• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.137-142
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• 2019

Numerous efforts are being made to develop an ideal dermal filler that should be bio-compatibility, non-immunogenicity, long-lasting and biodegradable without a toxic secretion. Biomaterials of dermal fillers are hyaluronic acid filler, calcium filler, PMMA filler and collagen filler depending on the ingredient. Although hyaluronic acid (HA) is most widely used, it has shortages such as short shelf life and low mechanical strength compare to extracellular matrix (ECM). The cartilage ECM composed of collagen type II, proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and in a minor part with glycoproteins. In this study, we developed a cartilage ECM injectable filler capable of improving biocompatibility and longevity compared with hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers. The ECM hydrogel was cross-linked by the reaction of N-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC)/N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) for mechanical enhancement. Prepared ECM filler was compared with cross-linked HA by butanediol diglycidyle ether (BDDE), which is the most widely used natural polymers for dermal filler. In the results, the articular cartilage ECM hydrogel has great potential as a dermal filler to improve the biophysical and biological performance.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.399-406
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• 2015

In this study, we developed a composite filler comprising cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) and human collagen (COL) derived from the human umbilical cord with the aim of improving its biocompatibility and longevity compared with commercially available fillers. After HA/COL composite fillers were made in two different ratios (10:1 and 5:1), the physical properties of the fillers were evaluated. The interior morphologies and in vivo weight change of these hydrogels were also characterized at 1-16 weeks after injection into mice. To evaluate their biocompatibility and durability in vivo, we injected the composite fillers into nude mice subcutaneously. The variations of injected gel weight were measured and compared with the commercial dermal fillers (Restylane and TheraFill). The composites showed improved or similar physical properties (complex viscosity of 19-22 × 10⁵ cP, and injection force of 10-12 N) over the commercial dermal fillers. Sixteen weeks following the injection, the ratio of remaining composite filler weight to initial weight (75.5 ± 16.9%; 10:1) was shown to be greater than that of the commercial fillers (43.2 ± 8.1%, Restylane; 12.3 ± 5.3%, TheraFill). In addition, immunohistochemical analysis with angiogenesis-related markers such as isolectin and vWF revealed newly formed blood vessels and cellular influx into the composite filler, which were not observed in the other fillers. These results clearly suggest that the HA/COL composite filler is a superior candidate for soft tissue reconstruction. The filler we developed may be a suitable candidate as an injectable dermal filler for tissue augmentation in humans.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.193-196
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• 2013

Artecoll (Artes Medical Inc., San Diego, CA, USA) has recently been developed as a permanent synthetic cosmetic filler. We experienced an inflammatory granuloma resulting from a previous injection of Artecoll at the upper lip, which was regarded as a rare side effect of this filler. A 50-year-old female patient complained of swelling, dull pain, and heat in the right upper nasolabial fold area, which had started one week before her visit to Kyungpook National University Hospital. The patient received topical steroid therapy at a local clinic, which was not effective. At the injection site, a hard nodule was palpated and erythema was observed with mild tenderness. Antibiotic treatment and subsequent incision and drainage did not result in complete cure of the facial swelling, and the facial swelling and pain persisted. Computed tomography showed a lesion approximately 1-cm in size without clear boundaries and relatively increased nodular thickening. Finally, a subdermal lesion was removed via an intraoral vestibular approach. The lesion was diagnosed as inflammatory granuloma by a permanent biopsy. The patient had healed at two months after the filler injection. Although the soft tissue filler is widely used for cosmetic purposes, there is potential for complication, such as the inflammatory granuloma should be considered before treatment.

• Proceedings of the KSLP Conference
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• 2017.04a
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• pp.88-88
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• 2017

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.588-593
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• 2014

Lymphedema is a chronic disorder characterized by lymph stasis in the subcutaneous tissue. Lymphatic fluid contains several components including hyaluronic acid and has many important properties. Over the past few years, significant research has been performed to identify an ideal tissue to implant as a filler. Because of its unique composition, fat harvested from the lymphedema tissue is an interesting topic for investigation and has significant potential for application as a filler, particularly in facial rejuvenation. Over a 36-month period, we treated and assessed 8 patients with lymphedematous limbs who concurrently underwent facial rejuvenation with lymphedema fat (LF). We conducted a pre- and postoperative satisfaction questionnaire survey and a histological assessment of the harvested LF fat. The overall mean general appearance score at an average of 6 months after the procedure was $7.2{\pm}0.5$, demonstrating great improvement. Patients reported significant improvement in their skin texture with a reading of $8.5{\pm}0.7$ and an improvement in their self-esteem. This study demonstrates that LF as an ideal autologous injectable filler is clinically applicable and easily available in patients with lymphedema. We recommend the further study and clinical use of this tissue as it exhibits important properties and qualities for future applications and research.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.146-152
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• 2009

Traditional surgical method or injection using filler is performed for soft tissue augmentation. Surgical methods have disadvantage of surgical morbidity. Commercially available injectable materials have the disadvantages such as resorption, short-term effect. repeated application and hypersensitivity. Significant shortcoming of cell therapy using autologous fibroblasts is delay of treatment effect. Chitosan/${\beta}$-glycerol phosphate (GP) solution has thermosensitive property and allows sol-gel transition at physiologic pH and temperature. These properties may resolve the delay of treatment effect. The purposes of this study are to evaluate the viscosity and pH changes of chitosan/${\beta}$-GP solutions and to evaluate the effect of chitosan/${\beta}$-GP solution on fibroblast proliferation and production of collagen. We measured the viscosity and pH as function of temperature, of the solution containing 1:0.7, 1:0.75, 1:0.8 chitosan (1, 10, 100, 700 kDa) /${\beta}$-GP. Fibroblasts from ears of 5 rats were cultured in chitosan/${\beta}$-GP solutions for 3 weeks. Cell proliferation and collagen contents were measured every week with WST (water-soluble tetrazolium salt) assay and Collagen assay respectively. The Results are 1) Chitosan(100 kDa<)/${\beta}$-GP solution (1:0.75) showed sol-gel transition at physiologic pH and body temperature and injectable properties. It will enable to resolve the delay in treatment effect 2) Cell proliferation and total collagen contents of the control group were increased with time. However, these decreased after the 1st week in experimental group 3) Collagen contents in the experimental group are higher than that of control group. Chitosan/${\beta}$-GP solution may provide favorable conditions for cell function

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.148-151
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• 2022

Obstructive sialadenitis, one of the diseases that most frequently causes swelling and pain in the salivary glands, is mainly caused by structural obstructions. Sialolithiasis is the most frequent cause of the disease, and other causes include calculus formation, duct strictures, foreign bodies, and anatomical variations. Although there is a possibility that facial fillers directly block the salivary ducts, no cases of obstructive sialadenitis associated with them have been reported yet. We report the case of a 34-year-old female patient who complained of recurrent swelling and pain in the left buccal mucosa. She had undergone facial filler injection procedures on her facial area for cosmetic purposes several years before. Based on the findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MR sialography, she was diagnosed with obstructive sialadenitis due to facial fillers. Through this case, we should remember to obtain a thorough history including filler treatments in the case of parotid gland swelling. We also suggest proper utilization of advanced imaging such as MRI in evaluating the location of facial fillers.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.179-184
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• 2021

Women attach great importance to the presence of a three-dimensional nipple upon completion of the breast reconstruction process. To meet patients' expectations, nipple-areolar complex reconstruction should achieve symmetry in position, size, shape, texture, and color, as well as minimizing donor-site morbidity. However, it is well known that regardless of the reconstructive technique, loss of nipple projection can be reasonably expected. We developed and evaluated a quick, simple, and innovative technique using injectable Integra Flowable Wound Matrix to increase nipple projection after reconstruction. Twenty breast cancer patients who underwent nipple reconstruction resulting in unsatisfactory projection were enrolled in our retrospective study. Nipple projection was measured at the time of surgery and after 6 and 12 months. A visual analogue scale was used to assess patients' satisfaction. Our technique yielded reliable results in terms of the long-lasting maintenance of nipple projection. This method is high-priced, but cost-effective, since one kit may suffice for three patients. Furthermore, our patients were very appreciative of this technique as a single-step, minimally invasive, painless procedure with no reported necessity of re-intervention.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.129-134
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• 2005

Background and Objectives : Artecoll(R) is an injectable soft tissue filler, which is a suspension of polymethylmethacrylate microspheres in $3.5\%$ bovine collagen solution. The authors aimed to determine the clinical of Artecoll of Artecoll(R) as an injection material into the vocal fold to correct the glottal insufficiency caused by unilateral vocal cord paralysis. Materials and Methods : Forty-one consecutive patients with unilateral vocal cord paralysis received percutaneous Artecoll injections under local anesthesia. Acoustic, aerodynamic and stroboscopic analyses were prospectively provided before, 1 week and 3 months after injection. Perceptual GRBAS grading by speech language pathologists and subjective ratings of the hoarseness and aspiration by the patients were also obtained. Results : Aerodynamic parameter(maximal phonation time) were significantly improved after the injection (p<0.05). Acoustic parameters (jitter and shimmer) were improved at the 3rd month follow-up. GRBAS uading and patients own subjective scaling of hoarseness and aspiration also showed significant improvement (p<0.05). Early or delayed significant side effects were not observed. Conclusion : Vocal fold injection with Artecoll is a convenient, safe and useful method of temporarily correcting the glottal insufficiency. Further long-term follow-up studies will answer the usefulness and safety of the Artecoll injection laryngoplasty.