• Membrane Journal
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.146-156
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• 2008

In this study, PTMSP of high permeability and high molecular weight was synthesized, and PTMSP-PDMS graft copolymer was synthesized from poly [1-(trimethylsily)propyne] (PTMSP) and hydroxy-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). The PTMSP-PDMS-silica composites were prepared by the addition of 15, 30, or 50 wt% tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) to PTMSP-PDMS graft copolymer by sol-gel process. To investigate the physico-chemical characteristics of PTMSP-PDMS-silica/PEI composite membranes, the analytical methods such as $^1H$-NMR, FT-IR, TGA, XPS, GPC, and SEM have been utilized. The gas permeability and selectivity properties of $H_2,\;O_2,\;N_2,\;CO_2,\;CH_4,\;n-C_4H_{10}$, were evaluated. Permeability of the composite membranes increased as TEOS content and pressure increased. Selectivity of $H_2,\;O_2,\;N_2,\;CO_2,\;CH_4,\;and\;n-C_4H_{10}$, showed the maximum value at 30 wt% of TEOS content and decreased thereafter.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.384-389
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• 2012

Background Numerous procedures are available for nipple reconstruction without a single gold standard. This study presents a method for reducing donor-site morbidity in nipple reconstruction using a composite nipple graft after transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap breast reconstruction. Methods Thirty-five patients who underwent nipple reconstruction using a composite nipple graft technique between July of 2001 and December of 2009 were enrolled in this study. To reduce the donor site morbidity, the superior or superior-medial half dome harvesting technique was applied preserving the lateral cutaneous branch of the fourth intercostal nerves. The patients were asked to complete a previously validated survey to rate the color and projection of both nipples, along with the sensation and contractility of the donor nipple; and whether, in retrospect, they would undergo the procedure again. To compare projection, we performed a retrospective chart review of all the identifiable patients who underwent nipple reconstruction using the modified top hat flap technique by the same surgeon and during the same period. Results Thirty-five patients were identified who underwent nipple reconstruction using a composite nipple graft. Of those, 29 patients (82.9%) responded to the survey. Overall, we received favorable responses to the donor site morbidity. Projection at postoperative 6 months and 1 year was compared with the immediate postoperative results, as well as with the results of nipples reconstructed using the modified top hat flap. Conclusions The technique used to harvest donor tissue is important. Preserving innervation of the nipple while harvesting can reduce donor site morbidity.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.300-316
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• 1995

Methods for restoring the posterior portion of the maxilla with delayed and simultaneous sinus lift, composite graft and placement of TPS cylinder and screw type implants are presented. Sinus grafting is needed because of minimal remaining alveolar bone and supporting posterior maxillary portion, The composite graft material uses a combination of autogeneous bone from tuberosity, dimeneralized freeze dried allogenic bone and hydroxylapatite with saline. Since 1991, feb, 1 sinus graft with delayed implantation of 3 cylinder implants and 5 sinus grafts with simultaneous placement of 4HA coated screw typed, 8 TPS cylinder typed implants have been performed for 6 patients. None of the 15 restored implants have been lost, Temporization of prosthesis was done about 2-5 months before final prosthetic work, None of them shows any severe complication.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.350-355
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• 2005

There are various surgical methods for reconstruction of the nasal defect. Among them, there is some difference in the choosing the proper reconstruction method according to defect size and position. When the defect involved the tip, the columella, and the alar, the local flaps may be preferred, because they can provide sufficient amount of tissue. However, the composite grafts from the ear have been effectively used in reconstructions of smaller sized defects of the columella and ala. We excised total external nose because of squamous cell carcinoma on the nasal tip, columella, and nasal septum. We reconstructed the nasal tip, both alae, and columella with forehead flap. After division of the regional flap, we found partial necrosis of the columella and narrowness of the nostril. So, we used chondrocutaneous auricular composite grafts for reconstruction of the columella and both nostrils. We used the file-folder designed auricular composite graft for reconstruction of columella and the wedge shaped ear helical composite grafts for widening of nostrils. 6 months later, there were no significant problems, except some mismatched dark color in the grafted alar tissues. Here, we report a successful reconstruction of large nasal defect using combined two different reconstructive methods.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.356-364
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• 2002

Background: This study was undertaken to investigate the outcome of composite graft aortic root replacement using coronary button reimplantation technique for the treatment of aneurysms of the ascending aorta involving the aortic root. Material and Method: Between April 1995 and September 2001, 54 patients having aortic root replacement with a composite valve graft using direct coronary button reimplantation were reviewed retrospectively. Left ventricular dysfunction was present in 14 patients(25.9%), aortic regurgitation in 48(89%), and Marfan's syndrome in 17(31.5%). The indications for operation were annuloaortic ectasia in 29 patients(53.7%), aortic dissection in 11(20.4%), aneurysms of the ascending aorta involving aortic root in 12(22.2%), and aortitis in 2(3.7%). Six patients(11.1%) had previous cardiac or ascending aortic operations. Concomitant procedures were arch replacement in 21 patients(38.9%), coronary artery bypass graft in 7(13%), mitral valve repair or replacement in 4(7.4%), and others in 6. The mean time of circulatory arrest, total bypass, and aortic crossclamp were 18 $\pm$ 9 minutes, 177 $\pm$ 42 minutes, and 127 $\pm$ 31 minutes, respectively. Result: There was 1 early death(1.9%). Mean follow-up was 24.6$\pm$ 19.5 months. There were two late deaths(3.8%) including one death due to the traumatic cerebral hemorrhage. The Kaplan-Meier survival rate was 98.0 $\pm$ 2.0% and 93.1 $\pm$ 5.1% at 1 and 6 years, respectively. Two patients required reoperation owing to a false aneurysm at the root anastomosis site and a malfunction of prosthetic aortic valve(3.8%). Staged operation for dissection of the remaining thoracoabdominal aorta was performed in 1 patient. The freedom rate from reoperation was 97.8 $\pm$ 2.0% and 65.3 $\pm$ 26.7% at 1 and 6 years, respectively.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.123-131
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• 2015

The PTMSP/PDMS graft copolymer were synthesized from the PTMSP[poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne)] and the PDMS[poly(dimethylsiloxane)] and then the PTMSP/PDMS-borosilicate composite membranes were prepared by adding the porous borosilicates to the PTMSP/PDMS graft copolymer. The number-average molecular weight (${\bar{M}}_n$) and the weight-average molecular weight (${\bar{M}}_w$) of PTMSP/PDMS graft copolymer were 460,000 and 570,000 respectively, and glass transition temperature ($T_g$) of PTMSP/PDMS graft copolymer appeared at $33.53^{\circ}C$ according to DSC analysis. According to the TGA measurements, the addition of borosilicate to the PTMSP/PDMS graft copolymer leaded the decreased weight loss and the completed weight loss temperature went down. SEM observation showed that borosilicate was dispersed in the PTMSP/PDMS-borosilicate composite membranes with the size of $1{\sim}5{\mu}m$. Gas permeation experiment indicated that the addition of borosilicate to PTMSP/PDMS graft copolymer resulted in the increase in free volume, cavity and porosity resulting in the gradual shift of the mechanism of the gas permeation from solution diffusion to molecular sieving surface diffusion, and Knudsen diffusion. Consequently, the permeability of $H_2$ and $N_2$ increased and selectivity ($H_2/N_2$) decreased as the contents of borosilicate increased.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.260-265
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• 2010

Background: A composite valve graft replacement has been used for a variety of aortic root diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mid-term results of this technique. Material and Method: We conducted a retrospective analysis of aortic root composite valve graft replacements in 39 patients and these procedures were done at our institution between 1992 and 2009. The mean age of the patients was $49.2{\pm}16.4$ years. The mean follow-up was $64.2{\pm}53.4$ months (maximum: 176 months). Result: There were 4 hospital deaths (8.6%) due to emergency aortic dissection and 4 late deaths owing to several causes. The causes of late death were 2 ruptures of a remnant aneurysm, 1 subdural hemorrhage and 1 paravalvular leakage. The calculated survival rate was 93.5%, 85.0% and 85.0% at 1, 5 and 10 years, respectively. There were 3 cerebrovascular accidents during the follow up period. The rate of freedom from cerebrovascular accidents was 97.0%, 92.0% and 80.0% at 1, 5 and 10 years, respectively. All of these brain accidents were hemorrhage-related complications. Conclusion: A composite valve graft replacement of the aortic root was associated with favorable results. So, this technique seems to be a good method to treat various aortic root diseases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.897-902
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• 1999

Use of the left internal thoracic artery(ITA) to bypass the left anterior descending(LAD) coronary artery has become the standard of care based on its superior graft patency, reduced cardiac events, and enhanced survival. But rarely we encountered with injury to the artery during harvesting which leads to loss of the merits of surgery. We reconstructed inadequate ITAa with other arterial conduits so proximal stump to be a blood source if possible. Maternal and method: Between January 1996 and March 1999, 12 patients received bypass with the reconstructed left internal thoracic artery grafts to left anterior descending artery because of an injury(n=8), short or small(n=4). Right or left ITA was used to LAD as a free graft(n=2). And the other 10 left ITAs were extended with radial artery(n=6), right ITA(n=3), saphenous vein(n=1). Composite "T" graft was made with other arterial conduits in these extended graft(n=5). Result: There was only one morbidity of minor would problem, and no mortality. The patency of extended graft to LAD was complete in 5 patients who received angiography during the period of 2wks to 2 years postoperative, but one of side branch of "T" graft occluded. All of these patients were well. Conclusion: Reconstructive extension with the use of other arterial conduit for the injured proximal ITA is warranted in any patients with acceptable results. acceptable results.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.587-592
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• 2007

Purpose: In case of postburn flexion contracture of the fingers, skin graft, geometrical relaxation techniques, local flap, and free flap have been used. Among these procedures, full-thickness skin grafts from the inguinal area are widely used to reconstruct a postburn flexion contracture in the fingers. But there are many esthetic and functional problems in this procedure. Especially, hyperpigmentation of the skin-grafted fingers poses a troublesome problem, particularly in the patients who have dark colored skin. To solve the problem, we have used pulp graft which was harvested from the lateral aspect of great toe. In the present study, we report pulp graft, with which we have obtained a good result in the treatment of postburn flexion contracture of the fingers. Methods: Between September of 2004 and August of 2006, great toe pulp graft was performed to 20 sites of 15 patients. After release of the postburn flexion contracture using Z-plasty, the composite tissue (pulp) harvested from the lateral aspect of great toe was grafted on the raw surface. Moisture dressing with ointment and foam dressing material was performed. Stratum corneum of the graft got stripped off in two to four weeks after pulp graft. The color of the pulp graft was slightly reddish, then it became similar to the adjacent tissue. Results: There was complete take in all the patients who were treated with pulp graft. Great toe pulp graft provided similar color and texture to the adjacent skin, high rate of graft take, and left only a minimal scar at donor site. Conclusion: Thick keratin layer and inelastic nature of the pulp make this type of the graft much easier and simpler, and ensure a better take. Pulp graft is useful method for the reconstruction of the postburn flexion contracture in fingers.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.449-452
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• 2017

The nipple-sharing technique for nipple reconstruction offers excellent tissue matching. The method used for nipple graft harvesting determines the quality of the graft and hence, the success of nipple sharing. Here, we described a guillotine technique wherein the nipple is first transfixed with 2 straight needles to stabilise it. Two No. 11 blades are then inserted in the center and simultaneously swept outwards to amputate the distal portion of the nipple. This technique provides good control, resulting in a very evenly cut base. The recipient bed is deepithelialized thinly, and the nipple graft is inset with interrupted 8-0 nylon sutures under magnification. Being a composite graft, it is protected with splint dressings for 6 weeks, and the dressing is regularly changed by the surgeon. The height of the nipple grafts ranges from 4 to 8 mm. This technique was performed in 9 patients with an average follow-up of 2.9 years (range, 1-4.5 years). Apposition between the nipple graft and its bed is crucial for the success of this technique. When correctly applied, we observed rapid revascularization of the graft.