• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.271-280
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• 2005

There are various types of flap in head and neck reconstruction. We chose the appropriate flap considering the indication and patient's condition. In case of conventional flaps, its type is decided according to the reconstruction site. In other words, the types of considerable flaps are limited in a way. But, perforator flaps can reduce donor limitation and harvest flaps depending on the condition of the recipient. Therefore, the flap is very useful for the head and neck reconstruction needed for 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional reconstruction. We report the 29 cases of perforator-based flap including 8 cases of latissimus dorsi perforator free flap, 5 thoracodorsal perforator free flap, 4 anterolateral thigh perforator free flap, 3 peroneal osteocutaneous perforator free flap and 9 submental perforator island flap for the head and neck reconstruction. Free flaps include 2 cases of chimeric pattern, 7 controlled resurfacing pattern, 4 3-D pattern, 3 dermoadiposal pattern, 1 folded pattern and 3 osteocutaneous pattern. The flaps were successfully used for the head and neck reconstruction. But one patient died during a follow up period because of the recurrence of tumor. Various perforator flaps(island/free pattern) can be highly competitive to the conventional flaps in the head and neck reconstruction, considering a thin character for resurfacing, more flexible and versatile option, variable composition, long pedicle with donor structures saved, and less prominent donor morbidity.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.1-11
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• 2019

In head and neck reconstruction, microsurgeons are faced with various demands, such as thin resurfacing, or three-dimensional reconstruction, and therefore, conventional flap as well as perforator flaps are all useful for the functional and aesthetic reconstruction successfully. Among perforator flaps, the pros and cons of anterolateral thigh perforator flap(ALTp) and thoracodorsal perforator flap(TAp) is compared and selected depending on the surgeon's preference, recipient site condition or patient status. Both flaps can be elevated in a chimeric pattern by combining different aspects of tissue components. Customized or tailored reconstruction as well as 3 dimensional reconstructions are all available with perforator flaps and it is useful in head and neck reconstruction. The most outstanding update in head and neck reconstruction is the perforator based island flap (PBIF) compared to conventional flaps. The conventional local flap has evolved on behalf of the perforator concept and its design becomes more flexible and freestyle with less limitations. Actually, random pattern flap is now a misnomer and most conventional local flaps turn into PBIFs. Finally we can say all conventional donor site becomes universal, depending on the surgeons' preference or idea. Moreover, there is no more "flap of choice" and postoperative results are quite variable by surgeons' ability. Operative procedures and plans are very flexible to freestyle flap. With all these advantages, surgeons should be armed with both conventional and perforator concepts for solving any defects or problems.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.63-74
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• 1985

Although regional and myocutaneous flaps are still the standard in head and neck reconstruction. The capacity to transfer distant tissues by microsurgical technique expands the reconstructive surgeon's ability to restore severe deformities of the head and neck. From 1981 to 1985, thirteen patients with extensive defects of the head and neck after extirpative surgery of tumor have been reconstructed utilizing the technique of microsurgical composite tissue transplantation. In this series of patients, six presented with reconstructions in the different region of the head and neck with review of literatures. The results of case analysis are summarized as follows: 1) Transplantation was successful in twelve among thirteen patients (92%). 2) Seven patients presented with malignancy and six with benign tumor. 3) Frequent sites of reconstruction were face and mandible. 4) Fourteen free composite tissue transplantations for reconstruction of thirteen patients were obtained six different tissue compositions from eight different donor sites. 5) The recipient artery and vein was most often superficial temporal or facial vessels. 6) The average time of operation was ten hours.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.35-61
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• 1985

The surgical treatment of advanced carcinomas and some benign tumors having clinically malignant behaviors of the head and neck region often require extensive resection, necessitating large flaps for reconstruction. Since the original upper arm flap was described by Tagliacozzi in 1597, a variety of technique such as random pattern local flap, axial flap, distant flap, scalping flap, myocutaneous flap, free flap etc. have been proposed for reconstruction of head, face and neck defects. Reconstruction of the facial defects usually require the use of distant tissue. Traditionally, nasal reconstruction has been carried out with a variety of forehead flaps. In recent years, there has been more acceptance of immediate repairs following the removal of these tumors. As a result, patients are more willing to undergo these extensive resections to improve their chances of cure, with the reasonable expectation that an immediate reconstruction will provide an adequate cosmetic result. Authors experienced 13 cases of head and neck tumor during last three and half years that required wide excision and immediate reconstruction with various flaps, not with primary closure or simple skin graft. We present our experience with varied flaps for reconstruction after wide resection of head and neck tumors 3 cases of defect of dorsum of nose or medial canthus with island forehead flaps, lower eyelid defect with cheek flap, cheek defect with Limberg flap, orbital floor defect with Temporalis muscle flap, lateral neck defects with Pectoralis major myocutaneous flap or Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap, subtotal nose defect with scalping flap, wide forehead defect with Dorsalis pedis free flap and 3 cases of mandibular defect or mandibular defect combined with lower lip defect were reconstructed with free vascularized iliac bone graft or free vascularized iliac bone graft concomitantly combined with free groin flap pedicled on deep circumflex iliac vessels We obtained satisfactory results coincided wi th goal of treatment of head and neck tumors, MAXIMAL CURE RATE with MINIMAL MORBIDITY, OPTIMAL FUNCTION, and an APPEARANCE as close to normal as possible.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제46권5호
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• pp.449-454
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• 2019

Background Most patients with head and neck cancer successfully undergo oncologic resection followed by free or local flap reconstruction, depending on the tumor's size and location. Despite effective curative resection and reconstruction, head and neck cancer patients still face a high risk of recurrence and the possibility of a second primary cancer. Moreover, surgeons hesitate to perform sequential reconstruction following curative resection for several reasons. Few large-scale studies on this subject are available. Therefore, we retrospectively evaluated the outcome of sequential head and neck reconstruction to determine the possible risks. Methods In total, 467 patients underwent head and neck reconstruction following cancer resection at our center from 2008 to 2017. Of these cases, we retrospectively reviewed the demographic and clinical features of 58 who had sequential head and neck reconstruction following resection of recurrent cancer. Results Our study included 43 males (74.1%) and 15 females (25.9%). The mean age at the initial operation was $55.4{\pm}15.3years$, while the mean age at the most recent operation was $59.0{\pm}14.3years$. The interval between the first and second operations was $49.2{\pm}62.4months$. Twelve patients (20.7%) underwent surgery on the tongue, and 12 (20.7%) had procedures on the oropharynx. Thirty-four patients (58.6%) received a sequential free flap reconstruction, and 24 patients (41.4%) were treated using locoregional flaps. No cases of flap failure occurred. Conclusions Our findings suggest that patients who need additional operations with recurrent head and neck cancer could optimally benefit from sequential curative resections and reconstructions.

• 대한두개안면성형외과학회지
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.269-275
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• 2020

Background: The advance in microsurgical technique has facilitated a proper approach for reconstruction of extensive head and neck defects. For the success of free tissue reconstruction, selection of the recipient vessel is one of the most important factors. However, the vascular anatomy of this region is very complex, and a clear guideline about this subject is still lacking. In this study, we present our 30 years of experiences of free tissue reconstruction for head and neck defects. Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed a total of 138 flaps in 127 patients who underwent head and neck reconstruction using free tissue transfer following tumor resection between October 1986 to August 2019. Patients who underwent facial palsy reconstruction were excluded. Medical records including patient's demographics, detailed operation notes, follow-up records, and photographs were collected and analyzed. Results: Among a total of 127 patients, 10 patients underwent a secondary operation due to cancer recurrence. The most commonly used type of flap was radial forearm flap (n=107), followed by the anterolateral thigh flap (n=18) and fibula flap (n=10). With regard to recipient vessels, superior thyroid artery was most commonly used in arterial anastomosis (58.7%), and internal jugular vein (51.3%) was the first choice for venous anastomosis. The flap survival rate was 100%. Four cases of venous thrombosis were resolved with thrombectomy and re-anastomosis. Conclusion: Superior thyroid artery and internal jugular vein were reliable choices as recipient vessels. Proper recipient vessel selection could improve the result of head and neck reconstruction.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.41-47
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• 2013

Background : The purpose of this study is to review our experience with the variable applications of the facial artery muscolomucosal(FAMM) flap for oral cavity reconstruction following treatment for head and neck malignancies. Methods : We performed retrospect medical record review from January 2012 to June 2013. This flap technique was applied in 3 patients to reconstruct the defects of oral cavity induced by treatment for head and neck malignancies. Results : The defects and fibrosis occurred due to variable causes related to previous treatment for head and neck malignancies such as tumor resection and chemoradiation. Two patient suffered from defect on hard and soft palate and one patient suffered from trismus related to fibrotic scar band. We performed oral cavity reconstruction using FAMM flap even though these all patients had history of neck dissection surgery or radiation therapy. Conclusion : FAMM flap is an ideal option for reconstruction following treatment not only for primary tumor resection but also for defects induced by variable causes. Preoperative radiation and neck dissection surgery, which are previously considered as some challenges, are no longer contraindication in our cases.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.11-14
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• 2023

The primary treatment of oral cavity cancer is still surgery. By discussing the surgical treatment of oral cavity cancer, the basic concept of head and neck surgery could be thoroughly reviewed. The oral cavity is defined as the hard palate and the anterior 2/3 of the tongue. With appropriate reconstruction, most defects can be repaired without a significant change in quality of life, unlike in the oropharynx or hypopharynx, where aspiration problems frequently occur. The selection of a surgical approach that can provide an appropriate field of view to obtain a resection margin of 5 mm or more has become the core of head and neck surgery. The role of prophylactic neck dissection is also well established in oral cavity cancer patients. Mandibulotomy for access to the oral cavity or mandibulectomy due to cancer invasion requires bony surgical techniques, and reconstruction also requires bone tissue reconstruction techniques as well as soft tissue. Therefore, oral cancer surgery is the most important primary area where all techniques of head and neck surgery are mobilized.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제39권6호
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• pp.626-630
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• 2012

Background Recent literature has indicated that free flaps are currently considered the preferred choice for head and neck reconstruction. However, head and neck cancer patients are frequently treated with chemoradiotherapy, which is often associated with a poor general and local condition, and thus, such patients are ineligible for free flap reconstruction. Therefore, other reconstruction modalities should be considered. Methods We used lower trapezius musculocutaneous (LTMC) flap based on the dorsal scapular artery to reconstruct head and neck defects that arose from head and neck cancer in 8 patients. All of the patients had undergone preoperative chemoradiotherapy. Results There were no complications except one case of partial flap necrosis; it was treated with secondary intention. Healing in the remaining patients was uneventful without hematoma, seroma, or infection. The donor sites were closed primarily. Conclusions The LTMC flap is the preferred flap for a simple, reliable, large flap with a wide arc of rotation and minor donor-site morbidity. The authors recommend this versatile island flap as an alternative to microvascular free tissue transfer for the reconstruction of defects in the head and neck region, for patients that have undergone preoperative chemoradiotherapy.

• 대한두개안면성형외과학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.27-34
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• 2020

Background: Free-flap reconstruction for recurrent head and neck cancer may be challenging depending on the previous treatments, those are, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, including neck dissection or free tissue transfer. Specifically, the previous treatment could compromise the neck vessels, thereby making free-flap reconstruction more difficult. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between previous treatments and vascular compromise of the free flap. Methods: In this retrospective study, 124 free-flap reconstructions in 116 patients for recurrent head and neck cancer between 1993 and 2017 were investigated. The demographic characteristics, previous treatments, flap choices, infections, recipient vessels, and vascular crises were evaluated. Results: Of the 124 reconstruction cases, 10 had vascular crises. There were six revisions, totaling six flap failures. The success rate of free-flap reconstruction for recurrent cancer was 95.2%, which significantly differed from that for primary cancer (98.8%, p= 0.006). Moreover, in the recurrent cancer group, no correlation was found between previous treatments and vascular crises (p> 0.05). Increased rates of contralateral or uncommon anastomoses were found following neck dissection (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Previous neck dissection or radiotherapy could lead to scarring and tissue damage, which could in turn make microvascular reconstruction more challenging; however, the effect was not definite in this study. Approximately 60% of patients with previous neck dissection had compromised ipsilateral recipient vessels, which resulted in contralateral or uncommon anastomoses. In this study, free-flap reconstruction seems to be quite safe and preferable in patients with recurrent head and neck cancer based on the overall survival rate.