• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 1999

While the conventional end-to-end anastomotic technique is accepted as 'the golden standard' for microvascular anastomosis, it is time-consuming and tedious. In an effort to offer faster and safer ways of performing microvascular anastomoses, numerous anastomotic techniques have been proposed, but further refinements in microvascular techniques are still necessary. A 'continuous suture with interrupted knot' technique was devised for faster and safer anastomosis. It has been successfully used in microanastomoses of both artery and vein for free tissue transfer. It is a combination of the interrupted suturing technique and the continuous suturing technique. First, a continuous suture is made with the size of loop decreasing in order, and then the sutures are tied individually from the first loop to the last one as in the conventional interrupted suturing technique. It was applied clinically to fourteen patients over the past ten months and found to be a highly efficient technique that satisfied our needs. This 'continuous suture with interrupted knot' technique has several advantages over other techniques : The operative time is reduced comparing conventional interrupted suture technique. By delaying the tie and with the vessel walls kept separated, the risk of through-stitch can be reduced. Tying all the sutures at one time not only speed up the procedures, but also reduced the surgeon's fatigue. In addition, it has no problem of anastomotic stenosis which is a disadvantage of continuous suture technique. This technique proved to be faster and safer, and has patency equal to that of the conventional end-to-end anastomosis. It is of great help to the surgeon in reducing operative time, especially in clinical situations when many anastomoses are required, or lengthy grafting procedures are undertaken.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.305-308
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• 2021

Comminuted fractures of the patella mostly occur at the inferior pole and require appropriate reduction and fixation to restore the extensor mechanism. Conventional methods such as tension-band wiring are not enough to gain proper fixation strength. Numerous methods have been reported, including circumferential cerclage wiring, osteosynthesis, and suture anchors depending on the fracture pattern. Herein, the author reports a relatively rare case of a comminuted fracture of the upper pole of the patella, for which we used augmented Krackow sutures in the quadriceps and fixation with tying of the suture limbs through patellar bone tunnels. Satisfactory results were obtained in terms of reduction and extensor mechanism recovery.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2001

Sutures support wound healing during the initial phase. As the tensile strength of a wound increases, the need for the presence of sutures becomes less important. For this reason, absorbable suture materials have been sought. Nowadays, commonly used suture materials are Chromic Catgut, Coated Vicryl, and PDS. Among these materials, Coated Vicryl is the most popular. Studies were conducted to compare the handling properties, reliability of knots, wound healing, and tissue reactivity(Inflammation, Fibroblast proliferation, Collagen deposition, Giant cell reaction, Absorption) between AILEE vicryl and ETHICON vicryl. We used twelve purebred New Zealand white rabbits, and biopsied the tissue at three, seven, fourteen, and thirty days post implantation. The results showed that both were supple and easy to handle and tie, and gross and histologic differences were not apparent.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.175-180
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• 2014

Background: For Neer type IIB fracture of distal clavicle with coracoclavicular ligament injury, various surgical treatments have been used in literatures. However, there was no consensus on the optimal treatment. The aim of this study is to report the clinical and radiological results of open reduction and internal fixation of unstable distal clavicle fracture and suture augmentation of disrupted coracoclavicular ligament. Methods: A prospective study was performed in 23 patients with Neer type IIB distal clavicle fracture in Seoul Medical Center, Eulji Hospital, and National Medical Center. Firstly, suture anchors are inserted in the base of coracoid process and preliminary reduction was achieved by tie-off of three suture limbs around the clavicle. Then, the final fixation was completed with anatomical locking plate. Bony union and the distance between coracoclavicular ligaments were evaluated. Clinical results and complications including stiffness and secondary procedures were evaluated. Results: Bony union was achieved in all cases except one (22 of 23). At mean 14.9 months, no significant difference in the mean coracoclavicular distance was observed compared to uninjured shoulder ($8.2{\pm}7.9mm$ versus $7.3{\pm}3.4mm$, p=0.14). Pain visual analogue scale, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Constant score, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score were 0.5, 83.4, 78.5, and 6.2, respectively. Revision surgery was performed in one case of nonunion. Four patients who complained of skin irritation underwent implant removal. Conclusions: In cases of an unstable distal clavicle fracture with coracoclavicular ligament disruption, satisfactory clinical results were obtained by locking plate fixation and coracoclavicular ligament suture augmentation concurrently.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 1999

Purpose : The importance of meniscal repair is well recognized. But transeciton of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus at the posterior tibial attachment is rarely documented and known irreparable. We experienced 9 cases of transection, and present clinical features and pull out suture technique. Methods and Materials : There were 9cases of transection of the posterior horn of medial meniscus from September 1998 to July 1999 in our hospital. Age was 59.3 years in average and ranged from 38 to 70years. Clinical features and MRI made diagnosis in all cases. We confirmed the diagnosis with arthroscopy and repaired the transection with pullout suture technique. Clinical features : Transection of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus at the posterior tibia attachment occurred frequently in middle aged people. They complained posterior knee pain, but they have no history of definitive trauma. Characteristically they had difficulty in full flexion of the knee and in having a squatting position. MRI is very important in diagnosis of transection, especially in coronal view, there is separation of the posterior horn of the meniscus from the posterior tibial attachment. Surgical technique : Pullout suture technique includes debridement of fibrous or scar tissue, exposure of the subchondral bone of the posterior tibial attachment site, suture the transected end of the meniscus with PDS suture, bone tunnel formation from the anteromedial aspect of the proximal tibia, insertion of wire loop through the tibia tunnel, pull the PDS suture through the tibia tunnel out of the joint and stabilize the PDS with post-tie technique to the proximal tibia. Conclusion : Transection of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus at the posterior tibial attachment is not common clinically and rarely documented. Clinical features and MRI are very important in diagnosis of this type tear. Arthroscopic pullout sutures is useful for treatment of this type tear of the meniscus.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.131-134
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• 2006

The closed suction drain is commonly inserted after various surgical procedures. It has an important role to prevent possible hematoma or seroma that can cause postoperative wound problems. But there is still no consensus on managing the insertion site of suction drain after operation. Suture-tie fixation of drain to skin and classical Y shape gauze dressing is a usually accepted method, but it has many limitations. We introduce a new approach to the care for the insertion site of suction drain by using occlusive transparent film dressing, $IV3000^{(R)}$(Smith & Nephew, London, UK). By using transparent film, insertion site of drain can be easily checked without removal of dressing. Because it can reduce the tension of suture-tie fixation, it helps to prevent skin injury. Furthermore, occlusive film dressing can block air leakage from insertion site of drain, and the water-proof character of film allows patients to take a shower without dressing change. This new method is more convenient, more efficient, and less harmful to skin than classic one.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.711-714
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• 2013

Background The most common cause of skin graft failure is the collection of blood or serous fluid underneath the graft. In our study, we describe the use of silicone tube for tie-over dressing to secure the skin graft margins with the aim of decreasing loss of the skin graft, particularly in grafting of deep wounds. Methods Between March 2008 and July 2011, we used this technique in 17 patients with skin defects with depths ranging from 3.5 to 8 mm (mean, 5.5 mm). First, the skin graft was sutured with 3/0 silk suture material from its corners. Then, a silicone round drain tube was sutured with 3/0 absorbable polyglactin 910 over the margins of the graft. Finally, long silk threads were tied over the bolus dressing, and the tie-over dressing was completed in the usual fashion. Results The mean follow-up was 7 months (range, 2-10 months) in the outpatient clinic. Graft loss on the graft margins due to hematoma or seroma was not developed. The results of adhesion between the graft and wound bed peripherally was excellent. Conclusions In our study, we suggest that use of a silicone tube for additional pressure on the edges of skin grafts in case of reconstruction of deep skin defects.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.239-246
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• 2014

Many kinds of membrane have been used for the guided bone regeneration (GBR) technique. However, most membranes do not fulfill all requirements for the ideal membrane for the GBR technique. Among them, collagen membrane has been most widely used. However, its high price and weak tensile strength in wet condition are limitations for wide clinical application. Synthetic polymers have also been used for the GBR technique. Recently, silk based membrane has been considered as a membrane for the GBR technique. Despite many promising preclinical data for use of a silk membrane, clinical data regarding the silk membrane has been limited. However, silk based material has been used clinically as vessel-tie material and an electrospun silk membrane was applied successfully to patients. No adverse effect related to the silk suture has been reported. Considering that silk membrane can be provided to patients at a cheap price, its clinical application should be encouraged.