• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.156-158
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• 2012

Purpose: Although lipoma is known as one of the most common soft tissue tumors, calcification in lipoma is very rare in its occurrence. This calcified lipoma has been reported by some as a result of regression of lipoma, but its genesis is not clearly known yet with various opinions being discussed regarding its possible metabolic relation to hypercalcemia or hyperphosphatemia to be considered as a regression phase of lipoma. The authors would like to present this unusual case of calcified lipoma. Methods: A 50-year-old male patient visited our hospital with complaint of an enlarging mass on his right forehead which has been acknowledged for 5 years' period. On physical examination, a mass was observed on his forehead as palpable, non-tender, mobile and firm in its consistency. Ultra sonogram examination revealed a well-demarcated mass (1.92 cm) with central echoic zone at deep layer of forehead. Mass excision and biopsy were performed subsequently. Results: According to the pathological report, the diagnosis confirmed the lipoma consisting of grown-up adipocyte and calcification. Neither growing lipoma nor relapse was observed for postoperative three years' follow-up of the patient. Conclusion: Now that the calcified lipoma was successfully removed and cured by a simple mass excision, authors hereby report the case of calcified lipoma on forehead.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.104-110
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• 2012

Purpose: Who may dare to state that optimal choice of treating nasal bone fracture is closed reduction? Few decades of authors' experience in nasal bone fracture has lead to believe that more active and assertive approach in nasal bone fracture by performing simultaneous lateral osteotomy may be applied in proper indications to acquire more accurate reduction and cosmetically satisfying result. Methods: From May 2008 to October 2009, among 241 nasal bone fracture patients, 20 patients underwent simultaneous lateral osteotomy with nasal bone fracture reduction. Followed by rigid septal correction, nasal cavity is packed to stabilize the fracture segment for safer osteotomy. Through intranasal incision, in selected cases of difficult reduction or for cosmetic purposes, various types of lateral osteotomy was performed corresponding to the fracture anatomy, conditions of the nasal cavity. Postoperative nasal packing was retained for one week and nasal dorsum splint for 3 weeks. Results: Lateral osteotomy was utilized for difficult cases of closed reduction, for correction of wide nose, hump and deviation in 9, 5, 2, and 4 cases, respectively. Patient satisfaction was scaled 90% in satisfaction and moderate in 10% (2 cases), complaining of mild nasal tip deviation. Physicians detected 2 cases of apparent deformity with patient recognition; one patient with mild step deformity at the osteotomy site and the other patient with minimal implant mobility. Conclusion: By accompanying profound understanding of the fracture anatomy, more active and assertive approach in nasal fracture reduction can be coincide with simultaneous lateral osteotomy to reduce the rate of secondary deformity and to obtain more cosmetically satisfying result.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.146-151
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• 2018

Background A persistent problem in autologous breast reconstruction in skin-sparing mastectomies is skin restoration after skin necrosis or secondary oncological resection. As a solution to facilitate reconstruction, skin banking of free-flap skin has been proposed in cases where the overlying skin envelope must be resected, as this technique spares the patient an additional donor site. Herein, we present the largest series to date in which this method was used. We investigated its safety and the possibility of skin banking for prolonged periods of time. Methods All skin-sparing mastectomies and immediate autologous breast reconstructions from December 2009 until June 2013 at our institution were analysed. Results We identified 31 patients who underwent 33 free flap reconstructions in which skin banking was performed. Our median skin banking period was 7 days, with a maximum duration of 171 days. In 22.5% of cases, the banked skin was used to reconstruct overlying skin defects, and in 9.6% of cases to reconstruct the nipple-areolar complex. Microbiological and histological investigations of the banked skin revealed neither clinical infections nor malignancies. Conclusions In situ skin banking, even for prolonged periods of time, is a safe and cost-effective method to ensure that skin defects due to necrosis or secondary oncological resection can be easily reconstructed.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.119-120
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• 2023

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.357-362
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• 2018

Background The most common complication after tendon repair is the development of adhesion, with subsequent rupture. Methods In this study, we present a new method in which the tendon healing contact surface is increased to reduce these complications. The tendons of chickens in groups 1, 3, and 5 were transversely cut and repaired with in the traditional fashion with double-modified Kessler method and 5/0 polypropylene. In the other groups, 3 mm of the tendon was removed from the proximal half of the upper end and from the distal half of the lower end of the tendon, and they were repaired with the modified Kessler method. The tendons of the chickens in groups 1 and 2 were evaluated immediatelly after surgery. Groups 3 and 4 were evaluated at 4 weeks after surgery. Groups 5 and 6 were evaluated at 6 weeks. Results Increases in transient inflammation and connective tissue formation were observed more clearly in the group treated with the new method in histopathological investigations at weeks 4 and 6. The stretching test showed statistically significant differences between groups 3 and 4 (P<0.05) and groups 5 and 6 (P<0.05). Conclusions When repairing tendons with the new method, the healing surface increases and the direction of collagen fibers at the surface changes. Because of these effects, the strength of the tendon healing line increases; we therefore expect that this technique will enable patients to safely engage in early active exercise after the operation, with less risk of tendon rupture.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.140-146
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• 2019

Background Thoracodorsal vessels (TDVs) and internal mammary vessels (IMVs) have both been widely employed as recipient vessels for use in free muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (MS-TRAM) flaps. However, whether TDVs or IMVs are preferable as recipient vessels for autologous breast reconstruction with a free MS-TRAM flap remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes when TDVs were used as recipient vessels to those obtained when IMVs were used as recipient vessels for autologous breast reconstruction with a free MS-TRAM flap. Methods A retrospective matched-cohort study was performed. We retrospectively reviewed data collected from patients who underwent a free MS-TRAM flap for autologous breast reconstructions after mastectomy between March 2003 and June 2013. After a one-to-one matching using age, 100 autologous breast reconstructions were selected in this study. Of the 100 breast reconstructions, 50 flaps were anastomosed to TDVs and 50 to IMVs. Patient demographics and clinical outcomes including operation time, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and aesthetic score were compared between the two groups. Results No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in patient demographics and clinical outcomes, including the complication rates and aesthetic scores. There were no major complications such as total or partial flap loss in either group. Conclusions The results of our study demonstrate that both TDVs and IMVs were safe and efficient as recipient vessels in terms of the complication rates and aesthetic outcomes.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.402-410
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• 2016

Background In an increasing number of lawsuits doctors lose, despite providing preoperative patient education, because of failure to prove informed consent. We analyzed judicial precedents associated with insufficient informed consent to identify judicial factors and trends related to aesthetic surgery medical litigation. Methods We collected data from civil trials between 1995 and 2015 that were related to aesthetic surgery and resulted in findings of insufficient informed consent. Based on these data, we analyzed the lawsuits, including the distribution of surgeries, dissatisfactions, litigation expenses, and relationship to informed consent. Results Cases were found involving the following types of surgery: facial rejuvenation (38 cases), facial contouring surgery (27 cases), mammoplasty (16 cases), blepharoplasty (29 cases), rhinoplasty (21 cases), body-contouring surgery (15 cases), and breast reconstruction (2 cases). Common reasons for postoperative dissatisfaction were deformities (22%), scars (17%), asymmetry (14%), and infections (6%). Most of the malpractice lawsuits occurred in Seoul (population 10 million people; 54% of total plastic surgeons) and in primary-level local clinics (113 cases, 82.5%). In cases in which only invalid informed consent was recognized, the average amount of consolation money was KRW 9,107,143 (USD 8438). In cases in which both violation of non-malfeasance and invalid informed consent were recognized, the average amount of consolation money was KRW 12,741,857 (USD 11,806), corresponding to 38.6% of the amount of the judgment. Conclusions Surgeons should pay special attention to obtaining informed consent, because it is a double-edged sword; it has clinical purposes for doctors and patients but may also be a litigation strategy for lawyers.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.777-784
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• 2007

Purpose: For a minor degree of mandibular prognathism, mandibular anterior segmental osteotomy (ASO), usually extracting the bilateral premolars, has been performed frequently to correct malocclusion of the anterior teeth. Preoperative planning using cephalometry and a dental model is very important for such a orthognathic surgery. Depending on the specific preoperative mock surgery with the dental model, ASO, with ipsilateral unitooth extraction, is defined to be feasible and performed for ten patients. The comparisons of its preoperative and postoperative analysis of clinical photographs, dental casts, and lateral cephalograms, for soft tissue profiles, skeletal and dental relationships are described in the following, and its clinical applications are noted. Methods: From March 1, 2004, to March 31, 2006, We performed 10 mandibular ASO by extraction of ipsilateral unitooth to improve their lower facial profiles and the lip relationships. Patient age ranged from 19 to 33 years, with a mean age of 25.6 years. Two were males and eight were females. Results: All patients were satisfied with aesthetic and occlusal changes postoperatively. Significant and persistent decrease in the SNB and interincisal angle were observed in the postoperative cephalometries. The soft tissue profiles also were improved and near Ricketts's esthetic line. Other combined procedures include nine genioplasties, two rhinoplasties, and one blepharoplasty. One patient complained of transient unilateral inferior mental nerve paresthesia. There were no other significant complications or relapses throughout the follow-up period(6-20 months). Conclusion: Mandibular ASO, extracting the ipsilateral unitooth, was performed for ten patients to correct mild mandibular prognathism. The amount of setback of the mandibular anterior portion was 2 to 3 mm, and satisfactory results were obtained combined with genioplasties.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.453-456
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• 2017

Patients are increasingly seeking repair of their earlobes following ear gauging. Research has shown that current repair techniques either excessively reduce the lobular volume or leave an obvious scar along the free edge of the earlobe. In our case series, we describe the use of a novel technique for repairing earlobes following ear gauging using a rolling earlobe flap that preserves the lobular volume and avoids leaving a scar on the free edge of the lobule. The procedure was performed on 3 patients (6 earlobes) who had defects from ear gauging that ranged from 3.0 to 6.5 cm. There were no postoperative complications of infection, wound dehiscence, flap necrosis, hypertrophic scars, or keloids, and all patients were highly satisfied with the postoperative results. This versatile technique allows for an aesthetically pleasing reconstruction of the lobule with the advantages of: the absence of a surgical scar on the free edge of the lobule, preserving the lobule volume, and presenting a highly customizable technique that allows lobules to be created with various shapes and volumes.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.253-258
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• 2018

Background The nasolabial flap is ideal for reconstruction of the nasal alar subunit due to its proximity, color and contour match, and well-placed donor scar. When raised as a random-pattern flap, there is a risk of vascular compromise to the tip with increased flap length and aggressive flap thinning. Surgical delay can greatly improve the chances of tip survival, allowing the harvest of longer flaps with greater reach. Methods We describe our technique of lengthening the nasolabial flap through multiple delay procedures. A bipedicled flap was first raised and then transferred as a unipedicled flap with a 6:1 length-to-width ratio. During the delay process, the flap tip was thinned to the subdermal layer. Results In our case series of seven patients, defects as far as the medial canthal area and contralateral ala were reconstructed successfully with no incidence of tip necrosis or flap loss. The resultant flaps were thin enough to be folded over for the reconstruction of alar rim defects. Conclusions We highlight the success of our surgical technique in creating thin and robust nasolabial flaps for the reconstruction of full-thickness defects around the nose.