Skin coverage of the anterior region of the knee with an anterolateral reverse flow thigh flap based on the perforating artery of the transverse branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery: a case report

The patella is an uncommon place for the appearance of bone tumors, benign or malignant, and pseudotumoral lesions. In the literature, there is a small amount of work on this topic. This case report is about a patient with a metastatic tumor in the patella and reconstruction of the deformity with an anterolateral reverse flow thigh flap. Skin and soft tissue reconstruction in the region around the knee are often challenging for the plastic surgeon and aim to cover the exposed bone, preserving the joint function of the knee and providing a good esthetic result. There is an option for the use of free flaps, where there is a need for adequate material and trained staff. However, the vascular anastomosis region at the back of the knee makes the procedure even more complex. The anterolateral reverse thigh fasciocutaneous flap, first described in 1990 by Zhang et al., appears to be an effective and reliable option for reconstructing defects around the knee. It has a long vascular pedicle length and the availability of soft parts. There are some anatomical variations in which the cutaneous perforator does not originate from the descending branch. This report presents a patient with a skin perforator originating from the transverse branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery, with an acceptable aesthetic result for skin coverage in the anterior region of the knee

Cervical cancer screening coverage in a high-incidence region

OBJECTIVE To analyze the coverage of a cervical cancer screening program in a city with a high incidence of the disease in addition to the factors associated with non-adherence to the current preventive program.METHODS A cross-sectional study based on household surveys was conducted. The sample was composed of women between 25 and 59 years of age of the city of Boa Vista, RR, Northern Brazil who were covered by the cervical cancer screening program. The cluster sampling method was used. The dependent variable was participation in a women’s health program, defined as undergoing at least one Pap smear in the 36 months prior to the interview; the explanatory variables were extracted from individual data. A generalized linear model was used.RESULTS 603 women were analyzed, with an mean age of 38.2 years (SD = 10.2). Five hundred and seventeen women underwent the screening test, and the prevalence of adherence in the last three years was up to 85.7% (95%CI 82.5;88.5). A high per capita household income and recent medical consultation were associated with the lower rate of not being tested in multivariate analysis. Disease ignorance, causes, and prevention methods were correlated with chances of non-adherence to the screening system; 20.0% of the women were reported to have undergone opportunistic and non-routine screening.CONCLUSIONS The informed level of coverage is high, exceeding the level recommended for the control of cervical cancer. The preventive program appears to be opportunistic in nature, particularly for the most vulnerable women (with low income and little information on the disease). Studies on the diagnostic quality of cervicovaginal cytology and therapeutic schedules for positive cases are necessary for understanding the barriers to the control of cervical cancer.OBJETIVO Analisar a cobertura do programa de rastreamento do câncer do colo uterino em município com alta incidência da doença e os fatores relacionados à não adesão ao programa preventivo vigente.MÉTODOS Foi realizado estudo transversal, com base em inquérito domiciliar. A amostra foi composta por mulheres entre 25 e 59 anos de idade do município de Boa vista, RR, Brasil, com cobertura pelo programa de rastreamento do câncer do colo uterino. Foi utilizado o método de amostragem por conglomerado. A variável dependente foi a adesão ao programa de saúde da mulher, definida como a realização de pelo menos um teste de Papanicolaou nos 36 meses anteriores à data da entrevista; as variáveis explicativas foram extraídas a partir de informações individuais. Foi utilizado modelo linear generalizado.RESULTADOS Foram analisadas 603 mulheres, com idade média de 38,2 anos (DP = 10,2). Quinhentas e dezessete mulheres realizaram o exame, sendo a prevalência de realização, nos últimos três anos, de 85,7% (IC95% 82,5;88,5). Renda familiar per capita elevada e consulta médica recente associaram-se à menor taxa de não realização do exame na análise multivariada. O desconhecimento da doença, das causas e dos meios de prevenção correlacionou-se com a chance de não adesão ao rastreamento. Vinte por cento das mulheres relataram realização do exame em caráter oportunístico, e não rotineiro.CONCLUSÕES A cobertura informada é elevada, acima do recomendado para controle do câncer do colo uterino. O programa preventivo apresenta caráter oportunístico, sobretudo para as mulheres mais vulneráveis (com baixa renda e pouca informação sobre a doença). Estudos sobre a qualidade diagnóstica da citologia cervicovaginal e dos itinerários terapêuticos dos casos positivos são necessários para compreensão das barreiras para o controle do câncer do colo uterino

Polypropylene and poliglecaprone mesh implant for lifting muscles in facial paralysis

Introduction: Facial paralysis is a condition that can cause some sequelae, and sometimes only aesthetics can be improved. Based on this, the objective was to report a case in which a polypropylene and poliglecaprone mesh was used in order to raise the structures of the right hemiface. Case Report: The patient had paralysis in the right hemiface, with incompetent eyelid sealing, deviation of the labial commissure and no movement of the temporal musculature. An incision was made below the cutlet, pre and retroauricular, with detachment of the skin flap across the right hemiface. After lifting the superficial musculoaponeurotic system and fixing it with mononylon threads, the polypropylene and poliglecaprone mesh was placed in the middle third region and fixed with monocryl. Canthotomy and lateral canthopexy of the right eyelid were performed. In the immediate postoperative period, the patient evolved without edema, retraction or bulging, and after one year and seven months, she had complete integration of the mesh, with no retraction, fibrosis or recurrence. Discussion: The choice of aesthetic treatment for facial paralysis depends on the cause and duration of the injury, but there are several ways to do it. Among the newer ideas are the use of stem cells and alloplastic materials, and following this second line, the polypropylene and poliglecaprone canvas can be thought of as a viable technique, as was reported in this case

Implante de tela de polipropileno e poliglecaprone para elevação da musculatura na paralisia facial

Introdução: A paralisia facial é um quadro que pode gerar algumas sequelas, e às vezes apenas as estéticas podem ser melhoradas. Com base nisso, objetivou-se relatar um caso em que foi utilizada uma tela de polipropileno e poliglecaprone com finalidade de elevar as estruturas da hemiface direita. Relato de Caso: A paciente apresentava paralisia em hemiface direita, com selamento palpebral incompetente, desvio de comissura labial e sem movimento da musculatura temporal. Foi realizada uma incisão abaixo da costeleta, pré e retroauricular, com descolamento do retalho cutâneo em toda a hemiface direita. Após levantar o sistema musculoaponeurótico superficial e fixá-lo com fios de mononylon, foi colocada a tela de polipropileno e poliglecaprone na região do terço médio e fixada com monocryl. Foi realizada cantotomia e cantopexia lateral da pálpebra direita. No pós-operatório imediato a paciente evoluiu sem edemas, retrações ou abaulamentos, e após um ano e sete meses apresenta total integração da tela, sem retração, fibrose ou recidiva. Discussão: A escolha do tratamento estético de paralisia facial depende da causa e duração da lesão, mas existem diversas formas de fazê-lo. Entre as ideias mais novas, estão o uso de células tronco e materiais aloplásticos e, seguindo essa segunda linha, a tela de polipropileno e poliglecaprone pode ser pensada como uma técnica viável, como foi neste caso relatado

Comparative analysis of mastectomies and breast reconstructions performed in the Brazilian Unified Health System in the last 5 years

Introduction: Breast cancer is the second most common malignant neoplasm in women in Brazil. A great challenge for health professionals and to reconcile the waiting line for both oncological and reconstructive surgeries. The objective is to evaluate the last 5 years of breast cancer surgeries compared to the number of reconstructive surgeries performed in the same period. Methods: This is a descriptive study with a transversal and retrospective approach on mastectomies, segmentectomies and breast reconstructions performed at SUS, between the years 2015 and 2020. According to the procedures and codes chosen and tabulated in the Microsoft Excel 365 software, the data were collected in the SUS data transfer service. Results: 204,569 breast cancer surgeries were performed, with 57% segmentectomies/quadrantectomies and 43% mastectomies. In the same period, 17,927 reconstructive plastic breast surgeries were performed with implants after mastectomy, with only 20.52% of mastectomized women undergoing immediate reconstruction with implants. Conclusion: The number of reconstructive breast surgeries in Brazil is below the ideal level, leaving most women mastectomized with sequelae for a long time

Festoons, edema, and malar bags: is there a consensus on aesthetic treatment?

Introduction: Periorbital changes are some of the first detectable signs of aging. The most outstanding currently, refers to the rejuvenation of this region, involving the treatment from the eyebrows to the transition orbital-malar, where are festoons, edemas, and malar bags. However, this management is complex, involving several approaches: invasive or noninvasive techniques. Thus, this review aims to describe the scientific evidence of the most current techniques used in the treatment of festoons, edema, and malar bags and to evaluate the complications related to each modality. Methods: The research was carried out in three databases, PubMed, Cochrane, and LILACS - using the descriptors "bolsa malar," "malar mounds," "festoons" and "malar bags" in the period from 2014 to 2019, in English and Portuguese. Results: We selected 13 articles; most of the studies were retrospective reviews (76.9%), seven dealt with noninvasive techniques, three about invasive, and three on the association of techniques. Regarding the procedures described, the noninvasive ones were represented by the use of Kinesio tape, tetracycline injection, doxycycline and hyaluronic acid, and the use of microneedling with radiofrequency. The invasive ones were represented by microaspiration, myocutaneous flap, subperiosteal lift of the middle face, and direct excision. Conclusion: There are numerous techniques for treating festoon and malar bags, but it is up to the plastic surgeon to know its advantages and disadvantages to decide the most appropriate in each situation. Thus, there is no consensus, but it is vital to diagnose correctly to indicate the best treatment