Dual Plane Method with Orbital Fat Repositioning in Lower Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty is a commonly performed aesthetic surgery, but there is still no commonly used standard method for the correction of orbital fat bulging in lower blepharoplasty. We performed dual plane method by elevating skin flap and muscle flap separately, and then repositioned orbital fat with preserving orbital septum for correction of orbital fat bulging in lower blepharoplasty. Between July, 1998 and June, 2005, one hundred and fifty six patients underwent lower blepharoplasty by author's method. The results were satisfactory in all of the patients. Complications were six cases of hematoma and ten cases of visible scar in lateral canthal area. There was no skin flap necrosis, hyperpigmentation, skin irregularity or ectropion. In lower blepharoplasty for the sufficient excision of skin and operation of orbicularis oculi, we performed precise correction of skin and muscle independently by dual plane approach, by separate elevation of skin flap and muscle flap, and were able to reposition orbital fat easily and safely with preservation of orbital septum.

Optic Nerve Decompression for Traumatic Optic Neuropathy: A Case Report

A case of visual loss following cranio-maxillofacial trauma is reported. The patient had acute optic nerve injury associated with a fracture of the right zygomaticomaxillary and fronto-naso-ethmoido-orbital bone and epidural hematoma on the right temporal lobe of brain. Bony fragments compressing the optic nerve on lateral side was identified on computed tomography. Decompression of the optic nerve combined with evacuation of epidural hematoma has been performed via transfrontal craniotomy. The patient had complete recovery of visual acuity without any complications. The role of optic nerve decompression in the management of patients with traumatic optic neuropathy is discussed. Surgical indication is controversial and the procedure should be considered only within the context of the specific indication of the individual patient.

Comparing Conventional Suture Method Versus Wound Closure Using Tissue Glue(Histoacryl Blue(R)): a Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial

Tissue adhesives have gained popularity for quicker and painless closure of lacerations. The use of tissue glue is currently popular for the closure of superficial lacerations, especially in children. Histoacryl Blue(R)(2-N-butylcyanoacrylate) is a topical wound closure that precludes the need for foreign bodies to close wounds. The purpose of this study was to compare the applications of Histoacryl Blue(R)(HAB) and conventional suture, regarding cosmetic outcome. To compare the short term and long term results of various repair methods, we designed the prospective, randomized, blind study. Patients with laceration undergoing repair were randomly allocated to conventional suture, subcutaneous suture plus HAB, and HAB only groups. The exclusion criterions were large wound that require large tension for repair or avulsion wound. An independent, blinded observer assessed cosmetic result at 7-10 days after repair and 3-9 months postoperatively. Physician's satisfaction with wound appearance was recorded on 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)(0=worst, 100=best). The difference in VAS score between conventional suture method and subcutaneous suture plus HAB methods were not significant. Tissue glue being easy to use with no complications and still resulting in equivalent cosmetic outcomes has several benefits. Especially in the case of children, the wound closure with Histoacryl Blue(R) could be a good alternative for repair of laceration in emergency room.

A Size Change of Bone Defect Area after Autogenous Calvarial Bone Graft

Calvarial bone grafting in craniomaxillofacial trauma and facial reconstructive surgery is now widely recognized and accepted as a standard procedure. One of the commonly reported problems of calvarial bone graft is the contour defect caused by partial resorption of the graft. But, there are few reports that discuss the fate of the calvarial bone graft based on the quantitative data. In this article, the changes of grafted calvarial bone were evaluated using 3-dimensional computed tomography(CT). 9 patients were observed with the CT scans at 2mm thickness immediately after operation and at the time of last follow-up. The area of the bone defect was segmented on the 3-dimensional CT image and calculated by AnalyzeDirect 5.0 software. The immediate postoperative bone defect area of the recipient site and the donor site were 612.9mm2 and 441.5mm2, respectively, which became 1028.1mm2 and 268.8mm2, respectively at the last follow-up. In conclusion, the bone defect area was less increased on the donor site of calvarial bone graft than on the recipient site. And the CT scan is a valuable imaging method to assess and follow-up the clinical outcome of calvarial bone grafting.