Reconstruction of Orbital Floor With Auricular Concha.

Orbital floor fractures of varying sizes commonly occur after orbital injuries and remain a serious challenge. Serious complications of such fractures include enopthalmos, restriction of extraocular movement, and diplopia. There is a dearth of literature that can be applied widely, easily, and successfully in all such situations, and therefore there is no consensus on the treatment protocol of this pathology yet. Autogenous grafts and alloplastic and allogenic materials with a wide variety of advantages and disadvantages have been discussed. The value of preoperative and postoperative ophthalmological examination should be standard of care in all orbital fracture patients. An ideal reconstructed orbital floor fracture should accelerate the restoration of orbital function with acceptable cosmetic results. Management parameters of orbital fractures such as timing of surgery, incision type, and implant materials, though widely discussed, remain controversial. In this study, 55 patients with orbital floor fractures surgically reconstructed with conchal cartilage grafts between 2008 and 2014 were retrospectively evaluated. Complications and long-time follow-up visit results have been reported with clinical and radiographic findings. The aim of this study was to present the authors' clinical experiences of reconstruction of blow-out fractures with auricular conchal graft and to evaluate the other materials available for use.

Repair of Full-Thickness Nasal Alar Defects Using Nasolabial Perforator Flaps.

BACKGROUND: The repair of full-thickness nasal alar defects presents difficulties because of their complex 3-dimensional structure. Reconstructions using inappropriate methods may lead to asymmetries and dissatisfying functional results. In this study, our aim was to present the repairs of full-thickness alar defects performed using cartilage-supported nasolabial perforator flaps. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients who presented to our clinic between January 2011 and April 2014 with full-thickness defects in the alar wings were included in this study. The nasolabial perforator flap was prepared on the basis of the closest perforator to the defect area and in a way to include 2 to 3 mm of subcutaneous adipose tissue. The medial section of the flap was adapted to form the nasal lining. In the 7 patients in whom cartilage support was used, the cartilage graft was obtained from the septum nasi. After the cartilage was placed on the flap, the lateral section of the flap was folded over the medial section and the defect was repaired. In 1 patient in whom cartilage support was not required, the flap was folded over itself before the repair was performed. The flap donor area was primarily repaired. RESULTS: No detachment around the suture lines, infection, venous insufficiency in the flap, or partial or total flap losses were observed in any of the patients. Retraction developed in 1 patient in whom no cartilage support was used. No retraction was observed in any of the patients in whom cartilage support was used. The results were functionally and esthetically satisfying in all the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The greatest advantage of perforator-based nasolabial flaps is the greater mobilization achieved in comparison with the other nasolabial flaps. Thus, full-thickness defects can be repaired in 1 session in some patients, no revision is required around the flap pedicle, and much less donor area morbidity occurs. Nasal alar reconstructions performed using this type of flap lead to both esthetically and functionally satisfying results.

The Versatile Facial Artery Perforator-Based Nasolabial Flap in Midface Reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Defects in the lower two thirds of the face occur due to trauma, tumoral masses, or infections. In this study, repairs of various defects located in the midface using facial artery perforator-based nasolabial flaps are presented. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2009 and June 2013, 15 patients with defects in the lower two thirds of the face or the intraoral region underwent repairs with facial artery perforator-based nasolabial flaps. The etiology was malignant skin tumor excisions in 11 patients, infection in 2 patients, and trauma in 2 patients. Among the patients, 10 were male and 5 were female. Their mean age was 65.1 (range: 20-86) years. The mean duration of follow-up was 14 (7-24) months. The defects were located at the upper lip, cheek, lower lip, intraoral region, and the nasal area. The size of the defects varied between 10 × 10 mm and 40 × 50 mm. All the flaps were prepared as perforator flaps. The flap donor area was primarily closed. RESULTS: No partial or total flap loss was observed in any of the flaps. The flap donor areas healed without problem. Full patient satisfaction was achieved both aesthetically and functionally. CONCLUSION: The nasolabial perforator flap has certain advantages such as the 1-stage application, repair using a similar tissue, a wider rotation arc around the pedicle compared to the other regional flaps, and the primary closure of the donor area. Based on these characteristics, it is an ideal alternative for the repairs of the defects located in the lower two thirds of the face or the intraoral region.

Comparison of Subciliary Approaches in Orbito-Zygomatic Fractures: Skin Flap Versus Skin-Muscle Flap.

BACKGROUND: Because of the complications of classical subciliary incision, some modified subciliary approaches have been described in recent literature. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare 2 commonly used subciliary approaches according to development of postoperative complications (scar formation, and ectropion). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety patients were included in this retrospective study. Subciliary skin flap technique (SF group) was performed to 39 patients, while the others were operated by using skin-muscle (stepped) flap technique (SMF group). Fitzpatrick skin types, genders, ages, scar scores, and ectropion scores of the patients also were recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 39.3 (18-99) years, and the mean follow-up period was 2.1 (1-6) years. Fitzpatrick skin-type levels were between 2 and 4 (median = 3). No difference was found between 2 groups in terms of age, follow-up period, and Fitzpatrick skin-type levels. However, the scar values of the SMF group were significantly lower than the SF group statistically. Also, there was no significant difference between males and females in SF and SMF groups in terms of scar and ectropion formation. On the other hand, scar values were lower in SMF groups rather than SF group in males. Although ectropion values were not different between SF and SMF groups in females, ectropion values of SMF group were significantly lower than SF group in males statistically. CONCLUSION: Subciliary skin-muscle (stepped) flap technique can be more reliable than subciliary skin flap technique for approach to orbitozygomatic fractures.

Inverted nipple correction with dermal flaps and traction.

BACKGROUND: Inverted nipple occurs when part of or the entire nipple is abnormally located below the areola. Surgical repair of severe cases involves suture or flap techniques. Complications include recurrence, lactation problems, hypopigmented scar formation in the areola, and loss of sensation. We describe an alternative repair technique using a dermal flap and traction, which leads to less apparent scarring and preserves lactation function and sensation. METHODS: Between January 2010 and January 2013, we treated 28 inverted nipples in 16 patients using two areola-based triangular dermal flaps and traction. The scar was aligned with the junction of the nipple and the areola. Postoperatively, traction was applied through an apparatus prepared from a 50-cc syringe. Patients were followed up for 8-24 months (mean = 16.5 months). RESULTS: Adequate projection was achieved in all patients and no wound dehiscence or complications such as infection occurred. Unilateral recurrence occurred in one patient on the 10th postoperative day. This patient was reoperated on successfully using the same method. No loss of sensation was observed in any of the patients during the postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: This dermal flap technique for treating inverted nipple was effective and preserved lactation function. The alignment of the scar with the junction of the nipple and the areola led to a more aesthetic appearance with no apparent scarring. The traction method helped maintain traction for a longer period, which in our opinion increased the success rate of the surgery. 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.

Periorbital necrotizing fasciitis caused by community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus periorbital necrotizing fasciitis.

PURPOSE: To report a case of a patient with periorbital necrotizing fasciitis caused by community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). METHODS: Case report. A previously healthy 33-year-old man was presented with pain and rapidly progressive swelling of the right upper eyelid following a minor trauma. Computed tomography scanning revealed soft tissue swelling and fracture of the anterior wall of the right frontal sinus. Oral amoxicillin + klavulanat 1 g, twice daily was started. Over the next 24 hours periorbital necrotizing fasciitis was developed. A wound swab was taken and sent for microscopic evaluation, culture, and antibiotic sensitivity. The patient was started on intravenous crystallized penicillin, third-generation cephalosporin, and metronidazol treatment. An urgent extensive necrotic tissue debridement and frontal sinus curettage were performed. RESULTS: Wound culture yielded MRSA which showed sensitivity to the given antibiotics. The patient responded to the treatment which was continued for 14 days. CONCLUSIONS: Monomicrobial MRSA should be considered in the etiology of periorbital necrotizing fasciitis. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical and medical therapy are essential in the management of periorbital necrotizing fasciitis.

A rare type of burn injury due to butane gas inhalation.

BACKGROUND: Abusive inhalation of butane gas is becoming a serious public health problem among teenagers and young adult population; however, there has been little reporting on explosion burns associated with abuse of butane cigarette lighter fluid. METHODS: Retrospective study was conducted of 22 patients who were burned in last 2 years in explosion of butane gas, a flammable, odorless, and colorless aliphatic hydrocarbon. RESULTS: Details of sociodemographic profile of the patients, any underlying psychiatric illness, alcohol abuse, depth of burn injury, any associated injury, duration of hospitalization, and percentage of burned area were recorded and analyzed. CONCLUSION: All of the patients were young men, and most had superficial burn injury. Hospital stay ranged from 0 to 11 days. All of the patients were treated with conservative management.

Combination of rhomboid flap and double Z-plasty technique for reconstruction of palmar and dorsal web space burn contractures.

BACKGROUND: Web space contractures after a burn can cause severe impairments in hand function along with esthetic deformities. In this study we present our experience with the combined treatment technique consisted of rhomboid flap and double Z-plasty for palmar and dorsal web space contractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Combined rhomboid flap and double Z-plasty was performed in eight patients with eleven web space contractures occurred after burn. The average follow-up was 10.9 months. RESULTS: The average age of 8 patients was 16.3 years. The average duration of burn contractures was 6 years (range 1-13 years). The right third web of the patients was the most common contracted web space. In the postoperative period hematoma, infection, partial or total flap loss was not observed in any patient. Web and hand function and esthetic appearance of web spaces were satisfactory in the late postoperative period. CONCLUSION: Rhomboid flap combined with a double Z-plasty technique was an effective choice for the treatment of palmar and dorsal web space contracture after burn.

The seven flap Z-plasty revisited.

Although multiple Z-plasties are widely used for burn contractures, the seven flap Z-plasty procedure has not gained wide acceptance in plastic surgery practice. However, the technique has the advantage of achieving more elongation than other Z-plasty techniques. The technique safely performed with satisfactory results in 31 cases.

An unusual auricular malformation accompanied by accessory tragus: macrotragus.

Definition of malformations of the tragus is important for terminology and treatment. Most common entities are the skin tag, accessory tragus, preauricular sinus, and cyst, whereas macrotragus is an uncommon and unaddressed deformity that should be distinguished from these. In this report, three cases with diagnosis of the macrotragus are presented. The tragus was uniformly large and displaced anteriorly, and external auditory meatus was not obliterated in all cases. For correction, excision of the excess tragal cartilage and skin was performed. In all cases, bilaterally symmetric tragus was achieved. There were no complications in the early postoperative period and there was no enlargement after 6months of observation. Macrotragus and accessory tragus are different entities that should be distinguished for accurate diagnosis. They have similar histopathological but distinct anatomical characteristics. Although both are treated by a simple excision, in the case of macrotragus, special effort should be taken to leave enough cartilage to restore normal tragal contours.

Paraumbilical perforator-based pedicled abdominal flap for extensive soft-tissue deficiencies of the forearm and hand.

A new paraumbilical-based pedicled abdominal flap was used in 11 patients with extensive soft-tissue defects of the forearm and hand. With a relatively narrow pedicle, large flaps up to 5- x 14-cm can be raised. Another advantage of this flap is the comfortable position of the hand and forearm for the patient. The main disadvantage is the conspicuous abdominal scars like the other pedicled abdominal flaps.