• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.147-152
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• 2009

Purpose: First web space contracture of the hand has been treated with various surgical techniques such as Z - plasty, local flap, pedicled flap, distant free flap, and anterolateral thigh free flap. Among those surgical techniques, anterolateral thigh free flap provide a thin and pliable flap, which is a useful method for correction of first web space contracture. Methods: From August 2003 to September 2007, authors selected 9 patients who had first web space contracture with limitation of thumb abduction within 30 degrees. All of patients had received first web contracture release with anterolateral thigh free flap. Age ranged from 24 to 51, and all the patients were male. Average follow up period was 12 months and authors performed photographic analysis of the thumb abduction angle of postoperative increase. Result: All the flaps were survived. Donor site was closed with primary closure in 8 cases and covered with split - thickness skin graft in 1 case. Average flap size was $8{\times}9cm$ and average thickness was 0.6 cm in suprafascial flap. The procedure resulted in increased thumb abduction angle of $34.7^{\circ}$ in average and showed concave shape of first web space in suprafascial flap. Additional operations were performed with Z - plasty in 3 cases, local flap in 5 cases, and opponensplasty in 3 cases. Conclusion: In suprafascial flap, we obtained relatively thin flap thickness and were able to make natural concave shape of first web space. In releasing severe contracture of the first web space, anterolateral thigh free flap provided a good coverage of appropriate thickness and pliable soft tissue and allowed limited donor site morbidity.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.333-339
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• 2018

Background Flap volume is an important factor for obtaining satisfactory symmetry in breast reconstruction with a transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) free flap. We aimed to develop an easy and simple method to estimate flap volume. Methods We performed a preoperative estimation of the TRAM flap volume in five patients with breast cancer who underwent 2-stage breast reconstruction following an immediate tissue expander operation after a simple mastectomy. We measured the height and width of each flap zone using a ruler and measured the tissue thickness by ultrasound. The volume of each zone, approximated as a triangular or square prism, was then calculated. The zone volumes were summed to obtain the total calculated volume of the TRAM flap. We then determined the width of zone II, so that the calculated flap volume was equal to the required flap volume ($1.2{\times}1.05{\times}$the weight of the resected mastectomy tissue). The TRAM flap was transferred vertically so that zone III was located on the upper side, and zone II was trimmed in the sitting position after vascular anastomosis. We compared the estimated flap width of zone II (=X) with the actual flap width of zone II. Results X was similar to the actual measured width. Accurate volume replacement with the TRAM flap resulted in good symmetry in all cases. Conclusions The volume of a free TRAM flap can be straightforwardly estimated preoperatively using the method presented here, with ultrasound, ruler, and simple calculations, and this technique may help reduced the time required for precise flap tailoring.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.14-23
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• 2004

Introduction: The hand and wrist are particularly susceptible to electrical burn. Skin defect with damage or exposure of underlying vital structure requires coverage by skin flap especially in case of the need for late reconstruction. We are reporting 4 cases of electrical burned hand treated by posterior tibial arterial free flap. The commonly used skin flaps such as scapular flap or groin flap are too bulky so that they are not satisfactory in function and cosmetic appearance. So we tried to cover them with a more thin skin flap. Materials and Method: From January 2002 to June 2003, four cases of hand and wrist electrical burn were covered using posterior tibial arterial free flap. All the cases were due to high voltage electrical burn. Age ranged from 31 years to 38 years old and all the cases were male patients. Recipient sites were 2 wrist, one thenar area and one knuckle of 2.3rd MP joint. Additional procedures were flexor tenolysis (simultaneous), FPL tenolysis and digital nerve graft (later) and extensor tendon reconstruction (later). Result: All the flap have survived totally without any complication including circulatory concern about the donar foot. Posterior tibail arterial free flap was so thin that debulking procedure was not required. Conclusion: For skin coverage of the hand & wrist region, posterior tibial arterial free flap have many advantages such as reliable anatomy, easy dissection and easy anastmosis with radial or ulnar artery and possibility of sensory flap. The most helpful advantage for hand coverage is its thinness. So we think this flap is one of the very useful armamentarium for reconstructive hand surgery.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.82-85
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• 2013

If the replantation on the original position is not possible, the amputated tissue of a hand may be used as a donor for recovering hand functions at other positions. This procedure is termed 'heterodigital replantation'. An 63-year-old male patient who was in press machine accident came to Our Hospital. He had large dorsal soft-tissue defects ($5{\times}3cm$) on his left long finger and complete amputation on his left index finger through the proximal interpharyngeal joint. Replantation was not indicated because crushing injury of index finger was severe. So we decided to use index finger soft tissue as heterodigital free flap for the coverage of the long finger defect. The ulnar digital artery and dorsal subcutaneous vein of the free flap were anastomosed with the radial digital artery and dorsal subcutaneous vein of the long finger. The heterodigital free flap provided satisfactory apperance and functional capability of the long finger. The best way to treat amputation is replantation. But sometimes surgeon confront severely crushed or multi-segmental injured amputee which is not possible to replant. In this situation, reconstructive surgeons should consider heterodigital free flap from amputee as an option.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.315-324
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• 2023

Hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease (SCD) are traditionally considered a relative contraindication to free tissue transfer, due to concerns that erythrocyte sickling will increase the risk of microvascular thrombosis and flap failure. This article describes a case report with the successful use of free tissue transfer in a patient with SCD and provides a systematic literature review on free tissue transfer in SCD. A retrospective chart review was performed of a patient with SCD who underwent free tissue transfer at the authors' institution. A systematic literature review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was performed using the keywords "free tissue transfer," "free flap," or "microsurgery" and "sickle cell" on PubMed, Ovid/Medline, and Scopus. A 29-year-old male with delayed presentation of an electrical burn to the face and scalp underwent wound closure with a free anterolateral thigh flap. Key management principles included red blood cell transfusion to keep hemoglobin S under 30% and hemoglobin greater than 10 g/dL, maintenance of hydration, normothermia, adequate analgesia, and postoperative anticoagulation. Systematic literature review identified 7 articles describing 13 cases of free tissue transfer in 10 patients with SCD, with combined complete free flap success in 10 of the 13 flaps. Free tissue transfer can be successfully performed in patients with SCD. However, evidence on the optimal management of this unique patient population in the perioperative period after free tissue transfer is limited to case reports in the literature.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.14-17
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• 2005

Purpose: Authors have performed free tissue transplantation in the upper and lower extremities with sensory flaps and evaluated the sensory function recovery. Materials and methods: Between 1992 through 2004, sensory free flap articles published in the journal of the Korean microsurgical society, were reviewed and recovery of sensory function was assessed by static two-point discrimination test. Results: Static two point discrimination test showed average 6.7 mm in the thumb, average 12 mm in the hand and 7 cm of the dorsalis pedis flap, 20.5 mm of the lateral arm flap and over 8 cm of the forearm flap in the foot. Conclusion: Sensory flaps provide the protective and useful coverage in the upper and lower extremities and have benefit for activities for daily life in free tissue transferred patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.511-517
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• 2021

The use of free flaps is an essential and reliable method of reconstruction in complex head and neck defects. Flap failure remains the most feared complication, the most common cause being pedicle thrombosis. Among other measures, thrombolysis is useful when manual thrombectomy has failed to restore flap perfusion, in the setting of late or established thrombosis, or in arterial thrombosis with distal clot propagation. We report a case of pedicle arterial thrombosis with distal clot propagation which occurred during reconstruction of a maxillectomy defect, and was successfully treated with thrombolysis using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. We also review the literature regarding the use of thrombolysis in free flap surgery, and propose an algorithm for the salvage of free flaps in head and neck reconstruction.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.527-532
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• 2008

Purpose: Transverse type or volar oblique type of defect of thumb tip can be covered by Moberg flap or second toe pulp free flap. We compared these two methods in functional result, patients' satisfaction, and sensation, etc. to find a better way to cover the defect of the thumb tip. Methods: From 2003 to 2006, we chose the patients randomly with preoperative pictures. The patients had the defect of the thumb tip which is either transverse or volar oblique type. The 6 patients were treated with Moberg flap and other 6 patients were treated with second toe pulp free flap. We have analyzed the results by 2 point discrimination, side pinching power test, pulp to pulp pinching power test, pain scales (visual analogue scale), satisfaction scales of the patients (functional and aesthetic), the degree of the range of motion, etc. Results: All flaps survived without any complications. In the cases of Moberg flaps, the value of static 2 point discrimination test was 5.6 mm, and the value of moving 2 point discrimination test was 4.8 mm. In the cases of second toe pulp free flaps, the values were 9.6 mm and 9.3 mm. In the cases of Moberg flaps, the value of the Side pinch power test was 6.6 kg, 4.4 kg. In the case of second toe pulp free flaps, the values were 4.8 kg and 2.5 kg. The value of aesthetic satisfaction scale of the patients in Moberg flaps was 5.6, the value of functional satisfaction scale of the patients was 3.6. In cases of second toe pulp free flaps, the values were 5.6 and 3.6. The active range of motion of Interphalangeal joint in the cases of Moberg flaps was 46.6 degree, and the active range of motion of metacarpophalangeal joint was 55 degree, in the cases of second toe pulp free flaps, the values were 36.6 degree and 59 degree. Conclusion: As a result, when the defect of the thumb tip is transverse or volar oblique type, we suggest that the operators choose Moberg flap to cover the defect of the thumb tip.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2011

Purpose: Anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator free flap is commonly used because of its various benefits. The author reports important factors of preoperative and perioperative ALT perforator free flap and causes of failure. Methods: 84 patients who were treated with ALT perforator free flap from December 2004 to 2008, and February 2010 to April 2010 were studied. 61 patients were male and 23 were female. The mean age of patients was 51.1. The main cause was neoplasm and the main reconstructive areas were head and neck area. The size of flap was various from $3{\times}4$ to $12{\times}18$ cm. 6 patients received split thickness skin graft at donor site. Preoperative angiography was checked to all patients. Results: Among the 84 patients, partial necrosis of flaps occurred in 4 patients because of atherosclerosis, varicose vein, or inattention of patient, etc. And total flap necrosis in 5 patients because of abnormal vessels of recipient area or delay of operation, etc. One case of serous cyst was found as the complication of donor area. Two cases of skin graft on donor site were done because of suspected muscle compartment syndrome, 4 cases of that because of large flap. Septocutaneous perforators were found in 7 cases. The author couldn't find reliable perforator in 3 cases, ipsilateral anteromedial thigh perforator and contralateral ALT perforator and latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous free flap were done instead of ALT. There was no case which needed reoperation because of the impairment of blood supply, and 3 cases were revised by leech because of the burn injury by a lamp or venous congestion. Conclusion: Although ALT perforator free flap is widely used with its various merits, many factors such as preoperative condition of donor or recipient area, morphology of defect and operating time need to consider to prevent flap necrosis. And operators should need careful technique because septocutaneous perforator is uncommon, and musculocutaneous perforator is common but difficult to dissect.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2012

Purpose: Defect after ablation of hypopharyngeal cancer often requires reconstruction by free tissue transfer. Since neo-hypopharynx is totally buried, various methods have been suggested for monitoring. We propose a modified design of anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap for reconstruction of pharyngolaryngectomy defect, which has an exteriorized part for clinical monitoring and allows for primary closure. Materials and Methods: Three consecutive patients with hypopharyngeal cancer were reconstructed with ALT flap with modified design: 1) distal part of flap was elongated into fusiform shape and used as exteriorized monitoring segment with a deepithelized bridge and 2) proximal part was designed as curve so the maximum width of the flap was reduced to less than 10 cm. Results: Patient 1, 2 had uneventful postoperative course with healthy skin color and fresh pin prick bleeding. In patient 3, defect after cancer ablation was shorter than usual and deepithelized bridge was longer. When the general hemodynamic status of the patient was aggravated in postoperative course, the color of monitoring skin was changed. Viability of the whole flap was confirmed by endoscopy. However, leakage developed after 3 weeks and repair was necessary. In all patients the donor sites were closed primarily. Conclusion: By the modified design of ALT flap, clinical monitoring can be possible by examining exteriorized monitoring flap and also donor site can be closed primarily. However possibility of false positive exists and technical caution and patient selection is needed because of danger of leakage.