Gynecomastia Surgery Is Associated with Improved Nipple Location in Young Korean Patients

BACKGROUND: Gynecomastia is benign enlargement of breast tissue in males and is fairly common. Mastectomy not only helps in improving the shape of anterior chest, but can also improve the location of nipple. Therefore, a principle element of mastectomy design is defining the normal location of nipple based on major anatomical reference points. Here, the nipple location was compared for before and after gynecomastia surgery. In addition, the same was also compared between male patients undergoing gynecomastia surgery and control group of subjects without gynecomastia. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed gynecomastia patients who underwent conventional subcutaneous mastectomy. Preoperative and postoperative anatomical landmark distances and chest circumferences were measured and compared to the same anthropometric data from 20 healthy adult male controls. RESULTS: Nipple locations were compared among 13 patients and 20 controls. The mean weight of resected breast tissue was 246 g, and overall patient satisfaction grade was 4.3 out of 5. In the patient group, the slopes for the height-distance from the sternal notch to the nipple and chest circumference-distance between the mid-line of the sternum and the nipple were 0.175 and 0.125 postoperatively, respectively. The slopes of the control group were 0.122 and 0.177, respectively; these differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Nipple positions were considerably lower in patients with gynecomastia than in control subjects. Subcutaneous mastectomy was associated with mild elevations, but postoperative locations were still lower compared to controls. Further efforts are needed to improve the location of postoperative nipple-areola complex in patients with gynecomastia.

Risk Acceptance and Expectations of Laryngeal Allotransplantation

BACKGROUND: Laryngeal allotransplantation (LA) is a technique involving transplantation of a deceased donor's larynx into a recipient, and it may be substituted for conventional laryngeal reconstruction. There are widely different views on LA, as the recipient is administered continuous, potentially life-threatening, immunosuppressive therapy for a functional or aesthetic result, which is not directly related to life extension. The purpose of this study was to analyze the difference in risk acceptance and expectations of LA between four population groups. METHODS: A survey was performed to examine patients' risk acceptance and expectations of LA. The survey included 287 subjects in total (general public, n=100; kidney transplant recipients, n=53; post-laryngectomy patients, n=34; doctors, n=100), using a Korean translated version of the louisville instrument for transplantation (LIFT) questionnaire. RESULTS: All four groups responded differently at various levels of their perception in risk acceptance and expectations. The kidney transplant recipients reported the highest risk acceptance and expectations, and the doctor group the lowest. CONCLUSIONS: This study examined the disparate perception between specific population groups of the risks and benefits of using LA for the promotion of the quality of life. By addressing the information gaps about LA in the different populations that have been highlighted from this survey, we suggest that LA can become a more viable alternative to classical surgery with resultant improved quality of life for patients.

Reconstruction of the Medial Canthus Using an Ipsilateral Paramedian Forehead Flap

BACKGROUND: The medial canthus is an important area in determining the impression of a person's facial appearance. It is composed of various structures, including canthal tendons, lacrimal canaliculi, conjunctiva, the tarsal plate, and skin tissues. Due to its complexity, medial canthal defect reconstruction has been a challenging procedure to perform. The contralateral paramedian forehead flap is usually used for large defects; however, the bulkiness of the glabella and splitting at the distal end of the flap are factors that can reduce the rate of flap survival. We reconstructed medial canthal defects using ipsilateral paramedian forehead flaps, minimizing glabellar bulkiness. METHODS: This study included 10 patients who underwent medial canthal reconstruction using ipsilateral paramedian forehead flaps between 2010 and 2012. To avoid an acute curve of the pedicle, which can cause venous congestion, we attempted to make the arc of the pedicle rounder. Additionally, the pedicle was skeletonized from the nasal root to the glabella to reduce the bulkiness. RESULTS: All patients had basal cell carcinoma, and 3 of them had recurrent basal cell carcinoma. All of the flaps were successful without total or partial flap loss. Two patients developed venous congestion of the flap, which was healed using medicinal leeches. Four patients developed epiphora, and 2 patients developed telecanthus. CONCLUSIONS: Large defects of the medial canthus can be successfully reconstructed using ipsilateral paramedian forehead flaps. In addition, any accompanying venous congestion can be healed using medicinal leeches.

The Functionality of Facial Appearance and Its Importance to a Korean Population

BACKGROUND: Many people have an interest in the correction of facial scars or deformities caused by trauma. The increasing ability to correct such flaws has been one of the reasons for the increase in the popularity of facial plastic surgery. In addition to its roles in communication, breathing, eating, olfaction and vision, the appearance of the face also plays an important role in human interactions, including during social activities. However, studies on the importance of the functional role of facial appearance. As a function of the face are scare. Therefore, in the present study, we evaluated the importance of the functions of the face in Korea. METHODS: We conducted an online panel survey of 300 participants (age range, 20-70 years). Each respondent was administered the demographic data form, Facial Function Assessment Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and standard gamble questionnaires. RESULTS: In the evaluation on the importance of facial functions, a normal appearance was considered as important as communication, breathing, speech, and vision. Of the 300 participants, 85% stated that a normal appearance is important in social activities. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this survey involving a cross-section of the Korean population indicated that a normal appearance was considered one of the principal facial functions. A normal appearance was considered more important than the functions of olfaction and expression. Moreover, a normal appearance was determined to be an important facial function for leading a normal life in Korea.

Reconstruction of Ischial Soft Tissue Defects using Adductor Magnus Perforator Island Flap

PURPOSE: Surgical reconstruction of an ischial soft tissue defect presents a challenging problem owing to a high rate of recurrence, especially in paraplegic patients. Although various muscle, musculocutaneous and fasciocuta- neous flaps have been used in the reconstruction of ischial soft tissue defect, it is still controversial which type of flaps are the best. We had performed a relatively durable adductor magnus perforator island flap based on the perforators originated from the first medial branch of the profunda femoris artery for coverage of ischial soft tissue defect where was not a region universally reconstructed by perforator flap. METHODS: From August 2005 to January 2008, the adductor magnus perforator island flap were used for resurfacing of the ischial soft tissue defects in a series of 6 patients(4 male and 2 female). Ages ranged from 26 to 67 years(mean, 47.5 years), and follow-up period from 13 to 26 months(mean, 16.7 months). Causes were 4 pressure ulcers, 1 cellulitis and 1 suppurative keratinous cyst. RESULTS: The sizes of these flaps ranged from 12 to 18cm in length and 7 to 9cm in width. The flaps survived in all patients. Marginal loss over the distal area of the flap by infection was noted in one patient, which was treated successfully with a subsequent split-thickness skin graft. Average thickness of the flap was 0.94cm, which was more thicker than other perforator flaps. Long term follow- up showed a good flap durability. CONCLUSION: In planning a reconstructive option of ischial soft tissue defect, the adductor magnus perforator island flap is a relatively large cutaneous flap with a durable thickness. With proper patient selection, careful vascular dissection and postoperative management, we recommend this flap as a good and suitable option for coverage of the ischial soft tissue defect.

Analysis of Color Difference in Facial Reconstruction Used Various Flaps

PURPOSE: Good color match is a key element in facial reconstruction for good aesthetic result. To correct the wide facial soft tissue defect were usually used the tissue expanded cheek flap, deltopectoral flap or radial forearm free flap. This study is aimed to analyse the color difference after flap surgery by using chromameter. METHODS: From August 1995 to December 2006, 30 patients who underwent flap operations were chosen randomly and evaluated color differences between flap site and adjacent skin. Reconstructive procedures included tissue expanded cheek flap(n=10), deltopectoral flap(n= 10), and radial forearm free flap(n=10). The measured sites were flap center within a radius of 1cm and four points of adjacent skin along the flap margin. The colors were quantified in a three dimensional coordinate system composed of L* (brightness), a*(redness), b*(yellowness). RESULTS: There were no significant color differences between the pedicled flaps(tissue expanded cheek flap and deltopectoral flap) and adjacent skin area. On the other hand, color values of the radial forearm free flap were statistically different from those of adjacent skin area. Total color difference(delta E) of tissue expanded cheek flap and deltopectoral flap were 7.45+/-5.78 versus 9.41+/-7.09, and that of radial forearm free flap was 11.74+/-3.85. It suggests that pedicled flaps have a potential of better color match than radial forearm free flap. CONCLUSION: Thus, better esthetic results and satisfaction is more likely to be expected in pedicled flaps as long as it could be applied comparing radial forearm free flap.