• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.482-487
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• 2022

In lower abdominal flap representing transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap or deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap, superficial inferior epigastric vein (SIEV) exists as superficial and independent venous system from deep system. The superficial venous drainage is dominant despite a dominant deep arterial supply in anterior abdominal wall. As TRAM or DIEP flaps began to be widely used for breast reconstruction, venous congestion issue has been arisen. Many clinical series in regard to venous congestion despite patent microvascular anastomosis site were reported. Venous congestion could be divided in two conditions by the area of venous congestion and each condition is from different anatomical causes. First, if venous congestion was shown in whole flap, it is due to the connection between SIEV and vena comitantes of DIEP. Second, if venous congestion is limited in above midline (Hartrampf zone II), it is due to problem in venous midline crossover. In this article, the authors reviewed the role of SIEV in lower abdominal flap based on the various anatomic and clinical studies. The contents are mainly categorized into four main issues; basic anatomy of SIEV, the two cause of venous congestion, connection between SIEV and vena comitantes of DIEP, and midline crossover of SIEV.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제49권5호
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• pp.663-667
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• 2022

Finger dorsum defects are a challenging situation. Many reconstruction methods are used in these defects. Extended reverse dorsal metacarpal artery (RDMA) flap is used in dorsal finger reconstruction. Venous congestion in this flap is most important cause of flap failure. In this case, we presented a case in which we used heparin cream due to development of venous congestion in our patient who underwent an extended RDMA flap. A 24-year-old female patient presented to the emergency department with a defect of dorsal of left-hand fourth finger. Defect was covered with an extended RDMA flap. On postoperative first day, venous congestion was observed, and heparin cream was applied three times a day on flap. The signs of venous congestion were regressed. Tissue healed as a result of superficial epidermolysis and skin grafting. No functional limitation was observed in sixth-month postoperative control. Venous congestion is the most important cause of flap failure of extended RDMA flaps. Generally, subcutaneous heparin administration and leech therapy are used. In our case, heparin was applied as a cream instead of subcutaneously, and flap healing was observed as a result of superficial epidermolysis. Heparin cream application can also be used as a treatment option in flaps with venous congestion.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.60-63
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• 2007

Purpose: Free transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous(TRAM) flap is one of the most popular methods of breast reconstruction. But if fat necrosis and fatty induration occur at the reconstructed breast, they can make the breast harder and make it difficult to differentiate a tumor recurrence from them. To expect and prevent these complications, we measured the pressure change of the superficial venous system whose congestion can be the cause of them. Methods: An intraoperative clinical study was done to compare venous pressure of superficial inferior epigastric vein(SIEV) before and after the elevation of free TRAM flap. Fourteen TRAM flaps were included and the pressures of SIEV were measured two times at the beginning of the elevation and just before the division of the inferior pedicle. Results: The venous pressure in free TRAM flap was significantly higher after the flap elevation at both contralateral side and ipsilateral(p=0.005 and p=0.026 respectively). The four cases with vertical scar shower significantly greater increase at contralateral side than ipsilateral side(p=0.020). Conclusion: Intraoperative venous pressure recording can be an objective data for evaluating the congestion of TRAM flap and can help to prevent the complications of fat necrosis and fatty induration with venous superdrainage.

• 대한두개안면성형외과학회지
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.143-146
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• 2015

In this report, we present a scalp defect reconstruction with lateral arm free flap. We highlight the difficulty in obtaining a recipient vein and the venous drainage managed through an open end of the donor vein. A 52-year-old woman presented with a pressure sore on the left scalp. A lateral arm free flap was transferred to cover this $8{\times}6cm$ defect. The arterial anastomosis was successful, but no recipient vein could be identified within the wound bed. Instead, we used a donor venous end for the direct open venous drainage. In order to keep this exposed venous end patent, we applied heparin-soaked gauze dressing to the wound. Also, the vein end was mechanically dilated and irrigated with heparin solution at two hour intervals. Along with fluid management and blood transfusion, this management was continued for the five days after the operation. The flap survived well without any complication. Through this case, we were able to demonstrate that venous congestion can be avoided by drainage of the venous blood through an open vessel without the use of leeches.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.208-213
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• 2008

Purpose: Distally based superficial sural artery island flap has some disadvantages such as postoperative flap edema, congestion, and partial necrosis of the flap margin. Venous congestion is an area of considerable concern in distally based superficial sural artery fasciocutaneous flap and is one of the main reasons for failure, particularly when a large flap is needed. However, we could decrease these disadvantages by means of venous superdrainage. Methods: From June of 2006 to June of 2007, a total of two patients with soft tissue defects of lower one third of the leg underwent venous supercharging distally based superficial sural artery island flap transfer. The distal pivot point of this flap was designed at septocutaneous perforator from the peroneal artery of the posterolateral septum, which was 5 cm above the tip of the lateral malleolus. Briefly, this technique is performed by anastomosing the proximal end of the lesser saphenous vein and collateral vein to any vein in the area of the recipient defect site. Results: No venous congestion was noted in any of the two cases. No other recipient or donor-site complications were observed, except for minor wound dehiscence in one case. In 3 to 6 months follow-up, patients had minor complaints about lack of sensation in the lateral dorsal foot. Conclusion: The peroneal artery perforator is predictable and reliable for the design of a distally based superficial sural artery island flap. Elevation of the venous supercharging flap is safe, easy, and less time consuming. In conclusion, the venous supercharging distally based superficial sural artery island flap offers an alterative to free tissue transfer for reconstruction of the lower extremity.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제55권3호
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• pp.152-155
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• 2014

Dural ateriovenous fistula (DAVF) at the craniocervical junction is rare. We report a patient presenting with brainstem dysfunction as an uncommon onset. Brainstem lesion was suggested by magnetic resonance image study. Angiogram revealed a DAVF at a high cervical segment supplied by the meningeal branch of the right vertebral artery, with ascending and descending venous drainage. Complete obliteration of the fistula was achieved via transarterial Onyx embolization. Clinical cure was achieved in the follow-up period; meanwhile, imaging abnormalities of this case disappeared. Accordingly, we hypothesize that a brainstem lesion of this case was caused by craniocervical DAVF, which induced venous hypertension. Thus, venous drainage patterns should be paid attention to because they are important for diagnosis and theraputic strategy.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제39권5호
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• pp.546-550
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• 2012

Background This study was designed to introduce the feasibility of toe tissue transfer without venous outflow for fingertip reconstruction. Methods Five cases of fingertip defects were treated successfully with this method. Four cases were traumatic fingertip defects, and one case was a hook-nail deformity. The lateral pulp of a great toe or medioinferior portion of a second toe was used as the donor site. An arterial pedicle was dissected only within the digit and anastomosis was performed within 2 cm around the defect margin. The digital nerve was repaired simultaneously. No additional dissection of the dorsal or volar pulp vein was performed in either the donor or recipient sites. Other surgical procedures were performed following conventional techniques. Postoperative venous congestion was monitored with pulp temperature, color, and degree of tissue oxygen saturation. Venous congestion was decompressed with a needle-puncture method intermittently, but did not require continuous external bleeding for salvage. Results Venous congestion was observed in all the flaps, but improved within 3 or 4 days postoperatively. The flap size was from $1.5{\times}1.5cm^2$ to $2.0{\times}3.0cm^2$. The mean surgical time was 2 hours and 20 minutes. A needle puncture was carried out every 2 hours during the first postoperative day, and then every 4 hours thereafter. The amount of blood loss during each puncture procedure was less than 0.2 mL. In the long-term follow-up, no flap atrophy was observed. Conclusions When used properly, the free toe tissue transfer without venous anastomosis method can be a treatment option for small defects on the fingertip area.

• 대한두개안면성형외과학회지
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.127-130
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• 2009

Purpose: In an amputated auricle, a microvascular anastomosis is the best treatment of choice. But, the neartotally amputated auricle which is connected by very narrow tissue pedicle to the head, can survive by simple attachment without a microvascular anastomosis owing to the rich vascular network through the superficial temporal artery and posterior auricular artery. In cases of venous congestion resulting from a lack of vein anastomosis, medical leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) can solve the problem. We are reporting the case of a 6-year-old boy who had a neartotally amputated auricle with successful results by simple closure and medical leech treatment without a microvascular anastomosis. Methods: A 6-year-old male patient had an left auricular injury by an escalator accident. The left auricle was neartotally amputated from the temporal head with connection only by very narrow skin and subcutaneous pedicle (about 1 cm in width) at the helical root of upper and anterior part of auricle. Marginal bleeding from the avulsed auricle was noted and the arterial blood was supplied from a branch of upper auricular branch of the superficial temporal artery. The auricle was repaired by simple closure including cartilage and skin without any vascular anastomosis. After simple closure, the auricle showed good circulation with pink color. But on the 2nd day after the operation, there was a venous congestion with severe swelling, which resulted in a purplish colored auricle. The venous congestion disappeared after using medical leeches by the 5th day after the operation. Results: The repaired auricle showed aesthetically and functionally satisfactory result with normal development at the 9 months follow-up check after the operation. Conclusion: In cases of neartotally amputated auricles of children or crushing injury in which microsurgery is difficult, we can try simple closure with the use of medical leeches in treating a of venous congestion for a successful result.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.84-87
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• 2019

With the recent development in microsurgery, the use of a perforator flap has been widely implemented. If the length of the ALT flap pedicle is insufficient despite adequate preoperative planning, pedicle length extension is necessary. We planned for a reverse ALT free flap using the distal vessel of the descending branch for pedicle length extension in the case of ALT perforator branch originating from the proximal portion of the descending branch. For the management of venous congestion, the distal venae comitantes were anastomosed to the proximal venous stump in an antegrade manner, successfully resolving the venous congestion. Modified reverse-flow ALT free flap, wherein the venae comitantes are anastomosed to the proximal vein stump, is a good option that allows for relatively simple pedicle extension within the same operative field when securing an adequate pedicle length is difficult because of the origin of the perforator from the proximal descending branch, unlike the initial surgical plan.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.158-163
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• 2000

Over the past several years, countless patients have benefitted from the use of leeches in microsurgery. As we know, leeches are used to overcome the problem of venous congestion by creating prolonged localized bleeding uniquely characteristics of leech bite. Venous congestion, a common complication of digital replantation, often has been treated through surgical repair like arteriovenous anastomosis. The leech produces a number of important substances which contribute to the special property of the bite, including an anticoagulant, a local vasodilator and local anesthetics. The bite usually bleeds for 1 to 2 hours and under special circumstances may bleed for up to 24 hours. So venous congestion is relieved. However, leeches increase the possibility of infection through their gut content. Infection associated medical leech application is significant risk. Other risk include allergic reaction, adverse psychologic reaction and blood loss requiring transfusion. The 65 cases of medical leech application were performed between August, 1997 and May, 2000 according to an established protocol. The complication were 18 cases ; infection (13 cases), hemorrhage (2 cases), allergic reaction (1 case), psychologic problem (1 case) and hypochromic anemia (1 case). Then our study was performed on the base of indication. As a result, Aeromonas hydrophilia was cultured from gut of medical leech and Klebsiella, Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas were cultured from media. We present the clinical risk-benefit of the medical leech therapy through several cases following digital replantation.