• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2014

Background: There are several options for replacement of the dermal layer in fullthickness skin defects. In this study, we present the surgical outcomes of reconstruction using acellular dermal substitutes by means of objective and subjective scar assessment tools. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 78 patients who had undergone autologous split-thickness skin graft with or without concomitant acellular dermal matrix (CGDerm or AlloDerm) graft. We examined graft survival rate and evaluated postoperative functional skin values. Individual comparisons were performed between the area of skin graft and the surrounding normal skin. Nine months after surgery, we compared the skin qualities of CGDerm graft group (n=25), AlloDerm graft group (n=8) with skin graft only group (n=23) each other using the objective and subjective measurements. Results: The average of graft survival rate was 93% for CGDerm group, 92% for AlloDerm group and 86% for skin graft only group. Comparing CGDerm grafted skin to the surrounding normal skin, mean elasticity, hydration, and skin barrier values were 87%, 86%, and 82%, respectively. AlloDerm grafted skin values were 84%, 85%, and 84%, respectively. There were no statistical differences between the CGDerm and AlloDerm groups with regard to graft survival rate and skin functional analysis values. However, both groups showed more improvement of skin quality than skin graft only group. Conclusion: The new dermal substitute (CGDerm) demonstrated comparable results with regard to elasticity, humidification, and skin barrier effect when compared with conventional dermal substitute (AlloDerm).

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.70-76
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• 2007

Purpose: Full-thickness skin grafts are usually used in facial reconstruction, but on occasion, split-thickness skin graft is also used from the scalp due to the limitation of donor site. However, there were complications, such as alopecia, folliculitis and blood loss. In addition, it can not be used in patients with baldness. Under the circumstances, we used medial arm skin as split-thickness skin graft donor site in lieu of scalp. We investigated the efficacy of the medial arm skin as a donor site of facial skin graft in comparison with scalp. Methods: From 2000 to 2005, the split-thicknesss skin grafts were performed using the medial arm skin in 10 patients and the scalp in 10 patients. We inspected the skin color match, texture match by the visual analogue scale. Scar contracture was estimated by the Visitrak $grade^{(R)}$(Smith & Nephew). The statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 12.0. Results: There was a more satisfaction in color match, texture, and scar contracture in medial arm skin than in scalp. Conclusion: According to these results, medial arm skin may be used efficiently as an alternative donor site of scalp in the facial reconstruction.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.497-504
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• 2000

To document that effects of hyperbaric oxygen(HBO) and ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ on full-thickness skin grafts in rat, we performed full-thickness skin grafts bilaterally on each rats. The HBO-treated rats were received HBO twice daily for 90 minutes at 2 ATA. Surgical control rats were not treated with HBO. ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ treated rats were received the agent via oral gastric tube daily for 3 days preoperative and a fourth dose 1 to 2 hours postoperative. HBO plus ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ treated rats were received HBO and ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ as mentioned above. Biopsy specimens were taken from each rat at the time of grafting and on days 2, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28, then were processed for tissue-concentration of total glutathione(GSHt), oxidized/reduced glutathione level, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance(TBARS) levels. The percentage of viable graft on day 10 ranged from 67 to 93%, and was not significantly different among the each other groups. The percentage of viable graft were, however, higher in HBO plus ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ treated rats(78.6%) than in HBO alone treated rats(59.1%), ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ alone treated rats(66.7%) and surgical control rats(58.2%). TBARS concentration had a significant increase from preoperative concentration at day 2, and peak concentration at day 4(p<0.01). Concentration then decreased to preoperative concentration at day 28. GSHt concentration of free skin graft had a similar patteren of change in four groups and decreased significantly from preoperative concentration at day 2, returning to preoperative concentration by day 7(surgical control, HBO-treated, and ${\alpha}-tocopherol-treated$, alone) and 28(HBO plus ${\alpha}-tocopherol-treated$). Percentage of the concentration of reduced glutathione decreased in surgical control, HBO-treated and, ${\alpha}-tocopherol-treated$(p<0.05), and HBO plus ${\alpha}-tocopherol-treared$(p<0.01) on day 7 after surgery, whereas the concentration of oxidized increased significantly in HBO-treated(p<0.05), ${\alpha}-tocopherol-treated$(p<0.05), and HBO plus ${\alpha}-tocopherol-treated$(p<0.01).

• KSBB Journal
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to develop a composite human skin equivalent for wound healing. Collagen type1 and acellular dermal matrix powder were utilized as the scaffold with dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes for the development of a composite human skin equivalent. Fibroblast maintained the volume of composite skin equivalent and also induced keratinocytes to attach and proliferate on the surface of composite skin equivalent. The composite human skin equivalent had a structure and curvature similar to those of real skin. Balb-C nu/nu mice were used for the evaluation of full-thickness wound healing effect of the composite human skin equivalent. Graft of composite skin equivalent on full-thickness wound promoted re-epithelialization and granulation tissue formation at 9 days. Given the average wound-healing time (14 days), the wound in the developed composite skin equivalent healed quickly. The overall results indicated that this three-dimensional composite human skin equivalent can be used to effectively enhance wound healing.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.704-708
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• 2015

Background Various techniques for lengthening short columellae have been used for bilateral cleft nose repair. However, previous methods have not yielded satisfactory results. We performed a full-thickness skin graft to lengthen short columellae during secondary cleft nose repair in adult patients. Methods Ten bilateral cleft lip and nose patients underwent secondary cheiloplasty with open rhinoplasty between July 2008 and August 2014. The patients underwent a full-thickness skin graft on the medial crura to elongate the columella. The average age of the patients at the time of surgery was 22.2 years. Nasal profiles were evaluated before and after the operation using the photogrammetric method. Results The nasal profiles were improved in all patients, and all skin grafts were well taken, with the exception of one patient. Columellar height, nostril height, and columella-lip angle increased, and nasal width decreased significantly. The ratios of columellar height to nasal height, columellar height to nasal width, and nasal height to nasal width increased to a statistically significant extent. Conclusions Columella lengthening with a full-thickness skin graft is a simple and effective method for the repair of severely short columellae in bilateral cleft nose patients. We had satisfactory outcomes, with good color matching and aesthetically pleasing contours.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.330-336
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• 2014

Background For patients with full thickness skin defects, autologous Split-thickness skin grafts (STSG) are generally regarded as the mainstay of treatment. However, skin grafts have some limitations, including undesirable outcomes resulting from scars, poor elasticity, and limitations in joint movement due to contractures. In this study, we present outcomes of Matriderm grafts used for various skin tissue defects whether it improves on these drawbacks. Methods From January 2010 to March 2012, a retrospective review of patients who had undergone autologous STSG with Matriderm was performed. We assessed graft survival to evaluate the effectiveness of Matriderm. We also evaluated skin quality using a Cutometer, Corneometer, Tewameter, or Mexameter, approximately 12 months after surgery. Results A total of 31 patients underwent STSG with Matriderm during the study period. The success rate of skin grafting was 96.7%. The elasticity value of the portion on which Matriderm was applied was 0.765 (range, 0.635-0.800), the value of the trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) was 10.0 (range, 8.15-11.00)$g/hr/m^2$, and the humidification value was 24.0 (range, 15.5-30.0). The levels of erythema and melanin were 352.0 arbitrary unit (AU) (range, 299.25-402.75 AU) and 211.0 AU (range, 158.25-297.00 AU), respectively. When comparing the values of elasticity and TEWL of the skin treated with Matriderm to the values of the surrounding skin, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Conclusions The results of this study demonstrate that a dermal substitute (Matriderm) with STSG was adopted stably and with minimal complications. Furthermore, comparing Matriderm grafted skin to normal skin using Cutometer, Matriderm proved valuable in restoring skin elasticity and the skin barrier.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2018

Background: When a skin defect occurs, clinicians must work to restore the original skin quality as soon as possible. Accordingly, an artificial dermis can be used to supplement the wound and prevent severe scar contracture formation. The Terudermis is an artificial dermis that is simple and easy to use. We investigated the effectiveness of the Terudermis in the treatment of facial skin defects by analyzing previous relevant cases treated in our institution. Methods: We retrospectively examined 143 patients who were treated with the Terudermis graft in facial skin defect at Dong Kang General Hospital in 2015 and 2016. The patients' age, sex and location, wound size, complications were analyzed. In addition, the patients were asked to complete a self-satisfaction questionnaire after 18 months from the completion of treatment. The results were compared with that of autologous full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) and split-thickness skin graft (STSG) patients in same period. Results: The mean self-satisfaction scores evaluated by patients were $4.1{\pm}1.0$, $4.0{\pm}1.3$ and $3.5{\pm}1.8$ for the Terudermis graft, FTSG and STSG patients, respectively. With respect to complications, there were fewer incidences of hematoma, partial skin loss and complete skin loss in the Terudermis graft patients. Conclusion: In the present study, the Terudermis, when used to treat post-traumatic facial skin defects, is a good alternative option to obtain satisfactory aesthetic outcomes. Also, the Terudermis grafting is a simple and easy treatment method to perform.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 1988

Skin replacement in large cheek defects after excision of benign or malignant tumor on the face is a challenging task. The physical characteristics of cheek skin are matched best by adjacent skin. Various methods of reconstructing of the facial surface such as forehead flap, distant flap, or a full thickness or split thickness skin graft have replaced adjacent tissue for coverage in many cases. We have reviewed ten cases of aesthetic reconstruction of the face after resection of the facial skin tumor within the last 5 years. The first group of 3 patients were reconstructed with split thickness skin graft from the scalp or lower abdomen. The second group of patients were reconstructed with cheek flap. The third group of 3 patients were reconstructed with cervicofacial flap. The last 2 patients were reconstructed with nasolabial flap & island falp respectively. The advantages from our experience with various method of coverage are its hidden donor area & good color match with the facial skin & increased success rate.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.233-236
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• 2016

Scalp defect management is complicated secondary to reduced laxity in the scalp and forehead area. For reconstruction of larger defects with exposed bone and loss of the periosteal layer, free flap reconstruction is one option for single-stage surgery, although the procedure is lengthy and includes the possibility of flap loss. We successfully performed a single-stage reconstruction of a large scalp defect using a combination of artificial dermis, split-thickness skin graft, and full-thickness skin graft following wide excision of a cutaneous angiosarcoma, and present our method as one option for the treatment of large oncologic surgical defects in patients who are poor candidates for free flap surgery.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2010

Purpose: Nasal defect can be caused by excision of tumor, trauma, inflammation from foreign body reaction. Nose is located in the middle of face and protruded, reconstruction should be done in harmony with size, shape, color, and textures. We report various methods of nasal reconstruction using local flaps. Methods: From March 1998 to July 2008, 36 patients were operated to reconstruct the nasal defects. Causes of the nasal defects were tumor (18 cases), trauma (11 cases), inflammation from foreign body reaction (5 cases) and congenital malformation (2 cases). The sites of the defects were ala (22 cases), nasal tip (8 cases) and dorsum (6 cases). The thickness of the defects was skin only (5 cases), dermis and cartilagenous layer (7 cases) and full-thickness (24 cases). According to the sites and thickness of the defects, various local flaps were used. Most of alar defects were covered by nasolabial flaps or bilobed flaps and the majority of dorsal and tip defects were covered by paramedian forehead flaps. Small defects below $0.25 cm^2$ were covered with composite graft or full-thickness skin graft. Results: The follow-up period was 14 months. Partial flap necrosis was observed in a case, and one case of infection was reported, it was improved by wound revision and antibiotics. Nasal reconstruction with various local flaps could provide satisfactory results in terms of color and texture match. Conclusion: The important factors of nasal reconstruction are the shape of reconstructed nose, color, and texture. Nasolabial flap is appropriate method for alar or columellar reconstruction and nasolabial island flap is suitable for tip defect. The defect located lateral wall could be reconstructed with bilobed flap for natural color and texture. Skin graft should be considered when the defect could not afford to be covered by adjacent local flap. And entire nasal defect or large defect could be reconstructed by paramedian forehead flap.