• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.97-105
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• 2012

Background: Increasing numbers of super-elderly patients (>80 years old) with cancer now require microvascular-free tissue transfer. The objectives of this study were to evaluate potential applications of microvascular tissue transfer in this patient population, and post-surgical changes in quality of life. Methods: The records of cancer patients 80 years or older who had undergone microsurgical tissue transfer were retrospectively reviewed. Structured interviews were conducted with patients and family caregivers after surgery, and the patients' quality of life was qualitatively assessed. Results: The study cohort consisted of seven patients with a mean age 87.6 years (range, 81 to 95). Wound and medically-related complications were minimal. During the patient interviews, eight of the nine respondents reported remarkable improvements in quality of life following surgery and expressed a high level of satisfaction with their surgical results. Conclusions: Our study showed that microsurgical reconstruction performed in super-elderly patient not only appropriately repairs post-oncologic defects but also significantly improves the patients' quality of life.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.554-558
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• 2017

In many cases of complete ear amputation, microvascular surgery is required for tissue perfusion and organ survival. However, microvascular reconstruction is not always feasible in the absence of suitable vessels. Here, we present the case of a 76-year-old man who underwent complete amputation of the left ear after a collapse at home because of cardiogenic syncope. He was treated with primary replantation and underwent a postoperative salvage course including continuous local hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) injections. The ear was almost completely salvaged, with a tiny eschar at the mid-scapha on both the anterior and posterior aspects. This case demonstrates the efficacy of local HBOT with PRP and PDRN injections.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.455-461
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• 2000

Malignant tumors of the head and neck frequently require treatment with both radiotherapy and surgery. Reconstruction of the defect in previously irradiated field is a challenge to surgeon, who must produce both a functional and an esthetic result. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy(HBO) has been used in an attempt to reduce the deleterious effects of radiation. But the issue of whether prior irradiation and HBO of the recipient site of a free flap affects the result of reconstruction continues to generate controversy. So, the effects of irradiation and hypergbaric oxygen therapy on microvascular anastomosis was evaluated in an experimental study in femoral vessels of rats. The experimental groups were divided into 3 groups, contorol group, irradiation group, and irradiation and HBO group. Preoperative irradiation was delivered in the left groin field with single dose corresponding 2,000cGy and total 48 hours of HBO was given 100% oxygen at 2.4 atmosphere for 4 weeks. The femoral vessels of 60 rats were anastomosed after irradiation and HBO treatment. Three days, 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after surgery, the femoral vessels were evaluated for patency and histopathologic changes. There was no notable effect of irradiation on patency of femoral vessels in rats and the radiation effects were obvious on histological examination which showed the sloughing of the endothelial cells, subintimal hyperplasia and fibrosis on the media and adventitia of femoral arteries. The histologic changes of the femoral veins were mild and not typical. But the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy after irradiation was seen not marked difference in irradiation group.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.38-43
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• 2003

Purpose : Various free flaps and pedicled island flaps are effective for reconstruction of soft tissue defect developed after tumor excision. We want to know the advantage of dorsalis pedis island flap for reconstruction of soft tissue defect caused by soft tissue tumor excision. Materials and Methods : Between 1992 and 2002, we performed 4 dorsalis pedis island flap procedure for reconstruction of soft tissue defect of lower limb developed after soft tissue tumor excision. Average age was 54.7 years old $(40{\sim}68)$, and male 2 cases, female 2 cases. The kinds and number of soft tissue tumors were 2 squamous cell carcinoma and 2 malignant melanoma. The procedures that we performed were all dorsalis pedis island flap. The analysis for the result of treatment was retrospectively accessed by physical examination and questionnaire for whether the change of symptom after operation, range of adjacent joint motion. Also we reviewed associated complication after operative treatment. Results : All dorsalis pedis island flaps were alive. There is no problem for activity of daily living, no skin necrosis and no limitation of motion of adjacent joint. In 1 case of them, the patients died of distant metastasis. Conclusion: Dorsalis pedis island flap procedure as a pedicled island flap procedure is very effective and easy operative procedure for reconstruction of soft tissue defect of lower limb developed after tumor excision compared to free flap procedure because there is no need for microvascular surgery, we can obtain relatively large flap and the lesion and flap donor site locate in the same limb.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제39권6호
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• pp.626-630
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• 2012

Background Recent literature has indicated that free flaps are currently considered the preferred choice for head and neck reconstruction. However, head and neck cancer patients are frequently treated with chemoradiotherapy, which is often associated with a poor general and local condition, and thus, such patients are ineligible for free flap reconstruction. Therefore, other reconstruction modalities should be considered. Methods We used lower trapezius musculocutaneous (LTMC) flap based on the dorsal scapular artery to reconstruct head and neck defects that arose from head and neck cancer in 8 patients. All of the patients had undergone preoperative chemoradiotherapy. Results There were no complications except one case of partial flap necrosis; it was treated with secondary intention. Healing in the remaining patients was uneventful without hematoma, seroma, or infection. The donor sites were closed primarily. Conclusions The LTMC flap is the preferred flap for a simple, reliable, large flap with a wide arc of rotation and minor donor-site morbidity. The authors recommend this versatile island flap as an alternative to microvascular free tissue transfer for the reconstruction of defects in the head and neck region, for patients that have undergone preoperative chemoradiotherapy.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제36권4호
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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.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제35권5호
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• pp.284-293
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• 2013

Purpose: For reconstruction of craniomaxillofacial defects caused by tumor, trauma, infection etc, free flap transplantation with microvascular surgery is a very useful method. Thrombus formation at the anastomosis site is the major cause of graft failure. 4-Hexylresorcinol (4-HR) is generally known as an antiseptic and antiparasitic agent. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of 4-HR on blood coagulation in vitro. In addition, we investigated thrombus formation and endothelial repair of an injured vessel in an animal model. Methods: In the in vitro experiment, we compared blood coagulation time between the 4-HR treated group and normal blood. Thirty rats were used for in vivo animal experiments. After exposure of the right femoral vein, a micro vessel clamp was placed and the femoral vein was intentionally cut. Microvascular anastomosis was performed on all rats using 10-0 nylon under microscopy. The animals were divided into two groups. In the experimental group (n=15), 4-HR (250 mg/kg) mixed with olive oil (10 mL/kg) was administered per os daily. Animals in the control group (n=15) were given olive oil only. The animals were sacrificed at three days, seven days, and fourteen days after surgery and rat femoral vein samples were taken. Vascular patency and thrombus formation were investigated just before sacrifice. Histologic analysis was performed under a microscope. Results: Results of an in vitro blood coagulation test showed that coagulation time was delayed in the 4-HR treated group. The results obtained from an in vivo 4-HR administered rat model showed that the patency of all experimental groups was better at thirty minutes, seven days, and fourteen days after microvascular anastomosis than that of the control group at seven and fourteen days after anastomosis, and the amount of thrombus in the experimental groups was much less than that of the control group. Endothelial repair was observed in the histologic analysis. Conclusion: Findings of this study demonstrated that blood coagulation was delayed in the vitro 4-HR treated group. In addition, good vascular patency, anti-thrombotic effect, and repair of venous endothelial cells were observed in the vivo 4-HR administered rat group.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제42권5호
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• pp.265-270
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• 2016

Objectives: To gain information on anatomical variation in anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps in a series of clinical cases, with special focus on perforators and pedicles, for potential use in reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial soft tissue defects. Materials and Methods: Eight patients who underwent microvascular reconstructive surgery with ALT free flaps after ablative surgery for oral cancer were included. The number of perforators included in cutaneous flaps, location of perforators (septocutaneous or musculocutaneous), and the course of vascular pedicles were intraoperatively investigated. Results: Four cases with a single perforator and four cases with multiple perforators were included in the ALT flap designed along the line from anterior superior iliac spine to patella. Three cases had perforators running the septum between the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris muscle (septocutaneous type), and five cases had perforators running in the vastus lateralis muscle (musculocutaneous type). Regarding the course of vascular pedicles, five cases were derived from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (type I), and three cases were from the transverse branch (type II). Conclusion: Anatomical variation affecting the distribution of perforators and the course of pedicles might prevent use of an ALT free flap in various reconstruction cases. However, these issues can be overcome with an understanding of anatomical variation and meticulous surgical dissection. ALT free flaps are considered reliable options for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the oral and maxillofacial area.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.130-138
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• 1999

The lower extremity injuries are extremely increasing with the development of industrial & transportational technology. For the lower extremity injuries that result from high-energy forces, particularly those in which soft tissue and large segments of bone have been destroyed and there is some degree of vascular compromise, the problems in reconstruction are major and more complex. In such cases local muscle coverage is probably unsuccessful, because adjacent muscles are destroyed much more than one can initially expect. Reconstruction of the lower extremity has been planned by dividing the lower leg into three parts traditionally The flaps available in each of the three parts are gastrocnemius flap for proximal one third, soleus flap for middle one third and free flap transfer for lower one third. Microvascular surgery can provide the necessary soft tissue coverage from the remote donnor area by free flap transfer into the defect. Correct selection of the appropriate recipient vessels is difficult and remains the most important factor in successful free flap transfer. Vascular anastomosis to recipient vessels distal to the zone of injury has been advocated and retrograde flow flaps are well established in island flaps. Retrograde flow anastomosis could not interrupt the major blood vessels which were essential for survival of the distal limb, the compromise of fracture or wound healing might be prevented. During 5 years, from March 1993 to Feb. 1998, we have done 68 free flap transfers in 61 patients to reconstruct the lower extremity. From analysis of the cases, we concluded that for the reconstruction of the lower extremity, free flap transfer yields a more esthetic and functional results.