Autologous fat injection to face and neck: from soft tissue augmentation to regenerative medicine

Minimally-invasive autologous fat injection of the head and neck region can be considered a valid alternative to major invasive surgical procedures both for aesthetic and functional purposes. The favourable outcomes of autologous fat injection in otolaryngological practice are due to the filling of soft tissue and, mainly, to the potential regenerative effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Herewith, some important biological preliminary remarks are described underlying the potential of autologous fat injection in regenerative medicine, and personal experience in using it for both consolidated clinical applications, such as fat grafting to the face and vocal fold augmentation in the treatment of glottic incompetence, and more recent applications including the treatment of post-parotidectomy Frey syndrome and velopharyngeal insufficiency

Treatise on skull fractures by Berengario da Carpi (1460-1530)

Jacopo Berengario was born in Carpi, a medieval city close to Modena (northern Italy), circa 1460. He studied medicine at Bologna University and, in 1489, graduated in philosophy and medicine. He was appointed lecturer in anatomy and surgery at the same university, a position that he maintained for 24 years. Between 1514 and 1523, Berengario published some important anatomic and surgical works, which gave considerable fame to him.Commentaria... supra Anatomiam Mundini (Commentary... on the Anatomy of Mondino), published in 1521, constitutes the first example of an illustrated anatomic textbook ever printed. The anatomic illustrations were intended for explaining the text. Artistically speaking, the plates are typical examples of the Renaissance period and worthy of the greatest consideration.De Fractura Calvae sive Cranei (On Fracture of the Calvaria or Cranium), published in Bologna in 1518, is the first treatise devoted to head injuries ever printed. It is a landmark in the development of cranial surgery that went through numerous editions. The text was prepared in 2 months and dedicated to Lorenzo de' Medici, Duke of Urbino, who experienced a skull injury in the occipital region. Berengario wanted to demonstrate to other physicians his knowledge of anatomy and his expertise on the brain and head traumas. The book includes the illustration of an entire surgical kit or a corpus instrumentorum for performing cranial operations, which appeared for the first time in a printed book. However, Berengario's highly commendable aim was to indicate to the reader the step-by-step procedure of craniotomy for management of skull fractures along with the sequential use of the previously presented instruments

Rinoplastica secondaria

Secondary Rhinoplasty is defined as a surgical procedure aiming at correcting the results of a primary operation carried out on the nasal pyramid which failed to achieve the desired functional or aesthetic goal. From a practical point of view, the nose is divided into for sectors: upper, intermediate, lower and inner. Each one of them may be the site of possible unpleasant outcome. Management of secondary rhinoplasty is better by open approach, which allows a complete anatomical exposure and a better visualization of the operative field

La Chirurgia plastica nei bambini

Plastic surgery may contribute to minimize the stigmata of children affected by Down's syndrome facilitating their social readjustment. Advantages and disadvantages of the available procedures are presented and discussed

Presentazione

The Author traces the evolution of Aesthetic Rhinoplasty in Italy from the first contribution published by G. Sanvenero Rosselli in 1931

From the Société Européenne de Chirurgie Structive to the European Association of Plastic Surgeons (EURAPS)

In 1936, the Belgian Maurice Coelst established the Société Européenne de Chirurgie Structive, the first supranational Society of Plastic Surgery. The Society lasted three years only, until the explosion of the WWII. In 1989, the European Association of Plastic Surgeons was founded. The first meeting was held in Strasbourg, city of the council of Europe. The EURAPS successfully celebrates this year its 20th anniversary

The evolution of fat grafting : from soft tissue augmentation to regenerative medicine

The Author traces the evolution of fat grafting over the years from the first publication in 1893, to the systematization of the technique thanks to the contribution of Sydney Coleman. In recent years studies on the nature of adipose tissue have shown that besides multiple resident cells, fat tissue contains stem cells (ADSCs) capable of differentiating in multiple lineages, such as bone, cartilage, muscle, nerve, etc. Thus, in addition to the traditional notion that fat is a high energy reservoir, it becomes apparent that fat is a repair organ providing the basis for soft tissue regeneration. Manipulation of ADSCs promises to affect different fields of medicine and provide the physician with a variety of regenerative medical therapies