• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.68-73
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• 2004

Transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) free flap is widely used for breast reconstruction, however donor-site morbidities such as abdominal wall weakness, hernia, bulging are troublesome. For the purpose of minimizing donor-site morbidity, there has been a surge in interests in muscle sparing free TRAM flap preserving the anatomy of rectus abdominis muscle, fascia, and motor nerve. The purpose of this study is to investigate complication and morbidity after muscle sparing free TRAM flap. Between August, 1995 and May, 2003, there were 108 cases of muscle sparing free TRAM flap of breast reconstruction. There was no abdominal hernia. There were 4 cases of dog ear, 3 cases of marginal necrosis of apron flap, 2 cases of asymmetry of umbilicus. At 1 year after operation, most patients feel comfortness in physical exercise. Muscle sparing free TRAM flap provides ample amount of well vascularized soft tissue with small inclusion of rectus abdominis muscle and fascia. Also it minimizes donor-site morbidity with rapid recovery of abdominal strength.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.345-350
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• 2018

Background The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) has remained a leading choice of many plastic surgeons as a fasciocutaneous flap due to its versatility, pedicle length, and simple elevation technique. However, donor site morbidity has led many reconstructive surgeons to limit their use of the RFFF and to use other flaps instead. We propose that using a narrow RFFF (nRFFF) decreases the aesthetic and functional morbidity of the donor site. Methods We report our experiences with the nRFFF from April 2012 through May 2015 at the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery at Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi. The donor defects were closed primarily. The Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale and comparison with the contralateral hand were used to assess aesthetic and functional outcomes, respectively. Results A total of 24 patients underwent nRFFF procedures during the study period. The donor arm showed excellent motor function in 22 cases (91.7%), and very good function in the remaining two cases (8.3%). The aesthetic outcomes were excellent in four patients (16.6%), very good in eight patients (33.3%), good in 10 patients (41.6%), and fair in two patients (8.3%) who developed a hypertrophic scar. All flaps were successful and there were no cases of partial or complete loss. Conclusions For small to medium-sized soft tissue defects, the nRFFF had acceptable outcomes due to its thinness, pliability, and major reduction in donor site aesthetic and functional morbidity.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.308-312
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• 2017

Background Donor site seroma is the most common complication after latissimus dorsi (LD) flap harvest. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in preventing donor site seroma formation after the harvest of an LD flap for breast reconstruction. Methods In this prospective matched-pair study, 40 patients in whom an LD flap was harvested for breast reconstruction were enrolled. NPWT was used in 20 patients, and in a control group composed of another 20 patients, the conventional donor site dressing technique was used. Information was collected regarding postoperative complications, the incidence of seroma, total drainage volume, the number of percutaneous seroma aspirations, and the volume aspirated. Results In the NPWT group, the incidence of seroma formation after drain removal was significantly lower than in the control group (15% vs. 70%; odds ratio=0.07; relative risk, 0.24). Both the mean percutaneous aspirated volume (P =0.004) and the number of percutaneous aspirations (P=0.001) were also significantly lower in the NPWT group. There were no significant differences in the total drainage volume or the duration of wound drainage between the NPWT dressing group and the control group (P>0.05). Conclusions This study showed that NPWT is a promising tool for reducing the incidence of seroma formation after removing the drain at the donor site after LD flap harvesting. It is a simple and safe technique.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.571-577
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• 2009

Purpose: The Provision of thin and pliable tissue and the adequate coverage of tendon - gliding surface is necessary for a soft tissue defect of the hand with exposure of bone, tendon and muscle. This report will discuss our experience with anterolateral thigh fascial free flap for the reconstruction of the soft tissue defect of the hand. Methods: Between February 2004 and August 2008, seven patients with full - thickness soft tissue defects of the hand were reconstructed by means of a composite anterolateral thigh fascial free flap. There were soft tissue defects associated with trauma (n=5), scar contracture (n=1) and necrosis due to ischemia (n=1). Flaps were harvested from the anterolateral thigh as adipofascial flaps with only a small sheet of fascia and fatty tissue above it. The fascia and the skin of the donor site was closed directly and delayed split - thickness skin graft was performed. Result: All flaps survived completely. The size of the transferred flap ranged from $2{\times}4cm$ to $5{\times}8cm$. Thin flap coverage was possible without secondary debulking operations. It left minimal donor site morbidity with a linear scar. In one case, the thigh muscle herniation in the donor site was developed. Conclusion: The anterolateral thigh fascial free flap provided thin and pliable tissue which can establish a tendon - gliding mechanism, minimal bulk, minimal donor site morbidity. The disadvantages of this technique were the need for a skin graft and the muscle herniation of donor site.

• 대한두개안면성형외과학회지
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.357-362
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• 2020

Background: Full-thickness skin grafts (FTSGs) have been widely used after facial skin cancer resection, for correcting defects that are too wide to be reconstructed using a local flap or if structural deformation is expected. The preauricular, posterior auricular, supraclavicular, conchal bowl, nasolabial fold, and upper eyelid skin areas are known as the main donor sites for facial FTSG. Herein, we aimed to describe the effectiveness of using infraclavicular skin as the donor site for specific cases. Methods: We performed FTSG using the infraclavicular skin as the donor site in older Asian adults following skin cancer resection. Outcomes were observed for > 6 months postoperatively. The Manchester Scar Scale was used for an objective evaluation of satisfaction following surgery and scarring. Results: We analyzed the data of 17 patients. During follow-up, the donor and recipient sites of all patients healed without complications. Upon evaluation, the average Manchester Scar Scale scores for the recipient and donor sites were 7.4 points and 5.7 points, respectively. Conclusion: In general, conventional donor sites, such as the preauricular, posterior auricular, and supraclavicular sites, are widely used for facial FTSG because they achieve good cosmetic results. However, the infraclavicular skin may be a useful donor for facial FTSG in cases where the duration of time spent under anesthesia must be minimized due to a patient's advanced age or underlying health conditions, or when the recipient site is relatively thick area, such as the nose, forehead, or cheek.

• 대한화상학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.30-33
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• 2019

Purpose: Wound healing and scar management of donor site after skin graft should not be overlooked. Patients continue to complain of dryness, itching sensation. Such discomfort can cause irritation to the patients and lead to delayed healing or secondary infection. Thus, the author predicted Eucalyptus Oil, which acts on Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 8 would be effective in regulating scar by reducing itching sensation in donor site when combining conventional silicone materials. Methods: The study was performed on 30 patients who underwent split thickness skin graft with lateral thigh as donor site between January 2017 and August 2018. First, primary evaluation of fully epithelized donor site scar three weeks after surgery was conducted. Control group (n=15) applied silicone gel (Kelo-cote, USA) solely two times a day. study group (n=15) applied Eucalyptus oil, combined with silicone gel. After 3 months of follow up, donor scar was evaluated using Vancouver scar scale and VAS scores of subjective patient reports regarding pain and itching sensation. Results: It was confirmed that both groups showed stable scar improvement comparing scar quality for 3 months. After 3 months, scar quality in study group showed superiority in pigmentation, pliability and pruritus compared to control group. Conclusion: Application of Eucalyptus Oil combined with conventional silicone gel is favorable to scar management and may give additional benefit of alleviating pruritis symptoms.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.829-835
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• 2011

Purpose: The two major concerns in skin grafting are poor color match in the recipient site and the donor site morbidity. And, glabrous skin on the palmar aspect of the hands and plantar aspect of the feet attributes define the skin on the palm and fingers sole as functionally and aesthetically different from skin on other parts of the body. When there is a glabrous skin defect, it should be replaced with similar skin to restore function and aesthetics. The palmar crease areas were used to minimize these problems. The purpose of this study is to present the precise surgical technique of the full thickness skin graft using distal palmar and midpalmar creases for aesthetic better outcome for hand injuries. Methods: From May 2006 to April 2010, 10 patients with 11 defects underwent glabrous full thickness skin grafting of finger defects. Causes included seven machinery injuries, two secondary burn reconstructions, and one knife injury. Donor sites included ten glabrous full thickness skin graft from the distal palmar crease and one from the midpalmar crease. Results: Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 24 months. All glabrous skin grafts demonstrated complete taking the recipient sites and no incidence of the complete or partial loss. The donor site healed without complications, and there were no incidences of significant hypopigmantation, hyperpigmentation, or hypertrophic scarring. Conclusion: The important aspects of this method involve immediate return of glabrous skin to the defect site and restoration of the recipient site's crease by simple primary closure from adjacent skin. The glabrous skin of the palm provides the best tissue match for the reconstruction of the hands, but only a limited amount of tissue is available for this purpose. Full thickness skin grafting using palmar crease of the defects is the ideal way of reconstructing glabrous skin to restore both function and aesthetics and minimize donor site morbidity.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.7-12
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• 2015

Purpose: The rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (RAM) flap has contributed to the efficient reconstruction of soft tissue defects. The flap has the advantage of easy dissection, minimal donor site morbidity, and the constant vascular anatomy with long pedicle. Authors used the free RAM flap to reconstruct multi-located soft tissue defects while still considering functionality and aesthetics. We present the long-term outcomes and versatility of free RAM flaps. Materials and Methods: From 1994 to 2004, all patients who underwent soft tissue reconstruction with free RAM flap were reviewed retrospectively. The site of the reconstruction, vessels of anastomosis, type of RAM flap, and outcomes, including flap success rate, hospital stay after flap transfer, conduction of secondary procedure, flap complications, and donor-site complications were analyzed. Results: Twenty-one patients underwent 24 free RAM flaps in site of breast, face, upper extremity and lower extremity. Mean follow-up period was 36.1 months (range, 3~156 months). The overall success rate was 92% with only a loss of 2 flaps. Minor complications related to transferred flaps were necrosis of 2 partial flaps, hematoma formation in 3 cases, and a wound infection in 1 case. Donor site morbidity was not observed. Debulking surgery was performed in 4 patients, and scar revision was performed in 3 patients. Conclusion: Free RAM flap is a workhorse flap for general soft-tissue reconstruction with minimal donor site morbidity with aesthetically good results. Thus, the free RAM flaps are versatile, and sturdy for any sites of soft-tissue where reconstruction could be performed.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.75-81
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• 1987

저자들은 선천성 두안면기형의 재건이나 두안면골을 침범한 종양, 심한 외상으로 인한 두안면골 결손을 재건하기 위하여 최근 많이 사용되는 자가두개골 외판을 이용한 골이식술을 3 예에서 시행한 결과 전통적으로 골이식의 공여부로 사용되어 온 늑골, 경골 또는 장골등과 비교해 볼 때 많은 장점을 가지고 있으며 또한 만족할 만한 결과를 얻을 수 있었다.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제37권
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• pp.45.1-45.8
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• 2015

Background: Radial forearm free flap is the most reliable flap for intraoral soft tissue reconstruction after cancer ablation surgery. However, unesthetic scar of the donor site and the need for a second donor site for skin graft are major disadvantages of the forearm flap. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical results of double-layered collagen graft to the donor site of the forearm free flap without skin graft. Methods: Twenty-two consecutive patients who underwent oral cancer ablation and forearm reconstruction between April 2010 and November 2013 were included in this study. Male to female ratio was 12:10, and average age was 61.0 years old (27-84). Double-layered collagen was grafted to the donor site of the forearm free flap and healed for secondary intention. Upper silicone had been trimmed at the periphery during secondary intention, and dry dressing was used. Postoperative scar healing and esthetic results and function were evaluated. Results: An average follow-up period was 34.9 months. The scar area was decreased to 63.9 % in average. The complete healing was obtained between 1.5 and 3 months according to the defect size. There was no functional defect or impairment 3 months after operation. All patients were satisfied with the esthetic results. Three patients died of recurred cancer. Conclusions: Double-layered collagen graft was successfully performed in this study. Without the thigh skin graft, patients had experienced less painful postoperative healing periods and discomfort.