• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.355-361
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• 2014

Background A blow-out fracture is one of the most common facial injuries in midface trauma. Orbital wall reconstruction is extremely important because it can cause various functional and aesthetic sequelae. Although many materials are available, there are no uniformly accepted guidelines regarding material selection for orbital wall reconstruction. Methods From January 2007 to August 2012, a total of 78 patients with blow-out fractures were analyzed. 36 patients received absorbable mesh plates, and 42 patients received titanium-dynamic mesh plates. Both groups were retrospectively evaluated for therapeutic efficacy and safety according to the incidence of three different complications: enophthalmos, extraocular movement impairment, and diplopia. Results For all groups (inferior wall fracture group, medial wall fractrue group, and combined inferomedial wall fracture group), there were improvements in the incidence of each complication regardless of implant types. Moreover, a significant improvement of enophthalmos occurred for both types of implants in group 1 (inferior wall fracture group). However, we found no statistically significant differences of efficacy or complication rate in every groups between both implant types. Conclusions Both types of implants showed good results without significant differences in long-term follow up, even though we expected the higher recurrent enophthalmos rate in patients with absorbable plate. In conclusion, both types seem to be equally effective and safe for orbital wall reconstruction. In particular, both implant types significantly improve the incidence of enophthalmos in cases of inferior orbital wall fractures.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.397-402
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• 2013

Background Fracture-dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint is a relatively common injury. Various treatments for fracture-dislocation of the PIP joint have been reported. In the present study, we performed open reduction through a midlateral incision using absorbable sutures to reduce the small bone fragments and performed volar plate repair. Methods We treated nine patients with fracture-dislocation of the PIP joint with small fractured bone fragments too small for pinning or screw fixation. Patients with volar plate injury were treated with open reduction and volar plate repair at the periosteum of the middle phalangeal bone base by the modified Kessler method using absorbable sutures. All patients were placed in a dorsal aluminum extension block splint, which maintained the PIP joint in approximately 30 degrees of flexion to avoid excessive tension on the sutured volar plate. Results At a mean final follow-up of postoperative 9 months, all patients were evaluated radiographically and had adequate alignment of the PIP joint and reduction of the displaced bone fragments. Range of motion was improved and there were no complications. Conclusions This technique is an excellent alternative to the current method of treating patients with fracture-dislocations that include small fragments that are too small for pinning or screw fixation. It is a less invasive surgical method and enables stable reduction and early exercise without noticeable complications.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.96-101
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• 2011

Purpose: In treatment of facial bone fracture, occurred in children, we generally use wires, miniplate, absorbable plate or their combination. These foreign bodies can be palpable, and sometimes may cause infections, and need reoperation for removing. When bone fragments are multiple, small or thin, they are hard to handle and make accurate reduction of all fragments. In these cases, a biodegradable tissue adhesive, Histoacryl$^{(R)}$ (n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate), can be used as fixation technique for small, multiple, and thin fracture fragments. Methods: 3 years old and 6 years old children, who has comminuted fracture on frontal sinus, we used Histoacryl$^{(R)}$ for fixation of multiple bone fragments. After approaching by coronal incision, we pulled out all bone fragments and reconstructed bone fragments by Histoacryl$^{(R)}$ and fixed those on frontal sinus by absorbable plates. Results: Photographs and 3-dimensional CT obtained preoperatively and postoperatively. And we compared them each other in terms of accuracy of reconstructed bony contour. We could reconstruct almost all bone fragments easily along 3-dimensional structure and get excellent aesthetic results. There was no complication such as infection. Conclusion: In treatment of comminuted facial bone fracture, occurred in children, Histoacryl$^{(R)}$ is an excellent method for accurate reconstruction in small and thin bone fragments which cannot be fixed by wire, miniplate or absorbable plate without complication.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.458-464
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• 2011

Purpose: Metacarpal fractures are common hand injury that may require operative intervention to ensure adequate reduction and stabilization. Traditionally, titanium miniplate was used for rigid fixation of bone fractures. However, the use of permanent plate lends itself to multiple complications such as infection, exposure of the hardware, tendon adhesions, tendon rupture, prolonged pain, bony atrophy and osteoporosis (stress shielding), metal sensitization, and palpation under the skin. This study evaluated the usefulness and stability of biodegradable plates and screws for treatment of metacarpal bone fractures. Methods: There was 17 patients who had surgery for metacarpal bone fracture from April 2007 to June 2010. All patients had open reduction and internal fixation. We used absorbable plates and screws (Inion CPS$^{(R)}$) for internal fixation. Postoperative results were assessed with x-ray. Stability of plates and screws, healing process and its complications were observed by clinical and radiographic assessment. Results: All patients were successfully reduced of bone fracture, and fixations with absorbable plates and screws were stable. The mean follow up period was 7.1 months. 2 patients complained postoperative pain, but they were relieved with analgesics. All patients experienced transient stiffness, but they were relieved with active assistive range of motion after removal of splint. No patients suffered complications which could be occurred by using metallic plate. Conclusion: There was no critical complications such as re-fracture or nonunion among patients. No patients suffered side effects related with metallic implants. Biodegradable implants can offer clinically stable and attractive alternative to metallic implants to stabilize metacarpal bone fractures in the hand.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.126-131
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• 2010

Objectives: This study is aimed to determine any differences in the postoperative stability between absorbable and titanium plate systems for fixation in orthognathic surgery with simultaneous maxillomandibular procedures especially including maxillary posterior impaction and advancement. Study Design: Forty patients with dentofacial deformities were randomly assigned into titanium (4 males and 6 females) and absorbable (17 males and 13 females) fixation group. All patients had undergone surgical alterations of maxilla with posterior impaction and advancement. A comparison study of the change in the maxillary position after the simultaneous surgery was performed with 1-day, 6-months postoperative lateral cephalograms compared to preoperative lateral cephalogram by tracing. Wilcoxon rank sum test was used for statistical analysis. Result: The position of the maxilla was stable after surgery and was not changed significantly from 1 day to 6 month after the simultaneous maxillomandibular surgery both in the experimental (absorbable plates) and control (titanium plates). Conclusion: This study suggests that application of absorable plating system in the fixation of maxillary segment in the simultaneous maxillomandibular procedures, leads to a predictable short-term postoperative skeletal stability comparable to the titanium plating system. Long term follow-up and further studies will be needed.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.211-217
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• 2016

Background: Nonsyndromic craniosynostosis is a relatively common craniofacial anomaly and various techniques were introduced to achieve its operative goals. Authors found that by using smaller bone fragments than that used in conventional cranioplasty, sufficiently rigid bone union and effective regeneration capacity could be achieved with better postoperative outcome, only if their stable fixation was ensured. Methods: Through bicoronal incisional approach, involved synostotic cranial bone together with its surrounding areas were removed. The resected bone flap was split into as many pieces as possible. The extent of this 'multi-split osteotomy' depends on the degree of dysmorphology, expectative volume increment after surgery and probable dead space caused by bony gap between bone segments. Rigid interosseous fixation was performed with variable types of absorbable plate and screw. In all cases, the pre-operational three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) was checked and brain CT was taken immediately after the surgery. Also about 12 months after the operation, 3D CT was checked again to see postoperative morphology improvement, bone union, regeneration and intracranial volume change. Results: The bony gaps seen in the immediate postoperative brain CT were all improved as seen in the 3D CT after 12 months from the surgery. No small bone fragment resorption was observed. Brain volume increase was found to be made gradually, leaving no case of remaining epidural dead space. Conclusion: We conclude that it is meaningful in presenting a new possibility to be applied to not only nonsyndromic craniosynostosis but also other reconstructive cranial vault surgeries.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 1999

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of resorbable plate in the healing process of mandibular fracture. Reduction and rigid fixation was carried out on the artificial mandibular fracture site of the rabbits, using a resorbable screw, 1.5mm in diameter and 4.0mm in length, and an absorbable plate 1.5mm in thickness(Lactosorb$^{(R)}$). En block tissue specimens with plate were taken from the rabbits at 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks intervals and specimen were observed with light microscope under the hematoxylin-eosin staining, to observe the inflammatory reaction and tissue healing process. The following conclusions were drawn: 1. The subject displayed good healing with no signs of detachment of the fixation plate. 2. At 4 weeks, the plate was covered by the connective tissue. Then at 6 weeks, bone regeneration was discovered around the plate. 3. During the period of healing, no inflammatory reaction or foreign body reaction, as a result of using resorbable plate, were observed. 4. At 8 weeks, the initial phase of the absorption of the plate was observed. Then at 10 weeks, macrophage were observed around the plate, indicating the absorption phase was in process. From the above results, it can be determined that when the resorbable plate is applied to rabbit, full recuperation occurs naturally in the absence of inflammatory reaction and foreign body reaction. The selected study is clinically valuable in proving this procedure.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.633-638
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• 2010

Purpose: Orbital bone is one of the most complex bones in the human body. When the patient has a fracture of the orbital bone, it is difficult for the surgeon to restore the fractured orbital bone to normal anatomic curvature because the orbital bone has complex curvature. We developed a rapid prototyping model based on a mirror image of the patient's 3D-CT (3 dimensional computed tomography) for accurate reduction of the fractured orbital wall. Methods: A total of 7 cases of large orbital wall fracture recieved absorbable plate prefabrication using rapid prototyping model during surgery and had the manufactured plate inserted in the fracture site. Results: There was no significant postoperative complication. One patient had persistent diplopia, but it was resolved completely after 5 weeks. Enophthalmos was improved in all patients. Conclusion: With long term follow-up, this new method of orbital wall reduction proved to be accurate, efficient and cost-effective, and we recommend this method for difficult large orbital wall fracture operations.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.272-278
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• 2006

Purpose: This study is designed to evaluate biocompatibility of three types of absorbable collagen GBR membrane in vitro. Material and Method: The human PDL fibroblasts culture was obtained through typical way and the cells used in the experiment was forth passage. The membranes examined were Experimental group A, B, C. All the 3-experimental groups were made of bovine pericardium and the membranes were excised into 5$\times$5mm respectively. The samples of the membranes were fixed on the 24-well plate with the double-sided adhesive tape. Then, 2ml of cell suspension which included $2{\times}10^4$cells was inoculated into the 24-well plate, and the cells were cultured for 1 week. Cellular viability and the alkaline phosphatase activity were measured with ELISA. The membranes in the culture were processed to examine with SEM. Results: The survival rate was highest in control and Experimental group A is the next, group B and group C in order of the value. The values are analyzed for statistical difference using Wilcoxon test. All the values of experimental groups are significantly lower than those of control, and the vaules among the experimental groups significantly differ from each other. Alkaline phosphatase level was identical order with the viable cell rate. SEM examination revealed that the PDL fibroblasts adherent on culture dish (control) and group A were spindle-shaped, but on group B and C, the cells were round-shaped without processes.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.457-462
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• 1995

Unlike the usual bone plate and screw fracture fixation, an improved plate fixation method, which can transfer gradually physiological load to bones, is described. The key feature of the present method is to use washers between the plate and the screw. Bio-absorbable materials or non-ferrous materials with good damping characteristics are used to manufacture the washers. The purpose of this paper is to discuss potential advantages of the proposed method, and to show experimentally its improved impact-absorbing characteristics. Vibration experiments are carried out for pig femurs and cow tibias with and without the proposed washers. This experiments show that the washers can drop the first peak value suite substantially in the FRF plots. Although in-vivo experiments have not been conducted, the present fixation method appears to be a simple and effective alternative to the presently used method.