• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.567-575
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Acellular human dermis is very useful implant for use in plastic and reconstructive surgery. However, the volume of acellular human dermis graft is known to decrease for a long time. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a polypeptide that enhances the collagen synthesis and angiogenesis. In the current study we examined whether bFGF could improve the survival of acellular human dermis ($SureDerm^{(R)}$) by increasing angiogenesis of the graft. Methods: Forty rats were divided into two groups (control and bFGF). A 2-mm thick piece of $SureDerm^{(R)}$ was cut into smaller pieces that were $15{\times}5$ mm in size. Two subcutaneous pockets were made on the back of each rat. Grafts sprayed with bFGF were implanted in the bFGF group and injected with bFGF after transplantation every 3 days for 2 weeks. In the control group, the grafts were treated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) instead of bFGF. Four days, and 1, 4, and 12 weeks after the implantation, the grafts were harvested and gross and histologic examinations were performed. Inflammation grade, graft thickness, neocollagen density, and neocapillary count were measured. Results: The bFGF group displayed more rapid accumulation of inflammatory cells with a higher density of neocapillaries, and increased active collagen synthesis. After 12 weeks, the thickness of the grafts in the control and bFGF groups was $75.15{\pm}4.80%$ and $81.79{\pm}5.72%$, respectively, in comparison to the thickness before transplantation. There was a statistically significant difference between both groups ($p$ <0.05). Conclusion: bFGF was effective in reducing the absorption of acellular human dermal grafts by increasing angiogenesis and accelerating engraftment. In conclusion, bFGF may be a good tool for use in acellular human dermal graft transplantation for reconstructive surgery involving soft-tissue defects.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.323-331
• /
• 2011

Background: Myocardial revascularization in patients with renal insufficiency is challenging to the cardiac surgeon, irrespective of utilizing extracorporeal circulation. This study aimed to compare the number of bypass grafts and the mid-term results and to evaluate independent survival predictors in patients with renal insufficiency undergoing on-pump or off-pump myocardial revascularization. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 103 patients with renal insufficiency, who had isolated myocardial revascularization between January 1999 and January 2009. The patients were divided into two groups, the on-pump group and the off-pump group. Results: The off-pump group received a significantly greater number of distal arterial grafts than the on-pump group. However, the mean number of total grafts, the degree of complete revascularization, and survival rate of the patients were not significantly different between the two groups. Multivariate analysis showed the independent predictors for reduced mid-term survival were the number of total grafts and postoperative periodic renal replacement therapy. Off-pump myocardial revascularization does not decrease the number of bypass grafts or influence on the mid-term results for patients with renal insufficiency, compared to on-pump myocardial revascularization. Conclusion: Myocardial revascularization with a large number of total grafts has a beneficial effect on survival in patients with renal insufficiency, irrespective of utilizing extracorporeal bypass.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.152-159
• /
• 2019

Background Nasal framework-supporting procedures such as septal extension grafts, derotation grafts, and columellar strut grafts are usually required in rhinoplasty in Asian patients because the skin envelope is tight, but the nasal framework is small and weak. Autologous materials are preferred, but they have some limitations related to the amount that can be harvested and the frequency of use. Therefore, synthetic materials have been used to overcome these limitations. Methods A total of 114 patients who received a polydioxanone (PDS) plate as an adjuvant material in rhinoplasty from September 2016 to August 2017 were retrospectively investigated. The PDS plate was used as to support the weak framework and to correct the contour of the alar cartilages. The PDS plate was used for reinforcement of columellar struts and septal L-struts, alar cartilage push-down grafts, fixation of septal extension grafts, and correction of alar contour deformities Results Primary and secondary rhinoplasty was performed in 103 and 11 patients, respectively. Clinically, no significant inflammation occurred, but decreased projection of the tip was observed in seven patients and relapse of a short nose was noted in five patients. Conclusions PDS plates have been used in the United States and Europe for more than 10 years to provide a scaffold for the nasal framework. These plates can provide reinforcement to columellar struts, L-struts, and septal extension grafts. In addition, they can assist in deformity correction. Therefore, PDS plates can be considered a good adjuvant material for Asian patients with weak and small nasal cartilage.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.54 no.6
• /
• pp.500-508
• /
• 2021

Background: The major limitation of arteriovenous graft access is the high incidence of thrombotic occlusion. This study investigated the outcomes of our salvage strategy for thrombosed hemodialysis arteriovenous grafts (including surgical thrombectomy with balloon angioplasty) and evaluated the efficacy of intragraft curettage. Methods: Salvage operations were performed for 290 thrombotic occluded arteriovenous grafts with clinical stenotic lesions from 2010 to 2018. Of these, 117 grafts received surgical thrombectomy and balloon angioplasty from 2010 to 2012 (group A), and 173 grafts received surgical thrombectomy and balloon angioplasty, with an additional salvage procedure using a curette and a graft thrombectomy catheter, from 2013 to 2018 (group B). Outcomes were described in terms of post-intervention primary patency and secondary patency rates. Results: The post-intervention primary patency rates in groups A and B were 44.2% and 66.1% at 6 months and 23.0% and 38.3% at 12 months, respectively (p=0.003). The post-intervention secondary patency rates were 87.6% and 92.6% at 6 months and 79.7% and 85.0% at 12 months, respectively (p=0.623). Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that intragraft curettage was a positive predictor of post-intervention primary patency (hazard ratio, 0.700; 95% confidence interval, 0.519-0.943; p=0.019). Conclusion: Surgical thrombectomy and balloon angioplasty showed acceptable outcomes concerning post-intervention primary and secondary patency rates. Additionally, intragraft curettage may offer better patency to salvage thrombotic occluded arteriovenous grafts with intragraft stenosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.56 no.5
• /
• pp.313-321
• /
• 2023

Background: This study evaluated the early, 1-year, and 3-year graft patency rates and mid-term clinical outcomes after no-touch saphenous veins (NT-SVs) were used as aortocoronary grafts in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: In total, 101 patients who underwent CABG using NT-SVs as aortocoronary grafts were included. The 2 most common indications for performing aortocoronary grafting with NT-SVs were unavailability of the left internal thoracic artery (n=36) and moderate lesions where flow competition was expected (n=27). Early (median, 1 day; interquartile range [IQR], 1-2 days), 1-year (median, 13 months; IQR, 11-16 months), and 3-year (median, 34 months; IQR, 27-41 months) graft angiography was performed in 98 (97.0%), 84 (83.2%), and 40 patients (39.6%), respectively. The median follow-up duration was 43 months (IQR, 13-76 months). Overall survival rates and the cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiac events were evaluated. Results: The operative mortality rate was 2% (2 of 101 patients). Early postoperative patency rates for overall and aortocoronary NT-SV grafts were 98.2% (223 of 227 distal anastomoses) and 98.2% (164 of 167), respectively. The 1- and 3-year patency rates for aortocoronary SV grafts were 94.9% (131 of 138) and 90.6% (58 of 64), respectively. The overall survival rates at 5 and 10 years were 81.7% and 59%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiac events at 5 and 10 postoperative years was 20.7% and 39%, respectively. Conclusion: The feasibility of using NT-SVs as aortocoronary grafts in CABG was shown in this study, based on the graft patency rates up to 3 years and the mid-term clinical outcomes.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.22-30
• /
• 2003

Purpose : The efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging for evaluating coronary artery disease has been reported. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of breath-hold segmented K-space cine MR imaging for evaluating the patency of coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG). Materials and Method s : Thirty eight patients with a total of 92 CABGs (36 internal thoracic arteries and 56 saphenous vein grafts) were evaluated using segmented K-space cardiac-gated fast gradient echo sequence (2D-FASTCARD) MR imaging. MR magnitude images were evaluated from the hard copies by two independent observers. A graft was defined as patent if it was seen as a bright small round area on at least two consecutive images throughout the cardiac cycle at a position consistent with the expected location for that graft. Results : MR images were obtained successfully for 23 patients (61%). The sagittal planes were most helpful in visualizing the cross-section of sapheneous vein bypass graft to left circumflex artery branch, whereas the transverse planes were used for identification of internal mammary artery grafts to left anterior descending coronary artery or its branch and identification of saphenous vein grafts to right coronary artery. Forty five grafts were visible using this MR technique, while the grafts were not visible on seven saphenous vein grafts and two internal mammary artery grafts. In two patients showing symptoms of myocardial ischemia, one or two bypass grafts were not visible. Imaging, perpendicular plane to a CABG was important to visualize the flow inside the CABG with maximum sensitivity. Conclusion : Evaluation of patency of the bypass graft was clinically feasible by 2D-FASTCARD MR imaging, whereas any invisible bypass grafts should be further studied by contrast-enhanced MR angiography or by conventional angiography for confirmation of abnormalities.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.85 no.3
• /
• pp.532-538
• /
• 1996

GA4/7 spray, injection and several cultural treatments were applied to the greenhouse-grown potted hybrid larch(Larix decidua${\times}$leptolepis) grafts and field-grown European larch seedlings to induce early flowering. A treatment consisting of repeat-ed GA4/7 sprays, alone, was the most effective flower induction treatment for greenhouse-grown, potted larch grafts. Root pruning as a adjunct treatment did not show synergistic effects. Injection for potted grafts with GA4/7 was not useful approach in this study and it resulted in increased mortality. In the field experiment with 10-Year-old larch seedlings, repeated GA4/7 sprays in combination with root pruning or with plastic mulching appears to be useful and practical means for inducing larch flowers:

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.271-275
• /
• 1993

In this country, the number of patients with coronary artery disease is progressively increasing with the change of life style and improvement of the diagnostic procedures. In addition, the medically invasive procedure for treating ischemic heart disease was rapidly developed and the surgical patients have more complex and multiple lesions and more surgical risks. Fifty three patients with ischemic heart disease underwent coronary bypass grafting [CABG] for recent 24 months. Twenty patients had three-vessel disease, 17 patients two-vessel disease, and 2 patients single-vessel disease. The average number of distal anastomoses was 3.3 per patient with the range of I to 6 grafts. Forty-one patients [77.4 %] had preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction of 50 % or more and 14 patients[26.4%] had a significant left main coronary lesion. Saphenous vein grafts were employed in 52/53 patients [98.1%] and internal mammary grafts, which were anastomosed to left anterior descending artery, in 38/53 patients[71.7%]. Two patients, whom percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty failed for, underwent emergency CABG with only saphenous vein grafts and both patients survived.The hospital mortality was 1.9 % and there was no late death. Perioperative myocardial infarction occurred in 1.9%. All survivors were asymptomatic[in 83% of the patients] and/or improved over their preoperative status. Twenty-nine patients were included in blood conservation group and 21 patients [72.4 %] underwent CABG without any homologous blood transfusion. Our early result of coronary bypass grafting was comparable to that which was reported in other coronary surgery units.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.341-345
• /
• 2015

Background A tie-over dressing is the accepted method to secure skin grafts in order to prevent haematoma or seroma formation. We describe the novel application of a barbed suture tie-over for skin graft dressing. The barbs act as anchors in the skin so constant tensioning of the suture is not required. Methods From January 2014 to August 2014 we used the technique in 30 patients with skin defects requiring split-thickness or full-thickness grafts. Patient demographics, clinicopathological details and graft outcome were collected prospectively. Results The majority of cases were carried out for split-thickness skin grafts (n=19) used on the lower limb (n=20). The results of this novel technique were excellent with complete (100%) graft take in all patients. Conclusions Our results demonstrate the clinical application of a barbed device for securing skin grafts with excellent results. We find the technique quick to perform and the barbed device easy to handle, which can be applied without the need for an assistant.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.350-355
• /
• 2005

There are various surgical methods for reconstruction of the nasal defect. Among them, there is some difference in the choosing the proper reconstruction method according to defect size and position. When the defect involved the tip, the columella, and the alar, the local flaps may be preferred, because they can provide sufficient amount of tissue. However, the composite grafts from the ear have been effectively used in reconstructions of smaller sized defects of the columella and ala. We excised total external nose because of squamous cell carcinoma on the nasal tip, columella, and nasal septum. We reconstructed the nasal tip, both alae, and columella with forehead flap. After division of the regional flap, we found partial necrosis of the columella and narrowness of the nostril. So, we used chondrocutaneous auricular composite grafts for reconstruction of the columella and both nostrils. We used the file-folder designed auricular composite graft for reconstruction of columella and the wedge shaped ear helical composite grafts for widening of nostrils. 6 months later, there were no significant problems, except some mismatched dark color in the grafted alar tissues. Here, we report a successful reconstruction of large nasal defect using combined two different reconstructive methods.