The accurate assessment of wound size is a critical step in advanced wound care management. This study aims to introduce and validate a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technique for measuring wound size. Twenty-eight wounds treated from December 2022 to April 2023 at the Chungnam National University Hospital were analyzed. All the wounds were measured using three techniques: conventional ruler methods, the LiDAR technique, and ImageJ analysis. Correlation analysis, linear regression, and Bland–Altman plot analysis were performed to validate the accuracy of the novel method. The measurement results (mean ± standard deviation) obtained using the ruler method, LiDAR technique, and ImageJ analysis were 112.99 ± 110.07 cm², 73.59 ± 72.97 cm², and 74.29 ± 72.15 cm², respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient was higher for the LiDAR application (0.995) than for the conventional ruler methods (mean difference, −5.0000 cm²), as was the degree of agreement (mean difference, 38.6933 cm²). Wound size measurement using LiDAR is a simple and reliable method that will enable practitioners to conveniently assess wounds with a flattened and irregular shape with higher accuracy. However, non-flattened wounds cannot be assessed owing to the technical limitations of LiDAR.

Background: Cell-based therapies are popular in the field of reconstructive surgery. The stromal vascular fraction (SVF), comprised of mature adipocytes or blood, reportedly has a regenerative effect; however the mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to prove the viability and effectiveness of using SVF in scar treatment. Methods: This prospective double-blind study involved 20 patients who visited an outpatient clinic for 2 years, from July 2016 to July 2018, and underwent scar revision for traumatic or surgical scars. After scar revision surgery performed by a single surgeon, patient scars were divided into experimental and control sides. The subcutaneous layer of the experimental and control sides were injected with 0.1 mL/cm of SVF and normal saline, respectively. Each side was evaluated using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) before and six months after the surgery. Results: Of the 20 patients who underwent scar revision surgery and SVF treatment, 4 dropped out for personal reasons. In 11 of 12 POSAS items, the experimental side showed significant improvements compared to the control side. Conclusions: Although more research is needed, autologous SVF is a valuable source of regenerative medicine that can be swiftly and inexpensively prepared from human fat tissue.

Marginal reflex distance1 (MRD1) is a crucial clinical tool used to evaluate the position of the eyelid margin in relation to the cornea. Traditionally, this assessment has been conducted manually by plastic surgeons, ophthalmologists, or trained technicians. However, with the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, there is a growing interest in the development of automated systems capable of accurately measuring MRD1. In this context, we introduce novel MRD1 measurement methods based on deep learning algorithms that can simultaneously capture images and compute the results. This prospective observational study involved 154 eyes of 77 patients aged over 18 years who visited Chungnam National University Hospital between 1 January 2023 and 29 July 2023. We collected four different MRD1 datasets from patients using three distinct measurement methods, each tailored to the individual patient. The mean MRD1 values, measured through the manual method using a penlight, the deep learning method, ImageJ analysis from RGB eye images, and ImageJ analysis from IR eye images in 56 eyes of 28 patients, were 2.64 ± 1.04 mm, 2.85 ± 1.07 mm, 2.78 ± 1.08 mm, and 3.07 ± 0.95 mm, respectively. Notably, the strongest agreement was observed between MRD1_deep learning (DL) and MRD1_IR (0.822, p < 0.01). In a Bland–Altman plot, the smallest difference was observed between MRD1_DL and MRD1_IR ImageJ, with a mean difference of 0.0611 and ΔLOA (limits of agreement) of 2.5162, which was the smallest among all of the groups. In conclusion, this novel MRD1 measurement method, based on an IR camera and deep learning, demonstrates statistical significance and can be readily applied in clinical settings.

Background Zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures mostly occur in the form of tripod fractures. The surgical field is accessed using a combination of three classic approaches. However, the subciliary incision may have unfavorable aesthetic results. Herein, the authors report the advantages of the extended transconjunctival approach (ETA) combined with T-bar screw reduction in minimizing scarring and complications for the treatment of ZMC fractures. Methods A total of 26 patients underwent ZMC reduction through the ETA and intraoral approach. A skin incision measuring roughly 5 to 8 mm in length was placed following the lateral canthal skin crease. After releasing the inferior crus of the lateral canthal tendon for canthotomy, the medial periosteum of the lateral orbital rim was preserved for canthal reattachment. A limited subperiosteal dissection and partial relaxing incision of the orbicularis oculi were performed to expose the fracture line of the inferior orbital rim and zygomaticofrontal suture. Reduction was performed using a T-bar screw through the transconjunctivalincision and an elevator through the intraoral incision. Results The aesthetic and functional results were excellent. Successful reduction was achieved and the skin incision was less than 8 mm in 20 cases (76.9%). Only six patients had an additional skin incision (less than 5 mm) to achieve reduction. No cases of ectropion, entropion, or excessive scarring were noted. Conclusions The ETA using a T-bar screw is a useful method for maximizing aesthetic results in ZMC fractures, with the advantages of minimal scarring, faster recovery, and maintenance of pretarsal fullness.

Background/Objectives: Ptosis surgery corrects drooping upper eyelids, improving function and esthetics. Traditional methods like marginal reflex distance (MRD) and palpebral fissure height (PFH) offer limited one-dimensional measurements. This study evaluates AI-based corneal exposure ratio (CER) analysis, a two-dimensional approach, compared to manual ImageJ methods for assessing ptosis surgery outcomes. Methods: In this prospective study, 100 eyes from 50 patients were analyzed using both methods. AI-based CER measurements were compared to manual ImageJ measurements for reliability and accuracy. Results: AI-based CER measurements were comparable to manual ImageJ, with high reliability (ICC 0.992, 0.985). Preoperative CER was 55.34% (manual) and 55.79% (AI), increasing to 75.92% (manual) and 75.84% (AI) postoperatively. The AI tool showed minimal bias and high repeatability (ICC 1.000), offering faster automated measurements. Conclusions: AI-based CER analysis matched manual methods in accuracy but provided significant efficiency advantages, making it suitable for clinical use. Limitations include a small homogeneous sample size and reliance on 2D imaging, which may not fully capture three-dimensional changes. Further studies are recommended to enhance generalizability and precision.

Background Various materials, commonly called fillers, have been developed and are now used for cosmetic and reconstruction purposes. Indiscriminate injections of illegal and unknown substances have various side effects, among which foreign body granulomas are particularly difficult to treat. Surgical resection can be considered for small and well-defined foreign body granulomas, but complete resection is often impossible for wide facial granulomas, and postoperative deformities may occur. Therefore, this study presents cases where foreign bodies were evaluated using imaging studies and removed through minimally invasive procedures depending on their characteristics.Methods Thirty-five patients with chronic granulomas after illegal filler injections treated from 2012 to 2019 were enrolled. Clinically, these granulomas were classified into cystic and infiltrating groups according to the imaging study patterns. Patients in the cystic group underwent puncture and drainage, and those in the infiltrating group were first treated with intralesional laser treatment and then suctioned. If the results were insufficient, surgical removal combined with a lifting procedure was performed.Results All 35 patients were women, and their average age was 51 years. Surgery was successful in almost all cases, but four cases of insufficient removal and contour deformity were encountered during follow-up. Two patients underwent reoperation and two patients improved naturally.Conclusions In this study, we classified the characteristics of granulomas using preoperative imaging studies. Aesthetically favorable results were obtained using puncture and drainage and tumescent suction, along with, if necessary, surgical removal accompanied by a lifting procedure when removing facial foreign body granulomas.