• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.73-77
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• 2008

Purpose: In case of facial injury, a canalicular injury is common. Many methods and materials have been used for reconstruction of lacrimal canaliculi. Silicone tube is the most widely used material, generally with pigtail probe or stainless steel probe. But it has still many problems. The authors guess that reconstruction using Mini $Monoka^{(R)}$ will reduce those problems and will be more successful. Methods: From July, 2003 to November, 2006 in 24 patients with canalicular injury, 11 cases were recon- structed with former silicone tube and 13 cases were treated with Mini $Monoka^{(R)}$. Results: The mean follow-up period was 3 months. The results of reconstruction were classified into three groups(Normal, Fair, Poor). In 13 cases with Mini $Monoka^{(R)}$ stent, 10 cases were normal, 3 were fair, and no poor cases. But in 11 cases with bicanaliculus silicone stent, 6 cases were normal, 3 were fair, and 2 were poor. Conclusion: Compared with bicanaliculus silicone stent, Mini $Monoka^{(R)}$ stent is fixed well, has no aesthetic problems, makes less foreign body sensation. And the results were successful.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2011

Purpose: Canalicular laceration is relatively common due to its exposed, vulnerable location in case of facial trauma. Conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy has been the standard treatment for canalicular obstruction secondary to unrepaired canalicular laceration. In spite of a high rate of relieving tear-duct obstruction, this method is noted to be associated with low rate of patient satisfaction and a number of complications. The goal of this study is to report the good results of delayed lacrimal stent implantation with Mini Monoka$^{(R)}$ for patients whose canaliculi were not repaired by initial surgery. Methods: From May of 2005 to February of 2007, four patients who underwent delayed lacrimal stent implantation using Mini Monoka$^{(R)}$ in canalicular laceration were retrospectively reviewed. First, the previous scar incision was made over the lower lid and we identified the cut end of proximal lacerated canaliculus. The Mini Monoka$^{(R)}$ was passed through the punctum to the cut end of the proximal lacerated canaliculus. We identified the cut end of the distal lacerated canaliculus, whose cut end has rolled white edges after careful excision of the scarred lid tissue. We then passed Mini Monoka$^{(R)}$ through the lacerated inferior canaliculus. Using an operating microscope, we placed three interrupted sutures of 8-0 Ethilon to join the canalicular ends. Silicone stent was left in place for 6 months. The mean age of the patients was 48.5 years (range, 35 to 59 years). The time interval from initial trauma to delayed lacrimal stent implantation was between 3 and 31 days. Follow-up periods ranged from 12 and 20 months. Results: The results of reconstruction were classified into normal, fair and poor. Patent lacrimal drainage systems were achieved in three of the four cases. In one case, epiphora was encountered. No cases of stent displacement, conjunctivitis or granuloma formation were encountered. Conclusion: Even though canalicular reconstruction was delayed for a long time, attempting canalicular reconstruction would be acceptable before considering secondary operations like dacryocystorhinostomy and conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.742-747
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• 2013

Background The medial canthus is an important area in determining the impression of a person's facial appearance. It is composed of various structures, including canthal tendons, lacrimal canaliculi, conjunctiva, the tarsal plate, and skin tissues. Due to its complexity, medial canthal defect reconstruction has been a challenging procedure to perform. The contralateral paramedian forehead flap is usually used for large defects; however, the bulkiness of the glabella and splitting at the distal end of the flap are factors that can reduce the rate of flap survival. We reconstructed medial canthal defects using ipsilateral paramedian forehead flaps, minimizing glabellar bulkiness. Methods This study included 10 patients who underwent medial canthal reconstruction using ipsilateral paramedian forehead flaps between 2010 and 2012. To avoid an acute curve of the pedicle, which can cause venous congestion, we attempted to make the arc of the pedicle rounder. Additionally, the pedicle was skeletonized from the nasal root to the glabella to reduce the bulkiness. Results All patients had basal cell carcinoma, and 3 of them had recurrent basal cell carcinoma. All of the flaps were successful without total or partial flap loss. Two patients developed venous congestion of the flap, which was healed using medicinal leeches. Four patients developed epiphora, and 2 patients developed telecanthus. Conclusions Large defects of the medial canthus can be successfully reconstructed using ipsilateral paramedian forehead flaps. In addition, any accompanying venous congestion can be healed using medicinal leeches.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2015

Background The eyelid and canthal areas are common locations for cutaneous tumors. The medial canthus includes, among many other apparatuses, the canthal tendon and lacrimal canaliculi, and its characteristic thin and supple skin is hard to mimic and restore using tissue from other regions. Accordingly, reconstruction of the canthal area can prove challenging for surgeons. Although various methods, such as skin grafts and local flaps from adjacent regions, have been utilized for reconstructive purposes, they present known disadvantages. However, we were able to successfully reconstruct both lateral and medial canthal area defects by using orbicularis oculi myocutaneous island flaps. Methods Our study included seven patients who underwent medial or lateral canthal region reconstruction, using orbicularis oculi myocutaneous island flaps, between 2011 and 2014, following either cutaneous tumor excision or traumatic avulsion injury. Results Five patients had basal cell carcinoma, one had squamous cell carcinoma of the eyelid, and one had sustained a traumatic avulsion injury of the eyelid and canthal area. Entire flap loss was not observed in any patient, but one-a heavy smoker-showed partial flap loss, which healed with secondary intention and yielded acceptable results. Donor site morbidity was not observed, and all patients were satisfied with their surgical outcomes. Conclusions The canthal regions can be successfully reconstructed with orbicularis oculi myocutaneous island flaps. These flaps offer several key advantages, including similarity in texture, color, and thickness to the recipient site and a negligible incidence of donor site morbidity.