• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.473-477
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• 2020

Superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flaps represent a useful option in autologous breast reconstruction. However, the short-fixed pedicle can limit flap inset options. We present a challenging flap inset successfully addressed by de-epithelialization, turnover, and counterintuitive rotation. A 47-year-old woman underwent left tertiary breast reconstruction with stacked free flaps using right deep inferior epigastric perforator and left SIEA vessels. Antegrade and retrograde anastomoses to the internal mammary (IM) vessels were preferred; additionally, the thoracodorsal vessels were unavailable due to previous latissimus dorsi breast reconstruction. Optimal shaping required repositioning of the lateral ends of the flaps superiorly, which would position the ipsilateral SIEA hemi-flap pedicle lateral to and out of reach of the IM vessels. This problem was overcome by turning the SIEA flap on its long axis, allowing the pedicle to sit medially with the lateral end of the flap positioned superiorly. The de-epithelialized SIEA flap dermis was in direct contact with the chest wall, enabling its fixation. This method of flap inset provides a valuable solution for medializing the SIEA pedicle while maintaining an aesthetically satisfactory orientation. This technique could be used in ipsilateral SIEA flap breast reconstructions that do not require a skin paddle, as with stacked flaps or following nipple-sparing mastectomy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.159-167
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• 2007

Vestibular schwannoma (VS) is a benign tumor typically originated in the schwann cell of vestibular nerve and usually accompany hearing symptom. Microsurgical removal and radiosurgery have a great role for the treatment of VS. Recently radiosurgery has been considered as an alternative or primary treatment for VS with the tremendous increase of patients who were treated with gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) though microsurgery still takes the premier. By many published results, it is proved that GKS is a effective and noninvasive technique for VS, especially small sized tumors with satisfactory tumor control rate. The authors assumed that GKS can be expected to achieve satisfactory tumor control rate for small VS under 5cc in volume. A major interest regarding radiosurgery nowadays is to determine the optimal radiation dose for hearing preservation to improve the quality of life of patients. The more high radiation dose are used for effective tumor growth control, the more radiation-related complications like as hearing deficit, the impairment of other cranial nerve function are increased. Since 1990's the mean radiation dose for tumor margin was more than 18 Gy, but there were high complication rate in spite of good tumor growth control. After the year of 2000, under the influence of advanced neuro-imaging techniques and radiosurgical planning system which enable clinicians to do more precise planning, marginal dose for VS has been decreased to 12-13 Gy and the radiation-related complications has been reduced. But because there may be a unexpected radiation induced complications as time goes by after the latency period, optimal radiation dose for VS should be established on the basis of more long term follow-up observation.

• 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.

• 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 Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.269-275
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• 2020

Background: The advance in microsurgical technique has facilitated a proper approach for reconstruction of extensive head and neck defects. For the success of free tissue reconstruction, selection of the recipient vessel is one of the most important factors. However, the vascular anatomy of this region is very complex, and a clear guideline about this subject is still lacking. In this study, we present our 30 years of experiences of free tissue reconstruction for head and neck defects. Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed a total of 138 flaps in 127 patients who underwent head and neck reconstruction using free tissue transfer following tumor resection between October 1986 to August 2019. Patients who underwent facial palsy reconstruction were excluded. Medical records including patient's demographics, detailed operation notes, follow-up records, and photographs were collected and analyzed. Results: Among a total of 127 patients, 10 patients underwent a secondary operation due to cancer recurrence. The most commonly used type of flap was radial forearm flap (n=107), followed by the anterolateral thigh flap (n=18) and fibula flap (n=10). With regard to recipient vessels, superior thyroid artery was most commonly used in arterial anastomosis (58.7%), and internal jugular vein (51.3%) was the first choice for venous anastomosis. The flap survival rate was 100%. Four cases of venous thrombosis were resolved with thrombectomy and re-anastomosis. Conclusion: Superior thyroid artery and internal jugular vein were reliable choices as recipient vessels. Proper recipient vessel selection could improve the result of head and neck reconstruction.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 1994

It is difficult to obtain a satisfactory bony union of large bone defect secondary to trauma, tumor resection, congenital pseudarthrosis of tibia and bony metaplasia following infection with conventional methods. Conventional nonvascularized autologous bone graft do not provide adequate large amounts of donor bone and usually undergo necrosis or nonunion due to lack of vascular nutrition. Currently, advanced in microsurgery have made it possible to provide a continuing circulation of blood in bone grafts so as to ensure viability. With the nutrient blood supply preserved, healing of the graft to the recipient bone is facilitated without the usual replacement of the graft by creeping substitution. Thus, the grafted bone is achieved more rapid stabilization without sacrificing viability. We reviewed 11 cases of vascularized fibular grafts which were performed from December 1982 to January 1993 and the following results were obtained: 1. Large bone defects with chronic osteomyelitis secondary to trauma were could be successfully treated by the vascularized fibular transfer. 2. In our experience, the vascularized fibular transfer was thought to be one of good methods of treatment for congenital pseudathrosis of tibia. 3. Complete tumor resection was followed by a free vascularized fibular transfer, resulting in good functional improvement, without local recurrence. Long bone defect secondary to bony dysplasia was could be reconstructed by the vascularized fibular transfer. 4. The transferred vascularized fibula had been hypertrophied with bony union during follow-up period and there was no resorption of the grafted fibula.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.100-107
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• 2007

Treatment of giant cell tumor of distal radius can be treated in several ways according to the aggressiveness of the tumor. But the management of giant cell tumor involving juxta-articular portion has always been a difficult problem. In some giant cell tumors with bony destruction, a wide segmental resection may be needed for preventing to recur. But a main problem is preserving of bony continuity in bony defect as well as preservation of joint function. We have attempted to overcome these problems by using a microvascular technique to transfer the fibula with peroneal vascular pedicle or anterior tibial vessel as living bone graft. From April 1984 to July 2005, we performed the reconstruction of wide bone defect after segmental resection of giant cell tumor in 14 cases, using Vascularized Fibular Graft, which occur at the distal radius. VFG with peroneal vascular pedicle was in 8 cases and anterior tibial vessel was 6 cases. Recipient artery was radial artery in all cases. Method of connection was end to end anastomosis in 11 cases, and end to side in 3 cases. An average follow-up was 6 years 6 months, average bone defect after wide segmental resection of lesion was 6.8 cm. All cases revealed good bony union in average 6.5 months, and we got the wide range of motion of wrist joint without recurrence and serious complications. Grafted bone was all alive. In functional analysis, there was good in 7 cases, fair in 4 cases and bad in 1 case. Pain was decreased in all cases but there was nearly normal joint in only 4 cases. Vascularized fibular graft around wrist joint provided good functional restoration without local recurrence.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 2008

Purpose: Free flaps from the great toe are an established method for reconstruction of absent or partially amputated thumbs. However, options differ as to which technique represents the ideal solution for each level of amputation. Various methods of distal thumb reconstruction have been proposed. We prefer to transplant the entire great toe nail complex with the almost all of the pulp rather than a portion of the nail. This paper reflects our experience in using the great toe mini wrap-around flap for distal thumb reconstruction. Materials and Methods: In the period from October of 2005 to July of 2007, 9 patients were treated for traumatic thumb defects localized at the distal phalanx of the thumb. The patients included seven men and two women. The mean age was 44 years (range, 21~60) and the dominant right hand was involved in seven of nine patients. Results: The transferred flaps have survived completely in all cases. The mean range of motion in the interphalangeal joints was 51o, with 73% of the normal uninjured opposite hands. The two-point discrimination was 10.5 mm (range, 5~13 mm). In Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test, the sensibility was 4.31 in 4 cases, 3.61 in 3 cases and 2.83 in 2 cases. The pinch power was 64% (range, 55~95%) of the opposite hand. All patients were satisfied with the appearance of the reconstructed thumb and felt comfortable at final follow-up. Conclusion: We have successfully reconstructed 9 cases of traumatic distal thumb defects using the mini wrap-around free flap. The mini wrap-around free flap in great toe is an excellent alternative method for distal thumb reconstruction in selected patients.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.82-86
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• 2008

Purpose: Soft tissue defect can occur on the posterior aspect of the elbow after trauma or fracture fixation. To cover the defect and maintain elbow functions, various flap surgeries including latissimus dorsi muscle flap, lateral arm flap and radial forearm flap can be performed. We present the clinical results of transposition lateral arm flap for coverage of the elbow defect and discuss the cause of posterior soft tissue necrosis after fracture fixation. Materials and Methods: Two patients who had posterior soft tissue defect of the elbow after open reduction of the fractures around the elbow were treated with transposition lateral arm flap. The mean size of skin defect was 20 $cm^2$. The flap was elevated with posterior radial collateral artery pedicle and transposed to the defect area. Donor defect was covered with split thickness skin graft. The elbow was immobilized for 1 week in extended position and active range of motion was permitted. Results: All two cases of transposition lateral arm flap survived without marginal necrosis. The average range of motion of the elbow was 10~115 degrees. Mayo elbow performance score was 72 and Korean DASH score was 23. Conclusion: When elbow fractures are fixed with three simultaneous plates and screws, skin necrosis can occur on the posterior aspect of the elbow around olecranon area. If the size of skin defect is relatively small, transposition lateral arm flap is very useful option for orthopaedic surgeons without microsurgical technique.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.79-83
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• 2009

Purpose: Avulsion injuries of digits have been presented for a long time as complex management problems. Despite of microsurgical advances, it is difficult to achieve good functional results and their management remains somewhat controversial. However, in a finger there are three transverse digital palmar arches. The middle and distal transverse digital palmar arches are consistently large(almost 1 mm) and may be used for arterial vessel repairs either proximally or distally, depending on the length and direction needed. 39-year-old man presented with avulsion amputation of the ulnar three digits, was operated using only arterial anastomosis with rerouting the transverse digital palmar arches. Methods: Replantation was performed using the artery-only technique. Because the digital arteries had been damaged, we did that the transverse digital palmar arches were transposed in an inverted Y to I configuration and were lengthened with rerouting them for the purpose of direct anastomosis of the digital artery. Venous drainage was provided by an external bleeding method with partial nail excision and external heparin irrigation. Results: The authors conclude that complete avulsion amputations with only soft tissue at the distal to insertion of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon were salvageable with acceptable functional results. All three fingers survived. Conclusion: With technical advancements, the transverse digital palmar arches play an important role for finger amputation. Three digital palmar arches give us additional treatment option for the finger amputation. In this case, replantation with only-arterial anastomosis was successful and we obtained good aesthetic and functional outcome.