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Applications for intense pulsed light (IPL) for hair removal are gaining favor among other methods, including lasers, because of its noninvasive nature, versatility regarding different skin and hair types, safety, and ease of use. Hair removal using IPL was performed from January 2002 to December 2003 on 108 consecutive patients. Eighty of these patients answered a questionnaire and were enrolled in the study group. The investigated parameters were hair and skin type, number of pulses, fluence, pulse duration, pulse delay, the filters used, and the treated area. The patient assessment of improvement (satisfaction) rate was graded from 1 to 5 points: 1, worse; 2, no improvement; 3, mild improvement; 4, good result; and 5, excellent result. The patients had between 1 and 13 treatments most of them during 2 to 6 sessions. Sixty-seven percent of the patients reported no complications. Prolonged erythema for more than 7 days was reported by 16.25%, blisters by 6.25%, temporary hyperpigmentation by 8.75%, leukotrichia was present in 1 case, and 1 case of persistent hypopigmentation was noted in a young girl. An increased number of complications and a decreased satisfaction rate were noted with higher skin types, but it was not statistically significant. Patients who underwent fewer treatments (1-3 treatments) were more satisfied compared with those who had more than 7 treatments (P < 0.02). Sixty percent of the patients rated their satisfaction to be good to excellent and 65% would ill recommend this treatment to their friends. To minimize the complication rate the authors found that the preset parameters should be adjusted at every treatment session according to the skin response at the previous one. Permanent hair removal cannot be guaranteed and it is not possible to predict the improvement rate. Nevertheless, based on patient satisfaction rate in this study, the authors recommend using IPL for hair removal.

A simple method for closure of a defect in the forehead area by four parallel flaps along the forehead wrinkle lines is illustrated. The main advantage of this method lies in its simple design, which enables the surgeon to close large defects with no elevation of the eyebrow, while preserving the hairline, and most of the suture lines are parallel to the forehead wrinkle lines.

Recently, lasers and light systems are used more for the treatment of vascular lesions due to their noninvasiveness, ease of use, and short recovery time. This side-by-side prospective study compares results, satisfaction, and complications after intense pulsed light (IPL) and Nd:Yag laser treatment of small vascular lesions. Twenty-five patients with telangiectases, leg veins, or cherry angiomas underwent treatment of the same category of lesion in the same area. One year after completing treatment, patients were asked to report their satisfaction level after comparing digital photos before and after treatment; 72% felt they had good to excellent results after Nd:Yag treatment, while only 48% felt the same after IPL. The most common side effect after Nd:Yag was hyperpigmentation. Satisfaction level was significantly higher after Nd:Yag than after IPL. Patients with telangiectases, cherry angiomas, or leg veins1 mm were more satisfied after IPL, while those with leg veins1 mm were more satisfied after Nd:Yag. Overall, satisfaction with treatment of vascular lesions was greater with Nd:Yag although this method was more painful.

Exposure of silicone breast implants usually leads to infection and extrusion. According to the literature, implant extrusion rates are not higher than 2% 1 and removal of the implant is recommended. 2 During the past 3 years, the authors dealt with eight implant exposures (six women: two cases of bilateral exposure and four cases of unilateral exposure). All the pockets were infected. Patients were offered two alternatives: immediate removal of the implant and reimplantation after a few months or conservative treatment with an effort to close the exposed area after the discharge stopped. All the patients in this study chose the latter alternative. Four out of eight implants were saved. The authors had to remove the other four. The average follow-up of these women was 2 years and there were no signs of capsular contracture or any other problems. According to this series, 50% of eight exposed breast implants could be saved with conservative treatment.

Addressing war injuries requires tailoring treatment that provides the best functional and aesthetic results within a reasonable period of time. The authors report a young soldier who sustained a gunshot injury that caused an open fracture of the proximal tibia and patella (Gustilo type B-III). A local muscle flap could not be used, and thus the authors decided to use the already applied Ilizarov device for gradual expansion of the wound edge. The expanded skin covered the exposed fracture successfully, and later enabled solid union of the fracture. This reconstructive method seems to be an original solution for the management of open fractures, and additional proof that well-vascularized skin may be equivalent to a muscle flap, and may be considered for selected patients.

An unusual case of traumatic self-inflicted bite of the lower lip in a 7-year-old girl is presented. As a result of the bite, due to a fall, four fragments of the right upper incisor tooth were embedded in the lower lip. The large tooth fragment appeared 18 days later, protruding through the skin of the lower lip. Radiographs confirmed the presence of these tooth pieces, which were removed under local anesthesia. Early diagnosis and surgical removal of the tooth fragments could prevent undesirable foreign-body reactions and scarring. Language: en

CO2 laser has been used for the treatment of 22 patients with xanthelasma palpebrarum. This office procedure done under local anesthesia is fast and easy. The lipomatous yellow plaques are accurately photovaporized in a bloodless field, layer by layer, until the lesion is totally eradicated. The treated area heals by reepithelization, ostensibly with virtually no scar contraction. All our patients were satisfied with their results, rating them from good to excellent. In 5 patients some pigmentation changes were noted. During follow-up periods varying from 15 to 54 months, only 2 (9%) patients had recurrences, which were retreated successfully. We postulate that treatment of xanthelasma palpebrarum by CO2 laser should be seriously considered in most patients.

Two alpha blocking agents, phenoxybenzamine and phentolamine, were tested to see if their use improved skin flap survival in rats. The agents were used in two ways: in local injections and topical applications. The results showed an increased duration of flap viability with both modalities, but the topical application was the most effective.

The brows and forehead are important considerations in planning a blepharoplasty. Forehead wrinkles, ptotic brows, and frown lines can be corrected effectively and safely with minimal complications at the time of, and prior to, the blepharoplasty. Various approaches that we use are presented here. The surgical procedure selected should reflect the defect present and the surgeon's preference.

Polydimethylsiloxane (silicone) implants were subcutaneously placed in the back of diabetic and normal rats. After three months the rats were killed and the fibrous capsule around the implants was histologically and biochemically examined. A significant quantitative difference (p less than 0.001) was found in the thickness of the capsules, which were two to three times thicker in the diabetic animals. The biochemistry showed an increase of neutral salt-soluble collagen in the diabetic group; electrophoresis revealed only type I collagen in the diabetic and type I and III in the normal rats. From this experimental trial it seems that diabetes mellitus is another factor in formation of a thick capsule around silicone implants.

Fifty patients with painful hands due to inflammation, trauma, or surgery were treated by means of a Neurogar nerve stimulator. In 82% of the cases the results were satisfactory. Early physiotherapy was possible, and yielded best recovery and healing.

Purse-string subcuticular suture for closure or diminishing skin defects is reported. The same principle applied to breast surgery resulted in a simple and useful way of reducing the size of the areola.

The authors present a technique for cosmetic correction of protruding ears used in over 100 cases during the last ten years with good cosmetic results and no significant complications.

A combined hooked forceps is presented which may be very useful for procedures performed without assistance.

We report a case of abdominal wall reconstruction following excision of irradiated skin and a ventral hernia. A very large tensor fascia lata musculocutaneous flap was used with good results. The anatomical features of this flap make it an excellent method of abdominal wall reconstruction.

A simple and safe procedure for fixation of silicone prostheses is presented. Two screws ensure accurate location, helping to avoid displacement and probably reducing the incidence of bone damage.