• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.135-138
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• 2018

Parry-Romberg syndrome is a rare neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by progressive shrinkage and degeneration of the tissues usually on only one side of the face. It is usually difficult to restore the facial contour due to skin tightness. In this case report, we report a forehead reconstruction with custom-made three-dimensional (3D) titanium implant of a Parry-Romberg syndrome patient who was treated with multiple fat grafts but had limited effect. A 36-year-old man presented with hemifacial atrophy. The disease progressed from 5 to 16 years old. The patient had alopecia on frontal scalp and received a surgery using tissue expander. The alopecia lesion was covered by expanded scalp flap done 22 years ago. Also, he was treated with fat grafts on depressed forehead 17 years ago. However, it did not work sufficiently, and there was noted depressed forehead. We planned to make 3D titanium implant to cover the depressed area (from the superior orbital rim to the vertex). During the operation, we confirmed that the custom-made 3D implant accurately fit for the depressed area without any dead spaces. Previously depressed forehead and glabella were elevated, and the forehead contour was improved cosmetically. A custom-made 3D titanium implant is widely used for skull reconstruction and bring good results. In our case, the depressed forehead of a Parry-Romberg syndrome patient was improved by a 3D titanium implant.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.451-457
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• 2011

Purpose: As a central feature of the face, the nose has considerable significance in appearance and expression. Reconstruction of full thickness defects of the nasal ala has always been a challenge because of the 3-dimensional structure. For reconstruction of post burn defects of ala, skin graft, local or pedicled flap and composite graft are optionally available. We have reconstructed the ala defects using adiposocutaneous graft and observed the outcome. Methods: From March 2003 to December 2010, 19 cases in 11 patients with scar contracture and defect on ala portion were performed operation using adiposocutaneous graft. As a donor site, we used the inguinal crease and posterior auricular area and the donor site was primarily closed. We made incision through the superior rim of ala and released fully. A graft is applied to recipient site with larger size than recipient volume. Results: The mean age of the patient was 38.6 years (16~51), males are seven patients and females are four patients. The operation was performed bilaterally in 5 patients and unilaterally in 6 patients. Composite grafts were harvested from inguinal area in 13 cases and posterior auricular area in 6 cases. In one case, we did 4 times of operation to get enough volume. All the grafts were well taken. The mean size of the graft was 3.63 $cm^2$. Conclusion: For reconstruction of post burn defects of ala, it's not easy to use local flap or pedicled flap because of hardness and fibrosis of surrounding tissue. So, we choose adiposocutaneous graft for ala deformity reconstruction, got satisfactory outcome in color matching and texture.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.593-598
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• 2007

Purpose: Talipes equinus deformity is defined as impossibility of heel weight-bearing and lacking of improvement of toe-tip gait despite sufficient duration of conservative treatment. The incidence of equinus deformity induces post-traumatic extensive soft tissue defect and subsequently increases it. Severe equinus deformities of the foot associated with extensive scarring of the leg and ankle were corrected using achilles Z-lengthening and free-tissue transfer. Methods: Free radial forearm flap was done in nine cases of eight patients from January 2000 to November 2006. Causes of deformity were post-traumatic contracture (one patient) and post-burn scar contracture (seven patients). Seven patients were male, one patient was female. Mean age was 32.1 (range, 10-57). Flap donors were covered with artificial dermis ($Terudermis^{(R)}$) and split thickness skin graft (five cases), and medium thickness skin graft only (four cases). Results: The size of flaps varied from $6{\times}12$ to $15{\times}12cm$ (average, $12{\times}7.8cm$). Achilles tendon was lengthened 4.2cm on average. Free radial forearm flap was satisfactory in all cases. All patients could ambulate normally after the surgery. Cases having donor coverage with $Terudermis^{(R)}$ were aesthetically better than those having skin grafts only. Conclusion: This study suggested that severe equinus deformities associated with extensive scarring of the leg and ankle can be corrected effectively free radial forearm flap and Achilles tendon lengthening.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2000

February 1995 to September 1999, authors have experienced seven cases of infected nonunion of tibial fractures with associated soft tissue injury and skin defect, and have accomplished union in all cases by free vascularized fibular graft. All grafts healed with no radiographic evidence of bone necrosis or resorption and have been able to treat large bony defect and skin defect simultaneously. In this study, five cases of vascularized free fibular osteocutaneous flap transfer and two cases of free fibular graft are reported. All of seven cases were infected nonunion of tibia. The results were obtained as follows 1) The mean duration of the radiologic bone union was average 5.3months. 2) Grafted fibular has been hypertrophied, average 10.6 months. 3) In five cases of preservation of posterior cortex of tibia, bony union and hypertrophy of grafted bone were earlier than that two cases of complete segmental resection of tibia. 4) In two cases which only free vascularized fibular graft were performed because achievement of cutaneous flap was failed, authors found that soft tissue defect was filled with granulation tissue and split-thickness skin graft was possible over the granulation tissue after 3 weeks postoperatively.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.70-75
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• 2014

Purpose: Soft-tissue reconstruction in the knee area requires thin, pliable, and tough skin. The range of motion of the knee also acts as a limitation in using only local flaps for coverage. The author has successfully used various perforator flaps for soft tissue reconstruction around the knee while preserving its functional and cosmetic characteristics. Materials and Methods: Out of the twenty patients assessed from April 2009 to March 2011, seven received anterolateral thigh perforator flaps, four received medial sural perforator island flaps, four received lateral supragenicular perforaor perforator flaps, and five received medial genicular artery flaps. The age of the patients ranged from 44 to 79 and the size of the defects ranged from $4{\times}5cm$ to $17{\times}11cm$. Fifteen of the twenty patients had histories of total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. Results: There were no flap losses in any of the twenty patients assessed. Two patients showed partial losses in the distal area of the flap, but were treated through careful wound care. One patient presented with pedicle adhesion at the drainage site from a past TKR, but it did not hinder the flap survival. Primary closure at the donor site was possible in nine patients, while split skin graft was necessary for the other 13. Conclusion: In soft tissue reconstruction of the knee, various perforator flaps can be used depending on the condition of the preoperation scar, wound site, and size. It also proved to provide better functional and cosmetic results than in primary wound closure or skin grafts.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.420-427
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• 2017

Background It can be difficult to select an appropriate flap for various defects on the hand. Although defects of the hand usually must be covered with a skin flap, some defects require a flap with rich blood supply and adequate additive soft tissue volume. The authors present their experience with the anconeus muscle free flap in the reconstruction of various defects and the release of scar contractures of the hand. Methods Ten patients underwent reconstruction of the finger or release of the first web space using the anconeus muscle free flap from May 1998 to October 2013. Adequate bed preparations with thorough debridement or contracture release were performed. The entire anconeus muscle, located at the elbow superficially, was harvested, with the posterior recurrent interosseous artery as a pedicle. The defects were covered with a uniformly trimmed anconeus muscle free flap. Additional debulking of the flap and skin coverage using a split-thickness skin graft were performed 3 weeks after the first operation. Results The average flap size was $18.7cm^2$ (range, $13.5-30cm^2$). All flaps survived without significant complications. Vein grafts for overcoming a short pedicle were necessary in 4 cases. Conclusions The anconeus muscle free flap can be considered a reliable reconstructive option for small defects on the hand or contracture release of the web space, because it has relatively consistent anatomy, provides robust blood supply within the same operative field, and leads to no functional loss at the donor site.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.678-684
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• 2021

Background A car-tire friction injury on the dorsum of a child's foot often results in hypertrophic scarring of the wound margins. This study describes the clinical appearance of the injured areas and surgical complications that occurred during the follow-up period in a series of children with car-tire friction injuries who were treated with split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs). We describe the clinical features that we believe need to be highlighted when initially treating car-tire injuries in children. Methods From May 2003 to June 2016, our retrospective study included 15 patients with car-tire injuries on the dorsum of the foot who were treated with surgical excision and STSG to cover the wound. Results A total of 15 patients with car-tire injuries were treated. The average age was 6.26 years old. The average injury grade was 3.26. Two patients were treated using delayed repair, and 13 patients received STSG for initial management. Four patients experienced no complications, while 11 patients had hypertrophic scars and/or scar contracture after surgery. Conclusions A car-tire friction injury on the dorsum of a child's foot often results in hypertrophic scar formation or scar contracture even if proper management is undertaken. Since the occurrence of these complications in childhood can lead to a secondary deformity, it is important to properly treat car-tire friction wounds, inform patients and caregivers about potential complications, and ensure regular follow-up evaluations over a 12-month period following the initial surgery.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2002

Large soft tissue defects around the knee joint are known to significantly diminish joint function. Severe soft tissue defects on the anterior aspect of the knee joint especially bring on significant joint motion limitation. Although simple split skin grafts can cover the skin defect, the progressing scar contracture of the grafted skin causes joint stiffness. One of the best solutions of large soft tissue defects around the knee joint is covering the defect with a good quality skin flap. Separated flaps with one vascular pedicle are good candidates for covering anterior and posterior aspects of the joint for example. Authors performed 12 cases of combined scapular and latissimus dorsi free flaps from 1984 to 2000. Among them, we experienced 5 cases of knee joint defect covering using the double free flap for coverage of the soft tissue defect with preservation of the knee joint function and satisfactory results. The system of flaps based on the subscapular artery and vein provides a variety of composite free flaps. The possible flaps that can be harvested based on this single vascular pedicle include the scapular and parascapular skin flap, the serratus anterior and latissimus dorsi muscular flap, the lateral scapular bone flap, the latissimus dorsi-rib flap, and the serratus anterior-rib flap. This combined flap is available for multiple tissue defects or complex defects because it can be incorporated with skin, muscle and bone flaps. A main advantage is the independent vascular pedicles of each component, which allow freedom in orientation of each components. Consequently it can be freely applied to any form of three dimensional defects on the upper and lower extremities. The combination of scapular cutaneous flap and latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap can be resurfaced for massive cutaneous defects on the extremities. We report the use of the combined scapular and latissimus dorsi free flap in five patients to reconstruct massive defects on the extremities with resultant improved joint function. There was no flap failure and minimal complications and disadvantages. The anatomy of this flap is reviewed and the indication and advantages are discussed. All of the five flaps survived and there was no scar contracture affecting the joint motion.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.704-708
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• 2015

Background Various techniques for lengthening short columellae have been used for bilateral cleft nose repair. However, previous methods have not yielded satisfactory results. We performed a full-thickness skin graft to lengthen short columellae during secondary cleft nose repair in adult patients. Methods Ten bilateral cleft lip and nose patients underwent secondary cheiloplasty with open rhinoplasty between July 2008 and August 2014. The patients underwent a full-thickness skin graft on the medial crura to elongate the columella. The average age of the patients at the time of surgery was 22.2 years. Nasal profiles were evaluated before and after the operation using the photogrammetric method. Results The nasal profiles were improved in all patients, and all skin grafts were well taken, with the exception of one patient. Columellar height, nostril height, and columella-lip angle increased, and nasal width decreased significantly. The ratios of columellar height to nasal height, columellar height to nasal width, and nasal height to nasal width increased to a statistically significant extent. Conclusions Columella lengthening with a full-thickness skin graft is a simple and effective method for the repair of severely short columellae in bilateral cleft nose patients. We had satisfactory outcomes, with good color matching and aesthetically pleasing contours.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.600-606
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• 2010

Purpose: Although traditional and current treatment strategies may demonstrate success, persistence or recurrence of difficult-to-heal wounds remain significant problems. A novel product, Hyalomatrix$^{(R)}$ (Fidia Advanced Biopolymer, Abano Terme, Italy) is a bilayer of an benzyl esterified hyaluronan scaffold beneath a silicone membrane. The scaffold delivers hyaluronan to the wound, and the silicone membrane acts as a temporary epidermal barrier. We present the results obtained with Hyalomatrix$^{(R)}$ in the treatment of difficult-to-heal wounds. Methods: From November, 2008 to March, 2010, Hyalomatrix$^{(R)}$ has been used on total 10 patients with wounds that were expected difficult to heal with traditional and other current strategies. After average 37.4 days from development of wounds, Hyalomatrix$^{(R)}$ was applied after wound debridement. On the average, Hyalomatrix$^{(R)}$ application period was 17.6 days. After average 16.5 days from removal of Hyalomatrix$^{(R)}$, skin grafts was performed. Results: In all cases, regeneration of fibrous granulation tissues and edge re-epithelization were present after the application of the Hyalomatrix$^{(R)}$. And all of the previous inflammatory signs were reduced. After skin grafts, no adverse reactions were recorded in 9 cases. But in one case, postoperative wound infection occured due to a lack of efficient fibrous tissues. In this model, the Hyalomatrix$^{(R)}$ acts as a hyaluronan delivery system and a barrier from the external environments. In tissue repair processes, the hyaluronan performs to facilitate the entry of a large number of cells into the wounds, to orientate the deposition of extracellular matrix fibrous components and to change the microenvironment of difficult-to-heal wounds. Conclusion: Our study suggests that Hyalomatrix$^{(R)}$ could be a good and feasible approach for difficult-to-heal wounds. The Hyalomatrix$^{(R)}$ improves microenvironments of difficult-to-heal wounds, reduces infection rates and physical stimulus despite of aggravating factors.