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Background@#Free tissue transfer is the preferred method of reconstructing head and neck defects, with a success rate of approximately 95%. Although flap failure is uncommon, it has a major impact on patient morbidity and diminishes quality of life, making it is important to investigate the causes of flap failure. @*Methods@#This retrospective chart review analyzed patients who underwent free tissue transfer during head and neck reconstruction at a single institution between 2016 and 2021. @*Results@#During the study period, 58 patients underwent 60 free flap procedures. Revision surgery was needed in 14 patients. Subsequent free flap surgery was performed in one patient, and three free flaps (5%) could not be salvaged. Cardiovascular disease was significantly associated with flap failure, and venous congestion (thrombosis) was the most common reason for revision surgery. @*Conclusion@#Cardiovascular disease clearly emerged as a factor related to the failure of free flap surgery, and this issue warrants particular attention in patients for whom free tissue transfer is planned.
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Blue nevi, which are characterized by collections of pigment-producing melanocytes in the dermis, have a variety of clinicopathological characteristics. Plaque-type blue nevus (PTBN) is a variant of blue nevi. PTBN presents at birth or arises in early childhood, and it shows a combination of the features found in common blue nevus and cellular blue nevus. It is typically found on the dorsal surface of the hands and feet or on the head and neck, and it is usually benign and stable over time. However, reports have occasionally described malignant melanomas developing in or associated with a PTBN. Malignant blue nevi are most commonly found on the scalp. We report the case of an 88-year-old woman with a malignant melanoma associated with a PTBN of the cheek.
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Advances in plastic surgery have included a shift toward less invasive procedures. To improve outcomes and avoid incisional surgery, numerous noninvasive face-lifting techniques have been studied. This includes thread-lifting, a technique that promises to correct facial aging with limited scarring, rapid recovery, and minimal complications. As the population ages, an increasing number of ordinary people in South Korea are undergoing thread lifting procedures for the purpose of rejuvenation. The procedure involves insertion of a thread under the skin into the subcutaneous tissue, using a long needle as a guide. Dents or barbs prevent the thread from slipping and provide uniform aggregation of soft tissue to create a new volume contour when the thread is lifted. This procedure has gained worldwide popularity and is frequently performed. However, some minor complications have been reported. In this paper, we report an unusual complication: an obstructive stone in the parotid (Stensen) duct after a thread-lifting procedure using nonabsorbable anchoring threads.
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For patients with breast implants who present with an isolated seroma, capsular contracture, or peri-implant mass, clinicians must rule out breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). As non-malignant silicone-induced granuloma of breast implant capsule (SIGBIC) may mimic BIA-ALCL, particular care must be exercised to prevent misdiagnosis. In this report, we describe three cases of SIGBIC misdiagnosed as BIA-ALCL. In each of these cases, a preoperative evaluation including breast magnetic resonance imaging and physical examination, as well as the fact that a textured silicone implant was used in the patients, indicated a high probability of malignancy. In all three cases, however, an explorative operation and pathologic results revealed foreign body granulomas without malignant features. While it is critical that potential cases of BIA-ALCL be diagnosed and treated quickly, hasty judgments may lead to misdiagnosis and severe emotional distress in patients. Increased awareness of SIGBIC, specifically its mimicry of BIA-ALCL, may be helpful to avoid these outcomes.
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The reconstruction of total lower eyelid defects is challenging to plastic surgeons due to the complicated anatomical structure of the eyelid. In addition, in the setting of cancer excision, the resection is deep, which requires some volume augmentation. However, in some cases, free tissue transfer is not applicable. We report a case of using a temporoparietal fascia flap (TPFF) for reconstructing a total lower eyelid defect. A large erythematous mass in an 83-year-old woman was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma by biopsy. After wide excision, the defect size was about 8× 6 cm. The lower eyelid structures including the tarsus were removed. The TPFF including the superficial temporal artery was elevated and inset to the defect area. After the flap inset, a split-thickness skin graft with an acellular dermal matrix was performed on the fascial flap. There were no wound problems such as infection, dehiscence, or necrosis. After the patient’s discharge, partial skin graft loss and ectropion occurred. The complications resolved spontaneously during the postoperative period. We report a case of reconstructing a lower eyelid defect using a TPFF. A TPFF can be applied to patients with large defects for whom free tissue transfer surgery is not appropriate as in this case.
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A 65-year-old woman presented with a solid mass on the right temporal area. The mass had grown for over 2 years without any initiating event of trauma or inflammation. Before excision, the patient went through a computed tomography scan, revealing a calcified mass without bony connection. Under general anesthesia, an excisional biopsy was performed. Microscopic examination confirmed a diagnosis of soft tissue osteoma. Soft tissue osteoma is rare, especially in the head and neck region. Osteomas in the temporal region have not been reported yet. Due to its rarity, osteoma might be misdiagnosed as another soft tissue or bone origin tumor. Its treatment of choice is simple excision. In this review, we present an unusual clinical form of soft tissue osteoma.
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Hypopharyngeal reconstruction is a surgically challenging procedure, and postoperative management is important due to a high rate of complications following surgery. In particular, stricture and fistula formation is the most common long-term postoperative complication. Through systematic review and meta-analysis of 21 studies, a significant radiation effect of stricture and fistula formation was found in patients who underwent hypopharyngeal reconstruction. The perioperative radiation must be seen as a critical factor for stricture and fistula formation in hypopharyngeal reconstruction.
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Hypopharyngeal reconstruction is a surgically challenging procedure, and postoperative management is important due to a high rate of complications following surgery. In particular, stricture and fistula formation is the most common long-term postoperative complication. Through systematic review and meta-analysis of 21 studies, a significant radiation effect of stricture and fistula formation was found in patients who underwent hypopharyngeal reconstruction. The perioperative radiation must be seen as a critical factor for stricture and fistula formation in hypopharyngeal reconstruction.
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BACKGROUND: The facial bone has a complex structure compared to other bones, and various types of fractures can occur due to its characteristics. Among them, in comminuted fractures of anterior maxillary wall, multiple depressed and impacted bony segments cannot be reduced easily when performing internal fixation using plates and screws or wires, and inadequate restoration leads to a range of complications. This paper introduces an alternative technique using a resorbable mesh with fibrin glue to restore comminuted fractures of anterior maxillary wall. METHODS: Thirteen patients were diagnosed with comminuted fractures of anterior maxillary wall between March 2017 and February 2018 in the authors’ hospital. All patients with comminuted fractures of anterior maxillary wall underwent restoration using resorbable mesh with fibrin glue. The patients’ demographics, causes of facial trauma, mean operation time, length of hospital stay, follow-up period, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: No major complications and only one hypoesthesia of the skin area was noted. Three months after surgery, the hypoesthesia recovered completely. After surgery (mean, 3.9 months; range, 2–12 months), computed tomography showed that the bone fragments in all patients were fixed successfully in their anatomical places. CONCLUSION: In comminuted fractures of anterior maxillary wall, the use of a resorbable mesh with fibrin glue can be an advantageous and effective method for a successful restoration without complications.
Subject(s)
Humans , Demography , Facial Bones , Fibrin Tissue Adhesive , Fibrin , Follow-Up Studies , Fractures, Comminuted , Hypesthesia , Length of Stay , Methods , SkinABSTRACT
Automobile airbags have been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality in the event of a vehicle crash; however, new problems have been identified. Among these problems, direct injury from the airbag itself has become a serious concern. This suggests that an airbag itself may not be safe. Burn injury from airbags accounts for about 7.8% of all injuries caused by vehicle crashes. There are three types of burn injuries from airbags: Thermal, chemical, and frictional. Moreover, there are three subtypes within the category of thermal airbag burn, as identified by Tsunetuki in 2003. Herein, we review a case of an airbag burn and report a unique burn case on ‘an upper extremity’, including both thermal and frictional burns.
Subject(s)
Air Bags , Automobiles , Burns , Friction , Hot Temperature , Mortality , Upper ExtremityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: It is controversial issue that heparin decreases thrombosis for microsurgical anastomosis, and its effective role is under discussion. This study is for proving whether low-dose heparin is preventing thrombosis in free flap reconstruction. METHODS: Through chart reviews of 134 patients, using low-dose heparin for free tissue transfer from 2011 to 2016, retrospective analysis was performed. 33 patients received low-dose heparin therapy after surgery. And 101 patients received no-heparin therapy. Complications included flap necrosis, hematoma formation, dehiscence and infection. RESULTS: In no-heparin therapy group, comparing the flap necrosis revealed 16 cases (15.84%). And, flap necrosis was 6 cases (18.18%) in low-dose heparin therapy group. The statistical analysis of flap necrosis rate showed no significant difference (p=0.75). The results showed that there was no significant difference of flap necrosis rate between two groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, patients in the low-dose heparin group had no significantly lower rates of flap failure compared with no-heparin group. This suggests that low-dose heparin may not prevent thrombosis and subsequent flap failure to a significant extent.
Subject(s)
Humans , Free Tissue Flaps , Hematoma , Heparin , Necrosis , Retrospective Studies , ThrombosisABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The reverse digital island flap is useful for the repair of various fingertip injuries. We present a modified surgical technique with skin strip elevation for the prevention of postoperative congestion. METHODS: From January 2005 to October 2015, we performed 31 reconstructive procedures for finger injury using a reverse digital artery island flap with and without skin strip retention. Patients' clinical characteristics, surgical outcomes, and complications were investigated. RESULTS: All flaps survived and there were no donor site problems. The mean follow-up time was 5 months (range, 3-8 months). In skin strip retention group, mild venous congestion was observed in 1 case, although it resolved spontaneously. Another case retained flexion contracture, and 2 patients had stiffness at the distal interphalangeal joint. Whereas, in no retention group, venous congestion was observed in 3 cases, 1 patient had partial flap necrosis and 2 patient suffer in flexion contracture at metacarpophalangeal joint. CONCLUSION: The reverse digital island flap procedure produces consistent results and is reliable for the treatment of fingertip injury. Our modified surgical technique of elevating the flap accompanied by skin strip retention helps prevent postoperative congestion.
Subject(s)
Humans , Arteries , Contracture , Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) , Finger Injuries , Follow-Up Studies , Hyperemia , Joints , Metacarpophalangeal Joint , Necrosis , Skin , Tissue DonorsABSTRACT
Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a well-differentiated and rare vascular tumor. Systemic metastases are uncommon. Herein, we present a patient with skin metastasis of pulmonary EHE (PEH) that was treated by wide excision. A 76-year-old male was evaluated due to pulmonary thromboembolism and a solitary pulmonary nodule. A biopsy was performed and pathological examination of the mass confirmed EHE. No metastasis was observed. The patient returned to care approximately two years later due to a painful nodule in the right lower leg. A skin biopsy showed metastatic EHE from the lung. We used a safety margin of 1 cm based on clinical experience, because no prior case had been reported regarding the resection margin appropriate for primary cutaneous EHE and skin metastases of PEH. At four months after surgery, the patient recovered without complications or recurrence. Skin metastasis of PEH is extremely rare, and only two cases have been reported in the literature. In this case, we report a rare case of PEH with histologically diagnosed skin metastasis that was successfully treated by curative resection. It is expected that this case report will provide a helpful contribution to the extant data regarding PEH metastases.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Male , Biopsy , Dermatologic Surgical Procedures , Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid , Leg , Lung , Neoplasm Metastasis , Pulmonary Embolism , Recurrence , Skin , Solitary Pulmonary NoduleABSTRACT
Basal cell carcinoma, which characteristically develops on sun-exposed areas such as the head and neck, is the most common cutaneous malignancy. The most important risk factor associated with its development is chronic ultraviolet light exposure, and basal cell carcinomas in non-sun-exposed areas are, therefore, rare. In particular, the nipple-areola complex is an extremely rare site for basal cell carcinomas, and only three cases involving this area have been reported in Korea to date. Here, we report the case of a 66-year-old woman with pigmented superficial basal cell carcinoma in the nipple-areola complex. Typical dermoscopic findings were obtained in this case.
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Carcinoma, Basal Cell , Head , Korea , Neck , Risk Factors , Ultraviolet RaysABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Self-inflicted wrist laceration is a common injury in the department of hand surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and psychiatric features of self-inflicted wrist laceration using categorization according to wound severity. METHODS: We reviewed 71 patients from 2002 through 2012. All of the patients were grouped into four groups. Data regarding the following characteristics were collected: age, gender, size, structure involved, instruments used, history of previous self-inflicted injury, comorbidities in psychiatric and presentation of follow-up outpatient appointment to the department of plastic surgery and psychiatry. RESULTS: In these patients, approximately 64% of patients were female. About 80% of patients cut their wrist using a knife. And in grade 3-4 injury, percentage of glass injury was relatively high (22%), compared with other grades (3%). Unlike previous studies, patients in grade 3-4 tended to cut their wrist repeatedly. Focusing on psychiatric problems, approximately one quarter of patients had a previous history of self-infliction. In all patient groups, mood disorder was the most common disorder in patients who had a previous psychiatric disorder. But after operation, more than two thirds of patients had not visited department of psychiatry again. CONCLUSION: We identified some other differences among their characteristics. All patients in group also should be evaluated and surgically treated properly. A multidisciplinary approach is required for patients with wrist laceration due to self-injury in comparison to those with laceration due to other causes. Because many of them have previous self-injury experiences and psychiatric disease.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Comorbidity , Follow-Up Studies , Glass , Hand , Lacerations , Mood Disorders , Outpatients , Retrospective Studies , Self Mutilation , Suicide , Surgery, Plastic , Wounds and Injuries , WristABSTRACT
No abstract available.
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PURPOSE: Soft-tissue reconstruction in the knee area requires thin, pliable, and tough skin. The range of motion of the knee also acts as a limitation in using only local flaps for coverage. The author has successfully used various perforator flaps for soft tissue reconstruction around the knee while preserving its functional and cosmetic characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of the twenty patients assessed from April 2009 to March 2011, seven received anterolateral thigh perforator flaps, four received medial sural perforator island flaps, four received lateral supragenicular perforaor perforator flaps, and five received medial genicular artery flaps. The age of the patients ranged from 44 to 79 and the size of the defects ranged from 4x5 cm to 17x11 cm. Fifteen of the twenty patients had histories of total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. RESULTS: There were no flap losses in any of the twenty patients assessed. Two patients showed partial losses in the distal area of the flap, but were treated through careful wound care. One patient presented with pedicle adhesion at the drainage site from a past TKR, but it did not hinder the flap survival. Primary closure at the donor site was possible in nine patients, while split skin graft was necessary for the other 13. CONCLUSION: In soft tissue reconstruction of the knee, various perforator flaps can be used depending on the condition of the preoperation scar, wound site, and size. It also proved to provide better functional and cosmetic results than in primary wound closure or skin grafts.