• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.251-255
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• 2013

We present a case of a 57-year-old male patient who presented with squamous cell carcinoma on his mouth floor with cervical and mandibular metastases. Wide glossectomy with intergonial mandibular ostectomy, and sequential reconstruction using fibular osteomyocutaneous free flap were planned. When the anastomosis between the peroneal artery of the fibular free flap and the right lingual artery was performed, no venous flow was observed at the vena comitans. Then re-anastomosis followed by topical application of papaverine and lidocaine was attempted. However, the blood supply was not recovered. Warm saline irrigation over 30 minutes was also useless. Microvascular thromboses of donor vessels were clinically suspected, so a solution of 100,000 units of urokinase was infused once through a 26-gauge angiocatheter inserted into the recipient artery just at the arterial anastomotic site, until the solution gushed out through the flap vena comitans. Immediately after the application of urokinase, arterial flow and venous return were restored. There were no complications during the follow-up period of 11 months. We believe that vibrating injuries from the reciprocating saw during osteotomies and flap insetting might be the cause of microvascular thromboses. The use of urokinase may provide a viable option for the treatment of suspicious intraoperative arterial thrombosis.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제36권6호
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• pp.795-798
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• 2009

Purpose: The repair of complex chest wall defects presents a challenging problem for the reconstructive surgeon. In particular, a free flap is often required when the defect is large, in which case suitable recipient vessels must be found to insure revascularization. The authors report a case of persistent bronchopleural - cutaneous fistula developed after undergoing lobectomy for lung cancer. Methods: The defect area was repaired using a free vertical rectus abdominis muscle flap revascularized by microvascular anastomosis to the 6th intercostal pedicle. The flap obliterated the right chest cavity, closed the site of empyema drainage, and aided healing of a bronchopleural - cutaneous fistula. Results: The patient has remained healed for 14 months without any postoperative complications and recurrent infection or fistula. Conclusion: We suggest that a rectus abdominis musculocutaneus free flap and intercostal pedicle as a recipient could be a useful method for repair of chest defects.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제49권6호
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• pp.745-749
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• 2022

Background Soft tissue defects of the multiple finger present challenges to reconstruction surgeons. Here, we introduce the use of a lateral arm free flap and syndactylization for the coverage of multiple finger soft tissue defects. Methods This retrospective study was conducted based on reviews of the medical records of 13 patients with multiple soft tissue defects of fingers (n = 33) that underwent temporary syndactylization with a microvascular lateral arm flap for temporary syndactylization from January 2010 to December 2020. Surgical and functional outcomes, times of flap division, complications, and demographic data were analyzed. Results Middle fingers were most frequently affected, followed by ring and index fingers. Mean patient age was 43.58 years. The 13 patients had suffered 10 traumas, 2 thermal burns, and 1 scar contracture. Release of temporary syndactyly was performed 3 to 9 weeks after syndactylization. All flaps survived, but partial necrosis occurred in one patient, who required a local transposition flap after syndactylization release. The mean follow-up was 15.8 months. Conclusion Coverage of multiple finger defects by temporary syndactylization using a free lateral arm flap with subsequent division offers an alternative treatment option.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.6-14
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• 2000

Reconstruction of the composite mandibular defect resulting from ablative resection of tumor involved jaw has been challenging task to the plastic surgeon. A wide variety of different techniques were used with limited success until the advent of microsurgery. The high success rate of microsurgical procedures has allowed for significant improvement in both functional and aesthetic results. A variety of free flap donor sites have been used successfully for mandibular reconstruction. Between April of 1991 and August of 1998, 20 mandibular reconstructions were performed for oncologic defects. 4 patients underwent mandibular reconstruction with pectoralis major flap, 3 patients with free nonvascularized bone graft, 1 patient with metal plate. 12 patients underwent microvascular mandibular reconstruction(8: fibula, 4: ilium). The type of free flap was determined by the requirements of the defect. Satisfactory aesthetic and functional results were achieved in all cases without significant complications. So microvascular mandibular reconstruction should be considered as primary choice in all mandibular defect without hesitation.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.339-347
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• 1996

하악골 재건을 위한 여러 골이식 방법중 유리혈관화 견갑골은 다른 방법에 비해 여러 가지장점을 갖고 있다. 저자는 독일 Wuerzburg 대학에서 연수중 다수의 하악골 복합결손환자를혈관화 견갑골판을 이용 재건하여 우수한 결과를 얻는 것을 경험하였다. 견갑골 피판은 혈관분포를 보존하면서 여러 군데의 쐐기형 부분절골술에 의해 쉽게 하악골 외형에 따라 형성할 수 있었으며, 대부분의 증례에서 혈관경의 길이는 충분하였고, 수혜부의 조건에 따라 견갑골판 단독으로 또는 피부판을 포함하여 채취되었으며, 공여부의 유병율은 거의 없이 우수한 심미적 기능적 결과를 얻을 수 있었다. 결론적으로 이 유리골관은 다양한 피판의 유용성과 하악골의 3차원적인 재건 그리고 적은 유병율을 가지고 있어, 연조직을 포함한 하악골 복합결손부 재건에 매우 적합하리라 사료된다.

• 대한두개안면성형외과학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.27-34
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• 2020

Background: Free-flap reconstruction for recurrent head and neck cancer may be challenging depending on the previous treatments, those are, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, including neck dissection or free tissue transfer. Specifically, the previous treatment could compromise the neck vessels, thereby making free-flap reconstruction more difficult. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between previous treatments and vascular compromise of the free flap. Methods: In this retrospective study, 124 free-flap reconstructions in 116 patients for recurrent head and neck cancer between 1993 and 2017 were investigated. The demographic characteristics, previous treatments, flap choices, infections, recipient vessels, and vascular crises were evaluated. Results: Of the 124 reconstruction cases, 10 had vascular crises. There were six revisions, totaling six flap failures. The success rate of free-flap reconstruction for recurrent cancer was 95.2%, which significantly differed from that for primary cancer (98.8%, p= 0.006). Moreover, in the recurrent cancer group, no correlation was found between previous treatments and vascular crises (p> 0.05). Increased rates of contralateral or uncommon anastomoses were found following neck dissection (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Previous neck dissection or radiotherapy could lead to scarring and tissue damage, which could in turn make microvascular reconstruction more challenging; however, the effect was not definite in this study. Approximately 60% of patients with previous neck dissection had compromised ipsilateral recipient vessels, which resulted in contralateral or uncommon anastomoses. In this study, free-flap reconstruction seems to be quite safe and preferable in patients with recurrent head and neck cancer based on the overall survival rate.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.117-128
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• 2006

Free flap transplantation with microvascular anastomosis has been successfully performed by development of surgical technique, materials and postoperative monitoring equipments of flap. But success rate of microvascular anastomosis is influenced by various factors, and failure rate is about 5-10%. The most influential factor for success rate is surgical technique and other factors that influence failure of microvascular anastomosis are ischemic time of free flap, thrombus formation of anastomosis region and vascular spasm. Many studies has been published in microvascular anastomosis with histologic effect for irrigating solution. But local irrigation solution has been used clinically in microvascular anastomosis, the comparison with each solution, microhistological study for endothelial cell repair and vascular patency has not been reported. The heparin which is anti-thrombotic agent, and urokinase which is fibrinolytic agent are used for this study. Vascular patency and thrombus formation in experimental micro-arterial anastomosis, and endothelial repair were observed with histologic analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopic examination. The results were obtained as follows: 1. In vascular patency test in 30 minute and 7 days after micro-arterial anastomosis, equal effects of good vascular patency were obtained in group of local irrigation with heparin and urokinase. 2. In thrombus formation in 7 days after micro-arterial anastomosis, equal effects of minimal thrombus formation were obtained in group of local irrigation with heparin and urokinase. 3. In toluidin blue staining in 7 days after micro-arterial anastomosis, local destruction of endothelial cell and inner elastic lamina were seen and endothelial repair was not seen. 4. In scanning electron microscope examination in 7 days after micro-arterial anastomosis, endothelial cell was not seen in peripheral to suture materials, thrombus associated fibrin network was observed. 5. In transmission electron microscope examination in 7 days after micro-arterial anastomosis, inflammatory cell was seen within smooth muscle cells in site of endothelial cell destruction, smooth muscle cell around suture material were arranged irregularly, some collagenous change were seen. From the results obtained in this study, same results of good vascular patency and anti-thrombotic effect of heparin and urokinase were obtained as a local irrigation solution, and repair of endothelial cell was not seen in 7 days after micro-arterial anastomosis.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제49권6호
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• pp.782-784
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• 2022

Diabetic foot ulcers are a severe complication of diabetes, and their management requires a multidisciplinary approach for optimal management. When treating these ulcers, limb salvage remains the ultimate goal. In this article, we present the "hanging" free flap for the reconstruction of chronic lower extremity diabetic ulcers. This two-staged approach involves standard free flap harvest and inset; however, following inset the "hanging" pedicle is covered within a skin graft instead of making extraneous incisions within the undisturbed soft tissues or tunnels that can compress the vessels. After incorporation, a second-stage surgery is performed in 4 to 6 weeks which entails pedicle division, flap inset revision, and end-to-end reconstruction of the recipient vessel. Besides decreasing the number of incisions on diabetic patients, our novel technique utilizing the "hanging" pedicle simplifies flap monitoring and inset and allows reconstruction of recipient vessels to reestablish distal blood flow.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.116-123
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• 2011

The incidence of breast cancer, the second most prevalent cancer type in South Korea, has increased by 6.8% annually in the last six years. The higher number of breast cancer patients has led to an increase in the cases of skin-sparing mastectomies, thereby increasing the need for reconstructive procedures. The reconstruction options include alloplastic techniques such as implant or autologous reconstruction with numerous flaps. The abdominal area is the preferred donor site for the harvest of autologous tissue for breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction using abdonimal tissue is commonly accomplished using the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap. The establishment of microvascular surgery led to the development of the free TRAM flap because of its increased vascularity and decreased rectus abdominis sacrifice. The muscle-sparing TRAM, DIEP, and SIEA flap techniques were later developed in an effort to decrease the abdominal-donar-site morbidity by decreasing the injury to the rectus abdominis muscle and fascia. This article summarizes the various abdominal flaps for breast reconstruction.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.129-134
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• 1998

The ability for tissue transfer based on microvascular anastomosis has created a revolution in microsurgical free tissue transplantation. The advantages of cutaneous flaps are that they are soft, durable and provide a good cosmetic reconstruction and muscle flaps have a more vigorous blood supply and a longer, larger vascular pedicle than cutaneous flaps. From June 1992 through May 1997, 68 patients had received reconstructive microsurgery in the lower extremity at Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chonbuk National University Hospital. The results were as follows. 1. The age distribution was from 15 years of age to 67 and male were 59 cases and female 9 cases. 2. The most common cause was traffic accident(54 cases, 79.4%) and followed chronic osteomyelitis(9 cases, 13.2%), industrial accident(3 cases, 4.4%), burn(1 case, 1.5%) and farm injury(1 case, 1.5%). 3. Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap were 25 cases(36.8%), rectus abdominis muscle flap 21 cases(30.9%), gracilis muscle flap 10 cases(14.7%), dorsalis pedis flap 9 cases(13.2%), groin 2(2.9%) and vascularized iliac osteocutaneous flap 1(1.5%). 4. 61 cases(89.7%) of 68 cases were survived and the exposed vital tissues and bones were covered and revealed good cosmetic results.