• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제42권6호
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• pp.741-745
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• 2015

Background Microvascular complications after free-flap breast reconstructions are potentially devastating problems that can increase patient morbidity and lead to flap loss. To date, no comprehensive study has examined the rates of salvage and the methods of microvascular revision in breast reconstruction. We reviewed the treatment of microvascular complications of free-flap breast reconstruction procedures over a seven-year period. Methods A retrospective review of all patients who underwent microvascular breast reconstruction at our institution between April 2006 and December 2013 was conducted. Based on their surgical records, all patients who required emergency re-exploration were identified, the rate of flap salvage was determined, the factors associated with flap salvage were evaluated, and the causes and methods of revision were reviewed. Results During the review period, 605 breast reconstruction procedures with a free lower abdominal flap were performed. Seventeen of these flaps were compromised by microvascular complications, and three flaps were lost. The overall salvage rate was 82.35%. No significant differences between the salvaged group and the failed group were observed with regard to age, BMI, axillary dissection, number of anastomotic arteries and veins, recipient vessel types, or use of the superficial inferior epigastric vein in the revision operation. Successful salvage of the flap was associated with a shorter time period between recognizing the signs of flap compromise and the take-back operation. Conclusions The salvage rate of compromised lower abdominal flaps was high enough to warrant attempting re-exploration. Immediate intervention after the onset of flap compromise signs is as important as vigilant postoperative monitoring.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.165-174
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• 2021

Background In recent years, implant-based breast reconstruction has been performed because of its simplicity, short operation time, and rapid recovery of patients. Several studies have reported treatment methods for implant surgery-related infection, which is a serious complication. The aim of this study was to introduce our strategy for salvaging infected implants and to evaluate its effectiveness. Methods The authors performed a retrospective study of 145 cases from 132 patients who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction from January 2012 to December 2018. Empirical antibiotics were immediately administered to patients with suspected infections. The patients then underwent salvage treatment including appropriate antibiotics, ultrasonography-guided aspiration, debridement, antibiotic lavage, and implant exchange through a multidisciplinary approach. Patient demographics, operative data, duration until drain removal, adjuvant treatment, and complications were analyzed. Results The total infection rate was 5.5% (8/145). A longer indwelling catheter period and adjuvant treatment were significantly associated with infection. The salvage treatment showed a success rate of 87.5% (7/8). Seven patients who received early aggressive salvage treatment recovered from infection. One patient with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, who received salvage treatment 11 days after symptom onset, did not respond to drainage and antibiotic treatment. That patient subsequently underwent explantation. Conclusions In implant-based breast reconstruction, prevention of infection is of the utmost importance. However, if an infection is suspected, proactive empirical antibiotic therapy and collaboration with the necessary departments are required. Through a multidisciplinary approach and proactive early management, swift and appropriate salvage should be performed.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.245-248
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• 2006

Besides gastric pull-up or colonic interposition, microvascular technique in esophageal reconstruction has been approved reliable methods. When free intestinal transfer is considered, jejunal free flap is commonly used. We treated the patient who had undergone reconstruction with a right colon interposition and suffered from inability of swallowing because of stricture and necrosis of the interposed flap. Although we have planned jejunal free transfer, we couldn't use jejunum due to adhesion by previous gastrojejunostomy and colon interposition. Salvage procedure with microvascualr free left colon flap was executed successfully. After 9 month follow-up, the patient was able to consume a normal diet.

• 대한골관절종양학회지
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.47-55
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• 1997

During the last decade, the use of primary amputation has decreased, and a larger number of patients are being treated with resection and reconstruction with limb preservation. The advantage of chemotherapy, improvements in diagnostic imaging methods and newer techniques for reconstruction have made limb salvage an alternative to amputation for most patients with malignant bone tumor. Clinical results and functional results of the limb salvage operation of bone tumors treated at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Guro Hospital, Korea university was reviewed. Eighteen bone tumors(seven giant cell tumors and eleven malignant bone tumors.) were studied over a period of five years. The limb salvage group included fourteen endoprothesis, two pasteurized autograft, one near total scapulectomy and one rotationplasty. Functional evaluation was performed according to the Enneking's modified system. The results were as followed; 1. At a mean follow-up of thirty two months (15-77 months), fourteen(83%) of the eighteen patients with limb salvage procedures had been continuously disease free. 2. There are no local recurrence but deep infection developed in two patients and three patients with distant metastasis. 3. Thirteen(87%) of the fifteen patients showed above 60% of functional results. 4. Fourteen(93%) of the fifteen patients were satisfied with the limb salvage procedures.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.24-27
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• 2015

During flap elevation, most perforators are cut except one or more perforators that are essential to flap survival. However these cutout perforators can cause deterioration of the blood circulation of the flap. To salvage the jeopardized flaps, rebuilding the perforator system is essential for flap survival. In the first case, after flap elevation, the upper abdominal flap margin was severely ischemic. To supply blood to the upper abdominal flaps, we found and used a major perforator underneath the upper abdominal flap which was cut earlier during the elevation, and we performed reanastomosis with ipsilateral deep inferior epigastric artery. Upper abdominal flap ischemic area was limited to a narrow suture area. In the second case, we performed free superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap reconstruction. After successful anastomosis of the SIEA and superficial inferior epigastric vein (SIEV) with internal mammary artery and vein, serious venous congestion occurred immediately because of SIEV malfunction. We found the largest perforator vein under the flap, as an alternate way to drain, then connected it with the thoracoacromial vein with a vein graft harvested in the contralateral SIEV. Circulation has improved. In conclusion, perforator system reconstruction is essential in a jeopardized flap salvage.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.19-27
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• 2008

Purpose: Microvascular reconstructive surgery has become an integral part of the treatment of head and neck cancer patients. This review of 121 free flaps for head and neck cancer patients performed over the last 11 years was done to evaluate circulatory crisis, salvage, and secondary reconstruction and to investigate which factors may contribute to these rates. Method: Nine emergent explorations among 121 head and neck reconstruction with free flaps were reviewed to analyze detection of vascular crisis, the time interval from detection of circulatory crisis to exploration, operation procedures and results, and secondary reconstructions. Emergent exploration was done with our protocol. Result: Nine free flaps exhibited signs of vascular problems between 1 day and 6 days postoperatively. The emergent exploration rate of this series was 7.4% (9/121). The salvage rate was 55.6% (5/9), giving an overall flap viability of 96.7% (117/121). In our study, preoperative radiation therapy, positive smoking history, alcohol consumption history, combined disease such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension, recipient vessels and types of vascular anastomosis were not related to the causes of circulatory crisis. The mean time interval between the onset of clinical recognition of impaired flap perfusion and re-exploration of the salvaged 5 flaps was 3.2 hours, that of failed 4 flaps was 11.25 hours. Conclusion: Despite high overall success rate, relatively low salvage rate may be attributed to late detection of circulatory crisis and in long time interval between detection and exploration. We conclude that early detection of circulatory crisis and expeditious re-exploration are a matter of great importance for the success of salvage operation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.516-522
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• 2017

Background Implant-based breast reconstruction is being performed more frequently, and implants are associated with an increased risk of infection. We reviewed the clinical features of cases of implant infection and investigated the risk factors for breast device salvage failure. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 771 patients who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction between January 2010 and December 2016. Age, body mass index, chemotherapy history, radiation exposure, and smoking history were assessed as potential risk factors for postoperative infection. We also evaluated the presence and onset of infection symptoms, wound culture pathogens, and other complications, including seroma, hematoma, and mastectomy skin necrosis. Additionally, we examined the mastectomy type, the use of acellular dermal matrix, the presence of an underlying disease such as hypertension or diabetes, and axillary node dissection. Results The total infection rate was 4.99% (58 of 1,163 cases) and the total salvage rate was 58.6% (34 of 58). The postoperative duration to closed suction drain removal was significantly different between the cellulitis and implant removal groups. Staphylococcus aureus infection was most frequently found, with methicillin resistance in 37.5% of the cases of explantation. Explantation after infection was performed more often in patients who had undergone 2-stage expander/implant reconstruction than in those who had undergone direct-to-implant reconstruction. Conclusions Preventing infection is essential in implant-based breast reconstruction. The high salvage rate argues against early implant removal. However, when infection is due to methicillin-resistant S. aureus and the patient's clinical symptoms do not improve, surgeons should consider implant removal.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.280-283
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• 2018

Knee revision arthroplasty following peri-prosthetic joint infections is a formidable challenge. Patients are at a high risk of recurrent infection, and the soft tissue over the revised implant is often of questionable quality. Flap reconstruction has improved the salvage rates of infected arthroplasties, and should be considered in all cases of revision arthroplasty. We present a challenging case requiring staged reconstruction with two free latissimus dorsi flaps after the initial use of a medial gastrocnemius flap.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.390-391
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• 2019

• 대한골관절종양학회지
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.161-164
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• 2006

원위 경골에 발생하는 악성 종양은 드물고 치료에 있어서도 절단술이 많이 시행되어왔다. 최근 사지 구제술이 많이 시행되고 있지만 발목 관절이 포함 되는 경우 재건 방법이 용이치 않다. 저자들은 원위 경골에 발생한 골육종 1례에 대해서 역행성 골수내 정과 저온 열처리 자가골을 이용하여 치료하였기에 문헌 고찰과 함께 보고하고자 한다.