• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of frankincense oil in skin aging animal model. Skin aging was induced by both the irradiation of UVB and the application of squalene monohydroperoxide (Sq-OOH) to the back of experimental animals for 4 weeks. And at the same time experimental materials were applied topically. Six to seven weeks female SHR-1 hairless mice were divided into five groups including normal (N: saline), control (C: UVB+Sq-OOH+saline), vehicle control (VC: UVB+Sq-OOH+jojoba oil), positive control (PC: UVB+Sq-OOH+0.01% retinoic acid) and experimental (E: UVB+Sq-OOH+3% Frankincense oil) groups, five animals each group. Lipid lamella and lipid content in stratum corneum of the E group were almost intact with a regular arrangement which were similar to the N group. Collagen fibers in dermis of the E group were almost intact with a regular arrangement which were similar to the N group. Relatively much less number of mast cells and inflammatory cells were found in the E group compared to the C group. The activities of XO, SOD and CAT were no significant difference between the E and N groups. In conclusion, the application of frankincense oil to the skin aging animal model reduced both the generation of free radicals and the damage of skin tissues. Therefore, frankincense oil can be used practically for the prevention or improvement of skin aging in terms of health promotion and beauty for the people.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.334-340
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• 2015

Background Full-thickness skin grafts (FTSGs) are generally considered unreliable for coverage of full-thickness finger defects with bone or tendon exposure, and there are few clinical reports of its use in this context. However, animal studies have shown that an FTSG can survive over an avascular area ranging up to 12 mm in diameter. In our experience, the width of the exposed bones or tendons in full-thickness finger defects is <7 mm. Therefore, we covered the bone- or tendon-exposed defects of 16 fingers of 10 patients with FTSGs. Methods The surgical objectives were healthy granulation tissue formation in the wound bed, marginal de-epithelization of the normal skin surrounding the defect, preservation of the subdermal plexus of the central graft, and partial excision of the dermis along the graft margin. The donor site was the mastoid for small defects and the groin for large defects. Results Most of the grafts (15 of 16 fingers) survived without significant surgical complications and achieved satisfactory functional and aesthetic results. Minor complications included partial graft loss in one patient, a minimal extension deformity in two patients, a depression deformity in one patient, and mild hyperpigmentation in four patients. Conclusions We observed excellent graft survival with this method with no additional surgical injury of the normal finger, satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes, and no need for secondary debulking procedures. Potential disadvantages include an insufficient volume of soft tissue and graft hyperpigmentation. Therefore, FTSGs may be an option for treatment of full-thickness finger defects with bone or tendon exposure.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.321-326
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• 2015

Background The acellular dermal matrix (ADM)-assisted breast reconstruction technique is widely known, but discouraging results due to early postoperative complications have been reported. As the literature identifies seroma as the most common issue after breast surgery without identifying its pathogenesis, we aimed to report the trend of postoperative daily serum collection after ADM-assisted breast reconstruction and compare it with data in the literature in order to discover more about this little-known topic. Methods A retrospective study on 28 consecutive patients who received ADM-assisted breast reconstruction between February 2013 and February 2014 was performed. In order to reduce the number of variables that could affect serum production, only one brand of ADM was used and all tissues were handled gently and precisely. The daily drainage volume was recorded per patient during the first four days of hospitalization. Likewise, postoperative complications were noted during routine follow-up. Results In total, five (17.9%) bilateral and 23 (82.1%) unilateral ADM-assisted breast reconstructions (33 implants) were performed. The mean age, body mass index, and length of hospital stay were 53.6 years, $21.3kg/m^2$, and 4.5 days, respectively. One major complication led to implant loss (3.0%), and nine minor complications were successfully treated with ambulatory surgery (27.3%). Serum collection linearly decreased after 24 hours postoperatively. Conclusions Daily drainage decreased following the theoretical decline of acute inflammation. In concordance with the literature, daily serum production may not be related to the use of ADM.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.316-320
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• 2015

Background CGCryoDerm was first introduced in 2010 and offers a different matrix preservation processes for freezing without drying preparation. From a theoretical perspective, CGCryoDerm has a more preserved dermal structure and more abundant growth factors for angiogenesis and recellularization. In the current study, the authors performed a retrospective study to evaluate freezing- and freeze-drying-processed acellular dermal matrix (ADM) to determine whether any differences were present in an early complication profile. Methods Patients who underwent ADM-assisted tissue expander placement for two stage breast reconstruction between January of 2013 and March of 2014 were retrospectively reviewed and divided into two groups based on the types of ADM-assisted expander reconstruction (CGDerm vs. CGCryoDerm). Complications were divided into four main categories and recorded as follows: seroma, hematoma, infection, and mastectomy skin flap necrosis. Results In a total of 82 consecutive patients, the CGCryoDerm group had lower rates of seroma when compared to the CGDerm group without statistical significance (3.0% vs. 10.2%, P=0.221), respectively. Other complications were similar in both groups. Reconstructions with CGCryoDerm were found to have a significantly longer period of drainage when compared to reconstructions with CGDerm (11.91 days vs. 10.41 days, P=0.043). Conclusions Preliminary findings indicate no significant differences in early complications between implant/expander-based reconstructions using CGCryoderm and those using CGDerm.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.475-480
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• 2009

Purpose: To correct the facial asymmetry and to achieve symmetry and balance, not only the soft tissue restoration of deficits but also creation and facial contour line such as mandible border and angle is important. Micro fat graft has limitation such as high resorption rate and somewhat limited ability to emphasize the rigid bony characteristics of the mandible angle due to its innate soft consistency. We have investigated the advantages of dermal fat graft over micro fat graft to correct asymmetry of the lower face in patients who had undergone mandibular reconstruction or distraction, using comparative analysis. Methods: Total of 12 patients were enrolled in our study: 6 micro fat graft and 6 dermal fat graft. Postoperative results were compared and analyzed at immediate postoperative period and more than 1 year later in each group with photographs, and analysised with image J program. Result: No complications were noted both in the micro fat type and the dermal fat type of procedures such as fat necrosis or micro calcifications. All of the patients who received micro fat graft, however had considerable amount of fat resorption after the procedure which led to two additional fat graft procedures. Although minor contour obliteration due to contracture was seen in patients who had undergone dermal fat graft procedure, no definite resorption was found even after more than one year follow-up. Results of dermal fat graft patients were satisfactory in terms of mandible angle symmetry. Secondary revision was necessary in one case due to overcorrection using dermal fat graft. Conclusion: The dermal fat graft has many advantages over the conventionally more popular micro fat graft to correct asymmetry of the lower face following mandible reconstruction owing to its lower resoption rate, more effective in emphasizing the natural curvilinear anatomical contours of the mandible angle and body and lower complication rates such as fat necrosis or micro calcifications.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2013

Background To minimize the inflammatory reaction and improve healing, a new modified dermal substitute composed of an atelocollagen, chondroitin-6-sulfate, and amniotic membrane (AM) was applied to full-thickness skin defects in a pig. Atelocollagen was extracted from bovine skin, and two modified dermal substitutes were generated according to the cross-linking type. Methods The AM-collagen dermal substitutes were characterized and compared with currently used dermal substitutes in a pig skin defect model. There were five experimental groups: dehydrothermal (DHT) cross-linking atelocollagen with the AM on the top (AM-DHT), DHT and chemical cross-linking atelocollagen with the AM on the top (AM-DHT/chemical), Terudermis, Integra, and AlloDerm. After $3{\times}3cm$ full-thickness skin defects on the back of a pig were created, each dermal substitutes dermal substitutes was randomly grafted on the defects. Two weeks after grafting, autologous partial-thickness skin was over-grafted on the neodermis. The take rate of the dermal substitutes, skin, and histological sections were all assessed at 1, 2, and 4 weeks postoperatively. Results More rapid healing and a higher take rate were evident in the AM-DHT and Terudermis groups. Histological examination revealed fewer inflammatory cells and more fibroblast hyperplasia in these two groups. Four weeks after surgery, the amount of newly formed collagen was significantly more appropriate in the AM-DHT group. Conclusions These observations provide supporting evidence that a newly developed amniotic-collagen dermal substitute may inhibit inflammatory reactions and promote wound healing.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.365-370
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• 2020

The ability to directly harvest thin and superthin perforator flaps without jeopardizing their vascularity depends on knowledge of the microsurgical vascular anatomy of each perforator within the subcutaneous tissue up to the dermis. In this paper, we report our experience with ultrahigh-frequency ultrasound (UHF-US) in the preoperative planning of thin and superthin flaps. Between May 2017 and September 2018, perforators of seven patients were preoperatively evaluated by both ultrasound (using an 18-MHz linear probe) and UHF-US (using 48- and 70-MHz linear probes). Thin flaps (two cases) and superthin flaps (five cases) were elevated for the reconstruction of head and neck oncologic defects and lower limb traumatic defects. The mean flap size was 6.5×15 cm (range, 5×8 to 7.5×23 cm). No complications occurred, and all flaps survived completely. In all cases, we found 100% agreement between the preoperative UHF-US results and the intraoperative findings. The final reconstructive outcomes were considered satisfactory by both the surgeon and the patients. In conclusion, UHF-US was found to be very useful in the preoperative planning of thin and superthin free flaps, as it allows precise anticipation of very superficial microvascular anatomy. UHF-US may represent the next frontier in thin, superthin, and pure skin perforator flap design.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.62-66
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• 2008

Purpose: Axillary osmidrosis is a distressing disorder characterized by unpleasant odor from axillary area and it is mainly associated with apocrine glands but also associated with eccrine glands. For surgical treatment of osmidrosis, recently ultrasound assisted liposuction(UAL) had been performed for many patients. According to the recent studies about ultrasound assisted liposuction for the treatment of osmidrosis, histologic studies about apocrine gland had been applied for 35 cases, but there were rare mention about eccrine gland and the relationship between two glands. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the effect of ultrasound assisted liposuction for the treatment of axillary osmidrosis on apocrine and eccrine glands. Methods: From January 2004 to January 2007, 35 patients underwent ultrasound assisted liposuction for the treatment of osmidrosis and 5 patients underwent histologic studies. Histologic examinations were performed before and after ultrasound assisted liposuction and each biopsy was performed in central axillary area. The volume ratio of both glands, presence of degeneration were examined. And in aspirates, distribution and density of both glands and their morphological changes were examined. Results: Preoperative biopsy results showed average volume ratio of apocrine glands to eccrine glands was 65 : 35. According to the postoperative biopsy results, the volume of apocrine glands in dermis were significantly reduced and glands were degenerated, but the volume of eccrine glands were slightly reduced and glands were mildly damaged. And the average volume ratio of two glands was 20 : 80. According to biopsy results of aspirates, the volume ratio of two glands was 85 : 15 and apocrine glands had significantly greater proportion. Conclusion: By comparison of each biopsy result, apocrine glands were more significantly reduced and degenerated than eccrine glands in all 5 cases. However, further studies with large sample sizes and close examinations are required.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.51-54
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• 2012

With the gradual increase of cases using fillers, cases of patients treated by non-medical professionals or inexperienced physicians resulting in complications are also increasing. We herein report 2 patients who experienced acute complications after receiving filler injections and were successfully treated with adipose-derived stem cell (ADSCs) therapy. Case 1 was a 23-year-old female patient who received a filler (Restylane) injection in her forehead, glabella, and nose by a non-medical professional. The day after her injection, inflammation was observed with a $3{\times}3cm$ skin necrosis. Case 2 was a 30-year-old woman who received a filler injection of hyaluronic acid gel (Juvederm) on her nasal dorsum and tip at a private clinic. She developed erythema and swelling in the filler-injected area A solution containing ADSCs harvested from each patient's abdominal subcutaneous tissue was injected into the lesion at the subcutaneous and dermis levels. The wounds healed without additional treatment. With continuous follow-up, both patients experienced only fine linear scars 6 months postoperatively. By using adipose-derived stem cells, we successfully treated the acute complications of skin necrosis after the filler injection, resulting in much less scarring, and more satisfactory results were achieved not only in wound healing, but also in esthetics.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.679-684
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• 2009

Purpose: Human lipoaspirate cells are relatively easy to obtain in large quantities without cell culture. The aim of this in vitro pilot study was to determine the effect of cell therapy using uncultured lipoaspirate cells on cell proliferation and collagen synthesis of diabetic fibroblasts, which are the major contributing factors in wound healing. Methods: In order to get diabetic fibroblasts, dermis tissues were obtained from foot skin of diabetic patients who underwent debridements or toe amputations(n = 4). In order to isolate lipoaspirate cells, the same diabetic patients' abdominal adipose tissues were obtained by liposuction. The diabetic fibroblasts were co - cultured with or without autogenous lipoaspirate cells using porous culture plate insert. Initial numbers of the lipoaspirate cells and diabetic fibroblasts seeded were 15,000 cells/well, respectively. For cell proliferation assay, two treatment groups were included. In group I, diabetic fibroblasts were cultured with the insert having no cells, which serves as a control. In group II, the lipoaspirate cells were added in the culture plate insert. For collagen synthesis assay, one additional group(group III), in which diabetic fibroblasts were not seeded in the well and only lipoaspirate cells inside the insert were incubated without diabetic fibroblasts, was included for a reference. Results: One hundred to one hundred sixty thousand lipoaspirate cells were isolated per ml of aspirated adipose tissue. After 3 - day incubation, the mean cell numbers in group I and II were 17,294/well and 22,163/well. The mean collagen level in group I, II, and III were 29, 41, and 2 ng/ml, respectively. These results imply that both cell proliferation and collagen synthesis in the lipoaspirate cell treatment group were 28 and 44 percents higher than in the control group, respectively(p < 0.05). Conclusion: Uncultured lipoaspirate cell autografts may stimulate the wound healing activity of diabetic fibroblasts.