• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.80-85
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• 2022

The instep flap and medialis pedis flap are both originate based on the medial plantar artery. The medialis pedis flap is based from the deep branch and the instep flap is based from the superficial branch. To increase the axial rotation, it is acceptable to ligate the lateral plantar artery. However, this can partially affect the blood supply of the plantar metatarsal arch. We restored the blood flow with a vein graft between the posterior tibial artery and the ligated stump. From 2012 to 2020, 12 cases of heel reconstruction, including seven instep flaps and five medialis pedis flaps, were performed with ligation of the lateral plantar artery. The stump of the lateral plantar artery was restored with a vein graft and between the posterior tibial artery and the ligated stump. Patients were followed for 18 months. Long-term results showed the vascular restoration of the lateral plantar artery remained patent demonstrated by doppler ultrasonography. Restoring blood flow to the lateral plantar artery maintains good blood supply to the toes. If the patient in the future develops a chronic degenerative disease, with microvascular complications, bypass surgery can still be performed because of the patency of both branches.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제43권5호
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• pp.478-481
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• 2016

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제46권3호
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• pp.255-261
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• 2019

Cross-leg flaps are a useful reconstructive option for complex lower limb defects when free flaps cannot be performed owing to vessel damage. We describe the use of the extended distally based sural artery flap in a cross-leg fashion for lower extremity coverage in three patients. To maximise the viability of these extended flaps, a delay was performed by raising them in a bipedicled fashion before gradual division of the tip over 5 to 7 days for cross-leg transfer. Rigid coupling of the lower limbs with external fixators was critical in preventing flap avulsion and to promote neovascular takeover. The pedicle was gradually divided over the ensuing 7 to 14 days before full flap inset and removal of the external fixators. In all three patients, the flaps survived with no complications and successful coverage of the critical defect was achieved. One patient developed a grade 2 pressure injury on his heel that resolved with conservative dressings. The donor sites and external fixator pin wounds healed well, with no functional morbidity. The cross-leg extended distally based sural artery flap is a reliable reconstructive option in challenging scenarios. Adequate flap delay, manoeuvres to reduce congestion, and postoperative rigid immobilization are key to a successful outcome.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제48권6호
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• pp.646-650
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• 2021

Head and neck reconstruction poses unique challenges in rehabilitating surgical defects in terms of integrity, function, and form. The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) has been widely used for defect coverage, especially in the head and neck area, but its versatility allows it to be used for soft-tissue reconstruction in various parts of the body. The vascular features of the flap are quite constant and reliable. Nevertheless, abnormalities of the forearm vascular tree have been described over the decades. We report a case of intraoral reconstruction after verrucous carcinoma recurrence in a 74-year-old woman with an unusual forearm flap, which we called the median forearm free flap, based on a median branch of the radial artery that was preoperatively detected using handheld Doppler ultrasonography. The distally located skin paddle was predominantly supplied by the aberrant median vessel with its perforators. The flap was thus safely harvested with this atypical pedicle. Successful reconstruction of the intraoral defect was achieved, with an uneventful postoperative course.

• 대한골관절종양학회지
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.33-43
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• 2008

목적: 족관절 및 족부에 발생한 악성 연부 조직 종양의 광범위 절제술 후 시행한 재건술의 임상적 효용성에 대하여 알아보고자 한다. 대상 및 방법: 2000년 3월에서 2007년 3월까지 족관절 및 족부에 악성 연부 조직 종양이 발생하여 광범위 절제술을 시행한 후 재건술을 시행한 15례(14명)을 대상으로 하였다. 폐 전이로 사망한 1례를 제외하고 평균 36.4개월(7~72개월)의 추시기간을 가졌고, 평균 연령은 56.8세(26~77세), 남자가 11명, 여자가 3명이었다. 원발병소는 악성 흑색종 12례, 편평상피 세포암 3례이었다. 최종 추시점에서 종양학적, 수술적 그리고 기능적인 결과를 비교하였다. 결과: 재건술의 방법은 전외측 대퇴부 천공지 피판 5례, 역행성 표재 비복동맥 피판 4례, 족배 동맥 피판 3례와 국소 피판 3례였다. 결손의 크기는 평균 $5.5{\times}5.7\;cm$, 피판의 크기는 평균 $5.9{\times}6.0\;cm$이었다. 회전 피판술 결손의 크기는 평균 $4.6{\times}4.7\;cm$, 피판의 크기는 평균 $4.9{\times}4.8\;cm$이었고 유리 피판술 결손의 크기는 평균 $7.2{\times}7.8\;cm$, 피판의 크기는 평균 $8.2{\times}8.8\;cm$이었다. 평균 수술 시간은 310분(120~540분)이었고, 회전 피판술은 256분, 유리 피판술은 420분이었다. 1례가 폐전이로 사망하였고 국소 재발한 4례와 원격 전이가 발견된 4례를 제외한 7례에서는 최종 추시상 병변이 발견되지 않았다. 피판의 국소적인 울혈외에 수술적 합병증은 없었고, 술 후 MSTS 점수는 평균 68.8%였다. 결론: 족관절 및 족부에 발생한 악성 연부 조직 종양의 광범위 절제술 후 결손의 크기가 비교적 작을 경우($5{\times}5\;cm$ 이하)인 경우 족배 동맥 피판술, 역행성 표재 비복 동맥 피판술과 같은 회전 피판술을 일차적으로 고려해 볼 수 있다. 결손이 더 크거나 복합 조직이 필요한 경우 전외측 대퇴부 천공지 피판술을 포함한 유리 피판술이 더 유용할 것으로 사료된다. 그리고 악성 흑색종의 경우 재건 방법은 종양학적인 결과에 영향을 미치지 않는 것으로 보인다.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.284-288
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• 2018

Dynamic infrared thermography (DIRT) has been used for the preoperative mapping of cutaneous perforators. This technique has shown a positive correlation with intraoperative findings. Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy of perforator mapping with DIRT and augmented reality using a portable projector. For this purpose, three volunteers had both of their anterolateral thighs assessed for the presence and location of cutaneous perforators using DIRT. The obtained image of these "hotspots" was projected back onto the thigh and the presence of Doppler signals within a 10-cm diameter from the midpoint between the lateral patella and the anterior superior iliac spine was assessed using a handheld Doppler device. Hotspots were identified in all six anterolateral thighs and were successfully projected onto the skin. The median number of perforators identified within the area of interest was 5 (range, 3-8) and the median time needed to identify them was 3.5 minutes (range, 3.3-4.0 minutes). Every hotspot was correlated to a Doppler sound signal. In conclusion, augmented reality can be a reliable method for transferring the location of perforators identified by DIRT onto the thigh, facilitating its assessment and yielding a reliable map of potential perforators for flap raising.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.217-223
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• 2023

Purpose: Defects involving the ankle and foot are often the result of road traffic accidents. Many such defects are composite and require a flap for coverage, which is a significant challenge for reconstructive surgeons. Various locoregional options, such as reverse sural artery, reverse peroneal artery, peroneus brevis muscle, perforator-based, and fasciocutaneous flaps, have been used, but each flap type has limitations. In this study, we used the distally based lateral supramalleolar flap to reconstruct distal dorsal defects of the foot. The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of the flap in reconstructing distal dorsal defects of the foot. The specific objectives were to study the adequacy, reach, and utility of the lateral supramalleolar flap for distal defects of the dorsum of the foot; to observe various complications encountered with the flap; and to study the functional outcomes of reconstruction. Methods: The distal dorsal foot defects of 10 patients were reconstructed with distal lateral supramalleolar flaps over a period of 6 months at a tertiary care center, and the results were analyzed. Results: We were able to effectively cover distal foot defects in all 10 cases. Flap congestion was observed in two cases, and minor graft loss was seen in two cases. Conclusions: The distally based lateral supramalleolar flap is a good pedicled locoregional flap for the coverage of distal dorsal foot and ankle defects of moderate size, with relatively few complications and little morbidity. It can be used as a lifeboat or even substitute for a free flap.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제50권6호
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• pp.621-626
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• 2023

In the first half of the third century B.C., Herophilus and Erasistratus performed the first systematic dissection of the human body. For subsequent centuries, these cadaveric dissections were key to the advancement of anatomical knowledge and surgical techniques. To this day, despite various instructional methods, cadaver dissection remained the best way for surgical training. To improve the quality of education and research through cadaveric dissection, our institution has developed a unique method of perforator-preserving cadaver injection, allowing us to achieve high-fidelity perforator visualization for dissection studies, at low cost and high efficacy. Ten full body cadavers were sectioned through the base of neck, bilateral shoulder, and hip joints. The key was to dissect multiple perfusing arteries and draining veins for each section, to increase "capture" of vascular territories. The vessels were carefully flushed, insufflated, and then filled with latex dye. Our injection dye comprised of liquid latex, formalin, and acrylic paint in the ratio of 1:2:1. Different endpoints were used to assess adequacy of injection, such as reconstitution of eyeball volume, skin turgor, visible dye in subcutaneous veins, and seepage of dye through stab incisions in digital pulps. Dissections demonstrated the effectiveness of the dye, outlining even the small osseous perforators of the medial femoral condyle flap and subconjunctival plexuses. Our technique emphasized atraumatic preparation, recreation of luminal space through insufflation, and finally careful injection of latex dye with adequate curing. This has allowed high-fidelity perforator visualization for dissection studies.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.599-602
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• 2019

We report a case of autologous breast reconstruction in which a thoracodorsal vessel was used as a recipient vessel after a hypoplastic internal mammary vessel was found on preoperative computed tomography (CT) angiography. A 46-year-old woman with no underlying disease was scheduled to undergo skin-sparing mastectomy and breast reconstruction using a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap. Preoperative CT angiography showed segmental occlusion of the right subclavian artery with severe atherosclerosis and calcification near the origin of the internal mammary artery, with distal flow maintained by collateral branches. The thoracodorsal artery was selected to be the recipient vessel because CT showed that it was of adequate size and was not affected by atherosclerosis. The patient experienced no postoperative complications, and the flap survived with no vascular complications. The breasts were symmetrical at a 6-month follow-up. This case highlights that preoperative vascular imaging modalities may help surgeons avoid using diseased vessels as recipient vessels in free flap breast reconstructions.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.304-313
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• 2018

Elevating thin flaps has long been a goal of reconstructive surgeons. Thin flaps have numerous advantages in reconstruction. In this study, we present a surgical method for elevating a thin flap and demonstrate the safety of the procedure. A retrospective review was performed of the electronic medical records of patients who underwent thin flap elevation for lower extremity reconstruction from April 2016 to September 2016 at the Department of Plastic Surgery of Asan Medical Center. All flaps included in this study were elevated above the superficial fascia. A total of 15 superficial circumflex iliac artery free flaps and 13 anterolateral thigh free flaps were enrolled in the study. The total complication rate was 17.56% (n=5), with total loss of the flap in one patient (3.57%) and partial necrosis of the flap in four patients (14.28%). No wound dehiscence or graft loss at the donor wound took place. Elevation above the superficial fascia is not inferior in terms of flap necrosis risk and is superior for reducing donor site morbidity. In addition to its safety, it yields good aesthetic results.