• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.373-377
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• 2022

Currently, robot-assisted latissimus dorsi muscle flap (RLDF) surgery is used in treating patients with Poland syndrome and for breast reconstruction. However, conventional RLDF surgery has several inherent issues. We resolved the existing problems of the conventional system by introducing the da Vinci single-port system in patients with Poland syndrome. Overall, three patients underwent RLDF surgery using the da Vinci single-port system with gas insufflation. In the female patient, after performing RLDF with silicone implant, augmentation mammoplasty was also performed on the contralateral side. Both surgeries were performed as single-port robotic-assisted surgery through the transaxillary approach. The mean operating time was 449 (335-480) minutes; 8.67 (4-14) minutes were required for docking and 59 (52-67) minutes for robotic dissection and LD harvesting. No patients had perioperative complication and postoperative problems related to gas inflation. The single-port robot-assisted surgical system overcomes the drawbacks of previous robotic surgery in patients with Poland syndrome, significantly shortens the procedure time of robotic surgery, has superior cosmetic outcomes in a surgical scar, and improves the operator's convenience. Furthermore, concurrent application to another surgery demonstrates the possibility in the broad application of the robotic single-port surgical system.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.269-273
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• 2022

Naso-orbito-ethmoidal (NOE) fractures are complicated fractures of the mid-face. The treatment of NOE fractures is challenging and a comprehensive treatment strategy is required. We introduce a case of NOE fracture treated with open reduction and suspension sutures. A 28-year-old woman presented with a unilateral NOE fracture. To reduce the frontal process of the maxilla, a suspension suture was made by pulling the fragment using a double arm suture via a transcaruncular incision. The suture thread was placed in the horizontal plane. Another suspension suture on the inferior orbital rim assisted reduction procedure, and they passed through the overlying skin. The reduction alignment could be finely adjusted by tightening the transcutaneous suture threads while checking the degree of bone alignment through the subciliary incision. The two suture threads were suspended using a thermoplastic nasal splint. An additional skin incision on the medial canthal area, which would have resulted in a scar, could be avoided. Four months postoperatively, computed tomography showed an accurate and stable reduction. The patient was satisfied with her aesthetic appearance, and functional deficits were not present.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.70-81
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• 2023

Background The clinical results of conservative treatment options for ulnar compression at the elbow have not been clearly determined. The aim of this review was to evaluate available conservative treatment options and their effectiveness for ulnar nerve compression at the elbow. Methods In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations, a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies was performed. Literature search was performed using Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Results Of the 1,079 retrieved studies, 20 were eligible for analysis and included 687 cases of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Improvement of symptoms was reported in 54% of the cases receiving a steroid/lidocaine injection (95% confidence interval [CI], 41-67) and in 89% of the cases using a splint device (95% CI, 69-99). Conclusions Conservative management seems to be effective. Both lidocaine/steroid injections and splint devices gave a statistically significant improvement of symptoms and are suitable options for patients who refuse an operative procedure or need a bridge to their surgery. Splinting is preferred over injections, as it shows a higher rate of improvement.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.51-62
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• 1994

The sagittal split osteotomy of the mandibular ramus is a common procedure which has been used in the correction of mandibular deformities for a few decades. Although the technical improvements have increased the reliability and stability of SSRO procedure, the postoperative relapse is imperative and clinically more significant than any other complication. One of the major causes of the relapse is due to the displacement of the proximal segment during SSRO procedure, which is well documented in the literature. Therefore it is important to preserve the original position of the proximal segment during SSRO proced and maxillofacial fixation period. In the case of mandibular asymmetry, if one side of mandible is advanced and the other side of mandible is setback during SSRO procedure, the proximal segment in the advancement site will rotate laterally and the proximal segment in the setback site will rotate medially. For the prevention of the lateral rotation or flaring of the proximal segment in the advancment site. we deliberately fracture the posterior protion of the distal segment in green-stick fashion during SSRO procedure, and there is no need to fix the fractured lingual segment. We fix the two osteotomized bony segments in the buccal cortex area rigidly with adjustable monocortical plates and screws. During SSRO procedure the lingual fracture technique was applied to nine patients with severe mandibular asymmetry who underwent orthognathic surgery in our hospital since march, 1992. These clinical experiencies enable us to find the lingual fracture technique has the following advantages. 1. The proximal segment is displaced minimally. 2. The osteotomized bony segments are contacted intimately. 3. The postoperative relapse and the healing period are decreased.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.418-423
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• 2016

Background Skin grafting is a relatively simple and thus widely used procedure. However, the elastic and structural quality of grafted skin is poor. Recently, various dermal substitutes have been developed to overcome this disadvantage of split-thickness skin grafts. The present study aims to determine the feasibility of RapiGraft as a new dermal substitute. Methods This prospective study included 20 patients with partial- or full-thickness skin defects; the patients were enrolled between January 2013 and March 2014. After skin defect debridement, the wound was divided into two parts by an imaginary line. Split-thickness skin grafting alone was performed on one side (group A), and RapiGraft and split-thickness skin grafting were used on the other side (group B). All patients were evaluated using photographs and self-questionnaires. The Manchester scar scale (MSS), a chromameter, and a durometer were used for the scar evaluation. The average follow-up period was 6 months. Results The skin graft take rates were 93% in group A and 89% in group B, a non-significant difference (P=0.082). Statistically, group B had significantly lower MSS, vascularity, and pigmentation results than group A (P<0.05 for all). However, the groups did not differ significantly in pliability (P=0.155). Conclusions The present study indicates that a simultaneous application of RapiGraft and a split-thickness skin graft is safe and yields improved results. Therefore, we conclude that the use of RapiGraft along with skin grafting will be beneficial for patients requiring reconstructive surgery.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.158-165
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• 2022

Background Implant-based breast reconstruction has evolved tremendously in the last decades, mainly due to the development of new products and techniques that make the procedure safer and more reliable. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes in immediate one-stage breast reconstruction between acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and inferior dermal flap (IDF). Methods We conducted a retrospective comparative study of patients submitted to immediate breast reconstructions with an anatomical implant and ADM or IDF in a single center between 2016 and 2018. Outcomes evaluated included major complications, early complications, reinterventions, readmissions, and reconstruction failure. Simple descriptive statistics and univariate analysis were performed. Results A total of 118 breast reconstructions (85 patients) were included in the analysis. Patients in the IDF group had a higher body mass index (median = 27.0) than patients in the ADM group (median = 24). There were no statistically significant differences among both groups regarding immediate major complication, early complications, readmissions, and reinterventions. Conclusion There are no significant differences in complications between the ADM and IDF approach to immediate implant breast reconstruction. In patients with higher body mass index and large, ptotic breasts, we recommend an immediate implant reconstruction with IDF.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.126-130
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• 2015

Lipofilling is a reconstructive and aesthetic technique that has recently grown in popularity and is increasingly being used in breast surgery. Previous concerns had been raised regarding its safety when used for remodelling and reconstruction of the breast; however, these concerns have since been dismissed. Over the subsequent two decades, little evidence has been found to support these early theoretical concerns, and growing numbers of proponents of the procedure are confident in its safety. Many developments and refinements in the technique have taken place in recent years, and several studies have been published regarding the safety of lipofilling in the breast. We reviewed the current literature regarding the use of different lipofilling techniques as well as the current evidence regarding the oncological safety of the procedure in patients seeking aesthetic breast enhancement and in patients requiring reconstruction after treatment for breast cancer.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.344-350
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• 2010

A progressive hemifacial atrophy is characterized by progressive atrophy of subcutaneous fat and rarely muscle and bone. Its contour follows the underlying muscle. Unilateral involvement is common. The treatment goal has been focused on the augmentation of the soft tissue. Many materials such as implants, collagen, fat graft, fat injection, dermal fat graft, filler and vascualized autogenous graft have been used. Although these materials have been used, the best treatment hasn't been achived. In severe cases underlying soft tissue, muscle and bone may be atrophied and massive soft tissue graft, implant and orthognathic surgery must be used. The author used the dermal-fat tissue for the pupose of soft tissue augmentation. We can get the massive soft tissue by the dermolipectomy procedure through the mini-abdominoplsty. The facial augmentation was done by augmentation of the dermal-fat tissue. The progressive hemifacial atrophy is hard to treat by only one procedure and many modalites must be considered.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.155-158
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• 2024

One important complication of the tracheostomy procedure is the depressed scar left after the tube is removed. A depressed tracheostomy scar can be aesthetically and functionally unacceptable. Tracheostomy scar treatment aims to fill lost soft tissue volume and correct tracheal skin tug. There are various techniques described to manage post-tracheostomy scars, including the use of autologous tissue or allogenic material and the creation of muscle flaps. In this article, the authors introduce a surgical method using four layers: the scar, the strap muscles, the platysma muscle, and the skin. This procedure has been used in two patients with depressed scar after prolonged tracheostomy placement. The tracheal tug was eliminated in each patient, and an imperceptible cutaneous scar remained. In each case, patient satisfaction was complete. The authors recommend this technique as a simple and effective method of closure for these troublesome tracheostomy scars.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.277-283
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• 2013

Purpose: Well vascularized pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) had been a commonly used versatile flap in reconstructive oromaxillofacial surgery since the 1970s. However, after the advent of microvascular surgery in the 1980s, the PMMF was used less frequently. But, to date, PMMF has been useful and has some advantages such as covering wide defects, covering vital structures, back-up procedure in cases of free flap failure, and reconstruction for radiotherapy patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role, indication, complications, functional, and aesthetic results of this flap in the era of free flap with a literature and chart review. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of 16 oral cancer patients undergoing reconstructive surgery with PMMF for reconstruction of defects from 2001 to 2012 at Kyungpook National University Hospital. The male to female ratio was 10:6, with a mean age of 63 years (16~79 years). Basic demographic data, previous treatment history, indications, dimension of the flap, site of reconstruction, postoperative complications, and patients' final status were systemically analyzed from chart review. Results: The pathology of the disease included squamous cell carcinoma in the majority of cases (n=14). The remaining cases were fibrosarcoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Of the 16 PMMF reconstructions, 13 flaps were applied as primary reconstructive procedures, whereas three flaps were; salvage; procedures (vascularized free flap failure). Twelve patients had complications such as wound dehiscence, infection, hematoma, fistula, flap bulkiness, and partial flap necrosis. The higher complication rates showed an association with utilization of the flap in preoperative radiotherapy cases. However, all patients were discharged without failure. Conclusion: In reconstructive oromaxillofacial surgery, the PMMF is still a useful flap for huge defects. In addition, the PMMF can be used as a salvage procedure after vascularized free flap failure and reconstruction for patients with a history of preoperative radiotherapy.