• 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 Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.403-408
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• 2013

Background For patients with neuropathy, vasculopathy, and impairment of wound healing, treatment of a diabetic foot ulcer poses many challenges. A large number of dermal analogues have been invented in an effort to overcome these challenges. Matriderm, a dermal analogue, is made from bovine collagen and elastin. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the effectiveness of Matriderm for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, in comparison with skin grafting. Methods Sixty patients with diabetic foot ulcer were included in this prospective study. The average age of the patients, who had type II diabetes mellitus, was 58 years old. The patients were allocated to an experimental or control group with their consents. The patients were selected with their consent for inclusion in an experimental group and a control group. Patients in the experimental group received a Matriderm appliance and a split-thickness skin graft, while those in the control group received only a split-thickness skin graft. Results A shorter hospitalization period (7.52 weeks) was observed in the experimental group than in the control group (9.22 weeks), and a shorter period of time (8.61 weeks) was required for complete healing, compared with the control group (12.94 weeks), with statistical significance (P<0.05). A higher elasticity ratio of the affected side to the non-affected side was observed in the experimental group, compared with the control group (P<0.01). Conclusions Matriderm enables effective healing and improves elasticity in treatment of patients with diabetic foot ulcer.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.337-343
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• 2014

Background The reconstruction of large skin and soft tissue defects on the lower extremities is challenging. The skin graft is a simple and frequently used method for covering a skin defect. However, poor skin quality and architecture are well-known problems that lead to scar contracture. The collagen-elastin matrix, Matriderm, has been used to improve the quality of skin grafts; however, no statistical and objective review of the results has been reported. Methods Thirty-four patients (23 male and 11 female) who previously received a skin graft and simultaneous application of Matriderm between January 2010 and June 2012 were included in this study. The quality of the skin graft was evaluated using Cutometer, occasionally accompanied by pathologic findings. Results All 34 patients showed good skin quality compared to a traditional skin graft and were satisfied with their results. The statistical data for the measurement of the mechanical properties of the skin were similar to those for normal skin. In addition, there was no change in the engraftment rate. Conclusions The biggest problem of a traditional skin graft is scar contracture. However, the dermal matrix presents an improvement in skin quality with elastin and collagen. Therefore, a skin graft along with a simultaneous application of Matriderm is safe and effective and leads to a significantly better outcome from the perspective of skin elasticity.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.84-87
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• 2015

Polyotia is an extremely rare type of the auricular malformation that is characterized by a large accessory ear. A 3-year-old girl presented to us with bilateral auricular abnormalities and underwent two-stage corrective operation for polyotia. In this report, we present the surgical details and postoperative outcomes of polyotia correction in the patient. Relevant literature is reviewed.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.116-120
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• 2011

Purpose: Scalp avulsion is a life-threatening injury that may cause trauma to the forehead, eyebrows, and periauricular tissue. It is difficult to treat scalp avulsion as it may lead to severe bleeding. Therefore, emergency scalp replantation surgery is necessary, and we must consider the function, aesthetics, and psychology of the patients. A case of scalp avulsion leading to massive bleeding was encountered by these authors, which led to a failure to achieve the proper operation conditions in an adequate time period. Methods: A 49-year-old female was hospitalized due to having had her head caught in a rotatory machine, causing complete scalp avulsion which included the dorsum of the nose, both eyebrows, and ears. Emergent microsurgical replantation was performed, where a superficial temporal artery and a vein were anastomosed, but the patient's vital signs were too unstable for further operation due to excessive blood loss. Three days after the microanastomosis, venous congestion developed at the replanted scalp, and a medicinal leech was used. Leech therapy resolved the venous congestion. A demarcation then developed between the vitalized scalp tissue and the necrotized area. Debridement was performed 2 times on the necrotized scalp area. Finally, split-thickness skin graft with a dermal acellular matrix ($Matriderm^{(R)}$) was performed on the defective areas, which included the left temporal area, the occipital area, and both eyebrows. Results: The forehead, vertex, right temporal area, and half of the occipital area were successfully replanted, and the hair at the replanted scalp was preserved. As stated above, two-thirds of the scalp survived; the patient could cover the skin graft area with her hair, and could wear a wig. Conclusion: Complete scalp avulsion needs emergent replantation with microsurgical revascularization, but it often leads to serious vital conditions. We report a case with acceptable results, although the microanastomosed vessel was minimal due to the patient's unstable vital signs.