• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.277-281
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• 2019

Recto-vaginal fistulas are difficult to treat due to their high recurrence rate. Currently, no single surgical intervention is universally regarded as the best treatment option for recto-vaginal fistulas. We present a case of recurrent recto-vaginal fistula surgically treated with a gracilis pull-through flap. The surgical goals in this patient were complete excision of the recto-vaginal fistula and introduction of fresh, vascularized muscle to seal the fistula. A defunctioning colostomy was performed 1 month prior to the present procedure. The gracilis muscle and tendon were mobilized, pulled through the freshened recto-vaginal fistula, passed through the anus, and anchored externally. Excess muscle and tendon were trimmed 1 week after the procedure. Follow-up at 4 weeks demonstrated complete mucosal coverage over an intact gracilis muscle, and no leakage. At 8 weeks post-procedure, the patient resumed sexual intercourse with no dyspareunia. At 6 months post-procedure, her stoma was closed. The patient reported transient fecal staining of her vagina after stoma reversal, which resolved with conservative treatment. The fistula had not recurred at 20 months post-procedure. The gracilis pull-through flap is a reliable technique for a scarred vagina with an attenuated recto-vaginal septum. It can function as a well-vascularized tissue plug to promote healing.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.95-102
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• 2022

The challenges of successful nasal reconstruction, which are related to the anatomical complexity of the region, have been extensively studied. Revisional operations are often required to achieve proper nasal reconstruction, with results resembling the premorbid nasal status. This is necessary to ensure the quality of life of skin cancer patients. Fundamental nasal reconstruction requires both proper soft tissue coverage and proper function. However, earlier studies in the field primarily focused on the functional aspect of nose reconstruction, although the cosmetic aspect is also an important factor to consider. In response to this need, many recent studies on nose reconstruction have proposed various refinement strategies to improve aesthetic satisfaction. Most plastic surgeons accept the nasal aesthetic subunit principle as a standard for nasal reconstruction. This review outlines the commonly used surgical refinement options and management strategies for postoperative complications based on the subunit principle. In patients with nasal defects, a proper technical strategy might help minimize revision operations and optimize the long-term results.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.143-146
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• 2012

Purpose: The typical reconstructive option for the nasal tip is paramedian forehead flap. However, the forehead flap is too bulky for nasal tip reconstruction and does not look natural, and therefore, secondary operations for debulking are required. Methods: We treated a 46-year-old woman who suffered from a nose tip soft tissue defect using a modified paramedian forehead flap. The flap was elevated from the hair line of the forehead and had 3-layered structure. The distal part included skin and subcutaneous tissue, the middle part included frontalis muscle, and the proximal part had periosteum. Results: The nasal tip was not bulky and looked natural in terms of height, shape, and had 3-dimensional structure without debulking procedure. The patient was satisfied with the outcome. Conclusion: The authors' modified paramedian forehead flap may be a useful option for the treatment of nasal tip, columella, and alar defects. With these modifications, the paramedian forehead flap can provide an aesthetically acceptable nasal tip appearance without debulking.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.68-72
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• 2015

For recent years, use of autologous fat injection has increased significantly in facial contouring surgery. Along with such increase in use, complications like atypical mycoplasma infection have been also on the increasing trend. The authors report two cases of Mycobacterium chelonae infection that occurred after autologous fat injection. Patients were treated as infection that resistant to common antibiotics and results were negative to routine culture and Gram staining. Acid-fast bacillus stain, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and mycobacterial cultures were conducted for diagnosis under suspicion of atypical mycoplasma infection. Then, combination antibiotics therapy, surgical treatment, and steroid injection were performed for treatment. Both patients were diagnosed with Mycobacterium chelonae in PCR test. They were positive to mycobacterial cultures. Combination antibiotics therapy was repeated to improvement of symptom. However, they could not be free from side effects such as deformation in facial contour, scar and pigmentation even after full recovery. When chronic wound infections after autologous fat injection, we must suspect atypical or mycobacterial infection and conduct examinations for a early diagnosis and proper antibiotic therapy that is effective to the nontuberculous mycobacteria.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.227-230
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• 2005

The surgical treatment of craniofacial disorders, using metallic internal osteofixation system has inspired an evolution with advanced operative technique and fixation devices over past two decades. As any other surgical procedures, this procedure also associates problems such as infection, palpability, loosening, and restrict craniofacial skeleton growth, which lead to undue secondary operations for removal. These problems are improved by using bioabsorbable osteofixation system. We compared the patient's subjective symptoms using bioaborbable system versus metallic osteofixation system in zygomatic bone fracture. we should take the individual steps (postoperative 2 weeks, and 1 year) in treating fractured zygoma. From August, 2001 to August, 2003, we used bioabsorbable osteofixation system in 28 patients in zygomatic fracture ($Biosorb^{TM}FX^{(R)}$) and compared 23 patients who were treated with metallic osteofixation system. There was no significant difference in the both groups in subjective symptoms and postoperative result.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.217-231
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• 1997

Autogenous bone grafting has a broad range of applications and implications, and also limitations, though it is the oldest and most important reconstructive techniques in the oral and maxillofacial surgical field.Further understanding of bone healing mechanisms, bone physiology and bone biology, transplantation immunology, and development of tissue banking procedures had enabled oral and maxillofacial surgeons to reconstruct even the most difficult bony defects successfully with the preserved allogeneic bone implant. Now autogenous bone and allogeneic bone implants present a wide variety of surgical options to surgeons, whether used separately or in combination. The surgeons are able to make judicious and fruitful choices, only with a through knowledge of the above-mentioned biologic principles and skillful techniques. The author evaluated 116 cases where allogeneic bones were transplanted for oral and maxillofacial reconstruction.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.105-107
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• 2018

The reconstruction method of nasal area can be used differently depending on the location, size, age. In this elderly female patient case, without using the forehead medial flap, good results can be obtained by using an advancement flap considering the nasal aesthetic unit.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.689-695
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• 2022

Background Lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) is an effective, functional treatment for limb lymphedema. This study reports an alternative surgical approach to lymphedema treatment without the use of indocyanine green mapping. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 29 consecutive lymphedema patients who underwent LVAs from January 2015 to December 2020, whereby incisions were made along the anatomy of the superficial venous systems in both upper and lower extremities around the joint areas. The evaluation included qualitative assessments and quantitative volumetric analyses. Result The mean number of anastomoses was 3.07, and the operative time was 159.55 minutes. Symptom improvement was recorded in 86.21% of the patients, with a mean volume reduction of 32.39%. The lymphangitis episodes decreased from 55.17% before surgery to 13.79% after surgery, and the median number of lymphangitis episodes per year decreased from 1 before surgery to 0 after surgery. Conclusions The superficial venous anatomical approach is an easy way to start a lymphedema practice using LVA without other advanced surgical equipment. With this reliable technique, microsurgeons can perform LVA procedures and achieve good results.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.77-80
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• 2007

Purpose: Purpura fulminans is a rare but rapidly progressive, serious, often life-threatening disorder in childhood, which is complicated with septic shock or disseminated intravascular coagulopathy during acute infection. It occurs first as acute-onset petechial rash, and spreads rapidly into full thickness skin and soft tissue necrosis. In the past, it had high mortality rate, up to 80%, but recently, survival rate has increased due to early diagnosis, and rapid advancement of critical care and antibiotics. From our experiences of PF management, we would like to review the pathophysiology and suggest the surgical treatment guideline about meningococcal induced purpura fulminans. Methods: Two cases of purpura fulminans over the last 3 years were reviewed retrospectively about reconstructive management. After they were treated resuscitative management initially by the critical intensive care, reconstructive surgery was performed by plastic surgeon as soon as the patients were vitally and mentally stable. Results: There were 6 procedures in case 1, and 3 procedures in case 2. The mean delayed period from admission with sepsis to the first surgical debridement was 24 days and 42 days, respectively. Total hospitalization period was 103 days and 69 days, respectively. All of them were treated with debridement and split thickness skin graft, but delayed debridement was superior to early one in the point of preserving much more tissues. Conclusion: From our experience, we suggest that conservative therapy to the wounds appears to be the best tool in the initial vitally unstable period in order to preserve as much tissues and functions as possible if no active inflammation and compartment syndrome are detective.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.39
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• pp.10.1-10.5
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• 2017

Background: Because of changing surgical procedures in the fields of oral and maxillofacial surgery, new methods for surgical education are needed and could include recent advances in digital technology. Many doctors have attempted to use digital technology as educational tools for surgical training, and movies have played an important role in these attempts. We have been using a 3D full high-definition (full-HD) camcorder to record movies of intraoral surgeries. Method: The subjects were medical students and doctors receiving surgical training who did not have actual surgical experience (n = 67). Participants watched an 8-min, 2D movie of orthognathic surgery and subsequently watched the 3D version. After watching the 3D movie, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire. Result: A lot of participants (84%) felt a 3D movie excellent or good and answered that the advantages of a 3D movie were their appearance of solidity or realism. Almost all participants (99%) answered that 3D movies were quite useful or useful for medical practice. Conclusions: Three-dimensional full-HD movies have the potential to improve the quality of medical education and clinical practice in oral and maxillofacial surgery.