• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.703-708
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• 2008

Purpose: Microtia is a congenital anomaly resulting from abnormal development of the branchial apparatus. Although significant modification and improvement of operative procedures for the reconstruction of the auricle with a natural appearance have been reported, postoperative complications, such as infection, flap necrosis and deformity, still remain serious problems in patients. Many studies with long-term results have focused mainly on operative procedures for an acceptable auricular shape without consideration of possible complications. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on postoperative complications at the recipient sites of 183 patients who underwent auricular reconstruction with autologous rib cartilage grafts from November 1987 to January 2007 at the Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital. Patients were analyzed in terms of the kinds and incidences of complications, and their treatment options. Results: Postoperative complications included wound dehiscence, flap necrosis, infection, hypertrophic scar, auricular deformity and absorption of rib cartilage grafts. The complications occurred in 47 patients with a complication rate of 25.7%. Fourteen patients were successfully managed with conservative treatment. However, surgical treatment was required in 51 reoperations(33 patients) of total 329 operations. Conclusion: Postoperative complications at the recipient sites of autologous rib cartilage grafts occurred with relatively high incidences and required long-term treatments and multiple surgeries. The results of this study may provide information on the causes and proper management of postoperative complications as well as safe procedures for the reconstruction of the auricle.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.293-298
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• 2005

Osseointegrated prosthetic auricular reconstruction can be classified as either direct or indirect. In the $Br{\aa}nemark $ system of direct osseointegration, implants are placed into the mastoid process of the temporal bone. In the Epitec system of indirect osseointegration, implants are inserted into a three-dimensional carrier plate that is fixed to the mastoid by means of screws. We experienced forty-four cases using the indirect system and seventeen cases using the direct system. We compared with two systems by complications, such as skin reaction, implant loosening, implant loss. There were no specific differences in the skin reaction around the implants and abutments in relation to age or system used. The degree of skin reaction was different according to the conditions around the implant: in cases of virgin microtia, a skin flap was used to cover the implant, in contrast to grafted skin coverage for failed autogenous reconstruction. In both systems, the skin reaction was more severe and frequent in skin flap than in grafted skin. Loosening of the implant was more frequent in the direct system; however, accidental detachment of the implant from the abutment was more frequent in the indirect system. To reduce complications of skin reaction in osseointegrated prosthetic auricular reconstruction, it is important for soft tissue around implant to immobilize. Therefore, grafted skin is better than skin flap as soft tissue around implant. And immobilization of soft tissue around implant by wound dressing is major facter.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1983.05a
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• pp.14.3-14
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• 1983

In recent years there has been considerable interest in reconstructive surgery of the trachea for cervical tracheal stenosis developed by complication of endotracheal intubation or tracheotomy, or trauma of the neck. The methods used to reconstruct the tracheal defects can be repaired with end-to - end anastomosis, cervical flaps, and autogenous graft materials. Since Grillo had undertaken tracheal reconstruction after circumferential resection in dogs, resection and end - to - end anastomosis was used in cases of circumferential stenosis. And, costal, nasal septal and auricular cartilage have been used for the autogenous graft materials. Since Caputo and Consiglio had undergone tracheoplasty with auricular cartilage, Morgenstein reported successful repair of a tracheal defect with a composite postauricular cartilage graft. The advantages of the auricular cartilage graft are its easy accessibility, availability and familiarity to the otolaryngologist. In past 2 years, We performed the tracheoplasty with auricular cartilage graft and end- to end an astomosis after segmental resection in 5 patients who had suffered from tracheal stenosis. And we obtained good results. So, we reported the cases with review of the literatures.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.45-49
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• 2014

Background Preauricular sinuses are congenital abnormalities caused by a failure of fusion of the primitive tubercles from which the pinna is formed. When persistent or recurring inflammation occurs, surgical excision of the infected tissue should be considered. Preauricular defects inevitably occur as a result of excisions and are often difficult to resolve with a simple suture; a more effective reconstruction technique is required for treating these defects. Methods After total excision of a preauricular sinus, the defect was closed by a plastic surgeon. Based on the depth of the defect and the degree of tension when apposing the wound margins, the surgeon determined whether to use primary closure or a posterior auricular flap. Results A total of 28 cases were examined. In 5 cases, including 2 reoperations for dehiscence after primary repair, reconstruction was performed using posterior auricular transposition flaps. In 16 cases of primary closure, the defects were closed using simple sutures, and in 7 cases, closure was performed after wide undermining. Conclusions If a preauricular defect is limited to the subcutaneous layer and the margins can be easily approximated, primary closure by only simple suturing may be used to perform the repair. If the defect is deep enough to expose the perichondrium or if there is tension when apposing the wound margins, wide undermining should be performed before primary closure. If the extent of the excision exposes cartilage, the procedure follows dehiscence of the primary repair, or the tissue is not sufficiently healthy, the surgeon should use a posterior auricular flap.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.81-87
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• 2007

Purpose: Correction of saddle nose remains problematic both in the technique of reconstruction and in the choice of implant material for nasal augmentation. A large variety of graft materials have been used for the reconstruction of the saddle nose deformity. The purpose of this study is to determinate an algorithm for deciding alternative graft materials used in correction of saddle nose deformity. Methods: Six patients with saddle nose who were corrected using by auricular cartilage and costal cartilage at Chosun university hospital were analyzed. Results: After a mean interval of 12 months, all patients were satisfied with the esthetic and functional result. Conclusion: Auricular cartilage is an excellent graft material for esthetic and functional reconstruction of mild to moderate saddle nose deformity.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.451-457
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• 2011

Purpose: As a central feature of the face, the nose has considerable significance in appearance and expression. Reconstruction of full thickness defects of the nasal ala has always been a challenge because of the 3-dimensional structure. For reconstruction of post burn defects of ala, skin graft, local or pedicled flap and composite graft are optionally available. We have reconstructed the ala defects using adiposocutaneous graft and observed the outcome. Methods: From March 2003 to December 2010, 19 cases in 11 patients with scar contracture and defect on ala portion were performed operation using adiposocutaneous graft. As a donor site, we used the inguinal crease and posterior auricular area and the donor site was primarily closed. We made incision through the superior rim of ala and released fully. A graft is applied to recipient site with larger size than recipient volume. Results: The mean age of the patient was 38.6 years (16~51), males are seven patients and females are four patients. The operation was performed bilaterally in 5 patients and unilaterally in 6 patients. Composite grafts were harvested from inguinal area in 13 cases and posterior auricular area in 6 cases. In one case, we did 4 times of operation to get enough volume. All the grafts were well taken. The mean size of the graft was 3.63 $cm^2$. Conclusion: For reconstruction of post burn defects of ala, it's not easy to use local flap or pedicled flap because of hardness and fibrosis of surrounding tissue. So, we choose adiposocutaneous graft for ala deformity reconstruction, got satisfactory outcome in color matching and texture.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.93-96
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• 2000

Bone-anchored auricular prosthesis have been proved that was another apporach to the treatment of the defective external ear. A 19years old woman with hemifacial microsomia was treated with osseointegrated implants for the support of craniofacial prosthesis. 3 implants were placed in temporal region and craniofacial prosthesis was retained with telescopic magnet retention system. The literatures and surgical technique are reviewed and our experience is presented.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.614-621
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• 2021

Background Reconstruction of congenital microtia remains challenging, particularly in patients with a history of ear canaloplasty due to insufficient regional soft tissue. The insertion of a tissue expander prior to implantation of the cartilage framework has traditionally been employed. However, this procedure could induce additional morbidity. Herein, we present a method using V-Y advancement of a temporal triangular flap to gain additional soft tissue in these challenging cases. Methods Congenital microtia patients with a history of ear canaloplasty who underwent auricular reconstruction using the Nagata technique between 2016 and 2020 were reviewed. To obtain additional soft tissue, V-Y advancement of a temporal triangular flap was performed concurrently with implantation of the costal cartilage framework, without prior insertion of a tissue expander. The outcomes of these patients with respect to postoperative complications and esthetics were evaluated. Results Eight patients with bilateral lesions were included. No specific complications developed after the first-stage surgery. However, one patient experienced complications after the second stage (auricular elevation). An analysis of the esthetic results showed most patients had excellent outcomes, achieving a satisfactory convolution. The median number of operations needed to complete reconstruction was 2, which was fewer than required using the conventional method with prior insertion of a tissue expander. Conclusions In patients with a history of previous canaloplasty, V-Y advancement of a temporal triangular flap could serve as an alternative to tissue expansion for microtia reconstruction. This technique provided reliable and satisfactory results with a reduced number of surgical stages.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.323-328
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• 2012

Background Among the various methods for correcting nasal deformity, the composite graft is suitable for the inner and outer reconstruction of the nose in a single stage. In this article, we present our technique for reconstructing the ala and columella using the auricular chondrocutaneous composite graft. Methods From 2004 to 2011, 15 cases of alar and 2 cases of columellar reconstruction employing the chondrocutaneous composite graft were studied, all followed up for 3 to 24 months (average, 13.5 months). All of the patients were reviewed retrospectively for the demographics, graft size, selection of the donor site and outcomes including morbidity and complications. Results The reasons for the deformity were burn scar (n=7), traumatic scar (n=4), smallpox scar (n=4), basal cell carcinoma defect (n=1), and scar contracture (n=1) from implant induced infection. In 5 cases of nostril stricture and 6 cases of alar defect and notching, composite grafts from the helix were used ($8.9{\times}12.5$ mm). In 4 cases of retracted ala, grafts from the posterior surface of the concha were matched ($5{\times}15$ mm). For the reconstruction of the columella, we harvested the graft from the posterior scapha ($9{\times}13.5$ mm). Except one case with partial necrosis and delayed healing due to smoking, the grafts were successful in all of the cases and there was no deformity of the donor site. Conclusions An alar and columellar defect can be reconstructed successfully with a relatively large composite graft without donor site morbidity. The selection of the donor site should be individualized according to the 3-dimensional configuration of the defect.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.73-77
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• 2023

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory condition that is difficult to diagnose, with a period of 10.0±9.6 years from symptom onset to diagnosis. A 32-year-old Asian man presented with bilateral postauricular abscesses that first appeared 5 years previously. Despite several incisions and drainage, the symptoms only temporarily improved and continued to recur. On physical examination, chronic scars and sinus tracts were observed around the lesion. Postauricular HS was diagnosed, and surgical treatment was performed. We performed a wide excision and reconstructed the defect using a posterior auricular artery perforator-based keystone flap. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of HS. The reconstruction was successful, and there was no recurrence for 2 years after surgery. HS is difficult to diagnose without specific attention. Although the postauricular region is not a typical site of HS, it can occur in this area. Therefore, if a patient presents with recurrent abscesses in the postauricular region, HS should be considered. Additionally, if HS is diagnosed in the postauricular region, wide excision with reconstruction using a posterior auricular artery perforator-based keystone flap can lead to a favorable outcome.