• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.45-50
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• 2014

Palmar soft tissue defects are best reconstructed using a replacement flap of proper size with adequate soft tissue stability for mechanical resistance as well as with protective sensation. Reconstructive approaches are dictated by injury mechanism, defect size and location, and the status of the wound bed and tendino-skeletal structure. While uninjured portions of the hand can be used as a source for local flaps, the use of free flaps allows for maximal access for selection of the most ideal replacement tissue for the defect to be restored as close to the initial state as possible. Here, we review the garden variety of free flaps used in reconstruction of palmar soft tissue defects.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.58-64
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• 2006

Purpose: Management of soft-tissue defect after open tibial fractures includes immediate and repeated debridement, skeletal stabilization, and early soft-tissue coverage with muscle flaps. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of the free rectus abdominis muscle flap (RA flap) for treatment of open fractures of the tibia and to discuss its advantages compared with the latissimus dorsi muscle flap (LD flap) in poly trauma patients. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 5 patients who had a severe (Gustilo IIIb or IIIc) open fracture of the tibia treated with RA flap from May 2003 to March 2006. All were men, and the mean age was 46.6 years (range, $28{\sim}68$). Three patients had combined injuries such as pelvic bone fractures, multiple rib fractures with hemothorax, and contralateral tibial fracture. All patients received RA flap within 7 days after trauma except two with established chronic osteomyelitis. Results: All flaps survived, and there was no marginal flap necrosis. During the follow-up period, there was no evidence of persistent or recurrent osteomyelitis. The size of RA flap ranged from $8{\sim}20\;cm$ in length and $6{\sim}10\;cm$ in width. The average time required for RA flap elevation was 32 minutes, which is shorter than LD flap. Flap elevation could be done in supine position which is essential in poly trauma patients. Conclusion: Although a wide variety of options are available, RA flap is regarded as an optimal method for coverage of soft-tissue defect of the open tibial fracture in poly trauma patients. LD flap is reserved for large sized soft-tissue defect which cannot be covered by RA flap.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.82-86
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• 2008

Purpose: Soft tissue defect can occur on the posterior aspect of the elbow after trauma or fracture fixation. To cover the defect and maintain elbow functions, various flap surgeries including latissimus dorsi muscle flap, lateral arm flap and radial forearm flap can be performed. We present the clinical results of transposition lateral arm flap for coverage of the elbow defect and discuss the cause of posterior soft tissue necrosis after fracture fixation. Materials and Methods: Two patients who had posterior soft tissue defect of the elbow after open reduction of the fractures around the elbow were treated with transposition lateral arm flap. The mean size of skin defect was 20 $cm^2$. The flap was elevated with posterior radial collateral artery pedicle and transposed to the defect area. Donor defect was covered with split thickness skin graft. The elbow was immobilized for 1 week in extended position and active range of motion was permitted. Results: All two cases of transposition lateral arm flap survived without marginal necrosis. The average range of motion of the elbow was 10~115 degrees. Mayo elbow performance score was 72 and Korean DASH score was 23. Conclusion: When elbow fractures are fixed with three simultaneous plates and screws, skin necrosis can occur on the posterior aspect of the elbow around olecranon area. If the size of skin defect is relatively small, transposition lateral arm flap is very useful option for orthopaedic surgeons without microsurgical technique.

• 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.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.15-21
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• 1999

Soft tissue defect on heel area of the foot present difficult problems particularly because of anatomic property of plantar surface of the foot. There is a paucity of available local tissue in the foot for coverage. In addition to having little expandable tissue, the foot's plantar surface has a unique structure, making its replacement especially challenging. Plantar skin is attached to the underlying bone by fibrous septa, preventing shear of the soft-tissue surfaces from the underlying skeleton. Plantar surface of foot is in constant contact with the environment. Protective sensibility also would be maintained or restored in the ideal reconstruction. So the ideal flap for reconstruction of the heel should include thin, durable hairless skin with potential for reinnervation. The aim of this article is to present a clinical experience of free lateral arm neurosensory flap for reconstruction of the heel. From March 1995 to December 1997, a total 16 lateral arm free flaps were performed to soft tissue defects on the weight-bearing area of the hindfoot. we used tibial nerve as recepient nerve in 11 and calcaneal branch of tibial nerve in 5 for restoration of sensibility of flap. All cases survived completely. A static two-point discrimination of 14 to 34mm was detected in the flap. Radial nerve palsy which was caused by hematoma in donor site occured in one case, but recorverd in 3 weeks later completely. In conclusion, the lateral arm free flaps are versatile, reliable and sensible cutaneous flap and especially indicated for soft tissue defect on plantar surface of the hindfoot which are not good indications for other better-known flaps.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.70-76
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• 2006

This study investigated the clinical application of anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator flap in reconstruction of soft tissue defect of lower extremity. There were twenty-one patients who had been taken soft tissue reconstruction with anterolateral thigh perforator flap. There were 19 males and 2 females between 3 and 65 years (mean, 36 years). This study included 4 cases of pedatric case of under 10-year-old. All cases were a cutaneous flap. Flap size averaged $160\;cm^2\;(20{\sim}450\;cm^2)$. 19 cases were musculocutaneous perforator flaps and 2 were septocutaneous perforator. T-shaped pedicle were used to reconstruct and to preserve major artery of lower extremity in 2 cases. 19 cases flaps survived completely and 2 cases flap were marginal necrosis partially. There was venous congestion in one case of type of reverse island flap but that was improved after salvage procedure with leech. While the donor sites were closed directly in 5cases, 16 cases underwent skin graft. ALT flap is suitable for coverage of defects in lower extremity where have various condition and reliable in children as in adult.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.61-67
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• 2008

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the necessity of distant pedicled flap in the treatment of soft tissue defects in the hand. Materials and Methods: Distant pedicled flap was performed in the 25 hands of 25 patients from 2000 to 2004. There were 20 males and 5 females and mean age was 34 years. The surgery was done for electrical burns in 13 patients, flame burns in 8 patients and crushing injuies in 4 patients. Results: We have performed 25 distant pedicled flaps for the coverage of soft tissue defects in the hands when local and free flaps were unavailable. Soft tissue coverages by distant pedicled flap were completely successful in all the 25 hands. No complication such as total flap loss, marginal flap loss and infection occurred. Conclusion: Distant pedicled flaps were very useful alternative method in the treatment of soft tissue defect in the hand.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.130-136
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• 2012

Background : Complex elbow injuries with associated nerve, muscle, or joint injury commonly develop post-inury stiffness. In order to preserve function, joint congruency, elbow stability and durable wound coverage must be achieved in a timely manner. Methods : A retrospective review of patients who underwent orthopaedic fixation followed by free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap soft tissue coverage was performed. Five patients were identified and included in this study. Results : We present a series of 5 cases managed with this principle. Soft tissue defects ranged in size from $4{\times}9cm$ ($36cm^2$) to $15{\times}30cm$ ($450cm^2$) and were located either posteriorly (n=4) or anteriorly (n=1). Associated injuries included open fractures (n=3) and motor nerve transection (n=2). Wound coverage was achieved in a mean duration of 18.8 days (range, 11 to 42 day). There were no flap failures and no major complications. The mean postoperative active elbow motion was $102^{\circ}$ (range, $45^{\circ}$ to $140^{\circ}$). Conclusions : In our small series we have highlighted the safety and utility of using the free ALT flap in complex elbow injuries. The ALT flap has many advantages which include abundant skin and subcutaneous tissue; vascularised vastus lateralis muscle that was used in our series to obliterate dead space, provide a vascular bed for nerve grafts and combat infection; and, access to fascia lata grafts for reconstruction of the triceps tendon.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.348-352
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• 1996

Soft tissue defects in oral & maxillofacial region caused by tumor resection, trauma, congenital deformities have been treated in autogenous soft tissue flap, allogenic material, free dermal graft, fascia graft. Of these methods, autogenous dermis graft had initially been applied in hernia treatment at the beginning of nineteenth century and have been applied in soft tissue augmentation coverage of vital structure, dead space removal and reconstruction of fascia. A fat graft is used in reconstruction of orbit at the enucleation, restoration of facial contours, etc. In this case, patient with chin soft tissue defect in traffic accident was treated in autogenous dermis-fat graft from patient's abdominal and gluteal region. Chin defect was reconstructed favorably. There was no severe atrophy of grafted area 12 months postoperatively. We will report the result that is favorable esthetically with literature review.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제38권5호
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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.