A novel photonumeric hand grading scale for hand rejuvenation

BACKGROUND: Few scales are currently available to evaluate changes in hand volume. We aimed to develop a hand grading scale for quantitative assessments of dorsal hand volume with additional consideration of changes in skin texture; to validate and prove the precision and reproducibility of the new scale; and to demonstrate the presence of clinically significant differences between grades on the scale. METHODS: Five experienced plastic surgeons developed the Hand Volume Rating Scale (HVRS) and rated 91 images. Another five plastic surgeons validated the scale using 50 randomly selected images. Intra- and inter-rater agreement was calculated using the weighted kappa statistic and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Paired images were also evaluated to verify whether the scale reflected clinical differences. RESULTS: The intra-rater agreement was 0.95 (95% confidence interval, 0.922–0.974). The interrater ICCs were excellent (first rating, 0.94; second rating, 0.94). Image pairs that differed by 1, 2, and 3 grades were considered to contain clinically relevant differences in 80%, 100%, and 100% of cases, respectively, while 84% of image pairs of the same grade were found not to show clinically relevant differences. This confirmed that the scale of the HVRS corresponded to clinically relevant distinctions. CONCLUSIONS: The scale was proven to be precise, reproducible, and reflective of clinical differences.

Biomechanical Analysis of Resorbable Barbed Suture Tenorrhaphy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the tensile strength and repair-site profile of a technique of resorbable barbed suture tenorrhaphy. METHODS: Forty-eight flexor digitorum profundus tendons were collected from the 8 adult cadavers. In the test group, the tendons were sutured using absorbent 2-0 barb knotless sutures in a 2-strand or 4-strand zig-zag pattern. In the control group, 2-0 Prolene and 3-0 polydioxanone (PDS) were used to suture the tendons using the 2-stand Modified Kessler method and the 4-strand cruciate suture method. Using a tensile force measurement machine, the breaking load (N) and the stiffness (N/mm) were measured. The types of rupture were categorized into suture breaking, knot rupture, and pullout. RESULTS: In the comparative analysis between the absorbent 2-0 Quill (Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Canada) suture that used the 2-strand core suture and the 3-0 PDS and 2-0 Prolene sutures, the average breaking load for the 2-0 Quill suture was 26.83±7.47 N, and 21.96±6.78 N and 17.20±4.93 N for the 2-0 Prolene and 3-0 PDS sutures. In the comparison using the 4-strand core suture, the average breaking load for the 2-0 Quill suture was 62.50±13.34 N, and 22.35±5.72 N and 18.67±4.27 N for the 2-0 prolene and 3-0 PDS sutures. The most common type of rupture were knot rupture. CONCLUSION: For flexor tendon sutures using the absorbent barb sutures, compared to the conventional 2-0 Prolene or 3-0 PDS sutures, absorbent barbed sutures have a higher tensile strength.

Combined Subbrow Excision with Upper Blepharoplasty Using a Tadpole Shaped Excision for Blepharochalasis

BACKGROUND: In efforts to solve blepharochalasis, induced by aging process, various surgical methods have been developed over the years. Among them, classical upper blepharoplasty has a problem that severe lateral hooding may be restricted in making correction, cause of difference in thickness between the pretarsal skin and subbrow skin. And also subbrow excision (SE) blepharoplasty cannot be easily corrected in severe drooping of the medial skin. In an effort to make up for the disadvantages of these methods, we attempted SE-tadpole shaped excision blepharoplasty (TSEB). METHODS: Fifteen patients underwent SE-TSEB from January 2013 to November 2014. SE-TSEB was performed the following cases: 1) patients who showed moderate to severe blepharochasis with severe lateral wrinkles; 2) patients with a history of pre-existent SE blepharoplasty; 3) patients with a tattoo on the eyebrows, who want to make revision; and 4) patients with eyelid skins that are thick or have overly protuberant fat pads of the retro-orbicularis oculi fat (ROOF), and have a plan to extirpate them. RESULTS: During the follow-up observation period, most patients showed amicable correction of visibility difficulty and were aesthetically satisfied with the postoperative results with respect to correction of the lateral wrinkles. Scars formed in the subbrow incision line were within the scope of management. CONCLUSIONS: SE-TSEB is a treatment modality that overcomes the disadvantages and limitations of classical upper blepharoplasty and SE blepharoplasty. Furthermore, maximizing the advantage of each surgical approach is another innovative approach for correction of changes in the upper eyelid, induced by aging.

Iatrogenic Blepharoptosis after Cataract Surgery

Eyelid complications after cataract surgery can occur including ectropion, entropion and blepharoptosis. Among them, blepharoptosis has been reported at high rate about 13%. Various causes of ptosis after cataract surgery have been reported. We report the case of three patients treated for blepharoptosis after cataract surgery. All these patients received cataract extraction by a local ophthalmology before they visited our clinics. They presented aponeurotic dehiscence, it was graded as partial and underwent surgical correction by levator aponeurosis advancement. The postoperative course was uneventful. Ptosis was corrected and there was no recurrence during the period of follow-up. All three of them were pleased with the final result. Since post-cataract extraction ptosis is frequent but a preventable complication, understanding the causes of ptosis after surgery is very important. That can help a surgeon prevent its occurrence with careful surgical planning.

The Effect of Platelet-rich Plasma on Wounds of OLETF Rats Using Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and -9 mRNA

BACKGROUND: Complicated diabetic patients show impaired, delayed wound healing caused by multiple factors. A study on wound healing showed that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was effective in normal tissue regeneration. Nonetheless, there is no evidence that when plateletrich plasma is applied to diabetic wounds, it normalizes the diabetic wound healing process. In this study, we have analyzed matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9 expression to investigate the effect of PRP on diabetic wounds. METHODS: Twenty-four-week-old male Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats were provided by the Tokushima Research Institute. At 50 weeks, wounds were arranged in two sites on the lateral paraspinal areas. Each wound was treated with PRP gel and physiologic saline gauze. To determine the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, which was chosen as a marker of wound healing, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed and local distribution and expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 was also observed throughout the immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: RT-PCR and the immunohistochemical study showed that the levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 mRNA expression in PRP applied tissues were higher than MMP-2, MMP-9 mRNA expression in saline-applied tissues. MMP-9 mRNA expression in wounds of diabetic rats decreased after healing began to occur. But no statistical differences were detected on the basis of body weight or fasting blood glucose levels. CONCLUSIONS: This study could indicate the extracellular matrix-regulating effect observed with PRP. Our results of the acceleration of wound healing events by PRP under hyperglycemic conditions might be a useful clue for future clinical treatment for diabetic wounds.

Usefulness of Atelo-collgen sponge(Teruplug(R)) for Treatment of Mandibular Angle Fractures with Third Molar Extraction

PURPOSE: Fibrillar collagens like type I collagen, are the major constituent of the extracellular matrix and structural protein of bone. Also, it can be a scaffold for osteoblast migration. The purpose of this study is to estimate the effects of absorbable atelo-collagen sponge(Teruplug(R), Terumo biomaterials Co., Tokyo, Japan) insertion in tooth extraction sites on periodontal healing of the second molar, healing of the fractured mandibular bone and new bone formation of third molar socket after the extraction of the impacted third molar with mandibular angle fracture. METHODS: In our study of six cases of mandibular angle fractures, all of them underwent the extraction of the third molar tooth & absorbable atelo-collagen sponge insertion in tooth extraction site. Three of them had a intraoral infection & oral opening to fracture site, two of the six had dental caries, and only one had reduction problem due to third molar position. Six consecutive patients with non-comminuted fractures of the mandibular angle were treated by open reduction and internal fixation using one non-compression miniplates and screws placed through a transoral incision. RESULTS: All of the patients have showed good postoperative functions and have not experienced complications requiring second surgical intervention. There was well healing of the mandibular bone and the most new bone formation of third molar socket after the extraction of the impacted third molar with mandibular angle fracture. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that absorbable atelo-collagen sponge is relatively favorable bone void filler with prevention of tissue collapse, food packing, and enhance periodontal healing. Thus, the use of atelo-collagen sponge and one noncompression miniplate seems to be relatively easy, safe, and effective for the treatment of fractures of the mandibular angle and third molar extraction.

Botulinum Toxin A Treatment for Cervical Dystonia Resulting in Endoscopic Thyroidectomy: A Case Report

PURPOSE: Surgery for thyroid gland requires skin incisions that can result in postsurgical neck scar. To overcome this, many surgeons performed a endoscopic thyroidectomy. But, this approach had a some problems. One of postoperative problems, iatrogenic cervical dystonia(CD) may occur. At common, CD is defined as a syndrome characterized by prolonged muscle contraction causing twisting, repetitive movements or abnormal posture. Botulinum toxin A(BTA, Botox(R), Allergan, Irvine, CA, USA) is well known treatment agent in the treatment of CD. So, the authors applied BTA injection in rare case with iatrogenic CD resulting in endoscopic thyroidectomy. METHODS: A 43-year-old female had endoscopic subtotal thyroidectomy operation 3 years ago. She had symptoms such as progressive cervical pain, abnormal neck posture, depression, and sleep difficulty. About 1 year later, the patient who had previous myomectomy of the clavicular head of sternocleidomastoid muscle, however, symptoms were not improved. And then the patient received BTA therapy in our department. The 2 units per 0.1mL solution was administered in a 1mL tuberculin syringe. RESULTS: The dose of BTA used in the patient was 36 units for vertical platysmal bands, superficially, and 10 units for ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle, intramuscularly. After 2 weeks, additional the dose of BTA used in the patient was 5 points for remained scar bands, superficially. Complications related to injection such as significant swallowing difficulties, neck muscle weakness, or sensory change were not observed. In 9 months follow-up, the patient maintained a good result from the method of BTA injection alone. CONCLUSION: The basic concept is selective denervation for the hyperactive individual muscles and scar bands. We conclude that BTA is an effective and safe treatment for CD despite the iatrogenic and complex presentation of this complication.

Aesthetic Labia Minora Reduction with Medial Central Wedge Resection and Lateral Hockey Stick Resection / 대한폐경학회지

Aesthetic reduction of the labia minora has gained popularity. Hypertrophy of the labia minora is aesthetically and functionally unsatisfactory to some women. This study focused on one of the reduction techniques based on the degree of labial hypertrophy and the aesthetic preferences of the patient for labial edge color and contour. The five patients underwent labia minora reduction between August 2009 and August 2010. The ages ranged from 11~51 years (mean age, 29.2 years). All of the patients underwent medial central wedge resection and lateral hood resection of the labia minora. All patients were satisfied with the aesthetic appearance of the external genitalia, relief of chronic irritation, and improved hygiene; there were no complications. The patients reported no interference with usual daily activities or with intercourse. We describe a simple medial central wedge and lateral hood resection to reduce enlarged labia minora that depends on the degree of hypertrophy. These methods give the same satisfaction between pre- and post-menopausal women.

Aesthetic Labia Minora Reduction with Medial Central Wedge Resection and Lateral Hockey Stick Resection / 대한폐경학회지

Aesthetic reduction of the labia minora has gained popularity. Hypertrophy of the labia minora is aesthetically and functionally unsatisfactory to some women. This study focused on one of the reduction techniques based on the degree of labial hypertrophy and the aesthetic preferences of the patient for labial edge color and contour. The five patients underwent labia minora reduction between August 2009 and August 2010. The ages ranged from 11~51 years (mean age, 29.2 years). All of the patients underwent medial central wedge resection and lateral hood resection of the labia minora. All patients were satisfied with the aesthetic appearance of the external genitalia, relief of chronic irritation, and improved hygiene; there were no complications. The patients reported no interference with usual daily activities or with intercourse. We describe a simple medial central wedge and lateral hood resection to reduce enlarged labia minora that depends on the degree of hypertrophy. These methods give the same satisfaction between pre- and post-menopausal women.