• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2015

Background: Source material used to fill calvarial defects includes autologous bones and synthetic alternatives. While autologous bone is preferable to synthetic material, autologous reconstruction is not always feasible due to defect size, unacceptable donor-site morbidity, and other issues. Today, advanced three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques allow for fabrication of titanium implants customized to the exact need of individual patients with calvarial defects. In this report, we present three cases of calvarial reconstructions using 3D-printed porous titanium implants. Methods: From 2013 through 2014, three calvarial defects were repaired using custom-made 3D porous titanium implants. The defects were due either to traumatic subdural hematoma or to meningioma and were located in parieto-occipital, fronto-temporo-parietal, and parieto-temporal areas. The implants were prepared using individual 3D computed tomography (CT) data, Mimics software, and an electron beam melting machine. For each patient, several designs of the implant were evaluated against 3D-printed skull models. All three cases had a custom-made 3D porous titanium implant laid on the defect and rigid fixation was done with 8 mm screws. Results: The custom-made 3D implants fit each patient's skull defect precisely without any dead space. The operative site healed without any specific complications. Postoperative CTs revealed the implants to be in correct position. Conclusion: An autologous graft is not a feasible option in the reconstruction of large calvarial defects. Ideally, synthetic materials for calvarial reconstruction should be easily applicable, durable, and strong. In these aspects, a 3D titanium implant can be an optimal source material in calvarial reconstruction.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.124-136
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• 2019

Orthodontic treatment is more complicated when both soft and hard tissues must be considered because an impacted maxillary canine has important effects on function and esthetics. Compared with extraction of impacted maxillary canines, exposure followed by orthodontic traction can improve esthetics and better protect the patient's teeth and alveolar bone. Therefore, in order to achieve desirable tooth movement with minimal unexpected complications, a precise diagnosis is indispensable to establish an effective and efficient force system. In this report, we describe the case of a 31-year-old patient who had a labio-palatal horizontally impacted maxillary left canine with a severe occlusal alveolar bone defect and a missing maxillary left first premolar. Herein, with the aid of three-dimensional imaging, sequential traction was performed with a three-directional force device that finally achieved acceptable occlusion by bringing the horizontally impacted maxillary left canine into alignment. The maxillary left canine had normal gingival contours and was surrounded by a substantial amount of regenerated alveolar bone. The 1-year follow-up stability assessment demonstrated that the esthetic and functional outcomes were successful.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.137-140
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• 2020

Epidermoid cysts are benign tumors that account for approximately 1% of intracranial tumors. In very rare cases, temporally located extradural intradiploic epidermoid cysts can cause neurological symptoms and skull perforation. Herein, we report the case of a 34-year-old woman who underwent successful treatment of an epidermoid cyst in the temporal region accompanied by neurological symptoms. Accurate radiological evaluation and complete removal of the tumor and capsule play a vital role in ensuring favorable long-term outcomes. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans can provide an accurate assessment of the extent of intracranial expansion and invasion of the cerebral parenchyma, as well as enabling the precise localization and characterization of the bone defect and mass. In addition, collaborative surgery with a neurosurgeon is required for cases involving intracranial expansion and dural invasion.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.237-243
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• 2020

Background: The scalp is an important functional and aesthetic structure that protects the cranial bone. Due to its inelastic characteristics, soft-tissue defects of the scalp make reconstruction surgery difficult. This study aims to provide an improved scalp reconstruction decision making algorithm for surgeons. Methods: This study examined patients who underwent scalp reconstruction within the last 10 years. The study evaluated several factors that surgeons use to select a given reconstruction method such as etiology, defect location, size, depth, and complications. An algorithmic approach was then suggested based on an analysis of these factors. Results: Ninety-four patients were selected in total and 98 cases, including revision surgery, were performed for scalp reconstruction. Scalp reconstruction was performed by primary closure (36.73%), skin graft (27.55%), local flap (17.34%), pedicled regional flap (15.30%), and free flap (3.06%). The ratio of primary closure to more complex procedure on loose scalps (51.11%) was significantly higher than on tight scalps (24.52%) (p=0.011). The choice of scalp reconstruction method was affected significantly by the defect size (R=0.479, p<0.001) and depth (p<0.001). There were five major complications which were three cases of flap necrosis and two cases of skin necrosis. Hematoma was the most common of the 29 minor complications reported, followed by skin necrosis. Conclusion: There are multiple factors affecting the choice of scalp reconstruction method. We suggest an algorithm based on 10 years of experience that will help surgeons establish successful surgical management for their patients.

• Journal of International Society for Simulation Surgery
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.99-102
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• 2014

The skull defect can be made after the trauma, oncologic problems or neurosurgery. The skull reconstruction has been the challenging issue in craniofacial fields for a long time. So far the skull reconstruction with autogenous bone would be the standard. Although the autogenous bone would be the ideal one for skull reconstruction, donor site morbidity would be the inevitable problem in many cases. Meanwhile various types of allogenic and alloplastic materials have been also used. However, skull reconstruction with many alloplastic material have produced no less complications including infection, exposure, and delayed wound healing. Because the 3D printing technique evolved so fast that 3D printed titanium implant were possible recently. The aim of this trial is to try to restore the original skull anatomy as possible using the 3D printed titanium implant, based on the mirrored three dimensional CT images based on the computer simulation. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) data were processed for the patient and a rapid prototyping (RP) model was produced. At the same time, the uninjured side was mirrored and superimposed onto the traumatized side, to create a mirror-image of the RP model. And we fabricated Titanium implant to reconstruct three-dimensional orbital structure in advance, using the 3D printer. This prefabricated Titanium-implant was then inserted onto the defected skull and fixed. Three dimensional printing technique of titanium material based on the computer simulation turned out to be very successful in this patient. Individualized approach for each patient could be an ideal way to manage the traumatic patients in near future.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2016

Purpose: The 1p36 deletion syndrome is a microdeletion syndrome characterized by developmental delays/intellectual disability, craniofacial dysmorphism, and other congenital anomalies. To date, many cases of this syndrome have been reported worldwide. However, cases with this syndrome have not been reported in Korean populations anywhere. This study was performed to report the clinical and molecular characteristics of five Korean patients with the 1p36 deletion syndrome. Methods: The clinical characteristics of the 5 patients were reviewed. Karyotyping and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analyses were performed for genetic diagnoses. Results: All 5 patients had typical dysmorphic features including frontal bossing, flat right parietal bone, low-set ears, straight eyebrows, down-slanting palpebral fissure, hypotelorism, flat nasal roots, midface hypoplasia, pointed chins, small lips, and variable degrees of developmental delay. Each patient had multiple and variable anomalies such as a congenital heart defect including ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, and patent duct arteriosus, ventriculomegaly, cryptorchism, or hearing loss. Karyotyping revealed the 1p36 deletion in only 1 patient, although it was confirmed in all 5 patients by MLPA analyses. Conclusion: All the patients had the typical features of 1p36 deletion. These hallmarks can be used to identify other patients with this condition in their early years in order to provide more appropriate care.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.204-209
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• 2016

Temporal hollowing occurs to varying degrees after pterional craniotomy. The most common cause of temporal hollowing is a bony defect of the pterional and temporal regions due to the resection of the sphenoid ridge and temporal squama for adequate exposure without overhang. The augmentation of such bony defects is important in preventing craniofacial deformities and postoperative hollowness. Temporal cranioplasty has been performed using a range of materials, such as acrylics, porous polyethylene, bone cement, titanium, muscle flaps, and prosthetic dermis. These methods are limited by the risk of damage to adjacent tissue and infection, a prolonged preparation phase, the possibility of reabsorption, and cost inefficiency. We have developed a method of temporal augmentation using a calvarial onlay graft as a single-stage neurosurgical reconstructive operation in patients requiring craniotomy. In this report, we describe the surgical details and review our institutional outcomes. The patients were divided into pterional craniotomy and onlay graft groups. Clinical temporal hollowing was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS). Temporal soft tissue thickness was measured on preoperative and postoperative computed tomography (CT) studies. Both the VAS and CT-based assessments were compared between the groups. Our review indicated that the use of an onlay graft was associated with a lower VAS score and left-right discrepancy in the temporal contour than were observed in patients undergoing pterional craniotomy without an onlay graft.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.447-453
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• 2010

The hemifacial microsomia is characterized by variable underdevelopment of the craniofacial skeleton, external ear, and facial soft tissues. So, patients with hemifacial microsomia have an occlusal plane canting and malocclusion with facial asymmetry. Distraction osteogenesis (DO) with an intraoral or extraoral device is a technique using tension to generate new bone with gradual bone movement and remodeling. DO has especially been used to correct craniofacial deformities such as a hemifacial microsomia, facial asymmetry, and mandible defect that could not adequately be treated by conventional reconstruction with osteotomies. It has a significant advantage to lengthen soft and hard tissue of underdeveloped site without bone graft and a few complication such as nerve injury or muscle contracture. A 13-years old girl visited our clinic for the chief complaint of facial asymmetry. She had a left hypoplastic maxilla and mandible, occlusal plane canting and malocclusion. We diagnosed hemifacial microsomia and lanned DO to lengthen the affected side. Le Fort I osteotomy, left mandibular ramus and symphysis osteotomy were performed. The internal distraction devices fixed with screw on maxillary and mandibular ramus osteotomy sites. External devices were adapted to lower jaw for DO on symphysis osteotomy site and to upper jaw for rapid maxillary expansion (RME). At 7days after surgery, distraction was started at the rate of 1mm per day for 13days, and after 4months consolidation periods, distraction devices were removed. Simultaneous multiple maxillo-mandibular distraction osteogenesis with RME resulted in a satisfactory success in correcting facial asymmetry as well as occlusal plane canting for our hemifacial microsomia.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.174-183
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• 2022

Management of traumatic skull base fractures and associated complications pose a unique reconstructive challenge. The goals of skull base reconstruction include structural support for the brain and orbit, separation of the central nervous system from the aerodigestive tract, volume to decrease dead space, and restoration of the three-dimensional appearance of the face and cranium with bone and soft tissues. An open bicoronal approach is the most commonly used technique for craniofacial disassembly of the bifrontal region, with evacuation of intracranial hemorrhage and dural repair performed prior to reconstruction. Depending on the defect size and underlying patient and operative factors, reconstruction may involve bony reconstruction using autografts, allografts, or prosthetics in addition to soft tissue reconstruction using vascularized local or distant tissues. The vast majority of traumatic anterior cranial fossa (ACF) injuries resulting in smaller defects of the cranial base itself can be successfully reconstructed using local pedicled pericranial or galeal flaps. Compared with historical nonvascularized ACF reconstructive options, vascularized reconstruction using pericranial and/or galeal flaps has decreased the rate of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak from 25 to 6.5%. We review the existing literature on this uncommon entity and present our case series of n = 6 patients undergoing traumatic reconstruction of the ACF at an urban Level 1 trauma center from 2016 to 2018. There were no postoperative CSF leaks, mucoceles, episodes of meningitis, or deaths during the study follow-up period. In conclusion, use of pericranial, galeal, and free flaps, as indicated, can provide reliable and durable reconstruction of a wide variety of injuries.