• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.141-145
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• 2002

Rectus abdominis muscle free flap is widely used for breast reconstruction and soft tissue defect in lower leg but donor-site morbidities such as abdominal wall weakness, hernia, bulging are troublesome. Recently, to minimize donor-site morbidity, there has been a surge in interest in deep inferior epigastric perforator(DIEP) free flap preserving the anatomy of rectus abdominis muscle, fascia, and motor nerve. Between August of 1995 and September of 2002, topographic investigation of DIEP was performed during the elevation of 97 cases of TRAM free flap and 5 cases of DIEP free flap. There were 84 cases of breast reconstructions, 12 cases of lower leg reconstructions, and 6 cases of head and neck reconstruction. We could observe total 10 to 12 perforators on each rectus abdominis muscle below umbilicus. Among these, the numbers of large perforators(>1.5mm of diameter) were mean 2.1 in lateral half of rectus abdominis muscle, mean 1.2 in medial half, and mean 0.5 in linea alba and paramedian. DIEP free flap provides ample amount of well vascularized soft tissue without inclusion of any rectus abdominis muscle and fascia and minimizes donor-site morbidity. One perforator with significant flow can perfuse the whole flap. For large flap, a perforator of the medial row provides better perfusion to zone-4 than one of lateral row and, if diameter of perforator is small, $2{\sim}3$ perforators can be used. According to the condition of recipient-site, thin flap can be harvested. As DIEP free flap has many advantage, perforator topography will be useful in increasing clinical usage of DIEP free flap.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.516-521
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• 2006

The following conclusions are drawn from Hyungsang medicinal review on th globs hystericus through Donguibogam and other literatures. The globs hystericus appears in the throat and the epigastric region. It is a subjective sensation as if a plum pit is stick in the throat and is compressed, usually ac companied by stuffiness in chest, depression, nausea, and hiccup. But the throat is not marked with redness and swelling. Because Gi stagnation due to seven emotions is the main cause, the globs hystericus is usually followed by Seven Gi injuries, Pain and depressive syndrome due to disorder of Gi, palpitation due to fright, continuous violent palpitation, Gi phlegm, precordial pain with palpitation, epigastric pain due to seven emotions, cough and dyspnea due to disorder of Gi, and six kinds of stagnations. When head and body or chest and abdomen is compared to heaven and earth, the blockage of Gi between heaven and earth is common to the persons with the following charcteristics in Hyungsang; Dam type rather than Bankwang type, Gi type and Shin type rather than deer type and fish type, Taeum and Yangmyeong meridian types out of six meridian types, manly women, womanly man, too long or short neck, and signs of stagnation between the eyebrows. The globus hystericus needs, distinguishing from aphonia, acute tonsilitis, goiter, and pectorial pain with stuffiness. The affected area of aphonia and acute tonsilitis is the throat but they are not cause by the disturbance of seven emotions. Goiter can be distinguished by the changes in the appearance of neck. Even though the symptoms are similar, globus hystericus is caused by the stagnation of Gi, but the pectorial pain with stuffiness, by the insufficiency of the Heart blood. The general prescriptions are Chilgitang, Sachiltang, Gamisachiltang, Gamiijintang, and Sinihwan.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.94-100
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• 2008

In the past decade, there has been increasing breast reconstructions after mastectomy, and the abdomen has been the gold standard for donor site. TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous), MSTRAM (muscle sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous), DIEP (deep inferior epigastric artery perforator), SIEA (superficial inferior epigastric artery) flap has been widely used nowadays. Among them, DIEP free flap spares the whole rectus abdominis muscle and anterior rectus sheath resulting in decreased donor site morbidity. Between March of 2006 and February of 2008, six patients had undergone immediate breast reconstructions using DIEP free flap. The mean age of patients was 48.5 years. All patients had unilateral breast reconstructions. We dissected two perforators which were included in the unilateral pedicle. Thoracodorsal artery and its venae comitantes were chosen as recipient vessels. For venous anastomosis, we used the GEM Microvascular Anastomotic Coupler System (Synovis Micro Companies Alliance, Inc., Birmingham, Ala.) in four cases. All flaps were survived completely except one who showed fatty abdomen in old age. She showed repetitive vascular spasm intraoperatively. None of the patients had abdominal hernia, bulge or weakness. We believe that DIEP free flap provides a reliable method for autologous breast reconstruction if the patients are selected appropriately and performed by a skillful surgeon.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.202-208
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• 2022

Background: Neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) is a typical treatment for severe epigastric cancer pain, but the therapeutic effect is often affected by the variation of local anatomical structures induced by the tumor. Greater and lesser splanchnic nerve neurolysis (SNN) had similar effects to the NCPB, and was recently performed with a paravertebral approach under the image guidance, or with the transdiscal approach under the guidance of computed tomography. This study observed the feasibility and safety of SNN via a transdiscal approach under fluoroscopic guidance. Methods: The follow-up records of 34 patients with epigastric cancer pain who underwent the splanchnic nerve block via the T11-12 transdiscal approach under fluoroscopic guidance were investigated retrospectively. The numerical rating scale (NRS), the patient satisfaction scale (PSS) and quality of life (QOL) of the patient, the dose of morphine consumed, and the occurrence and severity of adverse events were recorded preoperatively and 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 2 months after surgery. Results: Compared with the preoperative scores, the NRS scores and daily morphine consumption decreased and the QOL and PSS scores increased at each postoperative time point (P < 0.001). No patients experienced serious complications. Conclusions: SNN via the transdiscal approach under flouroscopic guidance was an effective, safe, and easy operation for epigastric cancer pain, with fewer complications.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.586-592
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• 2023

Background One-stage reconstruction with "thin perforator flaps" has been attempted to salvage limbs and restore function. The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is a commonly utilized flap in breast reconstruction (BR). The purpose of this study is to present the versatility of DIEP flaps for the reconstruction of large defects of the extremities. Methods Patients with large tissue defects on extremities who were treated with thin DIEP flaps from January 2016 to January 2018 were included. They were minimally followed up for 36 months. We analyzed the etiology and location of the soft tissue defect, flap design, anastomosis type, outcome, and complications. We also considered the technical differences in the DIEP flap between breast and extremity reconstruction. Results Overall, six free DIEP flaps were included in the study. The flap size ranged from 15 × 12 to 30 × 16 cm². All flaps were transversely designed similar to a traditional BR design. Three flaps were elevated with two perforators. Primary closure of the donor site was possible in all cases. Five flaps survived with no complications. However, partial necrosis occurred in one flap. Conclusion A DIEP flap is not the first choice for soft tissue defects, but it should be considered for one-stage reconstruction of large defects when the circulation zone of the DIEP flap is considered. In addition, this flap has many advantages over other flaps such as provision of the largest skin paddle, low donor site morbidity with a concealed scar, versatile supercharging technique, and a long pedicle.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.363-369
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• 2024

Transversus abdominis release (TAR) is a myofascial release technique which helps in surgical repair of large ventral abdominal wall defects. In this procedure, the medial margin of muscular part of transversus abdominis (TA) is of great importance. Hence, the authors sought to describe the extent of medial margin of TA muscle. The surgical steps of TAR were performed in 10 formalin-fixed cadavers and distance between medial margin of TA muscle, lateral margin of rectus abdominis, to linea alba at five anatomical levels were documented respectively. The distance between the inferior epigastric vessels and the medial border of TA muscle was also noted. The TA muscle was within the posterior rectus sheath in all cadavers, at the xiphisternum (R, 61.6 mm; L, 58.9 mm), and at midway between xiphisternum and umbilicus (R, 25.4 mm; L, 27.1 mm). The TA muscle exited the posterior rectus sheath between this point and the umbilicus. The mean incongruity at the next three levels were -24.6 mm, -24.9 mm, and -22.9 mm respectively on the right and -21.4 mm, -19.9 mm, and -18.9 mm respectively on the left. The mean distance between the medial border of TA and inferior epigastric vessels was 18.9 mm on the right and 17.2 mm on the left. The muscular part of TA was incorporated within the posterior rectus sheath above the umbilicus, and it completely exited the rectus sheath at the umbilicus. This is contrary to the traditional understanding of posterior rectus sheath formation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2008

Purpose: The pedicle of transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous(TRAM) flap and deep inferior epigastric arterial perforator flap is deep inferior epigastic artery (DIEA) and accurate anatomic knowledge about perforator of DIEA is very important for the elevation of these flap. The authors investigated a detailed vascular network of perforator of DIEA in Koreans. Methods: 24 fresh cadavers were studied. Among them, 15 were examined based on the plain X-ray examination for the distribution and location of perforator of DIEA. And 9 fresh cadavers were examined based on the 3-dimensional computed tomography(CT) study for the distance between ending point of perforator of DIEA and mother artery, the distance between most medial mother artery and midline, the distance between most lateral mother artery and midline, and the running type of perforators of DIEA. Results: Based on the plain X-ray examination, suitable(external diameter$${\geq_-}0.5mm$$) perforators of DIEA are located between the level of umbilicus and 8 cm below it. Based on the 3D-CT study, average distance between the ending point of perforator of DIEA and the mother artery is 30.26 mm on the left, 28.62 mm on the right, respectively. The average distance between most medial mother artery and midline is 17.13 mm on the left, 15.76 mm on the right, respectively. The average distance between most lateral mother artery and midline is 56.31 mm on the left, 50.90 mm on the right, respectively. The main running course of suitable perforators of DIEA is type a, which is a direct musculocutaneous perforator vessel from main vascular axis passing outward to join the subdermal plexus, directly. Conclusion: 3-dimensional computed tomography study as well as plain X-ray examination provided more accurate and detail informations about perforators of DIEA in Koreans. These informations will help us understand the detailed vascular anatomy and operation with ease and safe in the lower abdomen of Koreans.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.478-481
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• 2016

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.171-173
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• 2014

Preoperative perforator marking for deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps is vital to the success of the procedure in breast reconstruction. Advances in imaging have facilitated accurate identification and preselection of potentially useful perforators. However, the reported imaging accuracy may be lost when preoperatively marking the patient, due to 'mapping errors', as this relies on the use of 2 reported vectors from a landmark such as the umbilicus. Observation errors have been encountered where inaccurate perforator vector measurements have been reported in relation to the umbilicus. Transcription errors have been noted where confusing and wordy reports have been typed or where incorrect units have been given (millimetres vs. centimetres). Interpretation errors have also occurred when using the report for preoperative marking. Furthermore, the marking process may be unnecessarily time-consuming. We describe a bespoke template, created using an individual computed tomography angiography image, that increases the efficiency and accuracy of preoperative marking. The template is created to scale, is individually tailored to the patient, and is particularly useful in cases where multiple potential suitable perforators exist.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.889-896
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• 2005

Objective : Diarrhea is defined as an increased frequency of stools(more than three per day), increased liquidity(loose or watery) and decreased consistency or stools. This study was done to examine the efficacy of Gwakhyang-junggisan for two patients who had suffered from chronic diarrhea of unknown origin on examination. At the time of admission, patients complained of diarrhea 4 or 5 times per day accompanied with epigastric discomfort, quadri pain. As of the fourth day of Gwakhyang-junggisan administration, the frequency and liquidity of diarrhea decreased and accompanying symptoms also improved. Method : Gwakhyang-junggisan was used for these patients suffering from chronic diarrhea of origin unknown to western medicine. patients were diagnosed as daejang-sul as bihu disease. Result : Results were taken as two cases of effective treatment of chronic diarrhea with Gwakhyang-junggisan. Conclusion : Result of this study suggest that Gwakhyang-junggisan is all effective treatment for such symptoms of chronic diarrhea as epigastric discomfort, quadri pain.