Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Gas Gangrene of the Fingertip with Prolonged Infection.

Background: We encountered a case of infected soft tissue defect of the fingertip treated using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). The development of NPWT was started in the early 1990s, and it is a relatively new treatment method included in insurance coverage in Japan in 2010. NPWT is used for intractable wounds; some reports have examined its use on infected wounds. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has examined its use on infected fingertip wounds. Methods: A patient with an infected soft tissue defect in the fingertip whose epithelialization period was prolonged despite continued antibiotic therapy was treated using NPWT in combination. Results: After NPWT was started, signs of infection and wound granulation were good. Additionally, completion of epithelialization was confirmed 7 weeks after NPWT started. Conclusions: Conventionally, skin flap or graft by hand surgeons have been performed on fingertip soft tissue defects with infection. NPWT does not require specialized and advanced surgical techniques; treatment for infected soft tissue defects can be administered by anyone if they have the required skills. In conclusion, NPWT may be considered a suitable alternative when treatment options such as flaps and skin grafts are not feasible.

Variations in the Extensor Pollicis Brevis-Extensor Pollicis Longus Tendon Complex.

Despite several reports on the running of the extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) tendons, the classification of tendon insertions remains ununified due to differences in reports. This diversity in tendon patterning is attributed to the process of tendon development. In this study, we assessed the running of the EPB tendons of 44 cadaver hands fixed in ethanol/formalin in detail and examined the existing classification method. The specimens were obtained from 15 women and seven men, with an average age of 86 years. Consistent with previous reports, we observed a wide diversity in the running of the EPB tendons. Further, we found that EPB tendon insertions showed diverse variations in the proportion and running of fibers, making it difficult to classify them into independent patterns. It is speculated that the EPB tendon develops through a different process than that of the muscle body of the EPB and that the entire muscle-tendon module of the EPB is evolving. The diversity of the EPB tendons observed in this study may reflect the ongoing process of evolution. In clinical practice, a wide variation in the running of the EPB tendons should be considered.

Translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey in Japanese (J-SCHNOS).

BACKGROUND: Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular plastic surgery techniques. The evaluation of both functional and cosmetic aspects of rhinoplasty is essential for planning and assessing surgery results. The Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey (SCHNOS) is a validated questionnaire used to assess both functional and aesthetic symptoms in patients with nasal problems, and it has been translated into several languages. The purpose of this study was to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the SCHNOS in Japanese among patients undergoing rhinoplasty. METHODS: This was a prospective validation study of the Japanese version of the SCHNOS (J-SCHNOS). The first phase involved translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the SCHNOS. The second phase included validation of the J-SCHNOS among native Japanese speakers. RESULTS: In total, 357 participants completed the final version of the J-SCHNOS (219 males and 138 females; mean age 43.4 years). The J-SCHNOS showed high internal consistency with excellent Cronbach's alpha values for both obstruction (SCHNOS-O) (0.96) and cosmetic (SCHNOS-C) (0.93) domains. The reproducibility was high, with an excellent intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) >0.9 for all items. Exploratory factor analysis showed unidimensional structures in both the SCHNOS-O and the SCHNOS-C. CONCLUSION: The J-SCHNOS is a reliable and valid tool to assess the severity of nasal problems in patients undergoing rhinoplasty.

Comparison of complications and functional outcomes following total or subtotal glossectomy with laryngeal preservation using a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator free flap versus a rectus abdominis musculocutaneous free flap.

OBJECTIVE: Wide defects resulting from subtotal or total glossectomy are commonly reconstructed using a bulk flap to maintain oral and speech functions. The flap, including muscle tissue, diminishes with time. This study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator and rectus abdominis musculocutaneous free flap reconstructions after glossectomy with laryngeal preservation. METHODS: Medical records of 13 and 26 patients who underwent deep inferior epigastric artery perforator and rectus abdominis musculocutaneous free flap reconstructions, respectively, from 2014 to 2022 at our institution were reviewed. Patients who underwent middle pharynx resection except for the base of the tongue, mandibular bone resection, and sensory reinnervation were excluded. RESULTS: The rectus abdominis musculocutaneous groups showed a higher number of lymph node dissection and shorter operative time than the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator groups. No significant differences in postoperative complications or functional oral intake scale scores at 6 months were observed. Volumetric changes on computed tomography images at 6 and 12 months were significantly lower in the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator group. Cancer recurrence was significantly associated with reduced oral function. CONCLUSIONS: Oral function in patients with cancer is influenced by various other factors. However, the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap may be suitable for tongue reconstruction because of the minimal postoperative changes in flap volume, easy adjustment of flap thickness, elevation of multiple flaps, and minimal complications at the donor site.

Distraction Osteogenesis for the Brachytelephalangic Thumb - A Case Report.

Brachytelephalangy is a congenital condition characterised by the shortening of the distal phalanges, which affects appearance but does not cause severe functional disability. Therefore, most hand surgeons do not consider it to require surgical treatment, and there are limited options to improve the appearance of the affected digits. We present the case of a 55-year-old male patient with congenital brachytelephalangy of the thumb, who underwent a bone lengthening procedure using distraction osteogenesis with the Ilizarov minifixator. The distal phalanx was carefully osteotomised and gradually lengthened up to 5 mm with no adverse events observed. The patient was satisfied with the natural appearance of his thumb after the surgery. This gradual callus distraction method is a radical solution for people with brachytelephalangy, particularly after epiphyseal closure and can manage the external fixator on their own. Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic).

Long-term surgical and functional outcomes after anterolateral thigh flap and free jejunal transfer reconstruction of circumferential pharyngoesophageal defects.

BACKGROUND: Circumferential pharyngoesophageal defects resulting from total pharyngolaryngectomy are commonly reconstructed using free jejunal (FJ) transfer or an anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 92 patients with ALT free flaps and 140 who underwent FJ transfer between 2009 and 2022, and compared their surgical outcomes. RESULTS: Total flap loss occurred in two (2%) and five (4%) patients in the ALT free flap and FJ transfer groups, respectively. Fistula rates were 5% in both groups. Stricture rates were 21% and 5% in the ALT free flap and FJ transfer groups, respectively (p < 0.01). At the 5-year follow-up evaluation, intelligible speech was achieved by 83% and 28% of patients (p < 0.01) in the ALT free flap and FJ transfer groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Each reconstructive method can be further optimized by proficient surgeons with expertise in the available methods and by considering patient-specific factors and available evidence.

Surgical Treatment for Empty Nose Syndrome Using Autologous Dermal Fat: Evaluation of Symptomatic Improvement.

Background: Empty nose syndrome (ENS) is caused by nasal turbinate surgery. The standard treatment for ENS is an inferior meatus augmentation procedure (IMAP) in which autologous tissue such as auricular cartilage, rib cartilage, or artificial material is transplanted into the nasal cavity. However, some challenges like a very small auricular cartilage are associated with these autologous tissue types. Moreover, since using rib cartilage is a highly invasive technique, the scar on the chest from where the harvesting is done is easily visible, and the artificial material is susceptible to infection. We used autologous dermal fat (ADF) in IMAPs in our study for the following reasons: the quantity of ADF could be increased or reduced as needed, ADF is considered a safer option than rib cartilage because it is harvested from superficial tissue, it is superior in terms of cosmetic appearance to harvested rib cartilage, and it has a lower risk of infection than any artificial material.Objective: The purpose of our study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of IMAPs using ADF.Methods: We included nine patients with ENS who underwent an IMAP using ADF. The patients' backgrounds and responses to the Empty Nose Syndrome 6-Item Questionnaire (ENS6Q) were recorded. Changes in each item of the ENS6Q before and after surgery (up to 3 months) were analyzed.Results: The postoperative ENS6Q total score and parameters were significantly better than their preoperative counterparts. Nasal dryness improved slightly less than other symptoms. There were no complications.Conclusions: The IMAP using ADF was effective in improving ENS symptoms; however, some physiological functions were difficult to improve, and dryness persisted. Autologous dermal fat is larger than auricular cartilage, less invasive than rib cartilage, and has a lower risk of infection than artificial material.

A human tissue-based assay identifies a novel carrion blowfly strain for maggot debridement therapy.

Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) is a form of therapeutic wound treatment in which live fly larvae are used intentionally to debride necrotic tissues. MDT has been widely used to treat chronic wounds in humans or animals, such as diabetic foot ulcers. Larvae of a carrion blowfly, Lucilia sericata (green bottle fly), debride wounds by consuming necrotic tissue and removing pathogenic bacteria, promoting effective wound healing. Most medical L. sericata strains were initially collected from natural environments using animal meat as bait and reared on artificial protein-rich media or ground meat. It remains to be examined which strain would be more appropriate for MDT, whereas any method for evaluating the fly's therapeutic potential in humans has not been available. A feeding assay was developed using minced human tissues obtained from surgical waste. To establish L. sericata strains highly eligible for MDT, carrion fly larvae were collected from 45 corpses subjected to forensic autopsy (such as decomposed bodies). Four corpse-derived L. sericata strains were obtained and evaluated using the feeding assay. One strain showed that its feeding activity was 1.4 times higher than the control strain used in conventional MDT. The body length of the adult fly of the corpse-derived strain was longer than the control, which was consistent with the observation that its cell size was enlarged. The human tissue-based assay developed in this study accurately evaluated the ability of fly larvae to debride necrotic wounds. The L. sericata strain newly established from human corpses harboring high feeding activity may offer a clinically significant improvement in MDT.

Caudal Septal Deviation: A Computed Tomography-Based Evaluation Method.

OBJECTIVE: Caudal septal deviation (CSD) correction during septorhinoplasty is challenging, and various surgical modifications and evaluations remain controversial. This study aimed to introduce an objective evaluation method based on computed tomography (CT) images to measure the effectiveness of septorhinoplasty for CSD treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed preoperative and postoperative CT images of patients who had undergone functional open septorhinoplasty by the plastic surgery and otorhinolaryngology teams between January and September 2019. Using OsiriX Lite (Pixmeo, Switzerland), CSD was calculated as the distance between the septum midline and palatal plane. Deformation was categorized as C-shaped unilateral or S-shaped bilateral deviations. The change in the distance between preoperative and postoperative images was considered because of surgical intervention. RESULTS: Twenty patients (mean age, 35 years; 13 males [65%], 7 females [35%]) were included. The median deviation was 3.01 mm (range, 0.45-7.34 mm) preoperatively and 1.6 mm (range, 0.5-2.86 mm) postoperatively, indicating a reduction of 1.26 mm (median, P < 0.05) due to surgical intervention. C- and S-shaped deviations were seen preoperatively in 9 (45%) and 11 (55%) patients and postoperatively in 6 (30%) and 14 (70%) patients, respectively. The mean ± SD time of analysis was 7 ± 2.1 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: Caudal septal deviation showed significant changes from preoperative to postoperative CT images, based on the distance between the actual septum midline and the constructed straight septum. This allowed effective evaluation of surgical efficacy for septum straightening. Although additional studies are needed, this method allows clearer stratification of surgical outcomes.

Management of recurrent acquired choanal atresia with radial forearm free flap transfer.

Acquired choanal atresia is a rare complication of pharyngeal surgical interventions. Here, we report the case of a 72-year-old woman who was treated in our institution for acquired choanal atresia after failed previous treatments. We have excised the obstructing fibrotic scar tissue and then reconstructed the area using a mucosal local flap and free radial forearm flap transfer. Choanal stenosis caused by abnormal granulation was identified in the months after surgery; however, this was treated with endoscopic dilatation and steroid injections in the outpatient setting. No restenosis was identified 1 year after the operation. Postoperative evaluation of speech was satisfactory. Free flap transfer could be an option for refractory choanal atresia, and endoscopic dilatation with local steroid injections may be an effective method to treat postoperative restenosis.

Techniques of orthotopic renal transplantation. II. Size-matched porcine grafts in monkey recipients.

PURPOSE: As a classical xenotransplantation model, porcine kidneys have been transplanted into the lower abdomen of non-human primates. However, we have improved upon this model by using size-matched grafting in the orthotopic position. The beneficial aspects and surgical details of our method are reported herein. METHODS: Donors were two newborn pigs (weighting 5 to 6 kg) and recipients were two cynomolgus monkeys (weighting, approximately, 7 kg). After bilateral nephrectomy, kidneys were cold-transported in Euro-Collins solution. The porcine kidney was transplanted to the site of a left nephrectomy and fixed to the peritoneum. RESULTS: Kidneys transplanted to the lower abdomen by the conventional method were more susceptible to torsion of the renal vein (two cases). In contrast, early-stage blood flow insufficiency did not occur in orthotopic transplants of theleft kidney. CONCLUSIONS: Size-matched porcine-primate renal grafting using our method of transplanting tothe natural position of the kidneys contributes to stable post-transplant blood flow to the kidney.

Effectiveness of modified cutting and suture technique for endonasal caudal septoplasty in correcting nasal obstruction and preventing nasal tip projection loss.

PURPOSE: Caudal septoplasty is a difficult procedure. The cutting and suture technique is suitable for caudal septoplasty, but a batten graft is always necessary and bears the risk of nasal tip projection loss. We established a modified cutting and suture technique (MCAST), without using a batten graft, and investigated its effectiveness in correcting nasal obstruction and preventing nasal tip projection loss. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 22 patients who underwent caudal septoplasty using MCAST. Subjective assessment by Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) score and objective assessment by computed tomography (CT) were performed before and after the surgery. For evaluating nasal tip projection, we asked patients about their awareness of external nasal deformity. Additionally, the nasal tip projection was measured by CT and compared before and after surgery. RESULTS: The median preoperative NOSE score reduced significantly after MCAST (P < 0.001). On CT, the ratio of the area of the convex side to that of the concave side in the anterior portion of the nasal cavity increased significantly after MCAST (P < 0.001). All patients were unaware of external nasal deformity. There were no significant differences in the mean preoperative and postoperative nasal tip height and nasolabial angle. The mean supra tip height was significantly greater postoperatively than preoperatively (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The MCAST was useful for correcting nasal obstruction with caudal septal deviation. There was no postoperative loss of nasal tip projection. The MCAST can be suitable for correcting C-shaped caudal deviations without dislocating the caudal septum from the anterior nasal septum.

Pathological Changes in Axillary Hyperhidrosis and Axillary Osmidrosis Induced by Microwave Treatment: Comparison of Single- and Double-Pass Irradiation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To analyze histopathological changes and degree of damage to the axillary tissue due to single- and double-pass irradiation therapy using a microwave energy-based device. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 15 axillary hyperhidrosis and axillary osmidrosis patients who received microwave irradiation therapy between March 2017 and March 2019. Ten patients underwent single-pass irradiation and five underwent double-pass irradiation, after which skin samples were collected from the right and left axillae for pathological analysis. Samples were taken in a consistent manner from Patient 6 onwards and a comparative study of five single-pass and five double-pass patients was conducted (n = 10). RESULTS: Histopathological analysis showed destruction and fibrosis in addition to necrosis and damage to the adipose tissue in apocrine and eccrine sweat glands. In the superficial microvasculature, blood vessel wall damage and thrombus formation were observed as well as damage in the hair follicles and hair bulbs. No obvious damage was observed in the epidermis and nerves. The amount of damage to sweat glands was higher in patients undergoing double-pass instead of single-pass irradiation. CONCLUSION: From a histopathological point of view, microwave energy-based irradiation therapy can be considered efficient, as there was no damage to epidermis and nerves and favorable destruction of apocrine and eccrine glands. As the amount of damaged sweat glands was higher after double-pass irradiation, it can be considered more effective than single-pass irradiation. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

A Case of an Elderly Patient With Rubber Band Syndrome.

Rubber band syndrome is a relatively rare disease in which a rubber band around a limb becomes embedded under the skin, resulting in tissue damage. Most reported cases are in children, and its occurrence in adults is considered extremely rare. We present a case of a 71-year-old patient with cognitive impairment, in whom a rubber band around the wrist became embedded under the skin. The examination of the distinctive circumferential scar, ultrasonography, x-ray, and magnetic resonance imaging led to the diagnosis of rubber band syndrome. To avoid further damage to the tissue, surgical removal of the band was conducted. When elderly patients with cognitive impairment present with chief complaints of swelling and contracture in the limbs due to an unknown cause, accompanied by a circumferential scar on the affected limb, rubber band syndrome should be considered. Due to risk of deep tissue necrosis, prompt band removal is necessary.

Techniques of orthotopic renal transplantation. II. Size-matched porcine grafts in monkey recipients

ABSTRACT Purpose As a classical xenotransplantation model, porcine kidneys have been transplanted into the lower abdomen of non-human primates. However, we have improved upon this model by using size-matched grafting in the orthotopic position. The beneficial aspects and surgical details of our method are reported herein. Methods Donors were two newborn pigs (weighting 5 to 6 kg) and recipients were two cynomolgus monkeys (weighting, approximately, 7 kg). After bilateral nephrectomy, kidneys were cold-transported in Euro-Collins solution. The porcine kidney was transplanted to the site of a left nephrectomy and fixed to the peritoneum. Results Kidneys transplanted to the lower abdomen by the conventional method were more susceptible to torsion of the renal vein (two cases). In contrast, early-stage blood flow insufficiency did not occur in orthotopic transplants of theleft kidney. Conclusions Size-matched porcine-primate renal grafting using our method of transplanting tothe natural position of the kidneys contributes to stable post-transplant blood flow to the kidney.

A new "J septoplasty" technique for correction of mild caudal septal deviation.

OBJECTIVE: A major drawback of the Killian incision is its inability to access the caudal septum and correct caudal septal deviation. Open and hemitransfixion septorhinoplasty are considered necessary in such cases. We developed a new septoplasty method that can be successfully applied in patients with mild caudal septal deviation. In this study, we evaluated the outcome of this technique. METHODS: We prospectively collected data of 16 patients with mild caudal septal deviation who underwent endoscopic septoplasty between November 2015 and October 2017. A modified Killian incision was made on the concave side of the septum. The central part of the cartilage was preserved, and excess cartilage was resected; the central part of the cartilage was sutured to the caudal cartilage. RESULTS: Postoperatively, the ratio of the area of the convex side to that of the concave side in the anterior portion of the nasal cavity was significantly improved, as revealed on CT analysis (p < 0.001). Nasal obstruction was significantly reduced or eliminated in all patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The J septoplasty method for the correction of mild caudal septal deviation is easy to perform through a modified Killian incision, and seems to be useful in selected cases.

Use of Unsintered Hydroxyapatite and Poly-L-lactic Acid Composite Sheets for Management of Orbital Wall Fracture.

Although unsintered hydroxyapatite and poly-L-lactic acid (u-HA/PLLA) composite sheets have various applications, such as in craniomaxillofacial fractures, orthognathic surgery, and orthopedic surgery, and have been proven to be safe and effective, no studies have reported the use of u-HA/PLLA composite sheets for orbital wall reconstruction with long-term follow-up. This study reports our preliminary results using the u-HA/PLLA composite sheet for orbital wall fractures. The SuperFIXSORB MX sheet (u-HA/PLLA composite sheet; Takiron, Tokyo, Japan), with size of 30 × 50 mm and thickness of 0.5 mm, was used in all cases of hard reconstruction of the orbital bone defect. Seventy-two patients with acute orbital wall fractures (within 2 weeks after sustaining the injury) treated at the Jikei University between January 2014 and August 2016 were included. The authors evaluated the postoperative complications and the operability of the material. The authors did not observe any postoperative complications, such as infection, postoperative diplopia, or enophthalmos, due to the use of the u-HA/PLLA composite sheet. In pure orbital fractures (orbital fractures only), the mean (±standard deviation) operation time was significantly longer with combined inferior and medial wall fractures (201.1 ±â€Š36.6 minutes; n = 11) than with inferior wall or medial wall fractures only (135.0 ±â€Š54.4 minutes; n = 51) (Mann-Whitney U test, P < 0.001). The U-HA/PLLA composite sheet is safe and can be used for orbital wall fracture reconstruction. Further long-term functional and aesthetic assessments for infection, ocular movement disorder, enophthalmos, and any other complication are necessary.

Multifaceted Evaluation of Ultra-high-field 9.4-T Magnetic Resonance Imaging after Inorganic Tattoos: An Animal Study.

INTRODUCTION: Tattooing techniques for reconstruction and rectification of the sequelae of cancer treatments, surgery, and scarring have received attention in the medical field. There is concern that tattooed skin is at risk of being burned by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. However, a detailed evaluation of the impact of MRI imaging on medically tattooed skin has not yet been performed. This study aimed to clarify the changes in common inorganic tattoo pigments during MRI examinations in an animal model. METHODS: Tattooed hairless mice with eight typical pigments for tattoos were evaluated for changes in temperature, color tone, and histology of the tattoos during a 9.4-T MRI. RESULTS: None of specimens had signs of burns, such as redness or blisters. In terms of temperature changes, the black iron oxide and carbon black specimens had a maximum temperature increase of 0.4 degrees. In the Munsell color system, no specific color changes were observed before or after the MRI. Color changes, evaluated as the ΔE00 in the L*a*b* color space, were all below 3.0 and were thus regarded as being indistinguishable and within the color unevenness of the tattoo. Histologic analysis of the specimens showed no significant changes before and after the MRIs. CONCLUSIONS: The observed temperature changes, color tone changes, and histological changes in the tattooed areas in this animal model were not of a magnitude considered likely to adversely affect the human body.

A Simple Way to Measure Glucose and Lactate Values During Free Flap Head and Neck Reconstruction Surgery.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of flap blood flow is necessary to detect flap blood flow abnormalities and perform salvage surgery. This study determined whether intra-flap blood glucose and lactate values measured with a simple instrument could detect impaired blood flow during head and neck reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 82 cases of head and neck cancer reconstruction (62 men and 20 women; mean age, 64.0 years [range, 20 to 88 years]), of which 74 had impeded blood flow. Glucose and lactate levels were regularly measured over a period of 48 hours, from the time of flap elevation, as predictor variables. Blood flow obstruction was the outcome variable. Other study variables included primary site, flap type, gender, age at operation, height, weight, body mass index, presence or absence of diabetes, ischemia time, and operative time. Logistic analysis, using glucose and lactate values at the time of blood flow failure, was performed. Cutoff values were calculated using a receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: The breakdown of the flaps was as follows: 20 free jejunum, 19 anterolateral thigh, 12 fibular, 11 radial forearm, 8 rectus abdominis myocutaneous, and 4 other flaps. Congestion was observed in 8 of the 82 flaps, including 3 anterolateral thigh flaps, 3 radial forearm flaps, 1 free jejunum flap, and 1 rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. The intra-flap blood glucose values in the normally progressing cases gradually decreased until 16 hours postoperatively and thereafter recovered to normal levels. Intra-flap blood lactate values increased until 8 hours postoperatively and subsequently decreased. The odds ratio during congestion was only significantly different for lactate (odds ratio, 2.55, P = .014), and the cutoff values for sensitivity and specificity were 4.2 mmol/L and 6.7 mmol/L, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-flap blood glucose and lactate values may reflect the transition of the postoperative circulation of free flaps. During congestion, lactate values change more sensitively than blood glucose values.

Color Change After Paramedical Pigmentation of the Nipple-Areola Complex.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of the nipple-areola complex is the final process in breast reconstruction. Local flaps and paramedical pigmentation is one of the major procedures for this. However, fading after paramedical pigmentation leads to a color difference between the selected pigment and its color in the skin. The aim of this study is to make a proposition in color choice of paramedical pigmentation for nipple-areola complex. METHODS: Our research focused on investigating the color changes over time after unilateral nipple-areola complex reconstruction using paramedical pigmentation in 25 patients to propose suitable color selections. We measured the color by spectrometer and conducted comparisons using the hue, saturation, and value (HSV) color space and the color space defined by the Commission International de L'eclairage based on one channel for luminance (lightness) (L) and two color channels (a and b) (L*a*b*). RESULTS: A comparison of the hue, value, and saturation of the reconstructed areola compared to the normal areolae was conducted using HSV color space; the value and saturation were satisfactory after 3 months and beyond, but the reconstructed areola tended to have stronger red hues. The color difference (ΔE00) calculated in L*a*b* color space showed slow fading after the scab was peeled off. CONCLUSIONS: This result indicates that a color with less redness and more yellowness, particularly 4-5 degrees of yellowness on the color wheel, than the normal side is the most appropriate color selection for this technique. 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 .