PURPOSE: Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening, destructive soft tissue infection with a very high rate of mortality that needs early diagnosis and aggressive treatment. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus(SLE) is a systemic, autoimmune disease and it's major cause of mortality is an infection. But necrotizing fasciitis in SLE is very rare and there have been only 22 cases reported in the literatures. We reported a patient of necrotizing fasciitis with SLE and reviewed 22 others from literature research. METHODS: A 40-year-old female patient with a history of SLE for 6 years came to the emergency room. The patient complained of severe pain and swelling on her right leg. She was diagnosed as necrotizing fasciitis and underwent emergency fasciotomy. As wound cultures showed variable organisms, she was treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics and underwent several surgical debridements. Then, the wound was treated with the V.A.C(Vacuum Assisted Closure) device and split thickness skin grafting was performed two times. RESULTS: Skin graft was well taken within 2 weeks after operations and the patient was discharged to outpatient follow up. There was no complication related with surgery and she could walk without cane after 3 months. CONCLUSION: We treated a necrotizing fasciitis in a patient with SLE and reviewed 22 others from literature research. The case presented here suggests that necrotizing fasciitis is a rare disease in SLE patients, but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue infection in SLE patients. A high index of suspicion is needed for early diagnosis and proper management in these patients.
Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Canes ; Debridement ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Early Diagnosis ; Emergencies ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leg ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Outpatients ; Porphyrins ; Rare Diseases ; Skin ; Skin Transplantation ; Soft Tissue Infections ; Transplants

PURPOSE: The goal of reduction mammaplasty is breast with natural cone shape, minimizing scars, well-placed and sensate nipple-areolar area and maintaining breast physiology. In order to satisfy that goal, variable reduction mammaplasty methods are performed, however, two methods such as vertical reduction method and inverted T-scar method are currently most used. We compared indications and advantages of the two methods and set up useful guidlines. METHODS: For 15 years from 1995 to 2010, we experienced 84 patients(162 breasts). We performed vertical reduction method as Lejour's superior pedicle technique(45 patients) and inverted T-scar method as Goldwyn's inferior dermal flap technique(39 patients). We evaluated the result of the operation comparing patient's age, amount of resected tissue, complications and post-operative scars of the two methods. RESULTS: The mean age was 36 years and the vertical reduction group was 3 years younger than inverted T-scar group. The mean breast tissue resection amount per one breast, inverted T-scar group(712 gm) was lagger than vertical reduction group(395 gm). CONCLUSION: There is no ideal method for reduction mammaplasty until now. However, we suggest that guide line, the vertical reduction method is effective for minimal and moderate macromastia in young and middle aged women and inverted T-scar method is appropriate for severe macromastia with ptosis in elderly women. Recently, all procedures tried shorter and smaller scar on the vertical line as small I, J or L shape scar, and inframammary fold as short inverted T-scar.
Aged ; Breast ; Cicatrix ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Mammaplasty ; Middle Aged

PURPOSE: It is generally believed that alopecia is caused by various factors such as scars, stress, genetical factors, androgens, etc. Androgenic alopecia is one of the most common cause of alopecia and found mainly in males. Propecia(Merck & Co., USA) and Minoxidil(McNEIL-PPC, Inc, USA) were the drugs approved from FDA for treatment of androgenic alopecia. Surgical treatments such as flap, tissue expansion, scalp reduction and hair transplantation can be considered if necessary. Hair micrograft techniques were developed for natural hair shapes and minimal adverse effect. There were attempts to measure the length of the forehead of the Korean young adults. However attempts to classify the shape and location of forehead hairline were rare. This study attempted to find out standard hairlines of young adults in their 20s & 30s and the result would be the guideline of the hairline in hair replacement surgery of male patients in their 40s & 50s. METHODS: 200 male adults in 20s and 30s were photographed and measured the length of 11 vertical index lines to determine hairline. The indexes are the distances from hairline to intercanthal midpoint(A), to medial canthus (B), to upper eyelid fissure(C), to lower eyelid fissure(D), to lateral canthus(E) and distance from lateral highest point to medial lowest point, if the hairline is M-shape(F). Additionally, we classified the hairlines into 4 groups, M, horizontal, inverted U and irregular shapes. RESULTS: The most common hairline of male adults in their 20s is inverted U-shape(53.3%), followed by horizontal-shape, M-shape, irregular-shape. In their 30s, inverted U-shape(59%) is followed by irregular-shape, M-shape, horizontal-shape. The M-shape is more frequently found in males in 30s than those in 20s. The mean values of the indexes in their 20s are as follows: A(76.14mm), B(Rt: 75.78mm, Lt:76.41mm), C(Rt: 69.43mm, Lt: 69.92mm), D(Rt: 76.92mm, Lt:77.46mm), E(Rt: 64.16mm, Lt: 64.73 mm), F(4.09mm). Those in their 30s are as follows: A(76.13mm), B(Rt: 76.114mm, Lt: 76.02mm), C(Rt: 69.87 mm, Lt: 70.37mm), D(Rt: 77.37 mm, Lt: 77.58mm), E(Rt: 69.63mm, Lt: 69.85mm), F(6.14 mm). CONCLUSION: The knowledge about human body measurement is indispensable to plastic surgeons. In this study, inverted U shape is the most common type of hairline in 30s, and similar distribution is found in 20s. The percentage of M shape in their 30s is elevated more than 10% compared to that in their 20s. The study of hairline shapes and 11 indexes of hairlines can be useful for planning of the hair transplantation and postoperative evaluation. This study being based on photogrammetry, there may be differences between actual distance of curved face and projected distance on flat photographs.
Adult ; Alopecia ; Androgens ; Cicatrix ; Eyelids ; Forehead ; Hair ; Human Body ; Humans ; Male ; Photogrammetry ; Scalp ; Tissue Expansion ; Transplants ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Reduction malarplasty is one of the common aesthetic procedures performed in the Orient. We have analyzed effective operative methods according to the pivot point for the osteotomy and reposition of the zygoma for reduction malarplasty after confirming the shapes of the individual zygomas. METHODS: Thirty-six patients had been received malarplasty over the last 10 years. The average follow-up period was 16 months. We categorized the patients into three groups according to their prominent appearance features. Group I had a prominently protruded zygomatic body, group II had a prominently protruded zygomatic arch, and group III had a prominently protruded body and zygomatic arch. In the group I, two parallel oblique osteotomies on the body, the middle portion was removed, and with the zygomatic arch as the pivot point, the body was repositioned inwards. In the group II, the zygomatic body and arch osteotomy is performed, with the body as the pivot point, and the arch is depressed medially. In the group III, using the two aforementioned methods, the zygoma was repositioned medially. In each case, postoperative complications and patients satisfaction over the surgery were surveyed. RESULTS: Each group had 25, 5 and 12 patients respectively. No significant complications were found except for one patient who experienced a non-union of zygomatic bone. In the case of group I, four patients underwent a secondary operation. CONCLUSION: Reduction malarplasty is popular as an effective facial contouring surgery. In order to obtain more effective results,however, the zygomatic shape should be identified, and appropriately repositioned by different operative technique according to pivot points.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Osteotomy ; Postoperative Complications ; Zygoma

PURPOSE: Chin is located in a prominent position, and is important to balance and harmony of the face. Genioplasty is widely performed with patients' high satisfaction, yet being relatively simple procedure. Recently in analysis of dentofacial trait, three rotational variables of yaw, pith, and roll are considered with three translational variables(forward/backward, up/down, right/left). And we could correct chin deformity effectively by applying the three rotational variables with three translational variables in genioplasty. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients who have chin deformity underwent osseous genioplasty. Preoperative photography, facial three dimensional computed tomography, and cephalography were taken while chin deformities were accessed. The chin deformity was classified into four categories; macrogenia, microgenia, asymmetric chin deformity, and combined chin deformity groups. According to the nature of chin deformities and the patients' desire, preoperative plans were formulated, in consideration of three rotational variables and translational variables. Through intraoral approach, anterior mandible was exposed in the subperiosteal plane between the mental foramens and beneath the mental foramens. In the anterior mandible, vertical and horizontal grid lines with 5mm intervals were marked to confirm the spatial location of osteomized bone segment after osteotomy. Chin repositioning was done in consideration of axial rotation and planar translation. RESULTS: Most of the patients had achieved satisfactory results with few complications. By considering the three rotational variables, it was possible to make the chin repositioning effectively. One of the patients complained about insufficient chin correction. In other case, persistent sensory impairment around chin was observed. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, it is worthwhile to apply preoperative analysis and operative procedures in consideration of a three rotational variables with three translational variables in genioplasty.
Chin ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Genioplasty ; Humans ; Mandible ; Osteotomy ; Photography ; Surgical Procedures, Operative

PURPOSE: It has always been an aspiration for Asians to look more balanced and feminine, considering their facial features regarding relatively flat midface with marked prominences of the zygoma. Many studies have been dealt in this subject. However, the authors would like to emphasize the concept and introduce the technique of repositioning of the malar complex to a cosmetically beneficial point and stationing it on proper position by fixation on zygoma body and arch. METHODS: From January 1998 to December 2007, this method was performed in 50 patients of mild to moderate prominence and malposition of the malar complex. A simplified technique of lateral orbital osteotomy and oblique osteotomy on zygomatic arch through intraoral and preauricular incision was developed. Then, liberal malar complex can be moved to a supero-posterior direction and repositioned to a more cosmetically beneficial point. To maintain the stationed position and to protect from vector affected by the attached masticating muscle to zygomatc bone, fixation was done on both zygoma body and arch. RESULTS: We have obtained satisfactory results using this procedure without any observable complications. The advantages of this procedure are proper exposure, inconspicuous scar, safe, more natural contour, improved stability, and shorter healing time. CONCLUSION: The authors suggest that reduction malarplasty should be approached with underlying concept of repositioning and fixation. In mild moderate malar prominent cases, our technique will provide with maintenance of aesthetic concept, equal to the malar reduction performed under coronal approach and provide with more natural facial contour with stability even with less invasive surgical approach.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cicatrix ; Humans ; Muscles ; Orbit ; Osteotomy ; Zygoma

PURPOSE: The human face is the most exposed part of the body, and in patients with simple or complex trauma from traffic accidents, industrial calamities, sports injuries, human assaults, and daily accidents, facial trauma occupies an important portion. The etiology of facial trauma vary on a society's economic, cultural, and environmental status. METHODS: Regarding patients who were admitted from between the years 2000 to 2009 at the Hanyang University hospital, the authors studied how the changes in the economic status in the past 10 years of our country influences the incidence of facial bone fractures. RESULTS: In this study, 1) The unemployment rate showed a strong negative relationship with the total number of inpatients with facial bone fractures, the number of male patients, the number of female patients, the number of patients with facial bone fractures caused by fall down, the number of patients who were admitted for shorter than 7 days, and the number of the facial bone fracture patients with their age in the twenties. 2) The consumer price index showed a strong positive relationship with the number of female patients, the number of patients who were admitted for shorter than 7 days, and the number of the facial bone fracture patients with their age in the teens and fifties. CONCLUSION: Looking at the results of correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis with economic indicators, the unemployment rate showed negative influence to the total number of inpatients with facial bone fractures, and the number of inpatients with facial bone fractures caused by fall down, with statistical significance.
Accidents, Traffic ; Adolescent ; Athletic Injuries ; Facial Bones ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inpatients ; Male ; Unemployment

PURPOSE: In neurofibromatosis patients, complete surgical excision of the mass is almost impossible and surgical treatment usually consists of multiple serial excisions that only result in a debulking effect. Remnant tumor mass has a gravitational effect on facial soft tissues that leads to sagging of skin and soft tissue, and eventually, facial disfigurement and asymmetry. The purpose of our surgical method is to perform soft tissue lifting with longer lasting effect with less surgical risk of damaging facial nerve and vessels. With external fixation using K-wire or surgical screw, the procedure only called for a short incision length and had additional adhesive properties that enabled anchoring of soft tissue in a lifted position for a longer postoperative period. METHODS: A total of 5 neurofibromatosis patients(NF-1) visited our clinic for mass reduction and face lifting. The age of patients ranged from 13 to 42(mean 28.8 years), and most patients had a long history of multiple excisions in the past. Face lifting was performed in 2 different areas, the periorbital area in 3 patients, and the midface in 2 patients. The materials used in fixation of retaining ligament were K-wire(n=3) and titanium screw(n=2). RESULTS: Follow up period was from 5 month to 3 years and 1 month(mean=2 years and 1 month). All patients conveyed satisfaction with the results and no major complications were reported. The lifting effect lasted for as long as 3 years, and there were no complaints of relapse of soft tissue depression or sagging within the operated area. 1 patient(M/13) needed secondary k-wire insertion and additional mass excision in 1 year and 10 months postoperatively due to tumor growth. In two patients with K-wire fixation, mild dimpling and tenderness were observed in the follow up period, but in about 2 months postoperatively, dimpling was relieved and there was no need for removal of fixating material. CONCLUSION: Surgical lifting in neurofibromatosis patients can be challenging, for mass excision cannot be done completely and gravitational effect by residual mass can be persistent. External fixation of the retaining ligament in patients with neurofibromatosis can give satisfactory results-for incision length is relatively shorter, and the lifting effect can last longer compared to other various face lifting techniques.
Adhesives ; Depression ; Facial Nerve ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lifting ; Ligaments ; Neurofibroma ; Neurofibromatoses ; Polymethacrylic Acids ; Polyurethanes ; Recurrence ; Rhytidoplasty ; Skin ; Titanium

PURPOSE: A nasolabial cyst is a rare non-odontogenic, soft-tissue, developmental cyst arising anywhere on the face inferior to the nasoalar region. It is thought to arise from either epithelial remnants trapped along the lines of fusion during the development of face or the remnants of the developing nasolacrimal duct. This study examines various features of nasolabial cysts with bony involvement to provide a basis for correct diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: Eight cases of nasolabial cyst treated in Soonchunhyang Hospital between March 2002 and July 2010 were examined in terms of their clinical features and radiological and histological findings. Seven patients underwent surgical excision of the cyst via an intraoral, sublabial approach. One underwent incision and drainage. RESULTS: Our eight patients were seven women and one man. The most frequent symptoms and signs were facial deformity and swelling of the nasolabial fold. Computed tomography(CT) showed a well-circumscribed cystic mass lateral to the pyriform aperture. Seven cases had erosive lesions on CT, and the intraoperative findings were consistent with a nasolabial cyst with a bony defect. Typical histopathological findings showed that these cysts were most frequently lined with respiratory epithelium with ciliated columnar cells and cuboid cells. No patient developed complications or recurrences. CONCLUSION: A nasolabial cyst is often unrecognized or confused with other intranasal masses, including fissural and odontogenic cysts, midface infections, or swelling in the nasolabial area. Therefore, a careful clinical and radiological evaluation should be preformed when considering the differential diagnosis. We present eight patients with nasolabial cysts treated via a gingivobuccal approach with excellent functional and cosmetic results.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Cosmetics ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Nasolabial Fold ; Nasolacrimal Duct ; Odontogenic Cysts ; Respiratory Mucosa

PURPOSE: Composite tissue allotransplantation has emerged as a new therapeutic modality to reconstruct major tissue defects of the head, neck and extremities. A questionnaire-based instrument, the Louisville Instrument for Transplantation(LIFT), has been developed to objectively assess the risk-versus-benefit ratio for composite tissue allotransplantation procedures. The objective of this study is to assess if the LIFT is a useful, reliable and valid tool to apply to the Korean population. METHODS: Seventy-three medical students and 60 lay public completed the LIFT questionnaire(translated to Korean) over the period from February 2010 to April 2010. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Test-retest reliability was analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Construct validity was assessed by comparing Pearson's correlation coefficients between perceived improvements in quality of life and responses to risk tolerance questions concerning organ transplants. RESULTS: Measurements of the test-retest reliability showed that Pearson's correlation coefficients ranged from 0.241 to 0.902, and Cronbach's alphas ranged from 0.52 to 0.80 for medical students and from 0.63 to 0.83 for the lay public. Pearson's correlation coefficients showed significant correlations between perceived improvements in quality of life and responses to risk tolerance questions concerning organ transplants. Hand transplant showed a significant correlation in medical students. Foot, hand, two hands, larynx, partial face transplants showed significant correlations for the lay public. CONCLUSION: The applicability of the LIFT to the Korean population was found to be reliable and valid. The LIFT may serve as a useful tool for clinical application in the Korean population.
Extremities ; Facial Transplantation ; Foot ; Hand ; Head ; Humans ; Larynx ; Neck ; Quality of Life ; Reproducibility of Results ; Students, Medical ; Transplants