Measurement of combined flap thickness for reconstruction of decubitus ulcer using computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Various reconstruction options have been introduced to treat decubitus ulcers. A combined flap that takes advantage of the fasciocutaneous and muscle flaps has been proven to be effective in reconstructing decubitus ulcers in previous studies. However, no studies have measured combined flap thickness. This is the first study to demonstrate the superiority of the combined flap by measuring its thickness using enhanced abdominopelvic computed tomography (APCT). AIM: To evaluate combined flap modality as a useful reconstruction option for decubitus ulcers using measurements obtained through APCT. METHODS: Fifteen patients with paraplegia who underwent combined flap surgery for reconstruction of decubitus ulcers between March 2020 and December 2021 were included. The defects in the skin and muscle components were reconstructed separately. The inner gluteus muscle flap was split and manipulated to obliterate dead space. The outer fasciocutaneous flap was transposed to cover the muscle flap and opening of the decubitus ulcer. Subsequently, we performed enhanced APCT at 3 wk and 6 mo postoperatively to measure the flap thickness. RESULTS: The mean flap thickness was 32.85 ± 8.89 mm at 3 wk postoperatively and 29.27 ± 8.22 mm at 6 mo postoperatively. The flap thickness was maintained without any major complications such as contour deformities or recurrence. CONCLUSION: Although there was a significant decrease in flap thickness as measured by APCT, the combined flap provided sufficient padding and maintained its thickness even at 6 mo after reconstruction, suggesting that the combined flap modality may be a useful reconstruction option for patients with paraplegic decubitus ulcers.

The correlation between transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2 ) and forward-looking infrared (FLIR) thermography in the evaluation of lower extremity perfusion according to angiosome.

The increased peripheral arterial disease (PAD) incidence associated with aging and increased incidence of cardiovascular conditions underscores the significance of assessing lower limb perfusion. This study aims to report on the correlation and utility of two novel non-invasive instruments: transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2 ) and forward-looking infrared (FLIR) thermography. A total of 68 patients diagnosed with diabetic foot ulcer and PAD who underwent vascular studies at a single institution between March 2022 and March 2023 were included. Cases with revascularization indications were treated by a cardiologist. Following the procedure, ambient TcPO2 and FLIR thermography were recorded on postoperative days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28. In impaired limbs, TcPO2 was 12.3 ± 2 mmHg and FLIR thermography was 28.7 ± 0.9°C. TcPO2 (p = 0.002), FLIR thermography (p = 0.015) and ankle-brachial index (p = 0.047) values significantly reduced with greater vascular obstruction severity. Revascularization (n = 39) significantly improved TcPO2 (12.5 ± 1.7 to 19.1 ± 2.2 mmHg, p = 0.011) and FLIR (28.8 ± 1.8 to 32.6 ± 1.6°C; p = 0.018), especially in severe impaired angiosomes. TcPO2 significantly increased immediately post-procedure, then gradually, whereas the FLIR thermography values plateaued from day 1 to 28 post-procedure. In conclusion, FLIR thermography is a viable non-invasive tool for evaluating lower limb perfusion based on angiosomes, comparable with TcPO2 .

Correction of Mild-to-Moderate Constricted Ear Abnormality Using Mustardé Suture, Cartilage Onlay Graft, and Transposition Flap: A Case Report.

Constricted ear has a prevalence of 5.2 to 10% among ear abnormalities, and various surgical methods are suggested for treatment. We introduce a case of a constricted ear treated with a simple method using a novel concept cartilage graft and transposition flap, along with the well-known Mustardé suture, which is used for pediatric patients with mild to moderate constricted ears of Tanzer classification type IIA. A 10-year-old female patient visited the hospital complaining of an abnormality in the congenital right ear. Surgical approach was planned under the diagnosis of Tanzer classification type IIA constricted right ear. Posterior helix onlay graft and perichondrocutaneous transposition flap using excessive helical cartilage were performed along with the Mustardé suture. In the immediate postoperative period, ear contour was improved, and it was well-maintained without recurrence until 6 months' follow-up. In conclusion, the combination of Mustardé suture, and cartilage onlay graft and perichondrocutaneous transposition flap in the mild to moderate constricted ear would be a useful surgical option, producing aesthetically good results in a simple and effective method.

Removal of unexpected schwannoma with superficial parotidectomy using modified-Blair incision and superficial musculoaponeurotic system folding: A case report.

BACKGROUND: When a firm facial mass in the cheek region is associated with a high index of clinical suspicion of its being of parotid gland origin, preventive parotidectomy is invariably performed. We report a rare case of a schwannoma that was suspected to be of parotid gland origin in a patient, who underwent successful surgical management using a modified-Blair incision and superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) layer folding method. CASE SUMMARY: A 27-year-old woman presented to the hospital for evaluation of a firm, fixed, non-tender mass (2.5 cm × 3.5 cm), located anterior to the right ear, of 1 year's duration. Contrast-enhanced facial computed tomography revealed a well-encapsulated, low-density mass adherent to the superficial lobe of the right parotid gland, with a high index of clinical suspicion of an accessory parotid gland mass. The patient was scheduled to undergo resection of the mass and superficial parotidectomy. She underwent surgery using a modified-Blair incision, and the SMAS layer was folded posteriorly to reconstruct the defect. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a schwannoma., and we observed no postoperative complications such as hematoma, infection, or abnormal facial expressions. The incision scar was unnoticeable 2 mo postoperatively, and the facial contour was maintained without any differences between the affected and unaffected sides. CONCLUSION: We used a modified-Blair incision and SMAS layer folding method to achieve aesthetically good results following resection of a rare schwannoma with superficial parotidectomy in the cheek region.

Exercise rehabilitation for recurrent extraocular muscle movement limitation after pediatric blowout fracture surgery: a case report.

White-eyed blowout fractures with extraocular muscle (EOM) entrapment necessitate emergency surgical intervention. However, even after surgery, diplopia or EOM motion limitations may persist due to the incomplete reduction of soft tissue herniation caused by inadequate dissection or unresolved muscle strangulation. In this report, we present a case of postoperative EOM movement limitation in a 5-year-old girl who experienced recurrent restriction in the upward gaze of her right eye 14 days after surgery. Instead of revision surgery, the patient was treated with targeted EOM exercises focusing on the inferior rectus muscle and inferior oblique muscle. The patient was instructed to slowly move her pupils from the central point to the upper and outer sides, then in a straight line from the central point to the lower and inner sides before returning to the center point. On the 28th postoperative day, 2 weeks after initiating the exercises, the patient's EOM motion fully recovered. This case highlights the effectiveness of EOM exercises as a non-surgical treatment approach for improving recurrent EOM movement limitations in the absence of soft tissue herniation following surgical management of blowout fractures in children.

Successful treatment of a rare subcutaneous emphysema after a blow-out fracture surgery using needle aspiration: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Many cases of emphysema associated with blow-out fractures occur before surgery due to trauma. However, emphysema can occur even after surgery, and most of such cases are managed conservatively and allowed to resolve. Swelling in the periorbital area due to emphysema that occurs after surgery can make early recovery difficult. CASE SUMMARY: Herein, we describe a case of postoperative subcutaneous emphysema that was treated using a simple needle aspiration method. A 48-year-old male patient visited the hospital with a blow-out fracture of the left medial orbital wall and nasal bone fracture. One day postoperatively, swelling and crepitus in the left periorbital area were observed, and follow-up computed tomography showed emphysema in the left periorbital subcutaneous area. Needle aspiration using an 18-gauge needle and syringe was used to relieve the emphysema. The symptoms of sudden swelling improved immediately, and no recurrence was observed. CONCLUSION: We conclude that needle aspiration is a useful method that could help in relieving symptom, resolving discomfort, and enabling early return to daily life in patients with postoperative subcutaneous emphysema.

A New Method for Inverted Nipple Treatment with Diamond-Shaped Dermal Flaps and Acellular Dermal Matrix: A Preliminary Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with inverted nipples experience various uncomfortable complications including recurrent infections. Regarding the level of severity of inverted nipple, those that are higher than grade II (as classified by Han and Hong) requires surgical correction. Many methods have been proposed to treat the inverted nipple. However, even after treatment, recurrence has always posed a problem. Thus, we propose a new method using the diamond-shaped dermal flap with acellular dermal matrix to treat the inverted nipple. METHOD: Between March 2019 and February 2022, a total of five patients with grade III were studied in this study. Two diamond-shaped flaps were designed at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions of the nipple. This dermal flap was elevated and wrapped around the nipple column at the nipple base. The lactiferous ducts in female were all divided. In addition, acellular dermal matrix was inserted to fill the dead space of the nipple base. The nipple height and scar evaluation were conducted on 6 month, 12 month postoperatively. Overall satisfaction and complications were also checked at the last visit. RESULTS: The inverted nipple was resolved and no complications such as hematoma, infection, and necrosis were reported. The projection was maintained without any recurrence, with a slight decrease of 1.5 mm (reduction in 20%) in median value. There were no major or minor complications found except for a few small scars, and the patient was satisfied with the esthetic outcomes during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: This is a fast and simple technique for the surgical correction of inverted nipples. Using the acellular dermal matrix, projection and suspension were safely maintained without complications. This technique could be an option for the surgical treatment of severe types of inverted nipples. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: 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 .

Mechanical Stress Improves Fat Graft Survival by Promoting Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Proliferation.

Cell-assisted lipotransfer (CAL), defined as co-transplantation of aspirated fat with enrichment of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), is a novel technique for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery to overcome the low survival rate of traditional fat grafting. However, clinically approved techniques for increasing the potency of ASCs in CAL have not been developed yet. As a more clinically applicable method, we used mechanical stress to reinforce the potency of ASCs. Mechanical stress was applied to the inguinal fat pad by needling . Morphological and cellular changes in adipose tissues were examined by flow cytometric analysis 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after the procedure. The proliferation and adipogenesis potencies of ASCs were evaluated. CAL with ASCs treated with mechanical stress or sham control were performed, and engraftment was determined at 4 weeks post-operation. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that mechanical stress significantly increased the number as well as the frequency of ASC proliferation in fat. Proliferation assays and adipocyte-specific marker gene analysis revealed that mechanical stress promoted proliferation potential but did not affect the differentiation capacity of ASCs. Moreover, CAL with cells derived from mechanical stress-treated fat increased the engraftment. Our results indicate that mechanical stress may be a simple method for improving the efficacy of CAL by enhancing the proliferation potency of ASCs.

Misdiagnosis of Human Herpes Virus-8-Associated Kaposi's Sarcoma as Adverse Drug Eruptions.

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a cancer that causes patches of abnormal tissue to grow under the skin. It also occurs in the immunosuppressive population. KS is currently believed to be caused by infection with human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8) in non-human immunodeficiency virus patient. A 79-year-old female visited the outpatient clinic presenting with increasing number and size of palpable masses on both upper and lower extremities. She was first diagnosed as drug-erupted dermatitis and stopped her medications, but the symptoms got worse. We did partial biopsy, and KS with HHV-8 was diagnosed histopathologically. She planned to undergo further evaluations and proper treatments. This rare case suggests the need to consider a classic type of KS in the differential diagnosis of specific dermatologic symptoms such as macular, nodular, and darkish patches of upper or lower extremities in elderly patients. It is believed that this case helps to strengthen awareness of this rare disease.

Immunogenicity of botulinum toxin.

Botulinum toxin treatment is the most common non-surgical cosmetic treatment. Although there are many available treatments using botulinum toxin, their effects are temporary and repeated injections are required. These frequent injections can trigger an immunological response. In addition, botulinum toxin acts as an antigen in the body; thus, its effect disappears progressively due to this immunological reaction, which may cause treatment failure. Active botulinum toxin consists of a core neurotoxin and complexing proteins, the exact effects of which remain unclear. However, the complexing proteins are closely related to the immune response and the formation of neutralizing antibodies. Since neutralizing antibodies can lead to treatment failure, their formation should be prevented. Furthermore, various methods of detecting neutralizing antibodies have been used to predict treatment failure.

"Fasting: An Effective Preconditioning Method to Increase Fat Graft Survival".

BACKGROUND: Most preconditioning techniques before fat grafting require external manipulation. Since nutrition is the main factor maintaining the balance of lipogenesis and lipolysis, we hypothesized that fasting before undergoing autologous fat grafting may increase lipolysis and reduce adipocyte size, thereby improving the fat graft survival rate. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were divided into 24 h starved or fed groups. Adipose tissue lipolysis, adipogenesis, and angiogenesis-related gene expression, in fat from both groups, were analyzed. The volume and weight of the grafted fat at 4-8 weeks postoperatively were measured using micro-computed tomography. Immunohistochemistry staining and mRNA expression analysis were also performed to evaluate the effect of fasting on fat graft survival. RESULTS: Fasting decreased adipocyte size by inducing adipose tissue lipolysis. Adipogenesis-related genes were remarkably downregulated while lipolysis-related genes and angiogenesis inducer genes were significantly upregulated in the starved adipose tissue. The mice grafted with the fat from the 24 h starved group had approximately 20% larger volumes and considerably heavier weights than those from the fed group. Increased viable adipocytes and vessels, and reduced macrophages in the fat grafts obtained from the 24 h starved group were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Fasting for 24 h before harvesting fat increased the retention volume of fat graft by increasing angiogenesis via VEGF induction. Therefore, fasting would be a novel and reliable preconditioning strategy to improve graft survival in autologous fat grafting. NO LEVEL ASSIGNED: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. 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.

Aesthetic Nasal Lobule Correction Using a Three-Dimensional Printed Polycaprolactone Implant.

ABSTRACT: Nasal tip plasty is a surgery that determines important rhinoplasty outcomes. A variety of autologous and alloplastic implants are utilized in this procedure, including 1 synthetic material known as polycaprolactone (PCL). This study provides background on the ready-made three-dimensional printed PCL implant for nasal lobule correction, before discussing the usefulness and effectiveness of the implant. A total of 23 patients who visited our hospital between January 2018 and January 2020 were evaluated in this study. We used 3 types of PCL implant to get an ideal shape for the nasal tip: tipball (globular shape), droneball (rugby ball shape), and dumbbell (dumbbell shape). The authors compared nasolabial angle and tip projection at the preoperative and postoperative period via photographic anthropometric analysis. In 4 patients, we also examined the dead space between the implant and soft tissue via ultrasonography. The follow-up period averaged 9.5 months and no serious complications were found after surgery. The nasolabial angle and tip projection had an average postoperative increase of 6.4° and 0.044, respectively. Ultrasonography revealed the attachment of the implant at the insertion site and no dead space was found. This is the first attempt to apply a ready-made three-dimensional printed PCL implant to a nasal lobule correction procedure. As the implant was easy to use and showed good results, it may be useful for aesthetic purposes in future nasal tip plasty procedures.

Delayed-type retrobulbar hematoma caused by low temperature after reconstruction of inferior blow-out fracture.

Retrobulbar hemorrhage is a disastrous condition that can lead to permanent blindness. As such, rapid diagnosis and treatment are critical. Here, we report a patient who presented with retrobulbar hemorrhage following an orbital floor fracture. Restoration of inferior orbital wall with porous polyethylene implant was underwent. Four days after the orbital floor reconstruction, the patient smoked a cigarette outdoors in -3˚C weather. Cold temperature and smoking caused an increase in his systemic blood pressure. The elevated blood pressure increased intraorbital pressure to the extent of causing central retinal artery occlusion and exacerbated oozing. During exploratory surgery, 3 mL of hematoma and diffuse oozing without arterial bleeding were observed. Prompt diagnosis and treatment prevented vision impairment. Few studies have reported on the risk factors for retrobulbar hemorrhage. This case showed that daily activities, such as exposure to cold weather or tobacco smoking, could be risk factors for retrobulbar hemorrhage.

Embolization for treating posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm of the sphenopalatine artery.

Posttraumatic pseudoaneurysms of the sphenopalatine artery are rare. Only a few cases have been reported. We report two cases of hemorrhage due to pseudoaneurysm of the sphenopalatine artery. The hemorrhage was uncontrollable. It required embolization. Two patients visited our hospital for treatment of zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture. At the emergency room, patients presented with massive nasal bleeding which ceased shortly. After reduction of the fracture, patients presented persistent nasopharyngeal bleeding. Under suspicion of intracranial vessel injury, we performed angiography. Angiograms revealed pseudoaneurysms of the sphenopalatine artery. Endovascular embolization was performed, leading to successful hemostasis in both patients. Due to close proximity to pterygoid plates, zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture involving pterygoid plates may cause injury of the sphenopalatine artery. The only presentation of sphenopalatine artery injury is nasopharyngeal bleeding which is common. Based on our clinical experience, although pseudoaneurysm of maxillary artery branch after maxillofacial trauma has a low incidence, suspicion of injury involving deeply located arteries and early imaging via angiogram are recommended to manage recurrent bleeding after facial trauma or surgery.

Oroantral fistula after a zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture.

Zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures account for a substantial proportion of trauma cases. The most frequent complications of maxillofacial fracture treatment are infections and soft tissue flap dehiscence. Postoperative infections nearly always resolve in response to oral antibiotics and local wound care. However, a significant infection can cause a permanent fistula. A 52-year-old man visited our clinic to treat an oroantral fistula (OAF), which was a late complication of a ZMC fracture. Postoperatively, the oral suture site dehisced, exposing the absorbable plate. However, he did not seek treatment. After 5 years, an OAF formed with a 2.0× 2.0 cm bony defect on the left maxilla. We completely excised the OAF, harvested a piece of corticocancellous bone from the iliac crest, inserted the harvested bone into the defect, and covered the soft tissue defect with a buccal mucosal transposition flap. Although it is necessary to excise OAFs, the failure rate is higher for large OAFs (> 5 mm in diameter) because of the extensive defect in the underlying bone that supports the overlying flap. Inappropriate management of postoperative wounds after a ZMC fracture can lead to disastrous outcomes, as in this case. Therefore, proper postoperative treatment and follow-up are essential.

Carboxytherapy-Induced Fat loss is Associated with VEGF-Mediated Vascularization.

BACKGROUND: Carboxytherapy is the transcutaneous administration of CO2 gas for therapeutic purposes. Although this non-surgical procedure has been widely used for reducing localized adiposity, its effectiveness on fat loss in obese patients and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were fed with a high-fat diet for 8 weeks to generate obese animal models. Obese mice were randomly assigned to two groups: One group was administered air to both inguinal fat pads (air/air), and the other group was treated with air to the left inguinal fat pad and with CO2 to the right inguinal fat pad (air/CO2). Each group was treated every other day for 2 weeks. Morphological changes and expression levels of genes associated with lipogenesis and vascularization in fat were determined by histological and qRT-PCR analyses. RESULTS: Mice treated with air/CO2 showed lower body weights and blood glucose levels compared to air/air-treated mice. Paired comparison analysis revealed that CO2 administration significantly decreased adipose tissue weights and adipocyte sizes compared to air treatment. Additionally, CO2 treatment markedly increased vessel numbers and expressions of Vegfa and Fgf1 genes in adipose tissues. The expressions of Fasn and Fabp4 genes were also modestly reduced in CO2-treated adipose tissue. Moreover, Ucp1 expression, the target gene of VEGF and a key regulator in energy expenditure, was significantly increased in CO2-treated adipose tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Carboxytherapy is effective in the reduction of localized fat in obese patients which is mechanistically associated with alteration of the vasculature involved in VEGF. NO LEVEL ASSIGNED: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. 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 .

A better facial contour accomplished by parotid duct preserving superficial parotidectomy.

Depression of facial contour after parotidectomy is still challenging to many of surgeons. A 68-year-old man presented with a 4-month history of a painless swelling in both parotid area. The mass was multiple and fixed at the parotid region. We conducted a parotid duct preserving bilateral superficial parotidectomy by one-stage operation to remove the multiple tumors. A lazy S incision was made in both preauricular area and the peripheral branches of the facial nerve were identified using surgical landmark. After dissecting the branches of the facial nerve and parotid duct, main parotid duct was preserved but only small fine ductules from the superficial lobe were ligated. Parotid gland was excised from its anterior aspect with about 1 cm of normal parotid tissue margin. The patient was followed up for 6 years to evaluate postoperative parotid gland function and the computed tomography (CT) was taken. Patient was satisfied with no significant complication such as sunken changes in facial contour, facial nerve function. As far as we know, it is the first study to compare long-term soft tissue contours of soft tissue of duct preserving superficial parotidectomy with duct sacrificing superficial parotidectomy by means of CT findings.

Transoral Open Reduction for Subcondylar Fractures of the Mandible Using an Angulated Screwdriver System.

BACKGROUND: The management of subcondylar mandibular fractures has been a matter of controversy. Although closed reduction is the most useful method, it can be difficult to achieve anatomical reduction with this technique compared with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Most surgeons prefer to treat subcondylar fractures by extraoral approaches rather than intraoral approaches because extraoral approaches provide good visualization of the operative field. The retromandibular, submandibular, and perilobular approaches are commonly performed in the treatment of displaced condylar or subcondylar fractures and that the functional results of these treatments are good. However, extraoral approaches have a high rate of surgical complications such as salivary fistula formation, visible scarring, and facial nerve injury, compared with intraoral approaches. Therefore, this clinical study evaluated the clinical results of ORIF for mandibular subcondylar fractures through a transoral approach using an angulated screwdriver system without endoscopic assistance. METHODS: A study was conducted between March 2011 and October 2012. Eleven patients with subcondylar fractures of the mandible were treated through a transoral approach using an angulated screwdriver. There were 10 male patients and 1 female patient aged 21 to 72 years (mean, 38 years). Nine patients had a symphyseal or parasymphyseal fracture, and 2 patients had isolated subcondylar fractures of the mandible. RESULTS: Eleven patients with subcondylar fractures of the mandible were treated with a transoral approach using an angulated screwdriver. The subcondylar fracture was on the left side in 6 patients and on the right in 5. All patients achieved satisfactory ranges of temporomandibular joint movement with an interincisal distance of more than 40 mm without deviation and stable individual centric occlusion. The maximum operation duration was 165 minutes, and the average duration of ORIF was 97 minutes. The association between the operation duration and the number of operations was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our clinical study shows that subcondylar fractures of the mandible can be treated using an angulated screwdriver system through a transoral approach and that this technique provides reliable, satisfactory, and safe clinical outcomes.