• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.57-62
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• 2007

Non-vascularized free composite graft is one of the simple and effective reconstructive options, but its clinical use has been limited due to questionable survival rate. Early vascularization is essential for graft survival and is mainly carried out via recipient bed or repaired sites. This study was designed to investigate the effect of the lateral marginal approximations on the survival of the free composite flap using a model of skin-subcutaneous composite graft in rats. Thirty 1.5 ${\times}$ 1.5 $cm^2$ sized square shape composite flaps were elevated freely and reposed in place immediately on the dorsum of five Sprague-Dawley rats, and divided into five groups of six flaps. In all groups, graft bed was isolated with silastic sheet. In the group I, all sides of flap were repaired with blockage of silastic sheet insertion. Three, two, and one sides of flap were treated with same method in the group II, III, and IV respectively. Other sides of flaps were repaired without blockage, so all sides of flap were repaired in the group V. At 14 days later, the survived rate of each flap was evaluated according to the numbers of the repair sites. Histological examination was done for the evaluation of new vessel development quantitatively. Overall survived rates were increased with the number of repaired sites, but the group V only showed increased survival rate up to more than fifty percentile of the flap size with a significant difference statistically. New vessels were also increased in proportion with the number of repaired sites, and the repair site more than two had significant effect on the increased number of new vessels. In conclusion, at least more than three-fourth of flap circumference should be repaired in order to increase flap survival effectively under the condition of bed isolation.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.63-67
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• 2007

This study was designed to introduce free toe tissue transfer using infiltration method of local anesthetic agent. Four toe pulp tissues were transferred to reconstruct finger tip defect in four patients who were not suitable for general anesthesia. Two flaps taken from the lateral side of the great toe was used for reconstruction of thumb defect and two flaps from the medial side of the second toe for resurfacing of the index and fifth finger. Flap sizes were various from $2.0{\times}2.0\;cm^2$ to $1.6{\times}4.0\;cm^2$. Anesthesia was induced by infiltration of 2% lidocaine hydrochloride (with 1:100,000 epinephrine) with dilution of normal saline in same volume unit, as like as in ordinary digital block. All vessels were anastomosed within 2 cm of distance from the proximal margin of the defect. Whole operative procedures were carried out by one team. All flaps were successfully taken without complication. The average operation time was 4 hours 10 minutes. The amount of anesthetic agent used in whole operative procedures was roughly 4 mL in the toe, 8 mL in the finger, and 12 mL totally. In conclusion, free toe tissue transfer using infiltration method of local anesthetic agent would be good strategy for finger tip reconstruction in the patient not suitable for general anesthesia.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2009

Whether a seven days course of anti-${\alpha}{\beta}$-T cell receptor-antibody (${\alpha}{\beta}$-TCRmAb) combined with FK506 therapy promotes survival of limb allografts in fully MHC-mismatched combination (Brown Norway $\rightarrow$ Lewis) was examined. Eight animals received 250 ${\mu}g$/kg/day of ${\alpha}{\beta}$-TCRmAb for 7 days and 2 mg/kg/day of FK506 postoperatively (Combination therapy group). Eight animals had FK506 only (Mono-therapy group) and five animals did not have treatment (Control group). Clinical signs of early rejection with edema or erythema in the skin occurred at an average of 8.6${\pm}$1.5 days postoperatively in Control group and 59.0${\pm}$8.3 days in Mono-therapy group, both of which proceeded to irreversible rejection with necrosis of the epidermis and finally mummification. In Combination therapy group, all animals showed evidence of early rejection at an average of 56.8${\pm}$12.6 days postoperatively, however, in 4 of 8 limbs, early rejection resolved without any treatment and limbs survived >1 year. At 9 months postoperatively, donor skin grafts were accepted and third-party skin grafts were rejected by all four survivors, demonstrating donor-specific tolerance. Little or no detectable chimerism was observed in any of the 4 surviving animals at one-year postoperatively. Combination therapy of ${\alpha}{\beta}$-TCRmAb and FK506 resulted in long-term survival in fully MHC-mismatched limb transplants.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to present the clinical result of anterolateral thigh free flap for pretibial soft tissue lesion after chronic tibia osteomyelitis. From December 2006 to September 2008, Five patients were included in our study. 4 of 5 were superficial or localized types of chronic tibia osteomyelitis, based on the classification of Cierny and Mader. Average age at the surgery was 45 years, three were males and two were females. All had a history of chronic tibia osteomyelitis and subsequent pretbial soft tissue lesions coming from previous operations or pus drainage. Pretibial soft tissue defects included small ulcers, fibrotic, bruisable soft tissue and small bony exposures, but not large-sized bony exposures nor active pus discharge. After complete debridement of large sized pretibial soft tissue lesions and decortication of anterior tibial cortical dead bone, anterolateral thigh free flap was applied to cover remained large pretibial soft tissue defect and to prevent the recurrence of infection. All flaps survived and provided satisfactory coverage of soft tissue defect on pretibial region for 16 months' mean follow up period. No patients has had recurrence of osteomyelitis. Anterolateral thigh free flap could be recommend for large sized pretibial soft tissue defect of supreficial or localized types of chronic tibia osteomyelitis after through debridement.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.27-30
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• 2009

Purpose: Recently, replantation of fingertip amputation, Zone I by Yamano classification, is still difficult because digital arteries branch into small arteries and also digital veins are hard to separate from the immobile soft tissue. However the replantation of fingertip in adults is a well-established procedure, but the replantation in infant or child is still uncommon. Therefore we present one case of replantation of the fingertip of the small finger in 12-months-old patient. Methods: We experienced a 12-months-old male amputation of small finger. It had been amputated completely at the level of Zone I by Yamano classification. Replantation was performed using the arteryonly technique with neither vein nor nerve repair. Because the artery has been damaged, it is still possible to make a direct suture by transposing the arterial arch in an inverted Y to I arterial configuration. Venous drainage was provided by an external bleeding method with partial nail excision and repaired margin for approximately 7 days. Results: We were performed replantation in infant with only-arterial anastomosis successfully, result in good recovery of aesthetic and functional outcome. Conclusion: In conclusion, although fingertip injury was difficult to replantation in infant and child, we must try it. Because of its functional and cosmetic advantage.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 2009

Purpose: Various techniques have been attempted for design of the flaps. However, there are some disadvantages. They have thin, pliable, and two dimensional methods. The aim of this study is to report usefulness of polyurethane foam dressing materials for three dimensional design of the digital island flap. Methods: From June of 2007 to september of 2008, 10 patients received digital island flap surgery for soft tissue defect of the finger. After minimal debridement of the wound, size and shape of the defect were measured using polyurethane foam. We used Medifoam-$5^{(R)}$ And then, designed this inset the wound. The flap was designed on the donor site with a arterial pedicle as the central axis according to size and shape. A full thickness skin graft from the groin is applied on the flap donor defect and secured with a tieover bolster dressing. Results: Reviewing sizes of the flaps, the length and width of flaps ranged from 1.5 to 3.3 cm and 1.0 to 2.5 cm. The PACS(Picture Archiving Communication System) program allows identification of the donor depth of finger. The distance for the soft tissue ranged from 4.3 mm to 6.7 mm. Mean depth of donor site was 5.3${\pm}$0.6 mm. Also, the thickness of Medifoam-$5^{(R)}$ ranged nearly 5 mm. On flap insetting, full-thickness skin graft was necessary. We did not experience any problems in the recipient site size either, regardless of the extended flaps. Conclusion: Polyurethane foam has many advantages over the more conventional templates. Refinements in flap design and surgical technique resulted in favorable functional and cosmetic results. Especially, for beginner, Polyurethane foam dressing material is a simple and safe tool and therefore is an excellent choice for design of the island flap.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.31-34
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• 2009

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.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

Purpose: The perforator flaps have established their role in the reconstruction of various soft tissue defects. For the last five years, we have extensively used anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap for the reconstruction of the complex tissue defects of the hand and upper extremity and report the clinical results and our experiences with the versatile applications of this flap. Materials and Methods: From March 2003 through May 2008, 119 free ALT perforator flaps were transferred for reconstruction of the complex tissue defects of the elbow, forearm, wrist and hand after crushing or degloving injuries as well as severe scar contractures. There were 95 females and 24 males. The mean age of the patients was 37 years and mean size of the flap was 170 $cm^2$. In 20 cases, the flap was vascularized by septocutaneous and in 99 cases by musculocutaneous perforators. Intra-muscular dissection length averaged 3.4 cm. The total length of pedicle averaged 8.4 cm and the average arterial diameter was 0.84 mm. End-to-end arterial anastomosis was performed in 103 cases and end-to-side in 16 cases. Results: Flap survival rate was 98.3%(117/119) and there were 6 cases of partial necrosis. Donor site was closed primarily in 41 cases and skin grafts were applied in 78 cases. Conclusion: The reliability and versatility of ALT flap makes it one of the foremost choices for the reconstruction of complex tissue defects of the upper extremity.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.25-28
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• 2016

Purpose: Reconstruction of small defects of the dorsal fingers and toes is a challenging task. Although adipofascial flap is widely used for these areas, additional refinements are warranted. In this paper, we define the appropriate defect size in the finger and toes that can be treated with the adipofascial flap, refine its surgical indications and present a few surgical tips. Materials and Methods: Twelve patients with dorsal defects of the fingers and toes were treated with a random-type adipofascial turn-over flap and skin graft. If the defect area exceeded the size that could be covered by a conventional design, the flap base was designed in oblique or curvilinear fashion to lengthen the flap. For accurate defect coverage, the width of the flap base was designed in an asymmetrical shape depending on the defect configuration, varying the width from 0.3 to 1.0 cm, as opposed to the standard 0.5 to 1.0 cm width. Moreover, the lateral limit of the flap was defined as the lateral axial line. The size of the defect ranged from $3.0{\times}1.7cm$ to $1.5{\times}1.3cm$. Results: All flaps survived completely. Gliding function of the hand was well preserved and there was no evidence of tendon adhesion. Conclusion: The small defect in the dorsal finger and toe can be defined as less than one phalanx-length, measuring about $3.0{\times}2.0cm$ in size. If the defect exceeds this dimension, it is recommended that a different option be considered. We believe the adipofascial flap is an excellent option for treating small defects.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.37-42
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• 2016

Purpose: Soft tissue coverage of the distal leg and ankle region represents a surgical challenge. Beside various local and free flaps, the perforator flap has recently been replaced as a reconstructive choice because of its functional and aesthetic superiority. Although posterior tibial artery perforator flap (PTAPF) has been reported less often than peroneal artery perforator flap, it also provides a reliable surgical option in small to moderate sized defects especially around the medial malleolar region. Materials and Methods: Seven consecutive patients with soft tissue defect in the ankle and foot region were enrolled. After Doppler tracing along the posterior tibial artery, the PTAPF was elevated from the adjacent tissue. The average size of the flap was $28.08{\pm}9.31cm^2$ (range, 14.25 to $37.84cm^2$). The elevated flap was acutely rotated or advanced. Results: Six flaps survived completely but one flap showed partial necrosis because of overprediction of the perforasome. No donor site complications were observed during the follow-up period and all seven patients were satisfied with the final results. Conclusion: For a small to medium-sized defect in the lower leg, we conducted the close-by islanded PTAPF using a single proper adjacent perforator. Considering the weak point of the conventional propeller flap, this technique yields much better aesthetic results as a simple and reliable technique especially for defects of the medial malleolar region.