• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.575-583
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• 2013

Background The aim of lower-extremity reconstruction has focused on wound coverage and functional recovery. However, there are limitations in the use of a local flap in cases of extensive defects of the lower-extremities. Therefore, free flap is a useful option in lower-extremity reconstruction. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 49 patients (52 cases) who underwent lower-extremity reconstruction at our institution during a 10-year period. In these patients, we evaluated causes and sites of defects, types of flaps, recipient vessels, types of anastomosis, survival rate, and complications. Results There were 42 men and 10 women with a mean age of 32.7 years (range, 3-72 years). The sites of defects included the dorsum of the foot (19), pretibial area (17), ankle (7), heel (5) and other sites (4). The types of free flap included latissimus dorsi muscle flap (10), scapular fascial flap (6), anterolateral thigh flap (6), and other flaps (30). There were four cases of vascular complications, out of which two flaps survived after intervention. The overall survival of the flaps was 96.2% (50/52). There were 19 cases of other complications at recipient sites such as partial graft loss (8), partial flap necrosis (6) and infection (5). However, these complications were not notable and were resolved with skin grafts. Conclusions The free flap is an effective method of lower-extremity reconstruction. Good outcomes can be achieved with complete debridement and the selection of appropriate recipient vessels and flaps according to the recipient site.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.63-72
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• 1997

We have evaluated the clinical results following the 46 cases of free vascularized osteocutaneous fibular flap transfer to the tibial defect combined with skin and soft tissue defect, which were performed from May 1982 to January 1997. Regarding to the operation, flap size, length of the grafted fibula, anastomosed vessels, ischemic time of the flap and total operation time were measured. After the operation, time to union of grafted fibula and the amount of hypertrophy of grafted fibula were periodically measured through the serial X-ray follow-up and also the complications and results of treatment were evaluated. In the 46 consecutive procedures of free vascularized osteocutaneous fibular flap transfer, initial bony union were obtained in the 43 grafted fibulas at average 3.75 months after the operation. There were 2 cases in delayed unions and 1 in nonunion. 44 cutaneous flaps among the 46 cases were survived but 2 cases were necrotized due to deep infection and venous insufficiency. One necrotized flap was treated with latissimus dorsi free flap transfer and the other was treated with soleus muscle rotational flap. Grafted fibulas have been hypertrophied during the follow-up periods. The fracture of grafted fibula(15 cases) was the most common complication and occurred at average 9.7 months after the operation. The fractured fibulas were treated with the cast immobilization or internal fixation with conventional cancellous bone graft. In the cases of tibia and fibula fracture at recipient site, the initial rigid fixation for the fibula fracture at recipient site could prevent the fracture of grafted fibula to the tibia.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.74-81
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• 2004

This study was designed to introduce the cross-leg free flap only for vein anastomosis as an alternative salvage method for the reconstruction of severe soft tissue defects in vascular-compromised lower extremities. Four cross-leg free flap reconstructions were performed using the latissimus dorsi muscle to reconstruct soft tissue defects in the lower extremity. The recipient artery was confined to the ipsilateral side and the venous anastomosis was carried out in the contralateral side. Both legs were immobilized together with an external fixator. All patients were males, and had a mean age of 31 years. The mean time of pedicle division was 8.8 days range of 7 to 10 days. The mean size of the flap was 186.5 cm2. All flaps survived after pedicle division without venous congestion. There was no complication in joint stiffness, nor donor site morbidity except for a linear scar. The cross-leg free flap only for vein anastomosis is a refinement of a salvage procedure used for the reconstruction of severe soft tissue defects in vascular-compromised lower extremities.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 1997

The aims of free tissue transplantation to the injured foot are to cover the exposed blood vessels, nerves, muscles, tendons and bones, to clear up infection, to lessen the morbidity, to shorten the hospitalization, and to prepare for further surgical procedures when no local or transpositioning flaps are available. Authors have carried out free flap transplantation in 13 cases of crushing injury, osteomyelitis and electrical burn in the foot at Chonbuk National University Hospital from June 1992 through May 1996. The results were as follows : 1. 9 cases of 13 (69%) were sustained from the traffic accident. 2. The dorsalis pedis free flap transplantation has been performed most frequently in 5 cases (38.5%), followed gracilis muscle flap in 4 cases(30.7%), rectus abdominis muscle flap in 2 cases(15.4%), latissimus dorsi muscle flap and upper arm flap in 1 each. 3. 6 muscle flaps were covered with split thickness skin graft 20 days after microsurgical anastomosis. 4. All of 13 cases were survived after microsurgical procedure and showed excellent coverage in the foot.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2019

Background The dorsolateral branch of the posterior intercostal artery (DLBPI) can be easily found while harvesting a latissimus dorsi (LD) musculocutaneous flap for breast reconstruction. However, it remains unknown whether this branch can be used for a free flap and whether this branch alone can provide perfusion to the skin. We examined whether the DLBPI could be reliably found and whether it could provide sufficient perfusion. Methods We dissected 10 fresh cadavers and counted DLBPIs with a diameter larger than 2 mm. For each DLBPI, the following parameters were measured: distance from the lateral margin of the LD muscle, level of the intercostal space, distance from the spinal process, and distance from the inferior angle of the scapula. Results The DLBPI was easily found in all cadavers and was reliably located in the specified area. The average number of DLBPIs was 1.65. They were located between the seventh and eleventh intercostal spaces. The average length of the DLBPI between the intercostal space and the LD muscle was 4.82 cm. To assess the perfusion of the DLBPIs, a lead oxide mixture was injected through the branch and observed using X-rays, and it showed good perfusion. Conclusions The DLBPI can be used as a pedicle in free flaps for small defects. DLBPI flaps have some limitations, such as a short pedicle. However, an advantage of this branch is that it can be reliably located through simple dissection. For women, it has the advantage of concealing the donor scar underneath the bra band.

• 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.9 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2000

The microsurgical reconstruction is necessary for elderly patients to treat severe trauma and head and neck tumor. The aim of this study is to analyze the risks of microvascular surgery and whether or not happening of more complication in elderly patients who are older than 60 years old and to suggest the solution of the complication. The retrospective study included 41 elderly patients who underwent treatment of 44 microsurgical reconstructions among total 271 cases of microsurgical reconstruction from July, 1988 to December, 1998. Their ages ranged from 61 years to 79 years. There were 26 males and 15 females. The involved sites were 23 head and necks, 13 upper gastrointestinal tracts, 3 lower extremities, 1 chest and 1 sacral region. The causes of microsurgical reconstruction were 36 head and neck tumors, 2 radionecrosis, 2 traumas and 1 melanoma in lower limb. The used flaps were 14 radial forearm flaps, 13 jejunal flaps, 10 latissimus dorsi muscle flaps, 3 rectus abdominis muscle flaps, 2 lateral arm flaps, 1 scapular flap, and 1 iliac osteocutaneous flap. They had medical problems which were 29 tobacco abuse, 14 hypertensions, 13 alcohol abuse, 10 chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, 7 diabetes mellituses, 3 ischemic heart diseases. All patients have had successful results without specific complications except 3 cases of free flap failure and 3 perioperative death. The causes of 3 flap failures were 2 flap necrosis due to arterial insufficiency and 1 flap loss due to secondary infection. All of these cases were treated with secondary free flap surgery. However 3 patients died perioperatively due to 2 respiratory arrests and 1 sepsis. It was not related to operate microsurgical reconstruction itself, but was correlated with the complication of postoperative care after head and neck surgery. We conclude that plastic surgeons consider the importance of prevention of expected complication as thorough analysis of operative risk factor and appropriate treatment. We had to select the donor and recipient vessel appropriately to perform successful microsurgery in elderly patients and consider vein graft and end-to-side anastomosis to reduce complication if necessary. In addition, we emphasize the importance of pre, peri and postoperative care in head and neck cancer patients to reduce postoperative complication and morbidity.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.491-494
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• 2006

Purpose: To report the case of recurred malignant proliferating trichilemmal tumor on scalp Methods: Case report and literature review Results: A 40-year-old man presented with a recurred malignant proliferating trichilemmal tumor, which developed on the occipital area. It was $8{\times}9{\times}4.5cm$ in size, protruded, firm and non-tender mass. This tumor was widely excised including normal skin margin and pericranium. Immediate reconstruction using free latissimus dorsi muscle flap and skin graft were done. Histopathologic examination revealed abrubt, compact trichilemmal keratinization in the central area of lobular epithelial proliferation. Conclusion: There has been no recurrence of tumor during follow-up period of nine months without adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy.