Digit ratio (2D:4D) in women and men with lung cancer.

A prenatal sex steroid environment of high prenatal testosterone and low prenatal oestrogen inhibits lung development and may predispose individuals to be vulnerable to lung disease in later life. Therefore, the aim of this report was to investigate whether there is an association between right and left 2D:4D (biomarker of prenatal sex steroids exposure) and primary lung cancer in women and men. Also, we considered the relationship between right-left 2D:4D (Δ2D:4D, a negative correlate of high prenatal testosterone and low prenatal oestrogen) and the age of lung cancer diagnosis. The study included 109 patients (61 men) with lung cancer and 197 controls (78 men). In the study we found that: (i) women with lung cancer have lower 2D:4D compared to controls (the effect was independent of smoking), (ii) among women with cancer, age at diagnosis was positively related to 2D:4D, i.e. women with masculinized 2D:4D present earlier with the cancer than women with feminized 2D:4D, (iii) among men with lung cancer, those with the most aggressive form (small-cell lung cancer) had masculinized (low) Δ2D:4D compared to those with the less aggressive form (non-small cell lung cancer). The data suggests that masculinized right 2D:4D and Δ2D:4D are associated with a predisposition to lung cancer and/or the more aggressive forms of lung cancer.

Sublay or onlay incisional hernia repair along with abdominoplasty: which is better? Long-term results.

PURPOSE: Estimation and comparison of results after incisional hernia repair (IHR) modo onlay or sublay with abdominoplasty in patients who lost the weight following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB). Analysis and comparison of changes in quality of life (QL) of these patients prior to RYGB, before and after simultaneous IHR and abdominoplasty. METHODS: Clinical analysis involved 40 patients with abdominal disfigurement (following RYGB and massive weight loss) after one-time IHR sublay method with abdominoplasty-group 1 or IHR onlay method with abdominoplasty-group 2. We evaluated postoperative results and long-term QL changes (DAS24, SF-36 scales). RESULTS: We noted abnormal wound healing (2), pneumonia (3) and dysesthesia (3) in patients from group 1, and abnormal wound healing (2), seroma (2), pneumonia (2), and dysesthesia (4) in group 2. Quality of life was improved in the functional, esthetic and psychological aspects. CONCLUSIONS: One stage incisional hernia repair by onlay as well as sublay method with abdominoplasty are safe surgical methods improving the functioning of patients after major weight loss following RYGB. Sublay hernia repair and abdominoplasty was connected with longer time of the: operation, drainage, analgesic agents use, time to mobilization and to full oral diet than the onlay method. Significant improvement of the quality of life was noted after every subsequent step of surgical treatment in both groups. Reduction of the risk of BMI re-growth after bariatric surgery is related to the need for constant, specialized care for these patients at every stage of follow-up after bariatric surgery.

Risk factors of striae gravidarum.

BACKGROUND: Stretch marks are a common skin disorder. Pregnancy-related lesions are defined as striae gravidarum. The root cause of striae formation remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to identify the risk factors associated with striae gravidarum (SG) development. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted at Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Clinic and Obstetrics Outpatient Department among 299 Caucasian women maximum 6 months after the delivery, regardless of whether they were primiparas or multiparas. RESULTS: Among the women participating in the study, 71.2% (213 of 299) developed striae gravidarum at least in one site. Logistic regression analysis showed that four of the analysed factors were independent predictors of striae gravidarum occurrence: family history of SG, BMI before pregnancy, the lack of chronic diseases and birthweight (P < 0.0001). It has been found that the presence of striae distensae on the breasts increases the risk of SG development (71.4% vs. 28.6%, P = 0.0008), whereas the presence of these lesions on the thighs decreases the risk (23% vs. 77%, P = 0.0076). CONCLUSION: In this study, we presented a model that can help to predict the risk of SG formation, including family history of SG, BMI before pregnancy, birthweight and chronic diseases. Moreover, women with stretch marks on their breasts should know that the risk of SG development is significantly higher, whereas lesions on the thighs do not increase such a risk.

Assessment of early post-operative pain following septorhinoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pain incidence and intensity in patients undergoing septorhinoplasty, and to assess analgesic treatment effectiveness, in the first 7 days after surgery. DESIGN: Prospective outcomes analysis using visual analogue scale assessment of pain intensity in the first 7 post-operative days. SUBJECTS: Fifty-seven patients were enrolled in the study, 29 women and 28 men, aged 18 to 51 years. All were treated for post-traumatic deformity of the external nose and/or nasal septum, with either septorhinoplasty or septoplasty. RESULTS: In the first 3 days after septorhinoplasty, patients' mean visual analogue scale pain score exceeded the range denoting 'analgesic success', and showed considerable exacerbation in the evening. Patients' pain decreased to a mean score of 15.4 one hour after administration of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (metamizole). CONCLUSION: Analgesia is recommended for all patients in the first 3 days after septorhinoplasty, especially in the early evening.

[Assessment of long-term results in cleft lip and palate]. / Ocena odleglych wyników zespolowego leczenia rozszczepów wargi i podniebienia.

The study concerned 230 patients (175 UCLP and 55 BCLP) aged 14-20, who had been treated in the years 1972-82 in accordance with the Centre for Congenital Defects programme, at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Medical University of Lódz. The follow-up comprised: aesthetic and functional assessment of the lip, upper vestibule and nose as well as evaluation of occlusion and speech abilities (intelligibility, articulation, nasality). The assessment of lip and vestibule gave good and acceptable results in 97% of UCLP patients and in 89% of BCLP. The external nose appeared aesthetically and functionally good in 67% of UCLP and in 94% of BCLP. The defects of occlusion, mainly various forms of cross-bite, were found in 48% of UCLP, who had undergone orthodontic treatment. The maxillo-occlusal defects with no prior orthodontics were found in 63% of UCLP. Alike the defects of occlusion in untreated BCLP were most frequent. The intelligibility and articulation of speech were significantly better in patients who had undertaken the postoperational speech therapy (95%:75%). The assessment in general presented better results in UCLP patients, who had been submitted not only to surgery but also took up orthodontic treatment and speech therapy.

Body structure of female-to-male transsexuals.

31 female-to-male transsexuals treated in the Department of Plastic Surgery, Medical University of Lódz, were examined. Anthropometric measurements were carried out according to Martin's technique. 23 measured characteristics of the examined transsexuals were studied; they were compared with identical characteristics in males and females of the control group. The results indicate that the somatic characteristics in transsexual women are between the values typical for man and women.

Anthropometrical measurements of the face in infants with bilateral clefts.

The anthropometric measurements of face were taken in 21 infants of 6-9 months (15 boys, 6 girls) with bilateral cleft lip, alveolus and palate, prior to surgery. The control group consisted of 30 normal infants, without facial defects. In each child 9 measurements were performed. The comparative analysis revealed an underdevelopment of maxilla and mandible and an increase in nasal width in children with bilateral cleft lip and palate.