Introduction: The management of extracranial arterio-venous malformations (AVMs) is complex and often requires a multidisciplinary approach. Currently, treatment includes surgical resection and embolotherapy. Methods: We present the case of a foot AVM that was managed with adjuvant radiotherapy after previous surgery and embolotherapy had been attempted, and we discuss the role of radiotherapy in the management of extracranial AVMs. Results: The malformation was successfully eradicated with complete obliteration of the nidus and no recurrence. Conclusions: The addition of radiotherapy in the management of extracranial arterio-venous malformations offers promising results using similar doses to those used in brain AVMs.

Capsular contracture is the most frequently associated complication following breast implant placement. Biofilm formation on the surface of such implants could significantly influence the pathogenesis of this complication. The objective of this study was to design an experimental model of breast implant infection that allowed us to compare the in vivo S. epidermidis ability to form and perpetuate biofilms on commonly used types of breast implants (i.e., macrotexturized, microtexturized, and smooth). A biofilm forming S. epidermidis strain (ATCC 35984) was used for all experiments. Three different implant surface types were tested: McGhan BIOCELL (R) (i.e., macrotexturized); Mentor Siltex (R) (i.e., microtexturized); and Allergan Natrelle Smooth (R) (i.e., smooth). Two different infection scenarios were simulated. The ability to form biofilm on capsules and implants over time was evaluated by quantitative post-sonication culture of implants and capsules biopsies. This experimental model allows the generation of a subclinical staphylococcal infection associated with a breast implant placed in the subcutaneous tissue of Wistar rats. The probability of generating an infection was different according to the type of implant studied and to the time from implantation to implant removal. Infection was achieved in 88.9% of macrotextured implants (i.e., McGhan), 37.0% of microtexturized implants (i.e., Mentor), and 18.5% of smooth implants (i.e., Allergan Smooth) in the short-term (p < 0.001). Infection was achieved in 47.2% of macrotextured implants, 2.8% of microtexturized implants, and 2.8% of smooth implants (i.e., Allergan Smooth) in the longterm (p < 0.001). There was a clear positive correlation between biofilm formation on any type of implant and capsule colonization/infection. Uniformly, the capsules formed around the macro- or microtexturized implants were consistently macroscopically thicker than those formed around the smooth implants regardless of the time at which they were removed (i.e., 1-2 weeks or 3-5 weeks). We have shown that there is a difference in the ability of S epidermidis to develop in vivo biofilms on macrotextured, microtextured, and smooth implants. Smooth implants clearly thwart bacterial adherence and, consequently, biofilm formation and persistence are hindered.

Masseteric nerve transposition has shown to be an effective technique for the treatment of facial paralysis. Due to its low morbidity at the donor site, its consistent anatomy, and one-stage operation, it constitutes a reliable option for both complete and incomplete facial paralysis. Masseteric nerve transference has proven to achieve good commissural excursion and dynamic symmetry. However, some patients with heavy faces and complete facial paralysis recover incompletely after surgery characterized by an asymmetrical smile with asymmetry at rest, affecting the cosmetic appearance. For these patients, we propose a novel combination of masseteric nerve transposition for the dynamic rehabilitation of the smile with a tendon sling suspension to create symmetry at rest. A detailed description of the surgical technique is given and results after using it with eight patients show good functional and aesthetic satisfaction. A combination of both dynamic and static techniques for complete facial paralysis rehabilitation may provide adequate symmetry with the contralateral healthy side both at rest and when smiling.

It has been assumed that the person represented on the Shroud of Turin is dead and the image corresponds to a person dead from crucifixion. We have conducted an analysis of the cadaveric data of a body and the presence of face life signs and we could think that the image could correspond to a living person. Therefore, it might correspond to a man starting a getting up gesture. If we examine the Gospels, a remarkable symmetry is found between the data obtained from the image and the events described in the Gospels, regarding the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Over the last two decades, the senior author (B.H.) has had an extensive experience with facial paralysis reconstruction. During this period, the techniques have evolved substantially based on the experience and after observing and analyzing the surgical outcomes. The purpose of this article is to relay the lessons learned from the 20 years' experience and suggest an algorithm. In this retrospective study, we have included 343 cases of facial paralysis cases. Complete facial paralysis cases were 285 and 58 were incomplete facial paralyses, both requiring surgical procedures. Complete facial paralyses were divided in to short term ( n =83) and long term ( n =202). In total, 58% of the patients were women and 42% were men. The age range was 6 to 82 years. The techniques employed were direct suture, nerve grafts, cross-facial nerve grafts (CFNGs), masseteric-to-facial nerve transference, hypoglossal-to-facial nerve transference, free muscle transplants, and lengthening temporal myoplasty to achieve the best symmetry after reanimation of unilateral, bilateral, complete, and incomplete facial paralysis. The type of paralysis, objective measurements, the personal patient's smile, and the gender are key concepts to be considered before scheduling a dynamic facial paralysis reconstruction. For unilateral facial paralysis, the time of onset, the type of paralysis, the patient's comorbidities, and the healthy side status are some of the determining factors when selecting the correct technique. The preferred techniques for unilateral facial paralysis are direct repair, CFNG, masseteric-to-facial transposition, and free gracilis transfer. For incomplete facial paralysis, the masseteric-to-facial nerve transference is preferred. In bilateral facial paralysis, bilateral free gracilis transfer is performed in two stages using the nerve of the masseter muscle as the source of innervation. The authors provide an algorithm which simplifies facial paralysis reconstruction to achieve the greatest facial symmetry while thinking about the potential comorbidities and developing spontaneity smile according to the gender of the patient.

Aunque existe abundante literatura sobre las distintas complicaciones de los colgajos libres, la descripción de necrosis superficial completa en colgajos libres es escasa. Presentamos un caso de reconstrucción postraumática de pie con colgajo libre de músculo gracilis, que en el postoperatorio desarrolló una escara oscura y seca que cubría toda su superficie y semejaba una pérdida total del colgajo. Sin embargo, el pedículo del colgajo mantuvo en todo momento un tono activo en ecografía doppler, por lo que se decidió un manejo expectante. De manera diferida, se realizó cirugía de revisión con desbridamiento de la escara y del tejido necrótico superficial a los 21 días, descubriendo tejido sano del colgajo subyacente, que fue injertado. Posteriormente, el colgajo mostró una evolución favorable con una buena integración del injerto. Aunque en nuestro paciente no se identificó la causa exacta de esta complicación, se discuten las posibles etiologías con especial hincapié en el tabaco como factor de riesgo.

Background: In facial palsy reconstruction, static techniques with the use of slings can improve the appearance and functionality of the paralyzed face and may be used in patients who cannot undergo complex surgeries or as an ancillary procedure to a dynamic reconstruction. The objective of this study was to assess the improvement in facial symmetry and quality of life among older patients with flaccid facial palsy with the use of a plantaris tendon sling. Methods: A total of 46 patients who had undergone a static reconstruction with the plantaris tendon sling were studied. The surgical technique is detailed emphasizing the tips and pearls. Results: The displacement of the oral commissure was assessed with the FACIAL CLIMA demonstrating a mean elevation of 1.5 +/- 0.4 cm and an improvement of 97 +/- 7% in the recovery of oral commissure symmetry 2 years after the surgery, whereas the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System showed an improvement of symmetry at rest (-15 +/- 5) at 2 years. The Facial Disability Score indicated an improvement of the physical disability (+73.5 +/- 14) as well as the social impairment (+21 +/- 7) at 1 year postoperatively. Patients were followed for a median of 2 years (range 2-6 years). Conclusions: The use of tendon slings for static facial paralysis reconstruction is a reliable technique with no functional sequelae and good long-term results.

In this article it is exposed several signs present in the Shroud of Turin. Following the development of rigor mortis the image position impressed in the Shroud is analyzed. Furthermore, the presence of specific facial folds indicates that the person is alive. Then, the Shroud of Turin shows death signs together with live signs and the image was impressed when he was alive. If it is a case of fraud, it should be considered as an artwork performed by a genious with medical, forensic and image processing from at least the XX century. If we follow the Gospels there is a perfect simmetry between tha data showed in the image and those described in the Gospels, during the death as well as the resurrection.

Background: Incomplete facial paralysis is still a challenge because we must restore what is missing without causing damage to what has recovered. The current literature is insufficient, with a small number of cases. The use of nerve transfers has gained recent popularity for reanimating facial palsy. The authors present a comparative study between cross-face nerve grafting and masseteric-to-facial nerve transposition for incomplete facial paralysis. Methods: Twenty-eight patients with incomplete unilateral facial paralysis were reanimated with either cross-face nerve grafting (group I, n = 10) or masseteric nerve transfer (group II, n = 18). Commissural displacement and commissural contraction velocity were measured using the FACIAL CLIMA dystem. Spontaneity of the movement and satisfaction were also assessed. Results: When comparing the reconstructed and the healthy sides, statistical differences were found in group I but not in group II, suggesting that the resulting movement was symmetrical in group II but not in group I. Intergroup comparison showed that both commissural displacement and commissural contraction velocity were higher in group II. Spontaneity in group I was higher than in group II, but patients in group II showed more satisfaction, both without being statistically significant. Conclusions: Reanimation of incomplete facial paralysis can be satisfactorily achieved with both cross-face nerve grafting and direct masseteric-to-facial nerve transposition. However, with the masseteric nerve, better symmetry, a higher degree of recovery, and an increased level of satisfaction are achieved in a one-stage operation. Furthermore, both nerve sources are able to restore spontaneity in more than 50 percent of the patient's daily life, with no significant differences between them.

Background Breast reconstruction after mastectomy is a part of breast cancer treatment. There is a lack of data regarding the impact of reconstruction over psychological traits and quality of life. The aim of this study is to evaluate personality changes in patients who underwent recon-tructive surgery. Methods Thirty-seven women underwent breast reconstruction. These women took the Crown-Crisp Experiential Index before and after the different procedures. The questionnaire analyzes: (a) the satisfaction level with personal relationships before and after surgery, and the level of satisfaction with surgical results and (b) personality index. Comparisons of preoperative and postoperative personality traits were made by using the Crown-Crisp test and analyzed by Chi-square test. Correlations between preoperative concerns and CCEI traits and correlations between physical aspects and Crown-Crisp, both preoperatively and postoperatively, were performed using the Spearman test. Results We found statistically significant differences in the following traits: anxiety anticipating possible technique failures (p = 0.01); cancer recurrence (p = 0.04); dissatisfaction with results (p = 0.02); phobic anxiety for possible technique failure (p = 0.03); obsessionality with possible technique failure (p = 0.01); preoccupations around cancer recurrence (p = 0.01) and dissatisfaction with results (p = 0.03); somatic of technique failure (p = 0.05); and finally, depression and hysteria traits in response to surgical procedures except anesthesia. Conclusion This prospective study suggests that personality traits define perceptions of body image, which has an influence over quality of life and satisfaction with results.