Breast asymmetry: literature review and a new proposal for clinical classification

Breast asymmetry is a prevalent diagnosis that has several surgical modalities for its treatment. The correct diagnosis, taking into account the existing classification systems, is imperative for achieving the best results. The leading and most accepted proposals for the classification and treatment of breast asymmetries were raised through the literature review. These available classifications date from the 60s and 70s and need to be updated to the current clinical context. A more simplified and reproducible classification was proposed after a comprehensive literature review, considering the most frequent asymmetries in aesthetic plastic surgery offices, with their respective treatment guides. Five groups were created: 1 - hypotrophic breasts with volume asymmetry; 2 - hypotrophy with volume and contour asymmetry; 3 - normotrophic, ptotic breasts and with no desire to increase the volume; 4 - normotrophic, ptotic breasts and with a desire to increase the final volume; 5 - asymmetric and hypertrophic breasts. Based on the clinical findings, a treatment algorithm was created for each subtype of asymmetry, including in this arsenal, breast implants of different volumes, mastopexies, reduction mammoplasty, and fat grafting. It is important to emphasize that breast asymmetry is the rule and not the exception, therefore, it is a reason for patient dissatisfaction and a challenge for the plastic surgeon

Facial anatomy applied to live models

Introduction: Anatomy is one of the foundations in medicine, and choosing a practical and dynamic teaching method is essential for better retention of your learning. The objective is to use facial anatomy applied to live models as an innovative teaching strategy and to evaluate the experience of the learning experience of students assigned to the method. Method: The work analyzes the experience with body painting of 51 students from Instituto Boggio assigned this method (or instructed to use this method) during their classes. Different planes and anatomical structures were represented on live models’ faces to simulate and teach the main injectable cosmetic procedures; syringes, needles, cannulas, and ultrasound gel stained with food inks were used. Overlapping latex layers were used for the anatomical study of the temple, middle third of the face, and nose, allowing the reproduction of fillers and biostimulators in these regions. The main muscle groups were represented for the discussion of high-precision botulinum toxin. After the entire demonstration, the students answered a questionnaire via “Google Forms” evaluating the methodology used. Results: According to the answers to the questionnaires, most students considered body painting an innovative methodology that contributed to learning anatomical content and satisfactorily illustrating the demonstrated cosmetic procedures. Conclusion: Practical learning through live models makes this new teaching method something innovative and unique that, in an enjoyable way, enables the study of anatomy and appropriately trains clinical skills

Vertical abdominoplasty for treatment of excess abdominal skin after massive weight loss

INTRODUÇÃO: As cirurgias bariátricas são cada vez mais frequentes no tratamento dos pacientes portadores de obesidade mórbida. A grande perda ponderal decorrente desses procedimentos causa excesso de pele e de tecido subcutâneo em todo o corpo, especialmente na região abdominal. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar a técnica de abdominoplastia vertical como alternativa para a ressecção do excesso de pele nesses pacientes. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados, retrospectivamente, os prontuários de 40 pacientes submetidos ao procedimento entre 2004 e 2009. O grau de satisfação dos pacientes foi avaliado através de escala subjetiva, com notas variando de 0 a 10. RESULTADOS: Vinte e cinco por cento dos pacientes apresentaram pequenas complicações, sendo 3 seromas, 3 pequenas deiscências e 5 cicatrizes hipertróficas, todas tratadas ambulatorialmente. Dois terços dos pacientes relataram alto grau de satisfação, considerando seus resultados bons (notas 7 ou 8) ou ótimos (notas 9 ou 10). CONCLUSÕES: A técnica de abdominoplastia vertical aparece como uma nova opção para o tratamento do excesso de pele abdominal em pacientes ex-obesos

Abdominoplastia vertical para tratamento do excesso de pele abdominal após perdas ponderais maciças Vertical abdominoplasty for treatment of excess abdominal skin after massive weight loss

INTRODUÇÃO: As cirurgias bariátricas são cada vez mais frequentes no tratamento dos pacientes portadores de obesidade mórbida. A grande perda ponderal decorrente desses procedimentos causa excesso de pele e de tecido subcutâneo em todo o corpo, especialmente na região abdominal. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar a técnica de abdominoplastia vertical como alternativa para a ressecção do excesso de pele nesses pacientes. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados, retrospectivamente, os prontuários de 40 pacientes submetidos ao procedimento entre 2004 e 2009. O grau de satisfação dos pacientes foi avaliado através de escala subjetiva, com notas variando de 0 a 10. RESULTADOS: Vinte e cinco por cento dos pacientes apresentaram pequenas complicações, sendo 3 seromas, 3 pequenas deiscências e 5 cicatrizes hipertróficas, todas tratadas ambulatorialmente. Dois terços dos pacientes relataram alto grau de satisfação, considerando seus resultados bons (notas 7 ou 8) ou ótimos (notas 9 ou 10). CONCLUSÕES: A técnica de abdominoplastia vertical aparece como uma nova opção para o tratamento do excesso de pele abdominal em pacientes ex-obesos.BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgeries are becoming increasingly common in the treatment of morbidly obese patients. The enormous weight loss resulting from these procedures causes excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue throughout the body, especially in the abdominal region. The objective of this study was to present the technique of vertical abdominoplasty as an alternative for resection of excess skin in ex-obese patients. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the records of 40 patients who underwent vertical abdominoplasty between 2004 and 2009. The degree of patient satisfaction was assessed through a subjective scale, with scores ranging from 0 to 10. RESULTS: Twenty-five percent of the patients had minor complications (3 seromas, 3 minor dehiscences, and 5 hypertrophic scars), which were all treated on an outpatient basis. Sixty-seven percent of the patients reported high satisfaction and considered their results as good (grades 7 or 8) or excellent (grades 9 or 10). CONCLUSIONS: The vertical abdominoplasty technique appears to be a new option for the treatment of excess abdominal skin in ex-obese patients

Associação entre os níveis plasmáticos de TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10, óxido nítrico e os isotipos de IgG específicos nas formas clínicas da doença de Chagas crônica Association between the plasma levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10, nitric oxide and specific IgG isotypes in the clinical forms of chronic Chagas disease

A doença de Chagas é uma importante doença parasitária crônica, que acomete cerca de 9-11 milhões de pessoas na América Latina. Provavelmente, uma combinação de fatores relacionados ao parasito e ao hospedeiro podem ser os responsáveis pela patogênese na fase crônica da doença. Dentre os fatores relacionados ao hospedeiro, a resposta imunológica é um parâmetro de especial interesse. Objetivamos avaliar os níveis plasmáticos das citocinas interferon gama, interleucina 10, fator de necrose tumoral alfa e das imunoglobulinas G total, 3 e 4, por ELISA e do óxido nítrico, pela reação de Griess, entre indivíduos soronegativos e soropositivos para Trypanosoma cruzi, com as formas clínicas cardíaca, indeterminada e digestiva. Os indivíduos soropositivos para Trypanosoma cruzi produziram níveis significativamente mais elevados de imunoglobulinas G total e G3. Indivíduos com a forma digestiva apresentam níveis mais elevados de imunoglobulina G4 e interleucina 10. Entretanto, tais indivíduos apresentaram menores níveis de óxido nítrico do que controles. Os resultados sugerem que os maiores níveis de IL-10 observados nos indivíduos com a forma digestiva poderiam contribuir com os maiores níveis de IgG4 específicos observados.<br>Chagas disease is an important chronic parasitic disease that affects around 9-11 million people in Latin America. A combination of parasite and host-related factors are probably responsible for pathogenesis in the chronic phase of the disease. Among the host-related factors, the immunological response is a parameter of special interest. Our aim here was to evaluate the plasma levels of the cytokines interferon gamma, interleukin 10 and tumor necrosis factor alpha and the immunoglobulins total IgG and its subclasses 3 and 4, by means of ELISA, and the levels of nitric oxide by means of the Griess reaction, among individuals who were seropositive for Trypanosoma cruzi, presenting the cardiac, indeterminate and digestive clinical forms of the disease, and among seronegative individuals. The seropositive individuals produced significantly higher levels of total IgG and IgG-3. Individuals with the digestive form presented higher levels of IgG-4 and interleukin 10. However, these individuals presented lower levels of nitric oxide than the controls did. The results suggest that the higher levels of interleukin 10 observed among individuals with the digestive form may contribute towards the higher levels of the specific IgG-4 that were seen