• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.544-549
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• 2009

Failure to use effective methods of reduction, fixation and immobilization may lead to osteomyelitis with the exposed necrotic bone, as the overzealous use of transosseous wires & plates that devascularizes bone segments in the compound comminuted fractures of mandible. Once osteomyelitis secondary to fractures has become established, intermaxillary fixation should be instituted as early as possible. Fixation enhances patient comfort and hinders ingress of microorganisms and debris by movement of bone fragments. Teeth and foreign materials that are in the line of fracture should be removed and initial debridement performed at the earliest possible time. Grossly necrotic bone should be excised as early as possible ; no attempt should be made to create soft tissue flaps to achieve closure over exposed bone. The key to treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the mandible is adequate and prolonged soft tissue drainage. If good soft tissue drainage is provided over a long period, sequestration of infected bone followed by regeneration or fibrous tissue replacement will occur so that appearance and function are not seriously altered. Localization and sequestration of infected mandible are far better performed by natural mechanism of homeostasis than by cutting across involved bone with a cosmetic or functional defect. As natural host defenses and conservative therapy begin to be effective, the process may become chronic, inflammation regresses, granulation tissue is formed, and new blood vessels cause lysis of bone, thus separating fragments of necrotic bone(sequestra) from viable bone. The sequestra may be isolated by a bed of granulation tissue, encased in a sheath of new bone(involucrum), and removed easily with pincettes. This is a case report of the long-term conservative drainage care in osteomyelitis associated with mandibular fractures.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.190-197
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• 2016

Background: The cheek rotation flap has sufficient blood flow and large flap size and it is also flexible and easy to manipulate. It has been used for reconstruction of defects on cheek, lower eyelid, or medial and lateral canthus. For the large defects on central nose, paramedian forehead flap has been used, but patients were reluctant despite the remaining same skin tone on damaged area because of remaining scars on forehead. However, the cheek flap is cosmetically superior as it uses the adjacent large flap. Thus, the study aims to demonstrate its versatility with clinical practices. Methods: This is retrospective case study on 38 patients who removed facial masses and reconstructed by the cheek rotation flap from 2008 to 2015. It consists of defects on cheek (16), lower eyelid (12), nose (3), medial canthus (3), lateral canthus (2), and preauricle (2). Buccal mucosa was used for the reconstruction of eyelid conjunctiva, and skin graft was processed for nasal mucosa reconstruction. Results: The average defect size was $6.4cm^2$, and the average flap size was $47.3cm^2$. Every flap recovered without complications such as abnormal slant, entropion or ectropion in lower eyelid, but revision surgery required in three cases of nasal side wall reconstruction due to the occurrence of dog ear on nasolabial sulcus. Conclusion: The cheek rotation flap can be applicable instead of paramedian forehead flap for the large nasal sidewall defect reconstruction as well as former medial and lateral canthal defect reconstruction.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.967-987
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• 1996

The present study was to evaluate the healing patterns of guided tissue regeneration( GTR) using resorbable $Vicryl^{(R)}$(polyglactin 910) mesh and nonresorbable expanded polytetrafluoroethylene(ePTFE) membrane with or without bone grafting using autogeneous bone and demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft(DFDBA) in the grade II furcation defects. Mucoperiosteal flaps were reflected buccally in the mandibular 2nd, 3rd and 4th premolar areas and furcation defects were created surgically by removing $5{\times}6mm$ alveolar bone in 4 dogs. Root surfaces were thoroughly debrided of periodontal ligament and cementum, and notches were placed on root surface at the most apical bone level. In the right and left mandibular quadrant, each tooth was received $Vicryl^{(R)}$ mesh(ACE Surgical Supply Co., USA) only, $Vicryl^{(R)}$ mesh with DFDBA, $Vicryl^{(R)}$ mesh with autogeneous bone grafts, ePTFE membrane($Core-tex^{(R)}$ membrane, W.L. Gore & Associates Inc., USA) only, ePTFE membrane with DFDBA or ePTFE membrane with autogeneous bone grafts. For the fluorescent microscopic examination, fluorescent agents were injected at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after surgery. Four weeks after surgery, 2 dogs were sacrificed and ePTFE membranes were removed from remaining 2 dogs, which were sacrificed at 12 weeks after surgery. Undecalcified tissues were embedded in methylmethacrylate and $10{\mu}m$ thick sections were cut in a buccolingual direction. These sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin stain and Masson's trichrome stain, and evaluated by descriptive histology and linear measurements. The results were as follows : 1) $Vicryl^{(R)}$ mesh group showed less connective tissue attachment than ePTFE membrane group. 2) The combination of GTR using $Vicryl^{(R)}$ mesh and osseous grafts resulted in new attachment and new bone formation more than GTR using $Vicryl^{(R)}$ mesh only. 3) GTR using ePTFE membrane, with or without osseous grafts, enhanced periodontal regeneration. 4) Root resorption and dentoalveolar ankylosis were observed in the areas treated with the combination of GTR and DFDBA. It was suggested that the effect of adjunctive bone grafting in GTR procedure depends on the materials and the physical properties of barrier membranes. $Vicryl^{(R)}$ mesh performed a barrier function and the use of adjunctive bone grafting may enhance the periodontal regeneration.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.557-567
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to investigated the effect of root planing and decalcified freeze dried allografts on the resorption of transplanted roots and the healing of preveously diseased recipient extraction sockets. The experimental chronic periodontitis was induced by elastic ligatures on the 2nd and 3rd mandibular premolars of 4 adult dogs, and after 8 weeks, crowns were removed and the teeth extracted. The extracted roots were split in half along the long-axis, and the extednt of plaque exposure was morked on the root surfaces with burs. The roots were either root-planed(Test group), or left uninstrumented(Control group), and transplanted in the extraction sockets with decalcified freeze-dried allografts filling the void. The flaps were sutured to cover the sockets completely. The animals were sacrificed after 12 weeks of healing, and the specimens were examined histologically. The results were as follows : 1. No signs of inflammation or disease activity were observed in either groups. 2. Replacement root resorption was observed in both groups. 3. More connective tissue attachments and less ankylosis were observed in the test groups compared to the control. 4. The unresorbed remains of DFDB particles were observed in both groups. 5. DFDB particles in the apical portion of the alveolar sockets were encased in newly-formed bone, while those in the coronal areas were seen encapsulated with connective tissue. 6. No significant difference was found between root-planed and uninstrumented roots relative to the healing and the bone fromation in the recipient extraction sockdets. From the present study, there seemed to be no significant benefits in root planing the transplanted roots or grafting the sockets with DFDB in order to curve the replacement resorption, although the root-planed roots showed more connective tissue attachments. There was also no significant benefits in root transplantation and DFDB for and enhanced healing and bone formation in alveolar extraction sockets.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2011

Purpose: Anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator free flap is commonly used because of its various benefits. The author reports important factors of preoperative and perioperative ALT perforator free flap and causes of failure. Methods: 84 patients who were treated with ALT perforator free flap from December 2004 to 2008, and February 2010 to April 2010 were studied. 61 patients were male and 23 were female. The mean age of patients was 51.1. The main cause was neoplasm and the main reconstructive areas were head and neck area. The size of flap was various from $3{\times}4$ to $12{\times}18$ cm. 6 patients received split thickness skin graft at donor site. Preoperative angiography was checked to all patients. Results: Among the 84 patients, partial necrosis of flaps occurred in 4 patients because of atherosclerosis, varicose vein, or inattention of patient, etc. And total flap necrosis in 5 patients because of abnormal vessels of recipient area or delay of operation, etc. One case of serous cyst was found as the complication of donor area. Two cases of skin graft on donor site were done because of suspected muscle compartment syndrome, 4 cases of that because of large flap. Septocutaneous perforators were found in 7 cases. The author couldn't find reliable perforator in 3 cases, ipsilateral anteromedial thigh perforator and contralateral ALT perforator and latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous free flap were done instead of ALT. There was no case which needed reoperation because of the impairment of blood supply, and 3 cases were revised by leech because of the burn injury by a lamp or venous congestion. Conclusion: Although ALT perforator free flap is widely used with its various merits, many factors such as preoperative condition of donor or recipient area, morphology of defect and operating time need to consider to prevent flap necrosis. And operators should need careful technique because septocutaneous perforator is uncommon, and musculocutaneous perforator is common but difficult to dissect.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.359-366
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• 2013

Background Pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps typically sacrifice the entire muscle. In our experience, the lateral strip of the rectus abdominis muscle can be spared in an attempt to maintain function and reduce morbidity. When the intercostal nerves are injured, muscle atrophy appears with time. The severed intercostal nerve was reinserted into the remnant lateral strip of the rectus abdominis muscle to reduce muscle atrophy. Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed 9 neurotized cases and 10 non-neurotized cases. Abdominal computed tomography was performed to determine the area of the rectus muscles. Electromyography (EMG) was performed to check contractile function of the remnant muscle. A single investigator measured the mean areas of randomly selected locations (second lumbar spine) using ImageJ software in a series of 10 cross-sectional slices. We compared the Hounsfield unit (HU) pre- and postoperatively to evaluate regeneration quality. Results In the neurotization group, 7 of 9 cases maintained the mass of remnant muscle. However, in the non-neurotization group, 8 of 10 lost their mass. The number of totally atrophied muscles in each of the two groups was significantly different (P=0.027). All of the remnant muscles showed contractile function on EMG. The 9 remaining remnant rectus abdominis muscles showed declined the HU value after surgery but also within a normal range of muscle. Conclusions Neurotization was found to be effective in maintaining the mass of remnant muscle. Neurotized remnant muscle had contractile function on EMG and no fatty degeneration by HU value.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 1997

Complete denervation after severe brachial plexus injury make significant muscle atrophy with loss of proper function. It is much helpful to reconstruct the essential function of the elbow flexion movement in patient with total loss of elbow flexion motion after brachial plexus lesion which was not recovered with nerve surgery or long term conservative treatment from onset. In whole arm type brachial plexus injury, if there were no response to neurotization or neglected from injury, the volume of the denervated muscle is significantely reduced month by month. About 18 months most of the muscle fibers change to fibrous tissues and markedly atrophied irreversibly, further waiting is no more meaningful from that period. Authors performed 14 cases of functioning gracilis muscle transfer from 1981 to 1995 with microneurovascular technique, neuromusculocutaneous free flaps were performed for reconstruction of lost elbow flexion function. Average follow-up period was 5 years and 6 months. We used couple of intercostal nerves as a recipient nerve which were anastomosed to muscular nerve from obturator nerve in all cases. Recipient vessels were three deep brachial artery and eleven brachial artery which were anastomosed to medial femoral circumflex artery with end to end or end to side fashion. Average resting length of the transplanted gracilis were 24 cm. We can get average 54 degree flexion range of elbow with fair muscle power from flail elbow. There were one case of muscle necrosis with lately developed thrombosis of microvascular anastomosed site which comes from insufficient recipient arterial condition, 3 cases of partial marginal necrosis of distal skin of the transplanted part which were not significant problem with spontaneously solved with time goes by gracilis muscle has constant neurovascular pattern with relatively easy harvesting donor with minimal donor morbidity. Especially it has similar length and shape with biceps brachii muscle of upper arm and longer nerve pedicle which can neurorrhaphy with intercostal nerve without nerve graft if sufficient mobilization of the nerves from both sides of gracilis and intercostal region. Authors can propose gracilis muscle transplantation with intercostal nerves neurotization is helpful method with minimal donor morbidity for neglected brachial plexus palsy patients.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2010

Purpose: First introduced by Buncke and Rose in 1979, the neurovascular partial $2^{nd}$ toe pulp free tissue transfer has been attempted to reconstruct posttraumatic finger tip injuries. Although some surgeons prefer other reconstructive methods such as skin graft and local flap, we chose the partial $2^{nd}$ toe pulp flap owing to its many advantages. We report three successful surgical cases in which the patients had undergone this particular method of reconstruction. Methods: We retrospectively examined three cases of fingertip injury patients due to mechanical injury. Bone exposure was seen in all three cases, All had undergone partial toe pulp free flap for soft tissue defect coverage. Results: All flaps survived without any complications such as partial necrosis, hematoma or dehiscence. Although tingling sensation has returned in both cases, two-point discrimination has not returned yet. Currently no patient is complaining of any pain which gradually improved during their course of recuperation. All stitches were removed on postoperative 2 weeks. Patients are satisfied with the final surgical result and there are no signs of any edema or hematoma. Conclusion: The homodigital reconstruction of finger tip injury using the partial $2^{nd}$ toe pulp flap has numerous advantages compared to other reconstructive modalities such as its resistance to wear and tear and in that it provides a non-slip palmar digital surface. However it requires microsurgery which may not be preferred by surgeons. Advanced age of the patient can be a relative contraindication to this approach since atheromatous plaque from the donor toe can compromise flap circulation after surgery. We report three successful cases which patient age was considered appropriate. Further investigation with a larger number of cases and long term follow-up is deemed necessary.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.146-156
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• 1998

Microvascular surgery has been widely used clinically for over 30 years. Although many types of free skin and myocutaneous flap are being used at present, surgeons are still looking for new flaps to suit the specific requirements of different recipient sites, to reduce the deformity at the donor site, to ease the management of the flap and to increase the success rate of those operations. The lateral thigh free flap was designed and reported simultaneously with the medial thigh free flap by Baek in 1983. The flap, based on the third perforator of the profunda femoris artery. is designed on the posterolateral aspect of the distal thigh. Clinically, the vascular variations and the locations of perforators of this system can be determined preoperatively with simple angiograms and Dopper audiometry. The lateral thigh free flap is suitable for reconstruction of defects in an oral floor with tongue and esophageal deficits, scalp defects with dural defects, and large full thickness defects of the lip. The advantages of this flap are safe elevation, a long vascular pedicles with a large lumen, skin that is generally thin, and good pliability. Furthermore, the skin territory is very wide and long. The donor site is hidden and therefore more acceptable to the patient. The disadvantage of this flap is that the anatomy of the pedicle vessels has irregular derivation from the main vessel. We had reconstructed lateral thigh free flap to the nine patients from January, 1997 to July, 1998 and got satisfactory results. In this paper we illustrate the arterial anatomy of the thigh and usefulness of this flap for the reconstruction of the head and neck.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.645-652
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• 2008

Purpose: In skin flap surgery, surgeons often encounter distal ischemia of the flap. If a powerful free radical scavenger is used, it may reduce the formation of free radical and improves the survival of flap. Thus, the present study purposed to examine whether the survival of flap can be enhanced by administering melatonin, which is known to be a powerful free radical scavenger a antioxidant molecule. Methods: We divided 40 Sprague-Dawley rats into 4 groups, 10 in each group. For the control group(n=10), we intraperitoneally injected only carrier solution once 30 minutes before the operation, and once a day for 7 days from the day of operation. Among the experimental groups, a group(n=10) was administered with dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO), in another group(n=10), melatonin was intraperitoneally injected, and in the other(n=10) melatonin was intraperitoneally injected and applied topically(2 cc of 1% melatonin) to the operation site. Caudally based skin flaps measuring $3{\times}10cm^2$ were elevated on the mid-dorsum of the rats. and then repositioned. On the seventh postoperative day, the survival area of the flap was measured and tissues were examined under the light microscope. Results: The control group, the DMSO group, the melatonin administration group and the melatonin administration and application group showed the mean survival rates of $55.26{\pm}9.2%$, $70.29{\pm}7.47%$, $81.45{\pm}4.14%$ and $86.1{\pm}1.52%$, respectively, for $30cm^2$ of flap. Compared to the control group, the experimental groups showed a significantly high increase in survival area at significance level of 95%. Conclusion: In this study, the survival rate of flap was enhanced through the administration of melatonin after flap surgery. This suggests that melatonin not only functions as a powerful free radical scavenger and oxygen radical scavenger but also stabilizes and protects cells, and by doing so, enhances the survival of moderately injured ischemic sites in the distal end of flap.