The cover of an ear thermometer probe as a split-thickness skin graft mold in external auditory canal reconstruction

Maintaining the patency of the external auditory canal (EAC) during reconstruction is important because of its physiological role in hearing and immunological protective functions. The curved shape of the EAC presents a challenge when performing a skin graft. One of the key points for a successful skin graft is to ensure compression on the wound bed, and many novel methods, including prefabricated ear molds, have been reported for this purpose. In this study, we present a case of a skin graft performed to reconstruct a skin defect following excision of actinic keratosis in the EAC, using the cover of an ear thermometer probe as a mold for the graft to match the curvature of the EAC. This is an economical and practical method for secure compression dressing of a skin graft in the EAC.

Unilateral autoinflation of a saline-filled breast implant initially diagnosed as capsular contracture: a case report and review of the literature

Spontaneous inflation of saline breast implants is a rare phenomenon. In this case report, we share our experience treating a patient who complained of asymmetric breasts from what appeared to be a straightforward case of capsular contracture. Spontaneous autoinflation of the right breast implant was subsequently found to be the cause of breast asymmetry and hardness. The presentation, diagnostic challenge, management, and mechanism of this rare phenomenon are presented here.

Umbilical trocar port site keloid management using a transposition flap after laparoscopic surgery

Background@#Keloids can occur anywhere in the human body. They are difficult to remove and can cause distress in patients. Although many options are available to treat keloids, no single method is considered the optimal treatment of choice. The authors encountered cases where an umbilical keloid developed at the trocar site after laparoscopic surgery and managed the keloid using a transposition flap. @*Methods@#A total of 10 umbilical keloid patients treated from 2013 to 2020 were included in this study. All patients developed a keloid due to the placement of a laparoscopic trocar incision port, and their major complaints varied from an asymptomatic nodule to pruritus or pain. All excisions were performed under local anesthesia, and transposition flaps were planned afterward. The surrounding tissue was rearranged so that the shape of the umbilicus was deformed to the minimum extent possible. The keloid scars were examined both preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). @*Results@#All surgical wounds healed well without complications. The average time interval from laparoscopic surgery to keloid scar revision was 4.3 years. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 10.9 months, and no patient underwent reoperation. Four patients were treated with triamcinolone after surgery due to mild hypertrophy or pruritus. The POSAS observer scale showed significantly decreasing scores over time in all patients (P=0.002). @*Conclusions@#Cosmetically unfavorable keloids that form in the umbilicus following laparoscopic surgery can be improved with a simple procedure using excision and transposition flaps.

Remote migration of breast filler to the inguinal area: a case report

Polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG) is an injectable material for breast augmentation that was developed in the 1980s. It was widely used until the 2000s, but subsequently lost its popularity due to high complication rates. In this case report, we share our experience of a patient complaining of hard and asymmetric breasts who had received PAAG injections 7 years ago. Surprisingly, we found that the filler in the left breast had migrated to the left inguinal area. Although breast fillers have lost ground in recent years, we think that long-term complications of fillers, as observed in this case, will still arise in the future. Therefore, young plastic surgeons who do not have direct experience with this material should be aware of its possible complications.

Feasibility of TRPM8 Agonist Agent for Management of Skin Graft Donor Site

Feasibility of Cultured Allogenic Keratinocyte Treatment for Third Degree Burns

Acellular dermal matrix (Insuregraf) in the prevention of Frey’s syndrome and surgical site depression after parotidectomy

BACKGROUND: Parotidectomy is the treatment of choice in many parotid tumors. Due to the extensive nature of the procedure, unfavorable complications such as gustatory sweating, surgical site depression are common. Various techniques using fascia, muscle or AlloDerm have been developed but debate still remains regarding its availability and affordability. We applied a newly developed acellular dermal matrix (Insuregraf) to the parotidectomy field to act as a physical barrier and to provide adequate filling effect for prevention of functional and aesthetic complications. METHODS: From March 2010 to March 2017, 30 patients with parotid tumors underwent superficial parotidectomy. Twenty patients underwent only superficial parotidectomy. Ten patients had Insuregraf applied to the surgical site after superficial parotidectomy. We evaluated the incidence of Frey’s syndrome, surgical site depression, and patient satisfaction rate in both groups. RESULTS: The incidence of Frey’s syndrome was lower in the Insuregraf group (0 vs. 2). Surgical site depression was also lower in the Insuregraf group (2 vs. 20). Satisfaction score for facial contour in Insuregraf group was 9.2 out of 10, which was comparable to 6.2 out of 10 in the control group. CONCLUSION: Application of Insuregraf after superficial parotidectomy is an effective surgical procedure to prevent complications such as Frey’s syndrome and surgical site depression. This technique is affordable and safe with no immune reactions. Above all this surgical method should be considered as an option for patients who are concerned about the contour of the face after surgery.

Pediatric follicular lymphoma of the parotid gland

Primary malignant lymphoma rarely presents as a mass in the salivary gland. It accounts for about 1% of salivary gland tumors. The lymphomas of the parotid gland are mainly non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of B-cell follicular type. It usually occurs in male adults and is very rare in children. In contrast to the intractable disease course of adult parotid follicular lymphoma, when occurred in children or adolescent, its prognosis is very good when it is first treated with surgical excision. Thus, a solitary follicular lymphoma in an extranodal site that has occurred in children is termed separately as pediatric follicular lymphoma (PFL). We share our treatment experience of a 16-year-old PFL patient through surgical removal combined with superficial parotidectomy. In line with the few previous case reports of PFL, we suggest that active surgical removal should be undertaken for solitary, extranodal follicular lymphoma of the pediatric and adolescent population.

Feature Analysis of Burn Patients in Korea Using National Health Insurance Database

PURPOSE: Investigating epidemiological features of burn victims from a national frame has not been attempted recently. METHODS: South Korean National Health Insurance System (NHIS) provides a vast array of feature data on common diseases. A database search from January 2013 to December 2017 was undertaken with disease codes related to burn injuries and burn dressing procedures. After data cleaning, feature analysis was done with final dataset of 1,800 records. RESULTS: Demographic analysis showed gender preference to woman by 6:4. Age distribution showed bimodal peaks at 0~9 years and 40~60 years. Burns to the lower extremity seemed to increase with burn depth. Marked decrease in duration of hospitalization for first- and second-degree burns were noted over five years. CONCLUSION: Incidence to age analysis showed bimodal peaks in pediatric (age 0~9) and middle-aged (age 40~60) individuals. A decreasing trend towards shorter hospitalization is noted in mild to moderate burns. Further attention is needed to prevent third-degree burns to the elderly.