Nipple-areolar complex (nac) composite grafts in the Management of macromastia: Review of complications

Background:The free graft of the nipple-areolar complex is almost like a “composite” graft. This is because the skin of the areola and especially the nipple are usually thicker than the case is in the usual full-thickness skin grafts (FTSG). In traditional breast reductions, the nipple-areolar complex is located to its new position by means of pedicle flaps. This, of course, enhances the proper healing of the nipple-areolar complex (NAC). However, in the case of gigantic breast hypertrophies, it is often not possible to carry the NAC on the long pedicle flap. The NAC is therefore grafted as a free graft. Very often these grafts get infected or simple become necrotic and part or whole of them may be lost.Material and methods :Fifteen Free Graft NAC were done for 8 patients in 5 years 1997-2001 .. The results are analysed.Results Out of fifteen (15) free grafted NAC for eight (8) patients the following results were achieved: The factors underlying the total or partial loss of this composite graft may be numerous and are critically analyzed in this paper

Assessment of mortality prediction models in a Ghanaian burn population

A

A study of cleft lip/palate in a community in the South East of Ghana

The previous study in Wudoaba villages suggested that cleft lip and cleft palate (CL/CP) may be endemic in the Wudoaba cluster of villages in the Ketu South District of the Volta Region in South East Ghana. The study was to detect the prevalence of CL/CP in the Wudoaba communities and to investigate the factors associated with the causes of this malformation in the area. Two different interview-based questionnaires were designed to collect data over a period of 3 days from March 27 to 29, 2006. A purposive and accidental random sampling technique was used in the administering of the various questionnaires to the respondents. Data collected were recorded and analyzed with SPSS version 17.0. A total 99 respondents, with a mean age of 55.0 years, were interviewed. Out of it, 57.6% (n = 57) were related to their spouses: 54 first cousins and three other family relations. The prevalence of CL/CP is at least 6.3 per 1,000 people (i.e., 25/4,000). Majority (56.0%, n = 14) of the cleft cases were unilateral. Interviews revealed that genetic homogeneity and vitamin deficiencies in this community may be a causal factor for the high prevalence of CL/CP. This community provides clues suggesting that the magnitude of CL/CP may be larger than other studies and identifies the Wudoaba population as one that could be further studied to explore the underlying factors causing this congenital malformation

Comparative Analysis of Laplace Transform and Finite Difference Modeling and Simulation of Solute Transport in Soil. (Case Study: Nitrate Solute Transport in Homogeneous Soil)

Analytical Laplace transform and numerical finite difference methods were used to solve solute transport model (conversion dispersion equation) for a simplified homogeneous soil and simulation of the transport were done using Matlab programming language. Nitrate solute was used for the study. The study compared the simulation results that were generated by both the Laplace transform and the finite difference methods. Spatial and Temporal simulation of nitrate transport comparing both analytical and numerical solutions were presented. The errors in the spatial and temporal numerical solution were simulated. A three dimensional simulation of the nitrate concentration, depth and time for both the Laplace transform and the finite difference method were also presented. The results showed that finite difference numerical method gave a good approximation of the Laplace transform analytical method which provide exact solution. Although there were errors associated with the numerical solution, the output of the numerical solution do not sharply deviate from that of the analytical solution. The errors associated with the finite difference numerical solution were mainly as a result of truncation of the Taylor series expression.Finite difference numerical method can be used to model solute transport in heterogeneous soil which is a more complex process that cannot be accomplished with analytical method with a reasonable level of accuracy. Modeling of solute transport in soil is essential for management of nutrients supply to plants and water resource. 

Descriptive Epidemiology of Orofacial Clefts in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of birth defects including orofacial clefts (OFC) in Ethiopia is not known and there is no established birth defects registration system. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and incidence of OFC in Ethiopia. DESIGN: Retrospective hospital based descriptive study. METHODS: We obtained data from the Smile Train database on Ethiopian patients with OFC who underwent surgical treatment from June 2007 - December 2013 at 31 hospitals distributed throughout the country. Data related to live births in Ethiopia during the mentioned period was obtained from the Federal Ministry of Health database for estimates of the incidence and prevalence rates. RESULTS: The total number of life births during the study period was 18,811,316. During this same period, 18,073 cleft patients approximately ranging from 1 to 75 years old were examined and treated at the hospitals mentioned above. The incidence rate estimated from the total number of affected children during the study period (N=8232) is 0.44/1000 live births. The prevalence rate is 0.20/1000 and this was estimated using the number of total population in 2013 (N= 88,703,914). There is a significant difference in frequency between bilateral CLP (26.9%) versus unilateral CLP (73.1%) (P<0.0001). There is also a significant difference in frequency between bilateral cleft lips only (15.4%) versus unilateral cleft lip only (84.6%) P<0001. CONCLUSION: It is obvious that the findings in this study cannot be representative of the true picture but provides a previously unavailable national estimate of incidence and prevalence of orofacial clefts in Ethiopia. It can also be used as comparison for future community based studies

Multidisciplinary approach to genomics research in Africa: the AfriCRAN model

This article is an outcome of the African Craniofacial Anomalies Research Network (AfriCRAN) Human Hereditary and Health (H3A) grant planning meeting in 2012 in Lagos, Nigeria. It describes the strengths of a multidisciplinary team approach to solving complex genetic traits in the craniofacial region. It also highlights the different components and argues for the composition of similar teams to fast track the discovery of disease genes, diagnostic tools, improved clinical treatment and ultimately prevention of diseases