• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.157-162
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• 2010

Purpose: Free flap reconstruction in the pediatric population is difficult. However, microsurgery has had remarkable success rates in children. The aim of study is to present our clinical experience using free flap for reconstruction of soft tissue defects in children and to describe long-term follow-up results. Methods: Between June 2002 and July 2010, 30 cases of pediatric reconstruction were performed with free flap. The authors analyzed several items, such as the kind of flap, associated complications, and growth problems. Results: Among the 30 cases, 21 cases were due to traffic accidents, 5 to cancer, and 4 to falls and other soft tissue defects. The lower leg and foot were the most common sites of the lesion. In the free flap operations we have done, 20 cases involved an anterolateral thigh perforator free flap, 6 a superficial circumflex iliac perforator free flap, and 4 an upper medial thigh perforator free flap. In early postoperative complications, partial necrosis was seen in 2 cases, infection in 1 case, and the hematoma in 1 case. A satisfactory success rate and functional results were achieved. Conclusion: Free flap reconstruction in children allows satisfactory function with no significant effect on growth. Free flaps are regarded as the primary choice for selective pediatric reconstructive cases.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.655-662
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• 2011

Purpose: The anterolateral thigh flap is versatile flap for soft-tissue reconstruction for defects located at various sites of the body. This useful flap offers a thick and vascular fascia lata component with large amounts that can be soft tissue coverage for different reconstructive purposes. We present our clinical experience with the use of vascular fascia lata, combined with anterolateral thigh flap for various reconstructive goals. Methods: From April 2008 to February 2011, we transferred anterolateral thigh flaps with fascia lata component to reconstruct soft-tissue defects for different purposes in 11 patients. The fascia lata component of the flap was used for tendon gliding surface in hand/forearm reconstruction in 4 patients, for reconstruction medial and lateral patellar synovial membrane and retinaculum in 2 patients, for reconstruction of plantar aponeurosis in the foot in 2 patients, for reconstruction of fascial and peritoneal defect in the abdominal wall in 2 patient, and for dural defect reconstruction in the scalp in the remaining one. Results: Complete loss of the flap was not seen in all cases. Partial flap necrosis occurred in 2 patients. These complications were treated successfully with minimal surgical debridement and dressing. Infection occurred in 1 patient. In this case, intravenous antibiotics treatment was effective. Conclusion: Anterolateral thigh flap has thick vascular fascia with large amounts. This fascial component of the flap is useful for different reconstructive aims, such as for tendon, ligament, aponeurosis defects, abdominal wall or dura reconstruction. It should be considerated as an important advantage of the flap, together with other well-known advantages.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.76-81
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• 2014

Purpose: Anteromedial surface of the leg is susceptible to trauma, which frequently induces soft tissue defect. When the size of a soft tissue defect is small to moderate, a local muscle flap is an easy and reliable alternative to a free flap. The authors performed medial hemisoleus flaps for reconstruction of soft tissue defects on the anteromedial surface of legs. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and effectiveness of the medial hemisoleus flap. Materials and Methods: Twelve patients underwent the medial hemisoleus flap for reconstruction of a soft tissue defect on the anteromedial surface of the leg from February 2009 to December 2013. There were eight males and four females with a mean age of 47.8 years (15 to 69 years). The mean size of defects was $4.7{\times}4.2cm$ ($2{\times}2$ to $9{\times}6cm$). Flap survival and postoperative complications were evaluated. Results: Mean follow-up period was 39.6 months (7 to 64 months) and all flaps survived. There were two cases of negligible necrosis of distal margin of the flap, which were healed after debridement. All patients were capable of full weight bearing ambulation at the last follow-up. Conclusion: The medial hemisoleus flap is a simple, reliable procedure for treatment of a small to moderate sized soft tissue defect on the anteromedial surface of the leg.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.369-375
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• 2023

Purpose: The reconstruction of defects around the knee and the proximal third of the leg necessitates thin, pliable skin with a stable and sensate soft tissue cover. This study analyzed the use of a proximally based sural artery flap for the coverage of such defects. Methods: This prospective clinical interventional study involved 10 patients who had soft tissue defects over the knee and the proximal third of the leg. These patients underwent reconstruction with a proximally based sural artery flap. The study analyzed various factors including age, sex, etiology, location and presentation of the defect, defect dimensions, flap particulars, postoperative complications, and follow-up. Results: There were 10 cases, all of which involved men aged 20 to 65 years. The most common cause of injury was trauma resulting from road traffic accidents. The majority of defects were found in the proximal third of the leg, particularly on the anterolateral aspect. Defect dimensions varied from 6×3 to 15×13 cm², and extensive defects as large as 16 cm×14 cm could be covered using this flap. The size of the flaps ranged from 7×4 to 16×14 cm², and the pedicle length was 10 to 15 cm. In all cases, donor site closure was achieved with split skin grafting. This flap consistently provided a thin, pliable, stable, and durable soft tissue cover over the defect with no functional deficit and minimal donor site morbidity. Complications, including distal flap necrosis and donor site graft loss, were observed in two cases. Conclusions: The proximally based sural fasciocutaneous flap serves as the primary method for reconstructing medium to large soft tissue defects around the knee and the proximal third of the leg. This technique offers thin, reliable, sensate, and stable soft tissue coverage, and can cover larger defects with minimal complications.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.4137-4140
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• 2012

The authors present five cases of combined oral mucosa-mandible defects reconstructed with the vascularized internal oblique-iliac crest myoosseous free flap. This technique has many advantages compared to other conventional methods such as the radial flap, scapula flap, and fibula flap. Vascularized iliac crest flaps provide sufficient high-quality bone suitable for reconstructing segmental madibular defects. Although fibular flaps allow longer donor bone tissue to be harvested, the iliac crest can provide an esthetic shape for mandibular body reconstruction and also provides sufficient bone height for dental implants. Conventional vascularized iliac crest myoosseous flaps have excessive soft tissue bulk for reconstruction of intraoral soft tissue defects. The modification discussed in the present article can reduce soft tissue volume, resulting in better functional reconstruction of the oral mucosa. Another advantage is that complete replacement of the oral mucosa is observed in as early as one month post-operation. The final mucosal texture is much better than that obtained with other skin paddle flaps, which is especially beneficial for the placement of dental implant prostheses. Donor site morbidity looks to be similar to, if not less than that observed for other modalities in terms of function and esthetics. For combined oral mucosa-mandible defects, the vascularized internal oblique-iliac crest myoosseous free flap shows good results with respect to hard and soft tissue reconstruction.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.523-528
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• 2023

The Gustilo IIIB tibiofibular fractures often result in long bone loss and extensive soft tissue defects. Reconstruction of these complex wounds is very challenging, especially when it includes long bone grafts, because the donor site is limited. We describe our experience using a set of chimeric ipsilateral vascularized fibula grafts with a thoracodorsal artery perforator free flap to reconstruct the traumatic tibia defects. A 66-year-old male suffered a severe comminuted tibia fracture and segmented fibula fracture with large soft tissue defects as a result of a traffic accident. He also had an open calcaneal fracture with soft tissue defects on the ipsilateral side. All the main vessels of the lower extremity were intact, and the cortical bone defect of the tibia was almost as large as the fractured fibula segment. We used an ipsilateral vascularized fibula graft to reconstruct the tibia and a thoracodorsal artery perforator flap to resurface the soft tissue, using the distal ends of peroneal vessels as named into sequential chimeric flaps. After 3 weeks, the calcaneal defect was reconstructed with second thoracodorsal artery perforator free flap. Reconstruction was successful and allowed rapid rehabilitation because of reduced donor site morbidity.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.65-69
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• 2014

Purpose: Soft tissue reconstruction is essential for recovery of finger function and aesthetics in any traumatic defect. The authors applied a reverse homodigital artery island flap for soft tissue defect on distal part of digits. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the procedure. Materials and Methods: Seven cases of soft tissue defects of finger tip were included in this study. There were six male and one female, mean age was 43 years and mean follow-up period was 38 months. The length of flaps ranged from 2.0 to 2.5 cm and width ranged from 1.0 to 2.0 cm. Flap survival, postoperative complications were evaluated. Results: All flaps survived without loss. Donor sites were repaired with primary closure in five cases and skin graft in two cases. None of the patients showed significant complications and their average finger motion was $255^{\circ}$ in total active motion at the last follow-up. Conclusion: The authors suggest that the reverse homodigital artery island flap could be a versatile treatment option for the soft tissue defect on distal part of digits.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.614-621
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• 2021

Background Reconstruction of congenital microtia remains challenging, particularly in patients with a history of ear canaloplasty due to insufficient regional soft tissue. The insertion of a tissue expander prior to implantation of the cartilage framework has traditionally been employed. However, this procedure could induce additional morbidity. Herein, we present a method using V-Y advancement of a temporal triangular flap to gain additional soft tissue in these challenging cases. Methods Congenital microtia patients with a history of ear canaloplasty who underwent auricular reconstruction using the Nagata technique between 2016 and 2020 were reviewed. To obtain additional soft tissue, V-Y advancement of a temporal triangular flap was performed concurrently with implantation of the costal cartilage framework, without prior insertion of a tissue expander. The outcomes of these patients with respect to postoperative complications and esthetics were evaluated. Results Eight patients with bilateral lesions were included. No specific complications developed after the first-stage surgery. However, one patient experienced complications after the second stage (auricular elevation). An analysis of the esthetic results showed most patients had excellent outcomes, achieving a satisfactory convolution. The median number of operations needed to complete reconstruction was 2, which was fewer than required using the conventional method with prior insertion of a tissue expander. Conclusions In patients with a history of previous canaloplasty, V-Y advancement of a temporal triangular flap could serve as an alternative to tissue expansion for microtia reconstruction. This technique provided reliable and satisfactory results with a reduced number of surgical stages.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.161-163
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• 2021

The soft tissue triangle is an easily recognizable subunit of the nose. Therefore, deformities in this region resulting from trauma or complications after cosmetic surgery can have serious cosmetic impacts. Various reconstruction choices exist for deformities such as depression of the soft triangle but choosing the most appropriate treatment in each case remains a challenge. In the case described herein, a patient underwent augmentation rhinoplasty with a silastic implant and experienced implant exposure in the soft triangle area. After implant removal, the patient complained of depression in this area. The authors effectively solved this problem through a de-epithelialized composite tissue graft. In this report, we present this case and review similar cases of reconstruction of the soft triangle.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of anterolateral thigh free flap on soft tissue defect following wide excision in malignant soft tissue tumor of lower extremities. Methods: Between February 2005 to April 2010, we followed up 19 cases who were undergoing anterolateral thigh free flap because of soft tissue defect following wide excision of malignant soft tissue tumor in lower extremity, including 9 cases were heel, 5 cases in foot, 3 cases in ankle, 2 cases in knee and leg. We observed that of implanted area's color, peripheral circulation at 3, 5, 7 days after operation and evaluated operating time, amount of hemorrhage, implanted skin necrosis, additional operations, complications. And we also evaluated the oncologic results, including local recurrence, metastasis, and morbidity. Results: Average operation time of wide excision and anterolateral thigh free flap was 7 hour 28 minutes. 18(94.7%) of total 19 cases showed successful engraftment, on the other hand, failure of engraftment due to complete necrosis of flap in 1 case. In 18 cases with successful engraftment, reoperation was performed in 4 cases. Among them, removal of hematoma and engraftment of flap after bleeding control was performed in 3 cases, because of insufficient circulation due to the hematoma. In the remaining 1 case, graft necrosis due to flap infection was checked, and grafted after combination of wound debridement and conservative treatment such as antibiotics therapy, also skin graft was performed at debrided skin defect area. Skin color change was mainly due to congestion with hematoma, flap was not observed global congestion or necrosis except 4 cases which shows partial necrosis on margin that treated with conservative therapy. Conclusions: Anterolateral thigh free flap could be recommended for reconstruction of soft tissue defect following wide excision of malignant soft tissue tumor in lower extremity.