• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.494-497
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• 2021

Bronchopleural fistula is a severe complication with a high mortality rate that occurs after pulmonary resection. Several treatment options have been suggested; however, it is a challenge to treat this condition without recurrence or other complications. In this case report, we describe the successful performance of a pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap transfer, with no recurrence or donor site morbidity.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2003

Soft tissue reconstruction of dorsum of the foot and ankle has long presented challenging problems for the reconstructive surgeon. Limitations of available local tissue, the need for specialized tissue, and donor site morbidity restrict the options. In an effort to solve these difficult problems, we have begun to use adipofascial flap based on the perforating branch of the peroneal artery. We present our early experience of 5 patients treated with this flap. Our patients ranged from 6 to 26 years in age and included 3 males and 2 females. The etiologies of the wounds were secondary to traffic accident, and crushing injury. The flaps had reverse flow in all patients. The flap and the adjoining raw area were covered with a full-thickness skin graft, while the donor site at the lateral aspect of the leg was closed primarily without grafting. The skin graft was taken from the inguinal area, which was closed primarily. Compared with other flap, this adipofascial flap is thinner, producing less bulkiness to the recipient site and minor aesthetic sequelae to the donor site. In our opinion, this flap is versatile, effective, and an addition to the armamentarium of the reconstructive surgeon for coverage of difficult wounds of the foot and ankle.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2021

Background Reconstruction after removal of a malignant tumor in the head and neck region is crucial for restoring tissue integrity, function, and aesthetics. We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent intraoral reconstruction surgery using radial forearm free flaps (RFFF) and anterolateral thigh free flaps (ALT) at a single institution to provide more information supporting the choice of a reconstruction method after removal of head and neck cancer. Methods The charts of 708 patients who underwent head and neck reconstruction between 1998 and 2018 at the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Patients' age, sex, and history of radiation therapy, diabetes mellitus, and smoking were retrieved. The primary cancer site, types of defects, and complications were investigated. Results Overall, 473 and 95 patients underwent reconstruction surgery with RFFF and ALT, respectively. RFFF was more often used in patients with cancers of the pharynx, larynx, esophagus, or tonsil, while ALT was more frequently used in patients with cancers of the mouth floor with tonsil or tongue involvement. The proportion of patients undergoing ALT increased gradually. Flap failure and donor site morbidities did not show significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions RFFF and ALT flaps resulted in similar outcomes in terms of flap survival and donor site morbidity. ALT can be an option for head and neck reconstruction surgery in patients with large and complex defects or for young patients who want to hide their donor site scars.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.233-239
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• 2023

Background Trunk defects can occur because of surgical site infections after spinal surgery, resection of malignant tumors, or trauma. Herein, we present our experience of using intercostal artery perforator (ICAP) flaps to reconstruct trunk defects without noteworthy complications. Fourteen patients underwent reconstruction with ICAP flaps between March 2015 and March 2019. Methods Patients' data, including age, sex, the cause of the defect, defect size, perforator location, flap size, complications, and follow-up period, were retrospectively reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 56.5 years (range, 19-80 years). All operations were performed after the results of bacterial culture from the wound showed no microbial growth. We found reliable perforators around the defect using Doppler ultrasonography. The perforator flaps were elevated with a pulsatile perforator and rotated in a propeller fashion to the defects. We performed five dorsal and two lateral ICAP flaps. The mean flap dimensions were 12 × 5.5 cm² (range, 6 × 5 to 18 × 8 cm²). Results Primary closure of the donor site was performed. Marginal congestion was observed as a complication in one case, but it healed with no need for revision. The mean follow-up period was 8 months. All patients were satisfied with the surgical outcomes. Conclusion ICAP flaps can be easily mobilized, thereby reducing donor site morbidity without sacrificing the underlying muscles for trunk reconstruction. Therefore, these flaps are useful options for the reconstruction of trunk defects.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.120-126
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• 2009

Purpose: Autogenous cartilage is generally first choice in rhinoplasty because of its biocompatibility and resistance to infection. On the other hand, allogeneous cartilage graft might preferred over an autogenous graft to avoid additional donor site scars, morbidity and lengthened operating time. Allogenous costal cartilage ($Tutoplast^{(R)}$) not only have the advantage of averting donor site morbidity but also are resistant to infection, resembling autogenous cartilage graft. We report here a technique for rhinoplasty by using allogenous costal cartilage graft. Methods: Through open rhinoplastic approach, alar cartilage is released from upper lateral cartilage and relocated caudally. After relocation of alar cartilage, allogenous costal cartilage is immobilized by nonabsorbable suture material at caudal aspect of septal cartilage. Caudal end of allogenous costal cartilage is sutured between medial crura of alar cartilage. Tip projection is improved by using interdormal suture, transdormal suture and shield-shape cartilage graft which is harvested from concha Results: No significant resorption and infection was detected in any of patients. Aesthetic and functional results were satisfactory. Conclusion: The low incidence of major complication and versatility of allogeneous costal cartilage graft make safe and reliable source of cartilage graft in rhinoplasty.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.92-101
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• 2010

The Hamstring autograft and the bone patellar bone tendon autograft have been widely used for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. In recent years, use of hamstring autograft for ACL reconstrution has been increased. The reason seems to be the advantages of the hamstring tendon such as high ultimate tensile load, low donor site morbidity and development of graft fixation method. These theoretical advantages have been increased as studies have shown that hamstring tendons actually regenerate after harvesting for ACL reconstruction. However, the concerns have arisen regarding the disadvantages of hamstring harvest, which were weakness of tibial internal rotation, the loss of flexion strength. The flexion strength loss has been controversial, therefore it needs to study whether restoration of flexion strength after hamstring regeneration is or not. In this study, we reviewed the current research of concerns on the advantage and disadvantage of hamstring tendon autograft and the hamstring regeneration. Furthermore, we compared the earlier studies and experiences regarding Hamstring regeneration with our research.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.164-171
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• 2000

Fascia and fasciocutaneous free flaps (using perforators) are adequate reconstructive options with aesthetic and functional advantages, particularly for reconstruction of variable soft tissue defects of the extremities. Although various donor sites have been used for these concerns including temporoparietal fascia, serratus fascia, scapular fascia, fascial component of lateral arm and posterior calf fascia. The authors used temporoparietal and scapular fascia as a free flap for coverage of soft tissue defects and we compare two flap mainly their histologic studies and clinical applications. In our expierience both fascia provide thin, pliable coverage for exposed bone and tendons and provide good postoperative functional restoration on the recipient area. Histologically temporoparietal fascia flap has more rich blood supply and scapular fascia flap is rich in adipose tissue in their composition. In donor site morbidity, both flaps can bring satisfactory results about the donor sites, but the donor site of the temporoparietal fascia flap sometimes revealed conspicious linear scar and transient alopecia in short-haired patients and the scapular fascia flap has a tendency to be wider and thicker in obese patients. After successful application of the both fascia flap as a free flap in 38 patients (25 temporoparietal fascia, 13 scapular fascia) since 1995 ; authors recommend using the temporoparietal fascia flap for women, who tend to have more fat and longer hair, and the scapular fascia flap for men, who tend to be leand & shorter hair.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.367-375
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• 2012

Background The anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator flap has become a popular option for treating soft tissue defects of lower extremity reconstruction and can be combined with a segment of the vastus lateralis muscle. We present a comparison of the use of the ALT fasciocutaneous (ALT-FC) and myocutaneous flaps. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients in whom free-tissue transfer was performed between 2005 and 2011 for the reconstruction of lower extremity soft-tissue defects. Twenty-four patients were divided into two groups: reconstruction using an ALT-FC flap (12 cases) and reconstruction using a vastus lateralis myocutaneous (VL-MC) flap (12 cases). Postoperative complications, functional results, cosmetic results, and donor-site morbidities were studied. Results Complete flap survival was 100% in both groups. A flap complication was noted in one case (marginal dehiscence) of the ALT-FC group, and no complications were noted in the VL-MC group. In both groups, one case of partial skin graft loss occurred at the donor site, and debulking surgeries were needed for two cases. There were no significant differences in the mean scores for either functional or cosmetic outcomes in either group. Conclusions The VL-MC flap is able to fill occasional dead space and has comparable survival rates to ALT-FC with minimal donor-site morbidity. Additionally, the VL-MC flap is easily elevated without myocutaneous perforator injury.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.41-48
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• 2009

There are several advantages for groin flap, but its small and unpredictable vessels of pedicle have made it to lose its initial popularity. Although it would be ideal flap when it is focused on its useful advantages such as relative larger size, low donor site morbidity and possible bone graft, there have been few studies for prognostic factors for successful groin flap. Authors intended to determine prognostic factors which are relative with success of free groin flap. From January 1985 to December 2007, 107 patients who underwent groin flap for reconstruction of extremities were selected consecutively. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to determine prognostic factors which were related with success of groin flap. Eighty of 107 (74.8%) flaps survived. There was significant difference in success rate according to the recipient site. Nineteen of 20 cases (95%) survived in upper extremities, but 61 of 87 cases (70.1%) survived in lower extremities, which was statistically significant (p=0.022). Univariate analysis showed that mean diameter of donor veins was significantly larger in success group (p=0.021). Groin flap is recommended for reconstruction of upper extremities than lower extremities. It is thought to be critical that surgeons try to match vessel diameters between donor and recipient site.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2013

Purpose: For reconstruction of lower extremity defects, various flaps can be used and the appropriate flap must be selected and applied according to the size of the defect. In particular, in cases where the defect size is small to moderate, thinner or smaller volume flaps are useful. The authors performed reconstruction of small to moderate defects on the lower extremities using superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator free flaps and are reporting the results. Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients underwent reconstruction of defects on lower extremity areas using superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator free flaps from July 2011 to July 2012 at this hospital. The flaps were elevated from above the deep fat layer, and, in all cases, the vessel diameter of the flaps was less than 1mm, with the exception of superficial vein that accompanied it. Results: The mean follow up period was 4.46 months, and, despite a partial loss in the flap in two cases, there were no total losses. All donor sites were closed with primary closure, and there was no occurrence of complications, such as hematomas, seromas, or lymphorrheas. The patients were highly satisfied with the donor site scar since it could be masked by underwear. Conclusion: Compared to other flaps, superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator free flaps are thinner in thickness and smaller in volume, which results in a more natural contour of the recipient site after the operation. In addition, since the flap can be elevated from supra-deep fat layer, the operation time can be shortened, and lymphorrhea can be prevented, which in turn lessens donor-site morbidity.