Plastic surgeons have been performing operations to improve the aesthetic aspect of the breast for centuries. Throughout ancient times, great controversy produced many theories of how breast cancer occurred and the best treatment. Because of beliefs that closure of mastectomy sites could conceal tumor recurrence, breast reconstruction did not gain wide acceptance until the mid-1900s. Today, plastic surgeons have a variety of techniques to reconstruct the breast. The first autologous muscle flap for breast reconstruction was the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, described in 1896 by Iginio Tansini. The introduction of Carl Hartrampf's transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap and Robert J. Allen's deep inferior epigastric perforator flap have also provided excellent reconstructive options. With regard to augmentation, Vincenz Czerny attempted to enhance a woman's breast in 1895 with implantation of a lumbar lipoma. Soon after, surgeons used paraffin injections and polyvinylic alcohol sponge implantation, which yielded disastrous results. In 1961, Thomas Cronin and Frank Gerow promoted the first silicone implant, paving the way for today's silicone and saline prototypes. Although reduction mammaplasty techniques had originated centuries earlier than mastopexy methods, the advancements of both have largely paralleled one another. In 1949, the Wise pattern was introduced to preoperatively plan safer and predictable outcomes in breast reductions. Efforts to minimize scars were achieved with Claude Lassus' introduction and Madeleine Lejour's subsequent modification of the vertical scar mammaplasty. In hopes of fostering an understanding of current post-mastectomy procedures and instilling passion for innovating future techniques, we provide a near-complete, surgically focused historical account of the primary contributors to breast reconstruction.

No abstract

Although plastic surgeons demonstrate greater overall compliance with the ASAPS/ASPS Advertising Code of Ethics, they can continue to improve. With the large variety of cosmetic physicians offering the same procedures, maintaining open, honest, and forthright communication with the public is essential.

A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing assay is developed and evaluated on a microfabricated capillary array electrophoresis system. Using fluorescently labeled allele-specific primers, the S65C (193A-->T) substitution associated with hereditary haemochromatosis in the HFE gene is genotyped. The covalently labeled polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products are separated on a microfabricated radial capillary array electrophoresis microplate using nondenaturing gel media in under two minutes. Detection is accomplished with a laser-excited rotary confocal scanner. The Rox-labeled A-allele specific amplicon (211 bp) is differentiated from the R110-labeled T-allele specific amplicon (201 bp) by both size and color. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using allele-specific PCR with covalently labeled primers for high speed fluorescent SNP typing on microfabricated radial capillary array electrophoresis microplates.

Social media may seem like a new and unique communication tool, but it is important to preserve professionalism and apply traditional Web site-building ethics and principles to these sites. We can expect continued growth in plastic surgeons' utilization of these networks to enhance their practices and possibly to launch direct marketing campaigns.

The authors' data demonstrate that there are numerous non-plastic surgeons performing cosmetic procedures, especially in the field of minimally invasive therapies. In addition, there is a growing contingent of non-surgery-trained individuals providing surgical cosmetic treatments, especially liposuction.

No abstract

New ideal waist-to-hip ratios of 0.6 and 0.65 update the previous standards and indicate a more dramatic and "curvier" new ideal, signaling an important preference paradigm shift. The information derived from this study has the potential to guide gluteoplasty practices and techniques.