Plastic and reconstructive surgery
-
Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Dec 2007
Case ReportsThe role of free-tissue transfer for head and neck burn reconstruction.
The reconstruction of head and neck burns is challenging, traditionally involving skin grafting and local flaps. Free flaps have improved in versatility and variability in recent years, and are now among the techniques used for burn reconstruction. ⋯ Free tissue transfer is a valuable tool in head and neck burn reconstruction. It can be used safely and effectively with minimal morbidity in selected patients.
-
The legal system depends on the medical expert for evidence. Doctors readily complain about frivolous cases that go to trial, yet a lawyer cannot bring a frivolous claim to trial without a physician expert witness stating that the claim is not frivolous. ⋯ For without the physician expert witness, no medical malpractice lawsuit can take place. It is the expert physician, not the attorneys or insurance companies, who defines "meritless" and "frivolous" and who ultimately controls the courts' medical malpractice caseload.
-
Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Nov 2007
Evaluation of elbow flexion as a predictor of outcome in obstetrical brachial plexus palsy.
The purpose of this study was to answer two questions. First, are there obstetrical brachial plexus palsy patients with no elbow flexion at 3 months who go on to recover useful upper extremity function without surgical intervention? Second, are there patients with evidence of elbow flexion at 3 months who do benefit from brachial plexus reconstruction? ⋯ Early elbow flexion alone is not a sufficient criterion to recommend a nonoperative approach. In addition, spontaneous recovery of useful upper extremity function has been observed in a carefully selected subset of patients without elbow flexion at 3 months.