
Pulvertaft Debate, 6 Flexor Fixes, & Going Live with PLASTA
Also: Final round of the Sunday quiz, evidence on tendon grafts, & 3 recommended reads.
Also: Final round of the Sunday quiz, evidence on tendon grafts, & 3 recommended reads.
Also: A finger plating guide worth bookmarking, the Sunday quiz, & 3 finger fracture must-reads.
Also: The Sunday quiz, upcoming events by P'Fella, & 3 recommended reads.
Also: Spotlight on Elicit, the Sunday quiz, & experience as a textbook reviewer.
Also: Trapdoor flap, antia-buch flap, & the fellows' corner.
Also: Upper lid marking for bleph, the Sunday quiz, & 3 articles to bookmark.
Also: New round of Sunday quiz, Foundations update, & recap of live event
Also: Lejour’s marking method, new journal club article, & 3 recommended reads.
This systematic review analysed early vs late oral feeding following mucosal free flap reconstruction. Early feeding was associated with reduced fistula formation, pneumonia, and hospital stay. No increase in flap failure or dehiscence. Study heterogeneity and bias limit generalisability.
Mastopexy and breast reduction are reshaping procedures involving skin excision and NAC repositioning. Mastopexy restores shape without volume loss, while reduction also removes tissue to ease symptoms. Technique depends on ptosis grade, volume, and patient goals.
Also: Why journals are falling behind, the Sunday quiz, & journal club feature.
Advancement flaps slide adjacent skin on a single vector to seal small–moderate defects, exploiting subdermal plexus flow and RSTLs. Best for nasal, lip, cheek, & limb gaps with adequate laxity. Plan parallel cuts, Burow triangles, & layered closure. U, H, V-Y, cervicofacial variants expand reach.
Ulnar nerve tendon transfers restore key hand functions such as grip strength, key pinch, and correct clawing after ulnar nerve palsy. By transferring muscles like the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) or flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), tendon transfers improve hand movement and strength.
Radial nerve tendon transfers restore wrist, finger, and thumb extension when direct nerve repair isn't possible. Using tendons like Pronator Teres or Flexor Carpi Ulnaris, the procedure requires supple joints and healthy tissue. Success rates are high, with 80-90% achieving good outcomes.
Lower-limb soft-tissue reconstruction depends on the zone of injury, fixation needs, and distal flow. After ATLS, debride within 12h, stabilize the bone, and apply NPWT. Choose muscle or perforator flaps per defect. Post-op includes elevating the limb, monitoring the flap, & anti-coagulation.
Abdominoplasty excises redundant abdominal skin/fat, repairs rectus diastasis, and repositions the umbilicus. Huger vascular zones guide safe flap elevation. Standard low-transverse excision with rectus plication is used. Seroma is frequent and venous thromboembolism is the most severe complication.
Also: Sneak peek at Foundations, the Sunday quiz, & how to inject LA guide.
Rhinoplasty merges airway function and aesthetics. Patient selection and nasal analysis guide strategy. Open access enables grafting; closed suits minor tweaks. Structural or preservation methods refine the septum, dorsum, & tip. Watch for airway issues, bleeding, & scarring.
Also: Textbook update, rotation flap technique, & 3 recommended reads on scalp surgery.
The upper eyelid contains a mixture of skin, muscle, fat, tarsal plate, and conjunctiva and is divided into 3 compartments (anterior, middle, and posterior lamellae). Understanding the anatomy is fundamental for oculoplastics.
Velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) is the inability to close the velopharyngeal sphincter during speech, resulting in hypernasal speech, nasal air escape, poor oral pressure, and reduced intelligibility.
Lower-eyelid surgery demands precise knowledge of its three lamellae: skin-orbicularis anteriorly, septum with fat pads and SOOF centrally, and tarsus-conjunctiva with retractors posteriorly. Key ligaments, vessels, and lacrimal drainage define support, aging changes, and surgical risk.
The abdominal wall supports and protects organs, anchors trunk motion, and adapts to pressure shifts. Anterolateral muscles, fascial layers, and key landmarks (linea alba, arcuate line, inguinal canal) guide flap harvest and hernia repair, making precise anatomy vital in reconstruction.
Perineal reconstruction uses local, regional, or free flaps, often gracilis or VRAM, to close oncologic, traumatic, or infectious defects. Goals: fill dead space, provide vascular coverage, protect pelvic organs, preserve continence and sexual function, and cut wound issues.