Effect of collagen matrix on postoperative palatal fistula in cleft palate repair.

Palatal fistula is a challenging complication following cleft palate repair. We investigated the usefulness of collagen matrix in the prevention of postoperative fistula. We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with cleft palate who underwent primary palatoplasty (Furlow's double opposing z-plasty) in Seoul National University Children's Hospital.

Reduction Malarplasty that Uses Malar Setback Without Resection of Malar Body Strip.

Background: Various surgical methods have been developed and used to reduce prominent malar bones. The most common reduction malarplasty methods are resection of the bone strip of the malar bone with L-osteotomy or I-osteotomy, followed by setback and fixation. However, these methods could be associated with complications due to the bone strip resection.

Analysis of multiple risk factors affecting the result of free flap transfer for necrotising soft tissue defects of the lower extremities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: The limb-threatening large soft tissue defects that occur on the feet of type 2 diabetic patients have complex causes and are less likely to be corrected by free flap reconstruction compared to those in non-diabetic patients. We retrospectively analysed factors affecting the success of free flap transfer for necrotising soft tissue defects of the lower extremities in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: This study included 33 diabetic patients whose feet were treated with free flap transfers.

Internal carotid artery variations in velocardiofacial syndrome patients and its implications for surgery.

Background: Medially displaced internal carotid arteries in velocardiofacial syndrome carry a risk during pharyngeal flap surgery. This study was designed to evaluate the frequency of medially deviated internal carotid arteries in both velocardiofacial syndrome patients and the general pediatric population and to assess the minimum distance to the pharyngeal walls to define the potential risk of internal carotid artery injury during pharyngeal surgery.

Methods: Twenty-three consecutive patients with velocardiofacial syndrome who underwent posterior pharyngeal flap surgery and 21 control subjects who did not have velocardiofacial syndrome but who underwent oropharynx magnetic resonance imaging were reviewed.

Limited incision with thorough elevation palatoplasty: technical evolution for superior results in cleft repair of the secondary palate.

Background: All kinds of palatoplasty emphasize elongating the soft palate and reconstructing the velar musculature without complication. We present the limited incision with thorough elevation (LITE) palatoplasty that leaves the anterior margin of the hard palate intact, achieving a fully movable bipedicled flap for complete closure and an adequate functioning velar muscular sling.

Methods: Fifty-six patients consecutively underwent the LITE palatoplasty.