• 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.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.324-328
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• 2021

Lip defects often occur following wide excision as a surgical treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. Defects larger than one-half of the lip cannot be closed primarily and require flap surgery. Reconstruction of the oral sphincter function can be achieved by means of a local flap using the like tissue, rather than with a free flap utilizing different tissues. A defect of the lower lip requires reconstruction using different techniques, depending on its size and location. Herein, we present the case of a patient exhibiting a lip defect spanning more than two-thirds of the lower lip, after a wide resection due to squamous cell carcinoma. The defect was reconstructed using an Abbe flap and a staircase flap. Revision was performed after 16 days. The patient's oral competencies were fully restored 3 months postoperatively, and the esthetic results were ideal. Based on our experience, a combination of the Abbe and staircase flaps can produce excellent functional and esthetic outcomes in the reconstruction of a lower lip with a large defect. It can serve as a reliable reconstruction option for defects spanning more than two-thirds of the lower lip, not including the oral commissures.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.782-784
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• 2022

Diabetic foot ulcers are a severe complication of diabetes, and their management requires a multidisciplinary approach for optimal management. When treating these ulcers, limb salvage remains the ultimate goal. In this article, we present the "hanging" free flap for the reconstruction of chronic lower extremity diabetic ulcers. This two-staged approach involves standard free flap harvest and inset; however, following inset the "hanging" pedicle is covered within a skin graft instead of making extraneous incisions within the undisturbed soft tissues or tunnels that can compress the vessels. After incorporation, a second-stage surgery is performed in 4 to 6 weeks which entails pedicle division, flap inset revision, and end-to-end reconstruction of the recipient vessel. Besides decreasing the number of incisions on diabetic patients, our novel technique utilizing the "hanging" pedicle simplifies flap monitoring and inset and allows reconstruction of recipient vessels to reestablish distal blood flow.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.166-170
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• 2023

Diaphragmatic reconstruction is required for extensive diaphragmatic defects associated with tumor resection. Methods using artificial mesh and autologous tissues, such as pedicled flaps, have been reported predominantly for diaphragmatic reconstruction. We present the case of a 61-year-old woman who presented with a 14×13×12 cm tumor in the abdominal cavity of the upper left abdomen on computed tomography. The diaphragm defect measuring 12×7 cm that occurred during excision of the malignant tumor was reconstructed using the rectus abdominis muscle and fascial flap. The flap has vertical and horizontal vascular axes; therefore, blood flow is stable. It also has the advantage of increasing the range of motion and reducing twisting of the vascular pedicles. Fascial flap does not require processing such as thinning and can be used during suture fixation. This procedure, which has rarely been reported so far, has many advantages and may be a useful option for diaphragm reconstruction.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.522-527
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• 2012

Background A pectoralis major flap is one of the standard tools for the reconstruction of defects of the head and neck. Despite the technical advancement in free tissue transfer in head and neck reconstruction, the benefits of a pectoralis major flap should not be overlooked. The purpose of this study is to evaluate our 17 years of experience in reconstructing defects of the head and neck region using the pectoralis major flap. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 112 patients (120 cases) who underwent pectoralis major flap operations for head and neck reconstruction during a period ranging from 1994 to 2010. Results In our series, no total necrosis of the flap occurred. Of the total cases, 30.8% presented with flap-related complications. Major complications occurred in 20% of all of the cases but were then all successfully treated. The male sex was correlated with the occurrence of overall complications (P=0.020) and major complications (P=0.007). Preoperative albumin levels of <3.8 g/dL were correlated with the formation of fistula (P=0.030). Defects of the hypopharynx were correlated with the occurrence of major complications (P=0.019) and the formation of fistula (P=0.012). Secondary reconstructions were correlated with the occurrence of overall complications (P=0.013) and the formation of fistula (P=0.030). Conclusions A pectoralis major flap is still considered to be a safe, versatile one-stage reconstruction procedure in the management of the defects of head and neck and the protection of the carotid artery.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.135-139
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• 2019

Background In immediate breast reconstruction using an extended latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous (eLDMC) flap, the volume of the flap decreases, which causes a secondary deformity of the breast shape. Since little research has investigated this decrease in muscle volume, the authors conducted an objective study to characterize the decrease in muscle volume after breast reconstruction using an eLDMC flap. Methods Research was conducted from October 2011 to November 2016. The subjects included 23 patients who underwent mastectomy due to breast cancer, received immediate reconstruction using an eLDMC flap without any adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and received a computed tomography (CT) scan from days 7 to 10 after surgery and 6 to 8 months postoperatively. In 10 patients, an additional CT scan was conducted 18 months postoperatively. Axial CT scans were utilized to measure the volumetric change of the latissimus dorsi muscle during the follow-up period. Results In the 23 patients, an average decrease of 54.5% was observed in the latissimus dorsi muscle volume between the images obtained immediately postoperatively and the scans obtained 6 to 8 months after surgery. Ten patients showed an average additional decrease of 11.9% from 6-8 months to 18 months after surgery. Conclusions We studied changes in the volume of the latissimus dorsi muscle after surgery using an eLDMC flap performed after a mastectomy without adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In this study, we found that immediate breast reconstruction using a latissimus dorsi muscle flap led to a decrease in muscle volume of up to 50%.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.441-446
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• 2005

Sole reconstruction should consider both functional and aesthetic aspects; durable weight bearing surface, adequate contour for normal footwear, protective sensation and solid anchoring to deep tissue to resist shearing. The anterolateral thigh perforator free flap has such favorable characteristics as long pedicle, reliable perforators and minimal donor site morbidity. This flap can be safely thinned to 3-4 mm. It can also be elevated with sufficient bulk with muscles like vastus lateralis for complex defect. Between June 2002 and December 2004, 48 cases of sole reconstruction were performed with anterolateral thigh perforator free flaps. Follow up period ranged from 4 to 34 months with a mean of 14.7 months and with exception of one case, all flaps survived. One case of total flap loss was noted due to infection in a patient who was administered lifetime immunosuppressant. Partial necroses developed in three cases but were treated conservatively. Satisfactory aesthetic and functional results were achieved and acceptable gait recovery was noted. Seventy-eight percent of the patients regained protective sensation by 6 months and earlier sensory recovery was noted in sensate flap group. The authors also present a standardized protocol for preoperative patient evaluation and postoperative management and rehabilitation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.619-621
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• 2020

This article portrays the authors' clinical experience of a complex case of lower extremity reconstruction using a recycled pedicle from 10 years old free latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap to supply a new free anterolateral thigh flap for proximal tibia wound defect reconstruction. It provides clinical evidence that muscle neovascularization occurs and supports the dogma peripheral tissue neovascularization. This case stipulates that recycling of pedicle is feasible, when used with appropriate strategy and safety and also provides evidence for the long-term survival of greater saphenous vein grafts in lower extremity reconstruction.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.83-86
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• 2010

Purpose: Authors present the case of 2 patients who underwent extended Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap to reconstruct postburn breast deformity. Methods: A 39-year-old woman and 18-year-old woman with postburn breast deformity visited for reconstruction. The nipples were preserved but normal breast development did not occur due to scar contracture. Burn scar contracture was released by excision of the restricting burn scar and breast mound was reconstructed with extended Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. Additional contracture release with multiple z-plasty was performed at the axillae and medial portion of breast. Results: Postburn breast reconstruction using Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap showed natural shaped breast mound and inframammary fold. There was no significant complication in both cases. Conclusion: Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap provide sufficient skin and soft tissue and it could be an effective method for reconstruction of postburn breast deformity.