• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.6
• /
• pp.740-746
• /
• 2011

Purpose: In the treatment of the unilateral cleft lip nasal deformities, the correction of the low-nostril height and short-columella are very difficult problems. We report the treatment outcomes of web uni-limb Z-plasty used for correction of unilateral cleft lip nasal deformities by using photographic analysis. Methods: A total of 36 patients with unilateral cleft lip nasal deformities were enrolled in this study, who underwent web uni-limb Z-plasty and were followed up for at least 6 months. First, a triangular flap was made on the medial side of alar-columella web. The nostril apex of cleft side was corrected to a higher point compared to noncleft side by 2 mm. The flap was transposed into the defect of the vestibule. To reduce the bulging of the flap, horizontal cinching sutures were added. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated by using photographic analysis. 2 indices and 1 angle were measured on their photographs taken before and after the surgery. Symmetry was also evaluated by means of the noncleft side to cleft side index. For anthropologic assessment, observers described postoperative outcomes, using Ordinary Scale Method. Results: The postoperative values obtained in photographic analysis improved compared to preoperative ones. More improving anthropologic assessment was shown in post-than pre-operative. Conclusion: Although, further long term follow up is needed, we found this technique to be an effective procedure to the symmetry of nostril apex level and the lengthening of columella in the unilateral cleft lip nasal deformities.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.458-460
• /
• 2001

A 11-month-old infancy was referred for treatment of cleft palate. The patient's congenital deformities had included oronasal fistula on the soft palate and bifid uvula. Furrow double-opposing Z-plasty was performed under general anesthesia. However, postoperative bleeding developed at ward. Despite the pressure of operative wound, venous oozing continued and hemoglobin concentration and RBC were decreased (Hb: 5.5g/dL, RBC: $1.98{\times}10^6/mm^3$). The patient was pale and confused and transferred to Surgical Intensive Care Unit(SICU) We could not keep the peripheral venous line and there was a high risk of hypovolemic shock. Emergency transfusion was performed through the central femoral venous line and emergency operation for bleeding control was carried out. We explored the operation site and found bleeding point from the posterior pharyngeal wall. Electrocoagulation and surgicel packing were carried out and bleeding was stopped.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.748-752
• /
• 2007

Purpose: The goal of palatoplasty is focused on two points. One is to close the palatal defect completely, and the other to create a velopharyngeal system for normal speech. While established methods such as pushback palatoplasty or double opposing Z palatoplasty are used in wide cleft palate repair, sequelae such as maxillary hypoplasia or oronasal fistula may result. Therefore, when palatoplasty with buccinator myomucosal flap is used in the case of wide cleft palates, maxillary hypoplasia and oronasal fistula is reduced and optimal results are obtained. Methods: From October 2005 to December 2006, four children with wide complete cleft palate underwent unilateral buccinator myomucosal flap and intravelar veloplaty. Mean age at cleft repair was 15 months, and mean cleft size was 2.15 cm. The patients underwent intravelar veloplasty and palatoplasty was done using unilateral buccinator myomucosal flap. Results: The patients, after mean 10 months of follow-up observation, showed no signs of oronasal fistula resulting from flap tension. The shape and color similar to normal oral mucosa was obtained, and velopharyngeal function was acquired. Conclusion: When intravelar veloplasty and palatoplasty with unilateral buccinator myomucosal flap is done on wide cleft palates, postoperative speech function is optimal, velopharyngeal incompetence is effectively corrected, and sequelae resulting from pushback palatoplasty and double opposing Z-plasty, such as maxillary hypoplasia and oronasal fistula, is reduced.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.39 no.8 s.265
• /
• pp.588-597
• /
• 2006

Background: The surgical repair of a tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) has been performed successfully with a favorable early and late outcome. However, the later development of pulmonary regurgitation and stenosis remains a problem. The development of pulmonary regurgitation and stenosis may be changed by the size of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction at the initial total correction. Hence, it is necessary to investigate the ideal size of RVOT reconstruction. Material and Method: This prospective study was carried out to determine how a surgical strategy and the RVOT size affect the occurrence of pulmonary regurgitation and stenosis. From January 2002 to December 2004, 62 patients underwent the TOF total correction. The RVOT size (diameter of pulmonary valve annulus) of each case was measured after the RVOT reconstruction and converted to a Z value. A pre-scheduled follow up (at discharge, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years) was carried out by echocardiography to evaluate the level of pulmonary regurgitation and stenosis. Result: The patients were divided to two groups (transannular group n=12, nontransannular group n=50) according to the method of a RVOT reconstruction. The Z value of RVOT=iameter of pulmonary valve annulus) (transannular group -1, $range\;-3.6{\sim}-0.8;$ nontransannular group -2.1, $range\;-5.2{\sim}-1.5)$ and the average pRV/LV after surgery ${(transannular group 0.44{\pm}0.09,\;nontransannular group\;0.42{\pm}0.09)}$ did not show any significant difference between two groups. The occurrence of pulmonary regurgitation above a moderate degree was more frequent in the transannular group (p<0.01). In nontransannular group, the development of pulmonary regurgitation more than moderate degree occurred to the patients with larger RVOT size (Z value>0, p<0.02) and the progressing pulmonary stenosis more than mild to moderate degree developed in the patients with smaller RVOT size (Z value<-1.5, p<0.05). A moderate degree of pulmonary stenosis developed for 4 nontransannular patients. Three underwent additional surgery and one underwent a balloon valvuloplasty. Their Z value of RVOT were -3.8, -3.8 -2.9, -1.8, respectively. Conclusion: When carring out a TOF total correction, transannular RVOT reconstruction group has significantly more pulmonary regurgitation. In the nontransannular RVOT reconstruction. the size of the RVOT should be maintained from Z value -1.5 to 0. If the Z value is less than -1.5, we should follow up carefully for the possibility of pulmonary stenosis.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.667-670
• /
• 2007

Purpose: Among the materials for cranioplasty, autogenous bone is ideal because it is less susceptible to infection and has lower rates of subsequent exposure. However, the procedure is technically demanding to perform and requires a donor site. Disadvantages further exist when the defect is large and there are attendant limitations in donor site. The authors present their experience with reconstruction of large skull defect using right-angled zigzag osteotomized outer table of autogenous calvarial bone, overcoming the limitation in donor site. Methods: From 2000 to 2006, 9 patients were retrospectively reviewed, who had undergone reconstruction with right angled zigzag osteotomized outer table of autogenous calvarial bone. Results: Aesthetically satisfactory skull shape was achieved. Major complications of infection, hematoma, plate exposure, and donor site complications of dural tear with bleeding, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and meningitis were not seen. One patient had delayed wound healing and was successfully managed conservatively. Conclusion: Autogenous bone is the material of choice for cranioplasty, especially in complicated cases. Right angled zigzag osteotomy is a useful method in reconstruction of large skull defects with less donor site morbidity.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.443-446
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Tragus is one of the key structure of the normal shape of auricle. We experienced several cases of hypoplastic tragus with preauricular appendage. This article describes the methods of reconstruction of atypical tragus using accessory tragus or macrotragus to make better aesthetic results rather than simple excision. Methods: From April, 2004 to March, 2009, 21 patients got operations by our method. Seven patients had bilateral deformity of tragus. Mean age was 12.7 years. For 17 cases of accessory tragus, simple excision, z-plasty and interpolation flap was performed. For 11 cases of macrotragus, debulking and z-plasty was performed. Mean follow-up period was 9.4 months. Results: Reconstructed tragus looked symmetric with the opposite side in contour, size, direction and partial coverage of auditory meatus. There was no enlargement of remnant appendage for the follow up period and there was no complication such as hematoma, infection and chondritis. Conclusion: In cases of small and deformed tragus, preauricular tissue such as accessory tragus and macrotragus could be a good source of tragal reconstruction.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.593-598
• /
• 2007

Purpose: Talipes equinus deformity is defined as impossibility of heel weight-bearing and lacking of improvement of toe-tip gait despite sufficient duration of conservative treatment. The incidence of equinus deformity induces post-traumatic extensive soft tissue defect and subsequently increases it. Severe equinus deformities of the foot associated with extensive scarring of the leg and ankle were corrected using achilles Z-lengthening and free-tissue transfer. Methods: Free radial forearm flap was done in nine cases of eight patients from January 2000 to November 2006. Causes of deformity were post-traumatic contracture (one patient) and post-burn scar contracture (seven patients). Seven patients were male, one patient was female. Mean age was 32.1 (range, 10-57). Flap donors were covered with artificial dermis ($Terudermis^{(R)}$) and split thickness skin graft (five cases), and medium thickness skin graft only (four cases). Results: The size of flaps varied from $6{\times}12$ to $15{\times}12cm$ (average, $12{\times}7.8cm$). Achilles tendon was lengthened 4.2cm on average. Free radial forearm flap was satisfactory in all cases. All patients could ambulate normally after the surgery. Cases having donor coverage with $Terudermis^{(R)}$ were aesthetically better than those having skin grafts only. Conclusion: This study suggested that severe equinus deformities associated with extensive scarring of the leg and ankle can be corrected effectively free radial forearm flap and Achilles tendon lengthening.

• Membrane Journal
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.157-165
• /
• 1996

Polysulfone(PS) membranes were prepared from homogeneous PS solutions by the phase inversion technique. When propionic acid(PA) was added into a casting solution of n-methylpyrrolidone(NMP) and PS, precipitation rate of the solution film was accelerated. This kind of acceleration was consistent, even though a precipitating nonsolvent was changed from water to isopropanol. These phenomena were caused by decrease of nonsolvent tolerance in the casting solution due to addition of PA. PS powder was prepared by precipitation of a 3wt% solution in dimethylformamide(DMF) using ethanol as nonsolvent. Gas adsorption analysis of the powder showed that the capillary condensation sites were found in the powder structure. Membranes prepared from PS solution(15wt%) in NMP had the following characteristics of gas adsorption and water permeation. In gas adsorption analysis, the membrane precipitated using isopropanol showed low uptake of nitrogen gas and the capillary condensation sites were not found. On the contrary, a significant amount of the capillary condensation sites was found in the membrane coagulated by water, which was related to increase of nitrogen uptake. tn the membrane prepared froin the solution including PA, an increase of the Henry's law sites and the Langmuir sites was not found clearly. However, the capillary condensation sites were significantly increased, and the water transport also increased.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.342-345
• /
• 2007

Purpose: A common side effect of the scalp reduction is a creation of a 'slot' with the hair growing in the opposite directions away from the scar. Overcoming the unnatural appearance of the slot has been a vexing problem in the scalp reduction surgery. None of the conventional corrective surgical techniques provides a complete and satisfactory aesthetic result. The Frechet flap is a triple transposition flap used for the correction of the slot defect secondary to scalp reduction surgery, seldom needing further scar revision. The Frechet technique provides a solution to the problem of the central slot concealment that is unattainable by other means, such as; Z-plasty and mini-graft. Methods: Authors applied the Frechet technique to Asian patients who had undergone scalp reduction and operated on 4 patients from March, 2000 to January, 2001. Average follow-up period was 13 months. Patients with long scars passing through the temporoparietoccipital zone were excluded. All the undermining was performed in the subgaleal plane, reaching the upper auricular sulcus and stopping just above the nuchal ridge. Results: None of the patients experienced infection, hematoma, nor any permanent hair loss. Transient telogen effluvium at the distal end of flap 2 and 3 was noticeable in one case. Conclusion: In conclusion, the results are aesthetically satisfactory without any significant complications.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.133-139
• /
• 2012

This is a review regarding Mulliken's Modification using the Millard rotation-advancement principle for the repair of unilateral complete cleft lip and nasal deformity. All patients underwent prior labionasal adhesion and dentofacial orthopedics with a pin-retained (Latham) appliance used for infants with a cleft of the lip and palate. Technical variations concerning the operation are described. A high rotation and releasing incision in the columella lengthens the medial labial element and produces a symmetric prolabium with minimal transgression of the upper philtral column through the advancement flap. The orbicularis oris muscle is everted, from caudad to cephalad, to form the philtral ridge. A minor variation of unilimb Z-plasty is used to level the cleft side of Cupid's bow handle, and cutaneous closure proceeds superiorly from this junction. The dislocated alar cartilage is visualized though a nostril rim incision and suspended to the ipsilateral upper lateral cartilage. Symmetry of the alar base is addressed in three dimensions, including maneuvers to position the deviated anterior-caudal septum, configure the sill, and efface the lateral vestibular web. The authors believe the technical refinements described herein contribute favorably to the outcome of repair regarding unilateral cleft lip and nasal distortion.