• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.108-112
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• 2011

Purpose: Gracilis muscle free flap transplantation is chosen in the medium sized soft tissue defect and bone exposure from trauma and chronic osteomyelitis in the lower extremity. We set a study to search for gracilis free flaps to know whether symptoms were cured or recurred in patients that have passed over 10 years from flap transplantation. Materials and Methods: From August 1995 through September 2010, we have performed 28 cases of gracilis muscle free flap in the lower extremities. Ever since no case visited to demand any discomfort, breakdown or recurrence in the flap site on outpatient basis. We made a telephone call to patients or relatives documented in the medical record and only 2 cases visited outpatient department and 9 cases postponed the visit who satisfied with the final result but 17 cases had wrong telephone numbers. Causes, area of lower extremity, recipient vessels in the lower extremity, condition of the donor thigh and overall satisfaction of the flap transplantation in activities of daily living were investigated and written down in the medical record. Results: 11 cases were reviewed after average postoperative 13.7 years. Gracilis muscle flaps were not break down at the recipient site in all cases. The wound of donor thigh wound healed good and overall activities of daily living was satisfied in all cases. Conclusion: Gracilis muscle flaps which had performed and followed up average 13.7 years revealed confident in the medium sized soft tissue defect and bone exposure from trauma and chronic osteomyelitis in the lower extremity.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.58-62
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• 2004

Purpose: To cover the exposed tendons and bones after trauma and cure the concomitant osteomyelitis in the lower extremities, gracilis muscle free flaps are frequently preferred. 32 cases of gracilis muscle free flap we had done were analysed according to the indications, specification of flap length and width, pedicle length, vessels used in the anastomosis and final healing after at least over 1 year follow up. Materials and methods: From August 1995 through November 2002, we have performed 32 cases of gracilis muscle free flap transplantation with the general microsurgical procedures in the lower extremities. Open fracture of the middle and distal tibia were 12, exposed heel 6, crushing injury in the foot 5 cases, open fracture of the ankle 4, chronic osteomyelitis of the tibia 3 and osteomyelitis of the tarsal bones 2. Tailored flap length were ranged from 16 cm to 4 cm, width were from 5cm to 4cm. Pedicle length averaged around 4 cm. Anastomosis of one artery and two veins in both of donor and recipient were performed in 17 cases and one artery and one vein in 15 cases. Results: All flaps were survived, except 2 cases. Final flap healing was satisfactory to both of the patients and microsurgeon. Conclusion: Gracilis muscle free flaps are frequently chosen to cover the exposed components and cure the osteomyelitis in the lower extremities.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.147-153
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• 2000

Soft tissue defects of the dorsum of foot and ankle can be covered from skin graft to free tissue transfer. The extent of injury which may be complex including the exposure of paratenons or bones requires free flap reconstruction. Some of the precautions for reconstruction are providing minimal bulkiness and well conforming to irregular contour thus making normal footwear possible. Though the muscle flap having its advantages and versatility, the fascial flap such as temporoparietal fascial flap has been considered the choice for reconstruction of the dorsum of foot and ankle. The purpose of our study is to utilize the advantages and versatility of the muscle flap as a first choice for reconstruction for the defects involving the dorsum of foot and ankle. The gracilis muscle with its anatomic and donor characteristics, it can be utilized to maximal effect by expanding its slim muscle width removing the epimysium and reducing its bulk by muscle atrophy through denervation. We present our experience with ten cases of reconstruction for the dorsum of foot and ankle using the gracilis muscle free flap. Results were satisfactory without flap loss, skin loss and infection. The contour and aesthetic aspect of the foot was satisfactory. Gait analysis showed near normal gait without limitations from everyday activities. Normal footwear was tolerable in all the cases. The keys to consider in the reconstruction of the dorsum of foot and ankle are appropriate bulkiness, conforming to its contour and able to apply normal footwear. With minimal donor morbidity and satisfying results, the extended gracilis muscle should be considered as the first line for reconstruction of the ankle and dorsum of foot.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.217-221
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• 2007

Purpose: Reconstruction of the soft tissue defect exposing Achilles tendon is a formidable challenge because of the paucity of soft tissue and relatively poor blood supply. This article describes the reconstruction of soft tissue defect exposing Achilles tendon using gracilis muscle free flap and split-thickness skin graft. Methods: From 2000 to 2005, four patients with soft tissue defect exposing Achilles tendon and infection were operated using gracilis muscle free flap and split-thickness skin graft. The defect size ranged from 3.5 to 5cm wide and 6.5 to 8cm long. The mean postoperative follow-up was twenty months. Results: All the flaps were survived without necrosis and infection. We obtained the satisfactory results with good functional and aesthetical outcomes. All cases showed good results with the characteristics of a relatively thin flap without additional debulking procedure. Conclusion: Gracilis muscle free flap with split thickness skin graft could be a good option for reconstruction of soft tissue defect of posterior ankle, exposing Achilles tendon with minimal morbidity of the donor site.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제46권3호
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• pp.277-281
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• 2019

Recto-vaginal fistulas are difficult to treat due to their high recurrence rate. Currently, no single surgical intervention is universally regarded as the best treatment option for recto-vaginal fistulas. We present a case of recurrent recto-vaginal fistula surgically treated with a gracilis pull-through flap. The surgical goals in this patient were complete excision of the recto-vaginal fistula and introduction of fresh, vascularized muscle to seal the fistula. A defunctioning colostomy was performed 1 month prior to the present procedure. The gracilis muscle and tendon were mobilized, pulled through the freshened recto-vaginal fistula, passed through the anus, and anchored externally. Excess muscle and tendon were trimmed 1 week after the procedure. Follow-up at 4 weeks demonstrated complete mucosal coverage over an intact gracilis muscle, and no leakage. At 8 weeks post-procedure, the patient resumed sexual intercourse with no dyspareunia. At 6 months post-procedure, her stoma was closed. The patient reported transient fecal staining of her vagina after stoma reversal, which resolved with conservative treatment. The fistula had not recurred at 20 months post-procedure. The gracilis pull-through flap is a reliable technique for a scarred vagina with an attenuated recto-vaginal septum. It can function as a well-vascularized tissue plug to promote healing.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제37권5호
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• pp.565-570
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• 2010

Purpose: Due to the closed and humid condition of the perineal area, wound problems occurring at this site are sometimes complicated, especially following postoperative radiation therapy. Moreover, the anal sphincter is a very important functional structure but reconstruction of the anal sphincter after severe trauma poses a challenging problem to plastic surgeons. In this article, we demonstrate the usefulness of the pedicled gracilis flap in the reconstruction of the perineal area. Methods: From September 2008 to November 2009, 6 patients, 4 males and 2 females, underwent surgery of the perineal area. The age of the patients ranged from 21 to 62 years (mean age was 48). The mean follow up period was 14 months. In 4 cases, the patient presented with wound problems after postoperative radiation therapy for anal cancer. In 2 cases, the patient presented with traumatic sphincter damage. Only the gracilis muscle was used in the 4 cases and a musculocutaneous flap was used in the 2 cases involving skin defects, respectively. Results: Among the 6 patients, 1 patient underwent hematoma evacuation of the donor site, and 1 patient presented with prolapse of the vaginal mucosa which recovered spontaneously. There were no report of other complications and there were no wound recurrences. Minimal incontinence was observed in all patients who underwent sphincter reconstruction, but all were satisfied with the overall results. Conclusion: The gracilis flap is useful in the reconstruction of the perineal area, such as in cases of radiotherapy induced wound problems and sphincter damage following severe trauma, due to its easy accessibility, rich vascularity, and minimal donor site morbidity.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.9-16
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• 1992

Volkmann's ischemic contracture is the end result of an untreated, delayed or Inadequately decompressed compartment syndrome in which muscle ischemia and necrosis have occurred. Once the muscle necrosis have happened, the involved muscle undergo permanent change into fibrous tissue. So secondary shortening and distal joint contracture will be a final outcome, which results in marked functional impairment of hand and forearm. Even though several procedures, such as muscle sliding operation has been attempted, overall results were far from satisfaction, compare to healthy opposite hand. The management of these unfavorable condition of the forearm and hand was regarded as one of challenging area in orthopedics. Recently new approach, using microsurgical technique which transfers functioning muscle unit, has been developed and its result was much better than any other methods in the aspect of an active motion. Among these musculocutaneous free flaps, gracilis has obtained special reputation due to its easiness to handle such as elevation of flap and reliable neurovascular pedicle. Other advantages are flexibility of flap size to adjust variable size of the defect in the forearm and minor morbidity of the donor site. Authors have performed 7 cases of functioning gracilis musulocutaneous free flap transplantation for the functional loss of forearm and hand due to Volkmann's ischemic contracture or muscle and skin defect due to severe trauma since November, 1981 till May, 1991. The results in most cases were satisfactory and acceptable.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.103-109
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• 2000

Purpose : We performed this study in order to analyze the clinical results of functioning gracilis musculocutaneous free flap transplantation for reconstructon of hand function in cases of Volkmann's ischemic contracture and massive soft tissue injury of forearm. Materials and methods : 18 cases were reviewed with 5 yeas of mean follow up period. We evaluated total active motion of the finger joints and wrist, pinch and grip strength. Results : The flap were survived in 17 cases and 1 case was failed due to infection. The sum of active motion of finger joints(TAM) was improved from 0 to $173.8^{\circ}$. The average grip and pinch strength was improved from 0 kg to $2.7{\pm}2.1kg$ and from 0 kg to $2.4{\pm}1.6kg$. Conclusion : The results in most cases were acceptable in relatively long term follow-up. It may be an option for reconstruction of hand function in cases of Volkmann's ischemic contracture and traumatic upper extremity injury.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제40권5호
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• pp.584-588
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• 2013

Background The ability to achieve a long-term, stricture-free urethral repair is one of the ongoing challenges of reconstructive urologic surgery. A successful initial repair is critical, as repeat procedures are difficult, owing to distortion, scarring, and short urethral stumps. Methods We describe a technique in which the gracilis muscle flap is laid on or wrapped around the urethral repair site to provide a well-vascularised soft tissue reinforcement for urethral repair. This technique promotes vascular induction, whereby a new blood supply is introduced to the repair site to improve the outcome of urethral repair or anastomotic urethroplasty. The surface contact between the muscle flap and the repair site is enhanced by the use of fibrin glue to improve adherence and promote inosculation and healing. We employed this technique in 4 patients with different urethral defects. Results After a follow-up period of 32 to 108 months, all of the urethral repairs were successful without complications. Conclusions Our results suggest that the use of a gracilis muscle flap to vascularise urethral repairs can improve the outcome of challenging urethral repairs.

• 한국임상수의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국임상수의학회 2008년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.176-176
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• 2008