This review article presents an assessment of trends in statistical methods and an evaluation of their appropriateness in articles published in the Archives of Plastic Surgery (APS) from 2012 to 2017. We reviewed 388 original articles published in APS between 2012 and 2017. We categorized the articles that used statistical methods according to the type of statistical method, the number of statistical methods, and the type of statistical software used. We checked whether there were errors in the description of statistical methods and results. A total of 230 articles (59.3%) published in APS between 2012 and 2017 used one or more statistical method. Within these articles, there were 261 applications of statistical methods with continuous or ordinal outcomes, and 139 applications of statistical methods with categorical outcome. The Pearson chi-square test (17.4%) and the Mann-Whitney U test (14.4%) were the most frequently used methods. Errors in describing statistical methods and results were found in 133 of the 230 articles (57.8%). Inadequate description of P-values was the most common error (39.1%). Among the 230 articles that used statistical methods, 71.7% provided details about the statistical software programs used for the analyses. SPSS was predominantly used in the articles that presented statistical analyses. We found that the use of statistical methods in APS has increased over the last 6 years. It seems that researchers have been paying more attention to the proper use of statistics in recent years. It is expected that these positive trends will continue in APS.
Methods* ; Plastics* ; Surgery, Plastic*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the method for mandible osteotomy in order to make the mandible of various square face appear harmony.

METHODSAccording to different types of the mandible, mandible angle osteotomy was performed in combination with mandible edge, mandible half ring osteotomy or chin augmentation.

RESULTSA total of 312 cases have been treated since 1996. In this series, mandible angle and mandible edge osteotomy was performed in 200 cases; only mandible edge osteotomy in 23; mandible half ring osteotomy in 15, chin sharpening in 9, chin augmentation with autogenous bone implantation, in 32. Postoperative follow-up of 150 cases for 1-12 months showed that the satisfactory rate was 97%.

CONCLUSIONIntegrated mandible osteotomy can make the square face look natural and nice-looking.

Humans ; Mandible ; surgery ; Osteotomy ; methods ; Surgery, Plastic ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo summarize and present the experiences and results of the expanded distant skin flaps used in plastic and reconstructive operations.

METHODS102 patients who had undergone expanded distant skin flap transfer were reviewed and followed up.

RESULTSGood results were obtained. Especially when there was no sufficient normal skin close to the lesion or defect, the distant skin flaps were employed. The expanded distant skin flap can be directly transferred as a pedicle skin flap or an island skin flap. It can be indirectly transferred with an intermediary carrier or as a free skin flap.

CONCLUSIONThe expanded distant skin flaps have many advantages, indications, worthy of recommendation.

Humans ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Surgery, Plastic ; methods ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVETo present a new method for correction of prominent malar complex by L-shaped osteotomy through an intraoral incision.

METHODSBased on the anatomical characteristics of the malar complex, we designed a new L-shaped osteotomy for malar eminence reduction. The procedure includes oblique incision of the upper part of the mala, vertical incision of the anterior part of the mala and "greenstick" fracture of the zygomatic arches. According to the severity of malar prominence, we resect part of the anterior-inferior part of the mala and lower the malar complex.

RESULTSThis method was used in 39 patients with prominent malar complex. Of them, 32 were symmetrical and 7 were unsymmetrical. All the patients obtained good results.

CONCLUSIONL-shaped osteotomy for correction of prominent malar complex is a relatively ideal surgical method with the advantages of simpler manipulation, fewer complications, better result, and ensuring the intactness of the structural characteristics of the malar complex.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Osteotomy ; methods ; Surgery, Plastic ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Zygoma ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo introduce a new technique for reduction mammaplasty appropriate to moderate or heavy hypertrophic breast.

METHODSThe superior-lateral dermo-glandular pedicle flap including the nipple-areola complex was created. After the extra glandular tissue was removed, the superior-lateral dermo-glandular pedicle with the nipple-areola complex was rotated, adjusted, sculptured and fixed to the thoracic wall so as to fashion a breast with natural projection and proper shape. This method was used in 4 patients(8 breasts).

RESULTSThe operation results were satisfactory without complications. The breasts maintained nice configuration and good function, with well lactating in one case.

CONCLUSIONThe technique of reduction mammaplasty with the superior-lateral dermo-glandular pedicle is a reasonable method to obtain nice breast configuration and good function.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; surgery ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Surgery, Plastic ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo introduce a new technique for the treatment of helical keloid.

METHODSThe procedure consisted of two steps. In the first step, a kidney-shaped expander of 50 ml was placed subcutaneously in the retroauricular area. Routine inflation with normal saline followed. In the second step, about two months afterwards, the expander was taken out and the helical keloid was excised. The expanded flap was advanced to cover the wound.

RESULTSThe operation has been performed on 12 patients of 16 sites of helical keloid since 2000. Postoperative follow-up from 3 months to 2 years revealed satisfactory results. The reconstructed ear maintained a good contour.

CONCLUSIONThe technique creates a retroauricular flap rich in blood supply, which can be used to close the defect left by helical keloid excision. It provides a good treatment for the helical keloid replaced with normal skin from the mastoid region.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Ear ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Keloid ; surgery ; Male ; Surgery, Plastic ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

Complex ventral hernia refers to a large hernia that is complicated by a series of concurrent conditions. Change in intra-abdominal pressure is one of the main pathways through which various factors exert an impact on perioperative risk and postoperative recurrence. Taking abdominal pressure reconstruction as the core, the treatment strategy for complex abdominal hernia can be formulated from three aspects: improving patients' tolerance, expanding abdominal cavity volume, and reducing the volume of abdominal contents. Improving patients' tolerance includes abdominal wall compliance training and progressive preoperative pneumoperitoneum. To expand the volume of the abdominal cavity, implanting hernia repair materials, component separation technique, autologous tissue transplantation, component expend technique, and chemical component separation can be used. Initiative content reduction surgery and temporary abdominal closure may be performed to reduce the volume of abdominal contents. For different cases of complex ventral hernia, personalized treatment measures can be safely and feasibly adopted depending on the condition of the patients and the intra-abdominal pressure situation.
Humans ; Hernia, Ventral/surgery* ; Abdominal Wall/surgery* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures ; Herniorrhaphy/methods* ; Surgical Mesh ; Recurrence

OBJECTIVETo reduce the incision scar produced by reduction mammaplasty.

METHODSThe periareola incision and the vertical incision below the areola were made when performing breast reduction. The incision in the submammary fold was avoided. The breast was suspended and moulded. The redundant skin and the long skin incision below the areola were sutured utilizing the skin wrinkling suture techniques. The wrinkling skin and incision became flat gradually due to the elasticity of the tissue itself.

RESULTS13 cases have been treated with the techniques mentioned above. All incisions healed primarily and there were no complications such as hematoma, infection and necrosis of skin or areola. Of them, 3 patients with very large and ptotic breasts needed small corrective operations to excise the redundant skin that still existed 6 months postoperatively. The shape of the breasts and the vertical incision scars of the other patients were satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSThe vertical mammaplasty using the skin wrinkling suture techniques can be used in breast reduction of various sizes, owing to the advantages of consistent, good and stable result, simplicity to perform and grasp and no scar in the submammary fold.

Adult ; Breast Implantation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Surgery, Plastic ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEA new method for correction of nipple inversion was introduced to improve the surgical result.

METHODSIn this procedure, two opposite rhombus incisions on both sides of the inverted nipple were designed within the range of areola. The rhombus skin was deepithelialized and two subcutaneous pedicle skin flaps were created. Then the shortened lactiferous ducts and fibrous bands beneath the nipple were released. The subcutaneous pedicle skin flaps on both sides of the inverted nipple were advanced through the tunnel beneath the nipple as the supporting tissue. After the operation, continuous traction of the nipple lasted two weeks at least.

RESULTSSince 1999, 16 patients with congenital bilateral nipple inversion have been treated. No complications were found in all the cases. Postoperative follow-up for 2-12 months showed that the appearance of the nipple was satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSThis method is simple, safe and effective for correction of congenital nipple inversion. The incision scar is indistinct, the natural look and good function of the nipple were reserved.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Nipples ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Surgery, Plastic ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical results and complications of three methods for microgenia, including chin augmentation with silicone implant, bone autograft, and genioplasty.

METHODSThe advantages and disadvantages of the three methods for microgenia were assessed through 3-D CT reconstruction, X-ray and intraoperative observation during the second operation. The indications for each technique were also studied.

RESULTSThe frequently observed problems for chin augmentation with silicone implants were implant malposition, underlying bone absorption, periosteal reaction and undercorrection. Chin augmentation with bone autograft had a great long-term bone graft absorption which led to undercorrection. Genioplasty showed a satisfactory cosmetic result with no serious complication.

CONCLUSIONSChin augmentation with silicone implant is suitable for mild microgenia with a shallow mentolabial groove, but without facial vertical insufficient and facial asymmetry. Genioplasty can be used in all kinds of microgenia in any severity, especially those with deviated chin and facial asymmetry. Chin augmentation with bone autograft can't achieve good long-term result and should be applied prudently.

Adult ; Chin ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Prostheses and Implants ; Silicone Elastomers ; Surgery, Plastic ; methods ; Young Adult