True Median Cleft With Sinus Tract in the Nasal Septum: A Case Report.

A true median cleft is an extremely rare congenital anomaly characterized by a midline vertical cleft and various deformities, also known as Tessier number 0 cleft. Here we report a case of a 5-year-old Asian boy with true median cleft associated with sinus tracts in the nasal septum, a phenomenon not previously reported in the literature. The tracts were identified as the cause of recurrent infections around the oral vestibule and upper lip.

On-top-plasty reconstruction for thumb triplication.

Thumb triplication is a very rare pattern of radial polydactyly that presents as a more complicated form of thumb. Because of its morphological complexity, treatment often requires surgical ingenuity in addition to the conventional surgical treatment algorithms for duplication. We report the case of thumb triplication on the right hand of a 17-month-old boy.

First Branchial Cleft Fistula Piercing through the Main Trunk of the Facial Nerve.

First branchial cleft fistulas are congenital malformations that result from the incomplete closure of the ectodermal portion of the first branchial cleft. These fistulas typically appear as small pits or subcutaneous masses in the upper neck and cheek and can cause pain due to infection and inflammation. Surgical excision is the most effective treatment, but special attention is necessary to avoid facial nerve injury due to the proximity of the lesion to the nerve and variations in their arrangement.

Nonsurgical Creation of an Auriculocephalic Sulcus in Children With Congenital Auricular Deformities.

Nonsurgical correction of congenital auricular deformity is known to be effective in newborns. In this study, the authors investigated factors influencing the outcome of nonsurgical or surgical correction of the auriculocephalic sulcus, an important auricular structure and one that is necessary for wearing glasses or a mask. A total of 80 ears (63 children) were splinted using a metallic paper clip and thermoplastic resin in our outpatient clinic between October 2010 and September 2019.

Bone Flap Preservation in Subcutaneous Abdominal Pocket for Decompressive Craniectomy.

We report our experiences of two pediatric cases in which a bone flap was preserved in the subcutaneous abdominal pocket for decompressive craniectomy. In one case, the bone flap was divided and preserved for cranioplasty without complications; in the other case, the bone flap was left intact as one piece. In pediatric patients, the storage space for a bone flap is sometimes difficult to achieve, and the technique described herein is useful in such situations.

A Novel Method of End-to-Side Microvascular Anastomosis Using T-Shaped Metal Stents: A Porcine Study.

End-to-side anastomosis requires highly specialized techniques. An easy end-to-side anastomosis technique enables anastomosis of vessels with different diameters and under various situations. We invented T-shaped metal stents and evaluated novel methods of end-to-side sutureless anastomosis, confirming their safety, effectiveness, and operability.

Multidirectional cranial distraction osteogenesis technique for treating bicoronal synostosis.

Fronto-orbital advancement by distraction osteogenesis is a useful means of surgically correcting bicoronal synostosis. However, the scope for morphological revision is limited. To address this issue, we developed a multidirectional cranial distraction osteogenesis (MCDO) technique that we quantitatively assessed in patients with bicoronal synostosis.

Development of Multidirectional Cranial Distraction Osteogenesis for the Treatment of Craniosynostosis.

Background: Previously, the authors developed a new method of distraction osteogenesis for the treatment of craniosynostosis, multidirectional cranial distraction osteogenesis (MCDO). The purpose of this study is to review the authors' experience of MCDO for remodeling of the anterior cranium in the patients of craniosynostosis.

Methods: Forty-five patients with craniosynostosis underwent MCDO for anterior cranial remodeling from 2003 to 2017.

Tumoral Calcinosis: A Giant Tumoral Mass in the Shoulder Joint of a Dialysis Patient.

Tumoral calcinosis is a rare condition in which a calcified mass grows around a large joint, and can occur in patients undergoing renal dialysis. Here, we report the case of a 64-year-old man with a long history of dialysis who presented with a giant, painless mass in his right shoulder joint. A near-complete surgical resection is performed without muscle function loss and with no sign of recurrence after 1 year.

Use of Multidirectional Cranial Distraction Osteogenesis for Cranial Expansion in Syndromic Craniosynostosis.

Patients with syndromic craniosynostosis often require a large amount of cranial expansion to avoid intracranial hypertension, but the surgical procedure remains controversial. A patient of severe syndromic craniosynostosis with multiple bony defects and anomalous venous drainage at the occipital region was treated by multidirectional cranial distraction osteogenesis (MCDO) at the age of 8 months. Distraction started 5 days after surgery and ceased on postoperative day 16.

Multidirectional Cranial Distraction Osteogenesis with Simplified Modifications for Treating Sagittal Synostosis.

Background: Multidirectional cranial distraction osteogenesis (MCDO) is a procedure of ours developed earlier for treating craniosynostosis. However, the numerous bone flaps led to prolonged operative time and occasional bone detachment from dura. We have since simplified the osteotomy design.

Growth curves for intracranial volume in normal Asian children fortify management of craniosynostosis.

Background: Although the charting of normal intracranial volume (ICV) is fundamental for managing craniosynostosis, Asian norms in this regard are unknown. The purpose of this study was to establish a growth curve for ICVs in a large series of normal Asian children, providing reference values to guide corrective surgery.

Methods: A total of 124 normal children (male, 63; female, 61) and 41 children diagnosed with craniosynostoses were analyzed.

Clinical and Quantitative Isokinetic Comparison of Abdominal Morbidity and Dynamics following DIEP versus Muscle-Sparing Free TRAM Flap Breast Reconstruction.

Background: The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap, which is a modification of the muscle-sparing free transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap, is being more frequently used in an effort to reduce postoperative abdominal morbidity. However, there is no consensus as to which of these flaps is superior. The authors aimed to compare quantitative measurements of abdominal function obtained with an isokinetic dynamometer after DIEP and muscle-sparing free TRAM flap elevation.

Free-flap surgical correction of facial deformity after anteromedial maxillectomy.

Anteromedial maxillectomy is typically performed in conjunction with low-dose radiotherapy and intraarterial chemotherapy. In doing so, the extent of surgical defects is reduced. However, nasal deviation and oral incompetence may ensue, due to cicatricial contracture of wounds, and may be distressing to these patients.

Studying the blood pressures of antegrade and retrograde internal mammary vessels: Do they really work as recipient vessels?

Background: The proximal ends of internal mammary (IM) vessels are now the most common recipient vessels for breast reconstruction. On the other hand, bilateral deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flaps are often needed according to the territory and the volume required for reconstruction. The usefulness of retrograde IM vessels as second recipients has recently been reported, but there are very few quantitative studies on the hydrodynamics of the retrograde IM vessels.

Reconstitution of Human Keloids in Mouse Skin.

Background: Keloids are a dermal fibroproliferative scar of unknown etiology. There is no good animal model for the study of keloids, which hinders the development and assessment of treatments for keloids.

Methods: Human keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts were isolated from 3 human skin tissues: normal skin, white scars, and keloids.

Vertically Set Sombrero-shaped Abdominal Flap for Asian Breast Reconstruction after Skin-sparing Mastectomy.

Background: Immediate autologous breast reconstruction after skin-sparing mastectomy is an esthetically superior method, and a free abdominal flap is often used. However, in Asian patients, little redundant abdominal skin and thin subcutaneous tissue are common, necessitating the development of a more suitable flap design and setting. We devised a narrow flap, the sombrero-shaped flap (S-flap), set vertically, to reduce postoperative abdominal morbidity without sacrificing cosmetic results.

A Novel Technique That Protects the Lips during Orthognathic Surgery.

Serious lip injuries can occur during orthognathic surgery. Although an Angle Wider device, which is commonly used during orthognathic surgery, provides some lip protection, it leaves more than half of the lip exposed to surgical instruments. Here, we describe a novel technique to protect the entire upper and lower lips during orthognathic surgery using a minilaparotomy wound edge protector (Lap-Protector).

Orbitomaxillary Reconstruction Using a Combined Latissimus Dorsi Musculocutaneous and Scapular Angle Osseous Flap.

Immediate reconstruction of orbitomaxillary defects is challenging for head and neck reconstructive surgeons. The primary goals of orbitomaxillary reconstruction are to cover the skin and mucosal defects, fill the defect space, and reconstruct the natural facial contour. This report describes 2 patients who underwent extended orbitomaxillectomy and immediate reconstruction using a combined latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous and scapular angle osseous free flap (LD-SA flap).

Abdominal morbidity after single- versus double-pedicled deep inferior epigastric perforator flap use.

Background And Aim: The reduced incidence of donor site morbidity after deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is because the rectus muscle and its fascia are preserved. However, no study has proved that trunk flexion recovers not by the compensatory effect of the contralateral rectus muscle but by reinnervation of the ipsilateral rectus muscle. We hypothesized that if sufficient reinnervation occurs, patients who undergo single-pedicled DIEP (S-DIEP) flap or double-pedicled DIEP (D-DIEP) flap breast reconstruction would have similar levels of preoperative trunk flexion.

Distraction Osteogenesis Update: Introduction of Multidirectional Cranial Distraction Osteogenesis.

In this review, we discuss in detail our current procedure for treating craniosynostosis using multidirectional cranial distraction osteogenesis (MCDO). The MCDO method allows all phenotypes of skull deformity to be reshaped by distraction osteogenesis, except in patients who are 5 months of age or younger and patients with posterior cranial vault problems. We report the results of clinical data of 36 children with craniosynostosis who underwent MCDO between 2005 and 2014 in our institute.

Mandibular Reconstruction Based on the Concept of Double Arc Reconstruction.

The natural mandible has 2 arcs, the marginal arc and the occlusal arc. The marginal arc is situated along the lower margin of the mandible and affects the contour of the lower third of the face. The occlusal arc is situated along the dental arc and affects the stability of prosthodontics.

The concept and method of closed reduction and internal fixation: a new approach for the treatment of simple zygoma fractures.

Background: The authors have developed a new minimally invasive surgical procedure for simple zygoma fractures, a closed reduction and internal fixation method, that uses a cannulated cortical screw system.

Methods: From 2007 to 2012, 42 selected patients with simple zygoma fractures without ocular problems or shear at the zygomatic frontal portion were treated with this method. The mean age of the patients was 33 years (range, 13 to 77 years).

Intracerebral foreign body granuloma caused by a resorbable plate with passive intraosseous translocation after cranioplasty.

Numerous reports have demonstrated the usefulness of bioresorbable materials, but few have described severe complications caused by delayed degradation. The authors present the case of an intracranial foreign body granuloma caused by plates made of unsintered hydroxyapatite (uHA) particles and poly-l-lactide (PLLA; Super Fixsorb MX, Takiron) after cranioplasty. This 1-month-old boy presented to the authors' department with Pfeiffer syndrome.

Identification of genes preferentially expressed in articular cartilage by suppression subtractive hybridization.

Suppression subtractive hybridization is very effective to enrich differentially expressed genes in two different tissues or cells. We therefore used the technique to identify characteristic genes expressed in rat knee joint articular cartilage as compared to rat costal cartilage. In this study, we revealed that several genes were enriched in a subtracted articular cartilage cDNA library.