• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.349-353
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• 2008

Purpose: There are 3 well-known surgical procedures to treat Pierre Robin sequence: tongue-lip adhesion, distraction osteogenesis of mandible, and tracheostomy. The classical tongue-lip adhesion is an effective way to keep airway. The tongue, however, becomes quite non-mobile and appears dormant until the patient could control upper airway and the adhesion can be maintained for prolonged period. Most of all, this procedure does not provide the correction of the micrognathia. Distraction osteogenesis is a good technique to correct micrognathia and to prevent tracheostomies in patients with Pierre Robin sequence. But airway keeping procedure is needed during the distraction period. The purpose of this study is to determine the usefulness of temporary tongue-lip traction during the initial period of mandibular distraction in Pierre Robin sequence patients with severe airway problems requiring operative procedure. Methods: It was a prospective study of 2 Pierre Robin sequence patients aged between 4 months and 6 months requiring surgical procedure to correct recurrent and severe pulmonary complications. Two patients underwent distraction osteogenesis of mandible. During the operation, deep one tension suture was performed to tract the tongue and lip. When the patient gained control of upper airway at the initial period of distraction and micrognathia was corrected, the traction suture was removed. Results: All patients were followed up. No patients complained severe pulmonary complications and tracheostomy could be avoided. No patients had severe pulmonary complication. The pulmonary condition of patients was good. Conclusion: In severe Pierre Robin sequence case, temporary tongue-lip traction is a good assistant method in distraction osteogenesis because this method can avoid tracheostomy.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.172-180
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• 2016

Background Conventional frontalis transfer may cause a range of complications. In order to overcome complications, we made modifications to the surgical technique, and compared the outcomes of patients who underwent conventional frontalis transfer with those of patients who underwent modified frontalis transfer. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of 48 patients (78 eyes) who underwent conventional frontalis transfer between 1991 and 2003 (group A) and 67 patients (107 eyes) who underwent modified frontalis transfer between 2004 and 2014 (group B). The frontalis transfer procedures were modified conform to the following principles. The tip of the frontalis muscle flap included soft tissue that was as thick as possible and the soft tissue on the tarsal plate was removed to the greatest extent possible. A double fold was created in cases of unilateral ptosis. In order to evaluate the objective effects of modification, preoperative and postoperative values of the marginal distance reflex 1 (MRD1), the corneal exposure area, and the decrease in eyebrow height were compared between the two groups. Results In group A, patients showed an improvement of 1.19 mm in the MRD1, a 6.31% improvement in the corneal exposure area, and a 7.82 mm decrease in eyebrow height. In group B, patients showed an improvement of 2.17 mm in the MRD1, an 8.39% improvement in the corneal exposure area, and an 11.54 mm decrease in eyebrow height. The improvements in group B were significantly greater than those in group A. Conclusions Modified frontalis transfer showed better results than the conventional procedure and provided satisfactory outcomes.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.861-876
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• 2015

Composite sections design consists on checking that the point defined by axial load and bending moment keeps included within the surface enclosed by the section interaction curve. Eurocode 4 suggests a method for tracing this diagram based on the plastic stress distribution method. However curves obtained according to this criterion overvalue concrete encased sections bearing capacity, especially when axial force comes with high bending moment values, so a correction factor is required. This article proposes a method for tracing this diagram based on the strain compatibility method. When stresses on the section are integrated by considering the Navier hypothesis, the use of the materials nonlinear constitutive equations provides curves much more adjusted to reality. This process requires the use of rather complex software which might reveal as too complex for practitioners. Preserving the same criteria of an elastic-plastic stress distribution, this article presents alternative expressions to obtain the failure internal forces in five significant points of the interaction diagram having considered five different positions of the neutral axis. These expressions are simply enough for their practical application. Concordance of curves traced strictly relying on these five points with those obtained by computer assisted stress integration considering the strain compatibility method and even with Eurocode 4 weighted curves will be presented for three different cross-sections and two different concrete strengths, revealing very good results.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.97-103
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• 2013

Background Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) may persist after primary repair of the cleft palate, and surgical correction is necessary in many cases. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of double opposing Z-plasty (DOZ) in cleft palate patients suffering from VPI after primary two-flap palatoplasty. Methods Between March 1999 and August 2005, we identified 82 patients who underwent two-flap palatoplasty for cleft palate repair. After excluding the patients with congenital syndrome and mental retardation, 13 patients were included in the final study group. The average age of the patients who underwent DOZ at was 5 years and 1 month. Resonance, nasal emission, and articulation were evaluated by a speech pathologist. The velopharyngeal gaps were measured before and after surgery. Results Six patients attained normal speech capabilities after DOZ. The hypernasality grade was significantly improved after surgery in all of the patients (P=0.0015). Whereas nasal emission disappeared in 8 patients (61.5%), it was diminished but still persisted in the remaining 5 patients. Articulation was improved in all of the cases. In two cases, the velopharyngeal gap was measured using a ruler. The gap decreased from 11.5 to 7 mm in one case, and from 12.5 to 8 mm in the second case. Conclusions The use of DOZ as a surgical option to correct VPI has many advantages compared with other procedures. These include short surgery time, few troublesome complications, and no harmful effects on the dynamic physiological functioning of the pharynx. This study shows that DOZ can be another option for surgical treatment of patients with VPI after two-flap palatoplasty.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.470-476
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• 2012

Background The whistle deformity is one of the common sequelae of secondary cleft lip deformities. Santos reported using a crossed-denuded flap for primary cleft lip repair to prevent a vermilion notching. The authors modified this technique to correct the whistle deformity, calling their version the cross-muscle flap. Methods From May 2005 to January 2011, 14 secondary unilateral cleft lip patients were treated. All suffered from a whistle deformity, which is characterized by the deficiency of the central tubercle, notching in the upper lip, and bulging on the lateral segment. The mean age of the patients was 13.8 years and the mean follow-up period was 21.8 weeks. After elevation from the lateral vermilion and medial tubercle, two muscle flaps were crossed and turned over. The authors measured the three vertical heights and compared the two height ratios before and after surgery for evaluation of the postoperative results. Results None of the patients had any notable complications and the whistle deformity was corrected in all cases. The vertical height ratios at the midline on the upper lip and the affected Cupid's bow point were increased (P<0.05). The motion of the upper lip was acceptable. Conclusions A cross muscle flap is simple and it leaves a minimal scar on the lip. We were able to reconstruct the whistle deformity in secondary unilateral cleft lip patients with a single state procedure using a cross-muscle flap.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.135-138
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• 2012

Purpose: Reconstruction of the cleft earlobe is challenging. Several procedures are available to reconstruct congenital earlobe deformities. However, for large defective type, surgical procedures and designs are complex and tend to leave a visible scar. We present a simple method of reconstruction for defective type congenital cleft earlobe using a one stage technique with infraauricular transposition flap. This allows for easy and accurate size estimation and good aesthetic outcomes. Methods: A 4-year-old male patient has congenital cleft earlobe and antihelical deformity. Otoplasty for antihelical deformity correction and one stage infra-auricular transposition flap for earlobe reconstruction were performed. The flap was designed from the inferoanterior margin of the earlobe. The size of the flap was determined based on the normal side, and the width and length of the flap was 1 cm and 3 cm in size, respectively. An incision was made at the midline of the defective lobule. Further, the elevated flap was inserted. The elevated flap and the incision margins of the lobule were sutured together. Then, the donor site was closed primarily. Results: The volume and shape of the reconstructed earlobe were natural. There was no flap necrosis. The donor site had no morbidities and scar was not easily notable. Conclusion: Infra-auricular transposition flap can be designed easily and offer sufficient volume of earlobe. Furthermore, the scar is inconspicuous. In conclusion, infra-auricular transposition flap can be a good option for reconstructing a large defect type cleft earlobe.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.445-449
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• 2009

Purpose: A successful surgical treatment for a wide alveolar cleft with bone graft is difficult to achieve due to several factors such as the limitation of gingivoperiosteal flap, the presence of large scar tissues, and the poor blood circulation. To overcome these problems, alveolar distraction osteogenesis using Liou alveolar distraction device was applied. We analyzed the consequences of this surgical treatment. Method: Between 2006 January and 2007 August, we have conducted analysis on the methods and consequences of Liou alveolar distraction osteogenesis for 6 patients. The age of patients was 12 years and 6 months in average. The follow up period was 19 months in average. The Reverse L osteotomy followed by the placement of the Liou alveolar distraction device was performed. After serial distraction, the distractor was removed after 5 months of the process of osteogenesis, and the result was analyzed using the computed tomography and the x-ray films of the alveolar bone and the teeth. Results: The alveolar cleft with 12.5 mm in average width was filled with 8.5 mm of newly formed bone tissue in average width after 5 months of osteogenesis. Among the 6 cases, 5 required the additional bone graft and 1 case only required the gingivoperioplasty. The newly formed bone tissues did not show any signs of bone resorption. However, a considerable degree of teeth displacement was shown. Conclusion: For the alveolar cleft too wide to be reconstructed by a general bone graft, it is strongly recommended to perform the reverse L osteotomy of the cleft side with Liou alveolar distraction device to initiate the alveolar osteogenesis. However, the migrated teeth showed some degree of relapse, thus, the orthodontic treatment is essential following the distraction osteogenesis treatment.

• 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.44 no.4
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• pp.332-336
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• 2017

Background Little is known concerning hair diameter variation within the safe donor area for hair transplantation surgery. Thicker or thinner hair may be needed, depending on the recipient area, hairline design, and the purpose of surgery. Methods Twenty-seven patients (7 men and 20 women; mean age, 28 years; range, 20-47 years) were included in this study. The midoccipital point was used as the reference point on the horizontal plane at the upper border of the helical rim. The target area width was 15 cm (7.5 cm to the right and left of the reference point) and the height was 8 cm (2 cm above and 6 cm below the reference point). The study area was divided horizontally into 3 5-cm sections (A, B, C) and vertically into 4 2-cm sections (1-4), creating a total of 12 zones. Ten anagen hairs were randomly obtained from each zone and their diameters were measured. Results Hair diameter in the 4 vertical sections varied significantly, gradually decreasing from sections 1 (superior) to 4 (inferior) in all 3 horizontal sections (A, B, and C). Conclusions Our results suggest that sections 1 and 2 of the occipital safe donor area would be useful for obtaining thicker hair, such as in procedures to treat male- and female-pattern hair loss, whereas hair from zones 3 and 4 could be useful for transplantation surgery requiring thinner hair, such as eyebrows, eyelashes, and female hairline correction. Our results may be clinically valuable for planning hair transplant surgery and choosing the optimal donor region.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.63-67
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• 2016

Background: The subciliary approach is commonly used for reconstruction of orbital wall or zygomaticomaxillary fractures. However, this approach is associated with postoperative complications, especially lower eyelid malposition. We report the experience of managing postoperative lower eyelid malposition with triamcinolone acetonide. Methods: A retrospective review was performed for all traumatic facial fractures requiring surgery via the subciliary approach at Chosun University Hospital in 2014. For each patient meeting inclusion criteria, the medical chart was reviewed for demographic information and postoperative course, including the presence of postoperative eyelid malposition or scleral show. Results: The review identified 189 cases in which the subciliary approach was used, and postoperative lower eyelid malposition was found in 7 cases (3.7%). For these 7 patients, the mean therapeutic period (interval to correction of the malposition) was 10.5 weeks (range, 8 to 14 weeks). On average, patients received 3 injections of triamcinolone. In all cases, degrees of the malposition were improved, and none of the patients required an operative intervention to correct the malposition. Conclusion: Triamcinolone injection is an appropriate treatment modality for lower eyelid malposition after subciliary approach. Treatment duration is relatively short, requiring fewer than 4 outpatient clinic visits, with relatively earlier recovery compared to conservative "wait-and-see" management.