Efficacy of embryo transfer on day 2 versus day 3 according to maternal age in patients with normal ovarian response / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: Delaying embryo transfer (ET) enables us to select among the embryos available for transfer and is associated with positive effects on implantation and pregnancy outcomes. However, the optimal day for ET of human cleavage-stage embryos remains controversial. METHODS: A retrospective study of 3,124 in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles (2,440 patients) was conducted. We compared the effects of day 2 and 3 ET on rates of implantation and pregnancy outcomes between young maternal age (YMA; <38 years old, n=2,295) and old maternal age (OMA; ≥38 years old, n=829) patient groups. RESULTS: The YMA and OMA groups did not differ in terms of patient characteristics except for the proportion of unexplained factor infertility, which was significantly greater in the OMA group, and the proportion of arrested embryos, which was significantly greater in the YMA group. However, the biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, abortion, and implantation rates per cycle were not significantly different between day 2 and 3 ET in the YMA group or the OMA group. CONCLUSION: We suggest that offering patients the opportunity to decide which day would be suitable for ET could be part of a patient-friendly protocol that takes into consideration an infertile woman's circumstances and work schedule by allowing ET to be performed on day 2 instead of the traditional transfer on day 3.

Sub-brow Resection via Relocation of Retro-orbicularis Oculi Fat and Preseptal Fat Unit

PURPOSE: Retro-orbicularis oculi fat (ROOF) and preseptal fat pad (PSF) are deep fat structures of frontal and supraorbital area, that encounter galeal fat pad (GFP). If galeal wall is weakened by aging process, GFP loses its anchoring structure, moved downward pushing ROOF and PSF. This especially occur in lateral brow area. As a result of drooping, eyebrow affects the eyelid covering PSF as a sac descended to a lateral hooding and ptotic eyelid simultaneously. Consequently, in the case of lateral hooding and brow ptosis, besides the skin, deep fat structures (ROOF and PSF) should be corrected as well. METHODS: ROOF-PSF repositioning technique in subbrow resection were performed. 21 cases of patients from April, 2007 to January, 2008. Before surgery, all patients were examined carefully to evaluate the degrees of dermatochalasia, drooping of the eyebrow, marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1), eyelid crease height. Surgery was performed under local anesthesia, then excised the drooped eyelid skin by lateral subbrow resection, removed proper amount of ROOF, repositioned ROOF-PSF at the supraorbital rim, and fix it on periosteum. During follow up periods, the patients were surveyed of the satisfaction of surgery, and postoperative MRD1 was evaluated. RESULTS: One patient had a hematoma on left eyebrow, and another one patient had a numbness on left forehead for two months. Except for these two patients, all patients had good results without any significant complications. The mean follow up period was about 5 months, and the position of lateral eyebrow maintained above the supraorbital rim in all cases. Postoperatively, MRD1 increased by 0.8 mm in 5-months mean follow up period. CONCLUSION: In patient with lateral brow ptosis and lateral hooding, the ROOF-PSF repositioning technique in sub-brow resection could be a good operative option.

A Case Report of Chondroid Syringoma of Philtrum

PURPOSE: Chondroid syringoma is a rare mixed tumor of the skin that was first described by Hirsch and Helwig (1961). Characteristically, it is composed of the proliferation of epithelial cells in a myxoid and chondroid matrix. Most lesions occur on the head and neck region, and their size may range from 0.5~3 cm. Since a chondroid syringoma presents similar characteristics to other masses on the head and neck region, it is significantly important to distinguish with other masses by a surgical biopsy. METHODS: A 51-year old woman presented with a painless nodular mass (0.5 x 0.5 x 0.5 cm) on the philtrum, which appeared during the previous year. The mass was treated with a laser without a surgical biopsy. However, the size of the mass showed no changes. Surgical excision under local anesthesia was performed and sent for histopathology. RESULTS: Gross examination showed a mass surrounded by a well developed capsule within the dermal layer. After complete excision without injury to the orbicularis oris muscle, the wound was covered with a local flap. The histology examination revealed numerous cuboid epithelial cells with tuboalveolar structures and keratinous cysts within a chondroid stroma. No recurrence or metastasis was observed at the follow-up visits. CONCLUSION: Chondroid syringoma is a rare mass on the face. An accurate diagnosis is essential for optimal treatment. This paper reports a case of a chondroid syringoma on the philtrum with a brief review of the relevant literature.

Foot Reconstruction by Reverse Island Medial Plantar Flap Based on the Lateral Plantar Vessel

PURPOSE: Tumor ablation and traumatic intractable ulceration of the plantar surface of the foot results in skin and soft tissue defects of the weight-bearing sole. Simple skin grafting is not sufficient for reconstruction of the weight-bearing areas. Instead, the island medial plantar flap(instep flap) and distally-based island medial plantar flap was used for proper reconstruction of the weight bearing area. However, there are some disadvantages. In particular, an island medial plantar flap has a short pedicle limiting the mobility of the flap and the distally-based island medial plantar flap is based on a very small vessel. We investigated whether good results could be obtained using a reverse island medial plantar flap based on the lateral plantar vessel as a solution to the above limitations. METHODS: Three patients with malignant melanoma were cared for in our tertiary hospital. The tumors involved the lateral forefoot, the postero-lateral heel, and the medial forefoot area. We designed and harvested the flap from the medial plantar area, dissected the lateral and medial plantar artery and vena comitans, and clamped and cut the vessel 1cm proximal to the branch from the posterior tibial artery and vena comitans. The medial plantar nerve fascicles of these flaps anastomosed to the sural nerve, the 5th interdigital nerve, and the 1st interdigital nerve of each lesion. The donor sites were covered with skin grafting. RESULTS: The mean age of the 3 subjects was 64.7 years(range, 57-70 years). Histologically, all cases were lentiginous malignant melanomas. The average size of the lesion was 5.3cm2. The average size of the flap was 33.1cm2. The flap color and circulation were intact during the early postoperative period. There was no evidence of flap necrosis, hematomas or infection. All patients had a normal gait after the surgery. Sensory return progressively improved. CONCLUSION: Use of an island medial plantar flap based on the lateral plantar vessel to the variable weight-bearing sole is a simple but useful procedure for the reconstruction of any difficult lesion of the weight-bearing sole.