• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.641-646
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• 2007

Purpose: Lateral canthoplasty is utilized in aesthetic surgery to lengthen the lateral palpebral fissure of the lateral canthal area. However, complication such as recurrence, contour deformity or hypertrophic scar make its results doubtful. Therefore, we developed lateral canthoplasty with lateral canthotomy and Y-V advancement to effectively lengthen the palpebral fissure without recurrence. Methods: A total number of 117 patients were reviewed from March 1991 to April 2005. The operative procedure was lateral canthoplasty with lateral canthotomy and Y-V advancement. To prevent recurrence, we dissected lateral conjunctiva of lower eyelid. The author believes that by this procedure, V flap would be able to advance laterally without tension. Results: We performed lateral canthoplasty in 117 patients. There were no recurrence and patients were satisfied with the results. There were 12 patients who presented with complication. Complication included hypertrophic scar in 4 patients, web formation in 3 patients and over-correction in 5 patients. Conclusion: Lateral canthoplasty with lateral canthotomy and simple Y-V advancement may be used as an effective method to lengthen palpebral fissure without recurrence.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.659-662
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• 2008

Purpose: Silicone gel sheet(SGS) is used for preventing and treating keloid or hypertrophic scars. Because the product is weak in tear strength and adherence, it requires several replacements, which requires high cost. As a solution for this problem, we developed a new silicone gel sheet, named as Scar Clinic, and confirmed its physical properties. Methods: Tensile strength, elongation rate, adhesiveness, and water vapor transmission rate were experimentally compared between the most commonly used SGS product and the Scar Clinic. Results: The newly developed SGS showed better results compared to the existed SGS in regards to tensile strength, elongation rate, adhesiveness, and water vapor transmission rate. Conclusion: The Scar Clinic showed higher durability and flexibility. It will be a useful product for treating scars clinically.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.221-226
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• 2007

Purpose. Hypertrophic scarring and depression are the principal problems of bum rehabilitation. This study was done to verify the effects of skin rehabilitation massage therapy (SRMT) on pruritus, skin status, and depression for Korean bum survivors. Methods. A pretest - posttest design using a nonequivalent control group was applied to examine the effects of SRMT for 3 months in a group of 18 bum survivors. The major dependent variables - including pruritus, objective and subjective scar status, and depression - were measured at the beginning and at the end of the therapy to examine the effects of SRMT. Results. Bum survivors receiving SRMT showed reduced pruritus, improved skin status, and depression. The remaining scar also showed improvement in skin pigmentation, pliability, vascularity, and height (compared to the surrounding skin) as measured on the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). Conclusions. The findings demonstrate that SRMT for bum survivors may improve their scars both objectively and subjectively, and also reduce pruritus and depression.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.697-704
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• 2013

Background We conducted an experimental study to compare the effect of massage using topical agents (Kelo-cote or Contractubex) on scar formation by massaging the healed burn wound on the dorsal area of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods Four areas of second degree contact burn were made on the dorsal area of each of 15 SD rats, using a soldering iron 15 mm in diameter. After gross epithelialization in the defect, 15 SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: the Kelo-cote group, Contractubex group, Vaseline group, and control group. Rats in three of the groups (all but the Control group) were massaged twice per day for 5 minutes each day, while those in the Control group were left unattended. For histologic analysis, we performed a biopsy and evaluated the thickness of scar tissue. Results In the Kelo-cote and Contractubex groups, scar tissue thicknesses showed a significant decrease, compared with the Vaseline and control groups. However, no significant differences were observed between the Kelo-cote and Contractubex groups. In the Vaseline group, scar tissue thicknesses showed a significant decrease, compared with the control groups. Conclusions The findings of this study suggest that massage using a topical agent is helpful in the prevention of scar formation and that massage only with lubricant (no use of a topical agent) also has a considerable effect, although not as much as the use of a topical agent. Thus, we recommend massage with a topical agent on the post-burn scar as an effective method for decreasing the scar thickness.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.779-783
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• 2009

Purpose: Male hypertrophic nipples can lead to psychological distress and physical discomfort. The authors present a new technique of male nipple reduction and describe its advantages Methods: The neonipple is designed to reduce diameter and height of nipple while preserving the subdermal plexus. After the central wedge excision, additional four triangular section of nipple skin is excised. One of the remaining two flaps is amputated partially and both flaps were approximated using 4 - 0 PDS and 6 - 0 Nylon sutures. Results: Between December of 2007 and January of 2009, 52 nipple reductions were performed in 30 male patients(mean = 29.5 years). Postoperative recovery was rapid and few complications were encountered. The mean diameter of the hypertrophic nipple was $9.1{\pm}2.5mm$(range, 7 to 15 mm). The mean diameter of the neonipple was $5.0{\pm}0.7mm$(range, 4 to 6 mm), with an average reduction of $3.8{\pm}0.6mm$(range, 2 to 11 mm). At follow-up, the neonipple had a natural appearance, with less projection and an inconspicuous scar. Conclusion: The wedge and triangular skin excision and partial amputation are easy to perform and yields consistent results. This technique decreases both the diameter and height of any size nipple and can be modified to meet patient preferences.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.622-625
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• 2020

Corner mouth lift is in increasing demand among young patients in East Asia. Although various surgical methods exist for corner mouth lift, many patients are reluctant to undergo surgery due to fears of postsurgical scarring. We present a new technique aimed at reducing postoperative scarring. The technique involves triangular excision of the corner of the mouth and incision of the commissure with transposition of a lateral vermilion flap to lift the corner of the mouth. The muscle around the corner of the mouth is dissected to release tension. The corner mouth lift was successfully performed in all patients. It can be effectively used even in patients, such as young Asian women, who are susceptible to hypertrophic scars.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.345-354
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• 2000

TGF-${\beta}_1$ is a potent chemotactic factor for inflammatory cells and fibroblasts. It also stimulates the celluar source and components of extracellular matrix and the production of proteinase inhibitors. Collectively, these biologic activities lead to the accumulation and stabilization of the nascent matrix, which is vital to wound healing. The objective of this study is to investigate production of TGF-${\beta}_1$ in vitro fibroblast culture in the presence of Staphylococcus enterotoxin B(SEB) and/or lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and to elucidate the role of TGF-${\beta}_1$ which may be responsible for wound healing. The fibroblasts were originated from facial dermis and hypertrophic scar in 26 year-old male patient. In the presence of LPS($0.01{\mu}g$, $0.1{\mu}g$, $1.0{\mu}g$), SEB($0.01{\mu}g$, $0.1{\mu}g$, $1.0{\mu}g$) respectively, cells($5{\times}10^3ml$) were cultivated in vitro. At 1, 3, and 5 days after incubation, cells were counted. Also, cells($2.5{\times}10^5ml$) were cultivated in EMEM with LPS(0.01, 0.1 and $1.0{\mu}g$), SEB(0.01, 0.1 and $1.0{\mu}g$) respectively and LPS($0.1{\mu}g$) and SEB($0.1{\mu}g$) in combination for 24, 48, and 72 hours respectively. Culture supernatants were harvested at 1, 2, and 3 days after incubation period and triplicate culture supernatants were pooled and TGF-${\beta}_1$ was assayed in duplicate. The results were as follows. 1. In facial dermal fibroblast induced with SEB and LPS respectively or in combination, the suppression of cell proliferation occurred very significantly at 1 day after incubation, compared with the control. In SEB exposure, the production of TGF-${\beta}_1$ was decreased very significantly at 1 day after incubation, compared with the control. However, in LPS, SEB and LPS exposure, the production of TGF-${\beta}_1$ was increased very significantly at 1 day after incubation, compared with the control. 2. In hypertrophic scar fibroblast induced with SEB and LPS respectively or in combination, the suppression of cell proliferation did not occur at 1 day after incubation, compared with the control. In SEB and LPS exposure in combination, the production of TGF-${\beta}_1$ was increased very significantly at 1 day after incubation, compared with the control. However, the production of TGF-${\beta}_1$ did not occur in SEB and LPS exposure respectively. In conclusion, the concentration of bacterial toxins and the incubation period correlated with cell proliferation and production of TGF-${\beta}_1$ very significantly and both fibroblasts have different phenotype each other in this regard. This data suggest that the significant production of TGF-${\beta}_1$ may develope abnormal wound healing associated with tissue fibroproliferative disorder, such as hypertrophic scar and keloid formation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.575-581
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• 2016

Background Open thyroidectomy is conventionally performed at the anterior side of neck, which is a body part with a comparatively great degree of open exposure; due to this, postoperative scarring may cause distress in patients. We aimed to compare the effects of ablative and nonablative fractional laser treatments on thyroidectomy scars. We examined medical records in a retrospective manner and analyzed scars based on their digital images by using the modified Manchester Scar Scale (mMSS). Methods Between February 2012 and May 2013, 55 patients with thyroidectomy scars were treated with ablative (34 patients) or nonablative (21 patients) fractional laser. Each patient underwent 4 laser treatment sessions in 3-4 week intervals, 1-2 months postoperatively. Scar improvement was assessed using patient images and the mMSS scale. Results The mean decrease in scar score was 3.91 and 3.47 in the ablative and nonablative groups, respectively; the reduction between 2 groups did not exhibit any significant difference (P=0.16). We used the scale once again to individually evaluate scar attributes. The nonablative group accounted for a considerably higher color score value (P=0.03); the ablative group accounted for a considerably higher contour score value (P<0.01). Patient satisfaction was high and no complications occurred. Conclusions Both types of fractional laser treatments can be used successfully for thyroidectomy scar treatment with minimal complications; however, results indicate that higher effectiveness may be obtained from the use of ablative and nonablative lasers for hypertrophic scars and early erythematous scars, respectively. Therefore, the appropriate laser for scar treatment should be selected according to its specific characteristics.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.299-303
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• 2005

The epicanthal fold is common natural finding in Asian eyes. It is very common that patients, who look for oriental blephaloplasty for double eye lid, request correction epicanthal fold. It is very often difficult to achieve satisfactory results if the correction of the epicanthal fold is not corrected concomitantly. Many authors described surgical procedures for correction of epicanthal folds. But most of them leave additional scars which tend to be hypertrophic and noriceable. We achieved satisfactory result in epicanthoplasty with invisible scar, using combination of procedures, such as upward incision, double eyelid operation, anchoring suture of the medial upper lid skin to the medial canthal tendon, trans-nasal root subcutaneous mattress suture of the epicanthal fold itself and combined rhinoplasty. For past six years (1998 to 2003) 17 patients have been operated with one of these mentioned procedures. The mean follow up was 4months (2weeks to 6months). All patients were satisfied and no major complication was noted. This method can be one of the effective procedures for correcting the Asian epicanthal fold for avoiding potential visible scar and ancillary procedure in double eye lid blephaloplasty.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.453-456
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• 2017

Patients are increasingly seeking repair of their earlobes following ear gauging. Research has shown that current repair techniques either excessively reduce the lobular volume or leave an obvious scar along the free edge of the earlobe. In our case series, we describe the use of a novel technique for repairing earlobes following ear gauging using a rolling earlobe flap that preserves the lobular volume and avoids leaving a scar on the free edge of the lobule. The procedure was performed on 3 patients (6 earlobes) who had defects from ear gauging that ranged from 3.0 to 6.5 cm. There were no postoperative complications of infection, wound dehiscence, flap necrosis, hypertrophic scars, or keloids, and all patients were highly satisfied with the postoperative results. This versatile technique allows for an aesthetically pleasing reconstruction of the lobule with the advantages of: the absence of a surgical scar on the free edge of the lobule, preserving the lobule volume, and presenting a highly customizable technique that allows lobules to be created with various shapes and volumes.