Bulbous Tip Correction Focusing on Skin Soft Tissue Envelope in Asian Rhinoplasty

BACKGROUND: Correction of a bulbous tip is a difficult procedure in Asians, because their lower lateral cartilage is relatively small and structurally weak to support the thick skin soft tissue envelope (SSTE). Therefore, lower lateral cartilage manipulation alone yields inadequate bulbous tip correction. In this study, authors aim to provide a new bulbous tip definition reflecting nasal tip SSTE and categorization with a suitable surgical procedure. METHODS: One hundred sixty-three patients with tip rhinoplasty between January 2009 and December 2012 were studied who had a tip lobular width greater than 60% of the alar base width. Depending on cartilage size and characteristics of the nasal tip superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) with SSTE thickness, the following classifications were made: Group I: thin SSTE with a large lower lateral cartilage, Group II: thick SSTE with a small lower lateral cartilage, Group IIa: thick SSTE with loose SMAS, and Group IIb: thick SSTE with dense SMAS. We evaluated the degree of surgical improvement by comparing pre- and postoperative photographs. RESULTS: After comparing pre- and postoperative photos, we observed improvements in tip bulbosity by 11.7% in Group I (n=41), 11.9% in Group IIa (n=64), and 7.1% in Group IIb (n=58). CONCLUSIONS: In Asians, nasal tip bulbosity is often due to excess SSTE. Therefore, a bulbous tip should be defined and evaluated based on its underlying SSTE. Adequate soft tissue resection in addition to lower lateral cartilage support and manipulation are warranted to achieve a refined tip.

Management for Raw Surface of Forehead Flap Using Artificial Collagen Membrane

PURPOSE: The forehead flap is the workhorse in nasal reconstruction, which provides a similar skin color, texture, structure, and reliability. There are some disadvantages, including donor site morbidities, 2- or 3-stage operations, and postoperative management after initial flap transfer. Furthermore, there has been little attention to the exposed raw surface wound, after the first stage of an operation. This article describes the authors??modification to overcome this problem, using artificial collagen membrane. METHODS: An Artificial collagen membrane is composed of an outer silicone membrane and an inner collagen layer. After a forehead flap elevation, the expected raw surface was covered by an artificial collagen membrane with 5-0 nylon suture. A simple dressing, which had been applied to the site, was changed every 2 or 3 days in an outpatient unit. At 3 weeks postprocedure, a second stage operation was performed. RESULTS: With biosynthetic protection of the raw surface, there were no wound problems, such as infection or flap loss. Thus, the patient was satisfied due to an effortless management of the wound and a reduction in pain. CONCLUSION: The application of an artificial collagen membrane to the raw under-surface of the flap could be a comfortable and a protective choice for this procedure.

Management for Raw Surface of Forehead Flap Using Artificial Collagen Membrane

PURPOSE: The forehead flap is the workhorse in nasal reconstruction, which provides a similar skin color, texture, structure, and reliability. There are some disadvantages, including donor site morbidities, 2- or 3-stage operations, and postoperative management after initial flap transfer. Furthermore, there has been little attention to the exposed raw surface wound, after the first stage of an operation. This article describes the authors??modification to overcome this problem, using artificial collagen membrane. METHODS: An Artificial collagen membrane is composed of an outer silicone membrane and an inner collagen layer. After a forehead flap elevation, the expected raw surface was covered by an artificial collagen membrane with 5-0 nylon suture. A simple dressing, which had been applied to the site, was changed every 2 or 3 days in an outpatient unit. At 3 weeks postprocedure, a second stage operation was performed. RESULTS: With biosynthetic protection of the raw surface, there were no wound problems, such as infection or flap loss. Thus, the patient was satisfied due to an effortless management of the wound and a reduction in pain. CONCLUSION: The application of an artificial collagen membrane to the raw under-surface of the flap could be a comfortable and a protective choice for this procedure.

Sebaceous Carcinoma Treated with Various Flaps in Head and Facial Regions

PURPOSE: Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor that occurs mostly in head and neck regions. Early diagnosis and treatment are necessary because it tends to be locally aggressive and goes through distal metastasis with fast progression. This study presents reliable surgical methods for sebaceous carcinoma in head and neck regions. METHODS: Three patients were included in this study. First, a 61-year-old woman visited the hospital with a yellow-colored, slowly growing mass on the left ala. A 54-year-old woman had a brown-colored mass on her right preauricle. Last case was a 62-year-old man who had a yellow-colored mass on his scalp. CT scan and punch biopsy were done. All cases were diagnosed as sebaceous carcinoma. The lesions were resected with 10 mm safety margin and various regional flaps were used for reconstruction. RESULTS: Histological examination revealed sebaceous differentiation and local invasions. Postoperatively, all patients did not suffer from complication and no recurrence was found. CONCLUSION: We recommend early wide excision with an enough safety margin, and a regional flap as a treatment of sebaceous carcinoma.

Reconstruction of the Recurrent Ischial Sore with Modified Gluteus Maximus Myocutaneous V-Y Advancement Flap

PURPOSE: Recurrent ischial pressure sore is troublesome for adequate soft tissue coverage, because usually its pocket has a very large deep space and adjacent donor tissue has been scarred in the previous surgery. However, the conventional reconstructive methods are very difficult to overcome them. Modified gluteus maximus myocutaneous V-Y advancement flap from buttock can be successfully used in these circumstances. METHODS: From February 2007 to October 2008, modified gluteus maximus myocutaneous V-Y advancement flaps were performed in 10 paraplegic patients with recurrent ischial pressure sore. The myocutaneous flap based on the inferior gluteal artery was designed in V-shaped pattern toward the superolateral aspect of buttock and was elevated from adjacent tissue. Furthermore, when additional muscular bulk was required to obliterate dead space, the flap dissection was extended to the inferolateral aspect which can included the adequate amount of the gluteal muscle. After the advanced flap was located in sore pocket, donor defect was repaired primarily. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 46.9 and the average follow-up period was 12.4 months. The immediate postoperative course was uneventful. But, two patients were treated through readvancement of previous flap due to wound dehiscence or recurrence after 6 months. The long-term results were satisfied in proper soft tissue bulk and low recurrence rate. CONCLUSIONS: The modified gluteus maximus myocutaneous V-Y advancement flap may be a reliable method in reconstruction of recurrent ischial pressure sore, which were surrounded by scarred tissue because of its repetitive surgeries and were required to provide sufficient volume of soft tissue to fill the large pocket.

The Vascular System of the Angular Artery: Anatomical Study and Clinical Application

PURPOSE: Although there are many ways to perform midface reconstruction, several difficulties exist for selecting the appropriate method, because of its anatomical and functional complexities, donor site morbidities, and poor aesthetic results. Various flaps based on the angular artery can overcome these limitations of the traditional reconstruction methods. The purpose of this study is to suggest an alternative reconstructive method for the midface using various flaps based on the angular artery. METHODS: We investigated the relationship between the angular artery and its surrounding structures through cadaveric studies and then applied the findings clinically. As a result, we were able to perform reconstruction with a retroangular flap for defects of the lower half of the nose and the lower eyelid. In addition, defects of the upper half of the nose and the medial canthal area were reconstructed by using island composite glabellar flap. RESULTS: The angular artery was reliable as a pedicle, whether it was used antegrade or retrograde. All the wounds were successfully closed, with the exception of minor complications such as partial skin necrosis and flap bulkiness. The aesthetic outcomes for the donor and recipient sites were satisfactory. CONCLUSION: The angular artery has diverse relationships with its surrounding structures according to its course of travel, and if a surgeon has a precise understanding of its anatomical location, we believe that retroangular flap and island composite glabellar flap may improve the treatment of midface defects.