• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.146-152
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• 2002

As the defects of the penis caused by trauma, surgical amputation, or congenital abnormality give the patients both psychological trauma and functional impairment, reconstruction of the penis is mandatory. Radial forearm free flap is reliable one-stage procedure, which can reconstruct both the phallus and the urethra. Chang and Whang's adaptation of the "tube-in-a-tube" concept and its incorporation into a free flap design represented a major advance in microsurgical phallic construction. Biemer described a modification of the radial forearm flap design in which the neourethra was centered over the radial artery, but the phallic shaft was separated into two paraurethral swatches. The authors have performed one-stage penile reconstruction in two patients since 1998, using a radial forearm free flap. Our present design incorporates the original Biemer triple skin island and includes a fourth distal island for neoglans. One case was the amputation of the penis from felonious assault and the other case was the iatrogenic penile amputation from repetitive urologic surgery for congenital hypospadia. All patients showed aesthetically acceptable results and good tactile sensory recovery. Severe complications such as necrosis, fistula, or urethral stricture were not occurred. Biemer's method modified by the authors is reliable one-stage penile reconstruction providing good aesthetic and functional results.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.173-178
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• 2002

Wound healing is the result of interaction of normal cellular and biochemical responses that restore the interrupted anatomical structure in limited period. When any response of them is impaired, it results in chronic wound. The factors that influence the wound healing process is not only limited to the fundamental disease of the individual but also the local factors, especially various growth factors secreted from the various cells involved in tissue regeneration have important role. Recent reports that the chronic wounds are depleted of these growth factors have led active studies on the alteration of local wound environment with manipulation of the growth factors and the its application in management of chronic wounds. We investigated the effect on the chronic wounds in 10 patients with various pathologic conditions to suggest the appropriate application and guideline of the indication. The chronic wounds resulting from various causes in 10 patients were treated with rhPDGF gel and good wound care. All the chronic wounds were located on the lower extremity and the average diameter was 2.5 cm. 7 patients were completely cured within 8 weeks, however the patient who received previous radiation therapy the healing was delayed to 14 weeks. Two patients with vascular ulcer were not cured with rhPDGF alone. Local application of rhPDGF has yielded complete cure of the chronic wound in 70% of the patients within 2 months. The author suggests that it would be an effective alternative treatment modality of chronic wound when it is applied with good wound care and appropriate indication.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.141-145
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• 2002

Rectus abdominis muscle free flap is widely used for breast reconstruction and soft tissue defect in lower leg but donor-site morbidities such as abdominal wall weakness, hernia, bulging are troublesome. Recently, to minimize donor-site morbidity, there has been a surge in interest in deep inferior epigastric perforator(DIEP) free flap preserving the anatomy of rectus abdominis muscle, fascia, and motor nerve. Between August of 1995 and September of 2002, topographic investigation of DIEP was performed during the elevation of 97 cases of TRAM free flap and 5 cases of DIEP free flap. There were 84 cases of breast reconstructions, 12 cases of lower leg reconstructions, and 6 cases of head and neck reconstruction. We could observe total 10 to 12 perforators on each rectus abdominis muscle below umbilicus. Among these, the numbers of large perforators(>1.5mm of diameter) were mean 2.1 in lateral half of rectus abdominis muscle, mean 1.2 in medial half, and mean 0.5 in linea alba and paramedian. DIEP free flap provides ample amount of well vascularized soft tissue without inclusion of any rectus abdominis muscle and fascia and minimizes donor-site morbidity. One perforator with significant flow can perfuse the whole flap. For large flap, a perforator of the medial row provides better perfusion to zone-4 than one of lateral row and, if diameter of perforator is small, $2{\sim}3$ perforators can be used. According to the condition of recipient-site, thin flap can be harvested. As DIEP free flap has many advantage, perforator topography will be useful in increasing clinical usage of DIEP free flap.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.125-134
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• 2002

This study was designed to investigate the process of re- or neo-vascularization in the prefabricated cutaneous flap using a skeletonized arteriovenous pedicle implantation. Fourty-eight flaps were divided into six groups of eight flaps, including control group of the conventional epigastric flap. In experimental groups, skin flap was fabricated by subcutaneous implantation of a distally ligated saphenous arteriovenous pedicle in left abdomen. At 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks after, prefabricated flap was elevated as an island flap based on implanted pedicle and sutured back in place. Three days after flap repositioning, the area of flap viability was quantified, the pattern of flap vascularization was evaluated with microangiography, and the quantification of vessels was assessed histologically. There were statistically significant differences in flap viability between group 2, 3, 4, and the control (p<0.05), with increased survival area in order. But Group 5 and 6 showed higher flap viability as much as the control did. In the microangiographis study, numerous small meander vessels were newly developed in the vicinity of the implanted pedicle just only 2 weeks after pedicle implantation, but neovascularization around the tip of implanted pedicle, and its anastomosis with native vasculatures was more important for overall flap survival, which was usually developed at least 4 weeks after pedicle implantation. Histologically, vessels are evenly spread over all layers of the flap at 6 weeks after pedicle implantation. The quantification of vessels was correlated well with the improvement of flap viability (p<0.05). In conclusion, neo- and re-vascularization around the tip of implanted pedicle was an important factor for overall survival of the prefabricated flap. Therefore, skeletonized pure vascular pedicle transfer, even though it used alone without surrounding was sufficient to get higher flap viability. The optimal duration of pedicle implantation was8 weeks to obtain maximal survival.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.101-106
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• 2004

Purpose : This study evaluated the effect of VEGF in the arterial anastomosis by using light and electron microscopy. Marerials and method : Rats underwent femoral arterial end-to-end anastomosis after transection and topical VEGF treatment. The proximal and distal segments of the femoral arteries was drenched with 1 drop of VEGF $(100ng/100{\mu}l/bottle)$. and when half of the repair was finished, the other 1 drop was drenched and then the repair was continued to complete the anastomosis. Gross and histologic characteristics of arterial wall were assessed after 3 days, 1, 3 and 5 weeks. In the control group, normal saline solution instead of VEGF was dropped with the same method in the anastomosis. Results : The histologic findings of the arterial wall were the vascular remodeling with the infiltration of inflammatory cells at early stages and the tissue fibrosis at lately stages in the anastomotic sites of the control and the VEGF-treated groups. The scanning electron microscopic results were; (1) the anastomotic sites were covered by many irregular cells with long cytoplasmic processes at the early stages. (2) After 1 week, endothelial cells started to cover the anastomotic sites. (3) After 3 weeks, the anastomotic sites were partially covered by endothelial cells in the control group. (4) After 5 weeks, the anastomotic sites were completely covered by endothelial cells in the control and VEGF-treated groups. (5) In the VEGF-treated group, the anastomotic site was completely covered by endothelial cells which directed parallel to longitudinal axis of arteries after 3 weeks. Conclusion : Topical VEGF maintained luminal integrity by decreasing fibrosis and increasing re-endothelialization. These findings suggest that topical VEGF may be a promising new strategy to enhance healing and improve the outcome of vascular anastomosis.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.136-143
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• 2004

Purpose : We analyse retrospectively the clinical result of consecutive free flap and osteocutaneous flap transfer in the chronic osteomyelitis, nonunion combined with infection and soft tissue defect with infection. Materials and Methods : From December 1989 to Jun 2003, free flap and osteocutaneous flap transfer was performed in 225 patients with osteomyelitis or infected non-union. 44 cases of these patients had revealed antibitotics resistant organism in wound culture, and these 44 cases were investigated in the mechanism of the injury, recurrence of infection, radiographic union, follow-up clincal results, and postoperative complications. Results : Among the 44 cases, consecutive procedures of osteocutaneous flap transfers(26 cases) and free flaps(18 cases) were performed. Causative organisms were MRSA(20 cases), Pseudomonas aeruginosa(18 cases), acinetobacter(2 cases), and so forth. Initial bony union was obtained in the average 6.3 months. Recurrence of infection in free flap and osteocutaneous free flap were occurred in 3 and 4 cases respectively. Eventually, all the cases attained successful subsidence of the inflammation. Conclusion : Free flap and osteocutaneousflap transfer have provided the greatest improvement of surgical results in infected non-union, chronic osteomyelitis and soft tissue defect with infection. Further clincal studies maybe required to minimize failure rate.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.107-116
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• 2004

Flaps are necessary, when important structures such as bone, tendon, nerve and vessel are exposed. Arterialized venous free flap is suited to the coverage of finger and hand because the thickness of venous flap is thin. Authors performed 65 cases arterialized venous free flap for the soft tissue reconstruction of the hand and finger. The size of donor defect were from $1{\times}1cm\;to\;7{\times}12cm$. The mean flap area was $9.1cm^2$. The recipient sites were finger tip in 34 cases, finger shaft in 29 cases and hand in 2 cases. The donor sites were volar aspect of distal forearm in 40 cases, thenar area in 17 cases and foot dorsum in 6 cases. The types of arterialized venous free flap were A-A type in 4 cases and A-V type in 61 cases. The length of afferent vein was from 0.5 cm to 3 cm (mean 1.7 cm) and efferent vein was from 1 cm to 10 cm (mean 2.2 cm). 58 flaps(89.2%) survived eventually. 42 flaps(64.6%) survived totally without any complication. 8 flaps(12.3%) showed the partial necrosis but they were healed without any additional operations. 8 flaps (12.3%) showed the partial necrosis requiring the additional skin graft. We had a satisfactory result by using arterialized venous free flap for the soft tissue reconstruction of finger and hand. We believe that volar aspect of distal forearm, thenar area, foot dorsum are suited as a donor site and the short length of the flap pedicle, the strong arterail inflow affect the survival rate of arterialized venous free flaps.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.123-129
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• 2004

Lower extremity injuries are frequently accompanied with large soft-tissue defects. Such Injuries are difficult to manage for its poor vascularity, rigid tissue distensibility, easy infectability and a relatively long healing period. Also, osteomyelitis, and/or non-union of the fractured bones are relatively common in lower extremity injuries and its weight-bearing role should be considered. Therefore, it is important to select appropriate reconstruction method of the lower extremities, which is applicable to a variety of surgical techniques according to these considerations. The goal of flap coverage in the lower extremity should not only be satisfactory wound coverage, but also acceptable appearance and minimal donor site morbidity. In this article, we have tried to establish a reconstruction method in the lower extremity based on our experiences and clinical analysis of soft tissue reconstruction using free muscle flap transfer in 27 cases from Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2002. The results showed 96% flap survival, and flap failure noted in one of the cases due to vascular insufficiency. In conclusion, we believe that in cases of lower extremity soft-tissue defects especially with open comminuted fractures and infections, muscle free flaps should be considered as the first line of treatment.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.28-35
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to present the clinical analysis of the results of lateral arm free flap for small sized and infected diabetic foot ulcer around toes. From May 2006 to December 2007, Seven patients were included in our study. Average age was 52.8 years, six were males and one was female. All had infected diabetic foot ulcer and had exposures of bone or tendon structures. Ulcers were located around great toe in four patients, 4th toe in one and 5th toe in two. Three patients had osteomyelitis of metatarsal or phalanx. After appropriate control of infection by serial wound debridement and intravenous antibiotics, lateral arm flap was applied to cover remained soft tissue defects. Posterior radial collateral artery of lateral arm flap was reanastomosed to dorsalis pedis artery of recipient foot by end to side technique in all cases in order to preserve already compromised artery of diabetic foot. All flaps were designed over lateral epicondyle to get longer pedicle and averaged pedicle length was 8 cm. Two cases were used as a sensate flap to achieve protective sensation of foot. All flaps survived and provided satisfactory coverage of soft tissue defects on diabetc foot ulcers. All patients could achieve full weight-bearing ambulation. No patients has had recurrence of infection, ulceration and further toe amputations. There were three complications, a delayed wound healing of flap with surrounding tissue, a partial peripheral loss of flap and a numbness of forearm below donor site. All patients were satisfied with their clinical results, especially preserving their toes and could return to the previous activity levels. Lateral arm free flap could be recommend for infected diabetic foot ulcers around toes, to preserve toes, coverage of soft tissue defect and control of infection with low donor site morbidity.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.19-27
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• 2008

Purpose: Microvascular reconstructive surgery has become an integral part of the treatment of head and neck cancer patients. This review of 121 free flaps for head and neck cancer patients performed over the last 11 years was done to evaluate circulatory crisis, salvage, and secondary reconstruction and to investigate which factors may contribute to these rates. Method: Nine emergent explorations among 121 head and neck reconstruction with free flaps were reviewed to analyze detection of vascular crisis, the time interval from detection of circulatory crisis to exploration, operation procedures and results, and secondary reconstructions. Emergent exploration was done with our protocol. Result: Nine free flaps exhibited signs of vascular problems between 1 day and 6 days postoperatively. The emergent exploration rate of this series was 7.4% (9/121). The salvage rate was 55.6% (5/9), giving an overall flap viability of 96.7% (117/121). In our study, preoperative radiation therapy, positive smoking history, alcohol consumption history, combined disease such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension, recipient vessels and types of vascular anastomosis were not related to the causes of circulatory crisis. The mean time interval between the onset of clinical recognition of impaired flap perfusion and re-exploration of the salvaged 5 flaps was 3.2 hours, that of failed 4 flaps was 11.25 hours. Conclusion: Despite high overall success rate, relatively low salvage rate may be attributed to late detection of circulatory crisis and in long time interval between detection and exploration. We conclude that early detection of circulatory crisis and expeditious re-exploration are a matter of great importance for the success of salvage operation.