• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.324-331
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• 2010

The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) has become a workhorse flap as a means of reconstructing surgical defects in the head and neck region. We have transferred 12 RFFFs with fasciocutaneous type on oral cavity defects in 12 patients after cancer resection and submucous fibrotic lesion ablation from 2005 to 2007 at Department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, Pusan National University Hospital. We reviewed retrospectively patients' charts and followed up the patients. Clinical analysis on the cases with RFFFs focusing on flap morbidity, indications and available vessels was done. The results of study are follows: 1. RFFF could be applied for all kind of defects after resection of tongue, floor of mouth, buccal mucosa, denuded bone of palate, maxilla, and mandible. 2. All free flaps could be used for primary reconstruction. The survival rate of 12 RFFFs was 92%. Partial marginal loss of the flaps was shown as 3 cases among 12 cases. Large size-vessels like superior thyroid artery, facial artery, internal jugular vein were favorable for microvascular anastomosis. 3. Parenteral nutrition instead of nasal L-tube also can be favorable for postoperative a week for better healing of the flap if the patients couldn't be tolerable with nasal tubing. 4. Donor sites with thigh skin graft were repaired with wrist band for 2 weeks. The complications included scarring, abnormal sensation on hand, and reduced grip strength in few patients, but those didn't induce major side effects. 5. Most RFFFs were well healed even if mortality rate of cancer patients was shown as 50% (5/10 persons). The mortality of patients was not correlated with morbidity of the flaps. We could identify the usefulness of RFFF for restoration of oral function, esthetics if the flap design, tissue transfer indications, and well controlled operation are proceeded.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.461-466
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• 2005

Despite the major advances in the microvascular surgery with success rates of up to 98%, failure and vascular complications still remain even in the experienced hands. Failure of blood to flow across an anastomosis is usually caused by three factors: (1) Technical errors; (2) Undetected damage more proximally or via vasospasm; or (3) A clot or a thrombus. The success of a microvascular surgery depends on the severity of the vascular injury and, proper debridement of an injured vessel, and the failure rate of microvascular anastomosis in cases of trauma is higher as the thrombogenic possibility is increased by the endothelial damage. From January to November in 2003, 460 patients were underwent microvascular surgery(270 replantations and 190 free flap transfers) and re-operations were performed in 15 cases. Cases were reviewed by clinical and operative records. In these cases, causes of post-operative circulation insufficiency were identified as 9 vascular spasms and 6 thromboses at the previous anastomotic site. The average of re-operative success rate was 73%(60% in replantations and 100% in free flaps). In conclusion, through precise postoperative monitoring and assessment, immediate surgical re-exploration could be performed when a vascular complication is suspicious, the success rate of microvascular surgery would be increased more.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제18권1호
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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.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제36권6호
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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 Plastic Surgery
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• 제50권1호
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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.

• 대한화상학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.58-65
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• 2019

Wound caused by high-tension electrical burns is difficult to manage because the wound is deep and complex. The wound is progressively necrotic due to microvascular injury resulting in deep tissue exposure. So, coverage of the wound at the entry point and the exit point is cumbersome, often requiring flap coverage. We experienced a case of one patient for peroneal artery perforator free flap coverage on the palm of the right hand of the entry point of electrical burn. The left foot wound of electrical exit point was covered by full thickness skin graft. Also a small wound was on the left side of the lower back was the exit point of electrical burn. The lower back wound was healed and recurred repeatedly after burn. On postburn day 6 month, through the radiologic exam, metal shadow was identified in the left gluteus muscle forming chronic sinus. We explored the wound of sinus and a foreign body was identified in the sac as multi braid wires thin as hair. According to the patient's past history, we suspected that the back wound was caused by electrical burn injury through the wires.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.340-349
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• 2007

Free flap transplantation with microvascular anastomosis has been successfully performed by development of surgical technique, materials and postoperative monitoring equipments of flap. But success rate of microvascular anastomosis is influenced by various factors, and failure rate is about 5-10%. The most influential factor for success rate is surgical technique and other factors that influence failure of microvascular anastomosis are ischemic time of free flap, thrombus formation of anastomosis region and vascular spasm. In this study, vascular patency and thrombus formation in experimental micro-venous anastomosis, and endothelial repair were observed with histologic analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopic examination. The results were obtained as follows: 1. In vascular patency test in 30 minute and 7 days after micro-venous anastomosis with heparin irrigation, all of 12 anastomosis site were good vascular patency. 2. In thrombus formation in 2 weeks group(Experimental I), 2 site of 6 cases were observed thrombus, and in 4 weeks group(Experimental II), 1 site of 6 cases were observed thrombus. 3. In histologic examination, normal vein(Control Group) showed continued internal elastic lamina, well formed thick smooth muscle layer and connective tissue. The group of 2 weeks after microvenous anastomosis(Experimental I) showd locally recovered internal lamina, discontinued internal lamina, disorganized smooth muscle cells and granulation tissue around suture silk. In the group of 4 weeks after micro-venous anastomosis(Experimental II), anastomosis site showed almostly continued internal lamina, disorganized smooth muscle cells and cicartrized tissue around suture silk. 4. In scanning electron microscope examination in 2 weeks(Experimental I) after micro-venous anastomosis, mesh fibrin formation showed near to endothelial cells, and in 4 weeks after micro-venous anastomosis(EXperimental II), numerous blood cells and fibrin mesh formation was seen associated with irregular endothelial cell arrangement. 5. In transmission electron microscope examination in 2 weeks after micro-venous anastomosis(Experimental I), irregular arrangement of smooth muscle cells was seen adjacent to collagenized tissue around suture silk. In 4 weeks after micro-venous anastomosis(Experimental II), denuded venous wall composed of relatively well arranged smooth muscle cells was covered by endothelial cells, but fibroblast cells and foreign body giant cells near to suture silk was remained. From the results obtained in this study, results of good vascular patiency and anti-thrombotic effect of heparin were obtained as a local irrigation solution, and repair of venous endothelial cell was observed in 2 weeks after micro-venous anastomosis.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.159-164
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• 2008

Purpose: Microvascular free tissue transfer has become a reliable technique for the reconstruction of complex wounds. Occasionally, unexpected intraoperative thrombosis and/or spasm of recipient artery might be annoying problems even for the technically competent microvascular surgeons. If such problems are not treated properly, they will inevitably cause to flap failure. Methods: From January 2006 to February 2007, soft tissue reconstructions by free tissue transfers were performed on 21 patients having complex defects in the lower extremity. Although segmental revision and various pharmacologic agents were repeatedly applied, arterial occlusions were not managed in 6 cases. For removal of thrombi and release of spasm, Fogarty No. 2 or No. 3 catheters were inserted into the lumen to the proximal recipient artery. Its balloon was then inflated after passing through a resistant area. Next, the catheter was gently withdrawn backward. Results: After the Fogarty catheter was inserted two or three times, the pulsatile arterial flow was restored. When the catheter was inserted into the lumen, a feeling of resistance existed in a 5-10cm more proximal portion that could not be easily accessed from the vascular end. After the reestablishment of blood flow, successful anastomoses were achieved and immediate rethrombosis or spasm did not occur. No long-term sequelae associated with balloon trauma to the arterial wall were observed. Conclusion: The use of the Fogarty catheter can be an effective method in treating pedicle thrombosis and spasm. This is a very simple and rapid technique that offers microvascular surgeons another option to increase the success rate of microvascular anastomosis in free tissue transfers.

• 대한두개안면성형외과학회지
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.53-57
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• 2010

연부조직만으로 경구개를 재건하는데 있어서는 환자군을 적절히 선택하는 것이 중요하며 골재건이 필요하지 않은 Okay 분류 Ia와 Ib가 주요한 적응증이 된다. 하악이나 구강저부 결손을 재건하는 것과는 다르게 경구개 결손은 구강과 비강 점막층을 동시에 수복할 수 있는 피판이 이상적이다. 이중 저자들은 전완유리피판에 전상판화 방법을 좀 더 안정적으로 시행, 경구개 전층을 성공적으로 재건하였으며, 특히 저작과 연하 등 기능적 측면뿐 아니라 경구개 및 비강의 점막을 함께 복원할 수 있는 해부학적인 장점이 있는 피판임을 확인하여 문헌고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제17권2호
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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.