• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.108-113
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• 1998

Reverse digital artery flaps were performed successfully to resurface the fingertip defect in 13 patients as noninnervated pattern and in 12 patients as innervated pattern from March 1993 to February 1996. No loss of flap in this series was noted. Refinements in flap design and surgical technique resulted in favourable functional and ethetic results. The average two-point discrimination of the reconstructed fingertip was 7.2mm and 4.5mm in the noninnervated and innervated flaps, respectively. This flap is an one of the ideal and reliable option for reconstruction of fingertip defects.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.470-473
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• 2016

Nipple-areolar complex (NAC) reconstruction is the final step in the long journey of breast reconstruction for mastectomy patients. Successful NAC reconstruction depends on the use of appropriate surgical techniques that are simple and reliable. To date, numerous techniques have been used for nipple reconstruction, including contralateral nipple sharing and various local flaps. Recently, it has been common to utilize local flaps. However, the most common nipple reconstruction problem encountered with local flaps is the loss of nipple projection; there can be approximately 50% projection loss in reconstructed nipples over long-term follow-up. Several factors might contribute to nipple projection loss, and we tried to overcome these factors by performing nipple reconstructions using a boomerang flap technique, which is a modified C-V flap that utilizes the previous mastectomy scar to maintain long-term nipple projection.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.441-447
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• 2007

Purpose: Various kinds of local flap or free flap have been used for coverage for soft tissue defects with bone exposure over the ankle and dorsum of foot. Adipofascial flaps, nourished by vascular plexuses of the subcutaneous tissue and deep fascia originating from the local perforators of the major vessels, appear particularly to be indicated for the reconstruction of these areas. Our experience with this flap on the dorsum of foot and ankle has also been quite encouraging. Methods: The design of the flap is determined by the size and the location of the defect. The base of the flap is chosen depending on the availability of the soft tissue around the defect. The ratio of the area of the flap to the area of the base wound be more reliable to predict the survival of the turnover flap by the conventional length-to-width ratio. Nineteen patients with defect over the dorsum of the foot and ankle were resurfaced with adipofascial turn-over flaps and skin graft. Results: The average age of the patients was 38.2 years(3 - 81 years). The flap size was from $2{\times}3cm$ to $8{\times}5cm$. The average follow-up time was 6 months. All flaps survived completely except one case who suffered distal necrosis of the flap. The additional skin graft was required for partial skin loss in the five cases. Other functional impairment was not noted. Conclusion: Dissection of the local adipofascial turnover flap is quite easy, quick, requires less time and sacrifice of surrounding muscle itself, and maintains major arteries. In most cases, donor-site morbidity is minimal with an acceptable scar, and both functional and esthetical results were satisfactory. Therefore, Adipofascial flap could be an option for the difficult wounds around the foot and ankle.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.655-662
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• 2011

Purpose: The anterolateral thigh flap is versatile flap for soft-tissue reconstruction for defects located at various sites of the body. This useful flap offers a thick and vascular fascia lata component with large amounts that can be soft tissue coverage for different reconstructive purposes. We present our clinical experience with the use of vascular fascia lata, combined with anterolateral thigh flap for various reconstructive goals. Methods: From April 2008 to February 2011, we transferred anterolateral thigh flaps with fascia lata component to reconstruct soft-tissue defects for different purposes in 11 patients. The fascia lata component of the flap was used for tendon gliding surface in hand/forearm reconstruction in 4 patients, for reconstruction medial and lateral patellar synovial membrane and retinaculum in 2 patients, for reconstruction of plantar aponeurosis in the foot in 2 patients, for reconstruction of fascial and peritoneal defect in the abdominal wall in 2 patient, and for dural defect reconstruction in the scalp in the remaining one. Results: Complete loss of the flap was not seen in all cases. Partial flap necrosis occurred in 2 patients. These complications were treated successfully with minimal surgical debridement and dressing. Infection occurred in 1 patient. In this case, intravenous antibiotics treatment was effective. Conclusion: Anterolateral thigh flap has thick vascular fascia with large amounts. This fascial component of the flap is useful for different reconstructive aims, such as for tendon, ligament, aponeurosis defects, abdominal wall or dura reconstruction. It should be considerated as an important advantage of the flap, together with other well-known advantages.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.455-461
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• 2019

Background Various surgical management methods have been proposed for ischial sore reconstruction, yet it has the highest recurrence rate of all pressure ulcer types. A novel approach combining the advantages of a perforator-based fasciocutaneous flap and a muscle flap is expected to resolve the disadvantages of previously introduced surgical methods. Methods Fifteen patients with ischial pressure ulcers with chronic osteomyelitis or bursitis, who underwent reconstructive procedures with an inferior gluteal artery perforator (IGAP) fasciocutaneous flap and a split inferior gluteus maximus muscle flap from January 2011 to June 2016, were analyzed retrospectively. The split muscle flap was rotated to obliterate the deep ischial defect, managing the osteomyelitis or bursitis, and the IGAP fasciocutaneous flap was rotated or advanced to cover the superficial layer. The patients' age, sex, presence of bursitis or osteomyelitis, surgical details, complications, follow-up period, and ischial sore recurrence were reviewed. Results All ischial pressure ulcers were successfully reconstructed without any flap loss. The mean duration of follow-up was 12.9 months (range, 3-35 months). Of 15 patients, one had a recurrent ulcer 10 months postoperatively, which was repaired by re-advancing the previously elevated fasciocutaneous flap. Conclusions The dual-flap procedure with an IGAP fasciocutaneous flap and split inferior gluteus maximus muscle flap for ischial pressure ulcer reconstruction is a useful method that combines the useful characteristics of perforator and muscle flaps, providing thick dual padding with sufficient vascularization while minimizing donor morbidity and vascular pedicle injury.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.217-223
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• 2023

Purpose: Defects involving the ankle and foot are often the result of road traffic accidents. Many such defects are composite and require a flap for coverage, which is a significant challenge for reconstructive surgeons. Various locoregional options, such as reverse sural artery, reverse peroneal artery, peroneus brevis muscle, perforator-based, and fasciocutaneous flaps, have been used, but each flap type has limitations. In this study, we used the distally based lateral supramalleolar flap to reconstruct distal dorsal defects of the foot. The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of the flap in reconstructing distal dorsal defects of the foot. The specific objectives were to study the adequacy, reach, and utility of the lateral supramalleolar flap for distal defects of the dorsum of the foot; to observe various complications encountered with the flap; and to study the functional outcomes of reconstruction. Methods: The distal dorsal foot defects of 10 patients were reconstructed with distal lateral supramalleolar flaps over a period of 6 months at a tertiary care center, and the results were analyzed. Results: We were able to effectively cover distal foot defects in all 10 cases. Flap congestion was observed in two cases, and minor graft loss was seen in two cases. Conclusions: The distally based lateral supramalleolar flap is a good pedicled locoregional flap for the coverage of distal dorsal foot and ankle defects of moderate size, with relatively few complications and little morbidity. It can be used as a lifeboat or even substitute for a free flap.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.736-741
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• 2010

Purpose: Radical surgical extirpation in advanced breast cancer patients produces extensive loss of skin with large defects requiring plastic surgical procedures for the closure. Many reconstructive methods exist, the choice of which depends upon the characteristic of the wound, extent of resection and patient comorbidities. For adequate coverage of the large skin defects following resection of advanced breast cancer, current authors have performed a thoracoabdominal flap. Methods: From August 2008 to June 2009, 4 cases of thoraco-abdominal flap were performed for chest wall reconstruction after mastectomy of advanced breast cancer. Flap dissection was entirely performed in a subfascial plane and the flap involving the external oblique abdominal muscle. The flap was rotated clockwise in left chest wall defects and counterclockwise in right chest defects and the donor site was closed directly. Results: Their mean age, 55.7 years and the average follow-up interval was 9 months. Patients' oncologic status ranged from stage IIIc to stage IV, it was classified according to the TNM staging system. Flap dimensions ranged between $15{\times}15$ and $25{\times}25\;cm$. One flap sustained a partial loss at the distal margin and revision with pectoralis major musculocutaneous island flap. Conclusion: Large chest wall reconstructions are usually required after radical excision of advanced cancer stages patients with poor general conditions. Thoracoabdominal flap is a simple, quick single-stage procedure, and offer to patient fast recovery, low complication rate, enabling further concomitant adjuvant therapy.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.112-120
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• 1996

We peformed tendon transfer with a microvascular free flap for recovery of handicapped function and reconstruction for the skin and soft tissue loss. We review the clinical data of 11 children who underwent these operation due to injured foot by pedestrian accident from January, 1986 to June, 1994. The mean age of patients was 5.6 years old(3-8). Five cases underwent tendon transfer and microvascular free flap simultaneously. Another 6 cases underwent operations separately. The time interval between tendon trasnfer and microvascular free flap was average 5.6 months(2-15 months). The duration between initial trauma and tendon transfer was average 9.6 months(2-21 months). The anterior tibial tendon was used in 6 cases. Among these, the technique of splitting the anterior tibial tendon was used in 5 cases. The posterior tibial tendon was used in 3 cases and the extenosr digitorum longus tendon of the foot in 2 cases. Insertion sites of tendon transfer were the cuboid bone in 3 cases, the 3rd cuneiform bone in 3 cases, the 2nd cuneiform bone in 1 case, the base of 4th metatarsal bone in 1 case, and the remnant of the extensor hallucis longus in 3 cases. The duration of follow-up was average 29.9 months(12-102 months). The clinical results were analysed by Srinivian criteria. Nine cases were excellent and 2 cases were good. The postoperative complications were loosening of the tranferred tendon in 2 cases, plantar flexion contracture in 1 case, mild flat foot deformity in 1 case and hypertrophic scar in 2 cases. So we recommend the tendon transfer with a microvascular free flap in the case of injured foot of children combined with nerve injury and extensive loss of skin, soft tissue and tendon.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.46-49
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• 2002

Background: Free flaps have become a very important role in the ablative head and neck surgery with functional preservation of defect sites. The forearm free flap has many advantage of lack of bulk, ease of dissection, vascularity, and malleability. Patients and Methods: A review of 51 radial forearm free flaps performed between may 1990 and feburary 2001 at the Korea University was undertaken to determine outcome. Patient age ranged 27 to 72 years (mean 56). There were 44 men and 7 women. The most prevalent neoplasm was squamous cell carcinoma. Results: The tans verse cervical artery and the external jugular vein were the most frequent receipient sites for microvascular anastomosis. Total flap loss occurred in 2 cases (4%) and other complications were seen in 42%. Fifteen patients received preoperative irradiation and the complication was higher than non-irradiation patients, but statistically not significant. Conclusion: The radial forearm free flap offers a variety of reconstructive options for head and neck. Its low flap loss and complication rates offer the best choice for reconstruction of defect of head and neck malignancy.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.63-67
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• 2004

Because traumatic tissue damage on hands and feet often lead to loss of function, permanent deformity, prompt and adequate reconstruction is essential. For children, future growth, as well as function and esthetics, must be taken into account. Several techniques have been employed to reconstruct hand and foot dorsum defects of children. However, skin graft and muscle free flap with skin graft cannot prevent contracture and will interfere with normal growth. Fasciocutaneous free flap reduces contracture and enables early physical therapy, decreasing the need for additional surgical intervention. Parascapular flap is particularly suitable because it has reliable pedicle and is relatively thin. There is little functional loss in the donor site, and also simultaneous extensor tendon reconstruction of hand and foot is possible. The disadvantage of this technique is that postoperative defatting is needed to adjust volume. Our department has achieved satisfactory results using this approach, and would like to report 13 cases of hand and foot reconstruction using parascapular flap in patients under the age of 15 (from March, 1998 to May, 2003).