Facial beauty depends on the form, proportion and position of its various units. The chin is the most prominent element of the lower third of the face, both in the frontal view and in profile. Whether it is advisable to perform rhinoplasty first, followed by genioplasty, or the reverse depends on the type and severity of the deformities of the nose and chin. The selection of material is a matter of the plastic surgeon's preference. Fat is an ideal tissue filler substance because it is living tissue and from the patient's own body. So it is nonallergenic. The procedure can be performed alone as a chin augmentation with fat grafting or in combination with rhinoplasty or other facial surgery. The technique requires minimally traumatic fat harvesting, fat preparation, and multi-level facial infiltration. Remnant fat in the initial procedure is frozen and stored at -18C and can be used successfully for minor touch-up procedures. We have performed a review of chin surgery, the multiple aesthetic analyses available and the advantages and disadvantages of the various materials. Autologous fat transfer to the chin is safe, cost effective, and can produce long term aesthetic improvement. Although there are many synthetic fillers available, autologous fat is perhaps the best option for genioplasty. This simple, fast procedure is a very good alternative for patients with some form of microgenia or when patients and surgeons are not likely to use alloplastic implants.
Adipose Tissue ; Beauty ; Chin ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Genioplasty ; Humans ; Mandible ; Nose ; Rhinoplasty ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Transplants

PURPOSE: For facial reconstruction, skin color match is crucial to achieve great aesthetic result. Forehead flap and full thickness skin graft have been used for many years to reconstruct facial defect. Their results are aesthetically valuable with remarkable resemblance and harmony of the skin color between donor and recipient sites. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the aesthetic outcome of the two methods as the analysis of skin color match. METHODS: From January 1995 to December 2005, ten forehead flaps and ten full thickness skin grafts were performed. The reconstructed areas of forehead flaps were five noses and five eyelids. Recipient sites of full thickness skin grafts were seven eyelids, two noses and one forehead. In order to obtain the objective validity, the skin color of flap(or graft) and the recipient sites were measured by chromameter. The skin colors were quantified according to a three-dimensional coordinate system used in chromameter, L*(brightness), a*(redness), and b*(yellowness). RESULTS: There was no significant color difference between forehead flap site and adjacent skin in all color values. On the other hand, the L* and b* values of graft sites were significantly lower than those of the adjacent skins. The a* values of graft sites were higher than those of the adjacent skins. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that skin color match of forehead flap is greater than that of full thickness skin graft. As forehead flap has adequate volume and great color match, it can be useful to reconstruct deep facial defect such as nasal defect. On the other hand, full thickness skin graft can be used for superficial defect like partial eyelid defect.
Eyelids ; Forehead ; Hand ; Humans ; Nose ; Skin ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

PURPOSE: Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapid progressive, life-threatening disease. Many organisms have been identified for causative pathogens of necrotizing fasciitis. And necrotizing fasciitis caused by Vibrio vulnificus is a matter of grace concern in Southwest seashore of Korea recently. But concrete analysis between these pathogens was not executed yet. METHODS: Sixty necrotizing fasciitis patients were included in this study. We divided the patients into 2 groups: Group A was the case which Vibrio vulnificus was cultured for causative pathogen of necrotizing fasciitis, and Group B was the case of other organisms. And we analysed each group for treatment, progression and prognosis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between two groups in total hospital stay but there was a great difference in ICU stay and progression to septic shock. Also, there was a great difference in mortality within 48 hours but there was no difference in mortality of 48 hours after hospital visit. CONCLUSION: This indicates that intial management of necrotizing fasciitis cased by Vibrio vulnificus is the key of treatment. So initial medical management with early surgical intervention is necessary for necrotizing fasciitis.
Fasciitis, Necrotizing* ; Humans ; Korea ; Length of Stay ; Mortality ; Prognosis ; Shock, Septic ; Vibrio vulnificus

PURPOSE: Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapid progressive, life-threatening disease. Many organisms have been identified for causative pathogens of necrotizing fasciitis. And necrotizing fasciitis caused by Vibrio vulnificus is a matter of grace concern in Southwest seashore of Korea recently. But concrete analysis between these pathogens was not executed yet. METHODS: Sixty necrotizing fasciitis patients were included in this study. We divided the patients into 2 groups: Group A was the case which Vibrio vulnificus was cultured for causative pathogen of necrotizing fasciitis, and Group B was the case of other organisms. And we analysed each group for treatment, progression and prognosis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between two groups in total hospital stay but there was a great difference in ICU stay and progression to septic shock. Also, there was a great difference in mortality within 48 hours but there was no difference in mortality of 48 hours after hospital visit. CONCLUSION: This indicates that intial management of necrotizing fasciitis cased by Vibrio vulnificus is the key of treatment. So initial medical management with early surgical intervention is necessary for necrotizing fasciitis.
Fasciitis, Necrotizing* ; Humans ; Korea ; Length of Stay ; Mortality ; Prognosis ; Shock, Septic ; Vibrio vulnificus

PURPOSE: Chondroid syringoma, previously known as 'mixed tumor of the skin', is a rare benign tumor. It usually presents an asymptomatic solitary firm intradermal or subcutaneous slowly growing nodule. It occurs frequently in the head and neck region of middle-aged men. We would like to report an uncommon chondroid syringoma about the clinical and histologic presentation. about the clinical and histologic presentation. METHODS: We experienced two cases of chondroid syringoma on the nose and the upper lip, each other. Both masses were totally excised with clear margin. RESULTS: On histologic examination, the masses showed a biphasic pattern-an epithelial component exhibiting apocrine/eccrine differentiation and a stromal component exhibiting myxoid/collagenous change-consistent with the diagnosis of chondroid syringoma. There have been no evidence of recurrence and malignant transformation during postoperative follow-up. CONCLUSION: There is no one distinctive clinical feature that is specific for chondroid syringoma. However, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of a solid nodule in head and neck region with long standing duration, such as epidermal inclusion cyst, pilomatrixoma, dermoid cyst, sebaceous cyst, neurofibroma, and basal cell carcinoma.
Adenoma, Pleomorphic* ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Dermoid Cyst ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Epidermal Cyst ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Humans ; Lip* ; Male ; Neck ; Neurofibroma ; Nose ; Pilomatrixoma ; Recurrence

PURPOSE: Dystrophic calcification occurs in damaged or devitalized tissues in the presence of a normal calcium and phosphorus metabolism. There are many reports on dystrophic calcification caused by injections of various types of drugs. The aim of this report is to highlight the fact that dystrophic calcification can be caused by the injection of a foreign body for aesthetic augmentation. METHODS: This case report describes a patient presenting with dystrophic calcification caused by an injection of an unknown foreign body approximately 50 years ago. An 80-year-old man had localized cellulitis with swelling and ulceration on the dorsum of the left hand. The radiographs demonstrated a 5x3.5x1.7 cm lesion between the first and second metacarpal bones and a 5x2.5x1.5cm lesion in the hypothenar region. The laboratory data and physical examinations were generally within the normal limits. The microscopic examination revealed dead bone fragments and dense collagenous tissue with dystrophic calcification. RESULTS: After surgically removing the masses, the resulting defects were treated with an abdominal flap. The result was satisfactory in terms of symptoms and appearance. CONCLUSION: This case suggests that dystrophic calcification can be caused by an injection of a foreign body for aesthetic augmentation.
Aged, 80 and over ; Calcium ; Cellulitis ; Collagen ; Foreign Bodies* ; Hand* ; Humans ; Metabolism ; Metacarpal Bones ; Phosphorus ; Physical Examination ; Ulcer

PURPOSE: Dystrophic calcification occurs in damaged or devitalized tissues in the presence of a normal calcium and phosphorus metabolism. There are many reports on dystrophic calcification caused by injections of various types of drugs. The aim of this report is to highlight the fact that dystrophic calcification can be caused by the injection of a foreign body for aesthetic augmentation. METHODS: This case report describes a patient presenting with dystrophic calcification caused by an injection of an unknown foreign body approximately 50 years ago. An 80-year-old man had localized cellulitis with swelling and ulceration on the dorsum of the left hand. The radiographs demonstrated a 5x3.5x1.7 cm lesion between the first and second metacarpal bones and a 5x2.5x1.5cm lesion in the hypothenar region. The laboratory data and physical examinations were generally within the normal limits. The microscopic examination revealed dead bone fragments and dense collagenous tissue with dystrophic calcification. RESULTS: After surgically removing the masses, the resulting defects were treated with an abdominal flap. The result was satisfactory in terms of symptoms and appearance. CONCLUSION: This case suggests that dystrophic calcification can be caused by an injection of a foreign body for aesthetic augmentation.
Aged, 80 and over ; Calcium ; Cellulitis ; Collagen ; Foreign Bodies* ; Hand* ; Humans ; Metabolism ; Metacarpal Bones ; Phosphorus ; Physical Examination ; Ulcer

PURPOSE: Purpura fulminans is a rare but rapidly progressive, serious, often life-threatening disorder in childhood, which is complicated with septic shock or disseminated intravascular coagulopathy during acute infection. It occurs first as acute-onset petechial rash, and spreads rapidly into full thickness skin and soft tissue necrosis. In the past, it had high mortality rate, up to 80%, but recently, survival rate has increased due to early diagnosis, and rapid advancement of critical care and antibiotics. From our experiences of PF management, we would like to review the pathophysiology and suggest the surgical treatment guideline about meningococcal induced purpura fulminans. METHODS: Two cases of purpura fulminans over the last 3 years were reviewed retrospectively about reconstructive management. After they were treated resuscitative management initially by the critical intensive care, reconstructive surgery was performed by plastic surgeon as soon as the patients were vitally and mentally stable. RESULTS: There were 6 procedures in case 1, and 3 procedures in case 2. The mean delayed period from admission with sepsis to the first surgical debridement was 24 days and 42 days, respectively. Total hospitalization period was 103 days and 69 days, respectively. All of them were treated with debridement and split thickness skin graft, but delayed debridement was superior to early one in the point of preserving much more tissues. CONCLUSION: From our experience, we suggest that conservative therapy to the wounds appears to be the best tool in the initial vitally unstable period in order to preserve as much tissues and functions as possible if no active inflammation and compartment syndrome are detective.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Compartment Syndromes ; Critical Care ; Debridement ; Early Diagnosis ; Exanthema ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Critical Care ; Mortality ; Necrosis ; Purpura Fulminans* ; Purpura* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Shock, Septic ; Skin ; Survival Rate ; Transplants ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: Purpura fulminans is a rare but rapidly progressive, serious, often life-threatening disorder in childhood, which is complicated with septic shock or disseminated intravascular coagulopathy during acute infection. It occurs first as acute-onset petechial rash, and spreads rapidly into full thickness skin and soft tissue necrosis. In the past, it had high mortality rate, up to 80%, but recently, survival rate has increased due to early diagnosis, and rapid advancement of critical care and antibiotics. From our experiences of PF management, we would like to review the pathophysiology and suggest the surgical treatment guideline about meningococcal induced purpura fulminans. METHODS: Two cases of purpura fulminans over the last 3 years were reviewed retrospectively about reconstructive management. After they were treated resuscitative management initially by the critical intensive care, reconstructive surgery was performed by plastic surgeon as soon as the patients were vitally and mentally stable. RESULTS: There were 6 procedures in case 1, and 3 procedures in case 2. The mean delayed period from admission with sepsis to the first surgical debridement was 24 days and 42 days, respectively. Total hospitalization period was 103 days and 69 days, respectively. All of them were treated with debridement and split thickness skin graft, but delayed debridement was superior to early one in the point of preserving much more tissues. CONCLUSION: From our experience, we suggest that conservative therapy to the wounds appears to be the best tool in the initial vitally unstable period in order to preserve as much tissues and functions as possible if no active inflammation and compartment syndrome are detective.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Compartment Syndromes ; Critical Care ; Debridement ; Early Diagnosis ; Exanthema ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Critical Care ; Mortality ; Necrosis ; Purpura Fulminans* ; Purpura* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Shock, Septic ; Skin ; Survival Rate ; Transplants ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: Full-thickness skin grafts are usually used in facial reconstruction, but on occasion, split-thickness skin graft is also used from the scalp due to the limitation of donor site. However, there were complications, such as alopecia, folliculitis and blood loss. In addition, it can not be used in patients with baldness. Under the circumstances, we used medial arm skin as split-thickness skin graft donor site in lieu of scalp. We investigated the efficacy of the medial arm skin as a donor site of facial skin graft in comparison with scalp. METHODS: From 2000 to 2005, the split-thicknesss skin grafts were performed using the medial arm skin in 10 patients and the scalp in 10 patients. We inspected the skin color match, texture match by the visual analogue scale. Scar contracture was estimated by the Visitrak grade(R)(Smith & Nephew). The statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 12.0. RESULTS: There was a more satisfaction in color match, texture, and scar contracture in medial arm skin than in scalp. CONCLUSION: According to these results, medial arm skin may be used efficiently as an alternative donor site of scalp in the facial reconstruction.
Alopecia ; Arm* ; Cicatrix ; Contracture ; Folliculitis ; Humans ; Scalp ; Skin* ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants*