• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.369-374
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• 2007

A fingerprint is an impression of the friction ridges of all or any part of the finger. A friction ridge is a raised portion of the epidermis on the palmar (palm and fingers) or plantar (sole and toes) skin, consisting of one or more connected ridge units of friction ridge skin. There are two fundamental principles underlying the use of fingerprints as a means of identifying individuals - immutability and uniqueness. Friction ridges develop on the fetus in their definitive form before birth. Ridges are persistent throughout life except for permanent scarring. Ridge patterns and the details in small areas of friction ridges are unique and never repeated. Friction ridge patterns vary within limits, which allow for classification. We developed the high temperature-moisturizing method to obtained quality postmortem impressions from decomposing friction ridge skin. This technique is a simple procedure that uses boiling water to recondition the skin. This reconditioning process enhances detail present on the fingers and exposes ridge detail not visible to the naked eye. Therefore, we can recover the quality fingerprints, even from the worst decomposed bodies.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.457-462
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• 2014

Prostaglandin (PG) $E_2$ is an important mediator of skin wound healing without excessive scarring and gastric ulcer healing. However, $PGE_2$ has a short lifetime in vivo because it is metabolized rapidly by 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH). Ethanol extract of Eriobotryae folium (EFEE) elevated intracellular and extracellular $PGE_2$ levels in HaCaT cells and inhibited 15-PGDH ($ED_{50}$ : $168.4{\mu}g/mL$) with relatively low cytotoxicity ($IC_{50}$ : $250.0{\mu}g/mL$). Real-time PCR analysis showed that mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 enzymes were increased and prostaglandin transporter (PGT) was decreased in HaCaT cells by EFEE. Moreover, wound healing effect of EFEE ($168.4{\mu}g/mL$) was comparable to that of TGF-${\beta}1$ (300 pg/mL) as a positive control. These results demonstrate that EFEE may be valuable therapeutic materials for the treatment of $PGE_2$ level dependent diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 1996

Background: Efficacy of spinal opioids for the treatment of intractable cancer pain has been reported by several authors. The epidural route seems to be a more reliable and effective method of pain control as compared to the intrathecal route which can lead to opioids by portal system. Methods: Medical records were reviewed of 18 patients who had been treated with epidural morphine via an implanted port-A-Cath from Mar. 1991 to Sep. 1994. Results: Patients were treated for a mean of 92 days. There were wide variation of dose requirements. The minimum daily dose ranged from 2 to 10mg, and maximum daily dose from 3 to 30 mg. Verbal rating scale were below moderate until 100th days after posrtal implantation. When 3 patients suffered from aggravated pain associated with vertebral metastasis. Five of 11 patients who were administered medication longer than 50 days reguired increased doses ranging from 3 mg to 25 mg which were higher as compared to initial doses. These patients also experienced pain due to vertebral metastasis. There were no report of epidural scarring, respiratory depression, epidural infections, meningitis, or catheter blockade. Conclusion: Continuous epidural morphine administration via Port-A-Cath is an effective method with minimal complication.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.200-205
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• 1996

Radiofrequency thermocoagulation(RF) techniques are safe and effective methods as compared to neurodestructive procedure. Other advantages are: ability to perform RF lesions under local or sedative anesthesia, rapid recovery period, low incidence of morbidity and mortality, ability to repeat RF lesions, and leaves no significant scarring. We performed C2 ganglionotomy by RF lesion generator on a patient, suffering post-traumatic occipital neuralgia, as the patient did not respond to conservative therapies such as: trigger point injection, TENS, cryotherapy and stretch, occipital nerve block, C2 ganglion block. Prognostic nerve block was performed usng local anesthetics. Excellent effect was conformed before C2 ganglionotomy. This procedure was performed under fluoroscopy. Type RCK-2A Rosomoff Cordotomy kit was used to stabilize the head and neck. Postoperatively, the patient was free of occipital pain and head motions no longer triggered pain. To date, the patient remains symptom free except for some cervical discomfort.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.351-355
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• 2015

The absence or disfigurement of the umbilicus is both cosmetically and psychologically distressing to patients. The goal of aesthetically pleasing umbilical reconstruction is to create a neoumbilicus with sufficient depth and good morphology, with natural-looking superior hooding and minimal scarring. Although many reports have presented techniques for creating new and attractive umbilici, we developed a technique that we term the "four flaps technique" for creating a neoumbilicus in circumstances such as the congenital absence of the umbilicus or the lack of remaining umbilical tissue following the excision of a hypertrophic or scarred umbilicus. This method uses the neighboring tissue by simply elevating four flaps and can yield sufficient depth and an aesthetically pleasing shape with appropriate superior hooding.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2009

Purpose: Excessive apocrine gland secretion and bacterial decomposition cause axillary osmidrosis, which results in physical discomforts and social problems of patients. Many surgical procedures have been introduced such as skin excision and simple closure, local flap, skin graft, subcutaneous shaving and liposuction method, but the result was not satisfactory to patients and several complications, such as symptom recurrence, hematoma, seroma, delayed wound healing, skin flap necrosis and scarring remain as problems. Methods: For the purpose of reducing these problems, we employed combination treatment of liposuction and rasping method. From January 2006 to February 2008, Total 54 patients were treated with this procedure for bilateral axillary osmidrosis. Results: Follow - up evaluation period was from 2 months to 12 months, and the results were satisfactory. In our method, the length of skin incision is less than 1 cm, so the resultant scar is negligible. Apocrine glands in subcutaneous tissue were mostly removed by liposuction apparatus and remained other glands in subdermal area were mostly removed by rasping. The recurrence rate and postoperative complication were minimal. Conclusion: Our method is very simple, short operation time and excellent results without specific complication.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.57-61
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• 2013

Background Von Recklinghausen disease or neurofibromatosis type 1 is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder of chromosome 17q11.2. The most common characteristic findings of NF 1 include multiple and recurrent cutaneous neurofibromas associated with psychosocial distress. Methods Sixteen patients (9 female, 7 male; average age, 31 years; range, 16 to 67 years) with multiple cutaneous neurofibromas between March 2010 and February 2012 were included in the study. All patients were treated with radiosurgical ablation and excision under general anesthesia. Results All 16 patients were satisfied with the results, when questioned directly during the outpatient department follow-up. The only complaint from a few patients was minimal scarring, but acceptable results were obtained in the end. Conclusions The radiofrequency procedure is almost bloodless and quick, creating a smaller necrotizing zone. Therefore, instead of employing the time consuming traditional surgery, such as laser therapy and electrosurgical excision, that produces uncertain results and can affect normal adjacent tissue, treatment of neurofibromas with radiofrequency ablation and excision can be an alternative choice of treatment for patients with a large number of neurofibromas.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.354-359
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• 2020

The medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap is a versatile fasciocutaneous flap that has been used successfully in the reconstruction of defects across the body. In specific cases, it may prove superior to more commonly used options (e.g., anterolateral thigh flap and radial forearm free flap). Historically, a disadvantage of the MSAP flap is the relatively small surface area it provides for reconstruction. We recently encountered a patient with extensive pelvic injuries from prior trauma resulting in significant scarring and contracture of the groin, tethering of the penis, and loss of the scrotum and one testicle. The patient was unable to achieve erection from tethering and his remaining testicle had been buried in the thigh. In considering the reconstructive options, he was not a suitable candidate for a thigh-based or forearm-based flap. An extended MSAP flap measuring 25 cm×10 cm was used for resurfacing of the groin and pelvis as well as for the formation of a neoscrotum. This report is the first to document an MSAP flap utilized for simultaneous groin resurfacing and scrotoplasty. Additionally, the dimensions of this flap make it the largest recorded MSAP flap to date.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.723-726
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• 2005

Osmidrosis axillae is a distressing problem characterized by foul odor at the axillae due to excessive apocrine sweat gland secretion. We introduce a new non-surgical method using a specially insulated needle and high frequency electrocoagulator. From September 2001 to January 2005, 52 patients were treated with this procedure for osmidrosis axillae. In authors' procedure, insulated needle which was designed to protect skin and dermal layer was inserted into the deep dermis of axilla area and apocrine sweat glands were removed by electrocoagulation. Fifty two patients were evaluated more than 6 months after surgery. Among these patients, 48 patients received secondary coagulation procedure. After second operation, all patients were satisfied with postoperation results. We conclude that our method has several advantages such as 1) short operation time, 2) no necessity of postoperative immobilization of shoulder joints, 3) no need of hospitalization, 4) minimal scarring and no bleeding, 5) prevention of skin necrosis, 6) a safer operative method for recurred cases as a secondary method.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.584-588
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• 2013

Background The ability to achieve a long-term, stricture-free urethral repair is one of the ongoing challenges of reconstructive urologic surgery. A successful initial repair is critical, as repeat procedures are difficult, owing to distortion, scarring, and short urethral stumps. Methods We describe a technique in which the gracilis muscle flap is laid on or wrapped around the urethral repair site to provide a well-vascularised soft tissue reinforcement for urethral repair. This technique promotes vascular induction, whereby a new blood supply is introduced to the repair site to improve the outcome of urethral repair or anastomotic urethroplasty. The surface contact between the muscle flap and the repair site is enhanced by the use of fibrin glue to improve adherence and promote inosculation and healing. We employed this technique in 4 patients with different urethral defects. Results After a follow-up period of 32 to 108 months, all of the urethral repairs were successful without complications. Conclusions Our results suggest that the use of a gracilis muscle flap to vascularise urethral repairs can improve the outcome of challenging urethral repairs.