• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.70-74
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• 2014

Background: Many options are available to cover a palatal defect, including local or free flaps. The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of palatal mucoperiosteal island flap in covering a palatal defect after tumor excision. Methods: Between October 2006 and July 2013, we identified 19 patients who underwent palatal reconstruction using a palatal mucoperiosteal island flap after tumor excision. All cases were retrospectively analyzed by defect location, size, tumor pathology, type of reconstruction, and functional outcomes. Speech and swallowing functions were evaluated using a 7-point visual analog scale (VAS) score. Results: Among the 19 patients, there were 7 men and 12 women with an age range of 25 to 74 years (mean, $52.5{\pm}14.3$ years). The size of flaps was $2-16cm^2$ (mean, $9.4{\pm}4.2cm^2$). Either unilateral or bilateral palatal island flaps were used depending on the size of defect. During the follow-up period (mean, $32.7{\pm}21.4$ months), four patients developed a temporary oronasal fistula, which healed without subsequent operative. The donor sites were well re-epithelized. Speech and swallowing function scores were $6.63{\pm}0.5$ and $6.58{\pm}0.69$ on the 7-point VAS, indicating the ability to eat solid foods and communicate verbally without significant disability. Conclusion: The palatal mucoperiosteal island flap is a good reconstruction modality for palatal defects if used under appropriate indications. The complication rates and donor site morbidity are low, with good functional outcomes.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 2020

Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be useful for the evaluation of palatal lesions, and strain elastography (performed together with intraoral ultrasonography) is a relatively new sonographic imaging modality. This report describes 2 clinical cases in which strain elastography was used to assess palatal tumors in conjunction with intraoral ultrasonography, CT, and MRI. In the first case, diagnosed as a myoepithelioma, the strain was determined to be 0.000% (strain of normal tissue, 0.556%). In the second case, diagnosed as an adenoid cystic carcinoma, the determined strain was 0.000% (strain of normal tissue, 1.077%). Therefore, we conclude that intraoral strain elastography can be useful for evaluating palatal lesions.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.655-658
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• 2012

Squamous cell carcinoma infrequently occurs at the soft palate. Although various methods can be used for reconstruction of soft palate defects that occur after resecting squamous cell carcinoma, it is difficult to obtain satisfactory results from the perspective of the functional restoration of the soft palate. A combination of bilateral palatal mucomuscular flap for the oral side and superiorly based posterior pharyngeal flap for the nasal side were performed on two patients who were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate in order to reconstruct the soft palate defects after surgical resection. After surgery, the patients were followed-up for a mean period of 11 months. The flaps were well maintained in both patients. The donor site defects were epithelialized and completely recovered. Additionally, no recurrence of the primary sites was shown. Slight hyponasality was observed in the voice assessments that were conducted 6 months after surgery. No food regurgitation or aspiration was observed in the swallowing tests. We used a combination of bilateral palatal mucomuscular flap and superiorly based posterior pharyngeal flap to reconstruct the soft palate defects that occurred after resecting the squamous cell carcinomas. We reduced the donor site complications and achieved functionally satisfactory outcomes.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2004

Background and Objectives: Salivary gland tumors are relatively rare and constitute 3% to 4% of all head and neck neoplasms. Their relative infrequency, inconsistent classification, and highly variable biologic behavior make some difficulty, but some general features can be drawn regarding the incidence, pathology, and pattern of behavior of the various benign and malignant tumors of salivary glands. The present study aims to provide a clinical characteristics of salivary gland tumors. Materials and Methods: We analyzed retrospectively clinical features of the 138 patients who were treated surgically at Chonbuk National University Hospital from 1992 through 2002. Results: We found 107 benign and 31 malignant tumors. Among the patients, 58 were males and 80 were females. The most common age group was the fifties. The most common site of both benign and malignant was parotid gland in major salivary glands and palatal region in minor salivary glands. The most common presenting symptom was palpable mass in both benign and malignant tumor. Histopathologically, the most common type was pleomorphic adenoma in benign tumor and mucoepidermoid carcinoma in malignant tumor. All cases were treated surgically and the most common postoperative complications was transient facial nerve weakness. Conclusion: 138 cases of salivary gland tumors were presented with respect to their clinical features.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2012

Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA) is a neoplasm that is regarded as the second most common malignant salivary gland tumor after mucoepidermoid carcinoma. After the diagnosis of PLGA it is important to make a treatment decision and consider the prognosis. A histopathologic examination is necessary for diagnosis. Treatment is primarily surgical excision and long-term follow up is essential to evaluate local recurrences. This report describes 2 cases of PLGA located in the soft palate without any evidence of metastasis. The first case was PLGA with bony infiltration and an irregular margin lesion. The second case was PLGA localized in palatal soft tissue. We present diagnoses, histopathologic features, treatments and prognosis of PLGA.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.229-234
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• 2016

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to investigate the demographic patterns of maxillofacial prosthetic treatment to identify the characteristics and geographic distribution of patients with maxillofacial prosthetics in the capital region of Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This retrospective analytical multicenter study was performed by chart reviews. This study included patients who visited the department of prosthodontics at four university dental hospitals for maxillofacial prosthetic rehabilitation. Patients with facial and congenital defects or with insufficient medical data were excluded. The patients were classified into three categories based on the location of the defect. Patients' sex, age, and residential area were analyzed. Pearson's chi-square test with a significance level of 0.05 was used to analyze the variables. RESULTS. Among 540 patients with maxillofacial prosthetics, there were 284 (52.59%) male patients and 256 (47.41%) female patients. The number of the patients varied greatly by hospital. Most patients were older than 70, and the most common defect was a hard palate defect. Chi-square analysis did not identify any significant differences in sex, age, and distance to hospital for any defect group (P>.05). CONCLUSION. The results of this study indicated that there was imbalance in the distribution of patients with maxillofacial prosthetic among the hospitals in the capital region of Korea. Considerations on specialists and insurance policies for the improvement of maxillofacial prosthetics in Korea are required.