• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.90-93
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• 2013

Old post burn contractures on feet still remain challenging problem for reconstructive surgeon. A 43-year-old male visited Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital with the complain of foot deformity and difficulties in shoe fitting. His right 4th and 5th toes were inverted at dorsal foot. We released the contracture of 4, 5th metatarsophalangeal joint and lengthened extensor tendon by Z-plasty, and covered the resultant defect with the anterolateral thigh flap. The flap was successful and the deformity was corrected. As there have been few reports on reconstruction of foot dorsum, especially on post burn extension contractures in the toes, we report a rare case of contracture release and coverage by free flap.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.330-335
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the functional outcome and donor site morbidity of anterolateral thigh free flap(ALT) compared to Radial forearm free flap(RFFF) for the reconstruction of partial glossectomy defect. Methods: 5 ALT free flap (group I) were attempted for partial glossectomy patients. We compared patients undergone ALT flap with those(n=11) of similar size defect reconstructed with RFFF (Group II). Rating scales for articulation and swallowing function were applied and donor site morbidity have been evaluated. Results: The scales for speech function showed no difference between the two groups (average score; group I - 6.4, group II - 6.45). Swallowing function also showed no difference between the two groups(average score; Group I - 6.6, Group II - 6.27). ALT group had one patient with donor site morbidity(numbness). All of the RFFF patients(11/11) complained and suffered from hypertrophic scar, retraction, numbness or hyperpigmentation on forearm donor site. Based on our study, ALT free flap is comparable to that of RFFF in terms of functional assessment in tongue reconstruction. Conclusion: Considering the donor site morbidity, ALT flap is to be valuable to reconstruct partial glossectomy defect.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제11권2호
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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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• 제17권1호
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• pp.14-18
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• 2008

Purpose: Evaluation of results of free flap as a method of reconstruction in soft tissue defect after wide excision of soft tissue tumor of extremity. Materials and Methods: From 2000 through 2007, 11 patients received free flap surgery for soft tissue defect after wide excision operation for soft tissue tumor of limbs. Four cases were upper extremities and seven were lower extremities. Four subjects were diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma, three as malignant melanoma, two as synovial sarcoma and one as malignant fibrous histiocytoma and alveolar soft part sarcoma. Donor sites of free flap varied with anterolateral thigh flaps in six cases, latissimus dorsi flaps in four, reverse forearm flap in one. By the method of doppler ultrasound, venous circulation was evaluated for the survival of each flap on the third, fifth and seventh day respectively after the operation. Results: 10 of 11 free flaps were successfully survived. Necrosis of free flaps in 1 cases occurred in case of anterolateral thigh flap. Conclusion: Free flap can be a useful method for reconstruction of soft tissue defect after wide excision of soft tissue sarcoma of extremity.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제50권6호
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• pp.601-609
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• 2023

Background The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is a preferred option in the reconstruction of a wide variety of defects, enabling multiple tissue components and thicknesses. Methods This study was conducted to investigate the correlation of the thickness of the traditional subfascial ALT flap and superficial fat flap with age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). A total of 42 patients (28 males and 14 females) were included in the study. Results Mean age was 50.2 (range, 16-75) years and mean BMI was 24.68 ± 4.02 (range, 16.5-34.7) kg/m². The subfascial flap thickness was significantly thinner in male patients (16.07 ± 2.77 mm) than in female patients (24.07 ± 3.93 mm; p < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was found between male (4.28 ± 1.15 mm) and female patients (4.85 ± 1.09 mm) regarding superficial fat flap thickness (p = 0.13). The thickness of both flaps had a positive correlation with BMI, and the strongest correlation was found for subfascial ALT thickness in female patients (r = 0.81). Age had no effect on both flap thickness measurements. The anterior thigh is thicker in women than in men, although it varies according to BMI. This shows that flap elevation is important in the superthin plane, especially if a thin flap is desired in female patients in defect reconstruction with the ALT flap. Thus, a single-stage reconstruction is achieved without the need for a defatting procedure after subfascial dissection or a second defatting procedure 3 to 6 months later. Conclusion The appropriate ALT flap plane should be selected considering the gender and BMI of the patient.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.14-20
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• 2012

Purpose: Defect after ablation of hypopharyngeal cancer often requires reconstruction by free tissue transfer. Since neo-hypopharynx is totally buried, various methods have been suggested for monitoring. We propose a modified design of anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap for reconstruction of pharyngolaryngectomy defect, which has an exteriorized part for clinical monitoring and allows for primary closure. Materials and Methods: Three consecutive patients with hypopharyngeal cancer were reconstructed with ALT flap with modified design: 1) distal part of flap was elongated into fusiform shape and used as exteriorized monitoring segment with a deepithelized bridge and 2) proximal part was designed as curve so the maximum width of the flap was reduced to less than 10 cm. Results: Patient 1, 2 had uneventful postoperative course with healthy skin color and fresh pin prick bleeding. In patient 3, defect after cancer ablation was shorter than usual and deepithelized bridge was longer. When the general hemodynamic status of the patient was aggravated in postoperative course, the color of monitoring skin was changed. Viability of the whole flap was confirmed by endoscopy. However, leakage developed after 3 weeks and repair was necessary. In all patients the donor sites were closed primarily. Conclusion: By the modified design of ALT flap, clinical monitoring can be possible by examining exteriorized monitoring flap and also donor site can be closed primarily. However possibility of false positive exists and technical caution and patient selection is needed because of danger of leakage.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2015

Purpose: The main cause of flap loss in microsurgical tissue transfer is venous insufficiency. Whether or not multiple venous anastomoses prevents vascular thrombosis and reduces the risk of flap failure remains controversial. Some researchers are in favor of performing dual venous anastomoses, but the counterargument holds that performing a single venous anastomosis does provide advantages. Materials and Methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis of 15 cases of anterolateral thigh free flap for extremity reconstruction performed between January 2011 and December 2013. The patients were categorized into two groups: group A that received a single venous anastomosis and group B that received dual venous anastomoses. The time of the anastomosis, size of the flap, complications of the flap, and survival rate of each group were analyzed. Results: The total microsurgical time in the single venous anastomosis group ranged from 28 to 43 minutes (mean 35.9 minutes). The total time in the dual anastomoses group ranged from 50 to 64 minutes (mean 55.7 minutes). No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups with regards to postoperative complications and flap failure. Conclusion: Our study suggests that the use of a single venous anastomosis in the venous drainage of anterolateral thigh free flaps is a safe and feasible option for extremity reconstruction and provides shorter operative time and easy flap dissection.

• 대한골관절종양학회지
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.124-129
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• 2007

활막 육종은 수부에서는 드물게 발생하며 광범위 절제술을 요한다. 수부의 광범위 절제술을 시행할 때는 충분한 절제연을 얻어야 하지만 기능적인 면을 고려한 재건술이 요구된다. 저자들은 타병원에서 불완전 병소내 절제술후 전원된, 46세 남자의 우측 수지 무지구근 부위 활막육종에 대해 대능형골 및 제1 중수지골을 포함한 광범위 절제술 후, 비골 이식술과 전외측 대퇴 피판 이식술을 시행하여 재건술을 시행하여 우수한 결과를 얻은 증례를 보고하고자 한다.

• 대한골관절종양학회지
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.119-124
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• 2008

서론: 악성 연부 조직의 광범위 절제술 후 발생한 연부 조직 결손에 대해 전외측 대퇴부 유리 피판 이식술로 재건술을 시행한 7예에 대해서 치료 결과 및 그 유용성에 대해 알아 보고자 한다. 대상 및 방법: 2003년 1월부터 2007년 6월까지 연부조직 악성 종양으로 광범위 절제술 후 전외측 대퇴부 유리 피판을 이용한 재건술을 시행 받은 7예를 대상으로 하였다. 연구 방법은 임상 기록의 검토를 통해 후향적으로 시행하였으며, 종양의 종류, 크기, 종양의 절제연, 종양 절제 후 연부 조직 결손의 크기, 피판의 성공여부, 수술 시간, 합병증 등을 조사하였다. 결과: 악성 연부 조직 종양은 활막 육종이 3예, 악성 섬유성 조직구종이 2예, 평활근 육종이 1예, 섬유육종이 1예였다. 종양의 크기는 $3{\times}5\;cm$부터 $7{\times}8\;cm$로 다양하였고, 모든 예에서 광범위 절제연을 얻을 수 있었다. 종양 절제 후 피부 연부 조직 결손의 크기는 $6{\times}8\;cm$부터 $15{\times}10\;cm$였고, 평균 수술 시간은 3.6시간이었다. 모든 예에서 이식된 피판은 생존하였다. 결론: 악성 연부 조직의 수술적 치료에 있어 전외측 대퇴부 유리 피판술은 종양의 광범위한 절제술 후에도 적절한 크기와 길이의 혈관경을 확보할 수 있으며, 공여부의 합병증을 최소화하며, 미용적으로 우수하여 종양 절제 후 연부조직의 재건에 유용한 술식으로 사료된다.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제41권5호
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• pp.556-561
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• 2014

Background Groin dissections result in large wounds with exposed femoral vessels requiring soft tissue coverage, and the reconstructive options are diverse. In this study we reviewed our experience with the use of the pedicled anterolateral thigh and vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps in the reconstruction of large groin wounds. Methods Groin reconstructions performed over a period of 10 years were evaluated, with a mean follow up of two years. We included all cases with large or complex (involving perineum) defects, which were reconstructed with the pedicled anterolateral thigh musculocutaneous or the vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (VRAM) flaps. Smaller wounds which were covered with skin grafts, locally based flaps and pedicled muscle flaps were excluded. Results Twenty-three reconstructions were performed for large or complex groin defects, utilising the anterolateral thigh (n=10) and the vertical rectus abdominis (n=13) pedicled musculocutaneous flaps. Femoral vein reconstruction with a prosthetic graft was required in one patient, and a combination flap (VRAM and gracilis muscle flap) was performed in another. Satisfactory coverage was achieved in all cases without major complications. No free flaps were used in our series. Conclusions The anterolateral thigh and vertical rectus abdominis pedicled musculocutaneous flaps yielded consistent results with little morbidity in the reconstruction of large and complex groin defects. A combination of flaps can be used in cases requiring extensive cover.