This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors http://www.springer.com/00266 .

Potential role of Btx-A in ischemic preconditioning of muscle flaps achieved through the release of substance P, CGRP, and VEGF was investigated. Chemical delay was shown objectively by Btx-applied groups.

A free-nipple graft with a superior dermaglandular flap yields a conical breast with adequate projection and fullness. Parenchyma sutures to the pectoral fascia provide long lasting results. Plastic surgeons experienced in superior pedicle breast reduction can adopt this technique easily.

No abstract

We present a new technique that uses a bipedicled flap, oriented vertically. A rich blood supply to the flap may be the principal cause for long-lasting nipple projection.

Ear reconstruction is one of the most challenging procedures in plastic surgery practice. Many studies and techniques have been described in the literature for carving a well-pronounced framework. However, just as important as the cartilage framework is the ample amount of delicate skin coverage of the framework. In this report, we introduce an innovative method of measuring the skin surface area of the auricle from a three-dimensional template created from the healthy ear.The study group consisted of 60 adult Turkish individuals who were randomly selected (30 men and 30 women). The participant ages ranged from 18 to 45 years (mean, 31.5 years), and they had no history of trauma or congenital anomalies. The template is created by dividing the ear into aesthetic subunits and using ImageJ software to estimate the necessary amount of total skin surface area required.Reconstruction of the auricle is a complicated process that requires experience and patience to provide the auricular details. We believe this estimate will shorten the learning curve for residents and surgeons interested in ear reconstruction and will help surgeons obtain adequate skin to drape over the well-sculpted cartilage frameworks by providing a reference list of total ear skin surface area measurements for Turkish men and women.

No abstract

Abstract:Objectives: An acceleration of the wound healing process expedites chronic wound patient's return to normal social environments signifi cantly. Sildenafi l, a cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor has been shown to be a potent stimulator of angiogenesis through upregulation of cGMP. In our study, sildenafi l was administered orally as a cost-effective supplement in the treatment of full thickness defects and chronic wounds in that manner with low incidence of side effects and morbidity. Materials and methods: Randomly selected 72 Wistar-Albino rats were divided into the two groups, 36 rats in each group. Control group (n =36) was divided further into a secondary healing group consisting of 9 rats and a pathology group consisting of 27 rats (pathology group 1: 9 rats, 4th and 7th day of wound healing, pathology group 2: 9 rats, 10th and 14th day of wound healing, pathology group 3: 9 rats, 21st and 28th day of wound healing. Experimental group consisted of 36 rats which received sildenafi l citrate (Viagra® Pfi zer, Germany) for secondary wound healing to proceed. Results: The average wound healing period in the control group was 17.89 days and in the sildenafi l citrate administered group 14.56 days. The difference of the epithelialisation on full thickness defects were more prominent on days 5 and 11 postoperatively. In the sildenafi l citrate applied group, on the 7th day, the defect was 25 % smaller and on the 13th day, the defect contracted by 38 %. Conclusion: In conclusion, we believe that sildenafi l citrate administered orally is a cost-effective supplement in the treatment of full thickness defects and chronic wounds in that manner with low incidence of side effects and morbidity (Tab. 4, Fig. 7, Ref. 34). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.