ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Non-syndromic craniosynostosis causes craniofacial asymmetry and may persist after cranioplasty. These postoperative asymmetries are primarily depressions. In some cases, patients may be subjected to pranks and harassment by their peers, affecting their psychosocial development. We propose lipoinjection enriched with adipose stem cells (ASCs) to treat the sequelae of craniosynostosis in the fronto-orbital and temporal complex in cranioplasty patients, with the goal of improving the appearance of the upper third of the face. METHODS: Twelve children (four boys and eight girls) between 4 and 8 years of age (mean age, 6 years) in the postoperative period after treatment for plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, and trigonocephaly were included, with a follow-up period of 1 to 18 months. Fat tissue was obtained from the lower abdomen, and ASCs were isolated using the Yoshimura technique. Lipoinjection was performed using several mini-approaches to ensure adequate distribution. RESULTS: Two different scales were used to evaluate the aesthetic outcomes. At 6 months, three plastic surgeons independent of the study classified the results using a Likert scale. The patients' parents categorized the results using a visual analog scale at 6, 9, and 18 months. R esults were favorable on both scales, as the patients' facial appearance improved and they reported increased happiness and self-esteem due to their remodeled facial appearance. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that lipoinjection enriched with ASCs is a good alternative for correcting asymmetry of the fronto-orbital and temporal contour in patients with sequelae of craniosynostosis. This treatment will help boost patients' self-esteem starting at an early age.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Traditional treatment for a congenital constriction band of the limb involves multiple Z-plasties and W-plasties. We propose an alternative surgical procedure for the treatment of congenital constriction bands that obviates the need for Z-plasties and eliminates the constriction band. METHODS: We present the case of a 36-year-old woman with a congenital constriction band of the leg. Using a minimally invasive approach, the skin segment that included the band was dissected from the deep tissues. Afterwards, multiple slices were performed on the internal surface of the fibrous ring. This and lipoinjection were used to reverse the depression that characterizes the "hourglass sign" and homogenize the skin surface. RESULTS: Results have remained stable in a follow-up period of 18 months. CONCLUSIONS: This surgical alternative can be considered as an option for the treatment of congenital constriction bands. It is a safe, reproducible procedure that does not cause additional scars and has good functional and aesthetic results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
