A Novel Approach to Peripheral Nerve Regeneration: Local FK-506 Delivery Using a Reservoir Flap Model.

Purpose: Peripheral nerve injuries can lead to lasting functional impairments, impacting movement and quality of life. FK-506, a widely used immunosuppressant, has demonstrated potential in promoting nerve regeneration in addition to its immunosuppressive effects. This study investigates the use of a local reservoir flap to deliver FK-506 directly to the nerve injury site, aiming to enhance nerve regeneration while minimizing systemic immunosuppression.

A Retrospective study of anatomical differences in levator aponeurosis angle and length in East-Asian blepharoplasty.

This study aimed to analyze the anatomical differences in levator aponeurosis angle and length between both sides in double eyelidplasty in East Asians. The retrospective study included patients with mild blepharoptosis who underwent upper blepharoplasty with levator aponeurosis. In the study, 140 patients were enrolled, 126 females and 14 males, with an age range of 16-73 years.

A bipedicled keystone perforator island flap: Pedicle division technique with enhanced advancement potential for chronic wound coverage.

Since the first description of the keystone perforator island flap (KPIF) in 2003, several modifications have been suggested to enhance its coverage ability. However, locoregional flaps have limited its use in chronic wounds due to decreased elasticity around the defect. We investigated the use of a bipedicled KPIF (bKPIF), which covers a defect while completely elevating the median part of the flap from the fascia.

One Year Experience of the Hand Allotransplantation First Performed after Korea Organ Transplantation Act (KOTA) Amendment.

The revision of the Korea Organ Transplantation Act (KOTA) in 2018 included hand/arm among the organs that can be transplanted. The first hand transplantation since the revision of KOTA took place in January 2021. A 62-year-old male patient experienced hand amputation on July 13, 2018, by a catapult injury.

Medical students' perceived stress and perceptions regarding clinical clerkship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: It is important to ensure that both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of clinical education are maintained during the pandemic. Understanding students' views on clinical rotations and the extent of their perceived pandemic-related stress would thus be useful for designing and implementing effective clerkship programs. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate perceived stress and perceptions regarding clinical clerkship among incoming clinical students (third year) and senior clinical students (fourth year) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Is conservative management of partial zone II flexor tendon laceration possible? A systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

There is still no consensus on managing zone II level partial flexor tendon lacerations, and the management of zone II partial flexor tendon injuries is controversial. No reliable large cohort studies or metaanalysis papers on partial flexor tendon laceration management are available in PubMed or Embase. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Insight, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for primary research articles investigating outcomes of patients with partial flexor tendon injuries.

Methodology in Conventional Head and Neck Reconstruction Following Robotic Cancer Surgery: A Bridgehead Robotic Head and Neck Reconstruction.

Purpose: Robotic head and neck surgery is widespread nowadays. However, in the reconstruction field, the use of robotic operations is not. This article aimed to examine methodologies for conventional head and neck reconstruction after robotic tumor surgery in an effort to obtain further options for future reconstruction manipulations.

Combined use of energy-based interventions with low-dose isotretinoin for the treatment of inflammatory acne: An retrospective cohort analysis.

Background: The combined use of oral isotretinoin with energy-based interventions including fractional microneedle radiofrequency, pulsed dye laser, and ablative fractional laser is an effective way to treat moderate-to-severe inflammatory acne lesions. However, studies regarding its efficacy and safety are limited.

Aims: This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of a treatment using low-dose isotretinoin with energy-based interventions for inflammatory acne.

Perforating patterns of cutaneous perforator vessels in anterolateral thigh flaps for head and neck reconstruction and clinical outcomes.

Background: Anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps are versatile soft tissue flaps that have become the standard soft-tissue flaps used for head and neck reconstruction. They provide a long vascular pedicle, constant vessel diameter, abundant soft tissue coverage, and minimal donor site morbidity. The ALT flap was initially designed on the basis of a septocutaneous (SC) perforator.

Super-thin ALT flap elevation using preoperative color doppler ultrasound planning: Identification of horizontally running pathway at the deep adipofascial layers.

Introduction: Presently, super-thin ALT flap, which is elevated above the superficial fascial plane, is gaining popularity. Although there is a huge demand for thin flaps for various types of extremity reconstruction, the technique for ALT flap thinning remains controversial. In this study, we investigated the distance and vector between penetrating points of perforators in deep and superficial fascia using color duplex and clinical measurement to suggest a reliable super-thin flap elevation technique.

Anterior skull base reconstruction using an anterolateral thigh free flap.

Background: Galeal or temporalis muscle flaps have been traditionally used to reconstruct skull base defects after tumor removal. Unfortunately, these flaps do not provide sufficient vascularized tissue for a dural seal in extensive defects. This study describes the successful coverage of large skull base defects using anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flaps.

Anterolateral thigh free flaps and radial forearm free flaps in head and neck reconstruction: A 20-year analysis from a single institution.

Background: Reconstruction after removal of a malignant tumor in the head and neck region is crucial for restoring tissue integrity, function, and aesthetics. We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent intraoral reconstruction surgery using radial forearm free flaps (RFFF) and anterolateral thigh free flaps (ALT) at a single institution to provide more information supporting the choice of a reconstruction method after removal of head and neck cancer.

Methods: The charts of 708 patients who underwent head and neck reconstruction between 1998 and 2018 at the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at our institution were retrospectively reviewed.

Combination treatment utilizing fractional ablative and continuous wave CO lasers for hypertrophic burn scars.

Background: Hypertrophic scars are devastating outcomes of severe burn injuries, producing physical and mental burdens. Adequate treatment is of benefit to relieve these burdens. Laser therapy has shown scar reducing effects.

Staged reconstruction of a chronically infected large skull defect using free tissue transfer and a patient-specific polyetheretherketone implant.

Reconstructions of extensive composite scalp and cranial defects are challenging due to high incidence of postoperative infection and reconstruction failure. In such cases, cranial reconstruction and vascularized soft tissue coverage are required. However, optimal reconstruction timing and material for cranioplasty are not yet determined.

Huge Anterior Skull Base Defect Reconstruction on Communicating Between Cranium and Nasal Cavity: Combination Flap of Galeal Flap and Reverse Temporalis Flap.

Introduction: Traditionally, galeal flap or cranialization was often used to reconstruct the skull base defect caused by trauma or tumor removal. However, in the case of huge skull base defect, galeal flap is not enough to block the communication between nasal cavity and intracranial space. In this study, authors suggest combination flap of galea and reverse temporalis muscle as a method for reconstruction of huge skull base defect.

Serially expanded flap use to treat large hairless scalp lesions.

Hairless scalp areas can occur due to trauma, tumors, or congenital disease. This aesthetically unpleasing condition can lead to psychosocial distress, and thin skin flaps may be prone to scarring. Treating the hairless scalp by simple excision is challenging because of skin tension.

Demographic Factors of Nasal Bone Fractures and Social Reflection.

Introduction: The nose is the most protruding central part of the face, and nasal bone fractures are the most common of facial bone fractures, leading up to 39%. Despite its high frequency, not many studies handled the etiology of nasal bone fractures, leading to the necessity of a recent demographic study.

Materials And Methods: A total of 1111 patients diagnosed with nasal bone fracture from 2013 to 2018 at our institute were evaluated.

Analysis of factors involved in brain-death donor processing for face transplantation in Korea: How much time is available from brain death to transplantation?

Background: Face transplantation has naturally evolved from reconstructive procedures. However, few institutions perform face transplantations, because it is time-consuming and it is necessary to justify non-vital organ transplantation. We investigated the process of organ donation from brain-dead patients and the possibility of incorporating face transplantation into the donation process.

Extended temporalis flap for skull base reconstruction.

Traditionally, a galeal flap has been used for skull base reconstruction. In addition to the galeal flap, several other flaps, such as the temporalis muscle flap or the free vascularized flap, can be options for skull base reconstruction, and each option has advantages and disadvantages. Certain cases, however, can be challengeable in the application of these flaps.

Combined Therapeutic Strategies for Keloid Treatment.

Background: Recent advances in keloid management favor the administration of combination therapy over monotherapy.

Objective: The authors evaluated the safety and efficacy of combination therapy to treat keloids using fractional lasers, cryotherapy, and intralesional corticosteroids.

Materials And Methods: The authors performed a retrospective study involving 35 Korean patients.

Oral propranolol therapy in 23 infants with infantile hemangioma.

Background: Infantile hemangioma (IH) is a common vascular tumor in pediatric patients, and is commonly treated with propranolol. We describe our experiences with dosage, response to treatment, and side effects in 23 IH patients treated with propranolol.

Methods: For this nonrandomized comparative cohort study, the authors enrolled 23 patients treated with propranolol.

Treatment of fibrous dysplasia of the zygomaticomaxillary complex with radical resection and three-dimensional reconstruction with autologous calvarial bone graft.

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a rare, benign bone disease with abnormal bone maturation and fibroblastic proliferation. Optimal treatment of zone 1 craniofacial FD is radical resection and reconstruction. To achieve of structural, aesthetic, and functional goals, we use three-dimensionally designed calvarial bone graft for reconstruction of zygomatic defect after radical resection of FD.

Incorporating a continuous suction system as a preventive measure against fistula-related complications in head and neck reconstructive surgery.

Background: Although previous studies have focused on determining prognostic and causative variables associated with fistula-related complications after head and neck reconstructive surgery, only a few studies have addressed preventive measures. Noting that pooled saliva complicates wound healing and precipitates fistula-related complications, we devised a continuous suction system to remove saliva during early postoperative recovery.

Methods: A continuous suction system was implemented in 20 patients after head and neck reconstructive surgery between January 2012 and October 2017.

Demographic characteristics of craniosynostosis patients in Asia.

Purpose: Craniosynostosis (CRS) is a congenital condition resulting premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures. CRS is classified according to the involved sutures into sagittal, metopic, unicoronal, unilambdoid, bicoronal, and multiple-suture CRS, with sagittal suture fusion known to be the most common type. Although multiple studies have presented demographic characteristics of CRS patients, to date, there is no study representing an Asian population.