Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery

The Korean Society for Microsurgery (대한미세수술학회)
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Reconstruction with Anterolateral Thigh Perforator Free Flap in Patients with Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Report of Two Cases

멕켈 세포 암종 환자의 치험례: 전방 외측 대퇴부 천공지 유리 피판술을 이용한 재건

  • Kim, Kyu-Nam (Department of Plastic Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Tae-Gon (Department of Plastic Surgery, Yeung Nam University College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Hoon (Department of Plastic Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine) ;
  • Kang, Byoung-Su (Department of Plastic Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine) ;
  • Hong, Joon-Pio (Department of Plastic Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine)
  • 김규남 (울산대학교 의과대학 서울아산병원 성형외과) ;
  • 김태곤 (영남대학교 의과대학 영남대학교의료원 성형외과) ;
  • 김훈 (울산대학교 의과대학 서울아산병원 성형외과) ;
  • 강병수 (울산대학교 의과대학 서울아산병원 성형외과) ;
  • 홍준표 (울산대학교 의과대학 서울아산병원 성형외과)
  • Published : 2009.05.31
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Abstract

Purpose: Merkel cell carcinoma, also called neuroendocrine carcinoma, is a very rare type of skin cancer that develops as Merkel cells grow out of control. Merkel cell carcinoma is reported below 1% of whole skin neoplasms in the United States and is known that the 2-year survival rate is about 50~70%. The principles of treatment are wide excision of primary lesion with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy that decrease the local recurrent rate. There has been no report of reconstruction with free flap after resection of Merkel cell carcinoma in Korea. Methods: We reconstructed the skin and soft tissue defect after wide excision of Merkel cell carcinoma with anterolateral thigh perforator free flap in two cases. No distant metastasis was found at the preoperative imaging work-up. In one case, preoperative chemotherapy was performed and the size of lesion was decreased. Results: There were no recurrence and significant complications. Functionally and aesthetically satisfactory results were obtained with reconstruction. Conclusion: Wide excision and reconstruction with anterolateral thigh perforator free flap for Merkel cell carcinoma patient is the first report in Korea. We regard this method as the treatment of choice in Merkel cell carcinoma.

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