Art & Science
A cleft palate for King Tut?
Feb 17th
King Tut's mummified head.
Scottsdale – New findings, from the most extensive study ever carried out on Egypt’s King Tutankhamun, show he suffered from a cleft palate and that he died from complications of a broken leg exacerbated by malaria. The findings were from two years of DNA testing and CT scans on 16 mummies, including those of Tutankhamun and his family (Source: Fox News).
The team that carried out the study established the clearest yet family tree for Tut. The researchers said Tut’s father was most likely Akhenaten, the pharaoh who tried to revolutionize ancient Egyptian religion to worship one god. Tut, who became pharaoh at the age of 10 in 1333 B.C., ruled for just nine years at a pivotal time in Egypt’s history. In 1922, the discovery of his tomb filled with stunning artifacts, including the famed golden funeral mask, made him known the world over.
Cleft lip and palate are birth defects that affect the upper lip and the roof of the mouth. There are many causes of cleft lip and palate. A cleft lip and palate can affect the appearance of the face, and may lead to problems with feeding, speech, and ear infections. Signs may range from a small notch in the lip to a complete groove that runs into the roof of the mouth and nose.
Cleft genes are passed down from one or both parents. Drugs, viruses, and other toxins can cause such birth defects. Cleft lip and palate may occur along with other syndromes or birth defects. These features may occur separately or together. Risk factors include a family history of cleft lip or palate and other birth defects. The chances of having cleft lip or palate are about 1 out of 2,500.
Today, cleft lip and palate can be repaired using plastic surgery techniques. For those who are interested in King Tut’s study, the full article will be published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Sketchbook Saturday: Rhinoplasty Tripod.
Feb 13th
Scottsdale – The art form here is via concepts in rhinoplasty. The tripod was first proposed by Dr. Jack Anderson at Tulane University School of Medicine.
Rhinoplasty tripod.
Sketchbook Saturday: Mardi Gras Plastic Surgery.
Feb 6th
Scottsdale – This art piece was inspired by the upcoming Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans, Louisiana. The technique used when looked at from afar, gives the impression that the art work is fuzzy.
Mardi Gras Plastic Surgery.
Sketchbook Saturday: The Faces Lift.
Jan 30th
The Faces Lift.
Scottsdale – The facelift is a plastic surgery operation used to reverse the natural effects of aging.
Sketchbook Saturday: Metamorphosis.
Jan 23rd
Scottsdale - In the original novella by Kafka, the main character transforms into a vermin. He becomes a grotesque creature. What we do in our plastic surgery practice is the opposite. We take defects, that are considered grotesque in some cases, and can potentially transform the individual into a beauty. This art piece is inspired by those with the imagination and ability to create a metamorphosis through aesthetic plastic surgery.
Die Verwandlung
Sketchbook Saturday: Louisiana Birds.
Jan 16th
Scottsdale -OK Folks, here we are. It’s Saturday and the big game is upon us. The New Orleans Saints versus the Arizona Cardinals. It is tough to choose between my two favorite teams. It is tough to choose between two cities I dearly love. I have, therefore, decided to do the honorable thing and cheer for both teams and for both cities.
In the process, I was inspired to create this art piece, called Louisiana Birds. New Orleans, of course is where I did my plastic surgery residency. Training in plastic surgery at the Charity Hospital is quite a unique experience. This is where I first learned techniques for body lift, belt lipectomy, tummy tuck, lipo, etc. Charity Hospital has a long history of providing great medical care.
Unfortunately, Charity Hospital, which was the major trauma center in southeast Louisiana and Mississippi before the storm, was not reopened after Hurricane Katrina. There are some groups who believe Charity Hospital should be saved and reopened. If you would like to read more about the long history of the hospital, I recommend you click here.
I did an interview this week for the Arizona Republic on how I moved to Phoenix after Hurricane Katrina in 2006. Arizona is where I now have my medical practice, AB Guerra Plastic Surgery Center, specializing in cosmetic plastic surgery serving both Phoenix and Scottsdale metro areas. Having a medical office in Scottsdale, Arizona has also been a unique and wonderful experience. I hope you enjoy the game and you enjoy my art work.
Louisiana Birds
Sketchbook Saturday: Simplicity in Plastic Surgery.
Jan 9th
Scottsdale – Simplicity is wonderful in plastic surgery. If you think about it, the best procedures are the simplest. This art piece, Simplicity in Plastic Surgery, is inspired by the art and magic of the simple plastic surgery.
Simplicity in Plastic Surgery
Sketchbook Saturday: Arizona Snake Art.
Jan 2nd
Scottsdale – Living in the Arizona desert you some times run into these creatures. This artwork was inspired by the Arizona rattlesnake.
Arizona Snake
