• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.248-251
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• 2011

Objective : In the field of spinal surgery, a few laboratory results or clinical cases about robotic spinal surgery have been reported. In vivo trials and development of related surgical instruments for spinal surgery are required before its clinical application. We investigated the use of the da $Vinci^{(R)}$ Surgical System in spinal surgery at the craniovertebral junction in a human cadaver to demonstrate the efficacy and pitfalls of robotic surgery. Methods : Dissection of pharyngeal wall to the exposure of C1 and odontoid process was performed with full robotic procedure. Although assistance of another surgeon was necessary for drilling and removal of odontoid process due to the lack of appropriate end-effectors, successful robotic procedures for dural sutures and exposing spinal cord proved its safety and dexterity. Results : Robot-assisted odontoidectomy was successfully performed in a human cadaver using the da $Vinci^{(R)}$ Surgical System with few robotic arm collisions and minimal soft tissue damages. Da $Vinci^{(R)}$ Surgical System manifested more dexterous movement than human hands in the deep and narrow oral cavity. Furthermore, sutures with robotic procedure in the oral cavity demonstrated the advantage over conventional procedure. Conclusion : Presenting cadaveric study proved the probability of robot-assisted transoral approach. However, the development of robotic instruments specific to spinal surgery must first precede its clinical application.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.307-314
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• 2022

Objective : The percutaneous thread transection technique is a surgical dissecting method using a dissecting thread inserted through a needle under ultrasound guidance without skin incision. As the new dissecting threads were developed domestically, this cadaver study was conducted to compare the effectiveness and safety between the new threads (ultra V sswire and smartwire-01) and a pre-existing commercial dissecting thread (loop & shear) by demonstrating a modified looped thread cubital tunnel release. Methods : The percutaneous cubital tunnel release procedure was performed on 29 fresh cadaveric upper extremities. The pre-existing commercial thread was used in 5 upper extremities. The two newly developed threads were used in 24 upper extremities. Two practitioners performed the procedures separately. After the modified looped thread cubital release, anatomical and histological analyses were performed by a blinded anatomist. The presence of the dissected cubital tunnel and damaged adjacent soft tissue was assessed. Results : Out of the 29 cadaveric upper extremities, 27 specimens showed complete dissection of the Osborne ligament and the proximal fascia of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle. One specimen was incompletely dissected in each of the ultra V sswire and smartwire-01 groups. There were no injuries of adjacent structures including the ulnar nerve, ulnar artery, medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve, or flexor tendon with either the commercial thread or the newly developed threads. The anatomical analysis revealed clear and sharp incisional margins of the cubital tunnel in the Smartwire-01 and loop & shear groups. All three kinds of threads maintained proper linear elasticity for easy handling during the procedure. The smartwire-01 provided higher visibility in ultrasound than the other threads. Conclusion : The newly developed threads were effective and safe for use in the thread cubital tunnel release procedure.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2014

Background Various shapes and designs of the gluteal artery perforator flap have been used for treating sacral pressure sores and reconstructing breasts. To establish the ideal fasciocutaneous flap design for use in the gluteal area, the soft tissue thickness distribution was measured. Methods Twenty-one buttocks of adult Korean cadavers were analyzed through rectangular subfascial dissection. Each buttock was divided horizontally into 10 sections and vertically into 10 sections, and then, the thickness at the corners of the sections was measured. For the sake of comparison and statistical verification with living bodies, computed tomography (CT) images of 120 buttocks of patients were randomly selected. Five horizontal sections and 4 vertical sections were made, and the thickness at each corner was recorded. Results According to the dissection and the CT images, the area with the thinnest soft tissues in the buttock was around the posterior superior iliac spine, close to the sacral area. The thickest area was the superolateral area of the buttock, which was 3.24 times and 2.15 times thicker than the thinnest area in the studies on cadaver anatomy and the CT images, respectively. Conclusions The thickness of the soft tissues in the buttocks differed by area. The superolateral area had the thickest soft tissues, and the superomedial area had the thinnest. This study includes information on the distribution of the thickness of the gluteal soft tissues of Koreans. The outcome of this study may contribute to the design of effective local flaps for pressure sore reconstruction and free flaps for breast reconstruction.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.307-312
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• 2019

Background: The aim of this study was to clarify the topographical relationships between the dorsal scapular nerve (DSN) and the dorsal scapular artery (DSA) in the interscapular region to identify safe and convenient injection points related to DSN blockade. Methods: Thirty shoulders of embalmed Korean cadavers and 50 live subjects were used for dissection and ultrasound (US) analysis. Results: The running patterns of the DSA and DSN in the interscapular region were classified into 3 types. Type I was defined as nerves that were medial to the artery and parallel without changing location (80.0% of specimens). In type II (13.3%), the nerve and artery traversed one another only one time over their entire length. In type III (6.7%), the nerve and artery traversed one another, resembling a twist. Above the level of the scapular spine, the nerve was always medial to the artery. Below the scapular spine, the number of arteries was obviously decreased. Most of the arteries were lateral to the medial border of the scapula, except at the level of the superior angle of the scapula artery (SA). The positional tendency of the DSN toward the medial or lateral sides from the medial border of the scapula was similar. In US imaging of live subjects, the DSA was most observed at the level of the SA (94.0%). Conclusions: Results of this study enhance the current knowledge regarding the pathway of the DSN and DSA and provide helpful information for selective diagnostic nerve blocks in the interscapular region.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.280-284
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• 2023

Upper limb muscle variations can be encountered on imaging or at surgery. We report an unusual muscle and band found during routine dissection of the arm in a cadaver. This case is described and salient literature reviewed. A band was found that traveled from the insertion of the pectoralis major tendon distally and obliquely toward the medial intermuscular septum and medical epicondyle. Fibers of the brachialis were found to interdigitate into the band. A tunnel was formed that carried the median nerve and brachial vessels. Evidence of median nerve compression was observed. We considered this an example of a pectorobrachioepicondylaris muscle. However, some can lead to clinical presentations. Although the significance of the case reported herein is not certain, signs of median nerve compression were identified. We believe that the term pectorobrachioepicondylaris bests describes the muscle reported herein and that our case represents a previously unreported variant of this muscle.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.380-383
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• 2022

While the route, location, and pathology of the lingual nerve has been detailed extensively in reports in the literature, its terminal branch to the sublingual gland is often overlooked. It is known, via both gross and histological observation, that the sublingual glandular branch terminates at the posterior aspect of the sublingual gland. Upon routine cadaveric dissection of a male cadaver, one of the lingual nerve branches was found to terminate at the anteroinferior portion of a herniated sublingual gland. This specific course has not previously been discussed or reported via gross or histological observation. Therefore, a timely review of the lingual nerve's terminal sublingual glandular branch's anatomy and clinical significance pertaining to this case is warranted. Surgeons who treat patients with submental masses should be aware of the anatomy of this nerve and the potential variance described here in order to avoid postprocedural complications.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.411-417
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• 2024

Objective : To confirm the usefulness of the extradural anterior clinoidectomy during the clipping of a low riding posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysm through cadaver dissection. Methods : Anatomic measurements of 12 adult cadaveric heads (24 sides total) were performed to compare the microsurgical exposure of the PCoA and internal carotid artery (ICA) before and after clinoidectomy. A standard pterional craniotomy and transsylvian approach were performed in all cadavers. The distance from the ICA bifurcation to the origin of PCoA (D1), pre-anterior clinoidectomy distance from the ICA bifurcation to tentorium (D2), post-anterior clinoidectomy distance from the ICA bifurcation to tentorium (D3), pre-anterior clinoidectomy distance from the tentorium to the origin of PCoA (D4) and post-anterior clinoidectomy distance from the tentorium to the origin of PCoA (D5) and the distance of the ICA obtained after anterior clinoidectomy (D6) were measured. We measured the precise thickness of the blade for the Yasargil clip with a digital precision ruler to confirm the usefulness of the extradural anterior clinoidectomy. Results : Twenty-four sites were dissected from 12 cadavers. The age of the cadavers was 79.83±6.25 years. The number of males was the same as the females. The space from the proximal origin of the PCoA to the preclinoid-tentorium (D4) was 1.45±1.08 mm (max, 4.01; min, 0.56). After the clinoidectomy, the space from the proximal origin of the PCoA to the postclinoid-tentorium (D5) was 3.612±1.15 mm (max, 6.14; min, 1.83). The length (D6) of the exposed proximal ICA after the extradural clinoididectomy was 2.17±1.04 mm on the lateral side and 2.16±0.89 mm on the medial side. The thickness of the Yasargil clip blade used during the clipping surgery was 1.35 mm measured with a digital precision ruler. Conclusion : The proximal length obtained by performing an external anterior clinoidectomy is about 2 mm, sufficient for proximal control during PCoA aneurysm surgery, considering the thickness of the aneurysm clips. In a subarachnoid hemorrhage, performing an extradural anterior clinoidectomy could prevent a devastating situation during PCoA aneurysm clipping.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.309-316
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• 2000

Objective :The transoral approach allows direct view of the ventral craniovertebral junction and provides useful management of the various lesions of this area. We present a step by step guide to the performance of the transoral excision of the odontoid process in the cadaveric model. Methods : Ten cadaver heads were used in fixed or unfixed state. We describe the relevant surgical anatomy in the cadaveric dissection and surgical technique of transoral transpharyngeal odontoidectomy. Results : The surgical procedure of transoral odontoidectomy was categorized by six steps；soft palate, posterior pharyngeal wall, muscular structures, osseous structures, odontoid process and ligaments, cruciate ligament and dura. Conclusion : With anatomical knowledge of these regions neurosurgeons can deal with wide variety of lesions in the ventral craniovertebral junction.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.562-568
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• 2007

Purpose: Many studies reported anatomy of posterior tibial artery perforator. But, it is not easy to use this flap in clinical case. Methods: Authors performed cadaver dissection on 26 legs from 13 cadavers and identified the number, location, type, length and diameter of perforator. Based on anatomic study, posterior tibial artery perforator flap was performed on 3 clinical cases. Results: The perforator was found on a line drawn from the medial boarder of central patella to posterior boarder of medial malleolus. The main perforator which was longer and greater caliber than others was found was found 13 to 17cm distant from medial boarder of central patella in 23 of 26 leg(88.5%). Average length was 6.2cm and average diameter was 1.4mm. The main perforator was musculocutaneous perforator at 20 of 26 leg(77%). The posterior tibial artery perforator flap was clinically use in 3 cases. All flap were survived without any complication. Conclusion: The author found the main perforator of posterior tibial artery perforator flap was located 15cm distant from medial boarder of central patella within the circle drawn with a radius of 4cm. The posterior tibial artery perforator flap is expected to be used as one of the option for the reconstruction of hand and foot.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.169-173
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• 2010

Objective : The normal anatomic relationships characteristic of the pituitary stalk area were previously thought to involve only one location. The purpose of this study was to re-evaluate the anatomic location of the pituitary stalk and possible varying locations in relation to the tuberculum sellae and dorsum sellae using morphometric evaluation and anatomic dissection of human cadaveric specimens. The surgical implications of the variations are discussed. Methods : The calvaria were removed via routine autopsy dissections, and the brains were removed from the skull while preserving the pituitary stalk. The diaphragma sellae, tuberculum sellae, and the location of the pituitary stalk were examined in 60 human cadaveric heads obtained from fresh adult cadavers. Empty sellae were excluded. Results : The openings of the diaphragma sellae averaged $6.62{\pm}1.606mm$ (range, 3-9 mm). The distance between the tuberculum sellae and the posterior part of the pituitary stalk was 1 to 8 mm. The upper face of the diaphragma sellae appeared flat in 26 (43%), concave in 24 (40%), and convex in 6 cases (10%), with a prominent tuberculum sellae in 4 cases (7%). The location of the chiasm was normal in 47 cases (78%), with a prefixed chiasm in 3 cases (5%) and a postfixed chiasm (17%) in the 10 cases. Four cadaver specimens had prominent tuberculum sellae and other parameters were not evaluated. Conclusion : When opening the chiasmatic cistern, neurosurgeons should be aware about the relationship between the pituitary stalk and the surrounding structures to prevent inadvertent injury to the pituitary stalk.