• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 1999

The skin on the dorsum of the foot is a source of the reliable thin and sensory cutaneous free tissue transplantation with or without tendon, bone and joint. A composite flap with attached vascularized tendon grafts for the combined loss of skin and tendon on the dorsum of the hand and foot offers an immediate one stage solution to this problem. The flap provides a very durable innervated tissue cover for the heel of the foot and the dorsum of the hand and an osteocutaneous transfer combined with the second metatarsal. The major dorsalis pedis artery is constant in size, but the first dorsal metatarsal artery is variable in size and location. The dorsal surface of the foot receives sensory innervation through the superficial peroneal nerve and the first web through the deep peroneal nerve. Authors had performed 5 dorsalis pedis free flap transplantation in the foot and hand at Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chonbuk National University Hospital from August 1993 through August 1997 and followed up for the period of between 19 and 67 months until March 1999. The results were as follows 1. 5 cases dorsalis pedis free flap transfer to the foot(4 cases) and the hand(1 case) were performed and the recipient was foot dorsum and heel 2 cases each and hand dorsum 1 case. 2 All of 5 cases(100%) were survived from free flap transfer and recipient artery was dorsalis pedis artery(2 cases), anterior tibial artery(1 case), posterior tibial artery(1 case) and ulnar artery(1 case) and recipient veins were 2 in number except in the hand. 3. Long term follow up of the exterior and maceration was good and sensory recovery was poor 4. Donor site was covered with full thickness skin graft obtained from one or both inguinal areas at postoperative 3rd week and skin graft was taken good and no morbidity was showed.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 1999

There are lots of reconstructive ways like direct closure, skin graft, local flap, regional flap, distant flap, free flap and so on. Microsurgical reconstruction is regarded as the last step in various reconstructive methods. So the failure of this last step causes the troublesome situation for both of patients and surgeon. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the problems in failed free flap surgery and to introduce the strategy of appropriate management in wound of free flap failure. We performed 252 cases of free flap surgeries from May, 1988 to June, 1998. Among these cases, we failed 9 cases of free flaps. Patients' age ranged from 19 to 63. There were 7 males and 2 females. Site of failure were 3 head and neck areas, 2 hands, and 4 lower extremities. However there was no failure in breast, trunk, buttock, and genitalia. 7 patients who had region of head and neck, and lower extremity underwent the second free flap surgery successfully in postoperative 4 to 16 days following debridement of necrotic tissue. However 2 patients who had region in hand were managed with conventional treatment like skin graft and distant flap. Vein grafts were needed in 3 cases of 7 second free flaps, and 1 patients needed sequentially-linked free flaps with two flaps. The second free flaps were inevitable for head and neck area because the large complex wound may cause the lifethreatening condition without immediate coverage with well vascularized flap. Lower extremity also needed second free flap for limb salvage. Hand could be managed with conventional method, even though healing time was quite delayed. We thought second free flap surgery in free flap failure cases should be performed with more careful preoperative evaluation and refined surgery. Success of second free flap surgery could recover the very difficult situation due to previously failed operation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.6 s.275
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• pp.455-458
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• 2007

A 40 year-old male patient admitted for dyspnea and edema of the lower extremities. A pulsatile abdominal mass with a bruit was palpable in the right lower quadrant. Four months previously, he had underwent left partial lam-inectomy ($L4{\sim}5$) and discectomy at the L4 level due to disc protrusion, Computed tomography showed an ilio-iliac AV fistula with pseudoaneurysm at the L5 level. Because massive bleeding occurred when the aneurysm was entered, we closed the aneurysm and performed resection and suture of the aorta and both iliac arteries very near the aneurysm. After exclusion of the arterial side, we performed reduction angioplasty at the aneurysm and aorto-biiliac reconstruction with an artifcial graft. Twenty-four months after operation, he is doing well and hasn't had any complications on the follow-up.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was designed to verify intermediate-term functional and radiological results of limb salvage operation using endoprosthetic replacement system ($MUTARS^{(R)}$) used in patients with a malignant bone tumor. Materials and Methods: Thirty one cases which used $MUTARS^{(R)}$ tumor prosthesis were reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 49.2 years and the mean follow up was 39.8 months. We retrospectively reviewed complications, and evaluated functionally and radiologically by Enneking functional score, ISOLS radiological implants evaluation system at last follow-up. Results: 3 patients had died of disease, distant metastasis was seen in 4 patients and local recurrence was seen in 1 patients. Complications were developed in 12 patients. (infection 6, leg length discrepancy 2, aseptic loosening 2, periprosthetic femoral fracture 1, screw loosening 1) Mean value of total functional scores were 81.2% in proximal femur, 77.4% in distal femur, 78.1% in proximal tibia, and 80.2% in proximal humerus. The overall radiological result was relatively satisfactory. Conclusion: Our results suggest limb salvage with the $MUTARS^{(R)}$ endoprosthesis is successful with good functional and radiological results. But we should be careful with complications such as infection.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.7-16
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• 1995

In countries where confucianism is popular, it is extremely hard to get fresh cadaver bone for allograft. Therefore in Korea, the reimplantation of resected autoclaved autogenous bone segments has been increasingly performed for limb reconstruction of extremities with malignancies. To preserve the bone morphogenetic protein and mechanical strength of heated bone, many studies have reported that pasteurization of bone is far better than autoclaving over $100^{\circ}C$. Based on this assumption, replacement with a pasteurized autogenous bone graft after resection of a malignant bone tumor was deemed feasible for reconstruction. However, little is known about how high a temperature and how much time for pasteurization is needed to make tumors completely necrotic and to maintain the mechanical strength of bone. Consequantly, experimental studies were carried out to test heat conductivity of human bone and torsional strength of porcine tibia after pasteurization. First, two pairs of human proximal tibia and distal femur were used. We used T-type thermocoples to check core temperature of the bone and a computerized data acquisition system to record results. Without reaming of the medullary cavity, in a $60^{\circ}C$-thermostatic saline tub, it took 32 minutes and 50 seconds to raise the core temperature of human proximal tibia from $20^{\circ}C$ to $58^{\circ}C$, and 30 minutes for distal femur. In a $80^{\circ}C$ saline tub, it took 12 minutes and 50 seconds for proximal tibia, and 11 minutes and 10 seconds for distal femur. In contrast, using porcine tibia whose cortical thickness is similar to that of human tibia, after reaming of the medullary canal, it took less than 3 minutes and 30 seconds in a $60^{\circ}C$ saline tub, less than 1 minute and 45 seconds in a $70^{\circ}C$ tub, and less than 1 minute in a $80^{\circ}C$ tub to elevate core temperature from $20^{\circ}C$ to $58^{\circ}C$. Second, based on data of the heat conductivity test, we compared the torsional strength before and after pasteurization. Twenty matched pairs of porcine tibia were used, The left one was used as a non-heated control group and the right one as a pasteurized experimental group. Wighout reaming of the medullary cavity, there was no statistical difference in torsional strength between the pasteurization of the $60^{\circ}C$-35minute and of $80^{\circ}C$-15minute. With reaming, we also found no statistical difference among pasteurization of $60^{\circ}C$-15 minute, of $70^{\circ}C$-15 minute, and of $80^{\circ}C$-15 minute groups. In conclusion, reaming of the medullary canal is very helpful in saving pasteurization time. And, in a $60^{\circ}C$ saline tub, no significant weakness in torsional strength occurs with pasteurization of the bone for up to 35 minutes. Also no significant weakness in torsional strength occurs with an exposure of 15 minutes to the $80^{\circ}C$ saline tub.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.24-34
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• 1996

There are many kinds of free flaps for management of extensive soft tissue defect of extremities in orthopaedic field. Free vascularized scapular flap is one of the most useful and relatively easy to application. This flap has been utilize clinically from early eighties by many microsurgical pioneers. Authors performed 102 cases of this flap from 1984 to 1995. We have to consider about the surgical anatomy of the flap, technique of the donor harvesting procedures, vascular varieties and anatomical abnormalities and success rate and the weak points of the procedure. This flap nourished by cutaneous branches from circumflex scapular vessels emerges from the lateral aspect of the subscapular artery 2.5-5cm from its lateral origin passing through the triangular space(bounded by subscapularis, teres minor, teres major, long head of triceps). The terminal cutaneous branch runs posteriorly around the lateral border of the scapular and divided into two major branches, those transeverse horizontally and obliquely to the fascial plane of overlying skin of the scapular body. We can utilize these arteries for scapular and parascapular flap. The vascular pedicle ranged from 5 to 10 cm long depends on the dissection, usually two venae comitantes accompanied circumflex scapular artery and its major branches. The diameter of the circumflex scapular artery is more than 1mm in adult, rare vascular variation. Surgical techniques : The scapular flap can be dissected conveniently with prone or lateral decubitus position, prone position is more easier in my experience. There are two kinds of surgical approaches, most of the surgeon prefer elevation of the flap from its outer border towards its base which known easier and quicker, but I prefer elevation of the flap from its outer border because of the lowering the possibilities of damage to vasculature in the flap itself which runs just underneath the subcutaneous tissue of the flap and provide more quicker elevation of the flap with blunt finger dissection after secure pedicle dissection and confirmed the course from the base of the pedicle. There are minimal donor site morbidity with direct skin closure if the flap size is not so larger than 10cm width. This flap has versatility in the design of the flap shape and size, if we need more longer and larger one, we can use parascapular flap or both. Even more, the flap can be used with latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap and serratus anterior flap which have common vascular pedicle from subscapular artery, some instance can combined with osteocutaneous flap if we include the lateral border of the scapular bone or parts of the ribs with serratus anterior. The most important shortcoming of the scapular free flap is non sensating, there are no reasonable sensory nerves to the flap to anastomose with recipient site nerve. Results : Among our 102 cases, overall success rate was 89%, most of the causes of the failure was recipient site vascular problems such as damaged recipient arterial conditions, and there were two cases of vascular anomalies in our series. Patients ages from 3 years old to 62 years old. Six cases of combined flap with latissimus dorsi, 4 cases of osteocutaneous flap for bone reconstruction, 62 parascapular flap was performed - we prefer parascapular flap to scapular. Statistical analysis of the size of the flap has less meaningful because of the flap has great versatility in size. In the length of the pedicle depends on the recipient site condition, we can adjust the pedicle length. The longest vascular pedicle was 14 cm in length from the axillary artery to the enter point cutaneous tissue. In conclusion, scapular free flap is one of the most useful modalities to manage the large intractable soft tissue defect. It has almost constant vascular pedicle with rare anatomical variation, easy to dissect great versatility in size and shape, low donor morbidity, thin and hairless skin.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.253-260
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• 2020

Purpose: Soft tissue defects of the distal lower extremity are commonly accompanied by a fracture of the lower extremities. Theses defects are caused by the injury itself or by complications associated with surgical treatment of the fracture, which poses challenging problem. The reverse superficial sural artery flap (RSSAF) is a popular option for these difficult wounds. This paper reviews these cases and reports the clinical results. Materials and Methods: Between August 2003 and April 2018, patients who were treated with RSSAF for soft tissue defects of the lower third of the leg and ankle related to a fracture were reviewed. A total of 16 patients were involved and the mean follow-up period was 18 months. Eight cases (50.0%) of the defects were due to an open fracture, whereas the other eight cases (50.0%) were postoperative complication after closed fracture. The largest flap measured 10×15 cm² and the mean size of the donor sites was 51.9 cm². The flap survival and postoperative complications were evaluated. Results: All flaps survived without complete necrosis or failure. One case with partial necrosis of the flap was encountered, but the wound healed after debridement and repair. One case had a hematoma with a pseudoaneurysmal rupture of the distal tibial artery. On the other hand, the flap was intact and the wound healed after arterial ligation and flap advancement. A debulking operation was performed on three cases for cosmetic reasons and implant removal through the flap was performed in three cases. No flap necrosis was encountered after these additional operations. Conclusion: RSSAF is a relatively simple and safe procedure for reconstructing soft tissue defects following a fracture of the lower extremity that does not require microsurgical anastomosis. This can be a useful treatment option for soft tissue defects on the distal leg, ankle, and foot.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare general survival rate and survival rate according to expectable prognostic factors by analyzing the result of treating a patient of squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods: From Mar. 1999 to Feb. 2011, 151 patients were pathologically confirmed as squamous cell carcinoma of limbs and body in our hospital, and among those patients, 51 patients underwent the surgical treatment. This study included 41 patients who underwent the surgical treatment and were followed-up for more than 12 months. The mean age of population was 64.4 years. 31 males and 10 females were included. Wide excision with following skin grafts or flaps for reconstruction (29 cases) was mostly performed, but amputation (12 cases) was also performed for cases with extremities where resection margin was difficult to obtain and cases with neural or vascular invasion. 8 patients underwent chemotherapy or radiotherapy after resection, and 33 underwent the operation only. Stages were classified by AJCC Classification, survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and survival rate of groups was compared by Log-rank test. For the expectable prognostic factors related to survival rate, location of primary lesion, cause of disease, pathologic grade, staging, surgical method, additional anticancer therapy were examined and each survival rate was compared. Results: The average follow-up period was 65.2 (12-132) months. Thirty patients survived out of 41 patients till last follow up. The overall survival rate in 5 years was 77%. Three cases (7.3%) had local recurrence, and 7 cases (17.0%) had metastasis. The average period of recurrence from operation was 27 (18-43) months. Possible prognostic factors such as location of primary lesion, cause of disease, pathologic grade, staging, additional anticancer therapy showed no significant difference in survival rates. However, patients with amputation showed significantly lower survival rate than those with wide excision. Conclusion: In analysis the results of treating 41 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, the overall 5-year survival rate was 77%. And, among the several prognostic factors, only the surgical method was significant statistically.