• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.148-152
• /
• 2014

Background Free flap surgery for head and neck defects has gained popularity as an advanced microvascular surgical technique. The aims of this study are first, to determine whether the known risk factors such as comorbidity, tobacco use, obesity, and radiation increase the complications of a free flap transfer, and second, to identify the incidence of complications in a radial forearm free flap and an anterolateral thigh perforator flap. Methods We reviewed the medical records of patients with head and neck cancer who underwent reconstruction with free flap between May 1994 and May 2012 at our department of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Results The patients included 36 men and 6 women, with a mean age of 59.38 years. The most common primary tumor site was the tongue (38%). The most commonly used free flap was the radial forearm free flap (57%), followed by the anterolateral thigh perforator free flap (22%). There was no occurrence of free flap failure. In this study, risk factors of the patients did not increase the occurrence of complications. In addition, no statistically significant differences in complications were observed between the radial forearm free flap and anterolateral thigh perforator free flap. Conclusions We could conclude that the risk factors of the patient did not increase the complications of a free flap transfer. Therefore, the risk factors of patients are no longer a negative factor for a free flap transfer.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.41 no.6
• /
• pp.709-715
• /
• 2014

Background The distally based sural artery flap is a reliable, local reconstructive option for small soft tissue defects of the distal third of the leg. The purpose of this study is to describe an adipofascial flap based on a single sural nerve branch without sacrificing the entire sural nerve, thereby preserving sensibility of the lateral foot. Methods The posterior aspect of the lower limb was dissected in 15 cadaveric limbs. Four patients with soft tissue defects over the tendo-achilles and ankle underwent reconstruction using the adipofascial flap, which incorporated the distal peroneal perforator, short saphenous vein, and a single branch of the sural nerve. Results From the anatomical study, the distal peroneal perforator was situated at an average of 6.2 cm (2.5-12 cm) from the distal tip of the lateral malleolus. The medial and lateral sural nerve branches ran subfascially and pierced the muscle fascia 16 cm (14-19 cm) proximal to the lateral malleolus to enter the subcutaneous plane. They merged 1-2 cm distal to the subcutaneous entry point to form the common sural nerve at a mean distance of 14.5 cm (11.5-18 cm) proximal to the lateral malleolus. This merging point determined the pivot point of the flap. In the clinical cases, all patients reported near complete recovery of sensation over the lateral foot six months after surgery. All donor sites healed well with a full range of motion over the foot and ankle. Conclusions The distally based sural artery adipofascial flap allowed for minimal sensory loss, a good range of motion, an aesthetically acceptable outcome and can be performed by a single surgeon in under 2 hours.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.354-359
• /
• 2012

Background During the planning of a thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) free flap, preoperative multidetector-row computed tomographic (MDCT) angiography is valuable for predicting the locations of perforators. However, CT-based perforator mapping of the thoracodorsal artery is not easy because of its small diameter. Thus, we evaluated 1-mm-thick MDCT images in multiple planes to search for reliable perforators accurately. Methods Between July 2010 and October 2011, 19 consecutive patients (13 males, 6 females) who underwent MDCT prior to TDAP free flap operations were enrolled in this study. Patients ranged in age from 10 to 75 years (mean, 39.3 years). MDCT images were acquired at a thickness of 1 mm in the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes. Results The thoracodorsal artery perforators were detected in all 19 cases. The reliable perforators originating from the descending branch were found in 14 cases, of which 6 had transverse branches. The former were well identified in the coronal view, and the latter in the axial view. The location of the most reliable perforators on MDCT images corresponded well with the surgical findings. Conclusions Though MDCT has been widely used in performing the abdominal perforator free flap for detecting reliable perforating vessels, it is not popular in the TDAP free flap. The results of this study suggest that multiple planes of MDCT may increase the probability of detecting the most reliable perforators, along with decreasing the probability of missing available vessels.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.80-85
• /
• 2022

The instep flap and medialis pedis flap are both originate based on the medial plantar artery. The medialis pedis flap is based from the deep branch and the instep flap is based from the superficial branch. To increase the axial rotation, it is acceptable to ligate the lateral plantar artery. However, this can partially affect the blood supply of the plantar metatarsal arch. We restored the blood flow with a vein graft between the posterior tibial artery and the ligated stump. From 2012 to 2020, 12 cases of heel reconstruction, including seven instep flaps and five medialis pedis flaps, were performed with ligation of the lateral plantar artery. The stump of the lateral plantar artery was restored with a vein graft and between the posterior tibial artery and the ligated stump. Patients were followed for 18 months. Long-term results showed the vascular restoration of the lateral plantar artery remained patent demonstrated by doppler ultrasonography. Restoring blood flow to the lateral plantar artery maintains good blood supply to the toes. If the patient in the future develops a chronic degenerative disease, with microvascular complications, bypass surgery can still be performed because of the patency of both branches.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.97-100
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Epidermolysis bullosa is a rare genetic disease, characterized by the presence of extremely fragile skin and formation of recurrent blister resulting from even a minor mechanical injury. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is recognized as a complication of the chronic scarring associated with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB). When a soft tissue defect happens in a patient with epidermolysis bullosa, it is difficult to cover it with a skin graft or a flap. We describe the successful use of a pedicled deep inferior epigastric perforator flap for the reconstruction of SCC associated with DEB in the groin. Methods: A 29-year-old man diagnosed with DEB at birth sustained an ulcer increasing in the right groin for the last 7 months. Under general anesthesia, the mass lesion and lymph nodes were removed and the resulting defect was covered with a pedicled deep inferior epigastric perforator flap. Results: The flap survived completely and his postoperative course was uneventful. Histopathological examination revealed a SCC in the right groin and malignant tumor cells in the removed lymph nodes as well. Additional positron emission tomogram showed a malignant lesion in the ileocecal area with regional lymph node metastasis. The patient was referred to an oncologist for chemotheraphy, but the patient refused to take it. During a 4-month follow-up period, there was no recurrence in the right groin. Conclusion: We suggest that perforator flaps can be considered as a reliable alternative for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects in a patient with DEB.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.93-99
• /
• 2005

In spite of proper maneuver of total knee replacement arthroplasty, some patients suffer from skin necrosis just above the implant. From Mar. 2000 to Jan. 2004, the authors performed reconstruction of knee skin defects after total knee replacement athroplasty. Total 6 cases of flap surgery were performed and patients ranged between 43-years-old to 82-years-old. Rectus femoris perforator based reversed adipofascial flaps were used in 2 cases, medial gastrocnemius muscular island flaps were used in 2 cases and sural artery based on adipofascial rotation flap was used in 1 case. One patient with extended necrosis underwent reconstruction with dual flaps of sural artery based adipofascial rotation flap and medial gastrocnemius muscular island flap. There were no distinctive complication needing additional procedure in all cases during the long term follow up. Reconstruction of necrosis following total knee replacement arthroplasty had several characteristics different from simple knee defect. The patients might have the history of long term steroid usages, excessive skin tension due to implants, underlying disease such as diabetes, rheumatoid disease, and etc. In addition, the early ambulation is mandatory in these patients of total knee replacement arthroplasty. With regards to these special considerations, a single stage and reliable operation must be needed. The authors introduce various reconstruction methods and algorithm that may aid easy decision making.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.41 no.5
• /
• pp.520-528
• /
• 2014

Background As the breast cancer incidence has increased, breast-conserving surgery has replaced total mastectomy as the predominant procedure. However, centrally located breast cancers pose significant challenges to successful breast-conserving surgeries. Therefore, we performed partial mastectomy and oncoplastic procedures on centrally located breast cancer as a means of partial breast reconstruction. The authors examined and evaluated the functional and aesthetic usefulness of this reconstruction method. Methods From January 2007 to June 2011, 35 patients with centrally located breast cancers who underwent various oncoplastic procedures based on the breast size and resection volume. The oncoplastic procedures performed included volume displacement surgical techniques such as purse-string suture, linear suture, and reduction mammaplasty. Other oncoplastic procedures included volume replacement procedures with an adipofascial, thoracoepigastric, intercostal artery perforator, thoracodorsal artery perforator, or latissimus dorsi flap. Results Mean patient age was 49 years, and mean follow-up period was 11 months. In cases of small to moderate-sized breasts and resection volumes <50 g, volume displacement procedures were performed. In cases of resection volumes >50 g, volume replacement procedures were performed. In cases of larger breasts and smaller resection volumes, glandular reshaping was performed. Finally, in cases of larger breasts and larger resection volumes, reduction mammaplasty was performed. This reconstruction method also elicits a high patient satisfaction rate with no significant complications. Conclusions In centrally located breast cancer, oncoplastic surgery considering breast size and resection volume is safe and provides appropriate aesthetic outcomes. Therefore, our method is advisable for breast cancer patients who elect to conserve their breasts and retain a natural breast shape.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.94-100
• /
• 2008

In the past decade, there has been increasing breast reconstructions after mastectomy, and the abdomen has been the gold standard for donor site. TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous), MSTRAM (muscle sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous), DIEP (deep inferior epigastric artery perforator), SIEA (superficial inferior epigastric artery) flap has been widely used nowadays. Among them, DIEP free flap spares the whole rectus abdominis muscle and anterior rectus sheath resulting in decreased donor site morbidity. Between March of 2006 and February of 2008, six patients had undergone immediate breast reconstructions using DIEP free flap. The mean age of patients was 48.5 years. All patients had unilateral breast reconstructions. We dissected two perforators which were included in the unilateral pedicle. Thoracodorsal artery and its venae comitantes were chosen as recipient vessels. For venous anastomosis, we used the GEM Microvascular Anastomotic Coupler System (Synovis Micro Companies Alliance, Inc., Birmingham, Ala.) in four cases. All flaps were survived completely except one who showed fatty abdomen in old age. She showed repetitive vascular spasm intraoperatively. None of the patients had abdominal hernia, bulge or weakness. We believe that DIEP free flap provides a reliable method for autologous breast reconstruction if the patients are selected appropriately and performed by a skillful surgeon.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.194-197
• /
• 2020

Anterior neck burns represent a major reconstructive challenge due to severe sequalae including restriction in movement and poor aesthetic outcomes. Common treatment options include skin grafting with/without dermal matrices, and loco-regional and distant free flap transfers with/without prior tissue expansion. Such variation in technique is largely influenced by the extent of burn injury requiring resurfacing. In order to optimize like-for-like reconstruction of the anterior neck, use of wide, thin and long flaps such as the anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator flap have been reported with promising results. Of note, some patients have a tendency towards severe scar contractures, which may be contributed by the greater extent of inflammation during wound healing. We report our experience at 4 years' followup after secondary reconstruction of severe, anterior neck burn contractures in two patients by harvesting the ALT flap with a butterfly design. This technique provides adequate wound resurfacing of the burned neck and surrounding areas, and provides good neck extensibility by addressing both anterior and lateral aspects of the scar defect simultaneously. Such a flap design reduces tension on wound edges and thus, the risk of contracture recurrence in what remains a particularly challenging type of burn reconstruction.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.217-223
• /
• 2023

Purpose: Defects involving the ankle and foot are often the result of road traffic accidents. Many such defects are composite and require a flap for coverage, which is a significant challenge for reconstructive surgeons. Various locoregional options, such as reverse sural artery, reverse peroneal artery, peroneus brevis muscle, perforator-based, and fasciocutaneous flaps, have been used, but each flap type has limitations. In this study, we used the distally based lateral supramalleolar flap to reconstruct distal dorsal defects of the foot. The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of the flap in reconstructing distal dorsal defects of the foot. The specific objectives were to study the adequacy, reach, and utility of the lateral supramalleolar flap for distal defects of the dorsum of the foot; to observe various complications encountered with the flap; and to study the functional outcomes of reconstruction. Methods: The distal dorsal foot defects of 10 patients were reconstructed with distal lateral supramalleolar flaps over a period of 6 months at a tertiary care center, and the results were analyzed. Results: We were able to effectively cover distal foot defects in all 10 cases. Flap congestion was observed in two cases, and minor graft loss was seen in two cases. Conclusions: The distally based lateral supramalleolar flap is a good pedicled locoregional flap for the coverage of distal dorsal foot and ankle defects of moderate size, with relatively few complications and little morbidity. It can be used as a lifeboat or even substitute for a free flap.