• 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.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.559-566
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• 2007

Distraction osteogenesis(DO) is a surgical method of bone formation that involves an osteotomy and sequential stretching of the healing callus by gradual movement and subsequent remodeling. DO is used to correct facial asymmetry, such as in patients with hemifacial microsomia, maxillary or mandibular retrusion, cleft lip and palate, alveolar defects, and craniofacial deficiency. It is accomplished with the aid of a distraction device, which is secured with screws placed directly into bone, for a predetermined length of time. Hemifacial microsomia is characterized by unilateral facial hypoplasia, often with unilateral shortening of the mandible and subsequent malocclusion. Patients with hemifacial microsomia and facial asymmetry have a vertically short maxilla, tilted occlusal plane, and short mandible. Early treatment is necessary to avoid subsequent impaired midfacial growth. The standard treatment of these malformations consists of the application of bone grafts, which can lead to unpredictable growth. The new bone-lengthening procedure represents a limited surgical intervention and opens up a new perspective for treatment, especially in younger children with severe deformities. This report describes a case of hemifacial microsomia(Type-II left-sided hemifacial microsomia). The patient, a 10-year-old child, visited our clinic for facial asymmetry correction. He had a hypoplastic mandible, displaced ear lobe, 10 mm canting on the right side, and malocclusion. We planned DO to lengthen the left mandible in conjunction with a Le Fort I osteotomy for decanting and then perform a right intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy(IVRO). Progressive distraction at a rate of 0.5 mm/12 hours was initiated 7 days postoperatively. The duration of DO was 17 days. The consolidation period was 3 months. Satisfactory results were obtained in our case, indicating that DO can be used successfully for functional, aesthetic reconstruction of the mandible. We report a case involving DO in conjunction with orthognathic surgery for correcting mandibular hypoplasia with a review of the literature.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.659-662
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• 2012

Progressive facial hemiatrophy, also known as Parry-Romberg syndrome, is a progressive and self-limited deformation of the subcutaneous tissue volume on one side of the face that creates craniofacial asymmetry. We present the case of a patient with a five-year history of progressive right facial hemiatrophy, who underwent facial volumetric restoration using cell-assisted lipotransfer (CAL), which consists of an autologous fat graft enriched with adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) extracted from the same patient. ASCs have the capacity to differentiate into adipocytes. They also promote angiogenesis, release angiogenic growth factors, and some can survive as stem cells. The use of autologous fat as a filler in soft tissue atrophy has been satisfactory in patients with mild and moderate Parry-Romberg syndrome. Currently, CAL has showed promising results in the long term by decreasing the rate of fat reabsorption. The permanence and stability of the graft in all the injected areas has showed that autologous fat grafts enriched with stem cells could be a promising technique for the correction of defects caused by this syndrome.