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Plastic Surgery

4 Tips for the FRCS Plastic Surgery Part 2 (Oral/Viva) Exam

This guide provides four key tips, along with practical examples, to help you approach the FRCS Plastic Surgery Oral Exam with confidence and clarity.

Guides

4 Tips for the FRCS Vivas, New Oral Exams, & All Things Paediatric Plastic Surgery.

Also: Anatomy illustration of the week, macrodactyly feature, & 3 recommended articles.

thePlasticsPaper

Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Classification, Diagnosis, & Management

Soft tissue sarcomas are rare, malignant tumors of mesenchymal origin. They are classified into over 70 subtypes, with risk factors including environmental exposures and genetic predispositions. Management involves surgery, radiotherapy, and sometimes chemotherapy, tailored to the sarcoma type.

Skin and Soft TissueUpper LimbsLower Limb

Median Nerve Tendon Transfers: Anatomy, Principles, & Procedure

Median nerve tendon transfers restore thumb opposition, flexion of the index and middle fingers, and thumb flexion. The procedure involves relocating functional tendons to compensate for lost function due to nerve injury.

Upper Limbs

NAC Reconstruction - Clinical Scenario

A patient seeks NAC reconstruction post-DIEP flap. NAC reconstruction is indicated post-mastectomy, breast reduction, congenital absence, trauma, or gender-affirming surgery.

Clinical CasesBreast Scenario

BiALCL in 2024, This Theory Improves your Knowledge & New Newsletter (Soon!)

Also: Sunday quiz winners, tuberous breast deformity, & nipple flap recon options.

thePlasticsPaper

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) - Clinical Scenario

A patient with bilateral arm paraesthesia and heaviness, along with a history of sciatic nerve injury and crutch use, is diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) through clinical examination and imaging. Treatment includes physiotherapy, pain management, and surgical decompression.

Clinical CasesUpper Limb Scenario

Nipple-Areolar Complex (NAC) Reconstruction: Anatomy, Indications, & Techniques

Nipple-Areolar Complex (NAC) reconstruction aims for symmetry, projection, pigmentation, durability, and minimal complications while addressing functional sensation and patient needs. Techniques include tattooing, flaps, and grafts, with careful pre-op marking and post-op care.

Breast

Ganglions Are Your Garden Weeds, Technique Review, & Evidence on Ganglion Recurrence

Also: New podcast episode, the Sunday quiz, & ganglion cyst clinical case.

thePlasticsPaper

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS): Aetiology, Presentation, & Management

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is the compression of neurovascular structures at the brachial plexus. It commonly presents with neurogenic symptoms, such as pain and tingling. Management involves physiotherapy, pain control, and surgery for severe cases.

Upper Limbs

Capsular Contracture: Aetiology, Classification, & Management

Capsular contracture is the thickening and hardening of the capsule around breast implants, leading to pain and deformity. Classified by Baker's system (I-IV), treatment ranges from conservative management to surgical interventions such as capsulectomy.

Breast

Capsular Contracture - Clinical Scenario

A patient with pain and breast shape changes presents with bilateral capsular contracture post-augmentation (Baker III left, IV right). Assessment includes history, exam, & MRI. Treatment options are implant removal, capsulectomy, pocket change, or autologous augmentation.

Clinical CasesBreast Scenario

End of the Reconstructive Ladder, Local Flaps & Tissue Expansion & more.

Also: The Sunday quiz, podcast snippet, & recommended articles on reconstructive surgery.

thePlasticsPaper

Designing the Perfect Local Flap, Book Review, & Eyelid Reconstruction.

Also: The Sunday quiz, podcast teaser, & 3 recommended articles.

thePlasticsPaper

Full Thickness Grafts: Origin Story, Best Techniques & tips.

Also: Sunday Quiz, Sneak Peak of Podcast upcoming episode.

thePlasticsPaper

Congenital and Nasal Dermoid Cysts - Clinical Scenario

A patient presents with a firm, non-compressible swelling at the left eye's outer corner, apparent since birth but worsening.

Giant Cell Tumours of Tendon Sheath - Clinical Scenario

A 40-year-old woman presents with a 2x2 cm mass near her ring finger's DIPJ, painless and unchanged for 3 months.

Clinical CasesUpper Limb ScenarioSkin and Soft Tissue Scenario

Macrodactyly - Clinical Scenario

A 3-year-old presents with isolated macrodactyly of the right index finger. The case discusses history taking, aetiology involving a Pi3KCA gene mutation, necessary investigations, a treatment algorithm, and the role of medical treatments.

Clinical CasesUpper Limb Scenario

Macrodactyly: Aetiology, Investigations, & Management

Macrodactyly involves disproportionate digit overgrowth, often due to lipofibromatosis of the nerve and PiK3CA mutations. Diagnosed via X-rays, MRI, and genetic tests, it's treated surgically to debulk and stop growth. Surgical management focuses on nerve issues to reduce recurrence.

Upper LimbsPaediatrics

Congenital Dermoid Cysts: Pathology, Presentation, & Treatment

An overview of congenital dermoid cysts, benign growths from ectodermal entrapment, common in the head and neck. Focus on orbital and nasal presentations and surgical management to prevent complications.

Skin and Soft TissuePaediatrics

Venous Flaps: Physiology, Classification, & Evaluation

Thatte and Thatte classify venous flaps into three types based on vein number and function. Venous flaps are infrequently used due to low survival rates and venous congestion, despite their reliable anatomy and minimal donor site morbidity.

PrinciplesMicrosurgery

Mathes and Nahai Classification

The Mathes and Nahai Classification, introduced in 1981, describes the vascular supply to muscle and musculocutaneous flaps based on major and minor pedicles. This system is essential for planning reconstructive surgeries to ensure optimal flap survival and function.

MicrosurgeryPrinciples

Breast Augmentation - Clinical Scenario

Breast augmentation consultation: A patient seeks fuller breasts. Steps include assessing medical history, expectations, and explaining implant options.

Clinical CasesBreast ScenarioCosmetic Scenario

Cervical Lymph Nodes of the Neck: Drainage & Levels

The cervical lymph nodes of the neck are organized into levels based on their anatomical locations and drainage patterns. These nodes drain specific areas of the head and neck, aiding in identifying primary tumor sites and guiding surgical management.

AnatomyHead and Neck