Revisiting acrania: same phenotype, different aetiologies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the contribution of prenatal and postmortem examinations in establishing the aetiology of acrania. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of 14 cases of acrania managed through elective termination of pregnancy. RESULTS: The median maternal age was 30 years (range 18-40) and median gestational age at diagnosis was 13 weeks (range 12-15). One mother had epilepsy and was taking anticonvulsants and another had uncontrolled type II diabetes mellitus. Only 3 women were using folic acid at conception. Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 3 of 8 cases analyzed. Unilateral anopthalmia, cervical rachischisis, midline facial and limb defects coexisted with acrania in 4 cases. Acrania with craniofacial dysmorphism and asymmetrical finger amputation were observed in a case of amniotic band syndrome. A previous history of anencephaly was documented in 1 case. CONCLUSION: Acrania is a characteristic phenotypic expression of a variety of different aetiologies. Investigation with cytogenetic studies and postmortem are essential to provide a definitive answer. This will provide a better understanding of the underlying aetiology and help establish the recurrence risk for future pregnancies.

[Surgical basic skills: surgical sutures]. / Princípios básicos em cirurgia: fios de sutura.

Given the importance of surgery within the specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology it is crucial to understand the process of wound healing and the suture available to surgical repair. The selection of the type of suture depends on the tissue and anatomical location. The approximation of wound edges can be made with natural or synthetic suture, mono or multifilament. Three properties of a suture material affect its handling: memory, elasticity and knot strength. Tensile strength, tissue reaction and capability to be absorbed are other important characteristics of the suture material.