• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.277-280
• /
• 2010

Purpose: The resection of locally advanced or recurred breast cancers frequently result in large chest wall defects and it leads to a great challenges to cover. Generally simple skin grafts are not a practical option for patients because of their poor cosmetic appearance and prognosis. The latissimus dorsi and rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap have traditionally been recommended for closure of these large defects. Though the cosmetic result of reconstruction using these flaps is often excellent, but has significant drawbacks. Therefore, we thought that chest wall reconstruction using the external oblique musculocutaneous flap can be an alternative method for extensive chest wall defect related to large, locally advanced breast carcinoma. Methods & Results: We present a case of a 50-year-old Korean female, refered to our department with a left breast tumor for 10 months. CT demonstrate a large tumor on the left anterior chest wall and multiple nodules of varying size in the cervical areas and liver. FDG-PET showed areas of hot uptake throughout the left chest wall, mediastinum and liver. Biopsy was consistent with invasive ductal carcinoma (Grade III). The initial tumor was considered inoperable, so a series of chemotherapy was initiated. Though the size of the breast mass was slightly decreased, the patient continued to suffer from purulent discharge, unpleasant odor and contact bleeding of the mass, the salvage mastectomy was performed. Conclusion: We could reconstruct $23{\times}16\;cm$ sized large chest wall defect, resulting from the resection of a locally advanced breast carcinoma, using an external oblique musculocutaneous flap successfully. Immediate postoperatively checked flap was healthy. Overall result was good without any significant complications and discharged 3 weeks after operation.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
• /
• v.21 no.5
• /
• pp.269-275
• /
• 2020

Background: The advance in microsurgical technique has facilitated a proper approach for reconstruction of extensive head and neck defects. For the success of free tissue reconstruction, selection of the recipient vessel is one of the most important factors. However, the vascular anatomy of this region is very complex, and a clear guideline about this subject is still lacking. In this study, we present our 30 years of experiences of free tissue reconstruction for head and neck defects. Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed a total of 138 flaps in 127 patients who underwent head and neck reconstruction using free tissue transfer following tumor resection between October 1986 to August 2019. Patients who underwent facial palsy reconstruction were excluded. Medical records including patient's demographics, detailed operation notes, follow-up records, and photographs were collected and analyzed. Results: Among a total of 127 patients, 10 patients underwent a secondary operation due to cancer recurrence. The most commonly used type of flap was radial forearm flap (n=107), followed by the anterolateral thigh flap (n=18) and fibula flap (n=10). With regard to recipient vessels, superior thyroid artery was most commonly used in arterial anastomosis (58.7%), and internal jugular vein (51.3%) was the first choice for venous anastomosis. The flap survival rate was 100%. Four cases of venous thrombosis were resolved with thrombectomy and re-anastomosis. Conclusion: Superior thyroid artery and internal jugular vein were reliable choices as recipient vessels. Proper recipient vessel selection could improve the result of head and neck reconstruction.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.109-112
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) of the lower lip is the most common malignant tumor comprising 90% of all lip SCC. The typical picture of SCC of the lower lip is of an ulcerated lesion with raised margins. Surgery is the treatment of choice for SCC of lower lip. Depending on the location and size of the tumor, different types of flaps are used. We used new method - 'both buccal mucosa transposition flap' for the reconstruction of the near total mucosal defect of the lower lip. Methods: This 67 - year - old men presented with the crusted $1cm{\times}1cm$ sized ulceration of the lower lip that was arised 30 years ago. There were no size and color change, except the bleeding and ulceration. At first, We diagnosed the SCC through the incisinal biopsy. Then We performed the wide excision of the tumor and reconstruction of the lower lip. After the excision of the whole tumor, the defect was measured at $8cm{\times}3.5cm$. We designed the buccal mucosa transposition flap taking care to avoid the parotid duct. The flap was made in a triangular shape for the reconstruction of defected lower lip. The donor site defect can be sutured primarily. Results: A patient in this study had no postoperative complications such as necrosis, dehiscence, infection of the flap or donor site. Reconstructed lower lip is relatively close to that of the natural lip; More satisfactory aesthetic and functional results can be obtained by using this technique rather than other techniques. Conclusion: 'Both buccal mucosa transposition flap' is reliable method for the reconstruction of the large lower lip mucosal defect. The operation is simple and performed in one stage, with no postoperative complications. This technique can offer consistently good functional and esthetic outcomes after reconstruction of lower lip mucosal defect.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.353-358
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this clinical retrospective study was to evaluate our experience of radial forearm free flap for reconstruction of the oral cavity. Material and methods: From 1997 to 2006, 50 radial forearm free flaps were employed for head and neck reconstruction in 50 patients at department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, Yonsei University, Korea. Data were obtained from chart review, and clinical follow-up. Results: Patients' age ranged from 26 to 82 years (mean 53.2). There were 39 men and 11 women. 43 of the 50(86%) patients had squamous cell carcinoma. The total flap survival were 47(94%), complication rate were revealed for 15(30%). Conclusion: In the reconstruction of soft tissue within the oral cavity, several free flaps have been used. Because of its constant anatomy, long pedicle allows a hypothetic vascular anastomosis in the contralateral neck, contourability for various type of oral defects, pliability and can be used simultaneous reconstruction in intraoral and extra oral defects, the radial forearm free flap constitutes one of the best choice of intraoral soft tissue reconstruction.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.70-76
• /
• 2006

This study investigated the clinical application of anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator flap in reconstruction of soft tissue defect of lower extremity. There were twenty-one patients who had been taken soft tissue reconstruction with anterolateral thigh perforator flap. There were 19 males and 2 females between 3 and 65 years (mean, 36 years). This study included 4 cases of pedatric case of under 10-year-old. All cases were a cutaneous flap. Flap size averaged $160\;cm^2\;(20{\sim}450\;cm^2)$. 19 cases were musculocutaneous perforator flaps and 2 were septocutaneous perforator. T-shaped pedicle were used to reconstruct and to preserve major artery of lower extremity in 2 cases. 19 cases flaps survived completely and 2 cases flap were marginal necrosis partially. There was venous congestion in one case of type of reverse island flap but that was improved after salvage procedure with leech. While the donor sites were closed directly in 5cases, 16 cases underwent skin graft. ALT flap is suitable for coverage of defects in lower extremity where have various condition and reliable in children as in adult.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.14-18
• /
• 2008

Purpose: Evaluation of results of free flap as a method of reconstruction in soft tissue defect after wide excision of soft tissue tumor of extremity. Materials and Methods: From 2000 through 2007, 11 patients received free flap surgery for soft tissue defect after wide excision operation for soft tissue tumor of limbs. Four cases were upper extremities and seven were lower extremities. Four subjects were diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma, three as malignant melanoma, two as synovial sarcoma and one as malignant fibrous histiocytoma and alveolar soft part sarcoma. Donor sites of free flap varied with anterolateral thigh flaps in six cases, latissimus dorsi flaps in four, reverse forearm flap in one. By the method of doppler ultrasound, venous circulation was evaluated for the survival of each flap on the third, fifth and seventh day respectively after the operation. Results: 10 of 11 free flaps were successfully survived. Necrosis of free flaps in 1 cases occurred in case of anterolateral thigh flap. Conclusion: Free flap can be a useful method for reconstruction of soft tissue defect after wide excision of soft tissue sarcoma of extremity.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.811-813
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Congenital cleft earlobe is relatively rare malformation and defective type congenital cleft earlobes are reconstructed with mainly local flap methods rather than primary closure or z - plasty. Various methods are introduced but many of these remain visible scars or require complex operative techniques. We designed a new and simple method of reconstruction for defective type cleft earlobe. Methods: On the posterior surface of the auricle and mastoid area, S - shaped line was drawn continuously. One arc is for turnover hinge flap to make the anterolateral surface of the earlobe, and the other is for transposition flap to reconstruct the posterolateral surface. The donor site of the transposition flap was closed primarily. Results: Four patients were operated by S - shaped flap design method. They were all female and two were right side and others were left. We obtained aesthetically satisfactory postoperative results with inconspicuous scars at the posterior side of the auricle. In one case, minor revision was performed because of insufficient blood supply of the hinge flap. Conclusion: We can reconstruct defective type cleft earlobe with new, simple S - shaped design for hinge flap and transposition flap.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.69-71
• /
• 2016

Reconstruction of the lower extremities is difficult due to a lack of skin laxity and muscular tissues. Here, we present a case of lower extremity reconstruction via the anterior tibial artery perforator based segmental muscle island flap. Our patient was a 75-year-old male with a chronic ulcerative wound on the right lower leg from an old car accident. A $5.0{\times}0.5cm$ size ulcerative wound with tibial bone exposure was noted. We planned to reconstruct the lower extremity defect with a free flap, but the vessel status was severely compromised intraoperatively. Thus, we found the anterior tibial artery perforator using Doppler ultrasound, elevated the tibialis anterior muscle segment flap, and transposed it to cover the defect successfully. The flap presented with a nice contour and the skin graft covering the flap survived completely. There were no complications of the surgical site at three months follow-up and no gait morbidity. This is a meaningful case applying the concept of segmental muscle flap based on a perforator that had advantages including proper bulkiness, vascularization, and preservation of function, which were well applied, leading to great success.

• Journal of the Korean Burn Society
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.64-67
• /
• 2021

Free flap surgery is commonly used for extensive facial burn. However, free flap surgery requires long operation time and difficult technique. Also, it requires further procedure to prepare the recipient vessels. Hence, applying pedicle flap surgery instead of free flap surgery is effective for patients with facial burn. Among a wide range of pedicle flaps, we performed lower trapezius myocutaneous pedicle flap to patients with third degree facial burn and got satisfactory results without complications. Lower trapezius myocutaneous pedicle flap has a wide arc of rotation so that it can cover middle and lower part of the face. Furthermore, it is thinner than other myocutaneous pedicle flap that can be used for facial reconstruction. Due to these advantages, lower trapezius myocutaneous pedicle can be an attractive option for the reconstruction of facial burn.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.361-365
• /
• 2007

The reconstruction of perioral defects following resection of cancer on the perioral region has been a challenge for oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Surgical management of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) typically involves resection of the carcinoma with a 1cm margin of normal appearing tissue. A large surgical defect is often encountered. The goals of perioral reconstruction are esthetics and function, with oral competence and good lip control. Abbe described the operation that bears his name in 1898, when he reported on the repair of a "conspicuous deformity" in a 21-year-old man born with bilateral cleft lip and palate. Since that time, Abbe flap reconstruction has been used more frequently for repair following resection of malignancies. Large defects of the lips have been repaired with recent modifications of the Abbe flap. The technique has been popularized by Estlander for reconstruction of the lower lip. We have treated 70-year-old male patient with SCC on lower lip using Abbe-Estlander flap. Postoperatively the results showed good prognosis. So we report the result of its treatment and case with review of literatures.