• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
• /
• 2008.11a
• /
• pp.1527-1532
• /
• 2008

45% of the sports accidents is the knee damage and the representative case is the damage of an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and the Posterior Cruciate Ligament(PCL). Although the past different views of ACL reconstruction comes to an agreement, the disputes of PCL is remained yet. The most important engineering approach for these various surgery techniques is accurately to understand and to evaluate the fatigue behavior depending on the stress flow and the stress distribution under the allotted load and the cyclic load, which are caused by the graft fixing device, the proximal tibia of the PCL reconstructing structure. Therefore, this study is the basic research of these above facts. The current transtibial tunnel surgery using the cadaveric Achilles tendon grafts is chosen for the various PCL reconstruction. The relationships between the slippage, the extension ratio, and the slippage ratio by the heel bone fixing method and the soft tissue fixing method of the Achilles tendon were also defined. This research will be the essential data to help the resonable operating techniques for the next PCL reconstruction.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.38
• /
• pp.46.1-46.7
• /
• 2016

Background: Osteoradionecrosis is the most dreadful complication after head and neck irradiation. Orocutaneous fistula makes patients difficult to eat food. Fibular free flap is the choice of the flap for mandibular reconstruction. Osteocutaneous flap can reconstruct both hard and soft tissues simultaneously. This study was to investigate the success rate and results of the free fibular flap for osteoradionecrosis of the mandible and which side of the flap should be harvested for better reconstruction. Methods: A total of eight consecutive patients who underwent fibula reconstruction due to jaw necrosis from March 2008 to December 2015 were included in this study. Patients were classified according to stages, primary sites, radiation dose, survival, and quality of life. Results: Five male and three female patients underwent operation. The mean age of the patients was 60.1 years old. Two male patients died of recurred disease of oral squamous cell carcinoma. The mean dose of radiation was 70.5 Gy. All fibular free flaps were survived. Five patients could eat normal diet after operation; however, three patients could eat only soft diet due to loss of teeth. Five patients reported no change of speech after operation, two reported worse speech ability, and one patient reported improved speech after operation. The ipsilateral side of the fibular flap was used when intraoral soft tissue defect with proximal side of the vascular pedicle is required. The contralateral side of the fibular flap was used when extraoral skin defect with proximal side of the vascular pedicle is required. Conclusions: Osteonecrosis of the jaw is hard to treat because of poor healing process and lack of vascularity. Free fibular flap is the choice of the surgery for jaw bone reconstruction and soft tissue fistula repair. The design and selection of the right or left fibular is dependent on the available vascular pedicle and soft tissue defect sites.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.64-70
• /
• 2022

Background: Anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps are versatile soft tissue flaps that have become the standard soft-tissue flaps used for head and neck reconstruction. They provide a long vascular pedicle, constant vessel diameter, abundant soft tissue coverage, and minimal donor site morbidity. The ALT flap was initially designed on the basis of a septocutaneous (SC) perforator. However, more recent research has shown that a substantial number of ALT flaps are now based on musculocutaneous (MC) perforators, and the ratio between MC and SC perforators varies among studies. In this study, we analyzed the perforating pattern of ALT flaps along with their clinical outcomes during head and neck reconstruction in the Korean population. Methods: From October 2016 to July 2020, 68 patients who had undergone an ALT flap procedure for head and neck reconstruction were enrolled retrospectively. The perforating pattern of the cutaneous perforator vessel (MC perforator/SC perforator/oblique branch), pedicle length, and flap size were analyzed intraoperatively. Patient demographics and flap necrosis rates were also calculated. Results: The highest number of cutaneous perforator vessels supplying the ALT flap were the MC perforators (87%). The proportion of MC perforators was significantly higher than that of the SC perforators and oblique branches. Flap necrosis occurred in seven cases (11.86%); sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, perforator course, and history of radiotherapy did not significantly affect flap necrosis. Conclusion: The ALT free flap procedure remains popular for reconstruction of the head and neck. In this study, we observed that the majority of cutaneous vessels supplying the flaps were MC perforators (87%). When using the MC perforator during flap elevation, careful dissection of the perforator is required to achieve successful ALT flaps because intramuscular dissection is difficult. Perforator pattern and history of radiotherapy did not affect flap necrosis.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.34-37
• /
• 2001

The injury on the dorsum of foot is usually manifested in the defect of bone and soft tissue, so its reconstruction requires composite tissue. Free flap satisfies this defect but its indication is determined by the defect size, recipient status and so on. Iliac crest bone and fibular bone are useful bone flap but in more than 8cm defect, fibular flap is more useful. The drawback of fibular free flap is the absence of soft-tissue coverage, so another local flap and myocutaneous flap must be added. Fibula-hemisoleus ostemusculocutaneous free flap has been used for the reconstruction of upper and lower extremity. Its advantages are one stage operation, one donor site and the flexibility of the reconstruction with the use of muscle, bone, and skin. This flap has never been reported for the reconstruction of dorsum of foot. In our case, 20-year-old woman was referred with the 17 cm defect of 1st metatarsal bone and $16{\times}8cm$ sized soft tissue loss on the dorsum of the right foot. We reconstructed successfully the dorsum of foot with fibula-hemisoleus osteomusculocutaneous free flap and the patient can walk without crutches after 6 monthes.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.59-63
• /
• 2022

The latissimus dorsi flap has high vascularity and is helpful for the reconstruction of infected areas. Herein, we present a patient with recurrent infections and soft-tissue defects who underwent cranial reconstruction using a free latissimus dorsi flap. The patient had undergone craniectomy and reconstruction using alloplastic bone 18 years previously. A scalp defect accompanied by infection occurred five years ago, and patient underwent reconstruction using a free flap at another hospital; however, the problem persisted. After debridement and bone flap removal, the right latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap was elevated, and the thoracodorsal artery and vein were anastomosed end-to-end to the right superficial temporal artery and vein. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was eradicated, and the flap survived. Cranioplasty was performed eight months later, and one year follow-up proceeded without complications. Effective reconstruction and cranioplasty are possible using the free latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap, even on scalp with persistent infections and soft-tissue defects.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.232-237
• /
• 2007

Introduction: To report the result of the thigh perforator free flap for the reconstruction of the soft tissue defect of the lower extremities and usefulness of this flap. Materials and Methods: We have performed 23 cases of thigh perforator free flap to reconstruct the soft tissue defect of the lower extremities between February 2004 and July 2005. The anterior aspect of the legs were 9 cases, the ankle joints were 4 cases, the dorsal aspect of the feet were 6 cases, the sole of the feet were 4 cases as recipient sites. The anterolateral thighs were 13 cases, the anteromedial thighs were 10 cases as donor sites. The size of the flap ranged from $4{\times}5\;cm$ to $12{\times}18\;cm$. The mean flap area was $73.2\;cm^2$. The length of the pedicle ranged from 5 cm to 15 cm. Every patient except children was operated under the spinal anesthesia. Results: 21 flaps (91.3%) survived, 2 flaps (8.7%) failed. In the 21 flaps that had survived, there were partial necrosis in 4 cases, which healed without any additional operation. In the 13 anterolateral thigh perforator flaps, 9 cases survived totally, 3 cases had the partial necrosis, 1 case failed. In the 10 anteromedial thigh perforator flaps, 8 cases survived totally, 1 case had the partial necrosis, 1 case failed. Conclusion: The authors had a good result with the thigh perforator free flap and believe that this flap is a good option for the reconstruction of the soft tissue defect of the lower extremities, because this flap has a thin thickness and it is easy to dissect the vessels. Moreover the patients can be operated with supine position.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.415-420
• /
• 2011

Purpose: The reconstruction of a soft tissue defect of the heel pad can be challenging. One vital issue is the restoration of the ability of the heel to bear the load of the body weight. Many surgeons prefer to use local flaps or free tissue transfer rather than a skin graft. In this study, we evaluated the criteria for choosing a proper flap for heel pad reconstruction. Methods: In this study, 23 cases of heel pad reconstruction were performed by using the flap technique. The etiologies of the heel defects included pressure sores, trauma, or wide excision of a malignant tumor. During the operation, the location, size and depth of the heel pad defect determined which flap was chosen. When the defect size was relatively small and the defect depth was limited to the subcutaneous layer, a local flap was used. A free flap was selected when the defect was so large and deep that almost entire heel pad had to be replaced. Results: There was only one complication of poor graft acceptance, involving partial flap necrosis. This patient experienced complete recovery after debridement of the necrotic tissue and a split thickness skin graft. None of the other transferred tissues had complications. During the follow-up period, the patients were reported satisfactory with both aesthetic and functional results. Conclusion: The heel pad reconstructive method is determined by the size and soft-tissue requirements of the defect. The proper choice of the donor flap allows to achieve satisfactory surgical outcomes in aesthetic and functional viewpoints with fewer complications.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.36 no.5
• /
• pp.605-610
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Substantial tissue necrosis after snake bites requiring coverage with flap surgery is extremely rare. In this article, we report 7 cases of soft tissue defects in the upper and the lower extremities caused by snake bites, which needed to be covered with flaps. Among the vast mass of publications on snake bites there has been no report that focuses on flap coverage of soft tissue defects due to snake bite sequelae. Methods: Seven cases of soft tissue defects with tendon, ligament, or bone exposure after snake bites were included. All patients were males without comorbidities, the average age was 35 years. All of them required coverage with a flap. In 6 cases, the defect was localized on the upper extremity, in one case the lesion was on the lower extremity. Local flaps were used in 6 cases, one case was covered with a free flap. The surgical procedures included one kite flap, one cross finger flap and digital nerve reconstruction with a sural nerve graft, one reverse proximal phalanx island flap, one groin flap, one adipofascial flap, one neurovascular island flap, and one anterolateral thigh free flap. The average interval from injury to flap surgery was 23.7 days. Results: All flaps survived without complication. All patients regained a good range of motion in the affected extremity. Donor site morbidities were not observed. The case with digital nerve reconstruction recovered a static two point discrimination of 7 mm. The patient with foot reconstruction can wear normal shoes without a debulking procedure. Conclusion: The majority of soft tissue affection after snake bites can be treated conservatively. Some severe cases, however, may require the coverage with flap surgery after radical debridement, especially, if there is exposure of tendon, bone or neurovascular structures. There is no doubt that definite coverage should be performed as soon as possible. But we also want to point out that this principle must not lead to a premature coverage. If the surgeon is not certain that the wound is free of necrotic tissue or remnants of venom, it is better to take enough time to get a proper wound before flap surgery in order to obtain a good functional and cosmetic result.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.28-34
• /
• 1999

The need for reconstruction of large bone, soft tissue defect of mandible has greater emphasis due to development of industry, traumatic accident and increase of tumor. The mandibular reconstruction had greatly progressed through the first and the second World Wars. The Fibular free flap by using microscope was reported in 1970 and many maxillofacial reconstructive surgeons had used. In 1988, Dr. Hidalgo first reported mandibular reconstruction by using fibular free flap. Mandibular reconstruction by using fibular free flap has several advantages. First, it provides up to 25 cm of bone, enough to reconstruct any length of mandible defect. Second, a skin island, based on a septocutaneous blood supply, is available in a size large enough to simultaneously reconstruct internal and external soft tissue defect. Third, The fibular donor site morbidity is low, fourth, it provides a esthetic effect of mandible line. And finally bone viability is good. The Fibular osteocutaneous free flap was performed after COMMANDO operation due to squamous cell cancer in oral cavity (15 cases). Therefore we report out successful operation of the mandible reconstruction by using fibular osteocutaneous free flap.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.81-87
• /
• 1998

We have investigated the clinical results of 33 cases of free flap transfer performed for the soft tissue defects of heel and sole. In donor sites, tensor fascia lata flaps were 4, dorsalis pedis flaps were 10, forearm flaps were 9, and latissimus dorsi flaps were 10. The recipient sites were heel in 22 cases, sole in 7 cases, and heel and sole in 4 cases. In these cases, the postoperative complications, morbidity of donor sites, recovery of sensation, and cosmetic results were evaluated in each flap. All the flaps survived successfully. The free flaps provided excellent functional and cosmetic results. The tensor fascia lata flap was more reliable free flap for the reconstruction of heel and sole defects.