• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.235-239
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• 2018

Intraoperative expansion has been used to cover small to large defects without disadvantages of the conventional tissue expanders. Various materials, for example, expanders and Foley catheters are being used. We introduce a new, convenient and economical device immediately available in the operating room, according to the defect size for intraoperative expansion, with latex gloves or balloons. The retrospective study was done with 20 patients who presented with skin and soft tissue defects. During the operation, expansion was done with latex gloves or balloons inflated with saline through an intravenous line and a three-way stopcock. After the inflation, the glove was removed and skin was covered with expanded tissue. A careful decision was made regarding the inflation volume and placement of the expander according to the defect size. There were no postoperative complications. The skin contracture and tension was minimal with a texture similar to the adjacent tissue. The new intraoperative expansion devices with latex gloves and balloons were cheap and made easily right in the operation room. The reconstruction of small to large sized skin defects can be done successfully, functionally and aesthetically without using expensive commercial materials.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.145-156
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• 2021

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the midfacial soft tissue changes following maxillary expansion using micro-implant-supported maxillary skeletal expanders (MSEs) in young adults by cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) and to evaluate the correlations between hard and soft tissue changes after MSE usage. Methods: Twenty patients (mean age, 22.4 years; range, 17.6-27.1) with maxillary transverse deficiency treated with MSEs were selected. Mean expansion amount was 6.5 mm. CBCT images taken before and after expansion were superimposed to measure the changes in soft and hard tissue landmarks. Statistical analyses were performed using paired t-test and Pearson's correlation analysis on the basis of the normality of data. Results: Average lateral movement of the cheek points was 1.35 mm (right) and 1.08 mm (left), and that of the alar curvature points was 1.03 mm (right) and 1.02 mm (left). Average forward displacement of the cheek points was 0.59 mm (right) and 0.44 mm (left), and that of the alar curvature points was 0.61 mm (right) and 0.77 mm (left) (p < 0.05). Anterior nasal spine (ANS), posterior nasal spine (PNS), and alveolar bone width showed significant increments (p < 0.05). Changes in the cheek and alar curvature points on both sides significantly correlated with hard tissue changes (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Maxillary expansion using MSEs resulted in significant lateral and forward movements of the soft tissues of cheek and alar curvature points on both sides in young adults and correlated with the maxillary suture opening at the ANS and PNS.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.419-427
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• 2020

Background This study evaluated the Blossom system, an innovative self-filling, rate-controlled, pressure-responsive saline tissue expander (TE) system. We investigated the feasibility of utilizing this technology to facilitate implant-based and combined flap with implant-based breast reconstruction in comparison to conventional tissue expansion. Methods In this prospective, single-center, single-surgeon pilot study, participants underwent either implant-based breast reconstruction or a combination of autologous flap and implantbased breast reconstruction. Outcome measures included time to full expansion, complications, total expansion volume, and pain scores. Results Fourteen patients (TEs; n=22), were included in this study. The mean time to full expansion was 13.4 days (standard error of the mean [SEM], 1.3 days) in the combination group and 11.7 days (SEM, 1.4 days) in the implant group (P=0.78). The overall major complication rate was 4.5% (n=1). No statistically significant differences were found in the complication rate between the combination group and the implant group. The maximum patient-reported pain scores during the expansion process were low, but were significantly higher in the combination group (mean, 2.00±0.09) than in the implant group (mean, 0.29±0.25; P=0.005). Conclusions The reported average duration for conventional subcutaneous TE expansion is 79.4 days, but this pilot study using the Blossom system achieved an average expansion duration of less than 14 days in both groups. The Blossom system may accommodate single-stage breast reconstruction. The overall complication rate of this study was 4.5%, which is promising compared to the reported complication rates of two-stage breast reconstruction with TEs (20%-45%).

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.334-344
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to systematically analyze the effect and stability of miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) to provide a reference for the clinical treatment of patients with maxillary transverse deficiency (MTD). Methods: We searched PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wanfang Database for relevant studies published before February 18, 2021 and selected them according to the eligibility criteria. The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews (version 5.1.0) criteria were used for the quality assessment of randomized controlled trials, while the scoring protocol of the methodological index for non-randomized studies was used for non-randomized controlled trials. Statistical analysis was performed using the RevMan5.3 software. Results: All the included studies showed a relatively high success rate of expansion. The changes in both the intermolar and alveolar widths after MARPE were statistically significant. MARPE exhibited greater skeletal expansion effects than did conventional RPE. The midpalatal suture was opened in parallel after MARPE. A small amount of relapse was observed 1 year after expansion. MARPE caused tooth inclination and a decrease in alveolar height, but it was less significant than in conventional RPE. Conclusions: MARPE may be an effective treatment modality for patients with MTD. It causes great transverse skeletal expansion in late adolescence. In comparison to conventional RPE, MARPE has lower detrimental periodontal effects and has certain clinical advantages.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.152-163
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• 2018

Purpose: To determine whether the swelling and mechanical properties of osmotic self-inflating expanders allow or not the induction of intraoral soft tissue expansion in dogs. Methods: Three different volumes (0.15, 0.25, and 0.42 mL; referred to respectively as the S, M, and L groups) of soft tissue expanders (STEs) consisting of a hydrogel core coated with a silicone-perforated membrane were investigated in vitro to assess their swelling behavior (volume swelling ratio) and mechanical properties (tensile strength, tensile strain). For in vivo investigations, the STEs were subperiosteally inserted for 4 weeks in dogs (n=5). Soft tissue expansion was clinically monitored. Histological analyses included the examination of alveolar bone underneath the expanders and thickness measurements of the surrounding fibrous capsule. Results: The volume swelling ratio of all STEs did not exceed 5.2. In tensile mode, the highest mean strain was registered for the L group ($98.03{\pm}0.3g/cm$), whereas the lowest mean value was obtained in the S group ($81.3{\pm}0.1g/cm$), which was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). In addition, the S and L groups were significantly different in terms of tensile strength ($1.5{\pm}0.1g/cm$ for the S group and $2.2{\pm}0.1g/cm$ for the L group, P<0.05). Clinical monitoring showed successful dilatation of the soft tissues without signs of inflammation up to 28 days. The STEs remained volumetrically stable, with a mean diameter in vivo of 6.98 mm, close to the in vitro post-expansion findings (6.69 mm). Significant histological effects included highly vascularized collagen-rich fibrous encapsulation of the STEs, with a mean thickness of $0.67{\pm}0.12mm$. The bone reaction consisted of resorption underneath the STEs, while apposition was observed at their edges. Conclusions: The swelling and mechanical properties of the STEs enabled clinically successful soft tissue expansion. A tissue reaction consisting of fibrous capsule formation and bone loss were the main histological events.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.31-34
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• 2013

In dentistry, tissue expanders have been used to obtain sufficient soft tissue for alveolar bone augmentation in the severely atrophic ridge. Herein, we review two cases of soft tissue augmentation using a self-inflating tissue expander in patients in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital for bone graft and implant operations. The results of each patient were presented using pre-operative and post-operative radiographs and clinical exams. The results of our study indicate successful bone graft and implant surgery using a self-inflating tissue expander.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.34-38
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• 2019

Background Acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) have recently become widely used in breast reconstruction, but the correlation between the final expander volume and the surface area of the ADM is not well understood. In this study, the expansion of the surface area of ADM and the expander volume was studied retrospectively in cases of acellular dermis-assisted tissue expander breast reconstruction. Methods Twenty cases of immediate breast reconstruction using an ADM-assisted tissue expander from January 2015 to December 2015 were evaluated. In all 20 cases, CGCryoDerm was used as the matrix, with a thickness of 1-3 mm. No slit incisions were made. Finally, the proportional increase in the area of the fully expanded ADM was compared to that of the tissue expander volume. Results The proportional increase in the ADM surface area was calculated to be from 1.1 to 2.46, with a mean value of 1.7. Additionally, under the assumption that the expander had a spherical shape, the increase in its radius (the cube root of its volume) was assessed. The range of the proportional increase in the expander radius was 1.1 to 2.24, with a mean value of 1.66. The proportional increase in the radius of the expanded ADM surface area ranged from 1.04 to 1.34, with a mean ratio of 1.28. Conclusions The results of this study confirmed that the ADM expanded when the tissue expander was inflated. However, the ADM expanded to a lesser extent than the tissue expander, indicating that the muscle and other tissues expanded more than the ADM when the tissue expander was inflated.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.197-203
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• 2016

Background The aim of unilateral breast reconstruction after mastectomy is to craft a natural-looking breast with symmetry. The latissimus dorsi (LD) flap with implant is an established technique for this purpose. However, it is challenging to obtain adequate volume and satisfactory aesthetic results using a one-stage operation when considering factors such as muscle atrophy, wound dehiscence and excessive scarring. The two-stage reconstruction addresses these difficulties by using a tissue expander to gradually enlarge the skin pocket which eventually holds an appropriately sized implant. Methods We analyzed nine patients who underwent unilateral two-stage LD reconstruction. In the first stage, an expander was placed along with the LD flap to reconstruct the mastectomy defect, followed by gradual tissue expansion to achieve overexpansion of the skin pocket. The final implant volume was determined by measuring the residual expander volume after aspirating the excess saline. Finally, the expander was replaced with the chosen implant. Results The average volume of tissue expansion was 460 mL. The resultant expansion allowed an implant ranging in volume from 255 to 420 mL to be placed alongside the LD muscle. Seven patients scored less than six on the relative breast retraction assessment formula for breast symmetry, indicating excellent breast symmetry. The remaining two patients scored between six and eight, indicating good symmetry. Conclusions This approach allows the size of the eventual implant to be estimated after the skin pocket has healed completely and the LD muscle has undergone natural atrophy. Optimal reconstruction results were achieved using this approach.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.161-172
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• 1984

This study was undertaken to evaluate the cephalometric changes of the soft tissue and skeletal profile subsequent 10 the rapid palatal expansion in 25 Angle's Class III cases, ranging in age from six to fifteen years, with cross-bite of the anterior teeth, underdevelopment of maxilla and facial disharmony Following results were obtained: 1. ANS moved downward, Point A presented forward & downward movement increasing SNA and Point B presented backward & downward movement decreasing SNB. 2. Mandible was rotated to backward & forward and maxilla moved forward & downward with the bite opening and improvement of anterior teeth cross-bite. 3. Soft tissue on mandible was rotated to backward & forward following hard tissue changes causing the decrease of facial convexity angle and backward & downward rotation of Point B', Pog'. 4. Response of the upper lip was more significant in downward than forward direction, and correlated with the upper central incisor and mandible rotation. 5. Response of the lower lip was more significant in downward than backward direction, and correlated with the mandible rotation. 6. There was a rather high degree of correlation between skeletal profile and soft-tissue profile, 1 : LS, $\bar{1}$:Pog', Pog:LS, Pog:LI, Pog:Pog' in horizontal measurements and $\bar{1}$:Pog', Pog:LI, Pog:Pog' in vertical measurements.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.462-468
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• 2009

Purpose: The liposuction has been generalized & undergone in the field of plastic surgery and it has had a great influence on fat graft. But despite of liposuction and fat injection being performed widely, we did not focus on complication associated with donor site. So we reported satisfactory result with the intraoperative sustained limited expansion & direct closure to donor site tissue necrosis after liposuction and analyzed the cause & measures of donor site necrosis with the literature investigation Methods: From November 2007 to June 2008, we treated four cases of tissue necrosis and infection surrounding the thigh and forearm. Necrosis after liposuction was 1 case, donor site necrosis after fat injection were 3 cases and MRSA was detected in 2 cases. first, we debrided the necrotic tissue and treated with potadine gauze soaking dressing & susceptible antibiotics. After confirmation of healthy granulation tissue, we used intraoperative sustained limited expansion and closed directly of defect & observed the results. Results: The patient was displeased and worried with the unexpected damage concerning the donor site and the procedure concerning time and financial exhaustion, but after confirming no contracture of the scar tissues and only a thin or slightly widened line of scar, showed satisfaction. Conclusion: Because it is fastidious to avoid donor site complication after liposuction & fat injection, enough explanation and understanding on possible complication to donor site are necessary and careful surgery procedure & materials are required. But if donor site necrosis were occurred although close consideration of possible causes of necrosis, we should think about not only wound healing process but also the sequela like scar contracture & cosmetic effect and treat the most adequate method to satisfying both concerns.