Usefulness of the Blink Reflex Study as a Preoperative Evaluation in the Orbitozygomatic Complex Fracture

PURPOSE: As the evaluation of the preoperative sensibility in the orbitozygomatic complex fracture, used by most surgeons, depends on the patient's subjective judgements, it is difficult to make generalization and to use it as an objective evaluation method. We used the blink reflex study to objectively evaluate injury to the infraorbital nerve. METHODS: From December 2008 to November 2009, a total of 16 patients underwent the patient's subjective report on sensory symptoms and the blink reflex study preoperatively. Among patients having orbitozygomatic complex fracture of type III or more according to Henderson's classification and simultaneously suspected as being injured along the infraorbital nerve pathway, patients who had difficulty in checking preoperative sensibility and said 'normal sensibility' were selected as candidates. RESULTS: Fifteen patients showed abnormal R1 on the fracture side. These results suggested that most of patients had injury to the infraorbital nerve. CONCLUSION: Contrary to the existing tests, the blink reflex study is a useful diagnostic tool in reflecting injury to the infraorbital nerve objectively.

The Role of Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction before a Surgical Excision in the Treatment of Gynecomastia

PURPOSE: The method of using ultrasound-assisted liposuction and excision of the remaining glandular tissue is the preferred method for treating gynecomastia and is currently used worldwide. Herein, this article described the role of ultrasound-assisted liposuction before a surgical excision in the treatment of gynecomastia. The cosmetic results were objectively evaluated. METHODS: 11 patients (22 breasts) underwent ultrasound-assisted liposuction and suction-assisted lipectomy between April 2007 and January 2009. At the end of the liposuction, the remaining glandular tissue was removed through the incision used for liposuction. We evaluated the cosmetic results using ordinary scale methods on the basis of four categories (recurrence, symmetry, contour irregularity, and scar). RESULTS: The volume of aspirates ranged between 50 and 200 cc per breast and the average weight of tissue removed by excision was 65g per breast. No complications were recorded. Regarding the cosmetic evaluation, the recurrence, contour irregularity, and scar were excellent, the symmetry was good, and the overall results represented all those cases were mostly excellent. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-assisted liposuction has many advantages in the treatment of gynecomastia. When excising the remaining glandular tissue, bleeding is decreased by the use of a tumescent technique. The glandular tissue is easily mobilized and excised after being "morselized" with ultrasound-assisted liposuction. The glandular tissue is simply dissected via the suction surface. Compared the residual mound of glandular tissue beneath the nipple and areola to the periphery, it facilitates precise control of the excision.

Treatment of Syndactyly Using Small Subcutaneous Pedicled Flap

Syndactyly and polysyndactyly are one of the most common congenital anomalies of upper limb. Although there are many surgical approaches, most of them require skin graft for covering the raw surfaces. Therefore these methods involve many disadvantages such as grafted skin contracture, web recurrence, skin graft loss and long operation time, and the grafted hyperpigmented skin and donor site of skin graft, which lead to poor results aesthetically. The authors treated seven cases with a Hayashi's new method in four patients. In this method, tissue of interdigital space are regarded as forming 4 facets of a two piled cube. A dorsal rectangular flap on dorsum of interdigital web makes a new interdigital space. One side of divided digit is coverd with lateral based plantar flap and the other side of divided digit is covered with subcutaneous pedicled flap and remnant web skin. The authors could obtain natural deep interdigital space without web recurrence and scar contracture in 7 cases. Moreover this method does not require skin grafting, accordingly produces better aesthetic results without hyperpigmentation and donor site scaring. Therefore we report this operation technique, which might be used as one of the standard in surgical correction of syndactyly and polysyndactyly.

A Case of Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome Presenting as Digital Gangrene / 대한류마티스학회지

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by a combination of arterial/venous thrombosis or obstetric morbidity and antiphospholipid antibodies such as anticardiolipin antibody or lupus anticoagulant. Digital gangrene is an uncommon manifestation of primary APS. A 61 year-old woman was admitted because of acrocyanosis and progressive digital gangrene in both hands for 1 month. Serologically, lupus anticoagulant was positive. Angiography showed obstruction of digital arteries with collaterals, but there was no evidence of atheromatous plaque or vasculitis. Cardiac echogram did not reveal intracardiac thrombosis or valvular vegetations. She had no evidence of other thrombotic disorders, connective tissue disease, infections or malignancy. Treatment of intravenous heparin and prostaglandin E1 led to stabilization of the symptom, and the necrotic digits were surgically removed. Pathological examination of the amputed digital stump showed arterial and arteriolar thrombotic occlusion, proliferation of capillaries, and ischemic necrosis. After oral anticoagulation therapy, she has been followed without recurrence.We describe the first case of primary APS presenting as digital gangrene in Korea and review the literatures.

Key Words: Blepharoptosis, Pterigium excision, Eyelid speculum Correction Cases of Blepharoptosis Following Pterygium Excision

Blepharoptosis following pterigium excision is a rare complication, and there is no published report on its etiology, incidence, and surgical pathology. We report 4 cases of persistant blepharoptosis following pterigium surgery. The main clinical features are high or absent upper lid crease, thinning of ptotic eyelid above tarsal plate, good levator function, 2-3mm of ptosis degree, abnormal drooping of upper eyelid at downward gaze, and deepening of the upper sulcus. They have a specific anatomic defect in the aponeurosis of levator palpebrae superioris(LPS) muscle. It has been assumed that eyelid speculum leads to injury of upper border of tarsal plate and disinsertion of aponeurosis of LPS muscle in the patient who had vulnerable aponeurosis of LPS muscle during surgery. Disinsertion of aponeurosis of LPS muscle from its epitarsal attachment was discovered during blepharotosis surgery and it was repaired anatomically to correct the blepharoptosis.

Scalp Replantation by Arterialized Venous Anastomosis

Scalp avulsion is rare injury that has serious consequences, including hospitalization, economic loss, devasting disfigurement, and psychological effects on the patient. Microvascular surgery now allows an initial chance for successful replantation and one-stage reconstruction. The need for secondary reconstructive procedures after a successful replantation is minimal. Our one year experience with 2 patients who suffered from avulsion of partial scalp is reviewed. Each patient got long hair entangled in the uncovered rotated machines and underwent replantation using microsurgical technique. Replantations have been accomplished using only arterio-venous and venous-venous anastomosis, without arterio-arterial anastomosis in 2 cases, because of unidentification of suitable arteries. The possible explanation for the success of the operation is the paucity of valves that exist in the venous network of the scalp and forehead. The final results were good. In the follow-up period, both experienced regrowth of hair in the scalp with light touch sensation.