Plastic Surgery / Chirurgie Plastique

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease arising from the hair follicles in apocrine gland-rich areas. It is also one of the most common indications for axillary surgery. Reconstruction of the axillary region after such surgery must be performed meticulously due to its critical location and crucial content. In this report, we present our experience of reconstruction of axillary defects with posterior arm perforator flaps (PAPF) following radical excisions.

A total of 14 patients (9 male, 5 female) aged between 16 and 49 years who had presented with HS in the axillary region and, after surgery, underwent reconstruction with either island or skin bridge posterior arm flap between January 2015 and October 2016 were included in the study and evaluated retrospectively. All of the defects were reconstructed with PAPF following wide excision.

Five of the flaps (over 4 patients) were designed as flaps with skin bridges, while the remaining 12 flaps in 11 patients were raised as island flaps. The flaps had areas ranging from 20 to 84 cm² (mean 39.5 cm²), depending on the size of the defect after excision. The mean follow-up time after the operation was 6 months. Wound dehiscence was detected in one patient, and another patient developed marginal necrosis during the postoperative period; no other complications were observed.

Posterior arm perforator flaps can provide sufficient amounts of soft tissue to cover axillary defects and should be considered as the flap of choice in axillary reconstruction.

Osteochondral grafts are indicated for reconstructing the finger middle phalanx base when there is greater than 50% involvement of the articular surface and significant comminution. This study aims to compare the cartilage thickness of the distal surface of the hamate to the finger middle phalanx base to assess its suitability as an osteochondral graft.

A 3-dimensional laser scanner and computer modelling techniques were utilized to determine the cartilage thickness of the distal surface of the hamate, and finger middle phalanx base using cadaver specimens. The mean, maximum, and coefficient of variation (CV%; a measure of uniformity of cartilage distribution), as well as cartilage distribution maps were determined.

The mean cartilage thickness of the hamate was 0.73 ± 0.08 mm compared to the average mean thickness of the finger middle phalanx base of 0.40 ± 0.12 mm. The maximum cartilage thickness of the hamate was 1.27 ± 0.14 mm compared to the average maximum of the finger middle phalanx base of 0.67 ± 0.14 mm. The CV% of the hamate was 27.8 ± 4.2 compared to the average CV% for the finger middle phalanx base of 26.6 ± 8.1. The hamate and finger middle phalanx base have maximum areas that were most frequently at or spanning the median ridge; however, this was more consistently observed with the hamate.

The distal surface of the hamate is a suitable osteochondral graft with respect to cartilage thickness and distribution providing sufficient cartilage for reconstruction of the finger middle phalanx base.

Aesthetic and functional concerns, especially after multiple revision rhinoplasties, continue to provide a challenge even for the experienced surgeon.

This study aimed to report the results in terms of “secondary rhinoplasty,” performed by the senior author after previous rhinoplasty.

This descriptive prospective study was carried on 150 patients with surgical indication of secondary rhinoplasty and they were asked to fill out the questionnaire divided into 3 parts: overall epidemiological questions, questions of patients’ aesthetic and functional complaints, and objective evaluation by the surgeon. The nasal problems in the upper and middle regions were divided into high or low, broad or narrow, crooked, irregularity of nasal bridge, or other alterations. The patients included in the study had surgical programming of secondary rhinoplasty, with mandatory aesthetic and optional functional purposes, having previous rhinoplasty with the same or different surgeon.

There were 136 females and 14 males with the mean age of 31.52 (6.36) years. The most common complaints were related to the nose tip with 123 cases included deviated tip and pinched (bilateral) with 25.3%, 30.7%, and 25.3%, middle nose with 78 cases included mid vault deviation, inverted V, and polly beak with 31.3%, 18%, and 9.3%, and upper nasal region with 69 cases included dorsum irregularity and wide dorsum with the rates of 22.7% and 16.7%, respectively; respiratory problem was reported in 13 cases.

Unilateral or bilateral twisting at the nasal tip had the highest percentages, and the lowest incidence was in relation to the complaints of the upper nasal part.

In order to increase one’s competitiveness in the current job market, Canadian plastic surgery graduates may complete additional degrees and multiple fellowships. The authors sought to determine the impact of this additional training on the practice profile of recent graduates and determine the current state of job satisfaction among this group.

An anonymous cross-sectional online survey was created and sent to all 250 graduates of Canadian plastic surgery residencies from 2005 to 2015. Demographics were collected and questions grouped into clinical, teaching, research, and administrative components. Questions pertaining to job satisfaction were also included.

The response rate to the survey was 39%. Sixty-nine (71%) respondents had permanent attending positions at the time of survey completion, while the remaining 28 respondents did not. Among those with permanent positions, 59 (86%) completed at least one fellowship and 30 (43%) have an advanced degree. Of those who did fellowship training, 76% practice primarily in their area of subspecialty. Having an advanced degree showed a trend to a higher percentage of practice dedicated to research (5.6% vs 1.9%; P = .074) and more publications per year were seen among this group (1.31 vs 0.30; P = .028). Eighty-six percent of respondents are satisfied with their current attending position.

The majority of recent Canadian plastic surgery graduates are undergoing fellowship training and are practicing primarily in their fields of subspecialty training. Having a postgraduate degree was associated with a higher number of publications per year as an attending surgeon. Job satisfaction is high among recent graduates.

Vocal changes after rhinoplasty have been poorly investigated, although this surgical procedure is nowadays one of the most requested. The production of voice largely depends on the anatomy and the size of the pyramid and the nasal cavity. The authors report 51 cases of both closed and open rhinoplasty and propose a 2-year report to analyze potential effective changes on voice.

Fifty-one patients were enrolled and evaluated from September of 2012 to January of 2018. All patients were studied before and 2 years after surgery. Vocal changes were assessed with an objective and a subjective evaluation. The first one allowed to perform the measurement of the intensity and frequency of vowel sound (“a”) and nasal consonant sounds (“n” and “m”). For the subjective evaluation, our modified version of Voice Handicap Index Score allowed us to evaluate every single characteristic of the personal perception of voice.

The objective evaluation showed an increased frequency of production of the consonant sounds in 62% of cases and an increased frequency of production of the vowel sound in 68% of cases. The subjective evaluation allowed us to notice significant changes after surgery (P = .044). No significant differences were noticed between closed and open approach.

Reduction rhinoplasty technique proved to induce several alterations on vocal pattern. The surgeon should always inform patients about the potential effects on the voice, particularly when such changes may produce influences on the working life.