• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.366-372
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• 2021

Background The result of illicit polymer injection is chronic inflammation with foreign-body granuloma (FBG) formation. Treatment can be divided into medical and surgical. Some patients develop severe complications with need surgical treatment. This study aims to describe patients who underwent surgical removal of the FBGs and autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA); additionally, we evaluated the quality of life after surgery. Methods In this retrospective single-center study, the authors examined data of patients who underwent surgical removal of FBG caused by illicit polymer injection for cosmetic purposes and confirmed ASIA from 2015 to 2020 by three different surgical approaches. Descriptive summary statistics were reported on patient demographics, presenting symptoms and clinical examination features, treatment strategies, histopathology reports and quality of life. Results The cohort included 11 female patients with FBGs and ASIA. The most affected anatomical zones were the combination of gluteal region, thighs and legs (40%); and thighs with legs (20%). Main presentation was: skin hyperpigmentation (90.9%), skin induration (63.6%), chronic fatigue (63.6%), and ulcers (36.4%). Surgical modalities consisted of: ultrasonic-assisted liposuction in four patients (36.4%); open en bloc excision and primary closure in four patients (36.4%); and open en bloc excision and microsurgical reconstruction in three patients (27.2%). The postoperative quality of life visual analog scale score was 83.9. Conclusions ASIA treatment represents a challenge for the plastic surgeon. Adequate surgical treatment emphasizing, when possible, the total or near-total resection of the FBG must be performed to improve ASIA evolution.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.202-207
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• 2019

Keloids are the most common pathological form of trauma healing, with features that seriously affect appearance and body function, are difficult to treat and have a high recurrence rate. Emerging evidence suggests that miRNAs are involved in a variety of pathological processes and play an important role in the process of fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the function and regulatory network of miR-152-5p in keloids. The miRNA miR-152-5p is frequently downregulated in keloid tissue and primary cells compared to normal skin tissue and fibroblasts. In addition, the downregulation of miR-152-5p is significantly associated with the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of keloid cells. Overexpression of miR-152-5p significantly inhibits the progression of fibrosis in keloids. Smad3 is a direct target of miR-152-5p, and knockdown of Smad3 also inhibits fibrosis progression, consistent with the overexpression of miR-152-5p. The interaction between miR-152-5p and Smad3 occurs through the Erk1/2 and Akt pathways and regulates collagen3 production. In summary, our study demonstrates that miR-152-5p/Smad3 regulatory pathways involved in fibrotic progression may be a potential therapeutic target of keloids.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2019

Background Local symptoms and signs of snake envenomation mimic the clinical features of compartment syndrome. It is important to measure the intracompartmental pressure to diagnose compartment syndrome. In this study, we present our experiences of confirming compartment syndrome and performing fasciotomy in snakebite patients based on high intracompartmental pressure findings. Methods The medical records of patients who visited the trauma center of Wonju Severance Christian Hospital from January 2010 to December 2015 for the management of venomous snakebite were retrospectively reviewed. Starting in 2014, fasciotomy was performed in patients with an intracompartmental pressure of more than 40 mmHg in addition to the clinical symptoms of compartment syndrome. Results A total of 158 patients with snakebite came to the hospital within 48 hours for treatment. Most patients (110 patients) were bitten at the upper extremities (69.6%). Since 2014, 33 out of 59 patients were suspected to have compartment syndrome, and their intracompartmental pressures were measured. Seventeen of those patients had a high intracompartmental pressure (average, 49.6 mmHg; range, 37-88 mmHg), and fasciotomy was performed. Conclusions In this study, as many as 10.8% of all cases were in need of fasciotomy when compartment syndrome was diagnosed by measuring the intracompartmental pressure. Previously, it was reported that fasciotomy was not required in many cases of compartment syndrome originating from snakebite. However, some patients may develop very severe compartment syndrome, requiring fasciotomy.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.45-48
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• 2023

Angiosarcoma is a very rare subtype of sarcoma. It mainly occurs in the head and neck, and cutaneous angiosarcoma in this region seems to be a distinctive neoplasm with characteristic clinicopathologic features that differ from those of angiosarcoma in other anatomical locations. The prognosis of angiosarcoma in the head and neck region is poor, and the risk of local recurrence and metastasis is high. We reconstructed an atypical angiosarcoma that presented as a solitary nodule with a shape suggestive of hemangioma on the cheek using a modified bilobed local flap. At a 12-month follow-up visit, the patient in this case showed successful recovery after radiation therapy.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.35-57
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• 2023

Majority of the plastic produced each year is being disposed in land after single-use, which becomes waste and takes up a lot of storage space. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find alternative solutions instead of disposal. Recycling and reusing the PET plastic waste as aggregate replacement and fiber in concrete production can be one of the eco- friendly methods as there is a great demand for concrete around the world, especially in developing countries by raising human awareness of the environment, the economy, and Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a key development in concrete technology that offers a number of attractive features over traditional concrete applications. Recently, in order to improve its durability and prevent such plastics from directly contacting the environment, various kinds of plastics have been added. This review article summarizes the latest evident on the performance of SCC containing recycled PET as eco-friendly aggregates and fiber. Moreover, it highlights the influence of substitution content, shape, length, and size on the fresh and properties of SCC incorporating PET plastic. Based on the findings of the articles that were reviewed for this study, it is observed that SCC made of PET plastic (PETSCC) can be employed in construction era owing to its acceptable mechanical and fresh properties. On the other hand, it is concluded that owing to the lightweight nature of plastic aggregate, Reusing PET waste in the construction application is an effective approach to reduces the earthquake risk of a building.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.144-152
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• 1996

Ameloblastomas are benign epithelial neoplasm of the jaw comprising approximately 1-3.3% of all odontogenic cysts and tumors. Although most are microscopically benign, they are generally considered to be locally aggressive and destructive, exhibiting a high rate of recurrence. Treatments of them contain the conservative treatments on unilocular types and radical treatments on multilocular types. Classifications based on the histologic features of ameloblastoma generally included the follicular, plexiform, acanthomatous, basal cell, uncystic types. However, recently a new and unusual variant has been added by Eversole et. al in 1984, the histologic features of which are characterized by marked stromal desmoplastic proliferation. This is a case report of desmoplastic ameloblastoma in the anterior maxilla of 63 year-old female treated by block excision. This provides a brief review of the literature because of the rarity and unusual radiographic-histologic features of desmoplastic ameloblastoma.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.201-208
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristic features of oral and maxillofacial swellings that could be seen on ultrasonographic examinations. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients with oral and/or maxillofacial swellings were randomly selected, thorough case histories and clinical examinations were done, ultrasonographic examinations with Doppler imaging were performed, and the features of every group were studied. Finally, histopathological evaluations were performed to identify the final diagnosis, according to which patients were classified into 5 groups; group I: inflammatory/space infection and abscess swellings, group II: cystic swellings, group III: lymph node swellings, group IV: benign swellings, and group V: malignant neoplastic swellings. Results: A significant association (P<0.05), with a contingency coefficient of 0.88, was found between the histopathological and ultrasonographic diagnoses, with ultrasonography having a diagnostic accuracy of 89% in diagnosing maxillofacial swellings. The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography was 100% for lymph node and malignant swellings, followed by 98% for inflammatory and cystic swellings and 92% for benign swellings. The sensitivity of the ultrasonographic diagnosis was 100% for cystic, lymph node, and malignant swellings, followed by 91% for inflammatory swellings and 86% for benign swellings. Conclusion: Ultrasonographic features with Doppler imaging greatly aid in obtaining accurate diagnoses of oral and maxillofacial swellings. Ultrasonography is a recommended imaging tool for differentiating maxillofacial swellings and classifying them accurately.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.122-125
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• 2014

Background Cutaneous malignant melanoma has a poor prognosis. The detrimental effect of incisional biopsies on the outcome of malignant melanoma has been debated. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the presence and type of biopsy on the prognosis of malignant melanoma. Methods The medical records of 109 malignant melanoma patients treated at Tokushima University Hospital from 1983 to 2007 were reviewed. After excluding 28 cases with stage 0 disease or incomplete data, 81 cases were analyzed in detail with respect to patient sex, age, tumor site, clinical stage at diagnosis, presence of ulceration or lymph node metastasis, and prognosis. The five-year survival and five-year disease-free survival rates of patients who underwent incisional or excisional biopsies were compared with those who did not undergo a biopsy. Results The male-to-female ratio was 1:1.19. The mean age was 61.3 years (range, 19-93 years). The most common site was a lower extremity, and the most common clinical stage was stage II. No significant differences in clinicopathological features, five-year survival rates, and five-year disease-free survival rates were observed among the three groups. Conclusions The presence and type of biopsy neither affected the metastatic rate nor the prognosis of malignant melanoma. The use of incisional biopsies is not encouraged because tumor thickness cannot be measured accurately. However, they may be helpful for confirming the diagnosis if an excisional biopsy cannot be performed.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.385-390
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the usefulness of the high resolutional ultrasonographic features in patients with foreign body. Methods: From September 2007 to August 2009, we retrospectively reviewed high resolutional ultrasonogram using 5~12 MHz linear transducer of 13 patients presenting with inflammation after foreign body injection. They were referred for complications after foreign body injection. Injected foreign bodies were 4 silicone, 4 paraffin, 2 artecoll, and 3 unknown. We treated them with foreign body removal (7), foreign body removal and corrective plastic surgery (4), and conservative treatment with antibiotics and steroid injection (2). Results: High resolutional ultrasonography well demonstrated the existence of foreign body and it's overall size, location within the tissue layer, and vascularity. Comparison between preoperative and postoperative ultrasonographic findings was useful not only to evaluate the prognosis but also to plan the treatment. These ultrasonographic findings aided in precise assessment of the contour and location of the foreign body and led to an accurate surgery. We were able to acquire various information in order to set a detailed plan for the operation which in turn, led to a precise, successful surgery. After the treatment, complication did not occur in 12 patients, except 1 patient. But this patient was also treated after reoperation. Postoperative high resolutional ultrasonography shows almost foreign body removed and inflammation disappeared. Conclusion: Considering the usefulness of highresolution ultrasonography in foreign body injection, highresolution ultrasonography would be necessary for both the patient and the doctor. Preoperative and postoperative high resolutional ultrasonography is highly accurate, safe, inexpensive and easy. It can be a useful modality in foreign body after plastic surgery.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.477-482
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• 2012

Background The bone graft for the alveolar cleft has been accepted as one of the essential treatments for cleft lip patients. Precise preoperative measurement of the architecture and size of the bone defect in alveolar cleft has been considered helpful for increasing the success rate of bone grafting because those features may vary with the cleft type. Recently, some studies have reported on the usefulness of three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) assessment of alveolar bone defect; however, no study on the possible implication of the cleft type on the difference between the presumed and actual value has been conducted yet. We aimed to evaluate the clinical predictability of such measurement using 3D CT assessment according to the cleft type. Methods The study consisted of 47 pediatric patients. The subjects were divided according to the cleft type. CT was performed before the graft operation and assessed using image analysis software. The statistical significance of the difference between the preoperative estimation and intraoperative measurement was analyzed. Results The difference between the preoperative and intraoperative values were $-0.1{\pm}0.3cm^3$ (P=0.084). There was no significant intergroup difference, but the groups with a cleft palate showed a significant difference of $-0.2{\pm}0.3cm^3$ (P<0.05). Conclusions Assessment of the alveolar cleft volume using 3D CT scan data and image analysis software can help in selecting the optimal graft procedure and extracting the correct volume of cancellous bone for grafting. Considering the cleft type, it would be helpful to extract an additional volume of $0.2cm^3$ in the presence of a cleft palate.