• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.283-292
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• 2017

Background Settlements between doctors and patients provide a solution to complicated disputes. However, some disputes may be renewed as a result of negligence by both parties. The purpose of this study was to review the legal issues that may potentially arise during the preparation of settlement agreements and to propose a list of requirements for ensuring the effectiveness of these settlement agreements. Methods Data from 287 civil cases concerning aesthetic surgery that took place between 2000 and 2015 were collected from a court database in South Korea. Factors that influenced the effectiveness of settlement agreements were analyzed. Results Among the 287 court precedents, there were 68 cases of covenant not to sue. Eighteen cases were dismissed because the settlement agreements were recognized as effective, and 50 cases were sent forward for judgment on their merits because the agreements were not recognized as effective. The types of surgery and types of complications were classified by frequency. We evaluated the geographical distribution of the precedents, the settlement timing, and the effectiveness and economic impact of the settlements. We found that there was no statistically significant relationship among these factors. Four major factors that made a settlement agreement legally effective were identified, and the data showed that fee-free reoperations were not considered by the court in determining the compensation amount. Conclusions When preparing a settlement agreement, it is advisable to review the contents of the agreement rather than to take the preparation of a settlement agreement per se to be legally meaningful.

• Journal of Clinical Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.198-203
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• 2018

Background and Objectives : Pediatric orbital blowout fractures occur in discreet patterns, in reference to the characteristic developmental anatomy of the facial skeleton at the time of injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics, ocular symptom, fracture type and postoperative results of orbital blowout fractures in the pediatric population. Material and Methods : A retrospective study was conducted from January 2009 to June 2015 in 116 patients with orbital floor fractures ; all less than 18 years old. Patients were divided into 3 groups by age : 0 to 6, 7 to 12, and 13 to 18 years of age. The cause of fracture, fracture site and type, preoperative and postoperative ocular symptoms, timing of surgery were reviewed from their records. Results : Medial wall fractures were the most common site in the 0 to 6 years old group, and floor fractures were the most common site in other age groups. However, floor fracture was the most common site of the need for surgery in all age groups. Trapdoor type of fractures occurred more frequently than open door type of fractures in all age groups. Preoperative symptoms did not differ among the 3 age groups. In case of need surgery, frequency of preoperative ocular symptoms increased with age. However, as age group was young, rate of residual postoperative ocular symptoms were increased. Conclusions : The younger patients are more to have trapdoor type fracture and residual postoperative ocular symptom. Earlier surgical intervention more needed for children with entrapment results.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.209-216
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• 2020

Background Perforator flaps have led to a revolution in reconstructive surgery by reducing donor site morbidity. However, many surgeons have witnessed partial flap necrosis. Experimental methods to increase inflow have relied on adding a separate pedicle to the flap. The aim of our study was to experimentally determine whether increasing blood flow in the perforator pedicle itself could benefit flap survival. Methods In 30 male Lewis rats, an extended posterior thigh perforator flap was elevated and the pedicle was dissected to its origin from the femoral vessels. The rats were assigned to three groups: control (group I), acute inflow (group II) and arterial preconditioning (group III) depending on the timing of ligation of the femoral artery distal to the site of pedicle emergence. Digital planimetry was performed on postoperative day (POD) 7 and all flaps were monitored using laser Doppler flowmetry perioperatively and postoperatively in three regions (P1-proximal flap, P2-middle of the flap, P3-distal flap). Results Digital planimetry showed the highest area of survival in group II (78.12%±8.38%), followed by groups III and I. The laser Doppler results showed statistically significant higher values in group II on POD 7 for P2 and P3. At P3, only group II recorded an increase in the flow on POD 7 in comparison to POD 1. Conclusions Optimization of arterial inflow, regardless if performed acutely or as preconditioning, led to increased flap survival in a rat perforator flap model.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.260-264
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• 1997

The congenital deformities of cleft lip and cleft palate have been known to afflict man since prehistoric time. Efforts to correct these abnormities have evolved over the centuries as scientific knowledge has advanced. Although there is no agreement as to when the surgery should be performed, most surgeons adhere to "rule of 10" : the infant must be 10 week old weigh 10 Ibs, have a hemoglobin value 10gm/dl and have a white blood cell count no greater than 10 $thousands/mm^3$. Consensus favors performing initial palatal surgery in the child when he is between 18 and 24 months old. The timing of cleft alveolus surgery is usually between 10 and 11 years old. In the period from 1992 to 1996, 38 patients with cleft lip and cleft palate treated at the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, Chosun university, dental hospital were analysed clinically. The obtained results were as follows. 1. The ratio of male to female was 1.92 : 1 (25/23) 2. The ratio of cleft lip, cleft palate and cleft lip & palate was 1.5 : 1 : 2.5 (12/8/18) 3. The ratio of unilateral to bilateral cleft lip was 5 : 1 (25/5) 4. The ratio of left to right side in unilateral cleft lip was 1.5 : 1 (15/10)

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.370-377
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• 2017

Background Composite grafts are frequently used for facial reconstruction. However, the unpredictability of the results and difficulties with large defects are disadvantages. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) express several cytokines, and increase the survival of random flaps and fat grafts owing to their angiogenic potential. Methods This study investigated composite graft survival after ADSC injection. Circular chondrocutaneous composite tissues, 2 cm in diameter, from 15 New Zealand white rabbits were used. Thirty ears were randomly divided into 3 groups. In the experimental groups (1 and 2), ADSCs were subcutaneously injected 7 days and immediately before the operation, respectively. Similarly, phosphate-buffered saline was injected in the control group just before surgery in the same manner as in group 2. In all groups, chondrocutaneous composite tissue was elevated, rotated 90 degrees, and repaired in its original position. Skin flow was assessed using laser Doppler 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days after surgery. At 1 and 12 days after surgery, the viable area was assessed using digital photography; the rabbits were euthanized, and immunohistochemical staining for CD31 was performed to assess neovascularization. Results The survival of composite grafts increased significantly with the injection of ADSCs (P<0.05). ADSC injection significantly improved neovascularization based on anti-CD31 immunohistochemical analysis and vascular endothelial growth factor expression (P<0.05) in both group 1 and group 2 compared to the control group. No statistically significant differences in graft survival, anti-CD31 neovascularization, or microcirculation were found between groups 1 and 2. Conclusions Treatment with ADSCs improved the composite graft survival, as confirmed by the survival area and histological evaluation. The differences according to the injection timing were not significant.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2024

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can lead to acute respiratory failure, which frequently necessitates invasive mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). However, the limited availability of ECMO resources poses challenges to patient selection and associated decision-making. Consequently, this retrospective single-center study was undertaken to evaluate the characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19 receiving ECMO. Methods: Between March 2020 and July 2022, 65 patients with COVID-19 were treated with ECMO and were subsequently reviewed. Patient demographics, laboratory data, and clinical outcomes were examined, and statistical analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with mortality. Results: Of the patients studied, 15 (23.1%) survived and were discharged from the hospital, while 50 (76.9%) died during their hospitalization. The survival group had a significantly lower median age, at 52 years (interquartile range [IQR], 47.5-61.5 years), compared to 64 years (IQR, 60.0-68.0 years) among mortality group (p=0.016). However, no significant differences were observed in other underlying conditions or in factors related to intervention timing. Multivariable analysis revealed that the requirement of a change in ECMO mode (odds ratio [OR], 366.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.92-69911.92; p=0.0275) and the initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) (OR, 139.15; 95% CI, 1.95-9,910.14; p=0.0233) were independent predictors of mortality. Conclusion: Changes in ECMO mode and the initiation of CRRT during management were associated with mortality in patients with COVID-19 who were supported by ECMO. Patients exhibiting these factors require careful monitoring due to the potential for adverse outcomes.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.422-428
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• 2007

The columella, nasal tip, lip relationship in the secondary bilateral cleft deformity remains an enigma and a great challenge for the cleft surgeon. A subset of patients with bilateral cleft lip still require columellar lengthening and nasal correction, despite the advances in preoperative orthopedics and primary nasal corrections. An approach to correct this deformity is described. This consists of 1) lengthening the columella, 2) open rhinoplasty, allowing definitive repositioning of lower lateral cartilages, ear cartilage grafting to the tip and columella when necessary, 3) nasal mucosal advancement, 4) alar base narrowing and 5) reconstruction of the orbicularis oris as required. In surgical repair of the cleft lip nose, the timing of the operation(during lip closure, before or after the puberty growth sput), and the operative technique play a key role in the final result. In this study, 13 cleft lip patients who had undergone a secondary cheilorhinoplasty at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pusan National University Hospital were evaluated to check the proper time and method of the operation.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.456-459
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• 2008

Post-operative recurrence of cystic lesion is a great concern for clinician, patients, and their family, especially in case of odontogenic keratocyst, which has aggressive behavior and high recurrence rate. The purpose of this study was to evaluation clinical characters of OKC, focusing of the recurrence rate and proposed critical follow-up period. 58 cases (aged 9 to 66, 33 males and 25 females) of OKC were reviewed for sex of patients, location, size, operative procedure type, radiographic findings, histopathologic findings, post-operative recurrence time, from 2000 to 2005 at Yonsei Medical Center, were selected. The computerized statistical analysis was carried out with SAS system. 18 of 58 cases (31.03%) were recurred and this study revealed no statistically significant difference in recurrence rate for sex, location, size, radiographic findings, histopatologic findings, operative procedure type, recurrence timing. 3 out of 18 cases (16.7%) showed one or more recurrence. This was statistically significant difference (P=.0264). In this study, 15 of 18 cases (83.3%) were observed recurrence during 4 years after removal of the OKCs, we suggest critical follow-up period during 4 years after operation.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.381-385
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• 2009

Objective : The objective of this study was to compare the surgical techniques for the correction of congenital cleft palate. Techniques and approaches : Four-hundred-sixity patients operated between 1993 and 2008 were included in this study. The collected data were age, sex, operating time, admission days, and complications. The comparison between techniques were done by independent t-test. Results: The majority (86.9 %) of patients were received the operation later than 1.5 years old. The distribution of each surgical technique was 43.8 % by Bardach palatoplasty, 11.9 % by Furlow palatoplasty, 1.8 % by Veau palatoplasty, and 42.4 % by the new technique developed by us. Postoperative complication such as wound dehiscence, formation of oro-nasal fistulas in the soft and hard palates were shown in 23.0 % of Bardach technique, 44.2 % of Furlow technique, and 37.5 % of Veau technique. However, only 5.4 % of patients were shown complications in our technique (P<0.001). The operation time was recorded 70 minutes under new technique while the others were 110 minutes (P<0.001). The clinical treatment at hospital was required 7.4 days for our technique and 11.3-15.5 days for the other methods. Conclusion : The surgical treatment of congenital cleft palate in Mongolia was conducted later than proper timing for surgery. As the results were indicated, our new technique should be considered for the correction of cleft palate in old aged patients.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.37
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• pp.19.1-19.7
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• 2015

Background: The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the usefulness of tracheostomy scoring system in the decision of postoperative airway management in oral cancer patients. Materials and methods: A total of 104 patients were reviewed in this retrospective study, who underwent radical resection with or without neck dissection and free flap reconstruction due to oral cancer. The patients were classified into three groups according to the timing of the extubation; extubated groups (n = 51), overnight intubation group (n = 45), and tracheostomy group (n = 8). Cameron's score was used to evaluate the relation between the state of the patient's airway and the type of the operation. Results: Tracheostomy was performed in eight patients (8/104, 7.7 %). A total of 22 patients (21.2 %) had more than 5 points of which 17 patients (77.3 %) did not have a tracheostomy and any postoperative emergency airway problems. The tracheostomy scores were significantly different among the three groups. Hospital stay showed a significant correlation with the tracheostomy score. Conclusions: The scoring system did not quite agree with the airway management of the authors' clinic; however, it can be one of the clinical factors predicting the degree of the postoperative airway obstruction and surgical aggressiveness for recovery. The further studies are needed for clinically more reliable scoring systems.