Aesthetic surgical training in the U.K. independent sector – the clients' view: results of a survey on 155 private patients

As training opportunities in cosmetic surgery become less frequent in teaching hospitals, this survey set out to examine the attitudes of patients towards extending this training into the independent health sector. We questioned 155 private patients, 95% of who were happy for trainees to sit in during their consultations. Of these, 85% were comfortable with the presence of the trainee throughout their appointments and 92% said they saw advantages in having such trainees present. However, patients were less enthusiastic about trainees carrying out procedures, under consultant supervision and for a reduced fee. The survey found that while 49% felt it was a good idea, only 32% would consider it for themselves. Seventeen percent of patients thought this offer alone was inappropriate. This survey has shown that while the vast majority of private patients supported and were happy to participate in higher surgical training during private consultations, fewer would consider the possibility of cosmetic surgery performed by supervised trainees for reduced fees. The implications of these findings for higher surgical training in Plastic Surgery in the UK are discussed.

Incidence of incomplete excision in surgically treated basal cell carcinoma: a retrospective clinical audit

All the patients who had excision of basal cell carcinoma at the regional plastic surgery unit at Manchester over a period of 2 years from January 1995 to December 1996 were included in a retrospective audit. A total of 879 lesions were excised in 754 patients. In 41 lesions (4.7%) the tumour was incompletely excised, 16 of these lesions were further excised; the rest were managed by regular follow-up. The mean age of the incomplete excision group was slightly higher. The site where the incomplete excision rate was highest was the scalps followed by the ear, canthi,eyebrows and nose. There was a higher incidence of squamous differentiation and presence of foci of squamous cell carcinoma in the lesions excised incompletely. There was no statistically significant difference among the different groups of surgeons but in individual grades the rate was lower where more wounds were repaired by direct closure. The concept of a complexity ratio (number of wounds repaired by other methods/number of wounds repaired by direct closure) can be helpful in comparing the incomplete excision rates of different grades of surgeons or departments. The excision of basal cell carcinoma is one of the commonest procedures performed by all grades of surgeons in a plastic surgery department. Incomplete excision leads to further surgery or prolonged follow-up, thus significantly affecting the outcome. As the incidence of incomplete excision can be precisely monitored, it may be a useful tool for clinical governance.

A new quantitative scale for clinical scar assessment

Wound healing in adult human skin results in varying degrees of scar formation, ranging clinically from fine asymptomatic scars to problematic hypertrophic and keloid scars, which may limit function and restrict further growth. At present, no good objective method of clinically assessing scars exists, which is problematic for the evaluation of scar prevention or treatment regimens. Similarly lacking are histologic correlates of what we consider good and bad clinical scars. The objective of this study was to quantitatively assess human scarring (1) clinically, by developing a comprehensive rating scale, (2) photographically, using an image capture system and a scar assessment panel, and (3) by histologic analysis following scar excision. We assessed 69 scars, with a wide clinical range of severity, in patients who were undergoing surgery, for whatever reason, that involved removal of an old scar. Preoperatively, patients had their scars assessed, clinically using our newly developed scale and photographically using a computerized image capture system. These photographs were then sent to a panel for assessment using similar criteria to those used clinically. Assessment of scars from photographs correlated well with the clinical scar evaluation, indicating its potential utility in multicenter scar prevention/treatment trials. Following excision, scars were processed and analyzed for histology. We also found a strong correlation between the macroscopic and microscopic appearance of scars, particularly between the clinical appearance and histologic scores of features in the epidermis and papillary dermis. This suggests that our clinical scale is a sensitive instrument in scar assessment, allowing validated quantification of the severity of a wide range of scars.

Synovial sarcoma of the pharynx

Synovial sarcoma is rarely seen in the head and neck region. A case of synovial sarcoma of the pharynx in a child is presented.

Long term follow-up of a case of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome successfully treated with radiotherapy and corticosteroids

Kasabach-Merritt syndrome is the association of thrombocytopenia, spontaneous bleeding, and enlargement of a haemangioma. It is caused by an intense, self-perpetuating process of clot-formation and lysis within the abnormal vascular channels of the haemangioma, and results in consumption of platelets and clotting factors. Treatment involves ablation of the lesion with or without pharmacological manipulation of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems. No single therapeutic modality is universally successful but a combination of radiotherapy and corticosteroids can result in a dramatic, immediate response with minimal long term complications.

Brain tumours and the occurrence of severe invasive basal cell carcinoma in first degree relatives with Gorlin syndrome

We describe the occurrence of a medulloblastoma and an astrocytoma in successive generations of a family with the Gorlin syndrome. The appearance of thousands of invasive basal cell carcinomata after craniospinal irradiation led to the death of one patient from intracranial involvement.

Scalp expansion flaps

A mean 5 year review of 20 patients who had surgery for localised alopecia of the scalp is presented. The technique of using scalp expansion flaps is described and evaluated: it is associated with a low morbidity and high patient satisfaction rate; it provides an excellent one-stage procedure for intermediate size defects and, in the frontal area, for larger defects. Particular emphasis is laid on making incision lines at right angles to the direction of hair growth in order to cover stretched scars, and in performing Z-plasties when closing small scalp defects. Finally, a rationale for the treatment of localised areas of baldness according to their size is put forward.

Salvage of the destroyed wrist

Two cases of complex limb threatening destruction of the wrist region and their reconstruction are described. The role of external fixation and composite vascular grafts in controlling infection and achieving bony union is outlined.

The free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap

The general anatomy and the detailed vascular anatomy of the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap is described, and its use as a free flap is illustrated. The speed and ease with which it can be raised, its long vascular pedicle, the large diameter of the donor vessels, and the potentially large size of the flap are emphasized.

Loss of columella and septum from an unusual form of child abuse. Case report

Two children suffered injuries of the nasal columella and septum because, since infancy, their mother had obsessively scoured the nasal secretions from their noses with a metal Kirby grip. The reconstruction of the columellar loss in one child is described.

Hypersecretion of glucagon and gastrin in severely burnt patients

Hyperglucagonaemia and hypergastrinaemia were observed in some severely burnt patients during their illness. Hyperglucagonaemia seemed to be related to the severity of illness rather than to the burn itself, and the close correlation of glucagon concentrations with glucose and urea and its inverse correlation with bicarbonate concentrations suggest that glucagon might contribute to the hypercatabolic state. One patient developed high levels of gastrin and massive bleeding from a stress ulcer of the duodenum. Possibly gastrin hypersecretion may have a role in the pathogenesis of Curling's ulcer.