Tung-Ying Hsieh

Fat Grafting for Recontouring Sunken Upper Eyelids With Multiple Folds in Asians-Novel Mechanism for Neoformation of Double Eyelid Crease.

BackgroundThis study reviewed the mini invasive technique, microautologous fat transplantation (MAFT), as a strategy in simultaneously treating sunken upper eyelids with multiple folds and recreating a double eyelid crease in Asian people. MethodsThe MAFT was performed with the assistance of a patented medical device, the MAFT-GUN, on 34 patients who had sunken upper eyelids and multiple folds. Each delivered fat parcel was accurately and consistently maintained at 1/240 mL during placement. Follow-up was regularly performed with photography for comparison. ResultsFifty-eight sunken upper eyelids with multiple folds were reconstructed. In addition to the ameliorative recontouring of hollowness, a natural eyelid crease was created postoperatively. Temporary swelling and bruising were noted several days after surgery without morbidities, such as fibrosis or nodulation. All of the patients were satisfied with the 1-time MAFT procedure. ConclusionsFat grafting for sunken upper eyelids with multiple folds has been reported in the literature. However, temporal effects and complications, such as nodulation and irregularity, have often occurred. A new method, MAFT, demonstrated its reliability as a modality for sunken upper eyelids with multiple folds in Asians. Moreover, MAFT might serve as an alternative for neoformation of double eyelids in these candidates.

The role of frontalis orbicularis oculi muscle flap for correction of blepharoptosis with poor levator function.

AbstractOn the basis of the close anatomical interdigitation between the longitudinal-oriented frontalis muscle and the horizontal-oriented orbicularis oculi muscle (OOM), frontalis OOM (FOOM) flap was developed to treat blepharoptosis. Retrospective study during an 11-year period, 66 patients with 81 poor levator function ptotic eyelids accepted FOOM flap shortening (65 lids; 80.2%) or double-breasted FOOM flap advancement (16 lids; 19.8%) to correct blepharoptosis. There were 51 (77.3%) patients with unilateral ptosis and 15 (22.7%) patients with bilateral ptosis. Severity of blepharoptosis included severe type in 72 (88.9%) lids, moderate type in 5 (6.2%) lids, and mild type in 4 (4.9%) lids. The underlying etiology included congenital origin in 43 (65.1%) patients, involutional change in 19 (28.8%) patients, and neurologic origin in 4 (6.1%) patients. Marginal reflex distance 1 and lid slit distance improved from −1.6 (2.0) to 3.3 (1.2) and 3.2 (2.0) to 7.2 (1.4) mm, respectively, after operation. The postoperative outcome includes good results in 54 (81.8%) patients, fair results in 10 (15.2%) patients, and poor results in 2 (3.0%) patients. The undercorrection or recurrence rate is 14.8%, and secondary revision rate is 11.1%. Positive Hering law is 17.6% among patients with unilateral ptosis. Overall patients’ satisfaction rate is 95.1%. Both FOOM flap shortening and double-breasted FOOM flap advancement are effective to treat poor levator function blepharoptosis. Double-breasted FOOM flap advancement is highly recommended because of the more natural contour and minimal lagophthalmos postoperatively, because of the maximal preservation of OOM.

Two-year quality of life after free flap reconstruction in tumor-site discrepancy among Taiwanese with moderately advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma

BackgroundThis study describes 2-year impact on quality of life (QOL) in relation to the anatomical discrepancy among T4a oral cancer patients after free flap reconstruction in Taiwan.MethodsThirty-two patients who underwent tumor ablation with simultaneous microvascular free flap transfer at 2-year follow-up were recruited. They were divided into six subgroups, according to the resected area, consisting of: (1) buccal/retromolar trigone; (2) cheek; (3) commissure; (4) lip; (5) mandible; and (6) tongue. Functional disturbances and daily activity were analyzed using the Version-1 UW QOL Questionnaire with one more specific category: ‘Drooling’. Kruskal-Wallis rank sums analysis was used to test differences in average QOL scores between these subgroups. Post-hoc analysis was applied to assess influence of dominant categories between subgroups.ResultsThe category ‘Pain’ revealed the highest average score and reached significant statistical difference (P = 0.019) among all the categories, however, the category ‘Employment’ averaged the lowest score. Regarding ‘Pain’, there existed a statistical significance (P = 0.0032) between the commissure- and cheek-involved groups, which described the former showed poorer pain quality of life.ConclusionsThe commissure-involved group had the lowest average score, which might imply the worst QOL in our study, especially for the categories ‘Pain’ and ‘Drooling’. This present study of T4a patients was the first carried out in Taiwan implementing the QOL questionnaire, and its results may serve for future reference.

Immediate transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap reconstruction is associated with improved cancer-specific survival in locally advanced breast cancer.

BackgroundThis study of stage III (locally advanced) breast cancer patients evaluated the survival improvement conferred by immediate breast reconstruction by transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap reconstruction after modified radical mastectomy (MRM) in comparison with MRM alone. MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed data for all women who had received TRAM immediately after unilateral modified radical mastectomy for locally advanced breast cancer at a single institution from January 2002 to December 2009. The analysis included 192 patients divided into 2 groups: patients who had received MRM immediately followed by TRAM flap reconstruction (MRM-TRAM group, n = 52) and patients who had received MRM alone (MRM group, n = 140). Data collection included demographic characteristics, underlying comorbidities, and cancer characteristics. Postoperative adjuvant therapies, oncologic outcomes, and survival were compared between the 2 groups. Kaplan-Meier plots, univariate log-rank test, multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models, and t-test were used to evaluate potential predictors of cancer recurrence and patient survival. ResultsIn comparison with the MRM group, significant differences in the MRM-TRAM group included a younger mean age, a better overall health status, and a higher education level (all P < 0.001). Severity of breast cancer disease did not significantly differ in terms of cancer characteristics. Additionally, there were no significant differences in local recurrence (P = 0.326) and distant metastasis (P = 0.338). Immediate breast reconstruction was not associated with delays in detection of local recurrence and initiation of adjuvant therapiesThe 5-year breast cancer-specific survival rate was significantly higher in the MRM-TRAM group (84.6%) compared with the MRM group (61.2%) (P = 0.003). Multivariate analysis showed that TRAM flap reconstruction is an independent predictor of survival in breast cancer patients. The MRM-TRAM group had a significantly lower hazard of death (HR, 0.235; 95% CI, 0.070–0.788; P = 0.019) compared with the MRM group. ConclusionsImmediate TRAM flap reconstruction is oncologically safe and is unassociated with delayed adjuvant therapies or delayed detection of local recurrence. Patients with locally advanced breast cancer can be considered appropriate candidates for TRAM flap reconstruction because the procedure is an independent predictor of breast cancer survival and is associated with a 76.5% decrease (HR, 0.235) in the risk of cancer death.

In situ pedicle lengthening of the anterolateral thigh flap

85e In Situ Pedicle Lengthening of the Anterolateral Thigh Flap Sir: H a wide range of applications, the anterolateral thigh flap has almost been the most representative soft tissue with minimal donor-site morbidity.1 Most important of all, with the vascular pedicle mostly arising from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery, it can offer a sufficient length for microanastomosis to recipient vessels, especially in the field of head and neck reconstruction. Nevertheless, the complexity of the local vasculature of the anterolateral thigh flap has been well documented. Several studies have pointed out the possibility of no sizable perforators, even with Doppler vascular mapping preoperatively. Also, microsurgeons may need a backup procedure or an alternative.2 In addition, a substantial number of reported variations concerning the lateral circumflex femoral artery plus its branches emphasize the unpredictability of the perforators’ origin. If the only sizable perforator arises from the proximal thigh, it can only provide pedicle length that is less than 10 cm.3 The patient, a 42-year-old man, had been diagnosed with secondary right maxillary squamous cell carcinoma. Due to previous flap surgery, preoperative angiography was performed and only left-side neck vessels were relatively available for the recipient site. The desired pedicle length was determined to be 18 to 20 cm from the right-side upper face to the left superior thyroid artery and external jugular vein. A planned right anterolateral thigh flap was dissected. Nonetheless, the only sizable perforator that could be found was located at 7 cm proximal to the midpoint of the thigh. The perforator retrogradely originated from the oblique branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. The pedicle was estimated to be only 6 cm. In order to elongate the pedicle of the anterolateral thigh flap, the perforator was traced to the very beginning of the oblique branch and cut without influencing the blood flow of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. In addition, the descending branch was dissected to the most distal part as a vascular bundle bridge. Without separating the flap in advance, a one-artery and two-venae comitantes anastomosis was performed in situ of the anterolateral thigh incision wound (Fig. 1; Fig. 2, left and center). Utilizing this innovative method, we effectively elongated the pedicle from 6 cm to 18 cm (Fig. 2, right). Without sacrificing any other tissue or incising any other wound for vascular grafts, we successfully lengthened the pedicle of the anterolateral thigh flap and overcame the problems (Fig. 3). No complications were encountered postoperatively, and the flap survived completely. Kun Yong Sung, M.D. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Kangwon National University Hospital Chuncheon City, Korea

Management of venous ulcers according to their anatomical relationship with varicose veins.

Background Adequately excising varicose and incompetent perforating veins is necessary for reducing their recurrence rate of venous ulcer. Method In total, 66 venous ulcers (C6) in 1083 legs with primary varicose veins were managed through endoscopic-assisted surgery. In an endoscopic operative view, the nonvaricose, varicose, and incompetent perforating veins were clearly visualized and precisely dissected. The varicose and incompetent perforating veins were divided and completely excised. Result The varicose veins were traced to the base or periphery of the 55 ulcers. Moreover, 89.4% of the ulcers healed within 14 weeks. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed a five-year recurrence rate of 0.0%, and the satisfaction mean score was 4.6. Conclusion Endoscopic-assisted surgery can be used to radically excise varicose veins complicated with venous ulcers; the surgery yields low recurrence and high satisfaction rates.

Endoscope-Assisted Pectoralis Major-Rectus Abdominis Bipedicle Muscle Flap for the Treatment of Poststernotomy Mediastinitis.

IntroductionVarious management strategies have been reported for sternal wound care; however, they exhibit limited effectiveness or are associated with severe complications. Furthermore, it is difficult for the standard pectoralis major (PM) muscle advance flap to reach the lower third of the sternum. This article examines using the PM-rectus abdominis (RA) bipedicle muscle flap to treat lower-third deep sternal wound infection. MethodsThe outcomes of patients who received a PM-RA bipedicle muscle flap harvest at our institution between 1996 and 2014 were reviewed. The method involves performing a subfascial and subperiosteal dissection of the PM to elevate the muscle flap. Blunt dissection may be performed carefully under an endoscope. Endoscope visualization enables us to identify the critical structures lateral to the PM muscle. In addition, the connective tissue to the RA muscle was preserved. Continuity was carefully preserved from the pectoral-thoracoepigastric fascia to the anterior rectus sheath. The flap could then be transposed to fill the lower-third sternal tissue defect with ease. ResultsA total of 12 patients, with a mean age of 71 years (45–89 years), were treated using an endoscope-assisted PM-RA bipedicle muscle flap harvest. Wound microbiology of the 12 patients revealed that 3 patients had methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, 4 had S. aureus, 1 had coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, 1 had Escherichia coli, 1 had Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 1 had Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and 1 had a mixed growth of organisms. One instance of recurrent sternal infection was identified among the patients. Moreover, 1 patient died from heart failure 5 weeks after surgery, but the coverage of the sternal wound was successful. Accidental injury to the surrounding neurovascular structure of the patients was avoided, and only 10 to 15 minutes was required to divide the PM muscle. ConclusionsPerforming this harvest method under endoscopic assistance has several advantages, such as preventing excess traction of the skin edge to diminish the skin slough. This method could be an effective alternative for harvesting the PM-RA bipedicle muscle flap to reconstruct the lower-third sternal wound.

A Secure Technique for Microvascular Anastomosis in Arteries with Intimal Dissection: Intimal Sleeve Fold-Over Technique.

BackgroundIntimal dissection can cause an irregular internal surface with intimal flaps and subendothelial collagen exposure. This has been associated with a high risk of thrombosis. Trimming the artery to a healthy level is routinely recommended to avoid intimal dissection. However, this method is limited when there is inadequate vascular length to work with. MethodsWe dealt with an artery exhibiting severe intimal dissection by using a new suture technique: the intimal sleeve fold-over technique. Severe arterial intimal dissections were observed in 9 (6.9%) of 130 arterial microvascular anastomoses in free flap reconstruction for oral cancer patients from January 2013 to December 2013. We used this technique in 6 of the 9 patients. ResultsAll 6 patients were discharged as scheduled without perioperative problems and complications during follow-ups. The mean diameters of the recipient and pedicle arteries with intimal dissection were 2.13 and 2.20 mm. The mean time for performing sleeve fold-over procedure of on each artery was 5.1 minutes. ConclusionsA secure intima-to-intima contact can be achieved using this technique. This technique can provide an alternative method to intimal dissection when the length of the artery is limited.

Intracompartmental Sepsis With Burn: A Case Report.

AbstractIntracompartmental sepsis (IS) is a rare complication in patients with burns. Intracompartmental sepsis presents in patients with inadequate perfusion of intracompartmental tissues and subsequent ischemic necrosis and infection. Contributing factors include high-volume resuscitation, delayed escharotomies, and previous bacteremia. We describe a case of massive burns from a gas explosion and the subsequent development of IS in our intensive care burn unit. The patient presented with a 75% total body surface area burn on admission, with 39% superficial, deep partial-thickness and 26% full-thickness burns. Intracompartmental sepsis was diagnosed 45 days after admission. Anterior compartment muscles, including the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus, were necrotic with relatively fair nerve and vascular structures. Intracompartmental sepsis is an overwhelming, infectious complication that appears late and can occur easily in patients with major burns. Early diagnosis and management are a must for improving outcomes.