• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.728-734
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• 2013

Background Absorbable materials offer many advantages in the reconstruction of orbital walls; however, the possibility of postoperative enophthalmos after complete absorption cannot be excluded. We evaluated the postoperative results of absorbable mesh plates used as onlay implanting on the medial orbital wall to determine whether they are suitable for medial orbital wall reconstruction. Methods The study included 20 patients with medial orbital wall fractures who were followed up for more than 2 years postoperatively. We used absorbable mesh plates in all of the patients. We measured the following: the changes in the expanded orbital volume by comparing the preoperative and postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans and the degree of clinical enophthalmos. Results There were no major complications associated with the use of absorbable materials such as infection, migration, or extrusion of mesh plates during the long-term follow-up. The orbital volumetric changes between the preoperative and postoperative CT scans were not statistically significant. However, the expanded orbital volume was not related to the degree of clinical enophthalmos. Conclusions The reconstructed orbital wall may provide supportive scar tissue to the orbital contents even after the absorbable materials have dissolved completely. Absorbable mesh plates could be another option for the reconstruction of the medial orbital wall.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.430-437
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• 2016

Background Accurate breast volume assessment is a prerequisite to preoperative planning, as well as intraoperative decision making in breast reconstruction surgery. The use of three-dimensional surface imaging (3D scanning) to assess breast volume has many advantages. However, before employing 3D scanning in the field, the tool's validity should be demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to confirm the validity of 3D-scanning technology for evaluating breast volume. Methods We reviewed the charts of 25 patients who underwent breast reconstruction surgery immediately after total mastectomy. Breast volumes using the Axis Three 3D scanner, water-displacement technique, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were obtained bilaterally in the preoperative period. During the operation, the tissue removed during total mastectomy was weighed and the specimen volume was calculated from the weight. Then, we compared the volume obtained from 3D scanning with those obtained using the water-displacement technique, MRI, and the calculated volume of the tissue removed. Results The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of breast volumes obtained from 3D scanning, as compared to the volumes obtained using the water-displacement technique and specimen weight, demonstrated excellent reliability. The ICC of breast volumes obtained using 3D scanning, as compared to those obtained by MRI, demonstrated substantial reliability. Passing-Bablok regression showed agreement between 3D scanning and the water-displacement technique, and showed a linear association of 3D scanning with MRI and specimen volume, respectively. Conclusions When compared with the classical water-displacement technique and MRI-based volumetry, 3D scanning showed significant reliability and a linear association with the other two methods.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.333-339
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• 2018

Background Flap volume is an important factor for obtaining satisfactory symmetry in breast reconstruction with a transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) free flap. We aimed to develop an easy and simple method to estimate flap volume. Methods We performed a preoperative estimation of the TRAM flap volume in five patients with breast cancer who underwent 2-stage breast reconstruction following an immediate tissue expander operation after a simple mastectomy. We measured the height and width of each flap zone using a ruler and measured the tissue thickness by ultrasound. The volume of each zone, approximated as a triangular or square prism, was then calculated. The zone volumes were summed to obtain the total calculated volume of the TRAM flap. We then determined the width of zone II, so that the calculated flap volume was equal to the required flap volume ($1.2{\times}1.05{\times}$the weight of the resected mastectomy tissue). The TRAM flap was transferred vertically so that zone III was located on the upper side, and zone II was trimmed in the sitting position after vascular anastomosis. We compared the estimated flap width of zone II (=X) with the actual flap width of zone II. Results X was similar to the actual measured width. Accurate volume replacement with the TRAM flap resulted in good symmetry in all cases. Conclusions The volume of a free TRAM flap can be straightforwardly estimated preoperatively using the method presented here, with ultrasound, ruler, and simple calculations, and this technique may help reduced the time required for precise flap tailoring.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.730-734
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• 1998

Background: It is important to know the location, number, size and shape of bullae before thoracotomy or VATS bullectomy. Chest X-ray and chest CT may be used but with some limitation. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of thoracography with that of chest X-ray in preoperative detection of bullae. Meterial and Method: Thoracography was performed by injection of non-ionic water-soluble dye into pleural space in 22 primary spontaneous pneumothoraces, which underwent thoracotomy or VATS bullectomy. Chest X-ray and thoracography were compared through operative finding. Results: Sensitivity and accuracy of thoracography(75% and 72.7%) were higher than those of chest X-ray(30% and 36.4%). However, specificity of thoracography(50%) was lower than that of chest X-ray (100%). There were no complications during or after thoracography. Conclusion: Thoracography is a safer and more useful method for preoperative detection of bullae when compared with chest X-ray.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.394-398
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• 1999

Background: According to the changes in the Environmental factors, traumatic diaphragmic rupture is seen in increasing frequency. Many reports described the early diagnostic methods and treatment modalities. In our institution, a study was retrospectively performed to obtain the early diagnostic and treatment methods of diaphragmic ruptures. Material and Method: From January 1994 to April 1998, 20 patients with traumatic rupture of the diaphragm were treated in our institution and We analyzed the patients in preoperative clinical presentations, diagnostic accuracies, associated injuries and postoperative complications. Result: Socially active male patients were affected most. 75% of patients had blunt trauma and 25% had penetrating injury. There were 16 cases of ruptured right diaphragm, 3 cases of left diaphragm and 1 case on both. Preoperative diagnosis were possible in 10 patients (50%) and 6 patients(30%) were diagnosed intraoperatively, but 4 patients (20%) were diagnosed in the late stages. Most common postoperative complication was wound infection, and two died of associated injuries. Conclusion: We conclude that if there is suspicion of diaphragmic rupture after a trauma, careful study and examination is essential and interdepartmental collaboration is very important.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.242-249
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• 2016

Background: We evaluated early and long-term results after heart transplantation (HTPL). Methods: One hundred five consecutive patients (male:female=80:25) who underwent HTPL between 1994 and 2013 were enrolled. Based on the changes in immunosuppressive regimen, the study patients were divided into two groups. Early and long-term clinical outcomes were evaluated and compared between the patients who underwent HTPL before (group E, n=41) and after July 2009 (group L, n=64). The group L patients were older (p<0.001), had higher incidence of hypertension (p=0.001) and chronic kidney disease (p<0.001), and more frequently needed preoperative mechanical ventilation (p=0.027) and mechanical circulatory support (p=0.014) than the group E patients. Results: Overall operative mortality was 3.8%, and postoperative morbidities included acute kidney injury (n=31), respiratory complications (n=16), reoperation for bleeding (n=15) and wound complications (n=10). There were no significant differences in early results except acute kidney injury between group E and group L patients. Overall survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 83.8%, 67.7%, and 54.9%, respectively, with no significant difference between the two patient groups. Rejection-free rates at 1 and 5 years were 63.0% and 59.7%, respectively; rates were significantly higher in group L than in group E (p<0.001). Conclusion: Despite increased preoperative comorbidities, group L patients showed similar early and long-term outcomes and significantly higher rejection-free rates when compared with group E patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2017

Background: We observed several cases of rare vascular anomalies within the femoral triangle during varicose vein operations. Methods: From among 2,093 patients who underwent stripping operations of the great saphenous vein between January 2002 and June 2016, 14 cases of rare vascular anomalies were enrolled in this study. Results: Twelve cases of femoral artery and vein transposition (0.57%), 1 case of separate entrance of the great saphenous vein trunk and its tributaries (0.05%), and 1 case of separate entrance with femoral artery and vein transposition (0.05%) were observed. The preoperative diagnosis rate was 71% (10 of 14) using duplex ultrasound. In all cases of femoral artery and vein transposition, the saphenofemoral junction was located at the lateral or posterolateral side of the superficial femoral artery, corresponding to complete or incomplete transposition, respectively. Among the 12 cases of femoral artery and vein transposition, 5 cases were complete transposition and 7 cases were incomplete transposition. In 2 cases of separate entrance of the great saphenous vein trunk and its tributaries, the separated tributaries formed a common trunk before connecting to the femoral vein. Conclusion: The anatomy of the saphenofemoral junction may infrequently be altered in some individuals. Detailed preoperative sonographic examinations and meticulous groin dissection during the operation are necessary to prepare for unexpected anatomical variations.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.221-228
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to verify the importance of apoptosis in genesis of osteosarcoma and whether apoptosis may play an important role as a predictive factor for the response to chemotherapy. Of the patients who were diagnosed osteosarcoma between January 1995 and June 1999, ten patients were selected. All specimens were obtained before and after preoperative chemotherapy and examined for the occurrence of apoptosis. Apoptosis was investigated by in situ end-labeling technique on paraffin-embedded sections and apoptotic indices were calculated before and after chemotherapy. The ages of ten patients ranged from 15 to 59 with equal sex ratio. All patients completed the planned pre-operative chemotherapy. Apoptosis occurs in osteosarcoma and apoptotic indices are increased after chemotherapy. Mean apoptotic index (AI) before and after chemotherapy were 17.2 (range 6-28.9) and 26.3 (9.6-46.2), respectively. Apoptotic cells were usually present around the necrotic area. The AI was increased as the progression of stage and in responder group more than in non-responder. Apoptosis is induced by pre-operative chemotherapy and the response is variable. Changes in AI levels before and after chemotherapy may possibly predict an individual patient's overall response.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2018

Background: The number of surgical risks recalled by a patient after surgery can be used as a parameter for assessing how well the patient has understood the informed consent process. No study has investigated the usefulness of a self-developed mobile application in the traditional informed consent process in patients with a nasal bone fracture. This study aimed to investigate whether delivery of information, such as surgical risks, through a mobile application is more effective than delivery of information through only verbal means and a paper. Methods: This prospective, randomized study included 60 patients with a nasal bone fracture. The experimental group (n=30) received preoperative explanation with the traditional informed consent process in addition to a mobile application, while the control group (n=30) received preoperative explanation with only the traditional informed consent process. Four weeks after surgery, the number of recalled surgical risks was compared for analysis. The following six surgical risks were explained: pain, bleeding, nasal deformity, numbness, nasal obstruction, and nasal cartilage necrosis. Results: The mean number of recalled surgical risks among all patients was $1.58{\pm}0.56$. The most frequently recalled surgical risk was nasal deformity in both groups. The mean number of recalled surgical risks was $1.72{\pm}0.52$ in the experimental group and $1.49{\pm}0.57$ in the control group. There was a significant association between mobile application use and the mean number of recalled surgical risks (p=0.047). Age, sex, and the level of education were not significantly associated with the mean number of recalled surgical risks. Conclusion: This study found that a mobile application could contribute to the efficient delivery of information during the informed consent process. With further improvement, it could be used in other plastic surgeries and other surgeries, and such an application can potentially be used for explaining risks as well as delivering other types of information.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.370-375
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• 2019

Background: Some parts of a maxillary fracture-for example, the medial and posterior walls-may remain unreduced because they are unapproachable or hard to deal with. This study aimed to investigate the self-healing process of unreduced maxillary membranous parts of fractures through a longitudinal computed tomography (CT) analysis of cases of unilateral facial bone injuries involving the maxillary sinus walls. Methods: Thirty-two patients who had undergone unilateral facial bone reduction surgery involving the maxillary sinus walls without reduction of the medial and posterior walls were analyzed in this retrospective chart review. Preoperative, immediate postoperative, and 3-month postoperative CT scans were analyzed. The maxillary sinus volume was calculated and improvements in bone continuity and alignment were evaluated. Results: The volume of the traumatized maxillary sinuses increased after surgery, and expanded significantly by 3 months postoperatively (p< 0.05). The significant preoperative volume difference between the normal and traumatized sides (p= 0.024) resolved after surgery (p> 0.05), and this resolution was maintained at 3 months postoperatively (p > 0.05). The unreduced parts of the maxillary bone showed improved alignment and continuity (in 75.0% and 90.6% of cases, respectively), and improvements in bone alignment and bone continuity were found to be correlated using the Pearson chi-square test (p= 0.002). Conclusion: Maxillary wall remodeling through self-healing occurred concomitantly with an increase in sinus volume and simultaneous improvements in bone alignment and continuity. Midfacial surgeons should be aware of the natural course of unreduced fractured medial and posterior maxillary walls in complex maxillary fractures.