• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.195-200
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• 2011

Objective : To present the profiles of spinal cord tumors that can be removed through a unilateral hemilaminectomy and to demonstrate its usefulness for benign spinal cord tumors that significantly occupy the spinal canal. Methods : From June 2004 to October 2010, 25 spinal cord tumors were approached with unilateral hemilaminectomy. We calculated the cross-sectional occupying ratio (CSOR) of tumor to spinal canal before and after the operations. Results : The locations of the tumors were intradural extramedullary in 20 cases, extradural in 2, and intramedullary in 3. The levels of the tumors were lumbar in 12, thoracic 9, and cervical 4. In all cases, the tumor was removed grossly and totally without damaging spinal cord or roots. The mean height and width of the lesions we195re 17.64 mm (3-47.5) and 12.62 mm (4-32.7), respectively. The mean CSOR was 69.40% (range, 27.8-96.9%). Postoperative neurological status showed improvement in all patients except one whose neurologic deficit remained unchanged. Postoperative spinal stability was preserved during the follow-up period (mean, 21.5 months) in all cases. Tumor recurrence did not develop during the follow-up period. Conclusion : Unilateral hemilaminectomy combined with microsurgical technique provides sufficient space for the removal of diverse spinal cord tumors. The basic profiles of the spinal cord tumors which can be removed through the unilateral hemilaminectomy demonstrate its role for the surgery of the benign spinal cord tumors in various sizes.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.397-418
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• 1994

Microvascular surgery has been widely used in the clinical field of replantation and reconstructive surgery. Since the last 20 years, microsurgical techniques and instruments have been rapidly developed and the success rate is remarkably increased. But thrombotic occlusion of vessels remains the major reason for clinical failure. The change of vessel wall is the most important factor in thrombus formation. If we can reduce the traumatic changes in the vessel walls during surgery, the success rate can be markedly increased. For this study, femoral arteries and veins of 36 Sprague-Dawley rats with average weights of 300gm were used. The author observed the histological changes and healing process in the anastomostic site after 1 hour, 24 hours, 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks under light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results were as follows : 1. The patency rate was 100% in femoral arteries and 85% in femoral vein. 2. At the early stages after microvascular anastomosis, the loss of endothelial cell in the vessel walls was observed in the wide area including anastomotic site. In scanning electron microscopic finding the anastomotic site was covered with much fibrin, many red blood cells and some platelets. 3. At 1st week, new endothelial cells were formed toward anastomotic site and at 3rd week, the anastomotic site was completely covered by new endothelial cells. At 4th week, the complete endothelialization over the threads was observed. 4. The media extended from the anastomotic site toward the end of the specimen. At later stages, the extent of media necrosis was markedly decreased. But the media necrosis of anastomotic site was not regenerated till 4th week. 5. Intimal hyperplasia appeared at 1st week and increased till 4th week. The layer consisted of endothelialization the most luminal layers and smooth muscle in the deeper layers. But in veins, the response was less pronounced than in arteries. 6. Foreign body granuloma remained during 4 weeks and aneurysm was observed at 3rd week in artery. In aneurismal wall, media necrosis, loss of elastic lamina and intimal hyperplasia were seen.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.41
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• pp.40.1-40.7
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• 2019

Background: Through the analysis of clinical data, we attempted to investigate the etiology and determine the risk of severe iatrogenic lingual nerve injuries in the removal of the mandibular third molar. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who had undergone microsurgical repair of lingual nerve injuries. The following data were collected and analyzed: patient sex, age, nerve injury side, type of impaction (Winter's classification, Pell and Gregory's classification). Ratios for the respective lingual nerve injury group data were compared with the ratios of the respective data for the control group, which consisted of data collected from the literature. The data for the control group included previous patients that encountered various complications during the removal of the mandibular third molar. Results: The lingual nerve injury group consisted of 24 males and 58 females. The rate of female patients with iatrogenic lingual nerve injuries was significantly higher than the control groups. Ages ranged from 15 to 67 years, with a mean age of 36.5 years old. Lingual nerve injury was significantly higher in the patient versus the control groups in age. The lingual nerve injury was on the right side in 46 and on the left side in 36 patients. There was no significant difference for the injury side. The distoangular and horizontal ratios were the highest in our lingual nerve injury group. The distoangular impaction rate in our lingual nerve injury group was significantly higher than the rate for the control groups. Conclusion: Distoangular impaction of the mandibular third molar in female patients in their 30s, 40s, and 50s may be a higher risk factor of severe lingual nerve injury in the removal of mandibular third molars.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.41
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• pp.3.1-3.9
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• 2019

Background: The infratemporal fossa (ITF) is an anatomical lateral skull base space composed by the zygoma, temporal, and the greater wing of the sphenoid bone. Due to its difficult approach, surgical intervention at the ITF has remained a heavy burden to surgeons. The aim of this article is to review basic skull base approaches and ITF structures and to avoid severe complications based on the accurate surgical knowledge. Methods: A search of the recent literature using MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, and other online tools was executed using the following keyword combinations: infratemporal fossa, subtemporal fossa, transzygomatic approach, orbitozygomatic approach, transmaxillary approach, facial translocation approach, midface degloving, zygomatico-transmandibular approach, and lateral skull base. Aside from our Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) trial, there have been very few randomized controlled trials. The search data for this review are summarized based on the authors' diverse clinical experiences. Results: We divided our results based on representative skull base approaches and the anatomy of the ITF. Basic approaches to the ITF include endoscopic endonasal, transzygomatic, orbitozygomatic, zygomatico-transmandibular, transmaxillary, facial translocation, and the midfacial degloving approach. The borders and inner structures of the ITF (with basic lateral skull base dissection schemes) are summarized, and the modified zygomatico-transmandibular approach (ZTMA) is described in detail. Conclusions: An anatomical basic knowledge would be required for the appropriate management of the ITF pathology for diverse specialized doctors, including maxillofacial, plastic, and vascular surgeons. The ITF approach, in conjunction with the application of microsurgical techniques and improved perioperative care, has permitted significant advances and successful curative outcomes for patients having malignancy in ITF.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.6-14
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• 2000

Reconstruction of the composite mandibular defect resulting from ablative resection of tumor involved jaw has been challenging task to the plastic surgeon. A wide variety of different techniques were used with limited success until the advent of microsurgery. The high success rate of microsurgical procedures has allowed for significant improvement in both functional and aesthetic results. A variety of free flap donor sites have been used successfully for mandibular reconstruction. Between April of 1991 and August of 1998, 20 mandibular reconstructions were performed for oncologic defects. 4 patients underwent mandibular reconstruction with pectoralis major flap, 3 patients with free nonvascularized bone graft, 1 patient with metal plate. 12 patients underwent microvascular mandibular reconstruction(8: fibula, 4: ilium). The type of free flap was determined by the requirements of the defect. Satisfactory aesthetic and functional results were achieved in all cases without significant complications. So microvascular mandibular reconstruction should be considered as primary choice in all mandibular defect without hesitation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.95-99
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• 1997

Irreparable obstructive azoospermic patients can be treated successfully with microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration(MESA) or testicular sperm extraction (TESE) by intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI). Obstructive azoospermic patients generally have normal spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to see if any spermatozoa could be retrieved from non-obstructive azoospermia and to assess the efficacy of ICSI with TESE in germinal failure. 42 non-obstructive azoospermic patients revealed no spermatozoa at all in their ejaculates, even after centrifuge. The histology of 42 patients revealed 15 Sertoli cell only Syndrome, 4 maturation arrest and 23 severe hypospermatogenesis. All patients underwent extensive multiple testicular biopsy for sperm retrieval. These patients were scheduled for ICSI using testicular spermatozoa. In 25 out of 42 non-obstructive azoospermic patients, spermatozoa were recovered from multiple testicular biopsy specimen and 11 ongoing pregnancies were achieved. There are usually some tiny foci of spermatogenesis which allow TESE with ICSI in non-obstructive azoospermia. Also these patients may have sufficient sperm in the testes for ICSI, despite extremely high FSH level and small testes.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.1 no.1
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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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• 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.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2011

The aim of extremity reconstruction has focused on early wound coverage and functional recovery but rarely aesthetics. As the quality of life improves, however, the request for aesthetics has been growing. The authors has conducted retrospective reviews on the 86 cases that had extremity reconstruction using free flap, considering the characteristics of parts that had been assessed in primary operation between May 1996 and December 2010. Aesthetic grading was performed in four categories; color, texture, contour and marginal scar. Recipient sites were 42 hands, 19 feet, 14 lower extremities excluding feet and 10 upper extremities apart from the hand. Types of free flap were 16 latissimus dorsi free flaps, 13 anterolateral thigh free flaps, 12 dorsalis pedis free flaps, 8 transvers rectus abdominis free flaps, 7 gracillis free flaps, and 5 superficial temporal fascia free flaps. Total flap necrosis was seen in 8 cases(9.3%) and partial necrosis in 5 cases(5.8%). Secondary revision was done in 24 cases(27.9%) and the most common revision, debulking was done in 14 cases(16.3%). The authors has considered cosmetic aspects along with wound coverage and functional recovery in primary reconstruction. The results of aesthetic grading was 16.2 out of 20, and the secondary revision rate was reduced.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.761-765
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• 2013

Background Partially resecting ribs of the recipient site to facilitate easy anastomosis of the internal mammary vessels to free flaps during breast reconstruction can cause chest wall pain or deformities. To avoid this, the intercostal perforating branches of the internal mammary vessels can be used for anastomosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the location and size of the internal mammary perforator vessels based on clinical intraoperative findings and to determine their reliability as recipient vessels for breast reconstruction with microsurgical free tissue transfer. Methods Twelve patients were preoperatively screened for the presence of internal mammary perforators using Doppler tracing. After modified radical mastectomy was performed by a general surgeon, the location and size of the internal mammary perforator vessels were microscopically investigated. The external diameter was examined using a vessel-measuring gauge from a mechanical coupling device, and the distance from the mid-sternal line to the perforator was also measured. Results The largest arterial perforator averaged 1.5 mm, and the largest venous perforator averaged 2.2 mm. Perforators emerging from the second intercostal space had the largest average external diameter; the second intercostal space also had the largest number of perforators arising from it. The average distance from the mid-sternal line to the perforator was 20.2 mm. Conclusions Internal mammary perforators presented consistent and reliable anatomy in this study. Based on these results, the internal mammary perforators appear to have a suitable diameter for microvascular anastomosis and should be considered as an alternative recipient vessel to the internal mammary vessel.