• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.84-87
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• 2013

At the posterior aspect of distal thigh, major nerves, vessels, muscles and tendons were located. So, if abscess occurs within deep muscular fascia of posterior aspect of distal thigh, it can be widely and deeply spread to proximal thigh, popliteal fossa, posterior proximal leg, surrounding areas of knee joint along deep fascia, muscles and tendons. In that case, it is difficult to eradicate the abscess using antibiotics without surgical drainage and debridement. But, it is often impossible to obtain satisfactory view of operative field with conventional technique and critical damage to major nerves and vessels in the popliteal fossa during operation may occur. We performed endoscopic treatment for extensive deep abscesses occurred in posterior aspect of distal thigh in 64-year-old man, and obtained satisfactory result without injury to the normal structures including major nerves and vessels. So we report this case with a review of relevant literatures.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2020

Background: Postoperative pain occurring after hip arthroplasty has become common since the expanded use of cementless femoral stems. The characteristic pain develop in the anterolateral thigh area. This study aimed to predict anterior thigh pain based on the measurements of postoperative anteroposterior (AP) and lateral (Lat) radiographs of the hip joint. Methods: The present study included 26 patients (29 hips) who underwent total hip replacement or bipolar hemiarthroplasty between March 2010 and May 2016, whose complete clinical information was available. AP and Lat radiographs of the affected hip were taken on the day of surgery and 1 and 6 months postoperatively. Patients with improper radiographs were excluded. The distance from the femoral stem to the nearest cortical bone in the distal region of the stem was measured. The patient group with a visual analog scale (VAS) score of ≥6 points was designated as patients with anterior thigh pain. Results: Sex, age, weight, height, body mass index, and bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and femur did not have a significant effect on postoperative VAS scores (p>0.05). Presence of contact between the femoral stem and cortical bone was associated with postoperative anterior thigh pain. Conclusion: Hip AP and Lat radiographs are usually taken to confirm fixation and alignment of the femoral stem after hip arthroplasty. The measurement method introduced in this study can be utilized for predicting anterior thigh pain after hip arthroplasty.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.457-460
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• 2010

Purpose: The great toe presents a reconstructive challenge for plastic surgeons. The big toe has much importance not only for the gait and the stability, but also for appearance aspects. Few reports have documented the reconstruction of big toe defects and we report a unique case of free flap reconstruction technique. Methods: A 41-year-old man with right great toe open fracture with soft tissue necrosis was referred from the orthopedic surgery department. On physical examination, there was the skin necrosis circumferentially and the fratured bone was severely fragmented. The metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint of the big toe was intact. After the wound debridement, we harvested the innervated anterolateral thigh flap and transposed to the defected area. After five months, we finally retouched the flap by the dorsal defatting and distal debulking. Results: He had an uneventful postoperative course without infection, dehiscence and flap necrosis. He has remained asymptomatic for eight months without any recurrence such as the osteomyelitis. Finally, he kept the normal gait and posture with weight bearing on the reconstructed great toe and foot. Conclusion: The anterolateral thigh flap is described for the reconstruction of the great toe. It involves two stage procedure with the minimal donor site morbidity and provides a good cosmetic result.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.485-489
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• 2007

Purpose: The basic vascular anatomy and versatility of the anterolateral thigh flap was reported firstly by Song in 1984 and then by Zhang who introduced the reverse flow pattern of this flap. In this case, the authors reviewed various articles and their experiences with the distally based anterolateral thigh flap and applied it for coverage of bone-exposed wound occurred at the distal of the disarticulated knee stump. We consequently reported the reliability and resourcefulness of this flap in the difficult and limited situation. Methods: A 67-year-old-man who had suffered from arteriosclerotic obliterans inevitably underwent the disarticulation at knee joint due to clinical deterioration. He presented to our clinic with soft tissue necrosis and bone exposure at the stump. We debrided the wound and conducted the distally based anterolateral thigh island flap by transecting proximal portion of descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery and the $14{\times}10cm$ sized flap was transferred to cover the defect. The pedicle measured 14 cm in length with pivot point 7 cm above the patella. Results: The postoperative course was mainly uneventful except early venous congestion for 4 days and subsequent partial skin loss. The wound was healed by secondary intension and no other sequelae had been observed during follow-up period of 12 months. Conclusion: Despite the presence of various reconstructive choices, the distally based anterolateral thigh island flap can be designed to repair soft tissue defects around the knee region, providing its reliable blood supply and long pedicle length, especially in the challenging cases.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2011

During below knee amputation, the amputation stump must be covered with well-vascularized and sensate soft tissue. Many flaps can be used for this purpose, but available reconstructive options are limited. We performed reverse flow ALT flap elevation on two patients with below knee amputations to reconstruct defects in the stumps. The sizes of the defects in the stumps were $4{\times}16$ cm and $5{\times}5$ cm, respectively. The most distal portion of the defects were located 20 cm and 16 cm lateral to the knee joint in a curve, respectively. The size of the elevated flap was $5{\times}18$ cm for case 1 and $18{\times}10$ cm for case 2. The respective pivot points of the pedicles were 7 cm and 6 cm above the patella and the respective lengths of the pedicles were 17 cm and 16 cm. In both cases, venous congestion occurred on the second postoperative day and the flap distal to 10 cm or more from below the knee joint was necrotized at the second postoperative week. Surgeons should be cautious when using a reverse ALT flap to reconstruct a soft tissue defect located 10 cm or more distal from below the knee joint. Since a pedicle longer than 15 cm may develop partial necrosis of the flap, simultaneous application of antegrade venous drainage is recommended.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.135-140
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of distal femoral osteotomy for distal femoral varus and medial patellar luxation (MPL) grade 4 in small-breed dogs. Radiographs and medical records were reviewed to collect data and plan the surgery in small-breed dogs with MPL grade 4. Computed tomography (CT) imaging was also performed in cases of severe bone deformities. Signalment, weight, medial patellar luxation and lameness grade, radiographic bone union, complications, pre- and postoperative femoral varus angle, passive range of motion, static weight bearing distribution and visual analogue scale scores were recorded. Thirteen corrective distal femoral osteotomies were performed with ancillary and additional procedures in 9 dogs; 4 dogs had staged bilateral procedures; and four stifles were suspected to have partial or complete rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament. One stifle underwent patellar groove replacement. The mean ± SD pre- and postoperative femoral varus angles were 109.15°± 3.71° and 96.30°± 2.97°, respectively. Significant improvements in passive range of motion, thigh circumference and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were observed. There was no reluxation of the patella. This study suggests that distal femoral osteotomy with traditional and additional procedures provided satisfactory outcomes in patient healing and functional recovery in small-breed dogs with excessive femoral varus angles.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.114-120
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• 2021

Background The pedicled anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap has become more popular for the reconstruction of soft-tissue defects in neighboring areas. Nonetheless, few studies in the literature have explored the use of this flap for trochanteric ulcer reconstruction. The aim of our study is to present the author's experience of utilizing the ALT flap, with a focus on technical elements regarding the flap design and the tunneling method to maximize the reach of the flap. Methods The medical records of patients who received pedicled ALT flaps for the reconstruction of trochanteric pressure sores were retrospectively reviewed. The patients' demographic data, operative details, and postoperative complications were evaluated. Results Between October 2018 and December 2019, 10 consecutive patients (age range, 13-45 years) underwent 11 pedicled ALT myocutaneous flaps for trochanteric pressure sore reconstruction. Each flap was designed around the most distal cutaneous perforator that was included in the proximal third of the skin paddle. The flaps ranged in size from 11×6 to 14×8 cm. The ALT flap was transposed through a lateral subcutaneous tunnel in five patients, while the open tunnel technique was used in six patients. All flaps survived, and no vascular compromise was observed. Conclusions The pedicled ALT flap is a safe and reliable option for reconstructing trochanteric pressure sores. An appropriate flap design and a good choice of the tunneling method are crucial for successful flap transposition.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.52-55
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• 2004

A newborn male baby was transferred to our hospital with a left inguinal mass. The mass was huge measuring $10{\times}10cm$, engorged, and dark-blue colored as a result of internal hemorrhage. Unstable vital signs were combined with DIC and acute renal failure. Emergency operation was performed because of the suspicion of bowel perforation. The peritoneal cavity was full of ascitis and the distal jejunum had a 0.5 cm perforation. Segmental resection of the jejunum and incisional biopsy of the inguinal mass were performed. On pelvic and thigh MRI, the mass protruded into pelvic cavity and encircled large vessels and nerves of the thigh. Pathologic diagnosis was congenital infantile fibrosarcoma. Fifteen days after operation, primary tumor excision was undertaken. The second look operation, performed after 6 times VAC chemotherapy, revealed no remained malignant cell on microscopic section. The baby has been followed closely for the last eight months.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.84-87
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• 2019

With the recent development in microsurgery, the use of a perforator flap has been widely implemented. If the length of the ALT flap pedicle is insufficient despite adequate preoperative planning, pedicle length extension is necessary. We planned for a reverse ALT free flap using the distal vessel of the descending branch for pedicle length extension in the case of ALT perforator branch originating from the proximal portion of the descending branch. For the management of venous congestion, the distal venae comitantes were anastomosed to the proximal venous stump in an antegrade manner, successfully resolving the venous congestion. Modified reverse-flow ALT free flap, wherein the venae comitantes are anastomosed to the proximal vein stump, is a good option that allows for relatively simple pedicle extension within the same operative field when securing an adequate pedicle length is difficult because of the origin of the perforator from the proximal descending branch, unlike the initial surgical plan.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.146-156
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• 1998

Microvascular surgery has been widely used clinically for over 30 years. Although many types of free skin and myocutaneous flap are being used at present, surgeons are still looking for new flaps to suit the specific requirements of different recipient sites, to reduce the deformity at the donor site, to ease the management of the flap and to increase the success rate of those operations. The lateral thigh free flap was designed and reported simultaneously with the medial thigh free flap by Baek in 1983. The flap, based on the third perforator of the profunda femoris artery. is designed on the posterolateral aspect of the distal thigh. Clinically, the vascular variations and the locations of perforators of this system can be determined preoperatively with simple angiograms and Dopper audiometry. The lateral thigh free flap is suitable for reconstruction of defects in an oral floor with tongue and esophageal deficits, scalp defects with dural defects, and large full thickness defects of the lip. The advantages of this flap are safe elevation, a long vascular pedicles with a large lumen, skin that is generally thin, and good pliability. Furthermore, the skin territory is very wide and long. The donor site is hidden and therefore more acceptable to the patient. The disadvantage of this flap is that the anatomy of the pedicle vessels has irregular derivation from the main vessel. We had reconstructed lateral thigh free flap to the nine patients from January, 1997 to July, 1998 and got satisfactory results. In this paper we illustrate the arterial anatomy of the thigh and usefulness of this flap for the reconstruction of the head and neck.