) following the relaxed tension lines. We created a secondary triangular defect by excising skin that is then used for the graft (as donor site). After adequate undermining, we proceeded to direct linear closure of this secondary defect. Finally, the graft was placed and sutured in the remaining defect. RESULTS: The proximity of the donor site provides an excellent tissue match because colour, hair density, texture, sebaceous features and thickness are similar to the recipient site. A good cosmetic result is therefore ensured. CONCLUSION: Burow's grafts can be a good choice for reconstruction of extensive facial surgical defects because of aesthetic results. In addition, it is a simple technique that can be performed in one sole surgical act, with local anaesthesia and without changing the operative site.

Improved functional outcome and more rapid return to normal activity following laparoscopic hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: The laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernias remains a controversial subject. Advantages in terms of reduced postoperative pain and improved functional status have been demonstrated in some studies and refuted in others. We performed a prospective study of a group of young healthy patients to measure pain levels and time to return to normal activity following totally extraperitoneal laparoscopic (TEP) hernia repair and compared these outcomes to those seen following conventional anterior repair. METHODS: A total of 151 patients were entered into a prospective nonrandomized study. Forty-eight patients underwent anterior repair; 103 underwent TEP repair. Patients were followed at 2 and 6 weeks to assess their level of function on a five-point scale. Their use of pain medication was also assessed, and total days away from work and days until return to full activity were documented. RESULTS: The open group returned to work at 11.5 days and to full activity at 26.7 days. The TEP group returned to work at 6.4 days and to full activity at 14.2 days (p < 0.001 for both data). There was no statistically significant difference in the use of pain medication. The TEP group reported better functional status at 2 weeks than the open group. At 6 weeks, this difference was no longer statistically significant. CONCLUSION: As compared to conventional open repair, TEP hernia repair offers advantages in postoperative function and an earlier return to full activity.

Risk factors predictive of positive findings at colonoscopy(1).

PURPOSE:The surgery department at our institution has become the primary provider of colonoscopy. We sought to determine which risk factors, if any, were most predictive of positive findings on colonoscopy.Between March and December 1999, 202 consecutive patients referred for colonoscopy were identified. Each patient was interviewed and a standard questionnaire completed before colonoscopy to establish possible risk factors for the presence of colorectal cancer or polyps. The colonoscopy findings, including pathology reports, were correlated with the questionnaire and subjected to chi-square analysis to determine statistical significance.The risk factors most likely to be associated with a finding of colorectal cancer or polyp were family history of colorectal cancer (65%), bleeding (65%), fecal occult blood positive (64%), abdominal pain (60%), and alteration of bowel habits (53%).No risk factor by history or presenting symptoms reached statistical significance as an independent predictor of a positive colonoscopy finding. However, most frequently associated with positive colonoscopy findings were a family history of colorectal cancer, bleeding, positive fecal occult blood test, presence of abdominal pain, and alteration of bowel habits. A history to include these risk factors can serve to prioritize the need for a colonoscopic examination.

Examination and anatomy of the hand.

In preparation for forthcoming chapters, the reader is offered a clear and thorough discussion of the anatomy of the hand, with important tips for examination and diagnosis.

Trigger finger: not always work related.

A retrospective chart review of 516 patients with 719 trigger fingers was undertaken to determine the relationship between trigger finger and occupation. Of the 516 patients, 361 were employed. One hundred seventy-eight (34.5%) of the employed patients had trigger fingers related to heavy lifting and/or high force gripping activities. The decision of causation is arbitrary and not based on science.

Carpal tunnel syndrome not always work related.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is all too frequently believed to be strictly a work related disease. A retrospective analysis of 1,884 carpal tunnel patients examined by one hand surgeon between 1977 and 1992 were evaluated for their rate of employment. Twenty-five percent of these CTS patients were not employed at the time their symptoms developed. We conclude that a significant rate of CTS illness exists in the nonemployed population.

Outcome of surgically treated mucous cysts of the hand.

The results of a surgical procedure for the treatment of mucous cysts of the hand are described. One hundred ninety-one mucous cysts from 178 patients were treated from 1973 to 1992. The average age of the study population was 57 years. The long finger was most frequently involved. There were only two recurrences and two postoperative infections. Both patients with recurrences presented more than 40 months after surgery. Sixty-four of the cysts had been previously treated elsewhere. The most common postoperative complaint was tenderness of the joint. Associated nail deformities were corrected in 40 of 46 cases.