• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.531-534
• /
• 2007

Purpose: Plastic surgeons are responsible for the management of spinal cord injury patients with upper and lower extremity reconstruction, pressure sore, and wounds. Derailment of autonomic nervous systems caused by injury to the spinal cord may result in fatal autonomic dysreflexia. Autonomic dysreflexia is a syndrome of massive imbalance of reflex sympathetic discharge occurring in patients with spinal cord lesion above the splanchnic outflow(T6). It is characterized by a sudden onset and severe increase in blood pressure and is potentially life threatening. The other classic symptoms are headache, chest pain, sweating, and bradycardia. In order to lower the blood pressure, it is important to remove the noxious stimulus for autonomic dysreflexia. If such symptoms last for more than 15 minutes despite conservative interventions, antihypertension drugs are recommended. Methods: In this case study, we report an autonomic dysreflexia case that developed in a 45 year-old tetraplegia patient with sacral pressure sore. When he got bladder irrigation, his blood pressure went up very high and his mentality became stuporous. He was sent to ICU for his blood pressure and mental care. ICU care made his vital sign stabilized and his mentality alert. Results: After the patient underwent proper treatment like inotropic agent, he was transferred to the general ward and his pressure sore on sacral area was coveraged with gluteus maximus myocutaneous advancement flap. Conclusion: If treatment is not effective, the patients have to undergo sudden, severe hypertension, which can cause stroke or death. To provide safe and effective care, plastic surgeons should be able to recognize and treat autonomic dysreflexia.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.62-68
• /
• 1997

The papillary carcinoma is the most common malignant neoplasm of thyroid gland and the prognosis is better than anyother type of thyroid carcinoma. However, the thyroid is closed to the important organs such as esophagus, trachea and larynx, there are some possibilities to invade these organs. In case of advanced disease, not only surrounding structures but also mediastinum and cervical lymphatic chain can be involved or distant metastasis develops frequently. Therefore in these cases the prognosis is worse and the rate of inoperable case is more than those of non-metastatic group. Generally, the treatment modality for papillary thyroid carcinoma consists of surgery, postoperative thyroid hormone and radioiodine therapy. If the tumor invades surrounding structures, cervical lymph node or mediastinum, total thyroidectomy and wide excision of tumor invaded area including mediastinal dissection and neck dissection is necessary. Recently, the authors have experienced a case of locally invasive and recurred papillary thyroid carcinoma without treatment for 7 years. The patient was performed previously thyroid lobectomy and isthmusectomy 13 years ago. We had determinded surgical therapy for this patient and performed mass excision with overlying skin, completion total thyroidectomy, right type I modified radical neck dissection, left lateral neck dissection, thoracotomy with supramediastinal dissection, shaving of diffusely involved trachea and skin defect reconstruction with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. After operation 2 cycles of radioiodine therapy were taken. Now the patient is following up at the outpatient base and no evidence of disease state for postoperative 16 months. So we report on this case with a brief review of literature.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.122-128
• /
• 2019

Background The masseter nerve is a useful donor nerve for reconstruction in patients with established facial palsy, with numerous advantages including low morbidity, a strong motor impulse, high reliability, and fast reinnervation. In this study, we assessed the results of masseter nerve-innervated free gracilis muscle transfer in established facial palsy patients. Methods Ten patients with facial palsy who received treatment from January 2015 to January 2017 were enrolled in this study. Three patients received masseter nerve-only free gracilis transfer, and seven received double-innervated free gracilis transfer (masseter nerve and a cross-face nerve graft). Patients were evaluated using the Facial Assessment by Computer Evaluation software (FACEgram) to quantify oral commissure excursion and symmetry at rest and when smiling after muscle transfer. Results The mean time between surgery and initial movement was roughly 167.7 days. A statistically significant increase in excursion at rest and when smiling was seen after muscle transfer. There was a significant increase in the distance of oral commissure excursion at rest and when smiling. A statistically significant increase was observed in symmetry when smiling. Terzis' functional and aesthetic grading scores showed significant improvements postoperatively. Conclusions Masseter nerve innervation is a good option with many uses in in established facial palsy patients. For some conditions, it is the first-line treatment. Free gracilis muscle transfer using the masseter nerve has excellent results with good symmetry and an effective degree of recovery.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.357-362
• /
• 2020

Background: Full-thickness skin grafts (FTSGs) have been widely used after facial skin cancer resection, for correcting defects that are too wide to be reconstructed using a local flap or if structural deformation is expected. The preauricular, posterior auricular, supraclavicular, conchal bowl, nasolabial fold, and upper eyelid skin areas are known as the main donor sites for facial FTSG. Herein, we aimed to describe the effectiveness of using infraclavicular skin as the donor site for specific cases. Methods: We performed FTSG using the infraclavicular skin as the donor site in older Asian adults following skin cancer resection. Outcomes were observed for > 6 months postoperatively. The Manchester Scar Scale was used for an objective evaluation of satisfaction following surgery and scarring. Results: We analyzed the data of 17 patients. During follow-up, the donor and recipient sites of all patients healed without complications. Upon evaluation, the average Manchester Scar Scale scores for the recipient and donor sites were 7.4 points and 5.7 points, respectively. Conclusion: In general, conventional donor sites, such as the preauricular, posterior auricular, and supraclavicular sites, are widely used for facial FTSG because they achieve good cosmetic results. However, the infraclavicular skin may be a useful donor for facial FTSG in cases where the duration of time spent under anesthesia must be minimized due to a patient's advanced age or underlying health conditions, or when the recipient site is relatively thick area, such as the nose, forehead, or cheek.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.376-384
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The Armed Forces Trauma Center of Korea was established in April 2022. This study was conducted to report our 1-year experience of treating soldiers with open fractures of the lower extremity. Methods: In this case series, we reviewed the medical records of 51 Korean soldiers with open fractures of the lower extremity between April 2022 and March 2023 at a trauma center. We analyzed patients with Gustilo-Anderson type II and III fractures and reported the duration of transportation, injury mechanisms, injured sites, and associated injuries. We also presented laboratory findings, surgery types, intensive care unit stays, hospital stays, rehabilitation results, and reasons for psychiatric consultation. Additionally, we described patients' mode of transport. Results: This study enrolled nine male patients who were between 21 and 26 years old. Six patients had type II and three had type III fractures. Transport from the accident scene to the emergency room ranged from 75 to 455 minutes, and from the emergency room to the operating room ranged from 35 to 200 minutes. Injury mechanisms included gunshot wounds, landmine explosions, grenade explosions, and entrapment by ship mooring ropes. One case had serious associated injuries (inhalation burn, open facial bone fractures, and hemopneumothorax). No cases with serious blood loss or coagulopathies were found, but most cases had a significant elevation of creatinine kinase. Two patients underwent vascular reconstruction, whereas four patients received flap surgery. After rehabilitation, six patients could walk, one patient could move their joints actively, and two patients performed active assistive movement. Eight patients were referred to the psychiatry department due to suicidal attempts and posttraumatic stress disorder. Conclusions: This study provides insights into how to improve treatment for patients with military trauma, as well as medical services such as the transport system, by revising treatment protocols and systematizing treatment.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.284-293
• /
• 2013

Purpose: For reconstruction of craniomaxillofacial defects caused by tumor, trauma, infection etc, free flap transplantation with microvascular surgery is a very useful method. Thrombus formation at the anastomosis site is the major cause of graft failure. 4-Hexylresorcinol (4-HR) is generally known as an antiseptic and antiparasitic agent. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of 4-HR on blood coagulation in vitro. In addition, we investigated thrombus formation and endothelial repair of an injured vessel in an animal model. Methods: In the in vitro experiment, we compared blood coagulation time between the 4-HR treated group and normal blood. Thirty rats were used for in vivo animal experiments. After exposure of the right femoral vein, a micro vessel clamp was placed and the femoral vein was intentionally cut. Microvascular anastomosis was performed on all rats using 10-0 nylon under microscopy. The animals were divided into two groups. In the experimental group (n=15), 4-HR (250 mg/kg) mixed with olive oil (10 mL/kg) was administered per os daily. Animals in the control group (n=15) were given olive oil only. The animals were sacrificed at three days, seven days, and fourteen days after surgery and rat femoral vein samples were taken. Vascular patency and thrombus formation were investigated just before sacrifice. Histologic analysis was performed under a microscope. Results: Results of an in vitro blood coagulation test showed that coagulation time was delayed in the 4-HR treated group. The results obtained from an in vivo 4-HR administered rat model showed that the patency of all experimental groups was better at thirty minutes, seven days, and fourteen days after microvascular anastomosis than that of the control group at seven and fourteen days after anastomosis, and the amount of thrombus in the experimental groups was much less than that of the control group. Endothelial repair was observed in the histologic analysis. Conclusion: Findings of this study demonstrated that blood coagulation was delayed in the vitro 4-HR treated group. In addition, good vascular patency, anti-thrombotic effect, and repair of venous endothelial cells were observed in the vivo 4-HR administered rat group.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.41-44
• /
• 2013

A 4-year-old castrated male Shih-Tzu was presented to the Chonbuk National University Animal Medical Center with a history of melting ulcer in the right eye (OD). Upon ophthalmologic examination, severe keratomalacia of approximately 70% of the entire surface area with a full thickness corneal defect was found in OD. In addition, iris and fibrin clots were observed on the center of the corneal defect. The menace response and dazzle reflex were normal in OS. As the size and damage of corneal perforation was so severe, amniotic membrane (AM) transplantation was considered to repair the cornea instead of direct suture technique, flap methods or corneal transplantation. Equine AM was sutured to the limbus to cover the entire cornea in a single interrupted pattern using 9-0 nylon suture material. On day 79, mild scarring and pigmentation, with almost no vasculature, remained. The menace response and dazzle reflex were normal of OD. Although pigmentation and scarring remained on the cornea, equine AM transplantation can be useful for reconstruction of severe corneal perforation with keratomalacia.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.129-136
• /
• 1991

The fibrin sealant was first designed as an alternative to surgical suture for the purpose of surface-to-surface union especially in parenchymal organs like the liver, spleen and kidney. The clinical application of currently used fibrin sealant was first introduced in 1972. The fibrin sealant consists of principal two components; lyophilized human fibrinogen and bovine thrombin. The fibrinogen component also contains coagulation factor XIII. A solution of aprotinin, an inhibitor of fibrinolysis is used to dissolve the fibrinogen and to provide the first component, and a solution of calcium chloride is also used to provide the second component. From July to December in 1990, during 6 months, we used fibrin sealant in the 28 patients of 33 various cases, in the following ways; supportive application of fibrin sealant after free autogenouse nerve graft for the repair of inferior alveolar nerve, facial nerve or accessory nerve, treament of hemangioma or lymphangioma to thrombosize and lead to the tumor shrinking, skin grafting to stimulate the adhesion and tissue repair, bone grafting in the patients of cleft alveolus, mandibular reconstruction or orthognathic surgery to facilitate the knitting of bone chips, tissue adhesion after tumor resection, radical neck dissection or flap reconstructions, and supportive adhesion of external auditory cannal after TMJ surgery via postauricular approach. No adverse effects were observed, none of the patients developed hepatitis or other blood transmitted disease, and the wound healing were acceptable.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.698-702
• /
• 2008

Purpose: Basal cell carcinoma is one of the most common cancers in the western population and the annual incidence rate is still on an increasing course. In Asian countries such as Korea, the incidence of basal cell carcinoma is reported to be remarkably low but is estimated to be in a steep increase nowadays. This study was to analyze the recent clinical trends of basal cell carcinoma in Korea by reviewing a single institution's experience. Methods: Throughout an 11-year period, the surgical excision of 143 cases of basal cell carcinoma was performed in our department. General data of these cases such as the primary site of cancer, age and sex of the patient, operative methods, recurrence rate were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Among the 143 patients included in this study, 82 patients were men and 61 patients were women. The ages ranged from 27 to 89 years with a mean age of 64.0 years. The head and neck region was the most frequently involved primary site for the cancer as 95.1% of the total cases occurred in this area. Especially the nose and perinasal area were the most frequent region, which was followed by the periorbital area, cheek, and perioral area. During this study period, 9 cases showed recurrence of the cancer as the overall recurrence rate was 6.3%. Conclusion: Gradual increase in the incidence of basal cell carcinoma was demonstrated in this study. Basal cell carcinoma showed high incidence in the old-age population as 68.5% of the total patients were more than 60 years of age. High recurrence rate was noted in the nasal region especially after local flap reconstruction. A more cautious approach is to be required when handing such high risk lesions. Multiple factors such as extended life span, increased outdoor leisure activity and exposure to sunlight, higher accessibility to medical services and increased understanding of the public about skin cancer are assumed to be the main reasons for this increase of basal cell carcinoma.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.147-152
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the preoperative magnetic resonance image (MRI) findings with postoperative arthroscopic findings on meniscus injury with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. Materials and Methods: We reviewed MRI images and arthroscopic findings of 225 patients treated by ACL reconstruction due to rupture, from February 2001 to November 2010. There were 154 cases of meniscus tear in arthroscopic findings. We examined the sensitivity for detecting meniscal tears varied with the presence of a rupture of the ACL, with the location of the tear within the meniscus, and among configurations of meniscal tears. Results: In the presence of a rupture of the ACL, the sensitivity of MRI was 0.88 for medial meniscal tears and 0.69 for lateral meniscal tears. And sensitivity of MRI was lowest in posterior horn and peripheral portion tears in lateral meniscus injury accompanying ACL rupture, sensitivity was low in anterior horn and flap shape tears in medial meniscus injury accompanying ACL rupture. Conclusion: In Meniscus injury with ACL rupture, a special attention shoulder given to the posterior horn and peripheral portion injury in lateral meniscus during arthroscopic surgery due to difficulty in detecting on MRI.