Effect of capacitive radiofrequency on the dermis of the abdominal region.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of radiofrequency (RF) on sagging skin. This is a case series study with five volunteers who received a single application of capacitive RF (BTL-6000 TR-Therapy Pro®) in the right infraumbilical abdominal region, with epidermal temperature above 40°C, for 10 min (2 min per applicator area), and the skin of the contralateral region was used as control. After 30 days, on average, the skin of the abdominal region was collected for histological analysis and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Picro-sirus, and Verhoff. The percentage of collagen and elastic fibers found was marked by the Image J®. The statistical analysis was performed in the SPSS program (version 20), with a significance level of 95%. This was registered with the ethics and research comitee of UFTM n 3.461.688 on Jul 12, 2019 and clinical trial registration n. NCT04182542, retrospectively registered. Morphometric analysis demonstrated a remodeling of collagen and elastic fibers on the side treated with RF; however, the morphometry for collagen showed no significant difference, with an average percentage of 60.94 ± 0.32 for the control side and 61.97 ± 2.80 for the treated with p=0.32. Similarly, elastic fibers also showed no significant difference between groups, with a mean percentage of 5.67 ± 2.70 for control and 6.21 ± 2.01 for treated with p=0.19. The RF with the parameters used in this study was able to cause morphological changes in collagen and elastic fibers of the abdominal region skin; however, it showed no change in the percentage of these fibers.

Effects of carboxytherapy on skin laxity.

BACKGROUND: Carboxytherapy is capable of inducing tissue repair which results in an increase in elastic and collagen fibers. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of carboxytherapy upon human skin collagen and elastic fiber synthesis. METHODS: Case study of nine volunteers who received a single application of carboxytherapy in the left infraumbilical region, with infusion rate of 100 mL/min and 0.6 mL/kg weight over an area of 25 cm2 . After 60 days on average, the skin was collected for histological analysis and stained with picrosirius red for collagen and Verhoeff for elastic fibers. The percentage of fibers found was marked by the Image J® program and recorded in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 20), with a significance level of 95%. RESULTS: An increase in the collagen and elastic fibers sample was observed in the treated group. Morphometrically, a significant increase in the percentage of collagen in the Carboxytherapy group (41.44 ± 4.50%) was observed compared with the control group (37.44 ± 3.87%) with P = .04; for elastic fibers, the percentage showed no significant difference between the control group (10.55 ± 4.33%) and the carboxytherapy group (10.44 ± 3.71%). CONCLUSIONS: Carboxytherapy with the parameters used in this study was able to stimulate collagen and elastic fiber synthesis, with significant differences in the morphometry for collagen fibers.

Retalho zigomático-palpebral: uma técnica opcional para a reconstrução da pálpebra inferior / Zygomatic-palpebral flap: an optional technique for lower eyelid reconstruction

Introdução: A reconstrução de pálpebra inferior representa um desafio peculiar ao cirurgião plástico, uma vez que traduz uma região facial de importância estética e funcional. O objetivo é apresentar uma técnica opcional para a reconstrução de defeitos da pálpebra inferior com o retalho cutâneo zigomáticopalpebral. Esta técnica mostra uma alternativa nos casos de pele escleroatrófica de pessoas idosas, bem como para pessoas jovens, que não apresentam redundância da pele palpebral superior, impossibilitando por exemplo o uso de enxertos de pálpebra superior ou retalhos como o de Fricke ou Tripier. Métodos: Os autores mostram a indicação do retalho em casos de ectrópio cicatricial, reconstrução após ressecção de neoplasias, associação com outros retalhos como de Hughes ou para cobertura de enxertos cartilaginosos. É um retalho de transposição composto por pele e subcutâneo, randomizado. A técnica baseia-se no uso de retalho local, de características muito semelhantes à área do defeito, o que permite mimetização, segurança e exequibilidade. Resultados: Os resultados imediatos e tardios são satisfatórios e bem aceitos pelos pacientes e pela equipe cirúrgica em termos estéticos e funcionais, com oclusão palpebral adequada e lubrificação ocular preservada. Conclusão: O retalho zigomático-palpebral apresenta como vantagens a simplicidade de execução, sangramento mínimo, baixa morbidade de área doadora e feito sob anestesia local. O objetivo de reconstruir defeitos da pálpebra é restaurar a anatomia e função. Esta pode ser uma tarefa desafiadora, especialmente em defeitos maiores que podem estar presentes nos procedimentos oncológicos em jovens e em idosos com pele escleroatrófica e mínima frouxidão.

Introduction: Lower eyelid reconstruction represents a unique challenge to plastic surgeons, since it involves a facial region of aesthetic and functional importance. The objective is to present an optional technique for the reconstruction of lower eyelid defects using zygomatic-palpebral skin flap. This technique represents an alternative in cases of scleroatrophic skin in older patients, and for young people who do not have an upper eyelid skin redundancy, which prevents, for example, the use of upper eyelid grafts or flaps such as those of Fricke or Tripier. Methods: The authors describe the flap used in cases of cicatricial ectropion and reconstruction after resection of neoplasms and association with other flaps, such as those of Hughes, or for coverage of cartilage grafts. The flap consisted of a transposition flap made up of skin and underlying subcutaneous tissues, randomized . The technique was based on the use of a local flap with highly similar characteristics to the defect area, which allowed it to mimic functions, while being safe and feasible. Results: The immediate and late results in terms of aesthetics and function were satisfactory and well accepted by patients and the surgical team, with adequate eyelid occlusion and preserved ocular lubrication. Conclusion: The advantages of the zygomatic-palpebral flap are its ease of execution, minimal bleeding, low morbidity of the donor area, and the use of local anesthesia. The reconstruction of eyelid defects aims to restore anatomy and function. This can be a challenging task, especially in cases with larger defects that may be present after oncologic procedures both in young and old patients presenting with scleroatrophic skin and minimal tissue laxity.