• 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.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.103-110
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• 1997

Since R.Y. Song(1982) has reported anatomic studies about septocutaneous perforator flap, various experiences especially on thigh flaps pedicled on septocutaneous artery were reported. Baek(1983) reported an anatomic study through the cadavers dissections on medial, lateral thigh area and provided the first new cutaneous free flap of thigh for clinical use. Song, et a1.(1984) reported anterolateral thigh free flap, Koshima, et al.(1989) reported pedicle variations and its versatile clinical usages. According to their reports, accessory branches of lateral femoral circumflex artery are placed in comparatively constant location and proved to be the effective pedicle of this flap. The advantages of anterolateral thigh free flap are 1) comparatively thin 2) can obtain sufficiently large flap 3) can contain cutaneous nerve 4) can be easy to approach anatomically because pedicle is located in comparatively constant position 5) minimal donor site morbidity. We report the experience of 10 cases of anterolateral thigh free flap coverage for soft tissue defects: 4 cases of soft tissue defects on foot area, 2 cases of soft tissue defects on hand, 3 cases of partial tongue defects owing to tongue cancer ablation, and 1 case of soft tissue defect on nasal alar.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.253-256
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• 2012

A radial forearm free flap has been conventionally used for urethral reconstruction. However, aesthetic and functional complications occur frequently at the donor site. The use of a superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap can resolve these disadvantages. Here, we report our case with a review of literature. A 69-year-old man visited our hospital with multiple contusions of the abdomen and genital amputation. After necrotic tissue debridement, the length of the residual corpus carvernosum was 1.5 cm and that of the corpus spongiosum and urethra was 1 cm. For the reconstruction of the penis, a SCIP flap and anterolateral thigh free flap was performed. The primary closure was performed at the donor site. Three weeks postoperatively, the patient had a urethral foley catheter removed. The neourethra was functioning well without stricture. Four months postoperatively, the patient had no complications such as urethral stricture. A good recovery was also achieved with no aesthetic deficits at the donor site. SCIP flap is appropriate for urethral reconstruction. Because of its proximity to the recipient sites, it makes surgical preparation easier and the primary closure at the donor site available. It is also advantageous in that its location is almost unnoticeable.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.139-151
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• 2022

Reconstructive surgery in the management of head and neck cancer has evolved to include structure-specific approaches in which organ-specific treatment algorithms help optimize outcomes. Tongue cancer management and reconstruction are surgical challenges for which well-executed reconstructive plans should be completed promptly to avoid delaying any subsequently planned oncologic treatment. Crucial considerations in tongue cancer resection are the significant functional morbidity associated with surgical defects, particularly in terms of speech and swallowing, and the consequent negative impact on patients' quality of life. With the evolution of microsurgical techniques and the development of the perforator flap concept, flap options can be tailored to the characteristics of various tongue defects. This has allowed the implementation of pliable flaps that can help restore tongue mobility and yield subsequent functional outcomes. Using an evolutional framework, we present this series of reviews related to tongue reconstruction. The first part of the review summarizes flap options and flap-related factors, such as volume and tissue characteristics. Related functional aspects are also presented, including tongue mobility, speech, and swallowing, as well as ways to evaluate and optimize these outcomes.

• 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.3
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• pp.448-452
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• 2022

Total reconstruction of the penis (TPR) represents a challenge for urologists and plastic surgeons, especially when urethral length is severely reduced. We here describe, for the first time in an oncologic scenario, a double flap phalloplasty using a pedicled anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap for penile reconstruction and a radial forearm free flap (RFFF) for complete neourethra and glans reconstruction following penile amputation. A 48-year-old patient came to our department following a total penectomy with inferior urethral derivation. The indication for a double flap phalloplasty was posed as only way to fully reconstruct the urethra on its length avoiding possible complications of single flap reconstruction using tube-into-tube technique. Both flaps healed uneventfully with no neourethral strictures or fistulas described. At 18 months follow-up, the patient was extremely satisfied with the aesthetic result and was able to void in standing position. We think that a double free tissue transfer for TPR should be considered, particularly when a urethral length > 14 cm needs to be reconstructed. While the pedicled ALT can be used to reconstruct a proper penile shaft with an easily concealed scar, the RFFF can provide adequate neourethra length with satisfactory sensory recovery at the neoglans.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.40-48
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• 2017

Purpose: Soft tissue reconstruction of a defect around the foot and ankle is a particularly challenging procedure due to the anatomical and functional characteristics of this area. Hence, only a limited number of treatment options are available. Moreover, if patients wish to avoid additional scars on the ipsilateral lower leg for cosmetic reasons, even fewer options are available for treatment. The authors used an anterolateral thigh perforator flap for soft tissue defects in this area, when other surgical options were inadequate. The aim of this study was to report the clinical results and the efficacy of this procedure. Materials and Methods: Sixteen cases of soft tissue defects around the foot and ankle were included. Participants included 12 male and 4 female subjects, and the mean age was 34 years. The most common cause of defect was acute trauma, and the average follow-up period was 33 months. Flap survival time, surgical complications, and ambulation status at the final follow-up stage were evaluated. Results: All 16 flaps successfully survived, except for one case with partial flap necrosis that was thought to be due to weight bearing earlier than scheduled. All patients were able to walk independently without any aid at the final follow-up stage. No patients showed other significant surgical complications. Conclusion: The anterolateral thigh perforator flap is a good alternative for soft tissue defects of the foot and ankle, when other options are not applicable. This study also demonstrated that surgery using an anterolateral thigh perforator flap is safe and highly reliable.

• Archives of Hand and Microsurgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.281-289
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• 2018

Purpose: Preoperative surgical planning utilizing computed tomography angiography (CTA) has now become a routine in many practices. We analyzed the course of the deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA) and its perforators (DIEP) that would either facilitate or hinder flap dissection based on CTA to aid surgical planning. Methods: The 115 consecutive patients who underwent abdominally based free flap breast reconstruction were enrolled in this prospective study. DIEA/P courses were categorized mainly according to their intramuscular courses and their incidences were investigated. Results: A total of 425 perforators were identified preoperatively on the CTA, with an average number of 3.7 distinctly visualized in the entire flap territory. Eighty-nine perforators (20.9%) had a favorable (less than 1 cm intramuscular course) pattern, namely long submuscular (34.8% of the patients), long subfascial (15.6%), and total circummuscular (13.9%). Overall 56.5% of the patients had at least one favorable DIEA/P. On the other hand, absence of DIEA and absence of adequate (>1 mm) DIEP was reported in 3 and 8 hemiabdomen. Conclusion: Preoperative CTA evaluation of DIEA/P can be used to identify favorable as well as unfavorable courses for dissection to aid surgical planning.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.894-898
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• 2011

Purpose: Coverage of full-thickness large flank defect is a challenging procedure for plastic surgeons. Some authors have reported external oblique turnover muscle flap with skin grafting, inferiorly based rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap, and two independent pedicled perforator flaps for flank reconstruction. But these flaps can cover only certain portions of the flank and may not be helpful for larger or more lateral defects. We report a case of large flank defect after resection of extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma which is successfully reconstructed with reverse latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. Methods: A 24-year-old male patient had $13.0{\times}7.0{\times}14.0$ cm sized Ewing's sarcoma on his right flank area. Department of chest surgery and general surgery operation team resected the mass with 5.0 cm safety margin. Tenth, eleventh and twelfth ribs, latissimus dorsi muscle, internal and external oblique muscles and peritoneum were partially resected. The peritoneal defect was repaired with double layer of Prolene mesh by general surgeons. $24{\times}25$ cm sized soft tissue defect was noted and the authors designed reverse latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap with $21{\times}10$ cm sized skin island on right back area. To achieve sufficient arc of rotation, the cephalic border of the origin of latissimus dorsi muscle was divided, and during this procedure, ninth intercostal vessels were also divided. The thoracodorsal vessels were ligated for 15 minutes before divided to validate sufficient vascular supply of the flap by intercostal arteries. Results: Mild congestion was found on distal portion of the skin island on the next day of operation but improved in two days with conservative management. Stitches were removed in postoperative 3 weeks. The flap was totally viable. Conclusion: The authors reconstructed large soft tissue defect on right flank area successfully with reverse latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap even though ninth intercostal vessel that partially nourishes the flap was divided. The reverse latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap can be used for coverage of large soft tissue defects on flank area as well as lower back area.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.428-434
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• 2020

Background Three-dimensional (3D) model printing improves visualization of anatomical structures in space compared to two-dimensional (2D) data and creates an exact model of the surgical site that can be used for reference during surgery. There is limited evidence on the effects of using 3D models in microsurgical reconstruction on improving clinical outcomes. Methods A retrospective review of patients undergoing reconstructive breast microsurgery procedures from 2017 to 2019 who received computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans only or with 3D models for preoperative surgical planning were performed. Preoperative decision-making to undergo a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) versus muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (MS-TRAM) flap, as well as whether the decision changed during flap harvest and postoperative complications were tracked based on the preoperative imaging used. In addition, we describe three example cases showing direct application of 3D mold as an accurate model to guide intraoperative dissection in complex microsurgical reconstruction. Results Fifty-eight abdominal-based breast free-flaps performed using conventional CTA were compared with a matched cohort of 58 breast free-flaps performed with 3D model print. There was no flap loss in either group. There was a significant reduction in flap harvest time with use of 3D model (CTA vs. 3D, 117.7±14.2 minutes vs. 109.8±11.6 minutes; P=0.001). In addition, there was no change in preoperative decision on type of flap harvested in all cases in 3D print group (0%), compared with 24.1% change in conventional CTA group. Conclusions Use of 3D print model improves accuracy of preoperative planning and reduces flap harvest time with similar postoperative complications in complex microsurgical reconstruction.