• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.183-188
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• 2005

Defect on the temporal area caused by, surgical ablation of a tumor or an infection should be reconstructed immediately to prevent potentially life-threatening complications such as meningitis and cerebrospinal fluid leakage. The defect on the temporal area usually presents as a typical 'cone-shape'. Successful reconstruction requires sufficient volume of well-vascularized soft tissue to cover the exposed bone and dura. From 1994 through 2003, the authors applied rectus abdominis free flap for the reconstruction of the temporal defect from 1994 through 2003. There were 10 patients with a mean age of 52.1 years. Of these 10 patients, external auditory canal cancer was present in four patients, temporal bone cancer in two, parotid gland cancer in one and three patients were reconstructed after debridement of infection(destructive chronic otitis media). All the free flaps survived, and flap-related complications did not occur. Compared to a local flap, the rectus abdominis free flap can provide sufficient volume of well-vascularized tissue to cover the large defect and can be well-tolerated during an adjuvant radiation therapy. The long and flat muscle can be easily molded to fit in to the 'cone-shape' temporal defect without dead space. It is also preferred because of the low donor site morbidity, a large skin island and an excellent vascular pedicle. Two-team approach without position change is possible. In conclusion, the authors think that rectus abdominis free flap should be considered as one of the most useful method for the reconstruction of a cone-shaped temporal defect.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.283-288
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• 2006

Various vascularized free flaps have been used for midfacial reconstruction after ablative head and neck cancer surgery. The most common donor sites for free flap include latissimus dorsi, rectus abdominis, and radial forearm. Between 1994 and 2004, 14 patients underwent free flap operation after head and neck cancer ablation, and were reviewed retrospectively. Among 14 free flaps, 8 were latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps, 3 rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps and 3 radial forearm flaps, respectively. The overall survival rate of the flap was 100%. Complications were wound dehiscence(5 cases) and ptosis(1 case). We designed multiple dimensionally folded free flap for midfacial reconstruction. For 3-dimensional flap needs, we used latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. 2-Dimensional flap was latissimus dorsi or rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap and 1-dimensional flap was radial forearm flap. In this study we produced an algorithm for midfacial reconstruction. Large volume with many skin paddle defects were best reconstructed with latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap or rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. Radial forearm flap was used for reconstruction of small volume and little skin paddle defects.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.469-473
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• 2006

Purpose: The transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous(TRAM) flap has become a reliable method for autogenous breast reconstruction. However, dissection of the tendinous intersections of rectus abdominis is technically difficult. The tendinous intersection has significant vascularity within its fascial layers raising in importance of technique in elevation. If tendinous intersections are damaged during the elevation of the rectus muscle, circulation to TRAM flap can be endangered. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the number of tendinous intersections and to predict anatomical position of the tendinous intersections. Methods: We dissected 182 consecutive TRAM flaps and measured the distance between xiphoid process and each tendinous intersection and evaluated the statistic correlation among the distance, patient's height and position of umbilicus. Results: In this study, in 30.7% of patients, two tendinous intersections were observed in one rectus abdominis muscle, in 67.7% three tendinous intersections, and in 1.6% four tendinous intersections, respectively. But there was no correlation between patient's height and the distance between xiphoid process and each tendinous intersection. Conclusion: It still remains difficult to predict the position of tendinous intersections just by topography before the dissection. Careful and meticulous dissection of the tendinous intersections is still required.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.29-36
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to present the clinical significance of rectus abdominis free muscle flap for large sized diabetic ulcer and necrosis of the foot to salvage limb. From June 2000 to February 2006, eleven patients were included in our study. There were seven males and four females with a mean age of 58.3 years (48~65) at the surgery. All had a history of diabetics and subsequent huge soft tissue defect caused by necrotizing abscess formation around the foot and the ankle. After complete debridement of large sized, infected necrotic tissue, susceptible intravenous antibiotics and wound care were done. After control of infection, confirmed by clinical and laboratory findings, the rectus abdominis free muscle flap was applied to cover remained large soft tissue defect and to prevent the recurrence of infection. All flaps survived and it provided satisfactory coverage for the soft tissue defect on the foot and the ankle area for a mean of 41.1 months (24~85) follow up period. All except of one patients did not have any recurrence of infection on the operation site and could salvage their limbs. The rectus abdominis free muscle flap could be recommended for large sized soft tissue defect after necrotizing abscess in diabetic foot to salvage major limb.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제41권5호
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• pp.556-561
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• 2014

Background Groin dissections result in large wounds with exposed femoral vessels requiring soft tissue coverage, and the reconstructive options are diverse. In this study we reviewed our experience with the use of the pedicled anterolateral thigh and vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps in the reconstruction of large groin wounds. Methods Groin reconstructions performed over a period of 10 years were evaluated, with a mean follow up of two years. We included all cases with large or complex (involving perineum) defects, which were reconstructed with the pedicled anterolateral thigh musculocutaneous or the vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (VRAM) flaps. Smaller wounds which were covered with skin grafts, locally based flaps and pedicled muscle flaps were excluded. Results Twenty-three reconstructions were performed for large or complex groin defects, utilising the anterolateral thigh (n=10) and the vertical rectus abdominis (n=13) pedicled musculocutaneous flaps. Femoral vein reconstruction with a prosthetic graft was required in one patient, and a combination flap (VRAM and gracilis muscle flap) was performed in another. Satisfactory coverage was achieved in all cases without major complications. No free flaps were used in our series. Conclusions The anterolateral thigh and vertical rectus abdominis pedicled musculocutaneous flaps yielded consistent results with little morbidity in the reconstruction of large and complex groin defects. A combination of flaps can be used in cases requiring extensive cover.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제34권5호
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• pp.367-375
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• 2012

Midfacial reconstruction following resection of extensive malignant oral cavity tumors constitutes a challenging problems for reconstructive surgeons. Rectus abdominis muscle free flap (RAMFF) can be considered as the optimal reconstructive option in this case, because this flap has some advantages including consistent deep inferior epigastric artery anatomy, easy to dissect with well defined skin boundaries, acceptable donor site morbidity and the ability to perform simultaneous flap harvest with oral cancer ablation surgery. The rectus abdominis muscle forms an important part of the anterior abdominal wall and flexes the vertebral column, which is a long strap-like muscle divided transversely by three tendinous intersections, fibrous bands which are adherent to the anterior rectus sheath, which is thickly enclosed by the rectus sheath, except for the posterior part below the arcuate line that is usually located midway between the umbilicus and symphysis pubis. Below the arcuate line, this muscle lies in direct contact with the transversalis fascia and parietal peritoneum. For the better understanding of RAMFF as a routine reconstructive procedure in oral and maxillofacial surgery, the constant anatomical findings muse be learned and memorized by the young doctors in the course of the special curriculum periods for the Korean national board of oral and maxillofacial surgery. This review article will discuss the anatomical basis of RAMFF with Korean language.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.68-73
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• 2004

Transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) free flap is widely used for breast reconstruction, however donor-site morbidities such as abdominal wall weakness, hernia, bulging are troublesome. For the purpose of minimizing donor-site morbidity, there has been a surge in interests in muscle sparing free TRAM flap preserving the anatomy of rectus abdominis muscle, fascia, and motor nerve. The purpose of this study is to investigate complication and morbidity after muscle sparing free TRAM flap. Between August, 1995 and May, 2003, there were 108 cases of muscle sparing free TRAM flap of breast reconstruction. There was no abdominal hernia. There were 4 cases of dog ear, 3 cases of marginal necrosis of apron flap, 2 cases of asymmetry of umbilicus. At 1 year after operation, most patients feel comfortness in physical exercise. Muscle sparing free TRAM flap provides ample amount of well vascularized soft tissue with small inclusion of rectus abdominis muscle and fascia. Also it minimizes donor-site morbidity with rapid recovery of abdominal strength.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.116-123
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• 2011

The incidence of breast cancer, the second most prevalent cancer type in South Korea, has increased by 6.8% annually in the last six years. The higher number of breast cancer patients has led to an increase in the cases of skin-sparing mastectomies, thereby increasing the need for reconstructive procedures. The reconstruction options include alloplastic techniques such as implant or autologous reconstruction with numerous flaps. The abdominal area is the preferred donor site for the harvest of autologous tissue for breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction using abdonimal tissue is commonly accomplished using the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap. The establishment of microvascular surgery led to the development of the free TRAM flap because of its increased vascularity and decreased rectus abdominis sacrifice. The muscle-sparing TRAM, DIEP, and SIEA flap techniques were later developed in an effort to decrease the abdominal-donar-site morbidity by decreasing the injury to the rectus abdominis muscle and fascia. This article summarizes the various abdominal flaps for breast reconstruction.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.98-104
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• 2000

Expansion in the scope and technique of head and neck tumor resection during the past two decades has paralleled precise tumor localization with advanced radiographic imaging and the availability of microvascular free tissue transfer. Especially, the defect reconstruction utilizing free flap results in improvement of patient survival due to decrease of local recurrence by wide resection of cancer. The rectus abdominis free flap has been used widely in reconstruction of the breast and extremities. However, the report of cases on its applications in the head and neck, based on the deep inferior epigastric artery and vein, is rare. This flap is one of the most versatile soft-tissue flaps. The deep inferior epigastric artery and vein are long and large-diameter vessels that are ideal for microvascular anastomosis. The skin area that can be transferred is probably the largest of all flaps presently in use. The versatility of the donor site is due to the ability to transfer large areas of skin with various thickness and amounts of underlying muscle. This article is to report reconstruction of midface defects utilizing the rectus abdominis free flap in 2 patients with maxillary squamous cell carcinoma and discuss briefly considerations in flap design and orbital exenteration, and healing of irradiated recipient site by hyperbaric oxygen therapy with literature review.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.421-427
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• 2005

Although the incidence of mediastinal wound infection in patient undergoing median sternotomy for cardiovascular surgery is relatively low(less than 1%), it is not only a devastating and potentially life-threatening complication but also associated morbidity, mortality and cost are unacceptably high. During the past few decades various methods had been applied for the treatment of postoperative mediastinitis. Currently, chest wall reconstruction by using muscle flaps-especially pectoralis major muscle and rectus abdominis muscle are commonly selected for the reconstruction after wide debridement has become widely accepted. We performed bilateral pectoralis major-rectus abdominis muscles in-continuity bipedicle flap to overcome the limit of each flap for reconstruction of sternal defects in 17 patients. We analyzed the results of the surgery. Recurrent infection developed in 17.6% of cases and abdominal herniation was observed in one patient. There was no postoperative hematoma or death. We conclude that this flap is very valuable in reconstruction of the anterior chest wall defect caused by post-sternotomy infection because it provides sufficient volume to fill the entire mediastinum, and the complication rate compares favorably to that of other methods.