OBJECTIVE: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a useful surgical method to achieve adequate decompression in hypertensive intracranial patients. This study suggested a new skin incision for DC, and analyzed its efficacy and safety. METHODS: In the retrograde reviews, 15 patients underwent a newly suggested surgical approach using n-shape skin incision technique (Group A) and 23 patients were treated with conventional question mark skin incision technique (Group B). Two groups were compared in the terms of the decompressed area of the craniectomy, protruded brain volume out of the skull layer, the operation time from skin incision to bone flap removal, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) which was evaluated for 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: The decompressed area of craniectomy (389.1 cm² vs. 318.7 cm², p=0.041) and the protruded brain volume (151.8 cm³ vs. 116.2 cm³, p=0.045) were significantly larger in Group A compared to the area and the volume in Group B. The time interval between skin incision and bone flap removal was much shorter in Group A (23.3 minutes vs. 29.5 minutes, p=0.013). But, the clinical results were similar between 2 groups. Group A showed more favorable outcome proportion (mRS 0-3, 6/15 patients vs. 5/23 patients, p=0.225) and lesser mortality cases proportion 1/15 patients vs. 4/23 patients, but these differences were not significantly observed (p=0.225 and 0.339). CONCLUSION: DC using n-shaped skin incision was a feasible and safe surgical technique. It may be an easier and faster method for the purpose of training neurosurgeons.
Brain ; Decompression ; Decompressive Craniectomy* ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Humans ; Methods ; Mortality ; Neurosurgeons ; Skin* ; Skull ; Surgical Flaps ; Surgical Procedures, Operative

Adult ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Drainage ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Osteomyelitis ; therapy ; Skin ; injuries ; Thigh ; surgery

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microsurgery ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Skin ; injuries ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVETo investigate the application of medpor and split-thickness skin graft in formation of cranioauricular sulcus during auricular reconstruction with Nagata method.

METHODSThe first stage operation was fulfilled according to the Nagata two-stage method which involves fabrication and grafting of the costal cartilage framework. The second-stage ear elevation operation was undertaken 6 months later to form the cranioauricular sulcus. Split-thickness skin was taken from temporal and accipital area. After releasing the auricular framework and transplanting C shaped medpor at the rear side of framework, the temporaparietal fascia flap was transferred to cover postauricular medpor and framework. Then the split-thickness skin graft was implant on the fascia surface.

RESULTSFrom July 2010 to August 2012, 20 cases (22 ears) were treated. Partial necrosis of temporaparietal fascia flap and framework exposure happened in 1 case. Successful ear reconstruction was achieved in other cases with satisfactory cranioauricular sulcus during the follow-up period of 6-18 months (average, 13 months).

CONCLUSIONSThe application of medpor and split-thickness skin graft in the ear elevation of Nagata method for auricular reconstruction for microtia can achieve satisfactory results. It not only avoids the obvious scar in the donor site due to harvesting full-thickness and intermediate-thickness skin, but also reduces chest trauma due to harvesting costal cartilage.

Costal Cartilage ; transplantation ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Ear Auricle ; surgery ; Fascia ; Humans ; Polyethylenes ; therapeutic use ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; transplantation

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical experience for the reconstruction of upper lip defects in different degrees.

METHODSDifferent treatment methods were selected to reconstruct the upper lip defects according to the subunit, size or location of defects on the upper lip. The therapeutic results were analyzed and compared.

RESULTSFrom Jan. 1998 to Apr. 2012, 243 cases with upper lip defects were treated, including 85 cases of traumatic defects, 110 cases of defects secondary to lip cleft and 48 cases of defects after tumor resection. 48 cases were treated with direct closure, 69 cases with cross-lip flaps, 5 Cases with orbicularis oris muscle flaps, 53 cases with unilateral labial flaps, 42 cases with bilateral labial flaps, 22 cases with lower lip flaps, and 1 case with forehead flap, 1 case with forearm flap and 2 with nasolabial fold flaps. The patients were followed up for 3-18 months with satisfactory results.

CONCLUSIONSSatisfactory results could be achieved for upper lip defects with appropriate treatment methods according to the defects degree and characters.

Cleft Lip ; surgery ; Cosmetic Techniques ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Humans ; Lip ; injuries ; surgery ; Mouth Mucosa ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo improve the results of the soft tissue expansion technique.

METHODSTwo expanders were buried in the same soft tissue pocket in an overlapping pattern. The inflation process was carried out routinely.

RESULTS19 cases of various tissue defects were treated with the overlapping tissue expansion technique since March 1999. Good results have been achieved.

CONCLUSIONThe overlapping tissue expansion technique can provide much more expanded tissue and reduce complications compared with the traditional expansion technique. It is especially suitable for repair of the defects at the facial and cervical region.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns ; surgery ; Child ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Skin ; injuries ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Expansion ; methods

OBJECTIVETo develop and evaluate the computer-aided system in measurement of expanded skin and preoperative planning.

METHODSStereophotogrammetric technique was used to gain the 3D image-pairs, from which the contours of the expanded sites were restored. The 3D surface data were provided to the specially developed "computer-aided tissue expansion 3D profilometry and surgery planning system", to calculate the expansion area and help the preoperative design.

RESULTSThe system has been applied clinically in 16 tissue expansion sites of 11 patients with fairly good results since March 1999. Compared with the traditional method, this system is accurate, repeatable and feasible.

CONCLUSIONThis technique is useful and promising for improving the operation of tissue expansion.

Adult ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Male ; Skin ; injuries ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Expansion ; Tissue Expansion Devices

OBJECTIVE: The role of different local flaps in small external nasal skin defect reconstruction was discussed. METHOD: Forty-two cases of the small size nasal defects (diameter < 2 cm) were repaired with local external nose flap (includes the dorsal nasal flap, nasolabial flap and bilobed flap). The clinical and follow-up data were analyzed of patients with small external nasal skin defects, who accepted different local flaps reconstruction. Dorsal nasal flap, nasolabial flaps (includes island flap, slid flap and axial flap) and bilobed flap were tailored to reconstruct different external nasal defect. Twenty-seven patients were male and fifteen patients were female, the patients' age ranged from 28 to 74 years, the median age was 61 years. Thirty-eight cases resulted from resection of skin malignant tumor and four cases were benign lesions. The diameter of defects was 1-2 cm. The defects were reconstructed by single-stage dorsal nasal flap in 7 cases. There were 30 cases of caudolateral nasal defects were reconstructed by nasolabial flap, single-stage island nasolabial flap in 7 cases, axial flap in 18 cases and slid flap in 5 cases. Superior lateral defects were reconstructed by single-stage bilobed flap in 5 cases. RESULT: All defects were repaired successfully. All tissue flaps survived and had not necrosis. There was no tumor recurrence during 3 months to 2 years follow-up. CONCLUSION The dorsal nasal flap, nasolabial flap and bilobed flap can be used safely and effectively to repair the small external nasal defect and have satisfactory curative effect.
Adult ; Aged ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Face ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nose ; pathology ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin ; pathology ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVETo explore the method of the treatment for hallux valgus with the proximal crescentic osteotomy of the first metatarsal bone, combining with distal lateral soft tissue release.

METHODSFrom January 2008 to December 2012, 21 cases 21 hallux valgus feet were treated by operative procedure, included 1 male (1 foot) and 20 females (20 feet), with the mean age of 52 years (range, 36-68 years). Among all patients were followed up for 12 to 26 months, with the mean 16 months. The preoperative, post-operative and final follow-up X-ray films of all patients were collected. The hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle and distal metatarsal articular angle were measured and analyzed. The surgical outcome was evaluated combined with the AOFAS score.

RESULTSThe average hallux valgus angle decreased from 42.3° ± 1.8° preoperatively to 14.5° ± 1.8 postoperatively, the average intermetatarsal angle did from 21.9° ± 1.7 to 9.1° ± 1.8°, and the average distal metatarsal articular angle did from 14.9° ± 1.8 to 7.2° ± 1.5, respectively. There were significant differences between the preoperative and postoperative roentgenographic index. AOFAS score was improved from 44.0 ± 1.8 preoperatively to 83.9 ± 2.2 at the final follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSThe proximal crescentic osteotomy of the first metatarsal bone combined distal soft tissue reconstruction obtained satisfactory results in severe hallux valgus patients with big intermetatarsal angle.

Adult ; Aged ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Female ; Hallux Valgus ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Metatarsal Bones ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Osteotomy ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study a new effective approach which repairs large defects of skin and soft tissue in neck and face.

METHODThis procedure accomplishes repetitive sub-platysmal expansion to form large musculocutaneous flap with underlying pedicel. The surgeon slides it toward neck and face to repair the defects of skin and soft tissue.

RESULTEleven patients, who had such defects in neck, face, cheek, chin or submental skin and soft tissue, underwent this treatment. All the flaps survive with no complications of blood supply deficiency or necrosis. The short-term and long-term results are both satisfying.

CONCLUSIONThis method, making repetitive sub-platysmal expansion to form musculocutaneous flap and then slide it toward neck/face to repair large defects of skin and soft tissue, proves to be safe and reliable. And appropriate cases and strict operations are important.

Adult ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Face ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neck ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome