• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.536-540
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• 2006

Purpose: The soft tissue injuries of the patellar area are difficult problems because of insufficient arterial blood supply and lack of muscle layer. There have been many methods for reconstructing the soft tissue injuries of the patellar area such as primary closure, skin graft, local flap and free tissue transfer. However, each method has some limitations in their application. After the first introduction, the fasciocutaneous flaps are widely used to reconstruct the soft tissue injuries. The saphenous nerve, one of the superficial sensory nerves in the lower leg, is supplied by the saphenous artery and its vascular network. We used the saphenous fasciocutaneous island flap to reconstruct the soft tissue injuries of the patellar area. Methods: From March 2002 to May 2005, we used the saphenous fasciocutaneous island flap to reconstruct the soft tissue injuries of the patellar area. The flap was elevated with saphenous nerve, saphenous vein and saphenous artery and its vascular network. The flap donor site was reconstructed with primary closure or split-thickness skin graft. Results: Five cases survived completely but 1 case developed partial necrosis of the skin on the upper margin of the flap. However, the necrosis was localized on skin layer, and we reconstructed with debridement and split-thickness skin graft only. After the operation, there was no contracture or gait disturbance in any patient. Conclusion: In conclusion, the saphenous fasciocutaneous island flap is safe, comfortable and effective method to reconstruct the soft tissue injuries of the patellar area.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.541-545
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• 2006

Purpose: There are many methods for the reconstruction of the facial defect after an excision of a skin cancer; such as skin graft, local flap, free flap, etc... Skin graft has its' limitations; it could remain in different color with in regards of the recipient to donor, with an unfavorable scar. Free flap can lead to big donor site morbidity with long operation time and uncontrolled scar as a disadvantage factor. Compared to the prior, local flap offers several merits; sufficient blood supply, good tissue quality and short operation time. We revised 'V-Y-S flap' for the facial defect, which proved to have favorable outcomes. Methods: Total 7 V-Y-S flaps were performed to patients with skin cancers(six squamous cell carcinoma and one basal cell carcinoma). Two of these flaps were combined with composite grafts, one with full thickness skin graft. Six patients were female and one male. The average diameter of defects after excision was 2.3 cm. The follow-up period was 18 months maximally. Results: We treated seven facial skin cancers with 'V-Y-S flap'. There were no flap necrosis, cancer recurrence and scar contracture as a result. Furthermore, this method also offers a favorable central scar line that is parallel to the nasolabial fold and the nasojugal groove, especially in the nasolabial area and superomedial side of the cheek. With this method, we could cover a maximum diameter of 4cm facial defect. Conclusion: In conclusion, it is suggested that V-Y-S flap is a useful method to cover facial defects after the excision of a skin cancer.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.20-27
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• 1998

Among many kinds of introduced free flaps, scapular freeflap is one of the most popularly using modalities in fasciocutaneous defect coverage with minimal donor defect and easier procedure and constant vascular patterns of the donor. Many surgeons who had experience of this flap pointed out deficit of the reliable sensation of the transplanted flap is the main shortcoming of the scapular free flap. If we can subjugate that point, scapular free flap is the most excellent procedure in such a cases as heel pad reconstruction and hand reconstruction which are relatively important to have skin with protective sensation. Author performed anatomical literature review, 10 cadaveric dissections and 12 clinical dissections. In surgical anatomical aspect, the upper six dorsal rami of the thoracic nerves have medial branches which pierce Longissimus thoracis and Multifidus muscle with small cutaneous twigs which pierce Latissimus dorsi and Trapezius muscle. Among that cutaneous twigs, several twigs distribute to the skin of the back from midline to lateral aspect which territory is identical to scapular free flap. We analysed clinical experiences of that sensory bearing scapular free flap surgical anatomy and one year follow-up studies with several results. 1) Two to three cutaneous twigs which pierced from the Trapezius muscle over the scapular free flap region. 2) Each twigs has two to four nerve fascicles with small artery. 3) The nerve distributed to the ordinary scapular free flap and large enough size and pedicle length to neurorrhapy with various recipient site nerves. 4) The inconvenience of this procedure is the vascular pedicle and nerve pedicle have opposite directions, vascular pedicle of that comes from lateral direction from subscapular vessels, but nerve pedicle comes from medial direction from trapezius muscle. Author can found constant cutaneous nerve branches which come from piercing the Trapezius. This nerves are helpful for protective sensation in transplanted scapular free flap. We can't had enough follow-up and evaluation of the nerve function of this procedure, we need continuous research works to application of this procedure. The in conveniences come from directional differences of pedicle can solve with longer harvest neural pedicle and change direction of the neural pedicle.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.365-370
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• 2019

The syndrome of the trephined is a neurologic phenomenon that manifests as sudden decline in cognition, behavior, and sensorimotor function due to loss of intracranial domain. This scenario typically occurs in the setting of large craniectomy defects, resulting from trauma, infection, and/or oncologic extirpation. Cranioplasty has been shown to reverse these symptoms by normalizing cerebral hemodynamics and metabolism. However, successful reconstruction may be difficult in patients with complex and/or hostile calvarial defects. We present the case of a 48-year-old male with a large cranial bone defect, who failed autologous cranioplasty secondary to infection, and developed rapid neurologic deterioration leading to a near-vegetative state. Following debridement and antibiotic therapy, delayed cranioplasty was accomplished using a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) implant with free chimeric latissimus dorsi/serratus anterior myocutaneous flap transfer for vascularized resurfacing. Significant improvements in cognition and motor skill were noted in the early postoperative period. At 6-month follow-up, the patient had regained the ability to speak, ambulate and self-feed-correlating with evidence of cerebral/ventricular re-expansion on computed tomography. Based on our findings, we advocate delayed alloplastic implantation with total vascularized soft tissue coverage as a viable alternative for reconstructing extensive, hostile calvarial defects in patients with the syndrome of the trephined.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제46권5호
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• pp.449-454
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• 2019

Background Most patients with head and neck cancer successfully undergo oncologic resection followed by free or local flap reconstruction, depending on the tumor's size and location. Despite effective curative resection and reconstruction, head and neck cancer patients still face a high risk of recurrence and the possibility of a second primary cancer. Moreover, surgeons hesitate to perform sequential reconstruction following curative resection for several reasons. Few large-scale studies on this subject are available. Therefore, we retrospectively evaluated the outcome of sequential head and neck reconstruction to determine the possible risks. Methods In total, 467 patients underwent head and neck reconstruction following cancer resection at our center from 2008 to 2017. Of these cases, we retrospectively reviewed the demographic and clinical features of 58 who had sequential head and neck reconstruction following resection of recurrent cancer. Results Our study included 43 males (74.1%) and 15 females (25.9%). The mean age at the initial operation was $55.4{\pm}15.3years$, while the mean age at the most recent operation was $59.0{\pm}14.3years$. The interval between the first and second operations was $49.2{\pm}62.4months$. Twelve patients (20.7%) underwent surgery on the tongue, and 12 (20.7%) had procedures on the oropharynx. Thirty-four patients (58.6%) received a sequential free flap reconstruction, and 24 patients (41.4%) were treated using locoregional flaps. No cases of flap failure occurred. Conclusions Our findings suggest that patients who need additional operations with recurrent head and neck cancer could optimally benefit from sequential curative resections and reconstructions.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.10-16
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• 2023

Background The chest wall defects can be caused by various reasons. In the case of malignant tumor resection of the chest wall, it is essential to reconstruct the chest wall to cover the vital tissue and restore the pulmonary function with prevention of paradoxical motion. With our experience, we analyzed and evaluated the results and complications of the chest wall reconstructions followed by malignant tumor resection. Methods From 2013 to 2022, we reviewed a medical record of patients who received chest reconstruction due to chest wall malignant tumor resection. The following data were retrieved: patients' demographic data, tumor type, type of operation, method of chest wall reconstruction of the soft and skeletal tissue and complications. Results There were seven males and six female patients. The causes of reconstruction were 12 primary tumors and one metastatic carcinoma. The pathological types were seven sarcomas, three invasive breast carcinoma, and three squamous cell carcinomas. The skeletal reconstruction was performed in six patients. The series of the flap were eight pedicled latissimus dorsi (LD) myocutaneous flaps, two pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, two vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous free flap, and one LD free flap. Among all the cases, only one staged reconstruction and successful reconstruction without flail chest. Most of the complications were atelectasis. Conclusion In the case of accompanying multiple ribs and sternal defect, skeletal reconstruction would need skeletal reconstruction to prevent paradoxical chest wall motion. The flap for soft tissue defect be selected according to defect size and location of chest wall. With our experience, we recommend the reconstruction algorithm for chest wall defect due to malignant tumor resection.

• 대한화상학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.54-59
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• 2020

Purpose: A fourth degree burn is a full-thickness burn of the skin usually accompanied by damage to deep structures and commonly results in extensive damage to surrounding tissues which makes the treatment of the wound difficult. Coverage of these wound using free flap is known to effective but not commonly used. The purpose of our study is to review our experience and suggest early application of free flap surgery. Methods: A retrospective review was performed from 2010 to 2019, on a total of 34 fourth degree burn patients undergone free flap surgery as primary treatment in our hospital. We reviewed the location of the injury, etiology, TBSA (%), Presence of osteomyelitis, flap choice, complications, period of injury to surgery and healing. Results: Using free flap as a primary reconstrcuction, the outcome is satisfactory. The treatment period was shortened, and there was less loss of function due to complications. Also the incidence of osteomyelitis and amputation was significantly low. Conclusion: Applying free flap surgery as soon as possible in fourth degree burns is effective, such as reducing complications such as infection, reducing amputation, shortening treatment period, and preventing severe sequelae.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.611-616
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• 2009

Purpose: The rate of fistulas occuring followed by resection of oral cavity, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, and laryngeal cancer are reported to be 9 ~ 23% according to various documents. Neglected treatment of the fistula can result in a setback in proper treatment with restrictions in oral intake leading to delayed return to daily life. Furthurmore, in severe cases, it may injure important vessels and adjacent structures of the neck area. The author reviewed previously reported cases of treatment methods for fistulas recurring after diverse head and neck operations and with sharing the treatment experiments of our patients, we tried to present a treatment algorism for different fistula types. Methods: Our study was based on retrograde analysis of 64 patients who were clinically diagnosed with fistula after operation for cancer of the head and neck from 1997 to 2008 at Severance Hospital. Their primary sites of cancer were 8 oral cavity, 22 oropharynx, 25 hypopharynx, and 9 larynx. The patients were aged 45 to 75 years and the male to female ratio was 11 to 1. The patient's operation records and progress notes were evaluated for determination of degree of fistula and treatment methods. Results: Most fistulas were clinically suspected after postoperative 5 days and symptoms noted for detection of the fistula were erythema, purulent discharge, edema, tenderness, and fluctuation. The fistula was definitely diagnosed at postoperative 2 weeks with barium test and treatment method ranging from conservative management to operative procedure were applied to each patients. Total 21 patients were managed with conservative protocol. In 15 cases, direct repair of the fistula was done and more stable repair of the fistula was possible with using of TachoComb$^{(R)}$. Pharyngostoma was performed in 14 patients. Among them, 4 patients healed spontaneously, 5 patients were taken direct closure, 4 patients were taken pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap, and one patient was taken esophageal transfer. The other 14 patients were taken 11 pectoralis major musculocutaneous flaps and 3 free flaps without pharyngostoma formation. Conclusion: Fistula is a troublesome complication resulting after resection of head and neck cancer. Early detection and adequate treatment according to the period and condition of the fistula may prevent further complications and reduce the pain of the patient.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제41권6호
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• pp.716-721
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• 2014

Background The aim of this study was to review the recipient vessels used in our cases of facial reanimation with free functional muscle transfer and to identify patient variables that may predict when the facial vessels are absent. From this we present a protocol for vessel selection in cases when the facial artery and/or vein are absent. Methods Patients were identified from November 2006 to October 2013. Data was collected on patient demographics, facial palsy aetiology, history of previous facial surgery/trauma and flap/recipient vessels used. A standard operative approach was adopted and performed by a single surgeon. Results Eighty-seven eligible patients were identified for inclusion amongst which 98 hemifaces were operated upon. The facial artery and vein were the most commonly used recipient vessels (90% and 83% of patients, respectively). Commonly used alternative vessels were the transverse facial vein and superficial temporal artery. Those with congenital facial palsy were significantly more likely to lack a suitable facial vein (P=0.03) and those with a history of previous facial surgery or trauma were significantly more likely to have an absent facial artery and vein (P<0.05). Conclusions Our algorithm can help to guide vessel selection cases of facial reanimation with free functional muscle transfer. Amongst patients with congenital facial palsy or in those with a previous history of facial surgery or trauma, the facial vessels are more likely to be absent and so the surgeon should then look towards the transverse facial vein and superficial temporal artery as alternative recipient structures.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.33-37
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• 2013

Purpose: The concept and development of perforator free flaps have led to significant advances in microsurgery. Ongoing developments in perforator free flap surgery are aimed at reducing complications and improving surgical outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and application of supermicrosurgery in free flap surgery. Materials and Methods: A total of 267 patients with soft tissue defects of the lower extremity due to various etiologies from January, 2007 to January, 2013. The patients received either an anterolateral thigh free flap (n=83), a superficial circumflex iliac artery free flap (n=152), an upper medial thigh free flap (n=19), or a superior gluteal artery perforator free flap (n=13). Microanastomosis was performed using a perforator-to-perforator technique, either end-to-end or end-to-side. Results: The mean postoperative follow up period was eight months (range: one to 16 months) and flap loss occurred in 11 cases out of 267. All cases of flap loss occurred within two weeks of surgery due to either arterial insufficiency (n=5) or venous congestion (n=6). Conclusion: Supermicrosurgery enables the selection of the most efficient perforator for microanastomosis at the defect site. It also reduces the time required for dissection of recipient vessels, and reduces the possibility of injury to major vessels. Microsurgery using a vessel of less than 1 mm has been reported to increase the risk of flap failure; however, using the most advanced surgical tools and developing experience in the technique can produce success rates similar to those found in the literature.