• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.24-34
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• 1996

There are many kinds of free flaps for management of extensive soft tissue defect of extremities in orthopaedic field. Free vascularized scapular flap is one of the most useful and relatively easy to application. This flap has been utilize clinically from early eighties by many microsurgical pioneers. Authors performed 102 cases of this flap from 1984 to 1995. We have to consider about the surgical anatomy of the flap, technique of the donor harvesting procedures, vascular varieties and anatomical abnormalities and success rate and the weak points of the procedure. This flap nourished by cutaneous branches from circumflex scapular vessels emerges from the lateral aspect of the subscapular artery 2.5-5cm from its lateral origin passing through the triangular space(bounded by subscapularis, teres minor, teres major, long head of triceps). The terminal cutaneous branch runs posteriorly around the lateral border of the scapular and divided into two major branches, those transeverse horizontally and obliquely to the fascial plane of overlying skin of the scapular body. We can utilize these arteries for scapular and parascapular flap. The vascular pedicle ranged from 5 to 10 cm long depends on the dissection, usually two venae comitantes accompanied circumflex scapular artery and its major branches. The diameter of the circumflex scapular artery is more than 1mm in adult, rare vascular variation. Surgical techniques : The scapular flap can be dissected conveniently with prone or lateral decubitus position, prone position is more easier in my experience. There are two kinds of surgical approaches, most of the surgeon prefer elevation of the flap from its outer border towards its base which known easier and quicker, but I prefer elevation of the flap from its outer border because of the lowering the possibilities of damage to vasculature in the flap itself which runs just underneath the subcutaneous tissue of the flap and provide more quicker elevation of the flap with blunt finger dissection after secure pedicle dissection and confirmed the course from the base of the pedicle. There are minimal donor site morbidity with direct skin closure if the flap size is not so larger than 10cm width. This flap has versatility in the design of the flap shape and size, if we need more longer and larger one, we can use parascapular flap or both. Even more, the flap can be used with latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap and serratus anterior flap which have common vascular pedicle from subscapular artery, some instance can combined with osteocutaneous flap if we include the lateral border of the scapular bone or parts of the ribs with serratus anterior. The most important shortcoming of the scapular free flap is non sensating, there are no reasonable sensory nerves to the flap to anastomose with recipient site nerve. Results : Among our 102 cases, overall success rate was 89%, most of the causes of the failure was recipient site vascular problems such as damaged recipient arterial conditions, and there were two cases of vascular anomalies in our series. Patients ages from 3 years old to 62 years old. Six cases of combined flap with latissimus dorsi, 4 cases of osteocutaneous flap for bone reconstruction, 62 parascapular flap was performed - we prefer parascapular flap to scapular. Statistical analysis of the size of the flap has less meaningful because of the flap has great versatility in size. In the length of the pedicle depends on the recipient site condition, we can adjust the pedicle length. The longest vascular pedicle was 14 cm in length from the axillary artery to the enter point cutaneous tissue. In conclusion, scapular free flap is one of the most useful modalities to manage the large intractable soft tissue defect. It has almost constant vascular pedicle with rare anatomical variation, easy to dissect great versatility in size and shape, low donor morbidity, thin and hairless skin.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.37.2-37.2
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• 1980

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.432-435
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• 2007

Purpose: The jejunal free flap has the shorter ischemic time than other flap and requires a laparotomy to harvest it. As the evaluation of the perfusion the buried flap is very important, the perfusion of the buried jejunal free flap requires monitoring for its salvage. We tried to improve the monitoring flap method in the jejunal free flap and examined its usefulness. Methods: From March 2002 to March 2006, the monitoring flap method was applied to 4 cases in 8 jejunal free flaps for the pharyngeal and cervical esophageal reconstructions. The distal part of the jejunal flap was exposed without suture fixation through cervical wound for monitoring its perfusion. The status of perfusion was judged by the color change of jejunal mucosa and mesentery. If necessary, pin prick test was performed. Doppler sonography was applied to mesenteric pedicle of the monitoring flap in case of suspicious abnormal circulation. Results: The monitoring flap shows no change in 3 cases, but the congestion happened in one case at the 12 hours after the operation. This congestion was caused by the twisting or kinking of the mesenteric pedicle of the monitoring flap. So, we fixed up the monitoring flap close to adjacent cervical skin for prevention of rotation. Finally, the main part of transferred jejunal flap was intact. Conclusion: The success of a jejunal free flap depends on close postoperative monitoring and early detection of vascular compromise. So, various monitoring methods have been tried, for instance, direct visualization using a fiberoptic pharyngoscope, through a Silastic window placed in the neck flap, or external surface monitoring with an Doppler sonography, use of a buried monitoring probe. But, all of the above have their own shortcomings of simplicity, non-invasiveness, reliability and etc. In our experience, monitoring flap can be a accurate and reliable method.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.148-152
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• 2014

Background Free flap surgery for head and neck defects has gained popularity as an advanced microvascular surgical technique. The aims of this study are first, to determine whether the known risk factors such as comorbidity, tobacco use, obesity, and radiation increase the complications of a free flap transfer, and second, to identify the incidence of complications in a radial forearm free flap and an anterolateral thigh perforator flap. Methods We reviewed the medical records of patients with head and neck cancer who underwent reconstruction with free flap between May 1994 and May 2012 at our department of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Results The patients included 36 men and 6 women, with a mean age of 59.38 years. The most common primary tumor site was the tongue (38%). The most commonly used free flap was the radial forearm free flap (57%), followed by the anterolateral thigh perforator free flap (22%). There was no occurrence of free flap failure. In this study, risk factors of the patients did not increase the occurrence of complications. In addition, no statistically significant differences in complications were observed between the radial forearm free flap and anterolateral thigh perforator free flap. Conclusions We could conclude that the risk factors of the patient did not increase the complications of a free flap transfer. Therefore, the risk factors of patients are no longer a negative factor for a free flap transfer.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.87-95
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• 1997

Traumatic injury to the hand often leads to soft tissue defects with exposed tendons, bones, or joints. Though many new flap have been introduced, the choice of flap that would be best for the patient depends on such factors as the site, size, and degree of wounds. Additionally the selected surgical method should be yielded cosmetic and functional superiority by the one-staged reconstruction. In our experience, small to medium sized soft tissue defect with bone and tendon exposure of hand can be resurfaced with an arterialized venous free flap from the volar aspect of distal forearm. Wide and deep defects of the hand can be covered with a sensory cutaneous free flap such as the medial plantar free flap, dorsalis pedis free flap, and radial forearm free flap. Specialized flap such as wrap-around flap, toe-to-finger transfer, onychocutaneous free flap can be used for the recontruction of defect on the thumb and finger. Based on the above considerations and our clinical experience of 60 free flap cases of the hand, the various methods for the proper repair of soft tissue defects of the hand are described. And we obtained satisfactory functional and cosmetic results with 95% success rate of free flap.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.8-13
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• 2011

Purpose: A palatal defect following maxillectomy can cause multiple problems like the rhinolalia, leakage of foods into the nasal cavity, and hypernasality. Use of a prosthetic is the preferred method for obturating a palate defect, but for rehabilitating palatal function, prosthetics have many shortcomings. In a small defect, local flap is a useful method, however, the size of flap which can be elevated is limited. In 12 cases of palatomaxillary defect, we used various microvascular free flaps in reconstructing the palate and obtained good functional results. Method: Between 1990 and 2004, 12 patients underwent free flap operation after head and neck cancer ablation, and were reviewed retrospectively. Among the 12 free flaps, 6 were latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps, 3 rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps, and 3 radial forearm flaps. Result: All microvascular flap surgery was successful. Mean follow up time was 8 months and after the follow up time all patients reported satisfactory speech and swallowing. Wound dehiscence was observed in 4 cases, ptosis was in 1 case and fistula was in 1 case, however, rhinolalia, leakage of food, or swallowing difficultly was not reported in the 12 cases. Conclusion: We used various microvascular flaps for palatomaxillary reconstruction. For 3-dimensional flap needs, we used the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap to obtain enough volume for filling the defect. Two-dimensional flaps were designed with latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, rectus abdominis flap and radial forearm flap. For cases with palatal defect only, we used the radial forearm flap. In palatomaxillary reconstruction, we can choose various free flap techniques according to the number of skin paddles and flap volume needed.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.174-180
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• 2008

Purpose: While radiotherapy remains an essential part of the multidisciplinary treatment of cancers, it may cause unwanted consequences such as tissue break down and chronic non-healing wounds as a result of hypoxia, hypovascularity, and hypocellularity. The conservative treatment of osteoradionecrosis was effective only in the early stages or has a limited result. The surgical treatment of osteoradionecrosis includes various local fasciocutaneous flaps, local myocutaneous flaps and different kinds of free flaps with cancellous bone graft or alloplastic material after removal of all devitalized tissue. This study reviews recent cases of osteoradionecrosis in Severance hospital and investigates the use of various flaps for reconstruction of osteoradionecrosis. Methods: From 2000 to 2006, a total of 29 patients, nine men and twenty women with a mean age of 60.4 years were identified and included in the study. Fasciocutaneous flaps were used on 7 patients and myocutaneous flaps were used on the remaining patients. Mean follow-up period was 10.4 months. Results: In the fasciocutaneous flap group, we noted two complications including total flap failure and a partial flap necrosis. In the myocutaneous flap group, four complications were noted including a partial flap necrosis and 3 cases of wound dehiscence. Considering the complications noted in this study, the natural history of progression to flap necrosis appeared to follow the following sequence of events: marginal flap necrosis, infection, wound dehiscence, flap floating and partial flap necrosis, serially. Conclusion: Successful surgical treatment of osteoradionecrosis includes wide radical debridement and reconstruction with a well vascularized flap like myocutaneous flap or fasciocutaneous flap.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.179-189
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• 1997

Teeth mobility is an important part of a periodontal examination, because it represents a function of the persisting height of the alveolar bone and the width of the periodontal ligament. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical difference in teeth mobility after treatment with the modified Widman flap and the undisplaced flap in humans. Twenty males with moderate periodontal disease were selected. The severity of periodontal disease was evaluated with sulcular bleeding index, pocket depth and attachment level and tooth mobility was measured with Periotest(Siemens Co., Germany) at the initial examination, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks following the modified Widman flap and the undisplaced flap operation using the split-mouth technique. The relation of mobility to clinical parameters was statistically analyzed by multiple regression and the change of teeth mobility according to healing process by independent t-test using SPSS program. The results were as follows: 1. There was a strong relationship between the Periotest value(PTV) and attachment level. 2. The change of teeth mobility in both flap procedures was increased significantly at 1 week post-op. and was decreased to preoperative level at 4 weeks post-op, in modified Widman flap and at 6 weeks post-op. in undisplaced flap. 3. The change of teeth mobility in premolar teeth group in undisplaced flap compared to modified Widman flap was generally increased but these changes were not statistically significant. The changes of teeth mobility in molar teeth group in undisplaced flap was increased significantly at 2 weeks post-op.. 4. The change of teeth mobility following undisplaced flap was increased significantly compared to that of modified Widman flap at 2 weeks post-op.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.45-50
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• 2018

Background Free muscle flaps are a mainstay for reconstruction of distal third leg wounds and for large lower extremity wounds with exposed bone. However a major problem is the significant postoperative flap swelling, which may take months to resolve. We studied the efficacy and safety of immediate application of a vacuum assisted closure (VAC) dressing after a free muscle flap to the lower extremity. Methods Over a 19 months period, all consecutive free muscle flaps for lower extremity reconstruction at a Level I trauma center were evaluated prospectively for postoperative flap thickness, complications and flap survival. Immediate application of a VAC dressing was performed in 9 patients, while the flap was left exposed for monitoring in 8 patients. Results There was no statistically significant difference in flap survival between both cohorts. Mean flap thickness at postoperative day 5 for the VAC group was $6.4{\pm}6.4mm$, while flap thickness for the exposed flap group was $29.6{\pm}13.5mm$. Flap thickness was significantly decreased at postoperative day 5 for the VAC dressing group. Conclusions Immediate application of VAC dressing following free muscle flaps to the lower extremity does not compromise flap survival or outcomes and results in decreased flap thickness and a better aesthetic outcome.

• 대한두개안면성형외과학회지
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.76-83
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• 2019

Background: The mental V-Y advancement flap method is useful for reconstruction of lower lip defect because of its many advantages. However, it is not easy to select the optimal reconstructive method for the vermilion defect that remains after application of the mental V-Y advancement flap. In choosing the representative surgical method for vermilion mucosal reconstruction including mucosal V-Y advancement flap, buccal mucosal flap, and buccal mucosal graft. We describe an efficient technique to large lower lip defects combining mental V-Y advancement flap and buccal mucosal graft Methods: This study included 16 patients who underwent reconstructive surgery for full-thickness and large defect (> half the entire width) of the lower lip from October 2006 to September 2017. The operation was conducted using mental V-Y advancement flap with various vermilion mucosal reconstruction methods considering the location of the defect and the amount of residual tissue of the lip coloboma after excision. Results: All patients underwent mental V-Y advancement flap. In vermilion mucosal reconstruction, five patients underwent mucosal V-Y advancement flap, three underwent buccal mucosal flap, and eight underwent buccal mucosal graft. There were good aesthetic and functional results in all patients who underwent buccal mucosal graft. However, two patients who underwent mucosal V-Y advancement flap complained of oral incompetence, and all patients who underwent buccal mucosal flap had oral commissure deformity. Conclusion: Buccal mucosal graft combined with mental V-Y advancement flap can produce suitable functional and aesthetic outcomes in near total lower lip reconstruction in patient with large mucosal defect including vermilion portion.