• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.413-416
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• 2010

Fleischmann et al. first described the concept of using sub-atmospheric pressure to treat open or infected wounds in 1993. Since then, Argenta and Morykwas developed subatmospheric, or negative pressure dressings in 1997 as a means of managing complicated wounds. Since its introduction in 1997, the vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system has been used widely in general plastic surgery, general surgery, and orthopedic surgery to manage complicated wounds of the torso and extremities. However, there is a paucity of literature describing its use in the head and neck region, particularly in oral and maxillofacial surgery. We report a successful case of postoperative orocutaneous fistula closure using a VAC system in a 59-year male with a review of the relevant literature.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.136-138
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• 2019

Recently, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been reported to be effective for the treatment of cervical infections including retropharyngeal abscess. The 71-year-old woman with retropharyngeal abscess presented in this case showed improvement of infection through long-term NPWT. She continued to complain of swallowing difficulties after recovery. In this case, we performed the transcutaneous injection of botulinum toxin at the cricopharyngeus muscle for the patient who developed dysphagia after treatment for retropharyngeal abscess and observed improvement in swallowing.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.175-178
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• 2021

The umbilicus is an important aesthetic component of the abdomen; therefore, its absence is both cosmetically and psychologically distressing to the patient. However, loss of the umbilicus during abdominal surgical procedures is often unavoidable. Umbilical reconstruction is aimed at obtaining a natural, three-dimensional appearance. We propose a simple method for immediate umbilical reconstruction with good long-term results. This technique was used successfully on a patient who underwent tumor excision. A 49-year-old woman presented with a large mass, measuring 5.8×4.0 cm, on her umbilicus. The mass, an epidermal cyst, developed after laparoscopic uterine myomectomy 5 years earlier. Complete excision of the mass resulted in a large defect, and immediate umbilical reconstruction was planned. Our procedure involved apposing and anchoring two opposing flaps onto the abdominal wall, so that the umbilicus would retain its depth over a long period of time. Negative-pressure wound therapy was applied for 72 hours as a mild compressive dressing. No complications were encountered. The healing process was uneventful and the aesthetic outcome was pleasing; a natural-appearing navel was created. The patient was satisfied with the end result. This technique provides a permanent and sufficient depression for the umbilicus.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.447-450
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• 2023

Traumatic abdominal wall hernia is a rare presentation, most commonly reported in the context of motor vehicle accidents and associated with blunt abdominal injuries and handlebar injuries in the pediatric population. A 13-year-old boy presented with multiple traumatic injuries and hemodynamic instability after a high-speed motor vehicle accident. His injuries consisted of massive traumatic abdominal wall hernia (grade 4) with bowel injury and perforation, blunt aortic injury, a Chance fracture, hemopneumothorax, and a humeral shaft fracture. Initial surgical management included partial resection of the terminal ileum, sigmoid colon, and descending colon. Laparostomy was managed with negative pressure wound therapy. The patient underwent skin-only primary closure of the abdominal wall and required multiple returns to theatre for debridement, dressing changes, and repair of other injuries. Various surgical management options for abdominal wall closure were considered. In total, he underwent 36 procedures. The multiple injuries had competing management aims, which required close collaboration between specialist clinicians to form an individualized management plan. The severity and complexity of this injury was of a scale not previously experienced by many clinicians and benefited from intrahospital and interhospital specialist collaboration. The ideal aim of primary surgical repair was not possible in this case of a giant abdominal wall defect.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.432-436
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• 2009

Purpose: Negative pressure therapy has been used in various conditions to promote wound healing. It has also been used to secure a skin graft by improving microcirculation and improving tight adhesion between the graft and the recipient bed. To reduce post burn scar contracture and improve aesthetical result, many types of dermal substitutes have been invented and used widely. The goal of this study was evaluate usefulness of the VAC (Kinetic concepts Inc., San Antonio, TX) in improving the take rate and time to incorporation of Integra$^{(R)}$ in reconstruction of burn scar contracture. Methods: A retrospective study was performed from October, 2006 to December, 2008. The VAC was utilized for 11 patients. The average patient's age was 19.7 years (range 5 - 27) and average surface area was $785cm^2$ (range 24 - 1600). The burn scars were excised deep into normal subcutaneous tissue to achieve complete release of the scar, Integra$^{(R)}$ was sutured in place with skin staple와 Steri - strip$^{(R)}$. Then slit incisions were made on silicone sheet only with No.11 blade for effective drainage. The VAC was used as a bolster dressing over Integra$^{(R)}$. Negative - Pressure ranging from 100 to 125 mm Hg was applied to black polyurethane foam sponge trimmed to the appropriate wound size. An occlusive seal over the black polyurethane foam sponge was maintained by a combination of the occlusive dressing, OP - site$^{(R)}$. The VAC dressing changes were performed every 3 or 4 days until adequate incorporation was obtained. The neodermis appeared slightly yellow to orange color. When the Integra$^{(R)}$ deemed clinically incorporated, The VAC was removed and take was estimated with visual inspection. Very thin STSG(0.006 ~ 0.008 inches) was performed after silicone sheet removal. Result: The mean time for clinically assessed incorporation of Integra$^{(R)}$ was 10.00 days (range 9 - 12). The mean dressing change was 3.5 times until take was obtained. In All patients, Integra$^{(R)}$ had successful incorporation in tissue without serious complications. Conclusion: Integra$^{(R)}$ in combination with Vacuum - Assisted Closure(VAC) may be incorporated earlier than conventional dressing method.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.351-355
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• 2009

Purpose: Cervical necrotizing fasciitis tends to involve the deep soft tissues and spread caudally to the anterior chest and mediastinum, often resulting in major complications and death. It may rapidly spread into the thorax along fascial planes, and the associated diagnostic delay results in this descending necrotizing mediastinitis. So, aggressive multidisciplinary therapy with surgical drainage is mandatory. We present a very rare case of descending necrotizing mediastinitis with literature review. Methods: A 53 years old male visited our department 7 days after trauma in neck. His premorbid conditions and risk factors of necrotizing fasciitis were concealed hepatoma, trauma history, chronic liver disease, and nutrition deficit. Computed tomographic scans of the head and neck region were performed in this patient : signs of necrotizing fasciitis, were seen in the platysma, sternocleidomastoid, trapezius muscle and strap muscles of the neck. Fluid accumulations involved multiple neck spaces and mediastinum. At the time, he diagnosed as necrotizing fasciitis on his neck and anterior chest. Necrotic wound was excised serially and we treated this with the Vacuum - assisted closure(VAC, Kinetics Concepts International, San Antonio, Texas) system device. After appropriately shaping the sponge and achieving additional 3 pieces drainage tubes in the pockets, continuous negative pressure of 125 mmHg was applied. The VAC therapy was utilized for a period of 12 days. Results: We obtained satisfactory results from wide excision, abscess drainage with the VAC system, and then split thickness skin graft. The postoperative course was uneventful. Conclusion: The refined technique using the VAC system can provide a means of simple and effective management for the descending necrotizing mediastinitis, with better cosmetic and functional results. Finally, the VAC system has been adopted as the standard treatment for deep cervical and mediastinal wound infections as a result of the excellent clinical outcome.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.182-186
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• 2010

Purpose: Intramuscular stimulation (IMS) shows good results in the treatment of chronic pain patients who did not respond to other treatments such as oral analgesics, trigger point injection, nerve block and epidural steroid injection. But, IMS procedure especially, patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) has sometimes serious problem. So, we present a very rare case of intramuscular abscess in the sternocleiomastoid muscle after IMS with literature review. Methods: A 66 year old male visited our department 7 days after IMS in the neck. His premorbid conditions and risk factors of deep neck infection was DM and old age. Computed tomographic scans of the head and neck region were performed in this patient: signs of deep neck infection, were seen enhanced abscess in the sternocleidomastoid muscle, cellulitis overlying tissue of the neck, and air bubbles involved muscle. Necrotic wound was excised serially and we treated this with the Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC, Kinetics Concepts International, San Antonio, Texas) system device. After appropriately shaping the sponge in the pockets, continuous negative pressure of 125 mmHg was applied. The VAC therapy was utilized for a period of 12 days. Results: We obtained satisfactory results from wide excision, drainage of the abscess with the VAC system, and then primary closure. The postoperative course was uneventful. Results: We suggest that many of the infectious complications may be preventable by strict adherence to aseptic techniques and that some of the other complications may be minimized by refining the techniques with a clear understanding of the medical disorders of patients. And, the refined technique using the VAC system can provide a means of simple and effective management for the cervical intramuscular abscess, with better cosmetic and functional results.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 2018

Background Free muscle flaps are a mainstay for reconstruction of distal third leg wounds and for large lower extremity wounds with exposed bone. However a major problem is the significant postoperative flap swelling, which may take months to resolve. We studied the efficacy and safety of immediate application of a vacuum assisted closure (VAC) dressing after a free muscle flap to the lower extremity. Methods Over a 19 months period, all consecutive free muscle flaps for lower extremity reconstruction at a Level I trauma center were evaluated prospectively for postoperative flap thickness, complications and flap survival. Immediate application of a VAC dressing was performed in 9 patients, while the flap was left exposed for monitoring in 8 patients. Results There was no statistically significant difference in flap survival between both cohorts. Mean flap thickness at postoperative day 5 for the VAC group was $6.4{\pm}6.4mm$, while flap thickness for the exposed flap group was $29.6{\pm}13.5mm$. Flap thickness was significantly decreased at postoperative day 5 for the VAC dressing group. Conclusions Immediate application of VAC dressing following free muscle flaps to the lower extremity does not compromise flap survival or outcomes and results in decreased flap thickness and a better aesthetic outcome.