ABSTRACTS
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material in the beginning of the healing but causes occasionally late complications such as granulomas and strictures of the anastomosis. The conclusions by the authors from the described experiments are that it is best to use a single layer non inverting anastomosis with resorbable synthetic suture material (USP 9 34) to 54)) in the GI tract. This material is resorbed by hydrolysis even in the contaminated intestinal lumen.-L Oesch Influenza Immunization of Children With Neoplastic Diseases. P. G. Steinberg, A. E. Brown, P. .4. Gross, et al.
Cancer 45:750-756, (January), 1980. There were 160 children immunized each with two doses of 0.5 cc bivalent influenza A vaccine given 4 wk apart. Of these, 147 patients had various malignancies and 13 siblings served as normal controls. There were 106 children on chemotherapy and who were about 3 yr younger than their counterparts off chemotherapy; 41 children were off chemotherapy for at least 30 days. Blood specimens were collected prior to each immunization and from 4 to 6 wk after the last immunization. It was observed that children off cancer chemotherapy for at least 30 days responded normally to bivalent influenza A vaccine. Effective immunization by vaccination was not achieved in this study or in others in children who were on chemotherapy. The precise timing and number of vaccinations of children on chemotherapy and how the immune system is interferred with is not known at this time.--Jane F. Goldthorn INTEGUMENT A N D CONNECTIVE TISSUE Cryosurgery of Haemangiomas. K. Pblus. Orvosi Hetilap
were fair or poor. Twenty percent of the treatments received the same grade as their test spots. Twenty percent were graded slightly better and 60% were considered slightly poorer. The clinical pathologic correlation of port wine stains is given, as well as excellent pre and postoperative photos for evaluation by the reader. A good description of the complications is listed. In general, the article is an excellent and comprehensive one on the treatment of port wine stains by this nonoperative method and is recommended to any clinician dealing with people so affiicted.~A. B. S o k o l Cystosarcoma Phylloides Presenting as Massive Unilateral Breast Hypertrophy in an Adolescent. R. E. /verson and
S. I. Hegg. Ann Plast Surg 4:315-322, (April), 1980.
An excellent review article of cystosarcoma phylloides, detailing the history, the diagnosis, and the treatment rationale are given for the edification of all who are concerned with this problem. Essentially the case report is of a 14-yr-old white female with unilateral gigantomastia, who at fourteen had an operative removal of a benign cystosareoma phylloides. A criteria for classification of cystosarcoma phylloides is given by the authors that will allow the histologic differentiation of benign through malignant lesions. The treatment rationale of simple excision versus radical mastectomy are given based upon these criteria. Essentially, in all females below the age of eighteen, benign lesions were anticipated. A review of 25 cases throughout the world literature is reviewed and tabled for the reader and only 2 of the 25 had recurrence of the mass, none having metastases. As cystosarcoma phylloides appears as I% of all breast tumors, it is important that all practitioners who come in contact with females, have a working knowledge of this tumor.--A. B. S o k o l
120:2975-2978, (December), 1979. Cryosurgery has been used in 131 infants and children and 33 adults with hemangioma of the head and neck. Treatment was usually repeated 4-8 times. Disappearance of the hyperemia, bulla formation and encrusting following treatment enabled repeated application of cryosurgery. Quick [5~ and deep [ - 2 0 - - 3 8 ~ cooling enhances the success rate. Cryosurgery of hemangiomas is not limited by age, the danger of complications is very low, it does not require hospitalization, can be repeated, does not call for anesthesia and ensures a good cosmetic effect. On the basis of favorable results, cryosurgery is advocated as a choice of treatment for hemangioma.--Andrew Pintbr Experience in the Argon Laser Therapy of Port Wine Stains. B. Cosman. Plast Reconstr Surg 65:119-129, (Feb-
ruary), 1980. The author reports his experience with a group of 202 patients. There were 128 (63%) females and 74 (37%) males. The average age was 21.3 yr. Other lucidating data of the patient population, including associated anomalies, syndromes such as the Sturge-Weber, as well as familiar history, is given to assist the clinician in dealing with these patients. An Argon Series 1000 Dermatologic Laser was used and treatments were given under local anesthesia. Of 202 patients, 132 had a test spot used for evaluation purposes and on the basis of that result, further therapy was indicated. A total of 85 treatments were performed in 54 patients. Of the treatments, 59% produced good or excellent results and 42%
Groin Flap Coverage for an Infant's Exposed Cardiac Pacemaker in Complete Heart Block. B. M. Barrett, G. HaHman,
C. Mullins. Ann Plast Surg 4:227-229, (March), 1980.
A 2.68 kg infant with congenital complete heart block diagnosed prior to birth is the subject of this report. Following delivery, because of a ventricular rate of 49 and an atrial rate 100, the patient had the insertion of a permanent demand pacemaker. A subcutaneous pouch was created in the left abdomen. The pacemaker pocket was found to be inadequate and by eleven weeks, the pacemaker became exposed. A rotational flap, based laterally from the groin, was taken for resurfacing of this defect. Following flap surgery, which was entirely successful, the patient was gradually weaned from her pacemaker. The article details the technical use of the flap, as well as decisions preoperatively required for plastic surgical correction of this deformity. In addition, excellent clinical photographs are given for the edification of the reader.--A. B. S o k o l
HEAD A N D NECK J. Juri, C. Juri, A. Colnago. Ann Plast Surg 4:304-309, (April), 1980. Reconstruction of Scalp Hemicircumference.
The article details the authors experience with reconstruction of burn scalps using large unipedicle hairbearing scalp flaps. The design of the flap is such that is has a frontal nourishing pedicle and originates immediately beside the