Anatomy and Aesthetics of the Labia Minora: The Ideal Vulva?

Female genital cosmetic surgery is becoming more and more widespread both in the field of plastic and gynaecological surgery. The increased demand for vulvar surgery is spurred by the belief that the vulva is abnormal in appearance. What is normal in terms of labial anatomy? Labia minora enlargement or hypertrophy remains a clinical diagnosis which is poorly defined as it could be considered a variation of the normal anatomy. Enlarged labia minora can cause functional, aesthetic and psychosocial problems. In reality, given the wide variety of vulvar morphology among people, it is a very subjective issue to define the "normal" vulva. The spread of nudity in the general media plays a major role in creating an artificial image and standards with regard to the ideal form. Physicians should be aware that the patient's self-perception of the normal or ideal vulva is highly influenced by the arguably distorted image related to our socio-psychological environment, as presented to us by the general media and internet. As physicians, we have to educate our patients on the variation of vulvar anatomy and the potential risks of these surgeries. Level of Evidence V 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 Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

[Axillary hyperhidrosis, botulinium A toxin treatment: Review]. / Hyperhidrose axillaire, traitement par injection de toxine botulique de type A: revue de la littérature.

Injection of type A botulinum toxin in the armpits is a temporary treatment for axillary hyperhidrosis. This technique described in 1996 by Bushara et al., is known to be efficient and safe. The purpose of this article was to review the data concerning the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis with botulinum toxin type A, and discuss the other treatment modalities for this socially disabling entity.

[New cutaneous strategy in sural flap surgery and possibility to adapt this technique to other pedicled flaps]. / Stratégie cutanée dans la chirurgie du lambeau sural et possibilité d'adaptation de cette technique aux autres lambeaux pédiculés.

INTRODUCTION: Therapeutic managements in losses of substance of the lower limb using sural flap give an important scar and, sometimes, an impossibility to close the flap donor site. That led us to think about an operative procedure that can reduce those scars without increasing the risk of necrosis of the cutaneous paddle. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We present this operative procedure which underwent in the plastic and reconstructive surgery service in our hospital. Classical flap procedure with two cutaneous parts was used. The cutaneous laxity was evaluated so as to close with one cutaneous part; the other cutaneous part was taken and used like a skin graft after the suture of the calf and the formation of a bursa on the donor site. The leg was closed with only one cutaneous flap. RESULTS: This technique is illustrated by a case report. Results at the 4th month are very interesting with an acceptable scar and a good result of the skin graft. However, with this technique, we don't decrease the venous risk of this flap. We used this technique for an antebrachial flap. CONCLUSION: This technique is an easy and reliable technique based on cutaneous laxity and that decreases scarring of this very useful flap: the neurocutaneous sural flap. We can have a diminution of the number of surgery, a diminution of the scar and good aesthetics results.

[Face and neck lift using a superficial musculo-aponeuro­t­ic system (SMAS) plication: Radiological analysis of tissu displacement, a case report].

Objectives: Face and neck lift (FNL) using SMAS plication is a simple and well-known surgical technique. The principle of smas plication from two fixed points allows an important tissue ascension. Our purpose was to objectively evaluate the SMAS plication results, although a common critic may be due to its early deep tissular displacement. Materials and methods: We present the case of a 65 y.o. female patient who received a FNL. Miniature metal pins were placed on the external surface of the SMAS in order to ensure radiological monitoring. A cephalo­metric and photographic monitoring were performed pre­operatively and on day 1, months 2, 6 and 16 postoperatively . We performed a computed numerised analysis of the movement of the markers in an orthogonal axis. Results: All our bearings kept a constant position in the radiographic follow-up , demons­tra­ting the fixity of SMAS kinked 16 months postoperatively. Clinically the correction remained a good appearance with a very slight relaxation of the superficial tissues (skin and subcutaneous fat). Conclusion: In the case of our patient, the tensioning of the deep facial plan (the SMAS) objectively appeared to be efficient over time, with an overall delay of 16 months. Our protocole appeared to be coherent without any specific complication. It permits to objectively differentiate the relaxation of the deep or superfial tissues after a facial lift procedure.

[Mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction using a prosthesis and lower dermal flap: description of five cases]. / Mastectomie avec reconstruction immédiate par prothèse et lambeau inférieur dermique : à propos de cinq cas.

INTRODUCTION: When performing mastectomy involving immediate reconstruction with prosthesis, it is required to obtain a complete cover of the implant. However, this is hardly ever possible for patients having a significant breast volume, despite the use of the skin-reducing technique. Using the lower dermal flap makes it possible to fully cover the implant for these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We will describe five cases of patients on whom skin-reducing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with prosthesis and lower dermal flap were performed. Preoperative drawings were made following the so-called "Saint-Louis" pattern. During surgery, the future skin flap representing the skin cover of lower breast quadrants was de-epidermised. Mastectomy was then performed via an incision at the upper limit of the future flap. Then, a retro-pectoral pocket was created by lifting the pectoralis major muscle. The implant was introduced into this pocket and covered up at its lower part by the dermal flap, the upper edge of which was sutured to the lower edge of the pectoralis major muscle. The implant was thereby fully covered. Finally, the skin was closed with inverted T-scars. RESULTS: Postoperative effects were minor. Two patients suffered from skin pain at the junction between the vertical and horizontal scars of the inverted T. These injuries were treated via healing by secondary intention. We have not observed any infection. Cosmetic results assessed by the patients and surgical team were considered as satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using a prosthesis and lower dermal flap makes it possible to fully cover the implant in patients who require the skin-reducing technique. This technique seems to minimise the risk of major complications and generates satisfactory cosmetic results.

Radial artery pseudoaneurysm: a rare complication after arthroscopic treatment of a volar wrist ganglion in a hemophilia patient.

Vascular complications of wrist arthroscopy are rare. We report the case of a 42-year-old male patient with a history of hemophilia who had a ganglion located where the radial pulse is taken that had been causing him pain for five months. After infusion of Exacyl (antifibrinolytic agent), the ganglion was drained arthroscopically. Fifteen days later, the patient presented with a pseudoaneurysm of the radial artery requiring urgent reoperation.

Occupational therapy and epilepsy.

Epilepsy and its varied seizure types effect the physical, social, emotional, recreational and vocational functioning of individuals and their families. This article addresses the varlous components of seizure disorders and discusses the importance of occupational therapy intervention in each of these areas. Epilepsy first aid, safe and activities of daily living, and the role of the occupational therapist in education and vocational exploration are discussed, along with a concise description of epilepsy and its seizure types.