• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.750-754
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• 2009

Purpose: The thoracodorsal vessels have been the standard recipient vessels for the majority of surgeons performing free abdominal flap breast reconstructions. Recently, the internal mammary vessels have been recommended as the first - choice recipient vessels for microvascular breast reconstruction. To approach the internal mammary vessel, 3rd or 4th rib cartilage excision is needed, but this method has some demerits - vessel injury, post operative pain and post operative chest hollowness. So, authors propose the approach method to the internal mammary vessel through intercostal space without rib cartilage resection. Methods: From November, 2008 to May, 2009, 13 patients underwent free abdominal flap breast reconstruction with approach to the internal mammary vessel through intercostal space without rib cartilage resection. Results: The mean patient age was 41.8 years, and the mean height was 159.3 cm. 11 patients underwent immediate breast reconstruction. Free DIEP flap reconstruction was performed in 7 patients, Free TRAM flap was performed in 5 patients, and Free SIEA flap was performed in 1 patient. Except 1 case, approach to the internal mammary vessel was took through 3rd intercostal space, and all width of intercostal space exceeded 1 cm. Conclusion: In the authors' experience, use of approach to the internal mammary vessels without rib cartilage resection method is safe and reliable to overcome demerits of rib cartilage resection method.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.569-573
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• 2007

Purpose: The selection of the recipient vessels in breast reconstruction has a great influence on the surgical result and the shape of the reconstructed breast. We would like to introduce the criteria for the selection of recipient vessels in delayed reconstruction of the breast. Methods: We studied 56 patients with delayed breast reconstruction using free TRAM flaps from April 1994 to December 2006. The thoracodorsal and the ipsilateral internal mammary vessels were used as recipients in 25 patients each, the opposite internal mammary vessels in 3 patients, the thoracoacromial vessels in 2 patients, and the transverse cervical artery with the cephalic vein in 1 patient. The survival rate of the flaps, the vessel diameter, the length of the pedicles, and the convenience of vessel dissection were studied. Results: The diameter of the recipient vessel did not influence the anastomosis. The operation time, the survival rate of flap, the postoperative complications showed no significant difference according to the recipient vessel. Dissection of the thoracodorsal vessels was tedious due to scar formation from the prior operation. Dissection of the internal mammary vessels proved to be relatively easy, and the required length of the pedicle was shorter than any other site, but the need for removal of rib cartilage makes this procedure inconvenient. Conclusion: The first choice of the recipient vessel in immediate breast reconstruction is the thoracodorsal vessels, but in cases of delayed reconstruction the internal mammary vessels are favored as the first choice, because the thoracodorsal vessels have a high unusability rate. If the ipsilateral internal mammary vessels prove to be useless, the contralateral vessels can be used. The thoracoacromial vessels are useful, when the mastectomy scar is located in the upper portion. The transverse cervical artery and the cephalic vein can serve as the last resort, if all other vessels are unreliable.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.626-629
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• 2008

Purpose: We investigate the possibility of vessel preservation with glycerol and evaluate the potential of preserved gastroepiploic artery as a tool for the microsurgical practice. Methods: In 5 early gastric cancer patients, IRB(No. C-0603-040-170), we gained gastroepiploic artery specimens(5 segments, about 10 cm) after gastrectomy. Each segment was rinsed in a normal saline and subsequently placed in a bottle, containing 50 mL anhydrous glycerol (87%). The bottles were refrigerated at $4^{\circ}C$, the longest preservation time being 5 months. Results: At first glance, no fragmentation was detected and the surface of vessel seemed mild sclerotic. In histological examination, vascular structures remained intact though preservation with glycerol led to a mild atrophy of the smooth muscle in the tunica media. Especially, we found out the elastic fibers and endothelial lining of the intima were preserved until 5 months. Adequate status for using microsurgical practice was also maintained and leakage test was performed successfully with gentian violet ink. Conclusion: Based on the results obtained in this study, the gastroepiploic artery preservation with glycerol as a training model for microvascular anastomosis is a technically very simple procedure and useful for the novice microsurgeon.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.349-354
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• 1993

From July 1992 through January 1993, 11 patients with unstable angina received aorto-coronary bypass surgery at Dong-A University Hospital. There were 5 males and 6 females whose age ranged from 36 to 76 years old. Of the 11 patients, 3 were Functional class IL 5 were Functional class 111.3 were Functional class IV. Preoperative coronary angiography showed a significant stenosis of the left anterior descending artery in 9 cases, of its diagonal branch in I case, of the circumfiex artery in 3 cases, and of its obtuse marginal branch in 2 cases, of the right coronary artery in 4 cases, and of left main coronary artery in 3 cases. There were 4 cases of single vessel disease, 1 double vessel disease, 3 triple vessel disease and 3 left main disease. A single graft was placed in 1 patient, a double graft in 5, a triple graft in 2, and a quadriple graft in 3 patients. Left internal mammary artery plus saphenous vein graft were used in 4 patients. Postoperative complications were mediastinitis in 1, sternal instability in 2, pneumonia in 1, arrythmia in I case.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 2010

Purpose: Tumor ablation and traumatic intractable ulceration of the plantar surface of the foot results in skin and soft tissue defects of the weight-bearing sole. Simple skin grafting is not sufficient for reconstruction of the weight-bearing areas. Instead, the island medial plantar flap (instep flap) and distally-based island medial plantar flap was used for proper reconstruction of the weight bearing area. However, there are some disadvantages. In particular, an island medial plantar flap has a short pedicle limiting the mobility of the flap and the distally-based island medial plantar flap is based on a very small vessel. We investigated whether good results could be obtained using a reverse island medial plantar flap based on the lateral plantar vessel as a solution to the above limitations. Methods: Three patients with malignant melanoma were cared for in our tertiary hospital. The tumors involved the lateral forefoot, the postero-lateral heel, and the medial forefoot area. We designed and harvested the flap from the medial plantar area, dissected the lateral and medial plantar artery and vena comitans, and clamped and cut the vessel 1 cm proximal to the branch from the posterior tibial artery and vena comitans. The medial plantar nerve fascicles of these flaps anastomosed to the sural nerve, the 5th interdigital nerve, and the 1st interdigital nerve of each lesion. The donor sites were covered with skin grafting. Results: The mean age of the 3 subjects was 64.7 years (range, 57 - 70 years). Histologically, all cases were lentiginous malignant melanomas. The average size of the lesion was $5.3\;cm^2$. The average size of the flap was $33.1\;cm^2$. The flap color and circulation were intact during the early postoperative period. There was no evidence of flap necrosis, hematomas or infection. All patients had a normal gait after the surgery. Sensory return progressively improved. Conclusion: Use of an island medial plantar flap based on the lateral plantar vessel to the variable weight-bearing sole is a simple but useful procedure for the reconstruction of any difficult lesion of the weight-bearing sole.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.276-281
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• 1993

During the 3 years through December 1992, 118 cases of coronary bypass graft were performed at Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Asan Medical Center. They consisted of 80 males and 38 females with the mean age of 59. History of myocardial infarction was noted in 23 cases[20%], congestive heart failure in 11[10%], left ventricular aneurysm in 6, postinfarct VSD in 2, and mitral regurgitation in 1. The angina was stable in 13 cases, and unstable in 104 cases[89%]. Left main stem disease were 41 cases[35%], triple vessel 36[31%], double vessel 30[26%] and single vessel involvement[LAD] in 10. We performed 335 distal bypasses out of 117 cases, with single bypass in 9, double 29, triple 52, quadruple 23, and quintuple 4. Myocardial protections were cardioplegia in 29 and intermittent aortic occlusion 79 and continuous aortic perfusion 7. The ischemic time per graft was 13 minutes[intermittent aortic occlusion group] and 20 minutes [cardioplegia group] respectively, and the mean number of graft per patient is 2.85. Early mortality was 6.8% [8/117]. If we exclude the patients with LV aneurysm, the surgical mortality could be downed to 4.5% [5/111]. The causes of deaths were cardiogenic shock[6], aortic dissection[1], and neurologic complication[1]. We conclude that noncardioplegic myocardial protection may be equally beneficial or sometimes advantageous to cardioplegic technique in aortocoronary bypass graft surgery.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.88-91
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• 2020

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin malignancy. This report describes the case of an unusual extensive SCC involving the whole hemiface, which required reconstruction with a combination of a dual vascular free transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) flap and a skin graft. A 79-year-old woman visited our hospital with multiple large ulcerated erythematous patches on her right hemiface, including the parieto-temporal scalp, bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva, cheek, and lip. A preliminary multifocal biopsy was performed in order to determine the resection margin, and the lesion was resected en bloc. Orbital exenteration was also performed. A free TRAM flap was harvested with preserved bilateral pedicles and was anastomosed with a single superior thyroidal vessel. The entire TRAM flap survived. The final pathological examination of the resected specimen confirmed that there was no regional nodal metastasis, perineural invasion, or lymphovascular involvement. The patient was observed for 6 months, and there was no evidence of local recurrence. Usage of a TRAM flap is appropriate for hemifacial reconstruction because the skin of the abdomen matches the color and pliability of the face. Furthermore, we found that the independent attachment of two extra-flap anastomoses to a single recipient vessel can safely result in survival of the flap.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.353-356
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• 2014

The Sundt encircling clip was developed to repair defects of the vessel wall. With the advent of microvascular techniques, most parts of the damaged vessel wall during aneurysm surgery can be repaired by primary closure or by the bypass technique. However, these methods are not always successful. Here, we illustrate two cases of surgical clipping with the Sundt encircling clip in the ruptured internal carotid artery trunk aneurysm. The Sundt clip provides prompt control of unexpected tearing of the vessel wall or aneurysm and plays an important role in vascular rescue during aneurysm surgery.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2001

Breast reconstruction is an aesthetically critical procedure and should be peformed to match the opposite breast in shape, contour, and position. Many methods were introduced to reconstruct the breast with autogenous tissue. But, free tissue transfer for breast reconstruction has become common method. The transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap technique has been a widely accepted method of breast reconstruction after mastectomy, since the first introduction of free abdominoplasty flap in 1979. In breast reconstruction with a free flap the selection of suitable recipient vessels remains one of the most critical decision for surgeon. The most common recipient site for free flap breast reconstruction is the axillar system. But, the use of the axillary system as a recipient site limits flap movement and flexibility in breast shaping. The use of internal mammary vessels as a recipient site be able to achieve ideal breast symmetry, but that technique require the rib resection. The selection of suitable recipient vessels is most important for successful free tissue transfer. We have performed breast reconstruction with TRAM flaps anastomozed to the internal mammary vessel perforator. We came to the conclusion that this vessel perforator is useful as a recipient site in cases of immediate breast reconstruction with free TRAM flap.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.345-352
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• 2008

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) tubes (5 mm in diameter) were fabricated using an electro spinning method and used as a scaffold for artificial blood vessels through the hybridization of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) differentiated from canine bone marrow under previously reported conditions. The potential clinical applications of these artificial blood vessels were investigated using a canine model. From the results, the tubular-type PLGA scaffolds for artificial blood vessels showed good mechanical strength, and the dual-layered blood vessels showed acceptable hybridization behavior with ECs and SMCs. The artificial blood vessels were implanted and substituted for an artery in an adult dog over a 3-week period. The hybridized blood vessels showed neointimal formation with good patency. However, the control vessel (unhybridized vessel) was occluded during the early stages of implantation. These results suggest a shortcut for the development of small diameter, tubular-type, nanofiber blood vessels using a biodegradable material (PLGA).