• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.179-185
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• 2002

The wrist and forearm are a frequently damaged area in high tension electrical injury as an input or output of the current. Electrical burns affecting the wrist and forearm may produce full thickness necrosis of the skin and damage deep vital structures beneath the eschar, affecting the local tendons, nerves, even bones and joints which result in serious dysfunction of the hand. From January 1997 to December 2001, we had treated 20 patients with high tension electrical burn in the wrist and forearm using anterolateral thigh free flap. Average follow up period were 24 months and we get satisfactory results both in functional and aesthetic aspects. This flap is considered useful in one-stage reconstruction of wide and large soft tissue defect combined with arterial injuries.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 1998

The traditionally useful coverage methods of the wrist and hand soft tissue defect are the chinese forearm flap, the ulnar forearm flap. But, this flaps are inevitably sacrifice major vessel to the hand. Advantages of the posterior interosseous artery island flap(PIA Flap) is no need to sacrifice blood supply to the hand and supply relatively large thin, good quality flap and more cosmetic than other forearm flaps. But, it is difficult to dissect and raise because of deep seat, close relation with the posterior interosseous nerve and anatomic variation. Authors evaluated 8 cases of 7 patients in the department of orthopaedic surgery, college of medicine, Hallym University from January, 1993 to December, 1995. The results are as follows: 1. The satisfactory coverage was achieved 7 cases and 1 case failed because of anatomic variation. 2 The pedicle length is average 9cm and the flap size is variable from 3cm by 4cm to 5cm by 8cm. 3. The donor site defect was repaired by direct closure in 5 cases, remained 3 cases combined with skin graft. From our experience we conclude that the PIA flap is one of the useful coverage methods of the wrist and hand soft tissue defect.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2007

Introduction: Ulna is nearly equal to radius in function and bony architecture and strength in forearm. But in lower extremity, fibula is 1/5 of tibia in anatomic and functional point so we can find fibula transposition is commonly used in defect of tibia. We cannot find other article about segmental forearm bone transposition in man. The purpose of this study was to report our clinical and functional result of undergoing segmented transposition of ipsilateral ulna with its own vascular supply in defect of radius in 6 cases. Material and method: From June 1994 to October 2007, 7 segmented bone transpositional grafts in forearm were performed in Kyung Hee Medical Center. The distribution of age was from 20 years old to 73 years old. There was male in 6 cases and female in 1 case. The causes of operation were giant cell tumor in 1 case and traumatic origin in 6 cases; it was nonunion in 2 cases and fracture with severe comminution in 4 cases. Ipsilaterally segmented ulna keeping its own vascular supply was transported to defect of radius in severe traumatic patients and one patient whose tumor in radius had been excised. Transported ulna was fixed to proximal and distal radius remnants by plate and screw. In one case with giant cell tumor, transported ulna was connected to radius across wrist joint as wrist joint fusion. Joint preserving procedures were performed in 6 cases with crushing injury of radius. Results: We could obtain solid bony union in all cases and good functional results. The disadvantage was relative shortening of forearm, but we could overcome this problem. Conclusion: We think that ipsilateral segmented ulna transposition keeping its own vascular supply to radius can be perfomed with one of procedures in cases with wide defect in radius.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.227-232
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• 2007

The radial forearm fasciocutaneous flap(RFFF) is a well-known flap for the reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects. It was first described by Yang et al. in 1981 and Soutar et al. developed it for the reconstruction of intraoral defect. RFFF provides a reliable, thin, and pliable soft tissue/skin paddle that is amenable to sensate reconstruction. It also has a long vascular pedicle that can be anastomosed to any vessel in either the ipsilateral or contralateral neck. However, split thickness skin graft(STSG) is most commonly used to cover the donor site, and a variety of donor site complications have been reported, including delayed healing, swelling of the hand, persistent wrist stiffness, reduced hand strength, and partial loss of the graft with exposure of the forearm flexor tendon. Various methods for donor site repair in addition to STSG have been developed and practiced to minimize both functional and esthetic morbidity, such as direct closure, V-Y closure, full thickness skin graft, tissue expansion, acellular dermal graft. We got a good result of using artificial dermis($Terudermis^{(R)}$) and secondary STSG for the repair of RFFF donor site defect esthetically and report with a review of literature.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.479-483
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• 2018

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is a very rare type of sarcoma, with an incidence of 0.001%. MPNST has a 5-year survival rate near 80%, so successful reconstruction techniques are important to ensure the patient's quality of life. Sarcoma of the forearm is known for its poor prognosis, which leads to wider excision, making reconstruction even more challenging due to the unique anatomical structure and delicate function of the forearm. A 44-year-old male presented with a large mass that had two aspects, measuring $9{\times}6cm$ and $7{\times}5cm$, on the dorsal aspect of the right forearm. The extensor compartment muscles (EDM, EDC, EIP, EPB, EPL, ECRB, ECRL, APL) and invaded radius were resected with the mass. Tendon transfer of the entire extensor compartment with skin defect coverage using a $24{\times}8cm$ anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator free flap was performed. The patient was discharged after 18 days without wound complications, and has not complained of discomfort during supination, pronation, or wrist extension/flexion through 3 years of follow-up. To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful reconstruction of the entire forearm extensor compartment with ALT free flap coverage after resection of MPNST.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.427-432
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• 2021

Delayed treatment of volar dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint can result in wrist pain, limited rotation of the forearm, and degenerative arthritis that could be managed only by salvage procedures. A 24-year-old male patient presented with wrist pain and a loss of forearm rotation after surgery for a radial shaft fracture. The shaft of the radius was fixed with a plate and screws with a volar angulation of 7°. The ulnar head was dislocated volar to the distal radius, and the bone defect in the ulnar head was impacted into the volar rim of the sigmoid notch of the radius, preventing the head from being reduced in the joint. Corrective osteotomy of the malunited radial shaft and sliding osteotomy of the proximal ulnar head were performed to fill the distal bone defect. Pain and range of the forearm rotation were improved at postoperative 19 months.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.495-503
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• 2018

With significant improvements in success rates for free flap reconstruction of the head and neck, attention has turned to donor site morbidity associated with osteocutaneous free flaps. In this review, we address the morbidity associated with harvest of the four most commonly used osteocutaneous flaps; the free fibula flap, the scapula flap, the iliac crest flap and the radial forearm flap. A comprehensive literature search was performed to identify articles relevant to donor site morbidity for these flaps. We assessed morbidity in terms of incidence of delayed healing, chronic pain, aesthetic outcomes, site specific complications and patient satisfaction/quality of life. Weighted means were calculated when sufficient studies were available for review. The radial forearm and free fibula flaps are associated with high rates of delayed healing of approximately 20% compared to the scapular (<10%) and iliac flaps (5%). The radial forearm flap has higher rates of chronic pain (16.7%) and dissatisfaction with scar appearance (33%). For the majority of these patients harvest of one of these four osteocutaneous does not limit daily function at long-term follow-up. The scapular osteocutaneous flap is associated with the lowest relative morbidity and should be strongly considered when the recipient defect allows. The radial forearm is associated with higher morbidity in terms of scarring, fractures, chronic pain and wrist function and should not be considered as first choice when other flap options are available.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.144-151
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• 2005

Purpose: Disaster as traffic accident, industrial disaster, high voltage electrical bum and flame burn of extremity have a destructive effect because of the involvement of deep structure. Generally, such injury may result in decreased function or loss of limb. In this study the successful use of the combined scapular/parascapular flap as microsurgical transfer to cover extensive defect of electrical and flame bum is reported. Material and Method: Between January 2000 and June 2001, the combined scapular and parascapular flap was used for the coverage of soft tissue defect for 7 patients were admitted to our department with high voltage electrical bum and flame burn. The recipient site were the wrist joint in 2 cases, the forearm in 1 case, the ankle joint in 1 case, the foot dorsum in 1 case, the heel in 1 case. Result: Flap survival was complete in all patients. The result of flap coverage for these deep wound was successful. Conclusion: The advantages of scapular/parascapular combined flap were coverage of the large defect, easy shaping of the flap to fit the required three dimensional configuration around the joint, non hair bearing skin of uniform thickness, minimal donor site morbidity.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.324-331
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• 2010

The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) has become a workhorse flap as a means of reconstructing surgical defects in the head and neck region. We have transferred 12 RFFFs with fasciocutaneous type on oral cavity defects in 12 patients after cancer resection and submucous fibrotic lesion ablation from 2005 to 2007 at Department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, Pusan National University Hospital. We reviewed retrospectively patients' charts and followed up the patients. Clinical analysis on the cases with RFFFs focusing on flap morbidity, indications and available vessels was done. The results of study are follows: 1. RFFF could be applied for all kind of defects after resection of tongue, floor of mouth, buccal mucosa, denuded bone of palate, maxilla, and mandible. 2. All free flaps could be used for primary reconstruction. The survival rate of 12 RFFFs was 92%. Partial marginal loss of the flaps was shown as 3 cases among 12 cases. Large size-vessels like superior thyroid artery, facial artery, internal jugular vein were favorable for microvascular anastomosis. 3. Parenteral nutrition instead of nasal L-tube also can be favorable for postoperative a week for better healing of the flap if the patients couldn't be tolerable with nasal tubing. 4. Donor sites with thigh skin graft were repaired with wrist band for 2 weeks. The complications included scarring, abnormal sensation on hand, and reduced grip strength in few patients, but those didn't induce major side effects. 5. Most RFFFs were well healed even if mortality rate of cancer patients was shown as 50% (5/10 persons). The mortality of patients was not correlated with morbidity of the flaps. We could identify the usefulness of RFFF for restoration of oral function, esthetics if the flap design, tissue transfer indications, and well controlled operation are proceeded.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.117-123
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• 2017

Background Upper extremity soft tissue defects with complete circumferential involvement are not common. Coupled with the unique anatomy of the upper extremity, the underlying etiology of such circumferential soft tissue defects represent additional reconstructive challenges that require treatment to be tailored to both the patient and the wound. The aim of this study is to review the various options for soft tissue reconstruction of complete circumferential defects in the upper extremity. Methods A literature review of PubMed and MEDLINE up to December 2016 was performed. The current study focuses on forearm and arm defects from the level at or proximal to the wrist and were assessed based on Tajima's classification (J Trauma 1974). Data reviewed for analysis included patient demographics, causality, defect size, reconstructive technique(s) employed, and postoperative follow-up and functional outcomes (when available). Results In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, 14 unique articles were identified for a total of 50 patients (mean=28.1 years). Underlying etiologies varied from extensive thermal or electrical burns to high impact trauma leading to degloving or avulsion, crush injuries, or even occur iatrogenically after tumor extirpation or extensive debridement. Treatment options ranged from the application of negative pressure wound dressings to the opposite end of the spectrum in hand transplantation. Conclusions With the evolution of reconstructive techniques over time, the extent of functional and aesthetic rehabilitation of these complex upper extremity injuries has also improved. The proposed management algorithm comprehensively addresses the inherent challenges associated with these complex cases.