Laser and light-based treatments for pigmented lesions

The authors detail the types of lasers and light-based devices that can be used in the treatment of epidermal and dermal pigmentations. Skin colour differences have, for centuries, been associated with the economic, political and social status of a person;...

Real-world use of telemedicine – a picture is worth a thousand words

Recent advances in mobile phone camera technology and app software design have allowed photos of patients and their wounds to be sent from any smartphone to a secure NHS database, which can then be accessed by the relevant clinician with...

The applications of mesotherapy in aesthetic medicine

Mesotherapy is a modern form of therapy that consists of injecting medicines, vitamins and minerals as close as possible to the area that needs treatment. It is an astonishingly effective technique in aesthetic medicine as it treats layers of the...

Filler complications: is there a way to prevent vascular compromise with 3D-anatomy?

The use of facial filler injections has increased dramatically over the last 10 years and so has the incidence of complications. The main and most serious adverse event is vascular compromise. The most feared consequences are devastating: blindness, skin necrosis...

Canniesburn: 50 years at the forefront of plastic surgery

Past and present colleagues and friends recently celebrated 50 years of the Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit, with scientific meetings held at The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow. Friendships were renewed and memories of being part of the...

Reconstruction of complex wounds in the trunk and pelvis (part 2)

In this second part of this two-part article we begin by looking at component separation which is a technique of reconfiguring anatomical layers to allow intrinsic reconstruction of the integrity of the anterior abdominal wall. We then move into the...

3D photography in facial rejuvenation

The term ageing is widely used to denote a series of changes that are clinically observed over time. Throughout the ageing process, the cell renewal capacity becomes slower. The fibroblast, which is the main cell of the dermis, undergoes a...

Reconstruction of complex wounds in the trunk and pelvis (part 1)

This is the first part of a two-part article looking at the challenges of reconstruction of complex defects in the torso. The articles are based on a presentation given at the World Union of Wound Healing Societies held in Yokohama...

Medicinal leech therapy in plastic surgery

The medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis) has played a role in treating illness for over 3500 years [1]. It has survived rapid paradigm shifts in medical sciences and knowledge. In Ancient Rome, the use of leeches for bloodletting was propagated by...

Laser tattoo removal: results and issues

The term tattoo indicates both the technique for pictorial decoration on a person’s body [1], and the decoration produced by such a technique. Studies show that in the United States around 5-6% of the general population, 13% of adolescents, 19-35%...

Could a technology from the past change skin disinfection for the future?

It wouldn’t be unreasonable to argue that the field of medicine has seen some of the most significant scientific advances of the past 100 years: the cracking of genetic coding, the advances in pharmacology, the development of biopharmaceuticals and the...

Teaching students head and neck anatomy through the art of drawing

The link, both historical and contemporary, between art and anatomy is apparent. A recent British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) documentary The Beauty of Anatomy showcased the impressive contributions of artists towards the deeper understanding of anatomy and, by default, surgical practice....