To the Editor: Breast cancer is the most feared type of cancer among women. It is estimated that 4.4 million living women have had a diagnosis of breast cancer in the last 5 years (1–3). Modified radical mastectomy (MRM) remains the most frequent surgical treatment (4–6), and has been combined with breast reconstruction with the aims of enhancing body image and consequently improving quality of...

PURPOSE To evaluate the effects of isoxsuprine and nicotine on TRAM. METHODS Forty eight 48 Wistar rats distributed into four Groups (n=12). All rats received medication managed daily for 20 days: saline solution (SA), nicotine solution (NI), isoxsuprine solution (IS) and nicotine solution (NI) + isoxsuprine solution (IS). On day 21st the rats were submitted to the caudally based, right unipe...

BACKGROUND Our objective was to compare the complication rates of two common breast reconstruction techniques performed at our hospital and the cost-effectiveness for each test group. METHODS All patients who underwent deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap and transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap by the same surgeon were selected and matched according to age and mast...

musculocutaneous pedicled/ free flaps are an essential prerequisite for reconstructive surgery. amongst the trunk muscles commonly harvested for flaps, the trapezius and rectus abdominis provide satisfactory coverage for cranial and trunk defects. unilateral/ bilateral or partial congenital absence of trapezius muscle is well documented and may result in muscular imbalances compromising posture...

This study evaluated changes in deep trunk muscle thickness and lower extremity activities during bridge exercises with the abdominal drawing-in maneuver. Bridge were conducted on an unstable surface at different knee flexion angles (60º, 90º 120º), aim of identifying more effective for exercises. included 21 healthy adults, aged 20–27 years. Biceps femoris (BF), rectus abdominis, activity was ...

BACKGROUND Prior imaging studies of torso muscle moment arms for use as inputs into biomechanical models have been derived from subjects lying supine. Recent research suggests moment arms of the rectus abdominis are larger when standing versus lying supine. METHODS Axial MRI images, through and parallel to the intervertebral discs were obtained from five females in a standing upright neutral ...