Barraquer-Simons syndrome, or cephalothoracic lipodystrophy, is characterized by fat atrophy of an obscure pathogenesis involving the face and, eventually, the thoracic region. Simultaneously, fat hypertrophy of the lower extremities, a nephropathy, and complement anomalies may be observed. We presented two patients with the typical features of this disease, as well as a previously undescribed vascular and perivascular inflammation of the facial arteries and veins that caused problems with microvascular anastomosis. Both patients were treated with a bilateral transfer of the anterolateral thigh flap, which has not been reported previously. In contrast to other transfers previously reported, the fat tissue of this flap is never affected by the disease and is redundantly present. Placing the fascia of the flaps toward the skin allows for strong fixation to the temporal region and guarantees a stable result with a smooth facial contour.

Reconstruction of a natural, spontaneous, symmetrical smile remains the ultimate goal of reanimation of the mid-face after facial paralysis. Recently the one-stage mini-gracilis muscle transplantation, innervated by the contralateral facial nerve, has been introduced to solve this difficult problem. This paper illustrates by means of a historical review the numerous procedures which have led to the development of this intervention. Moreover, it addresses relevant differences between the classical two-stage procedure using a cross-facial nerve graft and the recently advocated one-stage procedure. The underlying neurophysiological mechanism and determination of the final functional outcome of the neurovascular muscle transfer to the face are discussed, and areas which deserve future research are mentioned.

Posttraumatic osteomyelitis remains a frequent problem and requires aggressive surgical treatment to be cured. Radical debridement of all involved soft and hard tissues, obliteration of dead space, and neovascularization of the involved area are obligatory for successful management of the disease. Microvascular free tissue transfer provides the necessary tissue bulk and neovascularization to reconstruct the resulting defect. The transplanted muscle can be optimally mobilized and adjusted in size to obliterate the dead space in contrast to local transposition flaps. This is facilitated by smoothening the bony cavity using a rotating drill system. With an optimal interface between the muscle and the wall of the cavity, small foci of infection can be eliminated. Moreover after free muscle transfer, the optimal environment for secondary bone reconstruction is created. These principles of radical debridement combined with muscle transfer for dead space obliteration, are generally accepted in literature. Nevertheless to achieve this goal several different treatment schedules of repetitive debridements, prolonged antibiotic regimes, and finally various flap transfers have been advocated. We present 16 patients with chronic osteomyelitis treated with radical debridement and immediate free muscle transfer using the latissimus dorsi muscle preferably. Postoperatively an antibiotic course of only 12 days was given. With a mean follow-up of 2 years all patients remained symptom free. Therefore, our results indicate that this long-term problem can be solved by a one-stage procedure using a free flap combined with a short course of antibiotics. However definite conclusions should be reserved for 20 years.