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Septal extension grafts (SEGs) are widely used to correct a short nose in Asians, but few studies to our knowledge have investigated the relationship between different graft materials and the stability of the aesthetic results in East Asians. In this review we discuss the performance of autologous cartilage grafts, with a focus on the critical factors for achieving a stable postoperative nose shape, and propose algorithms for graft material selection in treating Asian patients. Avoiding harvesting septal cartilage grafts and preserving the whole cartilage is helpful for maintaining tip support over the long term. For patients who have loose nasal skin, a cartilage framework with no significant defect, or a mildly short nose, autogenous conchal cartilage is an effective and stable material for primary rhinoplasty. Costal cartilage has good performance and is suitable for treating severe nasal deformities and revision surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The autologous fat grafting is commonly used for reconstructive or aesthetic purposes. However, due to the huge variation in methods, its retention rate varies a lot. External volume expansion (EVE) has been used to treat recipient sites of fat grafting. Concerns have been raised regarding its efficacy and safety. We have searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for studies on EVE-assisted fat grafting published from 2000 to 2020. A meta-analysis was conducted to pool the retention rate. The incidence of complications was assessed for reconstructive or aesthetic purposes. The 11 included studies involved 1152 patients with operations on 1794 breasts. Four studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled retention rate was 65% [95%CI 49, 79]. Eight studies reported the complications. The total complication incidence was 34%, which is 35% for the aesthetic group and 33% for the reconstructive group. The complication rate was not obviously different between the two groups. The study shows that the EVE-assisted fat grafting has better retention rate than traditional fat grafting. However, the data showed that the complication rate was much higher in the EVE-assisted group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Asian women, upper eyelid skin laxity, lateral hooding, and upper eyelid and brow asymmetry in the aging upper eyelid are prominently and frequently seen. It is difficult to completely resolve these problems with the classical single-incision method. In this study, we investigate the utility of a double-incision approach to address aging-related changes of the upper eyelid. From September 2017 to March 2019, 51 patients underwent this procedure. Through a sub-brow incision, the skin and subcutaneous tissue were excised and the orbicularis oculi muscle (OOM) flap and muscular-cutaneous flap were separated. The OOM flap was lifted and fixed to the periosteum through the sub-brow fat pad and covered by the upper muscular-cutaneous flap. Through an eyelid crease incision, the supratarsal upper eyelid skin, muscle, and orbital fat were excised, excessive tension was alleviated, and double-fold eyelids were adjusted and reshaped if needed. The results were evaluated by asking the surgeon and patient involved to allocate a categorical (poor, fair, good, very good, excellent) scores and comparisons between pre- and postoperative brow position. The average follow-up period was 12 months. Most patients were satisfied with the results, barring two cases each of vomiting and transient numbness over the forehead region and three revisions. The mean surgeon and patient categorical scores associated with satisfaction with the overall outcome at 6 months were 4.2 ± 0.6 (range 3.0–5.0) and 4.0 ± 0.7 (range 2.0–5.0), respectively. The brow position was stable during follow-up period. A double-incision approach is a safe, effective, durable, and esthetic way for treating patients presenting with upper eyelid aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Management of avulsion injuries remains a challenge due to necrosis. The aim of the present study is to create an experimental model reproducing an avulsion injury and investigate the effects of hyperoxygenated solution (HOS), a method of oxygen delivery that has been widely used in the therapy of ischaemia-hypoxia diseases, on avulsion injury flap survival in rats. Forty male rats were divided into four groups (n = 10 each). Dorsal random pattern flaps measuring 3 × 9 cm, including the panniculus carnosus, were elevated and run over by the skin avulsion model machine, and the flaps were then sutured into their original places. The sham+HOS and avulsion+HOS groups received intravenous HOS (20 ml/kg) each day for 7 days after the operation. The sham+saline and avulsion+saline groups received intravenous saline solution (20 ml/kg) each day for 7 days after the operation. Percutaneous O 2 pressure (TcpO 2) measurement , serial examinations of skin flap blood perfusion, skin flap survival evaluation and histopathology were performed to assess the efficacy of HOS on avulsion injury. Compared to the avulsion+saline groups, TcpO 2 was significantly higher in the avulsion+HOS groups at 15, 30 and 60 min after infusion (P < 0.05). The blood perfusion of flaps in the avulsion+HOS group was higher than in the avulsion+saline group (P < 0.05). The survival rate was higher in the avulsion+HOS group than in the avulsion+saline group (P < 0.05), and the histopathology assays supported the data. We succeeded in developing an avulsion injury model and demonstrated that HOS could improve the survival of the avulsion injury flaps in rats by effectively increasing the local oxygen content and blood perfusion and ameliorating inflammatory damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background The anterior chest is an excellent donor site for cervicofacial reconstruction. Studies of chest flaps began as early as 1988 at our institution. We identified a new branch of the supraclavicular artery that nourishes the anterior chest, and on the basis of this finding, we created a new flap called the subclavicular flap. Unlike the supraclavicular flap, which is pedicled by the deltoid branch, this flap is primarily pedicled by the thoracic branch, and it shares similar vascular territory with the deltopectoral flap. In China, this flap has been widely used for neck reconstruction since our first publications on it in 1993. However, reports of its application are limited. To popularize the use of this flap, we present our experiences with pre-expanded subclavicular island flaps for the repair of facial scars. Methods Fifteen patients with facial scars underwent reconstruction with these flaps. All flaps underwent pre-expansion before being transferred to the face through a subcutaneous tunnel. The pivot point was in the supraclavicular region and allowed the flap to reach the mid-face without compulsive positioning. Donor sites were closed primarily. Results Flaps sizes ranged from 4 cm × 5 cm–10 cm × 17 cm. Fourteen flaps survived completely with satisfactory colour and texture. Total flap loss occurred in one patient, who was then treated by harvesting a skin graft from the dying flap. One patient experienced venous congestion, and the flap was successfully salvaged by pure vein anastomosis. Conclusion Pre-expanded subclavicular island flaps have similar benefits to supraclavicular and deltopectoral flaps, and they may emerge as one of the best choices for cervicofacial reconstruction globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The reconstruction of neck contracture deformities after severe burns is challenging. This is due to insufficient tissue to resurface the large defect after local flap transfer as well as the poor functional and cosmetic results after traditional methods such as skin grafting. We employed free transfer of pre-expanded scapular flaps to reconstruct postburn neck deformities. Methods In the first stage, skin expansion was performed with tissue expanders ranging from 400 to 800 mL according to the neck defect size and expanders were filled to their end volumes. In the second stage, the contracture in the neck was released and the unstable scar was resected. The pre-expanded scapular flap was then harvested and transferred to the neck defect. Flap revisions were performed 3–12 months after flap transfer. Results A total of 12 flaps (100%) were successful. The contour, colour, and texture of flaps matched well to the nearby skin. The range of motion of the neck was significantly improved. The donor defects were closed directly except for one case, which required skin grafting. Conclusions The free tissue transfer of pre-expanded scapular flap is a valuable tool in neck burn reconstruction. It can be used safely and effectively with minimal morbidity in selected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • We investigated the effects of UA on hypertrophic scarring in a rabbit ear model. • UA reduced the scar elevation index and ameliorated collagen accumulation. • UA inhibited HUVEC migration and tube formation and hypertrophic scar angiogenesis. • UA inhibited proliferation of both HUVECs and hypertrophic scar fibroblasts. • UA inhibits hypertrophic scar formation via suppression of scar angiogenesis. Abstract Hypertrophic scarring is a common condition in the Chinese population; however, there are currently no satisfactory drugs to treat the disorder. Previous studies showed that angiogenesis plays an important role in the early phase of hypertrophic scarring and inhibition of angiogenesis has been reported as an effective strategy for anti-hypertrophic scar therapy. A recent study showed that usnic acid (UA), an active compound found mainly in lichens, inhibited tumor angiogenesis both in vivo and in vitro. To investigate the therapeutic effects of UA on hypertrophic scarring and to explore the possible mechanism involved, a rabbit ear hypertrophic scar model was established. Scars were treated once a week for four weeks with UA, DMSO or triamcinolone acetonide acetate. Histological evaluation of hematoxylin and eosin staining indicated that UA significantly inhibited hypertrophic scar formation, with obvious reductions in scar height and coloration. The scar elevation index (SEI) was also evidently reduced. Masson's trichrome staining showed that UA significantly ameliorated accumulation of collagen tissue. Immunohistochemical analysis of CD31 expression showed that UA significantly inhibited scar angiogenesis. In vitro, UA inhibited endothelial cell migration and tube formation as well as the proliferation of both human umbilical vein endothelial cells and scar fibroblast cells. These results provide the first evidence of the therapeutic effectiveness of UA in hypertrophic scar formation in an animal model via a mechanism that involves suppression of scar angiogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New strategies to inhibit acute rejection are needed for further applications of composite tissue allotransplantation. The nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 (NR4A1) is considered a key controller of maintaining tolerance homeostasis. However, the effect of NR4A1 in suppressing rejection responses after allotransplantation remains unknown. Brown Norway rat groin flaps were transplanted into Lewis rat recipients. The recipients were administrated cytosporone B, an NR4A1 activator. NR4A1 expression and graft survival time were assessed. T helper type 1 and regulatory T cell populations in the second lymphoid organ were detected by flow cytometry. Furthermore, a retrovirus containing NR4A1 was constructed and transfected to T cells in vitro. After stimulation, interleukin 2 and interferon gamma secretions were detected in the T cells. Administration of cytosporone B activated NR4A1 expression in allotransplant recipients and was associated with prolonged survival time of the vascularized free flap allograft. T helper type 1 cells in the recipient secondary lymphoid organs were decreased, whereas the population of regulatory T cells did not change. Interleukin 2 and interferon gamma were suppressed in vitro in the T cells overexpressing NR4A1. We demonstrated that the overexpressed NR4A1 is associated with suppressed graft rejection response. The suppression effect may attribute to induction of T-cell anergy and blockade of key immunologic cytokines. • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4 Group A Member 1 (NR4A1) agonist cytosporone B activated NR4A1 expression in a rat free flap allotransplantation model and is associated with prolonged allograft survival time. • Cytosporone B reduced the T helper type 1 cell ratio in recipient spleens, whereas the regulatory T cell ratio did not change. • NR4A1 overexpression in vitro blocked the secretion of interleukin 2 and interferon gamma in activated T cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]