PURPOSE: The importance of the deformities in alar - columellar complex has been underestimated in Asian ethnic groups for the last few decades. Fortunately, with increasing familiarity of the open rhinoplasty techniques, the anatomic details of the nasal tip have been pointed up. Definitely, having an interest and demand for improving the sub-normal relationship between the alar rim and columella are indebted for such growing of knowledge about nasal tip anatomy. However, it is true that any single procedure is not settled as versatile and fully confident modality to correct the retracted notching of the alar rim. With this article, I would like to propose another useful option for treating retracted ala. METHODS: The authors have tried to correct alar rim retraction by means of: (1) Triangular onlay septal cartilage graft on the lower lateral cartilage with the medial end fixed to the anterior surface of the lateral crus(Alar extension graft), (2) Inserting lateral end of the alar extension graft to the vestibular skin pocket in the form of a finger-in-groove, (3) using the vestibular skin in the form of an advancement flap, and (4) using the soft shield graft to prevent possible visible step-off of the alar margin. RESULTS: The authors applied an alar extension graft to 16 patients in order to correct a retracted ala for the last 27 months (August 2003-October 2005). The distance from alar rim to long axis of nostril was improved to be within 2mm in all cases, and also the shape of the alar rim changed to a round form. Nostril asymmetry (6%) was observed in one case, temporary palpable step-off (18%) in three cases, temporary visible step-off (6%) in one case, and temporary paresthesia of the tip (25%) in four cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: The alar extension graft is simple and efficacious. It does not need donor sites other than the operative field, and its results are predictable. In particular, since it may give structural intensity to a weak lower lateral cartilage, it may be preferentially used for the correction of a retracted ala that arises from hypoplastic lower lateral cartilage. Moreover intensified lower lateral cartilage also improves the esthetic shape of lobule.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Cartilage ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Ethnic Groups ; Humans ; Inlays ; Paresthesia ; Recognition (Psychology) ; Rhinoplasty ; Skin ; Succinates ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

No abstract available.
Occupations

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is divided into two categories, melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer, by its malignant potential. The former is prone to be metastatic and it often requires regional lymph node dissection and chemotherapy, while the latter is rarely metastatic with no need for such further treatment. We report here on the reconstruction methods after surgical removal of skin cancers, with excluding melanoma. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to analyze the reconstruction methods according to the location and size of the lesions after surgical removal of nonmelanoma skin cancers and we report on the clinical findings. METHODS: We analyzed 186 cases of nonmelanoma skin cancers that were treated Between January, 2000 and December, 2006 at the Department of Dermatology, Chonbuk University Hospital. The cases were analyzed according to the reconstruction methods for the defects after surgery, the gender ratio, the age range, the lesion site and the lesion size. RESULTS: The mean age of onset was 67.7 years old. The ratio of men to women was 1:1.02. The most common nonmelanoma skin cancer was basal cell carcinoma (66.7%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (22.1%), and Bowen's disease (4.3%). The most common site of all the nonmelanoma skin cancers was the face (68.8%), followed by the trunk (7.5%) and scalp (6.5%). The most common reconstruction method was local flap (40.3%), followed by primary closure (38.7%), skin graft (18.8%) and secondary intention (2.2%). In terms of location, the most commonly used method was local flap for the face (50.0%) and primary closure for the trunk (53.3%), scalp (83.3%) and the upper (44.4%) and lower extremities (63.6%). According to the lesions' size, the most common method was flap for tumor between 10 mm and 30 mm in diameter (95.1%), primary closure for tumor less than 10 mm in diameter (66.7%) and graft for tumor greater than 30 mm in diameter (66.7%). CONCLUSION: We offer this data for the reconstruction methods of nonmelanoma skin cancers and their clinical findings in Korea.
Age of Onset ; Bowen's Disease ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Dermatology ; Female ; Humans ; Intention ; Korea ; Lower Extremity ; Lymph Node Excision ; Male ; Melanoma ; Scalp ; Skin ; Skin Neoplasms ; Transplants

PURPOSE: Radial and ulnar arteries are two major arteries responsible for the blood supply of the hand. We experienced early recurrent thrombosis of ulnar artery after arteriorrhaphy in a patient with rupture of ulnar and radial arteries due to glass injury. Thus, we thought this would require reviews. METHODS: 41-year-old female patient was presented for the laceration of right wrist due to glass injury. Operative findings revealed the rupture of radial artery, ulnar artery, ulnar nerve and most of the flexor tendons. We performed three consecutive operations because of the recurrent arterial thrombosis in ulnar artery. Arteriorrhaphy was performed in each operation and the interpositional vein graft was performed in the final operation. RESULTS: Consequently, doppler ultrasonography was performed on twentieth postoperative day and fair flow in the ulnar artery was visualized. Pathologic examination of the artery revealed no histopathologic abnormalities. CONCLUSION: It is not a matter of ease to follow up the patients with rupture of radial or ulnar arteries. Obstruction of the repaired artery is also not easy to detect because it usually presents no definite symptoms. We could detect the obstruction of the artery following arteriorrhaphy with the doppler ultrasonography in less than a week postoperatively, and repeated operations were followed. We reviewed the causes and factors affecting the thrombosis and hereby report with literature review.
Adult ; Arteries ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glass ; Hand ; Humans ; Lacerations ; Radial Artery ; Rupture ; Tendons ; Thrombosis ; Transplants ; Ulnar Artery ; Ulnar Nerve ; Ultrasonography, Doppler ; Veins ; Wrist

No abstract available.
Angiomyoma

BACKGROUND: Von Recklinghausen disease or neurofibromatosis type 1 is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder of chromosome 17q11.2. The most common characteristic findings of NF 1 include multiple and recurrent cutaneous neurofibromas associated with psychosocial distress. METHODS: Sixteen patients (9 female, 7 male; average age, 31 years; range, 16 to 67 years) with multiple cutaneous neurofibromas between March 2010 and February 2012 were included in the study. All patients were treated with radiosurgical ablation and excision under general anesthesia. RESULTS: All 16 patients were satisfied with the results, when questioned directly during the outpatient department follow-up. The only complaint from a few patients was minimal scarring, but acceptable results were obtained in the end. CONCLUSIONS: The radiofrequency procedure is almost bloodless and quick, creating a smaller necrotizing zone. Therefore, instead of employing the time consuming traditional surgery, such as laser therapy and electrosurgical excision, that produces uncertain results and can affect normal adjacent tissue, treatment of neurofibromas with radiofrequency ablation and excision can be an alternative choice of treatment for patients with a large number of neurofibromas.
Catheter Ablation ; Cicatrix ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Neurofibroma ; Neurofibromatoses ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; Outpatients ; Skin

Thermal injury to free flap site can be severe and distressing injuries both for the patients and the surgeon. Thermal injuries to insensate free flaps are known complications often reported. But thermal injuries to free flaps are also occurred in the perioperative period. This study focused on the various factors associated with these injuries. We reported a 36-years old male patient with scalding burn in using warmed saline irrigation who underwent anterolateral thigh perforator free flap due to diabetic foot ulcer on dorsum of left foot. The clinical characteristics of thermal injuries during the free tissue transters are 1) Warmed saline irrigation is often too hot and a temperature excess 48degrees C should be considered very hot saline during the operation. 2) The direct exposure of the microscope light often causes iatrogenic burn, so copiously irrigating the surgical field and readjusting the light source's position or its output intensity are important. Surgeon must be aware that warmed saline irrigation & surgical microscope can cause thermal injury to free flap during the free tissue transfer.
Burns ; Diabetic Foot ; Foot ; Free Tissue Flaps* ; Humans ; Male ; Perioperative Period ; Thigh ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a mesenchymal tumor of the skin of intermediate-grade which is a rare condition. The slow growing and aggressive invasion on local tissues are characteristic features of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. The treatment for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is mainly a surgical excision such as a wide excision and Mohs micrographic surgery. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the result of wide excision and Mohs micrographic surgery for the treatment of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans at a single institution in Korea. METHODS: A retrospective review was done for 24 patients diagnosed with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and treated surgically from 1999 to 2010 at Chonbuk National University Hospital. Patient demographics, tumor features, surgical features, and recurrence during the follow-up period were evaluated. RESULTS: 13 patients were treated with wide excision, and 11 with Mohs micrographic surgery. There was no metastasis for all the cases. Mean operation time for the wide excision group was 83 minutes whereas 182 minutes for the Mohs micrographic surgery group, and it was a statistically significant difference. However, no significant difference was observed in post-operative defect size, advanced surgical repair and local recurrence in our study. CONCLUSION: We suggest that wide excision and Mohs micrographic surgery are both successful modalities for the surgical treatment of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. Hence, individualized patient and tumor characteristics should be concerned when determining the surgical options for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.
Demography ; Dermatofibrosarcoma ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mohs Surgery ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin

BACKGROUND: A recent advancement in microsurgery, the free flap is widely used in the reconstruction of the lower leg and foot. The simple and effective methods of local flaps, including transposition and advancement flaps, have been considered for patients with chronic debilitation who are unable to endure long surgical procedures or general anesthesia. However, the location and size of the wound may restrict the clinical application of a local flap. Under these circumstances, a sural flap can be an excellent alternative, rendering satisfying clinical outcomes in chronically debilitated patients. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2012, 39 patients underwent soft tissue defect treatment by sural artery flap as a final method. All of the patients had at least one chronic disease or more (diabetes, hypertension, vascular disease, etc.). Also, all of the patients had a history of chronic lower extremity ulceration, which revealed no response to several months of conservative treatment. RESULTS: The results of the 39 cases had a success rate of 100% with 39 complete recoveries. Nine cases suffered complications: partial necrosis (n=4), wound dehiscence without necrosis (n=3), hematoma (n=1), and infection (n=1). CONCLUSIONS: The sural artery flap is not only useful for the lower leg but also for the heel, and other various parts. Furthermore, it is a relatively simple surgical technique for reconstructing the defect area for patients with various chronic conditions with a high surgical risk or contraindications to surgery.
Anesthesia, General ; Arteries ; Chronic Disease ; Foot ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Heel ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Leg ; Lower Extremity ; Microsurgery ; Necrosis ; Organic Chemicals ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Surgical Flaps ; Ulcer ; Vascular Diseases

PURPOSE: Marjolin's ulcer is rare but highly aggressive malignant cancer that is associated with chronic, nonhealing wounds such as burn wound. There are no confirmed effective protocols for treatment of this disease. This study was conducted to describe the clinical presentation and treatment modalities of Marjolin's ulcer in our hospital. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of Marjolin's ulcer. 20 cases were histologically confirmed malignant skin cancer seen at Chonbuk National University Hospital from January 2000 to December 2011. Data were retrieved from patients' medical records and photographs. RESULTS: The total 20 cases of Marjolin's ulcer were studied. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common pathological type in 20 patients (100%). Lymph node metastasis at the time of diagnosis was recorded in 3 patient (15%). Wide excision was the most common surgical procedure performed in 17 patients (85%) of cases. The reconstruction modalities were various as free flap 3 patients (15%), skin graft 13 patients (65%), local advancement flap 2 patients (10%) and regional flap 1 patient (5%). Local recurrence was noted in 3 patients (15%) who had surgical treatment. And one patient (5%) expired in hospital. CONCLUSION: Marjolin's ulcer is an infrequent lesion. Unfortunately the diagnosis and treatment are often delayed. If the wound was histologically confirmed, aggressive excision and reconstruction is warranted in these highly malignant skin cancer. Early recognition and aggressive treatment of Marjolin's ulcers are essential to improve outcomes.
Burns ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Medical Records ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Skin Neoplasms ; Transplants ; Ulcer