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BackgroundThe erbium:yttrium scandium gallium garnet (Er:YSGG) laser differs from other laser techniques by having a faster and higher cure rate. Since the Er:YSGG laser causes an appropriate proportion of ablation and coagulation, it has advantages over the conventional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and the erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser, including heating tendencies and explosive vaporization. This research was conducted to explore the effects and safety of the Er:YSGG laser.MethodsTwenty patients participated in the pilot study of a resurfacing system using a 2,790-nm Er:YSGG laser. All patients received facial treatment by the 2,790-nm Er:YSGG laser system (Cutera) twice with a 4-week interval. Wrinkle reduction, reduction in pigment inhomogeneity, and improvement in tone and texture were measured.ResultsStudy subjects included 15 women and five men. Re-epithelization occurred in all subjects 3 to 4 days after treatment, and wrinkle reduction, reduction in pigment inhomogeneity, and improvement in tone and texture within 6 months of treatment.ConclusionsThe 2,790-nm YSGG laser technique had fewer complications and was effective in the improvement of scars, pores, wrinkles, and skin tone and color with one or two treatments. We expect this method to be effective for people with acne scars, pore scars, deep wrinkles, and uneven skin texture and color.

In recent years, natural polymers such as cellulose, alginate and chitosan have been used worldwide as biomedical materials and devices, as they offer more advantages over synthetic polymers. The aim of this study was to clarify the usefulness of microbial cellulose (MC) for use as a dressing and scaffold material. For evaluating the biodegradability and toxicity of MC, we divided the rats (n = 12) into two groups (the implanted group and the non-implanted group). In the implanted group, we implanted the film type of MC in the backs of six rats. In the non-implanted group, however, we did not implant the film type of MC in the backs of the six rats. Four weeks later, we compared two groups by the gross, histological and biochemical characteristics by using blood and tissue samples. To evaluate the wound healing effects of MC, three full-thickness skin defects were made on the backs of each rat (n = 20). Three wounds on the backs of the same rats were treated with other dressing materials, namely, Vaseline gauze (group Con), Algisite M(®) (group Alg) and MC (group MC). We analysed the gross, histological and biochemical characteristics by western blotting. MC was found to be biodegradable and non-toxic. On day 3, the MC film was visible under the subcutaneous tissue; however, after 4 weeks, no remnants of the film were visible under the subcutaneous tissue. Furthermore, there was no evidence of MC-induced toxicity. Moreover, group MC showed more rapid wound healing compared with group Con. On day 14 after skin excision, group MC showed greater decrease in wound size compared with group Con (33% versus 7·2%). The wound healing effects were also substantiated by the histological findings (greater reduction in inflammation and rapid collagen deposition as well as neovascularisation) and western blotting (decreased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor-β1 in group MC on day 14 after skin excision, unlike group Con). This study showed that, in addition to having wound healing effects, MC is biodegradable and non-toxic and can, therefore, be used as a dressing and scaffold material.

BackgroundIn breast augmentation with implant, there is severe pain due to damage from expansion of breast tissue and the pectoralis major. Therefore, the authors conducted this study to analyze the effectiveness of postoperative intercostal nerve block (ICNB) in reducing postoperative pain after breast augmentation with implant.MethodForty-four female patients were enrolled in the study. Just before awaking from general anesthesia, 34 cases were injected with 0.2% ropivacaine to both third, fourth, fifth, and sixth intercostal spaces. We compared them (ICNB group) with the control group for VAS scores at the time of arrival in the recovery room, after 30, 60, and 120 min.ResultThe average VAS scores per time of the control group and ICNB group were 7.1 ± 0.74 and 3.50 ± 1.81 at arrival time in the recovery room, 7.00 ± 0.67 and 3.03 ± 1.47 after 30 min, 5.50 ± 0.71 and 2.68 ± 1.49 after 60 min, and 4.60 ± 0.84 and 2.00 ± 1.35 after 120 min. VAS scores of two groups were significantly different at each time and decreased overall. Also, time and group effect of the two groups were significantly different, especially between 30 and 60 min.ConclusionICNB just before awaking from general anesthesia showed a statistically significant reduction in VAS score, and this means postoperative pain was reduced effectively and time to discharge could be shortened. Therefore, it can be a good way to reduce postoperative pain after augmentation mammoplasty with implant.Level of Evidence IVThis journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00266-017-0802-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background Cryolipolysis, a preferred method for minimally invasive body contouring, involves the noninvasive cooling of adipocytes to induce lipolysis without damaging other tissues. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cryolipolysis for the treatment of excessive fat tissue. Methods Between May 2014 and December 2017, 231 patients with 448 areas of interest were enrolled and their records were retrospectively reviewed. We used five different vacuum applicators, and the best-fitting applicator was used for each area. One cycle of cryolipolysis was applied at a cooling intensity factor of 41.6. The efficacy was evaluated 12 weeks after treatment via review of clinical photographs, the pinch test, and ultrasonographic measurements of fat thickness. The occurrence of any complications was also assessed. ResultsThe volume was reduced in all of the areas to which cryolipolysis was applied. The rate of reduction of the fat layer as measured via the pinch test was 19.2%, and the rate of the decrease in fat layer thickness as measured via ultrasonography was 22.8%. Fat reduction of the upper arm differed significantly from that of the abdomen and flank, but no significant difference was found between sexes. The side effects were limited to erythema, edema, bruising, and numbness at the treatment site and resolved without treatment. Conclusions Cryolipolysis, with new and better-fitting applicators, is safe, fast, and effective for the reduction of excessive fat tissue on the abdomen, back, flank, and extremities. It is a good option for treating excess adipose tissue in Asian patients.