• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.64-71
• /
• 1994

The successful treatment of the extensively traumatized foot warrants reconstruction utilizing tissue that will provide adequate coverage, is resistant to infection, thin enough to conform to the contours of the foot as well as durable to constant frictional movement and weight bearing. Currently, free flaps offer the best means in achieving these difficult and sometimes contradictory goals. We treated twenty-one patients suffering from extensive soft tissue loss of the foot due to trauma, electric burn or postburn sequelae with free flaps. A fasciocutaneous, musculocutaneous or muscle flap with skin grafting was used based on the location, volume of tissue required, and the functional anatomical requirement of the injured region. The follow-up duration averaged twenty-nine months. From our group of patients, we believe that the muscle free flap with skin grafting offers the most favorable outcome.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.144-151
• /
• 2005

Purpose: Disaster as traffic accident, industrial disaster, high voltage electrical bum and flame burn of extremity have a destructive effect because of the involvement of deep structure. Generally, such injury may result in decreased function or loss of limb. In this study the successful use of the combined scapular/parascapular flap as microsurgical transfer to cover extensive defect of electrical and flame bum is reported. Material and Method: Between January 2000 and June 2001, the combined scapular and parascapular flap was used for the coverage of soft tissue defect for 7 patients were admitted to our department with high voltage electrical bum and flame burn. The recipient site were the wrist joint in 2 cases, the forearm in 1 case, the ankle joint in 1 case, the foot dorsum in 1 case, the heel in 1 case. Result: Flap survival was complete in all patients. The result of flap coverage for these deep wound was successful. Conclusion: The advantages of scapular/parascapular combined flap were coverage of the large defect, easy shaping of the flap to fit the required three dimensional configuration around the joint, non hair bearing skin of uniform thickness, minimal donor site morbidity.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.112-120
• /
• 1996

We peformed tendon transfer with a microvascular free flap for recovery of handicapped function and reconstruction for the skin and soft tissue loss. We review the clinical data of 11 children who underwent these operation due to injured foot by pedestrian accident from January, 1986 to June, 1994. The mean age of patients was 5.6 years old(3-8). Five cases underwent tendon transfer and microvascular free flap simultaneously. Another 6 cases underwent operations separately. The time interval between tendon trasnfer and microvascular free flap was average 5.6 months(2-15 months). The duration between initial trauma and tendon transfer was average 9.6 months(2-21 months). The anterior tibial tendon was used in 6 cases. Among these, the technique of splitting the anterior tibial tendon was used in 5 cases. The posterior tibial tendon was used in 3 cases and the extenosr digitorum longus tendon of the foot in 2 cases. Insertion sites of tendon transfer were the cuboid bone in 3 cases, the 3rd cuneiform bone in 3 cases, the 2nd cuneiform bone in 1 case, the base of 4th metatarsal bone in 1 case, and the remnant of the extensor hallucis longus in 3 cases. The duration of follow-up was average 29.9 months(12-102 months). The clinical results were analysed by Srinivian criteria. Nine cases were excellent and 2 cases were good. The postoperative complications were loosening of the tranferred tendon in 2 cases, plantar flexion contracture in 1 case, mild flat foot deformity in 1 case and hypertrophic scar in 2 cases. So we recommend the tendon transfer with a microvascular free flap in the case of injured foot of children combined with nerve injury and extensive loss of skin, soft tissue and tendon.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.261-264
• /
• 2002

Purpose: To investigate the clinical features of fistulas of the ankle joints. Materials and Methods: Seven fistulas in seven patients were reviewed during Apr. 2000 to Mar. 2002, retrospectively. There are five men and two wemen. Average age was 47.7 years (range, 42-65 years). Average follow-up period was 1.4 years. There were six cystic lesions after ankle sprain and one patient with persistent discharge after excision of bursa over lateral malleolus. Results: Duration from injury to presentation was average 9.8 years. The site of preoperative swelling was mostly over the lateral malleolus in five patients. In one patient, the area of swelling was extended to the anterolateral ankle joint and in another patient there was extensive swelling from Achilles tendon to the anterolateral ankle joint. Concomitant symptoms were instability in three patients, pain and instability in three patients. Methods of surgery were simple repair in one, modified Brostrom in three, augmentation with periosteal flap in addition to modified Brostrom in two and Chrisman-Snook in addition to augmentation with periosteal flap and modified Brostrom in one. There were no recurrence of instability as well as fistula. Conclusion: We think that the fistula of the ankle joint should be included in the differential diagnosis of the cystic lesion over the lateral malleolus and the result of surgical treatment would be satisfactory in most cases.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.110-113
• /
• 2000

The reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the sole requires to stand the force of weight bearing, provide sensation and adequacy for normal foot-wear. Although certain local flaps have been described and used for resurfacing the foot, extensive injury requires distant or free flaps for coverage. There is no doubt that the ideal tissue for resurfacing the sole is the plantar tissue itself. The specialized dermal-epidermal histology and fibrous septa of the subcutaneous layer gives its unique property to stand the pressure and to absorb the shock upon gait. This paper presents a case of reconstructing the sole that involves about 70% of the weight bearing portion. The combined medial plantar and dorsalis pedis chimeric free flap based on the medial plantar artery and medial plantar nerve adds another dimension in resurfacing the weight bearing sole of moderate to large sized defects.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.165-174
• /
• 1998

Large soft tissue defect of the ankle and foot can present a difficult reconstructive problem to the surgeon. Local musculocutaneous, local fasciocutaneous or free flap is usually the first choice for providing soft tissue coverage. However, in certain situations, local flaps from the same leg and free flap may not be suitable. These include extensive soft tissue injury, where no suitable recipient vessels can be found, previous local fasciocutaneous flap or free flap failure. In such cases, we have utilized the septocutaneous(fasciocutaneous) branch flap of posterior tibial artery from the opposite healthy limb. We present 5 cases of cross leg flaps, which have been modernized with current understanding of vascular anatomy and current fixation technology. All cross leg flaps were based on the axial blood supply of the fasciocutanous branch of the posterior tibial artery. Cross-clamping with bowel clamp was used to create intermittent periods of ischemia. Adjacent lower extremity joints were exercised during the periods of attachment. The results have been quite encouraging. We conclude that the cross leg flap using septocutaneous flap and cast immobilization can be successfully and expeditiously used to cover defects of the ante and foot.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.110-115
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study analyzed the clinical and radiological results of Reudi-Allgower type II and III open tibia pilon fracture patients who underwent plate fixation after the recovery of a soft tissue injury after external fixation. Materials and Methods: From 2010 to 2015, this study analyzed 14 patients who were treated for open tibial pilon fractures and could be followed up at least one year. The mean age was 49 years and the average follow-up period was 19 months. An emergency operation was performed for external fixation and open wounds, and secondary surgery was performed for definitive fixation using a plate. The radiological and clinical evaluations were analyzed retrospectively. Complications, such as post-traumatic osteoarthritis and wound infections were also analyzed. Results: The mean duration between two-staged surgery was 21 days and the mean bone union time was 9.2 months. Three cases of delayed union and one case of nonunion were reported. The malunion did not occur in all cases. The average American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 68 points. A limitation of the ankle motion occurred in all cases. In four cases, wound infections due to initial open wounds occurred; one patient underwent a below the knee amputation due to chronic osteomyelitis. Post-traumatic arthritis occurred in 10 cases. Conclusion: Severe comminuted tibial plateau open fractures of Reudi-Allgower type II and III, which are high-energy injuries that result in extensive soft tissue damage, have a higher incidence of complications, such as ulcer problems and osteomyelitis, than closed tibia plateau fractures. Post-traumatic arthritis is the most common complication of tibia plateau open fractures, and staged surgery is recommended because of the relatively satisfactory clinical results.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 1998

From January 1985 to February 1997, 96 patients had undergone the free vascularized groin flap on the upper and lower extremities with microsurgical technique at the department of orthopaedic surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine. The results were as follows: 1. Average age at the time of operation was 24.9 years. and there were 71 men and 25 women and mean follow up was 62.4 months. 2. The lesion site was 82 cases on the lower extremity: foot(40), leg(20), ankle(13), and 14 cases on the upper extremity: forearm(6), elbow(3), hand(3), wrist(2). 3. The anatomical classification of the superficial circumflex iliac artery was as follows: 1) 39.8% of common origin with superficial inferior epigastric artery, 2) 30.1% of isolated origin and absent superficial inferior epigastric artery, 3) 13.3% of separate origin, 4) 16.9% of origin from the deep femoral artery. 4. There was no statistical significance on arterial anastomosis between end to end and end to side, and on venous anastomosis(end to end) between one vein and two veins. 5. The success rate was average 84.4% in 81 of 96 cases. 6. In the 15 failed cases, the additional procedures were performed: 5 cases of free vascularized scapular flap, 6 cases of full thickness skin graft, 2 cases of cross leg flap, 1 case of latissimus dorsi flap, 1 case of split thickness skin graft. In conclusion, the free vascularized groin flap can be considered as the treatment of choice for the reconstruction of the extensive soft tissue injury on the extremities, and show the higher success rate with the experienced surgeon.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.114-119
• /
• 2000

The soft tissue defects including the Achilles tendon are complex and very difficult to reconstruct. Recently, several free composite flaps including the tendon have been used to reconstruct large defects in this area in an one-stage effort. Our case presents a patient reconstructed with free composite dorsalis pedis flap along with the extensor digitorum longus and superficial peroneal nerve for extensive defects of the Achilles tendon and surrounding soft tissue. A 36-year-old-man sustained an open injury to the Achilles tendon. He was referred to our department with gross infection of the wound and complete rupture of the tendon associated with loss of skin following reduction of distal tibial bone fracture. After extensive debridement, $6{\times}8cm$ of skin loss and 8cm of tendon defect was noted. Corresponding to the size of the defect, the composite dorsalis pedis flap was raised as a neurosensory unit including the extensor digitorum longus to provide tendon repair and sensate skin for an one-stage reconstruction. One tendon slip was sutured to the soleus musculotendinous portion, the other two were sutured to the gastrocnemius musculotendinous portion with 2-0 Prolene. The superficial peroneal nerve was then coaptated to the medial sural cutaneous nerve. The anterior tibial artery and vein were anastomosed to the posterior tibial artery and accompanying vein in an end to end fashion. After 12 months of follow-up, 5 degrees of dorsiflexion due to the checkrein deformity and 58 degrees of plantar flexion was achieved. The patient was able to walk without crutches. Twopoint discrimination and moving two-point discrimination were more than 1mm at the transferred flap site. The donor site healed uneventfully. Of the various free composite flaps for the Achilles tendon reconstruction when skin coverage is also needed, we recommand the composite dorsalis pedis flap. The advantages such as to control infection, adequate restoration of ankle contour for normal foot wear, transfer of the long tendinous portion, and protective sensation makes this flap our first choice for reconstruction of soft tissue defect including the Achilles tendon.