Données acquises,données actuelles de la science. Quelles implications en droit médical et en chirurgie esthétique en particulier ?

"Substantiated scientific facts" is reported in 1936 Mercier decree. This expression is often confused with current scientific facts. But, for jurists, they have different senses with consequences in aesthetic surgery, particularly when using new procedures or when new indications are founded for substantiated techniques. Fat autograft in breast aesthetic surgery is a current event example.     

Technical notes on mastectomy performed as part of transsexualism F to M

Mastectomy in case of large breast should use a particular technique. The principle of mastectomy by periareolar flap or higher in MAP must be abandoned in favor of mastectomy by lower horizontal with the office of the WFP transformed by a tummy. Main technical note contains the plasty in MAP because the conventional mastectomy is well known.     

Microsurgery and burn sequelae: what is practical use?

The use of microsurgery in the management of burn sequelae is not a new idea and free flaps have been used in this context since the 1970s. New technologies like negative pressure treatment and skin substitute have certainly decreased the indication of free flaps. The authors with their experience combined to a review of the literature, try to clarify these indications for each anatomical location. From a technical point of view, they find that realizing a free flap for these patients is more complicated (venous damage, lack of donor site who has been burned…). Despite this, microsurgery must still belong in the decision tree and there are some irreplaceable indication specially for hand reconstruction.     

The adipose tissue transfer in the mammary parenchyma (part II): Review of the literature on the carcinologic risks

The adipose tissue transfer in the mammary parenchyma is a controversial area that generates passionate debates both in France and abroad. This second article presents a review of the literature on the interactions of fat transfer and the risk of developing breast cancer. Analysis of the results of the fundamental literature on the effects of adipose tissue in breast cancer development is troubling. At this stage, these results can not be transposed to humans as there are no studies showing a clinical correlation with suspected factors. It is difficult today to propose a pragmatic attitude on the transfer fat tissue into the breast. Given the results of the literature, we believe that the recommendations of caution of various scientific societies is well justified. The development of prospective study seems necessary to address this controversial issue.     

Induced membrane technique for the reconstruction of bone defects in upper limb. A prospective single center study of nine cases

Introduction

Bone defect in the upper limb remain infrequent with few reported in the literature. Their reconstruction raises the problem of bone union of non weight-bearing segments as well as the function of adjacent joints. We report a monocentric continuous series of nine patients treated with the induced membrane technique (Masquelet technique).

Patients and methods

Nine patients with a mean age of 39.2 years (17–69) presented with a bone defect of the humerus (six cases) or one of two bones (three cases). Diaphyseal (six cases) or metaphyseal (three cases) defects were secondary to trauma in three patients, to non-union in four others and following tumors for the other two. The mean defect was 5.1 cm (2.5–9). Reconstruction was done by initial filling using a spacer in cement, followed by a cancellous bone graft within the induced membrane. BMP's growth factor was used in two cases.

Results

Bone union was achieved in eight out of nine cases with a follow-up of 23 months (8–52) after the first stage, and 17 months (6–49) following filling by the graft. One patient did not want the second stage done before one year. The failure was in a very non-compliant patient who had a bone substitute associated with aBMP. Two septic non-unions were cured. Shoulder and elbow functional outcomes were comparable to the controlateral side for humeral defects; pronosupination decreased by 17% for the cases of reconstruction of two bones.

Discussion

The technique of the induced membrane allows filling of a large bone defect, while avoiding vascularised bone autografts and their morbidity. It requires two procedures but can be used in emergency or after failure of other interventions. It is a reliable, and reproducible technique where the only limit is the cancellous bone stock. Following the series of Masquelet, Apard and Stafford in the lower limb, and the series of Flamans in the hand, this is the first report of reconstruction of defect in the upper limb using this technique.