Aim: The sternal region, cervico-mandibular region and the intra-mammary region have been the bane of many cutaneous surgeons, with a higher propensity for poor scarring and wound complications. In this article, the author undertakes a review of different methods of breaking up scars by utilizing zigs and zags, and conducts a pigskin study to measure the reduction in tension that can be achieve...

Median sternotomy can be associated with significant morbidity, including non-union, dehiscence and mediastinitis. The use of flexible thermoreactive sternal clips has been introduced recently as an alternative method of sternal closure and is advocated in patients at increased risk of sternal breakdown. It is associated with a decreased incidence of sternal complications as well as allowing fa...

In a recent issue, there was a Great Debate article about cannulation techniques in patients with type A dissection complicated by cerebral malperfusion [1]. Paul P. Urbanski argues for cannulation of the common carotid artery by using a separate incision along the medial margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Jean Bachet gives arguments for the right axillary artery as cannulation site by a...

Background: Gold standard treatment for Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is surgical resection of the adenoma, which in nearly 22-25% of the cases is ectopic. The evolution of preoperative imaging techniques, in association with the intraoperative PTH measurement (IOPTH) have led to the development of minimally invasive targeted approaches for the management of PHPT. We hereby report a case o...

Introduction: There is a strong suggestion that an impairment of vascular supply the sternum may be one most important factors influencing incidence deep sternal wound infection (DSWI). Several studies have studied risk for SSIs including DSWI in cardiac surgery. Methods: All patients who are presented to Assiut University Heart Hospital need Coronary artery Bypass Grafting from 1st January, 20...

BACKGROUND Sternal instability with mediastinitis is a very serious complication after median sternotomy. Biomechanical studies have suggested superiority of rigid plate fixation over wire cerclage for sternal fixation. This study tests the hypothesis that sternal closure stability can be improved by adding plate fixation in a human cadaver model. METHODS Midline sternotomy was performed in 1...

BACKGROUND Resection of facial skin tumors aims to remove the tumors completely and make the surgical scar unnoticeable as much as possible. By improving the purse string suture method, we developed a new pentagram suture technique that enables simple and safe suturing of small to large defects with early satisfactory esthetic outcomes. The surgical outcomes of a case series were examined in th...

Wound closure represents a primary goal in the treatment of very deep and/or large wounds, for which the mortality rate is particularly high. However, the spontaneous healing of adult skin eventually results in the formation of epithelialized scar and scar contracture (repair), which might distort the tissues and cause lifelong deformities and disabilities. This clinical evidence suggests that ...

BACKGROUND The goals of successful palate repair include optimization of speech and feeding, avoidance of fistula formation, and mitigation of adverse maxillary growth. However, the effects of scar formation on maxillary growth have not been discussed in detail. METHODS Between November 2010 and December 2011, the palateplasty was performed for 24 patients with cleft palate (median age, 12 mo...

Burn scars are known to be difficult to treat because of their tendency to worsen with hypertrophy and contracture. Various experimental and clinical efforts have been made to alleviate their effects but the problem has not been solved. Since patients keep asking for Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and believe in its effectiveness on burn scars, and since former studies show contradictory result...