• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.2
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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.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2002

Free flap reconstruction of the foot has become one of the standard procedures at the present time, but choice of a free flap for the soft tissue defect of the foot according to location and size remains controversial. We evaluated the results of free flap reconstruction for the soft tissue defects of the foot. Twenty seven free flaps to the foot were performed between May 1986 and December 2000 in the department of Orthopedic Surgery. Patient age ranged from 3 to 60 years. Male to female distribution was 20:7. Mean follow-up period was 30.5 months which ranged from 12 months to 60 months. The indications for a specific flap depended on the location and extension of the foot defect. In weight-bearing area and amputation stump, the authors chose the sensate (reinnervated) dorsalis pedis flaps (n=7) and sensate radial forearm flaps (n=2). In nonweight-bearing area including dorsum of the foot and area around Achilles tendon, we performed nonsensate (non-reinnervated) free flap reconstructions which included dorsalis pedis flaps (n=5), groin flap (n=1), radial forearm flaps (n=6), scapular flaps (n=4), latissimus dorsi flaps (n=2). Twenty-six flaps transferred successfully (96.3%). The sensate flaps which were performed in weight-bearing area and amputation stumps survived in all cases and recovered protective sensation. Mean two-point discrimination was 26 mm at the last follow up. As a conclusion, the selection of a proper flap depends on the location and extension of the foot defect and patient's age. Fasciocutaneous flap including radial forearm flaps and dorsalis pedis flaps were the best choice in nonweight-bearing area. The sensate free flaps which are performed in the weight-bearing area and amputation stumps can produce better outcome than nonsensate free flap.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.410-417
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• 2006

The present study was aimed to compare the resorption rate and the histological change of the autogenous dermis and the artificial dermis (Terudermis$^{(R)}$) after the transplantation, and to report the clinical results of the use of Terudermis$^{(R)}$ in order to restore the soft tissue defect. Twenty mature rabbits, weighing about 2 kg, were used for the experimental study. The autogenous dermis and the Terudermis$^{(R)}$ size 1${\times}$1 cm were transplanted to the space between the external abdominal oblique muscle and the external abdominal oblique fascia of the each rabbits. They were divided into 4 groups (n=5 each) and gathered at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after the transplantation. The resorption rate was calculated, and H-E stain was preformed to observe the histological changes. The chart review of the 17 patients who received Terudermis$^{(R)}$ graft to the facial soft tissue defects was conducted for the clinical study. The resorption rate at 8 weeks after the transplantation was 21.5% for the autogenous dermis, and 36.4% Terudermis$^{(R)}$. In microscopic examinations, the infiltration of the inflammatory cells and the epidermal inclusion cyst were observed in the autogenous dermis graft. The neovascularization and the progressive growth of the new fibroblast were shown in the Terudermis$^{(R)}$ graft. In clinical data of 17 patients, the size of the grafted Terudermis$^{(R)}$ was from 1.5$cm^2$ to 7.5$cm^2$ (average 3.5$cm^2$). Follow-up ranged from 5 to 25 months. Fourteen patients with cleft palate demonstrated stability of the graft and unremarkable complications. But unstability of the graft and the partial relapse were observed in three patients received the vestibuloplasty. These results indicate that Terudermis$^{(R)}$ can be available substitute of autogenous dermis because of the stability about resorption, the histocompatibility, and the unremarkable clinical complications.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.62-67
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• 1998

The gracilis muscle is well suited to small and medium-sized soft tissue defects that cannot be adequately handled by simple rotational flaps and it will conform well to irregular contours, can be split longitudinally at both ends to allow cavities and awkwardly shaped spaces and can be transferred in part or in whole. The gracilis muscle used as a free muscle or musculocutaneous flap is small with a long, narrow contour and its vascular pedicle is a terminal branch of the medial femoral circumflex artery and vein. The aims of soft tissue reconstruction are to cover soft tissue defects, to clear up infection and to prepare for further surgical procedures. Authors have performed 12 gracilis muscle flaps in the lower extremities at Chonbuk National University Hospital from June 1994 through March 1998. The results were as follows. 1. 11 cases of 12(91.7%) were sustained from the crushing injury and secondary complications from the traffic accident. 2. The microsurgical anastomosis of one artery and two veins have performed in 6 cases(50%) of 12 and 11(91.7%) cases of 12 were successful at the third postoperative week and in the final result. 3. Gracilis muscle flap is the infetion-resistant and aesthetically acceptable performed in the lower leg 1/3 and the foot.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.421-426
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• 2010

Purpose: Patients with serious burns are prone to chondritis due to lack of soft tissue in the auricle, which can cause severe defects in the auricular morphology. In addition, skin damage occurs frequently in the vicinity of post-burn wounds, presenting difficulties in reconstruction surgery. An auricular reconstruction has functional and cosmetic significance. The aim of this study is to develop appropriate reconstruction methods for auricular defects. Methods: Thirty seven patients, who were treated for auricular defects from 2005 to 2009, were enrolled in this study. A local flap, multiple regional flaps and cartilage framework with or without a temporal fascial flap were applied in reconstruction surgery according to the location of the auricular defect. Results: The age of the subjects ranged from 11 to 56. Some subjects had defects that cover more than half of the helical rim with most exhibiting post-burn scars in the vicinity, for whom a multiple regional flap was used. A single use of a tubed flap was sufficient for subjects with defects that covered less than half of the helical rim. A regional flap was also used for reconstruction in subjects with defects covering both the helical rim and antehelix. Conclusion: Achieving satisfactory results from the skin flaps and skin grafts for post-burn auricular defects in both functional and cosmetic aspects is a difficult task. Therefore, selecting an appropriate surgical method through proper diagnosis of the auricular defect and the state of the available skin in the vicinity is essential.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.44-48
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• 2011

Maxillary defects are inherently complex because they generally involve more than one midfacial component. In addition, most maxillary defects are composite in nature, and often require bony support, as well as a mucosal lining for reconstruction. Therefore, midfacial bone and soft tissue defects present a unique challenge because they require a complex arrangement of tissues in a relatively limited space. This might be difficult to achieve only with free osteocutaneous flaps. The use of bone grafts allows greater flexibility in a reconstruction but is limited by graft resorption. We report a case of a patient reconstructed with a lateral arm free flap, iliac bone graft, sagital split ramus osteotomy for the reconstruction of a right maxillary defect zygomatico-maxillary defect caused by a zygomatico-maxillary malignant tumor resection.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 1996

Human Dura mater treated by various processes was used to restore small periodontal defects, large bony defects for improvement of new bone formation, and soft tissue defects and replace the disc of TMJ, etc.. Tutoplast Dura is the solvent-preserved Human Dura mater and sterilized by gamma radiation. In our department, Tutoplast Dura was implanted in 32 patients, from 1994, 6 to 1995, 7. We implanted the Tutoplast Dura at 11 various cysts, 6 implantations, 4 fractures, 3 clefts, 2 TMJ disease, 2 maxillary sinusitis, etc.. We performed the retrospective study about the purpose of Tutoplast Dura implantation, postoperative complication and histologic examination of biopsy specimen at implant second surgery.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.27-46
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was designed to compare with the effects of 4 different surface active bioceramics on the healing process of alveolar bone defects in dogs. Artificial alveolar bone defects depth 4-6mm, width 3-4mm) were created with # 6 round bur at interproximal areas of maxillary canine, maxillary 2nd premolar, mandibular canine, and mandibular 3rd premolar. porous hydroxyapatite(Interpore $200^R$) , 45S5 bioglass, CJ4/lOC crystalline glass, and JJ crystalline glass were implanted in intrabony defects randomly. Experimental groups were divided into 4 categories according to its implant material. After implantation, all groups were examined postoperatively 4 weeks to 12 weeks. 3 dogs was selected randomly and sacrificed after vascular perfusion with 2.5% glutaraldehyde at every 4 weeks. Tissue blocks with surroundig alveolar bone and soft tissues were removed and immersed in formaldehyde/glutaraldehyde fixative. After 20 weeks decalcification with EDTA and formic acid, sections were made and observed under light microscope and transmission electron microscope. In all experimental groups, the encapsulation of inactive connective tissue was observed around graft particles in 4 weeks. As time elapsed, the thickness of surrounding connective tissue was decreased. Osteoconductive bone growth pattern was seen apparently in all groups. CJ4/lOC crystalline glass showed the most active bone formation until 8 weeks. 45S5 bioglass was, however, the most active in new bone formation at 12 weeks. Though there was difference in resorption rate among grafting materials, the size of graft particles was decreased gradually. 45S5 bioglass was resorbed faster than the others. On the other hand, porous hydroxyapatite was degraded most slowly. Phagocytosed particulate matters was observed in the cytoplasm of multinuclear multinuclear giant cell and macrophage under transmission electron microscope. The results suggested suggested that 45S5 bioglass and CJ4/lOC crystalline glass may have some enhanced reparative potential when compared to porous hydroxapatite in the treatment of periodontal defeds. JJ crystalline glass reguires a further investigation of the safety of its use.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.58-64
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• 1995

The radial forearm flap was first designed at the Ba-Ba Chung Hospital of People's Republic of China in 1978. The flap consists of the skin of the volar surface of the forearm, the subcutaneous fat, the underlying fascia, and the intramuscular fascia which includes the radial vessels. It is very useful flap in soft tissue coverage of skin defects of the upper and lower extremities. The authors have reported 13 cases of forearm free flap treated in the Korea University Hospital from January 1991 to Jun 1995 with a review of literature. The results were as follows. 1. We had good results in soft tissue coverage for all patients 2. The average size of flaps was $54cm^2$ and the average ischemic time of flaps was 74minutes. 3. The postoprative complication was occurred in three of 13 cases, two of three cases were arterial thrombosis treated with thrombectomy in postoperative 2 days, and one case was venous thrombosis resulted in superficial necrosis of the flap treated with STSG. 4. Forearm free flap with sensory innervation is a good donor site for reconstruction of weight-bearing areas of heel and sole. 5 The forearm free flap is suitable for soft tissue coverage of the upper and lower extremities, and can be used by skillful microsurgeon with high success rate.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2004

Advances in microvascular techniques and refinements in microsurgical tissue transfers have enabled surgeons to combine different tissue components and reconstruction into a single-stage operation in extensive or composite defect following injury. Some problems and consideration for extensive or composite defects are form, shape, function, and dimension of the defect sites. Therefore combination of two or more flaps is required to reconstruct extensive or composite defect. This paper presents our clinical experience of four cases of combined free flaps with or without sequential microanastomosis in reconstruction of upper extremity based on peroneal flowthrough, thoracodorsal, and dorsalis pedis vascular system. Satisfactory results were obtained without flap loss and complications. The free flaps were combined in th following fashion; two cases by bridge fashion, one by chimeric microanastomosis and one by simple chimeric fashion. The median follow-up time on all patients was 21.7 months. Donor site morbidity was minimal. Extensive soft tissue or composite defects can be effectively covered by various combined flaps. Even though the risk for complication exists, the options of combination with or without sequential microanastomosis can add a functional or sensory dimension to reconstruction of complex wounds.