A Case Report of Treatment of Heterotrophic Calcification in Pseudohypoparathyroidism

PURPOSE: Pseudohypoparathyroidism is a hereditary disorder characterized by symptoms and signs of hypoparathyroidism, typically in association with distinctive skeletal and developmental defects. Hypoparathyroidism is caused by a insufficient end-organ response to PTH (parathyroid hormone). Hypoparathyroidism consists of four types in which the most common form, pseudohypoparathyroidism-Ia, accompany with Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy. We experienced a case of a woman who had been suffering from calcified mass on left foot, diagnosed Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy. METHODS: We present a case of a 24-year-old Korean female who visited plastic surgery department with a painful mass on dorsum of the left foot. On the physical exam, bony hard and painful mass, fixed to dermis, was noted. Plain X-ray films demonstrate suspicious calcification on subcutaneous tissue of dorsum of the left foot. The patient was diagnosed pseudohypoparathyroidism 2 years ago at the plastic surgery department. At the visiting time, the laboratory results were within normal range even though the patient actually had a disease. The reason is because the patient has been treated with Vit.D, calcium replacement therapy and thyroid hormone therapy. Moreover, the patient has been treated with anticonvulsant agents due to epilepsy. On the brain computer tomography (CT), calcification was noted on the basal ganglia and dentate nucleus. So we decided the total excision of entire mass from the left foot. RESULTS: We excised main mass with numerous pinhead sized masses which were scattered around the main mass. The 6.0x4.0x0.5 cm sized main mass was bony hard, and its surface was flat and margin was irregular. The permanent biopsy was confirmed that the main mass and all the scattered tiny masses were heterotopic calcification. The patient did not suffer from the pain after the mass excision. The wound has been healed without any problem. CONCLUSIONS: Heterotrophic calcification is often accompanied with pseudohypoparathyroidism, but such a huge one is uncommon. We report a case of pseudohypoparathyroidism with heterotrophic calcification developed in dorsum of left foot who was diagnosed by excisional biopsy.

The Treatment of Gynecomastia using XPS(R) Microresector (Shaver)

PURPOSE: Gynecomastia is an abnormal increase in the volume of the male breast. Subcutaneous mastectomy was the first surgical treatment for gynecomastia. But because of the complications such as nerve injury and scar formation, subcutaneous mastectomy has been substituted with liposuction. Recently various techniques including ultrasound-assisted liposuction has been used for treatment of gynecomastia. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of XPS(R) microresector (Shaver) for treatment of gynecomastia. METHODS: 17 patients, 33 breasts of gynecomastia, Simon grade I or II have been treated with XPS(R) microresector (Shaver). The mean age was 24.5. The subcutaneous tissue and glandular tissue were removed with XPS(R) microresector (Shaver). The operation time, the weight of removed tissue and patients' satisfaction score were accessed. RESULTS: The mean operation time was 78.2 minutes. The mean weight of removed tissue was 113.8 g. There were no significant complications such as necrosis, hematoma, infection or scar contracture. Patients' satisfactory score of scar, shape and confidence were 8.4, 8.2 and 8.4 respectively. As the average score was 8.3, most of the patients were satisfied with their breasts. CONCLUSION: The authors have treated 17 patients suffering from gynecomastia with XPS(R) microresector (Shaver). We obtained short operation time, early recovery, minimal operative scar and less complications with XPS(R) microresector (Shaver) for the treatment of gynecomastia, and patients were satisfied with the results of our method. We concluded that XPS(R) microresector (Shaver) is an alternative option for the treatment of gynecomastia.

Nipple Reconstruction using the C-V Flap Technique after Breast Reconstruction with the Only Breast Expander

PURPOSE: Breast cancer is second most common cancer in women. Most of the patients with breast cancer treated with mastectomy take breast reconstruction. Nipple reconstruction is an important step in breast reconstruction. Many surgeons have investigated of nipple reconstruction using the flap technique after breast reconstruction with the autologous tissue. The objective of this study is to evaluate the results of nipple reconstruction using the C-V flap technique after breast reconstruction only with the breast expander. METHODS: From April 2006 to May 2008, the authors treated 17 patients of nipple reconstruction using C-V flap technique, who received breast reconstruction only with the breast expander. As we have predicted decrease in the size of reconstructed nipple, we designed flap a little larger than wanted nipple size. Nipple splint was applied for 4-6 months for minimizing decrease of the size of reconstructed nipple. The diameter and height of the reconstructed nipple were measured and patient's satisfaction score was assessed. RESULTS: Mean follow-up duration was 12.5 months. Among the 17 patients, the average absorption rate by height of nipple was 47.0%. Partial necrosis was noted in 1 case, and treated well with conservative management. There were no other significant complications noted. Patient's satisfactory score was assessed by the height, design and location of the nipple. The average of satisfaction score was 85%, 68%, 62% and total average was 83%. CONCLUSION: The authors experienced 17 patients of nipple reconstruction using the C-V flap technique after breast reconstruction only with the breast expander. The absorption rate of the size of the nipple, complications and patient's satisfactory score of this study were similar to those of nipple reconstruction after breast reconstruction with the autologous tissue. It is expected that nipple reconstruction after breast reconstruction only with the breast expander is safe and reliable. It is considered that a long-term study is necessary.

XPS(R) Microresector for Treatment of Axillary

PURPOSE: Surgical excision of the subcutaneous tissues, with or without skin excision in the axillary hair-bearing area, has been the treatment of choice in treating osmidrosis for several decades. However, long periods of postoperative immobilization of a shoulder joint, partial necrosis of skin flaps or the possibility of hematoma and scars have occurred frequently. So we used XPS(R) microresector(Shaver) in procedure which requires removal of soft tissue for comparing results between surgical excision and the laters. METHODS: From January 2007 to February 2008, a total of 20 patients(8 male and 12 female) underwent XPS(R) microresector(Shaver) assisted aspiration for treating osmidrosis. The mean age of the subjects was 21.9, and we tried to analyze some advantages of XPS(R) microresector(Shaver). RESULTS: The average operation time was 61.6 minutes. This results can show that the patients who received XPS(R) microresector(Shaver) assisted aspiration can accomplish better outcomes than any other procedures in terms of operation time at least. Moreover, no significant postoperative complications occurred in our studies. Subjects have been followed up from 2 months to 1 year and among these patients, no one suffered from critical complications. CONCLUSION: In brief, XPS(R) microresector(Shaver) is able to shorten the time of operation and simplify the procedures relatively and this device has more superiorities in wound healing by maintaining of vascularized dermal skin flaps. It means that XPS(R) microresector (Shaver) can prevent flap necrosis, axillary hair loss and minimalize scarring and bleeding. Thus, we expect that these advantages can lead to better patient's comfort and self-confidence than several previous procedures.