• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.1
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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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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2021

Background In patients with congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN), single-stage removal of large lesions can be difficult because the high tension created by excising and repairing a large lesion may result in scar widening. Herein, we introduce a method to effectively excise lesions while minimizing scarring and compare its outcomes to those of existing surgical methods. Methods We compared patients who underwent surgery using the anchoring technique (n=42) or the conventional elliptical technique (n=36). One side of the lesion was removed via en bloc resection up to the superficial fascia. The other side of the lesion was removed via de-epithelialization. The de-epithelialized dermal flap was then fixed by suturing it to the superficial fascia on the opposite side. The length of the lesion's long axis and amount of scar widening were measured immediately after surgery and at 2, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. At 12 months, patients were assessed using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale. Results The lesion locations included the face, arms, legs, back, and abdomen. The anchoring method resulted in shorter and smaller scars than the conventional method. There were no cases of postoperative hematoma or wound dehiscence. Significant differences in postoperative scar widening were found in the arm and leg areas (P<0.05). Conclusions The anchoring method introduced in this study can provide much better outcomes than the conventional method. The anchoring method is particularly useful for the removal of CMN around the joints or extremities, where the surgical site is subjected to high tension.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2022

Background: Reconstruction of large facial defects is challenging as both functional and cosmetic results must be considered. Reconstruction with forehead flaps on the face is advantageous; nonetheless, reconstruction of large defects with forehead flaps alone results in extensive scarring on the donor site. In our study, the results of reconstruction using a combination of forehead flaps and other techniques for large facial defects were evaluated. Methods: A total of 63 patients underwent reconstructive surgery using forehead flaps between February 2005 and June 2020 at our institution. Reconstruction of a large defect with forehead flaps alone has limitations; because of this, 22 patients underwent a combination of procedures and were selected as the subjects of this study. This study was retrospectively conducted by reviewing the patients' medical records. Additional procedures included orbicularis oculi musculocutaneous (OOMC) V-Y advancement flap, cheek advancement flap, nasolabial V-Y advancement flap, grafting, and simultaneous application of two different techniques. Flap survival, complications, and recurrence of skin cancer were analyzed. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using questionnaires. Results: Along with reconstructive surgery using forehead flaps, nasolabial V-Y advancement flap was performed in nine patients, local advancement flap in three, OOMC V-Y advancement flap in two, grafting in five, and two different techniques in three patients. No patient developed flap loss; however, cancer recurred in two patients. The overall patient satisfaction was high. Conclusion: Reconstruction with a combination of forehead flaps and other techniques for large facial defects can be considered as both functionally and cosmetically reliable.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.45-48
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• 2023

Angiosarcoma is a very rare subtype of sarcoma. It mainly occurs in the head and neck, and cutaneous angiosarcoma in this region seems to be a distinctive neoplasm with characteristic clinicopathologic features that differ from those of angiosarcoma in other anatomical locations. The prognosis of angiosarcoma in the head and neck region is poor, and the risk of local recurrence and metastasis is high. We reconstructed an atypical angiosarcoma that presented as a solitary nodule with a shape suggestive of hemangioma on the cheek using a modified bilobed local flap. At a 12-month follow-up visit, the patient in this case showed successful recovery after radiation therapy.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.304-310
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• 2024

Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is associated with a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders. However, no studies examine how psychiatric disorders influence surgical and financial outcomes. This study aimed to assess impact of a psychiatric diagnosis on patients treated for HS. Methods Patients with HS were retrospectively identified at a single institution from 2010 to 2021. Cohorts were stratified by the presence of a psychiatric disorder. Demographics, comorbidities, and disease characteristics were collected. Outcomes assessed included the procedural interventions and emergency department (ED) visits. Financial distress was assessed via the COST-FACIT Version 2 survey. Results Out of 138 patients, 40 (29.0%) completed the survey of which 19 (47.5%) had a preexisting psychiatric diagnosis. No demographic differences were found between cohorts. Mean follow-up was 16.1 ± 11.0 months. The psychiatric cohort had a higher median number of surgeries received (7.0 vs. 1.5, p < 0.001), a higher median number of ED visits (1.0 vs. 0, p = 0.006), and a similar hospital length of stay (p = 0.456). The mean COST-FACIT score of the overall study population was 19.2 ± 10.7 (grade 1 financial toxicity). The psych cohort had a lower mean COST-FACIT score (16.8 vs. 21.3, p = 0.092) and reported greater financial hardship (3.3 vs. 1.7, p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, a psychiatric diagnosis was predictive of lower credit scores, more ED visits, and a higher number of surgeries. Conclusion Preexisting psychiatric conditions in patients with HS are associated with increased health care utilization and surgical intervention with substantial financial distress. Plastic surgeons should be cognizant of such comorbid disorders to facilitate holistic care addressing all patient needs.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.41-44
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• 2020

Clear cell hidradenoma is a skin adnexal tumor originating from eccrine glands. The risk of local recurrence after surgical resection exceeds 50%, and 6-19% of cases are malignant. The rarity of clear cell hidradenoma and its diverse histological findings make this type of tumor a diagnostic challenge. We present a case of recurrent clear cell hidradenoma of the posterior neck in a 70-year-old woman. The tumor recurred once after complete excision, and did not recur again after 1-cm wide excision and reconstruction with a local bilobed flap. Recurrent clear cell hidradenomas are activated by surgical stimulation, increasing the risk for metastasis. Therefore, we suggest that wide excision with confirmation of a tumor-free margin by frozen-section biopsy should be the first-line treatment for recurrent benign clear cell hidradenoma.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.73-77
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• 2002

Medical application of leeches, by means of leech's blood suction, has advantages in not only directly removing blood congestion, but also preventing hindrance to venous drainage by inhibiting local thrombus formation and inducing continuous bleeding. Nevertheless, Aeromonas hydrophila infection secondary to such suction is most common and may develop into serious conditions from local inflammatory reaction to total necrosis of replanted parts and enterocolitis as well as sepsis. Once infected, it requires infection treatment, removal of necrotic tissues and reconstruction. Hence, duration and cost of treatment increase while functional recovery falls markedly. Accordingly, we present measures to reduce Aeromonas infections as follows: First, do not manipulate as much as possible while the leeches are sucking or moving. Second, the site which suction plates of the leeches are attached, should be selected away from the surgical wound site or open wound as much as possible. Third, contaminated or blood-wet gauze should be replaced often so that the skin of surgical areas would not swell. Furthermore, bleeding or oozing should be well-drained. Fourth, the areas other than the sites of leech attachment should be covered with sterilized gauzes in order to limit leech movement.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.719-723
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• 2007

Purpose: Blowout fracture can lead to functional impairments and esthetic deformities such as impairment of ocular movement, diplopia, visual loss and enophthalmos. The object of this study is to present a classification and its analysis according to the computed tomographic scan in blowout fractures. We classified blow out fractures into three types according to the anatomical location of fracture, the size of the bone defect and the degree of periosteal injury by using the computed tomography scan. Each progress and complications were analyzed more than mean 1 year. Methods: Among the 155 cases during 4 years, there were 11 cases of medial orbital wall fracture, 97 cases of inferior orbital wall fracture, 47 cases of combined type. The mean age of patients was 31.2 years, ranged from 8 to 84 years. Results: According to our classification, surgical treatments through the nasoendoscopic approach, the subciliary approach, the transconjunctival approach or their combinations were performed in 116 patients, and conservative treatments were done in 46 patients. Presurgical clinical findings of diplopia, impairment of ocular movement, enophthalmos of more than 2 mm were present in 62 patients. After surgical treatment, clinical findings were remained in 7 patients. Conclusion: We think that our classification according to computed tomographic scan is helpful for the indication and it may decrease the complications such as impairment of ocular movement, diplopia, visual loss and enophthalmos.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.672-675
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to document the surgical methods used in infants with aplasia cutis congenita treated with allogenic dermal matrix and cultured epithelial autografts. Methods: The large defects in both lower legs were replaced with allogenic dermal matrix to avoid the postoperative hypertrophic scar contracture and a full-thickness skin biopsy was taken from right groin area simultaneously. We sent the specimen to a commercial laboratory for culture and obtained cultured epithelial autografts($Holoderm^{(R)}$) after 2 weeks, placed it over the allogenic dermal matrix. Results: The skin-defected area were nearly epithelialized after 2 weeks and there were no significant problem on during 6 months follow-up. Conclusion: The surgical method using allogenic dermal matrix and cultured epithelial autograft provided an excellent coverage of large skin defects of infant with aplasia cutis congenita.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.666-668
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• 2006

Purpose: Livedo vasculitis is recurrent painful ulceration of the feet, ankles and legs characterized by purpuric papules and plaques that undergo superficial necrosis and healing with residual white atrophic scars (atrophie blanche). The typical histopathologic findings of livedo vasculitis are characterized by endothelial proliferation and hyaline degeneration along with thrombosis of dermal vessels. Standard therapeutic strategies for treatment of livedo vasculitis are usually on the basis of rheologic, anti-inflammatory or immnosuppressive treatments, a aspirin, dipyridamole, glucocorticosteroids, pentoxyfylline, or high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin are often ineffective or partially effective. Methods: We report a case of 24-year-old male patient with livedo vasculitis on the ankles and dorsal surfaces of both feet. Results: The lesion that had been unresponsive to medical treatment were successfully healed with complete debridement and skin grafting without recurrences. Conclusion: Surgical treatment can be one of the therapeutic choice in Livedo vasculitis.