Square-shaped and large moon-shaped faces are commonly observed in Asians, and the contour of the mandible is associated with the shape of the lower part of the face. Mandible contouring surgery is performed to create a softer impression for East Asians. Currently, most surgeries are performed using an intraoral approach. External approaches have not been cosmetically attempted because of possible damage to the facial nerve and visible scarring and have been limited to mandible bone fracture reduction. This study included 42 patients who underwent mandibular angle reduction via classical intraoral incision and retroauricular incision between April 2019 and October 2021. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale and Visual Analog Scale. Surgery was successful in all cases, with no significant complications. An appropriate mandibular contour was achieved postoperatively. All patients were satisfied with the outcome. Some patients experienced short-term complications, such as hematoma and wound disruption of the skin above the incision line. However, these improved within 3 weeks, and no serious long-term complications were observed. Mandible angle resection with the retroauricular approach is a promising alternative for patients, allowing speedy recovery and the resumption of routine daily life.
20 December 2023 in Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
Background: The traditional nasolabial V-Y advancement flap is widely used for midface reconstruction, particularly for the lower third of the nose and upper lip, as its color and texture are similar to these areas. However, it provides insufficient tissue to cover large defects and cannot restore the nasal convexity, nasal ala, and adjacent tissues. The purpose of this study is to investigate the modified nasolabial V-Y advancement flap with extension limbs the along alar crease for the reconstruction of complex midface defects.Methods: A retrospective analysis of 18 patients, who underwent reconstruction with the modified nasolabial V-Y advancement flap, was performed between September 2014 and December 2022. An extension limb was added along the alar crease, adjacent to the defect area, and was hinged down as a transposition flap at the end of the advancement flap.Results: The extension limb along the alar crease successfully covered large and complicated defects, including those of the ala, the alar rim, the alar base, the nostrils, and the upper lip, with minor complications.Conclusion: The alar crease is a good donor site for the reconstruction of large and complex nasal and upper lip defects.
31 October 2023 in Archives of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN) is a benign condition that either is present at birth or develops in the first weeks of life. Surgical removal is typically performed to improve cosmetic appearance and reduce the risk of malignant transformation. In this report, we present the case of a 26-year-old woman with a medium-sized CMN on her left breast. The nevus measured 14×8 cm, and the patient desired a single-stage excision. However, this approach would result in a large skin defect that would be challenging to reconstruct using a local flap or skin graft. Moreover, it could potentially compromise the maintenance of natural sagging and the contour of the breast. Consequently, we opted to place a thin thoracodorsal artery perforator free flap following the removal of the CMN. The patient was satisfied with the overall surgical results. By utilizing this free flap for reconstruction, we successfully preserved the natural shape and contour of the breast without complications such as postoperative hypertrophic scarring or contracture at the recipient site.
31 July 2023 in Archives of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
A 25-year-old woman was referred for discomfort when breathing through her left nose. The patient had undergone augmentation rhinoplasty 5 years ago, after which hypertrophic scarring occurred in the left nostril. Several corticosteroid injections were administered as the first line of treatment, but with no symptom improvement. Therefore, we proceeded with surgical scar removal, with the use of a nasal conformer. However, scarring in the left nostril recurred. Accordingly, we proceeded with further surgical treatment using the scar folding technique. After scar folding, neither scarring nor nostril stenosis recurred during 1 year of postoperative follow-up. To summarize, herein, we report a case of hypertrophic scarring in the nostril that was successfully treated with the scar folding technique.
Background: Midcheek lift has been performed for cosmetic or reconstructive surgery of the lower eyelid. For midcheek lift through the subciliary incision, preperiosteal and subperiosteal dissections are the most often implemented, with good clinical outcomes. However, a comparative assessment of the effects of these 2 methods had not been conducted. Objectives: In this study we compared the effects of midcheek lift according to preperiosteal or subperiosteal plane and range of midfacial dissection. Methods: Forty hemifaces of 20 fresh cadavers were dissected. One side of the hemiface underwent preperiosteal dissection, and the other side underwent subperiosteal dissection. After dissections of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 mm and all of the midcheek area from the inferior orbital rim, the length of the elevated lid-cheek junction was measured by placing upward traction on the lateral portion of the lower lid. Results: In both methods, the length of the midcheek lift increased as the dissection progressed, and the length of the lift on the lateral side was greater than that on the medial side. The length of the pulled skin in the preperiosteal group was the greatest in most cases. However, in the full dissection cases, the midcheek lift length was not statistically different between the 2 surgical methods, especially on the lateral side. Conclusions: Flap elevation in lower blepharoplasty surgery can be predicted based on the surgical method and dissection range. Implementing a surgical plan that takes this into account can enhance both reconstruction and aesthetic surgery outcomes in the midcheek area.