• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.187-193
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• 2019

Many techniques have been developed for reconstruction of the hand; however, less attention has been paid to foot reconstruction techniques. In particular, reconstruction of the forefoot and big toe has been considered a minor procedure despite the importance of these body parts for standing and walking. Most of the weight load on the foot is concentrated on the forefoot and big toe, whereas the other toes have a minor role in weight bearing. Moreover, the forefoot and big toe are important for maintaining balance and supporting the body when changing directions. Recently, attention has been focused on the aesthetic appearance and functional aspects of the body, which are important considerations in the field of reconstructive surgery. In patients for whom flap reconstruction in the forefoot and big toe is planned, clinicians should pay close attention to flap survival as well as functional and cosmetic outcomes of surgery. In particular, it is important to assess the ability of the flap to withstand functional weight bearing and maintain sufficient durability under shearing force. Recovery of protective sensation in the forefoot area can reduce the risk of flap loss and promote rapid rehabilitation and functional recovery. Here, we report our experience with two cases of successful reconstruction of the forefoot and big toe with a sensate anterolateral thigh flap, with a review of the relevant literature.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.424-429
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• 2016

Background The objective of this paper was to describe a novel technique for improving the maintenance of nipple projection in primary nipple reconstruction by using acellular dermal matrix as a strut in one of three different configurations, according to the method of prior breast reconstruction. The struts were designed to best fill the different types of dead spaces in nipple reconstruction depending on the breast reconstruction method. Methods A total of 50 primary nipple reconstructions were performed between May 2012 and May 2015. The prior breast reconstruction methods were latissimus dorsi (LD) flap (28 cases), transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap (10 cases), or tissue expander/implant (12 cases). The nipple reconstruction technique involved the use of local flaps, including the C-V flap or star flap. A $1{\times}2-cm$ acellular dermal matrix was placed into the core with O-, I-, and L-shaped struts for prior LD, TRAM, and expander/implant methods, respectively. The projection of the reconstructed nipple was measured at the time of surgery and at 3, 6, and 9 months postoperatively. Results The nine-month average maintenance of nipple projection was $73.0%{\pm}9.67%$ for the LD flap group using an O-strut, $72.0%{\pm}11.53%$ for the TRAM flap group using an I-strut, and $69.0%{\pm}10.82%$ for the tissue expander/implant group using an L-strut. There were no cases of infection, wound dehiscence, or flap necrosis. Conclusions The application of an acellular dermal matrix with a different kind of strut for each of 3 breast reconstruction methods is an effective addition to current techniques for improving the maintenance of long-term projection in primary nipple reconstruction.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.42
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• pp.29.1-29.7
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• 2020

Background: Microvascular reconstruction is the treatment of choice after oral cancer ablation surgery. There are few published studies of free flap survival among Korean populations. This study aimed to determine the survival rate after 121 consecutive cases of maxillofacial microvascular reconstruction and to analyze the complications associated with microsurgery. Methods: This study included consecutive patients who underwent microsurgical reconstruction with free flaps, from January 2006 through September 2019, performed by a single surgeon at the oral and maxillofacial surgery department of a tertiary medical center. A total of 121 cases were reviewed retrospectively. The flap survival rate, flap type, radiotherapy history, complications, and treatment results were analyzed. Results: Four different flap types were used for microvascular reconstruction: radial forearm (n = 65), fibula (n = 34), latissimus dorsi (n = 21), and serratus anterior muscle with rib bone free flap (n = 1). Total necrosis of the flap was found in four cases (two latissimus dorsi flaps and two fibular flaps). The free flap survival rate was 97.5%. Nineteen patients received radiotherapy before surgery, and none of them experienced flap failure. The mean operation time was 334 ± 83.1 min, and the mean ischemic time was 48.9 ± 12.7 min. Conclusions: The success rate was reliable and comparable with previous studies. The success rate was not affected by radiation therapy. Free flaps can be safely used even after radiation treatment.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.34-37
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• 2001

The injury on the dorsum of foot is usually manifested in the defect of bone and soft tissue, so its reconstruction requires composite tissue. Free flap satisfies this defect but its indication is determined by the defect size, recipient status and so on. Iliac crest bone and fibular bone are useful bone flap but in more than 8cm defect, fibular flap is more useful. The drawback of fibular free flap is the absence of soft-tissue coverage, so another local flap and myocutaneous flap must be added. Fibula-hemisoleus ostemusculocutaneous free flap has been used for the reconstruction of upper and lower extremity. Its advantages are one stage operation, one donor site and the flexibility of the reconstruction with the use of muscle, bone, and skin. This flap has never been reported for the reconstruction of dorsum of foot. In our case, 20-year-old woman was referred with the 17 cm defect of 1st metatarsal bone and $16{\times}8cm$ sized soft tissue loss on the dorsum of the right foot. We reconstructed successfully the dorsum of foot with fibula-hemisoleus osteomusculocutaneous free flap and the patient can walk without crutches after 6 monthes.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.199-204
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• 2005

The nose is the most prominent area of the face, therefore susceptible to trauma and skin cancer. When small sized defect is in nasal tip, it results in disturbance of the facial harmony even if replantation, composite graft, skin graft or median forehead flap has been used for the reconstruction. So it is needed that the best method reconstruction is performed according to the degree of defect or deformity. And at the same time the physiology and anatomy of nose were clarified and its aesthetic subunits were employed. How can we cover the about 3 cm sized nasal defect in nasal tip with cartilage exposure? At first, we can think forehead island flap is most appropriate. We performed 7 cases of the forehead island flap for reconstruction of the defect in nasal tip(4 cases: cancer, 3 cases: trauma) from March, 2001 to August, 2004. This result was satisfactory in the point of texture, color, donor scar, and there were no complication such as wound disruption, infection, flap atrophy, and hematoma. The advantages of forehead island flap are: 1) No injury of deep vessel and nerve, 2) control of shape and volume, 3) Short operation time, 4) primary closure of donor site, 5) one stage operation. Also, forehead island flap can cover the defect in nose where skin graft and local flap can not cover. But, operator always must take care for flap congestion and donor site scar. We thought forehead island flap is one of the best option of reconstruction of nasal tip defect.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2015

Purpose: The rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (RAM) flap has contributed to the efficient reconstruction of soft tissue defects. The flap has the advantage of easy dissection, minimal donor site morbidity, and the constant vascular anatomy with long pedicle. Authors used the free RAM flap to reconstruct multi-located soft tissue defects while still considering functionality and aesthetics. We present the long-term outcomes and versatility of free RAM flaps. Materials and Methods: From 1994 to 2004, all patients who underwent soft tissue reconstruction with free RAM flap were reviewed retrospectively. The site of the reconstruction, vessels of anastomosis, type of RAM flap, and outcomes, including flap success rate, hospital stay after flap transfer, conduction of secondary procedure, flap complications, and donor-site complications were analyzed. Results: Twenty-one patients underwent 24 free RAM flaps in site of breast, face, upper extremity and lower extremity. Mean follow-up period was 36.1 months (range, 3~156 months). The overall success rate was 92% with only a loss of 2 flaps. Minor complications related to transferred flaps were necrosis of 2 partial flaps, hematoma formation in 3 cases, and a wound infection in 1 case. Donor site morbidity was not observed. Debulking surgery was performed in 4 patients, and scar revision was performed in 3 patients. Conclusion: Free RAM flap is a workhorse flap for general soft-tissue reconstruction with minimal donor site morbidity with aesthetically good results. Thus, the free RAM flaps are versatile, and sturdy for any sites of soft-tissue where reconstruction could be performed.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.248-253
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• 2001

Main disadvantages of conventional pectorails major myocutaneous flap is bulkness of muscular pedicle. It makes difficult to use this flap in a case of supraomohyoid neck dissection. Pectoralis major myocutaneous island flap is a modification to overcome this shortcoming. And bilobular design of skin portion of this flap could be used for reconstruction of a through and through defect. We report a case of reconstruction of full-thickness defect of cheek with bilobular pectoralis major myocutaneous island flap and compare it with conventional pectoralis myocutaneous flap.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.248-255
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• 2013

Reconstruction techniques of orofacial defects caused by wide excision of the intraoral malignant lesions are various. Although radial forearm free flap is a common donor site on reconstruction of soft tissue defect, anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap also has an established site in orofacial soft tissue reconstruction as the favored donor flap with recent progress of the microsurgical technique. A 59-year-old female complained of hyperplastic mass on the right retromolar and buccal cheek, which was diagnosed as a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by an incisional biopsy. Before the operation, we planned a wide excision of the SCC lesion, supraomohyoid neck dissection, reconstruction with radial forearm free flap (RFFF), and split thickness skin graft. We accidentally found an arterial variation of the forearm area during elevation of RFFF, and changed the plan of reconstruction operation to reconstruction with ALT free flap. Operative sites was healed well during the post-operative period, and we referred to the department of radiation oncology for post-operative radiotherapy.

• Journal of the Korean Burn Society
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2020

This paper presents our clinical experiences for reconstruction of the linear depressed postburn scar band by rhombus subcutaneous pedicle skin flap (RSPF). We report new RSPF, it's versatility, and effectiveness for correction of the mild to moderate linear depressed postburn scar band. To correct the postburn scar band, we have newly designed the Rhombus Subcutaneous Pedicle Skin Flap (RSPF), which is made as rhombus-shaped skin flap on the inside of scar band. After excision of burn scar band, the each vertex of RSPF flap is advanced into the skin defects at apex of extended skin incision, which is starting from the upper and lower portion of the removed burn scar band at a near right angle. This flap can add more extra skin to adjacent superior and inferior area of excised scar band. We have experienced 2 cases of RSPF for reconstruction of linear depressed postburn scar band deformities in lower extremity. After 3 weeks to 3 months postoperative follow ups, relatively satisfactory results were obtained in all cases. We had successfully reconstructed the linear depressed postburn scar postburn band of lower extremity using the rhombus subcutaneous pedicle skin flap. For the correction of mild to moderate sized linear depressed postburn scar band deformities in extremity, the RSPF is simple, and very effective without donor morbidity.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 2000

Soft tissue defects of the dorsum of foot and ankle can be covered from skin graft to free tissue transfer. The extent of injury which may be complex including the exposure of paratenons or bones requires free flap reconstruction. Some of the precautions for reconstruction are providing minimal bulkiness and well conforming to irregular contour thus making normal footwear possible. Though the muscle flap having its advantages and versatility, the fascial flap such as temporoparietal fascial flap has been considered the choice for reconstruction of the dorsum of foot and ankle. The purpose of our study is to utilize the advantages and versatility of the muscle flap as a first choice for reconstruction for the defects involving the dorsum of foot and ankle. The gracilis muscle with its anatomic and donor characteristics, it can be utilized to maximal effect by expanding its slim muscle width removing the epimysium and reducing its bulk by muscle atrophy through denervation. We present our experience with ten cases of reconstruction for the dorsum of foot and ankle using the gracilis muscle free flap. Results were satisfactory without flap loss, skin loss and infection. The contour and aesthetic aspect of the foot was satisfactory. Gait analysis showed near normal gait without limitations from everyday activities. Normal footwear was tolerable in all the cases. The keys to consider in the reconstruction of the dorsum of foot and ankle are appropriate bulkiness, conforming to its contour and able to apply normal footwear. With minimal donor morbidity and satisfying results, the extended gracilis muscle should be considered as the first line for reconstruction of the ankle and dorsum of foot.