• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.48-51
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• 2007

There could be several methods for trochanteric reconstruction including local flap, pedicled perforator flaps, free flap, etc. We performed greater trochanteric reconstruction with lumbar artery perforator free flap in some aberrant method. So we report this experience with review of literatures. A 42-year-old man visited our hospital with a large soft tissue defect in his left greater trochanteric area by traffic accident. The patient had wide skin and soft tissue defect combined with open femur fracture. During one month period of admission, he underwent femur open reduction and wound debridement four times. After that we planned thoracodorsal perforator free flap reconstruction. The flap was outlined as large as $20{\times}15\;cm$ and elevated in a suprafascial plane from the lateral border. During intramuscular perforator dissection, we found that two 1.5 mm diametered perforator vessels coursed inferomedially toward second lumbar region. Finally the flap became lumbar artery perforator flap based on second lumbar artery perforator as a main pedicle. After flap transfer, the perforator vessels were connected with inferior gluteal artery and vein microsurgically. The operation was successful without uneventful course. We found no significant postoperative complication and donor site morbidity during six months follow up periods. Lumbar artery perforator flap could be an alternative procedure for thoracodorsal perforator flap in some patients with anatomic variant features.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.742-747
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of mast cell and histamine as typical product of mast cell in ischemia-reperfusion injury of muscle flap using H2 receptor blocker and mast cell stabilizer. Methods: Thirty-five Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-300 gm were divided into four groups; Group I: Control group without ischemia, Group II: Normal saline injection group with ischemia, Group III: Cimetidine injection group with ischemia, Group IV: Sodium cromoglycate injection group with ischemia. Well established single pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous(TRAM) flap was designed in all rats and were rendered ischemia by clamping the artery for 150 minutes. All injections were applied intramuscular around gluteal area 30 minutes before reperfusion. The flap survival was evaluated at 7 days after operation. Neutrophil counts and mast cell counts were evaluated 24 hours after reperfusion. Results: The difference of skin flap survival between control group and cimetidine injection group was not significant. In the normal saline injection group flap survival was markedly decreased compared to that of control group. The muscle flap survival was similar to the results of skin flap survival. The neutrophil counts were significantly decreased in control group and sodium cromoglycate injection group than normal saline injection group. The mast cell counts were significantly decreased in cimetidine injection group and control group than both normal saline injection and sodium cromoglycate injection groups. The protective effect of sodium cromoglycate was not seen in the skin flap, but the muscle flaps showed protective effects of sodium cromoglycate compared to normal saline injection group. Conclusions: It is suggests that commonly used antihistamine(H2 receptor blocker) has protective effect against ischemia-reperfusion injury to skin and muscle flaps by reducing neutrophil and mast cell. The mast cell stabilizer was not effective for skin flap but, possibly, for muscle flap.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.143-153
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• 2006

Temporomandibular joint(TMJ) ankylosis is characterized by the formation of bony or fibrous mass, which replaces the normal articulation. Ankylotic block formation causes reduction of mandibular mobility, particularly hindering mouth opening, due to a mechanical block of the condylar head in its roto-transfatory motion. Surgery in TMJ ankylosis treatment entails complete ankylotic block removal and subsequent arthroplasty, possibly with autologous tissue between articular surfaces or heterologous material to restore the anatomic structure and normal function. Temporalis myofascial flap holds great promise for the reconstruction of various maxillofacial defects. In more recent years, a pedicled temporalis myofascial flap has been advocated in TMJ ankylosis surgery. Advantages of the temporalis myofascial flap in TMJ reconstruction include close proximity to the TMJ, adequate blood supply from the internal maxillary artery, and its attachment to the coronoid process, which provides movement of the flap during function, simulating physiologic action of the disc. This study evaluated 8 patients(11 TMJs) affected by TMJ ankylosis. All patients underwent surgical treatment of the removal of the ankylotic block and subsequent interpositional arthroplasty with temporalis myofascial flap. Bilateral TMJ ankylosis was observed in 3 patients(6 TMJs), right-sides in 3 patients, left-sided in 2 patients. Epipathogenesis was traumatic in 6 patients(8 TMJs), ankylosing spondylitis in 2 patients(3 TMJs). In 3 patients coronoidotomy was underwent. Average follow-up was 16.8 months after surgery, with a range of 7 to 28 months. No patients underwent additional TMJ procedures after the temporalis myofascial flap. All patients showed a distinctive improvement both in articular functionality and symptoms. We found that temporalis myofascial flap is very valuable in reconstruction of TMJ ankylosis.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.40
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• pp.11.1-11.5
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• 2018

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most commonly occurring malignant tumor in the oral cavity. In South Korea, it occurs most frequently in the mandible, tongue, maxilla, buccal mucosa, other areas of the oral cavity, and lips. Radial forearm free flap (RFFF) is the most widely used reconstruction method for the buccal mucosal defect. The scar of the forearm donor, however, is highly visible and unsightly, and a secondary surgical site is needed when such technique is applied. For these reasons, buccal fat pad (BFP) flap has been commonly used for closing post-surgical excision sites since the recent decades because of its reliability, ease of harvest, and low complication rate. Case presentation: In the case reported herein, BFP flap was used to reconstruct a cheek mucosal defect after excision. The defect was completely covered by the BFP flap, without any complications. Conclusion: Discussed herein is the usefulness of BFP flap for the repair of the cheek mucosal defect. Also, further studies are needed to determine the possibility of using BFP flap when the defect is deep, and the maximum volume that can be harvested considering the changes in volume with age.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2013

Background The aim of this investigation was to systematically review the current literature to provide the best data for indications, outcomes, survival, and complication rates of pedicled propeller perforator flaps for upper body defects. Methods A comprehensive literature review for articles published from January 1991 to December 2011 was performed using the PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane Databases. Articles without available full-text, single case reports or papers with excessive missing data were excluded. Papers reporting pedicle-perforator (propeller) flaps used for lower extremity reconstruction were excluded from meta-analysis. Results From the initial 1,736 studies our search yielded, 343 studies qualified for the second stage of selection. Of 117 full-text reports screened, 41 studies, met the definitive inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the selected 41 articles, 26 were case series, original papers or retrospective reviews and were included, whereas 15 were case report papers and therefore were excluded. Two hundred ninety-five propeller flaps were reported to have been used in a total of 283 patients. Indications include repair of trauma-induced injuries, post-trauma revision surgery, cancer resection, chronic infection, pressure sores, and chronic ulcers with a major complication rate (3.3%) comparable to that of free flaps. No specific exclusion criteria for the procedure were presented in the studies reviewed. Conclusions Pedicled propeller flaps are a versatile and safe reconstructive option that are easy and quick to raise and that provide unlimited clinical solutions because of the theoretical possibility of harvesting them based on any perforator chosen among those classified in the body.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.52-56
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• 2013

Purpose: We had proceeded seven iIpsilateral dorsalis pedis vascularized pedicle flaps in the distal leg and foot to cover the restricted size defects and followed-up average for 5 years and 9 months to evaluate the survival rate, neurosensory function and cosmesis in final results. Materials and Methods: From January 1999 through October 2012, we have performed iIpsilateral dorsalis pedis vascularized pedicle flaps in the distal leg and foot to cover the restricted size defect (average around $3.6{\times}2.4cm$) in 7 cases and average age was 41.6 years (21.5 to 59.0 years). Lesion site was posterior heel in 4 cases, distal anterior leg in 3 cases. Donor structure was the dorsalis pedis artery and the first dorsal metatarsal vessel and deep peroneal nerve in 3 cases and the dorsalis pedis artery and the first dorsal metatarsal vessel in 4 cases. Results: Seven cases (100%) were survived and defect area was healed with continuous dressing without skin graft. The sensory function in the neurovascular flap was restored to normal in 3 cases. Cosmesis was good and fair in 7 cases (85.7%). Conclusion: Ipsilateral dorsalis pedis vascularized pedicle flap in the distal leg and foot is one of the choice to cover the exposed bone and soft tissues without microsurgical procedure.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.803-807
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• 2011

Purpose: The safety of radiation therapy after breast reconstruction using transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap is still being debated, and few studies exist on the outcome of irradiation after immediate TRAM breast reconstruction. Some authors presented satisfactory outcomes after adjuvant radiation therapy on reconstructed breast with pedicled TRAM flap, while others reported significant post radiation changes of the flap. Effect of radiation therapy on TRAM flap was evaluated to see whether adjuvant radiation therapy was tolerable. Methods: 1000 immediate TRAM breast reconstruction was done by a single surgeon from July, 2001 to December, 2009. Among them 105 patients required adjuvant radiation therapy because of advanced disease or locoregional recurrence. Fat necrosis, radiation fibrosis, mastectomy skin flap necrosis, need for secondary touch up procedures, patient satisfaction were evaluated. Results: The incidence of fat necrosis was 10.5% and significant radiation fibrosis occurred in only one patient. Delayed wound problem did not occur during or after irradiation. Secondary touch-up procedures were performed in 12.3%, the most common being fat graft (8.6%). Average patient satisfaction score was 8.62/10, which was not significantly different from the authors' previous report involving all the TRAM patients (8.50). Conclusion: Radiation therapy did not increase the complication rate significantly. Aesthetic result was affected but was tolerated in most cases. The fear of adjuvant radiation is not a negative factor in selecting immediate breast reconstruction with TRAM flap.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.549-558
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• 2011

The latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap (LDMF) was initially described at the turn of the century by Tansini et al, and latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap (LDMFF) was also first described for the coverage of a chronically infected scalp by Maxwell et al. As a pedicled flap, LDMF has been often used for breast reconstruction and for soft tissue replacement near the shoulder and the lower reaches of the head and neck. LDMFF is a flat and broad soft tissue flap with large-caliber thoracodorsal vessels for microvascular anastomosis. A skin paddle of the LDMFF can be more than $20{\times}40$ cm, so very large defects in the oral cavity and outer facial region can be covered by this LDMFF. Other advantages include consistent vascular anatomy, acceptable donor site morbidity and the ability to perform simultaneous flap harvest with tumor resection. For a better understanding of LDMFF as a routine reconstructive procedure in large defects of the oral cavity and facial legion, anatomical findings must be learned and memorized by young doctors during the special curriculum periods for the Korean national board of oral and maxillofacial surgery. This review article discusses the anatomical basis of LDMFF with Korean language.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.522-527
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• 2012

Background A pectoralis major flap is one of the standard tools for the reconstruction of defects of the head and neck. Despite the technical advancement in free tissue transfer in head and neck reconstruction, the benefits of a pectoralis major flap should not be overlooked. The purpose of this study is to evaluate our 17 years of experience in reconstructing defects of the head and neck region using the pectoralis major flap. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 112 patients (120 cases) who underwent pectoralis major flap operations for head and neck reconstruction during a period ranging from 1994 to 2010. Results In our series, no total necrosis of the flap occurred. Of the total cases, 30.8% presented with flap-related complications. Major complications occurred in 20% of all of the cases but were then all successfully treated. The male sex was correlated with the occurrence of overall complications (P=0.020) and major complications (P=0.007). Preoperative albumin levels of <3.8 g/dL were correlated with the formation of fistula (P=0.030). Defects of the hypopharynx were correlated with the occurrence of major complications (P=0.019) and the formation of fistula (P=0.012). Secondary reconstructions were correlated with the occurrence of overall complications (P=0.013) and the formation of fistula (P=0.030). Conclusions A pectoralis major flap is still considered to be a safe, versatile one-stage reconstruction procedure in the management of the defects of head and neck and the protection of the carotid artery.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.397-405
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• 2009

Purpose: Soft tissue defect of anterior chest wall is caused by trauma, infection, tumors and irradiation. To reconstruct damaged anterior chest wall does require to consider the patient's body condition, the cause, the location, the depth and the size of deletion, the circulation of surrounding tissue and minimization of functional and cosmetic disability. In this report, we suggest the algorithm of configuration for reconstruction methods. Methods: A retrospective study of 20 patients who underwent anterior chest wall reconstruction with pedicled musculocutaneous flap and fasciocutaneous flap was conducted. We collected the information of the patient's body condition, the cause, the size, the depth and the location of deletion, implemented flap and complication. We observed and evaluated flap compatibility, functional and cosmetic results. Patients completed survey about the extent to their satisfaction. Result: Follow up period after surgery was from 6 to 26 months, survival of flap were confirmed in all of patients' case. Two cases of local necrosis, one case of wound disruption were reported, but all these were cured by the debridement and primary closure. One hematoma and one seroma formation were observed in donor site. Longer surgery time, more bleeding amount and more transfusion volume were reported in the group of musculocutenous flap. Conclusion: Long term follow up result showed the successful reconstruction in all patients without recurrence and with minimal donor site morbidity. In addition, the patients' satisfaction for cosmetic and functional results were scaled relatively higher. This confirmed the importance of reconstruction algorithm for the chest wall reconstruction.