• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.220-221
• /
• 2023

Microsurgical peripheral nerve repair is a technical and challenging procedure that requires thorough training prior to a real-life operating theater scenario. While the gold standard in training remains training on biological living peripheral nerve specimen, various inanimate models of nerve repair simulation have been described in the past years. The textile elastic band (TEB) obtained from a surgical mask was either covered with a fine silicone sheath or was left bare and was used afterward for end-to-end coaptation. The average diameter of the TEB was 2 mm, similar with the nerves in the distal hand and can be easily crafted out of accessiblematerials such as a surgicalmask and silicone sealant. The silicone that covers the TEB offers more fidelity to the simulation for microsurgical nerve coaptation. The TEB model offers an affordable, available, and easy-to-craft alternative to the existing models for peripheral nerve repair simulation and serves as a good initiation tool before moving on to biological specimens.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.96-100
• /
• 2023

The microsurgical anastomosis is integral to the success of autologous-free tissue transfer. Successful performance of this procedure relies strongly on operator dexterity, which can be made more challenging when blood and edematous fluids obscure the field of view. Workflow is impeded by intermittent irrigation and suctioning, necessitating presence of an assistant, with risk of arterial thrombosis, from vessels being drawn into suction drains. To negate these current disadvantages and minimize the barrier of entry to microvascular operations, we designed, manufactured, and patented a novel three-dimensional printed microsurgical background device with microfluidic capabilities that allow continuous suction and irrigation as well as provide platforms that enable multiangle retraction to facilitate operator autonomy. This was validated in an ex vivo model, with the device found to be superior to the current standard. We believe that this will have major applicability to the improvement of microsurgeon

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.29 no.11
• /
• pp.1505-1513
• /
• 2000

Objectives : Many surgical procedures have been introduced to a symptomatic lumbar stenosis. Most of these procedures still have been regarded as an extensive surgical intervention with respect to normal aging process of the lumbar spine. We adopted a microsurgical decompression procedure via unilateral exposure as a minimally invasive intervention for symptomatic lumbar stenosis without instability. Materials and Methods : Fifty-seven patients with symptomatic lumbar stenosis underwent microsurgical decompression via unilateral laminotomy between March 1998 and December 1999. The conceptual modification and technical refinements were added to the previously reported microsurgical decompression procedure. Bilateral decompression through a unilateral laminotomy hole was performed in 11 patients. These patients profile also included 9 cases of degenerative spondylolisthesis(Grade I) without instability. Results : Preoperative neurogenic intermittent claudication(NIC) was more notably improved than low back pain, 60% to 82% during the follow-up period. Overall clinical results were excellent in 20(35%), good in 29(51%), fair in 6(11%) and poor in 2(3%). Conclusions : Microsurgical decompression for lumbar stenosis with stable spine provided a satisfactory symptomatic improvement without extensive destruction of the weight-bearing structures and functional mobile segments, even bilateral symptoms existed.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.104-108
• /
• 2013

Background Microsurgical techniques are considered standard procedures in reconstructive surgery. Although microsurgery by itself is defined as surgery aided by optical magnification, there are no guidelines for determining in which clinical situations a microscope or loupe should be used. Therefore, we conducted standardized experiments to objectively assess the impact of optical magnification in microsurgery. Methods Sixteen participants of microsurgical training courses had to complete 2 sets of experiments. Each set had to be performed with an unaided eye, surgical loupes, and a regular operating microscope. The first set of experiments included coaptation of a chicken femoral nerve, and the second set consisted of anastomosing porcine coronary arteries. Evaluation of the sutured nerves and vessels were performed by 2 experienced microsurgeons using an operating microscope. Results The 16 participants of the study completed all of the experiments. The nerve coaptation and vascular anastomoses exercises showed a direct relationship of error frequency and lower optical magnification, meaning that the highest number of microsurgical errors occurred with the unaided eye. For nerve coaptation, there was a strong relationship (P<0.05) between the number of mistakes and magnification, and this relationship was very strong (P<0.01) for vascular anastomoses. Conclusions We were able to prove that microsurgical success is directly related to optical magnification. The human eye's ability to discriminate potentially important anatomical structures is limited, which might be detrimental for clinical results. Although not legally mandatory, surgeries such as reparative surgery after hand trauma should be conducted with magnifying devices for achieving optimal patient outcomes.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.1-5
• /
• 2000

The microsurgical reconstruction is necessary for elderly patients to treat severe trauma and head and neck tumor. The aim of this study is to analyze the risks of microvascular surgery and whether or not happening of more complication in elderly patients who are older than 60 years old and to suggest the solution of the complication. The retrospective study included 41 elderly patients who underwent treatment of 44 microsurgical reconstructions among total 271 cases of microsurgical reconstruction from July, 1988 to December, 1998. Their ages ranged from 61 years to 79 years. There were 26 males and 15 females. The involved sites were 23 head and necks, 13 upper gastrointestinal tracts, 3 lower extremities, 1 chest and 1 sacral region. The causes of microsurgical reconstruction were 36 head and neck tumors, 2 radionecrosis, 2 traumas and 1 melanoma in lower limb. The used flaps were 14 radial forearm flaps, 13 jejunal flaps, 10 latissimus dorsi muscle flaps, 3 rectus abdominis muscle flaps, 2 lateral arm flaps, 1 scapular flap, and 1 iliac osteocutaneous flap. They had medical problems which were 29 tobacco abuse, 14 hypertensions, 13 alcohol abuse, 10 chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, 7 diabetes mellituses, 3 ischemic heart diseases. All patients have had successful results without specific complications except 3 cases of free flap failure and 3 perioperative death. The causes of 3 flap failures were 2 flap necrosis due to arterial insufficiency and 1 flap loss due to secondary infection. All of these cases were treated with secondary free flap surgery. However 3 patients died perioperatively due to 2 respiratory arrests and 1 sepsis. It was not related to operate microsurgical reconstruction itself, but was correlated with the complication of postoperative care after head and neck surgery. We conclude that plastic surgeons consider the importance of prevention of expected complication as thorough analysis of operative risk factor and appropriate treatment. We had to select the donor and recipient vessel appropriately to perform successful microsurgery in elderly patients and consider vein graft and end-to-side anastomosis to reduce complication if necessary. In addition, we emphasize the importance of pre, peri and postoperative care in head and neck cancer patients to reduce postoperative complication and morbidity.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.sup1
• /
• pp.85-90
• /
• 2001

Objective : DREZotomy is effective for the treatment of deafferentation pain as a consequence of root avulsion, postparaplegic pain, posttraumatic syrinx, postherpetic neuralgia, spinal cord injury, and peripheral nerve injury. We performed microsurgical DREZotomy to the patients with deafferentation pain and relieved pain without any serious complication. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of the microsurgical DREZotomy for deafferentation pain. Methods : We evaluated 4 patients with deafferntation pain who were intractable to medical therapy. Two of them were brachial plexus injury with root avulsion owing to trauma, one was axillary metastasis of the squamous cell carcinoma of the left forearm, and the last was anesthesia dolorosa after surgical treatment(MVD and rhizotomy) of trigeminal neuralgia. Preoperative evaluation was based on the neurologic examination, radiologic imaging, and electrophysiological study. In the case of anesthesia dolorosa, we produced two parallel lesions in cephalocaudal direction, 2mm in distance, from the C2 dorsal rootlet to the 5mm superior to the obex including nucleus caudalis, after suboccipital craniectomy and C1-2 laminectomy, with use of microelectrode. In the others, we confirmed lesion site with identification of the nerve root after hemilaminectomy. We performed arachnoid dissection along the posterolateral sulcus and made lesion with microsurgical knife and microelectrocoagulation, 2mm in depth, 2mm in distance, to the direction of 30-45 degrees in the medial portion of the Lissauer's tract and the most dorsal layers of the posterior horn at the one root level above and below the lesion. Results : Compared with preoperative state, microsurgical DREZotomy significantly diminished dosage of the drugs and relieved pain meaningfully. One patient showed tansient ipsilateral ataxia, but recovered soon. There was not any serious complication. Conclusion : It may be concluded that microsurgical DREZotomy is very useful and safe therapeutic modality for deafferentation pain, especially segmentally distributed intermittent or evoke pain. Complete preoperative evaluation and proper selection of the patients and lesion making device are needed to improve the result.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 1996

From Fabuary 1982 to May 1995, 396 patients had undergone reconstructive surgery of the upper and lower limb with microsurgical technique at department of orthopaedic surgery, Yonsei University of Medicine. The results were as follows; 1. Average age at the time of operation was 23.4years(2-64 years), and there were 277 male and 119 female patients. 2. Among 324 patients of soft tissue flap(87 inguinal flap, 132 scapular flap, 38 latissimus dorsi flap, 11 latissimus dorsi and scapular combind flap, 6 gracilis flap, 12 deltoid flap, 3 tensor facia lata flap, 11 dorsalis pedis flap, 6 lateral thigh flap, 12 wrap around flap, 1 lateral arm flap, 5 musculocutaneous flap), 274 cases(85.5%) were succeed. 3. Among 37 patients of vascularized bone graft(18 fibular bone graft, 11 iliac bone graft, 7 toe to finger transplantation,1 vascular pedicle rib graft), 30 cases(80.1%) were succeed. 4. In 26 cases of segmental resection and rotationplasty at lower extremity, 23 cases were succeed. 5. In 7 cases of Tikhoff-Linberg procedure and in 2 case of segmental resection and replantation, all case was succeed. Overall success rate of microscopic reconstructive surgery was 85.6%. In conclusion, microsurgical technigue is valuable for reconstruction of tissue defect or function loss of the limb.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.302-303
• /
• 2013

Current educational interventions and training courses in microsurgery are often predicated on theories of skill acquisition and development that follow a 'practice makes perfect' model. Given the changing landscape of surgical training and advances in educational theories related to skill development, research is needed to assess current training tools in microsurgery education and devise alternative methods that would enhance training. Simulation is an increasingly important tool for educators because, whilst facilitating improved technical proficiency, it provides a way to reduce risks to both trainees and patients. The International Microsurgery Simulation Society has been founded in 2012 in order to consolidate the global effort in promoting excellence in microsurgical training. The society's aim to achieve standarisation of microsurgical training worldwide could be realised through the development of evidence based educational interventions and sharing best practices.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.47-55
• /
• 1997

One hundred and thirty-seven patients had reconstructive surgery of injured feet with microsurgical technique in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Yonsei University College of Medicine from 1983 to 1997. The results were as follows: 1. There were 89 cases in men and 48 cases in women, who together had a mean age of 21.3 years. 2. The causes of injuries were 97 cases from traffic accidents, 15 cases from burns, 11 cases from machinery injury, 5 cases from infection, 2 cases from falling, 2 cases from glass injury, 2 cases from snake bite, 2 cases from explosive injury, and 1 case from ulceration. 3. There were 47 cases with inguinal flaps, 36 cases with scapular flaps, 36 cases with parascapular flaps, 7 cases with deltoid flaps, 4 cases with lateral thigh flaps, 3 cases with latissimus dorsi flaps, 2 cases with tensor fascia lata flaps, and 2 cases with dorsalis pedis flaps. 4. One hundred and twenty-seven(92.7%) cases were successful in reconstructive surgery with microsurgical technique. 5. Functionally, the thick skin flap or sensory flap has less ulceration and good protective sensation. We considered that the function and cosmetic appearance were excellent after reconstructive surgery of the injured feet with microsurgical reconstructive technique and that the thick skin flap or sensory flap has less ulceration and good protective sensation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.59 no.6
• /
• pp.610-614
• /
• 2016

Objective : The purpose of this study was to present the outcome of the microsurgical foraminotomy via Wiltse paraspinal approach for foraminal or extraforaminal (FEF) stenosis at L5-S1 level. We investigated risk factors associated with poor outcome of microsurgical foraminotomy at L5-S1 level. Methods : We analyzed 21 patients who underwent the microsurgical foraminotomy for FEF stenosis at L5-S1 level. To investigate risk factors associated with poor outcome, patients were classified into two groups (success and failure in foraminotomy). Clinical outcomes were assessed by the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of back and leg pain and Oswestry disability index (ODI). Radiographic parameters including existence of spondylolisthesis, existence and degree of coronal wedging, disc height, foramen height, segmental lordotic angle (SLA) on neutral and dynamic view, segmental range of motion, and global lumbar lordotic angle were investigated. Results : Postoperative VAS score and ODI improved after foraminotomy. However, there were 7 patients (33%) who had persistent or recurrent leg pain. SLA on neutral and extension radiographic films were significantly associated with the failure in foraminotomy (p<0.05). Receiver-operating characteristics curve analysis revealed the optimal cut-off values of SLA on neutral and extension radiographic films for predicting failure in foraminotomy were $17.3^{\circ}$ and $24^{\circ}s$, respectively. Conclusion : Microsurgical foraminotomy for FEF stenosis at L5-S1 level can provide good clinical outcomes in selected patients. Poor outcomes were associated with large SLA on preoperative neutral (>$17.3^{\circ}$) and extension radiographic films (>$24^{\circ}$).