• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.408-411
• /
• 2013

After radical excision of a tumor in the maxillofacial area, functional and esthetic reconstruction is needed, including flap surgery. Among the many etiologies of flap failure, venous thrombosis is one of the most frequent. Heparin is used routinely in the effort to avoid development of venous thrombosis. In rare cases, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) type II occurs due to exposure to heparin. Heparin attached to platelet factor 4 forms a PF4/heparin-immunoglobulin G immune complex on platelet surfaces. This complex activates platelets, which leads to multiple coagulation in venous and arterial blood. We report here on a rare occurrence of HIT type II following fibula free flap surgery.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.48 no.5
• /
• pp.511-517
• /
• 2021

The use of free flaps is an essential and reliable method of reconstruction in complex head and neck defects. Flap failure remains the most feared complication, the most common cause being pedicle thrombosis. Among other measures, thrombolysis is useful when manual thrombectomy has failed to restore flap perfusion, in the setting of late or established thrombosis, or in arterial thrombosis with distal clot propagation. We report a case of pedicle arterial thrombosis with distal clot propagation which occurred during reconstruction of a maxillectomy defect, and was successfully treated with thrombolysis using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. We also review the literature regarding the use of thrombolysis in free flap surgery, and propose an algorithm for the salvage of free flaps in head and neck reconstruction.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.14-22
• /
• 2007

Perforator free flap (PFF) is currently a major reconstructive option for soft tissue reconstruction in adults. Although PFFs have been used commonly, most reconstructive surgeons still hesitate to perform PFFs in children. The main cause of concern is the perceived high failure rate related to the small diameter of children's perforator vessels. We present 8 consecutive cases of successful transfer of thoracodorsal artery (TDA) & anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator flap in children. Between 2003 and 2005, 8 children(4 to 13 years old) with soft tissue defects of the extremities were reconstructed with TDA & ALT PFFs. All flaps completely survived. There were no problems relating to vascular spasm or occlusion. Range of motion of reconstructed extremities were fully recovered. Among 8 patients, only 1 patient was performed an additional flap thinning procedure. 8 cases of TDA & ALT perforator flaps were successfully transferred in children. PFF is an excellent option in reconstruction of children as well as in adults because of its thinness, long pedicle length, least donor site morbidity and acceptable donor site scar.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.59-65
• /
• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the results of anterolateral thigh perforator free flap for reconstruction of foot and ankle in old diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: Fifteen diabetic foot ulcer patients over the age of 55 were operated with anterolateral thigh perforator free flap. Hematological, hemodynamic, diabetic, bacteriologic and radiologic tests were checked with examination of blood vessel state in both the donor site and the recipient site. After surgery, serial check-up was performed at 6 week, 6 month, and 1 year postoperatively on the survival of transplantation tissue, condition of foot, and condition of walking. Results: There are one case of transplantation failure and four cases of partial tissue-necrosis. Delayed wound-healing was observed both recipient and donor tissue sites. At the final follow up, three cases of small ulcer were found at junction of flap and recipient tissue in plantar area. Fourteen out of fifteen patients could walk without any brace or walking aids. Conclusion: Reconstruction of foot and ankle region in old diabetic patients with the anterolateral thigh perforator free flap is a useful method which can prevent the amputation of foot and ankle.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.89-95
• /
• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of anterolateral thigh free flap on soft tissue defect following wide excision in malignant soft tissue tumor of lower extremities. Methods: Between February 2005 to April 2010, we followed up 19 cases who were undergoing anterolateral thigh free flap because of soft tissue defect following wide excision of malignant soft tissue tumor in lower extremity, including 9 cases were heel, 5 cases in foot, 3 cases in ankle, 2 cases in knee and leg. We observed that of implanted area's color, peripheral circulation at 3, 5, 7 days after operation and evaluated operating time, amount of hemorrhage, implanted skin necrosis, additional operations, complications. And we also evaluated the oncologic results, including local recurrence, metastasis, and morbidity. Results: Average operation time of wide excision and anterolateral thigh free flap was 7 hour 28 minutes. 18(94.7%) of total 19 cases showed successful engraftment, on the other hand, failure of engraftment due to complete necrosis of flap in 1 case. In 18 cases with successful engraftment, reoperation was performed in 4 cases. Among them, removal of hematoma and engraftment of flap after bleeding control was performed in 3 cases, because of insufficient circulation due to the hematoma. In the remaining 1 case, graft necrosis due to flap infection was checked, and grafted after combination of wound debridement and conservative treatment such as antibiotics therapy, also skin graft was performed at debrided skin defect area. Skin color change was mainly due to congestion with hematoma, flap was not observed global congestion or necrosis except 4 cases which shows partial necrosis on margin that treated with conservative therapy. Conclusions: Anterolateral thigh free flap could be recommended for reconstruction of soft tissue defect following wide excision of malignant soft tissue tumor in lower extremity.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.33-37
• /
• 2013

Purpose: The concept and development of perforator free flaps have led to significant advances in microsurgery. Ongoing developments in perforator free flap surgery are aimed at reducing complications and improving surgical outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and application of supermicrosurgery in free flap surgery. Materials and Methods: A total of 267 patients with soft tissue defects of the lower extremity due to various etiologies from January, 2007 to January, 2013. The patients received either an anterolateral thigh free flap (n=83), a superficial circumflex iliac artery free flap (n=152), an upper medial thigh free flap (n=19), or a superior gluteal artery perforator free flap (n=13). Microanastomosis was performed using a perforator-to-perforator technique, either end-to-end or end-to-side. Results: The mean postoperative follow up period was eight months (range: one to 16 months) and flap loss occurred in 11 cases out of 267. All cases of flap loss occurred within two weeks of surgery due to either arterial insufficiency (n=5) or venous congestion (n=6). Conclusion: Supermicrosurgery enables the selection of the most efficient perforator for microanastomosis at the defect site. It also reduces the time required for dissection of recipient vessels, and reduces the possibility of injury to major vessels. Microsurgery using a vessel of less than 1 mm has been reported to increase the risk of flap failure; however, using the most advanced surgical tools and developing experience in the technique can produce success rates similar to those found in the literature.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.119-124
• /
• 2007

Purpose: We reconstructed the skin defect of lower legs exposing muscles, tendons and bone with fasciocutaneous sural artery flap and report our cases. Materials and Methods: Between March 2005 and September 2006, 8 cases of skin defect were reconstructed with fasciocutaneous sural artery flap. Defect site were 4 case of ankle and foot and 4 cases of lower leg. The average defect size was $4{\times}4\;cm^2$. There were 5 men and 3 women and mean age was 52.2 years. We evaluated the viability of flap, postoperative complication, healing time, patient's satisfaction. Results: There was no flap failure in 8 cases. But recurrent discharge in 2 cases was healed through several times adequate debridement and delayed suture without complication. Flap edema may be due to venous congestion was healed through leg elevation and use of low molecular weight heparin. Mean time to heal the skin defect was 4 weeks. No infection and recurrence in follow up period. Cosmetic results as judged by patients were that 5 cases are good and 3 cases are fair. Conclusion: Sural artery flap is good treatment method among the numerous methods in the cases of skin defect, with soft tissue exposed, which is not covered with debridment and skin graft. Sural artery flap is useful method for the skin defect of lower legs because it is simple procedure, has constant blood supply and relatively good cosmetic effect.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.115-119
• /
• 2008

Purpose: We reconstructed the skin defect of hands exposing tendons and/or bone with distally based ulnar artery flap and report our cases. Materials and Methods: Between March 2005 and September 2007, 6 cases of skin defect were reconstructed with distally based ulnar artery flap. Defect site were 5 cases of hand dorsal side and 1 case of hand volar side. The average defect size was $3{\times}3\;cm^2$. There were 4 men and 2 women and mean age was 55.5 years. We evaluated the viability of flap, postoperaive complication, healing time, patient's satisfaction. Results: There was no flap failure in 6 cases. But 1 case with recurrent discharge was healed with several times adequate debridement and delayed suture. 1 case with flap edema which might be due to venous congestion was healed with hand elevation and use of low molecular weight heparin. Mean time to heal the skin defect was 4 weeks. No infection and recurrence was found in follow up period. Cosmetic results as judged by patients were that 3 cases are good and 3 cases are fair. Conclusion: Distally based ulnar artery flap is good treatment method among the numerous methods in the cases of skin defect, with soft tissue exposed, which is not covered with debridment and skin graft. Distally based ulnar artery flap is useful method for the skin defect of hands because it is simple procedure, has constant blood supply and relatively good cosmetic effect.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.243-247
• /
• 2017

Reconstruction of the lower limb presents a complex problem after skin cancer surgery, as proximity of skin and bone present vascular and technical challenges. Studies on vascular anatomy have confirmed that the vascular plane on the lower limb lies deep to the deep fascia. Yet, many flaps are routinely raised superficial to this plane and therefore flap failure rates in the lower limb are high. Fascio-cutaneous flaps based on perforators offer a better cosmetic alternative to skin grafts. In this paper, we detail use of a thermal imaging camera to identify perforator 'compartments' that can help in designing such flaps.

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