Surgical Correction of a Median Cleft of the Upper Lip Associated with Enlarged Frenulum and Palatal Masses

PURPOSE: Median cleft of upper lip is defined as any congenital vertical cleft through the midline of the upper lip. It is uncommon, its embryological pathogenesis remains unexplained to date. The authors hereby report a rare case of median cleft of the upper lip associated with enlarged frenulum and palatal mass. This case offers some understanding of the possible embryologic development of this anomaly. METHODS: A 10-month-old boy born by normal vaginal delivery at full-term had a notch in the midline of the upper lip with widened philtrum along with enlarged median frenulum, alveolar cleft, and mass of the hard palate. We performed en bloc resection of the enlarged frenulum and palatal mass and cheiloplasty under general anesthesia. RESULTS: Histological examination revealed that the frenulum and palatal mass was consisted of fibrous tissue with normal mucous membrane. The postoperative course was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: A rare case of median cleft of the upper lip with associated enlarged frenulum and palatal mass was presented with proper surgical management. The surgical technique includes marginal excision of the clefted epithelium and reconstruction of orbicularis oris muscle, in addition to en bloc resection of the palatal mass and frenulotomy.

Modified V-Y Advancement Flap with Two Horns for Facial Defect Reconstruction

The V-Y advancement flap has been widely used for the reconstruction of cutaneous defects. However, direct closure is impossible without undue tension. To overcome this limitation, the present study introduces a modified design of V-Y advancement flap with two horns and assesses its clinical outcome for facial reconstruction. From June, 2009 through June, 2010, twelve cases of skin tumors were surgically excised and reconstructed with this modified V-Y flap. Defects were located in nasolabial, nasojugal fold, cheek and lower eyelid region. Modified V-Y advancement flap was designed with lateral limbs like horns of V-flap and two horns were extended to the end point of the defect. Design and movement of this flap was demonstrated with photographs and the clinical outcome was described. All flaps survived with primary healing. The follow-up period ranged from 1 month to 12 months with a mean of 5.5 months. Neither short-term nor long-term postoperative complications such as flap necrosis, hematoma, infection were noted. All twelve patients were pleased with their postoperative results and no recurrence of malignant skin tumor was observed. This modified V-Y advancement flap with two horns is a safe, easy, versatile and reliable method for functional and esthetic reconstruction of facial defects.

Tuberculous Tenosynovitis of Flexor Tendon of the Hand

PURPOSE: The sheath of tendon is uncommon site of tuberculous involvement as compared to other parts of the body. Especially, tuberculous tenosynovitis affecting flexor tendon of the hand is a rare condition. In recent years, furthermore, the incidence of tuberculosis is increasing in our country. Tuberculous tenosynovitis is a chronic, slowly destructive disease, which is difficult to diagnosis before operation, but can be definitively diagnosed by the pathologic microscopic examination. Early detection and surgical excision combined with antituberculous medication is important. We report a rare case of tuberculous tenosynovitis of the flexor tendon of the hand. METHODS: A 12-year-old woman presented with a painless, nontender mass on palmar side between distal interphalangeal joint and proximal area of metacarpophalangeal joint of the left third finger. We had surgical excision of the involved flexor tendon sheath and studied histopathologically. RESULTS: The histopathological findings were chronic granulomatous inflammation with caseating necrosis consistent with tuberculosis. We started antituberculous medication. CONCLUSION: Tuberculous tenosynovitis is a rare condition, especially involving on the flexor tendon of the hand. But because of increasing tendency of tuberculosis, it is important to differentiate it from other tumors of the hand.

Tuberculous Tenosynovitis of Flexor Tendon of the Hand

PURPOSE: The sheath of tendon is uncommon site of tuberculous involvement as compared to other parts of the body. Especially, tuberculous tenosynovitis affecting flexor tendon of the hand is a rare condition. In recent years, furthermore, the incidence of tuberculosis is increasing in our country. Tuberculous tenosynovitis is a chronic, slowly destructive disease, which is difficult to diagnosis before operation, but can be definitively diagnosed by the pathologic microscopic examination. Early detection and surgical excision combined with antituberculous medication is important. We report a rare case of tuberculous tenosynovitis of the flexor tendon of the hand. METHODS: A 12-year-old woman presented with a painless, nontender mass on palmar side between distal interphalangeal joint and proximal area of metacarpophalangeal joint of the left third finger. We had surgical excision of the involved flexor tendon sheath and studied histopathologically. RESULTS: The histopathological findings were chronic granulomatous inflammation with caseating necrosis consistent with tuberculosis. We started antituberculous medication. CONCLUSION: Tuberculous tenosynovitis is a rare condition, especially involving on the flexor tendon of the hand. But because of increasing tendency of tuberculosis, it is important to differentiate it from other tumors of the hand.

Urethroplasty of Urethral Defect with Longitudinal Tubed Flap of Scrotal Skin after Fournier's Gangrene (Necrotizing Fascitis)

PURPOSE: The management of urethral defect represents one of the most challenging clinical problems in uroplastic surgery. Especially for defect after Fournier's Gangrene, optimal management is still a hard problem. During extensive urethral reconstruction, to overcome the poor vascularity due to periurethral scarred tissue and limitation of the choice of local flap, we report our experience with one-stage reconstruction of urethral defect using a longitudinal tubed flap of scrotal skin. METHODS: A 72-year-old man with several years of diabetes mellitus history visited for swelling and pain of scrotal area. After diagnosis of Fournier's Gangrene, radical debridement was performed and 6 cm of urethral defect on border of penile-scrotal ventral area was made. Rectangular scrotal skin flap (6 x 2.5 cm) based on external spermatic fascia was elevated and tubed longitudinally. After transfer the flap to the defect area, end-to-end anastomosis was performed bilaterally. RESULTS: 4 weeks after the operation, the patient started voiding him-self and urethrography showed good fluence of contrast agent. Long term evaluation reveals stable performance characteristics without any complications. CONCLUSION: We suggest a one-stage reconstruction of extensive urethral defect using a longitudinal tubed flap of scrotal skin. Advantages of this procedures are simple, one-stage reconstruction with the reliable scrotal skin flap based on external spermatic fascial vasculature, and no donor morbidity.