Correction of Cryptotia by Triangular V-Y Advancement Flap and Rhomboid Flap

PURPOSE: Cryptotia is a congenital deformity in which the upper third of the auricle is buried under the temporal skin. It is rare in Caucasians, yet it is more common in Asians. Although a variety of methods to treat cryptotia have been introduced, there is still no acceptable single procedure that can successfully manage this deformity in its entity. We present a triangular V-Y advancement flap and rhomboid flap for correcting cryptotia that can overcome the diverse shortcomings of the conventional methods. METHODS: This operative method was used to correct 18 auricles in patients ranging in age from 4 to 33 years. A triangular flap was prepared over the auricle by making a skin incision according to Ohmori's method. Then a rhomboid flap with a side length of about 8 to 10 mm that sets the lower portion as a pedicle in the anterior region was prepared to supplement the contracted portion of the helix. The cartilage deformity was corrected by the banner flap or the radiating cartilage incisions with cartilage graft or high density polyethylene graft. RESULTS: We have treated 16 patients with severe cryptotia using this method and have obtained good aesthetic results. All cases showed widened scaphoid fossa and smooth triangular fossa of antihelix. There were no major postoperative complications, such as necrosis or infection of the flaps. CONCLUSION: Correction of cryptotia using the triangular V-Y advancement flap and rhomboid flap is useful a method for certain conditions, when a severe contraction of the helix is present.

Clinical Application of Adipose Derived Stromal Cell Autograft for Wound Coverage

PURPOSE: Skin and soft tissue defect is one of the major challenges faced by plastic surgeons. Adipose derived stromal cells, which can be harvested in large quantities with low morbidity, display multilineage mesodermal potential. Therefore, adipose derived stromal cells have been met with a great deal of excitement by the field of tissue engineering. Recently, Adipose derived stromal cells have been isolated and cultured to use soft tissue restoration. In order to apply cultured cells for clinical purpose, however, FDA approved facilities and techniques are required, which may be difficult for a clinician who cultures cells in a laboratory dedicated to research to utilize this treatment for patients. In addition, long culture period is needed. Fortunately, adipose derived stromal cells are easy to obtain in large quantities without cell culture. The purpose of this study is to present a possibility of using uncultured adipose derived stromal cells for wound coverage. METHODS: Seven patients who needed skin and soft tissue restoration were included. Five patients had diabetic foot ulcers, 1 patient got thumb amputation, and 1 patient had tissue defect caused by resection of squamous cell carcinoma. The patients' abdominal adipose tissues were obtained by liposuction. The samples were digested with type I collagenase and centrifuged to obtain adipose derived stromal cells. The isolated adipose derived stromal cells were applied over the wounds immediately after the wound debridement. Fibrin was used as adipose derived stromal cells carrier. Occlusive dressing was applied with films and foams and the wounds were kept moist until complete healing. RESULTS: One hundred to one hundred sixty thousand adipose derived stromal cells were isolated per ml aspirated adipose tissue. All patients' wounds were successfully covered with the grafted adipose derived stromal cells in a 17 to 27 day period. No adverse events related to this treatment occurred. CONCLUSION: The use of uncultured adipose derived stromal cells was found to be safe and effective treatment for wound coverage without donor site morbidity.

Free Toe Tissue Transfer using Infiltration Method of Local Anesthetic Agent

This study was designed to introduce free toe tissue transfer using infiltration method of local anesthetic agent. Four toe pulp tissues were transferred to reconstruct finger tip defect in four patients who were not suitable for general anesthesia. Two flaps taken from the lateral side of the great toe was used for reconstruction of thumb defect and two flaps from the medial side of the second toe for resurfacing of the index and fifth finger. Flap sizes were various from 2.0x2.0 cm2 to 1.6x4.0 cm2. Anesthesia was induced by infiltration of 2% lidocaine hydrochloride (with 1:100,000 epinephrine) with dilution of normal saline in same volume unit, as like as in ordinary digital block. All vessels were anastomosed within 2 cm of distance from the proximal margin of the defect. Whole operative procedures were carried out by one team. All flaps were successfully taken without complication. The average operation time was 4 hours 10 minutes. The amount of anesthetic agent used in whole operative procedures was roughly 4 mL in the toe, 8 mL in the finger, and 12 mL totally. In conclusion, free toe tissue transfer using infiltration method of local anesthetic agent would be good strategy for finger tip reconstruction in the patient not suitable for general anesthesia.