Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of immediate repair of extracranial branch defects in the facial nerve through transplantation of the great auricular nerve.Methods:A retrospective inclusion was carried out on 17 patients with extracranial branch defects of the facial nerve caused by parotid malignant tumors and neurogenic tumors in the Department of Stomatology of Xuzhou Central Hospital from June 2021 to January 2023, including 10 males and 7 females, with the age ranged from 28 to 68 (42.4±11.4) years old. All patients underwent immediate transplantation of the greater auricular nerve during the operation. The facial nerve function was evaluated according to the House-Brackmann (HB) facial paralysis grading standard at the last follow-up. Grade Ⅰ-Ⅲ was considered effective, and grade Ⅳ-Ⅵ was considered ineffective. The quality of life was evaluated using the physical function score (FDIP) and social function score (FDIS).Results:The follow-up time was 6-30 (18.3 ±6.6) months. The facial nerve function was classified as grade Ⅰ in four cases, grade Ⅱ in six cases, grade Ⅲ in four cases, and grade Ⅳ in three cases. This resulted in an effective rate of 14/17. The FDIP score at the final follow-up was (84.7 ±9.1) points, which was higher than the (54.1 ±20.6) points recorded at the immediate moment of repair ( P<0.001). In contrast, the FDIS score was (11.8 ±8.9) points, which was lower than the (57.5 ±11.7) points recorded at the immediate moment of repair ( P<0.001). Conclusion:The transplantation of the auricular great nerve can effectively enhance facial nerve function and improve the life quality in the immediate repair of defects in the extracranial branches of the facial nerve.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of immediate repair of extracranial branch defects in the facial nerve through transplantation of the great auricular nerve.Methods:A retrospective inclusion was carried out on 17 patients with extracranial branch defects of the facial nerve caused by parotid malignant tumors and neurogenic tumors in the Department of Stomatology of Xuzhou Central Hospital from June 2021 to January 2023, including 10 males and 7 females, with the age ranged from 28 to 68 (42.4±11.4) years old. All patients underwent immediate transplantation of the greater auricular nerve during the operation. The facial nerve function was evaluated according to the House-Brackmann (HB) facial paralysis grading standard at the last follow-up. Grade Ⅰ-Ⅲ was considered effective, and grade Ⅳ-Ⅵ was considered ineffective. The quality of life was evaluated using the physical function score (FDIP) and social function score (FDIS).Results:The follow-up time was 6-30 (18.3 ±6.6) months. The facial nerve function was classified as grade Ⅰ in four cases, grade Ⅱ in six cases, grade Ⅲ in four cases, and grade Ⅳ in three cases. This resulted in an effective rate of 14/17. The FDIP score at the final follow-up was (84.7 ±9.1) points, which was higher than the (54.1 ±20.6) points recorded at the immediate moment of repair ( P<0.001). In contrast, the FDIS score was (11.8 ±8.9) points, which was lower than the (57.5 ±11.7) points recorded at the immediate moment of repair ( P<0.001). Conclusion:The transplantation of the auricular great nerve can effectively enhance facial nerve function and improve the life quality in the immediate repair of defects in the extracranial branches of the facial nerve.

Objective:To summarize the application of pectoralis major flap in complex defects after maxillofacial " frozen neck" surgery.Methods:The clinical data of 7 patients with maxillofacial " frozen neck" admitted to the Department of Stomatology of the Xuzhou Central Hospital from October 2020 to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The pectoralis major flap was used to repair the complex defects after surgery and the treatment effect was observed.Results:All 7 patients had survived flap transplantation with no serious complications. After 3 to 24 months of follow-up, the patients were basically satisfied with the treatment effect.Conclusions:The pectoralis major flap has reliable blood supply, abundant tissue, and can be applied flexibly with a high survival rate and significant repair effect. It is a good choice for repairing complex defects after " frozen neck" surgery, and it has clinical application value.

Keloid is defined as special pathological scar invading adjacent healthy skin. The pathogenesis of keloid is not yet fully elucidated. Many factors such as epigenetic inheritance, inflammatory response and mechanical tension have been shown relating to keloid. In recent years, with the rapid progress of epigenetics, more and more studies on long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) have confirmed that it is closely related to keloid formation. Based on the research results of lncRNA, this article reviews its roles in formation and invasion of keloid, by analyzing the relationship between lncRNA and abnormal proliferation of fibrocytes, excessive collagen formation, cell microenvironment, cell migration and other processes.

Keloid is defined as special pathological scar invading adjacent healthy skin. The pathogenesis of keloid is not yet fully elucidated. Many factors such as epigenetic inheritance, inflammatory response and mechanical tension have been shown relating to keloid. In recent years, with the rapid progress of epigenetics, more and more studies on long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) have confirmed that it is closely related to keloid formation. Based on the research results of lncRNA, this article reviews its roles in formation and invasion of keloid, by analyzing the relationship between lncRNA and abnormal proliferation of fibrocytes, excessive collagen formation, cell microenvironment, cell migration and other processes.

Keloid is defined as special pathological scar invading adjacent healthy skin. The pathogenesis of keloid is not yet fully elucidated. Many factors such as epigenetic inheritance, inflammatory response and mechanical tension have been shown relating to keloid. In recent years, with the rapid progress of epigenetics, more and more studies on long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) have confirmed that it is closely related to keloid formation. Based on the research results of lncRNA, this article reviews its roles in formation and invasion of keloid, by analyzing the relationship between lncRNA and abnormal proliferation of fibrocytes, excessive collagen formation, cell microenvironment, cell migration and other processes.

Keloid is defined as special pathological scar invading adjacent healthy skin. The pathogenesis of keloid is not yet fully elucidated. Many factors such as epigenetic inheritance, inflammatory response and mechanical tension have been shown relating to keloid. In recent years, with the rapid progress of epigenetics, more and more studies on long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) have confirmed that it is closely related to keloid formation. Based on the research results of lncRNA, this article reviews its roles in formation and invasion of keloid, by analyzing the relationship between lncRNA and abnormal proliferation of fibrocytes, excessive collagen formation, cell microenvironment, cell migration and other processes.

Objective To investigate the relationship between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (LHR) and asymptomatic carotid plaques and their stability in high-risk stroke population.Methods Between December 2012 and April 2015,a total of 39 944 permanent resident population ≥40 years were used as subjects of the survey from 11 rural communities in Haitou Town,Banzhuang Town and Tashan Town,Ganyu District,and 9 urban communities in Xinpu District and Haizhou District,Lianyungang City using epidemiological survey method of cluster sampling.Excluding those who took lipid-lowering drugs within 3 months and had a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack,6 592 people at high risk of stroke were finally screened out.Ultrasound was used to detect carotid plaques.The subjects were divided into plaque-free group and plaque group.The latter was further divided into stable plaque group and unstable plaque group.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent risk factor for carotid plaques and their stability.The odds ratio (OR) and 95％ confidence interval (CI) were calculated.Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the prediction efficiency of LHR on carotid plaques.Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was an independent risk factor for carotid plaques,while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was an independent protection factor of carotid plaques.Using the lowest quintile (Q1) of LHR as a reference,carotid plaque risk increased significantly with the increasing LHR (Q2:OR 1.448,95％ CI 1.082-1.937,P =0.013;Q3:OR 2.414,95％ CI 1.754-3.322,P＜0.001;Q4:OR 2.939,95％ CI 1.945-4.441,P＜0.001;Q5:OR 4.884,95％ CI 3.143-7.115,P＜0.001).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of LHR predicting carotid plaques was 0.795 (95％ CI 0.792-0.807;P＜ 0.001),and the optimal cut-off value was 3.00 (sensitivity 68.37％,specificity 75.65％).LHR ≥3.92 (LHR in the Q4 and Q5 subgroups) was an independent risk factor for unstable carotid plaques (OR 2.915,95％ CI 2.104-4.040;P＜0.001).The AUC of the LHR predicting unstable carotid plaques was 0.658 (95％ CI 0.633-0.684;P＜0.001).Conclusions LHR was an independent predictor of carotid plaques in high-risk stroke patients.It had higher predictive value for carotid plaques,and its conversion threshold for promoting plaque formation was 3.00.When LHR was ≥3.92,there was a significant increase in the risk of unstable carotid plaques.

Objective: To evaluate whether restricted breathing movement by wearing elastic chest belt within half a year postoperatively could decrease the incidence of chest wall deformity after costal cartilage harvesting. Methods: The contour of chests of the patients receiving the third-stage operation of auricular reconstruction was assessed 1 year after costal cartilage harvesting with history collection and physical examination. The incidence of costal wall deformity was summarized and compared by wearing elastic chest belt or not within half a year postoperatively. Logistic regression was used to analyze the significance of results. Results: Thirty-eight eligible patients were enrolled in the study. The incidence of chest wall deformity in patients wearing chest elastic chest belt as requested for half a year was lower (64.7% vs. 95.2%), and the difference was statistically significant, OR 10.9, 95%CI[1.16, 102.60], P=0.037. Conclusions Restricted breathing movement by wearing elastic chest belt within half a year postoperatively could decrease the incidence of chest wall deformity following costal cartilage harvesting through decreasing the traction force caused by respiratory muscles and intrathoracic negative pressure.

Objective: To investigate treatment and outcome of rib cartilage framework in ear reconstruction. Methods: 12 cases of rib cartilage framework infection in ear reconstruction were retrospectively analysed in the latest four years. Lab examination results showed that staphylococcus aureus were found in 5 cases, coagulase negative staphylococcus in 3 cases, Klebsiella pneumonia in 2 cases, aeromonas hydrophila in 1 case and no bacteria were found in 1 case with regular culture. Debridement, systemic antibiotic therapy, saline irrigations and unobstructed drainage were utilized to treat the infection. Results: The average duration of dressing change was 35 days in 12 cases (12-67 days), of which six cases were cured leaving no obvious or mild change of cartilage framework. Cartilage framework was totally damaged by infection in one case, so the framework had to be removed and debridement was then carried out to control infection. Secondary repair should be taken at least 6 months later. In the rest 5 cases, frameworks were taken out in the early stage of infection. The infected portion of the cartilage was removed and the healthy part was buried subcutaneously in the chest. The expanded postauricular flap and fascia were smoothened. Secondary repair should be performed after 6 months. Conclusions Effective debridement, irrigations and drainage can be used to control infection of cartilage framework and maintain normal contour and structure of reconstructed auricle. With regards to severe infection, framework should be removed as early as possible and infected portion of cartilage should be cleared out, while healthy part could be used for secondary reconstruction of auricular contour after complete control of infection.