• 대한두개안면성형외과학회지
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.37-42
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• 2011

Purpose: Cancer arising from the external auditory canal is a rare disease. A lesion that seems harmless in someway, can be lethal when inadequately excised, the tumor may infiltrate nerves, the parotid and auditory tissues before re-invading the skin. Wide resection of the lesion surrounding the structure and reconstruction with an adequate plan is crucial for the treatment of this disease. Methods: Two patients with external auditory canal cancer were treated with muscle flaps and skin grafts. Lateral temporal bone resection (LTBR) was performed for complete resection of the cancer. The defect cavity was obliterated with highly vascularized tissue using pedicled sternocleidomastoid muscle, and temporalis muscle individually, combined with full thickness skin graft for covering the skin defect of the ear. Results: Clear resection margin was obtained, and both patients showed disease free survival during the follow up. There was no complications of hematoma, infection, flap loss, or wound problem in both patients. Both patient received radiation therapy, there was no osteoradionecrosis or any other complication related to radiation therapy. Conclusion: Utilizing pedicled muscle flaps for managing defects after wide resection of the external auditory canal cancer is an effective method for managing this difficult disease.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.57-62
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• 2019

Background Full-thickness nail bed defects with significant exposure of the distal phalanx are typically challenging to reconstruct. We describe a novel method of nail bed defect reconstruction using a thenar fascial flap combined with nail bed grafting. Methods Full-thickness nail bed defects were reconstructed in a 2-stage operation involving the placement of a thenar fascial flap and subsequent nail bed grafting. A proximally-based skin flap was designed on the thenar eminence. The flap was elevated distally to proximally, and the fascial layer covering the thenar muscle was dissected proximally to distally. The skin flap was then closed and the dissected fascial flap was turned over (proximal to distal) and inset onto the defect. The finger was immobilized for 2 weeks, and the flap was dressed with wet and ointment dressings. After 2 weeks, the flap was divided and covered with a split-thickness nail bed graft from the great toe. Subsequent nail growth was evaluated on follow-up. Results Nine patients (9 fingers) treated with the novel procedure were evaluated at follow-up examinations. Complete flap survival was noted in all cases, and all nail bed grafts took successfully. Five outcomes (55.6%) were graded as excellent, three (33.3%) as very good, and one (11.1%) as fair. No donor site morbidities of the thenar area or great toe were observed. Conclusions When used in combination with a nail bed graft, the thenar fascial flap provides an excellent means of nail bed reconstruction.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.541-545
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• 2006

Purpose: There are many methods for the reconstruction of the facial defect after an excision of a skin cancer; such as skin graft, local flap, free flap, etc... Skin graft has its' limitations; it could remain in different color with in regards of the recipient to donor, with an unfavorable scar. Free flap can lead to big donor site morbidity with long operation time and uncontrolled scar as a disadvantage factor. Compared to the prior, local flap offers several merits; sufficient blood supply, good tissue quality and short operation time. We revised 'V-Y-S flap' for the facial defect, which proved to have favorable outcomes. Methods: Total 7 V-Y-S flaps were performed to patients with skin cancers(six squamous cell carcinoma and one basal cell carcinoma). Two of these flaps were combined with composite grafts, one with full thickness skin graft. Six patients were female and one male. The average diameter of defects after excision was 2.3 cm. The follow-up period was 18 months maximally. Results: We treated seven facial skin cancers with 'V-Y-S flap'. There were no flap necrosis, cancer recurrence and scar contracture as a result. Furthermore, this method also offers a favorable central scar line that is parallel to the nasolabial fold and the nasojugal groove, especially in the nasolabial area and superomedial side of the cheek. With this method, we could cover a maximum diameter of 4cm facial defect. Conclusion: In conclusion, it is suggested that V-Y-S flap is a useful method to cover facial defects after the excision of a skin cancer.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.26-31
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• 2016

Background The global prevalence of myelomeningocele has been reported to be 0.8-1 per 1,000 live births. Early closure of the defect is considered to be the standard of care. Various surgical methods have been reported, such as primary skin closure, local skin flaps, musculocutaneous flaps, and skin grafts. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of myelomeningocele defects and present the surgical outcomes of recent cases of myelomeningocele at our institution. Methods Patients who underwent surgical closure of myelomeningocele at our institution from January 2004 to December 2013 were included in this study. A retrospective chart review of their medical records was performed, and comorbidities, defect size, location, surgical procedures, complications, and the final results were analyzed. Results A total of 14 patients underwent surgical closure for myelomeningocele defects. Twelve cases were closed with direct skin repair, while two cases required local skin flaps to cover the skin defects. Three cases of infection occurred, requiring incision and either drainage or removal of allogenic materials. One case of partial flap necrosis occurred, requiring secondary revision using a rotational flap and a full-thickness skin graft. Despite these complications, all wounds eventually healed completely. Conclusions Most myelomeningocele defects can be managed by direct skin repair alone. In cases of large defects, in which direct repair is not possible, local flaps may be used to cover the defect. Complications such as wound dehiscence and partial flap necrosis occurred in this study; however, all such complications were successfully managed with simple ancillary procedures.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제34권5호
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• pp.587-592
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• 2007

Purpose: In case of postburn flexion contracture of the fingers, skin graft, geometrical relaxation techniques, local flap, and free flap have been used. Among these procedures, full-thickness skin grafts from the inguinal area are widely used to reconstruct a postburn flexion contracture in the fingers. But there are many esthetic and functional problems in this procedure. Especially, hyperpigmentation of the skin-grafted fingers poses a troublesome problem, particularly in the patients who have dark colored skin. To solve the problem, we have used pulp graft which was harvested from the lateral aspect of great toe. In the present study, we report pulp graft, with which we have obtained a good result in the treatment of postburn flexion contracture of the fingers. Methods: Between September of 2004 and August of 2006, great toe pulp graft was performed to 20 sites of 15 patients. After release of the postburn flexion contracture using Z-plasty, the composite tissue (pulp) harvested from the lateral aspect of great toe was grafted on the raw surface. Moisture dressing with ointment and foam dressing material was performed. Stratum corneum of the graft got stripped off in two to four weeks after pulp graft. The color of the pulp graft was slightly reddish, then it became similar to the adjacent tissue. Results: There was complete take in all the patients who were treated with pulp graft. Great toe pulp graft provided similar color and texture to the adjacent skin, high rate of graft take, and left only a minimal scar at donor site. Conclusion: Thick keratin layer and inelastic nature of the pulp make this type of the graft much easier and simpler, and ensure a better take. Pulp graft is useful method for the reconstruction of the postburn flexion contracture in fingers.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.308-315
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• 2004

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of promoted skin wound healing in skin defects with primary cultured oral mucosal keratinocytes. Materials and methods: Thirty adult female nude mice weighing $20{\pm}2g$ were used for the experiment. Primary cultured and suspended oral mucosal keratinocytes, labeled with BrdU, were scattered onto $1.5cm{\times}1.5cm$ sized full thickness skin defects in the experimental group(N=15), and no grafts were placed the control group(N=15). They were sacrificed at 3 days, 1 week and 2 weeks after the treatment respectively. Histological examination of each wounds were performed to review the healing progress on measuring the length from the wound margin to regenerating epithelial front. The role of keratinocytes were assessed by double immunohistochemical staining with Anti-BrdU and Anti-cytokeratin AE1/3. Results: In the experimental group the wound was completely covered with regenerating epithelia in 2 weeks, but partially regenerated in the control group. The immunohistochemical studies unexpectedly reveal that most of regenerating epithelial cells were induced from marginal epithelium of the margin, not from the scattered keratinocytes. Conclusion: We could successfully confirm that graft of primary cultured oral mucosal keratinocytes promotes the regeneration of skin defects.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.451-457
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• 2011

Purpose: As a central feature of the face, the nose has considerable significance in appearance and expression. Reconstruction of full thickness defects of the nasal ala has always been a challenge because of the 3-dimensional structure. For reconstruction of post burn defects of ala, skin graft, local or pedicled flap and composite graft are optionally available. We have reconstructed the ala defects using adiposocutaneous graft and observed the outcome. Methods: From March 2003 to December 2010, 19 cases in 11 patients with scar contracture and defect on ala portion were performed operation using adiposocutaneous graft. As a donor site, we used the inguinal crease and posterior auricular area and the donor site was primarily closed. We made incision through the superior rim of ala and released fully. A graft is applied to recipient site with larger size than recipient volume. Results: The mean age of the patient was 38.6 years (16~51), males are seven patients and females are four patients. The operation was performed bilaterally in 5 patients and unilaterally in 6 patients. Composite grafts were harvested from inguinal area in 13 cases and posterior auricular area in 6 cases. In one case, we did 4 times of operation to get enough volume. All the grafts were well taken. The mean size of the graft was 3.63 $cm^2$. Conclusion: For reconstruction of post burn defects of ala, it's not easy to use local flap or pedicled flap because of hardness and fibrosis of surrounding tissue. So, we choose adiposocutaneous graft for ala deformity reconstruction, got satisfactory outcome in color matching and texture.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제26권6호
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• pp.565-580
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• 2000

This study was designed to evaluate the influence of cultured epidermal tissue graft and the administration of transforming growth factor(TGF)-${\beta}_3$ on maxillary growth in surgically created palatal defects. A total of 155 rats were divided into 2 groups according to surgical timing : postnatal 2 weeks(n=95), 4 weeks(n=40) and control(unoperated) group(n=20). The postnatal 2-week surgical group was subdivided into 3 groups according to repair methods: conventional surgery(Von Langenbeck technique)group(n=23); cultured tissue graft group(n=25); and full thickness skin graft group(n=25). Additionally, recombinant human TGF-${\beta}_3$ was administered(30ng or 150ng) on collagen matrix in surgically created palatal defects during surgery(9 conventional surgeries, 9 cultured tissue grafts) in 2-week-old rats. The results showed that all types of surgical treatment decreased maxillary growth compared with the control(unoperated) group(p<0.0001). On the other hand, the tissue graft group, whether cultured tissue or grafted skin, contributed to increased maxillary growth(p<0.0001).And exogenous TGF-${\beta}_3$ might play a role in connective tissue proliferation and new bone generation during wound healing on palatal defects. Our results suggest that grafting cultured epidermis with collagen matrix decreases the scar tension on maxillary growth more than conventional palatal surgery does. Therefore, exogenous TGF-${\beta}_3$ may contribute to accelerate wound healing on palatal defects.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.70-75
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• 2022

Background Fingertip injuries are very common; however, the reconstruction of volar pulp defects with nail bed defects is challenging in the absence of the amputated segment. We reconstructed fingertip amputations with nail bed defects using a new surgical approach: a subcutaneous flap and composite graft. Methods We treated 10 fingertip amputation patients without an amputated segment, with exposed distal phalangeal bone and full-thickness nail bed defects between February 2018 and December 2020. All patients underwent two-stage surgery: in the first stage, a subcutaneous flap was performed to cover the exposed distal phalanx, and in the second stage, a composite graft, consisting of nail bed, hyponychium, and volar pulp skin, was applied over the subcutaneous flap. Results All flaps survived and all composite grafts were successful. The wounds healed without any significant complications, including the donor site. The average follow-up duration was 11.2 months (range, 3-27 months). The new nail and the shape of the volar pulp were evaluated during follow-up. All patients were satisfied with their natural fingertip shapes and the new nails did not have any serious deformities. Conclusions A subcutaneous flap in combination with a composite graft fitting the shape of the defect could be another option for fingertip injuries without amputated segments.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제35권5호
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• pp.521-526
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• 2008

Purpose: Most burn scar contractures are curable with skin grafts, but free flaps may be needed in some cases. Due to the adjacent tissue scarring, local flap is rarely used, and thus we may consider free flap which gives us more options than local flap. However, inappropriate performance of free flap may lead to unsatisfactory results despite technical complexity and enormous amount of effort. The author will discuss the points we should consider when using free flaps in treating burn scar contractures Methods: We surveyed patients who underwent free flaps to correct burn scar contractures from 2000 to 2007. We divided patients into two groups. The first group was those in which free flaps were inevitable due to exposure of deep structures such as bones and tendons. The second group was those in which free flap was used to minimize scar contracture and to achieve aesthetic result. Results: We performed 44 free flap on 42 patients. All of the flaps were taken well except one case of partial necrosis and wound dehiscence. Forearm free flap was the most common with 21 cases. Most of the cases(28 cases) in which free flaps were inevitable were on the wrist and lower limbs. These were cases of soft tissue defect due to wide and extensive burns. Free flaps were done in 16 cases to minimize scar contracture and to obtain aesthetic outcome, recipient sites were mostly face and upper extremities. Conclusion: When using free flaps for correction of burn scar contractures, proper release and full resurfacing of the contracture should be carried out in advance. If inadequate free flap is performed, secondary correction is more challenging than in skin grafts. In order to optimize the result of reconstruction, flap thickness, size and scar of the recipient site should be considered, then we can achieve natural shape, and minimize additional correction.