• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.550-557
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• 2019

Background In recent years, breast implants have been frequently placed in the subcutaneous pocket, in the so-called prepectoral approach. We report our technique of prepectoral implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR), as well as its surgical and aesthetic outcomes, in comparison with subpectoral IBR. We also discuss relevant considerations and pitfalls in prepectoral IBR and suggest an algorithm for the selection of patients for IBR based on our experiences. Methods We performed 79 immediate breast reconstructions with a breast implant and an acellular dermal matrix (ADM) sling, of which 47 were subpectoral IBRs and 32 were prepectoral IBRs. Two-stage IBR was performed in 36 cases (20 subpectoral, 16 prepectoral), and direct-to-implant IBR in 43 cases (27 prepectoral, 16 subpectoral). The ADM sling supplemented the inferolateral side of the breast prosthesis in the subpectoral group and covered the entire anterior surface of the breast prosthesis in the prepectoral group. Results The postoperative pain score was much lower in the prepectoral group than in the subpectoral group (1.78 vs. 7.17). The incidence of seroma was higher in the prepectoral group (31.3% vs. 6.4%). Other postoperative complications, such as surgical site infection, flap necrosis, implant failure, and wound dehiscence, occurred at similar rates in both groups. Animation deformities developed in 8.5% of patients in the subpectoral group and rippling deformities were more common in the prepectoral group (21.9% vs. 12.8%). Conclusions The indications for prepectoral IBR include moderately-sized breasts with a thick well-vascularized mastectomy flap and concomitant bilateral breast reconstruction with prophylactic mastectomy.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 1995

Free vascularized composite tissue transfer is more frequently underwent for reconstruction of complicated tissue defects with the recent advance of microsurgery. But postoperative result was not satifactory because of donor site morbidity, flap bulkiness and cosmetic problem. So would no longer be a problem if we can obtain the exact donor tissue required for the recipient site as allotransplantation and designing the flap. Allotransplantation has been resolved with the recent development of immunosuppressive agents, while reconstruction has made great progress with the refinement of microsurgical techniques in the last 20 years. The final sucess or failure of the operative procedure in transplantation is so utterly dependent no the availability of strategies that can control the immune system effectively, selectively, safely to allow allotransplantation of a nonvital body part. 1 used 2 strains of rats, BUF and LEW, for the limb allotransplantation as a composite tissue transfer. The primary goal of this program is to improve results in clinical transplantation by accelerating the transformation of new immunological knowledge into useful medicine. Two of the most promising new immunosuppressive compounds are FK-t06(FK) and rapamycin(RPM). Both drugs are antibiotic macrolide fungal fermentation products that presumably suppress the immune system in ways similar to cyclosporin(CyA). This study shows that two new immunosuppressive drugs compare the immunosuppressive activity and effectiveness of FK-506 and RPM for prevention of the limb allograft rejection in the rat. Additional experiments investigate the dose, route of administration and histologic findings. These data demonstrates that rapamycin is far more potent and effective than FK-506 when both compounds are administered by the intraperitoneal route, as well as prolonged graft survival significantly in a dose-route dependent manner. These results lead to the view that vascularized allograft composite tissue transfer can become a reality with the expectation of possible future application in reconstructive surgery of humans.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.279-284
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• 2013

Background: Sternal dehiscence is one of the most troublesome complications following cardiac surgery. Treatment failure and consequent lethal outcomes are very common. The aim of this study was to evaluate titanium plate fixation as a treatment for sternal dehiscence following major cardiac surgery. Materials and Methods: Between 2010 and 2012, 17 patients underwent sternal reconstruction using horizontal titanium plating for the treatment of post-cardiac-surgery sternal dehiscence. The plates were cut and shaped, and then were fixed to corresponding costal segments using 2-3 titanium screws per each side. Results: The median age of our patients was 66 years (range, 50 to 78 years) and 9 were female. Indications for sternal reconstruction included aseptic sternal dehiscence in 3 patients and osteomyelitis in 14 patients including 6 patients who were diagnosed with mediastinitis. During the operation, sternal resection and autologous flap interposition were combined in 11 patients. One patient died due to sepsis. Two patients required additional soft tissue wound revisions. Another patient presented with a tuberculous wound infection which was resolved using anti-tuberculosis medications. The postoperative course was uncomplicated in the other 13 patients. Conclusion: Titanium plate fixation that combines appropriate debridement and flap interposition is very effective for the treatment of sternal dehiscence following major cardiac surgery.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.247-253
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• 2021

Background: Radiation therapy (RT) is frequently used for supportive treatment and management of advanced head and neck cancers. This study performed a retrospective review of the treatment methods that were used for intractable draining fistulas in seven patients who had received RT for head and neck cancers. Treatment methods used for two of the seven patients are presented in detail. Methods: From 2009 to 2020, seven patients underwent reconstructive surgery for intractable fistulas which occurred after RT for head and neck cancers. Patient characteristics, medical history, treatment method, and treatment outcome were reviewed for each case. The type of surgery performed, failure rate, and treatment period were also analyzed. Results: In this study, a total of seven patients received additional management for radiation-induced fistulas. Patients underwent a mean of 3.3±1.4 surgeries (maximum: six surgeries) to resolve their fistulas. The mean time interval from the first surgery to the last surgery for the patients to achieve resolution of the fistula was 8.7 months. Loco-regional flaps have performed an average of 1.9±1.5 times. However, all loco-regional flaps failed. Instead, the patients' intractable fistulas were resolved with the use of distant flaps or free tissue transfers. Conclusion: Fistulas that develop after head and neck cancer treatment following RT are difficult to treat with simple loco-regional flap procedures. Therefore, more aggressive treatment techniques, such as distant flap or free tissue transfer, may be needed to shorten patients' treatment periods and avoid unnecessary surgeries.

• Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research
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• v.95 no.6
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• pp.324-332
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• 2018

Purpose: We present our experience involving the management of this disease, identifying prognostic factors affecting treatment outcomes. Methods: The patients treated for Fournier gangrene at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included demographics, extent of soft tissue necrosis, predisposing factors, etiological factors, laboratory values, and treatment outcomes. The severity index and score were calculated. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the association between potential predictors and clinical outcomes. Results: A total of 41 patients (male:female = 33:8) were studied. The mean age was 54.4 years (range, 24-79 years). The most common predisposing factor was diabetes mellitus (n = 19, 46.3%). Sixteen patients (39.0%) were current smokers. Seven patients had chronic kidney disease. The most frequent etiology was urogenital lesion (41.5%). The mortality rate was 22.0% (n = 9). Multivariate regression analyses showed that extension of necrosis beyond perineal/inguinal area and pre-existing chronic kidney disease were significant and independent predictors of mortality. Extension of necrosis beyond perineal/inguinal area was a significant predictor of increased duration in the intensive care unit and hospital stay. In addition, pre-existing chronic kidney disease was a significant predictor of flap reconstruction in the wound. Conclusion: Fournier gangrene with extensive soft tissue necrosis and pre-existing chronic kidney disease was associated with poor prognosis and complexity of patient management. Early recognition of dissemination and premorbid renal function is essential to reduce mortality and establish a management plan for this disease.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2021

Background Reconstruction after removal of a malignant tumor in the head and neck region is crucial for restoring tissue integrity, function, and aesthetics. We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent intraoral reconstruction surgery using radial forearm free flaps (RFFF) and anterolateral thigh free flaps (ALT) at a single institution to provide more information supporting the choice of a reconstruction method after removal of head and neck cancer. Methods The charts of 708 patients who underwent head and neck reconstruction between 1998 and 2018 at the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Patients' age, sex, and history of radiation therapy, diabetes mellitus, and smoking were retrieved. The primary cancer site, types of defects, and complications were investigated. Results Overall, 473 and 95 patients underwent reconstruction surgery with RFFF and ALT, respectively. RFFF was more often used in patients with cancers of the pharynx, larynx, esophagus, or tonsil, while ALT was more frequently used in patients with cancers of the mouth floor with tonsil or tongue involvement. The proportion of patients undergoing ALT increased gradually. Flap failure and donor site morbidities did not show significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions RFFF and ALT flaps resulted in similar outcomes in terms of flap survival and donor site morbidity. ALT can be an option for head and neck reconstruction surgery in patients with large and complex defects or for young patients who want to hide their donor site scars.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.158-165
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• 2022

Background Implant-based breast reconstruction has evolved tremendously in the last decades, mainly due to the development of new products and techniques that make the procedure safer and more reliable. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes in immediate one-stage breast reconstruction between acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and inferior dermal flap (IDF). Methods We conducted a retrospective comparative study of patients submitted to immediate breast reconstructions with an anatomical implant and ADM or IDF in a single center between 2016 and 2018. Outcomes evaluated included major complications, early complications, reinterventions, readmissions, and reconstruction failure. Simple descriptive statistics and univariate analysis were performed. Results A total of 118 breast reconstructions (85 patients) were included in the analysis. Patients in the IDF group had a higher body mass index (median = 27.0) than patients in the ADM group (median = 24). There were no statistically significant differences among both groups regarding immediate major complication, early complications, readmissions, and reinterventions. Conclusion There are no significant differences in complications between the ADM and IDF approach to immediate implant breast reconstruction. In patients with higher body mass index and large, ptotic breasts, we recommend an immediate implant reconstruction with IDF.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 1994

The heel, with its specialized fat for shock absorption at heel strike and large surface area for balance and weight bearing, is a important component of normal ambulation. Despite of distinguished improvement in the field of microsurgical free flaps, the choice of reconstruction of the heel has been remained controversial. We reviewed 22 cases of the heel reconstruction using vascularized free flaps from January, 1980 through May, 1993 at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery of Korea University Hospital. The results were as follows: 1. The etiology was traumatic in 21 cases, and chronic ulceration due to burn in 1. 2. The arteries used in free flaps were 11 dorsalis pedis arteries, 2 deep circumflex iliac arteries, 2 supeficial iliac arteries, 2 branches of lateral femoral circumflex iliac arteries, 2 radial arteries, and 3 thorcodorsal arteries. 3. The mean size of the vascularized bone was $4.5cm{\times}3.5cm$, and that of skin flap was $12.1cm{\times}9.2cm$. 4. Of the 22 cases, 19 had a successful outcome and 3 in failure, the causes of failure were thrombosis and infection.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.289-293
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• 2006

By means of microsurgical free-tissue transfer providing a large amount of required tissue, the surgeon can resect tumoral tissue more safely, which allows tumor-free margins and enhances the reliability of the ablative surgery that otherwise could not be performed radically. The morbidity of elective free-tissue transfer seems to be quite low, carrying acceptable risks for most patients. But the elderly patients are at risk for cardiac and respiratory problems, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary emboli and infection merely as a function of age. This study was undertaken to define further risks of the elderly population with regards to free-tissue transfer. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with 110 microsurgical free-tissue transfers for head and neck reconstruction in patients greater than 60 years of age. Microsurgical procedures in all cases were preformed by the plastic and reconstructive department at Yonsei medical center. The investigated parameters were patient demographics, past medical history, American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA) status, site and cause of defect, the free tissue transferred and postoperative complication including free-flap success or failure. There were 46 patients in the age group from 60 to 64 years, 34 patients from 65 to 70 years, and 30 patients 70 years or older. There happened 3 flap losses, resulting in a flap viability rate of 97%. Patients with a higher ASA designation experienced more medical complication(p=0.05, 0.01, 0.03 in each age group I, II, III) but not surgical complication p=0.17, 0.11, 0.54 in each age group I, II, III). And the relationship between postoperative complication and age groups was not significant. These observations suggest that major determinant for postoperative medical complication be the patient's American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and chronologic age alone should not be an exclusion criterion when selecting patients for free-tissue transfer

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.40
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• pp.35.1-35.7
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• 2018

Background: After the resection at the mandibular site involving oral cancer, free vascularized fibular graft, a type of vascularized autograft, is often used for the mandibular reconstruction. Titanium mesh (T-mesh) and particulate cancellous bone and marrow (PCBM), however, a type of non-vascularized autograft, can also be used for the reconstruction. With the T-mesh applied even in the chin and angle areas, an aesthetic contour with adequate strength and stable fixation can be achieved, and the pores of the mesh will allow the rapid revascularization of the bone graft site. Especially, this technique does not require microvascular training; as such, the surgery time can be shortened. This advantage allows older patients to undergo the reconstructive surgery. Case presentation: Reported in this article are two cases of mandibular reconstruction using the ready-made type and custom-made type T-mesh, respectively, after mandibular resection. We had operated double blind peer-review process. A 79-year-old female patient visited the authors' clinic with gingival swelling and pain on the left mandibular region. After wide excision and segmental mandibulectomy, a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap was used to cover the intraoral defect. Fourteen months postoperatively, reconstruction using a ready-made type T-mesh (Striker-Leibinger, Freibrug, Germany) and iliac PCBM was done to repair the mandible left body defect. Another 62-year-old female patient visited the authors' clinic with pain on the right mandibular region. After wide excision and segmental mandibulectomy on the mandibular squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), reconstruction was done with a reconstruction plate and a right fibula free flap. Sixteen months postoperatively, reconstruction using a custom-made type T-mesh and iliac PCBM was done to repair the mandibular defect after the failure of the fibula free flap. The CAD-CAM T-mesh was made prior to the operation. Conclusions: In both cases, sufficient new-bone formation was observed in terms of volume and strength. In the CAD-CAM custom-made type T-mesh case, especially, it was much easier to fix screws onto the adjacent mandible, and after the removal of the mesh, the appearance of both patients improved, and the neo-mandibular body showed adequate bony volume for implant or prosthetic restoration.