• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.283-288
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• 2006

Various vascularized free flaps have been used for midfacial reconstruction after ablative head and neck cancer surgery. The most common donor sites for free flap include latissimus dorsi, rectus abdominis, and radial forearm. Between 1994 and 2004, 14 patients underwent free flap operation after head and neck cancer ablation, and were reviewed retrospectively. Among 14 free flaps, 8 were latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps, 3 rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps and 3 radial forearm flaps, respectively. The overall survival rate of the flap was 100%. Complications were wound dehiscence(5 cases) and ptosis(1 case). We designed multiple dimensionally folded free flap for midfacial reconstruction. For 3-dimensional flap needs, we used latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. 2-Dimensional flap was latissimus dorsi or rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap and 1-dimensional flap was radial forearm flap. In this study we produced an algorithm for midfacial reconstruction. Large volume with many skin paddle defects were best reconstructed with latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap or rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. Radial forearm flap was used for reconstruction of small volume and little skin paddle defects.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2005

Purpose: We analyzed the result of the radial forearm island flap for the reconstruction of amputated fingers. Materials and Methods: From March 2001 to February 2004, we assessed two patients who could not be able to receive replantation and six patients who had necrosis of the fingers after replantation. There were six men and two women. The mean age was 42 years. The average duration of follow-up was 26months. Results: All flaps were survived. Two patients needed bone graft. Two patients needed curettage due to osteomyelitis. All patients needed fat reduction procedure. No patients needed amputation of reconstructed digit due to complication. Conclusion: Radial forearm island flap seems useful operation procedure for severely amputated digit or necrotized digit after replantation.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.172-178
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• 2000

With esthetic concern in the reconstruction of skin and soft tissue defects of face, the use of local flap has been the method of choice. However, when there is extensive tissue loss in the face, local flaps do not provide satisfactory results. The amazing development of microsurgical technique has decreased the percentage of free flap failure, thus making free flap use in reconstruction of facial soft tissue defects. Many free flaps has been applied for reconstruction of face defects. Especially, the radial forearm flap has numerous advantages with which facial reconstruction is made possible. But, its disadvantages are ; the sacrifice of one major artery supplying the hand and donor site complications. In order to circumvent these disadvantages, we employed posterior interosseous artery(PIA) forearm free flap for the reconstruction of the face defects. The posterior interosseous forearm island flap was first described by Zancolli and Angrigiani(1985). Currently, the PIA island flap and free flap have been used for hand reconstructions. The disadvantages of the PIA flap are ; the small caliber of the pedicle, different locations of the perforating branches, and the proximity of the motor branch of the radial nerve. But, its advantages lies in preserving the major artery of the hand, minimal donor site morbidity, and fairly well matched skin texture and color, and that the flap volume is sufficient, not too bulky with convenient handling. By using this flap, we performed 1 case of tumor resection and 1 case of traumatic defect. From our experiences we conclude that it is one of many useful methods in the reconstruction of the skin and soft tissue defects of the face. We also have discussed advantages and some limitations of various free flaps for reconstruction of the face.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.37
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• pp.45.1-45.8
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• 2015

Background: Radial forearm free flap is the most reliable flap for intraoral soft tissue reconstruction after cancer ablation surgery. However, unesthetic scar of the donor site and the need for a second donor site for skin graft are major disadvantages of the forearm flap. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical results of double-layered collagen graft to the donor site of the forearm free flap without skin graft. Methods: Twenty-two consecutive patients who underwent oral cancer ablation and forearm reconstruction between April 2010 and November 2013 were included in this study. Male to female ratio was 12:10, and average age was 61.0 years old (27-84). Double-layered collagen was grafted to the donor site of the forearm free flap and healed for secondary intention. Upper silicone had been trimmed at the periphery during secondary intention, and dry dressing was used. Postoperative scar healing and esthetic results and function were evaluated. Results: An average follow-up period was 34.9 months. The scar area was decreased to 63.9 % in average. The complete healing was obtained between 1.5 and 3 months according to the defect size. There was no functional defect or impairment 3 months after operation. All patients were satisfied with the esthetic results. Three patients died of recurred cancer. Conclusions: Double-layered collagen graft was successfully performed in this study. Without the thigh skin graft, patients had experienced less painful postoperative healing periods and discomfort.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.353-358
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• 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 Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2021

Background: The free flap surgical method is useful for the reconstruction of head and neck defects. This study retrospectively analyzed the results of head and neck reconstructions using various types of free flaps over the past 30 years. Methods: Between 1989 and 2018, a total of 866 free flap procedures were performed on 859 patients with head and neck defects, including 7 double free flaps. The causes of vascular crisis and salvage rate were analyzed, and the total flap survival rate calculated among these patients. Additionally, the survival and complication rates for each flap type were compared. Results: The 866 cases included 557 radial forearm flaps, 200 anterolateral thigh flaps, 39 fibular osteocutaneous flaps, and 70 of various other flaps. The incidence of the vascular crisis was 5.1%; its most common cause was venous thrombosis (52.3%). Salvage surgery was successful in 52.3% of patients, and the total flap survival rate was 97.6%. The success rate of the radial forearm flap was higher than of the anterolateral flap (p< 0.01), and the primary sites of malignancy were the tongue, tonsils, and hypopharynx, respectively. Conclusion: The free flap technique is the most reliable method for head and neck reconstruction; however, the radial forearm free flap showed the highest success rate (98.9%). In patients with malignancy, flap failure was more common in the anterolateral thigh (5.5%) and fibular (5.1%) flaps.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.179-185
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• 2002

The wrist and forearm are a frequently damaged area in high tension electrical injury as an input or output of the current. Electrical burns affecting the wrist and forearm may produce full thickness necrosis of the skin and damage deep vital structures beneath the eschar, affecting the local tendons, nerves, even bones and joints which result in serious dysfunction of the hand. From January 1997 to December 2001, we had treated 20 patients with high tension electrical burn in the wrist and forearm using anterolateral thigh free flap. Average follow up period were 24 months and we get satisfactory results both in functional and aesthetic aspects. This flap is considered useful in one-stage reconstruction of wide and large soft tissue defect combined with arterial injuries.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.81-85
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• 2001

In the treatment of urethral stricture, many problems still remain with the current methods making it a field of further exploration for reconstructive surgeon. Furthermore, when total or multiple strictures of the penile urethra exist, the methods of surgery become difficult due to a necessity for a long neourethra. Introduction of vascularized free flap has broadened the choice and improved the results of reconstruction for the urethra. The authors used a sensate ulnar forearm free flap in a patient with multiple penile urethral strictures for reconstruction. Uroflowmetry, 30 months after surgery, revealed that maximal flow rate was 15.5 ml/sec, average flow rate was 9.5 ml/sec, and voided volume was 157 ml. A urethrogram was performed 30 months postoperatively and a good result was achieved. The ulnar forearm free flap used by the authors are thin and pliable and is good for providing sufficient length to reconstruct the neourethra for a long urethral defect.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 1998

The traditionally useful coverage methods of the wrist and hand soft tissue defect are the chinese forearm flap, the ulnar forearm flap. But, this flaps are inevitably sacrifice major vessel to the hand. Advantages of the posterior interosseous artery island flap(PIA Flap) is no need to sacrifice blood supply to the hand and supply relatively large thin, good quality flap and more cosmetic than other forearm flaps. But, it is difficult to dissect and raise because of deep seat, close relation with the posterior interosseous nerve and anatomic variation. Authors evaluated 8 cases of 7 patients in the department of orthopaedic surgery, college of medicine, Hallym University from January, 1993 to December, 1995. The results are as follows: 1. The satisfactory coverage was achieved 7 cases and 1 case failed because of anatomic variation. 2 The pedicle length is average 9cm and the flap size is variable from 3cm by 4cm to 5cm by 8cm. 3. The donor site defect was repaired by direct closure in 5 cases, remained 3 cases combined with skin graft. From our experience we conclude that the PIA flap is one of the useful coverage methods of the wrist and hand soft tissue defect.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.58-64
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• 1995

The radial forearm flap was first designed at the Ba-Ba Chung Hospital of People's Republic of China in 1978. The flap consists of the skin of the volar surface of the forearm, the subcutaneous fat, the underlying fascia, and the intramuscular fascia which includes the radial vessels. It is very useful flap in soft tissue coverage of skin defects of the upper and lower extremities. The authors have reported 13 cases of forearm free flap treated in the Korea University Hospital from January 1991 to Jun 1995 with a review of literature. The results were as follows. 1. We had good results in soft tissue coverage for all patients 2. The average size of flaps was $54cm^2$ and the average ischemic time of flaps was 74minutes. 3. The postoprative complication was occurred in three of 13 cases, two of three cases were arterial thrombosis treated with thrombectomy in postoperative 2 days, and one case was venous thrombosis resulted in superficial necrosis of the flap treated with STSG. 4. Forearm free flap with sensory innervation is a good donor site for reconstruction of weight-bearing areas of heel and sole. 5 The forearm free flap is suitable for soft tissue coverage of the upper and lower extremities, and can be used by skillful microsurgeon with high success rate.