Top of the TOCs October 2011

Selected articles from JPRAS, PRS, J Hand Surgery and others that caught my eye. . . .

Rughani MG et al. Sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma: The Oxford ten year clinical experience. JPRAS 2011; 64(10): 1284-1290.

Terzis J. Developmental facial paralysis: A review. JPRAS 2011; 64(10):1318-1333.

Miyagi K and Shah AK. Tetanus prophylaxis in the management of patients with acute wounds. JPRAS 2011; 64(10):e267-e269. A reminder of how to do it properly . . .

CME - A practical guide to wound healing – Video 1 – Basic suturing for medical students. PRS 2010. This is from the PRS archive and has been released for FREE.

Fosnot, J at al. Closer to an understanding of fate: the role of vascular complications in free flap breast reconstruction. PRS 2011; 128(4):835-843. DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e318218fc95. Not sure this paper adds a huge amount to the literature. Suggests intraoperative vascular complications might predict postoperative flap complications - not surprising. None the less worth looking at for the cited literature and discussion of flap failure.

Burdette, T et al. Harmonic Scalpel versus Electrocautery in Breast Reduction Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial. PRS 2011; 128(4):243e-249e. DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e318221da3e. Harmonic scalpel is expensive and shows no benefit over electrocautery.

Fisher D and Sommerlad, B. Cleft lip, cleft palate, and velopharyngeal insufficiency. PRS 2011; 128(4):342e-360e. DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3182268e1b. Excellent CME article. I had the privilege of working for Mr Sommerlad a few years ago. His energy and passion for cleft lip and palate surgery is infectious. He has a website and will send you a selection of educational DVDs if you ask nicely. . .