Features
A challenging new year
2016 arrived with enthusiastic celebrations although these were more muted in some parts of the world due to local and regional difficulties. As we started to look towards the inevitable return to work in the UK, we heard of the...
The uses of BTX-A in maxillofacial surgery
Botulinum toxin type A has many uses in maxillofacial surgery. This article will cover its uses in the treatment of Frey’s syndrome, myofascial pain, masseteric muscle hypertrophy and sialorrhoea. Other uses relevant to maxillofacial practice but not covered in this...
A new treatment for genitourinary syndrome of menopause
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) [1] is defined as a collection of symptoms and signs mainly associated with the progressive decrease in oestrogen levels. The lack of hormones, usually produced by the ovaries in fertile age, may lead to genital...
The Linear Bolus Technique and other practical tips for the advanced use of non-traumatic cannulas in aesthetic medicine
Some eight years ago, I read about non-traumatic cannulas in the brochure of a French medical supplies company. I was fascinated by the elegance of these instruments, as they respect the integrity of the tissues by not cutting through them....
Non-surgical management of actinic keratosis, Bowen’s disease and non-melanoma skin cancer
Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are primary cutaneous neoplasms comprising mainly of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). In 2011, 102,628 cases of NMSCs (74% BCC and 23% SCC) were recorded in England, making NMSC the most common...
Emergenza Sorrisi – Doctors for Smiling Children
History Our association was born in 2007, originally under the name SmileTrain Italy Onlus, with the aim of operating on children affected by cleft lip and palate in the developing world, offering them the possibility to smile and to have...
Hymenoplasty and virginity – an issue of socio-cultural morality and medical ethics
This article reflects the increasing complexity of the modern world, where the rich diversity of culture, morals, the law and religion, can have profound effects on medical practice. Sometimes there is considerable debate which is not in fact appropriate. This...
An open letter to young plastic surgeons (from an old UK plastic surgeon)
You are in a specialty that is second to none – you can use your skills to improve the quality of life of your patients, whether they have cancer, congenital abnormalities or damage caused by trauma. Most (90%) plastic surgery...
Support groups for hidradenitis suppurativa
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory condition characterised by painful inflamed nodules in the apocrine regions of the body. It follows a chronic relapsing clinical course and is a very difficult condition to treat. It has an estimated prevalence of...
Temple restoration
The complex biological process of facial ageing engenders many structural changes that are influenced by the combined effects of gravity, bone resorption, soft tissue atrophy, displacement of fat and a complex synergy of textural skin changes [1]. One of the...
Cellulite: does wearing compression hosiery work?
Cellulite affects a large proportion of women. Recently several companies have produced compression hosiery claiming to reduce the appearance of cellulite. One of the latest products are ‘Silver Wave’ stockings, made by Solidea, which claim to reduce cellulite using ‘patented...
Cleft surgery: outreach not over-reach - You can’t save the world, but you might improve it a little
Cleft lip and palate surgery is a life changing event. In many regards the surgery itself is relatively straightforward without major physiological consequences and the opportunity of making an impact for little risk is highly attractive. Medical missions offer the...
