It is therefore an important part in the interdisciplinary treatment of the massive weight loss patient.

Scarpa fascia preservation seems to reduce postoperative seroma formation. The mechanism of the decreased fluid collection is not clear and needs further investigation.

Although surgical division of the transverse carpal ligament is the operative treatment of choice for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), controversy exists about the immediate postoperative treatment regimen. Splinting for up to 6 weeks after surgery is recommended by some investigators. We therefore evaluated effectiveness of splinting after open carpal tunnel surgery by a randomized, controlled trial. Fifty consecutive patients with clinically and electrophysiologically confirmed idiopathic CTS were assigned to open carpal tunnel release and randomized to receiving a light bandage (25 patients) or a bulky dressing with a volar splint (25 patients) for 2 days each. All patients were followed up at 3 months. Parameters retrieved were pain as measured using a visual analog scale, two-point discrimination, and grip strength, and nerve conduction studies. At follow-up, all patients reported definite improvement of symptoms, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for any of our outcome measures. Thus, postoperative splinting after open carpal tunnel release does not yield any benefit to eventual outcome. In fact, it adds to the overall operating time and can safely be abandoned.

Since 1987 we have performed more than 300 otoplasties using a combined technique, i.e., furrowing the cartilage retroauricularly with the dermabrasion tool with a spherical metal head, followed by vertical mattress sutures. To undertake a retrospective study (subjective results), we sent a questionnaire to 267 patients (100%) who underwent surgery a minimum of one year prior (average 2.53 years). One hundred sixty-seven forms were returned (63%) and the case sheets of these patients were collected. To objectify the results, 102 patients (38.6%) were drafted and 38 (14.3%) could be controlled. By reviewing the literature, where only a few long-term surveys could be found, an analysis of long-term results was performed. Both the subjective findings and the objective results showed a successful operative outcome and proved that by using this combined technique a far better result can be obtained than with most other techniques.