Medic-All 〉 Plastic Surgery, KMUH

Plastic Surgery, KMUH

In 2004 the plastic surgery team at Kaohsiung Medical University and Memorial Hospital pioneered the Frontalis Orbicularis Oculi Muscle (FOOM) flap shortening procedure, using autologous muscle tissue from underneath the eyelids (the FOOM flap) to correct poor muscle function resulting in eyelid ptosis, thus replacing conventional eyebrow raising surgery. In addition to providing a better contour, the new procedure moots the potential of rejection of foreign bodies, insufficient correction, or complications related to eyelid shape, thus significantly reducing the rate of secondary corrective surgery or recurrence.

Furthermore, this surgery significantly improves the quality of life of patients suffering from ocular myasthenia gravis and blepharospasm. At the same time, the team has designed a system for evaluating upperlid ptosis, margin reflex distance and eyelid slit spacing. The data from this assessment, along with a history of muscle function is used to accurately quantify the severity of ptosis and thus drive diagnosis accuracy.
The team also has developed an improved orthopedic flap grafting method, using autologous tissue from the lateral rectus muscle in breast reconstruction following breast removal. Breast reconstruction can be conducted immediately following breast removal for cancer, thus avoiding the risks and costs associated with a separate administration of anesthesia. To date, the success rate for the procedure is 100%, and the use of autogolous tissue in reconstruction provides advantages over artificial implants in terms of tissue softness, long-term safety, and reduced complications. The team works with pathologists to determine whether the nipple and areola can be retained after reconstruction, thus producing a normal breast appearance to enhance patient comfort and confidence.