• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2022

The soft palate of carcinoma limited to the uvular region is infrequent among oropharyngeal cancers. The oropharynx regulates swallowing and speech through dynamic motions. Failure to reconstruct after surgical resection of the oropharynx structure can lead to permanent velopharyngeal insufficiency. Therefore, suitable reconstruction is important in establishing proper functional outcomes while maintaining oncological safety. We present a case of a 66-year-old male who was diagnosed with oropharynx cancer limited in the uvula accompanied by lymph node metastasis. After surgical resection, reconstruction was performed with the united arrangement of bilateral palatal mucomuscular flap and superiorly based posterior pharyngeal flap. There was no aspiration or reflux after feeding and epithelialization completely occurred after 1 month postoperatively. We report a successful case that the reconstruction with the local flap described above could preserve proper oropharyngeal function after primary surgery in small-sized oropharyngeal cancer.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.239-253
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• 2021

Purpose: The single-flap approach (SFA) is a minimally invasive technique with limited mucoperiosteal flap elevation to gain access to the buccal/palatal aspects, thus limiting post-surgical complications. The purpose of the present study was to gain insights into the impact of the SFA over the double-flap approach (DFA) on periodontal flap treatment outcomes and patient compliance in terms of discomfort and time taken for surgical procedures. Methods: Twenty patients with persistent probing pocket depths of ≥5 mm were scheduled for the SFA (test site) and for the DFA (control site). All the clinical periodontal parameters were recorded at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Radiographic bone level (cone-beam computed tomography) was evaluated at baseline and 6 months. Patients' postoperative pain perception and wound healing were also assessed. Results: The SFA showed a significant reduction in periodontal pocket depth, gain in clinical attachment level (CAL), and gain in bone level when compared with the DFA. The SFA substantially improved wound healing and induced less postoperative pain than the DFA. Conclusions: The SFA resulted in substantial improvement in the composite outcome measures, as shown by a reduction in pocket depth with minimal gingival recession, gain in CAL, early wound healing, less postoperative discomfort, and better patient-centered outcomes.

• Journal of the Korean Burn Society
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.74-76
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• 2021

Postburn scar contracture of sole can cause musculoskeletal deformity, restricted range of motion, and decreased quality of life. It is very important to exhibit similar characteristics of the sole when reconstructing the sole because it has to resist shearing force and weight bearing. In this case, we performed medialis pedis free flap for the postburn scar contracture of the sole and the flap survived without complication. The patient satisfied with functional and aesthetic outcomes. Medialis pedis free flap, which is harvested adjacent to the sole, can show similar characteristic of the sole and maintain adequate contour. Moreover, this flap can be harvested without sacrifice of major vessel or nerve. Due to these advantages, medialis pedis free flap can be an ideal option for the reconstruction of the sole.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.646-650
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• 2021

Head and neck reconstruction poses unique challenges in rehabilitating surgical defects in terms of integrity, function, and form. The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) has been widely used for defect coverage, especially in the head and neck area, but its versatility allows it to be used for soft-tissue reconstruction in various parts of the body. The vascular features of the flap are quite constant and reliable. Nevertheless, abnormalities of the forearm vascular tree have been described over the decades. We report a case of intraoral reconstruction after verrucous carcinoma recurrence in a 74-year-old woman with an unusual forearm flap, which we called the median forearm free flap, based on a median branch of the radial artery that was preoperatively detected using handheld Doppler ultrasonography. The distally located skin paddle was predominantly supplied by the aberrant median vessel with its perforators. The flap was thus safely harvested with this atypical pedicle. Successful reconstruction of the intraoral defect was achieved, with an uneventful postoperative course.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.724-728
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• 2022

Various flaps are used to reconstruct skin and soft tissue defects of the vulva following resection of malignancies. Whenever possible, reconstruction using local flaps is the standard treatment. Here, we describe vulvar defect reconstruction using keystone flaps. Standard keystone flaps are based on randomly located vascular perforators. However, we designed a keystone flap that includes perforators of three named arteries (the anterior labial artery of the external pudendal artery, cutaneous branches of the obturator artery, and posterior labial artery of the internal pudendal artery) and the pudendal nerve, which accompanies the internal pudendal artery. Four patients with squamous cell carcinoma and extramammary Paget's disease of the vulva underwent radical vulvectomy and keystone flaps including perforators of three arteries. Depending on the morphology of the defects, keystone flaps were used with different designs. For elliptical and unilateral vulvar defects, a standard keystone flap was designed, and for defects on both sides of the vulva, a double opposing keystone flap was used. For oval defects, the omega variant keystone flap was designed, and when the morphology of the defect needed rotation of the flap, a rotational keystone flap was designed. All the patients showed good function and sensation, with an acceptable cosmetic appearance.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.745-749
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• 2022

Background Soft tissue defects of the multiple finger present challenges to reconstruction surgeons. Here, we introduce the use of a lateral arm free flap and syndactylization for the coverage of multiple finger soft tissue defects. Methods This retrospective study was conducted based on reviews of the medical records of 13 patients with multiple soft tissue defects of fingers (n = 33) that underwent temporary syndactylization with a microvascular lateral arm flap for temporary syndactylization from January 2010 to December 2020. Surgical and functional outcomes, times of flap division, complications, and demographic data were analyzed. Results Middle fingers were most frequently affected, followed by ring and index fingers. Mean patient age was 43.58 years. The 13 patients had suffered 10 traumas, 2 thermal burns, and 1 scar contracture. Release of temporary syndactyly was performed 3 to 9 weeks after syndactylization. All flaps survived, but partial necrosis occurred in one patient, who required a local transposition flap after syndactylization release. The mean follow-up was 15.8 months. Conclusion Coverage of multiple finger defects by temporary syndactylization using a free lateral arm flap with subsequent division offers an alternative treatment option.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.171-176
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• 2023

Background Human bite wounds in emergency department need evaluation in regard of reconstruction. These are due to occlusive bite injuries over face. Most commonly, human bites over face involve ear and nose, and may lead to avulsion injury. Defects over nose can be reconstructed immediately after debridement or delayed till the wound heals and scar becomes supple. Thorough wash and lavage with broadspectrum antibiotic cover has utmost importance in preventing cartilage infection. Methods We report 20 cases of human bite injuries over nose who presented to us in emergency department between 2018 and 2020. At the time of presentation the wound was assessed for closure. If not possible, patient was planned for delayed reconstruction after 3 months. In case delayed reconstruction was planned, the skin and nasal mucosa were approximated at first presentation. The patients underwent paramedian forehead flap after recreation of defect with conchal cartilage graft. Second stage of flap detachment and insetting was done after 3 weeks. After three weeks of second stage, third stage of flap thinning was done. Patients were followed for 3-6 months and subjective satisfaction was noted. Results Nineteen patients underwent delayed staged reconstruction with paramedian forehead flap and one underwent primary wound closure. The flap survival was 100%. The patient satisfaction was excellent in most cases. Conclusion We recommend delayed reconstruction for human bite nasal injuries. For reconstruction, paramedian forehead flap with conchal cartilage graft, if required, provides excellent reconstructive option with good contour and color match and minimal donor site scar.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.194-199
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• 2023

Moderate soft-tissue defects need stable coverage, ideally with tissue of similar characteristics and low donor site morbidity. We propose a simple technique for the coverage of moderate skin defects in the limbs. It allows intraoperative transformation of a propeller perforator flap (PPF) into a keystone design perforator flap (KDPF) in cases of unsatisfying perforator vessel or in cases of unpredictable intraoperative events. Between March 2013 and July 2019, nine patients with moderate soft-tissue defects (mean defect size 4.5 × 7.6 cm) in the limbs (two on the upper limbs and seven on the lower limbs) were covered using this technique. We performed four PPFs and five KDPFs. The mean follow-up was 5 months. There was one complication, partial distal tip necrosis in a PPF located in the leg, which healed by secondary intention within 3 weeks. The donor site was closed directly in all cases. No functional impairments were noted regardless of the perforator flap utilized. This technique enables us to employ flexible surgical strategies and allows us to make adjustments based on the patient's vascular anatomy.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.28-31
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• 2023

The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) has become popular for head and neck reconstructions. Owing to a constant anatomy the RFFF is relatively easy to dissect. Nevertheless, anatomical variations of the radial artery have been reported. Some variations could affect the survival of the flap. This paper reports an unusual anomaly of the radial artery where the radial artery was not located between the brachioradialis (BR) and flexor carpi radialis. The radial artery was observed above the BR and on the radial side of the BR. The survival of the elevated flap was deemed questionable because it had only few perforators. So we decided to discard the flap and to elevate another free flap for the head and neck defect. The donor area on the forearm was covered using the original skin of the first flap as a full-thickness skin graft. This case highlights a means to deal with anomalies of the radial artery encountered during the elevation of RFFF and the checking process for variations of the radial artery before RFFF.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.222-226
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• 2024

The upper lip is a functionally and aesthetically important area of the face. Therefore, reconstruction of an upper lip defect needs sufficient consideration to ensure functional and aesthetic recovery. Several methods, such as wedge resection, rotation flaps, advancement flaps, and myomucosal advancement flaps, have been used to reconstruct vermilion defects. However, it is challenging to reconstruct a vermilion defect because of the possibility of residual asymmetry or scars and restrictions to normal lip movement after the reconstruction. We present the case of a 51-year-old female that had an upper lip vermilion defect caused by a dog bite. The lip defect was reconstructed using a mucosal V-Y advancement flap. This mucosal flap was based on the orbicularis oris muscle with a branch of the superior labial artery to ensure sufficient blood supply. Therefore, flap survival was excellent, and there was no constriction of the flaps. Moreover, the color and contour were matched to the adjacent lip tissue, and re-establishment of the white roll and adequate lip volume were achieved. This mucosal V-Y advancement flap technique represents a reliable method to repair mucosal defects without vascular compromise of the flap.