• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.619-625
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• 2012

Background After skin tumor excision on the face, extremities, or trunk, the choice of treatment for a skin defect is highly variable. Many surgeons prefer to use a local flap rather than a skin graft or free flap for small- or moderately-sized circular defects. We have used unilateral or bilateral V-Y advancement flaps, especially on the face. Here we evaluated the functional and aesthetic results of this technique. Methods All of the patients were pathologically diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), or malignant melanoma or premalignant lesion (Bowen's disease). Thirty-two patients underwent V-Y advancement flap repair (11 unilateral and 21 bilateral) from January 2007 to June 2011. We analyzed the patients' age and satisfaction, and location and size of defect. The patients were followed up for 6 months or more. Results There were 22 women and 10 men. The ages ranged from 47 to 93 years with a mean age of 66 years. The causes were SCC in 15 cases, BCC in 13 cases, malignant melanoma in 1 case, Bowen's disease in 2 cases, and another cause in 1 case. The tumor locations were the face in 28 patients, and the scalp, upper limb, and flank each in one patient. All of the flaps survived and the aesthetic results were good. Postoperative recovery was usually rapid, and no complication or tumor recurrence was observed. Conclusions The V-Y advancement flap is often used not only for facial circular defects but also for defects of the trunk and extremities. Its advantages are less scarring and superior aesthetic results as compared with other local flap methods, because of less scarification of adjacent tissue and because it is an easy surgical technique.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.219-226
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• 2005

Muller's muscle-levator aponeurosis advancement procedure was performed to correct mild to moderate congenital blepharoptosis with moderate to good levator function and to correct severe aquired blepharoptosis with poor levator function. Through the blepharoplasty incision, the upper half of the tarsal plate was exposed and the orbital septum was opened to show the levator aponeurosis. The Muller's muscle was dissected from the superior margin of the tarsal plate and from the posteriorly located conjunctiva with sharp scissors. The Muller's muscle and levator aponeurosis were advanced on the anterior surface of the tarsal plate as a composite flap and fixed approximately 3 to 4 mm inferior to the upper edge of the tarsal plate with three horizontal 6-0 nylon mattress sutures. The amount of advancement of the composite flap was controlled by the location of the upper eyelid margin 2 mm below the upper limbus in primary gaze after the first suture in the middle portion of the flap. The excess flap was trimmed off with scissors, but trimming was usually not necessary in cases of mild to moderate ptosis. Nine cases underwent this Muller's muscle-levator aponeurosis advancement procedure from September 2003 to September 2004. Five cases were congenital blepharoptosis with 2-4 mm ptosis and more than 5 mm of levator function, but three of the four acquired ptosis cases had more than 4 mm ptosis with poor levator function. The age of the patients ranged from 7 to 81 years. In operative results, all patients except one traumatic case were within 1 mm of the desired eyelid height in primary gaze. This procedure can provide not only tightening of the Muller's muscle but also advancement and firm fixation of the levator aponeurosis to the tarsal plate, yielding predictable results.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.39-42
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• 2022

Bilateral pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC) flaps are commonly used to reconstruct large chest wall defects. We report a case of large chest wall defect reconstruction using bilateral PMMC flaps augmented with axillary V-Y advancement rotation flaps for additional flap advancement. A 74-year-old male patient was operated on for recurrent glottic squamous cell carcinoma. Excision of the tumor resulted in a 10×10 cm defect in the anterior chest wall. Bilateral PMMC flaps were raised to cover the chest wall defect. For further flap advancement, V-Y rotation advancement flaps from both axillae were added to allow complete closure. All flaps survived completely, and postoperative shoulder abduction was not limited (100° on the right side and 92° on the left). Age-related skin redundancy in the axillae enabled the use of V-Y rotation advancement flaps without limitation of shoulder motion. Bilateral PMMC advancement flaps and the additional use of V-Y rotation advancement flaps from both axillae may be a useful reconstructive option for very large chest wall defects in older patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.702-704
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• 2010

Purpose: Chordoma is a rare primary osseous tumor arising from the remnants of the primitive notochord. It occurs once in 2,000,000. It is characterized by its slow growth, high frequency to invade destroy bone by direct extension. We experienced giant sacral chordoma and reconstructed with gluteal advancement flap. Methods: A 52-year-old woman presented with a 2-years history of gluteal pain. In the biopsy study revealed sacral chordoma. MRI study showed $13{\times}12{\times}10\;cm$ sized m0cs. We approached anterior and posterior resection and reconstructed with bilateral gluteus maximus advancement flap. Results: After the operation, blader and anal function were slightly decreased. But, 4 months later those were almost fully recovered. There was no significant complication and recurrence after 2-years follow-up. Conclusion: Chordoma is characterized by its slow growth, high frequency to invade and destroy bone by direct extension. Wide surgical resection is the only curative procedure. We report a ase of giant sacral chordoma which was successfully treated by anterior and posterior approach and reconstructed with bilateral gluteal advancement flap.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.347-352
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• 2006

Ingrowing toenail has been treated conventionally by various surgical treatment modlities. However, none of these procedures are perfect to achieve esthetic results with low cost, recurrence, and complication rates. Although mild cases can be treated conservatively, in severe recurrent cases, surgical treatment is preferred. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of using partial matricectomy and paronychial advancement flap for correction of recurrent ingrowing toenail. Eight patients suffering from recurrent ingrowing toenail were operated using partial matricectomy and paronychial advancement flap in our department from August 2004 to August 2005. The number of recurrent episodes ranged from 2 to 5. With digital nerve block, the excision area was marked on nailplate and inflammed lateral nail fold. The horizontally designed paronychial flap considering defect size was effective for wide exposure of the neighboring germinal matrix, which is later to be completely excised or cauterized because remnant germinal matrix made postoperative spicule formation. The nailplate on the affected side was removed about 3-5 mm width longitudinally, being cautious not to damage the proximal dorsal nail fold. The same width of the sterile matrix including germinal matrix was excised longitudinally with inflammed granulation tissue and partial lateral nail fold on the affected side. The subcutaneously elevated paronychial flap was advanced to cover the defect and was anatomically sutured with 5-0 nylon sutures. We evaluated our procedure's effectiveness by examining some factors such as cosmetic results, recurrence, spicule formation, postoperative pain and duration of return to normal activities. In eight patients, no complication was observed such as recurrence, severe pain and spicule formation except for 1 case of infection. Postoperative discomfort was minimal. Average duration of return to normal activities was 12 days. Cosmetically the results were acceptable in all patients. The partial matricectomy and paronychial advancement flap for correction of recurrent ingrowing toenail were found to be technically simple, efficient procedure with a relative low recurrence rate and better cosmetic results.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.107-110
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• 2013

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer. About 74% cases of basal cell cancer occur on the head and neck. Basal cell carcinoma on the face may have a higher degree of subclinical spread than tumors arising elsewhere. And incompletely excised BCCs become more aggressive when they recur. So the surgical removal and reconstruction of BCC located on the face are important to make perfect curing and cosmetic results. Methods: A retrospective study was done with 128 patients (137 cancers) who were treated with BCC on the face since 1987 to 2011. General data of these cases such as the primary site of cancer, age and sex of the patients, operative methods, and recurrence rate were reviewed. Results: The ratio of men to women was 1:1.4. And 86.9% of the patients with BCC were older than the age of 50 years with the mean age of 65.8 years. The distribution of facial basal cell carcinoma was on the nose, eyelids, cheek, and nasolabial fold. Surgical methods for treatment were local flap, full thickness skin graft, primary closure, and split thickness skin graft. Specifically, local flap consists of V-Y advancement flap, cheek advancement flap, limberg flap, forehead flap, nasolabial flap, rotation flap, transposition flap, bilobed flap, and island flap. Six cases recurred and all of them were treated with reoperation. Conclusion: The authors reviewed facial basal cell carcinoma cases in our hospital. This study might be helpful to choose appropriate operation method to manage BCC on face in Korea.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.200-204
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• 2009

Purpose: The epicanthal fold is a unique finding in the medial canthal area of many Asians. Various methods have been developed to eliminate this fold. However, excessive and prominent scarring in the medial canthal and nasal area and recurrence restricted application of epicanthoplasty. The authors performed a epicanthoplasty using Y-V advancement flap method in order to obliterate the epicanthal fold without making incisions in the nasal area and as a result, to avoid postoperative scarring. Methods: Sixty one patients underwent epicanthal fold correction using Y-V advancement flap method from July 1999 to February 2005. There were 4 males and 57 females with ages ranging from 9 to 60 years. The epicanthoplasty was performed combined with double eyelid operation, ptosis correction, augmentation rhinoplasty, nasal alar reduction, and nasal tip-plasty. Results: There were few complications in our studies, and most of the patients were satisfied with the results. Conclusion: Remarkable advantages of our Y-V advancement flap epicanthoplasty are as follows: 1) minimal postoperative scarring in the medial canthal area, 2) application of modified double eyelid operation, 3) wider opening of the medial palpebral fissure, 4 the correction of entropion or epiblepharon, 5) no recurrence.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.614-621
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• 2021

Background Reconstruction of congenital microtia remains challenging, particularly in patients with a history of ear canaloplasty due to insufficient regional soft tissue. The insertion of a tissue expander prior to implantation of the cartilage framework has traditionally been employed. However, this procedure could induce additional morbidity. Herein, we present a method using V-Y advancement of a temporal triangular flap to gain additional soft tissue in these challenging cases. Methods Congenital microtia patients with a history of ear canaloplasty who underwent auricular reconstruction using the Nagata technique between 2016 and 2020 were reviewed. To obtain additional soft tissue, V-Y advancement of a temporal triangular flap was performed concurrently with implantation of the costal cartilage framework, without prior insertion of a tissue expander. The outcomes of these patients with respect to postoperative complications and esthetics were evaluated. Results Eight patients with bilateral lesions were included. No specific complications developed after the first-stage surgery. However, one patient experienced complications after the second stage (auricular elevation). An analysis of the esthetic results showed most patients had excellent outcomes, achieving a satisfactory convolution. The median number of operations needed to complete reconstruction was 2, which was fewer than required using the conventional method with prior insertion of a tissue expander. Conclusions In patients with a history of previous canaloplasty, V-Y advancement of a temporal triangular flap could serve as an alternative to tissue expansion for microtia reconstruction. This technique provided reliable and satisfactory results with a reduced number of surgical stages.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.158-164
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• 2021

Background In lower lateral cartilage (LLC) surgery, cephalic trimming poses risks for the collapse of the internal and external nasal valves, pinched nose, and drooping deformity. The cephalic lateral crural advancement (CLCA) technique presented herein was aimed at using a flap to increase nasal tip rotation and support the lateral crus, in addition to the internal and external nasal valves, by avoiding grafts without performing excision. Methods This study included 32 patients (18 female and 14 male) and the follow-up period for patients having undergone primer open rhinoplasty was 12 months. The LLC was elevated from the vestibular skin using the CLCA flap. A cephalic incision was performed without cephalic trimming. Two independent flaps were formed while preserving the scroll ligament complex. The CLCA flap was advanced onto the lower lateral crus while leaving the scroll area intact. The obtained data were analyzed retrospectively. Results The mean age of the patients was 31.6 years (range, 20-51 years). The Rhinoplasty Outcome Examination scores after 12 months varied from 90 to100 points, and 93% of patients reported perfect satisfaction. At a 1-year follow-up, the patients' nasal patency (visual analogue scale) rose from 4.56±1.53 (out of 10) to 9.0±0.65 (P<0.001). Conclusions The CLCA flap led to better nasal tip definition by protecting the scroll area, increasing tip rotation, and supporting the internal and external nasal valves without cephalic excision.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.244-248
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• 2012

Many types of upper lip reconstruction have been introduced to treat defects after a tumor excision or trauma. The authors treated two cases of upper lip defects. A 35-year-old woman presented with a squamous cell carcinoma of the left upper lip that had invaded the corner of the mouth. After resecting the tumor, the defect was $3.7{\times}3.5cm$ in size. A 52-year-old woman presented with a dog bite of the right upper lip. The defect measured $4.0{\times}2.2cm$ in size. The two cases were reconstructed by combined rotation and advancement of a cheek flap. This technique produced a good functional outcome that allowed for oral competence and created an opening of adequate size. A combination of rotation and an advancement flap can be used to treat upper lip defects in a single-stage procedure. This approach produces a good functional and cosmetic outcome.