• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.578-582
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• 2009

Purpose: In extensive deep burn of the lower limb, due to less amount of soft tissue, bone is easily exposed. When it happens, natural healing or reconstruction with skin graft only is not easy. Local flap is difficult to success, because adjacent skins are burnt or skin grafted tissues. Muscle flap or free flap are also limited and has high failure rate due to deep tissue damage. The authors acquired good outcome by performing one - stage operation on bone exposed soft tissue defect with AlloDerm$^{(R)}$(LifeCell, USA), an acellular dermal matrix producted from cadaveric skin. Methods: We studied 14 bone exposed soft tissue defect patients from March 2002 to March 2009. Average age, sex, cause of burn, location of wound, duration of admission period, and postoperative complications were studied. We removed bony cortex with burring, until conforming pinpoint bone bleeding. Then rehydrated AlloDerm$^{(R)}$(25 / 1000 inches, meshed type) was applicated on wound, and thin split thickness(6 ~ 8 / 1000 inches) skin graft was done at the immediately same operative time. Results: Average age of patients was 53.6 years(25 years ~ 80 years, SD = 16.8), and 13 patients were male(male : female = 13 : 1). Flame burn was the largest number. (Flame burn 6, electric burn 3, contact burn 4, and scalding burn 1). Tibia(8) was the most affected site. (tibia 8, toe 4, malleolus 1, and metatarsal bone 1). Thin STSC with AlloDerm$^{(R)}$ took without additional surgery in 12 of 14 patients. Partial graft loss was shown on four cases. Two cases were small in size under $1{\times}1cm$, easily healed with simple dressing, and other two cases needed additional surgery. But in case of additional surgery, granulation tissue has easily formed, and simple patch graft on AlloDerm$^{(R)}$ was enough. Average duration of admission period of patients without additional surgery was 15 days(13 ~ 19 days). Conclusion: AlloDerm$^{(R)}$ and thin split thickness skin graft give us an advantage in short surgery time and less limitations in donor site than flap surgery. Postoperative scar is less than in conventional skin graft because of more firm restoration of dermal structure with AlloDerm$^{(R)}$. We propose that AlloDerm$^{(R)}$ and thin split thickness skin graft could be a solution to bone exposured soft tissue defects in extensive deep burned patients on lower extremities, especially when adjacent tissue cannot be used for flap due to extensive burn.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.525-530
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• 2009

Purpose: The hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) are widely used in the treatment of dyslipidemia for the lowering of cholesterol. And studies about simvastatins have been shown to enhance bone formation in vitro and in vivo in rodents. But some other researchers have reported that there was no anabolic effect abouts simvastatins on bone. The peripheral distribution beyond the liver represents a small fraction of an orally administered dose. We hypothesize that this poor peripheral distribution is the likely reason that simvastatins, yield ambiguous results as anabolic agents. We therefore investigated whether the effects of simvastatins on bone may be enhanced by subcutaneous administration, providing better peripheral delivery of these drugs. Methods: 36 rat unilaterally mandible fractured models were prepared and divided into two groups. The simvastatin treated group where 1 mg/kg of simvastatin was daily injected subcutaneously. The same dose of normal saline was injected on the control group. And 3 rats in each group were sacrificed and taken bone samples in each week. Bone sample was evaluated with tensile strength and histological morphology after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 weeks. Results: In simvastatin treated group, the fracture healing process, chondrocyte aggregation, collagen formation and trabecular bone formation was rapidly proceeded than the control group in histologically. The tensile strength of the simvastatin treated group was 1.02, 2.25, 3.95, 4.42, 5.49 and $6.00N/mm^2$ by weeks. The control group data was 0.60, 1.05, 2.17, 3.75, 4.15 and $5.17N/mm^2$ by weeks. The average tensile strength was higher by $1.04N/mm^2$ in simvastatin treated group. Conclusion: The currently available data on the effects of simvastatin on bone has done to confirm the finding that simvastatin helps fracture healing. And the potential for simvastatin to be used as anabolic agents for bone when delivered by the subcutaneous route.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.565-570
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• 2009

Purpose: Numerous techniques have been introduced to reconstruct the perineal area in order to preserve function of both the recipient and the donor site while satisfying aesthetic results. There are several advantages of using the pudendal aretery perforator based flap in that it provides thin coverage of defect area and a relatively excellent circulation through perforators. The perineal region can be divided into two areas : the urogenital triangle and the anal triangle. Since each area differs in structure and function so does its reconstructive plan. The authors of this article report clinical results obtained from pudendal artery perforator based reconstructed cases according to each differrent triangles. Methods: A total of 15 patients who underwent perineal reconstruction were enrolled in our study between the year 2002 and 2006. There were 4 cases of vaginal cancer, 4 cases of extramammary Paget's disease, 1 case of rectovaginal fistula in females and 2 cases of Paget's disease and 4 cases of Fournier's gangrene in male cases. The follow up period was on average 6 month. In female, superfical pudendal artery perforator based local flap were used to reconstruct the urogenital triangle defects, while internal pudendal artery perfoator based local flaps were used to reconstruct the anal traingle defects. In males the gracilis myocutaneous flap and internal pudendal artery perforator based local flaps were used in reconstruction of the scrotum and perineal defect. Result: In females, there was 1 case of partial flap necorsis that employed the superficial pudendal artery perforator but secondary repair through the internal pudendal artery perforator based local flap was done. In addition, there were 4 wound dehiscence cases in females and 2 cases in males. Conclusion: We believe that a better aesthetic and functional outcome can be achieved in perineal reconstruction if discrete surgical planning is carried out systematically categorizing the choice of flap employed acccording to distinct anatomical regions : the urogenital and the anal triangle.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.617-622
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• 2009

Purpose: Endoscopic transnasal correction of the blowout fractures has many advantages over other techniques. But after removal of packing material, there were some patients with recurrence of preoperative symptoms. Authors tried to make a quantitative anterograde analysis of orbital volume change over whole perioperative period which might be related with recurrence of preoperative symptoms. Methods: 10 patients with pure medial wall fracture(Group I) and 10 patients with medial wall fracture combined with fracture of orbital floor(Group II) were selected to evaluate the final orbital volume change, who took 3 CT scans, pre-, postoperative and 4 months after packing removal. By multiplying cross - section area of orbit in coronal view with section thickness, orbital volume were calculated. Then, mean orbital volume increment after trauma, mean orbital volume decrement after endoscopic correction and volume increment after packing removal were found out. And we tried to find correlations between type of fracture, initial correction rate and final correction rate. Results: The mean orbital volume increment of the fractured orbits were 7.23% in group I and 13.69% in group II. After endoscopic surgery, mean orbital volume decrement were 11.0% in group I and 12.46% in group II. Mean volume increment after packing removal showed 3.10% in group I and 6.50% in group II. The initial correction rate(%) showed linear correlation with final correction rate(%) after packing removal. And there were negative linear correlation between increment percentage of orbital volume by fracture and final correction rate(%). Conclusion: Orbital volume was proved to be increasing after removal of packing or foley catheter and it was dependent upon type of fracture. Overcorrection should be done to improve the final result of orbital blowout fracture especially when there are severe fracture is present.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.629-636
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• 2009

Purposes: Wide scars occurring on the lower face and neck are a source of both functional and esthetic problems. Consequently, we can use skin grafts, pedicled flaps, free flaps, and tissue expansion for the reconstruction of this area. Compared with other reconstruction techniques, tissue expansion is advantageous in that it enables the maintenance of a color and texture similar to that of the adjacent tissue. However, the conventional method of tissue expansion has been reported to lead to an unnatural cervicomental angle and to the deformity of adjacent structures. We have therefore made efforts to prevent these problems through the use of several operative procedures. Methods: Forty-one patients with lower facial and cervical scars underwent tissue expansion. The tissue expansion was performed using a rectangular-shaped Nagosil$^{(R)}$ tissue expansion device. On insertion of the tissue expander, the intermediate area of superficial fat layer was dissected and then the tissue expander was inserted to make a flap that was as thin as possible. In advancement of the flap, a capsule-formed by the tissue expander-was used for the interrupted fixed suture of the flap to the fascia of the platysma muscle of the neck. This procedure was performed multiple times and also performed between the flap and the periosteum of the mandible, such that the tension was removed during the suture of the flap margin. Finally, the patients were fitted with a Jobst$^{(R)}$ facial garment in order to stabilize the operation site at least twelve months. Results: The most prevalent location of the scar was the cheek (15 cases), followed by the chin in 14 cases and the neck in 12 cases. The mean size of scar was $55.7{\pm}39.4cm^2$. Conclusions: Using our procedures, we have experienced no significant deformities and have also achieved a more natural cervicomental angle in the patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.649-653
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• 2009

Purpose: Double - eyelid operation is one of the most common cosmetic operations among Korean patients. In such operations, however, the complexity of and individual differences in the patients' anatomical structures may cause various complications, such as asymmetry, retraction of the eyelid, and the occurrence of a high fold. A high fold occurs frequently, and its correction is not very simple. Many methods have been developed to correct it, and among these, the operation involving the excision of the skin between the previous double - eyelid line and the new double - eyelid line is usually selected by plastic surgeons. In many cases, however, patients have insufficient eyelid skins for this operation. In this study, the authors introduce an operation procedure for high - fold correction that does not involve skin excision Methods: From June 2005 to June 2009, 246 cases were treated with this procedure. After the incision of the new double - eyelid line, dissection was done between the previous scar tissue and the levator aponeurosis. Then the orbital septum, orbital fat or the retro - orbicularis oculi fat was slid down and sutured with a tarsal plate. Such sutures were repeated at four to five points, including the lateral and medial limbus, to prevent the reattachment of the previous scar and to create a new double - eyelid line at the end of the orbital septum. Results: Most of the high - fold patients were satisfied with the procedure described above. Their previous scar was hidden under the new double - eyelid line after the operation. In the six cases, the scar was visible in the patients who had a very high and deep inner line. As such, scar revision was undertaken three months after the operation. It is known that scar revision is also required after an operation involving skin excision in the case of a very high inner - eyelid line. Conclusion: This method is an appropriative procedure for high - fold correction for patients who have insufficient upper - eyelid skin.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.623-628
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• 2009

Purpose: In cases where nasal fractures involve frontal process of maxilla or perpendicular plate of ethmoid, 4 - 5 days of nasal packing may not provide sufficient support for avoiding displacement after packing removal. Therefore a single Kirschner - wire(K - wire) is used as an internal splint when nasal fractures involve the above two areas. Methods: Thirty five patients during the last 3 practical years were treated with a K -wire pinning according to the anatomic locations of nasal fractures. We performed a retrospective study using 13 nasal fractures out of total 35 patients. Among 13 cases, 10 patients involved frontal process of maxilla, and 3 patients were diagnosed as bilateral nasal side wall fractures accompanied with fractures of perpendicular plate of ethmoid. One patient of the last three cases had been augmented with dorsal silicone implant long before the trauma. We analyzed the anteroposterior displacement of key stone area and the width between both lateral walls by comparing immediate postoperative radiographs with 2 month follow - ups. To reduce the errors, the same measurements were taken by two different inspectors, and the mean of each inspector's measurements was compared. Patient satisfaction was analyzed using a questionnaire regarding the esthetic and functional outcomes. Results: Ten patients underwent a longitudinal K - wire fixation in submucoperiosteal plane underneath the frontal process of maxilla. And three patients underwent a transverse K - wire fixation from the one side of lateral wall to the perpendicular plate of ethmoid and to the other side of lateral wall. The mean postoperative anteroposterior displacement of the key stone area measured by two inspectors were 1.84% and 3.06%; mean narrowing of bony pyramid were 1.33% and 1.48%, respectively. Subjective satisfaction scores regarding the esthetic appearance and the maintenance of nasal shape compared with immediate post - operative state with the long term ones were not different (p>0.05). Conclusion: K - wire pinning after closed reduction is a reliable and useful method for the treatment of nasal fractures involving frontal process of maxilla or perpendicular plate of ethmoid. This is because it achieves longer intranasal support after reduction. This method also leaves conspicuous external scar, and minimal soft - tissue injury.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.531-537
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• 2009

Purpose: Alveolar bone grafting has become an essential process in the treatmemt of alveolar cleft patient for stabilization of the maxillary arch, elimination of oronasal fistula, the reconstruction of the soft tissue nasal base support, and creation of bony support for tooth eruption for implant. The use of Autologous iliac cancellous bone is preferable because of the adequate quantity and high osteoinductive potential. However, even with iliac bone, insufficient osteoregeneration and absorption occur due to several factors such as the patient's age, cleft width, functional stress, and others. In order to increase osteoregeneration where the iliac bone is placed, the present study is associated with bone marrow aspirate (BMA). The experimental study evaluated the efficacy of osteoregeneration in normal cleft rabbits when alveolar bone grafting was performed with autologous iliac corticocancellous bone. Methods: Twenty - four New Zealand White rabbits were divided randomly into 2 groups (BMA, control). All animals underwent harvesting of corticocancellous bone graft from the right posterior iliac crest via standard surgical technique. $1m{\ell}$ of BMA were obtained by scraping the needle and aspirate with $10m{\ell}$ syringe from the contralateral iliac bone wall. The muco - periosteal flap on the palate was elevated. A mixture of Equal bone's volumes with BMA and saline as its control was inserted into the cleft. Animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, and 8 weeks and maxilla was harvested for dental peri - apical X-ray, bone matrix density (BMD),and histologic analysis. Result: BMD of regenerated bone to the cleft in the rabbits was higher than that of the control rabbits. X-ray, histologic analysis showed that increased osteoregeneration and low absorption rate were observed in the BMA group. Conclusion: Our experimental study showed BMA enhanced the osteoregeneration and survival rate of alveolar bone grafting. BMA is easy to extract & cost - time effective. So it can be an effective enhancers for bone grafting mixtures.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.559-564
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• 2009

Purpose: Surgical reconstruction of an ischial soft tissue defect presents a challenging problem owing to a high rate of recurrence, especially paraplegic patients. Although various muscle, musculocutaneous and fasciocuta - neous flaps have been used in the reconstruction of ischial soft tissue defect, it is still debated which type of flaps are the best. We had performed a relatively durable adductor magnus perforator island flap based on the perforators originated from the first medial branch of the profunda femoris artery for coverage of ischial soft tissue defect where was not a region universally reconstructed by perforator flap. Methods: From August 2005 until January 2008, the adductor magnus perforator island flap had been used for resurfacing of the ischial soft tissue defects in a series of 6 patients (4 male and 2 female). Ages ranged from 26 to 67 years (mean, 47.5 years), and follow - up period from 13 to 26 months (mean, 16.7 months). Causes were 4 pressure ulcers, 1 cellulitis and 1 suppurative keratinous cyst. Results: The sizes of these flaps ranged from 12 to 18 cm in length and 7 to 9 cm in width. The flaps survived in all patients. Marginal loss over the distal area of the flap by infection was noted in one patient, which was treated successfully with a subsequent split - thickness skin graft. Average thickness of the flap was 0.94 cm, which was more thicker than other perforator flaps. Long term follow - up showed a good flap durability. Conclusion: In planning a reconstructive option of ischial soft tissue defect, the adductor magnus perforator island flap is a relatively large cutaneous flap with a durable thickness. With proper patient selection, careful vascular dissection and postoperative management, we recommend this flap is a good and suitable option for coverage of the ischial soft tissue defect.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.611-616
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• 2009

Purpose: The rate of fistulas occuring followed by resection of oral cavity, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, and laryngeal cancer are reported to be 9 ~ 23% according to various documents. Neglected treatment of the fistula can result in a setback in proper treatment with restrictions in oral intake leading to delayed return to daily life. Furthurmore, in severe cases, it may injure important vessels and adjacent structures of the neck area. The author reviewed previously reported cases of treatment methods for fistulas recurring after diverse head and neck operations and with sharing the treatment experiments of our patients, we tried to present a treatment algorism for different fistula types. Methods: Our study was based on retrograde analysis of 64 patients who were clinically diagnosed with fistula after operation for cancer of the head and neck from 1997 to 2008 at Severance Hospital. Their primary sites of cancer were 8 oral cavity, 22 oropharynx, 25 hypopharynx, and 9 larynx. The patients were aged 45 to 75 years and the male to female ratio was 11 to 1. The patient's operation records and progress notes were evaluated for determination of degree of fistula and treatment methods. Results: Most fistulas were clinically suspected after postoperative 5 days and symptoms noted for detection of the fistula were erythema, purulent discharge, edema, tenderness, and fluctuation. The fistula was definitely diagnosed at postoperative 2 weeks with barium test and treatment method ranging from conservative management to operative procedure were applied to each patients. Total 21 patients were managed with conservative protocol. In 15 cases, direct repair of the fistula was done and more stable repair of the fistula was possible with using of TachoComb$^{(R)}$. Pharyngostoma was performed in 14 patients. Among them, 4 patients healed spontaneously, 5 patients were taken direct closure, 4 patients were taken pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap, and one patient was taken esophageal transfer. The other 14 patients were taken 11 pectoralis major musculocutaneous flaps and 3 free flaps without pharyngostoma formation. Conclusion: Fistula is a troublesome complication resulting after resection of head and neck cancer. Early detection and adequate treatment according to the period and condition of the fistula may prevent further complications and reduce the pain of the patient.