Using Photogrammetry to Analyze Anatomical Changes in the Nipple in Juvenile and Adolescent Scoliosis Patients.

BACKGROUND: The need for an objective set of anterior trunk measurements, such as nipple and clavicular shoulder joints, is essential to quantify the anterior asymmetry present in scoliosis. This study aims to characterize breast asymmetry (BA) in young individuals with scoliosis using photogrammetry. METHODS: Digital photographs of the anterior trunk of the 51 scoliosis patients aged 4-20 years were taken from an anterior perspective. These images were then transferred to a computer. Ten parameters were measured using the ImageJ software. The positions of patients' nipples were classified into 6 types based on ratios on the x-axis. RESULTS: The majority of patients had a right breast that was larger, intensifying the apparent BA due to trunk rotation. The apical vertebra level in patients was found at T8 in 23.6% and T9 in 45.1%. In 92.5% of the patients, the right breast was consistently larger. The lengths between the lateral boundaries and nipples of the right and left breasts and between the medial boundary and nipple of the right breast were statistically significantly higher in males than in females (p < 0.05). Significant differences were found when comparing the values of the lengths between the medial boundaries and nipples of the right and left breasts, the difference in length between the right and left acromioclavicular joint lines, and the angles of the nipple and acromioclavicular joint with the degrees of scoliosis in juvenile and adolescents (p < 0.05). Pearson regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between BA differences and the Cobb angle with a correlation coefficient of 0.901. Factors related to breast aesthetics, like differences in the height of nipples and the distance from the sternal notch to the nipple, represent 30% of the overall score. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that there is a significant correlation between the severity of scoliosis and BA differences. Augmentation mammaplasty for BA not only decreased the breast difference but also leveled the nipple disparities. Photogrammetry is considered to be an alternative to other methods and is believed to contribute to the follow-up of BA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Analysis of the Thigh Aesthetic Profiles: One of Physical Ideal Body Proportions.

BACKGROUND: The contour of the thigh is increasingly being recognized as crucial component of the ideal human physique, giving rise to heightened interest in attaining the perfect thigh profile. Notwithstanding, the contemporary landscape of cosmetic surgery appears to be bereft of efficient and precise objective methodologies to evaluate the outcomes of thigh contouring treatments. The present study is aimed to investigate the aesthetic appeal of varying thigh contours, employing specialized software as an indispensable instrument for quantitative and qualitative analysis. METHODS: Standardized photographs of the lower body were obtained from a sample of 200 healthy volunteers. A linear analysis was conducted, examining aspects such as the vertical length and transvers width of the thigh, as well as angular measurements including the posterior gluteal angle (PGA) and lateral angle thigh (LAT). Variables relating to thigh measurements and body mass index (BMI) were documented, with the relationships between them ascertained through Pearson's correlation and regression analysis. RESULTS: In males, the LAT was measured at 168 ± 3.9, and the PGA at 170 ± 3.4, while in females, these measurements were 166 ± 2.8 ve 166 ± 2.8, respectively. Linear analyses, including the vertical length of thigh (VLT), transverse width of thigh (TWT), lateral width (LW), and posterior width (PW), were conducted. Based on the LW inferior/LW superior ratio values, the most commonly observed thigh types were Type III (0.90) at 45% and Type II (0.85) at 24.75% while the least common was Type V at 4% (0.99). PW inferior/PW superior was 84.7%. The PWI/PWS ratio was highest for Type V, at 0.99, accounting for 84.70% of the total. Furthermore, an increase in the LWI/LWS ratio leads to an increase in the PWI/PWS ratio.  The frequency of the VLT/TW1 ratio 0.31-0.35 (Type 3) was found to be on the left side and Type 4 on the right side. A strong correlation was found between BMI and all thigh indexes, with a significant positive correlation between the index and factors tied to the buttocks and upper thigh. CONCLUSIONS: The concept of an ideal thigh may vary based on an individual's gender, race, country of residence, and self-esteem, aiming to achieve a more natural silhouette. Focusing on the different ratios of hip and thigh varieties in the study is quite intriguing. Further inquiry and rigorous exploration are warranted to delineate the optimal techniques and methodologies for attaining ideal thigh proportions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Measurements of oculo-palpebral landmarks and evaluation of patient's head position.

PURPOSE: Keeping the head in a neutral position is requisite for glasses/lenses/head-up designs, the suitability of oculo-plastic surgery and for the grading the eye shift. Anatomically incompatible glasses are one of the common problems affecting accommodation, reducing comfort and disturbing by causing symptoms such as dizziness and nausea. The oculo-palpebral measurements act as a key determinant in symmetrical facial attractiveness. This study aims to investigate the most effective oculo-palpebral landmarks, head-neutral as the ideal position, taking into account of individual anatomical differences of these patients. METHODS: 100 females and 100 males aged between 18 and 20 years were photographed. Digital photogrammetric measurements were made with the ImageJ program. Interpupillary and interhelical distances, besides bilateral palpebral fissure length and height, and iris diameter were calculated on front-facing photographs. RESULTS: Mean interpupillary distance was measured wider in males than in females. The mean length of palpebral fissure was 31 mm; palpebral fissure height was 10 mm. These figures were valid in both eyes and gender. The interhelical distance was calculated as the mean and was measured longer in men. Since the measurement values were the same in both sexes and on both sides, they were determined as important landmarks for controlling the head-neutral position, evaluating whether there was a deviation in the eye, and measuring the numerical value when detected. CONCLUSION: It is essential to check the side-symmetry of the patient's palpebral fissure height, palpebral fissure length, diameter of iris and corneal depth during oculo-plastic invention and artificial design.

A Useful Tool for Various Problems in Nasal Tip: The Cephalic Transdomal Suture.

ABSTRACT: Surgical manipulation of the nasal tip is a critical point in functional and aesthetic rhinoplasty procedure. Cephalic strip excision from the lower lateral cartilages, elongation or shortening the caudal septum, structural grafting for supporting the medial and lateral crura are major structural moves in building a durable cartilaginous framework. However, it is suture techniques that make up the final touch in fine tuning of the shape, projection, definition, and angulation (rotation) of the nasal tip over this framework.Problems with fine-tuning of the nasal tip include inadequate or excessive definition, or projection resulting with bulbous or boxy appearance can be overcome reversibly with correctly placed sutures. One of the most decisive sutures in this context is transdomal sutures. Incorrect placement of which can result with too narrow or too wide nostril apices, as well as a cephalic malposition deformity of the lower lateral cartilages, botching an otherwise perfectly executed rhinoplasty procedure.In this article, cephalad placement of the transdomal sutures, and its relevance is disclosed in 223 consecutive cases of primary rhinoplasty.

Broad omnidirectional acoustic band gaps in a three-dimensional phononic crystal composed of face-centered cubic Helmholtz resonator network.

Broad omnidirectional band gaps in a three-dimensional phononic crystal consisting of a face-centered cubic array of spherical air voids connected by cylindrical conduits in solid background are numerically and experimentally demonstrated. With a low material filling fraction of 37.7%, the first bandgap covers 3.1-13.6 kHz frequency range with 126.1% gap-over-midgap ratio. Finite-element method is employed in band structure and numerical transmission analyses. Omnidirectional band gaps are observed in only two-period thick slabs in the 100, 110, and 111 orientations. Experimental transmission characteristics are in good agreement with numerical data. The phononic crystal can be employed in low-frequency sound proofing.

Pitanguy Ligamentous Flap: A New Method to Prevent Supratip Deformity in Rhinoplasty.

BACKGROUND: A supratip deformity (SD) is an iatrogenic convexity that occurs in the cephalic region of the nasal tip. SD is still a major problem after rhinoplasty surgery. OBJECTIVES: With the method we have described a ligamentous flap was used to create a supratip transition, with adjustable sharpness, while the refinements of the tip rotation and definition were ensured. The aim of the study is to present the results of this technique, which, to the best of our knowledge, has been described here for the first time. METHODS: Our ligamentous flap technique was applied to 24 patients between August 2017 and March 2018. All of the patients were evaluated in terms of the formation of an SD, a hanging columella, tip projection, and the loss of rotation at the postoperative followups. The photos of patients were evaluated by another independent plastic surgeon and patients themselves at 3 months after the surgery. RESULTS: There were no early or late complications, such as an infection, excessive bleeding, or prolonged edema. Moreover, SDs, hanging columellas, tip projections, and rotational losses, which would require revisions, were not detected in any of the patients. Postoperative scores given by the patients and surgeons were significantly higher than the preoperative values (P < 0.05). Only 2 patients required minor revisions due to dorsal irregularities in the upper 1/3 of the nasal segment. CONCLUSION: The early results of this Pitanguy composite flap technique, which can be easily applied in every case with thin or thick skin in an open rhinoplasty, are promising. However, there is a need for an evaluation of the long-term results, as well as the advantages and disadvantages in a larger case series. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Physical attractiveness: analysis of buttocks patterns for planning body contouring treatment.

BACKGROUND: As buttocks region is one of the most characteristic features of the ideal female body figure, the popularity of gluteal region contouring is on the rise. Perception of body form is influenced by its shape and size. Interventions to modify the form of this region are often difficult due to influence. The aim of this study is to investigate the attractiveness of various buttock shapes with the aid of a dedicated software. METHODS: Standard personal photographs of the lower body were obtained from 200 healthy volunteers. Linear analyses were made and anatomical perception was calculated according to reference points. RESULTS: Compared to males, all measurements concerning buttock dimensions were a significantly greater in females. Proportional assessments revealed that in females, the most attractive buttock waist-to-hip ratio was 0.75 from the posterior view. This ratio was 0.85 in males. From the lateral view, the most attractive buttocks have a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.70 in females. Positioning of the lateral prominence at the inferior gluteal fold was rated by 25% of the respondents as the most attractive in males from the posterior view. From the lateral view, the most prominent portion positioned at the midpoint (a 50:50 vertical ratio) was considered the most attractive for females. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that utilizing digitalized reference values for a given body region may be an invaluable tool for determination of the correct fat volume, thus individualization of body contouring procedures. With the help of certain software, this research has shown that it is possible to measure the parameters of buttock, which may in turn be used to offer the best solution for any individual in quest for an improved buttocks form. New ideal waist-to-hip ratios of 0.7 update the previous standards.

Izogenic cartilage transfer in rhinoplasty procedure.

Cartilage is commonly grafted during primary and secondary rhinoplasties as a means of addressing both functional and esthetic issues. Generally, such grafts are taken from the nasal septum, but auricular conchae or ribs may serve as donor sites if needed. However, the latter often entail considerable morbidity and graft mismatch. To circumvent these drawbacks, use of implants or processed cartilage (allogenic or xenogenic in origin) has been proposed. Herein, the isogenic transfer of nasal septal cartilage between identical twins is reported.

Creating a neoconchal complex using the adjustable conchal sliding technique in prominent ear correction.

An oversized aural concha plays a significant role in prominent ear deformities and should be taken into consideration during preoperative examination. In the current study, we present a procedure known as the conchal sliding technique as an alternative to more disruptive methods. Twenty-four patients (9 females and 15 males; 47 ears in total) underwent a conchal sliding procedure between 2006 and 2010. During the surgery, a wide subperichondrial dissection is performed after a posterior elliptical incision. After the concha is exposed as a hemisphere, it is split along its long axis to reveal the medial and lateral cartilage segments. These segments are gently scrolled upon each other. Transposition of the lateral segment posteriorly to the medial segment replaces the whole ear toward the posterior direction. Three mattress sutures (4-0 polypropylene) reliably secure the repositioned and setback conchal bowl. If needed, an antihelix can be formed using neoconchal-scaphal mattress sutures. Median follow-up period was 24.3 months (range, 6-48 mo). A unilateral hematoma developed in 1 patient and an anterior step deformity occurred in another. No recurrence, infection, necrosis of the skin, distortion of the auditory canal, or formation of keloid was observed in any of the patients. The median cephaloauricular angle was measured as 46 degrees before the surgery and 26 degrees after the surgery, whereas the distance between the helix and the mastoid was 23 mm before the surgery and 11 mm after the surgery. All the patients were satisfied with the results. This technique provides stable and natural results by creating a safe neoconchal complex. It may be a safe and reliable solution to an oversized aural concha, enabling natural-looking and positive cosmetic results.

Variations of 222Rn concentrations over active fault system in Simav, Kütahya, Western Turkey: Possible causes for soil-gas 222Rn anomalies.

Soil-gas 222Rn concentrations were investigated on an active Simav Graben/Fault System in Western Turkey. Measurements to understand the causes of variations in soil-gas 222Rn were conducted in three distinct sections such that seven selected measurement points in each section lie on a line that is approximately perpendicular to the main fault line. It was found out in each section that values obtained at two adjacent points were abnormally higher than the rest. The corresponding concentrations were measured as 60.76-63.93 kBq/m3, 33.00-45.78 kBq/m3, and 56.20-84.69 kBq/m3 on the first, second, and third lines, respectively. These values, which differ significantly from measurements conducted on a similar line, are thought to be stemming from crustal stress caused by faulting or acidic-intrusive rocks in the region.

Acoustic sorting of airborne particles by a phononic crystal waveguide.

A two-dimensional phononic crystal linear defect waveguide is utilized for size-based sorting of millimeter-sized solid particles in the air through acoustic radiation force. The waveguide channels ultrasonic waves at 20 kHz, as calculated through Finite-Element Method simulations. Spherical solid particles released from rest at the top of the vertically aligned waveguide experience the combined effect of the acoustic radiation, gravity, and drag forces. When the particles are released from the symmetry plane of the waveguide, they follow straight paths where the ones with radii smaller than a threshold value are trapped at the waveguide nodal planes, whereas larger particles are let pass through. This requires input sound pressure levels between 173 dB and 177 dB. Moreover, such particles can also be differentiated with respect to density. Alternatively, the release of particles with a slight offset from the symmetry center induces unbalanced acoustic radiation potential, and thus uneven radiation force, resulting in the initiation of horizontal displacement whose extent depends on particle radius. Thus, both simulation results and experimental findings suggest that this scheme can be employed in size-based particle separation. Sorting of spherical glass particles with 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm radii are experimentally demonstrated for low ultrasonic transducer acoustic power output up to 90 W. The proposed approach can be utilized in applications where contact-free separation of airborne particles is required.

Possibility of Taking an Offensive Stance in Extravasation Injury: Effects of Fat Injection in Vesicant (Doxorubicin) Induced Skin Necrosis Model in Rats.

INTRODUCTION: Extravasation injuries are one of the most feared complications of intravenous drug administration. The most common drugs associated with extravasation injury include chemotherapy agents and contrast media. Natural course of vesicant extravasation is discomfort, pain, swelling, inflammation, and ultimately skin ulceration. While diligence is the principle approach in prevention, immediate bed-side measures are as important in controlling the extent of tissue damage. Various options, either medical or interventional are next steps in treatment of the condition including antidotes, volume dilution, flushing, suction, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 12 male Wistar albino rats were divided into two groups; one group received fat injections following subdermal doxorubicin infiltration in their right thighs, while other group received saline injection following subdermal doxorubicin infiltration in their right thighs for dilution. Left thighs of both groups were left untreated following subdermal doxorubicin infiltration. Total area of necrosis, as well as resultant epidermal thicknesses were assessed. Histological analyses were conducted using modified Verhofstad scoring system for comparison. RESULTS: Mean necrotic area was significantly smaller in the fat injection group compared to other groups. Median Verhofstad score was lesser in the fat injection group as well. Median epidermal thickness, on the other hand, was greater in the fat injection group. CONCLUSION: Injection of fat grafts following vesicant extravasation might be beneficial in preventing the progression of tissue damage, if employed early.

Does primary brachial plexus surgery alter palliative tendon transfer surgery outcomes in children with obstetric paralysis?

BACKGROUND: The surgical management of obstetrical brachial plexus palsy can generally be divided into two groups; early reconstructions in which the plexus or affected nerves are addressed and late or palliative reconstructions in which the residual deformities are addressed. Tendon transfers are the mainstay of palliative surgery. Occasionally, surgeons are required to utilise already denervated and subsequently reinnervated muscles as motors. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of tendon transfers for residual shoulder dysfunction in patients who had undergone early nerve surgery to the outcomes in patients who had not. METHODS: A total of 91 patients with obstetric paralysis-related shoulder abduction and external rotation deficits who underwent a modified Hoffer transfer of the latissimus dorsi/teres major to the greater tubercle of the humerus tendon between 2002 and 2009 were retrospectively analysed. The patients who had undergone neural surgery during infancy were compared to those who had not in terms of their preoperative and postoperative shoulder abduction and external rotation active ranges of motion. RESULTS: In the early surgery groups, only the postoperative external rotation angles showed statistically significant differences (25 degrees and 75 degrees for total and upper type palsies, respectively). Within the palliative surgery-only groups, there were no significant differences between the preoperative and postoperative abduction and external rotation angles. The significant differences between the early surgery groups and the palliative surgery groups with total palsy during the preoperative period diminished postoperatively (p < 0.05 and p > 0.05, respectively) for abduction but not for external rotation. Within the upper type palsy groups, there were no significant differences between the preoperative and postoperative abduction and external rotation angles. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it was found that in patients with total paralysis, satisfactory shoulder abduction values can be achieved with tendon transfers regardless of a previous history of neural surgery even if the preoperative values differ.

Reconstruction of complex groin defects with inferior epigastric artery-based rectus abdominis muscle flaps: report of two cases.

Because the extremities are dependent on a single vascular supply, namely the brachial and femoral arteries, injuries around the girdles are challenging, and may contribute to high morbidity rates such as extremity loss, or even mortality due to bleeding, sepsis or vascular compromise. The reconstruction or aided closure of these regions may present additional technical difficulties in the presence of a vascular injury that complicates the use of a microvascular-free transfer, which sometimes may be needed to cover the exposed vessels, bones, tendons, and cartilages whenever the neighboring skin and subcutaneous tissue are inadequate or demised. In these circumstances, pedicled regional flaps of muscular or musculocutaneous consistency (especially if a bulk or rich vascular tissue is needed) would be an alternative. In this report, we present two cases that underwent femoral artery repair via saphenous vein grafting in the vascular surgery clinic followed by our inferiorly based pedicled rectus abdominis muscle flap coverage procedure.

Acoustic Add-Drop filter involving a ring resonator based on a One-Dimensional surface phononic crystal.

By employing two parallel one-dimensional surface phononic crystals for spoof surface acoustic waves and a circular ring resonator, an acoustic add-drop filter is numerically designed and its operation in the air environment is both numerically and experimentally investigated. Finite Element Method is used for band structure calculations and frequency domain simulations of filter operation. For frequencies around 40 kHz, a surface band is observed when a one-dimensional array of cylindrical cavities with a period of 2.7 mm, whose radius is 1.1 mm are embedded in the solid surface by 30% of the radius from their center. When a surface phononic crystal is close to a circular ring resonator containing 100 cavities in total with a radius of 42.9 mm, at a distance of 1.5 periods, frequency-domain Finite-Element simulations at 41.528 kHz reveal that drop port output maximum is observed, whereas through and add outputs are minimum. The corresponding drop port transmission peak has a width and quality factor of 25 Hz and 1661, respectively. In addition, the contrast ratio between the drop and through port outputs at the peak frequency is calculated as 0.77. Experimentally obtained port output data are in agreement with numerical results. The proposed acoustic add-drop filter can be used in areas such as ultrasonic sensors, acoustic signal processing and acoustic logic.

Who needs extra time? Amniotic membrane wrapped pauci-suture model for rapid anastomoses.

An ideal anastomosis method will obtain the highest post-anastomotic vessel patency and will repair the vessel anatomically with minimal thrombosis in an easier, faster and cheaper fashion. To achieve these goals an anastomosis model using an amniotic membrane is introduced. The study was performed on the femoral arteries of 22 Wistar Albino rats (11 control group, 11 experimental group). In the experiment group, the microvascular anastomosis was completed with three sutures and a patch of amniotic membrane which was wrapped around the anastomotic site. The conventional anastomosis technique with eight sutures was performed in the control group. The effects of the model on the patency and histological structure of the vessels were evaluated. As a result, normal patency was determined radiologically and macroscopically in all of the anastomoses. No thrombosis or aneurysm was detected in any of the anastomoses. In the angiographic study, vessel patency was detected in both the control and experimental groups. The average time to complete the arterial anastomosis was 18.14 (±2.84) and 10.39 (±2.45) minutes in the control and the experiment groups respectively. In the histological studies, anti-eNOS staining revealed that endothelin levels were significantly higher in the experimental group. This method describes a new anastomosis model in microvascular surgery with promising results that call for additional experimental studies and further clinical implementations. We believe that this experimental technique can be put into clinical practice as an alternative to the conventional microvascular anastomosis technique.

[Replantation of the ear without microvascular anastomosis: a case report]. / Mikrocerrahi uygulanmayan kulak replantasyonu: Olgu sunumu.

A 42-year-old man presented with a left-sided supralobular total ear amputation resulting from an occupational accident. Initial dissection of the amputated ear revealed no suitable vessel for anastomosis. The fenestrated cartilage with its posterior skin excised was attached as a composite graft. Four days postoperatively, it was observed that 90% of the graft was viable. Three weeks later, subtotal separation of the ear (80%) was performed combined with skin grafting for surfacing the postauricular defect. At one-year follow-up, there was partial cartilage resorption with pigmentation and minimal hyperemia of the overlying skin.

[Reconstruction of the head and neck with free osteoseptocutaneous flap in elderly heavy smokers]. / Agir sigara içici yasli hastalarin bas-boyun rekonstrüksiyonunda serbest osteoseptokutan flep uygulamalari.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated complications of free flap reconstruction following oncological head and neck surgery in elderly patients who smoked heavily. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included eight patients (2 females, 6 males; mean age 68.5 years; range 65 to 74 years) over 65 years of age, who smoked heavily (at least 1 pack/day). All cases but one with mandibular ameloblastoma had intraoral squamous cell carcinoma. Two patients underwent reconstruction with free radial forearm osteoseptocutaneous flap following bilateral maxillary resection, and six patients with free fibular osteoseptocutaneous flap following mandibular resection. Postoperative complications, in particular those associated with the donor and recipient sites were evaluated. RESULTS: No partial or total flap loss was observed. Wound healing problems were seen in three patients (37%), which were at the donor site in two patients, and at the recipient site in one patient. Psychogenic disorders were observed in two patients (25%). No other complications were encountered. CONCLUSION: Aside from some recipient- and donor-site-related healing problems, heavy smoking and advanced age cannot be regarded as contraindications for free flap reconstruction.

[Nonvascular phalangeal transfer from toes to hand in congenital aphalangia]. / Dogustan afalangiali olgularda ayaktan ele nonvasküler falanks transferi.

OBJECTIVES: Free transfer of the toe phalanges to the hand without vascular anastomosis is a proposed option for reconstruction of congenital aphalangia. We evaluated the growth behavior of the phalanges in patients after transfer. METHODS: Six patients with congenital aphalangia underwent 18 nonvascular phalangeal transfers from toes to the hand. The anomaly was bilateral in one patient. Except for one patient who was 11.5 years old, the mean age at the time of surgery was 27 months (range 14 to 48 months). The patients were followed-up for a mean of 2.5 years (range 2 to 4 years) with respect to functional results, yearly longitudinal growth, epiphysial closure, bone resorption or necrosis, digital tip necrosis, fracture, angulation, subluxation, infections, and donor site morbidity. RESULTS: The mean yearly longitudinal growth rate of transferred phalanges was 2.4 mm. On final radiographic examinations, epiphysial closure was not completed in 14 phalanges (78%). Functional improvements included stabilization using the affected digit in three patients, and performing further movements in three patients. One patient underwent reoperation for postoperative subluxation. No fractures or angulation above 15 degrees were seen. Bone resorptions were partial in three patients (16%), and total in one patient (5%). Concerning soft tissue complications, digital tip necrosis developed in one patient (5%). No infections were encountered during the follow-up. All the patients exhibited minimal donor digit shortening. CONCLUSION: Nonvascular phalangeal transfer is an alternative rehabilitation method by which use of prosthetics may be facilitated and functional capacity may be increased in congenital hand anomalies such as congenital aphalangia, in which vascular phalanx transfer is not suitable.

Assessment of radiological hazard parameters due to natural radioactivity in soils from granite-rich regions in Kütahya Province, Turkey.

The analysis of natural radioactivity from 238U, 232Th and 40K in 357 soil samples collected from the province of Kütahya was carried out using a NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectroscopy system at the Nuclear Physics Research Laboratory, Dumlupinar University, Kütahya, Turkey. The specific activities of 238U, 232Th and 40K in the soil samples were evaluated. From the activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K, the total absorbed outdoor gamma-ray dose rates and the corresponding annual effective dose rates were determined. The corresponding values of the external and internal hazard indices of all the soil samples were also calculated. The external gamma-ray dose rate at 1 m above the ground was directly measured at each collected soil sample location. The results obtained in this study were compared within the limits of values obtained in other cities of Turkey, those in other countries. Radiological maps of Kütahya Province were constructed from the results of this study.