Novel Technique for Median Cleft Lip Comprising the Simultaneous Formation of the Columella, Philtrum, and Cupid's Bow.

Numerous surgical techniques for median cleft lip repair have been described; however, most cause excessively sharp peaks or the collapse of Cupid's bow. We report a technique for median cleft lip repair using a mucosal skin flap and full-thickness skin graft and 15 years of follow-up. Our technique provides acceptable formation of the columella, philtrum, and the two peaks of Cupid's bow. In this paper, we cite our previously reported techniques and add new findings and discussion based on the long-term postoperative outcomes of this procedure. Advantages and disadvantages of this technique are discussed, and a possible solution to achieve a more satisfactory result is suggested. Advantages and disadvantages of this new technique are discussed, and a possible solution to achieve a more satisfactory result is suggested.

Risk factors of local recurrence following implant-based breast reconstruction in breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The number of patients desiring implant-based breast reconstruction has been increasing. While local recurrence is observed in patients with breast reconstruction, only a few reports have focused on the risk factors for local recurrence and the prognosis after developing local recurrence. METHODS: We analyzed 387 patients who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction during the period from 2004 to 2017 in Hiroshima City Hospital. We retrospectively examined the risk factors for local recurrence and the outcomes of patients developing such recurrence after implant-based breast reconstruction. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 59 months. The local recurrence rate was 3.1% (n = 12). The most common reason for detecting local recurrence was a palpable mass. Four patients with local recurrence had recurrence involving the skin just above the primary lesion and needle biopsy tract. All patients with local recurrence received surgery and systemic therapy and most patients received radiation therapy, all have remained free of new recurrence to date. Multivariate analysis showed lymphatic vessel invasion (HR, 6.63; 95% CI, 1.40-31.36; p = 0.017) and positive or < 2 mm vertical margin (HR, 9.72; 95%CI, 1.23-77.13; p = 0.047) to be associated with significantly increased risk of local recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors for local recurrence following implant-based breast reconstruction were lymphatic vessel invasion and positive or < 2 mm vertical margin. Removal of the skin just above the primary lesion and needle biopsy tract and adjuvant radiation therapy might improve local outcomes. Patients with local recurrence following implant-based breast reconstruction appear to have good outcomes with appropriate treatment.

Diagnostic Performance of a Temporal Artery Biopsy for the Diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis in Japan-A Single-center Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objectives To investigate the sensitivity and specificity of a temporal artery biopsy (TAB) in the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA) in a single-center retrospective cohort in Japan. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on consecutive patients who visited our hospital between April 2009 and October 2018 and underwent a TAB. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated for the three pathological standards for a TAB, predetermined according to the pathological criterion of the 1990 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria: A) vasculitis characterized by predominant mononuclear cell infiltration; B) vasculitis with granulomatous inflammation; and C) vasculitis with multinucleated giant cells. We also analyzed the clinical parameters predicting the diagnosis of GCA and the impact of a diagnostic delay of ≥3 months on cardiovascular complications of GCA. Results Our study population was 16 cases in the GCA group and 13 in the non-GCA group. The sensitivity and specificity for Standard A of a TAB were 81% and 85%, respectively, while those for stricter Standards B or C were identical, at 75% and 100%, respectively. These pathological standards, but not any other parameters, significantly predicted the diagnosis. A diagnostic delay tended to cause cardiovascular complications (p=0.057). Conclusion The sensitivity and specificity of the pathological standards of a TAB were favorable in our cohort and were the only predictors for the diagnosis of GCA. Considering the possible impact of a diagnostic delay on cardiovascular complications, the early recognition and prompt initiation of glucocorticoid therapy is needed, even in Japan, where GCA is uncommon.

Early depth assessment of local burns by dermoscopy: a new frontier of dermoscopic evaluation.

UNLABELLED: This article has been retracted. See Notice of Retraction. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of early depth assessment of local burns, the depth of which is difficult to assess with the naked eye, by dermoscopy. DESIGN: The morphological findings of burn wounds were prospectively evaluated by dermoscopy and videomicroscopy. Prior to dermoscopic and videomicroscopic measurement, clinical assessment was performed. All patients received conservative treatment for 21 days after injury. SETTING: A burns unit at a primary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-two patients with 41 intermediate-depth local burn wounds were included. Inclusion criteria were time to presentation greater than 24 hours after injury and total burn size greater than 1% and less than 10% of the total body surface area. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary healing within 21 days (superficial partial thickness) and failure of primary healing within 21 days (deep partial thickness). The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the assessment according to the algorithm proposed in this study were evaluated by dermoscopy, and the accuracy of the dermoscopic measurements was compared with videomicroscopic measurements and clinical assessments. RESULTS: The results of dermoscopic measurements according to the proposed algorithm showed an accuracy of 93%, sensitivity of 86%, and specificity of 100%. The dermoscopic measurements were significantly more accurate compared with clinical assessment (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Dermoscopy is a noninvasive, portable, relatively inexpensive, and effective approach for assessment of the burn wound healing potential. It is more accurate if compared with clinical observation in burn depth assessment. It has a broader utility and is equally or more accurate compared with the more expensive videomicroscopy.

Early depth assessment of local burns by videomicroscopy: a novel proposed classification.

PURPOSE: Videomicroscopy is very useful for burn depth assessment in an early phase; however, there is no practical classification that includes complicated anatomic, pathologic, and morphologic findings of burn wounds. The aim of this study was to propose a novel classification to assess burn depth in its early phase easily and reliably by videomicroscopy. METHODS: Forty-four patients with 56 intermediate-depth burn wounds were included. Burn depth was divided into each grade according to our proposed classification, which is composed of five categories based on dermal capillary integrity patterns. The intrarater and interrater reliabilities of the assessment by the second and third authors were evaluated by Cohen's unweighted κ-value. RESULTS: The results of the measurements according to the proposed classification showed an accuracy of 92.9%, sensitivity of 81.8%, and specificity of 100.0%. The intrarater reliability of the second and third authors showed substantial agreement (κ=0.719 and 0.729, respectively). The interrater reliability of the sum of each observer's variable also showed substantial agreement (κ=0.636). CONCLUSION: This pattern analysis system is easy to use even for inexperienced personnel, and is reliable with high accuracy and specificity. Intrarater and interrater statistics also support its reliability and reproducibility.

Infection-induced urethral defect treated by urethral reconstruction with a radial forearm flap.

Abstract A 47-year-old man was admitted with the chief complaint of a urethral defect. An approximately 17-cm defect of the urethra seemed to have been occurred by the infection of implanted foreign bodies in the penile skin. Reconstruction of the urethra and the ventral skin was performed with a free radial forearm flap. A fistula formed at the proximal anastomosis after the operation, but was controlled conservatively. Urethral stricture at the proximal anastomosis subsequently developed. A urethral stent made of shape memory alloy was placed with the preservation of voiding function.