• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.510-513
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• 2006

Purpose: The Rectus abdominis muscle free flap is utilized in various reconstruction surgeries due to easiness in harvesting, consistency of vascular pedicle and reduced donor site morbidity. But rarely, femoral nerve injury during rectus abdominis harvesting can be resulted. We report a case of femoral nerve injury after rectus muscle harvesting and discuss the injury mechanism with the follow-up process of this injury. Methods: To reconstruct the defect of middle cranial base after wide excision of cystic adenocarcinoma of the external ear, rectus muscle free flap was havested in usual manner. To achieve a long vessel, inferior epigastric artery was dissected to the dividing portion of femoral artery and cut. Results: One week after the surgery, the patient noted sensory decrease in the lower leg, weakness in muscle strength, and disabilities in extension of the knee joint resulting in immobilization. EMG and NCV results showed no response on stimulation of the femoral nerve of the left leg, due to the defects in femoral nerve superior to the inguinal ligament. With routine neurologic evaluations and physical therapy, on the 75th day after the operation, the patient showed improvement in pain, sensation and muscle strength, and was able to move with walking frame. In 6 months after the operation, recovery of the muscle strength of the knee joint was observed with normal flexion and extension movements. Conclusion: Rarely, during dissection of the inferior epigastric artery, injuries to the femoral nerve can be resulted, probably due to excessive traction or pressure from the blade of the traction device. Therefore, femoral nerve injury can be prevented by avoiding excessive traction during surgery.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Esthetic Dentistry
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.102-111
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• 2021

Implant placement in the anterior region is performed in several stages, and harmonization of both hard and soft tissues is essential. In addition, adequate esthetic and functional evaluations are necessary in the process of transitioning from the provisional to the final prosthesis to attain patient satisfaction. Although gingiva can be molded in the anterior region, depression in the occlusal view can yield good results through the augmentation procedure. However, the harvesting of connective tissue from the palate is not suitable for various reasons, such as postoperative discomfort and intraoperative bleeding. Compared to the palatal area, the harvesting of connective tissue from the maxillary tuberosity can easily result in relatively thick tissue and quick healing of the donor site, thus proving to be a good modality for graft procedures. The purpose of this report is to examine the relevant evidence from previous studies and evaluate the process of soft tissue augmentation through a case presentation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.392-403
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• 2020

Severe cartilage defects and congenital anomalies affect millions of people and involve considerable medical expenses. Tissue engineering offers many advantages over conventional treatments, as therapy can be tailored to specific defects using abundant bioengineered resources. This article introduces the basic concepts of cartilage tissue engineering and reviews recent progress in the field, with a focus on craniofacial reconstruction and facial aesthetics. The basic concepts of tissue engineering consist of cells, scaffolds, and stimuli. Generally, the cartilage tissue engineering process includes the following steps: harvesting autologous chondrogenic cells, cell expansion, redifferentiation, in vitro incubation with a scaffold, and transfer to patients. Despite the promising prospects of cartilage tissue engineering, problems and challenges still exist due to certain limitations. The limited proliferation of chondrocytes and their tendency to dedifferentiate necessitate further developments in stem cell technology and chondrocyte molecular biology. Progress should be made in designing fully biocompatible scaffolds with a minimal immune response to regenerate tissue effectively

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.119-127
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• 2005

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of magnesium concentrations in fertilizer solution on growth and cut flower quality of chrysanthemum 'Biarritz'. The nutrient concentrations in plant tissue and soil solution of root media were also determined. Magnesium deficiency appeared on older leaves with interveinal yellow-green chlorosis. Marginal chlorosis and necrosis also developed on some of older leaves. Elevation of Mg concentration in fertilizer solution increased cut flower weight at harvesting stage resulting in the 8.84g in 1.5mM treatment. Dry weight of whole above ground plant tissue increased as Mg concentrations in fertilizer solution were elevated within the range from 0 to 15mM, but that of 20mM decreased compared to 15mM treatment. The dry weight of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5mM treatments were 8.42, 8.75 and 8.848 and tissue Mg contents of those based on the youngest fully expanded leaves at harvesting stage were 0.34, 0.53 and $0.71\%$, respectively. Based on dry weight and tissue Mg contents, Mg fertilization to maintain tissue contents higher than $0.64\%$ is necessary to ensure flower quality and yield. By considering the concentration in 15mM treatment, Mg concentration in soil solution of root media should be higher than $3.68mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ at harvesting stage.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.106-111
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• 1996

Purpose : Propose a surgical technique in donor harvesting method in free vascularized proximal fibular epiphysis. Methodology : Concerned about growth potentials of the transplanted epiphysis in our long term results of the epiphyseal transplanted 13 cases more than 4 years follow-up, anterior tibial artery which contains anterior tibial recurrent artery is most reliable vessel to proximal fibular epiphysis which is the best donor of the free vascularized epiphyseal transplantation. In vascular anatomical aspect proximal fibular epiphysis norished by latearl inferior genicular artery from popliteal, posterior tibial recurrent artery and anterior tibial recurrent artery from anterior tibial artery and peroneal artery through metaphysis. The lateral inferior genicular artery is very small and difficult to isolate, peroneal artery from metaphysis through epiphyseal plate can not give enough blood supply to epiphysis itself. The anterior tibial artery which include anterior tibial recurrent and posterior tibial recurrent artery is the best choice in this procedure. But anterior tibial recurrent artery merge from within one inch from bifucating point of the anterior and posterior tibial arteries from popliteal artery. So it is very difficult to get enough vascular pedicle length to anastomose in recipient vessel without vein graft even harvested from bifucating point from popliteal artery. Authors took recipient artery from distal direction of anterior tibial artery after ligation of the proximal popliteal side vessel, which can get unlimited pedicle length and safer dissection of the harvesting proximal fibular epiphysis. Results : This harvesting procedure can performed supine position, direct anterolateral approach to proximal tibiofibular joint. Dissect and isolate the biceps muscle insertion from fibular head, micro-dissection is needed to identify the anterior tibial recurrent arteries to proximal epiphysis, soft tissue release down to distal and deeper plane to find main anterior tibial artery which overlying on interosseous membrane. Special care is needed to protect peroneal nerve damage which across the surgical field. Conclusions : Proximal fibular epiphyseal transplantation with distally directed anterior tibial artery harvesting technique is effective and easier dissect and versatile application with much longer arterial pedicle.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.785-786
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• 2022

The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap has been extensively discussed in the literature as it allows for a wide variety and depth of tissues for complex wound coverage. Thanks to many cadaveric and angiographic studies of the subdermal plexus, it is to date ascertained that tailoring ALT thickness can be safely performed without compromising flap outcomes or causing additional morbidity. Recently, the authors applied and described a simpler, safer, and less time-consuming superthin ALT perforator (ALTP) free flap harvesting technique. The aim of this article is to show the versatility of the adipofascial flap harvested around the chosen perforators, which allowed us to safely expand the usage of ALTP superthin flaps.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.174-179
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• 2015

Background: The endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) method has been used in coronary artery bypass surgery in many countries. We started using the EVH method recently, and investigated the results during the early learning period. Methods: Between March 2012 and June 2014, 75 patients (31 patients in the EVH method group, and 44 patients in the open method group) who underwent isolated first-time coronary artery bypass grafting using vein grafts were retrospectively analyzed with respect to the early outcomes including graft patency and risk factors for leg wound complications. For assessing the patency of vein graft, we performed coronary computed tomography angiography during the immediate postoperative period and 6 months later. Results: Mean harvesting time of endoscopic method was about 15 minutes. Patency rate during the immediate operative period and the 6-month patency rate were similar between the two groups (postoperative period: EVH 100% vs. open method 94.4%, p=0.493; at 6 months: EVH 93.3% vs. open method 90.9%, p=0.791). Leg wound complications occurred more frequently in the open method group (EVH 3.2% vs. open method 13.6%, p=0.127). According to the analysis, age was an independent risk factor for leg wound complications. Conclusion: EVH is a feasible method even for beginners and can be performed satisfactorily during their learning period.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.218-222
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• 2015

Chronic expanding haematoma (CEH) is a rare type of haematoma that enlarges slowly and continuously without coagulation. It can occur following surgery because of shear stress-induced bleeding in the scar tissue between the subcutaneous fat and fascia. We present three cases of large chronic CEH that were successfully treated with triamcinolone injections. Three female patients developed large chronic CEH at 9 months, 5 years, and 6 years, respectively, after latissimus dorsi flap harvesting for breast reconstruction. Although the condition did not improve after multiple sessions of haematoma aspiration in the first two patients, it resolved following a single 40-mg triamcinolone injection along with appropriate compression dressing for several weeks. In the third patient, triamcinolone was injected immediately after the initial aspiration of the haematoma, and the condition improved considerably. There were no side effects in any of the patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of successful treatment of large CEH using triamcinolone. Therefore, we suggest that triamcinolone injections be considered for the treatment of CEH.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.41-49
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• 2015

Free or pedicled vascularized fibular grafts (VFG) are useful for the reconstruction of large skeletal defects, particularly in cases of scarred or avascular beds, or in patients with combined bone and soft tissue defects. Compared to non-VFG, VEG, which contains living osteocytes and osteoblasts, maintains its own viability and serves as good osteoconductive and osteoinductive graft. Due to its many structural and biological advantages, the free fibular osteo- or osteocutaneous graft is considered the most suitable autograft for the reconstruction of long bone defects in the injured extremity. The traditional indication of VFG is the long bone and soft tissue defect, which cannot be reconstructed using a conventional operative method. Recently, the indications have been widely expanded not only for defects of midtibia, humerus, forearm, distal femur, and proximal tibia, but also for the arthrodesis of shoulder and knee joints. Because of its potential to allow further bone growth, free fibular epiphyseal transfer can be used for the hip or for distal radius defects caused by the radical resection of a tumor. The basic anatomy and surgical techniques for harvesting the VFG are well known; however, the condition of the recipient site is different in each case. Therefore, careful preoperative surgical planning should be customized in every patient. In this review, recently expanded surgical indications of VFG and surgical tips based on the author's experiences in the issues of fixation method, one or two staged reconstruction, size mismatching, overcoming the stress fracture, and arthrodesis of shoulder and knee joint using VFG are discussed with the review of literature.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.398-408
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• 2021

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical validity of the modified tunneling technique using minimal soft tissue harvesting and volume-stable collagen matrix in the anterior mandible. Methods: In total, 27 anterior mandibular teeth and palatal donor sites in 17 patients with ≥1 mm of gingival recession (GR) were analyzed before and after root coverage. For the recipient sites, vertical vestibular incisions were made in the interdental area and a subperiosteal tunnel was created with an elevator. After both sides of the marginal gingiva were tied to one another, a prepared connective tissue graft and volume-stable collagen matrix were inserted through the vestibular vertical incision and were fixed with resorbable suture material. The root coverage results of the recipient site were measured at baseline (T₀), 3 weeks (T₃), 12 weeks (T₁₂), and the latest visit (T_l). For palatal donor sites, a free gingival graft from a pre-decided area avoiding the main trunk of the greater palatine artery was harvested using a prefabricated surgical template at a depth of 2 mm after de-epithelization using a rotating bur. In each patient, the clinical and volumetric changes at the donor sites between T₀ and T₃ were measured. Results: During an average follow-up of 14.5 months, teeth with denuded root lengths of 1-3 mm (n=12), 3-6 mm (n=11), and >6 mm (n=2) achieved root coverage of 97.01%±7.65%, 86.70%±5.66%, and 82.53%±1.39%, respectively. Miller classification I (n=12), II (n=10), and III (n=3) teeth showed mean coverage rates of 97.01%±7.65%, 86.91%±5.90%, and 83.19%±1.62%, respectively. At the donor sites, an average defect depth of 1.41 mm (70.5%) recovered in 3 weeks, and the wounds were epithelized completely in all cases. Conclusions: The modified tunneling technique in this study is a promising treatment modality for overcoming GR in the anterior mandible.