Journal Reviews
Electrochemotherapy for BCCs
A remarkable account of an effective non-surgical treatment for basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). Electrochemotherapy (ECT) consists of making the area surrounding the lesion temporarily permeable using electric pulses (under local anaesthesia), then bleomycin is administered to the area. The treatment...
A clinical update on the management of giant congenital melanocytic naevi
The senior author (RM Zuker) presents a discussion with evidence, on the controversies and shift in the treatment paradigm for giant congenital melanocytic naevi (GCMN). On review of the current literature the overall incidence of melanoma in GCMN is 0.7...
Publish or perish
Most doctors have submitted papers and very rarely is the paper accepted outright. In fact the majority are not accepted initially. Not to worry, you are in good company. Only 9% of 6000 manuscripts submitted annually to the Journal of...
Optimal placement of brachioplastic scars
The authors present the findings of a survey evaluating four different types of brachioplasty scars. Scars examined were either medial, placed in the bicipital groove (both straight and sinusoidal) or posterior, placed in the brachial sulcus (both straight and sinusoidal)....
Surgical management of subungal melanoma
The authors present the findings of a retrospective, single-institution review of all patients with biopsy confirmed subungal melanomas over a period of 96 years in Mayo Clinic. Parameters examined were general demographics, level of digit amputation, disease recurrence, overall survival,...
The original suture suspension necklift before the i-guide
In this excellent issue of the Clinics in Plastic Surgery the topic of neck lifting is discussed. This covers the assessment, non-surgical management, minimally invasive techniques and open techniques. This invited paper looks into the authors’ experience of suture suspension...
Filleting the lobule in otoplasty
The correction of lobular deformities continues to represent a challenge during otoplasty, due to its three major anatomic components: the axial angular protrusion, the coronal angular protrusion and the inherent shape. These aspects make controlled lobule repositioning less predictable. The...
The superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap in intraoral reconstruction
There can be little disagreement that a groin flap, or one of its derivatives, can leave behind a scar which is without problems (except, perhaps to a pole dancer). Thus popularisation of such a flap is much to be desired,...
Raised serum lactate as a marker in the diagnosis of necrotising fasciitis
A 10-year prospective study of cases of suspected necrotising fasciitis was made, involving 53 patients. Of these, 28 had histologically proven necrotising fasciitis, 25 did not. Serum lactate measured at presentation of those who had the condition was 4.1+or-1.62 mmol/l...
Beta blockers in the treatment of infantile haemangiomas
Following the work of Léauté-Labrèze et al. in 2008, describing the successful use of beta blockers in the treatment of infantile haemangiomas, the medical treatment of these troublesome malformations has almost completely replaced surgical treatment, which has been relegated to...
VAC therapy and instillation
Vacuum assisted closure (VAC) therapy is now a common sight in plastic surgery departments for the management of difficult wounds, to encourage granulation tissue formation, reduce wound size and facilitate closure or reconstruction. The combined use of VAC dressing with...
Autologous fat graft in scar treatment
A retrospective study was performed of 694 patients with contracted and painful scars over a six year period. A total of 376 patients had burn scars, 54 patients had scars due to road trauma, 92 patients had scars from domestic...
