• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.209-216
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• 2007

Purpose: The ischial area is by far the most common site of pressure sores found in wheel chair bound paraplegic patients, because greatest pressure is exerted from the body on this area in a sitting position. Even after a series of successful pressure sore treatments, the site is very prone to relapse by the simplest ordinary tasks of everyday life. Therefore, it is crucial to preserve the main pedicle during primary surgery. Various surgical procedures employed to treat pressure sores such as myocutaneous flap and perforator flap have been introduced. After introduction of ischial sore treatment using the inferior gluteal artery perforator (IGAP) has been made, the authors experienced favorable clinical results of patients who have undergone IGAP flap procedure in a three year time period. Methods: A total of 17 patients received IGAP flap surgery in our hospital from January 2003 to May 2006, among which 14 of them being males and 3 females. Surgery was performed on the same site again in 6(35%) patients who had originally relapsed after receiving the conventional method of pressure sore surgery. Patients' average age was 49.4(27-71) years old. Most of the patients were paraplegic(11 cases, 65%) and others were either quadriplegic(4 cases, 23%) or ambulatory(2 cases, 12%). Based on hospital records and clinical photographs, we have attempted to assess the feasibility and practicability of the IGAP flap procedure through comparative analysis of several parameters: size of defective area, treatment modalities, occurrence of relapses, complications, and postoperative treatments. Results: The average follow-up duration of 17 subjects was 25.4 months(5-42 months). All flaps survived without any necrosis. Six cases were relapsed cases from conventional surgical procedures. All of them healed well during our follow-up study. Postoperative complications such as wound dehiscence and fistula developed in some subjects, but all were well healed through secondary treatment. A total of 2 cases relapsed after surgery. Conclusion: The inferior gluteal artery perforator flap is an effective method that can be primarily applied in replacement to the conventional ischial pressure sore reconstructive surgery owing to its many advantages: ability to preserve peripheral muscle tissue, numerous possible flap designs, relatively good durability, and the low donor site morbidity rate.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2008

Medial gastrocnemius flap has been known as a useful option for soft tissue reconstruction of the knee and upper 1/3 of lower extremity, but it has a limitation to cover the lateral defect of the knee joint. We performed the combined gastrocnemius-medial sural artery perforator flap for coverage of the anterolateral defects of the knee joint, which is compound flap using a medial gastrocnemius flap and a medial sural artery perforator flap. This flap is a useful method for reconstruction of anterolateral knee defects, providing a easy dissection without the microsurgery and intramuscular dissection of the perforators.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.82-85
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• 2004

Flap monitoring is important for flap salvage. Although there are many methods to observe the flap, practical methods mostly used are subjective methods. Recording flap surface temperature is one of the objective methods of flap monitoring. We used an infra-red thermometer to simplify monitoring of the flap temperature. 60 groin flaps of SD rats are used in the experiment. Artificial arterial or venous insufficiency was made and the surface temperature was checked and compared with body temperature. In the results, the temperature of the arterial clamped flaps was lower than that of body and the mean difference was $0.3^{\circ}C$ after 20 minutes of clamping. In the vein-clamped flaps, the mean decrease was $0.4^{\circ}C$ after 30 minutes of clamping. The all difference of the temperature between the flaps and body was statistically significant. Our results suggest that flap monitoring by infra-red thermometer is simple, useful and helpful to evaluate the flap status.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.53-57
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• 2010

Purpose: The radial forearm fasciocutaneous free flap is currently considered as the ideal free flap for reconstruction of mucosal and soft tissue defects of the palate. But the availability of stably attached oral and nasal mucosal lining is needed. In addition to this, for better operation field, operating convenience and esthetics, we planned a prelaminated radial forearm free flap. Methods: A 64-year-old male patient was admitted due to a $4{\times}4.5cm$ full through defect in the middle of the hard palate caused by peripheral T cell lymphoma with actinomycosis. In the first stage, the radial forearm flap was elevated, tailored to fit the hard palate defect, and then it positioned up-side down with split thickness skin graft. Two weeks later, the prelaminated radial forearm free flap was re-elevated and transferred to the palatal defect. One side covered with grafted skin was used to line the nasal cavity, and the other side (the cutaneous portion of the radial forearm flap) was used to line the oral cavity. Results: The prelamination procedure was relatively easy and useful. The skin graft was well taken to the flap. After 2nd stage operation, the flap survived uneventfully. There was no prolapse of the inset flap into the oral cavity and the cutaneous portion of the flap was mucosalized. The procedure was very successful and the patient can enjoy normal rigid diet and speech. Conclusion: The use of prelaminated radial forearm free flap for hard palate reconstruction is an excellent method to restore oral function. Based upon the result of this case, microvascular free flap transfer with prelaminated procedure is a valid alternative to the prosthetic obturator for palatal defect that provides an improved quality of life. It should be considered as an integral component of head and neck cancer therapy and rehabilitation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.12-18
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• 2005

The Transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap has been commonly used for autologous breast reconstruction. Despite these clinical usefulness, the TRAM flap is prone to partial flap or fat necrosis in especially pedicled flap. To improve flap survival, the surgical delay procedures and pharmacological treatments have been developed. In many studies for the pharmacological treatment, Lipo-$PGE_1$ has demonstrated a marked ability to improve flap survival and it's effect has been proved similar to surgical delay procedure. The purpose of this study is to determine the most effective route of Lipo-$PGE_1$ administration as a pharmacological treatment in TRAM flap of the rat. Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 300-350 gm were divided into five groups, One week before flap elevation, Lipo-$PGE_1$($2{\mu}g/kg$) was injected three times in a week and than the left inferior epigastric vessel based TRAM flap ($5.0{\times}3.0cm$) elevated; group I: no procedure before flap elevation; group II: intraperitoneal injection; group III: intravenous injection; group IV: subcutaneous injection; group V: topical application. A flap was assessed at postoperative 7 days by comparison of flap survival rate, vessel counts(H-E stain), and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) protein expressed by Western blot. The results demonstrated that the mean percentages of the flap survival area in group III were significantly higher than that of any other group(p<0.05). The vessel counts of all experimental groups were statistically higher than that of control group(p<0.05). Only in group III, the VEGF protein expression was increased significantly than control group and there are no difference in other experimental groups. In conclusion, the intravenous administration of the Lipo-$PGE_1$ is the most effective on flap survival, and the VEGF induced by Lipo-$PGE_1$ has some positive effects on new vessel formation and flap survival.

• 대한미세수술학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1995.11a
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• pp.69.2-70
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• 1995

• 대한미세수술학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.133-134
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• 1997

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.50 no.8
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• pp.474-481
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• 2012

The periodontal flap surgery is the most widely utilized surgical procedure to reduce the pocket depth and to access the subgingival root surfaces for scaling and root planing. The diagnosis of the periodontal lesion and the objective of the surgery will dictate the type of flap procedure which will be utilized to obtain the best result. The incisions, type of flap and the selection of suturing design must be planned and executed to fit the problem. Periodontal flaps are designed to preserve gingival integrity and to gain access to root surfaces for residual calculus removal and to thoroughly remove granulation tissue so bone defects can be visualized and treated. Gentle and efficient procedures result in optimum healing and minimal postoperative pain. When flaps need to be repositioned apically or less often, coronally, then the flaps must sit passively at the appropriate level before suturing. To ensure this, buccal and lingual flaps need to be elevated beyond the mucogingival junction so the elasticity of the mucosa allows for flap mobility. Sometimes it may be necessary to extend the flap elevation apically with a split incision approach to minimize the effect of the less elastic periosteum. Vertical incisions can aid in flap positioning by allow ing the clinician to suture the flap at a different level to the adjacent untreated gingiva. In osseous periodontal surgery, flaps are apically positioned to minimize postoperative pocket depth. In regenerative periodontal surgery including implant surgery, soft tissue cove rage of bony defects, graft materials, membranes, and bio logic agents is important so sulcular incisions and light suturing techniques are crucial.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 2000

Soft tissue defects of the dorsum of foot and ankle can be covered from skin graft to free tissue transfer. The extent of injury which may be complex including the exposure of paratenons or bones requires free flap reconstruction. Some of the precautions for reconstruction are providing minimal bulkiness and well conforming to irregular contour thus making normal footwear possible. Though the muscle flap having its advantages and versatility, the fascial flap such as temporoparietal fascial flap has been considered the choice for reconstruction of the dorsum of foot and ankle. The purpose of our study is to utilize the advantages and versatility of the muscle flap as a first choice for reconstruction for the defects involving the dorsum of foot and ankle. The gracilis muscle with its anatomic and donor characteristics, it can be utilized to maximal effect by expanding its slim muscle width removing the epimysium and reducing its bulk by muscle atrophy through denervation. We present our experience with ten cases of reconstruction for the dorsum of foot and ankle using the gracilis muscle free flap. Results were satisfactory without flap loss, skin loss and infection. The contour and aesthetic aspect of the foot was satisfactory. Gait analysis showed near normal gait without limitations from everyday activities. Normal footwear was tolerable in all the cases. The keys to consider in the reconstruction of the dorsum of foot and ankle are appropriate bulkiness, conforming to its contour and able to apply normal footwear. With minimal donor morbidity and satisfying results, the extended gracilis muscle should be considered as the first line for reconstruction of the ankle and dorsum of foot.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.531-535
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• 2006

Purpose: To report our experience of retro-angular flap for reconstruction of the midface defect. The midface, including nose, lower eyelid, and intercanthal area, is the very prominent area of face. Also midface is more vulnerable to trauma and skin cancer and defect of mid face of highly perceptible. Reconstruction of mid face is difficult because of complexity of anatomy and functions. Following factors should be considered in reconstructive prcedure of midface. First, multiple procedure may need for complete the reconstruction of mid face defect. Second, secondary reconstructive surgeries such as flap rotation or skin graft may need for donor site morbidity. Third, the color, texture and thickness of the skin used are not always complacency. Methods: 8 cases of the midface defects (3 cases of lower eyelid, 1 case of intercanthal area, and 4 cases of nose) from skin cancer were reconstructed with retroangular flap from March 2004 to August 2005. Results: Satisfactory result were obtained in color, texture and donor site scar. There was no major complication such as wound disruption, hematoma, and atrophy of flap. But partial necrosis of flap and bulkiness were observed one case in each. Retroangular flap is simple procedure that can be preceded in one stage under local anesthesia closing primary wound closure. It will leave less visible donor scar, acceptable color, texture and thickness of the skin. Conclusions: The retro-angular flap could be suggested as a safe and effective method for midface reconstruction.