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

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.47 no.6
• /
• pp.438-444
• /
• 2021

Objectives: Loss of the interdental papilla is multi-factorial and creates a multitude of problems. Autogenous connective tissue/biomaterial-based regeneration has been attempted for decades to reconstitute the black space created due to the loss of papilla. The aim of this present study was to regenerate papillary recession defects using an amnion-chorion membrane (ACM) allograft and to evaluate the clinical outcome up to six months postoperatively. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with 25 Nordland and Tarnow's Class I/II interdental papillary recession defects were treated with ACM and coronal advancement of the gingivo-papillary unit via a semilunar incision on the labial aspect followed by a sulcular incision in the area of interest. A photographic image analysis was carried out using the GNU Image Manipulation software program from the baseline to three and six months postoperatively. The black triangle height (BTH) and the black triangle width (BTW) were calculated using the pixel size and were then converted into millimeters. The mean and standard deviation values were determined at baseline and then again at three and six months postoperatively. The probability values (P<0.05 and P≤0.01) were considered statistically significant and highly significant, respectively. An analysis of variance and post hoc Bonferroni test were carried out to compare the mean values. Results: Our evaluation of the BTH and BTW showed a statistically and highly significant difference from the baseline until both three and six months postoperatively (P=0.01). A post hoc Bonferroni test disclosed a statistically significant variance from the baseline until three and six months postoperatively (P<0.05) and a non-significant difference from three to six months after the procedure (P≥0.05). Conclusion: An ACM allograft in conjunction with a coronally advanced flap could be a suitable minimally invasive alternative for papillary regeneration.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.156-162
• /
• 2008

Purpose: Open fractures of the foot and ankle require prompt repair of the wound due to the complexity of anatomy, insufficiency of soft tissues and inadequate blood supply. Early flaps and skin grafts are used for this purpose yet general condition of the patient as well as local wound environment often precludes such treatment options. Vacuum- Assisted Closure (VAC) is recently being used in such cases. This study was done to validate the use of VAC together with silver antimicrobial dressing materials in contaminated open fracture wounds. Materials and Methods: We have selected 10 patients with Gustillo-Anderson type III open fractures of the foot & ankle treated with VAC and silver antimicrobial dressing materials from March 2007 to January 2008. The relationship between duration of treatment with wound size, contamination, and degree of soft tissue damage was analyzed. Results: The average age of patients was 36.6 years. The average amount of VAC application time was 23.4 days. Silver dressing materials were used for 16.8 days. Average wound healing time was 51.9 days. Statistically significant relationship was found between wound size, VAC application time and silver dressing material application time. No complications such as osteomyelitis were found after treatment. Conclusion: VAC technique is recently being used in open fractures with wide skin and soft tissue defects, producing good results. A wide array of dressing materials such as silver dressing is in development. We have incorporated the VAC technique together with silver dressing materials in the treatment of open fractures and achieved complication free results.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.56-62
• /
• 1997

Latissimus dorsi(LD) muscle is the largest transplantable block of vascularized tissue. Since LD free flap was introduced in 1970's, this flap has been widely used for the reconstruction of large soft tissue defect of the limb. From 1981 to 1996, we had experienced 37 cases of LD free flap. Serratus anterior muscle was combined with LD in three of them whose defects were very large. The average age of the patients was 31 years(range : 4-74 years), and thirty one patients were male. Trauma was cause of the defect in every case. For the recipient sites, the foot and ankle was the most common(22 cases); and the knee and lower leg(11 cases), the elbow and forearm(2 cases), the hand(2 cases) were the next. The duration of follow-up was averaged as 16 months(range: 6 months-12 years). Thirty one cases(84%) out of 37 were successful transplantations. In one case the failure of the flap was due to heart attack and subsequent death of the patient. One failure was caused by sudden violent seizure of the patient who had organic brain damage. Immediate reexploration of the flap was performed in 4 patients, and the flap survived in three of them. There was one necrosis of the grafted split-thickness skin on the survived LD flap. LD free flap was considered as one of the good methods, for the reconstruction of the large soft tissue defect of the limb.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.208-213
• /
• 2008

Purpose: Distally based superficial sural artery island flap has some disadvantages such as postoperative flap edema, congestion, and partial necrosis of the flap margin. Venous congestion is an area of considerable concern in distally based superficial sural artery fasciocutaneous flap and is one of the main reasons for failure, particularly when a large flap is needed. However, we could decrease these disadvantages by means of venous superdrainage. Methods: From June of 2006 to June of 2007, a total of two patients with soft tissue defects of lower one third of the leg underwent venous supercharging distally based superficial sural artery island flap transfer. The distal pivot point of this flap was designed at septocutaneous perforator from the peroneal artery of the posterolateral septum, which was 5 cm above the tip of the lateral malleolus. Briefly, this technique is performed by anastomosing the proximal end of the lesser saphenous vein and collateral vein to any vein in the area of the recipient defect site. Results: No venous congestion was noted in any of the two cases. No other recipient or donor-site complications were observed, except for minor wound dehiscence in one case. In 3 to 6 months follow-up, patients had minor complaints about lack of sensation in the lateral dorsal foot. Conclusion: The peroneal artery perforator is predictable and reliable for the design of a distally based superficial sural artery island flap. Elevation of the venous supercharging flap is safe, easy, and less time consuming. In conclusion, the venous supercharging distally based superficial sural artery island flap offers an alterative to free tissue transfer for reconstruction of the lower extremity.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.441-447
• /
• 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.

• Archives of Hand and Microsurgery
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.296-300
• /
• 2018

Penile shaft reconstruction requires adequate soft tissue characteristics as well as constant vascular pedicles when considering a perforator flap. The free flap technique using various donor sites and regional conventional and perforator flaps have been utilized for penile shaft reconstruction. Still, the free flap techniques include challenging surgical procedures in addition to postoperative management. The regional flap can be applied to limited defects due to the size and shape. We performed the bilateral superficial external pudendal artery (SEPA) perforator flaps in order to reconstruct a circumferential penile shaft defect. The circumferential wound has noted necrotic tissue involving superficial (Dartos) fascia. We underwent debridement, preserving deep (Buck's) fascia and corpus spongiosum. Thereafter, the soft tissue defect was covered with bilateral SEPA perforator flaps. The patient has been observed for 27 months, showing penile resilience without deformity or wound-related problems.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.10-16
• /
• 2023

Background The chest wall defects can be caused by various reasons. In the case of malignant tumor resection of the chest wall, it is essential to reconstruct the chest wall to cover the vital tissue and restore the pulmonary function with prevention of paradoxical motion. With our experience, we analyzed and evaluated the results and complications of the chest wall reconstructions followed by malignant tumor resection. Methods From 2013 to 2022, we reviewed a medical record of patients who received chest reconstruction due to chest wall malignant tumor resection. The following data were retrieved: patients' demographic data, tumor type, type of operation, method of chest wall reconstruction of the soft and skeletal tissue and complications. Results There were seven males and six female patients. The causes of reconstruction were 12 primary tumors and one metastatic carcinoma. The pathological types were seven sarcomas, three invasive breast carcinoma, and three squamous cell carcinomas. The skeletal reconstruction was performed in six patients. The series of the flap were eight pedicled latissimus dorsi (LD) myocutaneous flaps, two pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, two vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous free flap, and one LD free flap. Among all the cases, only one staged reconstruction and successful reconstruction without flail chest. Most of the complications were atelectasis. Conclusion In the case of accompanying multiple ribs and sternal defect, skeletal reconstruction would need skeletal reconstruction to prevent paradoxical chest wall motion. The flap for soft tissue defect be selected according to defect size and location of chest wall. With our experience, we recommend the reconstruction algorithm for chest wall defect due to malignant tumor resection.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.25-30
• /
• 1988

Soft-tissue expansion is a new surgical technique of providing donor tissue in modern reconstructive surgery. This technique provides a quantity of tissue of similar color, texture, and hair-bearing qualities for reconstruction of adjacent defects. It is known that the expanded skin shows several constant histologic changes including the increase in collagen fibers and vascularity within dermis, and thinning of subcutaneous tissue and dermis. In this study, the author observed serial histologic changes of rabbit skin induced by progressive tissue expansion upto excessive expansion of 6 times. The results are as follows : 1. Changes in the thickness of the epidermis was minimal until 3 times of expansion, but slight thinning was observed at excessive expansion state. 2. The thickness of the dermis was progressively decreased, and collagen fibers in the dermis was rapidly increased in early phase of expansion. 3. The vascularity in the dermis was also progressively increased. 4. The skin appendages showed no structural changes even in excessive expansion. 5. The panniculus carnosus showed no atrophic changes and the thickness was maintained in excessive expansion.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.53 no.6
• /
• pp.417-428
• /
• 2023

Purpose: To investigate the effect of xenogeneic collagen matrix (XCM) with polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) for gingival phenotype modification compared to autogenous connective tissue graft. Methods: Five mongrel dogs were used in this study. Box-type gingival defects were surgically created bilaterally on the maxillary canines 8 weeks before gingival augmentation. A coronally positioned flap was performed with either a subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) or XCM with PDRN (2.0 mg/mL). The animals were sacrificed after 12 weeks. Intraoral scanning was performed for soft tissue analysis, and histologic and histomorphometric analyses were performed. Results: One animal exhibited wound dehiscence, leaving 4 for analysis. Superimposition of STL files revealed no significant difference in the amount of gingival thickness increase (ranging from 0.69±0.25 mm to 0.80±0.31 mm in group SCTG and from 0.48±0.25 mm to 0.85±0.44 mm in group PDRN; P>0.05). Histomorphometric analysis showed no significant differences between the groups in supracrestal gingival tissue height, keratinized tissue height, tissue thickness, and rete peg density (P>0.05). Conclusions: XCM soaked with PDRN yielded comparable gingival augmentation to SCTG.