The upper lip is a functionally and aesthetically important area of the face. Therefore, reconstruction of an upper lip defect needs sufficient consideration to ensure functional and aesthetic recovery. Several methods, such as wedge resection, rotation flaps, advancement flaps, and myomucosal advancement flaps, have been used to reconstruct vermilion defects. However, it is challenging to reconstruct a vermilion defect because of the possibility of residual asymmetry or scars and restrictions to normal lip movement after the reconstruction. We present the case of a 51-year-old female that had an upper lip vermilion defect caused by a dog bite. The lip defect was reconstructed using a mucosal V-Y advancement flap. This mucosal flap was based on the orbicularis oris muscle with a branch of the superior labial artery to ensure sufficient blood supply. Therefore, flap survival was excellent, and there was no constriction of the flaps. Moreover, the color and contour were matched to the adjacent lip tissue, and re-establishment of the white roll and adequate lip volume were achieved. This mucosal V-Y advancement flap technique represents a reliable method to repair mucosal defects without vascular compromise of the flap.

Objectives: Botulinum toxin type A (BTX), a powerful neurotoxin, can be an effective treatment choice for diverse muscular disorders and can reduce abnormal muscle activities. Abnormal movements of the mandible can be caused by involuntary and uncontrolled contractions of the lateral pterygoid muscle (LP) in various pathological situations. Previous reports have shown that BTX can reduce abnormal contractions of the LP. However, needle placement into the LP for BTX injection requires skill, experience, and sufficient anatomical knowledge. To place the needle precisely into the LP, ultrasonography (USG) can be used as an effective needle-guidance modality. USG is a non-invasive imaging modality able to create real-time imageswithout any potential risks, including radiation exposure. Patients and Methods: The patients who had been performed USG-guided BTX injection into the LP using an intraoral approach were included in this study with a literature review and case presentations. Using the USG, four patients received BTX injections to treat recurrent temporomandibular dislocation and oromandibular dystonia resulting from involuntary LP activity.Result: Involuntary movements of the mandible were improved successfully in all patients, and showed satisfactory results without significant complication. Conclusion The intraoral approach could prevent potential complications during needle placement. USG-guided BTX injection is an effective, con-venient, and safe method that provides real-time imaging without unnecessary pain to the patient.

Background: Primary cicatricial alopecia (PCA) is a rare disease that causes irreversible destruction of hair follicles and affects the quality of life (QOL). Objective: We aimed to investigate the disease awareness, medical use behavior, QOL, and real-world diagnosis and treatment status of patients with PCA. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was administered to patients with PCA and their dermatologists. Patients aged between 19 and 75 years who visited one of 27 dermatology departments between September 2021 and September 2022 were included. Results: In total, 274 patients were included. The male-to-female ratio was 1:1.47, with a mean age of 45.7 years. Patients with neutrophilic and mixed PCA were predominantly male and younger than those with lymphocytic PCA. Among patients with lymphocytic PCA, lichen planopilaris was the most common type, and among those with neutrophilic PCA, folliculitis decalvans was the most common type. Among the total patients, 28.8% were previously diagnosed with PCA, 47.0% were diagnosed with PCA at least 6 months after their first hospital visit, 20.0% received early treatment within 3 months of disease onset, and 54.4% received steady treatment. More than half of the patients had a moderate to severe impairment in QOL. Topical/intralesional steroid injections were the most common treatment. Systemic immunosuppressants were frequently prescribed to patients with lymphocytic PCA, and antibiotics were mostly prescribed to patients with neutrophilic PCA. Conclusion This study provides information on the disease awareness, medical use behavior, QOL, diagnosis, and treatment status of Korean patients with PCA. This can help dermatologists educate patients with PCA to understand the necessity for early diagnosis and steady treatment.

BACKGROUND: Bone growth factors, particularly bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2), are required for effective treatment of significant bone loss. Despite the extensive development of bone substitutes, much remains to be desired for wider application in clinical settings. The currently available bone substitutes cannot sustain prolonged BMP-2 release and are inconvenient to use. In this study, we developed a ready-to-use bone substitute by sequential conjugation of BMP to a three-dimensional (3D) poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) scaffold using novel molecular adhesive materials that reduced the operation time and sustained prolonged BMP release. METHODS: A 3D PLLA scaffold was printed and BMP-2 was conjugated with alginate-catechol and collagen. PLLA scaffolds were conjugated with different concentrations of BMP-2 and evaluated for bone regeneration in vitro and in vivo using a mouse calvarial model. The BMP-2 release kinetics were analyzed using ELISA. Histological analysis and microCT image analysis were performed to evaluate new bone formation. RESULTS: The 3D structure of the PLLA scaffold had a pore size of 400 lm and grid thickness of 187–230 lm. BMP-2 was released in an initial burst, followed by a sustained release for 14 days. Released BMP-2 maintained osteoinductivity in vitro and in vivo. Micro-computed tomography and histological findings demonstrate that the PLLA scaffold conjugated with 2 lg/ml of BMP-2 induced optimal bone regeneration. CONCLUSION The 3D-printed PLLA scaffold conjugated with BMP-2 enhanced bone regeneration, demonstrating its potential as a novel bone substitute.

Background: This study aimed to compare the skeletal structures between mandibular prognathism and retrogna‑ thism among patients with facial asymmetry. Results: Patients who had mandibular asymmetry with retrognathism (Group A) in The Netherlands were compared with those with deviated mandibular prognathism (Group B) in Korea. All the data were obtained from 3D-refor‑ matted cone-beam computed tomography images from each institute. The right and left condylar heads were located more posteriorly, inferiorly, and medially in Group B than in Group A. The deviated side of Group A and the contralateral side of Group B showed similar condylar width and height, ramus-proper height, and ramus height.Interestingly, there were no inter-group differences in the ramus-proper heights. Asymmetric mandibular body length was the most significantly correlated with chin asymmetry in retrognathic asymmetry patients whereas asym‑ metric elongation of condylar process was the most important factor for chin asymmetry in deviated mandibular prognathism. Conclusion Considering the 3D positional difference of gonion and large individual variations of frontal ramal inclination, significant structural deformation in deviated mandibular prognathism need to be considered in asym‑ metric prognathism patients. Therefore, Individually planned surgical procedures that also correct the malpositioning of the mandibular ramus are recommended especially in patients with asymmetric prognathism.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pattern of predicted interosseous interference and to determine the influencing factor to volume of bony interference using a computer-assisted simulation system. This retrospective study recruited 116 patients with mandibular prognathism who had undergone sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) with or without maxillary osteotomy. The patients were divided into 3 groups accord‑ ing to the amount of menton (Me) deviation: less than 2 mm (Group 1), 2–4 mm (Group 2), and more than 4 mm (Group 3). Changes in the distal segments following BSSRO and the volume of the interosseous interference between the proximal and distal segments were simulated after matching preoperative occlusion and postoperative expected occlusion with the cone-beam computed tomography data. Ramal inclinations and other skeletal measure‑ ments were analyzed before surgery, immediately after surgery, and at least 6 months after surgery. Results: The anticipated interosseous interference was more frequently noted on the contralateral side of chin deviation (long side) than the deviated site (short side) in Groups 2 and 3. More interference volume was predicted at the long side (186 ± 343.9 ­mm 3 ) rather than the short side (54.4 ± 124.4 ­mm 3 ) in Group 3 (p = 0.033). The bilateral difference in the volume of the interosseous interference of the osteotomized mandible was significantly correlated with the Me deviation (r = − 0.257, p = 0.009) and bilateral ramal inclination (r= 0.361, p < 0.001). The predictor variable that affected the volume of the osseous interference at each side was the amount of Me deviation (p = 0.010). Conclusion By using the 3D simulation system, the potential site of bony collision could be visualized and success‑ fully reduced intraoperatively. Since the osseous interference can be existed on any side, unilaterally or bilaterally, 3D surgical simulation is necessary before surgery to predict the osseous interference and improve the ramal inclination.