• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.232-238
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• 2021

Background: Galeal or temporalis muscle flaps have been traditionally used to reconstruct skull base defects after tumor removal. Unfortunately, these flaps do not provide sufficient vascularized tissue for a dural seal in extensive defects. This study describes the successful coverage of large skull base defects using anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flaps. Methods: This retrospective study included five patients who underwent skull base surgery between June 2018 and June 2021. Reconstruction was performed using an ALT free flap to cover defects that included the intracranial space and extended to the frontal sinus and cribriform plate. Results: There were no major complications, such as ascending infections or cerebrospinal leakage. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed that the flaps were well-maintained in all patients. Conclusion: Successful reconstruction was performed using ALT free flaps for large anterior skull base defects. In conclusion, the ALT free flap is an effective option for preventing communication between the nasal cavity and the intracranial space.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.217-221
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• 2022

Neurogenic muscular atrophy is muscle wasting and weakness caused by trauma or disease of the nerve that innervates the muscle. We describe a case of unilateral trigeminal neuropathy and neurogenic muscular atrophy of the masticatory muscle caused by a tumor in the foramen ovale. A 59-year-old man visited our clinic complaining of difficulty in right-sided mastication. There were no evident clinical signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder. However, severe atrophy of the right masseter and temporalis muscles and hypesthesia of the right side mandibular nerve area were confirmed. Through T1 and T2 signals on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a mass suspected of a neurogenic tumor was observed in the foramen ovale and cavernous sinus. Severe atrophy of all masticatory muscles on the right side was observed. This rare case shows trigeminal neuropathy caused by a tumor around the foramen ovale and atrophy of the ipsilateral masticatory muscles. For an accurate diagnosis, it is essential to identify the underlying cause of muscle atrophy with neurologic symptoms present. This can be done through a more detailed clinical examination, including sensory testing and brain MRI, and consider a referral to neurology or neurosurgery for the differential diagnosis of the intracranial disorder.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.159-168
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• 2023

Purpose: Coordinated activity between the jaw and neck muscles is important in oral motor tasks such as chewing. This study examined coherence between the jaw and neck muscles during chewing in healthy adults. Methods: A total of 12 healthy adults underwent electromyography (EMG) of the jaw and neck muscles during right-sided chewing at a frequency of 1 Hz. Surface electrodes were placed over the temporalis (TA), masseter (MS), anterior digastric (DA), and sternocleidomastoid (SM) muscles on the right side. EMG signals were processed for coherence and phase analysis using advanced signal processing techniques. Results: The MS and TA muscle pair exhibited high synchronization when chewing (median coherence=0.992). Contrarily, the coherence values between the MS and DA, as well as the MS and SM muscle pairs, were relatively low (median coherence=0.848 and 0.957, respectively). Phase analysis revealed minimal temporal differences between the MS and TA muscle pair and the MS and SM muscle pair, whereas substantial phase shifts were observed between the MS and DA muscle pair. Conclusions: During chewing in healthy adults, the TA muscle works synergistically whereas the DA muscle antagonistically with the MS muscle, and the SM muscle supports the activity of the MS muscle. The observed synchrony and coordination provide insights into the intricate interplay among these muscles during oral motor tasks.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.12-20
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• 1994

Generally, the totally paralyzed face can never be made normal by any of the current methods of reconstruction. Careful selection of patients based on sound judgment of what can and cannot be achieved by the proposed surgical technique is paramount to a successful operation and a satisfied patient. The results are related to time of delayed between injury and repair ; the shorter the delay the better are the results. The objectives in correcting facial paralysis are to achieve normal appearance at rest ; symmetry with voluntary motion ; control of the ocular, oral, and nasal sphincter ; symmetry with involuntary emotion and controlled balance when expressing when expressing emotion ; and no significant functional deficit secondary to the reconstructive surgery. It must be employed a number of concepts, for treatment of the paralyzed face by surgeon, depending on the cause, time interval, and wound characteristics, as well as the availability of and necessity for neuromuscular substitution. Nerve grafts, crossovers, muscle transfers, free muscle and nerve-muscle grafts, micronuerovascular muscle transfers, and regional muscle transposition are the principal methods being developed. We applied the temporal musle transposition for reanimation of unilatrally paralyzed faces for long times on two patients. The results of muscle transposition can be enhanced by the patient's learning to activate the transposed muscle by voluntary effort, and are best in patients who are motivated to learn the necessary motor-sensory coordination techniques.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.308-315
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• 1996

Osteoarthritis is a noninflammatory degenerative disease affecting the articular surfaces and is accompanied by remodeling of the underlying bone. The sympotms of osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint are pain in the joint and muscles of mastication, limitation. Osteoarthritis is generally accepted that several factors can contribute to the trauma, aging process, internal derangement and MPDS. Radiographic features of the osteoarthritis are seen flattening of joint, sclerosis on flattened area and osteophyte or anterior lipping. In the past, osteoarthritis was considered to self-limiting disease. Currently, synovial chondromembrane is part of the process of osteoarthritis secondary to trauma. Synovial chondromatosis is an uncommon disease of cartilaginous transformation of synovial membrane with formation of loose bodies within the joint space. The pathogenesis is more an active metaplastic than a neoplastic process. The cause of synovial chondromatosis is unknown. Although trauma and inflammation have all been cited as possible factors in tis pathogenesis. The clinical sign and symptoms are unilateral swelling of the joint region, pain in the joint area and crepitus seem to be the most reliable signs and symptoms. Radiographic evidence of loose bodies may or may not be present. This is a case report of 66 year old female with synovial chondromatosis, that is advanced disease of the osteoarthrits. We treated patient with surgical excision of lose bodies, diskectomy and synovectomy. The defected articular fossa area was reconstructed with temporalis fascia flap. The result was satisfactory.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.38
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• pp.5.1-5.5
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• 2016

Background: This study clinically evaluated the effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in the temporomandibular disorder (TMD) treatment using Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). Methods: A total of 21 TMD patients were recruited to be treated with BTX-A injections on the bilateral masseter and temporalis muscles and were followed up by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon highly experienced in the TMD treatment. For each patient, diagnostic data gathering were conducted according to the RDC/TMD. Characteristic pain intensity, disability points, chronic pain grade, depression index, and grade of nonspecific physical symptoms were evaluated. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied for statistical analysis. Results: The results showed that more than half of the participants (85.7 %) had parafunctional oral habits such as bruxism or clenching. In comparison between pre- and post-treatment results, graded pain score, characteristic pain intensity, disability points, chronic pain grade, and grade of nonspecific physical symptoms showed statistically significant differences after the BTX-A injection therapy (p < 0.05). Most patients experienced collective decrease in clinical manifestations of TMD including pain relief and improved masticatory functions after the treatment. Conclusions: Within the limitation of our study, BTX-A injections in masticatory musculatures of TMD patients could be considered as a useful option for controlling complex TMD and helping its associated symptoms.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.99-111
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• 1988

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the occlusal interference on the activity of anterior temporal and masseter muscles during maximal biting. In seven subjects, cast hard gold cap providing new occlusal surface approximately 0.5mm above its occlusal level was cemented on the mandibular right first molar during aquired experimental period. EMG recordings were taken bilaterally during one second hardest possible clenching four times. This procedure was done not only before, immediately after, 48 hours after and one week after cementation of interfering crown but also immediately after and one week after removal of occlusal interfering crown. The results were as follows : 1. Immediately after cementation of interfering crown, the activity was significantly decreased in all muscles studied. 2. One week after cementaion of interfering crown, the lowest muscle activity was recorded. But clinical sign and symptoms were significantly subsided. 3. Immediately after removal of interfering crown, the activity was increased in all muscles studied. 4. One week after removal of interfering crown, the activity of masseter muscles was increased to the level of before cementation of interfering crown. 5. There was no significant activity difference between right and left in the muscle studied. 6. Masseter muscle activity showed significant change than anterior temporalis with the unilateral mandibular posterior tooth interference.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.35-61
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• 1985

The surgical treatment of advanced carcinomas and some benign tumors having clinically malignant behaviors of the head and neck region often require extensive resection, necessitating large flaps for reconstruction. Since the original upper arm flap was described by Tagliacozzi in 1597, a variety of technique such as random pattern local flap, axial flap, distant flap, scalping flap, myocutaneous flap, free flap etc. have been proposed for reconstruction of head, face and neck defects. Reconstruction of the facial defects usually require the use of distant tissue. Traditionally, nasal reconstruction has been carried out with a variety of forehead flaps. In recent years, there has been more acceptance of immediate repairs following the removal of these tumors. As a result, patients are more willing to undergo these extensive resections to improve their chances of cure, with the reasonable expectation that an immediate reconstruction will provide an adequate cosmetic result. Authors experienced 13 cases of head and neck tumor during last three and half years that required wide excision and immediate reconstruction with various flaps, not with primary closure or simple skin graft. We present our experience with varied flaps for reconstruction after wide resection of head and neck tumors 3 cases of defect of dorsum of nose or medial canthus with island forehead flaps, lower eyelid defect with cheek flap, cheek defect with Limberg flap, orbital floor defect with Temporalis muscle flap, lateral neck defects with Pectoralis major myocutaneous flap or Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap, subtotal nose defect with scalping flap, wide forehead defect with Dorsalis pedis free flap and 3 cases of mandibular defect or mandibular defect combined with lower lip defect were reconstructed with free vascularized iliac bone graft or free vascularized iliac bone graft concomitantly combined with free groin flap pedicled on deep circumflex iliac vessels We obtained satisfactory results coincided wi th goal of treatment of head and neck tumors, MAXIMAL CURE RATE with MINIMAL MORBIDITY, OPTIMAL FUNCTION, and an APPEARANCE as close to normal as possible.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.262-266
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• 2005

In some blepharochalasis patients, upper blepharoplasty alone is not satisfactory because of narrow distance between eyebrow and eyelash. On that occasion, eyebrow lift is advisable. There are many methods of classical eyebrow lift, such as direct excision, transblepharoplasty approach, anterior hairline technique, and so on. But they are not so effective, have a tendency to recur and also give rise to side effects; unacceptable scar, facial nerve palsy, sensory loss and hematoma, etc. Some patients who have prominent nasolabial folds, are reluctant to perform face lift procedure due to psychologic or economic burden. The authors performed the eyebrow lift procedure separately or simultaneously with face lift or forehead lift. After making 2 or 3 slit incisions, we passed absorbable suture material, 3-0 vicryl, through suborbicularis oculi fat layer. Then it was passed through subperiosteal plane and fixated to the temporalis fascia. When patients complain prominent nasolabial folds, malar fat pad was elevated also in the same manner. This methods is effective and has minimal complication such as facial nerve palsy, scar, sensory loss. Recurrent tendency was rarely observed during follow-up. Dimples were observed at slit incision sites but they disappeared within 2 or 3 weeks. Eyebrow lift and malar fat lift by absorbable suture elevation with subperiosteal dissection is a simple and less morbid. Because of its effectiveness and little side effect or complication, this procedure can be a useful method.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.151-158
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• 2008

Poor posture of the neck and head has long been recognized as a factor contributing to the onset and perpetuation of pain in the head and neck region. This study were to evaluate the change of the neck pressure pain threshold in long term computer users. To elucidate change of the neck pressure pain threshold in long term computer users, the effect of computer using time(3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 hours) on neck pressure pain threshold were studied in 20 subjects. Neck pressure pain threshold were recorded 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 hours group, and evaluated by pressure algometry to Trapezius muscle, Sternocleidomastoidius muscle, Suboccipitalis muscle and Temporalis muscle. Neck pressure pain threshold was significantly larger in 15 hours group(p<.05). But relation between neck pressure pain threshold in male group and female group were not significant differences(p>.05).