The authors present a method of treatment for gynecomastia that combines the use of two techniques of soft-tissue contouring. This method uses ultrasonic liposuction in conjunction with the pull-through technique of direct excision to effectively remove the fibrofatty tissue of the male breast and the fibrous breast bud through a single 1-cm incision. Fifteen patients were treated in this fashion, and each patient demonstrated a smooth, masculine breast contour with a well-concealed scar, which eliminates the stigma of breast surgery. The procedure is technically straightforward and provides consistent results. It is offered as an additional option for the treatment of gynecomastia.

Many variations of the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction have been attempted since the procedure was first described. One common modification involves the use of both rectus muscles, which may accommodate a bilateral reconstruction or provide a more reliable blood supply to a unilateral reconstruction. Objective studies measuring various aspects of physical strength after bilateral rectus harvest and subjective reports of various physical symptoms have challenged the morbidity of a double-rectus harvest. Whether this represents increased morbidity in practical terms is best clarified by asking the patients. To answer this question, 124 TRAM flap reconstruction patients (62 unipedicled patients and 62 bipedicled patients) completed a survey containing questions regarding postoperative physical activities and abilities, outcome with regard to specific physical symptoms, and satisfaction with the procedure. The overwhelming majority of patients reported no untoward effect postoperatively regarding the following: workday performance (>or=90 percent), workday performance involving physical labor (>or=78 percent), physical recreation (>or=77 percent), abdominal appearance (>or=77 percent), standing posture (>or=95 percent), and back pain (>or=81 percent). When comparing unipedicled and bipedicled TRAM patient groups, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for any of these criteria. However, a subjective decrease in abdominal muscle strength was reported by 42 percent of unipedicled and 64 percent of bipedicled TRAM flap patients, and decreased abdominal muscle strength was the most frequently cited reason for dissatisfaction. Interestingly, this decreased strength did not affect the daily activities of the majority of patients, who were happy with the procedure (96 percent) and would recommend it to others (96 percent).

Using the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap as soft-tissue filler enables restoration of appropriate volume and an aesthetic shape to the reconstructed breast in patients who have developed fat necrosis after TRAM flap breast reconstruction.

The failure of a postoperative local infection to resolve after appropriate antibiotic therapy should prompt consideration of other diagnoses. Reported here is a case of pyoderma gangrenosum, a rare necrotizing disorder, occurring after reduction mammaplasty. The clinical presentation was one of progressive wound deterioration with associated erythema and intense pain. After failure of antibiotic therapy and local wound care, tissue biopsy of the enlarging wound edge confirmed the diagnosis, which then responded rapidly to systemic steroid treatment. Given that the treatment for pyoderma gangrenosum is at odds with the standard treatment for an infection (steroids versus antibiotics), differentiating between the two diagnoses is vital to providing resolution of the process and limiting any untoward scarring resulting from the advancing open wounds that can develop. With this in mind, the physical signs and symptoms that characterize this condition and thus allow early diagnosis are presented, and treatment options discussed.

AM Simon, D Khuthaila, DC Hammond, A Andres. Pyoderma gangrenosum following reduction mammaplasty. Can J Plast Surg 2006;14(1):37-40. The failure of a postoperative local infection to resolve after appropriate antibiotic therapy should prompt consideration of other diagnoses. Reported here is a case of pyoderma gangrenosum, a rare necrotizing disorder, occurring after reduction mammaplasty. The clinical presentation was one of progressive wound deterioration with associated erythema and intense pain. After failure of antibiotic therapy and local wound care, tissue biopsy of the enlarging wound edge confirmed the diagnosis, which then responded rapidly to systemic steroid treatment. Given that the treatment for pyoderma gangreno-sum is at odds with the standard treatment for an infection (steroids versus antibiotics), differentiating between the two diagnoses is vital to providing resolution of the process and limiting any untoward scarring resulting from the advancing open wounds that can develop. With this in mind, the physical signs and symptoms that characterize this condition and thus allow early diagnosis are presented, and treatment options discussed.