• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.556-561
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• 2014

Background Groin dissections result in large wounds with exposed femoral vessels requiring soft tissue coverage, and the reconstructive options are diverse. In this study we reviewed our experience with the use of the pedicled anterolateral thigh and vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps in the reconstruction of large groin wounds. Methods Groin reconstructions performed over a period of 10 years were evaluated, with a mean follow up of two years. We included all cases with large or complex (involving perineum) defects, which were reconstructed with the pedicled anterolateral thigh musculocutaneous or the vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (VRAM) flaps. Smaller wounds which were covered with skin grafts, locally based flaps and pedicled muscle flaps were excluded. Results Twenty-three reconstructions were performed for large or complex groin defects, utilising the anterolateral thigh (n=10) and the vertical rectus abdominis (n=13) pedicled musculocutaneous flaps. Femoral vein reconstruction with a prosthetic graft was required in one patient, and a combination flap (VRAM and gracilis muscle flap) was performed in another. Satisfactory coverage was achieved in all cases without major complications. No free flaps were used in our series. Conclusions The anterolateral thigh and vertical rectus abdominis pedicled musculocutaneous flaps yielded consistent results with little morbidity in the reconstruction of large and complex groin defects. A combination of flaps can be used in cases requiring extensive cover.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.250-255
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• 2010

Purpose: Pincer nail is a relatively rare deformity characterized by an increase in transverse curvature along the longitudinal axis of the nail. This curvature commonly increases from proximal to distal end of nail, leading to pinching, curling, and distortion of the underlying soft tissue and resulting frequently in severe pain. Numerous surgical procedures have been reported. Preserving the width of the nail in the correction of the pincer nail is very important for functional and aesthetic reasons. We report the results of the correction of the pincer nail using autogenous dermofat graft with a good result. Methods: From May 2006 to September 2008, dermofat graft was performed in 6 patients with pincer nail. Patients were four women and two men, and the average age was 51. The affected digits were the unilateral great toes in four patients and the unilateral thumbs in two patients. Average follow-up period was 13 months. Surgical procedure was removal of nail using an elevator to avoid damage to the nail bed. An incision was created in distal portion of hyponychium. Paronychium was dissected from distal phalanx by periosteal elevator through incision of hyponychium and tunnel was made. Then dermofat grafts harvested from inguinal area were inserted into the tunnel. Finally, a silicone sheet was inserted eponychial fold for prevention of synechia. Objective assessment was evaluated by use of the width index and height index. Results: All patients reported resolution of the pain and soft tissue pinching sensation that they had before the operation. There was good adherence between the nail plate and the underlying nail bed. The nails have regrown and were corrected in a normal and flattened appearance. The width index and height index were improved. Conclusion: The autogenous dermofat graft seems to provide an effective treatment of the pincer nail with preservation of the nail matrix.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.485-490
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• 2006

Purpose: As the traditional treatment of the Wassel's type I or II of bifid thumb, Bilhaut-Cloquet, has always been the standard method despite several disadvantages such as tearing of the finger nail, injuries of the growth plate, joint instability, and long visible scarring. To overcome these drawbacks, we applied a modified Bilhaut-Cloquet Method. Methods: The subjects used for the this study were 10 of 20 patients evaluated. The patients underwent modified methods under every type of Wassel's classification. We designed a central wedge Zig-Zag incision and removed the nail and bony tissues in the remaining digit, but not soft tissue if possible, and transferred the ligaments, tendons, and soft tissue to the remaining thumb from the extra digit. We evaluated the patients' lack of extension, the total ROM of the MP and IP joints, the ROM of IP joints, and the lateral deviations of the reconstructed thumb. Results: The results were encouraging, with all patients showing a good functional and aesthetic outcome. Conclusion: The modified method proved a very effective procedure in the treatment of bifid thumb in all types, especially types I or II.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.716-722
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• 2008

Purpose: Split or full thickness skin graft is generally used to reconstruct the palmar skin and soft tissue defect after release of burn scar flexion contracture of hand. As a way to overcome and improve aesthetic and functional problems, the authors used the preserved superficial fat skin(PSFS) composite graft for correction of burn scar contracture of hand. Methods: From December of 2001 to July of 2007, thirty patients with burn scar contracture of hand were corrected. The palmar skin and soft tissue defect after release of burn scar contracture was reconstructed with the PSFS composite graft harvested from medial foot or below lateral and medial malleolus, with a preserved superficial fat layer. To promote take of the PSFS composite graft, a foam and polyurethane film dressing was used to maintain the moisture environment and Kirschner wire was inserted for immobilization. Before and after the surgery, a range of motion was measured by graduator. Using a chromameter, skin color difference between the PSFS composite graft and surrounding normal skin was measured and compared with full thickness skin graft from groin. Results: In all cases, the PSFS composite graft was well taken without necrosis, although the graft was as big as $330mm^2$(mean $150mm^2$). Contracture of hand was completely corrected without recurrence. The PSFS composite graft showed more correlations and harmonies with surrounding normal skin and less pigmentation than full thickness skin graft. Donor site scar was also obscure. Conclusion: The PSFS composite graft should be considered as a useful option for correction of burn scar flexion contracture of hand.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.209-225
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• 2020

Purpose: Marginal bone loss (MBL) is an important clinical issue in implant therapy. One feature that has been cited as a contributing factor to this bone loss is peri-implant mucosal thickness. Therefore, in this report, we conducted a systematic review of the literature comparing bone remodeling around implants placed in areas with thick (≥2-mm) vs. thin (<2-mm) mucosa. Methods: A PICO question was defined. Manual and electronic searches were performed of the MEDLINE/PubMed and Cochrane Oral Health Group databases. The inclusion criteria were prospective studies that documented soft tissue thickness with direct intraoperative measurements and that included at least 1 year of follow-up. When possible, a meta-analysis was performed for both the overall and subgroup analyses. Results: Thirteen papers fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis of 7 randomized clinical trials was conducted. Significantly less bone loss was found around implants with thick mucosa than around those with thin mucosa (difference, -0.53 mm; P<0.0001). Subgroups were analyzed regarding the apico-coronal positioning, the use of platform-matched vs. platform-switched (PS) connections, and the use of cement-retained vs. screw-retained prostheses. In these analyses, thick mucosa was found to be associated with significantly less MBL than thin mucosa (P<0.0001). Among non-matching (PS) connections and screw-retained prostheses, bone levels were not affected by mucosal thickness. Conclusions: Soft tissue thickness was found to be correlated with MBL except in cases of PS connections used on implants with thin tissues and screw-retained prostheses. Mucosal thickness did not affect implant survival or the occurrence of biological or aesthetic complications.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.503-510
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• 2021

Facial feminization surgery (FFS) incorporates aesthetic and craniofacial surgical principles and techniques to feminize masculine facial features and facilitate gender transitioning. A detailed understanding of the defining male and female facial characteristics is essential for success. In this first part of a two-part series, we discuss key aspects of the general preoperative consultation that should be considered when evaluating the prospective facial feminization patient. Assessment of the forehead, orbits, hairline, eyebrows, eyes, and nose and the associated procedures, including scalp advancement, supraorbital rim reduction, setback of the anterior table of the frontal sinus, rhinoplasty, and soft tissue modifications of the upper and midface are discussed. In the second part of this series, bony manipulation of the midface, mandible, and chin, as well as soft tissue modification of the nasolabial complex and chondrolaryngoplasty are discussed. Finally, a review of the literature on patient-reported outcomes in this population following FFS is provided.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2019

Background and Objectives Skin and soft tissue defects can be treated according to a range of strategies, such as local flap, skin graft, biological dressing, or free flap. On the other hand, free tissue transfer usually leaves a distinct scar with an inconsistency of color or hypertrophy. This problem is highlighted if the defect is located on the face, which could have devastating effects on a patient's psychosocial health. Materials and Methods The authors used an erbium : yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser to resurface the free flap skin and match the color with the surrounding facial skin. This study evaluated the effectiveness of laser skin resurfacing on the harmonious color matching of transferred flap. Patients who had undergone laser resurfacing on facial flap skin between January 2014 and December 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. An ablative 2,940-nm fractional Er:YAG laser treatment was delivered to the entire flap skin at 21 J/cm² with the treatment end-point of pinpoint bleeding. Several months later, the clinical photographs were analyzed. The L^*a^*b^* color co-ordinates of both the flap and surrounding normal skin were measured using Adobe Photoshop. The L^*a^*b^* color difference (ΔE) for the scar and normal surrounding skin were calculated using the following equation: ${\Delta}E=\sqrt{({\Delta}L)^2+({\Delta}a)^2+({\Delta}b)^2}$ Results All five patients were satisfied with the more natural appearance of the flaps. The ΔE values decreased significantly from the pre-treatment mean value of 19.64 to the post-treatment mean value of 11.39 (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p = 0.043). Conclusion Ablative laser resurfacing can improve the aesthetic outcome of free tissue transfer on the face.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.168-174
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• 2022

In case of gingival recession or bone defect in maxillary anterior implant treatment, it is not easy to obtain satisfactory clinical results. In this case, loss of the labial alveolar plate was diagnosed in the maxillary right central incisor, so after tooth extraction, soft tissue was secured and implant placement with bone graft was planned. In addition, digital guide surgery was performed for the ideal implant position, and GBR (Guided Bone Regeneration) was accompanied with the xenogeneic bone and the autologous bone collected from the mandibular ramus since alveolar bone defects were extensive. After a sufficient period of osseointegration of the implant, a temporary prosthesis was fabricated through secondary stage surgery and impression taking, and through periodic external adjustment, the shape of soft tissue was improved. In the final prosthesis fabrication, a color tone of natural teeth was induced by an gold anodized customized abutment, and an aesthetic and functional zirconia prosthesis with reproducing the shape of the temporary prosthesis through intraoral scan was delivered.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.589-593
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• 2019

Post-traumatic defects of the distal third of the leg often require skipping a few steps of the well-established reconstructive ladder, due to the limited local reliable reconstructive options. In rare cases, the reconstructive plan and flap choice may encounter challenges when the patient has psychiatric illness affecting compliance with postoperative care. We describe a case of a patient with severe intellectual disability and an open fracture of the distal lower limb. After fracture management and debridement of devitalized tissues, the resultant soft tissue defect was covered with a free gracilis flap. On postoperative day 7, the patient ripped out the newly transplanted flap. The flap was too traumatized for salvage, so a contralateral free gracilis muscle flap was used. The patient showed good aesthetic and functional outcomes at a 1-year follow-up. When planning the postoperative management of patients with psychiatric illness, less complex and more robust procedures may be preferred over a long and complex surgical reconstruction requiring good compliance with postoperative care. The medical team should be aware of the risk of postoperative collapse, focus on the prevention of pain, and be wary of drug interactions. Whenever necessary, free tissue transfer should be performed despite potential compliance issues.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.604-607
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• 2016

"A smile is happiness you'll find right under your nose"- Tom Wilson. This quote holds true just for patients, not for surgeons. The correction of the nose always poses a challenge to the cosmetic surgeon. Deformities of the external and internal nose may be congenital or acquired and may be secondary to soft tissue and/or osseo-cartilaginous abnormalities, leading to aesthetic and/or functional consequences. Alar flare poses a common problem, sometimes alone and sometimes in conjunction with other external deformities. Alar base reduction is generally considered when the interalar distance exceeds the intercanthal distance. It has been well documented that this simple additional procedure brings about a substantial enhancement in the nose. Various techniques have been described and used in the past, each having their benefits and drawbacks, with the modified Weir wedge excision, Aufricht nasal sill excision, and Bernstein V-Y advancement being the common ones. We hereby describe a technique that is simple yet effective in achieving the desired results and at the same time aims at preventing relapse to obtain satisfactory long term results.