Renato Franz Matta Ramos

Carpal tunnel syndrome - Part I (anatomy, physiology, etiology and diagnosis),

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is defined by compression of the median nerve in the wrist. It is the commonest of the compressive syndromes and its most frequent cause is idiopathic. Even though spontaneous regression is possible, the general rule is that the symptoms will worsen. The diagnosis is primarily clinical, from the symptoms and provocative tests. Electroneuromyographic examination may be recommended before the operation or in cases of occupational illnesses.

Carpal tunnel syndrome - Part II (treatment),

The treatments for non-deficit forms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are corticoid infiltration and/or a nighttime immobilization brace. Surgical treatment, which includes sectioning the retinaculum of the flexors (retinaculotomy), is indicated in cases of resistance to conservative treatment in deficit forms or, more frequently, in acute forms. In minimally invasive techniques (endoscopy and mini-open), and even though the learning curve is longer, it seems that functional recovery occurs earlier than in the classical surgery, but with identical long-term results. The choice depends on the surgeon, patient, severity, etiology and availability of material. The results are satisfactory in close to 90% of the cases. Recovery of strength requires four to six months after regression of the pain of pillar pain type. This surgery has the reputation of being benign and has a complication rate of 0.2–0.5%.

Cellulite: A Surgical Treatment Approach

Background Cellulite is one of the most common skin and subcutaneous tissue conditions, affecting predominantly the thighs and hips in postadolescent women. Its etiology is not well defined, and multiple available treatments show variable efficacy. Objectives To describe a technique for treatment of cellulite of the gluteal region, thighs, and hips through superficial liposuction utilizing a special cannula, combined with subcutaneous autologous fat grafting. Methods A retrospective review was performed of patients treated over 26 years at the Hospital São Lucas, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. Patients underwent pretreatment evaluation as to the extent of their cellulite, and pretreatment and posttreatment photographs were obtained for visual evaluation of the results. Results Procedures were performed on 126 patients: 121 (96%) women and 5 (4%) men. The majority considered their results good or excellent. The complication rate was low, with the most common complications being ecchymosis, contour irregularities, partial recurrence of cellulite, seroma, and numbness. Conclusions We describe an effective method for the treatment of cellulite. Whereas subcision techniques utilize a needle or microblade to cut fibrous septa, we utilize a special cannula; larger areas can be treated than with subcision. Fat grafting is utilized to correct depressions and improve skin quality, which are added benefits compared to traditional subcision. Considering the multiple available cellulite treatments and their limitations, and the high patient satisfaction rate we achieved, with a low recurrence and complication rate, this technique can be a safe and effective option for patients with cellulite. Level of Evidence 4

Total nasal reconstruction: use of the "sandwich technique" during residency

Introduction: One of the most common sites of skin cancer is the nose, and because of its distinct three-dimensional structure, reconstruction of the nasal tip support is challenging for plastic surgeons. Methods: This article presents an alternative option for total nasal reconstruction using the bilateral frontal flap and the block bilateral auricular cartilage graft. We present an account of the use of the “sandwich technique”, consisting of two frontal flaps interspersed by auricular cartilage. While the first flap gives rise to the new roof of the nasal fossa, the cartilage configures the threedimensional shape and provides support for the new nasal structure. The second flap is then responsible for the outer coverage. Results: In this case, both the minimal morbidity of the donor area and excellent perfusion of the autonomized flaps were verified, leading to a largely satisfactory result. Conclusions: Although total nasal reconstruction is an infrequent procedure in the career of a plastic surgeon, the technique described here is a viable option for these cases. ■ ABSTRACT

History of plastic surgery: Sir Harold Gillies, a pioneer of reconstructive plastic surgery

Historically, wars have been among the greatest catalysts for advances in medicine in general, and surgery in particular. Without doubt, the greatest practitioner of plastic surgery in the early decades of the twentieth century was Sir Harold Delf Gillies, a New Zealander living in England, who advocated the treatment of patients with facial injuries in the context of the First World War. This article examines Gillies’ personal life and the legacy he left for modern plastic and reconstructive surgery; many of his teachings are timeless and serve as an inspiration for the surgeons of today. ■ ABSTRACT

De-epithelialized dorsal digital turnover flap for coverage of volar digital lesions: a modified technique

Volar digital injuries represent a challenge to hand surgeons. Anatomical studies demonstrate the existence of dorsal digital branches of the ulnar and radial arteries at predictable and regular distances from the PIP joint, bilaterally. Moreover, as there are also small veins that accompany the arterial branches, we designed a novel de-epithelialized dorsal finger turnover flap, which can be performed on the ulnar and radial sides of fingers where it is important to maintain the paratenon to support the dorsal skin flap. A 21-year-old female presented with traumatic injury to the middle phalanx of the third finger associated with loss of substance and damage to the flexor tendons in zone II. The dorsal part of the finger was used to provide coverage for a volar injury. There was no scar retraction or functional limitation of the reconstructed finger. This novel, de-epithelialized dorsal finger turnover flap can be safely used for coverage of volar finger lesions, due to a reliable and well-described arterial supply, with no skin necrosis of the donor site, post-surgical infection, or scarring complications. Level of Evidence: Level V, therapeutic study.

Flap and abdominal wall washing and debridement using dressings to prevent seromas and hematomas in abdominoplasty

Seroma formation remains a common complication of abdominoplasty. The use of drain, flap fixation points, and fibrin glue has been described to reduce the incidence of seroma formation. The authors present herein an easyto-reproduce technique to decrease the risk of bleeding and eliminate the devitalized tissue caused by the detachment. The proposed strategy consists of washing and debridement, which was conducted with mechanical friction using moist flap and abdominal wall dressings. ■ ABSTRACT

Reconstrução do complexo areolo-papilar: do que dispomos atualmente?

Reconstruction of the nipple-areola complex concludes breast reconstruction after mastectomy. This procedure improves patient satisfaction. This phase is critical to add realism and symmetry to the breast. Among the various techniques described, the use of local flaps presents better results, despite the disadvantages as excessive loss of nipple projection and technical difficulty in reconstructed breasts with silicone implants, due to little subcutaneous fat. The purpose of this article is to review the techniques currently available to nipple-areola complex reconstruction.

Distal phalanx amputation with delayed presentation and successful reconstruction with reposition and flap after 2 weeks

Traumatic finger amputations are common, causing significant functional and cosmetic deficits. Microsurgical replantation techniques are the mainstay of treatment for most such injuries although they require adequate conservation of the amputated segment for a successful result. In distal finger amputations, replantation is the procedure of choice, as long as the amputated fragment is viable. If replantation is not an option, reposition + flap using a neurovascular flap can be an efficient option, as this offers improved skin coverage. To the best of our knowledge, this case illustrates the longest cold ischaemic time with a successful outcome.

The reverse adipofascial thenar flap for coverage of the hypertrophied median nerve in macrodactyly

Macrodactyly is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by the disproportionate growth of bone, fat, nervous, vascular, and dermal tissue in the digits. There are many different theories about its etiopathogenesis, the most accepted being a hyperstimulation by growth factors conducted through nerves. A few cases have been described in conjunction with carpal tunnel syndrome. Here, a clinical case of carpal tunnel syndrome due to hypertrophy of the median nerve is presented, showing an increase of content within the flexor retinaculum. Successful surgical treatment was accomplished by conducting a retinaculotomy of the anterior annular ligament along with a reverse transposition adipofascial flap of the hypertrophied thenar region for coverage of the median nerve at the wrist. ■ ABSTRACT