A Preliminary Retrospective Study to Assess the Short-Term Safety of Traditional Smooth or Microtextured Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants in Korea.

Background and objectives: We conducted this preliminary retrospective study to assess the short-term safety of silicone gel-filled breast implants (SGBIs) that are commercially available in Korean women. Materials and methods :The current retrospective, observational study was conducted in a total of 2612 patients (n = 2612) who underwent augmentation mammaplasty using breast implants at our hospitals between 1 January 2017 and 31 August 2021. Results: Overall, there were a total of 248 cases (9.49%) of postoperative complications; these include 112 cases of early seroma, 52 cases of shape deformation, 32 cases of CC, 12 cases of early hematoma, 12 cases of rupture, 12 cases of infection, 12 cases of stretch deformities with skin excess and 4 cases of rippling. Overall complication-free survival of the breast implant was estimated at 1564.32 ± 75.52 days (95% CI 1416.39-1712.32). Then, the Motiva Ergonomix™ SilkSurface showed the longest survival (1528.00 ± 157.92 days [95% CI 1218.48-1837.56]), followed by the BellaGel® SmoothFine (1458.4 ± 65.76 days [95% CI 1329.56-1587.28]), the Sebbin® Sublimity (1322.00 ± 51.20 days [95% CI 1221.64-1422.32]), the BellaGel® Smooth (1138.72 ± 161.28 days [95% CI 822.6-1454.84), the Mentor® MemoryGel™ Xtra (698.4 ± 52.64 days [95% CI 595.28-801.52]) and the Natrelle® INSPIRA™ (380.00 ± 170.88 days [95% CI 45.04-714.96]) in the decreasing order. On subgroup analysis, both the Motiva ErgonomixTM and Mentor® MemoryGel™ Xtra showed no postoperative complications. However, the BellaGel® SmoothFine, Sebbin® Sublimity and BellaGel® Smooth showed incidences of 8.87%, 4.84% and 1.61%, respectively. A subgroup analysis also showed differences in incidences of postoperative complications between microtextured and smooth breast implants (15.18% vs. 16.67%). Conclusions: In conclusion, our results indicate that diverse types of an SGBI are commercially available and their safety profile varies according to the manufacturer. Plastic surgeons should consider the safety profile of each device in selecting the optimal types of the device for Korean women who are in need of an implant-based augmentation mammaplasty. However, this warrants a single-surgeon, single-center study with long periods of follow-up.

Expert consensus on the facial rejuvenation using the Mint Lift® in Koreans: Perspectives of plastic surgeons.

BACKGROUND: It would be mandatory for plastic surgeons to consider anthropometric and anatomical differences between Asians and Caucasians in performing facial rejuvenation procedures using absorbable threadlifts in Asians. METHODS: A consensus meeting was convened to discuss indications, treatment procedures, possible combination treatments, clinical outcomes, and safety of an absorbable polydioxanone (PDO) monofilament threadlift (Mint Lift® ; HansBiomed Co. Ltd., Seoul, Korea), for which the "Mint Aesthetics Expert Group" was organized with four Korean board-certified specialists in plastic and reconstructive surgery. RESULTS: Our recommendations are as follows: First, the entry and exit points should be determined considering anatomical characteristics of the face (Level of evidence III). Second, treatment procedures may vary depending on indications (Level of evidence III). Third, short-term efficacy and safety of facial rejuvenation using the Mint Lift® have been well documented (Level of evidence I and III). Third, facial rejuvenation using the Mint Lift® may be combined with a liposuction (Level of evidence III). CONCLUSIONS: Here, we propose expert consensus on facial rejuvenation using a novel absorbable PDO monofilament threadlift in Koreans. Of note, this is the only expert consensus prepared by board-certified specialists in plastic surgery in Korea. But more evidence-based efforts should be made to update and to expand the current recommendations.

Four-Year Interim Results of the Safety of Augmentation Mammaplasty Using the Motiva Ergonomix™ Round SilkSurface: A Multicenter, Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The Motiva Ergonomix™ Round SilkSurface (Establishment Labs Holdings Inc., Alajuela, Costa Rica) is the fifth generation of a silicone gel-filled breast implant that is commercially available in Korea. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we describe 4-year interim results of the safety of augmentation mammaplasty using the Motiva Ergonomix™ Round SilkSurface in Korean women. METHODS: In the current multicenter, retrospective study, we performed a retrospective review of medical records of a total of 1314 patients who received augmentation mammaplasty using the Motiva Ergonomix™ Round SilkSurface at our hospitals between September 1, 2016, and August 31, 2020. For safety assessment, we analyzed incidences of postoperative complications and Kaplan-Meier complication-free survival of the patients. RESULTS: We included a total of 873 patients (1746 breasts, mean age = 32.18 ± 6.88 years) in the current study. There were a total of 111 cases (12.70%) of postoperative complications; these include 24 cases (2.70%) of early seroma, 18 cases (2.10%) of hematoma, 18 cases (2.10%) of capsular contracture, 17 cases (1.95%) of dissatisfaction with shape, 16 cases (1.83%) of dissatisfaction with size, 9 cases (1.03%) of asymmetry, 6 cases (0.70%) of infection and 3 cases (0.34%) of rippling. Moreover, time-to-events were estimated at 918.34 ± 36.22 days (95% CI 845.44-988.52). CONCLUSIONS: Here, we describe 4-year interim results of the safety of augmentation mammaplasty using the Motiva Ergonomix™ Round SilkSurface in Korean women in a non-manufacturer-sponsored study. But further large-scale, prospective, multicenter studies with a long period of follow-up are warranted to establish our results. 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 Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

The result of surgical treatment of medial epicondylitis: analysis with more than a 5-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Angiofibroblastic changes of a musculotendinous origin at the medial epicondyle characterize medial epicondylitis of the elbow. Although nonsurgical treatment is the primary approach for medial epicondylitis, surgical treatment should be considered when conservative therapy fails. This study reports the results of surgical treatment of medial epicondylitis monitored for more than 5 years. METHODS: This study included 55 patients with 63 cases of medial epicondylitis between 2000 and 2010. The conservative treatment periods lasted for a minimum of 1 year, and steroid injections were administered more than twice before surgery. One surgeon conducted the surgical procedures. The Nirschl and Pettrone grades, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores, Mayo Elbow Performance scores, and grip strengths were analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed using paired t tests. RESULTS: The mean VAS score improved from 8.5 to 2.4 (P <.001). Nirschl and Pettrone grades rated 43% (27 elbows) as excellent and 51% (32 elbows) as good. The Mayo Elbow Performance scores improved from 72 to 88 (P <.001) and DASH scores from 57 to 23 (P <.001). The mean grip strength of the affected side improved from 30 to 43 lb (P <.001). The mean time required to return to work and exercise was 2.8 months and 4.8 months, respectively. One case of heterotrophic ossification, which had no functional instability afterward, was seen. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that surgical treatment of medial epicondylitis could be an effective and safe treatment when conservative treatment fails.

A study on the measurement of wrist motion range using the iPhone 4 gyroscope application.

INTRODUCTION: Measuring the range of motion (ROM) of the wrist is an important physical examination conducted in the Department of Hand Surgery for the purpose of evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of patients. The most common method for performing this task is by using a universal goniometer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed using 52 healthy participants to compare wrist ROM measurement using a universal goniometer and the iPhone 4 Gyroscope application. Participants did not have previous wrist illnesses and their measured values for wrist motion were compared in each direction. RESULTS: Normal values for wrist ROM are 73 degrees of flexion, 71 degrees of extension, 19 degrees of radial deviation, 33 degrees of ulnar deviation, 140 degrees of supination, and 60 degrees of pronation.The average measurement values obtained using the goniometer were 74.2 (5.1) degrees for flexion, 71.1 (4.9) degrees for extension, 19.7 (3.0) degrees for radial deviation, 34.0 (3.7) degrees for ulnar deviation, 140.8 (5.6) degrees for supination, and 61.1 (4.7) degrees for pronation. The average measurement values obtained using the iPhone 4 Gyroscope application were 73.7 (5.5) degrees for flexion, 70.8 (5.1) degrees for extension, 19.5 (3.0) degrees for radial deviation, 33.7 (3.9) degrees for ulnar deviation, 140.4 (5.7) degrees for supination, and 60.8 (4.9) degrees for pronation. The differences between the measurement values by the Gyroscope application and average value were 0.7 degrees for flexion, -0.2 degrees for extension, 0.5 degrees for radial deviation, 0.7 degrees for ulnar deviation, 0.4 degrees for supination, and 0.8 degrees for pronation. The differences in average value were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The authors introduced a new method of measuring the range of wrist motion using the iPhone 4 Gyroscope application that is simpler to use and can be performed by the patient outside a clinical setting.