Silicone Implant-Based Paranasal Augmentation for Mild Midface Concavity

BACKGROUND: Midface concavity is a relatively common facial feature in East Asian populations. Paranasal augmentation is becoming an increasingly popular procedure for patients with mild concavity and normal occlusion. In this study, we evaluate clinical outcomes following a series of paranasal augmentation. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed for patients with Class I occlusion who had undergone bilateral paranasal augmentation using custom-made silicone implants, between October 2005 and September 2013. Patient charts were reviewed for demographic information, concomitant operations, and postoperative complications. Preoperative and postoperative (1-month) photographs were used to evaluate operative outcome. RESULTS: The review identified a total of 93 patients meeting study criteria. Overall, aesthetic outcomes were satisfactory. Five-millimeter thick silicone implant was used in 81 cases, and the mean augmentation was 4.26 mm for this thickness. Among the 93 patients, 2 patients required immediate implant removal due to discomfort. An additional 3 patients experienced implant migration without any extrusion. Nine patients complained of transient paresthesia, which had resolved by 2 weeks. There were no cases of hematoma or infection. All patients reported improvement in their lateral profile and were pleased at follow-up. Complications that arose postoperatively included 9 cases of numbness in the upper lip and 3 cases of implant migration. All cases yielded satisfactory results without persisting complications. Sensations were fully restored postoperatively after 1 to 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: Paranasal augmentation with custom-made silicone implants is a simple, safe, and inexpensive method that can readily improve the lateral profile of a patient with normal occlusion. When combined with other aesthetic procedures, paranasal augmentation can synergistically improve outcome and lead to greater patient satisfaction.

Reconstructive Modalities According to Aesthetic Consideration of Subunits of the Cheek after Wide Excision of Skin Cancer

BACKGROUND: Defects of the cheek present a reconstructive challenge because of the visibility of the site, as well as the limited local tissue supply. In addition, the cheek abuts several structures with expressive function, such as the eye, mouth, and surrounding facial musculature. This report describes a system of classifying cheek defects according to tumor size and location and present corresponding reconstruction techniques used to accomplish three-dimensional restoration of all missing components and adequate texture matching. METHODS: From 2008 to 2013, 27 patients with cheek defects resulting from skin cancer excision were treated. According to the size of the defect, location on the cheek, and relationships to adjacent structures and existing skin tension lines, different surgical methods were applied. RESULTS: The procedures used for cheek reconstruction included direct closure, Limberg flap, V-Y advancement flap, slide-swing flap, cheek rotation flap, and full-thickness skin graft. All flaps healed well without major complications, and no cancer recurrence was detected during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The anatomic classification of skin cancers and surgical protocols described in this report is simple and appropriate for reconstruction involving the cheek. Wide excision of skin cancer and appropriate, relatively easy-to-perform flaps based on this classification system can successfully produce safe and aesthetically-pleasing surgical outcomes.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy of Chronically Infected Wounds Using 1% Acetic Acid Irrigation

BACKGROUND: Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) induces angiogenesis and collagen synthesis to promote tissue healing. Although acetic acid soaks normalize alkali wound conditions to raise tissue oxygen saturation and deconstruct the biofilms of chronic wounds, frequent dressing changes are required. METHODS: Combined use of NPWT and acetic acid irrigation was assessed in the treatment of chronic wounds, instilling acetic acid solution (1%) beneath polyurethane membranes twice daily for three weeks under continuous pressure (125 mm Hg). Clinical photographs, pH levels, cultures, and debrided fragments of wounds were obtained pre- and posttreatment. Tissue immunostaining (CD31, Ki-67, and CD45) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], vascular endothelial growth factor receptor [VEGFR]; procollagen; hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha [HIF-1-alpha]; matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]-1,-3,-9; and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase [TIMP]) were also performed. RESULTS: Wound sizes tended to diminish with the combined therapy, accompanied by drops in wound pH (weakly acidic or neutral) and less evidence of infection. CD31 and Ki-67 immunostaining increased (P<0.05) post-treatment, as did the levels of VEGFR, procollagen, and MMP-1 (P<0.05), whereas the VEGF, HIF-1-alpha, and MMP-9/TIMP levels declined (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: By combining acetic acid irrigation with negative-pressure dressings, both the pH and the size of chronic wounds can be reduced and infections be controlled. This approach may enhance angiogenesis and collagen synthesis in wounds, restoring the extracellular matrix.

Treatment of Botulinum Toxin Type A in Parotid Fistula after Face Lifting

Botulinum toxin type A has an inhibitory action not only on neuromuscular junctions, but also postganglionic sympathetic and cholinergic autonomic parasympathetic acetylcholine release at the secretary end of the salivary gland. Use of botulinum toxin to treat sialorrhea was first reported in 1997 by Bushara. Parotid duct or gland injuries with parotid fistula are uncommon but troublesome complications of surgical trauma. Here, we report two patients with constant leakage of serous fluid and a swelling cheek after facelift surgery. Each patient underwent an amylase test, starch iodine test, and sialography. After diagnosis of parotid fistula, a total of 50 units botulinum toxin was injected into the parotid gland. Facial bandage, scopolamine, and minimizing temporomandibular joint motion were instructed. Leakage volume decreased gradually, and symptoms subsided within 2 weeks. Neither functional problems nor complications occurred. In conclusion, a parotid fistula after facial surgery can be treated effectively with botulinum toxin; this treatment option should be considered before proceeding with invasive surgical treatment.

Correction of Severely Asymmetric Calf using Latissimus Dorsi Musculocutaneous Free Flap and Customized Silicone Implant

Calves can be easily seen in daily life and are an important part of the body contour. Asymmetric calves can develop from unbalanced distribution and deposition of fat and muscles between the legs. Calf asymmetry may be due to congenital factors, disease (e.g., poliomyelitis, cerebral palsy, or infection), spinal cord injury, or the effects of surgical treatment and may have severe adverse psychological and social implications. Generally, an asymmetric calf is diagnosed when the difference of the longest circumference between both calves is more than 2 cm. Several surgical methods have been introduced for the correction of an asymmetric calf. Implant insertion or fat injection is used to augment a hypotrophic calf. Selective neurectomy, liposuction, muscle resection, radiofrequency, and botulinum toxin injection are used to treat a hypertrophic calf. With the development of microsurgery, the authors planned to use a latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous free flap (LDMC free flap) with silicone implant to add calf volume to obtain natural calf contour. The authors present the first successful case of correction of a severely asymmetric calf using an LDMC free flap and customized silicone implant.

Arteriovenous Fistula Formation Using Microscope Rather than Surgical Telescope

The number of patients with chronic renal failure who require renal replacement therapy is increasing and dialysis is still the mainly used renal replacement therapy. The first choice of surgical technique currently used is side-to-end anastomosis of the radial artery and the cephalic vein. The authors report on a case of an effective arteriovenous shunt operation performed using microscopy. A 53-year-old male with chronic renal failure was referred to plastic and reconstructive surgery department to undergo an arteriovenous shunt operation. Venography was performed before surgery in order to find the appropriate vessel for the arteriovenous shunt operation. The cephalic vein on the wrist showed a diameter of over 4 mm, which was appropriate for an arteriovenous shunt operation. Anastomosis of the vessels was performed under microscopy using Nylon #9-0. Blood flow and vessel diameter were evaluated by venography after surgery and showed well maintained function of the shunt. Complications such as bleeding, edema of the upper arm, and wound dehiscence did not occur. Many factors and certain complications may affect the long-term patency of an arteriovenous shunt; however, exquisite surgical technique is the most important factor in a successful operation. Thus, arteriovenous shunt operation using microscopy is thought to be a good treatment option.

Mallory-Weiss Syndrome Occurring in a Hanging Patient: Case Report

Reflex gasping when hanging leads to passive and vigorous vomiting, the mechanical force of which causes gastric mucosa laceration. Mallory-Weiss syndrome is a tear in the gastro-esophageal junction or its adjacent mucosa, and this can occur due to nausea or vomiting that is caused by various etiologic factors. Gastric fundus is the most common site of gastric mucosa lacerations. We report a case of a 41-year-old man, who tried to hang himself and, as a result, caused multiple gastric mucosa lacerations that were treated by an endoscopic hemostatic procedure in the emergency room.

Huge Gastric Schwannoma Characterized by a Gastric Ulcer During Endoscopy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Gastric schwannomas are very rare mesenchymal tumors that can occur throughout the gastrointestinal tract, but are most commonly found in the stomach. The majority of patients have no symptoms, while others may complain of epigastric pain or upper gastrointestinal ulcer bleeding. Endoscopic examination of a gastric schwannoma commonly reveals a protrusive mass, but, as in this case, many types of ulceration can be observed with central necrosis. We report on a 62-year-old woman with endoscopic findings of 1 cm sized necrotizing ulceration and an 11 cm sized submucosal mass on radiological examinations. The patient underwent a wedge-shaped resection of the stomach and segmental resection of the transverse colon. Both histological and immunohistochemical staining revealed a gastric schwannoma.

Acute Pancreatitis Caused by Dyslipidemia / 이화의대지

Hyperlipidemia can be a cause of acute pancreatitis. For example, dyslipidemia classified Fredrickson/WHO classification type I, V can induce acute pancreatitis spontaneously. Secondary hyperlipidemia (DM, alcohol, estrogen, etc.) also can induce acute pancreatitis. High serum amylase level and triglyceride level are hall markers of diagnosis. But lactescent serum interferes with accurate laboratory analysis of amylase. Serum amylase was normal or low in 50% of cases. Clinical course and treatment are similar with other causes of acute pancreatitis. Lipoprotein electrophoresis helps classify dyslipidemia by Fredrickson/WHO classification. In some cases, to prevent hyperlipidemic pancreatitis, serum triglyceride should be lower than 500 mg/dl. We report two cases of acute pancreatitis caused by dyslipidemia.

A Case of Hereditary Spherocytosis

No abstract available.