• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.579-585
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• 2006

Introduction: The fibular free flap is now considered as the first choice for long mandibular discontinuity defect. In spite of its good bone quality for implant installation, its diameter is too narrow to rehabilitate the masticatory function with implant installation. In this report, distraction osteogenesis was used for the augmentation of bone to install the dental implant in the mandible which was reconstructed with a vascularized fibular free flap. Patients and Methods: Three patients undertook the vertical augmentation of grafted fibular bone and dental implants were installed. On the day 8 post-surgery, the activation of the distractor was started at the rate of 1 mm twice a day. The total amount of distraction was 15 mm in two patients and 12.5 mm in one patient. Twelve implants were installed in three patients. Dental implants were simultaneously installed during removal of the distraction device in two patients. In one patient, the implant installation was delayed after device had been removed. All three patients showed the symptoms of mild to severe postoperative infection during the activation and consolidation. However, the distracted site showed undisturbed bone regeneration. Conclusion: The distraction osteogenesis showed the reliable results for the vertical augmentation of fibular bone which was used for the mandibular reconstruction. However, the great tendency of postoperative infection must be considered and clinically controlled.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.894-898
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• 2011

Purpose: Coverage of full-thickness large flank defect is a challenging procedure for plastic surgeons. Some authors have reported external oblique turnover muscle flap with skin grafting, inferiorly based rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap, and two independent pedicled perforator flaps for flank reconstruction. But these flaps can cover only certain portions of the flank and may not be helpful for larger or more lateral defects. We report a case of large flank defect after resection of extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma which is successfully reconstructed with reverse latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. Methods: A 24-year-old male patient had $13.0{\times}7.0{\times}14.0$ cm sized Ewing's sarcoma on his right flank area. Department of chest surgery and general surgery operation team resected the mass with 5.0 cm safety margin. Tenth, eleventh and twelfth ribs, latissimus dorsi muscle, internal and external oblique muscles and peritoneum were partially resected. The peritoneal defect was repaired with double layer of Prolene mesh by general surgeons. $24{\times}25$ cm sized soft tissue defect was noted and the authors designed reverse latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap with $21{\times}10$ cm sized skin island on right back area. To achieve sufficient arc of rotation, the cephalic border of the origin of latissimus dorsi muscle was divided, and during this procedure, ninth intercostal vessels were also divided. The thoracodorsal vessels were ligated for 15 minutes before divided to validate sufficient vascular supply of the flap by intercostal arteries. Results: Mild congestion was found on distal portion of the skin island on the next day of operation but improved in two days with conservative management. Stitches were removed in postoperative 3 weeks. The flap was totally viable. Conclusion: The authors reconstructed large soft tissue defect on right flank area successfully with reverse latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap even though ninth intercostal vessel that partially nourishes the flap was divided. The reverse latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap can be used for coverage of large soft tissue defects on flank area as well as lower back area.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.747-754
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• 2011

Purpose: The Abbe flap procedure has been used to correct disharmony of the upper and lower lips as well as for making a philtrum for patients with secondary cleft lip deformities. But the Abbe flap procedure adds two scars in addition to the prior operative scar on the upper lip. This study was conducted to determine the treatment outcomes of esthetic subunit excision of the scar on the philtrum and Abbe flap coverage for correction of cleft lip deformities with photogrammetric analysis. Methods: This study investigated a total of 11 patients with cleft lip deformities who underwent scar excision with Abbe flap coverage, and the patients were followed up for at least 6 months. Under general anesthesia, a mushroom-shaped Abbe flap was drawn on the lower lip with a width of 8 mm and a height 1~2 mm longer than that of the philtral midline. The epidermis and dermis of the scar on the upper lip were excised. In the cases with alar base depression, the orbicularis oris muscle was split vertically and transposed to the alar base. The Abbe flap was harvested as a pedicled flap containing a small amount of muscle and this was rotated 180-degree to be inserted into the upper lip. Mucosa, muscle, subcutaneous tissue and skin were closed in layers. The flap was divided at the 7~14 postoperative day. The postoperative outcomes were evaluated by using photogrammetric analysis. Three indices were measured from the standard clinical photographs taken before and after the surgery. For anthroposcopic assessment, observers described the postoperative outcomes using an ordinary scale method. Results: The postoperative values obtained in the photogrammetric analysis showed improvement as compared with the preoperative ones. Improved anthroposcopic outcomes were also noted. Conclusion: Scar excision and Abbe flap coverage were proven to be effective in improving protrusion and the height of the upper lip, the scar of the upper lip and the symmetry of Cupid's bow and the philtral column, as well as formation of the philtral dimple.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.521-526
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• 2008

Purpose: Most burn scar contractures are curable with skin grafts, but free flaps may be needed in some cases. Due to the adjacent tissue scarring, local flap is rarely used, and thus we may consider free flap which gives us more options than local flap. However, inappropriate performance of free flap may lead to unsatisfactory results despite technical complexity and enormous amount of effort. The author will discuss the points we should consider when using free flaps in treating burn scar contractures Methods: We surveyed patients who underwent free flaps to correct burn scar contractures from 2000 to 2007. We divided patients into two groups. The first group was those in which free flaps were inevitable due to exposure of deep structures such as bones and tendons. The second group was those in which free flap was used to minimize scar contracture and to achieve aesthetic result. Results: We performed 44 free flap on 42 patients. All of the flaps were taken well except one case of partial necrosis and wound dehiscence. Forearm free flap was the most common with 21 cases. Most of the cases(28 cases) in which free flaps were inevitable were on the wrist and lower limbs. These were cases of soft tissue defect due to wide and extensive burns. Free flaps were done in 16 cases to minimize scar contracture and to obtain aesthetic outcome, recipient sites were mostly face and upper extremities. Conclusion: When using free flaps for correction of burn scar contractures, proper release and full resurfacing of the contracture should be carried out in advance. If inadequate free flap is performed, secondary correction is more challenging than in skin grafts. In order to optimize the result of reconstruction, flap thickness, size and scar of the recipient site should be considered, then we can achieve natural shape, and minimize additional correction.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.177-181
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• 2000

배경 및 목적: Theodor Kocker에 의해 일반화된 전통적인 갑상선 수술방법은 갑상선 질환의 종류 및 정도, 수술범위와 상관없이 광범위한 수술범위로 인한 조직 손상으로 인해 수술후 환자들의 여러가지 불편감은 물론 경부의 넓은 부위의 통증과 경부 피부부종, 장액종, 혈종 등과 같은 후유증을 동반할 수 있다. 최근 본 저자들은 이같은 전통적 갑상선 수술의 부작용을 최소화하기 위해 작은 피부절개($3{\sim}4.5cm$) 후 피하 피판(subplatysmal skin flap) 없이 직접 갑상선으로 접근하는 새로운 수술기법으로서 최소침습 갑상선 수술기법을 개발하였기에 그 술식을 소개하고 전통적인 갑상선 절제술에 대한 우월성을 확인하고자 본 연구를 시행하였다. 대상 및 방법: 1999년 1월 15일 부터 2000년 1월 14일까지 573예의 갑상선 수술 예 중 최소침습 갑상선절제술이 시행되었던 466예와 1998년 1월 15일부터 1999년 1월 14일까지 전통적 갑상선 수술을 시행한 549예 중 거대 종양(양성>6cm, 악성>5cm), 흉골하 선종, 국소진행암, 재발암, 측경부의 다발성 림프절 전이가 있었던 112예를 제외한 437예의 임상병리적 특성과 피부절개 길이, 수술 시간, 수술중 출혈양, 수술후 진통제 요구빈도 및 재윈기간, 수술 후 합병증 발생빈도를 비교 분석하였다. 결 과: 두 군간의 임상병리적 특성상의 유의한 차이는 없었다. 피부절개 길이($3.7{\pm}0.7cm,\;vs\;9.6{\pm}3.3cm$), 수술 시간($57.6{\pm}11.7$분 vs $85.2{\pm}32.3$분) 수술 중 출혈양($18.4{\pm}15.3ml\;vs\;43.1{\pm}21.8ml$), 수술후 재원기간($1.6{\pm}0.5$일 vs $4.3{\pm}1.6$일), 및 수술후 진통제 요구빈도가 전통적 수술군에 비해 최소침습 수술군에서 통계적으로 유의하게 감소되었으나(p<0.05), 수술후 장액종 및 혈종 형성, 일시적인 음색변화, 일시적인 저칼슘혈증과 같은 합병증의 발생빈도는 각각 4.3%(n=20)와 4.8%(n=21)로 두 군간에 유의한 차이가 없었다. 결 론: 최소침습 갑상선 수술법은 새로운 수술기구의 도입 없이도 갑상선 수술의 충분한 시야를 확보할 수 있고 안전하고 간단하게 시행할 수 있으며, 기존 수술법으로 인한 부작용을 최소화할 수 있어 전통적 인 수술법을 대치할 수 있는 새로운 방법으로 사료된다.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.191-197
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• 1999

Background and Objective : Soft palate plays a great role in function of speech and swallowing. Ablation of tonsil cancer results in multi-demensional defect including soft palate in most cases and restoration of the postoperative oral cavity function is a continuing surgical challenge. Although a variety of techniques are available, radial forearm free flap has been known as an effective method for these defect, which offers a thin, pliable, and relatively hairless skin, and a long vascular pedicle. The aim of the present study is to report the speech and swallowing function test results of our 5 consecutive radial forearm free flaps used for tonsil cancers. Materials and Methods : We reviewed the medical records of 5 patients who were offered intraoral reconstruction with a radial forearm free flap after ablative surgery for tonsil cancers, from Dec. 1997 to Oct. 1998, and analyzed the surgical methods, complications, and speech and swallowing function test results. We have examined with modified barium swallow to evaluate postoperative wallowing function and articulation and resonance test for speech. Results : The tumor sizes by TNM stage(AJCC, 1997) were T1(1), T2(2), and T4(3). The paddles of flaps were tailored in multilobed designs from oval shape to pentalobed design and in variable size from 24$cm^2$ to 108$cm^2$(average size = 78.4$cm^2$), according to the defect after ablation. This procedures resulted in satisfactory flap success and functional results all but 1 case of flap contracture in 2 postoperative week, achieved early oral diet until 16-57 postoperative day(average, 28 days) and social speech. The oropharyngeal defect including soft palate reconstruction with radial forearm free flap might be an excellent method for the maximal functional results, after ablative surgery of tonsil cancer that results in multidimensional defect.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.324-331
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• 2010

The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) has become a workhorse flap as a means of reconstructing surgical defects in the head and neck region. We have transferred 12 RFFFs with fasciocutaneous type on oral cavity defects in 12 patients after cancer resection and submucous fibrotic lesion ablation from 2005 to 2007 at Department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, Pusan National University Hospital. We reviewed retrospectively patients' charts and followed up the patients. Clinical analysis on the cases with RFFFs focusing on flap morbidity, indications and available vessels was done. The results of study are follows: 1. RFFF could be applied for all kind of defects after resection of tongue, floor of mouth, buccal mucosa, denuded bone of palate, maxilla, and mandible. 2. All free flaps could be used for primary reconstruction. The survival rate of 12 RFFFs was 92%. Partial marginal loss of the flaps was shown as 3 cases among 12 cases. Large size-vessels like superior thyroid artery, facial artery, internal jugular vein were favorable for microvascular anastomosis. 3. Parenteral nutrition instead of nasal L-tube also can be favorable for postoperative a week for better healing of the flap if the patients couldn't be tolerable with nasal tubing. 4. Donor sites with thigh skin graft were repaired with wrist band for 2 weeks. The complications included scarring, abnormal sensation on hand, and reduced grip strength in few patients, but those didn't induce major side effects. 5. Most RFFFs were well healed even if mortality rate of cancer patients was shown as 50% (5/10 persons). The mortality of patients was not correlated with morbidity of the flaps. We could identify the usefulness of RFFF for restoration of oral function, esthetics if the flap design, tissue transfer indications, and well controlled operation are proceeded.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.478-482
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• 2011

Purpose: Free flap reconstruction is performed on defects including benign and malignant tumors as well as trauma in the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, but there are few reports of free flap reconstruction cases for oral cancer in patients in Korea. Methods: This study was designed to retrospectively analyze surgical outcomes and complications of 164 free-flap reconstructions performed at the Oral Oncology Clinic, National Cancer Center, during 2002~2011. A total of 164 free flaps were performed for reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects which were caused by oral cancer and osteoradionecrosis in 155 patients. Results: The present study had 162 successful cases and 2 failed cases for a total of 164 cases. The study had a success rate of 98.8% for free-flap reconstructions. Flap donor sites included radial forearm free flap (n=93), fibula osteocutaneous free flap (n=25), anterolateral thigh flap (n=18), latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap (n=16) and other locations (n=12). Postoperative medical complications were generally pneumonia and delirium. Postoperative local complications occurred including partial flap necrosis, delayed wound healing of the donor site, infection of the recipient site and salivary fistula. The incidence of postoperative complications and patient-related characteristics including age, sex, smoking, history of radiotherapy, hypertension (HTN) and diabetes Mellitus (DM) were retrospectively analyzed. Patient age ($P$=0.003) and DM ($P$=0.000) and HTN ($P$=0.021) were significant risk factors for complications overall. Conclusion: The present study had no mortality and confirms that free-flap reconstructions are extremely reliable in achieving successful results.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.78-82
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• 2001

Background : The coronal incision is versatile surgical approach to upper and middle region of the facial skeletal including the zygomatic arch. The advantages of coronal approach are minimal injury of facial tissue including facial nerve and satisfactory cosmetic result by hidden scar at hair. But wide exposure of scalp, its disadvantages are operation time and massive blood loss. Methods : Thirty patients undergoing elective surgery were divided 3 groups. Group I used only coronal approach, group II used coronal with subciliary approach and group III used coronal with subciliary and intraoral approach. And then retrospected of the preoperative, postoperative red blood cell count, hemoglobin(Hb), hematocrit, transfused red blood cell units and platelet cell units, and the amount of infused crystalloids and colloids, and postoperative hemovac count was estimated. Results: 1. Red blood cell count were decreased in all groups at immediated postoperation and decreased in all group of postoperative first day and decreased in group I, II but increased group III of postoperative third day. 2. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were decreased in all group at immediated postoperation and decreased in all group of postoperative first day and decreased in group I, II., but increased group III postoperative third day. 3. Platelet was decreased in all group at immediated postoperation, and decreased in group II, III but increased in group I of postoperative first day and decreased in group I but increased group II, III of postoperative third day. 4. Mean postoperative hemovac mean drainage group I of first day is $48.63{\pm}21.12ml$ and second day is $23.92{\pm}19.53ml$ and third day is $7.82{\pm}5.32ml$ and group II of first day $60.45{\pm}22.65ml$ and second day is $22.14{\pm}13.21ml$ and third day is $7.32{\pm}6.25ml$. III group of first day $58.16{\pm}10.13ml$ and second day is $21.27{\pm}11.72ml$ and third day is $7.13{\pm}4.90ml$. 5. Infusion of group I is mean PRC $1.08{\pm}0.91$ pint, FFP $1.03{\pm}0.75$ pint, crystalloid $2562.23{\pm}1345.53ml$ and group II is mean PRC $1.05{\pm}0.89$ pint, FFP $1.71{\pm}0.78$, crystalloid $2650.47{\pm}1096.36ml$ and group III is mean PRC $1.79{\pm}1.45$ pint, crystalloid $3295.43{\pm}1472.432ml$.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to present extended indications for the use of arterialized venous flaps in reconstructing soft tissue, tendon, nerve, blood vessel, and composite tissue defects of the hand of various sizes based on researches and clinical experiences of the authors. Moreover, procedures to achieve complete flap survival and postoperative results are presented. Materials & methods: This study is based on 154 cases of arterialized venous flaps performed to reconstruct the hand during the past 11 years. The most common cause of injury was industrial accidents with 125 cases. One hundred thirty patients or 84% of the cases had emergency operation within 2 weeks of the injury. The flaps were categorized depending on the size of the flap. Flaps smaller than $10\;cm^2$ were classified as small (n=48), those larger than $25\;cm^2$ classified large (n=42) and those in between medium (n=64). Classified according to composition, there were 88 cases (57.1 %) of venous skin flaps, 28 cases of innervated venous flaps, 15 cases of tendocutaneous venous flaps, which incorporated the palmaris longus tendon, for repair of extensor tendons of the fingers, and 17 cases of conduit venous flaps to repair arterial defect. There were 37 cases where multiple injuries to multiple digits were reconstructed. Moreover, there were 6 cases of composite tissue effects that involved soft tissue, blood vessels and tendons. The donor sites were ipsilateral forearm, wrist and thenar area, foot dorsum, and medial calf. The recipient sites were single digit, multiple digits, first web space, dorsum and palm of hand, and wrist. Results: There were seven cases (4.5%) of emergent re-exploration due to vascular crisis, and 3 cases of flap failure characterized by more than 50% necrosis of the flap. The survival rate was 98.1 % (151/154). In small flaps, an average of 1.01 afferent arteries and 1.05 efferent veins were microanastomosed, and in large flaps, an average of 1.88 afferent arteries and 2.19 efferent veins were anastomosed. In 8 cases where innervated flaps were used for reconstructing the palm of the hand, the average static two-point discrimination was $10\;(8{\sim}15)\;mm$. In 12 cases where tenocutaneous flaps were used, active range of motion at the proximal interphalangeal joint was 60 degrees, 20 degrees at the distal interphalangeal joint, and 75 degrees at the metacarpophalangeal joint. Conclusion: We conclude that the arterialized venous flap is a valuable and effective tool in the reconstruction of hand injuries, and could have a more comprehensive set of indications.