• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.354-359
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• 2023

The temporomandibular joint is a unique structure composed of the joint capsule, articular disc, mandibular condyles, glenoid fossa of the temporal bone, surrounding ligaments, and associated muscles. The condyle is one of the major components of a functional temporomandibular joint. Reconstruction of large mandibular defects involving the condyle is a surgical challenge for oral and maxillofacial surgeons. To restore large mandibular defects, there are different options for free flap method such as fibula, scapula, and iliac crest. Currently, the vascularized fibula free flap is the gold standard for reconstruction of complex mandibular defects involving the condyle. In the present report, neocondyle regeneration after mandible reconstruction including the condyle head with fibula free flap was evaluated. In this report, two patients were evaluated periodically, and remodeling of the distal end of the free fibula was observed in both cases after condylectomy or mandibulectomy. With preservation of the articular disc, trapezoidal shaping of the neocondyle, and elastic guidance of occlusion, neocondyle bone regeneration occured without ankylosis. Preservation of the articular disc and maintenance of proper occlusion are critical factors in regeneration of the neocondyle after mandible reconstruction.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.31-38
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• 1993

Horn rudders or flap rudders with a gap between forward and after part are used for effective steering of a ship or a submerged body. It is necessary to analyze the effect of a gap since it affects the performance of rudders. In this paper, an equation to calculate the lift acting on a two-dimensional flap rudder in uniform flow is derived by using the thin hydrofoil theory and the analytic solution of viscous flow in a channel formed by two coaxial cylindrical walls to which a pressure gradient is applied.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.280-283
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• 2018

Knee revision arthroplasty following peri-prosthetic joint infections is a formidable challenge. Patients are at a high risk of recurrent infection, and the soft tissue over the revised implant is often of questionable quality. Flap reconstruction has improved the salvage rates of infected arthroplasties, and should be considered in all cases of revision arthroplasty. We present a challenging case requiring staged reconstruction with two free latissimus dorsi flaps after the initial use of a medial gastrocnemius flap.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.75-79
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• 2021

Bardach described a closure of the cleft utilizing the arch of the palate, which provides the length needed for closure and is most effective only in narrow clefts. Herein, we describe a case where we utilized Bardach's two-flap technique with a vital and easy modification, done to allow closure of a wide cleft palate and to prevent oronasal fistula formation at the junction of the hard and soft palate, which are otherwise difficult to manage with conventional flaps. The closed palate showed healthy healing, palatal lengthening, and no oronasal regurgitation. We advise using this modification to achieve the goals of palatal repair in difficult cases where tension-free closure would otherwise be achieved with more complex flap surgical techniques, such as free microvascular tissue transfer.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.153-158
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• 2012

Purpose: The first web space of the foot has a similar thickness and skin texture of the pulp of the fingers. Moreover, it has a reliable blood vessel and sensory nerve. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of the first web space free flap to reconstruct the pulp of fingers. Materials and Methods: Authors have performed 23 cases of first web space free flap to reconstruct the pulp defect of the fingers between June 2004 and May 2009. The age of the patients ranged from 20 years old to 55 years old. The size of the flap ranged from $1{\times}1.5cm$ to $8.5{\times}2.5cm$. The mean flap area was 5.4 cm2. In 4 cases, we elevated the flap including lateral aspect of the big toe and medial aspect of the second toe. And then we made an artificial syndactyly to reconstruct the pulps on two fingers at the same time. In all cases, we performed 1 digital artery and 1 dorsal vein anastomosis. Every donor site that had a small defect healed spontaneously without any additional operations to cover it. Results: Of this type of surgery 21 flaps (91.3%) survived, 2 flaps (8.7%) failed. There was no severe complication in the donor sites. There was no walking disturbance due to the skin defect of the donor site. The static 2 point discrimination in 11 cases that we could check ranged from 3 mm to 15 mm. Conclusion: The authors believe that the first web space free flap of the foot is a good option for the reconstruction of the pulp of the fingers and it has a minimal donor site morbidity.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.572-579
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• 2019

Background Even with satisfactory anastomosis technique and adequate experience of the surgeon, flap loss due to thrombosis can still occur due to the patient's underlying condition. Patients with hypercoagulability due to etiologies such as malignancy, hereditary conditions, and acquired thrombophilia are among those who could benefit from free flap procedures. This review aimed to evaluate the risk of free flap thrombosis in patients with hypercoagulability and to identify the most effective thromboprophylaxis regimen. Methods This review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline. The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were explored. Types of free flaps, types of hypercoagulable states, thrombosis prevention protocols, thrombosis complication rates, and flap vitality outcomes were reviewed. Samples from the included studies were pooled to calculate the relative risk of free flap thrombosis complications in patients with hypercoagulability compared to those without hypercoagulability. Results In total, 885 articles underwent title, abstract, and full-text screening. Six articles met the inclusion criteria. The etiologies of hypercoagulability varied. The overall incidence of thrombosis and flap loss in hypercoagulable patients was 13% and 10.3%, respectively. The thrombosis risk was two times higher in hypercoagulable patients (P=0.074) than in controls. Thromboprophylaxis regimens were variable. Heparin was the most commonly used regimen. Conclusions Hypercoagulability did not significantly increase the risk of free flap thrombosis. The most effective thromboprophylaxis regimen could not be determined due to variation in the regimens. Further well-designed studies should be conducted to confirm this finding.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2012

The radial artery superficial palmar branch free flap is based on the perforators of the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery and its venae comitantes. This flap can be used as a sensible flap including palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve. Forty radial artery superficial palmar branch free flaps were performed at Centum Institute during October 2010 to December 2011. There were 32 males and 8 females and their mean age were 48 years (range 30 to 66 years). The thumb injured in 13 patients, the index finger in 16 patients, the middle finger in 4 patients, the ring finger in 2 patients, and the little finger in 5 patients. The mean size of the flap was $2.5{\times}3.5$ cm(range $2{\times}2.5$ to $3{\times}7$ cm). The donor site was always closed primarily. The overall survival rate was 90.2 percent. The flaps showed well-padded tissue with glabrous skin. All patients have touch sensation and showed 12 mm two point discrimination in an average(range 8 to 15 mm). Donor site morbidity was conspicuous. One patient showed unsightly scar. Early postoperative range of motion of the affected thumb showed slightly limited radial and palmar abduction. But it improved after postoperative 2 months, and patients did not complaint limitation of motion. In conclusion, the radial artery superficial palmar branch free flap can be used as an option for soft tissue reconstruction of finger defects where local or island flaps are unsuitable.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.89-92
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• 2011

Purpose: Electrical burn of scalp is uncommon. Much more, chronically exposed dura in unstable burn scar is quite exceptional. Hence, we report a case of chronically exposed dura following electrical burn. Methods: A 63-year-old man presented with an about 40 years history of an ulcerative lesion arising from electrical burn scar with 'squeeze like sensation' around wound. Wound was about $6{\times}8$ cm. Area in the center was $3{\times}3$ cm nonviable dura without sequestrum. Tangential excision with an intraoperative neurosurgical consultation and transposition flap under general anesthesia was done. Intraoperative biopsy was done. The wound was diagnosed as chronic osteomyelitis, not Marjolin ulcer. Flap was taken successfully. But after 5 days, infectious discharge had been appeared during 2 weeks, despite irrigation and drainage. As flap was re-evaluated, we could see remnant necrotic dura. After that, latissimus dorsi muscle free flap with meshed split thickness skin graft was transferred without excision of necrotic dura. Results: Flap was taken successfully. Follow-up at 10 weeks has been uneventful, with good and stable coverage of the wound. Conclusion: It is true that complete excision of devitalized tissue with sagittal sinus obliteration is prerequisite to flap taken. But necrotic dura was tangentially excised instead of total dura excision, because, posterior two-thirds of the sagittal sinus was involved underneath. Muscle is rich in blood vessels and decrease the recipient-site bacterial count effectively. In this case, muscle flap with skin graft without total dura excision is an alternative treatment.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.367-373
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• 2013

Background Breast-conserving surgery is widely accepted as an appropriate method in breast cancer, and the lateral thoracodorsal flap provides a simple, reliable technique, especially when a mass is located in the lateral breast. This study describes the usefulness of a lateral thoracodorsal flap after breast conserving surgery in laterally located breast cancer. Methods From September 2008 to February 2013, a lateral thoracodorsal flap was used in 20 patients with laterally located breast cancer treated at our institution. The technique involves a local medially based, wedge shaped, fasciocutaneous transposition flap from the lateral region of the thoracic area. Overall satisfaction and aesthetic satisfaction surveys were conducted with the patients during a 6-month postoperative follow-up period. Aesthetic results in terms of breast shape and symmetry were evaluated by plastic surgeons. Results The average specimen weight was 76.8 g. The locations of the masses were the upper lateral quadrant (n=15), the lower lateral quadrant (n=2), and the central lateral area (n=3). Complications developed in four of the cases, partial flap necrosis in one, wound dehiscence in one, and fat necrosis in two. The majority of the patients were satisfied with their cosmetic outcomes. Conclusions Partial breast reconstruction using a lateral thoracodorsal flap is well matched with breast color and texture, and the surgery is less aggressive than other techniques with few complications. Therefore, the lateral thoracodorsal flap can be a useful, reliable technique in correcting breast deformity after breast conserving surgery, especially in laterally located breast cancer.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.397-405
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• 2009

Purpose: Soft tissue defect of anterior chest wall is caused by trauma, infection, tumors and irradiation. To reconstruct damaged anterior chest wall does require to consider the patient's body condition, the cause, the location, the depth and the size of deletion, the circulation of surrounding tissue and minimization of functional and cosmetic disability. In this report, we suggest the algorithm of configuration for reconstruction methods. Methods: A retrospective study of 20 patients who underwent anterior chest wall reconstruction with pedicled musculocutaneous flap and fasciocutaneous flap was conducted. We collected the information of the patient's body condition, the cause, the size, the depth and the location of deletion, implemented flap and complication. We observed and evaluated flap compatibility, functional and cosmetic results. Patients completed survey about the extent to their satisfaction. Result: Follow up period after surgery was from 6 to 26 months, survival of flap were confirmed in all of patients' case. Two cases of local necrosis, one case of wound disruption were reported, but all these were cured by the debridement and primary closure. One hematoma and one seroma formation were observed in donor site. Longer surgery time, more bleeding amount and more transfusion volume were reported in the group of musculocutenous flap. Conclusion: Long term follow up result showed the successful reconstruction in all patients without recurrence and with minimal donor site morbidity. In addition, the patients' satisfaction for cosmetic and functional results were scaled relatively higher. This confirmed the importance of reconstruction algorithm for the chest wall reconstruction.