Defect of the sternal area.

Defects of the sternum are a result of severe postoperative complications in certain cardiosurgery patients. The use of pedicle muscle flaps for closure of these defects is currently already a standard and reliable method. The most commonly used muscles for covering the sternal area and filling the frontal mediastinum are the pectoralis major and rectus abdominis muscles. There are several ways to use these muscles for the individual concrete situations. Based on the experience they have gained over the past six years with 84 patients, the authors describe technical aspects of the individual variations as well as the relevant advantages and disadvantages.

Degloving injury--the use of a combination of free fasciocutaneous sensitive flap and pedicle flaps for reconstruction.

The authors present a case report of reconstruction after a degloving injury to hand by a combination of microsurgery and standard pedicle flaps. Degloving injury high on the hand was solved by free sensitive fasciocutaneous flap transfer from the radial forearm (Chinese flap), which covered the defect in the palm, while finger defects were covered by pedicle flaps from the abdomen. Dorsum of the hand was treated with a mesh skin graft. The authors also describe techniques of treatment and the relevant results prior to the time of microsurgery and compare them to the possibilities offered by microsurgery today, and they include comprehensive illustrations.

Advantages and disadvantages of endoscopically assisted front-lift.

Reduced surgical risk, a diminution of visible scars, rapid recovery, long-termed results and reduced costs are at present the most important demands on development in aesthetic plastic surgery. Endoscopically assisted front-lift meets perfectly the need of reduced invasiveness. It is technically simple and associated with a minimum of complications. It brings minimal scars beyond the hairline with a favourable effect after eliminating the drop of the brows, and wrinkles on the forehead. The duration of the effect in the aging face depends, however, similarly as other methods, on the characteristics of the skin, changes in other parts and the individual disposition. A marked disadvantage is the high initial, cost of special equipment. Their recovery ensues from the reduced time of surgery, reduced consumption of material, lower number of complications and more rapid return to normal life.