Most patients with advanced head and neck cancers now undergo microvascular free flap reconstruction. This is mainly as flaps facilitate complete tumour and margin removal by providing reliable wound coverage and better restoration of form and function. However, despite this,...
This is a retrospective review of the management and outcomes of 14 malignant tumours of the lacrimal sac. All patients were operated on jointly by an orbital surgeon and a head and neck surgeon. There is a detailed description of...
This was a randomised controlled trial set up in a single burns centre in Manila in the Philippines. Inclusion criteria were superficial burns not requiring skin grafting, and up to 10% total body surface area in young, fit adults between...
The authors present a comprehensive synopsis of late scar revision and other soft tissue deformities. They make the reasonable point that maxillo-facial surgery and its management of soft tissue injuries to the face is closely linked to cosmetic surgery. After...
Ketamine is well reported as being safe to use in providing analgesia, sedation and amnesia in paediatric populations. This prospective, randomised, double-blinded study aimed to establish an optimum dose of ketamine in burns treatment settings in children aged six months...
A Death in Hong Kong: an evolving essay and insight into medicine and the law in contemporary Hong Kong (part seven) How does anyone decide when to walk away and when to stand and fight? Personal safety? Principles? The cost,...
Although I am retired, I still receive the British Medical Journal every week and feel slightly guilty if I do not at least tear off the plastic cover before I throw it into the recycle bin... By taking off the...
Wound healing takes place by two distinct mechanisms. The first involves cellular proliferation and migration resulting in regeneration. This occurs in the epidermis and leaves no scarring. The dermis is a collagen-rich connective tissue and when this is damaged the...
Background Scars, of any type, can be a significant source of anxiety and psychological distress, not only for the affected patient, but also for close friends and loved ones. Scars represent focalised areas of fibrous tissue that replace normal skin...
An 11-year-old boy from Sierra Leone can finally go to school and use his right arm again after his severely deformed limb was operated on by international health charity, Mercy Ships. Without the free surgery, Yusif’s right hand and arm...
James Partridge died on 16 August 2020. He was a truly remarkable person and I would like to share my sadness at his passing and why I held him in such high personal esteem. We started life just a few...