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Abstract Introduction The main cause of ischial pressure sores in paraplegic patients is prolonged sitting without pressure relief. These wounds are subject to recurrence and may need repeated reconstruction with local flaps. When all options are exhausted, the total thigh flap is the last resort. Disarticulation of the hip joint impairs stability even when sitting and causes subsequently very high discomfort. In this manuscript, we describe an alternative to the total thigh flap to avoid hip disarticulation: the foot fillet flap. Materials & Methods This study was performed on four patients at the department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery of the Ghent University Hospital, Belgium. Inclusion criteria were the following: paraplegic patients affected by recurrent pressure sores, exhaustion of all local options and adequate vascular status of the lower extremities. Results All patients were kept in an air-fluidized bed for two weeks and progressed well during their post-operative course. Healing time varied from 12 to 29 days and suction drains were removed after 15 days as in any standard pressure sore flap. Hospital stay varied from 18 to 42 days. Conclusion The pedicled foot fillet flap is a valuable alternative to the total thigh flap. Coverage of large, recurrent, pressure sores in the ischial, trochanteric or sacral region is ideal due to the thick glabrous plantar skin, shock-absorbing fibrofatty subcutaneous tissue and underlying muscles provided by the sole of the foot. Furthermore, coxofemoral disarticulation, mandatory in a total thigh flap, that leads to instability while sitting, is avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Introduction Options for breast reconstructions enclose autologous tissue transfers or implants. Fat grafting is gaining more interest in this specific field of breast surgery. This study concentrates on the technique and aesthetic results of breast reconstruction with fat grafts combined with implants, in women who have undergone total mastectomy. Methods Breast reconstructions (n = 23) was performed using a protocol of intratissular expansion with serial deflation-lipofilling. In order to achieve the best aesthetic outcome, an additional small implant was placed. A retrospective data analysis was performed. In all patients a tissue expander was placed at the time of mastectomy or after removal of a previous breast reconstruction. The mean of lipoaspirate material for the reconstruction was 333 mL (range 120–715 mL). To create an adequate volume of the reconstructed breast, a supplementary small implant was placed, with a mean volume of 222 mL (range 125–375 mL). The mean follow-up was 33 months (range 19–50 months). Results A MRI analysis was performed in eight patients at least 9 months after the last lipofilling procedure, demonstrating a mean of 171 mL (range 64–538 mL) of transferred fat, a mean fat survival of 53% and a volume ratio of fat graft/implant of 0.97 (range 0,3–3,8). Conclusion This composite technique of using autologous fat tissue and implants shows aesthetic pleasant results and must be considered as a valid alternative in a subset of patients. Further investigations to optimize the fat graft take must be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Objective: The study''s aim was to evaluate the available evidence regarding the use of platelet-rich plasma in plastic and reconstructive surgery, through implementation of a systematic review of the literature. Data sources: PubMed and The Cochrane Library were searched using MeSH terms: ‘platelet rich plasma’ and ‘plastic surgery’ for all publications up to July 2011. All English, German, French and Dutch papers were included. In addition, the reference lists of relevant articles were searched for potentially appropriate publications. Study selection: Included studies needed to report on topics related to plastic and reconstructive surgery, mentioning at least one clinical end point. Both in vivo and in vitro comparative studies, performed in humans or animals, were included. A total of 82 publications were found, of which 40 studies met the inclusion criteria and were relevant to be used in this systematic review. Data extraction: Data from retrieved studies were reviewed and tabulated according to year of publication, study design, human or animal studies, characteristics of the population, mode of application, outcomes and preparation method. Data synthesis: A total of 15 randomised controlled trials and 25 case–control studies were found. Thirty-six publications demonstrated favourable outcomes with the use of platelet-rich plasma. The included articles were divided into three topics related to plastic surgery: wound healing, fat grafting and bone grafting. Conclusions: This systematic review describes a substantially beneficial effect of platelet-rich plasma for several indications, including a better wound healing rate, an increased survival rate of fat grafts and an enhancement of bone graft regeneration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: The nose is a central, prominent unit of the face. The surgical approach to complete nasal amputations is challenging and an experienced microsurgical team should always attempt microvascular replantation. This one-stage procedure could result in a superior clinical outcome compared to delayed reconstructive procedures. Two successful microvascular replantations of the distal half of the nose were performed. Both amputations were the result of two completely different aetiologies (sharp guillotine-like vs. avulsion trauma). However, we were not able to re-establish the venous drainage, which was managed through medicinal leeching. Both replantations resulted in an aesthetically pleasing result and no additional surgery was needed. A microsurgical replantation attempt should always be attempted in nasal amputations and the inability to perform venous anastomosis should not preclude the replant attempt. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Perforator flaps are widely used in our unit for breast reconstruction. They provide ample tissue with minimal donor site morbidity together with long lasting aesthetic results. Increasing number of patients may have liposuction procedure which may jeopardise areas such as the abdomen and the buttock which are the donor sites for perforator-free flaps in breast reconstruction. Therefore, liposuction has been considered as a relative contraindication of raising perforator flaps. Six patients who had previous liposuction of the donor sites underwent autologous breast reconstruction with perforator-free flaps. Colour Duplex imaging was obtained in all cases preoperatively in order to evaluate the blood supply to the flap and to map the perforators. There were five deep inferior epigastric artery flaps (DIEP) and one superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) flap used. Total flap survival was obtained in all cases. Postoperative course was uneventful. Our results showed that raising perforator flaps after liposuction of the donor sites is possible. Preoperative radiological evaluation of the perforators is mandatory for such difficult cases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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Summary: Release and reconstruction of axillary scar contractures can be challenging due to the specific anatomic site and contouring of the axillary region. Pliable and unscarred skin coverage of resulting defects after scar release is needed which enhances the postoperative recovery and revalidation. When traditional donor regions of fasciocutaneous flaps are involved in the scarred area, options are few. We describe the design and versatility of an inframammary extended lateral intercostal artery perforator (LICAP) flap to reconstruct an axillary defect after wide scar release and debridement. The postoperative recovery was uneventful with restoration of the range of motion of the shoulder joint. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]