• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• 제40권
• /
• pp.25.1-25.4
• /
• 2018

Background: Some of head and neck cancer patients are in compromised general condition after ablation surgery and chemoradiation therapy, which makes secondary free tissue transfer quite challenging. Elderly cancer patients also have some risk for microvascular surgery with lengthened general anesthesia. In those cases, the pedicled flap vascularized by supraclavicular artery could be considered as an alternative to free flap. Despite several authors have demonstrated the clinical reliability of supraclavicular artery island flap (SCAIF), to date, SCAIF has not been widely used among reconstructive surgeon. In this article, we clarified vascular flow pattern and introduce simple surgical technique of SCAIF with a literature review. Case presentation: Three patients who had underwent previous neck surgery and adjuvant therapy received maxillofacial reconstruction using SCAIF. It required only a few landmarks, flap harvesting was carried out, and the elapsed time gradually decreased to 15 min with experiences. There were no remarkable morbidities in both donor and recipient sites. Conclusion: SCAIF exhibited minimal anatomic variations and short learning curve of surgical techniques, which might be valuable reconstruction modality for beginning surgeon. And it can be beneficial option for the patients with vessel-depleted neck, medically compromised status for lengthened general anesthesia and failed free tissue transfer.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• 제50권6호
• /
• pp.568-572
• /
• 2023

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) overlying an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is rare and presents unique challenges. This case report describes a method of fistula preservation after CSCC excision using a flow-through venous free flap. The saphenous vein of the venous flap was used as flow-through segment for AVF preservation. The flap was inserted along the dorsal aspect of the forearm wound and microvascular anastomosis of the arterial inflow was completed using a vein just proximal to the radiocephalic fistula anastomosis. Venous outflow was established by creating an end-to-end vascular anastomosis between the cephalic vein and the greater saphenous vein. A separate subcutaneous vein was used to provide a low-pressure outflow for the flap to avoid congestion. This case demonstrates an option for AVF preservation that has not been previously described. It also highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for the safe treatment of CSCCs overlying AVFs.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• 제36권4호
• /
• pp.393-396
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Low - molecular - weight dextran is one of the most frequently used antithrombotic agents in microvascular surgery, but there is controversy if it has the real benefit in the clinical aspects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect associated with postoperative use of low - molecular - weight dextran in breast reconstruction by free TRAM flap patients. Methods: From January 2002 to October 2008, we reconstructed 88 cases of postmastectomy deformity using the free TRAM flap. The 88 cases were divided into two groups : a group with no use of dextran(66 patients, control group, Group A) and a postoperative low - molecular weight dextran loaded group(22 patients, Group B). We assessed number of flap survival, rate of complication like hematoma or seroma, total amount of drainage from operative wound, duration of drainage, and amount of transfusion in each group. Results: There was no total flap loss and every flap was survived. Total amount of drainage for post - operative 5 days were 857 ml in group A and 1101 ml in group B. Drain was kept for average of 7.3 days in group A and 8.7 days in group B. Packed red cell transfusions were made in average of 3.3 units for group A and 3.0 units for group B. Group B showed significantly higher values in former 2 comparative parameters than group A. Conclusion: There was no definitive advantage of anticoagulants in elective free - flap surgery in terms of success rate. However, groups with using anticoagulants had the increased bleeding tendency in immediate postoperative period. The routine use of anticoagulants in elective free - flap surgery should be reconsidered with postoperatively less bleeding and early recovery.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• 제8권2호
• /
• pp.130-138
• /
• 1999

The lower extremity injuries are extremely increasing with the development of industrial & transportational technology. For the lower extremity injuries that result from high-energy forces, particularly those in which soft tissue and large segments of bone have been destroyed and there is some degree of vascular compromise, the problems in reconstruction are major and more complex. In such cases local muscle coverage is probably unsuccessful, because adjacent muscles are destroyed much more than one can initially expect. Reconstruction of the lower extremity has been planned by dividing the lower leg into three parts traditionally The flaps available in each of the three parts are gastrocnemius flap for proximal one third, soleus flap for middle one third and free flap transfer for lower one third. Microvascular surgery can provide the necessary soft tissue coverage from the remote donnor area by free flap transfer into the defect. Correct selection of the appropriate recipient vessels is difficult and remains the most important factor in successful free flap transfer. Vascular anastomosis to recipient vessels distal to the zone of injury has been advocated and retrograde flow flaps are well established in island flaps. Retrograde flow anastomosis could not interrupt the major blood vessels which were essential for survival of the distal limb, the compromise of fracture or wound healing might be prevented. During 5 years, from March 1993 to Feb. 1998, we have done 68 free flap transfers in 61 patients to reconstruct the lower extremity. From analysis of the cases, we concluded that for the reconstruction of the lower extremity, free flap transfer yields a more esthetic and functional results.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• 제24권1호
• /
• pp.20-23
• /
• 2015

Despite increased utilization of microvascular anastomotic coupler (MAC) devices, the consequences have yet to be fully explored in terms of vascular regeneration. Removal of an exposed venous coupler is described herein, documenting normal circulatory flow through the remodeled site of application. A 25-year-old man who underwent open reduction and rigid fixation elsewhere for traumatic calcaneal fracture ultimately presented with a necrotic postoperative wound. The debrided defect was treated by free thigh perforator flap, incorporating a MAC device. Three months later, the flap remained viable, but the MAC itself was exposed. Structural integrity of the vessel and blood flow were sustained as the device was carefully removed, confirming true vascular remodeling in this example of MAC usage.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• 제32권2호
• /
• pp.175-182
• /
• 2005

Skull base tumors have been determined inoperable because it is difficult to accurately diagnose the extent of the involvement and to approach and excise the tumor safely. However, recently, the advent of sophisticated diagnostic tools such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging as well as the craniofacial and neurosurgical advanced techniques enabled an accurate determination of operative plans and safe approach for tumor excision. Resection of these tumors may sometimes result in massive and complex extirpation defects that are not amenable to local tissue closure. The purpose of this study is to analyze experiences of skull base reconstruction and to evaluate long term survival rate and complications. All cranial base reconstructions performed from July 1993 to September 2000 at Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Seoul National University Hospital were observed. The medical records were reviewed and analysed to assess the location of defects, reconstruction method, existence of the dural repair, history of preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy, complications and causes of death of the expired patients. There were 12 cases in region II, 8 cases in region I and 1 case in region III according to the Irish classification of skull base. Cranioplasty was performed in 4 patients with a bone graft and microvascular free tissue transfer was selected in 17 patients to reconstruct the cranial base and/or mid-facial defects. Among them, 11 cases were reconstructed with a rectus abdominis musculocutaneous free flap, 2 with a latissimus dorsi muscluocutaneous free flap, 1 with a fibular osteocutaneous free flap, 2 with a scapular osteocutaneous free flap, and 1 with a forearm fasciocutaneous free flap, respectively. During over 3 years follow-up, 5 patients were expired and 8 lesions were relapsed. Infection(3 cases) and partial flap loss(2 cases) were the main complications and multiorgan failure(3 cases) by cancer metastasis and sepsis(2 cases) were causes of death. Statistically 4-years survival rate was 68%. A large complex defects were successfully reconstructed by one-stage operation and, the functional results were also satisfactory with acceptable survival rates.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• 제50권3호
• /
• pp.315-324
• /
• 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 Plastic Surgery
• /
• 제36권5호
• /
• pp.670-673
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Epidural abscesses and subdural empyemas after craniotomy are uncommon, potentially lethal, complications of neurosurgery. Patients with these complications may be difficult to manage and dural reconstruction in these patients are challenging. Methods: A 28 - year - old female patient showed recurrent intracranial infection after craniotomy for evacuation of a arachnoid cyst and subdural hematoma. Despite prolonged systemic antibiotic administration and a debridement of the subdural space, infection persisted, as evidenced by persistent fever, an elevated WBC count, CSF leakage, low CSF glucose level, and purulent wound discharge. The authors removed the previously applied lyophilized dura and transferred free omental flap to reconstruct the dura, obliterate the cyst and cover the cerebral hemisphere in the craniotomy defect. Microvascular anastomosis was between gastroepiploic and superficial temporal vessels. Results: The postoperative course was uneventful and flap survival was excellent. The infection - resistant omental tissue allowed sufficient blood circulation and dead space control. The patient was discharged 1 month after surgery and wound discharge or recurrence was absent during 13 months of follow up periods. Conclusion: The use of vascularized free omentum proved useful in cases of intractable cranial wound infection and cerebrospinal fluid leakages.

• 대한미세수술학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 대한미세수술학회 1996년도 제16차 학술대회
• /
• pp.169-170
• /
• 1996

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• 제48권1호
• /
• pp.75-79
• /
• 2021

Bardach described a closure of the cleft utilizing the arch of the palate, which provides the length needed for closure and is most effective only in narrow clefts. Herein, we describe a case where we utilized Bardach's two-flap technique with a vital and easy modification, done to allow closure of a wide cleft palate and to prevent oronasal fistula formation at the junction of the hard and soft palate, which are otherwise difficult to manage with conventional flaps. The closed palate showed healthy healing, palatal lengthening, and no oronasal regurgitation. We advise using this modification to achieve the goals of palatal repair in difficult cases where tension-free closure would otherwise be achieved with more complex flap surgical techniques, such as free microvascular tissue transfer.