• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.143-146
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• 2012

Purpose: The typical reconstructive option for the nasal tip is paramedian forehead flap. However, the forehead flap is too bulky for nasal tip reconstruction and does not look natural, and therefore, secondary operations for debulking are required. Methods: We treated a 46-year-old woman who suffered from a nose tip soft tissue defect using a modified paramedian forehead flap. The flap was elevated from the hair line of the forehead and had 3-layered structure. The distal part included skin and subcutaneous tissue, the middle part included frontalis muscle, and the proximal part had periosteum. Results: The nasal tip was not bulky and looked natural in terms of height, shape, and had 3-dimensional structure without debulking procedure. The patient was satisfied with the outcome. Conclusion: The authors' modified paramedian forehead flap may be a useful option for the treatment of nasal tip, columella, and alar defects. With these modifications, the paramedian forehead flap can provide an aesthetically acceptable nasal tip appearance without debulking.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.319-324
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• 2018

Perforator flaps are becoming increasingly common, and as primary thinning techniques are being developed, the need for secondary contouring of flaps is decreasing. However, many reconstructive flap procedures still incorporate secondary debulking to improve the functional and aesthetic outcomes. Direct excision, liposuction, tissue shaving with an arthroscopic cartilage shaver, and skin grafting are the four major methods used for secondary debulking. Direct excision is primarily applied in flaps where the skin is redundant, even though the volume is not excessive. However, due to the limited range of excision, performing a staged excision is recommended. Liposuction can reduce the amount of subcutaneous tissue of the flap and protect the vascular pedicles. However, the main drawback of this method is its limited ability to remove fibrotic tissues, for which the use of a shaver may be more convenient. The main drawback of using a shaver is that it is difficult to simultaneously remove excess skin. Skin grafting enables the removal of sufficient excess tissue to recover the contour of the normal limb and to improve the color match, facilitating excellent aesthetic results.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.16.1-16.7
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• 2024

This report aims to describe a case of tumor-like lymphoplasmacytic conjunctivitis in a 7-year-old spayed-female Pomeranian. On complete ophthalmic examination, a mass with papillary projections was noted on the bulbar surface of the right third eyelid. Debulking of the mass was performed while preserving as much of the third eyelid as possible. On the histopathological examination, the mass was diagnosed as lymphoplasmacytic conjunctivitis with mild epithelial hyperplasia. Although a slight regrowth of the mass was noted 3 weeks after surgery, intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide led to its disappearance. There was no further recurrence after 5 months.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.435-443
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• 2020

Background The innervated radial artery superficial palmar branch (iRASP) flap was designed to provide consistent innervation by the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve (PCMN) to a glabrous skin flap. The iRASP flap is used to achieve coverage of diverse volar defects of digits. However, unexpected anatomical variations can affect flap survival and outcomes. Methods Cases in which patients received iRASP flaps since April 1, 2014 were retrospectively investigated by reviewing the operation notes and intraoperative photographs. The injury type, flap dimensions, arterial and neural anatomy, secondary procedures, and complications were evaluated. Results Twenty-eight cases were reviewed, and no flap failures were observed. The observed anatomical variations were the absence of a direct skin perforator, large-diameter radial artery superficial palmar branch (RASP), and the PCMN not being a single branch. Debulking procedures were performed in 16 cases (57.1%) due to flap bulkiness. Conclusions In some cases, an excessively large RASP artery was observed, even when there was no direct skin perforator from the RASP or variation in the PCMN. These findings should facilitate application of the iRASP flap, as well as any surgical procedures that involve potential damage to the PCMN in the inter-thenar crease region. Additional clinical cases will provide further clarification regarding potential anatomical variations.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.334-340
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• 2015

Background Full-thickness skin grafts (FTSGs) are generally considered unreliable for coverage of full-thickness finger defects with bone or tendon exposure, and there are few clinical reports of its use in this context. However, animal studies have shown that an FTSG can survive over an avascular area ranging up to 12 mm in diameter. In our experience, the width of the exposed bones or tendons in full-thickness finger defects is <7 mm. Therefore, we covered the bone- or tendon-exposed defects of 16 fingers of 10 patients with FTSGs. Methods The surgical objectives were healthy granulation tissue formation in the wound bed, marginal de-epithelization of the normal skin surrounding the defect, preservation of the subdermal plexus of the central graft, and partial excision of the dermis along the graft margin. The donor site was the mastoid for small defects and the groin for large defects. Results Most of the grafts (15 of 16 fingers) survived without significant surgical complications and achieved satisfactory functional and aesthetic results. Minor complications included partial graft loss in one patient, a minimal extension deformity in two patients, a depression deformity in one patient, and mild hyperpigmentation in four patients. Conclusions We observed excellent graft survival with this method with no additional surgical injury of the normal finger, satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes, and no need for secondary debulking procedures. Potential disadvantages include an insufficient volume of soft tissue and graft hyperpigmentation. Therefore, FTSGs may be an option for treatment of full-thickness finger defects with bone or tendon exposure.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2015

Purpose: The rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (RAM) flap has contributed to the efficient reconstruction of soft tissue defects. The flap has the advantage of easy dissection, minimal donor site morbidity, and the constant vascular anatomy with long pedicle. Authors used the free RAM flap to reconstruct multi-located soft tissue defects while still considering functionality and aesthetics. We present the long-term outcomes and versatility of free RAM flaps. Materials and Methods: From 1994 to 2004, all patients who underwent soft tissue reconstruction with free RAM flap were reviewed retrospectively. The site of the reconstruction, vessels of anastomosis, type of RAM flap, and outcomes, including flap success rate, hospital stay after flap transfer, conduction of secondary procedure, flap complications, and donor-site complications were analyzed. Results: Twenty-one patients underwent 24 free RAM flaps in site of breast, face, upper extremity and lower extremity. Mean follow-up period was 36.1 months (range, 3~156 months). The overall success rate was 92% with only a loss of 2 flaps. Minor complications related to transferred flaps were necrosis of 2 partial flaps, hematoma formation in 3 cases, and a wound infection in 1 case. Donor site morbidity was not observed. Debulking surgery was performed in 4 patients, and scar revision was performed in 3 patients. Conclusion: Free RAM flap is a workhorse flap for general soft-tissue reconstruction with minimal donor site morbidity with aesthetically good results. Thus, the free RAM flaps are versatile, and sturdy for any sites of soft-tissue where reconstruction could be performed.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.605-610
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• 2009

Purpose: Substantial tissue necrosis after snake bites requiring coverage with flap surgery is extremely rare. In this article, we report 7 cases of soft tissue defects in the upper and the lower extremities caused by snake bites, which needed to be covered with flaps. Among the vast mass of publications on snake bites there has been no report that focuses on flap coverage of soft tissue defects due to snake bite sequelae. Methods: Seven cases of soft tissue defects with tendon, ligament, or bone exposure after snake bites were included. All patients were males without comorbidities, the average age was 35 years. All of them required coverage with a flap. In 6 cases, the defect was localized on the upper extremity, in one case the lesion was on the lower extremity. Local flaps were used in 6 cases, one case was covered with a free flap. The surgical procedures included one kite flap, one cross finger flap and digital nerve reconstruction with a sural nerve graft, one reverse proximal phalanx island flap, one groin flap, one adipofascial flap, one neurovascular island flap, and one anterolateral thigh free flap. The average interval from injury to flap surgery was 23.7 days. Results: All flaps survived without complication. All patients regained a good range of motion in the affected extremity. Donor site morbidities were not observed. The case with digital nerve reconstruction recovered a static two point discrimination of 7 mm. The patient with foot reconstruction can wear normal shoes without a debulking procedure. Conclusion: The majority of soft tissue affection after snake bites can be treated conservatively. Some severe cases, however, may require the coverage with flap surgery after radical debridement, especially, if there is exposure of tendon, bone or neurovascular structures. There is no doubt that definite coverage should be performed as soon as possible. But we also want to point out that this principle must not lead to a premature coverage. If the surgeon is not certain that the wound is free of necrotic tissue or remnants of venom, it is better to take enough time to get a proper wound before flap surgery in order to obtain a good functional and cosmetic result.