[History of breast cancer reconstruction treatment]

The authors summarize in those six pages of drawings the history of breast cancer reconstruction treatment. The focus is on the variety of techniques available for breast reconstruction and on the debates around different indications.

[The complications of skin expansion in paediatrics: Diagnostic, taking over and prevention]

Skin expansion is a difficult and long process in which can occur more or less serious complications. Overall complications rates describe in the literature vary between 13 and 37%. We can categorize them in major complications, which can lead to a failure maybe even an aggravation of the anterior status, and in minor complications that do not compromise the expansion process but can alter it. The main major complications are infection, skin suffering and necrosis which can lead to prosthesis exposition, leaks and technical problems with equipment dysfunctions that may cause difficulties or a failure of the inflations. The main minor complications are hematomas, seromas, valve or tube exposition, pains with paraesthesias caused by neighbouring organs compression, pathologic and unsightly scares and can lead to an important psychological impact. These complications can be due to a precarious skin's state, a material dysfunction or unpredictable technical problems but also by an inappropriate preoperative indication or planning. The emerging of a complication, however, is not synonymous to a failure of the procedure; a satisfactory reconstruction may still be obtained in 75% of all cases. The purpose of this article is to help to identify the situations at risk of complications in order to prevent, detect and treat them early.

[Skin tumors in children]

The presence of a congenital or acquired cutaneous lesion is a frequent reason for consultation in pediatric plastic surgery unit. The management of these lesions requires a good knowledge of specific diagnoses in children. This step is sometimes difficult because of the multiplicity of possible diagnosis. Some skin tumors may be the external sign of a general disease or an underlying malformation; those can change the overall prognosis and management and require to be properly identified. The decision of surgical excision depends on various criteria, including diagnosis but also the reconstruction possibilities. The timing of surgical treatment depends on the medical emergency of the tumor resection (benign tumor, spontaneously regressive tumor, risk of degeneration into malignancy), on the cosmetic and psychological impact but also on the growth or learning steps in child life. This article first provides an aid in the diagnosis of the most common or more characteristic skin tumors. The algorithm is principally based on the pigmentation aspect of the tumor. The age and conditions of the surgical management are specified for each type of tumor. Cutaneous hemangiomas and vascular malformations, and congenital cysts and fistulas are not reported in this article.

[Management of oculo-palpebral consequences in facial paralysis]

Facial paralysis prognostic depends on eye lesion. In this pathology, lacrymal and palpebral functions will be modified: bad eye closure and leak of tears secretions. It can leads to corneal complications from keratitis to corneal abcedation and visual dysfonction. This chapter details different procedures and their indications to avoid this kind of complications.

[The gingivo periosto plastic surgery with osseous substitute: Technique and first results]

INTRODUCTION

Ortho dontico-surgical coverage of alveolar crack is essential in reason of its repercussions on facial growth and implementation of children's teeth set. We proposed to realize a premature gingivo periosto plastic surgery from 4 years old by osseous substitute to lower age of alveolar cracks closure and decrease the morbidity of patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study over one year (January, 2012 to December, 2012), with six months postoperatively outcomes, on 23 cases of gingivo periosto plastic sugary with osseous substitute type glass by bone transplant at infantile plastic surgery service of Timone - Children teaching hospital of Marseille, France.

RESULTS

We held 23 patients. Seventeen children, 12 boys and 5 girls presented unilateral cracks. Twenty patients required a quantity of glass bone under 1cc for the narrow cracks. Prevalence of the mucous cracks was low (4 cases on 23). Technique of gingivo periosto plastic surgery with osseous substitute is simple and our results are globally satisfactory. We observed less morbidity of the operating site.

CONCLUSION

The first results of this study showed that gingivo periosto plastic surgery with osseous substitute glass bone is a simple, reliable and reproducible technique, with promising results. Reduction of site's morbidity by osseous transplant, accessibility of glass bone cost and simplicity of surgical gesture justified adoption of this technique.

[Septoplasties and associated procedures]

Observing a morphological alteration of the nasal septum should in no way automatically lead to a septoplasty. Only poorly tolerated septal deviations creating a mechanical nasal obstruction are a surgical indication. This delicate operation requires meticulousness to preserve the muco-perichondrial envelope. The statement follows a rigorous clinical assessment where endoscopy is important because it points out the septal deformities, the size of the inferior turbinates and possible valvate problems. Performing a rhinomanometry and sometimes a CAT scan will complete the preoperative assessment.

[Submental island flap: a review of the literature]

The submental island flap is a precious tool in reconstructive surgery. It was described by Martin in 1993, inspired by platysma flaps. In our days, we can find many reliable techniques for this procedure. We reviewed the main studies of the literature that described a total of 528 patients. The rate of partial necrosis was 5.1%, complete necrosis 1.7%, and reversible lesions of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve 1.1%. His versatility makes this flap appropriate for the reconstruction of every part of the face: cheeks, nose, forehead, moustache, beard, and hairs. It can also be used de-epidermised with very good results, for the reconstruction of the buccal cavity, the tongue, the roof of the mouth, the larynx, and the proximal part of the esophagus. The SMAP (Submentalis Artery Perforator flap) is an alternative flap that provides even better cosmetic results. The development of indocyanine green and infrared cameras will allow in a close future to decrease the postoperative complications.

[Osteotomies in rhinoplasty]

Osteotomies are performed to modify the shape of the bony part of the nose, therefore they should not be done systematically. Main indications are correction of deviated nose, narrowing of bony vault and roofing of an open roof after important hump resection. The nose should be very precisely analyzed before osteotomies if the surgeon doesn't want to create deformities such as step, inverted V, pinched nose or saddle nose. When too narrowed, bones can also block the airway and lead to functional problems.

[Secondary rhinoplasty]

Secondary rhinoplasty is very usual. Some patients are not satisfied by the previous surgery because the result is poor with obvious defaults but, sometimes, the result is good but the patient expects perfection. These two different situations will not lead to the same answer from the surgeon. Techniques of secondary rhinoplasty are the same than primary, but are often more difficult to perform because of scar tissue, retraction and loss of lining. The authors analyse the more frequent deformities in secondary rhinoplasty and the way they fix them.

[Surgical approaches in rhinoplasty]

In the first step of rhinoplasty, the surgical approach will expose through different types of incisions and dissection planes the osteocartilaginous framework of the nasal pyramid prior to performing actions to reduce or increase the latter. This exposure can be performed by a closed approach or by an external approach--the choice depends on the type of nose and the habits of the surgeon. Far from being opposites, closed and external approaches are complementary and should be known and mastered by surgeons performing rhinoplasty.

[The growing nose]

Children noses have special anatomical and functional characteristics. Early interventions performed before the end of the child's growth have been a main topic as they may cause adverse effects on the subsequent development and the function. This chapter describes the characteristics of the nasal pyramid and the septum at different stages of growth. Should one's approach be very cautious in children surgical indications, one should not hesitate opting for the treatment of congenital malposition or acquired when they jeopardize the nasal function. Considering possible procedures and specific conditions within pediatric field are discussed in this chapter.

[Twisted noses]

Correction of a twisted or crooked nose can be very complex and require the use of a broad range of surgical techniques. Patient needs are often mixed--aesthetic and functional--particularly in post-trauma cases. The quality of postoperative breathing is therefore as important as correction of the nasal deviation. Extracorporeal septoplasty or spreader grafts are very effective not only in correction of the nasal pyramid deformation, but also in resolution of functional respiratory issues. Reconstruction and proper support of the septum are necessary components for a straight nose. Aesthetic deformation can be difficult to correct owing to the memory of the bone and cartilage. Although minor deformations can be corrected with simple techniques, a more aggressive procedure is often necessary in the most complex cases. Despite attempts to correct deformation thanks to the various techniques described here, a postoperative deviation can persist. Preoperative discussion is very important and enables the surgeon to explain to the patient that it is very difficult to obtain a perfectly straight nose.

[Standard rhinoplasty]

Most patients who consult a surgeon for rhinoplasty do not want a radical change in their nose. They seek a reduction in the volume of the nasal pyramid and correction of a precise element that they judge to be ungainly--most often an osteocartilaginous hump. The procedure that we qualify as "standard" will eliminate the osteocartilaginous hump, decrease the dimensions of the septum and reduce the size of the alar crus of the alar cartilage. Although the required technical maneuvers are simple, their sequence must be coherent with a few basic rules that are simple but rarely explained in order to avoid defects linked to excessive, or on the contrary, insufficient corrections.

[Preoperative analysis in rhinoplasty]

Preoperative analysis in rhinoplasty consists in analyzing individual anatomical and functional characteristics without losing sight of the initial requirements of the patient to which priority should be given. The examination is primarily clinical but it also uses preoperative photographs taken at specific accurate angles. Detecting functional disorders or associated general pathologies, which will reduce the risk of complications. All of these factors taken into account, the surgeon can work out a rhinoplasty plan which he or she will subsequently explain to the patient and obtain his or her approbation.

[Middle third of the nose and internal valve. Alar wall and external valve]

To many surgeons, nasal airway obstruction is synonymous with either septal deviation or inferior turbinate hypertrophy. The role of internal and external nasal valves is often less known by surgeons even if it is crucial in nasal breathing and strongly interrelated with esthetic of the middle third of the nose and alar wall. Therefore, precise examination of the two valves and conservative surgery should help to avoid many functional and esthetic problems.

[Over projected tip]

Overprojected tip is a pretty usual request not easy to manage. Preop analysis is crucial in order to evaluate tip support and skin thickness and ability to retract. For example, if the skin is very thick and has poor chance to retract, the surgeon should be very careful in the tip projection decreasing to avoid a skin pollybeak deformity. In such cases, he has to analyze the facial proportions, especially other areas projection (radix, dorsum and chin) and think about augmenting them to balance the profile rather than decreasing tip projection. Correction should always be conducted incrementally, starting with weakening the tip support mechanisms and, only if necessary, continue with alar cartilage interruption. This can be performed on many areas (lateral cruras, domes, medial cruras) and with several techniques (resection or interruption+overlapping).

[Technical note: iliac crest bone graft harvesting in children]

Harvesting iliac crest bone in children is special because of the presence of a thick cartilage. Constant pressure on the internal iliac fossa, ascends the skin, and moves the abdominal muscles away from the iliac crest. A single incision is then used for cutaneous and subcutaneous dissection. An internal piece of cartilage is then removed and the iliac muscle retracted in order to harvest cortical and spongy bone from the internal side of the iliac crest. That pièce of cartilage is then sutured at its initial place. During the harvesting, the surgeon needs to be careful to preserve the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.

[Current place of curettage in the management of giant congenital nevi: report of 29 patients]

SUBJECT

The management of giant nevi remains discussed to date. Curettage, early superficial technique, allows a lightening of the lesions. We wanted to define the current interest in its use, from results obtained after 20 years of experience.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-nine patients were treated by curettage between 1991 and 2011. Surgery consisting of excision of the superficial dermis was performed between the 1st and 7th week of life in an average of 1.8 procedures. The cosmetic result was judged subjectively.

RESULTS

Healing was achieved in 7 days. We noted a few local complications but no general complications. The aesthetic results, with initial variable lightening, induced an overall parental satisfaction in 100 % of cases. A secondary heterogeneous and varying pigmentation was observed in all cases.

CONCLUSION

To date, we believe that curettage is indicated for the treatment of giant nevi in some localization difficult to treat by conventional techniques (eyebrow, those associated with many satellite nevi) or those with a psychological impact too important to support a therapeutic delay.

[Role of the plastic surgeon in the management of ecthyma gangrenosum in children: clinical example]

Ecthyma gangrenosum is a cutaneous infection, which result from a Pseudomonas aeruginosa septicemia, encountered in most of the case in immunocompromised people. Authors demonstrate the important role of the plastic surgeon in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of the disease in children. An eight-month-old infant has been hospitalized for acute leukaemia. She developed an extensive painful macule in the buttocks and perineal area in a septic context. A multidisciplinary management allowed to set up an adapted antibiotherapy, an early escharrotomy, a protection of the wound by digestive and urine derivation and a reconstruction with wound healing by second intention and split thickness skin graft, which lead to a good quality cure and wound healing at the end of 37 days of evolution. This case demonstrates the importance of the surgical management in the treatment of ecthyma gangrenosum. The wound healing associated with a split thickness skin graft seems to be the less invasive solution in a frail patient and the fastest to re-start the chemotherapy.

[Surgical managing of current cutaneous infections in children]

The cutaneous infectious pathology of the child is varied and frequent. Authors deal with surgical infections seen in current pediatrics, which often have to appeal to a plastic pediatric surgeon for their treatment. Superficial infections of skin and pilo-sebaceous follicles are common in big children. The folliculitis and the boil are the most frequent. Their treatment is medical and surgical and does not require an antibiotic treatment in most of the cases. The primitive abscesses or following an anterior lesion recover from a similar treatment. Some localizations or risky context need a particular follow-up. The whitlow is a particular example and needs to have a particular follow-up because of the risk of hand cellulitis. Nails embodied of the child require a specialized notice because of their numerous clinical forms, which must be distinguished according to the age. Finally the necrotizing cellulitis and fasciitis are surgical emergencies and have a well-codified treatment. These infections in children must benefit from an attentive care because when they are badly treated, they can involve the aesthetic, functional and vital forecast.

Les séquelles vélopharyngées dans les fentes labioalvéolopalatovélaires. Pharyngoplastie par Lipostructure® du pharynx

Advancing the posterior pharyngeal wall is a classic technique to treat velopharyngeal insufficiency. Injection of autologous fat behind the posterior pharyngeal mucosa according to the Coleman Lipostructure technique is a recent development. The authors report their experience in six cases using this modification. The preoperative work-up was performed by a speech therapist with a physical examination and measurement of the nasal air loss was performed using an aerophonometer. Fat was harvested either on the abdominal wall or on a buttock and then centrifuged. Fat injection was performed using a curved blunt cannula under the mucosa of the lateral and posterior pharyngeal walls. Injecting fat is an autologous graft of fat tissue: after a postoperative period of three months, the volume of fat becomes permanently stable. In five out of the six patients who presented moderate velopharyngeal insufficiency, speech improvement was significant. The single failure was a patient with bilateral cleft lip and palate sequels after previous pharyngoplasty using the Orticochea procedure. Treatment of moderate velopharyngeal insufficiency using fat injection is an efficient method. The advantages are its innocuousness and that scaring of the pharynx is avoided.

Mise au point sur la prise en charge chirurgicale du mélanome malin cutané. Revue de la littérature

Nowadays managing a cutaneous malignant melanoma can concern different kind of physicians: dermatologists, general or plastic surgeons The primary surgical procedure is a major step of the treatment. Biopsy must be total to properly determine the thickness of the tumor in case of malignancy. Wide local excision of the scar is often necessary to decrease the local and general recurrence rates. Wide local excision must be performed conforming to its own surgical rules. Managing tumor located on the face or limb extremities is a matter of plastic surgery. Sentinel node biopsy has succeeded to elective lymph node dissection. This procedure allows research of lymphatic spreading of the disease. Practice of sentinel node biopsy must be achieved in a protocolar way. Topography of the lesion can modified achievement and results of this procedure. Prognosis benefit of sentinel biopsy is now clear. Elective lymph node dissection is only performed in case of invaded sentinel node or clinically invaded lymph nodes. Local or locoregional recurrences mainly respond to surgical treatment using wide excision. However, alternative solutions are being evaluated (isolated limb perfusion).

Craniofacial cleft: a case of Tessier no. 3, 7 and 11 cleft

The incidence of the rare facial clefts is between 1.43 and 4.85 per 100.000 births. We report a case of right associated Tessier no. 3, 7 and 11 craniofacial clefts with cardiac malformation. The epidemiology, classification, embryology and pathogenesis of each craniofacial malformation are briefly reviewed. After an extensive review of the literature, we conclude that this association has not previously been reported.

[Surgical treatment of lymphatic malformations]

Lymphatic malformations remain a therapeutic challenge. Many treatments by the past led to poor success. The wide variety of clinical presentations makes it difficult to outline specific management programs. Often, diagnosis or complication circumstances as infection, bleeding, airway obstruction, or handicap force acting. Thus, a specific follow-up joined to a multidisciplinary analysis are the key of well-planned surgery. Through our experience and a review of literature, we will describe principles of lymphatic malformations surgery and specific technics for specific locations.

[Cutaneous hemangioma: clinical aspects]

Infantile cutaneous hemangioma is a benign vascular tumour present at 10% of the infants. It forms part of the group of the vascular tumours in the classification of International Society for Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA). Clinical diagnosis is easy in its triphasic typical form with a phase of sometimes brutal postnatal growth, a phase of stabilization and a phase of slow secondary regression. Classically, it is presented in the form of a mass or stains cutaneous red, of a subcutaneous mass or, generally, of a mixed form associating the two aspects.

Traitement chirurgical des malformations capillaires

Capillary malformations do not demand mostly any therapeutics. For aesthetic reasons, family or child can demand a treatment to ease even to remove the unsightly character of the lesion. In this context, the means employees must be simple and not engender aftereffects more unaesthetic than the lesion. The pulsed dye laser fulfils perfectly this conditions by improving the color of the lesion without touching the texture of the skin. However it's a treatment requiring many sessions over 2-3 years. Surgery keeps an interest for the treatment of capillary malformations resistant to laser (in particular on the limbs) or to treat soft tissues hyperplasia met in certain cervicofacial locations. The surgery uses the whole techniques of plastic surgery classified from the most simple to the most complicated: excision-suture in one time or iterative, excision and coverage by a skin graft, use of skin expansion techniques with local flaps.

Les malformations lymphatiques : aspects cliniques et évolution

Lymphatic malformations (LM) are the most frequent vascular malformations. There are three types of lesions involving lymphatic development that must be included in LM: vascular anomalies and knots (truncal malformations [TLM]); cystic anomalies, superficial or deep, uni- or multicystic (extratruncal malformations [ETLM]) and hemolymphatic anomalies which combine venous, arterial, or capillary malformations with LM. ETLM can be ubiquitously distributed but most are located in the cervical or axillary regions. Most ETLM are diagnosed at birth and in 80-90% of the cases before the age of 2. The clinical aspects are extremely variable: superficial ETLM (vesicular) and deep ETLM, localised or diffuse, mono- or multicystic. TLM are generally located on a lower limb with neonatal lymphatic oedema (often in a polymalformation context). All forms of the hemolymphatic combination can be identified. They are generally located on the limbs and are often unilateral. They are usually sporadic but can also be can be found in polymalformation syndromes (Klippel-Trénaunay, Parkes-Weber, Protée, Maffucci). ETLM generally tend to increase in volume and spread with age with stabilisation at puberty. They do not tend to spontaneously regress. Specific local complications can have serious consequences. They are linked to haemorrhaging, infections and compression phenomena. There can also be complications such as skeletal and soft tissue hypertrophy.

Traitement chirurgical des malformations artérioveineuses

MAV surgery remains still today one of most difficult in the surgery of vascular malformations. Embolisation the most selective possible follow-up of a surgical removal carrying the totality of the nidus is the only effective treatment. Usually, MAV of small size, quiescent, should not be operated, the surgery being reserved for the evolutionary or complicated forms. This surgical procedure must allow the complete eradication of the lesion without which the cure is not possible. The incomplete removal causes repetition, sometimes aggravation with, sometimes, life threatening problems.

Indications des lasers dans le traitement des malformations lymphatiques

Cutaneous dermatologic lesions of LM, in type of superficial, translucent, localized or diffuse vesicles, are accessible to laser treatment. The useful lasers are essentially laser CO(2), and rarely pulsed dye laser and the Nd: YAG. Treatment by laser allows to obtain the ablation of vesicles by limiting aftereffects (scare) and so to dry up the transcutaneous lymphatic liquid. However laser has no action on the deep constituent of the LM and it's why medium and long term recurrences are inevitable. Finally, the indication of the laser must be retained only as a supplement to the surgery and has to be done by experimented persons.

Les complications des hémangiomes

Hemangioma (HMG) is a benign tumour of the child generally evolving to spontaneous regression. Sometimes this evolution can become complicated in a more or less serious way according to its localization or of its importance. If local complications are, in the most of cases, without gravity, complications of a general nature like thrombopenia or cardiac failure may compromise the vital prognosis. There are in addition serious forms where, according to its localization or its importance, the HMG can compromise the aesthetic, or functional even vital outcome.

[Surgical procedures for labial reanimation in facial paralysis]

With an extensive review of the literature, the authors described the surgical approach of the labial reanimation in facial palsy. First they remind some important points about neural suture, with or without graft. After, the palliatives procedures are detailed (upper and lower lip, unilateral or bilateral). The main surgical treatments are exposed in technical notes, particularly lengthening temporalis myoplasty and free muscle transplantation.

[Management of cleft lip and palate by the Doctor Magalon's team in Marseille]

The goal of the treatment of patients with cleft lip and/or cleft palate was: obtain a normal appearance, a normal speech and a normal growth without severe pertubations of the quality of life. Millard technique was used to repair the cleft lip in neonatal period. Between 6 and 18 months, the palate cleft was closed by wardill-kilner technique. A gingivoperiostoplasty with osseous graft was performed between 8 and 12 years. The orthodontic treatment began at 7 years. Pharyngoplasty was necessary in several cases. Sequellae and rhinoplasty was performed at the end of the growth. The authors explained their choices.

Aplasia cutis congenita. Report on 5 family cases involving the scalp

Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) is a rare malformation involving the scalp and sometimes the underlying tissues. It may occur as an isolated defect or be combined with congenital malformations and there is often a family background. The mortality rate is high, with infectious and vascular complications. We report our experience based on the treatment of 5 ACC of the scalp in children, where a family pathology was found.Controlled healing is the best approach for us, even for the serious forms. After the acute period, treatment is based on skin expansion and must be followed by genetic screening of the family.

Emergency treatment of accidental infusion leakage in the newborn: report of 14 cases

Infusion leakage in the paediatric population of the intensive-care unit is known to cause skin necrosis and significant scarring around tendons, nerves and joints, extending the length of hospital stay. We report a series of 14 newborn children affected by accidental infusion leakage, and their early treatment with Gault's procedure: saline flush-out and liposuction. The results were good: there was no skin impairment in 11 cases and three cases of skin necrosis healed spontaneously. Early treatment of toxic infusion leakage in neonates is recommended to avoid skin necrosis at the site of extravasation. The two procedures proposed by Gault are simple and effective in such cases. They should be employed as early as possible in order to dilute and remove the toxin from the subcutaneous tissue.

Tissue expansion of the lower limb: complications in a cohort of 103 cases

Over 10 years we performed 103 skin-expansion procedures and placed 207 prostheses on lower limbs, using the same surgical protocol. In 83 cases (80.6%) the expansion was achieved without complications. We recorded 20 complications in all (19.4%). Major complications included sepsis, damage due to undermining, exposure of the prosthesis and necrosis of the flap in 16 cases (15.5%), resulting in complete failure of the method in five cases (4.9%). In all, nine patients had septic complications (8.7% of the patients and 45% of the complications), five had exposure of the prosthesis and two had skin necrosis after expansion. Infection and skin necrosis, which are the main causes of failure of this method, can be prevented by a strict surgical protocolcovering all stages of the procedure. Atraumatic undermining, remote and external valves, suction drains in the cavities, advancement flaps and plaster casts after surgery can help to prevent skin necrosis. A separate and remote approach for each prosthesis can prevent infection of all the prostheses and complete failure of the expansion procedure.

Management of wounds of exposed or infected knee prostheses

Skin damage after total knee arthroplasty may jeopardise the functional benefit of the prosthesis. In such cases standard treatment is aimed at avoiding arthrodesis, sometimes replacing the implant and, in exceptional cases, amputation. In most cases early and adequate coverage of the soft tissue defect may make it possible to salvage the prosthesis. Ten patients with skin damage after total knee arthroplasty were treated by debridement of the wound, which was then covered with a pedicled gastrocnemius muscle flap. This was supported by local irrigation and systemic antibiotics. Seven patients were reviewed after a mean follow-up of 28 months (range 14-59). Six patients kept their prostheses and one had a relapse caused by infection at 22 months, which required removal of the prosthesis and secondary arthrodesis. The gastrocnemius muscle flap provides good quality coverage, permits early mobilisation and fast rehabilitation, and reduces the rate of arthrodesis after failure of total knee arthroplasty.

Giant-cell fibroblastoma and dermato fibro sarcoma protuberans: the same tumoral spectrum? Report of two cases of association in children

We describe two cases of giant-cell fibroblastoma (GCF) with dermato fibro sarcoma protuberans (DFSP) component, occurring in two children in a chest wall localization. One case recurred 1 year later. The two patients were tumor-free 12 and 8 years later. GCF is a rare mesenchymal cutaneous and subcutaneous tumor reported mostly in the first two decades of life. Dermato fibro sarcoma protuberans, occurring preferentially in adults, is a rare skin tumor with a pronounced tendency to local recurrence. Some cases of association of recurrence of GFC under the form of DFSP have been reported, raising the question of a continuum between the two tumors. The treatment of choice of the two tumors is a wide local excision.

Delayed cure of an omphalocele requiring abdominosternoplasty, right hepatectomy and partial splenectomy

A large ventral hernia resulting from the primary treatment of an omphalocele according to the Gross technique was repaired at age 16. The girl presented with extra-abdominal development of the liver and the spleen along with hypotrophy of the abdominal and thoracic cavities. The operation included enlargement sternoplasty, liver and spleen-size reduction and prosthetic abdominal closure. The cosmetic and functional results are good and stable on 7-year follow-up. Surgical issues and blood transfusion policy are discussed. A multi-disciplinary pediatric surgical approach is advocated.

[Pseudo-paralysis of the brachial biceps in obstetrical brachial plexus lesions (OBPL):concerning the "overly optimistic" EMG in OBPL]

In birth palsy of the brachial plexus, the mixed interference pattern recorded for the brachial biceps on the electromyogram often conflicts with the muscle's inability to flex the elbow. We report our observations of a six-month-old infant who presented paralysis of the upper and medial elements of the brachial plexus, in whom we demonstrated early biceps-triceps co-contractions, which may explain this discrepancy and 'pseudo-paralysis' of the biceps. We analyse and discuss the practical consequences of these findings, and notably the possible therapeutic use of triceps-to-biceps surgical transposition.

[Extensive rhinectomy. Apropos of 7 cases]

We report our experience in reconstructive surgery after total rhinectomy. Reconstructive surgery is performed after large excision and negative marginal biopsy results. The three layers of the nose (mucosal, osteocartilagineous and cutaneous) are restored by mucosal and cutaneous flaps and osteocartilaginous grafts. Carcinologic and cosmetic results are satisfactory but functional results may yet be improved.

[Use of skin expansion in resurfacing defective amputation stumps of the lower limbs. 6 case reports]

Better procedures and materials have enabled us to improve the results of skin expansion under knee level and extend its indications. We have used such procedures to cover defective amputation stumps in the lower extremity. When the local conditions are suitable, skin expansion permits the use of healthy skin from the lateral sides of the stump to provide coverage for the ulcerated areas, thus fulfilling the main goals which are to keep the bone shaft as long as possible and cover the stump with sensitive skin, so that a prosthesis can be fitted. In two cases, we also performed skin expansion at a distance to reduce the residual scar at the donor site (expanded flap from the other leg, expanded full-thickness skin graft) when the amount of healthy skin available around the stump was insufficient; the functional results were satisfactory. Skin expansion has become a choice strategy for this type of indication, but it must be performed perfectly to avoid complications or failures (our two first cases). It is important to take precautions at various stages of the operation which must be carefully staged.

[What's new in upper limb skin expansion?]

The indications for skin expansion of the upper limb are now well defined. Based on a series of 56 cases, the authors confirm that a rigorous technique and good management of complications can minimize failures of the method. Technical progress and new biomaterials certainly allow further reduction of these complications and possibly the development of new indications.

[Malignant melanoma in children. Apropos of 6 cases]

Six cases of malignant melanoma were observed in children aged 5-14 years, over a 14-year period: both sexes were equally affected. In three cases, the melanoma was a primary tumor, which indicates that this diagnosis should always be born in mind in children and any suspicious lesion should be biopsied and removed. Three cases had a family history: dysplastic naevus in two cases and malignant melanoma in one case, which confirms the increased risk in some families. Histologically, nodular forms were more frequent than those which spread superficially and the tumors were quite thick when diagnosed (mean thickness: 3.9 mm). Treatment includes wide excision and coverage with skin grafts associated with immuno or chemotherapy in some cases. Mean follow-up was 38 months and no death occurred during this period.