• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.821-828
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• 2011

Purpose: The authors applied Bilhaut-Cloquet procedure to Wassel type III and IV duplicated thumb, which was limited to patients with Wassel type I, II. This procedure was applied in order to improve the growth potential, range of joint motion, joint stability and cosmetic outcome. Methods: Sixteen patients received Bilhaut-Cloquet procedures to correct duplicated thumbs from May, 2005 to December, 2010. Seven patients were Wassel type III, nine patients were type IV. This procedure was applied not only to balanced type, but also unbalanced type or convergent type. Five patients were balanced type and eleven patients were unbalanced type. Convergent type of Wassel type IV was three. Sex ratio was the same, mean age at the operation was 20.1 months old (8~52 months old). Angular deformity, joint stability and range of joint motion and cosmetic outcome were considered together and estimated in Tada score. Also, postoperative subjective satisfaction score of the parents was evaluated by a 100-points scale. Results: Mean subjective satisfaction scored 75 points at 28 months after the operation. Radiologic study showed bony union of proximal phalangeal bone and stable joint in all patients. Range of motion was mean 20 degrees in interphalangeal joint and mean 73 degrees in metacarpophalangeal joint. Tada score showed 'good' in eleven patients (68.8%), 'fair' in three patients (18.7%) and 'poor' in two patients (12.5%). In seven patients those who were able to follow up for a long term showed no significant difference in length of proximal and distal phalangeal bones compared to the opposite thumb. Conclusion: Bilhaut-Cloquet procedure can be applied not only to balanced type of Wassel type III, IV duplicated thumb, but also to unbalanced type or convergent type that focused on functional reconstruction and cosmetic improvement.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.465-471
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• 2011

Purpose: Blepharoptosis is often associated with telecanthus and the presence of epicanthal fold in telecanthus is one of unique features in Asian eyelids. The purpose of this article is to define telecanthus and pseudotelecanthus, and to determine optimal surgical procedure depending on classification of telecanthus. Methods: Among 187 patients with blepharoptosis who had the advancement procedure of the Muller's musclelevator aponeurosis composite flap for ptosis, 55 patients underwent Flowers' split V-W plasty concomitantly with shortening the medial canthal tendon for correction of telecanthus from September 2003 to January 2011. Among them, 52 patients were followed up for 16 months. We newly defined telecanthus because Mustarde ratio is inaccurate to measure in certain cases and then made a definition of pseudotelecanthus. Besides, we also classified telecanthus into mild, moderate and severe types based on its severity. Results: Telecanthus is defined when the ICD (inner canthal distance) is greater than 110% of normal ICD. Pseudotelecanthus is a telecanthus like a wide skin bridge formed between the eyes because of the epicanthal fold in the normal ICD. Flowers' split V-W plasty combined with shortening medial canthal tendon was very effective in mild and moderate telecanthus with almost invisible scar and no recurrence occurring. In severe types, however, it showed high incidence (28%) of incomplete correction of telecanthus. Conclusion: New definition of telecanthus can be easily applied to any case and we think the classification of telecanthus is useful to select an appropriate operative procedure. Split V-W plasty with shortening of medial canthal tendon is a very effective procedure in mild and moderate telecanthus. Besides, it is also effective in improving the treatment outcomes of ptosis in cases of blepharoptosis associated with telecanthus.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.298-303
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• 2018

Flap thinning is a procedure for making a thick flap thinner. This procedure does more than simply fill in the defected area, and it is better for reconstructing the area both functionally and aesthetically. However, because flap thinning is a rather blind procedure, it may have harmful effects on flap vascularity. Therefore, the vasculature of a flap must be understood before performing flap thinning. This paper analyzes the basic anatomy underlying flap thinning based on the previous anatomic study that categorized flaps into 6 types by their vascular structures. This paper also reviews specific studies of frequently practiced flap procedures (deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap, thoracodorsal artery perforator flap, and anterolateral thigh flap) and presents important precautions for flap thinning procedures. Finally, this paper briefly examines the axiality of the subdermal plexus, which needs to be taken into account when performing flap thinning.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제34권5호
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• pp.617-621
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• 2007

Purpose: With the necessity of comprehensive care for the breast cancer patients, Breast Care Center of our hospital started to work in March 2004. This study examined the 3-year execution of Breast Care Center. The role of Breast Care Center was evaluated in aspect of clinical activities in quality and quantity. Methods: A retrospective review was carried out from 2001 to 2007 with breast cancer patients. The number and type of breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction procedure were compared before and after Breast Care Center's foundation. Time required for the diagnosis and treatment was also compared. Regression analysis and T-test were used to identify the statistical significance. Results: The number of breast cancer surgery did not statistically increase compared with progressive increase of breast cancer. QUART(quadrantectomy, axillary dissection, radiotherapy) procedure statistically significantly increased and MRM(Modified Radical Mastectomy) procedure decreased for breast cancer surgery after foundation of Breast Care Center. The number of breast reconstruction procedures statistically significantly increased. The number of immediate TRAM free flap (Transverse Rectus Abdominal muscle free flap) procedures has grown 3.8 times after foundation of Breast Care Center. The time required for diagnosis and treatment was also shortened. Conclusion: After foundation of Breast Care Center, the number of breast reconstruction surgery increased, while the counselling time in breast reconstruction was reduced. Breast Care Center provided a prompt and comprehensive care to the breast cancer patients through the multidisciplinary therapeutic approaches.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제39권6호
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• pp.637-642
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• 2012

Background Fingertip injuries involving subtotal or total loss of the digital pulp are common types of hand injuries and require reconstruction that is able to provide stable padding and sensory recovery. There are various techniques used for reconstruction of fingertip injuries, but the most effective method is functionally and aesthetically controversial. Despite some disadvantages, cross-finger pulp flap is a relatively simple procedure without significant complications or requiring special techniques. Methods This study included 90 patients with fingertip defects who underwent cross-finger pulp flap between September 1998 and March 2010. In 69 cases, neurorrhaphy was performed between the pulp branch from the proper digital nerve and the recipient's sensory nerve for good sensibility of the injured fingertip. In order to evaluate the outcome of our surgical method, we observed two-point discrimination in the early (3 months) and late (12 to 40 months) postoperative periods. Results Most of the cases had cosmetically and functionally acceptable outcomes. The average defect size was $1.7{\times}1.5$ cm. Sensory return began 3 months after flap application. The two-point discrimination was measured at 4.6 mm (range, 3 to 6 mm) in our method and 7.2 mm (range, 4 to 9 mm) in non-innervated cross-finger pulp flaps. Conclusions The innervated cross-finger pulp flap is a safe and reliable procedure for lateral oblique, volar oblique, and transverse fingertip amputations. Our procedure is simple to perform under local anesthesia, and is able to provide both mechanical stability and sensory recovery. We recommend this method for reconstruction of fingertip injuries.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제46권2호
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• pp.143-149
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• 2020

Objectives: Long-term facial paralysis results in degeneration of the distal nerve segment and atrophy of the supplied muscles. Options for these patients include free muscle transfer, temporalis myoplasty, and botulinum toxin injections for smile reanimation. In this study we aimed to evaluate the subjective and objective outcomes of these procedures. Materials and Methods: In our study, we retrospectively analyzed smile symmetry in patients with facial palsy (n=8) who underwent facial reanimation procedures. Results: Subjective analysis showed high satisfaction in seven out of eight patients. Objective analysis showed statistically significant improvement postoperatively in both vertical and horizontal smile symmetry at rest and during maximum smile (P<0.001). Conclusion: Choosing the ideal procedure for the patients is the most critical aspect for facial reanimation. Though free muscle transfer is considered gold standard procedure, temporalis myoplasty also gives satisfactory results. Residual synkinesis which can lead to disturbing aesthetic deformity can be effectively treated with botulinum toxin.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.219-226
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• 2005

Muller's muscle-levator aponeurosis advancement procedure was performed to correct mild to moderate congenital blepharoptosis with moderate to good levator function and to correct severe aquired blepharoptosis with poor levator function. Through the blepharoplasty incision, the upper half of the tarsal plate was exposed and the orbital septum was opened to show the levator aponeurosis. The Muller's muscle was dissected from the superior margin of the tarsal plate and from the posteriorly located conjunctiva with sharp scissors. The Muller's muscle and levator aponeurosis were advanced on the anterior surface of the tarsal plate as a composite flap and fixed approximately 3 to 4 mm inferior to the upper edge of the tarsal plate with three horizontal 6-0 nylon mattress sutures. The amount of advancement of the composite flap was controlled by the location of the upper eyelid margin 2 mm below the upper limbus in primary gaze after the first suture in the middle portion of the flap. The excess flap was trimmed off with scissors, but trimming was usually not necessary in cases of mild to moderate ptosis. Nine cases underwent this Muller's muscle-levator aponeurosis advancement procedure from September 2003 to September 2004. Five cases were congenital blepharoptosis with 2-4 mm ptosis and more than 5 mm of levator function, but three of the four acquired ptosis cases had more than 4 mm ptosis with poor levator function. The age of the patients ranged from 7 to 81 years. In operative results, all patients except one traumatic case were within 1 mm of the desired eyelid height in primary gaze. This procedure can provide not only tightening of the Muller's muscle but also advancement and firm fixation of the levator aponeurosis to the tarsal plate, yielding predictable results.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.84-87
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• 2016

Titanium micro-mesh implants are widely used in orbital wall reconstructions because they have several advantageous characteristics. However, the rough and irregular marginal spurs of the cut edges of the titanium mesh sheet impede the efficacious and minimally traumatic insertion of the implant, because these spurs may catch or hook the orbital soft tissue, skin, or conjunctiva during the insertion procedure. In order to prevent this problem, we developed an easy method of inserting a titanium micro-mesh, in which it is wrapped with the aseptic transparent plastic film that is used to pack surgical instruments or is attached to one side of the inner suture package. Fifty-four patients underwent orbital wall reconstruction using a transconjunctival or transcutaneous approach. The wrapped implant was easily inserted without catching or injuring the orbital soft tissue, skin, or conjunctiva. In most cases, the implant was inserted in one attempt. Postoperative computed tomographic scans showed excellent placement of the titanium micro-mesh and adequate anatomic reconstruction of the orbital walls. This wrapping insertion method may be useful for making the insertion of titanium micro-mesh implants in the reconstruction of orbital wall fractures easier and less traumatic.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.179-184
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• 2021

Women attach great importance to the presence of a three-dimensional nipple upon completion of the breast reconstruction process. To meet patients' expectations, nipple-areolar complex reconstruction should achieve symmetry in position, size, shape, texture, and color, as well as minimizing donor-site morbidity. However, it is well known that regardless of the reconstructive technique, loss of nipple projection can be reasonably expected. We developed and evaluated a quick, simple, and innovative technique using injectable Integra Flowable Wound Matrix to increase nipple projection after reconstruction. Twenty breast cancer patients who underwent nipple reconstruction resulting in unsatisfactory projection were enrolled in our retrospective study. Nipple projection was measured at the time of surgery and after 6 and 12 months. A visual analogue scale was used to assess patients' satisfaction. Our technique yielded reliable results in terms of the long-lasting maintenance of nipple projection. This method is high-priced, but cost-effective, since one kit may suffice for three patients. Furthermore, our patients were very appreciative of this technique as a single-step, minimally invasive, painless procedure with no reported necessity of re-intervention.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제48권6호
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• pp.660-669
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• 2021

Background The demand for aesthetic procedures continues to grow globally, particularly in East Asian countries. The popularity of specific aesthetic procedures varies, however, depending on the particular East Asian geographical region being studied. This study aimed to evaluate the experiences of and attitudes toward aesthetic procedures in five East Asian countries/regions, including China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Methods To recruit participants, an online questionnaire was designed and distributed on social media networks between May 2015 and March 2016. The statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software, version 22.0. Results A total of 3,088 people responded (approximately 600 in each country/region). Of these, 940 participants (47.8%) responded that they had experienced at least one aesthetic procedure in the past. Taiwan had the highest number of participants who had experienced at least one procedure (264/940, 41%), with primarily non-surgical experiences. Only in South Korea did surgical cosmetic experiences exceed non-surgical cosmetic experiences (55.9% vs. 44.1%). The popularity of particular procedures and the motivation for undergoing aesthetic procedures varied by country. Conclusions The popularity of aesthetic procedures continues to evolve. Similar trends were observed across the East Asian regions; however, each country had its unique demands and preferences. The information provided by this study can help aesthetic plastic surgeons further understand the patients in their corresponding region, customize their practice, and develop the requisite skills.