• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.265-275
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• 2013

The anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) is a versatile fasciocutaneous or myocutaneous flap, which can be harvested incorporating several skin islands and muscle components. The perforator of the ALTF is usually derived from the descending or transverse branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery, and these vessels are based mainly on musculocutaneous perforators traversing the vastus lateralis muscle, and also based on the septocutaneous vessels running in between the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis muscle. Despite its usefulness for the oral cavity reconstruction, anatomic variations of these nutrient vessels, such as three main branches of ALTF and its relations with sartorius, vastus lateralis, tensor fasciae latae and rectus femoris muscle, have been reconstructive surgeons to be hesitated for the selection of ALTF. For the better understanding of ALTF as a routine reconstructive procedure in oral and maxillofacial surgery, various anatomical findings must be learned and memorized by young doctors in the course of the special curriculum periods for the Korean national board of oral and maxillofacial surgery. This review article will discuss the vascular anatomy and relavant anatomical variations of ALTF with Korean language.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.70-75
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• 2014

Purpose: Soft-tissue reconstruction in the knee area requires thin, pliable, and tough skin. The range of motion of the knee also acts as a limitation in using only local flaps for coverage. The author has successfully used various perforator flaps for soft tissue reconstruction around the knee while preserving its functional and cosmetic characteristics. Materials and Methods: Out of the twenty patients assessed from April 2009 to March 2011, seven received anterolateral thigh perforator flaps, four received medial sural perforator island flaps, four received lateral supragenicular perforaor perforator flaps, and five received medial genicular artery flaps. The age of the patients ranged from 44 to 79 and the size of the defects ranged from $4{\times}5cm$ to $17{\times}11cm$. Fifteen of the twenty patients had histories of total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. Results: There were no flap losses in any of the twenty patients assessed. Two patients showed partial losses in the distal area of the flap, but were treated through careful wound care. One patient presented with pedicle adhesion at the drainage site from a past TKR, but it did not hinder the flap survival. Primary closure at the donor site was possible in nine patients, while split skin graft was necessary for the other 13. Conclusion: In soft tissue reconstruction of the knee, various perforator flaps can be used depending on the condition of the preoperation scar, wound site, and size. It also proved to provide better functional and cosmetic results than in primary wound closure or skin grafts.

• 대한골관절종양학회지
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.33-43
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• 2008

목적: 족관절 및 족부에 발생한 악성 연부 조직 종양의 광범위 절제술 후 시행한 재건술의 임상적 효용성에 대하여 알아보고자 한다. 대상 및 방법: 2000년 3월에서 2007년 3월까지 족관절 및 족부에 악성 연부 조직 종양이 발생하여 광범위 절제술을 시행한 후 재건술을 시행한 15례(14명)을 대상으로 하였다. 폐 전이로 사망한 1례를 제외하고 평균 36.4개월(7~72개월)의 추시기간을 가졌고, 평균 연령은 56.8세(26~77세), 남자가 11명, 여자가 3명이었다. 원발병소는 악성 흑색종 12례, 편평상피 세포암 3례이었다. 최종 추시점에서 종양학적, 수술적 그리고 기능적인 결과를 비교하였다. 결과: 재건술의 방법은 전외측 대퇴부 천공지 피판 5례, 역행성 표재 비복동맥 피판 4례, 족배 동맥 피판 3례와 국소 피판 3례였다. 결손의 크기는 평균 $5.5{\times}5.7\;cm$, 피판의 크기는 평균 $5.9{\times}6.0\;cm$이었다. 회전 피판술 결손의 크기는 평균 $4.6{\times}4.7\;cm$, 피판의 크기는 평균 $4.9{\times}4.8\;cm$이었고 유리 피판술 결손의 크기는 평균 $7.2{\times}7.8\;cm$, 피판의 크기는 평균 $8.2{\times}8.8\;cm$이었다. 평균 수술 시간은 310분(120~540분)이었고, 회전 피판술은 256분, 유리 피판술은 420분이었다. 1례가 폐전이로 사망하였고 국소 재발한 4례와 원격 전이가 발견된 4례를 제외한 7례에서는 최종 추시상 병변이 발견되지 않았다. 피판의 국소적인 울혈외에 수술적 합병증은 없었고, 술 후 MSTS 점수는 평균 68.8%였다. 결론: 족관절 및 족부에 발생한 악성 연부 조직 종양의 광범위 절제술 후 결손의 크기가 비교적 작을 경우($5{\times}5\;cm$ 이하)인 경우 족배 동맥 피판술, 역행성 표재 비복 동맥 피판술과 같은 회전 피판술을 일차적으로 고려해 볼 수 있다. 결손이 더 크거나 복합 조직이 필요한 경우 전외측 대퇴부 천공지 피판술을 포함한 유리 피판술이 더 유용할 것으로 사료된다. 그리고 악성 흑색종의 경우 재건 방법은 종양학적인 결과에 영향을 미치지 않는 것으로 보인다.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제50권3호
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• pp.264-273
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• 2023

The medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap is a versatile fasciocutaneous flap, and yet is less commonly utilized than other free flaps in microvascular reconstructions of the head and neck. The aim is to conduct a high-quality Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA)- and Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2)-compliant systematic review comparing the use of the MSAP flap to other microvascular free flaps in the head and neck. Medline, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify all original comparative studies comparing patients undergoing head and neck reconstruction with an MSAP flap to the radial forearm free flap (RFFF) or anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap from inception to February 2021. Outcome studied were the recipient-site and donor-site morbidities as well as speech and swallow function. A total of 473 articles were identified from title and abstract review. Four studies met the inclusion criteria. Compared with the RFFF and the ALT flaps, the MSAP flap had more recipient-site complications (6.0 vs 10.4%) but less donor-site complications (20.2 vs 7.8%). The MSAP flap demonstrated better overall donor-site appearance and function than the RFFF and ALT flaps (p = 0.0006) but no statistical difference in speech and swallowing function following reconstruction (p = 0.28). Although higher quality studies reviewing the use of the MSAP flap to other free flaps are needed, the MSAP flap provides a viable and effective reconstructive option and should be strongly considered for reconstruction of head and neck defects.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.304-313
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• 2018

Elevating thin flaps has long been a goal of reconstructive surgeons. Thin flaps have numerous advantages in reconstruction. In this study, we present a surgical method for elevating a thin flap and demonstrate the safety of the procedure. A retrospective review was performed of the electronic medical records of patients who underwent thin flap elevation for lower extremity reconstruction from April 2016 to September 2016 at the Department of Plastic Surgery of Asan Medical Center. All flaps included in this study were elevated above the superficial fascia. A total of 15 superficial circumflex iliac artery free flaps and 13 anterolateral thigh free flaps were enrolled in the study. The total complication rate was 17.56% (n=5), with total loss of the flap in one patient (3.57%) and partial necrosis of the flap in four patients (14.28%). No wound dehiscence or graft loss at the donor wound took place. Elevation above the superficial fascia is not inferior in terms of flap necrosis risk and is superior for reducing donor site morbidity. In addition to its safety, it yields good aesthetic results.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.253-256
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• 2012

A radial forearm free flap has been conventionally used for urethral reconstruction. However, aesthetic and functional complications occur frequently at the donor site. The use of a superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap can resolve these disadvantages. Here, we report our case with a review of literature. A 69-year-old man visited our hospital with multiple contusions of the abdomen and genital amputation. After necrotic tissue debridement, the length of the residual corpus carvernosum was 1.5 cm and that of the corpus spongiosum and urethra was 1 cm. For the reconstruction of the penis, a SCIP flap and anterolateral thigh free flap was performed. The primary closure was performed at the donor site. Three weeks postoperatively, the patient had a urethral foley catheter removed. The neourethra was functioning well without stricture. Four months postoperatively, the patient had no complications such as urethral stricture. A good recovery was also achieved with no aesthetic deficits at the donor site. SCIP flap is appropriate for urethral reconstruction. Because of its proximity to the recipient sites, it makes surgical preparation easier and the primary closure at the donor site available. It is also advantageous in that its location is almost unnoticeable.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제45권5호
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• pp.479-483
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• 2018

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is a very rare type of sarcoma, with an incidence of 0.001%. MPNST has a 5-year survival rate near 80%, so successful reconstruction techniques are important to ensure the patient's quality of life. Sarcoma of the forearm is known for its poor prognosis, which leads to wider excision, making reconstruction even more challenging due to the unique anatomical structure and delicate function of the forearm. A 44-year-old male presented with a large mass that had two aspects, measuring $9{\times}6cm$ and $7{\times}5cm$, on the dorsal aspect of the right forearm. The extensor compartment muscles (EDM, EDC, EIP, EPB, EPL, ECRB, ECRL, APL) and invaded radius were resected with the mass. Tendon transfer of the entire extensor compartment with skin defect coverage using a $24{\times}8cm$ anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator free flap was performed. The patient was discharged after 18 days without wound complications, and has not complained of discomfort during supination, pronation, or wrist extension/flexion through 3 years of follow-up. To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful reconstruction of the entire forearm extensor compartment with ALT free flap coverage after resection of MPNST.