OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical application of the medial arm fasciocutaneous flap based on the medial septocutaneous branches of the brachial vessel. METHODS: Since 1994, the medial arm fasciocutaneous flap based on the medial septocutaneous branches of the branchial vessel has been used to cure scar contracture of axillary and elbow joint, radiated ulcer of the chest wall. Eighteen clinical cases were reported. Among them, there were 14 males and 4 females, aged from 6 to 48 years old. The flaps, of which 3 were proximally based and 15 distally based, were designed 23 cm x 11 cm as maximal size and 10 cm x 6 cm as minimal size. RESULTS: All the flaps survived and the excellent function and cosmetic result were achieved. CONCLUSION: The medial arm fasciocutaneous flap is thin, soft and relatively hairless, so it is suitable for repairing the soft tissue defect of the axillary or elbow joint. There are consistently present perforators at both ends that allow one to rotate long flaps around pivoting points immediate to the areas needing coverage. Moreover, this flap is characterized by the simplicity of the surgical techniques and circulatory reliability.
Objective To summarize the research progress of abdominoplasty. Methods The literature related to abdominoplasty in recent years was reviewed and the evolution of this surgical method and related surgical techniques were summarized. Results By removing excess skin adipose tissue from abdominal wall and strengthening loosening muscle fascia system, the abdominal wall contour can be improved by abdominoplasty. With the development of liposuction, selective flaps undermining, progressive tension sutures, and Scarpa fascia retention, the trauma and complications of abdominoplasty are significantly reduced, and better aesthetic result is achieved. Conclusion At present, the incidence of abdominoplasty complication is still the highest among cosmetic surgeries, and further exploration is needed to reduce complications and improve aesthetic effects.
ObjectiveTo review the research on distribution of the nerve and blood supply of breast, and the development of breast reduction in recent years.MethodsThe related literatures about the distribution of the nerve and blood supply of breast, the development of breast reduction, and postoperative lactation function in recent years were reviewed extensively. The above aspects were analyzed and summarized in combination with the author’s experiences.ResultsWith the anatomical study of mammary gland, nipple areola complex nerve distribution and blood supply, breast reduction has been developed rapidly, and a variety of surgical methods have been formed. But each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and its indications are different. Through the application and improvement of the auxiliary examination technique, severe complications such as nipple areola complex necrosis reduce obviously after operation. Through the selection of position of the incision and pedicle, the degree of retaining the pedicle glands, the application of auxiliary liposuction technique, and the improvement of suture technique, the scar of incision reduces, the sensation of nipple areola is preserved more, and a more satisfactory breast shape is obtained. Some of the patients who gave birth after breast reduction have lactation function.ConclusionThere are some shortcomings in various surgical methods at present, individualized surgical methods should be adopted according to the characteristics of the patients. Further research is needed on how to preserve more sensation of nipple areola, obtain a good and lasting breast shape, and preserve lactation function of women after operation.
ObjectiveTo review the diagnosis and management of fat necrosis after autologous fat transplantation of breast.MethodsBased on the latest related literature, the pathology, clinical and radiographic examinations, influence factors, as well as the management of fat necrosis after autologous fat transplantation for breast augmentation and reconstruction were summarized.ResultsFat necrosis after breast autologous fat transplantation is histologically manifested as hyaline degeneration, fibrosis, and calcification. The diagnosis of fat necrosis includes clinical examination, imaging examination (ultrasound, mammography, and MRI), and biopsy. The occurrence of fat necrosis is closely related to patient’s own reason and fat transplantation technology. Optimizing the process of fat acquisition, purification, and transplantation can reduce the occurrence of fat necrosis. Intervention or not after fat necrosis depends on the nature of the nodules. According to the nature of the the nodules, various methods such as simple aspiration, vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance liposuction, or direct excision can be selected.ConclusionFat necrosis after autologous fat transplantation of breast are difficult to control. How to process fat to minimize the injury and maximize the activity of grafted fat needs further researches.
Objective To review the application progress, mechanism, application points, limitations, and oncological safety of external volume expansion (EVE) assisted autologous fat grafting for breast reconstruction and provide a reference for optimizing the design of EVE. Methods Based on the latest relevant articles, the basic experiments and clinical applications of EVE were summarized. ResultsEVE can reduce interstitial fluid pressure, increase blood supply, and promote adipogenic differentiation, thereby benefiting the survival of transplanted fat. EVE assisted autologous fat grafting in clinical practice can improve the retention rate of breast volume and the outcome of breast reconstruction, meanwhile it doesn’t increase the risk of local recurrence. But there is no standard parameters for application, and there are many complications and limitations. ConclusionEVE improves the survival of transplanted fat, but its complications and poor compliance are obvious, so it is urgent to further investigate customized products for breast reconstruction after breast cancer and establish relevant application guidelines.
ObjectiveTo review the research progress of the application of autologous fat grafting in perioral and lower face rejuvenation. Methods By extensively reviewing related articles and combining the clinical experiences, the anatomic features (fat compartments and blood supply), aging features of the perioral and lower face, and the application advancement and related complications of autologous fat grafting in this area were generally summarized. Results The aesthetic features of perioral and lower face include the lip, chin, and so on, and the anatomic structures relating autologous fat grafting include the mandibular fat compartments, chin fat compartments, and other fat compartments. Meanwhile, the facial artery passes through this area and spreads out several important branches. The aging features of perioral and lower face include the depening of nasolabial fold, the aging lip, perioral wrinkles, “marionette lines”, and so on. Autologous fat grafting can improve perioral and lower face rejuvenation by restoring volume loss of facial fat compartments, correcting aging malformation, and improving skin quality. But there are neurovascular injuries, facial aesthetic problems, and other related complications. ConclusionAutologous fat grafting can be applied in perioral and lower face rejuvenation, and it can effectively improve related aging features. There are several aspects developing aggressively, including the research of facial asthetics features of Chinese people, combining autologous fat grafting with surgery as well as other methods to comprehensively treat facial aging, and the application of fat tissue related derivatives in perioral and lower face rejuvenation. However, the resorption rate of facial grafted fat tissue is still too high, and the long-term effectiveness can not be assured. In the future, the solutions related to improving the survival rate of grafted fat tissue need to be explored in the future.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of liposuction technique assisted superomedial pedicle with a vertical incision in reduction mammaplasty.MethodsBetween March 2014 and March 2019, 65 patients (127 sides) with breast hypertrophy had undergone breast reduction by using liposuction technique assisted superomedial pedicle with a vertical incision. The patients were 21 to 58 years old, with an average of 42.2 years. Body mass index ranged from 18.8 to 26.5 kg/m2, with an average of 21.3 kg/m2. Among them, 62 cases were bilateral operations and 3 cases were unilateral operation. The degree of mastoptosis was rated as degreeⅡ in 73 sides and degree Ⅲ in 54 sides according to the Regnault criteria.ResultsThe unilateral breast removed 432 g on average (range, 228-932 g); the distance of nipple upward was 4.5-9.5 cm (mean, 6.5 cm); the volume of unilateral liposuction was 50-380 mL (mean, 148 mL). There were 2 sides (1.58%) of unilateral intramammary hematomas after operation, 4 sides (3.15%) of bilateral breast vertical incisions slightly split, and 1 side (0.79%) of the nipple-areola epidermis necrosis. All patients were followed up 6 months to 5 years, with an average of 18 months. During the follow-up, there was no evident re-dropping of the breast and no enlargement of the areola. No patient underwent scar excision. At last follow-up, the effectiveness was evaluated by the surgeons. There were 52 cases with very satisfactory, 10 cases with satisfactory, and 3 cases with unsatisfactory for the breast shape and symmetry. There were 51 cases with very satisfactory, 11 cases with satisfactory, and 3 cases with unsatisfactory for the nipple position and areola diameter. The incision scar was obvious in 25 cases and was not obvious in 40 cases. The results of self-assessment showed very satisfactory for the breast shape in 48 cases, satisfactory in 12 cases, and unsatisfactory in 5 cases; very satisfactory for the incision scar in 40 cases, satisfactory in 17 cases, and unsatisfactory in 8 cases. Overall evaluation of the patient was very satisfactory in 52 cases, satisfactory in 7 cases, and unsatisfactory in 6 cases.ConclusionThe liposuction technique assisted superomedial pedicle with a vertical incision in reduction mammaplasty is a safe and reliable surgical method with a satisfactory result.