BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of unilateral nasal packing on the correction of recurred septal deviation after septoplasty. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We analyzed 12 patients who had undergone septoplasty and developed septal deviation recurrence. Polyvinylacetate and Vaseline gauze were inserted into the nasal passage on the convex side of the septum for 4 days in order to shift the septum to the midline. We analyzed nasal symptoms, acoustic rhinometric results, and endoscopic findings before and after unilateral packing in order to evaluate the treatment outcomes. RESULTS: Ten (83%) out of 12 patients showed improvements in nasal obstruction, acoustic rhinometric results, and endoscopic findings. The mean visual analogue scale (VAS) score for nasal obstruction was 5.25±1.60 before and 2.08±1.50 after packing (p=0.004). The minimal cross-sectional area (MCA) improved from 0.17±0.14 to 0.27±0.13 (p=0.002), and the mean endoscopic score improved from 2.0±0.43 to 1.08±0.29 (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Unilateral nasal packing was a safe, easy, and effective method for correcting recurred septal deviation after septoplasty.
Acoustics ; Humans ; Methods ; Nasal Obstruction ; Petrolatum ; Recurrence ; Rhinometry, Acoustic

PURPOSE: It is well known the advantages of scalp donor split thickness skin graft(STSG) in deep burn wound because of its scarless donor healing, and good color match in face. Inspite of the advantages of scalp as a skin donor site during split thickness skin graft some authors report the frequent postoperative folliculitis, and partial alopecia on scalp donor site. We had experienced 21 burn patients, who had full thickness skin defects caused by burn injuries, were successfully managed with scalp donor split thickness skin graft with our optimal donor management protocols. METHODS: We had 21 deep burn patients, who were managed with thin STSG from scalp donor for coverage of full thickness skin defects. The operative techniques of the harvesting scalp STSG, and scalp donor dressing care are such as followings. After the infiltration of the donor scalp area with 1:1,000,000 epinephrine diluted with saline, then usually 0.012~0.015 inch thickness skin were harvested with air driven Zimmer® dermatome. On postoperative 6days, the one layer of adhered Vaseline gauze at donor scalp site was manually removed, and the entire scalp was cleansed with water. After then the daily hair washing was continued to remove the desiccated scaly crust with thick exudate at the growing hair and follicle. RESULTS: The scalp split thickness skin graft at the recipient sites in 21 burn patients were survived completely. Ranges of patient's age were 8 months to 56. The size ranges of scalp STSG were 2×2 cm~12×15 cm. The grafted scalp donor STSG were survived in all cases. The mean epithelialization period of scalp donor was 7.2 days. The one case of transient folliculitis (5%) from the postoperative 8days was occurred, and it was disappeared slowly with vigorous daily hair washing, antiseptics and systemic antibiotics. In all cases, there was no micro-alopecia or alopecia, and scars in scalp donor after follow ups. The donor site pain was markedly disappeared within 1~2 postoperative day. The hemorrhage from the scalp donor site during operation was not noticeable. The newly growing hair at the scalp donor was noted from the 3 postoperative days by palpation or unaided eye through the Vaseline gauze dressing. The average lengths of newly growing hair shaft are 2~3 mm in postoperative 8 days, 5~6 mm in postoperative 14 days. CONCLUSION: We had successful reconstruction of postburn skin defects using scalp donor split thickness skin graft without donor scars, persistent folliculitis or alopecia on scalp donor. From the postoperative 6~7 days after harvesting the scalp donor STSG, early vigorous daily washing with water and open dressing of scalp donor site should be recommended in order to prevent folliculitis. After long-term follow ups, the scalp split skin grafted recipient sites showed reliable, and relatively good color match with surrounding skin in face and dorsum of hand.
Alopecia ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Anti-Infective Agents, Local ; Bandages ; Burns* ; Cicatrix ; Epinephrine ; Exudates and Transudates ; Folliculitis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hair ; Hand ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Palpation ; Petrolatum ; Scalp* ; Skin* ; Tissue Donors* ; Transplants* ; Water ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: Clean dermatologic procedures create wounds with a low risk of infection (usually up to 5%). Whether the use of topical antibiotics is advocated, with regard to its efficacy and safety issues such as antibiotic resistance and sensitizing potential, is controversial. Fusidic acid, a topical antibiotic against gram-positive bacteria, is a rare sensitizer and commonly used in postprocedure care in Korea. OBJECTIVE: This is a retrospective study aimed at comparing the efficacy and safety between fusidic acid and petrolatum for the postprocedure care of clean dermatologic procedures. METHODS: Patients were treated with either fusidic acid or petrolatum ointment, applied on the wound created during clean dermatologic procedures such as biopsy of the punch, incisional, excisional, and shave types. The efficacy, adverse events, and subjective level of satisfaction were retrieved from medical records. RESULTS: A total of 414 patients with a total of 429 wounds were enrolled. The overall rate of adverse events was 0.9%, and the rates of adverse events in the fusidic acid group and the petrolatum group were 1.4% and 0.5%, respectively (p=0.370). There was no wound discharge, pain, tenderness, swelling, induration, or dehiscence in both groups. The patients' self-assessment of the wound was not significantly different between the two treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the hypothesis that the routine prophylactic use of topical antibiotics is not indicated for clean dermatologic procedures. We recommend the use of petrolatum in the postoperative care of clean dermatologic procedures because of its equivalent efficacy and superior safety profiles.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Biopsy ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Fusidic Acid* ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; Humans ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Petrolatum* ; Postoperative Care ; Retrospective Studies* ; Self-Assessment ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: Skin graft may fail for a number of reasons. Hematoma or seroma formation prevents graft adherence. Traditionally tie-over dressing has been used in skin graft fixation, but skin graft in convex and narrow place like fingers or toes, tie-over dressing is hard to be applied. And Vaseline gauze over graft often adheres to graft by exudate into gauze fibers and hardening, and may cause damage to graft in dressing change. We report successful results of using silicone net dressing in fixation of split thickness skin graft over these place. METHODS: After skin graft, the silicone net, Mepitel(R) (Molnlycke Health Care, Box 13080, SE-402 52 Goteborg, Sweden) was applied over the graft followed saline wet gauze dressing in 25 patients. 13 cases were on finger, 8 cases were on foot or toes, 4 cases were on anterior chest. RESULTS: In 22 cases, there were no hematoma or seroma formation, Mepitel(R) maintained 5 days after skin graft. And then, Mepitel(R) was removed from the graft. In 3 cases, there were hematoma formation, Mepitel(R) was removed at 3 days after skin graft. In all cases, grafts were taken well without maceration or skin eruption. CONCLUSION: The silicone net, Mepitel(R), is dressing material made of silicone gel bound to a pliable polyamide net, and it can provide uniform pressure to the graft, even in convex and narrow place. And net like structure allows the exudates of the wound to pass freely into the secondary absorbent dressing and easier to remove from the grafts than Vaseline gauze. We think that the use of a Mepitel(R) is a efficient tool for securing skin grafts.
Bandages* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Exudates and Transudates ; Fingers ; Foot ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Nylons ; Petrolatum ; Seroma ; Silicone Gels* ; Skin* ; Thorax ; Toes ; Transplants* ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: The high rates of infestation, treatment failures and treatment costs have created the search for new therapies againts head lice.

OBJECTIVE: We compared the efficacy and safety of scalp occlusion with petroleum jelly (PJ) versus permethrin 1% shampoo against Pediculus humanus capitis among school-aged children

METHOD: Seventy-seven children were diagnosed with Pediculosis capitis. Thirty-eight subjects did eight-hour scalp occlusion with PJ, and 39 used permethrin shampoo, both followed by nit combing. Treatments were applied once weekly for three consecutive weeks. Patients were assessed at weeks 1,2,3 and 11. The primary outcome was the proportion of cured subjects and change in quality of life (QOL) scores om week 3 of follow-up. Cure was defined as the absence of variable lice on the hair/scalp or nits on the hair shaft attached within one centimeter from the scalp on visual examination.Secondary outcomes were relapse rate at week 11 ,cosmetic acceptability and adverse events. Effects on QOL were measured using the Dermatology Life Quality Index at baseline and at the end of the third week of treatment.

RESULTS: At Week 3, cure achieved in 47% (18/38) in PJ group 52% (17/33) in permethrin group (RRR 6.7%, 95% Cl: -40.4% to 38%). Relapse rate in the 12th week were 44% (8/18) and 58% (10/17), respectively (p=0.486, Fisher's test ). The differences in treatment effects were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: Petroleum jelly scalp occlusion was comparable in cure rates to permethrin. PJ can be a safe, affordable alternative to permethrin as a pediculicide.

No abstract available.
Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Petrolatum

BACKGROUND: We conducted an experimental study to compare the effect of massage using topical agents (Kelo-cote or Contractubex) on scar formation by massaging the healed burn wound on the dorsal area of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. METHODS: Four areas of second degree contact burn were made on the dorsal area of each of 15 SD rats, using a soldering iron 15 mm in diameter. After gross epithelialization in the defect, 15 SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: the Kelo-cote group, Contractubex group, Vaseline group, and control group. Rats in three of the groups (all but the Control group) were massaged twice per day for 5 minutes each day, while those in the Control group were left unattended. For histologic analysis, we performed a biopsy and evaluated the thickness of scar tissue. RESULTS: In the Kelo-cote and Contractubex groups, scar tissue thicknesses showed a significant decrease, compared with the Vaseline and control groups. However, no significant differences were observed between the Kelo-cote and Contractubex groups. In the Vaseline group, scar tissue thicknesses showed a significant decrease, compared with the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that massage using a topical agent is helpful in the prevention of scar formation and that massage only with lubricant (no use of a topical agent) also has a considerable effect, although not as much as the use of a topical agent. Thus, we recommend massage with a topical agent on the post-burn scar as an effective method for decreasing the scar thickness.
Allantoin ; Animals ; Biopsy ; Burns ; Cicatrix* ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Drug Combinations ; Heparin ; Iron ; Massage* ; Petrolatum ; Plant Extracts ; Rats* ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries

Aneurysm, False ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Curettage ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Head ; Hemorrhage ; Hemostasis ; Humans ; Mandible ; Neck ; Odontogenic Cysts ; Odontogenic Tumors ; Petrolatum

BACKGROUND: Packing after closed reduction of a nasal bone fracture causes inconvenient nasal obstruction in patients. We packed the superior meatus with Vaseline gauze to support the nasal bone, and packed the middle nasal meatus with a Doyle Combo Splint consisting of an airway tube, a silastic sheet, and an expandable sponge to reduce the inconvenience. In addition, we aimed to objectively identify whether this method not only enables nasal respiration but also sufficiently supports the reduced nasal bone. METHODS: Nasal ventilation was measured via spirometry 1 day before surgery and compared to 1 day after surgery. To compare support of the reduced nasal bone by the 2 methods, 2 plastic surgeons assessed the displacementon X-rays taken after the surgery and after removing the packing. The extent of nasal obstruction, dry mouth, sleep disturbance, headache, and swallowing difficulty were compared with visual analog scales (VAS) on a pre-discharge survey. RESULTS: In the experimental group, the nasal respiration volume 1 day after surgery remained at 71.3%+/-6.84% on average compared to 1 day prior to surgery. Support of the reduced bone in the experimental group (2.80+/-0.4) was not significantly different from the control group (2.88+/-0.33). The VAS scores for all survey items were lower in the experimental group than in the control group, where a lower score indicated a lower level of inconvenience. CONCLUSIONS: The nasal cavity packing described here maintained objective measures of nasal respiration and supported the reduced bone similar to conventional methods. Maintaining nasal respiration reduced the inconvenience to patients, which demonstrates that this packing method is useful.
Airway Management ; Deglutition ; Dimethylpolysiloxanes ; Headache ; Humans ; Mouth ; Nasal Bone ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Obstruction ; Nasal Surgical Procedures ; Petrolatum ; Porifera ; Respiration ; Silicones ; Spirometry ; Splints ; Ventilation ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical effect of intraoperative application of polyether ester urethane (Nasopore(R)) in endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy. METHODS: Endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy was performed on 77 eyes diagnosed with nasolacrimal duct obstruction between January 2010 and February 2011. Nasopore(R) was applied to the newly-formed internal lacrimal opening in the experimental group (41 eyes), and vaseline gauze was applied in the control group (36 eyes). For the evaluation of clinical effects regarding postoperative adhesion and stenosis of the internal lacrimal opening, subjective symptom improvement, lacrimal irrigation tests, and endoscopic examinations were performed at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, postoperatively. RESULTS: In subjective symptom improvement and lacrimal irrigation tests, differences between the 2 groups were not statistically significant. In endoscopic findings, the Nasopore(R) group showed significantly lower severity of adhesion and stenosis of the internal lacrimal opening at 1 week, 2 weeks, and 1 month after operation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Application of the Nasopore(R) may effectively reduce initial postoperative adhesion or stenosis of the internal lacrimal opening after endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy and has usefulness as an auxiliary method.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Dacryocystorhinostomy ; Eye ; Nasolacrimal Duct ; Petrolatum ; Urethane