• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.225-229
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• 2010

Objective : The authors introduce a minimally invasive muscle sparing transmuscular microdiscectomy (MSTM) to treat herniated lumbar disc disease. Its results are compared with conventional subperiosteal microdiscectomy (CSM) to validate the effectiveness. Methods : Muscle sparing transmuscular microdiscectomy, which involves muscle dissection approach using the natural fat cleavage plane between the multifidus to expose the interlaminar space, was performed in 23 patients to treat a single level unilateral lumbar radiculopathy. The creatine phosphokinase (CPK)-MM serum levels were measured on admission and at 1, 3, and 5 days postoperatively. Postoperative pain was evaluated using a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS) and recorded on admission and at 1, 3, and 5 days postoperatively. The results were compared to those from the conventional subperiosteal microdiscectomy (43 patients). Results : The CPK-MM levels were significantly lower in the serum of the MSTM group compared to the CSM group on postoperative days three and five (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02, respectively). The clinical scales for back pain using VAS were significantly lower in the MSTM group than in the CSM group on postoperative days three (p = 0.04). The mean VAS scores for leg pain in both groups showed no significant differences during the early postoperative period. Conclusion : Muscle sparing transmuscular microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive surgical option to treat lumbar radiculopathy due to herniated disc. The approach affected minimal injury to posterior lumbar supporting structures with alleviated postoperative back pain.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.163-166
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• 2011

Objective : Both the paraspinal muscle sparing approach and percutaneous screw fixation are less traumatic procedures in comparison with the conventional midline approach. These techniques have been used with the goal of reducing muscle injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and to compare the safety and efficacy of the paraspinal muscle sparing technique and percutaneous screw fixation for the treatment of L5-S1 spondylolisthesis. Methods : Twenty patients who had undergone posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) at the L5-S1 segment for spondylolisthesis were prospectively studied. They were divided into two groups by screw fixation technique (Group I : paraspinal muscle sparing approach and Group II: percutaneous screw fixation). Clinical outcomes were assessed by Low Back Outcome Score (LBOS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for back and leg pain at different times after surgery. In addition, modified MacNab's grading criteria were used to assess subjective patients' outcomes 6 months after surgery. Postoperative midline surgical scarring, intraoperative blood loss, mean operation time, and procedure-related complications were analyzed. Results : Excellent or good results were observed in all patients in both groups 6 months after surgery. Patients in both groups showed marked improvement in terms of LBOSs all over time intervals. Postoperative midline surgical scarring and intraoperative blood loss were lower in Group II compared to Group I although these differences were not statistically significant. Low back pain (LBP) and leg pain in both groups also showed significant improvement when compared to preoperative scores. However, at 7 days and 1 month after surgery, patients in Group II had significantly better LBP scores compared to Group I. Conclusion : In terms of LBP during the early postoperative period, patients who underwent percutaneous screw fixation showed better results compared to ones who underwent screw fixation via the paraspinal muscle sparing approach. Our results indicate that the percutaneous screw fixation procedure is the preferable minimally invasive technique for reducing LBP associated with L5-S1 spondylolisthesis.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.580-586
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• 2022

Background Appropriate position of the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) is crucial following nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM). The prevention of NAC malposition in two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction has not been well described, and the efficacy of the techniques has not been evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of our technique to prevent NAC malposition in patients who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction after NSM. Methods Patients who underwent two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction with NSM between January 2012 and December 2019 were included. We used a surgical technique to fix the NAC to the rigid base, assuming a pocket-like appearance, with pectoralis major muscle and lateral adipofascial flap at the time of tissue expander (TE) insertion. Patients were classified into two groups based on the performance of the technique for the prevention of NAC malposition. Results In 35 patients who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction after NSM, the clavicle-to-nipple distance ratio was 96.0±5.0% in those who underwent NAC fixation and 86.1±11.5% in those who did not undergo NAC fixation. Conclusions Using our technique, NAC malposition could be prevented in two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction. NAC fixation during TE insertion was found to be extremely effective. This procedure successfully prevented NAC malposition without the formation of extra scars.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.201-207
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• 2019

Implant-based breast reconstruction is the most commonly used reconstruction technique after mastectomy. This is because skin-sparing mastectomy has become possible with advancements in oncology. In addition, the development of breast implants and the advent of acellular dermal matrices have reduced postoperative complications and resulted in superior cosmetic results. The most frequently performed surgical breast reconstruction procedure for the past 20 years was the insertion of an implant under the pectoralis major muscle by means of the dual plane approach. However, some patients suffered from pain and animation deformity caused by muscle manipulation. Recently, a prepectoral approach has been used to solve the above problems in select patients, and the results are similar to subpectoral results. However, this technique is not always chosen due to the number of considerations for successful surgery. In this article, we will discuss the emergence of prepectoral breast reconstruction, indications and contraindications, surgical procedures, and outcomes.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2016

Purpose: To compare the dose distribution between carotid sparing intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and opposed lateral field technique (LAFT), and to determine the effects of carotid sparing IMRT in early glottic cancer patients who have risk factors for atherosclerosis. Materials and Methods: Ten early glottic cancer patients were treated with carotid sparing IMRT. For each patient, the conventional LAFT plan was developed for comparison. IMRT and LAFT plans were compared in terms of planning target volume (PTV) coverage, conformity index, homogeneity index, and the doses to planning organ at risk volume (PRV) for carotid arteries, spinal cord and pharyngeal constrictor muscle. Results: Recurrence was not observed in any patients during the follow-up period. $V_{95%}$ for PTV showed no significant difference between IMRT and LAFT plans, while $V_{100%}$ was significantly higher in the IMRT plan (95.5% vs. 94.6%, p = 0.005). The homogeneity index (11.6%) and conformity index (1.4) in the IMRT plan were significantly better than those in the LAFT plans (8.5% and 5.1, respectively) (p = 0.005). The median $V_{5Gy}$ (90.0%), $V_{25Gy}$ (13.5%), and $V_{50Gy}$ (0%) for carotid artery PRV in the IMRT plan were significantly lower than those in the LAFT plan (99.1%, 89.0%, and 77.3%, respectively) (p = 0.005). Conclusion: Our study suggests that carotid sparing IMRT can significantly decrease the dose to carotid arteries compared to LAFT, and it would be considered for early glottic cancer patient with high risk of atherosclerosis.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.3-10
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• 2012

The free muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (MS-TRAM) and deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps involve transferring skin and subcutaneous tissue from the lower abdominal area and have many features that make them well suited for breast reconstruction. The robust blood supply of the free flap reduces the risk of fat necrosis and also enables aggressive shaping of the flap for breast reconstruction to optimize the aesthetic outcome. In addition, the free MS-TRAM flap and DIEP flap require minimal donor-site sacrifice in most cases. With proper patient selection and safe surgical technique, the free MS-TRAM flap and DIEP flap can transfer the lower abdominal skin and subcutaneous tissue to provide an aesthetically pleasing breast reconstruction with minimal donor-site morbidity.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2000

Free TRAM flap is now increasingly suggested to patients requiring breast reconstruction after the mastectomy. This study is to introduce the experiences of bilateral free TRAM flaps for reconstruction of bilateral breasts and to suggest the way of getting the more satisfactory results. A total of 6 breasts were reconstructed in 3 patients using bilateral free TRAM flaps immediately following the mastectomy. Average operative time for bilateral breast reconstruction was 8 hours comparing to 6.5 hours for unilateral breast reconstruction. Partial or total flap loss did not occur in 6 flaps. Abdomen was repaired directly with muscle and fascia sparing technique without necessity of mesh graft. There was no complication in donor site like abdominal hernia. Bilateral breast reconstruction can achieve exceptionally good aesthetic result with low complication if it is performed with skillful technique and experience. The reason for this is that fairly good symmetry usually is obtained in the initial surgery and in most cases only minimal additional surgery is required to achieve a satisfactory aesthetic result. The one disadvantage of bilateral reconstruction with autologous tissue is the length of the surgical procedure. Although the initial bilateral breast reconstruction can be a long, tedious procedure if free flaps are used, it must be a valuable treatment option for bilaterally mastectomized patients.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.84-91
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• 1999

The female breast is a potent symbol of maternity, sexuality, and feminity. Unfortunately, the frequency of breast cancer and mastectomy are increasing in Korea, so the reconstruction of breast becomes a important surgical procedure. The purpose of this study is to analyze the results of breast reconstruction using free TRAM flap and to suggest the operative techniques for more successful results. This study is based on a series of 39 cases of breast reconstruction using free TRAM flap in mastectomized patients. Among these cases, 21 patients underwent immediate reconstruction and 18 patients underwent delayed reconstruction. 2 patients underwent immediate bilateral reconstruction. The postoperative courses of these cases are uneventful. Breast reconstruction following mastectomy is one of the most challenging problems in plastic surgery. Nowadays the free TRAM flap is accepted as an excellent method of autogenous tissue breast reconstruction. We conclude that this technique has advantages as follows. The free TRAM flap has not associated with the complications of implant-based reconstruction. It provides sufficient volume for ptotic and natural breast, easily concealed donor site, and secondary aesthetic benefit of abdominoplasty. Unlike conventional pedicled TRAM flap, it has superiority in blood supply, and can make liberal setting of flap and sparing of rectus muscle. So it can provide more satisfaction about the final result of breast reconstruction.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.14-17
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• 2017

The superior gluteal artery perforator flap technique has increasingly been used for soft tissue defects in the sacral area following its introduction nearly 25 years ago. Advantages in covering sacral defects include muscle sparing, versatility in design, and low donor side morbidity. The bilateral superior gluteal artery perforator flap procedure is planned in cases of large sacral defects that cannot be covered with the unilateral superior gluteal artery perforator flap. Here, we report two cases of large sacral defects in which patient factors of poor general health, such as old age, pneumonia, and previous operation scar, led to use of a large unilateral superior gluteal artery perforator super-flap with parasacral perforator. The approach was utilized to reduce the operation time and prevent unpredictable flap failure due to the large flap size. Even though the parasacral perforator was included, the versatility of the large superior gluteal artery perforator flap was preserved because sufficient perforator length was acquired after adequate dissection.