A Trial of Radiesse(R) for Facial Soft Tissue Augmentation

Ideal charateristics of soft tissue fillers include longevity, biocompatibility, low adverse event profile and a reasonable cost. Radiesse(R) have many advantage as the desirable properties of facial filler. Authors introduce Radiesse(R) was recently introduced as a facial filler agent. Radiesse(R) was injected to 81 male and female patients in the study, using 27G fine needle. The age range of the patients was 22 to 48 years. The injected areas were nasal root, tip, nasolabial folds and jaw. We measured patient satisfaction scale during the period of follow up 2 to 6 months. The scale of satisfaction was good to excellent in 69 cases of 81 cases and fair in 9 cases of 81 cases. Patients satisfaction was poor in only 3 cases. Patients were observed no systemic effects but minimal adverse events which are leakage, nodule and subclinical inflammation. Radiesse(R) was highly effective, long lasting material for facial soft tissue augmentation. If a precise injection technique were applied, Radiesse(R) can be a very good option for real volumetric facial soft tissue augmentation.

Clinical Considerations on Contamination Rates of Cryopreserved Autologous Fat

PURPOSE: Autologous fat graft is a widely accepted technique used for soft tissue augmentation. Nonetheless, the use of fat graft is limited due to unpredictable survival rates and repeated grafting. To avoid repeated grafting, cryopreserved fat graft technique has recently been widely used. On the other hand, the number of patients with chronic infection (who received cryopreserved fat injection) has currently been increasing. This study is focused on the safety of cryopreserved fat injection from the infection. METHODS: We collected 150 samples from local aesthetic clinics to examine the safety of cryopreserved autologous fat. To test for microbacterial contaminations of the cryopreserved fat specimens, microbacterial cultures & antibiotics sensitivity tests were performed. Then, we examined possible correlation between the preservation period and donor sites, focused on the results of microbacterial culture. RESULTS: Cultures were positive for Staphylococcus epidermidis in 5 samples (methicillinresistant Staphylococcus epidermidis in 4 samples), Micrococcus species in 3 samples. An average duration of preservation was 191 days and there found no significant correlation between the duration of preservation and microbacterial growth. CONCLUSION: Staphylococcus epidermidis was the leading cause of cryopreserved fat contamination, and the resistance to methicillin is common. Based on the above results, aseptic handling of fat during harvesting and preservation appeared to be most important.

Prevention for Collapse Using Aqua Splint(R) in Zygoma Arch Fractures

PURPOSE: The zygomatic arch is a key element which composes the facial contour. In many cases of zygomatic arch fracture, it is difficult to fix rigidly the fractured segments. If reduced bone segments were not fixed rigidly, they are proven to be displaced by mastication or unintentional external forces. So, unfixed zygomatic arch fracture after reduction may require a external device of prevention of collapse. We introduce a new protector which stabilizing the fractured segments to prevent for collapse of the reduced zygomatic arch fracture. METHODS: After reduction of zygomatic arch with blind approach(Gillies', Dingman or Keen's approach), bone segments was pulled with percutaneous traction suture in medial aspect of zygomatic arch. Then, the suture was fixed with Aqua splint(R), externally. And intraoperative and postoperative X-ray was done. The splint was removed on 14 days after the operation. RESULTS: 5 patients were treated with this method. 4 patients of total patients had no collapse in zygomatic arch. There was minimal collapse in one patient. Postoperative complications such as facial nerve injury, mouth opening difficulty, contour deformity, infection, scar were not observed. CONCLUSION: In comparison with other techniques, this technique has several advantages which are simple and easy method, short operation time, no scar, less soft tissue injury, and facilitated removal of splint. Therefore, Aqua splint(R) would be a good alternative to prevent for collapse in unstable zygomatic arch fractures