• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.66-70
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• 2016

Background In this study, we characterize the morbidity at the donor-site of partial second toe pulp free flaps in terms of wound management as well as long-term outcomes. Methods A single-institutional retrospective review was performed for patients who had undergone partial second toe pulp free flap transfer to the fingertip. Patient charts were reviewed for infection, skin necrosis, wound dehiscence, and hematoma for the donor site. Additionally, a questionnaire survey was given to patients who had a follow-up of longer than 1 year to characterize long-term postoperative pain and appearance. Results The review identified a total of 246 cases. Early wound complications were significant for wound dehiscence (n=8) and hematoma (n=5) for a wound complication rate of 5.3%. The questionnaire was distributed to 109 patients, and 54 patients completed the survey. Out of these 54 patients, 15 patients continued to have donor-site pain (28%) at a mean follow-up period of 32.4 months. However, the pain intensity was relatively low in the range between 2 to 5, on a 0-10 scale. None of these patients felt this donor-site pain interfered significantly with daily activity, nor did any patient require pain medications of any type. Donor-site appearance was satisfactory to most patients. Conclusions The partial second toe pulp flap was associated with low rates of wound complications and favorable long-term outcomes. Given the functional and aesthetic gain in the recipient finger, donor-site morbidities appear acceptable in this patient population. This study can be helpful in counseling patients regarding donor-site morbidity during the informed consent process.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.75-80
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• 2001

Purpose : We have evaluated the morbidity of donor site after transfer of free fibular osseous and osteocutaneous flap to defect site of bone and soft tissue due to chronic osteomyelitis of long tubular bone, open fracture with bony defect, bone or soft tissue tumor and congenital anomaly. Materials and methods : The 54 cases of 79 cases to be carried out from May, 1982 to May, 2001 which could be followed up were reviewed. There were forty nine in male and five in female. The mean age was 35(4 to 66)years old and mean follow up period is 21.3 month(12 to 72). We have retrospectively analyzed the various postoperative complications such as compartment syndrome, donor site infection, skin defect, hypesthesia, hammer toes, ankle instability and activity of daily living by help of questionnaire, telephone, physical examination, follow up x-ray study and chart. Results : In the total 54 cases the medication period for pain control after operation were classified into three groups under 2 weeks(49 cases), from 2 weeks to 6 weeks(3 cases) and over 6 weeks(2 cases). The postoperative morbidity were occurred in total 12 cases(compartment syndrome: 0, infection : 2, skin defect: 1, hypesthesia: 5, hammer toe: 2 ankle pain: 2 discomfort in activity of daily living: 0), and also the morbidity rates of donor site were 23.5% in osseous flap and 21.6% in osteocutaneous flap were occurred. There was no statistical significonce in morbidity between osseous and osteocutaneous free fibular flap transfer(P>0.05). Discussion : In general the morbidity of free fibular flap transfer was relatively high but it did not have any effect on daily activity of living. We think that the meticulous operation technique, detailed wound care and early range of motion exercise will reduce the morbidity of donor site of flap.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.33-37
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• 2006

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of lateral middle phalangeal finger flap for pulp and palmar defect of the finger. Materials and methods: We performed the lateral middle phalangeal finger flap in thumb pulp defect 4 cases and the palmar defect of other finger 3 cases. Mean age was 38(25-53) years old and there were male 6 cases and female 1 case. Sensate flap was performed in 4 cases of thumb pulp defects. Mean follow-up period was 14(7-22) months. Results: All flaps were survived. Mean static two-pint discrimination of sensate flap 4 cases was 8(6-10) mm. The sensation of donor finger tip was normal in all cases. Limitation of range of motion of the donor fingers was absent. Patients complained of transient cold intolerance 1 month after surgery but didn't complain of that in all cases at last follow-up. Conclusions: The advantages of the lateral middle phalangeal finger flap are the preservation of the ipsilateral palmar digital nerve, good sensory reconstruction of the fingertip, well maintained donor finger mobility with minimal exposure of the extensor tendon, cosmetically good appearances of donor finger, and easy raising as a large flap. So we suggest that this flap is versatile for reconstructing of relatively large pulp defect of the thumb and the palmar defects involving the joint of finger.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.7-11
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• 2001

Purpose : To evaluate the neurologic abnormalities in the donor limb after contralateral C7 transfer in brachial plexus injury. Materials and Methods : From August 1996 to December 1999, five patients with brachial plexus injury were treated with contralateral C7 nerve root transfer. The average follow up was 16 months(range, 5 to 36 months). The clinical findings were assessed using the British Medical Research Council Grading System, and also measured grip power, pinch power of hand and two point discrimination of the fingers. Results : We had no difference in shoulder abduction and elbow flexion after contralateral C7 transfer. The grip and pinch strength were recovered within 4weeks. Sensory loss occurred in all patients and was noted to be more severe on index and middle finger. Four patients recovered within 2 weeks, one continued till one year. Subjective numbness and pain on percussion minimally persisted until last follow-up. Conclusion : The division of the C7 nerve root resulted in minimal and temporary functional deficit in the donor upper limb.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.279-287
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• 2023

Background Hypothenar free flaps (HTFFs) have been widely used for reconstructing palmar defects. Although previous anatomical and clinical studies of HTFF have been conducted, this technique still has some limitations. In this study, we describe some tips for large flap design that allows for easy harvesting of HTFFs with minimal donor site morbidity. Methods A total of 14 HTFF for hand defect reconstruction were recorded. The oblique flap was designed in the proximal HT area following relaxed skin tension line along the axis between fourth web space and 10 mm ulnar side of pisiform. A flap pedicle includes one or two perforators with ulnar digital artery and HT branch of basilic vein. In addition, innervated HTFF can be harvested with a branch of ulnar digital nerve. Electronic medical records were reviewed to obtain data on patients' information, operative details, and follow-up period. In addition, surgical outcome score was obtained from the patient, up to 10 points, at the last follow-up. Results Mean harvest time was 46 minutes, and two perforators were included in 10 cases. The mean flap area was 10.84 cm². There were no problems such as donor site depression, scar contracture, keloids, wound dehiscence, numbness or neuroma pain at donor sites, and hypersensitivity or cold intolerance at flap site, either functionally or aesthetically. Conclusion Palmar defect reconstruction is challenging for hand surgeons. However, large HTFF can be harvested without complications using the oblique axis HTFF technique. We believe our surgical tips increase utility of HTFF for palmar defect reconstruction.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.149-153
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• 1999

Purpose : To investigate the complication of donor site in latissimus dorsi muscle flap. Materials and Methods : From April 1983 to March 1999, forty patients with latissimus dorsi muscle flap for reconstruction of extremity and with a follow-up period of more than 12 months were included. We analysed the complication, shoulder function, degree of shoulder muscle weakness, skin scar width after operation. Results After 1 year, skin scar widening in 12 cases(30%), limitation of shoulder motion in 9 cases(12.5%), muscle weakness in 14 cases(17.5%) were found. Conclusion. The rate of complication at donor site after latissimus dorsi flap operation is around 10%. To minimize the complication, avoiding axillary skin incision, minimal invasive harvesting by endoscopy, meticulous suturing of subcutaneous layer are needed.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.169-174
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• 2001

Purpose : The problems of late deterioration of sensation and a double sensibility phenomenon are a known deficiency of the original neurovascular island flap. To eliminate this problems, the authors was performed to assess the results of Thumb-pulp loss reconstruction with a heterodigital neurovascular island Flap Using a Nerve Disconnecting-Reconnecting Technique Material and Methods : Between July. 1987 and November. 2000, we have used a disconnecting-reconnecting technique for heterodigital island flaps in which divided nerve of the transferred island flap is sutured to original nerve of the thumb in 9 patients. 9 patients with a mean follow-up period of 3.6 years were examined, while 7 patients were follow-up for 2years or more. Evaluation of results was based on flap quality, donor site quality, classic two-point sensory discrimination(2PD), and location of sensation(double sensibility), donor site cold intolerance, neuroma formation, scar contractures, total active movement(TAM) of the thumb and donor digit and subjective results and objective results. Results : The two-point discrimination was average 6.7 mm. Donor site paresthesia was observed more frequently in a short postoperative period. Sensation was referred to the thumb in all cases and the recovery occurred over a period of a two months. There were no flap complication or failures and the length of the thumb tip was preserved in all cases. Conclusion : This technique was found to provide well-vascularized pulp of the thumb with proper cortical representation in one operative stage.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.427-431
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• 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe a simple, convenient, and reliable new technique using local full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) for skin coverage of a donor-site defect of the radial forearm free flap (RFFF). Patients and Methods: Between April 2016 and April 2021, five patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma underwent mass resection combined with RFFF reconstruction. After RFFF harvesting, donor-site defects were restored by proportional local FTSG. Results: The donor-site defects ranged in size from 24 to 41.25 cm², with a mean of 33.05 cm². Good or acceptable esthetic outcomes were obtained in all five patients. There was no dehiscence, skin necrosis, wound infection, or severe scarring at the graft site through the end of the postoperative follow-up period, and no patient had any specific functional complaint. Conclusion: The proportional local FTSG showed promising results for skin coverage of the donor-site defect of the RFFF. This technique could decrease the need for skin grafts from other sites.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.421-426
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• 2011

Purpose: Although the sural nerve is the most commonly used donor for autologous nerve graft, its morbidity after harvesting is sparsely investigated. The sural nerve being a sensory nerve, complications such as sensory changes in its area and neuroma can be expected. This study was designed to evaluate the donor site morbidity after sural nerve harvesting. Methods: Among the 13 cases, who underwent sural nerve harvesting between January 2004 and August 2009, 11 patients with proper follow up were included in the study. The collected data included harvested graft length, actual length of the grafted nerve, anesthetic and paresthetic area, presence of Tinel sign and symptomatic neuroma, and scar quality. Results: In 7 patients, no anesthetic area could be detected. Of the patients with a follow up period of more than 2 years, all the patients showed no anesthetic area except two cases who had a very small area of sensory deficit ($225mm^2$) on the lateral heel area, and large deficit ($4,500mm^2$) on the lateral foot aspect. The patients with a short follow up period (1~2 m) demonstrated a large anesthetic skin area ($6.760mm^2$, $12,500mm^2$). Only one patient had a Tinel sign. This patient also showed a subcutaneous neuroma, which was visible, but did not complain of discomfort during daily activities. One patient had a hypertrophic scar in the retromalleolar area, whereas the two other scars on the calf were invisible. Conclusion: After a period of 2 years the size of anesthetic skin in the lateral retromalleolar area is nearly zero. It is hypothesized that the size of sensory skin deficit may be large immediately after the operation. This area decreases over time so that after 2 years the patient does not feel any discomfort from nerve harvesting.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.467-473
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• 2005

Calvarial bone grafting in craniomaxillofacial trauma and facial reconstructive surgery is now widely recognized and accepted as a standard procedure. One of the commonly reported problems of calvarial bone graft is the contour defect caused by partial resorption of the graft. But, there are few reports that discuss the fate of the calvarial bone graft based on the quantitative data. In this article, the changes of grafted calvarial bone were evaluated using 3-dimensional computed tomography(CT). 9 patients were observed with the CT scans at 2mm thickness immediately after operation and at the time of last follow-up. The area of the bone defect was segmented on the 3-dimensional CT image and calculated by AnalyzeDirect 5.0 software. The immediate postoperative bone defect area of the recipient site and the donor site were $612.9mm^2$ and $441.5mm^2$, respectively, which became $1028.1mm^2$ and $268.8mm^2$, respectively at the last follow-up. In conclusion, the bone defect area was less increased on the donor site of calvarial bone graft than on the recipient site. And the CT scan is a valuable imaging method to assess and follow-up the clinical outcome of calvarial bone grafting.