Computerised 3D evaluation of the functional eyelid deficit in facial palsy.

Facial palsy is often characterised by a severe dysfunction of the eyelids, leading to corneal ulceration and even blindness. A precise evaluation of the exposed ocular surface is very important in order to estimate the risks of these ocular symptoms. In the literature, most authors use a comparison between the heights of lagophthalmus and corneal exposure in the pre- and postoperative situations to evaluate the surgical correction of the eyelids in facial paralysis. The heights are not representative of the real exposed surfaces. We propose another method to evaluate these surfaces, using a computer-assisted design (CAD) software analysing standardised photographs and giving a precise assessment of the surface of the eye not covered by the eyelids. The exposed surface is more representative of the risks of ocular symptoms than the height. Our goal in this study was to improve the quality of the measurements, which allows to get a better estimation of the clinical situation and provides a tool that permits comparison of results between different surgical approaches.

[Ethics in aesthetic surgery]. / Ethique de la chirurgie esthétique.

The use of aesthetic medicine and surgery is increasingly popular, and becomes a true phenomenon of society. Many women and men are asking for such treatments. A large proportion of the population carry the idea that this branch of medicine is a true consumer product. The acts of aesthetic medicine and surgery are not without consequences. They produce important changes in the human body, and carry risks of complications that must be taken into account. The overrated media interest of this subject produce commercial drifts that act against the general health of the patients. The invasive acts of medical aesthetics must be placed in a precise legal and ethical framework to protect the patients. A project of a new Belgian law is on the way, awaiting for publication in "Le Moniteur": this law (proposed by Senator Dominique Tilmans) clarifies the competences required for performing non-surgical aesthetic treatments and specific aesthetic invasive treatments. Other projects of law are being studied, and will concern publicity, information of the public, and rules of private clinics where aesthetic invasive acts are performed. Recent international news have shown, with the PIP breast prosthesis scandal, that surveillance of the medical aesthetic field is mandatory. To provide a better protection of patients, the legislator has decided legislate over the subject.

Closure of thoracolumbar myelomeningocele with a four muscle flap technique in the newborn.

We present a new surgical technique where skin closure was obtained in the treatment of a thoracolumbar myelomeningocele by mobilization of four muscle flaps, two reverse latissimus dorsi muscle flaps combined with the caudal portions of two trapezius muscle flaps.

The reverse turnover latissimus dorsi flap for closure of midline lumbar defects.

The surgical treatment of wounds located in the median lumbar area is difficult. When occurring after neurosurgical procedures, they may display a high level of complexity because of dural exposure, deep irregular three-dimensional contours, and bacterial contamination of the wound. The difficulty of reconstruction in that region of the body is made greater by the few possible regional flaps available in the vicinity. In order to obtain well-vascularised tissue, with good resistance to bacterial contamination and easy to shape into such defects, the reverse turnover latissimus dorsi flap is a useful surgical option. Between 1998 and 2003, four patients presented with complex lumbar wounds in our department. Three patients were adults (mean age: 63 years) and one patient was 1 year old. In all cases, reconstruction was needed in the lumbar area after surgery on the spine. All wounds presented with bacterial contamination. In three cases, dural exposure was present, while in the fourth case, a small remnant of the posterior vertebral bony lamina was still present after debridement. In all four cases, the reconstruction was successfully achieved by turning over the latissimus dorsi to reach the lumbar midline defect. In one case, the adult paraplegic patient, only the inferior part of the muscle was harvested, to preserve an innervated upper part of the muscle for upper limb function. In the four cases, long term results were excellent (the mean follow up was 3.5 years), with no residual infection.

Post-surgical pyoderma gangrenosum: a clinical entity.

Post-surgical pyoderma gangrenosum (PSPG) represents a specific entity: it shares some clinical aspects of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG), but has a series of its own features. In this paper, two cases of PSPG associated with breast surgery are presented: their analysis, combined with a review of the few other cases reported in the literature, show the particular clinical presentation and evolution of this condition. Firstly, the onset of PSPG follows a sequence. After an apparently normal evolution of scar formation following a surgical procedure, the scar presents with many small dehiscences, which will progressively coalesce to some larger areas of wound ulceration, with no visible granulation tissue. Secondly, the delay between surgery and the beginning of symptoms is variable, from 4 days to sometimes 6 weeks. The process will evolve well beyond what would be expected for the initial wound that was created by surgery, with no self-limitation. The skin ulcerations become larger, despite any local treatment or antibiotics. Thirdly, PSPG can affect any anatomical location with the exception of the nipple-areolar complex. Fourthly, a dramatic response to immunomodulatory drugs will be observed. The pain is an inconstant symptom. Present in the first week after surgery, it can be severe and disproportionate regarding clinical presentation.

Does a foamy-block mattress system prevent pressure sores ? A prospective randomised clinical trial in 1729 patients.

BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcers are a frequent complication of bed rest. The development of an efficient and low cost pressure relieving system for the prevention of bed-sores would be of considerable hospital health and economic interest. Our study was designed to determine the effectiveness in pressure-sore prevention of an interface pressure-decreasing mattress, the Kliniplot mattress, used in our institution since 1978. METHODS: In a prospective randomised controlled 7-month clinical trial we compared the Kliniplot mattress with our standard hospital mattress in 1729 patients admitted to medical and surgical departments (neurology, cardiology, oncology-haematology, neurosurgery, thoracic surgery and orthopaedic surgery). Two groups (Klinipot mattress and standard hospital mattress) were monitored for the prevention of pressure sores. The patients were evaluated on a daily basis from their admission until the eventual occurrence of a bed-sore. Patients' characteristics and pressure-sore risk factors were similar at the baseline in both groups. Patients presenting with a pressure sore at the time of admission were excluded. RESULTS: Forty-two of the 1729 patients (2.4%) who entered the study developed at least one pressure sore. Twenty-one of the 657 patients (3.2%) nursed on the Kliniplot mattress, and 21 of the 1072 patients (1.9%) on the standard mattress developed bed-sores (p = 0.154). The median time for the occurrence of pressure sores was 31 days (range 6-87) with the Kliniplot mattress and 18 days (range 2 to 38) with the standard mattress (p < 0.001). The risk categories for developing bed-sores using the modified Ek's scale were no different at the baseline between both groups (p = 0.764). The severity of the pressure sores was no different between both groups (p = 0.918). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the occurrence of pressure sores is not reduced but is delayed when patients are nursed on a Kliniplot pressure-decreasing mattress.

Extracranial meningioma and pregnancy: a rare diagnosis.

We report the first case of pregnancy-related primary cutaneous meningioma of the scalp in a 27-year-old female. Types, differential diagnosis, pregnancy-related growth and treatment of extracranial meningiomas are discussed.

[The plastic surgery department]. / Le Service de Chirurgie Plastique.

Plastic surgery associates reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, as these are complementary and cannot be dissociated. Modern techniques in reconstructive surgery include grafts and flap transfers. Our team does 4500 consultations and 750 operations per year, out of which a large proportion of complex reconstructions. In order to treat very various diseases, strong collaborations exist with several units such as orthopaedics, ENT, maxillofacial surgery, neurosurgery, ophthal-mology, gynaecology, and dermatology.

Complete phalloplasty using the free radial forearm flap for correcting micropenis associated with vesical exstrophy.

PURPOSE: We present a new surgical technique for reconstructing the penis in a man with micropenis associated with vesical exstrophy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A free radial forearm flap was used to create a penis of normal length and diameter. The flap was wrapped around the native micropenis. A penile prosthesis was then inserted in the flap to provide erection. RESULTS: The flap was well vascularized and no skin damage was observed 6 years after reconstruction. The patient achieved sexual intercourse on a regular basis. He is satisfied with the result. CONCLUSIONS: Free transfer of the radial forearm flap may be done in select men with micropenis associated with vesical exstrophy for penile reconstruction. An inflatable prosthesis may be inserted in the flap to provide erection. The results of this technique have remained stable in the long term. This method provides a new tool for phalloplasty in these difficult cases.

Munchausen syndrome.

Munchausen syndrome is a rare condition in which the patient repeatedly seeks medical care for factitious illnesses. With this self-inflicted disease, the patients characteristically travel from one hospital to another, feigning acute, usually spectacular illnesses. The patients willingly submit themselves to extensive as well as invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Munchausen syndrome is a psychiatric disorder that requires psychiatric treatment. Reconstructive surgical procedures may be required to correct the acquired deformities. The difficulty in Munchausen syndrome lies essentially in early recognition of the psychiatric syndrome. Two exceptional cases are reported, and diagnosis and treatment are presented in the light of the current literature.

Circumferential torsoplasty.

Abdominoplasty procedures are often unsatisfactory in correcting body deformities remaining after massive weight loss. Lateral flanks, hip rolls and buttock ptosis need also to be addressed surgically. To achieve a more noticeable improvement in body contour, a circumferential torsoplasty procedure was performed in 30 patients during the years 1993-1997. Twenty of them had had a gastroplasty procedure before with a mean weight loss of 49.5 kg. Mean operative time was 210 min (range 150-420 min). The total resection weight ranged from 2 to 8.96 kg (mean 4.3 kg). Mean operative blood loss was 635 ml (range 300-1900 min). The mean hospital stay was 12 days. Minor complications occurred in four patients and major complications in one. Both patients and surgeons considered the outcome very satisfactory.

Free-flap evolution after hyperthermic regional chemotherapy in the isolated limb for malignant melanoma.

Two patients presenting with a stage I melanoma of the sole of the foot (Clark's level IV, Breslow's 2.8 mm, and Clark's level IV, Breslow's 3.2 mm) underwent a 3-cm tumor free-margin skin resection, followed by microanastomosed muscle flap reconstruction (serratus anterior and latissimus dorsi). Immediately after primary wound healing, an elective inguino-iliac lymph-node dissection, followed by hyperthermic isolated regional chemotherapy with Melphalan, was carried out. Only moderate swelling of both free flaps was observed after these procedures, and this resolved rapidly. The patients returned to ambulation after 2 weeks. No other side effects of the hyperthermic isolated regional chemotherapy were observed in the previously microanastomosed flaps.

Apocrine hidrocystoma of the finger.

An apocrine hidrocystoma occurring on the finger of a 55-year-old man is reported. The lesion presented as a solitary, painless cystic nodule on the dorsal aspect of the middle phalanx of the index finger. Apocrine hidrocystoma is a benign tumour developed from apocrine sweat glands, but the location of the lesion was, however, not consistent with reported locations of apocrine glands in the adult.

Traumatic spinal accessory nerve palsy.

Spinal accessory nerve sections due to a purely traumatic origin are very rare. The authors report a case in which a total section of the spinal accessory nerve was observed after a glass-penetrating injury. The primary lesion was undiagnosed, and only late physical examination revealed a scapula alata with a deficiency in shoulder protrusion and elevation. Surgical exploration with direct suturing of the nerve was performed 2 months after the initial trauma; full restoration of muscle function was obtained 12 months after the surgical procedure. Pain, the dominant preoperative feature, totally disappeared after restoration of shoulder function. Although infrequent, spinal accessory nerve lesions must always be excluded in cases of penetrating injuries in the posterior triangle of the neck. Emphasis is placed on diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Lipoma of the toe.

Lipoma is a common benign soft tissue tumor. It may arise in any location, but most frequently it is located on the trunk, chest, upper thigh, upper arm, and shoulder. Reports of a lipoma in the foot exist, but the occurrence of the tumor in this location is very rare. Lipomas of the toe have only been reported in children, some imitating or having associated gigantism. We present a benign lipoma occurring on the plantar aspect of the second toe in an adult.

Verrucous carcinoma or epithelioma cuniculatum plantare.

Verrucous carcinoma is a rare form of squamous cell carcinoma. It behaves as a slow-growing, locally aggressive and rarely metastasizing tumour. Three clinical cases are presented, with emphasis on clinical presentation, pathological diagnosis and therapeutic approach. The pathogenesis of verrucous carcinoma, including chronic inflammation and human papillomavirus, is also discussed.

Composite big-toe flap of nail, nail matrix, and bone for replacement of a thumb defect: case report.

Defects created by glomus tumor resection are usually closed primarily or with the use of a skin graft or a local flap. The authors present a case with a large defect on the radial side of a dominant thumb where, to replace missing tissue with the same type of tissue, a custom-made free toe transfer was used, to provide a good functional and aesthetic reconstruction.

[Post-gastroplasty plastic surgery]. / La chirurgie plastique post-gastroplastie.

Gastric volume modification by surgery (gastroplasty, gastric banding ...) is intended to improve health in patients presenting morbid obesity. However, consecutive cutaneous sequellae are always ungrateful and often particularly disabling. The treatment of these sequellae often necessitates plastic surgery correction. We present a series of 21 patients whose cutaneous sequellae secondary to gastroplasty were operated on after a mean loss of 42% of body mass index. Sixty-three anatomical sites were treated in 27 operative sessions without any general complication. The number of operative sessions was limited using a simultaneous multiple surgical team approach, which is particularly adapted to this type of patients. The local complications (11 cases) were minor (delays of healing, hematoma, seroma, abscess). Even though the final aesthetic appearance depended greatly on the preoperative situation, all the patients were satisfied with the results obtained.

Reduction mammaplasty combined with pectoralis major muscle flaps for median sternotomy wound closure.

Sternal wound infection can be a problem in patients who undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery and is usually treated with local flaps. Severe macromastia can cause a large wound dehiscence by inferolateral tension on the skin sutures. Chest wall reconstruction can be achieved by combining muscle flap coverage with reduction mammaplasty. Two musculoglandulocutaneous flaps can be designed, using two superiorly based pectoralis muscle flaps vascularising the medial portion of the glandular breast tissue. The flaps are advanced medially to the sternectomy site and the breast reduction is then completed by adjusting the lateral breast pillar to the medial breast pillar. A case in which this technique was successfully used is reported.

Glomus tumours of the hand. A retrospective study of 51 cases.

The authors report a series of 51 patients with glomus tumours in the hand. The duration of symptoms before treatment averaged 10 years. No one site or finger was more commonly involved. Objective features were limited to a blue discoloration in 29%, a pulp nodule or a nail deformity in 33%. An osseous defect was seen on plain X-ray films in 36%. Diagnosis depended on clinical suspicion in 90%. Careful dissection and complete excision of the tumour almost always offer permanent relief. A direct transungual approach was used in the subungual tumours with only one cosmetic problem. Recurrence of symptoms occurred in only two cases after a pain-free interval of 2 years.