• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2022

Background: Reconstruction of large facial defects is challenging as both functional and cosmetic results must be considered. Reconstruction with forehead flaps on the face is advantageous; nonetheless, reconstruction of large defects with forehead flaps alone results in extensive scarring on the donor site. In our study, the results of reconstruction using a combination of forehead flaps and other techniques for large facial defects were evaluated. Methods: A total of 63 patients underwent reconstructive surgery using forehead flaps between February 2005 and June 2020 at our institution. Reconstruction of a large defect with forehead flaps alone has limitations; because of this, 22 patients underwent a combination of procedures and were selected as the subjects of this study. This study was retrospectively conducted by reviewing the patients' medical records. Additional procedures included orbicularis oculi musculocutaneous (OOMC) V-Y advancement flap, cheek advancement flap, nasolabial V-Y advancement flap, grafting, and simultaneous application of two different techniques. Flap survival, complications, and recurrence of skin cancer were analyzed. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using questionnaires. Results: Along with reconstructive surgery using forehead flaps, nasolabial V-Y advancement flap was performed in nine patients, local advancement flap in three, OOMC V-Y advancement flap in two, grafting in five, and two different techniques in three patients. No patient developed flap loss; however, cancer recurred in two patients. The overall patient satisfaction was high. Conclusion: Reconstruction with a combination of forehead flaps and other techniques for large facial defects can be considered as both functionally and cosmetically reliable.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.616-620
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• 2011

Purpose: Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster syndrome (MRK) is second common cause of primary amenorrhea. It is a syndrome of vaginal aplasia and Mullerian duct anomaly. Vaginal aplasia varies from agenesis of whole vagina to aplasia of upper 2/3. For reconstructing vagina, various methods are introduced. Gracilis myocutaneous flap was the first attempt in that the flap is used in vaginal reconstruction. Various flap-based vaginal reconstruction methods have been introduced. Modified Singapore flap (pedicled neurovascular pudendal thigh fasciocutaneous flap) is one of those methods that used posterior labial artery as pedicle, and pudendal nerve branch as sensory root. As its donor lies on inguinal crease that is easily hidden and there are benefits on sexual intercourse by early sensory recovery, authors think that modified Singapore flap is effective for young MRK syndrome patients. Methods: Eight patients underwent surgery between 2008 and 2010. The flap was designed on both groin area with external pudendal artery branch as a pedicle. All flaps were fixated in pelvic cavity with absorbable suture, and additional compression on neovaginal wall was supplied by polyvinyl alcohol sponge ($Merocel^{(R)}$). Results: All patients were successfully reconstructed without flap related complications such as congestion or partial flap loss. The average size of the flap (each side) was 69.34 $cm^2$. Polyvinyl alcohol sponge ($Merocel^{(R)}$) was inserted into neovagina for 5 days on every patient. One case of rectal laceration was occurred while making pelvic pocket by OBGY team. Other complications such as lumen narrowing, wound contracture or vaginal prolapsed were not reported during 8 months of follow up. Conclusion: Modified Singapore flap is a sensate fasciocutaneous flap that is thinner than other myocutaneous flap such as VRAM, and more durable over skin graft. Therefore this is a good choice for vaginal reconstruction in MRK syndrome. And known complications of Modified Singapore flap could be reduced with careful procedure and mild compression techniques.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.233-236
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• 2016

Scalp defect management is complicated secondary to reduced laxity in the scalp and forehead area. For reconstruction of larger defects with exposed bone and loss of the periosteal layer, free flap reconstruction is one option for single-stage surgery, although the procedure is lengthy and includes the possibility of flap loss. We successfully performed a single-stage reconstruction of a large scalp defect using a combination of artificial dermis, split-thickness skin graft, and full-thickness skin graft following wide excision of a cutaneous angiosarcoma, and present our method as one option for the treatment of large oncologic surgical defects in patients who are poor candidates for free flap surgery.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.699-702
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• 2021

Extensive bone loss associated with severe vascular injury remains a challenge for lower extremity reconstruction. The fibular free flap has been utilized for many decades to reconstruct long-segment tibial defects. We present an unusual scenario of unilateral weight-bearing, wherein we salvaged the sole lower extremity by transfer of the fractured ipsilateral fibula and a bipedicled skin flap. A 38-year-old man sustained a severe crush injury in the right leg with loss of circulation. His left lower leg had a soft tissue defect measuring 20×15 cm with an exposed comminuted fracture and a 17-cm tibial defect, along with a segmental fracture of the fibula. Subsequently, we reconstructed the tibial defect by transferring a 17-cm-long section of the ipsilateral fibula. We covered the soft tissue defect with a bipedicled skin flap. The patient eventually began to ambulate independently after surgery.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.189-193
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• 2005

Reconstruction of calvarial bone defects from congenital anomaly or from bone loss due to traumatic or neoplastic processes remains a significant problem in craniofacial surgery and neurosurgery. To facilitate bone regeneration, there have been many trials such as autologous bone graft or allograft, and the addition of demineralized bone matrix and matrix-derived growth factor. Guided bone regeneration is one of the methods to accelerate bone healing for calvarial bone defects especially in children. Pericranium is one of the most usable structure in bone regeneration. It protects the dura and sinus, and provides mechanical connection between bone fragments. It supplies blood to bone cortex and osteoprogenitor cells and enhances bone regeneration. For maximal effect of pericranium in bone regeneration, authors used pericranium as a flap for covering calvarial defects in surgeries of 11 craniosynostosis patients and achieved satisfactory results: The bone regeneration of original cranial defect in one year after operation was 74.6%(${\pm}8.5%$). This pericranial flap would be made more effectively by individual dissection after subgaleal dissection rather than subperiosteal dissection. In this article, we reviewed the role of pericranium and reported its usefulness as a flap in surgery of craniosynostosis to maximize bone regeneration.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.65-69
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• 2014

Purpose: Soft tissue reconstruction is essential for recovery of finger function and aesthetics in any traumatic defect. The authors applied a reverse homodigital artery island flap for soft tissue defect on distal part of digits. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the procedure. Materials and Methods: Seven cases of soft tissue defects of finger tip were included in this study. There were six male and one female, mean age was 43 years and mean follow-up period was 38 months. The length of flaps ranged from 2.0 to 2.5 cm and width ranged from 1.0 to 2.0 cm. Flap survival, postoperative complications were evaluated. Results: All flaps survived without loss. Donor sites were repaired with primary closure in five cases and skin graft in two cases. None of the patients showed significant complications and their average finger motion was $255^{\circ}$ in total active motion at the last follow-up. Conclusion: The authors suggest that the reverse homodigital artery island flap could be a versatile treatment option for the soft tissue defect on distal part of digits.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.32-36
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• 2015

The reconstruction of recurrent pressure sores is challenging due to a limited set of treatment options and a high risk of flap loss. Successful treatment requires scrupulous surgical planning and a multidisciplinary approach. Although the tensor fascia lata flap is regarded as the standard treatment of choice-it provides sufficient tissue bulk for a deep trochanteric sore defect-plastic surgeons must always consider the potential of recurrence and accordingly save the second-best tissues. With the various applications of anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps in the reconstructive field, we report two cases wherein an alternative technique was applied, whereby pedicled ALT fasciocutaneous island flaps were used to cover recurrent trochanteric pressure sores. The postoperative course was uneventful without any complications. The flap provided a sound aesthetic result without causing a dog-ear formation or damaging the lower-leg contour. This flap was used as an alternative to myocutaneous flaps, as it can cover a large trochanteric defect, recurrence is minimized, and the local musculature and lower-leg contour are preserved.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.253-263
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• 1995

Microsurgical vascularized bone transfer has the disadvantages of limitation of available donor sites, loss of donor function, and the possibility of donor site defects or deformity. To overcome these shortage of current microsurgical tissue transfer, the method of creating the neovascularized free flap has been introduced. Potentially, this technique must be an innovation in providing the free vascularized bone grafts that are not limited by natural vascular anatomy. But, as could be imagined technique resulted in unavoidable donor bone defect and additional operation for harvesting the autologous bone. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of demineralized allogeneic bone as a possible substitute for autologous bone in fabricating the neo-osseous flap. By histologic, microangiographic and radioisotope method, the viability and vascularity of neo-osseous flap, which has been fabricated using allogeneic bone or autologous bone, was assessed in rat model. After 6 weeks, demineralized allogeneic bone showed consistent bone formation and neovascularization. The clinical and microscopic findings of demineralized allogeneic bone group were inferior to those of autogenous bone with regard to bone regeneration. The amount of bone blood floow per dry weight of demineralized allogeneic bone group was significantly higher than that of autogenous bone, even higher that of control intact iliac bone. In conclusion, findings supported that allogeneic bone could be the potential substitute for autologous bone source in creating a prefabricated neo-osseous flap.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.539-542
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• 2011

Purpose: Despite the increasing number of patients with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection, surgical experience with these patients remains limited in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. The authors performed breast reconsruction with free TRAM (Transverse Rectus Abdominis Muculocutaneous) flap in HIV infected patient firstly in Korea. Methods: A 53-years-old female with HIV positive underwent delayed breast reconstruction with free TRAM flap and 6 months lateral nipple reconstruction was performed. All procedures were performed according to the HIV infection control guidelines provided by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Results: There were no complications such as infection, hematoma and flap loss and symmetry of breast was achieved. Conclusion: When the operation is performed in line with the guidelines of HIV infection control, breast reconstruction with free flap is possible and can obtain successful results.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.543-548
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• 2022

Microvascular reconstruction frequently requires anastomosis outside of the zone of injury for successful reconstruction. Multiple options exist for pedicle lengthening including vein grafts, arteriovenous loops, and arteriovenous bundle interposition grafts. The authors performed a systematic review of arteriovenous bundle interposition grafts to elucidate indications and outcomes of arteriovenous grafts in microvascular reconstruction. A systematic review of the literature was performed using targeted keywords. Data extraction was performed by two independent authors, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze pooled data. Forty-four patients underwent pedicle lengthening with an arteriovenous graft from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. Most common indications for flap reconstruction were malignancy (n = 12), trauma (n = 7), and diabetic ulceration (n = 4). The most commonly used free flap was the anterolateral thigh flap (n = 18). There were five complications, with one resulting in flap loss. Arteriovenous bundle interposition grafts are a viable option for pedicle lengthening when free flap distant anastomosis is required. The descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery may be used for a variety of defects and can be used in conjunction with fasciocutaneous, osteocutaneous, muscle, and chimeric free flaps.