• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.86-92
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• 2001

Failure of replantation is inevitable in finger replantation surgery, around 10% of failure rate are reported in many authors. Management of the failed finger replantation is one of big dilemma to microsurgeons. We report 5 cases of thumb reconstruction after failure of replantation. The reconstructive surgery composed with early debridement of soft tissue that are under gangrenous processing, extract the phalangeal bone without any soft tissues. Osteosynthesis of the extracted phalangeal bone with host phalangeal bone. The exposed bony portion covered with vascularized flaps such as revered radial forearm pedicled flap, free radial forearm flap and neurovascular island finger flap. This procedure underwent within a week after vascular insufficiency developed. All of the flaps are survived, bone union achieved within 3 months. The function and external appearance of the reconstructed thumb were encouraging; Pinch Power was average 1.2 Pounds. Early removal of necrotizing soft tissue followed by covering none vascular phalangeal bone which extracted from the dead phalanx with vascularized flap is one of the useful alterative solutions in failed replantation surgery in hand.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2001

Free flap transplantation demands meticulous microsurgical technique to cover the exposed vital structures which is important to restore and maintain functions of the extremities. From July 1992 through December 2000, 99 patients were received reconstructive microsurgery in the upper and lower extremity at Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chonbuk National University Hospital. The most common cause in the upper extremity was industrial accident, 8 cases of total 15 cases and in the lower extremity was traffic accident, 66 cases of total 84 cases. The most commonly involved site was thumb and finger, 8 cases of total 15 cases and in the lower extremity was leg, 65 cases of total 84 cases. In upper extremity, the wrap around free flap was carried out in 4 cases(4.0%), first dorsal metatarsal artery flap and lateral arm flap were 3 cases(3.0%) each in 15 cases and in lower extremity, latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap were 23 cases(23.2%), gracilis 20cases(20.2%), and rectus abdominis muscle flap 18(18.2%) in 84 cases. Overall 89 cases(89.9%) of 99 cases were survived and maintained and revealed good cosmetic results.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.73-77
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• 2002

Medical application of leeches, by means of leech's blood suction, has advantages in not only directly removing blood congestion, but also preventing hindrance to venous drainage by inhibiting local thrombus formation and inducing continuous bleeding. Nevertheless, Aeromonas hydrophila infection secondary to such suction is most common and may develop into serious conditions from local inflammatory reaction to total necrosis of replanted parts and enterocolitis as well as sepsis. Once infected, it requires infection treatment, removal of necrotic tissues and reconstruction. Hence, duration and cost of treatment increase while functional recovery falls markedly. Accordingly, we present measures to reduce Aeromonas infections as follows: First, do not manipulate as much as possible while the leeches are sucking or moving. Second, the site which suction plates of the leeches are attached, should be selected away from the surgical wound site or open wound as much as possible. Third, contaminated or blood-wet gauze should be replaced often so that the skin of surgical areas would not swell. Furthermore, bleeding or oozing should be well-drained. Fourth, the areas other than the sites of leech attachment should be covered with sterilized gauzes in order to limit leech movement.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.124-130
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• 2001

Both of latissimus dorsi and rectus abdominis muscles are workhorse for various reconstructive surgeries. These muscle flaps have been used widely for soft tissue coverage, tissue augmentation, and functional muscle transfer. However, the traditional method for muscle harvest requires a long incision that often results in an unsightly scar and becomes the main concern of the patient. The purpose of this study is to introduce our clinical experience of endoscopic harvest of latissimus dorsi muscle and rectus abdominis muscle, and to make comparison with traditional harvest of these two muscle flaps. Of the 13 rectus abdominis muscles free flaps, 6 muscles were harvested traditionally and 7 muscles were harvested with endoscopic assistance. Of the 21 latissimus dorsi muscle free flaps, 12 muscles were harvested traditionally and 9 muscles were harvested with endoscopic assistence. Follow up period was between 6 months and 24 months. The patients age ranged from 7 to 70 years old. The result revealed no statistically significant differences in the amount of intraoperative bleeding, incidence of postoperative hematoma and seroma, and the incidence of donor-site wound infection. However, patients feel less pain and start earlier and better movement after the operation with endoscopically assisted harvest. This technique is easy to learn, is safe, and can reduce substantially the donor site morbidity comparing traditional harvesting technique.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.154-162
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• 2001

Diabetic foot ulcer is a serious complication which result from long-standing diabetes. Especially, severe infected diabetic foot ulcer results in unwanted lower extremity amputation. The diabetic patient is considered the relative contraindication for microsurgery because of the severe peripheral vascular disease. Recently, microvascular free tissue transfer technique applied to diabetic foot ulcer. It is well known that free tissue transfer provides immediate soft tissue coverage and control of infection. So it is possible that preservation of the lower extremity through free tissue transfer. A retrospective study of diabetic patients who had infected foot ulcer from 1999 to 2000 with foot defects reconstructed with free tissue transfer were reviewed. Thirteen patients were studied with mean follow-up of 12.7 months. There were two deaths during follow-up period. There were two failures after free flap surgery. All eleven survived patients were ambulatory. There was no recurrence of ulcer. No patient need amputation above the ankle joint. We have found that free tissue transfer for infected diabetic foot ulcer is very effective surgical technique. Careful patient selection and regular follow-up is important.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.99-104
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• 2001

Purpose : Loss of sensibility over the finger tip resents a grave deficit and is an indication for sensible soft tissue reconstruction. This paper was performed to assess the long term results obtained by nerovascular island flap. Material and Methods : We performed neurovascular island graft for defective sensibility of finger tip loss in 94 cases since 1979 to 2000. The recipient sites were the thumb pulp defect in 79 cases, the amputated thumb in 9 cases, the amputated index in 4 cases, and the velar aspect of interphalangeal joint of thumb in 2 cases. The donor flaps were obtained from the radial side of ring finger in 63 cases, the ulnar side of the ring finger in 21 cases, and the ulnar side of the middle finger in 10 cases. A mean follow-up period was 5.7 years. Results : The flap quality was well vascularized and survived in 89 cases. The two-point discrimination was average 8.7mm. Because of scar contracture, the range of motion of the donor finger was decreased 3.5% of the normal finger in the distal interphalangeal joint, 8,2% in the proximal interphalangeal joint. A phenomenon of double sensibility occurred in 66 cases. Conclusion : This technique was excellent both aesthetically and functionally as a reconstruction of the Loss of fingertip.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.64-70
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• 1999

Digit that were formerly assessed as non replantable may now be replanted with the help of salvage procedure. In case that, venous repair is either marginal or technically impossible and postoperative venous congestion developed following replantation, are treated with the application of medical leeches. From July 1997 to April 1998, the authors performed arterial anastomosis and venous drainage using medical leeches in 3 children(The age of the patients ranged from 13 months to 6 years.) to have a result of aesthetic and functional success with minimizing the complications. Leech therapy has many advantages, to avoid injuring of finger tip, to decrease focal capillary coagulation, to prevent severe bleeding, and to prevent thromboembolism. The authors conclude that the use of medical leeches shows promise as a safe and effective method of providing temporary venous drainage in replanted digits.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.84-91
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• 1999

The female breast is a potent symbol of maternity, sexuality, and feminity. Unfortunately, the frequency of breast cancer and mastectomy are increasing in Korea, so the reconstruction of breast becomes a important surgical procedure. The purpose of this study is to analyze the results of breast reconstruction using free TRAM flap and to suggest the operative techniques for more successful results. This study is based on a series of 39 cases of breast reconstruction using free TRAM flap in mastectomized patients. Among these cases, 21 patients underwent immediate reconstruction and 18 patients underwent delayed reconstruction. 2 patients underwent immediate bilateral reconstruction. The postoperative courses of these cases are uneventful. Breast reconstruction following mastectomy is one of the most challenging problems in plastic surgery. Nowadays the free TRAM flap is accepted as an excellent method of autogenous tissue breast reconstruction. We conclude that this technique has advantages as follows. The free TRAM flap has not associated with the complications of implant-based reconstruction. It provides sufficient volume for ptotic and natural breast, easily concealed donor site, and secondary aesthetic benefit of abdominoplasty. Unlike conventional pedicled TRAM flap, it has superiority in blood supply, and can make liberal setting of flap and sparing of rectus muscle. So it can provide more satisfaction about the final result of breast reconstruction.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.28-34
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• 1999

The need for reconstruction of large bone, soft tissue defect of mandible has greater emphasis due to development of industry, traumatic accident and increase of tumor. The mandibular reconstruction had greatly progressed through the first and the second World Wars. The Fibular free flap by using microscope was reported in 1970 and many maxillofacial reconstructive surgeons had used. In 1988, Dr. Hidalgo first reported mandibular reconstruction by using fibular free flap. Mandibular reconstruction by using fibular free flap has several advantages. First, it provides up to 25 cm of bone, enough to reconstruct any length of mandible defect. Second, a skin island, based on a septocutaneous blood supply, is available in a size large enough to simultaneously reconstruct internal and external soft tissue defect. Third, The fibular donor site morbidity is low, fourth, it provides a esthetic effect of mandible line. And finally bone viability is good. The Fibular osteocutaneous free flap was performed after COMMANDO operation due to squamous cell cancer in oral cavity (15 cases). Therefore we report out successful operation of the mandible reconstruction by using fibular osteocutaneous free flap.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 1999

Surgical treatment was performed on the 39 cases out of 76 cases of entrapments of the thoracic outlet. The remaining 36 cases of entrapments were treated by conservatively. The operated cases were categorized as follows. They were 34 cases of scalenus anticus syndrome, 1 of cervical rib syndrome, 2 of costoclavicular syndrome, and 2 of hyperabduction syndrome. 1. Scalenus anticus syndrome : Anterior scalenotomy was performed by simple sectioning of the attachment to the first rib. 2. Cervical rib syndrome : Complete decompressive resection of cervical rib sometimes required both anterior and posterior approaches to avoid over-retraction of the brachial plexus. 3. Costoclavicular syndrome : Partial decompressive claviculectomy was undergone instead of conventional total claviculectomy. 4. Hyperabduction syndrome : The resection of coracoid process was performed as well as conventional tenotomy of pectoralis minor muscle to insure free up-and-down moving of neurovascular bundle at the time of hyperabduction. Every diagnostic maneuver was tested at the time of operation to observe whether or not neurovascular decompression including restoration of radial pulse was sufficient. Despite of the postoperative vascular restoration was inmediate, neurogenic symptoms were improved slowly. Because this entity is essentially chronic nerve injnry, its recovery needed a couple of months or several. Although improvement was slow, ultimate results were definite. Complication was not observed.