• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2018

Background The free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap has been widely used for various kinds of reconstructions. However, delayed healing at the donor site occasionally occurs due to wound dehiscence or the partial loss of grafted skin at the donor site. The aim of the present study was to identify reliable predictive factors for delayed healing at the donor site after the harvest of a free ALT flap. Methods This study included 52 patients who underwent reconstructive procedures using free ALT flaps. The delayed healing group included patients with wounds at the donor site that had not healed over 3 weeks after surgery, and the normal healing group included patients who showed wound healing within 3 weeks after surgery. Multivariate logistic regression models were created to identify the risk factors for delayed healing at the ALT flap donor site. Results Among the 52 patients, 24 (46.2%) showed delayed healing at the donor site, and 6 patients required additional operative treatment. A high preoperative body mass index (BMI), smoking, and skin grafting were found to be significantly associated with delayed healing at the ALT donor site. Of the 37 patients who underwent skin grafting, 23 (62%) experienced delayed healing at the donor site. Conclusions A high preoperative BMI, smoking, and skin grafting were risk factors for delayed healing at the free ALT donor site. Skin grafting at the ALT donor site should be avoided in patients with a high BMI or a habit of smoking.

• ALGAE
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2010

Marked declines in seagrass meadows are increasingly being reported from coasts around Korea and many regions of the world. The transplantation of seagrasses has been attempted to mitigate and control their degradation from a range of anthropogenic factors. In this study, Zostera marina shoots, which were collected from a donor bed in Koje Bay, were transplanted in Jindong Bay in December 2004. In 2008, a comparative investigation of shoot morphology, growth, and reproduction strategy of Z. marina was carried out between the donor and transplant sites to assess their adaptation success. Shoot height, individual shoot weight, and leaf productivity at the transplant site were significantly greater than those at the donor site. However, below-/aboveground tissue ratio was significantly lower at the transplant site compared to the donor site. Z. marina survival was maintained through vegetative reproduction, while peak season for lateral shoot recruitment was late winter for both donor and transplant site populations. However, vegetative reproduction mainly occurred during late winter and spring at the transplant site, whereas lateral shoots were evident across all seasons except late spring in the donor site. More pronounced seasonal variations were found at the transplant site compared to the donor site. These results indicate that Z. marina populations at the two sites possess distinct phenotypic variations induced by different environmental conditions, and Z. marina transplants have adapted well to the new transplant environment.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.528-534
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• 2020

Split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) is the gold standard for coverage of acute burns and reconstructive wounds. However, the choice of the donor site for STSG varies among surgeons, and the scalp represents a relatively under-utilized donor site. Understanding the validity of potential risks will assist in optimizing wound management. A comprehensive literature search was conducted of the PubMed database to identify studies evaluating scalp skin grafting in human subjects published between January 1, 1964 and December 31, 2019. Data were collected on early and late complications at the scalp donor site. In total, 27 articles comparing scalp donor site complications were included. The selected studies included analyses of acute burn patients only (21 of 27 articles), mean total body surface area (20 of 27), age distribution (22 of 27), sex (12 of 27), ethnicity (5 of 27), tumescent technique (21 of 27), depth setting of the dermatome (24 of 27), number of harvests (20 of 27), mean days of epithelization (18 of 27), and early and late complications (27 of 27). The total rate of early complications was 3.82% (117 of 3,062 patients). The total rate of late complications was 5.19% (159 of 3,062 patients). The literature on scalp skin grafting has not yet identified an ideal surgical technique for preventing donor site complications. Although scalp skin grafting provided superior outcomes with fewer donor site complications, there continues to be a lack of standardization. The use of scalp donor sites for STSG can prevent early and late complications if proper surgical planning, procedures, and postoperative care are performed.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.66-70
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• 2016

Background In this study, we characterize the morbidity at the donor-site of partial second toe pulp free flaps in terms of wound management as well as long-term outcomes. Methods A single-institutional retrospective review was performed for patients who had undergone partial second toe pulp free flap transfer to the fingertip. Patient charts were reviewed for infection, skin necrosis, wound dehiscence, and hematoma for the donor site. Additionally, a questionnaire survey was given to patients who had a follow-up of longer than 1 year to characterize long-term postoperative pain and appearance. Results The review identified a total of 246 cases. Early wound complications were significant for wound dehiscence (n=8) and hematoma (n=5) for a wound complication rate of 5.3%. The questionnaire was distributed to 109 patients, and 54 patients completed the survey. Out of these 54 patients, 15 patients continued to have donor-site pain (28%) at a mean follow-up period of 32.4 months. However, the pain intensity was relatively low in the range between 2 to 5, on a 0-10 scale. None of these patients felt this donor-site pain interfered significantly with daily activity, nor did any patient require pain medications of any type. Donor-site appearance was satisfactory to most patients. Conclusions The partial second toe pulp flap was associated with low rates of wound complications and favorable long-term outcomes. Given the functional and aesthetic gain in the recipient finger, donor-site morbidities appear acceptable in this patient population. This study can be helpful in counseling patients regarding donor-site morbidity during the informed consent process.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 1997

The methods of clinical applications of the foot as a free-flap donor site includes microvascular toe-to-finger transfer, free neurovascular flap transfer, first web space flap transfer, and osteocutaneous free flap transfer. We have evaluated the results of treatment for 35 patients to be undergone a microvascular reconstructive procedure with the foot as a donor site from January 1982 to June 1996. The performed operations were 16 cases of thumb reconstruction with wrap around procedure, 3 cases of tenocutaneous flap transfer, 10 cases of dorsalis pedis flap transfer, 2 cases of first web space free flap and 4 cases of toe-to-finger transfer. The follow up study was 69 months in average. Regarding to the various donor sites, morbidity was divided into five different categories: Cosmesis, Functional loss, Sensory loss, Wound complication, and Pain. According to the results of examination(35 patients), the results was excellent(25), good(9), fair(1), and poor(0). Among the categories, morbidity was higher at cosmesis. The patients under 50 years were better outcome. Among the operative methods from the foot as a donor site, thumb reconstruction with wrap around procedure showed poorest outcomes. So, We conclude that the foot as a free flap donor site is a good source for the microvascular reconstructive surgery. But, Preoperative donor site evaluation, adequate operative technique and post operative management are essential to decrease the morbidity of donor site.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.427-431
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• 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe a simple, convenient, and reliable new technique using local full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) for skin coverage of a donor-site defect of the radial forearm free flap (RFFF). Patients and Methods: Between April 2016 and April 2021, five patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma underwent mass resection combined with RFFF reconstruction. After RFFF harvesting, donor-site defects were restored by proportional local FTSG. Results: The donor-site defects ranged in size from 24 to 41.25 cm², with a mean of 33.05 cm². Good or acceptable esthetic outcomes were obtained in all five patients. There was no dehiscence, skin necrosis, wound infection, or severe scarring at the graft site through the end of the postoperative follow-up period, and no patient had any specific functional complaint. Conclusion: The proportional local FTSG showed promising results for skin coverage of the donor-site defect of the RFFF. This technique could decrease the need for skin grafts from other sites.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.769-775
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• 2015

Background The radial forearm flap is a versatile, widely used flap. However, the possibility of donor site complications has led to concern over its use. Some surgeons prefer using other flaps whose donor sites can be closed primarily with less morbidity, including avoiding unpleasant scarring. However, in our experience, donor site stability of the radial forearm flap can be reliably achieved by using well-implemented specific procedures. Here, we present a collection of donor site cases of the radial forearm flap and investigate factors that affect the aesthetic results as the basis for a reference for selecting a radial forearm flap. Methods In this retrospective study, we reviewed 171 cases in which a radial forearm flap was used for free tissue transfer after resecting head and neck cancer. We focused on donor site morbidity rates. Each operation involved a detailed procedure designed to minimize donor site morbidity. Moreover, statistical investigations were conducted for 22 cases to determine factors affecting the scar appearance. Results Only one case developed total skin graft necrosis as a major complication. Scar-related aesthetic results were acceptable, and the body-mass index, body weight, diabetes, and cardiac problems were significant factors related to the appearance of scars. Conclusions Performing the radial forearm flap using a well-implemented detailed technique helps achieve acceptable donor site morbidity results. The aesthetic results were more promising for patients without excess body weight, diabetes, or cardiac problems. Therefore, anxiety about donor site morbidity should not be a reason to avoid selecting the radial forearm flap in suitable patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.462-468
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• 2009

Purpose: The liposuction has been generalized & undergone in the field of plastic surgery and it has had a great influence on fat graft. But despite of liposuction and fat injection being performed widely, we did not focus on complication associated with donor site. So we reported satisfactory result with the intraoperative sustained limited expansion & direct closure to donor site tissue necrosis after liposuction and analyzed the cause & measures of donor site necrosis with the literature investigation Methods: From November 2007 to June 2008, we treated four cases of tissue necrosis and infection surrounding the thigh and forearm. Necrosis after liposuction was 1 case, donor site necrosis after fat injection were 3 cases and MRSA was detected in 2 cases. first, we debrided the necrotic tissue and treated with potadine gauze soaking dressing & susceptible antibiotics. After confirmation of healthy granulation tissue, we used intraoperative sustained limited expansion and closed directly of defect & observed the results. Results: The patient was displeased and worried with the unexpected damage concerning the donor site and the procedure concerning time and financial exhaustion, but after confirming no contracture of the scar tissues and only a thin or slightly widened line of scar, showed satisfaction. Conclusion: Because it is fastidious to avoid donor site complication after liposuction & fat injection, enough explanation and understanding on possible complication to donor site are necessary and careful surgery procedure & materials are required. But if donor site necrosis were occurred although close consideration of possible causes of necrosis, we should think about not only wound healing process but also the sequela like scar contracture & cosmetic effect and treat the most adequate method to satisfying both concerns.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.267-270
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• 2005

The two major concerns in skin grafting are poor color match at the recipient site and donor site morbidity. To overcome the limitations of the classic skin graft, we have used dermis graft-deepithelialized split thickness skin graft-for coverage of small to medium sized wounds. The important aspects of this methods involve the immediate return of epidermis to the donor site to overcome donor site morbidity and restoration of the epidermis at the recipient site by neo epithelization from the adjacent skin. From April of 2001 to July of 2003, the dermis graft was applied to 32 patients. Simultaneously, the regular split thickness skin graft procedure was performed in 33 patients. We compared the healing time in all patients. The scar condition was also evaluated at 2 to 12 months after operation. The entire dermis grafts were reepithelialized in 15.5 days. The skin grafted wounds were healed by 11.8 days. Regarding the donor sites, donor sites of dermis graft healed within 7.5 days. On the contrary those of regular skin graft required 12.8 days. The donor sites of the dermis graft were also superior to those of skin graft in scar quality and patient satisfaction. The dermis graft technique for wound coverage compares favorably to regular skin graft technique in both recipient and donor sites aesthetically and functionally.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.88-94
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• 1998

Free vascularized fibular transplantation is one of the most useful living bone reconstructive procedure in microsurgical field. Concerning about donor site morbidity, the donor has minor problems of ankle stability and muscle power weakness and transient peroneal nerve symptoms. That problems can be minimized with longitudinal splitted osteotomy on the donor fibula if the bone defect in recipient site is not so large. Half splitted fibula with peroneal arterial pedicle which contains nutrient artery and periosteal vessels, grafted bone can survive with those vascular supplies. Authors underwent five cases of half splitted free vascularized fibular transplantation from 1985. There were no evidence of devascularization in all cases, we can minimized donor morbidity with leaving half fibula intact on donor site. The problem of that technique is technically demanding in longitudinal splitting of bone without damage to peroneal nutrient vessels and periosteal soft tissues which attached to the bone. Authors can propose longitudinal half fibular transplantation is one of modification in free vascularized bone transplantation that minimize donor defect.