Usefulness of Harmonic ACE+7 Scalpel in Breast Reconstruction with Extended Latissimus Dorsi Flap: An Open-label Single Institution Pilot Study.

The extended latissimus dorsi (ELD) flap is a safe and aesthetically acceptable method to reconstruct small to medium-sized breasts. However, the long time required for flap elevation and intraoperative bleeding contributes to various postoperative complications. We investigated the use of alternative devices, such as the Harmonic ACE+7, which has a long arm that can help simultaneously detach and seal tissues to prevent such complications. Methods: We compared 27 patients who underwent breast reconstruction with the ELD flap using the Harmonic ACE +7 scalpel, and 28 patients who underwent breast reconstruction using an electrocautery scalpel, between May 2019 and March 2022. Data on patient demographics, surgery, and postoperative complications were collected. Surgical outcomes were compared between electrocautery (EC) and Harmonic ACE+7 (HA) groups. Results: The median age of the patients was 50.2 years. The patient demographics between the groups did not show significant differences. Flap necrosis and hematomas did not occur, and seroma was the major postoperative complication (65.7% in the EC group and 70% in the HA group). The time required for flap elevation was significantly shorter in the HA group than in the EC group (286.0 minutes and 179.0 minutes, respectively). Blood loss reduced significantly in the HA and EC groups (138.5 mL and 78.2 mL, respectively). Moreover, decreased drainage was observed for the breast area. There were no significant differences in other end points. Conclusion: In breast reconstruction with ELD flaps, using the Harmonic ACE+7 can help reduce the rate of seroma, operative time, and intraoperative bleeding without further disadvantages.

Resection and Abdominal Wall Reconstruction for Cesarean Scar Endometriosis.

Introduction: Currently, there are few reports describing the use of reconstructive techniques in the treatment of cesarean scar endometriosis (CSE). Here, we report a case of CSE, a rare form of endometriosis caused by scars from obstetric and gynecological surgeries. Case Report. A 50-year-old woman became aware of a painful, deep scar mass in her lower abdomen during her menstrual period 10 years after her second cesarean section. This was diagnosed as CSE after the biopsy. Under general anesthesia, the mass, a portion of the rectus abdominis, and a 1 cm tumor-free margin were resected as a whole, and the abdominal wall was reconstructed with a soft artificial mesh. Results: No obvious recurrence or subjective symptoms were observed postoperatively or reported in the 1-year follow-up period. Discussion. Endometriosis appearing in a cesarean scar is rare; it is chiefly triggered by intraoperative mechanical implantation. In cases of surgical scar masses with a history of gynecological surgery and associated menstrual symptoms, this syndrome should be considered during diagnosis and treatment.

New Method for Umbilicoplasty with Bilateral Square Flap and Caudal Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator Flap.

Background: The navel is an important cosmetic feature of the abdomen. A vertically long navel with a deep caudal side has recently been preferred by patients. Currently, there is no plastic surgery technique for complete umbilical repositioning or plasty after umbilical keloid resection. This study aimed to examine the effect of a new umbilicoplasty by combining a bilateral square flap with a triangular flap that utilizes the excess caudal skin nourished by the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator. Methods: A total of 23 patients underwent umbilical keloid resection and new umbilicoplasty between April 2018 and March 2020. The mean patient age was 48.2 (range: 36-68) years, and mean body mass index was 23.1 (range: 18.5-33.4). Satisfaction with umbilical morphology was evaluated on a 5-point scale through interviews. Results: The surgery resulted in forming a vertically elongated deep caudal umbilical fossa. All patients were satisfied with their umbilical morphology (mean score, 4.6). In one case involving a woman who underwent breast reconstruction with a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap, superficial necrosis of the triangular flap was observed. However, no other complications were observed. Conclusions: Creating a flap with stable blood circulation using the tissue originally excised during umbilical surgery allowed for the reproduction of a desirable umbilical morphology with adequate verticality and caudal depth.

Long-term functional and aesthetic evaluation of using a single rhomboid-shaped fascial strip for severe congenital unilateral blepharoptosis.

PURPOSE: Surgery for congenital blepharoptosis is often performed at approximately 4-5 years of age. A long-term follow-up is important during facial growth. We performed frontal suspension by using a single rhomboid-shaped autogenous fascial strip. We conducted a long-term evaluation of patients with severe congenital unilateral blepharoptosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 334 patients with congenital blepharoptosis underwent surgery between 1994 and 2006. Of these, 192 patients had unilateral blepharoptosis with levator function less than 3 mm. A retrospective analysis was conducted on those patients who could be followed up postoperatively for at least 10 years and had accurate clinical photographs available. Visual acuity, palpebral fissure height (PFH), and marginal reflex distance (MRD) were evaluated from the photographs to compare both eyes. PFH and MRD were assessed as ratio. Morphological evaluation was based on patient and family comments. Statistical analysis included the t-test. RESULTS: Participants comprised 95 patients (63 male and 32 female; 43 left and 52 right). Visual acuity showed improvements. Although the postoperative MRD ratio of the affected eye was significantly improved, no clinically significant bilateral difference was seen in postoperative PFH, compared with those in the unaffected side. The surgical results were as follows: 62 excellent, 14 good, 12 fair, 3 poor, and 4 other cases in our criteria. No major complications occurred. Satisfactory result could be seen in 76 of the 95 cases. CONCLUSION: The evaluation results show that our surgical procedure appears useful for patients with unilateral congenital ptosis. Moreover, blepharoptosis surgery is useful for improving visual acuity. In this paper, we report this surgical procedure and discuss its long-term results.

An Algorithmic Approach Using Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Pediatric Nasal Bone Fracture.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasonography (US) was recently reported as a reliable modality for diagnosing nasal bone fractures. However, whether US is reliable as a screening tool in the pediatric emergency department (ED) remains unknown. This prospective cohort study had a 2-fold aim: to assess the utility of US in the diagnosis of pediatric nasal bone fracture, and to evaluate the validity of our protocol for managing pediatric nasal bone fractures (Fuchu-Kids algorithm). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Among the patients who presented at the ED with facial trauma, those with a suspected nasal bone fracture were enrolled in the study. Patients were treated according to Fuchu-Kids algorithm, and the validity of the protocol using US imaging was evaluated. RESULTS: Among 81 patients who were enrolled during the 1-year study period, 63 patients were able to complete the process described in our protocol for further examination. The diagnostic power of the Fuchu-Kids algorithm had a sensitivity of 91.7%, a specificity of 92.3%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 88%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 94.7%. However, when the performance of US was assessed as a single examination, its sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 75%, 92.3%, 85.7%, and 85.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Using our algorithm, the majority of patients with nasal bone fracture were successfully diagnosed and screened out successfully. Repeated US imaging is effective when clinical symptoms persist even if the first US imaging was negative for nasal bone fracture. However, a detailed medical interview and clinical examination are mandatory, regardless of the use of US.

Colored pencil-core granuloma on the forehead.

We often encounter injuries caused by pencils or colored pencils in toddlers and young children, but subsequent segmental tumor formation is rare. Here we report the case of a 4-year-old boy who had been stabbed under his left eyebrow with a red pencil. Colored pencil-core granuloma, a foreign body granuloma arising from an injury with a colored pencil, was diagnosed on the basis of intraoperative and histopathologic findings. Because of the severe tissue damage that the colorant causes, this type of tumor grows rapidly within a few days and may be accompanied by resorption of the skull if it occurs on the head or face.

Intra-eyebrow frontalis suspension using inverted Y-shaped short autogenous fascia lata for blepharoptosis with poor levator function.

Frontalis suspension using autogenous fascia lata is a common procedure for blepharoptosis with poor levator function. However, donor-site morbidity associated with fascia lata harvest cannot be ignored. In conventional procedures, the required length of the fascia lata is usually >5-12 cm with a lateral thigh skin incision of approximately 5 cm or more. The present study introduces a new frontalis suspension procedure in which the required size (length and width) of the fascia lata and length of lateral thigh incision is much smaller. The harvested fascia lata is tailored to an inverted Y shape and the separated caudal legs are fixed to the tarsus while the cephalic end is grafted inside the eyebrow through a suborbital septum tunnel. In the present study, 11 patients who underwent the new procedure with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up were evaluated. The average length and width of the harvested fascia lata in unilateral ptosis cases were 2.85 and 0.89 cm, respectively. The average length of the lateral thigh incision was 1.25 cm. The margin reflex distance improved in all cases at 6 months postoperatively. The cosmetic result was graded as good to excellent in most of the patients. Trichiasis, widened donor scar, and eyebrow notch were noted as complications. The present method is a good alternative for the treatment of blepharoptosis with poor levator function. It potentially reduces donor-site morbidity as compared with conventional frontalis muscle suspension procedures using autogenous fascia lata.

The RIVET: a novel technique involving absorbable fixation for hydroxyapatite osteosynthesis.

Cranioplasty using custom-made hydroxyapatite (HAP) ceramic implants is a common procedure for the repair of skull defects. The advantages of using HAP are that it is nonmetallic, unlike titanium; biocompatible; and osteoconductive. Furthermore, it can be molded to any complex shape that may be needed. A disadvantage is that titanium screws and plates are in development for its fixation. We developed a technique for implant fixation using bioabsorbable screws and plates, and named this technique RIVET: resorbable immobilization for vacuolar en bloc technique.Before each operation, the implant was customized for the patient in question on the basis of models prepared using computed tomography data. The bioabsorbable plates were attached to the implant by drilling, tapping, and screwing, as shown in the video (http://links.lww.com/SCS/A43). The interior portion of the screw was then melted to flatten it against the internal surface of the implant, forming a rivet to join the plate and HAP implant.We used this technique for cranial reconstruction in 2 patients, with satisfying and functional results. We did not encounter any complications.In conclusion, the technique described here allows surgeons to fix implants and plates together more rigidly, giving a better result than possible with previous methods.