• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.590-594
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• 2016

Recently, the number of cases of animal bite wounds has increased significantly in concordance with an increase in the pet population around the world. The authors report two rare cases of osteomyelitis of the phalanx following cat and dog bites. On initial physical examination, signs of a severe infection were observed. Radiographs of both patients showed the presence of osteomyelitis, and in one of the patients, the diagnosis was confirmed with a bone biopsy. After use of empirical antibiotics, intravenous antibiotic therapy that matched the identified bacterium's sensitivity was initiated, and at the same time, secure dressing including debridement was performed to induce secondary healing. In addition, the patients were closely monitored with serial X-rays, and culture and blood test follow-up. One patient fully recovered without sequelae, but the other patient suffered a loss of distal interphalangeal joint motion. When dealing with bite wounds located on the hand, it is important to visit the hospital as soon as possible and receive the appropriate treatment early. Moreover, to prevent severe complications such as osteomyelitis, it is important to administer antibiotic therapy to which the cultured bacteria are sensitive, along with proper wound management and prophylactic antibiotic treatment.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Purpose: This retrospective study was to determine the functional results of patients who were amputated of their fingertip between patients who were treated with replantation and patients who were treated with thenar flap. Materials and Methods: From 2004 to 2007, we identified and operated 159 patients who were diagnosed with fingertip amputations. Of 159 patients, Eighty-two patients were treated by replantation (67 in men and 14 in women) and the mean age at the operation was 41 years (range, 15-68 years). Seventy-nine patients was treated with thenar flap(54 in men and 25 in women) and the mean age at the operation was 43 years(range, 21-70 years). We compared variables between two groups including, age, gender, diagnosis, duration of hospital admission, grip strength, two-point discrimination, Semmes Weinstein monofilament test, active range of motion (ROM) of the proximal and distal interphalangeal (PIP and DIP) joint, pain (or tenderness), paresthesia, cold intolerance, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, and finger for activities of daily living (ADLs). Results: The duration of admission was longer in Replantation group than in Thenar flap group(p=0.001). However, the grip strength (p=0.003) and Semmes Weinstein monofilament test (p=0.029) in the Replanation group were statistically superior to the Thenar flap group. The average DASH disability (p=0.003)/symptom score (p=0.007) and ADLs (p<0.001) in the Replantation group was statistically better. In addition, cold intoleranace test of Thenar flap group is worse than the Replantation group. Conclusion: This study demonstrate that fingertip replantation have demonstrated not only to obtain the best appearance but also to gain better functional outcome. However, it is impossible to perform replatation, the thenar flap can be limited alternative method for fingertip amputation in aspect of preservation of range of motion and hospitalization time.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical results of medial horizontal suture fixation of Akin osteotomy in hallux valgus and present its advantages. Materials and Methods: This study was based on 48 cases of 35 patients with Akin osteotomy, who underwent surgery of hallux valgus between December 2014 and July 2015, and with at least 12 months of follow-up. The mean age of patients was 46.9 years (range, 16~71 years). The mean follow-up duration was 15.9 months (range, 12~18 months). Clinical evaluations included pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS hallux metatarsophalangeal interphalangeal scale) score, and satisfaction score. Weightbearing anteroposterior radiographs were taken to measure the distal articular set angle (DASA) of the hallux. Radiographic bone union at 6 months follow-up was regarded as a success, while a loss of reduction and nonunion was regarded as a failure. Results: The mean pre- and postoperative pain VAS scores were 4.27 and 1.67, respectively (p<0.05). The mean AOFAS score improved from 59.7 to 80.5 (p<0.05). The DASA was improved from 8.15 to -2.57 (p<0.05). There was no case of skin irritation, cortical breakage, inflammation from the knot, and infection. All patients showed union without fixation failure. Conclusion: The clinical and radiological evaluations in this study demonstrate reliable results without complication. The medial horizontal suture fixation of the Akin osteotomy was effective, and the advantage of this procedure was unnecessity of the material removal, preservation of the joint, and no skin irritation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.753-760
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• 2015

Background A number of conditions can alter a person's fingernail configuration. The ratio between fingernail width and length (W/L) is an important aesthetic criterion, and some underlying diseases can alter the size of the fingernail. Fingernail curvature can be altered by systemic disorders or disorders of the fingernail itself. Although the shape and curvature of the fingernail can provide diagnostic clues for various diseases, few studies have precisely characterized normal fingernail configuration. Methods We measured the W/L ratio of the fingernail, transverse fingernail curvature, hand length, hand breadth, and distal interphalangeal joint width in 300 volunteers with healthy fingernails. We also investigated whether age, sex, height, and handedness influenced the fingernail W/L ratio and transverse fingernail curvature. Results In women, fingernail W/L ratios were similar across all five fingers, and were lower than those in men. The highest value of transverse fingernail curvature was found in the thumb, followed by the index, middle, ring, and little fingers. Handedness and aging influenced transverse fingernail curvature, but not the fingernail W/L ratio. Fingernails were flatter on the dominant hand than on the non-dominant hand. The radius of transverse fingernail curvature increased with age, indicating that fingernails tended to flatten with age. Conclusions Our quantitative data on fingernail configuration can be used as a reference range for diagnosing various diseases and deformities of the fingernail, and for performing reconstructive or aesthetic fingernail surgery.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.543-547
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• 2009

Purpose: Adhesion is the most common and troublesome complication after repair of flexor tendon injury. Recently, use of sodium hyaluronate derivatives for adhesion prevention is increasing. A commercial product, Guardix$^{(R)}$, sodium hyaluronate(NaHe) combined with carboxymethylcellulose(CMC) has been newly developed as a preventive material for adhesion. We have investigated its effect in rabbits. Methods: Twenty seven male New Zealand white rabbits were operated under ketamine anesthesia. After tendon repair in zone II of the hind paw, Guardix$^{(R)}$(experimental group) or normal saline(control group) was administered. Biomechanical tests were performed to estimate adhesion formation at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the operation. Maximum tensile load to flex the distal interphalangeal joint 50 degree from its resting state(MTL50) was measured, depicting the amount of adhesion formed. Subsequently, breaking strength was assessed. Results: There were no postoperative complications such as infection, wound dehiscence, or hematoma. MTL50 was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group at 4, 8, 12 weeks (p<0.05). Mean value of MTL50 was 6.64N in the experimental group and 28.53N in the control group at 12 weeks after surgery. There were no significant differences in breaking strength. Conclusion: Our results indicate that Guardix$^{(R)}$ is helpful in reducing adhesion formation and does not interfere with normal healing processes of the tendon.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.223-229
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of the treatment of hallux valgus with metatarsal double osteotomy and longitudinal pin fixation. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 19 patients (21 feet) who had been treated by metatarsal double osteotomy and longitudinal pin fixation for the moderate or severe hallux valgus with increased distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA), between 1999 and 2004. They were followed prospectively for a minimum of 20 months. Functional outcomes were measured via Hallux metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal (HMI) scale and Mayo clinic forefoot scoring system (FFSS). Radiographically, we assessed pre, postoperative and at the last follow-up, the hallux valgus angle (HVA), 1st and 2nd intermetararsal angle (IMA), DMAA. Results: The average preoperative HVA, IMA, DMAA measured $36.76^{\circ}$, $13.62^{\circ}$, $26.00^{\circ}$, respectively. At the last follow-up, HVA, IMA, DMAA measured $9.57^{\circ}$, $7.14^{\circ}$, $9.33^{\circ}$. The correction of HVA, IMA, DMAA were $27.19^{\circ}$, $6.48^{\circ}$, $6.67^{\circ}$. At the last follow-up, there were no recurrences and complications, except two patients complained of unsatisfactory stiffness in the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint and subjectively rated their results as fair. The others rated that as excellent or good. At the last follow-up, statistically, the mean HMI scale and FFSS improved significantly from pre-operative score. Conclusions: In the treatment of moderate or severe hallux valgus with increased DMAA by metatarsal double osteotomy and longitudinal pin fixation, we had good functional and radiological results without recurrences and significant complications. But the stiffness in the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint warrants further study.

• Archives of Hand and Microsurgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.239-247
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• 2018

Purpose: We investigated occurrence of reduction loss after extension block (EB) Kirschner wire fixation or additional interfragmentary fixation (AIF) and clinical results including extension lag of the distal interphalangeal joint for treating bony mallet finger. Methods: Forty-six patients were included with a mean follow-up of 28 months (range, 12-54 months). Twenty-seven patients were treated with EB K-wire fixation (Group A) while 19 patients were treated with AIF (Group B). We checked radiologic factors, such as amount of articular involvement, volar subluxation, mallet fragment angle, reduction loss, range of motion including extension lag, and functional outcomes using Crawford's criteria. Results: Reduction loss occurred in eight patients (17%). Differences in mean extension lag, age, preoperative volar subluxation and mallet fragment angle between patients with reduction loss and those with reduction maintaining were significant. However, there were no significant differences in gender, hand dominance, amount of articular involvement, AIF, or further flexion between reduction loss and reduction maintaining. As for patterns of displacement, there was a significant relationship between gap or step-off and extension lag. Using Crawford's evaluation criteria, functional outcomes were excellent in 31, good in 10, fair in 3, and poor in 2 patients. Conclusion: Reduction loss should be careful in older age, smaller mallet fragment angle and preoperative volar subluxation.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.52-60
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• 2003

Purpose: To analyse their end results and also to differentiate the single or multiple giant cell tumor(GCT) of tendon sheath in hand. Materials & Methods: Total 21 cases with GCT of tendon sheath in hand were treated surgically and analyzed their end results with clinically, radiologically and pathologically to allowed for average 16 months after surgical excision. Results: The finger flexor tendons, especially on index and ring finger, involving distal interphalangeal joint and mid-phalanges in fourth decades (average age of 47 years old) were frequently involved, and the mass was not exceed than 2 cm in size, fixed on tendon sheath with rubbery hard tenderness but rare bony involvements except 4 cases of bony erosion and cortical perforation. The three cases with multiple GCT of hand was also combined with familial hypercholesterolemia, and are commonly involved the extensor tendons as well as achilles tendons bilaterally, treated with partial excision because of multiplicity. Average 16 months after surgical excision for single GCT cases was followed and showed the recurrence in 3 cases(3/18,16.7%), treated with wide excision. The single and multifocal GCT are similar in pathologic changes but different soft tissue tumors in their pathogenesis, treatment and prognosis. Conclusion: Incomplete excision of GCT of tendon sheath in hand are thought to be the cause of recurrence, especially in cases with incomplete lesional excision, in multilobular and bony involvement etc. So careful wide excision is necessary to prevent the recurrence.