• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.46-49
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• 2002

Background: Free flaps have become a very important role in the ablative head and neck surgery with functional preservation of defect sites. The forearm free flap has many advantage of lack of bulk, ease of dissection, vascularity, and malleability. Patients and Methods: A review of 51 radial forearm free flaps performed between may 1990 and feburary 2001 at the Korea University was undertaken to determine outcome. Patient age ranged 27 to 72 years (mean 56). There were 44 men and 7 women. The most prevalent neoplasm was squamous cell carcinoma. Results: The tans verse cervical artery and the external jugular vein were the most frequent receipient sites for microvascular anastomosis. Total flap loss occurred in 2 cases (4%) and other complications were seen in 42%. Fifteen patients received preoperative irradiation and the complication was higher than non-irradiation patients, but statistically not significant. Conclusion: The radial forearm free flap offers a variety of reconstructive options for head and neck. Its low flap loss and complication rates offer the best choice for reconstruction of defect of head and neck malignancy.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.161-167
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• 2014

Purpose: The reconstruction of mandibular defects poses many difficulties due to the unique, complex shape of the mandible and the temporomandibular joints. With development of microvascular anastomosis, free tissue transplantation techniques, such as deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) flap and fibular free flap (FFF), were developed. The DCIA offers good quality and quantity of bone tissue for mandibular segmental defect and implant for dental rehabilitation. Virtual surgical planning (VSP) and stereolithography-guided osteotomy are currently successfully applied in three-dimensional mandibular reconstruction, but most use FFF. There are only a few articles on reconstruction with the DCIA that assess the postoperative results. Methods: Three patients admitted during a five month period (April of 2013 to August of 2013) underwent resection of mandible and DCIA musculo-osseous reconstruction using a VSP and stereolithographic modeling and assessment of outcomes included technical accuracy, esthetic contour, and functional outcomes. Results: This technique yielded iliac bone segment with excellent apposition and duplication of the preoperative plan. Flap survival was 100 percent and all patients maintained preoperative occlusion and contour. Conclusion: Based on our experience, we offer considerations and logically consistent protocols by classification of mandibular defects, and demonstrate the benefits in VSP and stereolithographic modeling of mandibular reconstructive surgery with DCIA flap.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.750-754
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• 2009

Purpose: The thoracodorsal vessels have been the standard recipient vessels for the majority of surgeons performing free abdominal flap breast reconstructions. Recently, the internal mammary vessels have been recommended as the first - choice recipient vessels for microvascular breast reconstruction. To approach the internal mammary vessel, 3rd or 4th rib cartilage excision is needed, but this method has some demerits - vessel injury, post operative pain and post operative chest hollowness. So, authors propose the approach method to the internal mammary vessel through intercostal space without rib cartilage resection. Methods: From November, 2008 to May, 2009, 13 patients underwent free abdominal flap breast reconstruction with approach to the internal mammary vessel through intercostal space without rib cartilage resection. Results: The mean patient age was 41.8 years, and the mean height was 159.3 cm. 11 patients underwent immediate breast reconstruction. Free DIEP flap reconstruction was performed in 7 patients, Free TRAM flap was performed in 5 patients, and Free SIEA flap was performed in 1 patient. Except 1 case, approach to the internal mammary vessel was took through 3rd intercostal space, and all width of intercostal space exceeded 1 cm. Conclusion: In the authors' experience, use of approach to the internal mammary vessels without rib cartilage resection method is safe and reliable to overcome demerits of rib cartilage resection method.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.94-100
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• 2008

In the past decade, there has been increasing breast reconstructions after mastectomy, and the abdomen has been the gold standard for donor site. TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous), MSTRAM (muscle sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous), DIEP (deep inferior epigastric artery perforator), SIEA (superficial inferior epigastric artery) flap has been widely used nowadays. Among them, DIEP free flap spares the whole rectus abdominis muscle and anterior rectus sheath resulting in decreased donor site morbidity. Between March of 2006 and February of 2008, six patients had undergone immediate breast reconstructions using DIEP free flap. The mean age of patients was 48.5 years. All patients had unilateral breast reconstructions. We dissected two perforators which were included in the unilateral pedicle. Thoracodorsal artery and its venae comitantes were chosen as recipient vessels. For venous anastomosis, we used the GEM Microvascular Anastomotic Coupler System (Synovis Micro Companies Alliance, Inc., Birmingham, Ala.) in four cases. All flaps were survived completely except one who showed fatty abdomen in old age. She showed repetitive vascular spasm intraoperatively. None of the patients had abdominal hernia, bulge or weakness. We believe that DIEP free flap provides a reliable method for autologous breast reconstruction if the patients are selected appropriately and performed by a skillful surgeon.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.417-426
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• 2021

Background Soft tissue coverage plays a vital role in replacing the vascularity of the underlying bone in Gustilo type IIIB fractures. The aim of this article was to evaluate the feasibility of local pedicled flaps in type IIIB fractures at a tertiary care center. Methods We included all cases of open Gustilo-Anderson type IIIB fractures of the tibia treated with local flap coverage from January 2017 to February 2019. We carried out a retrospective analysis to investigate the relationships of complications, hospital stay, and cost-effectiveness with the choice of flap, infective foci, site and size of the defect, and type of fixation. Results Out of 138 Gustilo type IIIB fractures analyzed in our study, 27 cases had complications, of which 19 (13.76%) involved flap necrosis, four (2.89%) were infections, three (2.17%) involved partial necrosis, and one (0.72%) was related to bone spur development. Flap complications showed a statistically significant association with the perforator flap category (propeller flaps in particular) (P=0.001). Flap necrosis showed a significant positive correlation with cases treated within 3 weeks after trauma (P=0.046). A significant positive correlation was also found between defect size and the duration of hospital stay (P=0.03). Conclusions Although local flaps are harvested from the same leg that underwent trauma, their success rate is at least as high as microvascular flaps as reported from other centers. Amidst the local flaps, complications were predominantly associated with perforator flaps.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.277-283
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• 2013

Purpose: Well vascularized pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) had been a commonly used versatile flap in reconstructive oromaxillofacial surgery since the 1970s. However, after the advent of microvascular surgery in the 1980s, the PMMF was used less frequently. But, to date, PMMF has been useful and has some advantages such as covering wide defects, covering vital structures, back-up procedure in cases of free flap failure, and reconstruction for radiotherapy patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role, indication, complications, functional, and aesthetic results of this flap in the era of free flap with a literature and chart review. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of 16 oral cancer patients undergoing reconstructive surgery with PMMF for reconstruction of defects from 2001 to 2012 at Kyungpook National University Hospital. The male to female ratio was 10:6, with a mean age of 63 years (16~79 years). Basic demographic data, previous treatment history, indications, dimension of the flap, site of reconstruction, postoperative complications, and patients' final status were systemically analyzed from chart review. Results: The pathology of the disease included squamous cell carcinoma in the majority of cases (n=14). The remaining cases were fibrosarcoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Of the 16 PMMF reconstructions, 13 flaps were applied as primary reconstructive procedures, whereas three flaps were; salvage; procedures (vascularized free flap failure). Twelve patients had complications such as wound dehiscence, infection, hematoma, fistula, flap bulkiness, and partial flap necrosis. The higher complication rates showed an association with utilization of the flap in preoperative radiotherapy cases. However, all patients were discharged without failure. Conclusion: In reconstructive oromaxillofacial surgery, the PMMF is still a useful flap for huge defects. In addition, the PMMF can be used as a salvage procedure after vascularized free flap failure and reconstruction for patients with a history of preoperative radiotherapy.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.53-57
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• 2010

Purpose: The radial forearm fasciocutaneous free flap is currently considered as the ideal free flap for reconstruction of mucosal and soft tissue defects of the palate. But the availability of stably attached oral and nasal mucosal lining is needed. In addition to this, for better operation field, operating convenience and esthetics, we planned a prelaminated radial forearm free flap. Methods: A 64-year-old male patient was admitted due to a $4{\times}4.5cm$ full through defect in the middle of the hard palate caused by peripheral T cell lymphoma with actinomycosis. In the first stage, the radial forearm flap was elevated, tailored to fit the hard palate defect, and then it positioned up-side down with split thickness skin graft. Two weeks later, the prelaminated radial forearm free flap was re-elevated and transferred to the palatal defect. One side covered with grafted skin was used to line the nasal cavity, and the other side (the cutaneous portion of the radial forearm flap) was used to line the oral cavity. Results: The prelamination procedure was relatively easy and useful. The skin graft was well taken to the flap. After 2nd stage operation, the flap survived uneventfully. There was no prolapse of the inset flap into the oral cavity and the cutaneous portion of the flap was mucosalized. The procedure was very successful and the patient can enjoy normal rigid diet and speech. Conclusion: The use of prelaminated radial forearm free flap for hard palate reconstruction is an excellent method to restore oral function. Based upon the result of this case, microvascular free flap transfer with prelaminated procedure is a valid alternative to the prosthetic obturator for palatal defect that provides an improved quality of life. It should be considered as an integral component of head and neck cancer therapy and rehabilitation.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.343-348
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• 2012

Treatment of hemifacial atrophy is a challenge for oral & maxillofacial surgeons. The surgical approach basically focused on skeletal correction so that the overlying soft tissues can be improved by the osseous change of the skeleton. However, the treatment ends up with insufficient soft tissue mophology in most cases even after skeletal correction. Therefore comprehensive hard and soft tissue reconstruction is needed for treating the hemifacial atrophy. In this case report, we experienced a successful result after combined orthognathic and microvascular adipofascial flap reconstruction for hemifacial atrophy patient.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.125-129
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• 2023

Three-dimensional (3D) video exoscopes are high-magnification stereo cameras that project onto monitors mounted in the operating room, viewable from different angles. Outside of plastic surgery, exoscopes have been shown to successfully improve the ergonomics of microsurgery, though sometimes with prolonged operating times. We compare a single surgeon's early experience performing free flap procedures from 2020 to 2021 using either a binocular microscope or a 3D video exoscope. Ten procedures were performed with the standard operating microscope and 8 procedures with the 3D exoscope. The microsurgeon, having minimal prior experience using an exoscope, reported less neck discomfort following the free flap procedures performed with the exoscope compared with the binocular surgical microscope. Total average operating time was comparable between the standard surgical microscope and the 3D exoscope (13.7 vs. 13.4 hours, p = 0.34). Our early experience using a 3D exoscope in place of a standard optical microscope demonstrated that the exoscope shows promise, offering an ergonomic alternative during microvascular reconstruction without increasing overall operating times. Future studies will compare free flap ischemia time between cases performed using the exoscope and the conventional binocular microscope. Medical Subject Headings authorized following words: free tissue flaps; operating rooms; ergonomics; microsurgery.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.547-554
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to delineate the optimal time of venous revascularization for preventing the flap necrosis due to venous occlusion, and to clarify the usefulness of tissue oxygen pressure ($TcpO_2$) in the determination of the point of time for venous revascularization. Methods: Thirty-six, $3{\times}3\;cm$ sized epigastric island flap was elevated in left abdomen of male Sprague-Dawley rat weighing 250 gram. Flaps were randomly assigned to six groups of six flaps according to the duration of venous occlusion with microvascular clamp; 10 minutes in the group I as the control, 60 minutes in the group II, 2 hours in the group III, 3 hours in the group IV, 4 hours in the group V, and 6 hours in the group VI, respectively. Just before removal of clamp after flap was reposed in situ, the ratio of $TcpO_2$ (tissue oxygen pressure) of the island flap to that of right abdomen was calculated in each group, and tissue specimen was harvested from the distal area of the flap for histological evaluation of vascular change. Five days later, survival area of the flap was estimated, and evaluated the correlation between the tissue oxygen pressure and the rate of flap survival. Results: The $TcpO_2$ and the survival rate of flap were decreased proportionally with the duration of venous occlusion. The ratio of the $TcpO_2$ of the flap is decreased abruptly to below sixty percentile compared to the $TcpO_2$ of normal tissue, and the survived area of the flap is decreased to nine-tenth of the designed size after three hours of total venous occlusion. Histologically, the number of congested vessels was increased according to venous occluded time, and proportionally increased after 3-hours of occlusion significantly. Conclusion: There is a close correlation between the $TcpO_2$ and the survival rate of flaps according to the duration of venous occlusion. Therefore, the $TcpO_2$ represents the hemodynamic changes within the flap, and thought to be an alternative effective tool in the flap monitoring for venous revascularization.