• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.51-62
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• 1994

The sagittal split osteotomy of the mandibular ramus is a common procedure which has been used in the correction of mandibular deformities for a few decades. Although the technical improvements have increased the reliability and stability of SSRO procedure, the postoperative relapse is imperative and clinically more significant than any other complication. One of the major causes of the relapse is due to the displacement of the proximal segment during SSRO procedure, which is well documented in the literature. Therefore it is important to preserve the original position of the proximal segment during SSRO proced and maxillofacial fixation period. In the case of mandibular asymmetry, if one side of mandible is advanced and the other side of mandible is setback during SSRO procedure, the proximal segment in the advancement site will rotate laterally and the proximal segment in the setback site will rotate medially. For the prevention of the lateral rotation or flaring of the proximal segment in the advancment site. we deliberately fracture the posterior protion of the distal segment in green-stick fashion during SSRO procedure, and there is no need to fix the fractured lingual segment. We fix the two osteotomized bony segments in the buccal cortex area rigidly with adjustable monocortical plates and screws. During SSRO procedure the lingual fracture technique was applied to nine patients with severe mandibular asymmetry who underwent orthognathic surgery in our hospital since march, 1992. These clinical experiencies enable us to find the lingual fracture technique has the following advantages. 1. The proximal segment is displaced minimally. 2. The osteotomized bony segments are contacted intimately. 3. The postoperative relapse and the healing period are decreased.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.295-300
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• 2018

Background: Removal of the plate following Le Fort I osteotomy and BSSO (bilateral sagittal split osteotomy) is a common procedure. However, patients who undergo plate removal experience intense pain and discomfort. This study investigated the half-maximal effective concentration ($Ce_{50}$) of remifentanil in the prevention of plate removal pain under sedation using dexmedetomidine. Methods: The study evaluated 18 patients, between 18 and 35 years of age, scheduled for elective surgery. Remifentanil infusion was initiated after sedation using dexmedetomidine, and started at a dose of 1.5 ng/mL on the first patient via target-controlled infusion (TCI). Patients received a loading dose of $1.0{\mu}g/kg$ dexmedetomidine over 10 min, followed by a maintenance dose of $0.7{\mu}g/kg/h$. When the surgeon removed the plate, the patient Modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (MOAA/S) score was observed. Results: The Ce of remifentanil ranged from 0.9 to 2.1 ng/mL for the patients evaluated. The estimated effect-site concentrations of remifentanil associated with a 50% and 95% probability of reaching MOAA/S score of 3 were 1.28 and 2.51 ng/mL, respectively. Conclusion: Plate removal of maxilla can be successfully performed without any pain or adverse effects by using the optimal remifentanil effect-site concentration ($Ce_{50}$, 1.28 ng/mL; $Ce_{95}$, 2.51 ng/mL) combined with sedation using dexmedetomidine.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.70-75
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• 2014

Purpose: Soft-tissue reconstruction in the knee area requires thin, pliable, and tough skin. The range of motion of the knee also acts as a limitation in using only local flaps for coverage. The author has successfully used various perforator flaps for soft tissue reconstruction around the knee while preserving its functional and cosmetic characteristics. Materials and Methods: Out of the twenty patients assessed from April 2009 to March 2011, seven received anterolateral thigh perforator flaps, four received medial sural perforator island flaps, four received lateral supragenicular perforaor perforator flaps, and five received medial genicular artery flaps. The age of the patients ranged from 44 to 79 and the size of the defects ranged from $4{\times}5cm$ to $17{\times}11cm$. Fifteen of the twenty patients had histories of total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. Results: There were no flap losses in any of the twenty patients assessed. Two patients showed partial losses in the distal area of the flap, but were treated through careful wound care. One patient presented with pedicle adhesion at the drainage site from a past TKR, but it did not hinder the flap survival. Primary closure at the donor site was possible in nine patients, while split skin graft was necessary for the other 13. Conclusion: In soft tissue reconstruction of the knee, various perforator flaps can be used depending on the condition of the preoperation scar, wound site, and size. It also proved to provide better functional and cosmetic results than in primary wound closure or skin grafts.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.15-20
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• 2019

A large amount of site investigation data is essential to obtain reliable design value. However, site investigations are generally insufficient due to economic problems. It is important to estimate the ground profile information in unboring region for accurate earthwork-volume prediction, and such ground profile information can be estimated by using the geo-statistical approach. Furthermore, the ground profile information in unboring region can be estimated by training a model via machine learning technique such as artificial neural network. In this paper, artificial neural network-based model estimated the ground profile information in unboring region, and this results were compared with that of ordinary kriging technique, which is referred to the geo-statistical approach. Accordingly, a total of 84 ground profile information in an actual bridge environment was split into 75 training and 9 test databases. The observed ground profile information of the test database was compared with those of the ordinary kriging technique and artificial neural network.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.369-375
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• 2023

Purpose: The reconstruction of defects around the knee and the proximal third of the leg necessitates thin, pliable skin with a stable and sensate soft tissue cover. This study analyzed the use of a proximally based sural artery flap for the coverage of such defects. Methods: This prospective clinical interventional study involved 10 patients who had soft tissue defects over the knee and the proximal third of the leg. These patients underwent reconstruction with a proximally based sural artery flap. The study analyzed various factors including age, sex, etiology, location and presentation of the defect, defect dimensions, flap particulars, postoperative complications, and follow-up. Results: There were 10 cases, all of which involved men aged 20 to 65 years. The most common cause of injury was trauma resulting from road traffic accidents. The majority of defects were found in the proximal third of the leg, particularly on the anterolateral aspect. Defect dimensions varied from 6×3 to 15×13 cm², and extensive defects as large as 16 cm×14 cm could be covered using this flap. The size of the flaps ranged from 7×4 to 16×14 cm², and the pedicle length was 10 to 15 cm. In all cases, donor site closure was achieved with split skin grafting. This flap consistently provided a thin, pliable, stable, and durable soft tissue cover over the defect with no functional deficit and minimal donor site morbidity. Complications, including distal flap necrosis and donor site graft loss, were observed in two cases. Conclusions: The proximally based sural fasciocutaneous flap serves as the primary method for reconstructing medium to large soft tissue defects around the knee and the proximal third of the leg. This technique offers thin, reliable, sensate, and stable soft tissue coverage, and can cover larger defects with minimal complications.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.536-540
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• 2006

Purpose: The soft tissue injuries of the patellar area are difficult problems because of insufficient arterial blood supply and lack of muscle layer. There have been many methods for reconstructing the soft tissue injuries of the patellar area such as primary closure, skin graft, local flap and free tissue transfer. However, each method has some limitations in their application. After the first introduction, the fasciocutaneous flaps are widely used to reconstruct the soft tissue injuries. The saphenous nerve, one of the superficial sensory nerves in the lower leg, is supplied by the saphenous artery and its vascular network. We used the saphenous fasciocutaneous island flap to reconstruct the soft tissue injuries of the patellar area. Methods: From March 2002 to May 2005, we used the saphenous fasciocutaneous island flap to reconstruct the soft tissue injuries of the patellar area. The flap was elevated with saphenous nerve, saphenous vein and saphenous artery and its vascular network. The flap donor site was reconstructed with primary closure or split-thickness skin graft. Results: Five cases survived completely but 1 case developed partial necrosis of the skin on the upper margin of the flap. However, the necrosis was localized on skin layer, and we reconstructed with debridement and split-thickness skin graft only. After the operation, there was no contracture or gait disturbance in any patient. Conclusion: In conclusion, the saphenous fasciocutaneous island flap is safe, comfortable and effective method to reconstruct the soft tissue injuries of the patellar area.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.34-40
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• 2012

Purpose: The study was performed to compare patients with anatomical variations in facial asymmetry with patients in the normal range using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to take the preoperative condition into consideration in the case of a sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO). Methods: The study was conducted on 46 adult patients composed of 2 subdivided groups, an asymmetry group (n=26) and a symmetry group (n=20). The asymmetry group was divided between patients with hemimandibular hyperplasia (HH, n=8) and hemimandibular elongation (HE, n=18). Using cross-sectional computed tomography images, the thickness of cancelleous bone in the buccal area of the mandible, thickness of buccal cortex in the buccal aspect of the mandible, thickness of cancellous bone in the inferior aspect of the mandible, thickness of buccal cortex in the inferior aspect of the mandible, and cross-sectional surface area of the mandible were measured. Results: In the asymmetry group, the cross-sectional area of the mandible including the inferior alveolar nerve positioned on the affected side was significantly different from the symmetry group. Thickness of cancelleous bone in the buccal aspect of the mandible, thickness of cancelleous bone in the inferior aspect of the mandible, and cross-sectional surface area of the mandible in the affected site of hemimandibular hyperplasia was significantly smaller than in the symmetry group. Conclusion: The inferior alveolar nerve runs lower and in a more buccal direction and shows a smaller cross-sectional surface of the mandible in the hemimandibular hyperplasia patients with asymmetry.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.29-36
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• 2016

Purpose: Skin grafting is used for the transfer of cutaneous tissue from one site of the body to another. To improve graft survival, close contact between the graft and the wound bed is essential for vessels to grow across the gap. Here, we introduce an easy and efficient dressing method to improve graft survival. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients who underwent split thickness skin graft and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) or conventional treatment between January 2007 and April 2015. Overall, 25 consecutive patients were included in the NPWT group and 49 were included in the conventional dressing group to compare the outcome of the procedure. The data were obtained from medical records, including age, sex, cause of the skin defect, size of graft, time for healing, wound preparation time, and complications. Results: Of the NPWT group, the average wound size was $147.04{\pm}146.74cm^2$ (range, $9{\sim}900cm^2$). With the exception of one patient, all wounds healed without the need for further procedure. The average duration of time required for the NPWT group, which was defined as removal of stitches (or staples) and no need for additional active dressing, was $6.4{\pm}1.97days$ (range, 5~15 days). The average time for the conventional dressing group was $10.78{\pm}2.38days$ (range, 5~15 days). Conclusion: NPWT can be used to cover regions in which wound healing does not occur fully or when neither tie-over nor compressive dressings are applicable. This treatment also reduced wound healing time and allowed earlier patient mobilization and hospital discharge.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.835-838
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• 2010

Purpose: Reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the distal lower leg, especially in the distal third, largely depends on free tissue transfer and local fasciocutaneous flaps. But several local muscle flaps have also been proposed as useful alternative reconstructive manner. In this report, the authors present the successful use of the flexor digitorum longus muscle flaps in the distal lower leg reconstruction. Methods: Case 1: An 81-year-old woman with a dog bite wound in the left distal lower leg was admitted. She had a $10{\times}8\;cm$ wound with tibial exposure along the medial aspect of the leg. Soft tissue reconstruction with a flexor digitorum longus muscle flap and a split-thickness skin graft was performed. Case 2: A 77-year-old woman had a squamous cell carcinoma in the right distal lower leg. After wide excision, a $5{\times}4\;cm$ wound was developed with exposure of the tibia. The flexor digitorum longus muscle flap was transposed and covered with a split-thickness skin graft. Results: The flexor digitorum longus muscle flaps were shown to be useful to cover tibial defects in the distal lower leg. During the follow-up period, no significant donor site morbidity was found. Conclusion: The flexor digitorum longus muscle flap can be used to cover the exposed distal tibia, especially when a free tissue transfer is not an option. The relative ease of dissection and minimal functional deficits were the major advantages of this flap, while the extent of reach into the lower third has a limitation.

• Journal of the Korean Burn Society
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.30-33
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• 2019

Purpose: Wound healing and scar management of donor site after skin graft should not be overlooked. Patients continue to complain of dryness, itching sensation. Such discomfort can cause irritation to the patients and lead to delayed healing or secondary infection. Thus, the author predicted Eucalyptus Oil, which acts on Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 8 would be effective in regulating scar by reducing itching sensation in donor site when combining conventional silicone materials. Methods: The study was performed on 30 patients who underwent split thickness skin graft with lateral thigh as donor site between January 2017 and August 2018. First, primary evaluation of fully epithelized donor site scar three weeks after surgery was conducted. Control group (n=15) applied silicone gel (Kelo-cote, USA) solely two times a day. study group (n=15) applied Eucalyptus oil, combined with silicone gel. After 3 months of follow up, donor scar was evaluated using Vancouver scar scale and VAS scores of subjective patient reports regarding pain and itching sensation. Results: It was confirmed that both groups showed stable scar improvement comparing scar quality for 3 months. After 3 months, scar quality in study group showed superiority in pigmentation, pliability and pruritus compared to control group. Conclusion: Application of Eucalyptus Oil combined with conventional silicone gel is favorable to scar management and may give additional benefit of alleviating pruritis symptoms.