• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to present the clinical analysis of the results of lateral arm free flap for small sized and infected diabetic foot ulcer around toes. From May 2006 to December 2007, Seven patients were included in our study. Average age was 52.8 years, six were males and one was female. All had infected diabetic foot ulcer and had exposures of bone or tendon structures. Ulcers were located around great toe in four patients, 4th toe in one and 5th toe in two. Three patients had osteomyelitis of metatarsal or phalanx. After appropriate control of infection by serial wound debridement and intravenous antibiotics, lateral arm flap was applied to cover remained soft tissue defects. Posterior radial collateral artery of lateral arm flap was reanastomosed to dorsalis pedis artery of recipient foot by end to side technique in all cases in order to preserve already compromised artery of diabetic foot. All flaps were designed over lateral epicondyle to get longer pedicle and averaged pedicle length was 8 cm. Two cases were used as a sensate flap to achieve protective sensation of foot. All flaps survived and provided satisfactory coverage of soft tissue defects on diabetc foot ulcers. All patients could achieve full weight-bearing ambulation. No patients has had recurrence of infection, ulceration and further toe amputations. There were three complications, a delayed wound healing of flap with surrounding tissue, a partial peripheral loss of flap and a numbness of forearm below donor site. All patients were satisfied with their clinical results, especially preserving their toes and could return to the previous activity levels. Lateral arm free flap could be recommend for infected diabetic foot ulcers around toes, to preserve toes, coverage of soft tissue defect and control of infection with low donor site morbidity.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.162-165
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• 2017

Background: It is controversial issue that heparin decreases thrombosis for microsurgical anastomosis, and its effective role is under discussion. This study is for proving whether low-dose heparin is preventing thrombosis in free flap reconstruction. Methods: Through chart reviews of 134 patients, using low-dose heparin for free tissue transfer from 2011 to 2016, retrospective analysis was performed. 33 patients received low-dose heparin therapy after surgery. And 101 patients received no-heparin therapy. Complications included flap necrosis, hematoma formation, dehiscence and infection. Results: In no-heparin therapy group, comparing the flap necrosis revealed 16 cases (15.84%). And, flap necrosis was 6 cases (18.18%) in low-dose heparin therapy group. The statistical analysis of flap necrosis rate showed no significant difference (p=0.75). The results showed that there was no significant difference of flap necrosis rate between two groups. Conclusion: In this study, patients in the low-dose heparin group had no significantly lower rates of flap failure compared with no-heparin group. This suggests that low-dose heparin may not prevent thrombosis and subsequent flap failure to a significant extent.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.229-236
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• 2007

Purpose: Breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator(DIEP) free flap is known to be the most advanced method of utilizing autologous tissue. The DIEP free flap method saves most of the rectus abdominis muscle as well as anterior rectus sheath. Therefore, the morbidity of the donor site is minimized and the risk of hernia is markedly decreased. Methods: We chose the internal mammary artery and its venae comitantes as recipient vessels, and deep inferior epigastric vessels as donor vessels. The number and location of the perforators derived from medial or lateral branch of deep inferior epigastric artery(DIEA) in 23 DIEP flaps were identified. Ten patients underwent evaluation of their abdominal wall function preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively by using Lacote's muscle grading system. Results: Of the 23 patients, a patient with one perforator from lateral branch of DIEA experienced partial necrosis of flap. Total flap loss occurred in one patient. Mild abdominal bulging was reported in one patient 4 months postoperatively probably because of early vigorous rehabilitational therapy for her frozen shoulder. Postoperative abdominal wall function tests in 10 patients showed almost complete recovery of muscle function upto their preoperative level of upper and lower rectus abdominis and external oblique muscle function at 6 months postoperatively. All patients have been able to resume their daily activities. Conclusion: The breast reconstruction with DIEP free flap is reliable and valuable method which provide ample soft tissue from abdomen without compromising the integrity of abdominal wall. Selection of reliable perforators is important and including more than two perforators may decrease fat necrosis and partial necrosis of flap.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.121-124
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• 2014

The use of the implantable Doppler device eases the burden of free flap monitoring, and allows caregivers to notify healthcare personnel of a potential vascular event. A 24-year-old female patient underwent anterolateral thigh adipofascial flap surgery to provide a buried flap on the left temporal area for a depressed and infected skull wound. The author was able to salvage the flap from two venous occlusions, which was made possible by early notifications from the caregiver who reported changes in the Doppler signal.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.84-87
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• 2019

With the recent development in microsurgery, the use of a perforator flap has been widely implemented. If the length of the ALT flap pedicle is insufficient despite adequate preoperative planning, pedicle length extension is necessary. We planned for a reverse ALT free flap using the distal vessel of the descending branch for pedicle length extension in the case of ALT perforator branch originating from the proximal portion of the descending branch. For the management of venous congestion, the distal venae comitantes were anastomosed to the proximal venous stump in an antegrade manner, successfully resolving the venous congestion. Modified reverse-flow ALT free flap, wherein the venae comitantes are anastomosed to the proximal vein stump, is a good option that allows for relatively simple pedicle extension within the same operative field when securing an adequate pedicle length is difficult because of the origin of the perforator from the proximal descending branch, unlike the initial surgical plan.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2001

Breast reconstruction is an aesthetically critical procedure and should be peformed to match the opposite breast in shape, contour, and position. Many methods were introduced to reconstruct the breast with autogenous tissue. But, free tissue transfer for breast reconstruction has become common method. The transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap technique has been a widely accepted method of breast reconstruction after mastectomy, since the first introduction of free abdominoplasty flap in 1979. In breast reconstruction with a free flap the selection of suitable recipient vessels remains one of the most critical decision for surgeon. The most common recipient site for free flap breast reconstruction is the axillar system. But, the use of the axillary system as a recipient site limits flap movement and flexibility in breast shaping. The use of internal mammary vessels as a recipient site be able to achieve ideal breast symmetry, but that technique require the rib resection. The selection of suitable recipient vessels is most important for successful free tissue transfer. We have performed breast reconstruction with TRAM flaps anastomozed to the internal mammary vessel perforator. We came to the conclusion that this vessel perforator is useful as a recipient site in cases of immediate breast reconstruction with free TRAM flap.

• 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 Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.187-192
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• 2006

The perforator flaps are based on cutaneous vessels which are originated from a main pedicle and penetrate fascia or muscle to reach the skin. The lateral lower leg is one of the most suitable areas for harvesting perforator flaps because a number of perforator vessels exist. The authors applied peroneal perforator flaps in nine patients. Five flaps were reverse island flaps based on peroneal artery and septocutaneous perforator, and four flaps were free flap based on musculocutaneous perforator only. The recipient site was the posterior ankle in three patients, posterior heel in three patients, lateral malleolus, anterolateral ankle, and foot dorsum in one patient each. The flap size ranged from 5 to 12cm long, from 3 to 5cm wide, and the primary closure of the donor site was possible in most cases. All flaps, except for the flap in two patients in the reverse island flap series, survived completely. The peroneal perforator flap is a very thin, pliable flap with minimal donor site morbidity and is suitable for the reconstruction of small and medium sized superficial skin defects. Also, this flap may be considered as an alternative to radial forearm flap or other perforator flaps.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.354-359
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• 2020

The medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap is a versatile fasciocutaneous flap that has been used successfully in the reconstruction of defects across the body. In specific cases, it may prove superior to more commonly used options (e.g., anterolateral thigh flap and radial forearm free flap). Historically, a disadvantage of the MSAP flap is the relatively small surface area it provides for reconstruction. We recently encountered a patient with extensive pelvic injuries from prior trauma resulting in significant scarring and contracture of the groin, tethering of the penis, and loss of the scrotum and one testicle. The patient was unable to achieve erection from tethering and his remaining testicle had been buried in the thigh. In considering the reconstructive options, he was not a suitable candidate for a thigh-based or forearm-based flap. An extended MSAP flap measuring 25 cm×10 cm was used for resurfacing of the groin and pelvis as well as for the formation of a neoscrotum. This report is the first to document an MSAP flap utilized for simultaneous groin resurfacing and scrotoplasty. Additionally, the dimensions of this flap make it the largest recorded MSAP flap to date.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.24-27
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• 2015

During flap elevation, most perforators are cut except one or more perforators that are essential to flap survival. However these cutout perforators can cause deterioration of the blood circulation of the flap. To salvage the jeopardized flaps, rebuilding the perforator system is essential for flap survival. In the first case, after flap elevation, the upper abdominal flap margin was severely ischemic. To supply blood to the upper abdominal flaps, we found and used a major perforator underneath the upper abdominal flap which was cut earlier during the elevation, and we performed reanastomosis with ipsilateral deep inferior epigastric artery. Upper abdominal flap ischemic area was limited to a narrow suture area. In the second case, we performed free superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap reconstruction. After successful anastomosis of the SIEA and superficial inferior epigastric vein (SIEV) with internal mammary artery and vein, serious venous congestion occurred immediately because of SIEV malfunction. We found the largest perforator vein under the flap, as an alternate way to drain, then connected it with the thoracoacromial vein with a vein graft harvested in the contralateral SIEV. Circulation has improved. In conclusion, perforator system reconstruction is essential in a jeopardized flap salvage.