Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a rare disease involving the skin with the formation of synechiae and cicatricial retractions, especially on the hands. The objective of this study is the evaluation of the surgical technique of debridement of the amorphous hand in patients suffering from EB. All patients were treated according to the ethical principles of the Helsinki declaration. Data collection was performed in terms of patient's hospitalization time, healing time (healing for more than 90% of the epidermis), possible recurrence and reoperation times, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain evaluation, and Disability of Arm-Shoulder-Hand (DASH) score in preoperative time and after 60 days from surgery. The clinical follow-up ranges from a minimum of 36 months up to 10 years. Complete reepithelialization of the hands (<90% of the bloody surface) occurred in 19.2 days, with a range of 14-23 days. In our study, the improvement in the DASH score and pain evaluation with VAS scale were statistically significant (P < 0.05), and the goal of this treatment was the functional recovery of the hands with resumption of daily autonomy. The surgical technique shown is safe, simple, and repeatable with a rapid learning curve, and no complex instruments or large operating spaces are needed, which is why it should be easy to make it repeatable in other plastic or hand surgery centers. Our data regarding discomfort and the DASH scale give us encouraging premises to continue in this direction.

Hemifacial microsomia (HFM) presentation includes gross distorted ramus, malposition temporomandibular joint, small glenoid fossa, distorted condyle and notch, malformed orbit, cupping ear or absent external ear, and facial nerve palsy. HFM is the second most prevalent congenital deformity of the face, with little literature from the South African population. This retrospective study elucidated the demographic characteristics and clinical presentations of HFM patients in a select South African population and compared it to the literature. Methods: A retrospective study of HFM patients diagnosed through clinical presentation and confirmed by plain radiograph or computed tomography was conducted. The patient's charts were reviewed for age, sex, laterality, side, the severity of the deformity, and associated craniofacial and extra-craniofacial anomalies. The clinical presentation of malformations was categorised according to the OMENS classification, using five major craniofacial manifestations of HFM. Twenty-five patients were included, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.78. The population distribution is 60% Black, 32% Indian, 4% White and 4% Coloured. A right-to-left laterality ratio of 1.4:1 and 4% bilateral affectation. This study showed 100% mandibular hypoplasia, 84% ear deformity, 40% orbital deformity, 60% facial nerve defect and 100% soft tissue defect affectation with noticeable facial asymmetry. Other craniofacial anomalies were recorded in 84%, while extracraniofacial anomalies were recorded in 40% of this HFM population. There is a high degree of variability in the deformities in HFM in the South African population, distinguishing it from the international population. A multidisciplinary approach is required for its treatment and management.

Toe pulp flap surgery is a viable option for soft tissue defects of the fingertips, effectively addressing patient needs and fingertip characteristics. The preferred anesthesia for lower-extremity surgery includes spinal and regional anesthesia. However, the choice between these methods depends on patient safety and surgical efficacy. In this retrospective study, we aimed to ascertain the optimal anesthetic technique by examining the efficacy, safety, pain control, and potential side effects of spinal and peripheral nerve block anesthetics. We included 40 patients aged 18-60 years who underwent partial second toe pulp free flap surgery for fingertip reconstruction. Twenty patients received spinal anesthesia (SA), while the remaining 20 received peripheral nerve block anesthesia. We conducted a comparative analysis of postoperative pain scores, adverse effects, analgesic usage, and patient satisfaction scores associated with each anesthesia method. Independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and chi-squared test were performed. The SA group exhibited hypotension, bradycardia, urinary retention, and postdural puncture headache rates of 10%, 10%, 5%, and 5%, respectively. A significant difference in the timing of first analgesic use was observed (spinal, 3.7 ± 0.8 vs. peripheral nerve block, 13.2 ± 6.6; P = 0.006). Visual analog scale (VAS) scores of the patients at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th h were significantly lower in the peripheral nerve block group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). VAS scores at 12 and 24 h were similar between the groups (P = 0.07, P = 0.135, respectively). Peripheral nerve block anesthesia is superior to SA for partial second toe pulp free flap surgery, offering lower complication rates, reduced postoperative pain, and improved patient comfort.

Radiotherapy is important in breast cancer treatment. A side effect of the treatment is fibrosis that decreases the possibility for a successful breast reconstruction with expanders and with high patient satisfaction with the result. The most common option for mastectomized, irradiated women wishing for a breast reconstruction is autologous tissue transplantation. However, some patients are not suitable for flap surgery. Fifty mastectomized and irradiated women were included in a randomized controlled trial. They underwent breast reconstruction with expanders and were allocated 1:1 to either receive pre-treatment with autologous fat transplantation (AFT) or not. Primary outcomes were frequency of reoperations and complications. Secondary outcomes were number of days in hospital, number of outpatient visits to surgeon or nurse and patient reported outcome as reported with Breast Q. Follow-up time was 2 years. Fifty-two per cent of the intervention group and 68% of the controls underwent reoperations (p = 0.611). Thirty-two per cent of the intervention group and 52% of the controls had complications (p = 0.347). The median number of consultations with the nurse was four in the intervention group and six in the control group (p = 0.002). The AFT patients were significantly more satisfied with their breasts and psychosocial well-being after 2 years. They also had higher increase in satisfaction with breasts, psychosocial well-being, and sexual well-being when comparing baseline with 2 years postoperatively. This randomized controlled trial indicates benefits of AFT prior to breast reconstruction with expanders, especially on patient reported outcome even if the study sample is small.

Many patients suffered from serious pain after breast augmentation, but the analgesic efficacy of pectoral nerve block for these patients was not well established. Thus, this meta-analysis was intended to study the analgesic efficacy of pectoral nerve block for breast augmentation. Several databases including PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases were searched, and we included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the analgesic efficacy of pectoral nerve block for breast augmentation. Six RCTs were ultimately included in this meta-analysis. Compared with control intervention for breast augmentation, pectoral nerve block could significantly reduce pain scores at 1 h (mean difference [MD] = -2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -3.71 to -0.85; P = 0.002), 2 h (MD = -3.08; 95% CI = -3.95 to -2.20; P < 0.00001), 4 h (MD = -2.95; 95% CI = -3.32 to -2.58; P < 0.00001), 6-8 h (MD = -2.68; 95% CI = -3.24 to -2.11; P < 0.00001), 24 h (MD = -2.04; 95% CI = -2.41 to -1.67; P < 0.00001), the number of analgesic requirement (odd ratio [OR] = 0.20; 95% CI = 0.09 to 0.45; P = 0.0001), and the incidence of nausea (OR = 0.21; 95% CI = 0.08 to 0.54; P = 0.001) and vomiting (OR = 0.15; 95% CI = 0.05 to 0.39; P = 0.0001). Conclusions: Pectoral nerve block may be effective for pain relief after breast augmentation.

Normative data for interpreting the BREAST-Q reconstruction module are currently limited to four populations. The primary aim of this study was to create Swedish normative values for the BREAST-Q reconstruction domains. The secondary aim was to describe what aspects of the breasts and potential donor sites that women of the general population are generally satisfied or dissatisfied with. The BREAST-Q reconstruction module was sent to a random sample of 400 women currently living in Region Västra Götaland. Descriptive data are presented. One hundred and forty-six women answered the questionnaire (36.5%). The mean age of the cohort was 53 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 25 kg/m2. Mean total scores ranged from 50 to 90. The mean score for satisfaction with breast was 57 on a 0-100 scale. Women with high BMI values seem to be less satisfied with their breasts and physical and sexual well-being. The participants were most satisfied with their breasts when clothed. Overall, the reported physical well-being related to potential donor sites was high. Normative data for BREAST-Q constitute a reference point, which allows us to put another perspective on changes in scores rather than just comparing scores before and after surgery. Scores were somewhat different than scores in previously published normative populations, which indicates that there might be cultural differences in breast satisfaction.

Homodigital dorsal branch of proper digital artery flaps (HDBPDAF) have been proved to be an excellent alternative for repairing distal soft tissue defects of fingertip. This study was to evaluate the clinical effects of HDBPDAF on repairing various soft tissue defects of fingers, including thumb and multi-fingers defects. A retrospective study was conducted in 40 patients with 44 finger defects treated with HDBPDAF from August of 2014 to December of 2021. The defects were located on fingertip and finger pulp (n = 28), finger pulp (n = 10), and dorsum of fingers (n = 6) with bone, tendon or nerve exposed. The average size of the flaps was 1.9 × 3.9 cm. Semmes Weinstein monofilament (SWM) test, Static two-point discrimination (2-PD), Total active motion (TAM) scores, the mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score were evaluated through long-term follow-up. Forty-two flaps survived completely and uneventfully. Partial flap necrosis was observed in two flaps because of the absence of dorsal branch of proper digital artery. No visible scar contracture and joint limitation were noticed. The mean SWM score of flaps was 4.11 ± 0.4 g. The average 2-PD of the flaps was 8.9 ± 0.9 mm. The mean TAM of injured fingers was 268.7 ± 5.2° (contralateral side: 283.2 ± 6.4°, p < 0.05). The mean DASH score value was 29.7 ± 7.9. The HDBPDAF was an optimal and reliable alternative to repair various distal soft tissue defects of fingers, despite a lower absent rate of dorsal branch.

Introduction This work aims to assess lower limb free flaps spontaneous sensory recovery by comparing and analyzing a single standardized reconstructive procedure, namely the free noninnervated anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap in order to evaluate which flap or patient-related factors may predict flap reinnervation. Methods Between January 2010 and March 2018 all nonreinnervated ALT flaps for lower limb coverage performed at our institution were screened. We excluded from the study flaps with less than 18 months of follow-up time, neurotized flaps, and those from patients who missed the last follow up. Sensory modalities that were evaluated included the two-point discrimination (2PD) test, measured in mm; and the Semmes–Weinstein monofilament (SWM) test, measured in gram. The sensory parameter results were compared and analyzed according to flap size (two groups; <160 cm2 vs. > 160 cm2), and post-op time of testing (two groups; <18–28 months vs. > 28 months). Results Twenty-one ALT free flaps were finally retained by this study. Our findings showed that flaps of smaller surface area showed a significantly better return in sensory discrimination 2PD and in sensory cutaneous pressure perception SWM testing. Conclusion This work establishes for the first time some key quantitative data that can help predict free flap spontaneous reinnervation outcomes when using the same ALT flap. In our series, flaps surface remains the main discriminant value for a better sensory recovery.

Background: The use of fast-track surgery pathway has been reported to reduce the stress of operation and accelerate rehabilitation in various surgical specialties. However, there has been a relative dearth of research on this subject for surgical treatment of gynecomastia. Materials and methods: The gynecomastia was treated by liposuction plus pull-through technique. The safety and recovery profiles were retrospectively compared between the patients in a standard pathway (including general anesthesia and postoperative drainage) and those in a fast-track pathway (including patient education, local tumescent anesthesia, no drainage, and effective pain control). Registered outcomes included postoperative complications, time to normal life, length of stay, patient satisfaction, etc. Results: From October of 2017 to October of 2021, 126 gynecomastia patients with Simon’s grade I or II who underwent the surgical treatments were included in the study, of which 25 patients were treated according to standard pathway, and 101 patients underwent the fast-track pathway. During the follow-up, there was no difference between the cohorts in the incidence of postoperative complications. Both the time to normal life and length of stay significantly decreased to 0 after the introduction of fast-track pathway. Overall, 94.1% of the patients ranked the fast-track surgical pathway as ‘great’ or ‘moderate' at the 3-month follow-up. Conclusions: The proposed fast-track pathway is feasible for surgical treatment of gynecomastia, leading to an enhanced recovery and high patient satisfaction without increasing the rate of complications. The fast-track surgery concept with implementation of local anesthetic techniques should be given serious consideration in gynecomastia management.

Mallet finger is a commonly encountered condition in daily practice. However, there is currently no consensus on whether surgical intervention or conservative treatment with orthosis splint is superior. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we compare the treatment outcomes between surgery and orthosis for bony and tendinous mallet finger. We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library according to the PRISMA guidelines from inception to January 15, 2021. The primary outcome was distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint extension lag angle, and secondary outcomes were DIP joint flexion and range of motion (ROM) angle. A total of 297 studies were initially identified, of which 13 (ten retrospective non-randomized controlled studies (non-RCTs) and three RCTs) were included in the final analysis. The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis showed that there was no high level of evidence supporting the superiority of surgery over orthosis in the treatment of mallet finger. Based on the available evidence, surgical intervention and conservative treatment with splint may offer similar clinical outcomes in both bony and tendinous mallet finger.