As many people keep small dogs as pets, dog bites are common injuries, accounting for approximately 80%–90% of all animal bite injuries. These injuries usually occur on the upper extremities, most commonly on the fingers. Most of these injuries appear as simple lacerations or abrasions of the skin. Common symptoms include inflammatory reactions of the soft tissue, such as pain, swelling, erythema, and cellulitis. However, the complications of small dog bites may include joint or cartilage injuries, including acute osteomyelitis. Once osteomyelitis develops, it is difficult to diagnose since it has a latency period of approximately 2 weeks. Plain radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and 3-phase bone scans should be performed when acute osteomyelitis is suspected, and broad-spectrum empiric antibiotic treatment should be administered for approximately 8–12 weeks. We report 3 very rare cases of acute osteomyelitis that occurred after a dog bite injury.
Animals ; Cartilage ; Cellulitis ; Dogs* ; Erythema ; Fingers ; Hand* ; Joints ; Lacerations ; Latency Period (Psychology) ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Osteomyelitis* ; Radiography ; Skin ; Upper Extremity

As many people keep small dogs as pets, dog bites are common injuries, accounting for approximately 80%–90% of all animal bite injuries. These injuries usually occur on the upper extremities, most commonly on the fingers. Most of these injuries appear as simple lacerations or abrasions of the skin. Common symptoms include inflammatory reactions of the soft tissue, such as pain, swelling, erythema, and cellulitis. However, the complications of small dog bites may include joint or cartilage injuries, including acute osteomyelitis. Once osteomyelitis develops, it is difficult to diagnose since it has a latency period of approximately 2 weeks. Plain radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and 3-phase bone scans should be performed when acute osteomyelitis is suspected, and broad-spectrum empiric antibiotic treatment should be administered for approximately 8–12 weeks. We report 3 very rare cases of acute osteomyelitis that occurred after a dog bite injury.
Animals ; Cartilage ; Cellulitis ; Dogs* ; Erythema ; Fingers ; Hand* ; Joints ; Lacerations ; Latency Period (Psychology) ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Osteomyelitis* ; Radiography ; Skin ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE: Out of nail components, nail plate, nail fold, paronychium, hyponychium, nail bed, and matrices are referred to as the perionychium. The authors report the outcomes of perionychial flap for reconstruction of fingertip injuries with nail bed injuries. METHODS: We performed 8 cases of perionychial flap for fingertip injuries with nail bed injuries between January 2012 and December 2015, and analyzed the outcomes of the reconstruction surgery. The patients evaluated the aesthetic results on a four-point scale, and we measured and evaluated the ratio of axis length of the nail plate compared with collateral side of normal nail plate. RESULTS: The mean follow up period was 8.4 months, and range of motion of distal interphalangeal joints and sensation of the reconstructed pulp were normal in all patients. After reconstructive surgery the nail plates regrew up to 80% in average compared to the normal side, and the satisfactory score were good to excellent as 3.8 point in average. CONCLUSION: The reconstruction of fingertip injuries with nail bed injuries using perionychial flap including paronychium and hyponychium is safe and easy procedure and aesthetic outcomes were excellent. The authors consider the perionychial flap as a useful technique for fingertip reconstruction.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joints ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Sensation

PURPOSE: Reconstruction of postburn scar contractures is one of difficult tasks in burn plastic surgery. A linear scar contracture is usually repaired by using skin grafts, traditional or modified Z-plasty. However, the scar itself remains even if the contracture is released. Therefore, it should be suggested to reduce scars at the time of release of scar contractures. For this purpose, we have designed the Y-V flap method. This paper is presents our clinical experiences for reconstruction of postburn linear scar contractures and scar reduction by newly designed the Y-V flap. METHODS: We had 3 cases of postburn scar contractures with depressed deformities in extremities, buttock using the newly designed the Y-V flaps. The Y-V flap is made by the V shaped flap at a right angle to the scar band and it is advanced to Y incision site of opposite edge of the scar band, and this flap can correct the linear contracted scar band with moderate scar reductiontion. RESULTS: 2 cases of the postburn scar contractures were treated using the Y-V flaps. 1 case of scar contractures of extremities was reconstructed using Y-V flap and multiple Z-plasties. After postoperative follow up, relatively satisfactory results were obtained in all cases. CONCLUSION: We have had successful reconstruction of postburn scar contractures with depressed deformities by newly designed Y-V flap. The design of Y-V flap and its reliability have been introduced. The Y-V flap can be used effectively for the correction of linear scar contractures with depressed contour deformities and scar reduction.
Burns ; Buttocks ; Cicatrix* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Contracture* ; Extremities* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Skin ; Surgery, Plastic ; Transplants

PURPOSE: The epidemiology of burns in Korea has been sporadically reported in the treatis based on data from one burn center or hospital. The nationwide epidemiological study for burns in the Korea is scarce. It is necessary to establish the national medical plan for providing the specialized burn care for burn victims, burn prevention and burn safety for publics. METHODS: This study is done based on the burn patients data receiving medical treatment, from the Korea National Health Insurance Service during 2010~2014. We reviewed the following issues; the average annual burn incidence, and tendency of burn occurrence in every year, sex distribution of burn patients, the yearly numbers of pediatric burn patients, incidence of specific-age pediatric burn patients, incidence of burns by specific-age group, and prevalent sites of burns. RESULTS: 1) The average annual burn patient is 545,462 in 2010~2014. The average annual incidence of burn patients per 100,000 population is 1,091. The total annual numbers of burn patient is gradually increasing in tendency. 2) Male and female sex ratio is 39 (the mean 214,832 male burn patients per year): 61 (the mean 330,630 female burn patients per year). 3) The average pediatric burn patient (1~15 age) is 123,934 and it consists of 22.7% of the average annual burn patients during 2010~2014. 4) The most prevalent age of pediatric burns revealed at the age of 1 (21.7%). The incidence of burn patients of 1~2 age occupy 38.4% of the total pediatric burn patients. 5) The four age group-specific burn incidence are classified as pediatric group (0~15 age) 22.7% (123,934 patients), adolescence-middle age group (16~39 age) 32.3% (176,288 patients), middle-old age group (40~74 age) 41.9% (228,427 patients), super old age group (over 75) 3.1% (16,813 patients). 6) The mean yearly burn sites was 567,200. Among them, the most prevalent site of burn was hand (32.8%), and followed by upper extremities (13.5%), lower extremities (13.4%), face (10.5%), foot (10.1%), trunk (6.6%). the unspecified area and etc (13%), respiratory tract (0.1%). CONCLUSION: Based on the data from the Korea National Health Insurance Service, the average annual burn incidence is mean 545,462 burn patients during 2010~2014 in Korea, and revealed increasing in tendency. This epidemiological data can be attribute to providing the specialized burn care to domestic burn victims, and to establish the plans for burn prediction and prevention, and burn safety.
Burn Units ; Burns* ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Epidemiology* ; Female ; Foot ; Hand ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; National Health Programs ; Respiratory System ; Sex Distribution ; Sex Ratio ; Upper Extremity

The purpose of this study was to devise an expanded ischemic flap model and to investigate the role of AMD-3100 (Plerixafor, chemokine receptor 4 inhibitor) in this model by confirming its effect on mobilization of stem cells from the bone marrow. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used as an animal research model. The mobilization of stem cells from the bone marrow was confirmed in the AMD-3100-treated group. The fractions of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) and the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 2+ cells in the peripheral blood were increased in groups treated with AMD-3100. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was increased in response to expansion or AMD injection. The expression of stromal cell derived factor (SDF)-1 and VEGFR2 were increased only in unexpanded flap treated with AMD-3100. Treatment with AMD-3100 increased both the number and area of blood vessels. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the survival area or physiologic microcirculation in rats from the other groups. This endogenous neovascularization induced by AMD-3100 may be a result of the increase in both the area and number of vessels, as well as paracrine augmentation of the expression of VEGF and EPCs. However, the presence of a tissue expander under the flap could block the neovascularization between the flap and the recipient regardless of AMD-3100 treatment and expansion.
Animals ; Anti-HIV Agents/pharmacology ; Bone Marrow Cells/cytology ; Chemokine CXCL12/biosynthesis ; Endothelial Progenitor Cells/*cytology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells/*cytology ; Heterocyclic Compounds/*pharmacology ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism ; Male ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, CXCR4/antagonists & inhibitors ; Surgical Flaps/*blood supply/surgery ; Tissue Expansion/*methods ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/biosynthesis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2/biosynthesis/metabolism

BACKGROUND: The typical clinical symptoms of glomus tumors are pain, tenderness, and sensitivity to temperature change, and the presence of these clinical findings is helpful in diagnosis. However, the tumors often pose diagnostic difficulty because of variations in presentation and the nonspecific symptoms of glomus tumors. To the best of our knowledge, few studies have reported on the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing glomus tumors in patients with unspecific symptoms. METHODS: The inclusion criteria of this study were: having undergone surgery for subungual glomus tumor of the hand, histopathologic confirmation of glomus tumor, and having undergone preoperative MRI. Twenty-one patients were enrolled. The characteristics of the tumors and the presenting symptoms including pain, tenderness, and sensitivity to temperature change were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Five out of 21 patients (23%) did not show the typical glomus tumor symptom triad because they did not complain of pain provoked by coldness. Nevertheless, preoperative MRI showed well-defined small soft-tissue lesions on T1- and T2-weighted images, which are typical findings of glomus tumors. The tumors were completely resected and confirmed as glomus tumor histopathologically. CONCLUSIONS: Early occult lesions of glomus tumor in the hand may not be revealed by physical examination because of their barely detectable symptoms. Moreover, subungual lesions may be particularly difficult to evaluate on physical examination. Our cases showed that MRI offers excellent diagnostic information in clinically undiagnosed or misdiagnosed patients. Preoperative MRI can accurately define the character and extent of glomus tumor, even though it is impalpable and invisible.
Cold Temperature ; Glomus Tumor ; Hand ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Magnetics ; Magnets ; Physical Examination ; Retrospective Studies

The world's first face transplantation was performed in France, in 2005. Since then, 21 cases of face transplantation have been performed. Face transplantation is one of the most prominent part of composite tissue allotransplantation (CTA) along with hand transplantation. Since these fields are not deal with life-saving organs, there are many arguments about immunosuppression therapy. Recent paradigm of face transplantation shows that surgical ranges are expanded from partial face transplantation to full face transplantation. Most immunosuppression protocols are triple therapy, which consists of tacrolimus (FK-506), mycophenolate mofetil and prednisolone. Anatomical researches, immunosuppression, and immunotolerance take great parts in the researches of CTA. The medical fields directly related to face transplantation are microsurgery, immunology, and transplantation. Nowadays, each field is performed widely. Therefore people, even medical teams think face transplantation could be easily realized, sooner or later. But there are lots of things that should be prepared for not only practice and immunosuppression therapy but also for the cooperation with relevant fields. That's the reason why only 21 cases of face transplantation have been done, while more than 70 cases of hand transplantation have been done in the past years. Especially in Korea, brain death patients are not enough even for organ transplantation and furthermore there are some troubles in taking part in the society of transplantation. Face transplantation has lots of problems concerning variable medical fields, administration, society, ethics, and laws. Therefore, for the realization of face transplantation in Korea, not only medical skills but also political powers are needed.
Brain Death ; Facial Transplantation ; France ; Hand ; Humans ; Immune Tolerance ; Immunosuppression ; Jurisprudence ; Korea ; Microsurgery ; Mycophenolic Acid ; Organ Transplantation ; Prednisolone ; Tacrolimus ; Transplants

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the functional and aesthetic outcomes of the reconstruction of complicated open wounds with exposure of the bone, periosteum, or tendon using AlloDerm(R) and skin graft in hand and foot. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven cases of hand and 4 cases of foot were treated with combined AlloDerm(R) graft and split thickness skin graft in a single stage for managing the soft tissue defect of extremities where bone, periosteum, or tendon were exposed but flap operation was not feasible. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 30 months (range: 14-48 month). Postoperatively, we assessed graft taking rate, wound healing process, and the recovery of motion of hand and foot. RESULTS: AlloDerm(R) and skin graft were readily assimilated into the wound in all cases. The mean postoperative range of motions of the 5 fingers with exposed digital tendons were 89.2% of the normal side. Reconstructions of wound in the foot were successfully settled without unstable scar or ulcer in all cases. CONCLUSION: Composite grafting with AlloDerm(R) and autologous skin graft for reconstruction of complex open wound in hand and foot where deep structures are exposed provides stable reconstruction of the wound with high taking rate, successful recovery of tendon gliding motion by preventing adhesion.
Cicatrix ; Collagen ; Extremities ; Fingers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Hand ; Hand Injuries ; Periosteum ; Skin ; Tendons ; Transplants ; Ulcer ; Wound Healing

PURPOSE: The schwannoma is a benign peripheral nerve tumor arising from the Schwann cell of the nerve sheath. Only 2-8% of schwannomas arise in the hand and wrist. Misdiagnosis is frequent such as ganglion and neurofibroma. This article documents and clarifies the clinical features of schwannomas arising in the hand and wrist, and emphasizes importance of differential diagnosis and meticulous surgical extirpation under magnification. METHODS: The author reviewed clinical features of 15 patients with pathologic final diagnosis of schwannoma developed in hand and wrist during the last 12 years from 1998 through 2009. The review included the sex, age of onset, duration, preoperative diagnosis, location, involved nerve, preoperative symptoms and. Postoperative sequelae after surgical extirpation of the lesion with magnification, or without magnification of the surgical fields. RESULTS: The chief complaints were slow growing firm mass in all patients, and followed by pain in 40%, and paresthesia in 40% respectively. The lesions were developed solitarily in 14 patients(93%). The postoperative pathologic diagnosis and preoperative diagnosis were coincided with only in 6 patients(40%). Other preoperative diagnosis were soft tissue tumor in 4 patient(26.6%), and ganglion in 3 patients(20%), and neurofibroma in 2 patients(13%). In all patients who were undergone surgical excision under the fields of magnification, all symptoms were subsided without any sequelae. Meanwhile muscle weakness, paresthesia, hypoesthesia and/or accidental nerve resection developed after surgical excision with naked eye. CONCLUSION: Schwannoma in hand most commonly appears as a slow growing solitary mass with pain or paresthesia. The chance of preoperative misdiagnosis was 60% in this series. To provide good prognosis and less sequelae, careful and elaborate diagnostic efforts and meticulous surgical excision under the magnification are necessary in management of schwannoma.
Age of Onset ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diagnostic Errors ; Eye ; Ganglion Cysts ; Hand ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Muscle Weakness ; Neurilemmoma ; Neurofibroma ; Paresthesia ; Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms ; Prognosis ; Wrist