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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,...

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...

Condylar fractures – current thinking

The author presents a review of 133 papers, most of which are recent and some of which are historic. The topic examined is that of condylar fractures including condylar neck and coronoid process. This topic has always been controversial and...

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...

Sentinel node biopsy in oral cancer

Sentinel node biopsy (SLNB) is not new and is well established in the management of early breast cancer and melanoma. New trials such as the European Sentinel Node (SENT) trial and others sought to address the question of the clinical...

Allogenic submandibular gland transplantation

The authors discuss and report success with an elegant but difficult solution to a difficult problem. Dry eyes are a difficult problem and incidence increases with age. It can lead to severe reduction in the quality of life of patients....

Delayed intraoral wound healing in patients on bisphosphonates

Since Marx first described bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ), the literature is now replete with cases of BRONJ. There are no internationally accepted protocols. A three month cessation of drug treatment, a ‘drug holiday’ has been advocated. The...

Anteromedial thigh perforator free flaps

Forty-one consecutive anterior anteromedial thigh (AMT) free flaps are reported, with a success rate of 95%. This flap is being used as an alternative to the preferred anterolateral thigh flap (ALT), which is described as the ‘real workhorse’, when this...

Vascularised composite allotransplantation: an update

Vascularised composite allotransplantation (VCA) includes transplantation of multiple tissues in a single vascularised unit, such as the upper limb, or most dramatically the face. Truly remarkable results have been achieved, such as the one illustrated in this article. More than...

The cost of surgery for bedsores

Many plastic surgeons will have experienced a heart-sinking moment when receiving a request to give an opinion on a patient with a bedsore. The surgery is not technically demanding, but the postoperative care and rehabilitation of the patient can be...

Choosing anaesthesia for oral surgery

This article offers guidance in choosing the most appropriate modality of anaesthesia for oral surgery and the setting in which it is delivered. It attempts to classify the different types of anaesthesia into local anaesthesia, sedation, which it further sub...

Medical illnesses and their affects on anaesthesia for oral surgery

This is a comprehensive article, which provides a good summary of the common co-morbidities affecting patients presenting for oral surgery. It focuses on their management issues as well as precautions required when administering anaesthesia. For each illness listed the authors...