PURPOSE: Various operations have been proposed to compensate for congenital absence of the vagina using ileal or colonic interposition. These methods involve laparotomy, which shows postoperative complications such as long scar and delayed recovery. One case of neovagina reconstruction with laparoscopic rectosigmoid colpopoiesis in Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome is presented to avoid laparotomic complications. METHODS: Laparoscopic surgery was performed in a 27-year-old MRKH syndrome patient. After a cruciate incision, blunt dissection through two-finger wide space was created between the bladder and the rectum. A 14-cm rectosigmoid segment vascularized by a branch of sigmoid artery was isolated by laparoscopy. The distal end was sutured with vaginal vestibule mucosa. A continuity of intestine was restored by circular end-to-end proximate curved intraluminal stapler CDH29(R) through perineal opening. RESULTS: Total operation time was 4 hr 15 min. Normal walking and ingestion were possible within 3 days and 4 days after surgery. The hospital stay was 7 days and the patient was followed up for 6 months. The neovaginal introitus was wide enough for inserting two fingers, and there has been no narrowing of the neovagina on palpation as confirmed by vaginogram. The patient had functional self-lubricating neovagina without excessive mucous production or the need for routine dilation or unnoticeable scar. CONCLUSION: The successful result of this laparoscopic vaginal reconstruction technique with rectosigmoid segment suggests that this technique can be considered for the option of vaginal reconstruction in girls with the MRKH syndrome.
Abnormalities, Multiple ; Adult ; Arteries ; Cicatrix ; Colon ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Eating ; Fingers ; Humans ; Intestines ; Kidney ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Length of Stay ; Mucous Membrane ; Mullerian Ducts ; Palpation ; Postoperative Complications ; Rectum ; Somites ; Spine ; Urinary Bladder ; Uterus ; Vagina ; Walking

PURPOSE: In developed countries, vesicovaginal fistula occur from various pelvic operations including total hysterectomy, leading to urinary leakage and incontinence. Although various methods have been proposed for adequate tissue coverage in fistula repair, the surgical treatment of is not simple and still controversial. We report a case of neobladder-vaginal fistula repair using modified Martius fat pad flap. METHODS: A 62-year-old female patient underwent radical cystectomy with total abdominal hysterectomy and neobladder formation due to invasive bladder tumor 5 years ago. For 3 years following the operation, urine leakage was observed. Exploration demonstrated neobladder-vaginal fistula and primary repair including fistulectomy and direct closure was performed. Urinary incontinence relapsed 2 years after primary repair, and after demonstrating the recurrence of fistula on urography, repair of recurrent fistula was performed. After dissection of vagina and neobladder and closure of fistula by urologic surgeon, fibroadipose flap was elevated, rotated and advanced through the tunnel at vaginal sidewall, and interpositioned to the fistula site between neobladder and vagina. RESULTS: There was no acute complication after the surgery and urethral catheter was extracted on the 8th day after the operation. During six month follow-up period after the operation, there is no clinical evidence of fistula recurrence. CONCLUSION: From our clinical experience and literature review, we think Martius fat pad flap is a useful technique in management of neobladder-vaginal fistula, for it provides enough vascularity, major epithelization surface and better lymphatic drainage, and also prevents overlapping of vesical, vaginal suture lines at the same time.
Adipose Tissue ; Cystectomy ; Developed Countries ; Drainage ; Female ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Sutures ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urinary Catheters ; Urinary Incontinence ; Urography ; Vagina ; Vesicovaginal Fistula

PURPOSE: The anatomical anomaly of the rectus abdominis muscle and it's fascia is very rare. No case of the absence of the linea alba below the umbilicus has yet been reported. During breast reconstruction with pedicled TRAM flap, we experienced one case of absence of linea alba. METHODS: The patient was a 38-years old female who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with pedicled TRAM flap after Right modified radical mastectomy in June 2010. While the TRAM flap was being elevated, bilateral twitching of the rectus abdominis muscle occurred when electrocautery was applied, and we found the absence of the linea alba below the umbilicus. RESULTS: When the rectus abdominis muscle was exposed, the linea alba below the umbilicus was not observed, and the bilateral rectus abdominis muscle was indistinguishably fused in a gross observation. In addition, bilateral twitching of rectus abdominis muscle was simultaneously observed as one muscle unit when electrocautery was applied. As with both rectus abdominis muscles was bluntly dissected with scissors, the scanty fatty tissues were observed between the both rectus muscles, and the bilateral rectus abdominis muscle was easily separated. The flap was transposed into the corresponding defect to make breast mound. Midline fascia was fixed to the posterior rectus sheath to reconstruct smilar anatomic linea alba. Abdominal defect was reinforced by suturing between remaining anterior rectus sheath. CONCLUSION: As the unexpected anatomical anomaly may affect the operation outcome, surgeons should be careful when they unexpectedly encounter the anatomical anomaly during an operation. Here, we report a rare case of absence of the linea alba seen at the time of pedicled TRAM flap elevation for breast reconstruction.
Breast ; Electrocoagulation ; Fascia ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical ; Muscles ; Rectus Abdominis ; Umbilicus

PURPOSE: Breast implant ruptures and displacement are problematic complications after augmentation mammoplasty. The authors report a patient whose cohesive silicone gel implant ruptured and migrated into the pleural cavity after augmentation mammoplasty. METHODS: A 23-year-old female had received augmentation mammoplasty at a local clinic a week before visiting our hospital. When the patient's doctor performed a breast massage on the sixth postoperative day, the left breast became flattened. The doctor suspected a breast implant rupture and performed revision surgery. The implant, however, was not found in the submuscular pocket and no definite chest wall defect was found in the operative field. The doctor suspected implant migration into the pleural cavity, and after inserting a new breast implant, the doctor referred the patient to our hospital for further evaluation. The patient's vital signs were stable and she showed no specific symptoms except mild, intermittent pain in the left chest. A CT scan revealed the ruptured implant in the left pleural cavity and passive atelectasis. RESULTS: The intrapleurally migrated ruptured implant was removed by video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS). There were no adhesions but there was mild inflammation of the pleura. No definite laceration of the pleura was found. The patient was discharged on the first day after the operation without any complications. CONCLUSION: Surgeons should be aware that breast implants can rupture anytime and the injury to the chest wall, which may displace the breast implant into the pleural cavity, can happen during submuscular pocket dissection and implant insertion.
Breast ; Breast Implants ; Displacement (Psychology) ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lacerations ; Mammaplasty ; Massage ; Pleura ; Pleural Cavity ; Rupture ; Silicone Gels ; Thoracic Wall ; Thorax ; Vital Signs ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Glomus tumor is a benign neoplasm of the normal glomus body, occurring as painful subcutaneous nodules, frequently located in the subungual area. There are few cases of facial glomus tumor reported and we report a case of glomus tumor developing on the columella of nose. METHODS: A 68-year-old female presented with a mass of the columella grown for 2 years. The nodule was 0.6 cm in diameter, red-colored without any symptoms such as pain, tenderness and cold hypersensitivity. The pathologic result after punch biopsy was hemangiopericytoma. Excision with local anesthesia was executed. RESULTS: The postoperative recovery of the patient was uneventful, Histopathological examination indicated a glomus tumor. Immunostaining revealed positivity for vimentin, actin, and negativity for desmin, CD-34. After 8 months follow up, there is neither complication nor evidence of local recurrence on clinical examination. CONCLUSION: To accomplish an accurate diagnosis of glomus tumor, the histopathological examination is essential together with immunochemical studies. The differential diagnosis include hemangioma, lipoma, epidermal inclusion cyst, dermoid cyst and arteriovenous malformation in this region. We report a case of glomus tumor on the face with uncommon clinical features.
Actins ; Aged ; Anesthesia, Local ; Arteriovenous Malformations ; Biopsy ; Cold Temperature ; Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes ; Dermoid Cyst ; Desmin ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glomus Tumor ; Hemangioma ; Hemangiopericytoma ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Lipoma ; Recurrence ; Vimentin

PURPOSE: An aneurysm is defined as a permanent, localized dilation of an artery with a 50% increase in diameter over its expected normal diameter. Aneurysms can be classified by cause as traumatic and nontraumatic. Traumatic aneurysms can be divided into true and false aneurysms. Nontraumatic causes of peripheral artery aneurysms include mycotic, atherosclerotic, inflammatory, and idiopathic. In the hand, true aneurysms occurring at the common digital artery have been rarely reported. We present a rare case of a true aneurysm of the common digital artery that was resected and reconstructed using a reversed vein graft. METHODS: A 49-year-old male patient was refered to our institution with a 0.73x0.44x1.37cm sized pulsating mass between 2nd and 3rd flexor digitorum tendons on Lt. palm area. The mass had been present for 5 years and had increased in size over the previous year. No history of trauma was reported. After a physical examination and ultrasound sonography review, a diagnosis of aneurismal dilatation of common digital artery was made. Surgical treatment by excision of the aneurysm, and a reversed vein graft was performed. RESULTS: Histologic examination of the specimen(3.4x0.7cm) showed aneurismal dilatation, with elastin fibers present in the arterial wall. The lesions were healed without any complications and there were no evidence of recurrence. Doppler examination of the reconstruction showed good perfusion. CONCLUSION: Early excision is recommended to relieve symptoms and avoid neurologic damage. Also, artery reconstruction can be performed by primary end-to-end anastomosis or the placement of a reversed interposition vein graft. Micro surgical repair was the only possible treatment in this case. The authors believe that the vascular anatomy should always be restored as natural as possible.
Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, False ; Arteries ; Dilatation ; Elastin ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Physical Examination ; Recurrence ; Tendons ; Transplants ; Veins

PURPOSE: Ameloblastomas are rare benign tumors of odontogenic origin, and compose about 1% of all oral and maxillomandibular cysts and tumors. Because this neoplasm has a high rate of local recurrence, segmental mandibulectomy with a 1~2cm safety margin and immediate microsurgical reconstruction is an accepted treatment modality. The authors experienced four mandibular reconstruction cases that underwent secondary dental implantation. Here, the authors describe these cases and their long-term results. METHODS: Four patients with ameloblastoma of the mandible underwent segmental mandibulectomy and reconstruction with a free fibula osseous flap from January 1999 to May 2005, followed by secondary dental implantation. Recurrence, bony union, implant osseointegration, and functional and aesthetic results were evaluated by radiologic imaging, by physical examination, and by using photographs. RESULTS: All free flaps survived with no evidence of flap loss. To date, no recurrence has been noted clinically or radiologically. Imaging after mandibular reconstruction with a free fibular flap revealed satisfactory bony unions and mandibular contours. The patients achieved good aesthetic and functional results after the secondary implantation. CONCLUSION: Mandibular reconstruction using a fibular osseous flap and secondary dental implantation can produce good functional and aesthetic results after segmental mandibulectomy for ameloblastoma.
Ameloblastoma ; Dental Implantation ; Dental Implants ; Fibula ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Mandible ; Mandibular Osteotomy ; Mandibular Reconstruction ; Osseointegration ; Physical Examination ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Recurrence ; Surgical Flaps

PURPOSE: Surgery for thyroid gland requires skin incisions that can result in postsurgical neck scar. To overcome this, many surgeons performed a endoscopic thyroidectomy. But, this approach had a some problems. One of postoperative problems, iatrogenic cervical dystonia(CD) may occur. At common, CD is defined as a syndrome characterized by prolonged muscle contraction causing twisting, repetitive movements or abnormal posture. Botulinum toxin A(BTA, Botox(R), Allergan, Irvine, CA, USA) is well known treatment agent in the treatment of CD. So, the authors applied BTA injection in rare case with iatrogenic CD resulting in endoscopic thyroidectomy. METHODS: A 43-year-old female had endoscopic subtotal thyroidectomy operation 3 years ago. She had symptoms such as progressive cervical pain, abnormal neck posture, depression, and sleep difficulty. About 1 year later, the patient who had previous myomectomy of the clavicular head of sternocleidomastoid muscle, however, symptoms were not improved. And then the patient received BTA therapy in our department. The 2 units per 0.1mL solution was administered in a 1mL tuberculin syringe. RESULTS: The dose of BTA used in the patient was 36 units for vertical platysmal bands, superficially, and 10 units for ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle, intramuscularly. After 2 weeks, additional the dose of BTA used in the patient was 5 points for remained scar bands, superficially. Complications related to injection such as significant swallowing difficulties, neck muscle weakness, or sensory change were not observed. In 9 months follow-up, the patient maintained a good result from the method of BTA injection alone. CONCLUSION: The basic concept is selective denervation for the hyperactive individual muscles and scar bands. We conclude that BTA is an effective and safe treatment for CD despite the iatrogenic and complex presentation of this complication.
Adult ; Botulinum Toxins ; Cicatrix ; Deglutition ; Denervation ; Depression ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Humans ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscles ; Neck ; Neck Muscles ; Neck Pain ; Posture ; Skin ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroidectomy ; Torticollis ; Tuberculin

PURPOSE: Kabuki syndrome is a multiple malformation syndrome that was first reported in Japan. It is characterized by distinctive Kabuki-like facial features, skeletal anomalies, dermatoglyphic abnormalities, short stature, and mental retardation. We report two cases of Kabuki syndrome with the surgical intervention and speech evaluation. METHODS: Both patients had velopharyngeal insufficiency and had a superior based pharyngeal flap operation. The preoperative and postoperative speech evaluations were performed by a speech language pathologist. RESULTS: In case 1, hypernasality was reduced in spontaneous speech, and the nasalance scores in syllable repetitions were reduced to be within normal ranges. In case 2, hypernasality in spontaneous speech was reduced from severe level to moderate level and the nasalance scores in syllable repetitions were also reduced to be within normal ranges. CONCLUSION: The goal of this article is to raise awareness among plastic surgeons who may encounter such patients with unique facial features. This study shows that pharyngeal flap operation can successfully correct the velopharyngeal insufficiency in Kabuki syndrome and post operative speech therapy plays a role in reinforcing surgical result.
Abnormalities, Multiple ; Dermatoglyphics ; Face ; Hematologic Diseases ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; Japan ; Reference Values ; Speech Therapy ; Velopharyngeal Insufficiency ; Vestibular Diseases

PURPOSE: Hyoid bone is a U-shaped bone in the anterior of the neck. Hyoid bone fractures are exceedingly rare and represent only 0.002% of all fractures because of its protective position relative to the mandible and its suspension by elastic musculature. We report a patient who presented hyoid bone fracture associated with hypoglossal nerve palsy. We also discuss the possible complication and treatment. METHODS: A 69-year-old man was transferred from another institution because of persistent purulent discharge from the left chin. He had a history of trauma in which a knuckle crane grabbed his face and neck in the construction site. A CT scan at the time of the accident demonstrated a comminuted fracture of the right side of the mandible and hyoid bone fracture at the junction between body and right greater cornua. The displaced fracture of hyoid bone and fullness in the pre-epiglottic space were noted, probably indicating some edema. The patient was transferred into ICU after treatment of emergency tracheostomy because the patient showed respiratory distress rapidly. When the patient was hospitalized in our emergency room, he complained of dysphagia and pain when swallowing. On examination of oral cavity, the presence of muscle wasting with fasciculation of the tongue was noted and the tongue deviates to the left side on protruding from the mouth. Pharyngolarygoscopy was performed to make sure that there was no evidence of progressive swelling and pharyngeal laceration. RESULTS: The patient underwent surgical removal of dead and infected tissue from the wound and reconstruction of mandibular bony defect by iliac bone grafting. Hyoid bone fracture was managed conservatively with oral analgesics, soft diet and restricted movement. Hypoglossal nerve palsy was resolved within 7 weeks after trauma without complications. CONCLUSION: Closed hyoid bone fracture is usually uncomplicated and thus it can be treated conservatively. Surgical intervention for hyoid bone fracture is recommended for patient with airway compromise, pharyngeal perforation and painful symptoms which show no response to conservative care. Furthermore, since respiratory distress syndrome may develop quickly, close observation is required. Besides, hypoglossal nerve palsy is a rarely recognized complication of hyoid bone fracture.
Aged ; Analgesics ; Bone Transplantation ; Chin ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diet ; Edema ; Emergencies ; Fasciculation ; Fractures, Comminuted ; Humans ; Hyoid Bone ; Hypoglossal Nerve ; Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases ; Mandible ; Mouth ; Muscles ; Neck ; Tongue ; Tracheostomy