• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.39-42
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• 2022

The reconstruction of total lower eyelid defects is challenging to plastic surgeons due to the complicated anatomical structure of the eyelid. In addition, in the setting of cancer excision, the resection is deep, which requires some volume augmentation. However, in some cases, free tissue transfer is not applicable. We report a case of using a temporoparietal fascia flap (TPFF) for reconstructing a total lower eyelid defect. A large erythematous mass in an 83-year-old woman was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma by biopsy. After wide excision, the defect size was about 8×6 cm. The lower eyelid structures including the tarsus were removed. The TPFF including the superficial temporal artery was elevated and inset to the defect area. After the flap inset, a split-thickness skin graft with an acellular dermal matrix was performed on the fascial flap. There were no wound problems such as infection, dehiscence, or necrosis. After the patient's discharge, partial skin graft loss and ectropion occurred. The complications resolved spontaneously during the postoperative period. We report a case of reconstructing a lower eyelid defect using a TPFF. A TPFF can be applied to patients with large defects for whom free tissue transfer surgery is not appropriate as in this case.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.699-702
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• 2021

Extensive bone loss associated with severe vascular injury remains a challenge for lower extremity reconstruction. The fibular free flap has been utilized for many decades to reconstruct long-segment tibial defects. We present an unusual scenario of unilateral weight-bearing, wherein we salvaged the sole lower extremity by transfer of the fractured ipsilateral fibula and a bipedicled skin flap. A 38-year-old man sustained a severe crush injury in the right leg with loss of circulation. His left lower leg had a soft tissue defect measuring 20×15 cm with an exposed comminuted fracture and a 17-cm tibial defect, along with a segmental fracture of the fibula. Subsequently, we reconstructed the tibial defect by transferring a 17-cm-long section of the ipsilateral fibula. We covered the soft tissue defect with a bipedicled skin flap. The patient eventually began to ambulate independently after surgery.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.691-694
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• 2011

Purpose: With an increase in the population of immunocompromised patients, the incidence of maxillary sinus aspergillus infection has also escalated. Maxillary sinus aspergillosis is generally extended to the sinus antrum, base or thin orbital wall and ethmoid air cell region. We experienced a case of maxillary sinus aspergillosis which was extended directly to the soft tissue of the cheek. Methods: A 46-year-old man with acute myelogenous leukemia was consulted for the defect of the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus, and cheek. Radiologic and histologic findings were consistent with invasive maxillary sinus aspergillosis. The otolaryngology department performed debridement via endoscopic sinus surgery first. Coverage of the resulting defect in the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus and its inner layer was undergone by the plastic and reconstructive surgery department, using a pedicled superficial temporal fascia flap and a split thickness skin graft. The remaining skin defect of the cheek was covered with a local skin flap. Results: The patient went through an uneventful recovery. There was no recurrence during 6 months of follow-up. Conclusion: Maxillary sinus aspergillosis usually involves the orbit or the gingiva but in some cases it may directly invade soft tissues of the cheek. Such an atypical infection extending into the cheek may lead to a large soft tissue defect requiring coverage. Thus, any undiagnosed soft tissue defect involving the cheek or maxillofacial area, especially in immunocompromised patients, should be evaluated for aspergillosis. We present this rare case, with a review of the related literature.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.417-423
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• 2017

Objective : Repair of sensorial nerve defect is an important issue on peripheric nerve surgery. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of sensory-motor nerve bridging on the denervated dermatomal area, in rats with sensory nerve defects, using a neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM). Methods : We compared the efficacy of end-to-side (ETS) coaptation of the tibial nerve for sural nerve defect repair, in 32 Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were assigned to 1 of 4 groups : group A was the sham operated group, group B rats had sural nerves sectioned and buried in neighboring muscles, group C experienced nerve sectioning and end-to-end (ETE) anastomosis, and group D had sural nerves sectioned and ETS anastomosis was performed using atibial nerve bridge. Neurological evaluation included the skin pinch test and histological evaluation was performed by assessing NCAM expression in nerve terminals. Results : Rats in the denervated group yielded negative results for the skin pinch tests, while animals in the surgical intervention groups (group C and D) demonstrated positive results. As predicted, there were no positively stained skin specimens in the denervated group (group B); however, the surgery groups demonstrated significant staining. NCAM expression was also significantly higher in the surgery groups. However, the mean NCAM values were not significantly different between group C and group D. Conclusion : Previous research indicates that ETE nerve repair is the gold standard for peripheral nerve defect repair. However, ETS repair is an effective alternative method in cases of sensorial nerve defect when ETE repair is not possible.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.254-259
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• 2018

Background: The esthetic and functional outcomes of periorbital defect reconstruction are very important because of the complex anatomy and specialized functions of this region. The orbicularis oculi myocutaneous (OOMC) flap is useful for the reconstruction of periorbital defects. But, according to the location and depth of the defects, the reconstruction using OMC flaps with various techniques is rare. The authors have used various kinds of OOMC flaps in various situations and we present an analysis of our experiences. Methods: From November 2001 to July 2017, we used 36 OOMC flaps to reconstruct 30 periorbital defects in 25 patients. We analyzed the cause of the defect, its location, the type of concomitant surgery, the method of flap movement, and complications. Results: Of the 30 defects, basal cell carcinoma was the most common cause, accounting for 20 cases. When the used OOMC flap was classified according to the location of the defects, the switch flap was used in nine cases among 15 defects of lower eyelid, and the V-Y advancement flap was mainly used for other parts. As surgical methods according to the depth of defect were classified, all cases involving the tarsal plate were reconstructed with a composite graft. In case of skin and muscles, they were reconstructed only with OOMC flap or with full-thickness skin graft. Conclusion: The OOMC flap provides good skin quality that is very similar to that of the defect tissue. Depending on the location and depth of the defect, the OOMC flap may be used properly in a variety of ways to achieve good results.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.133-140
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• 2024

Background: The medial canthal region features a complex three-dimensional and internal anatomical structure. When reconstructing a defect in this area, it is crucial to consider both functional and aesthetic aspects, which presents significant challenges. Generally, local flaps are preferred for reconstruction; however, skin grafts can be used when local flaps are not feasible. Therefore, we conducted a comparative analysis of surgical outcomes skin grafts when local flaps were not feasible, to determine which surgical method is more effective for medial canthal region reconstruction. Methods: Twenty-five patients who underwent medial canthal region reconstruction using skin grafts or local flaps from 2002 to 2021 were enrolled. Patient information was obtained from medical records. Five plastic surgeons evaluated the surgical outcomes based on general appearance, color, contour, and symmetry. Results: Skin grafts were used in eight patients and local flaps were used in 13. Combined reconstructions were employed in four cases. Minor complications arose in four cases but improved with conservative treatment. No major complications were reported. Recurrence of the skin cancer was noted in two cases. All categories showed higher scores for the local flap compared to both skin graft and combined reconstruction; however, the differences were not statistically significant respectively. Conclusion: The choice of appropriate surgical methods for reconstructing defects in the medial canthal region depends on various factors, including the patient's overall health, the size and depth of the defect, and the degree of involvement of surrounding structures. When a local flap is not feasible, a skin graft may provide favorable surgical outcomes. Therefore, a skin graft can serve as a viable alternative for reconstructing the medial canthal region.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.227-232
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• 2007

The radial forearm fasciocutaneous flap(RFFF) is a well-known flap for the reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects. It was first described by Yang et al. in 1981 and Soutar et al. developed it for the reconstruction of intraoral defect. RFFF provides a reliable, thin, and pliable soft tissue/skin paddle that is amenable to sensate reconstruction. It also has a long vascular pedicle that can be anastomosed to any vessel in either the ipsilateral or contralateral neck. However, split thickness skin graft(STSG) is most commonly used to cover the donor site, and a variety of donor site complications have been reported, including delayed healing, swelling of the hand, persistent wrist stiffness, reduced hand strength, and partial loss of the graft with exposure of the forearm flexor tendon. Various methods for donor site repair in addition to STSG have been developed and practiced to minimize both functional and esthetic morbidity, such as direct closure, V-Y closure, full thickness skin graft, tissue expansion, acellular dermal graft. We got a good result of using artificial dermis($Terudermis^{(R)}$) and secondary STSG for the repair of RFFF donor site defect esthetically and report with a review of literature.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.716-722
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• 2008

Purpose: Split or full thickness skin graft is generally used to reconstruct the palmar skin and soft tissue defect after release of burn scar flexion contracture of hand. As a way to overcome and improve aesthetic and functional problems, the authors used the preserved superficial fat skin(PSFS) composite graft for correction of burn scar contracture of hand. Methods: From December of 2001 to July of 2007, thirty patients with burn scar contracture of hand were corrected. The palmar skin and soft tissue defect after release of burn scar contracture was reconstructed with the PSFS composite graft harvested from medial foot or below lateral and medial malleolus, with a preserved superficial fat layer. To promote take of the PSFS composite graft, a foam and polyurethane film dressing was used to maintain the moisture environment and Kirschner wire was inserted for immobilization. Before and after the surgery, a range of motion was measured by graduator. Using a chromameter, skin color difference between the PSFS composite graft and surrounding normal skin was measured and compared with full thickness skin graft from groin. Results: In all cases, the PSFS composite graft was well taken without necrosis, although the graft was as big as $330mm^2$(mean $150mm^2$). Contracture of hand was completely corrected without recurrence. The PSFS composite graft showed more correlations and harmonies with surrounding normal skin and less pigmentation than full thickness skin graft. Donor site scar was also obscure. Conclusion: The PSFS composite graft should be considered as a useful option for correction of burn scar flexion contracture of hand.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2001

Introduction : The goal in the management of soft tissue injuries of the lower extremity is to obtain a closed stable wound as soon as possible. Recently, An anatomic study that has shown the role of the vascular axis that follows the superficial sensory nerves in supplying the skin developed the concept of a neuroskin island flap. It has been suggested that skin island flaps supplied by the vascular network of the saphenous nerve is one of the most reliable treatment to skin defect below the knee joint. Purpose : The aim of this article is to present a clinical experience of neuroskin island flaps based on the saphenous nerve and to estimate the clinical utilities of distally based saphenous neuroskin flap. Materials and Methods : From September 1995 to May 2000, a total 12 distally based neuroskin island flaps supplied by the vascular axis of the saphenous nerve were performed to cover defects in pretibial area below the knee. Result : flap necrosis due to reactivation of existing infection developed in a case that skin defect had been on infected nonunion site of tibia. But other 11 cases survived completely without any specific complications. Conclusion : The distally based neuroskin pedicled island flap using the vascular network of the saphenous nerve are versatile and reliable and especially indicated for limited defects in pretibial area below the knee joint which are not good indications for other better-known flaps.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.531-535
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• 2006

Purpose: To report our experience of retro-angular flap for reconstruction of the midface defect. The midface, including nose, lower eyelid, and intercanthal area, is the very prominent area of face. Also midface is more vulnerable to trauma and skin cancer and defect of mid face of highly perceptible. Reconstruction of mid face is difficult because of complexity of anatomy and functions. Following factors should be considered in reconstructive prcedure of midface. First, multiple procedure may need for complete the reconstruction of mid face defect. Second, secondary reconstructive surgeries such as flap rotation or skin graft may need for donor site morbidity. Third, the color, texture and thickness of the skin used are not always complacency. Methods: 8 cases of the midface defects (3 cases of lower eyelid, 1 case of intercanthal area, and 4 cases of nose) from skin cancer were reconstructed with retroangular flap from March 2004 to August 2005. Results: Satisfactory result were obtained in color, texture and donor site scar. There was no major complication such as wound disruption, hematoma, and atrophy of flap. But partial necrosis of flap and bulkiness were observed one case in each. Retroangular flap is simple procedure that can be preceded in one stage under local anesthesia closing primary wound closure. It will leave less visible donor scar, acceptable color, texture and thickness of the skin. Conclusions: The retro-angular flap could be suggested as a safe and effective method for midface reconstruction.