Despite increased utilization of microvascular anastomotic coupler (MAC) devices, the consequences have yet to be fully explored in terms of vascular regeneration. Removal of an exposed venous coupler is described herein, documenting normal circulatory flow through the remodeled site of application. A 25-year-old man who underwent open reduction and rigid fixation elsewhere for traumatic calcaneal fracture ultimately presented with a necrotic postoperative wound. The debrided defect was treated by free thigh perforator flap, incorporating a MAC device. Three months later, the flap remained viable, but the MAC itself was exposed. Structural integrity of the vessel and blood flow were sustained as the device was carefully removed, confirming true vascular remodeling in this example of MAC usage.
Adult ; Humans ; Perforator Flap ; Regeneration ; Thigh ; Wounds and Injuries

Background: Blepharoplasty has both aesthetic and functional benefits in patients with pseudoptosis; however, previous studies could not demonstrate its beneficial effects quantitatively and objectively. The authors objectively analyzed the visual field before and after surgery and investigated whether measurements of the visual field can be applied as a suitable predictor of surgical outcomes. Methods: In total, 18 eyelids in nine patients with pseudoptosis who had undergone simple skin excision blepharoplasty were evaluated prospectively from February to May 2016. The visual fields were analyzed preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively using the Goldmann kinetic perimetry test. The visual field test area was assessed using Adobe Photoshop. Results: Blepharoplasty had an average 4.99-fold beneficial effect on the superior visual field. In particular, more improvement was seen in the superior temporal quadrant than in the nasal quadrant. No correlation was found between the preoperative margin-to-reflex distance 1 (MRD1) and the surgical outcome (P=0.119). However, there was a strong correlation between the preoperative superior visual field and the surgical outcome (P=0.001). Conclusions Using the Goldmann kinetic perimetry test, we objectively and quantitatively proved the beneficial effect of blepharoplasty on patients with pseudoptosis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the preoperative visual field is a better preoperative surgical outcome predictive factor than the preoperative MRD1.

A keratoacanthoma is a rapidly growing cutaneous tumor that spontaneously involutes in most instances. A giant keratoacanthoma is a rare variant and are characterized by lesions larger than 20 mm in diameter. We report a 56-year-old man with a rapidly growing tumor of the right cheek, which was diagnosed as keratoacanthoma. The mass was excised completely under general anesthesia, followed by Limberg flap for reconstruction. Intraoperative frozen section histology suggested the lesion to be a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, whereas final histopathology was consistent with keratoacanthoma. We herein report the first case of a giant keratoacanthoma treated with surgical excision in Korea and discuss the clinical and histopathological features of keratoacanthoma, with a review of the literature.
Anesthesia, General ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cheek ; Frozen Sections ; Humans ; Keratoacanthoma* ; Korea ; Middle Aged ; Surgical Procedures, Operative

BACKGROUND: Intima-to-intima microanastomotic vascular remodeling was explored, utilizing a polylactide-caprolactone absorbable vein coupler model (PAVCM), which was designed to simulate a non-absorbable counterpart system with the sole exception of being absorbable. METHODS: Six New Zealand white rabbits were used. After transection of the jugular vein, 2 PAVCMs were placed, 1 at each transected end. The stumps were slipped through the PAVCMs, and the venous wall was everted 90° to achieve intima-to-intima contact. Reanastomosis of the transected jugular vein was performed bilaterally in 3 rabbits. In the other 3 rabbits, the jugular vein (20 mm) harvested from one side was interpositionally grafted to the jugular vein on the opposite side to ease the anastomotic tension. Patency testing, ultrasonography, and histologic assessments were conducted postoperatively at weeks 2, 4, 12, 16, 22, and 26. RESULTS: All anastomotic sites were patent, without stenosis, occlusion, or dilatation. In the histologic sections, immature endothelial regeneration was observed at week 2, which was completed by week 4. Regeneration of the tunica media was noted at week 12. Between week 22 and week 26, the tunica media fully regenerated and the coupler dissipated entirely. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the absence of a coupler to act as an anastomotic buttress, the structure and function of all the vessels appeared normal, even histologically. These outcomes are true milestones in the development of an absorbable vein coupler.
Anastomosis, Surgical ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dilatation ; Jugular Veins ; Microsurgery ; Rabbits ; Regeneration ; Transplants ; Tunica Media ; Ultrasonography ; Vascular Remodeling ; Vascular Surgical Procedures ; Veins

BACKGROUND: Conscious sedation has been widely utilized in plastic surgery. However, inadequate research has been published evaluating adequate drug dosage and depth of sedation. In clinical practice, sedation is often inadequate or accompanied by complications when sedatives are administered according to body weight alone. The purpose of this study was to identify variables influencing the depth of sedation during conscious sedation for plastic surgery. METHODS: This prospective study evaluated 97 patients who underwent plastic surgical procedures under conscious sedation. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine, and glucose levels were measured. Midazolam and ketamine were administered intravenously according to a preset protocol. Bispectral index (BIS) recordings were obtained to evaluate the depth of sedation 4, 10, 15, and 20 minutes after midazolam administration. Associations between variables and the BIS were assessed using multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Alcohol intake and female sex were positively associated with the mean BIS (P<0.01). Age was negatively associated with the mean BIS (P<0.01). Body mass index (P=0.263), creatinine clearance (P=0.832), smoking history (P=0.398), glucose (P=0.718), AST (P=0.729), and ALT (P=0.423) were not associated with the BIS. CONCLUSIONS: Older patients tended to have a greater depth of sedation, whereas females and patients with greater alcohol intake had a shallower depth of sedation. Thus, precise dose adjustments of sedatives, accounting for not only weight but also age, sex, and alcohol consumption, are required to achieve safe, effective, and predictable conscious sedation.
Alanine Transaminase ; Alcohol Drinking ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Conscious Sedation* ; Consciousness Monitors ; Creatinine ; Deep Sedation ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Ketamine ; Midazolam ; Plastics* ; Prospective Studies* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Surgery, Plastic*

A 6-year-old female presented to our hospital with clitoromegaly. On physical examination, she demonstrated evidence of precocious pubic hair and clitoromegaly. The relaxed clitoris measured 3.7 cm in length. Her uterus was undetectable on diagnostic transvaginal ultrasonography and abdomen-pelvis computed tomography (CT) with otherwise normal-appearing internal female genitalia. We planned reduction clitoroplasty with preservation of the dorsal neurovascular pedicle to maintain sensitivity of the glans clitoris. After surgery, the patient demonstrated good recovery. The parents of the patient were satisfied with the surgical results. The patient was discharged without complications on hospital day 6.
Child* ; Clitoris ; Female* ; Genitalia, Female ; Hair ; Humans ; Parents ; Physical Examination ; Ultrasonography ; Uterus

Background: The purse-string suture (PSS) is a simple and rapid wound closure method that results in minimal scarring. It has been used to treat circular or oval skin defects caused by tumor excision or trauma. However, due to obscurity, it is not widely used, especially for the head and neck. This study aimed to modify the PSS to obtain predictable and acceptable results. Methods: A total of 45 sites in 39 patients with various types of skin and soft tissue defects in the head and neck were treated with PSS. We used PDS II (2-0 to 5-0), which is an absorbable suture. Minimal dissection of the subcutaneous layer was performed. The suture knot was hidden by placing it in the dissection layer. Depending on the characteristics of the skin and soft tissue defects, additional surgical interventions such as side-to-side advancement sutures, double PSS, or split-thickness skin graft were applied. Results: All wounds healed completely without any serious complications. Large defects up to 45 mm in diameter were successfully reconstructed using only PSS. Postoperative radiating folds were almost flattened after approximately 1–2 months. Conclusion PSS is simple, rapid, and relatively free from surgical design. Owing to the circumferential advancement of the surrounding tissue, PSS always results in a smaller scar than theinitial lesion and less distortion of the body structures around the wound in the completely healeddefect. If the operator can predict the process of healing and immediate radiating folds, PSS couldbe a favorable option for round skin defects in the head and neck.

Sarcomatoid squamous cell carcinoma (SSCC), a biphasic malignant tumor consisting of atypical squamous epithelial and mesenchymal elements mixed with epithelioid and spindle cells, is a variant of squamous cell carcinoma. Cutaneous SSCC is very rare and aggressive and has a poor prognosis. Here, we report a case of cutaneous SSCC with satellites and in-transit metastases. A 79-year-old woman presented with a protruding mass on the left temporal area sized 1.2× 1.0 cm. The punch biopsy report indicated keratoacanthoma or well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The size of the tumor increased to 2.7× 2.0 cm after 8 days. An excisional biopsy was performed with a 2 mm safety margin. The tumor was identified as SSCC with a clear resection margin. Reoperation was performed thrice with an increased safety margin of 10 mm; however, the cancer recurred along with satellites and in-transit metastases. Chemoradiotherapy was administered; however, the size of the tumor increased along with satellites and in-transit metastases. The patient expired 162 days after the initial excision. Complete excision and immediate multidisciplinary approach should be combined during the early stages due to the aggressiveness and poor prognosis of cutaneous SSCC with satellites and in-transit metastasis.

Background: Preauricular sinus (PAS) is a common congenital anomaly, and complete excision is recommended to prevent recurrence. However, PAS has a high recurrence rate as a result of incomplete removal due to the high variability of the sinus ramifications, making its treatment challenging. In this study, we standardized the surgical procedure to reduce the complications and recurrence rate and compared the postoperative results between the non-standardized and the standardized groups. Methods: This retrospective study included 97 patients (120 ears) who had undergone PAS excision by a single surgeon between October 2014 and September 2022 and underwent at least 6 months of follow-up. After October 2018, all patients were treated using the standardized method, which comprised the use of magnifying glasses, exploration with a lacrimal probe, the use of methylene blue staining, and excision of a piece of surrounding normal tissue and related cartilage in continuity with the specimen. There were 38 patients (45 ears) in the non-standardized group and 59 patients (75 ears) in the standardized group. Results: Recurrence was observed in six of 120 ears, indicating an overall recurrence rate of 5.0%. Recurrence occurred in five ears (11.1%) in the non-standardized group and one ear (1.3%) in the standardized group. The standardized group had a significantly lower recurrence rate (p= 0.027) than the non-standardized group. Conclusion We defined a standardized sinectomy protocol and used it for the surgical treatment of PAS. With this standardized method, we were able to reduce the rates of complications and recurrence without the use of a long incision.

Myofibroblastic sarcoma can be classified as low-, intermediate-, and high-grade. Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma (LGMS) is uncommon and rarely appears on the skin. LGMS is diagnosed based on histopathological and immunohistochemical findings. Additionally, LGMS metastases are rare as well. Herein, the authors describe a case of cutaneous LGMS in the neck. To the best of our knowledge, there are no cases regarding cutaneous LGMS in the neck present in the existing literature. Surgical resection is considered as the most important treatment for LGMS. Therefore, a complete tumor resection was performed in this case. However, another mass in the uterus was identified on abdominal computed tomography performed post-surgery.