Journal Reviews
Comparison of intralesional verapamil versus intralesional corticosteroids in treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars
This paper by Abedini et al., is a randomised observer blinded controlled trial comparing the efficacy, safety profile, and recurrence rates of intralesional verapamil versus intralesional triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars. Whilst corticosteroids represent the...
A single blinded RCT comparing triamcinolone with 5-FU treatment for keloid scars
This single blinded randomised controlled trial (RCT) compared 43 patients with 50 symptomatic keloids were were randomised to two matched groups of 25 scars, receiving either flurouracil (5-FU) or current first-line treatment, triamcinolone (TAC). The surgeon administering the injectable treatments...
Note from the Editor
In 2005 I wrote a paper with my colleague Linda Huang which looked at keloid and hypertrophic scars from a rather different perspective (Burd A, Huang L. Hypertrophic response and keloid diathesis: two very different forms of scar. Plast Reconstr...
Massive weight loss abdominoplasty with novel technique of umbilicus reconstruction
This paper provides a description of the authors’ technique and thoughts on fleur de lys abdominoplasty including a technique of fashioning of the neo-umbilicus within the vertical scar. It contains good operative and postoperative photographs. The authors starting with the...
Plastic surgery trainees’ exposure to cosmetic surgery during training
Cosmetic surgery is an essential component of plastic surgery training and is required in order to CCT. However, the training opportunities in UK are limited. The current operative requirements for plastic surgery trainees are 100 procedures during specialist training, either...
Transgender breast surgery
Most plastic surgeons working outside specialist centres for gender affirmation surgery will have a number of patients within their population wishing to undergo their breast surgery more locally. Surgery for this small minority is informed largely by experience in the...
Transgender facial surgery
In this review article the author outlines the various elements of this subspecialty, with reference to published literature and his own clinical experience in the field. The article does not present new data, and lacks the detail necessary to appeal...
One anastomosis or two
This is a cumulative meta-analysis from Hong Kong reviewing 27 articles and a total of 7389 flaps. The authors, at the outset, acknowledge that the number of anastomoses is not the only factor of venous compromise and flap failure. Nonetheless...
A possible role for adipose tissue-derived stem cells in modulation of keloid scarring
Keloid scarring remains a challenging clinical problem due to both resistance to treatment as well as high rates of recurrence. Research into possible treatments is also hindered by keloid scarring being a uniquely human phenomenon. Recent evidence supports a role...
Enzymatic debridement of deeply burned faces
This is an interesting study looking at the outcomes following enzymatic debridement of deep facial burns. The authors directly compare enzymatic debridement with NexoBrid® and traditional excisional debridement in deep facial burns. They specifically analyse the debridement efficacy, acute healing...
Laser in the management of burn scars
This article systematically reviews the use of laser therapy in burn scar management. A search of the literature revealed 51 relevant studies that were referenced in this review. It starts with a nice introduction outlining the effects of burns scars...
Evolution of skin grafting for treatment of burns
This is an interesting review looking at the history of the use of skin grafts and the evolution of grafting, including a paragraph on future concepts. The review is broken down into chronological sections describing different skin grafting techniques that...