"V"-technique as a method of breast conserving surgery in multifocal and T2 invasive breast cancers situated in the upper outer quadrant / La técnica "V" como método quirúrgico para conservar las mamas en cánceres de mama invasivos T2 y multifocales situados en el cuadrante superior externo

OBJECTIVE: To assess the oncologic and cosmetic outcomes in women with multifocal breast cancers or T2 tumours with diameters larger than 3 cm situated in the upper outer quadrant who were treated with "V"-technique. METHODS: From July 1999 till June 2003, 44 conserving surgeries with "V"-technique using a local rotational flap were performed. Localization of tumours was in the upper outer quadrant. All solid tumours were larger than 3 cm in diameter. In all patients, axillary lymph node dissection was performed. All the patients received postoperative radiotherapy. Mean follow-up was 58 months. RESULTS: Out of 44 conserving surgeries with "V"-technique, an adequate distance of tumour from the margins was obtained in 84.1% (37/44). Out of 37patients who underwent conserving surgery with this technique, the cosmetic result was favourable in 83.78% (31/37). None of these patients had a corrective surgery such as reduction mammaplasty or mastopexy. Mean weight of excised tissue was 215 g. The 5-year local recurrence rate was 10.8%. The 5-year metastasis-free survival rate was 81,1%. The 5-year overall survival rate was 86.5 %. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of multifocal and T2 breast cancers larger than 3 cm in diameter situated in the upper outer quadrant and performed with "V"-technique gives a good aesthetic result and enables a wide resection of breast tissue around the tumour.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar los resultados oncológicos y cosméticos en las mujeres con cánceres multifocales de mama o tumores T2 de diámetro mayor de 3 cm, situados en el cuadrante superior externo, en pacientes tratadas con la técnica "V". MÉTODOS: De julio 1999 hasta junio de 2003, se realizaron 44 cirugías conservadoras usando la técnica "V" con colgajo local de rotación. Los tumores se hallaban localizados en el cuadrante superior. Todos los tumores sólidos tenían más de 3 centímetros de diámetro. A todas las pacientes se les practicó la disección del ganglio linfático axilar. Todas las pacientes recibieron radioterapia postoperatoria. El seguimiento promedio fue de 58 meses. RESULTADOS: De las 44 cirugías conservadoras con la técnica "V", se obtuvo una distancia adecuada del tumor en 84.1% (37/44) desde los márgenes. De 37 pacientes que tuvieron cirugía conservadora con esta técnica, el resultado cosmético fue favorable en 83.78% (31/37). A ninguna de estas pacientes se les realizó cirugías correctivas tales como mamoplastia de reducción, o mastopexia. El peso promedio del tejido extirpado fue 215 g. La tasa de recurrencia local quinquenal fue de 10.8%. La tasa de supervivencia quinquenal libre de metástasis fue 81, 1%. La tasa general de supervivencia fue de 86.5%. CONCLUSIONES: El tratamiento quirúrgico de los cánceres de mama T2 y multifocales mayores de 3 cm. de diámetro situados en el cuadrante superior externo y realizado con la técnica "V" produce un buen resultado estético y permite una resección amplia del tejido mamario alrededor del tumor.

"V"-technique as a method of breast conserving surgery in multifocal and T2 invasive breast cancers situated in the upper outer quadrant.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the oncologic and cosmetic outcomes in women with multifocal breast cancers or T2 tumours with diameters larger than 3 cm situated in the upper outer quadrant who were treated with "V"-technique. METHODS: From July 1999 till June 2003, 44 conserving surgeries with "V"-technique using a local rotational flap were performed. Localization of tumours was in the upper outer quadrant. All solid tumours were larger than 3 cm in diameter In all patients, axillary lymph node dissection was performed. All the patients received postoperative radiotherapy. Mean follow-up was 58 months. RESULTS: Out of 44 conserving surgeries with "V"-technique, an adequate distance of tumour from the margins was obtained in 84.1% (37/44). Out of 37 patients who underwent conserving surgery with this technique, the cosmetic result was favourable in 83.78% (31/37). None of these patients had a corrective surgery such as reduction mammaplasty or mastopexy. Mean weight of excised tissue was 215 g. The 5-year local recurrence rate was 10.8%. The 5-year metastasis-free survival rate was 81.1%. The 5-year overall survival rate was 86.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of multifocal and T2 breast cancers larger than 3 cm in diameter situated in the upper outer quadrant and performed with "V"-technique gives a good aesthetic result and enables a wide resection of breast tissue around the tumour

Treatment of supracondylar humerus fractures in children: minimal possible duration of immobilization.

In the period from January 1980 until December 1990 we treated 147 children and adolescents with supracondylar humerus fracture, and followed the outcome in 127 of them. Three (2.4%) patients had no displacement of fractured bones and were treated only with plaster cast immobilization. Twenty three (18.1%) underwent closed reduction of fragments and application of a plaster cast. The majority (97; 76.4%) required manual reduction and the fixation of segments with Kirschner's wires laterally and medially. Four (3.1%) patients were treated with open reduction and fixation with Kirschner's wires. Both plaster cast immobilization and fragment fixation with Kirschner's wires lasted only 14 days and were immediately followed by rehabilitation. Such a short immobilization of extremities or fixation offragments did not result in any complication. Of 56 children available for long-term follow-up, we achieved excellent treatment results in 43 (76.6%) of the patients, good and fair in 12 (21.5%), and a poor result in only 1 patient (1.8%). There were no permanent vascular or neurological complications apart from slight weakness of the ulnar nerve in 3 patients. In conclusion 14 days seemed to be the biological minimum of time needed for this type offracture to heal in children and adolescents. Fixation of the fragments with Kirschner's wires and immobilization of the extremity for only 14 days brings a significant reduction of total treatment expenses, avoids repeated x-ray examination, facilitates early physical therapy and returns the child to its family.

The analysis of population structure based on morphometric dimensions of metacarpal bones (the Island of Krk, Croatia).

The aim of this study was to investigate: 1) a possibility of using the morphometric dimensions of metacarpal bones for approximation of biological distances, and 2) a relationship of biological matrices, based on the morphometric dimensions of metacarpal bones to other biological (dermatoglyphic, genetic), bio-cultural (migration) and geographic variables. The morphometry of the metacarpal bones was performed according to Barnett and Nordin procedure and biological distances were estimated using Mahalanobis D2 method. Population structure was assessed through Mantel's permutation test using E2 genetic distances for classical serogenetic markers, DA genetic distances for HLA, DSW genetic distances for STRs, geographic distances expressed in kilometres, and migration kinship matrix estimated according to the method proposed by Malécot and modified by Morton. This study clearly indicated the need for applying factorial analytical approach to study the factor structure of morphometric variables that may be measured on six metacarpal bones as well as the need for conducting complex family and segregation analyses to address not only the intriguing issue of genetic vs. ecological impact onto the bone mineral turnover, but also to test the hypothesis of major gene control in determining bone mineral density.