• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.94-100
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• 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
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.441-447
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• 2007

Purpose: Various kinds of local flap or free flap have been used for coverage for soft tissue defects with bone exposure over the ankle and dorsum of foot. Adipofascial flaps, nourished by vascular plexuses of the subcutaneous tissue and deep fascia originating from the local perforators of the major vessels, appear particularly to be indicated for the reconstruction of these areas. Our experience with this flap on the dorsum of foot and ankle has also been quite encouraging. Methods: The design of the flap is determined by the size and the location of the defect. The base of the flap is chosen depending on the availability of the soft tissue around the defect. The ratio of the area of the flap to the area of the base wound be more reliable to predict the survival of the turnover flap by the conventional length-to-width ratio. Nineteen patients with defect over the dorsum of the foot and ankle were resurfaced with adipofascial turn-over flaps and skin graft. Results: The average age of the patients was 38.2 years(3 - 81 years). The flap size was from $2{\times}3cm$ to $8{\times}5cm$. The average follow-up time was 6 months. All flaps survived completely except one case who suffered distal necrosis of the flap. The additional skin graft was required for partial skin loss in the five cases. Other functional impairment was not noted. Conclusion: Dissection of the local adipofascial turnover flap is quite easy, quick, requires less time and sacrifice of surrounding muscle itself, and maintains major arteries. In most cases, donor-site morbidity is minimal with an acceptable scar, and both functional and esthetical results were satisfactory. Therefore, Adipofascial flap could be an option for the difficult wounds around the foot and ankle.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제53권6호
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• pp.349-355
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• 2013

Objective : Recently, microscope-integrated near infrared indocyanine green videoangiography (ICG-VA) has been widely used in cerebrovascular surgery because it provides real-time high resolution images. In our study, we evaluate the efficacy of intraoperative ICG-VA during cerebrovascular surgery. Methods : Between August 2011 and April 2012, 188 patients with cerebrovascular disease were surgically treated in our institution. We used ICG-VA in that operations with half of recommended dose (0.2 to 0.3 mg/kg). Postoperative digital subtraction angiography and computed tomography angiography was used to confirm anatomical results. Results : Intraoperative ICG-VA demonstrated fully occluded aneurysm sack, no neck remnant, and without vessel compromise in 119 cases (93.7%) of 127 aneurysms. Eight clipping (6.3%) of 127 operations were identified as an incomplete aneurysm occlusion or compromising vessel after ICG-VA. In 41 (97.6%) of 42 patients after carotid endarterectomy, the results were the same as that of postoperative angiography with good patency. One case (5.9%) of 17 bypass surgeries was identified as a nonfunctioning anastomosis after ICG-VA, which could be revised successfully. In the two patients of arteriovenous malformation, ICG-VA was useful for find the superficial nature of the feeding arteries and draining veins. Conclusion : ICG-VA is simple and provides real-time information of the patency of vessels including very small perforators within the field of the microscope and has a lower rate of adverse reactions. However, ICG-VA is not a perfect method, and so a combination of monitoring tools assures the quality of cerebrovascular surgery.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.121-126
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• 2021

Background Despite the wide demand for thin flaps for various types of extremity reconstruction, the thin elevation technique for anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps is not very popular because of its technical difficulty and safety concerns. This study proposes a novel perforator-centralizing technique for super-thin ALT flaps and analyzes its effects in comparison with a skewed-perforator group. Methods From June 2018 to January 2020, 41 patients who required coverage of various types of defects with a single perforator-based super-thin ALT free flap were enrolled. The incidence of partial necrosis and proportion of the necrotic area were analyzed on postoperative day 20 according to the location of superficial penetrating perforators along the flap. The centralized-perforator group was defined as having a perforator anchored to the middle third of the x- and y-axes of the flap, while the skewed-perforator group was defined as having a perforator anchored outside of the middle third of the x- and y-axes of the flap. Results No statistically significant difference in flap thickness and dimension was found between the two groups. The arterial and venous anastomosis patterns of patients in both groups were not significantly different. Only the mean partial necrotic area showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (centralized-perforator group, 3.4%±2.2%; skewed-perforator group, 15.8%±8.6%; P=0.022). Conclusions The present study demonstrated that super-thin ALT perforator flaps can be elevated safely, with minimal partial necrosis, using the perforator-centralizing technique.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제49권3호
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• pp.324-331
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• 2022

Prior abdominal liposuction can be viewed as a relative or absolute contraindication to abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction given concerns for damaged perforators and scarring complicating intraoperative dissection. This systematic review aims to explore the outcomes of abdominally based breast reconstruction in patients with a history of abdominal liposuction. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-guided literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from the earliest available date through June 2020. Deep inferior epigastric perforator, muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM), superficial inferior epigastric artery, and pedicled TRAM flaps were included for evaluation. Complications included total or partial flap loss, fat necrosis, seroma, delayed wound healing, and donor site complications. After inclusion criteria were applied, 336 non-duplicate articles were screened, yielding 11 for final review, representing 55 flaps in 43 patients. There was no instance of total flap loss, eight (14.5%) flaps developed partial loss or fat necrosis, three (5.4%) flaps had delayed wound healing, and two (4.6%) patients had donor site complications. Most authors (8/11) utilized some type of preoperative imaging. Doppler ultrasonography was the most used modality, and these patients had the lowest rate of partial flap loss or flap fat necrosis (8%), followed by those without any preoperative imaging (10%). In conclusion, this review supports that patients undergoing abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction with a history of abdominal liposuction are not at an increased risk of flap or donor site complications. Although preoperative imaging was common, it did not reliably decrease complications. Further prospective studies are needed to address the role of imaging in improving outcomes.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제50권3호
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• pp.233-239
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• 2023

Background Trunk defects can occur because of surgical site infections after spinal surgery, resection of malignant tumors, or trauma. Herein, we present our experience of using intercostal artery perforator (ICAP) flaps to reconstruct trunk defects without noteworthy complications. Fourteen patients underwent reconstruction with ICAP flaps between March 2015 and March 2019. Methods Patients' data, including age, sex, the cause of the defect, defect size, perforator location, flap size, complications, and follow-up period, were retrospectively reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 56.5 years (range, 19-80 years). All operations were performed after the results of bacterial culture from the wound showed no microbial growth. We found reliable perforators around the defect using Doppler ultrasonography. The perforator flaps were elevated with a pulsatile perforator and rotated in a propeller fashion to the defects. We performed five dorsal and two lateral ICAP flaps. The mean flap dimensions were 12 × 5.5 cm² (range, 6 × 5 to 18 × 8 cm²). Results Primary closure of the donor site was performed. Marginal congestion was observed as a complication in one case, but it healed with no need for revision. The mean follow-up period was 8 months. All patients were satisfied with the surgical outcomes. Conclusion ICAP flaps can be easily mobilized, thereby reducing donor site morbidity without sacrificing the underlying muscles for trunk reconstruction. Therefore, these flaps are useful options for the reconstruction of trunk defects.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제50권6호
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• pp.621-626
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• 2023

In the first half of the third century B.C., Herophilus and Erasistratus performed the first systematic dissection of the human body. For subsequent centuries, these cadaveric dissections were key to the advancement of anatomical knowledge and surgical techniques. To this day, despite various instructional methods, cadaver dissection remained the best way for surgical training. To improve the quality of education and research through cadaveric dissection, our institution has developed a unique method of perforator-preserving cadaver injection, allowing us to achieve high-fidelity perforator visualization for dissection studies, at low cost and high efficacy. Ten full body cadavers were sectioned through the base of neck, bilateral shoulder, and hip joints. The key was to dissect multiple perfusing arteries and draining veins for each section, to increase "capture" of vascular territories. The vessels were carefully flushed, insufflated, and then filled with latex dye. Our injection dye comprised of liquid latex, formalin, and acrylic paint in the ratio of 1:2:1. Different endpoints were used to assess adequacy of injection, such as reconstitution of eyeball volume, skin turgor, visible dye in subcutaneous veins, and seepage of dye through stab incisions in digital pulps. Dissections demonstrated the effectiveness of the dye, outlining even the small osseous perforators of the medial femoral condyle flap and subconjunctival plexuses. Our technique emphasized atraumatic preparation, recreation of luminal space through insufflation, and finally careful injection of latex dye with adequate curing. This has allowed high-fidelity perforator visualization for dissection studies.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제50권6호
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• pp.586-592
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• 2023

Background One-stage reconstruction with "thin perforator flaps" has been attempted to salvage limbs and restore function. The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is a commonly utilized flap in breast reconstruction (BR). The purpose of this study is to present the versatility of DIEP flaps for the reconstruction of large defects of the extremities. Methods Patients with large tissue defects on extremities who were treated with thin DIEP flaps from January 2016 to January 2018 were included. They were minimally followed up for 36 months. We analyzed the etiology and location of the soft tissue defect, flap design, anastomosis type, outcome, and complications. We also considered the technical differences in the DIEP flap between breast and extremity reconstruction. Results Overall, six free DIEP flaps were included in the study. The flap size ranged from 15 × 12 to 30 × 16 cm². All flaps were transversely designed similar to a traditional BR design. Three flaps were elevated with two perforators. Primary closure of the donor site was possible in all cases. Five flaps survived with no complications. However, partial necrosis occurred in one flap. Conclusion A DIEP flap is not the first choice for soft tissue defects, but it should be considered for one-stage reconstruction of large defects when the circulation zone of the DIEP flap is considered. In addition, this flap has many advantages over other flaps such as provision of the largest skin paddle, low donor site morbidity with a concealed scar, versatile supercharging technique, and a long pedicle.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제50권6호
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• pp.593-600
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• 2023

Background Soft tissue reconstruction around the knee area is still an open question, particularly in persistent infections and multiple reoperations scenario. Flap coverage should guarantee jointmobility and protection, even when foreign materials are implanted. The chimeric harvesting of the musculocutaneous gastrocnemius flap, based on the sural artery perforators, can extend its applicability in soft tissue reconstruction of the upper leg, overcoming the drawbacks of the alternative pedicled flaps. Methods A multicenter retrospective study was conducted enrolling patients who underwent to a pedicled, chimeric gastrocnemius musculocutaneous-medial sural artery perforator (GM-MSAP) or lateral sural artery perforator (GM-LSAP) flap for knee coverage in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) recurrent infections and oncological or traumatic defects of the upper leg from 2018 to 2021. Outcomes evaluated were the successful soft tissue reconstruction and flap complications. Surgical timing, reconstruction planning, technique, and rehabilitation protocols were discussed. Results Twenty-one patients were included in the study. Nineteen GM-MSAPs and 2 GM-LSAPs were performed (soft tissue reconstruction in infected TKA [12], in infected hardware [4], and in oncological patients [5]). Donor site was closed primarily in 9 cases, whereas a skin graft was required in 12. Flap wound dehiscence (1), distal flap necrosis (1), distal necrosis of the skin paddle (1), and donor site infection (1) were the encountered complications. Flap reraise associated to implant exchange or extensive debridement was successful without requiring any further flap surgery. Conclusion The propeller-perforator GM-MSAP offers qualitative defect coverage and easiness of multiple flap reraise due to skin availability and its laxity.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제37권5호
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• pp.712-716
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• 2010

Purpose: Extensive lumbosacral defects after removal of spinal tumors have a high risk of wound healing problems. Therefore it is an effective reconstructive strategy to provide preemptive soft tissue coverage at the time of initial spinal surgery, especially when there is an instrument exposure. For soft tissue reconstruction of a lumbosacral defect, a variation of the gluteal flap is the first-line choice. However, the musculocutaneous flap or muscle flap that is conventionally used, has many disadvantages. It damages gluteus muscle and causes functional disturbance in ambulation, has a short pedicle which limits areas of coverage, and can damage perforators, limiting further surgery that is usually necessary in spinal tumor patients. In this article, we present the superior gluteal artery perforator turn-over flap that reconstructs complex lumbosacral defects successfully, especially one that has instrument exposure, without damaging the ambulatory function of the patient. Methods: A 67 year old man presented with sacral sarcoma. Sacralectomy with L5 corpectomy was performed and resulted in a $15{\times}8\;cm$ sized complex soft tissue defect in the lumbosacral area. There was no defect in the skin. Sacral stabilization with alloplastic fibular bone graft and reconstruction plate was done and the instruments were exposed through the wound. A $18{\times}8\;cm$ sized superior gluteal artery perforator flap was designed based on the superior gluteal artery perforator and deepithelized. It was turned over 180 degrees into the lumbosacral dead space. Soft tissue from both sides of the wound was approximated over the flap and this provided in double padding over the instrument. Results: No complications such as hematoma, flap necrosis, or infection occurred. Until three months after the resection, functional disturbances in walking were not observed. The postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scan shows the flap volume was well maintained over the instrument. Conclusion: This superior gluteal artery perforator turn-over flap, a modification of the conventional superior gluteal artery perforator flap, is a simple method that enabled the successful reconstruction of a lumbosacral defect with instrument exposure without affecting ambulatory function.