Search

Purpose: Epidermoid cysts are common benign skin neoplasms derived from the pilosebaceous apparatus that usually develop in hair-bearing regions such as the head and neck. Epidermal cysts rarely occur in the extremities, especially in the palmoplantar region. Therefore, they can be easily misdiagnosed as warts or calluses. Here, we present our experience treating epidermal cysts in the extremities, including a very rare case of malignant transformation into squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled all patients who underwent excision of epidermoid cysts in the upper and lower extremities from March 2006 to April 2021.Results: Among 249 patients, there were 10 (seven male and three female patients) who had epidermal cysts in the extremities (4.0%). All four plantar cysts were located in weight-bearing areas. One palmar epidermal cyst occurred 33 years after the trauma. There was one case of a highly recurrent epidermal cyst on the heel that was eventually diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma arising from the cyst lining on excisional biopsy. After wide excision with a margin of 2 cm, the resulting defect was reconstructed using a free thoracodorsal artery perforator flap. Conclusion: Epidermoid cysts in the extremities, especially the palmoplantar region, are rare. Detailed history taking, including underlying diseases and trauma history, is helpful for diagnosis. Complete excision is necessary to avoid relapse and to confirm the final diagnosis, especially in cases suspected of malignant transformation arising from epidermoid cysts.

Patients with Crouzon syndrome have increased risks of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea and meningoencephalocele after LeFort III osteotomy. We report a rare case of meningoencephalocele following LeFort III midface advancement in a patient with Crouzon syndrome. Over 10 years since it was incidentally found during transnasal endoscopic orbital decompression, the untreated meningoencephalocele eventually led to intermittent clear nasal discharge, frontal headache, and seizure. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated meningoencephalocele in the left frontal-ethmoid-maxillary sinus through a focal defect of the anterior cranial base. Through bifrontal craniotomy, the meningoencephalocele was removed and the anterior cranial base was reconstructed with a pericranial flap and split calvarial bone graft. Secondary frontal advancement was concurrently performed to relieve suspicious increased intracranial pressure, limit visual deterioration, and improve the forehead shape. Surgeons should be aware that patients with Crouzon syndrome have the potential for an unrecognized dural injury during LeFort III osteotomy due to anatomical differences such as inferior displacement and thinning of the anterior cranial base.

Radiation ulcers can occur as a complication following exposure to ionizing radiation. Advances in medical technology, followed by the wider range of radiation application in recent decades has steadily increased the incidence of radiation ulcers. Radiation causes hypoxia, hypovascularity, and hypocellularity in tissues. Moreover, the surrounding skin adjacent to the radiation ulcer lacks follicular stem cells and is more prone to chronic, non-healing wounds. While no guidelines have been established regarding optimal treatment, management facilitating angiogenesis and migration of fibrogenic cells can be a recommended option, considering the etiology of ulcers induced by radiation exposure. Herein, we present a patient exposed to prolonged radiation during a fluoroscopic intervention procedure, who had developed a vast radiation ulcer at his coccyx, and was completely treated with injectable acellular dermal matrix combined with 14 weeks of negative pressure wound therapy.

Plexiform neurofibromas (PNFs) represent an uncommon variant (30%) of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1), in which neurofibromas arise from multiple nerves as bulging and deforming masses involving connective tissue and skin folds. We report the case of a 17-year-old man with known NF-1 presenting with bilateral occipital neuralgia that began in his late adolescence. His chief complaint was radiating pain in the occiput induced by protective helmet wear when riding alpine skiing. Craniofacial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the presence of fusiform masses arising from the bilateral greater occipital nerves. Histopathological examination of the biopsy samples showed PNFs. After surgical treatment, the patient's symptoms completely improved. Unlike cutaneous neurofibromas, PNFs have different clinical characteristics and have the risk of malignant mutations. Correct diagnosis and adequate surgical treatment are necessary for PNFs.

Pressure sores are common but troublesome for both patients and clinicians. They can range from mild to severe and must be managed accordingly. Despite advancements in both non-surgical and surgical intervention, no standard treatment protocol has yet been established. Since pressure sores can occur in a variety of clinical settings, treatment must be individualized to the patient’s circumstances. Recently, acellular dermal matrix (ADM) has been utilized as an alternative treatment for non-healing wounds. In the present report, we describe the case of a non-ambulatory patient in whom a large pressure sore located near the anus was completely cured using CG paste, an injectable ADM.

Background The use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) has been popularized in implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR). However, it is still controversial if ADM-associated complication rates differ with varying types of ADM products. The aim of this study was to compare postoperative complications between CGCRYODERM and DermACELL. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on 32 patients (64 breasts) who underwent bilateral prosthetic breast reconstruction between June 2015 and December 2019. All patients received two different ADMs in each breast during the surgery. Demographic variables, operative characteristics, and postoperative outcomes were compared between the cryopreserved and pre-hydrated ADM. Results The overall major and minor postoperative complications developed in 7 and 1 out of 32 patients, respectively. Seroma and infection were the most common complications. There were no cases that infection and/or seroma involved both breasts in one individual. No significant differences were observed in terms of seroma, infection, hematoma, mastectomy flap necrosis, or drainage period between the CGCRYODERM and DermACELL groups (P=0.5637, 0.1797, 1.0000, 0.3173, and 0.2925, respectively). There was no case of reconstruction failure leading to explantation. Conclusions There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative complications between the two breasts reconstructed with CGCRYODERM and DermACELL in the same patient who underwent bilateral IBR. This is the first study to compare cryopreserved and pre-hydrated ADMs. We suggest that CGCRYODERM is a suitable option with a comparable safety profile for IBR.

Thumb pulp defects require adequate reconstruction for satisfactory sensate function and aesthetic appearance. We report a reconstructive case using a sensate neurovascular island flap raised from the ulnar side of the middle finger for a tactile thumb pad defect. The flap was elevated as a modified version of the conventional heterodigital neurovascular island flap in order to restore thumb sensation without the “double-sensibility” phenomenon. The ulnar digital nerve of the flap was sectioned at the middle phalanx level of the donor digit and coaptated to the ulnar and radial digital nerves of the thumb through end-to-side and end-to-end neurorrhaphy. The remaining radial digital nerve of the donor finger was preserved, and the proximal end of the sectioned nerve was coaptated end-to-side to the radial digital nerve to prevent neuroma formation. No postoperative complications including venous congestion were observed. This technique is a relatively simple and reliable option for reconstructing thump pulp defects.

Background The development of consistent animal experimental models is important for continued research on specific biological and immunologic aspects of vascularized composite allografts. It is also important for the translation of immune regulation and tolerance induction strategies and treatment ideas from bench to bedside. The purpose of our study is to provide an outline of the use of animal models in simulated facial transplant surgery and to investigate the feasibility of animal model use. Methods The animals underwent hemifacial flap transplant surgery. The flaps were placed on the external carotid artery and external jugular vein of the donor animal. Twenty-one procedures were performed in 4 different animals (6 rats, 5 rabbits, 6 dogs, 4 pigs). Two experienced plastic surgeons and 5 students performed allotransplant. Results All 4 models were suitable for facial allotransplant with different anatomic characteristics. Average feasibility scores were 4.8 for pigs, 3.6 for rabbits, 3.2 for dogs, and 3.4 for rats. Evaluations concluded that pigs were the most practical and realistic models for facial allotransplant training. Other models achieved validation thresholds. Conclusions This study is the first comparative validation assessment of animal models used in facial allotransplant. It supports the use of pig models for surgical skills training. Pigs were the preferred simulation models, while rats, rabbits, and dogs were considered inferior models for transplant simulation.

We report a case of adenocarcinoma originating in a urostomy site 35 years after bladder cancer operation and urostomy formation. While ileostomy adenocarcinoma has been reported as a rare complication after colectomy and ileostomy formation for inflammatory bowel disease or familial adenomatous polyposis, there were no previously published cases of parastomal carcinoma in patients with urostomy. In our case, a series of work-ups, including immunohistochemical staining (cytokeratin 7 and 20, p63), revealed no evidence of primary adenocarcinoma of the skin or any other primary tumor. The patient underwent surgical excision with urostomy reformation and the skin defect was successfully reconstructed using local flap and split-thickness skin graft. This case poses a diagnostic challenge for clinicians because skin primary adenocarcinoma (i.e., malignant adnexal tumor) is likely to be ruled out due to its low incidence, and the symptoms may be considered those of a rare subcutaneous metastasis from a visceral malignancy (e.g., colon cancer) in the patient with a history of a prior malignancy (bladder cancer). This underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach and patient education for early diagnosis.

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have demonstrated immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of ASCs on the survival of xenogeneic full-thickness skin grafts and compare intravenous and subcutaneous injections of ASCs. We divided 30 male C57BL/6 mice into control, intravenous (IV), and subcutaneous (SC) injection groups. In one group of 10 mice, mouse ASCs were intravenously injected after human full-thickness skin grafting (IV group). In another group of 10 mice, ASCs were directly injected into the subcutaneous plane under the xenogeneic grafts (SC group). An additional group of 10 mice received no treatment and served as controls. Bioluminescent imaging showed that ASCs were concentrated at the grafts during the study period in both IV and SC groups. We performed graft survival assessment, histologic examination, and immunohistochemistry analysis. ASCs significantly prolonged xenograft survival at postoperative week 2 in the SC group compared with the control group (P.05). Histologic evaluation revealed fewer inflammatory reactions in the SC group than in the control group at 1 week posttransplantation. In addition, we observed relative reduction in CD4- and CD8-positive cells in the SC group compared with the control group. Intravenous injection of ASCs led to increased graft survival and decreased inflammatory reactions, but these differences were not statistically significant. The results of this study indicate that subcutaneous injection of ASCs promoted the survival of xenogeneic full-thickness skin grafts in mice. The underlying mechanisms of the immunosuppressive effects of ASCs should be further investigated.

OBJECTIVE Posterior distraction osteogenesis (DO) is widely accepted for the treatment of craniosynostosis. The aim of this study was to quantitatively compare the effect of DO on the cranial vault according to the age of the patient and direction of distraction. METHODS This was a retrospective study of patients with craniosynostosis who underwent DO in the anteroposterior direction. Postdistraction changes in intracranial volume (ICV), anteroposterior distance, biparietal distance, cranial height, and frontal bossing angle were measured using Mimics software on CT scans. Craniometric data were analyzed using a multivariate regression model. RESULTS Thirty-two patients (16 anterior and 16 posterior DOs) were included in the study. The mean ICV increase in the anterior and posterior DO group was 211 cm3 (range 142–281 cm3) and 214 cm3 (range 150–279 cm3), respectively. Patients who were aged 1 year or younger showed a greater percentage increase in ICV than patients older than 1 year. In the anterior DO group, a more balanced increase in both anterior and posterior anteroposterior distance was observed in patients aged 1 year or younger when compared to patients older than 1 year. In the posterior DO group, a bigger expansion and smoother contour in the posterior cranial fossa was observed in patients aged 1 year or younger. CONCLUSIONS Both anterior and posterior DO are effective surgical options for expanding the cranial vault in patients with craniosynostosis. Early distraction appeared to show greater morphological changes in the growing cranial vault than those predicted with the vector of distraction.

Autologous reconstruction using abdominal flaps remains the most popular method for breast reconstruction worldwide. We aimed to evaluate a prediction model using machine-learning methods and to determine which factors increase abdominal flap donor site complications with logistic regression. We evaluated the predictive ability of different machine learning packages, reviewing a cohort of breast reconstruction patients who underwent abdominal flaps. We analyzed 13 treatment variables for effects on the abdominal donor site complication rates. To overcome data imbalances, random over sampling example (ROSE) method was used. Data were divided into training and testing sets. Prediction accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and predictive power (AUC) were measured by applying neuralnet, nnet, and RSNNS machine learning packages. A total of 568 patients were analyzed. The supervised learning package that performed the most effective prediction was neuralnet. Factors that significantly affected donor-related complication was size of the fascial defect, history of diabetes, muscle sparing type, and presence or absence of adjuvant chemotherapy. The risk cutoff value for fascial defect was 37.5 cm2. High-risk group complication rates analyzed by statistical method were significant compared to the low-risk group (26% vs 1.7%). These results may help surgeons to achieve better surgical outcomes and reduce postoperative burden.

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. Collagen Graft and Collagen Membrane (Genoss, Suwon, Republic of Korea) were selectively used in patients who failed complete two-layer closure. The effect of collagen matrix on fistula formation was evaluated according to palatal ratio (cleft width to total palatal width) and cleft width. A total of 244 patients (male, 92 and female, 152; median age, 18 months) were analyzed. The average cleft width was 7.0 mm, and the average palatal ratio was 0.21. The overall fistula rate was 3.6% (9/244). Palatal ratio (p = 0.014) and cleft width (p = 0.004) were independent factors impacting the incidence of postoperative fistula. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the cutoff values in terms of screening for developing postoperative fistula were a palatal ratio of 0.285 and a cleft width of 9.25 mm. Among nonsyndromic patients with values above those cutoffs, the rates of fistula development were 0/5, 1/6 (16.7%), and 4/22 (18.2%) for those who received Collagen Graft, Collagen Membrane, and no collagen, respectively. Collagen matrix may serve as an effective tool for the prevention of palatal fistula when complete two-layer closure fails, especially in wide palatal clefts. The benefit was most evident in Collagen Graft with thick and porous structure.

The lateral arm flap is an alternative to the conventional radial forearm flap and has been widely used due to advancements in flap characteristics. Especially, the fasciocutaneous flap has been widely used in head and neck reconstruction due to its versatile characteristics and surgical feasibility. This flap has successfully undergone several useful modifications based on various anatomical studies. Here, the authors aimed to verify the versatility and reliability of free lateral arm flap reconstruction of numerous head and neck defects. Twelve patients (6 men and 6 women; mean age, 66 years) with various types of lateral arm flaps from May 2017 to April 2019 were included. The anatomical reconstruction area was widely distributed across the facial subunits, tongue and oral cavity, and hypopharynx, among others. The flap varied in size from 3 × 5 cm to 17 × 7 cm, and the average pedicle length was 5.58 cm. The versatility of the lateral arm flap enabled successful coverage of various defects in all cases. Among 12 patients, the donor site outcome was rated as excellent and good by 2 and 10 patients, respectively. Three patients complained of post-operative hypoesthesia, which was subsequently resolved. The lateral arm flap is a unique and extremely versatile soft tissue free flap. Its versatility facilitates continuous modification of the flap and its application in various areas in different forms with excellent contour outcomes. The authors successfully verified the evolving methods and advantages of lateral arm flaps in the treatment of various head and neck defects.