• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.124-130
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• 2001

Both of latissimus dorsi and rectus abdominis muscles are workhorse for various reconstructive surgeries. These muscle flaps have been used widely for soft tissue coverage, tissue augmentation, and functional muscle transfer. However, the traditional method for muscle harvest requires a long incision that often results in an unsightly scar and becomes the main concern of the patient. The purpose of this study is to introduce our clinical experience of endoscopic harvest of latissimus dorsi muscle and rectus abdominis muscle, and to make comparison with traditional harvest of these two muscle flaps. Of the 13 rectus abdominis muscles free flaps, 6 muscles were harvested traditionally and 7 muscles were harvested with endoscopic assistance. Of the 21 latissimus dorsi muscle free flaps, 12 muscles were harvested traditionally and 9 muscles were harvested with endoscopic assistence. Follow up period was between 6 months and 24 months. The patients age ranged from 7 to 70 years old. The result revealed no statistically significant differences in the amount of intraoperative bleeding, incidence of postoperative hematoma and seroma, and the incidence of donor-site wound infection. However, patients feel less pain and start earlier and better movement after the operation with endoscopically assisted harvest. This technique is easy to learn, is safe, and can reduce substantially the donor site morbidity comparing traditional harvesting technique.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.504-509
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• 2003

Although arterial grafts are widely used due to the advantage of long-term patency in coronary bypass surgery, greater saphenous vein is still an important additional conduit. It was reported that preservation of the adventitia of vein graft and the adjacent tissues may bring the improved long-term graft patency. The aim of this study is to look for a harvest technique that can reduce vein injury and wound complications. Material and Method: In thirty-four patients that vein grafts were used for coronary bypass surgery, 50 harvest sites were included for the study. In 25 harvest sites in calf below knee (group 1), vein was exposed through a long incision and then clearly dissected from the adjacent tissue. Ten endoscopic vein harvests were performed in the thighs (group 2). Fifteen other vein grafts that were bluntly dissected were harvested from the thighs through three separate incisions (group 3). Result: Vein harvest time was longest in endoscopic harvest group (44.7$\pm$9.8 minutes) and shortest in group 3 (24.2$\pm$5.9 minutes) (p＝0.000). Most avulsion injuries of vein branches happened in the endoscopic group. Sequential grafting numbers per vein were 1.72$\pm$0.98 with thigh vein graft and 1.16$\pm$0.37 with calf vein (p＝0.02). Swelling of foot and/or leg, which was the most common wound complication after vein harvest, was most commonly presented in group 1 (20/25 sites; p＝0.000). Tingling, the most common neurologic complication, was also most prevalent in group 1 (7/25 sites; p＝0.013). The risk factor of the wound complication was vein harvest from calf, and the vein harvest technique was not a risk for wound complication. Conclusion: Vein harvest technique through three separate incisions from thigh presented shorter harvest time and less vein injury and wound complication compared with the endoscopic harvest technique from thigh or the harvest through a long incision from calf.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.571-576
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• 2010

Purpose: Reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the foot often requires free-flap transfer. Free muscle flap transfer and skin grafts on the muscle has been an option for these defects. Here we present our experiences of foot reconstruction using an endoscopy-assisted free muscle flap harvest. Methods: Using endoscopy-assisted free muscle flap harvests, four patients with soft tissue defects of the foot were treated with a free muscle flap and skin graft. The gracilis muscle was used for two patients and the rectus abdominis muscle for two. A single small transverse skin incision was placed on the lower abdomen for the rectus abdominis muscle. A small transverse skin incision on the proximal thigh was the only incision for harvesting the gracilis muscle flap. The small incisions were enough for the muscle flap to be pulled through. Results: The flaps survived successfully in all cases. Contours were good from both functional and aesthetic aspects. No breakdowns or ulcerations of the flap developed during long-term follow-up. Resultant scars were short and relatively hidden. Functional morbidities such as abdominal bulging were not noted. Conclusion: Endoscopy-assisted harvest of muscle flap and transfer with skin graft is a good option for soft tissue defects of the foot. Morbidities of the donor site can be minimized with endoscopic flap harvest. This method is preferable for young patients who want a small donor site scar.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.513-519
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• 2014

Background Currently, breast conservation therapy is commonly performed for the treatment of early breast cancer. Depending on the volume excised, patients may require volume replacement, even in cases of partial mastectomy. The use of the latissimus dorsi muscle is the standard method, but this procedure leaves an unfavorable scar on the donor site. We used an endoscope for latissimus dorsi harvesting to minimize the incision, thus reducing postoperative scars. Methods Ten patients who underwent partial mastectomy and immediate partial breast reconstruction with endoscopic latissimus dorsi muscle flap harvest were reviewed retrospectively. The total operation time, hospital stay, and complications were reviewed. Postoperative scarring, overall shape of the reconstructed breast, and donor site deformity were assessed using a 10-point scale. Results In the mean follow-up of 11 weeks, no tumor recurrence was reported. The mean operation time was 294.5 (${\pm}38.2$) minutes. The postoperative hospital stay was 11.4 days. Donor site seroma was reported in four cases and managed by office aspiration and compressive dressing. Postoperative scarring, donor site deformity, and the overall shape of the neobreast were acceptable, scoring above 7. Conclusions Replacement of 20% to 40% of breast volume in the upper and the lower outer quadrants with a latissimus dorsi muscle flap by using endoscopic harvesting is a good alternative reconstruction technique after partial mastectomy. Short incision benefits from a very acceptable postoperative scar, less pain, and early upper extremity movement.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.165-177
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• 2013

This is the third in a series on coronary artery bypass which reviews three alternative arterial conduits. The radial artery has become the most widely used of the three and accumulating experience demonstrates better patency at 10 years versus saphenous vein. Drawbacks are a long incision on the forearm, the propensity for spasm and persistent sensory disturbance in about 10%. The first is answered by endoscopic harvest which may yield a shorter conduit but reduces sensory nerve injury. Spasm is managed pharmacologically and by less harvest trauma. The gastroepiploic artery is used in situ and free and although the abdominal cavity is entered complications are minimal and patency compares favorably with the radial artery. Use of the inferior epigastric artery remains minimal and its similar length often requires composite use but limited patency data are supportive. Other arteries have had rare use and this is unlikely to change because the three presented here have significant advantages and acceptance.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.1 s.258
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• pp.35-41
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• 2006

Background: The radial arteries are being used more often for coronary artery bypass grafting, We tried to the endoscopic radial artery harvest to reduce the cosmetic problems and neurologic complications of the conventional open harvesting and report the techniques and early results. Material and Method: The 86 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting between May 2003 and April 2005 had their nondominant radial artery endoscopically removed through a 2 cm incision at the wrist. The radial pedicle was dissected and was divided at antecubial area through a 5 mm counterincision. Result: The 23 patients complained of neuralgias on territory of superficial raidal none but no one complained of neuralgias on territory of lateral antebrachial cutaneous none. There was no functional impairment of the hand. There was no wound complication except a localized hematoma. All patients were contacted by telephone after postoperative 7.9$\pm$3.6 months. The 4 patients still complained of neuralgia. All the patients were satisfied with the aesthetics of the wounds. The multidetectional tomography was done on the 66 patients for the estimation of early patency of radial artery. There were 2 cases of stenosis and a case of occlusion. Conclusion: Endoscopic radial artery harvest had no functional impairment of the hand, lesser rate of neurologic complications and outstanding aesthetics. The results of early patency of the radial artery was similar to conventional methods. Therefore, we think that endoscopic radial artery harvest is the optimal procedure.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.72-80
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• 1997

Numerous techniques of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have been described in literature. All have inherent advantages and disadvantages. The central one-third patellar tendon and hamstring tendons are the most commonly used autogenous tissues for replacement of a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Although the central one-third patellar tendon is considered to be 'the gold standard' for replacement of torn ACL. equivalent results have been reported using hamstring tendon grafts. Autogenous hamstring grafts provide adequate strength while avoiding donor site morbidity associated with bone-tendon-bone harvest. $EndoButton^{\circledR}$ femoral fixation allows precise femoral tunnel placement without a second incison. The purpose of this article is to describe surgical techniques using a quadrupled semitendinosus tendon and $EndoButton^{\circledR}$ fixation, and review the results of replacement of ACL.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.619-630
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• 2021

Objective : The skull base reconstruction step, which prevents cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, is one of the most challenging steps in endoscopic skull base surgery (ESS). The purpose of this study was to assess the outcomes and complications of a reconstruction technique for immediate CSF leakage repair using multiple onlay grafts following ESS. Methods : A total of 230 consecutive patients who underwent skull base reconstruction using multiple onlay grafts with fibrin sealant patch (FSP), hydroxyapatite cement (HAC), and pedicled nasoseptal flap (PNF) for high-flow CSF leakage following ESS at three institutions were enrolled. We retrospectively reviewed the medical and radiological records to analyze the preoperative features and postoperative results. Results : The diagnoses included craniopharyngioma (46.8%), meningioma (34.0%), pituitary adenoma (5.3%), chordoma (1.6%), Rathke's cleft cyst (1.1%) and others (n=21, 11.2%). The trans-planum/tuberculum approach (94.3%) was the most commonly adapted surgical method, followed by the trans-sellar and transclival approaches. The third ventricle was opened in 78 patients (41.5%). Lumbar CSF drainage was not performed postoperatively in any of the patients. Postoperative CSF leakage occurred in four patients (1.7%) due to technical mistakes and were repaired with the same technique. However, postoperative meningitis occurred in 13.5% (n=31) of the patients, but no microorganisms were identified. The median latency to the diagnosis of meningitis was 8 days (range, 2-38). CSF leakage was the unique risk factor for postoperative meningitis (p<0.001). Conclusion : The use of multiple onlay grafts with FSP, HAC, and PNF is a reliable reconstruction technique that provides immediate and complete CSF leakage repair and mucosal grafting on the skull base without the need to harvest autologous tissue or perform postoperative CSF diversion. However, postoperative meningitis should be monitored carefully.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.74-77
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• 2021

Lymphorrhea is a rare but potentially severe complication that occurs after various surgical procedures. Untreated lymphorrhea may lead to wound dehiscence, infection, and prolonged hospital stay. Currently, there is no standard effective treatment. Early management usually includes leg elevation, drainage, and pressure dressing. However, these methods are associated with prolonged recovery and high recurrence rates. We report a case of lymphorrhea from a calf wound after endoscopic great saphenous vein (GSV) harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The patient presented with intractable oozing from the postoperative wound on the right calf. Lymphorrhea persisted for 6 weeks despite negative-pressure wound therapy with a long-acting somatostatin. We performed unilateral pedal lymphangiography that confirmed wound lymphorrhea, followed by glue embolization. No recurrence was observed after 8 months of follow-up. This case report demonstrates the successful use of lymphangiography with glue embolization in the control of lymphorrhea after GSV harvesting for CABG.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.34-38
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• 2022

The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap has been widely used for autologous breast reconstruction after mastectomy. In the conventional surgical method, a long incision is needed at the anterior fascia of the rectus abdominis muscle to obtain sufficient pedicle length; this may increase the risk of incisional hernia. To shorten the incision, several trials have investigated the use of endoscopic/robotic devices for pedicle harvest; however, making multiple additional incisions for port insertion and operating in the intraperitoneal field were inevitable. Here, we describe the first case, in which a DIEP free flap was successfully made using the da Vinci SP model. Our findings can help surgeons perform operations in smaller fields with a single port in the extraperitoneal space. Moreover, this method is expected to lead to fewer donor-related complications and faster healing.