Novel therapeutic strategy for intractable keloids: Suppression of intracellular mechanotransduction and actin polymerisation via Rho-kinase pathway inhibition.

BACKGROUND: Keloid is a dermal fibrotic disorder characterised by excessive extracellular matrix production by fibroblasts. Despite the significance of mechanostimulation in fibrotic diseases, its association with keloid pathophysiology or treatment remains unexplored. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the role of mechanical force in keloid formation and elucidated the significance of Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing kinase 1 (ROCK1) as a mechanoresponsive target for keloid treatment. METHODS: Patient-derived keloid fibroblasts (KFs) were subjected to cyclic stretching ranging from 0 to 20% elongation using a cell-stretching system. We observed the inhibitory effects of the ROCK1 inhibitor Y27632 on KFs and keloid formation. Validation was performed using keloid xenograft severe combined immune-deficient (SCID) mouse model. RESULTS: ROCK1 was overexpressed in KFs isolated from patients. Cyclic stretching induced fibroblast proliferation and actin polymerisation by activating Rho/ROCK1 signalling. Treatment with Y27632 downregulated fibrotic markers, reduced the migration capacity of KFs, and induced extensive actin cytoskeleton remodelling. In keloid xenograft SCID mouse model, Y27632 effectively suppressed keloid formation, mitigating inflammation and fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: The ROCK1 inhibitor Y27632 is a promising molecule for keloid treatment, exerting its effects through actin cytoskeleton remodelling and nuclear inhibition of fibrotic markers in keloid pathogenesis.

Advanced Facial Rejuvenation: Synergistic Effects of Lower Blepharoplasty and Ultrasound Guided Mid-Face Lift Using Polydioxanone (PDO) Threads.

BACKGROUND: Traditional facial aging surgeries have risks and extended recovery times, leading to a demand for minimally invasive alternatives. PDO (polydioxanone) threads, which are absorbable sutures that stimulate collagen production and tissue contraction, offer improved aesthetic outcomes. This paper evaluates the combined use of PDO thread mid-cheek lift and lower blepharoplasty for facial rejuvenation. METHODS: This retrospective study compared outcomes in patients undergoing lower blepharoplasty combined with a mid-face lift using PDO threads versus those undergoing only lower blepharoplasty. Focused on individuals with baggy lower eyelids and pronounced nasolabial folds, outcome measures included the Modified Fitzpatrick wrinkle scale, Allergan® midface volume deficit scale, Width of inter zygomatic distance, Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale, and patient satisfaction questionnaires, assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: The combined procedure demonstrated superior aesthetic outcomes and higher patient satisfaction compared to lower blepharoplasty alone. Improvements were more significant in wrinkle reduction, midface volume, and inter-zygomatic distance in the combined procedure group. Although the combined procedure had a longer mean operation time, scar assessment scores were similar between both groups, with no complications reported. CONCLUSION: The combination of lower blepharoplasty and mid-face lift using PDO threads is a comprehensive and effective approach for facial rejuvenation. It significantly enhances wrinkle reduction, mid-face lifting, and patient satisfaction. Ultrasound-guided thread lifting, a method of assessing and performing mid-face lifting, proves to be safe and efficient. This approach holds promise as a future option in cosmetic anti-aging surgery, presenting a minimally invasive alternative with natural-looking results and reduced downtime. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II: 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 https://link.springer.com/journal/00266 .

Efficacy of Nd:YAG Laser and Intralesional Triamcinolone Injection Combination Therapy in the Postoperative Management of Keloids.

BACKGROUND: Keloids, characterized by protruding scars that extend beyond the original skin damage site, cause significant emotional stress and reduced quality of life. Their exact pathogenesis remains unclear, with various hypotheses including growth factor imbalances and extracellular matrix changes. No single treatment is universally accepted, but multiple modalities like triamcinolone acetonide injection (TAC), laser therapies, and surgery are commonly used. METHODS: This retrospective study involved East Asian patients who underwent keloid scar excision between March 2019 and June 2022. Patients were divided into two groups: one receiving only TAC injections and the other a combination of TAC and Nd:YAG laser therapy. The efficacy of treatments was evaluated using the modified Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS) and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), with follow-ups at six and twelve months after operation. RESULTS: The study involved 111 patients. Both treatment groups showed significant improvements in mVSS and POSAS scores, but the combination therapy group demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in POSAS scores and lower recurrence rates at 12 months compared to the TAC-only group. However, there was no significant difference in patient satisfaction between the groups. CONCLUSION: Dual therapy involving TAC injection and Nd:YAG laser treatment was more effective than TAC injection alone for managing keloid scars after surgery. This combination therapy showed better outcomes in preventing keloid recurrence and improving scar status at 12 months after operation, along with significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II: 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 .

Revisiting metformin therapy for the mitigation of diabetic foot ulcer in patients with diabetic kidney disease from real-world evidence.

Diabetic foot ulcer and diabetic kidney disease are diabetes-related chronic vascular complications that strongly correlate with high morbidity and mortality. Although metformin potentially confers a wound-healing advantage, no well-established clinical evidence supports the benefit of metformin for diabetic foot ulcer. Thus, this study investigated the effect of metformin on diabetic foot ulcer from a large diabetic kidney disease cohort for the first time. This retrospective cohort study enrolled 10 832 patients who visited the nephrology department more than twice at two South Korean tertiary-referral centers between 2001 and 2016. The primary outcome was diabetic foot ulcer events; secondary outcomes included hospitalization, amputation, a composite of amputation or vascular intervention, and Wagner Grade ≥ 3. Multivariate Cox analysis and propensity score matching (PSM) were used to balance baseline intergroup differences between metformin users and non-users. In total, 4748 patients were metformin users, and 6084 patients were metformin non-users. Over a follow-up period of 117.5 ± 66.9 months, the diabetic foot ulcer incidence was 5.2%. After PSM, metformin users showed a lower incidence of diabetic foot ulcer events than metformin non-users (adjusted hazard ratio 0.41; p < 0.001). In a sensitivity analysis of 563 patients with diabetic foot ulcer, metformin usage was associated with lower severity in all four secondary outcomes: hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio 0.33; p < 0.001); amputation (adjusted hazard ratio 0.44; p = 0.001); composite of amputation or vascular intervention (adjusted hazard ratio 0.47; p < 0.001); and Wagner Grade ≥ 3 (adjusted hazard ratio 0.39; p < 0.001). In conclusion, metformin therapy in patients with diabetic kidney disease can lower diabetic foot ulcer incidence and progression.

Association between socioeconomic position and diabetic foot ulcer outcomes: a population-based cohort study in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: Low socioeconomic position (SEP) is associated with a high incidence of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). However, reports on the association between SEP and DFU outcomes are limited. Therefore, in this study, we investigated this association and determined the prognostic factors of DFU outcomes. METHODS: The total cohort comprised 976,252 individuals. Using probability sampling, we randomly selected a sample of patients by reviewing the data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database of South Korea during 2011-2015. Residence, household income, and insurance type represented SEP. The primary outcome was amputation, and the secondary outcome was mortality. A multivariate model was applied to identify the predictive factors. Amputation-free survival and overall survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Among 976,252 individuals in the cohort, 1362 had DFUs (mean age 62.9 ± 12.2 years; 42.9% were women). Overall amputation and mortality rates were 4.7 and 12.3%, respectively. Male sex (hazard ratio [HR], 2.41; p < 0.01), low SEP (HR 5.13, 5.13; p = 0.018), ophthalmopathy (HR, 1.89; p = 0.028), circulatory complications (HR, 2.14; p = 0.020), and institutional type (HR, 1.78; p = 0.044) were prognostic factors for amputation. Old age (HR, 1.06; p < 0.01), low SEP (HR, 2.65; p < 0.01), ophthalmopathy (HR, 1.74; p < 0.01), circulatory complications (HR, 1.71; p < 0.01), and institution type (HR 1.84; p < 0.01) were predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: DFU patients with a low SEP are strongly associated with increased amputation and mortality rates. Along with age and comorbidities, SEP could provide the basis for risk assessment of adverse outcomes in DFU. Providing targeted care for this population considering SEP may improve the prognosis.

Adipose-derived stem cells attenuate atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice.

There is an unmet need in novel therapeutics for atopic dermatitis (AD). We examined the effects of autologous adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on AD-like skin lesions induced by the application of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in NC/Nga mice. Autologous ADSCs and ADSC-conditioned medium (ADSC-CM) were injected intralesionally three times. Clinical severity and histopathologic findings were compared in sham naïve control, saline-treated, ADSC-treated, ADSC-CM-treated and 2.5% cortisone lotion-applied animals. The severity index, skin thickness, mast cell number, as well as expression levels of thymic stromal lymphopoietin, CD45, chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule, chemokine ligand 9 and chemokine ligand 20 were significantly lower in mice treated with ADSC, ADSC-CM, or 2.5% cortisone lotion. Tissue levels of interferon-γ as well as serum levels of interleukin-33 and immunoglobulin E levels were also decreased in those groups. We conclude that autologous ADSCs improved DNCB-induced AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice by reducing inflammation associated with Th2 immune response and interferon-γ.

Biological Aging Parameters Can Be Improved After Autologous Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Injection.

Biological aging (BA) is a comprehensive assessment tool for elderly persons. The authors aimed to develop a rat model that can be used to assess BA by evaluating various blood, biochemical, and hormonal parameters and demonstrate that the intravenous administration of autologous adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) improves BA. Twelve elderly (aged 20 months) male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study and divided into 2 groups: autologous ADSC administration (n = 6) and saline administration (n = 6). The complete blood count, biochemical and hormonal parameters, and antioxidant potential were evaluated before harvesting the rat inguinal fat tissue and intravenous ADSC administration as well as at 1, 3, and 5 weeks after ADSC administration. Adipose-derived stem cells administration regulated blood content, biochemical parameters, renal function, and antioxidant enzymes in elderly rats. Furthermore, changes in several hormonal levels were identified in the ADSC administration group compared with the saline administration group. An assessment model of BA in elderly rats was successfully developed after the intravenous administration of autologous ADSCs. The authors suggest that intravenously injected ADSC treatment may be a valuable method to improve BA.

Complication of Ruptured Poly Implant Prothèse® Breast Implants Combined with AQUAfilling® Gel Injection: A Case Report and Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION: We describe the first case of a patient who received AQUAfilling® gel (Biomedica, Prague, Czech Republic) after augmentation with Poly Implant Prothèse® (PIP) breast implants and later developed breast deformity with bilateral implant rupture. CASE REPORT: A 49-year-old Korean female patient who received breast augmentation with PIP implants 18 years ago and subsequent insertion of AQUAfilling® gel 1 year ago visited our center with a chief complaint of pain and decreased implant sizes in both breasts. Breast implant and foreign body removal operation was performed for both breasts under general anesthesia. Intraoperative gross findings, pathologic findings, and tissue culture results were analyzed. RESULTS: Our diagnosis included rupture of the implants in both breasts with leakage of injected material resulting in inflammation of the pericapsular area and pectoralis muscle. The intraoperative gross findings and results of the pathologic report showed that the implants were exposed with massive leakage of AQUAfilling® gel in the pericapsular space, and the pectoralis major was mixed with AQUAfilling® gel-like liquid and tissue with an inflammatory reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons should be careful in performing AQUAfilling® gel injection for breast augmentation, especially when combined with breast implant insertion. AQUAfilling® gel itself is not yet proven safe in the long term, so more research on this topic is warranted. Additionally, surgeons should be aware of the comparatively high risk of implant rupture and foreign body reaction with PIP implants, and warn patients accordingly. 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 .

Protective efficacy of a plasmid DNA vaccine against transgene-specific tumors by Th1 cellular immune responses after intradermal injection.

With DNA vaccines, it is important to monitor the movement of transfectants and to overcome immune deviations. We used a pCMV-LacZ plasmid (expressing ß-galactosidase) and a pcDNA-hNIS plasmid (expressing the human sodium/iodide symporter [hNIS] gene) as non-secreted visual-imaging markers. Transfectants carrying the hNIS or LacZ gene migrated to peripheral lymphoid tissues. hNIS-expressing cells were observed specifically in the LNs and spleen. Anti-ß-galactosidase was detected in LacZ DNA immunized mice after boosting twice, suggestive of Th2 humoral immune responses. Antibody isotyping defined the humoral immune response. A dominant IgG2a type occurred in hNIS-immunized mice in ELISAs. IgG2a/IgG1 ratios increased after hNIS DNA vaccination. High levels of INF-γ-secreting cells were identified in ELISpot and increased IFN-γ levels were found in cytokine ELISAs. Tumor growth decreased in hNIS DNA-immunized mice. In conclusion, humoral immune responses switched to the Th1 cellular immune response, even though we administered plasmid DNA by intra dermal injection.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: A retrospective study of clinicopathologic features and related Akt/mTOR, STAT3, ERK, cyclin D1, and PD-L1 expression.

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding oncoproteins other than platelet-derived growth factor subunit B in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). Moreover, the risk factors for worse prognosis are controversial. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the clinicopathologic features and key factors for adverse outcome in DFSP, including the implication of expression of protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), cyclin D1, and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1). METHODS: Clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analyses were performed for 44 DFSPs having wide local excision and 92 dermatofibromas as controls. RESULTS: Compared with the 35 nonrecurrent DFSPs, the 9 recurrent DFSPs exhibited larger tumor size, deeper invasion beyond the subcutis, and more diverse histologic subtype. The fibrosarcomatous subtype revealed frequent mitotic figures and a high cyclin D1-positive index. The 2 metastatic DFSPs (1 each of the fibrosarcomatous and myxoid subtypes) demonstrated 4 and 11 instances of local recurrence, respectively, as well as larger tumor size, deeper invasion beyond the subcutis, and high expression of cyclin D1. Expression of Akt/mTOR, STAT3, ERK, and PD-L1 ranged from none or low in the primary skin lesions to high in the corresponding metastatic sites. Akt/mTOR and ERK were expressed more frequently in DFSP than in dermatofibroma. LIMITATIONS: Lack of information on patients before hospital evaluation. CONCLUSION: Complex factors beyond fibrosarcomatous subtype may portend local recurrence or metastasis. Akt/mTOR, STAT3, ERK, and PD-L1 may be associated with development and/or progression of DFSP.

Chitosan-Based Dressing Materials for Problematic Wound Management.

Wound healing is a complex mechanism involving a variety of factors and is a representative process of tissue growth and regeneration in our body. Surface-based interactions between the dressing material and the wound may significantly influence the healing phase. Advances in understanding the mechanism of wound healing have led to the development of numerous dressing materials that can accelerate the healing process. However, these materials have a passive role in wound healing. It is therefore necessary to develop novel wound dressing materials, especially effective for clinically problematic wounds. Chitosan-based dressing materials are considered suitable for clinically problematic wounds as they exhibit several characteristic features, such as facilitating hemostasis, enhanced wound healing during the inflammatory and proliferative phases, antimicrobial effect, etc. Here, we review the current status of clinically available dressing materials and studies on the biological characteristics of chitosan, and discuss the potential applications of chitosan in multi-functional dressing materials for accelarated wound healing.

Potential of autologous adipose-derived stem cells to regenerate atrophied muscle in a rat model.

Muscle atrophy results in severe functional impairment and is a significant clinical problem. We examined and characterized the therapeutic effects of autologous adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) using an in vivo muscle atrophy rat model. To identify the effect of injected ADSCs into muscle, we developed the following two models of muscle atrophy in rats: induction of denervation by sciatic nerve defects; and nerve repair after severing the sciatic nerve. The inguinal fat pads were harvested from each rat and autologous ADSCs were cultured and ADSCs were injected in the right hind limbs as the experimental group, while normal saline was injected in the left hind limbs, which served as the control group. After 2 weeks, gross examination and histologic analyses were performed. Additionally, to investigate the survival of ADSCs in muscle tissues, we traced the injected ADSCs. The fate of injected ADSCs into muscle was investigated using a green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagging method with lentivirus transfection. The muscle weight and cross-sectional area of muscle were greater and proliferation of connective tissue was less prominent in the ADSC-injected group. Alpha-bungarotoxin binding in the neuromuscular junction was significantly increased, and neoangiogenesis was higher in the ADSCs-injected group. green fluorescent protein-labeled ADSCs survived in the gastrocnemius muscle after 2 weeks. These findings could give a support in finding the role of autologous ADSCs as new therapeutic modality for regeneration of atrophied muscle.

Availability of the lateral calcaneal region as a donor site of free flaps.

INTRODUCTION: Various methods have been used for the coverage of soft-tissue defects, such as local and free flaps, as well as perforator flaps performed using even supermicrosurgery. However, the techniques have some limitations regarding flap size and location when used to reconstruct small defects. We introduced the lateral calcaneal region as a donor site for free flaps in order to overcome these disadvantages and presented the results from a series of cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on 10 patients with small soft-tissue defects who underwent reconstruction with a lateral calcaneal free flap between January 2011 and May 2014. The reconstruction was performed on the defects at medial and lateral plantar area, dorsum of the foot, great toes and preauricular area. RESULTS: The size of the flaps ranged from 2.5 × 2.5 cm to 4.5 × 4.5 cm. The flaps exhibited complete survival in five cases. Partial necrosis occurred in three cases, two cases healed with secondary intention, and one case required a skin graft. The donor sites were treated with skin grafts and healed completely, with no complications. CONCLUSION: Lateral calcaneal free flaps have several advantages, such as anatomically constant pedicles, a pliable and thin texture, and the ability to be used as sensory flaps. They therefore represent an alternative option when conventional local or free flaps are not suitable, especially in cases of small defects. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:494-501, 2017.

Statistical Analysis of Influences on the Psychosocial Status of Children With Hemangiomas and Their Families.

The psychologic stress on the child and family, which arise from hemangiomas, the most common neoplasm of childhood, cannot be overestimated. This study determined the preoperative and postoperative psychosocial status and variation among Oriental children with hemangiomas and their families by questionnaire. Thirty patients who underwent surgery for hemangiomas were assessed for preoperative and postoperative psychosocial status by questionnaire. The distribution of the total mean score and variation between the preoperative and postoperative status was estimated. Based on these results, the significance was statistically analyzed according to variable determinants. This study showed that hemangiomas have harmful effects on psychosocial status of patients and families. After corrective surgery, an improvement in psychosocial status was noted with respect to the self-esteem category or categories related to social activity, and in the following variables, women, face, and dissatisfaction with appearance. When the authors care for patients with hemangiomas and their families, the psychosocial health must be presumed to be at particular risk. Earlier surgical interventions with esthetic concerns have permitted the patient and family the opportunity to reduce the psychologic impact that the hemangioma may otherwise have.

Strong and Biostable Hyaluronic Acid-Calcium Phosphate Nanocomposite Hydrogel via in Situ Precipitation Process.

Hyaluronic acid (HAc) hydrogel exhibits excellent biocompatibility, but it has limited biomedical application due to its poor biomechanical properties as well as too-fast enzymatic degradation. In this study, we have developed an in situ precipitation process for the fabrication of a HAc-calcium phosphate nanocomposite hydrogel, after the formation of the glycidyl methacrylate-conjugated HAc (GMHA) hydrogels via photo-cross-linking, to improve the mechanical and biological properties under physiological conditions. In particular, our process facilitates the rapid incorporation of calcium phosphate (CaP) nanoparticles of uniform size and with minimal agglomeration into a polymer matrix, homogeneously. Compared with pure HAc, the nanocomposite hydrogels exhibit improved mechanical behavior. Specifically, the shear modulus is improved by a factor of 4. The biostability of the nanocomposite hydrogel was also significantly improved compared with that of pure HAc hydrogels under both in vitro and in vivo conditions.

Venous free flaps for the treatment of skin cancers of the digits.

Microvascular reconstruction using distant free flaps is often required after excision of skin cancers of the digits. The delivered flaps should be chosen with many factors taken into consideration, especially in the digits, in which a very thin, pliable, and durable flap is required to maintain both function and cosmetic appearance. Free flaps, such as perforator flaps, however, for distal or small defects of the hand after excision of skin cancer, require the sacrifices of the main arterial pedicle with deep dissection and exhibit potential limitations regarding flap size and location of the defect. Instead, arterialized venous free flap could be used as an alternative reconstructive method for skin cancers of the digits. Twelve soft tissue defects of the digits after excision of skin cancers (5 cases of malignant melanoma and 7 cases of squamous cell carcinoma) were reconstructed using arterialized venous free flaps from January 2009 to May 2011. The flaps ranged in size from 1 × 1.5 cm to 5 × 7 cm. The flaps completely survived in 9 cases. Partial necrosis developed in 3 cases; however, skin graft was necessary only for 1 case. There were no recurrences or metastases for at least 20 months after the last case. Recently in cases of noninvasive or low-grade skin cancer of the hand, the concept of "preservative surgery" has been a higher priority compared with functional and esthetic aspects. Particularly in cases of reconstruction of a small-sized fingertip defect as 1 functional unit, arterialized venous free flaps offer several advantages, such as thinness and color similar to the hand, technical ease with a short operative time, long vascular pedicle, less donor site morbidity with no sacrifice of a major vessel, applicable to any site, and modifiable to the appropriate size and shape. Arterialized venous free flap could serve as a useful and reliable method for soft tissue reconstruction after excision of skin cancers in the digits.

An Experimental Model Design for Photoaging.

UNLABELLED: Autologous adipose-derived stem cells have shown great promise in applications that treat photodamaged skin. Adipose-derived stem cells also have an antiwrinkle effect; consequently, they have become a topic of primary interest. Nude mice have been used extensively in studies of adipose-derived stem cells, human dermal fibroblasts, and other filler injections. However, a nude mouse model of photoaging has not yet been developed. Thus, we attempted to develop a nude mouse model of photoaging in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen, 5-week-old female BALB/c nude mice were irradiated with ultraviolet-B rays, 6 times a week for 6 weeks. The minimum erythema dose was established before the mice underwent ultraviolet irradiation to minimize the inflammation of the irradiated skin and to determine the initial irradiation dosage. The mean sizes of the wrinkled areas of skin and the mean depths of the wrinkles were compared between the study groups using replica analysis. Skin biopsies were performed on the 6th and 10th weeks of the study. RESULTS: The mean sizes of the wrinkled areas of skin and the mean depths of the wrinkles increased significantly in the ultraviolet-B-irradiated nude mice compared with the nonirradiated mice, and the thicknesses of the epidermis and dermis of the skin from the upper and lower back were significantly greater after ultraviolet-B irradiation up to the 6th week of treatment (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the ultraviolet-B-irradiated group demonstrated reduced collagen fiber levels. CONCLUSIONS: We have successfully developed a nude mouse model for research into photoaging, and these results indicate that the nude mouse is a suitable model for investigating the development of photoaging.

Statistical analysis using the OMENS classification in Oriental patients with hemifacial microsomia: a comparative analysis with Western centers.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the statistical association between variable clinical phenotypes of the orbit, mandible, ear, nerve, soft tissue (OMENS) classification system in Oriental patients with hemifacial microsomia (HFM) and compare the data of Oriental children with data from other Western centers. One hundred consecutive patients with HFM referred to the Seoul National University Children Hospital were chosen between March 2009 and April 2010. They were classified according to the OMENS classification system, and statistical analyses were performed. The total OMENS scores were correlated significantly with all 5 component scores. In comparison with the previous data of Western centers, the orbit and ear components had statistically higher severity. Our retrospective study in Oriental children demonstrated that the pathophysiology of HFM is a complex process and that the components of HFM have a close relationship. For the ethnic difference, further etiologic studies on the molecular basis are required.

Influence of modified Furlow double opposing Z-plasty on mandibular growth in Oriental patients with cleft palate and/or lip.

The purpose of this study was to statistically analyze mandibular growth disturbance in the Oriental cleft population and compare this with that of non-cleft children through cephalometric analysis. Thirty-six children with cleft palates, repaired using a modification of Furlow double opposing Z-plasty, were chosen. Comparative analyses among 3 types of cleft were performed. Statistical analyses of 8 linear and angular measurements were performed in cleft patients and the non-cleft population using Fisher Z-transformation. Comparative analysis showed no significant difference among the 3 types of cleft. In the Oriental cleft group treated with modified double opposing Z-plasty, the spatial position of the mandible showed significant differences compared with the non-cleft group. A backward inclination of the anterior surface of the mandible and downward rotation of the mandibular body were identified. Some of our results regarding gonial angle and length of the mandibular body conflicted with previous Western studies.