• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.169-173
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• 2008

Purpose: Sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus is a chronic inflammatory disease that mostly affects young people, which warrants surgical intervention. Although many surgical methods have been suggested, an optimal surgical method remains controversial because of high recurrence rates and postoperative complications. The objective of this study is to evaluate the results of wide excision and coverage with fasciocutaneous advancement flap for the treatment of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus, and to assess the usefulness of this method Methods: From May 1995 to October 2006, the authors treated 19 patients with the use of coverage with fasciocutaneous flap after wide excision. The results were evaluated regarding recurrence rates, complications, and the change in sensitivity of the gluteal region after surgery. The follow-up period was 7 to 142 months (mean, 76 months). All patients were male. Results: Postoperative complications were wound infection at the suction drain insertion site and skin necrosis around the suture margin in one case, respectively. During the follow up period, only one recurrence (5.3%) was seen in fifth postoperative month, which was successfully treated by the same operative procedure. There was no other complications such as seroma, hematoma, wound dehiscence and flap loss. Extensive scarring and anatomic distortion did not occur in the reconstructed area. In addition, sensitivity of the gluteal region did not diminish. The aesthetic results were satisfactory for all patients as well. Conclusion: The authors advocate that fasciocutaneous flap closure be a good alternative method to cover defects after the excision of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.208-213
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• 2008

Purpose: Distally based superficial sural artery island flap has some disadvantages such as postoperative flap edema, congestion, and partial necrosis of the flap margin. Venous congestion is an area of considerable concern in distally based superficial sural artery fasciocutaneous flap and is one of the main reasons for failure, particularly when a large flap is needed. However, we could decrease these disadvantages by means of venous superdrainage. Methods: From June of 2006 to June of 2007, a total of two patients with soft tissue defects of lower one third of the leg underwent venous supercharging distally based superficial sural artery island flap transfer. The distal pivot point of this flap was designed at septocutaneous perforator from the peroneal artery of the posterolateral septum, which was 5 cm above the tip of the lateral malleolus. Briefly, this technique is performed by anastomosing the proximal end of the lesser saphenous vein and collateral vein to any vein in the area of the recipient defect site. Results: No venous congestion was noted in any of the two cases. No other recipient or donor-site complications were observed, except for minor wound dehiscence in one case. In 3 to 6 months follow-up, patients had minor complaints about lack of sensation in the lateral dorsal foot. Conclusion: The peroneal artery perforator is predictable and reliable for the design of a distally based superficial sural artery island flap. Elevation of the venous supercharging flap is safe, easy, and less time consuming. In conclusion, the venous supercharging distally based superficial sural artery island flap offers an alterative to free tissue transfer for reconstruction of the lower extremity.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.165-174
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• 1998

Large soft tissue defect of the ankle and foot can present a difficult reconstructive problem to the surgeon. Local musculocutaneous, local fasciocutaneous or free flap is usually the first choice for providing soft tissue coverage. However, in certain situations, local flaps from the same leg and free flap may not be suitable. These include extensive soft tissue injury, where no suitable recipient vessels can be found, previous local fasciocutaneous flap or free flap failure. In such cases, we have utilized the septocutaneous(fasciocutaneous) branch flap of posterior tibial artery from the opposite healthy limb. We present 5 cases of cross leg flaps, which have been modernized with current understanding of vascular anatomy and current fixation technology. All cross leg flaps were based on the axial blood supply of the fasciocutanous branch of the posterior tibial artery. Cross-clamping with bowel clamp was used to create intermittent periods of ischemia. Adjacent lower extremity joints were exercised during the periods of attachment. The results have been quite encouraging. We conclude that the cross leg flap using septocutaneous flap and cast immobilization can be successfully and expeditiously used to cover defects of the ante and foot.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.181-186
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• 2006

Myocutaneous flaps have improved the management of soft tissue defects on buttocks and lower extremity. However, there are several inherent disadvantages of muscle flaps such as functional deficits of the donor sites and the bulkiness at the recipient site. To overcome these disadvantages, we have used perforator-based fasciocutaneous rotation flaps for reconstruction of the buttock and lower extremity defects. From March 2003 to February 2005, we have treated 14 patients using perforator-based fasciocutaneous rotation flaps. 10 flaps were based on perforators of the gluteus maximus muscle, and 4 flaps were nourished by perforators from the tibialis anterior and posterior system. The mean postoperative follow-up period was about 1 year. The technique involves localization of the flap perforators preoperatively with a Doppler. The flaps were elevated superficial to the fascia with preservation of one to three perforators. The donor site is then closed primarily. All flaps completely survived and there was no perioperative complications. There was no functional disability of the donor area with esthetically pleasing results. Perforator-based fasciocutaneous rotation flaps for the reconstruction of buttock and lower extremity defects are excellent alternatives to musculocutaeous flaps. The vascularity of the flaps is robust and dissection is technically easy. Perforator flaps do not require sacrificing muscles, but provide sufficient volume and are durable Furthermore, these flaps result in less scar formation and allow more liberal dissection with safety. We conclude that perforator-based fasciocutaneous rotation flaps are very useful for reconstruction of the buttock and lower extremity.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.831-834
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• 2010

Purpose: Congenital absence of the vagina is a rare case. It occurs as a result of Mullerian duct aplasia or complete androgen insensitivity syndrome. The reconstructive modality includes skin graft, use of intestine and various methods of flap. We report a patient who underwent vulvoperineal fasciocutaneous flap to reconstruct congenital absence of the vagina, while the external genitalia and ovaries are normal. Methods: A 26-year-old woman presented with vaginal agenesis. Under general anesthesia, a U-shaped incision was made between the urethral meatus and the anus. The new vaginal pocket was created up to the level of the peritoneal reflection between the urinary structures and the rectum. Next, the vulvoperineal fasciocutaneous flaps were designed in a rectangular fashion. Flap elevation was begun at the lateral margin which the adductor longus fascia was incised and elevated, and the superficial perineal neurovascular pedicle was invested by the fascial layer. The medial border was then elevated. A subcutaneous tunnel was created beneath the inferior of the labia to rotate the flaps. The left vulvoperineal flap was rotated counterclockwise and the right was rotated clockwise. The neovaginal pouch was formed by approximating the medial and lateral borders. The tubed neovagina was then transposed into the cavity. Results: In 3 weeks, the vaginal canal remained supple After 6 weeks, the physical examination showed normalappearing labia majora and perineum with an adequate vaginal depth. A year after the operation, the patient had a 7 cm vagina of sufficient width with no evidence of contractures nor fibrous scar formation. The patient was sexually active without difficulty. Conclusion: Although many methods were described for reconstruction of vaginal absence, there is not a method yet to be approved as a perfect solution. We used the vulvoperineal fasciocutaneous flap to reconstruct a neovagina. This method had a following merits: a single-stage procedure, excellent flap reliability, the potential for normal function, minimal donor site morbidity and no need for subsequent dilatation, stents, or obturators. We thought that this operation has a good anatomic and functional results for reconstruction of the vagina.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2006

With advances in techniques and instrumentation, the primary concern of microsurgeons has shifted from flap anatomy and survival toward flap refinement and donor-site function and aesthetics because flap survival rates have risen 96 percent. However, the problem still remains on regard that most flap has disadvantages that flap itself is too bulky or leaves unaesthetic scar to the donor site. These problems can be solved by using adipofascial flap instead of fasciocutaneous flap. The adipofascial flap not only has minimal donor site morbidity, but also can be retained thin. It seems that its advantages can be applied on soft tissue defect of exposed body part.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1225-1230
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• 1992

Reconstructive surgical procedures for hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal defects have still a lot of technical defficulties and varieties to be performed as a optimal treatment according to the clinical situation patient faced. We have experienced a case of successful reconstruction of cervical esophageal defect, which was resulted from graft failure of free jejunal transfer in 43 year old male with eso-phagocutaneous fistula, using free fasciocutaneous dorsalis pedis flap. This article describes the review of our case and literature relevant the reconstructive maneuvers of cervical esophageal defects.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2013

Purpose: Although a fasciocutaneous perforator artery as a vascular pedicle has previously been shown to be predominant in the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap, recent studies have shown that a myocutaneous perforator artery is predominant. We have attempted to attain a clinical understanding of the vascular variations in the ALT flap. Materials and Methods: We confirmed the origin of a perforator artery in 11 cases of ALT flap. We then reviewed the variations of the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery, known as the major origin of the flap, and the overall variations associated with an ALT flap. Results: In a total of 11 cases, there were 18 perforator arteries of the ALT flaps. In addition, there were 9 fasciocutaneous perforator arteries and another 9 myocutaneous ones. However, depending on the origin, there was great variability in the perforator artery. That is, there were unique variants in the descending branches of the lateral femoral circumflex artery, the major origin of the perforator artery, in 3 of the total 11 cases. Conclusion: Our results showed that (1) a perforator artery accounts for the high proportion of fasciocutaneous ones, (2) a perforator artery might not originate from the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery and (3) there might be unique variants in the descending branch. If considering this, surgeons would successfully elevate an ALT flap.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.257-260
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• 2012

This report describes the use of a tubularized random flap for the curative treatment of recurrent anterior urethral stricture. Under the condition of pendulous lithotomy and suprapubic cystostomy, the urethral stricture was removed via a midline ventral penile incision followed by elevation of the flap and insertion of an 18-Fr catheter. Subcutaneous buried interrupted sutures were used to reapproximate the waterproof tubularized neourethra and to coapt with the neourethra and each stump of the urethra, first proximally and then distally. The defect of the penile shaft was covered by advancement of the surrounding scrotal flap. The indwelling catheter was maintained for 21 days. A 9 month postoperative cystoscopy showed no flap necrosis, no mechanical stricture, and no hair growth on the lumen of the neourethra. The patient showed no voiding discomfort 6 months after the operation. The advantages of this procedure are the lack of need for microsurgery, shortening of admission, the use of only spinal anesthesia (no general anesthesia), and a relatively short operative time. The tubularized unilateral penile fasciocutaneous flap should be considered an option for initial flap urethroplasty as a curative technique.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.227-232
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• 2007

The radial forearm fasciocutaneous flap(RFFF) is a well-known flap for the reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects. It was first described by Yang et al. in 1981 and Soutar et al. developed it for the reconstruction of intraoral defect. RFFF provides a reliable, thin, and pliable soft tissue/skin paddle that is amenable to sensate reconstruction. It also has a long vascular pedicle that can be anastomosed to any vessel in either the ipsilateral or contralateral neck. However, split thickness skin graft(STSG) is most commonly used to cover the donor site, and a variety of donor site complications have been reported, including delayed healing, swelling of the hand, persistent wrist stiffness, reduced hand strength, and partial loss of the graft with exposure of the forearm flexor tendon. Various methods for donor site repair in addition to STSG have been developed and practiced to minimize both functional and esthetic morbidity, such as direct closure, V-Y closure, full thickness skin graft, tissue expansion, acellular dermal graft. We got a good result of using artificial dermis($Terudermis^{(R)}$) and secondary STSG for the repair of RFFF donor site defect esthetically and report with a review of literature.