PURPOSE: Thumb is the most important part of the hand. That requires reconstruction as a top priority. The operative methods for thumb reconstruction have been developed variously to the microsurgical technique. For better functional and cosmetic effects of the thumb, many studies and reports on toe transfer for thumb reconstruction have been conducted. Great toe transfer for thumb reconstruction was first reported by Cobbett in 1969. Since then, the second toe transfer also has been reported by Dongyue in 1979. Author report about advantages and disadvantages of the second toe transfer for thumb reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The second toe transfer had been conducted transfer for nine patients from March 1998 to February 2007. The patient's age ranged from 18 to 52, averaging 30 years old. The levels of defect were classified as two proximal portion of proximal phalanx,five metacarpo-phalangeal joints, and two distal portion of metacarpal bone. The causes of thumb defect were classified as six trauma, two electrical burn, and one malignant tumor cases. The results were evaluated with sensation and strength the reconstructed thumb, cometic effect of recipient site, aesthetic effects at donor sites, and gait problem, at mean 32 months after the operation. RESULTS: After the second toe transfer, the reconstructed thumb's sense was measured as average 8.2 mm at 2 point discrimination test and it's pinching power measured average 81.7% compared to normal thumbs. The degree of cosmetic satisfaction of both donor & recipient sites appeared at 3.4 and 4.7, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: When choosing an operative method for the thumb reconstruction, we have to consider functional and cosmetic effect as well as the socio-cultural background. If we apply the second toe transfer according to the amputation level of the thumb, it would be a good satisfying operative method.
Amputation ; Burns ; Cosmetics ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Gait ; Hand ; Humans ; Joints ; Sensation ; Thumb ; Tissue Donors ; Toes

PURPOSE: Incomplete syndactyly, due to either congenital or acquired, is uncommon. Many different surgical methods have been descirbed. We introduce the modification of seven flap-plasty for incomplete syndactyly and report functional improvement after correction by modified seven flap-plasty without skin graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with an incomplete syndactyly who underwent modified seven flap-plasty were analyzed. Age ranged from one to 40-year-old (average age 21). There were 8 males and 4 females, and the degree of syndactyly was near proximal interphalangeal joint. Two different operative methods were performed. Modification I modified two half-Z flaps in parallelogram shape, and modification II modified V flap of V-M flap in Y-V flap. Functional improvements was measured by maximal abduction distance and maximal abduction angle change. RESULTS: All cases were corrected by using the modified seven flap plasty. Flap tip necrosis was found in two cases of severe burn scar patients, but did not require additional surgery. There was no specific complications. Maximal abduction distance was increased in 6 mm, and maximal abduction angle was increased in 5.8degrees. CONCLUSION: Incomplete syndactyly near proximal interphalangeal joint was corrected by modified seven flap plasty and was able to get a satisfactory result.
Adult ; Burns ; Cicatrix ; Female ; Humans ; Joints ; Male ; Necrosis ; Skin ; Syndactyly

PURPOSE: Given that the critical nature of the microvascular anastomosis to what is often a long and difficult reconstructive operation, trainees need to have a high level of microsurgical competence before being allowed to perform microsurgery on patients. Some artificial substitutes and dead or live animal models have been used to improve manual dexterity under the operating microscope. Yet, most surgeons are not equipped with such models, so search for easy available and appropriate microsurgical practice model have been an issue. Umbilical artery, placental vessels and gastroepiploic arteries have been previously suggested as a microsurgical training model, which involves other surgical departments. The purpose of this article is to introduce that saphenous vein specimen obtained from varicose vein surgery is useful and has many advantages as training model for the practice of microvascular anastomosis. METHODS: The conventional technique using perforation/inversion method with a metallic stripper is widely performed for varicose vein patients. The stripper is inserted through disconnected safeno-femoral junction and retrieved at the knee or the medial side of ankle. The length of saphenous vein specimens removed is about that of one's leg and inversed from inside out. Obtained saphenous vein specimens are re-inversed and cleansed with normal saline, to be readily available for microsurgical practice. Preserved in a squeezed wet saline gauze and refrigerated, frozen or glycerated specimens were investigated into their comparative quality for microsurgical practice. RESULTS: Varicose vein surgery remains one of the common operations performed in the field of plastic surgery. Convenient informed consent regarding the vessel donation can be easily signed. The diameter of the obtained saphenous vein is as variable as 1.5 to 6mm, which is already stripped, and is in sufficient length corresponding to that of patient's leg. Vessels specimens were available for microsurgical practice within 1 week period when preserved with squeezed wet saline gauze, and the preservation period could be extended monthly by freezing it. CONCLUSION: Saphenous vein obtained from varicose vein patients provide with variable size of vessel lumen with sufficient length. The practice can be cost effective and does not require microsurgical laboratory. Additionally there is no need of involving other surgical departments in acquiring vessel specimens. Furthermore, simple preservation method of refrigerating for a week or freezing with squeezed wet saline gauze for a month period, allow the saphenous vein obtained after varicose vein surgery as an excellent model for the microsurgical practice.
Animals ; Ankle ; Freezing ; Gastroepiploic Artery ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Knee ; Leg ; Mental Competency ; Microsurgery ; Models, Animal ; Saphenous Vein ; Surgery, Plastic ; Umbilical Arteries ; Varicose Veins

PURPOSE: Myositis ossificans is a benign condition of heterotopic bone formation that still requires more of its pathologic explanation. The lesions are localized predominantly to the high-risk sites of injury, involving flexor muscles of the upper limbs and thigh, but rarely in the head and neck area. METHODS: A case of a 44-year-old male patient presented with a palpable hard mass on nasal dorsum. The patient experienced a similar lesion on upper limb few years ago. On computed tomographic image, the lesion presented focal definite increase in opacity compatible to adjacent bone densitiy on nasal dorsum. RESULTS: The lesion was excised under open rhinoplasty incision. The pathologic report revealed focal bone formation and calcification within skeletal muscle. CONCLUSION: We describe a unique and only case of a myositis ossificans on nasal dorsum which is indifferent from previous concept.
Adult ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Muscles ; Myositis ; Myositis Ossificans ; Neck ; Nose ; Osteogenesis ; Rhinoplasty ; Thigh ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE: Huge benign tumors in the hands sometimes show aggressive nature clinically. We report the clinical features of patients with a large benign recurrent tumors in the hands. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 139 benign tumors in hands excised by the authors between January, 2006 and March, 2012. There were 4 cases of huge benign tumors in hands that recurred after total excision. RESULTS: The average initial tumor size was 5.3x3.3 cm and the average recurrent tumor size was 4.4x3.0 cm. The average period of recurrence from initial operation was 11.3 months. The pathologic findings involved one epidermal cyst, two fibromatosis, and one giant cell tumor of tendon sheath. Although radical removal of the tumors were successful, reoperation due to the tumor recurrence was required. CONCLUSION: Regardless of the tumor malignancy, a wide range of tumor resection and radiation therapy may be necessary in order to prevent the recurrence of tumors in the hand. Sufficient follow-up periods to determine recurrence were required.
Epidermal Cyst ; Fibroma ; Follow-Up Studies ; Giant Cell Tumors ; Hand ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Tendons

We report a 71-year-old male presenting with painful growing mass on his left thumb. The patient had received iliac bone graft on his left thumb 20 years ago, and removed all the grafted bone 8 years ago due to recurrent ulcer. Biopsy revealed multiple eidermal inclusion cysts on the dorsal surface of the bone graft site. Surgeon should be aware of epidermal inclusion cyst occurred at the previous bone graft site of the finger.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Fingers ; Humans ; Male ; Thumb ; Transplants ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND: The ideal vaginoplasty must be successful functionally as well as have a natural appearance, and also must retain its functionality and appearance over the long term. Conventional vaginoplasty techniques have functional limitations and are associated with recurrent complications, but rectosigmoid vaginoplasty is known to have a high satisfaction rate due to its functional similarity with the vagina. We conducted the present study to assess the usability of rectosigmoid vaginoplasty over the course of long-term follow-up. METHODS: From March 1992 to February 2014, 84 patients were treated with rectosigmoid vaginoplasty; 44 had gender identity disorder, 29 had vaginal agenesis, 8 had female pseudohermaphroditism, and 3 had gynecologic malignancies after radical pelvic surgery. This retrospective study was based on a review of the patients' records, clinical examinations, complications, and questionnaires about appearance, function, and sexual intercourse. RESULTS: All patients who underwent rectosigmoid vaginoplasty were discharged within 2 weeks without surgical flap loss. The early complications were partial flap necrosis, difficulty in defecation, mucous hypersecretion, and postoperative ileus. The late complications were vaginal introitus contracture, vaginal prolapse, and difficulty in urination. The mean length and diameter of the neovagina 3.4 years after rectosigmoid vaginoplasty were 13.2 cm and 3.8 cm, respectively. On questionnaires about satisfaction, 70% of patients reported excellent satisfaction, 11% good, 12% fair, and 7% poor. CONCLUSIONS: Rectosigmoid vaginoplasty is useful, safe, and well-accepted operative method with good functional and cosmetic results, such as natural lubrication and adequate vaginal length and width obtained without requiring the use of a dilator.
46, XX Disorders of Sex Development ; Coitus ; Contracture ; Defecation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gender Identity ; Humans ; Ileus ; Lubrication ; Methods ; Necrosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Flaps ; Urination ; Uterine Prolapse ; Vagina

PURPOSE: Although lipoma is known as one of the most common soft tissue tumors, calcification in lipoma is very rare in its occurrence. This calcified lipoma has been reported by some as a result of regression of lipoma, but its genesis is not clearly known yet with various opinions being discussed regarding its possible metabolic relation to hypercalcemia or hyperphosphatemia to be considered as a regression phase of lipoma. The authors would like to present this unusual case of calcified lipoma. METHODS: A 50-year-old male patient visited our hospital with complaint of an enlarging mass on his right forehead which has been acknowledged for 5 years' period. On physical examination, a mass was observed on his forehead as palpable, non-tender, mobile and firm in its consistency. Ultra sonogram examination revealed a well-demarcated mass (1.92 cm) with central echoic zone at deep layer of forehead. Mass excision and biopsy were performed subsequently. RESULTS: According to the pathological report, the diagnosis confirmed the lipoma consisting of grown-up adipocyte and calcification. Neither growing lipoma nor relapse was observed for postoperative three years' follow-up of the patient. CONCLUSION: Now that the calcified lipoma was successfully removed and cured by a simple mass excision, authors hereby report the case of calcified lipoma on forehead.
Adipocytes ; Biopsy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forehead ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Hyperphosphatemia ; Lipoma ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Physical Examination ; Recurrence

PURPOSE: Who may dare to state that optimal choice of treating nasal bone fracture is closed reduction? Few decades of authors' experience in nasal bone fracture has lead to believe that more active and assertive approach in nasal bone fracture by performing simultaneous lateral osteotomy may be applied in proper indications to acquire more accurate reduction and cosmetically satisfying result. METHODS: From May 2008 to October 2009, among 241 nasal bone fracture patients, 20 patients underwent simultaneous lateral osteotomy with nasal bone fracture reduction. Followed by rigid septal correction, nasal cavity is packed to stabilize the fracture segment for safer osteotomy. Through intranasal incision, in selected cases of difficult reduction or for cosmetic purposes, various types of lateral osteotomy was performed corresponding to the fracture anatomy, conditions of the nasal cavity. Postoperative nasal packing was retained for one week and nasal dorsum splint for 3 weeks. RESULTS: Lateral osteotomy was utilized for difficult cases of closed reduction, for correction of wide nose, hump and deviation in 9, 5, 2, and 4 cases, respectively. Patient satisfaction was scaled 90% in satisfaction and moderate in 10% (2 cases), complaining of mild nasal tip deviation. Physicians detected 2 cases of apparent deformity with patient recognition; one patient with mild step deformity at the osteotomy site and the other patient with minimal implant mobility. CONCLUSION: By accompanying profound understanding of the fracture anatomy, more active and assertive approach in nasal fracture reduction can be coincide with simultaneous lateral osteotomy to reduce the rate of secondary deformity and to obtain more cosmetically satisfying result.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Cosmetics ; Fractures, Bone ; Humans ; Nasal Bone ; Nasal Cavity ; Nose ; Osteotomy ; Patient Satisfaction ; Splints

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic