Total reconstruction of the nose in settings where resources are limited.

We describe a series of 8 patients who had total reconstruction of the nose during 4 separate missions to Ethiopia. The aetiology was noma (n=3), assault (n=2), acid burn (n=1), squamous cell carcinoma (n=1), and a sequela of meningococcal septicaemia (n=1). Reconstruction was with forehead flaps when adequate tissue was available (n=6) and with radial forearm flaps when it was not (n=2). Some reconstructive approaches require procedures to be done in stages, and in settings where resources are limited, difficulties with the continuity of care and provision for the management of complications, must be overcome.

Dislocation of the elbow complicated by arterial injury. Reconstructive strategy and functional outcome.

Four cases of arterial injury complicating posterior dislocation of the elbow are described. All of these patients were treated by emergent revascularization; reconstruction of the soft-tissue constraints of the elbow joint was performed by using osseous suture anchors. Despite prompt treatment of the vascular injury and successful restoration of elbow articulation and stability, all of the patients had residual functional disability. The previous literature has not discussed the functional results of these reconstructions. This report underscores the severity of these injuries, details our reconstructive strategy, and analyzes the functional outcome of these badly traumatized extremities.

Carcinosarcoma of the uterus associated with a nongestational choriocarcinoma.

Choriocarcinoma has been reported in association with endometrial carcinoma and as a metaplastic change in multiple carcinomas, including liver, urinary bladder, lung, and the gastrointestinal tract. We report choriocarcinoma in conjunction with a carcinosarcoma (also called malignant müllerian mixed tumor) in a 71-year-old woman whose hysterectomy specimen revealed two polypoid lesions of the endometrium, one arising from the anterior endometrium and one arising from the posterior endometrium. Histologic examination revealed three histologic patterns. The anterior endometrial lesion showed a FIGO grade 2 endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma. The posterior endometrial lesion showed a carcinosarcoma composed of a high-grade adenocarcinoma and scant homologous stromal sarcoma. In addition, a choriocarcinoma was identified intermixed with the adenocarcinoma. The syncytiocytotrophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts stained strongly with 0 human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) and human placental lactogen (hPL). The patient's beta-hCG levels on postoperative days 14, 27, and 42 were 283, 32, and 7 mIU/mL, respectively. This unusual case suggests the importance of identifying the choriocarcinomatous component, since the serum beta-hCG can serve as a marker of tumor recurrence postoperatively.