BackgroundAcellular dermal matrix (ADM) helps wound healing by stimulating angiogenesis, acting as a chemoattractant for endothelial cells, providing growth factors, and permitting a substrate for fibroblasts to attach. The current standard for using paste-type ADM (CG Paste) in wound healing is direct application over the wounds. The major concerns regarding this method are unpredictable separation from the wounds and absorption into negative-pressure wound therapy devices. This study aimed to investigate the effects of subcutaneous injection of paste-type ADM on wound healing in rats.MethodsFull-thickness skin defects were created on the dorsal skin of rats. Eighteen rats were randomly divided into three groups and treated using different wound coverage methods: group A, with a saline dressing; group B, standard application of CG Paste; and group C, injection of CG Paste. On postoperative days 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14, the wound areas were analyzed morphologically. Histological and immunohistochemical tissue analyses were performed on postoperative days 3 and 7.ResultsGroups B and C had significantly less raw surface than group A on postoperative days 10 and 14. Collagen fiber deposition and microvessel density were significantly higher in group C than in groups A and B on postoperative days 3 and 7.ConclusionsThis study showed comparable effectiveness between subcutaneous injection and the conventional dressing method of paste-type ADM. Moreover, the injection of CG Paste led to improved wound healing quality through the accumulation of collagen fibers and an increase in microvessel density.

BackgroundPreviously, surveys have been used to investigate breast reconstruction statistics. Since 2015, breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy has been covered by the National Health Insurance Service in Korea, and data from breast reconstruction patients are now available from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA). We investigated statistics in breast reconstruction in Korea through statistics provided by the HIRA Big Data Hub.MethodsWe investigated the number of cases in mastectomy and breast reconstruction methods from April 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016. Data were furnished by the HIRA Big Data Hub and accessed remotely online. Results were tabulated using SAS Enterprise version 6.1.ResultsThe 31,155 mastectomy cases included 7,088 breast reconstruction cases. Implant-based methods were used in 4,702 cases, and autologous methods in 2,386. The Implant-based reconstructions included 1,896 direct-to-implant and 2,806 tissue-expander (2-stage) breast reconstructions. The 2-stage tissue-expander reconstructions included 1,624 expander insertions (first stage) and 1,182 expander-to-permanent-implant exchanges (second stage). Of the autologous breast reconstructions, 705 involved latissimus dorsi muscle flaps, 498 involved pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flaps, and 1,183 involved free-tissue transfer TRAM flaps, including deep inferior epigastric perforator free-tissue transfer flaps. There were 1,707 nipple-areolar complex reconstructions, including 1,565 nipple reconstructions and 142 areola reconstructions. The 1-year mean number of breast reconstructions was 4,050.ConclusionsThis was the first attempt to evaluate the total number of breast reconstruction procedures using accurate, comprehensive data, and our findings may prove valuable as a foundation for future statistical studies of breast reconstruction procedures in Korea.

In August 2019, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea (MFDS) ordered to stop using and selling Biocell textured breast implants (Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA, USA). This decision came after the first case of breast implant-associated anaplastic lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) in Korea was reported on August 14, 2019 [1]. As of now, three cases of BIA-ALCL have been reported in South Korea [2]. BIA-ALCL is an uncommon T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized as CD30 positive and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) negative. Primary lymphoma of the breast is very rare, accounting for only 0.12% to 0.53% of all malignant breast tumors, approximately 2.2% of extranodal lymphomas, and less than 1% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Over the past decades, there has

Background:The big data provided by Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) contains data from nearly all Korean populations enrolled in the National Health Insurance Service. We aimed to identify the incidence of facial fractures and its trends in Korea using this big data from HIRA. Methods: We used the Korean Standard Classification of Disease and Cause of Death 6, 7 for diagnosis codes. A total of 582,318 patients were included in the final analysis. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS software and SPSS software. Results: The incidence of facial fractures consistently declined, from 107,695 cases in 2011 to 87,306 cases in 2016. The incidence of facial fractures was the highest in June 2011 (n = 26,423) and lowest in January 2014 (n = 10,282). Nasal bone fractures were the most common, followed by orbit and frontal sinus fractures. The percentage of nasal bone fractures declined, whereas those of orbital fractures increased from 2011 to 2016 (P < 0.001). Among orbital fractures, inferior wall fractures were the most common, followed by medial wall fractures. Among mandibular fractures, angle fractures were the most common, followed by condylar process and symphysis fractures. Although it was difficult to predict the most common type of zygomatic and maxilla fractures, their incidence consistently declined since 2011. Conclusion:We observed trends in facial fractures in Korea using big data including information for nearly all nations in Korea. Therefore, it is possible to predict the incidence of facial fractures. This study is meaningful in that it is the first study that investigated the incidence of facial fractures by specific type.

BackgroundSkin erosion is a dire complication of implantable cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators. Classical treatments involve removal of the entire generator and lead systems, however, these may result in fatal complications. In this study, we present our experience with a simplified salvage technique for exposed implantable cardiac electronic devices (ICEDs) without removing the implanted device, in an attempt to reduce the risks and complication rates associated with this condition.MethodsThe records of 10 patients who experienced direct ICED exposure between January 2012 and December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The following surgical procedure was performed in all patients: removal of skin erosion and capsule, creation of a new pocket at least 1.0–1.5 cm inferior to its original position, migration of the ICED to the new pocket, and insertion of closed-suction drainage. Patients with gross local sepsis or septicemia were excluded from this study.ResultsSeven patients had cardiac pacemakers and the other 3 had implantable cardiac defibrillators. The time from primary ICED placement to exposure ranged from 0.3 to 151 months (mean, 29 months. Postoperative follow-up in this series ranged from 8 to 31 months (mean follow-up, 22 months). Among the 10 patients, none presented with any signs of overt infection or cutaneous lesions, except 1 patient with hematoma on postoperative day 5. The hematoma was successfully treated by surgical removal and repositioning of the closed-suction drainage.ConclusionsBased on our experience, salvage of exposed ICEDs is possible without removing the device in selected patients.