• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.232-237
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• 2007

Introduction: To report the result of the thigh perforator free flap for the reconstruction of the soft tissue defect of the lower extremities and usefulness of this flap. Materials and Methods: We have performed 23 cases of thigh perforator free flap to reconstruct the soft tissue defect of the lower extremities between February 2004 and July 2005. The anterior aspect of the legs were 9 cases, the ankle joints were 4 cases, the dorsal aspect of the feet were 6 cases, the sole of the feet were 4 cases as recipient sites. The anterolateral thighs were 13 cases, the anteromedial thighs were 10 cases as donor sites. The size of the flap ranged from $4{\times}5\;cm$ to $12{\times}18\;cm$. The mean flap area was $73.2\;cm^2$. The length of the pedicle ranged from 5 cm to 15 cm. Every patient except children was operated under the spinal anesthesia. Results: 21 flaps (91.3%) survived, 2 flaps (8.7%) failed. In the 21 flaps that had survived, there were partial necrosis in 4 cases, which healed without any additional operation. In the 13 anterolateral thigh perforator flaps, 9 cases survived totally, 3 cases had the partial necrosis, 1 case failed. In the 10 anteromedial thigh perforator flaps, 8 cases survived totally, 1 case had the partial necrosis, 1 case failed. Conclusion: The authors had a good result with the thigh perforator free flap and believe that this flap is a good option for the reconstruction of the soft tissue defect of the lower extremities, because this flap has a thin thickness and it is easy to dissect the vessels. Moreover the patients can be operated with supine position.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2008

Purpose: Microvascular reconstructive surgery has become an integral part of the treatment of head and neck cancer patients. This review of 121 free flaps for head and neck cancer patients performed over the last 11 years was done to evaluate circulatory crisis, salvage, and secondary reconstruction and to investigate which factors may contribute to these rates. Method: Nine emergent explorations among 121 head and neck reconstruction with free flaps were reviewed to analyze detection of vascular crisis, the time interval from detection of circulatory crisis to exploration, operation procedures and results, and secondary reconstructions. Emergent exploration was done with our protocol. Result: Nine free flaps exhibited signs of vascular problems between 1 day and 6 days postoperatively. The emergent exploration rate of this series was 7.4% (9/121). The salvage rate was 55.6% (5/9), giving an overall flap viability of 96.7% (117/121). In our study, preoperative radiation therapy, positive smoking history, alcohol consumption history, combined disease such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension, recipient vessels and types of vascular anastomosis were not related to the causes of circulatory crisis. The mean time interval between the onset of clinical recognition of impaired flap perfusion and re-exploration of the salvaged 5 flaps was 3.2 hours, that of failed 4 flaps was 11.25 hours. Conclusion: Despite high overall success rate, relatively low salvage rate may be attributed to late detection of circulatory crisis and in long time interval between detection and exploration. We conclude that early detection of circulatory crisis and expeditious re-exploration are a matter of great importance for the success of salvage operation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.591-596
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• 2009

Purpose: To reconstruct soft tissue defect on lower extremity especially combined with osteomyelitis, free flap with enough blood supplies is required. There are some instance when patients have inadequate recipient vessels for microanastomosis. Anastomosis with harvested vein graft can solve the problem. It may be more problematic or even increase recipient site complication. Cross leg free flaps using contra - lateral vessel can be a solution. Methods: From 2005 to 2008, 12 cases of cross leg free flap were done for 12 patients(male = 9, female = 3). External fixators used in all cases. Free flaps used were laissmus dorsi muscle flap(n=5), anterolateral thigh flap(n=4), gracilis muscle flap(n=2) and medial plantar artery fasciotaneous flap(n=1). In all cases, contralateral posterior tibial artery and vein were used as recipient pedicle. Results: All flaps survived without additional operative procedures. There were no complications such as hematoma or Infection. Sometimes patients needs further therapeutic exercise for fast movement recovery. Conclusion: Although cross leg free flaps require long period of bed resting and rehabilitation after pedicle cutting, It can be practical alternative for soft tissue defect on lower distal extremity with inadequate recipient vessels for free flap on affected leg.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.319-323
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• 2017

Background Free-flap surgery and skin grafting can be used to reconstruct large facial defects that may result after skin cancer removal by Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). However, these two methods may produce low postsurgical patient satisfaction with aesthetics, and free-flap surgery may produce an undue burden for the majority of skin cancer patients, who are of advanced age. Hence, the authors examined outcomes of large facial defect reconstruction using multiple flaps. Methods Among patients undergoing MMS for skin cancer at Pusan National University Hospital between January 2013 and December 2015, we evaluated 7 patients (2 males, 5 females; average age, 73.14 years) treated for large facial defects from basal cell carcinoma. Based on operative and follow-up records, we investigated the number and type of flaps used, postsurgical complications, and patients' post-surgical satisfaction. Results Two and 3 types of flaps were used for 5 and 2 patients, respectively. Most frequently used were nasolabial flaps (7 times in 6 patients) and forehead flaps (once in each of 4 patients). The average follow-up period was 14 months, with no complications-including necrosis, hematoma, or wound dehiscence-observed. Post-surgical satisfaction averaged 4.4 out of a maximum of 5 points. Conclusions Reconstruction using two or more flaps for large facial defects after skin cancer removal using MMS produced satisfactory outcomes while preventing aesthetic problems. Practitioners should consider using multiple flaps when choosing a reconstruction method for large facial defects following skin cancer removal.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.18-20
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• 2014

Two aged patients who had open tibial fractures with arterial injury caused by high energy accidents underwent emergency arterial reconstruction using a greater saphenous vein and soft tissue repair using free flaps. In the patients, soft tissue necrosis developed and tibias were exposed at postoperative third week. Follow-up angiography through the superficial femoral artery showed occlusion of the anterior tibial artery. The anterior tibial artery was reconstructed using the contralateral greater saphenous vein graft and the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous and rectus abdominis muscle free flaps were transplanted for repair of necrotic soft tissue. The reconstructed arteries showed good perfusion to the new free flaps until union of the tibias occurred. The patients were followed-up for 21 years and 17 years postoperatively, respectively. In management of open comminuted fracture of the tibia, injury of the arterial system must be ruled out by angiography in addition to evaluation of the degree of soft tissue injury.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.131-134
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• 2018

Treacher Collins syndrome is a congenital disorder that is characterized with a wide range of cranio-facial deformities. Zygomatic hypoplasia or aplasia is one of the key features, and surgical reconstruction of the consequent depression on the zygomatic area is deemed necessary by many patients. Various surgical options are available-injectables, alloplastic materials, autologous grafting, and autogenous tissue transfer. It depends on each patient which technique to use. Here, we present a clinical case, in which bilateral free groin flaps were adopted in attempt to resolve the remnant aesthetic deformity associated with zygomatic depression, despite a series of previous surgical efforts, in a 25-year-old Treacher Collins syndrome male patient.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.21-24
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• 2014

Bronchopleural fistula is an unnatural communication between the bronchial tree and pleural space. Closure of the bronchial stump using various muscular flaps has been previously reported. There have been few reports on treatment of large defects with bronchopleural fistula accompanied by surrounding muscle injury. We report on our experience with two patients suffering from large defect with bronchopleural fistula, who were treated with free flaps. No recurrence of bronchopleural fistula was observed during follow-up.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.305-318
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• 1991

Reconstructive techniques of orofacial defects are very varied. In recent years, myocutaneous flaps, in particular the pectoralis major or latissimus doris myocutaneous flap have achieved popularity. In 1983, Soutar et. al. used the forearm free flap that had been developed in in China and popularised the radial forearm fasciocutaneous flap to reconstruct defects in the orofacial region. This paper presents the authors experience with 10 consecutive patients in which 12 flaps were used either as a fascioncutaneous flap or as a composite flap incorporating part of the radius. Some literatures were reviewed and the clinical results were discussed.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.280-283
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• 2018

Knee revision arthroplasty following peri-prosthetic joint infections is a formidable challenge. Patients are at a high risk of recurrent infection, and the soft tissue over the revised implant is often of questionable quality. Flap reconstruction has improved the salvage rates of infected arthroplasties, and should be considered in all cases of revision arthroplasty. We present a challenging case requiring staged reconstruction with two free latissimus dorsi flaps after the initial use of a medial gastrocnemius flap.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.149-153
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• 2001

Various types of flaps including local flaps, pedicle flaps and free flap have been used to reconstruct hand soft tissue defects, but each flaps have some limitation and disadvantages. The reverse posterior interosseous artery flap described by Zancolli and Angrigiani have some advantages : preserving the major artery of the hand, minimal donor site morbidity and thin skin. From May 1999 to May 2001, we reconstructed 18 cases of hand defects in industrial injury with reverse posterior interosseous artery flaps and partial distal part necrosis of flaps due to infection developed in a case but other 17 cases survived completely without any specific complication.