• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.212-216
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• 2019

Zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures account for a substantial proportion of trauma cases. The most frequent complications of maxillofacial fracture treatment are infections and soft tissue flap dehiscence. Postoperative infections nearly always resolve in response to oral antibiotics and local wound care. However, a significant infection can cause a permanent fistula. A 52-year-old man visited our clinic to treat an oroantral fistula (OAF), which was a late complication of a ZMC fracture. Postoperatively, the oral suture site dehisced, exposing the absorbable plate. However, he did not seek treatment. After 5 years, an OAF formed with a $2.0{\times}2.0cm$ bony defect on the left maxilla. We completely excised the OAF, harvested a piece of corticocancellous bone from the iliac crest, inserted the harvested bone into the defect, and covered the soft tissue defect with a buccal mucosal transposition flap. Although it is necessary to excise OAFs, the failure rate is higher for large OAFs (> 5 mm in diameter) because of the extensive defect in the underlying bone that supports the overlying flap. Inappropriate management of postoperative wounds after a ZMC fracture can lead to disastrous outcomes, as in this case. Therefore, proper postoperative treatment and follow-up are essential.

• 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.22 no.6
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• pp.337-340
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• 2021

Full-thickness nasal tip reconstruction is a challenging process that requires provision of ample skin and soft tissue, and intricate cartilage structure that maintains its architecture in the long term. In this report, we describe reconstruction of a full-thickness nasal tip and ala defect using a posterior auricular artery perforator based chondrocutaneous free flap. The flap consisted of two lay ers of skin covering conchal cartilage, and was based on a perforating branch of the posterior auricular artery. A superficial vein was secured at the posterior margin. The donor perforator was anastomosed to a perforating branch of the lateral nasal artery. The superficial vein was connected to a superficial vein of the surrounding soft tissue. The donor healed well after primary closure. The flap survived without complications, and the contour of the nasal rim was sustained at follow-up 6 months later. As opposed to combined composite reconstructions using a free cartilage graft together with a small free flap or pedicled nasolabial flap, the posterior auricular artery perforator free flap encompasses all required tissue types, and is similar in contour to the alar area. This flap is a useful option in single-stage reconstruction of nasal composite defects.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.133-138
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• 2023

White-eyed blowout fractures with extraocular muscle (EOM) entrapment necessitate emergency surgical intervention. However, even after surgery, diplopia or EOM motion limitations may persist due to the incomplete reduction of soft tissue herniation caused by inadequate dissection or unresolved muscle strangulation. In this report, we present a case of postoperative EOM movement limitation in a 5-year-old girl who experienced recurrent restriction in the upward gaze of her right eye 14 days after surgery. Instead of revision surgery, the patient was treated with targeted EOM exercises focusing on the inferior rectus muscle and inferior oblique muscle. The patient was instructed to slowly move her pupils from the central point to the upper and outer sides, then in a straight line from the central point to the lower and inner sides before returning to the center point. On the 28th postoperative day, 2 weeks after initiating the exercises, the patient's EOM motion fully recovered. This case highlights the effectiveness of EOM exercises as a non-surgical treatment approach for improving recurrent EOM movement limitations in the absence of soft tissue herniation following surgical management of blowout fractures in children.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2010

Purpose: 'White-eye blowout' fracture is often occur in young patients and defined as blow out fracture with little or no clinical sign of soft tissue trauma such as edema, ecchymosis, but with marked motility restrictions in vertical gaze. In this conditions, immediate operation is essential. We reported the clinical investigation study of these cases about clinical symptoms and radiologic findings and introduce our experiences about immediate operations in 'white-eye blowout' fractures. Methods: From January 2008 to December 2009, nine pediatric patients who were diagnosed as pure white-eye blowout fractures were involved this study. Patients with other facial bone fractures or with poor general medical condition were excluded. In all cases, we performed immediate operation within 48 hours. Results: All patients had diplopia, vertical gaze restriction or systemic symptoms. Six patients had nausea, vomiting and syncope caused by oculocardiac reflex. In all patients, preoperative symptoms were improved after immediate operation. There were no postoperative complications such as infection, hematoma or wound dehiscence. Conclusion: When we meet the young patients with history of periocular trauma, with little or no soft tissue trauma signs, but with marked vertical gaze restriction or general symptoms caused by oculocardiac reflex, we should immediately examine by facial bone computed tomography and refer the patient to ophthalmologist for ophthalmic evaluations. If patient is diagnosed as orbital floor fracture with entrapped muscle or soft tissue, the earlier surgical reduction get better clinical outcomes.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.55-61
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of internal fixation method of $Medpor^{(R)}$ implant with $BioSorb^{TM}FX$ screw which is used for prevention of enophthalmos in posteriorly extended large orbital floor fracture. Methods: From Jun. 1997 to Dec. 2007, 21 patients who were diagnosed with posteriorly extended large orbital floor fractures were classified into two groups. One group(n=11) had undergone reduction surgery with regular $Medpor^{(R)}$ sheets without any fixation method, while the other group(n=10) had their $Medpor^{(R)}$ sheets fixed with the $BioSorb^{TM}FX$ screws. The two groups were evaluated by comparison of their enophthalmos degree and effectiveness. Results: In the non-fixation group, six patients had enophthalmos preoperatively and three of them showed persistent enophthalmos postoperatively. In postoperative CT examination, displacement of $Medpor^{(R)}$ implant with soft tissue impaction into maxillary sinus was observed in the patients. In the screw fixation group, three patients had enophthalmos preoperatively, but none of them suffer from complication such as residual enophthalmos, soft tissue impaction, muscle entrapment or optic nerve compression postoperatively. Conclusion: Internal fixation method of $Medpor^{(R)}$ implant with $BioSorb^{TM}FX$ screw on the medial surface of orbital floor provides firm stabilization of implants and surrounding soft tissues and can be an effective option especially when postoperative implant displacement or malposition was expected.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2019

Background: Profound anesthesia with adequate duration is required in periodontal flap surgery, which involves the manipulation of both hard and soft tissues. The anterior middle superior alveolar (AMSA) injection may be an alternative to multiple injections required for this purpose in the maxilla. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of AMSA injection using computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery (CCLAD) system to anesthetize buccal hard tissue (BHT), buccal soft tissue (BST), palatal hard tissue (PHT), and palatal soft tissue (PST) around the maxillary teeth. Methods: Thirty-five patients who were indicated for open flap debridement in a whole maxillary quadrant were given AMSA injection using the CCLAD. The effectiveness of anesthesia was evaluated using subjective and objective parameters around each tooth. Supraperiosteal infiltrations were administered to complete the surgery wherever the AMSA injection was ineffective. Results: The AMSA injection was more effective on the palatal tissues than on the buccal tissues, as 94.14% of PST and 87.89% of PHT sites were anesthetized compared to 49.22% and 43.75% of BHT and BST sites, respectively. There was no significant difference in the frequency of anesthesia around the anterior and posterior teeth. The PHT was significantly more anesthetized (P = 0.003) in males than in females. Conclusions: The AMSA injection using CCLAD is highly effective on palatal tissues and could be used as a first-line anesthesia for periodontal flap surgery. However, its effect on buccal tissues is less predictable, with supraperiosteal infiltration often required to supplement the AMSA injection.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.186-190
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• 2019

Myxomas can be divided into two groups: those derived from the facial skeleton, and those derived from external skeletal soft tissue. Soft tissue myxomas of the head and neck are uncommon, with fewer than 50 cases reported. In any form and location, myxoma of parotid gland is rare. We report a case of myxoma arising from the left superficial lobe of the parotid gland with good long-term follow-up after superficial parotidectomy with tumor excision. A 49-year-old man was referred to our department of plastic and reconstructive surgery with a painless palpable mass that had persisted in the left mandible angle region for 2 years. Excision of the facial mass and superficial parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation were performed. The biopsy result was myxoma. Long-term follow-up for 22 months showed favorable results without evidence of recurrence but with temporary facial nerve weakness right after the surgery. Myxoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis when benign tumor of the parotid gland is being considered.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.183-192
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• 2021

Background: The purse-string suture (PSS) is a simple and rapid wound closure method that results in minimal scarring. It has been used to treat circular or oval skin defects caused by tumor excision or trauma. However, due to obscurity, it is not widely used, especially for the head and neck. This study aimed to modify the PSS to obtain predictable and acceptable results. Methods: A total of 45 sites in 39 patients with various types of skin and soft tissue defects in the head and neck were treated with PSS. We used PDS II (2-0 to 5-0), which is an absorbable suture. Minimal dissection of the subcutaneous layer was performed. The suture knot was hidden by placing it in the dissection layer. Depending on the characteristics of the skin and soft tissue defects, additional surgical interventions such as side-to-side advancement sutures, double PSS, or split-thickness skin graft were applied. Results: All wounds healed completely without any serious complications. Large defects up to 45 mm in diameter were successfully reconstructed using only PSS. Postoperative radiating folds were almost flattened after approximately 1-2 months. Conclusion: PSS is simple, rapid, and relatively free from surgical design. Owing to the circumferential advancement of the surrounding tissue, PSS always results in a smaller scar than the initial lesion and less distortion of the body structures around the wound in the completely healed defect. If the operator can predict the process of healing and immediate radiating folds, PSS could be a favorable option for round skin defects in the head and neck.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.64-70
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• 2022

Background: Anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps are versatile soft tissue flaps that have become the standard soft-tissue flaps used for head and neck reconstruction. They provide a long vascular pedicle, constant vessel diameter, abundant soft tissue coverage, and minimal donor site morbidity. The ALT flap was initially designed on the basis of a septocutaneous (SC) perforator. However, more recent research has shown that a substantial number of ALT flaps are now based on musculocutaneous (MC) perforators, and the ratio between MC and SC perforators varies among studies. In this study, we analyzed the perforating pattern of ALT flaps along with their clinical outcomes during head and neck reconstruction in the Korean population. Methods: From October 2016 to July 2020, 68 patients who had undergone an ALT flap procedure for head and neck reconstruction were enrolled retrospectively. The perforating pattern of the cutaneous perforator vessel (MC perforator/SC perforator/oblique branch), pedicle length, and flap size were analyzed intraoperatively. Patient demographics and flap necrosis rates were also calculated. Results: The highest number of cutaneous perforator vessels supplying the ALT flap were the MC perforators (87%). The proportion of MC perforators was significantly higher than that of the SC perforators and oblique branches. Flap necrosis occurred in seven cases (11.86%); sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, perforator course, and history of radiotherapy did not significantly affect flap necrosis. Conclusion: The ALT free flap procedure remains popular for reconstruction of the head and neck. In this study, we observed that the majority of cutaneous vessels supplying the flaps were MC perforators (87%). When using the MC perforator during flap elevation, careful dissection of the perforator is required to achieve successful ALT flaps because intramuscular dissection is difficult. Perforator pattern and history of radiotherapy did not affect flap necrosis.