This flap is a good choice for reconstruction of the extensive head and neck defects. We think that anterolateral thigh-fascia lata composite flap has maximum reconstructive capacity and minimal donor-site morbidity. This flap has many advantages over the radial forearm flap and should replace to the composite radial forearm palmaris longus tendon flap when total lower lip reconstruction is concerned.

The authors describe their experience with the use of distally based saphenous and sural neurofasciocutaneous flaps for the treatment of calcaneal osteomyelitis in nine cases. Aggressive débridement of all nonviable and poorly vascularized tissue and coverage with a distally based neurofasciocutaneous flap were coupled with a thorough antibiotic course in all cases. The deepithelized peripheral parts of all flaps were buried in the bone cavities after bone débridement. Follow-up periods ranged from 15 to 27 months. All flaps survived completely. All of the wounds except one healed completely. These flaps have adequate blood flow for the management of chronic bone infections. They also have many advantages, such as easy quick elevation, short operative time, and acceptable donor-site morbidity. Moreover, patients treated with neurocutaneous flaps do not require debulking procedures or special shoes. Reconstruction with neurocutaneous flaps after radical débridement is a versatile alternative to the use of local or distant muscle flaps and calcanectomy procedures for patients with osteomyelitis of the os calcis.

Management of keloids is still controversial. Many different treatment modalities may be used for this purpose, however, no one method has been found completely successful. Therefore, we combined these techniques to improve therapeutic outcomes for earlobe keloids. Nine patients with earlobe keloids of a total number of 12 with auricular keloids were treated with a combined approach between 1995 and 2001. The keloids varied in size 2 x 1 to 5 x 3 cm and the patient age ranged 15-63 years. The patient group consisted of nine females, three males. Ear piercing was the main etiological factor for females. In the first session, surgical excision of the keloids was performed. It was followed with triamcinolone acetonide injection to the surgical field on the postoperative second week. Slight pressure was applied by silicone gel sheet coated earring for four months. No recurrence was noted in eight patients over longterm followup. One of nine patients had keloid recurrence. The authors found the results promising a combination of four techniques for treatment of ear lobe keloids is recommended even for recurrent lesions.

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Ethanol ingestion resulted in abnormal tenocyte morphology, disorganized collagen bundles with a tendency toward increased tenocyte number, and neovascularization 3 weeks after the tendon injury indicating delayed and abnormal healing. The healing tendons in the alcohol treated group failed at statistically lower loads than the control group.