• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 2018

Background Free muscle flaps are a mainstay for reconstruction of distal third leg wounds and for large lower extremity wounds with exposed bone. However a major problem is the significant postoperative flap swelling, which may take months to resolve. We studied the efficacy and safety of immediate application of a vacuum assisted closure (VAC) dressing after a free muscle flap to the lower extremity. Methods Over a 19 months period, all consecutive free muscle flaps for lower extremity reconstruction at a Level I trauma center were evaluated prospectively for postoperative flap thickness, complications and flap survival. Immediate application of a VAC dressing was performed in 9 patients, while the flap was left exposed for monitoring in 8 patients. Results There was no statistically significant difference in flap survival between both cohorts. Mean flap thickness at postoperative day 5 for the VAC group was $6.4{\pm}6.4mm$, while flap thickness for the exposed flap group was $29.6{\pm}13.5mm$. Flap thickness was significantly decreased at postoperative day 5 for the VAC dressing group. Conclusions Immediate application of VAC dressing following free muscle flaps to the lower extremity does not compromise flap survival or outcomes and results in decreased flap thickness and a better aesthetic outcome.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.166-169
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• 2002

Poststernotomy mediastinitis is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of cardiac surgery. Up to present, poststernotomy wound infection has been treated by closure of wound directly or by use of myocutaneous flaps after irrigation and debridement of wound. We describe a new treatment of poststemotomy wound infection by using the vacuum-assisted closure technique. This technique was successfully applied in 3 patients with poststernotomy wound infection and mediastinitis, and a healed sternotomy wound could be achieved using this new technique.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.29-32
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• 2014

Pelvic bone fracture with hemodynamic instability is fatal and the mortality rate can range up to 40%. Despite the big advances in the treatment of massive bleeding and hemorrhagic shock, the mortality associated with hemodynamically unstable pelvic bone fractures remains high. The gold standard of treatment for pelvic bone fracture with hemodynamic instability has not yet been determined and is an issue of main discussion among many doctors. Retroperitoneal packing is not yet wide spread in Korea, but is a good modality for managing of massive bleeding from pelvic bone fractures when an angiography suite or an expert surgeon is not available. A vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system can also be applied with retroperitoneal packing in the manner of damage control surgery and open abdomen surgery. We present the case of a 51-year-old male who had a pelvic bone fracture with massive bleeding. We performed retroperitoneal gauze packing with a VAC system for the first time. The postoperative vital signs of patient were immediately stable, the massive bleeding was easily and quickly controlled, and the amount of transfusion of blood components was reduced.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.351-355
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• 2009

Purpose: Cervical necrotizing fasciitis tends to involve the deep soft tissues and spread caudally to the anterior chest and mediastinum, often resulting in major complications and death. It may rapidly spread into the thorax along fascial planes, and the associated diagnostic delay results in this descending necrotizing mediastinitis. So, aggressive multidisciplinary therapy with surgical drainage is mandatory. We present a very rare case of descending necrotizing mediastinitis with literature review. Methods: A 53 years old male visited our department 7 days after trauma in neck. His premorbid conditions and risk factors of necrotizing fasciitis were concealed hepatoma, trauma history, chronic liver disease, and nutrition deficit. Computed tomographic scans of the head and neck region were performed in this patient : signs of necrotizing fasciitis, were seen in the platysma, sternocleidomastoid, trapezius muscle and strap muscles of the neck. Fluid accumulations involved multiple neck spaces and mediastinum. At the time, he diagnosed as necrotizing fasciitis on his neck and anterior chest. Necrotic wound was excised serially and we treated this with the Vacuum - assisted closure(VAC, Kinetics Concepts International, San Antonio, Texas) system device. After appropriately shaping the sponge and achieving additional 3 pieces drainage tubes in the pockets, continuous negative pressure of 125 mmHg was applied. The VAC therapy was utilized for a period of 12 days. Results: We obtained satisfactory results from wide excision, abscess drainage with the VAC system, and then split thickness skin graft. The postoperative course was uneventful. Conclusion: The refined technique using the VAC system can provide a means of simple and effective management for the descending necrotizing mediastinitis, with better cosmetic and functional results. Finally, the VAC system has been adopted as the standard treatment for deep cervical and mediastinal wound infections as a result of the excellent clinical outcome.