• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.595-599
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• 2010

Purpose: Trochanteric pressure sores management has been improved through the development of musculocutaneous flaps. But it has many drawbacks such as donor site morbidity and functional muscle sacrifice. With the introduction of perforator flap, it is possible to use in every location where musculocutaneous perforators are present. We have reconstructed trochanteric pressure sores using perforator-based flaps from the ascending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery. Methods: Between May of 2006 and April of 2008, we performed six cases of perforator-based flap from the ascending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery for the coverage of trochanteric pressure sores. For identifying perforators, a line was drawn from the anterior superior iliac spine to the superolateral border of the patella as the vertical axis, from the pubis to the trochanteric prominence as the horizontal axis. In the lateral aspect of the intersection of these two axes, various flap were designed according to its defects. The flap was raised in the subcutaneous plane above the fascia and the pedicle was traced by doppler and identified. The pedicle was meticulously dissected not to injure the periadventitial tissues and transposed to the defect. The donor site was closed primarily. Results: The mean age of patients was 56.2 years. Four male and two female patients were studied. Five patients were paraplegic. The mean defect size was $6{\times}4\;cm$. The largest flap dimension was $14{\times}7\;cm$. Donor sites were closed primarily without any complications. All flaps survived completely without necrosis, hematoma or infection. There were no recurrence during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Trochanteric pressure sores using perforator-based flap from the ascending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery can be performed safely and it would be a reliable option for coverage of trochanteric pressure sores with minimal donor site morbidity.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.80-91
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• 1996

A free rectus abdominis flap can include a variable amount of muscle length depending on recipient site requirements. There is also great flexibility in flap design in terms of size, orientation of its axis, and the level of its location over the muscle. It is safe to design the skin island across the midline. Though skin islands designed over the most inferior portion of the abdomen have not always proved reliable when based on the superior epigastric artery, free flaps based on the inferior pedicle can be successfully designed in this area. As free flap based on the inferior epigastric vessels, this flap has been useful for large head and neck defects following ablative procedures, for facial contour restoration as a buried flap, for upper extremity defects, for lower extremity defects such as coverage of grade III tibial fractures and for breast reconstruction. A free rectus abdominis muscle or myocutaneus flap was used in 8 patients. The operations were performed between Sep. of 1994 and April of 1996. The patients were tongue cancer 1 case, chronic facial palsy 1 case, unilateral breast reconstruction 1 case, upper and lower extremity injury 5 cases. The free rectus abdominis muscle flaps were 4 cases and the free myocutaneous flaps were 4 cases. There was no failure of the flap, except one partial necrosis. One case of the skin grafts on the muscle flap was regrafted. One case of reoperation due to venous thrombosis was performed. In tongue cancer patient, a orocutaneous fistula was occurred, but conservative treatment and secondandry skin graft were done. In conclusion, a free rectus abdominis flap has many advantages such as a long and constant pedicle, easy dissection, enough soft tissue available, scar on the donor site to be hiddened, no need for changing position. So we think that this flap is the most useful one for small or moderate sized defects on the various sites.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.161-165
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• 2007

Objective : Percutaneous approach to the middle thoracic vertebra through the transpedicular route for the patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures is difficult due to the small size of the pedicle and parasagittally oriented vertebra body anatomy. The percutaneous vertebral body access [PVBA] technique utilizing the posterolateral extrapedicular approach avoids the pedicle and provides direct access to the vertebral body. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the vertebroplasty utilizing PVBA technique for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in the middle thoracic vertebrae. Methods : A retrospective review was done on 20 patients who underwent vertebroplasty utilizing PVBA technique performed for painful osteoporotic compression fracture in the middle thoracic vertebrae at 22 levels from May 2003 to June 2006. The average amount of the injected cement was 1.5-2.5ml. The postprocedural outcome was assessed using a visual analogue scale [VAS]. Results : The treated vertebrae were T5 [1 level], T6 [5 levels], 17 [7 levels], and T8 [9 levels]. The compression rate and kyphotic angle were improved after procedure from $18%{\pm}13.4$ to $16%{\pm}13.8$ [p > 0.05] and from $6.9^{\circ}{\pm}6.7$ to $6.6^{\circ}{\pm}6.2$ [p>005], respectively. Preprocedural VAS was $8.2{\pm}0.70$ and was decreased to $2.1{\pm}1.02$ [p < 0.01] after treatment. Postprocedural cement leakage was noted in 3 levels [13.7%]. There were no cases of leakage to epidural space or neural foramen, segmental artery injury, and pneumothorax. Conclusion : These results suggest that the complication rates are low and good results can be achieved with vertebroplasty utilizing PVBA technique for the osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures especially in the middle thoracic vertebrae.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.38-42
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• 2014

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is defined as exposed necrotic bone without evidence of healing for at least 8 weeks in the maxillofacial area in a patient with history of bisphosphonate use. Obtaining complete coverage of the hard tissue by soft tissue in BRONJ patients is especially important. Therefore, managing the mucosa is one of the key factors in a successful outcome, but this is especially hard to achieve in BRONJ patients. Various applications of buccal fat pad in oral reconstruction-including the closure of surgical defects following tumor excision, repair of surgical defects following the excision of leukoplakia and submucous fibrosis, closure of primary and secondary palatal clefts, coverage of maxillary and mandibular bone grafts, and lining of sinus surface of maxillary sinus bone graft in sinus lift procedures for maxillary augmentation-have been studied. Eliminating all potential sites of infection and post-operative infection control is crucial in BRONJ. We present a case using the buccal fat pad pedicle for a stage 3 BRONJ defect. Uneventful total epithelialization of the buccal fat pad regardless of size was noted. In summary, the buccal fat pad has versatile application and various recipient sites for surgical utilization. It is an easy technique, with promising overall success rates. With careful selection and handling, buccal fat graft can resolve problems with soft tissue coverage in stage 2 or 3 BRONJ patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.353-358
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• 2013

Background Robots have allowed head and neck surgeons to extirpate oropharyngeal tumors safely without the need for lip-split incision or mandibulotomy. Using robots in oropharyngeal reconstruction is new but essential for oropharyngeal defects that result from robotic tumor excision. We report our experience with robotic free-flap reconstruction of head and neck defects to exemplify the necessity for robotic reconstruction. Methods We investigated head and neck cancer patients who underwent ablation surgery and free-flap reconstruction by robot. Between July 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012, 5 cases were performed and patient demographics, location of tumor, pathologic stage, reconstruction methods, flap size, recipient vessel, necessary pedicle length, and operation time were investigated. Results Among five free-flap reconstructions, four were radial forearm free flaps and one was an anterolateral thigh free-flap. Four flaps used the superior thyroid artery and one flap used a facial artery as the recipient vessel. The average pedicle length was 8.8 cm. Flap insetting and microanastomosis were achieved using a specially manufactured robotic instrument. The total operation time was 1,041.0 minutes (range, 814 to 1,132 minutes), and complications including flap necrosis, hematoma, and wound dehiscence did not occur. Conclusions This study demonstrates the clinically applicable use of robots in oropharyngeal reconstruction, especially using a free flap. A robot can assist the operator in insetting the flap at a deep portion of the oropharynx without the need to perform a traditional mandibulotomy. Robot-assisted reconstruction may substitute for existing surgical methods and is accepted as the most up-to-date method.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.420-427
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• 2017

Background It can be difficult to select an appropriate flap for various defects on the hand. Although defects of the hand usually must be covered with a skin flap, some defects require a flap with rich blood supply and adequate additive soft tissue volume. The authors present their experience with the anconeus muscle free flap in the reconstruction of various defects and the release of scar contractures of the hand. Methods Ten patients underwent reconstruction of the finger or release of the first web space using the anconeus muscle free flap from May 1998 to October 2013. Adequate bed preparations with thorough debridement or contracture release were performed. The entire anconeus muscle, located at the elbow superficially, was harvested, with the posterior recurrent interosseous artery as a pedicle. The defects were covered with a uniformly trimmed anconeus muscle free flap. Additional debulking of the flap and skin coverage using a split-thickness skin graft were performed 3 weeks after the first operation. Results The average flap size was $18.7cm^2$ (range, $13.5-30cm^2$). All flaps survived without significant complications. Vein grafts for overcoming a short pedicle were necessary in 4 cases. Conclusions The anconeus muscle free flap can be considered a reliable reconstructive option for small defects on the hand or contracture release of the web space, because it has relatively consistent anatomy, provides robust blood supply within the same operative field, and leads to no functional loss at the donor site.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.74-81
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• 2004

This study was designed to introduce the cross-leg free flap only for vein anastomosis as an alternative salvage method for the reconstruction of severe soft tissue defects in vascular-compromised lower extremities. Four cross-leg free flap reconstructions were performed using the latissimus dorsi muscle to reconstruct soft tissue defects in the lower extremity. The recipient artery was confined to the ipsilateral side and the venous anastomosis was carried out in the contralateral side. Both legs were immobilized together with an external fixator. All patients were males, and had a mean age of 31 years. The mean time of pedicle division was 8.8 days range of 7 to 10 days. The mean size of the flap was 186.5 cm2. All flaps survived after pedicle division without venous congestion. There was no complication in joint stiffness, nor donor site morbidity except for a linear scar. The cross-leg free flap only for vein anastomosis is a refinement of a salvage procedure used for the reconstruction of severe soft tissue defects in vascular-compromised lower extremities.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.64-70
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• 2022

Background: Anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps are versatile soft tissue flaps that have become the standard soft-tissue flaps used for head and neck reconstruction. They provide a long vascular pedicle, constant vessel diameter, abundant soft tissue coverage, and minimal donor site morbidity. The ALT flap was initially designed on the basis of a septocutaneous (SC) perforator. However, more recent research has shown that a substantial number of ALT flaps are now based on musculocutaneous (MC) perforators, and the ratio between MC and SC perforators varies among studies. In this study, we analyzed the perforating pattern of ALT flaps along with their clinical outcomes during head and neck reconstruction in the Korean population. Methods: From October 2016 to July 2020, 68 patients who had undergone an ALT flap procedure for head and neck reconstruction were enrolled retrospectively. The perforating pattern of the cutaneous perforator vessel (MC perforator/SC perforator/oblique branch), pedicle length, and flap size were analyzed intraoperatively. Patient demographics and flap necrosis rates were also calculated. Results: The highest number of cutaneous perforator vessels supplying the ALT flap were the MC perforators (87%). The proportion of MC perforators was significantly higher than that of the SC perforators and oblique branches. Flap necrosis occurred in seven cases (11.86%); sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, perforator course, and history of radiotherapy did not significantly affect flap necrosis. Conclusion: The ALT free flap procedure remains popular for reconstruction of the head and neck. In this study, we observed that the majority of cutaneous vessels supplying the flaps were MC perforators (87%). When using the MC perforator during flap elevation, careful dissection of the perforator is required to achieve successful ALT flaps because intramuscular dissection is difficult. Perforator pattern and history of radiotherapy did not affect flap necrosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.143-148
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• 1980

A 36 years old male patient underwent en bloc excision of the primary chondrosarcoma arising from 8th, 9th and 10th ribs of the chest wall. The tumor was 11.5 x 7.5 x 6.5 cm in size and was 320 gram in weight. After en bloc excision of the tumor, the defect of the chest wall was reconstructed with pedicle muscle flap and using compression dressing for 2 weeks, there happened no respiratory problem. And so we made a case report and review of literature.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 2007

The nasolabial flap has been used for reconstruction of moderate size intraoral defects. The nasolabial fold area provides an ample supply of tissue with a good color and texture match. The nasolabial flap classified advancement flap, inferiorly-based flap, superiorly-based flap. The flap is based inferiorly, so that it can easily be rotated to the intraoral defects. The nasolabial flap is chosen for the repair of various intraoral defects because of its simple elevation, proximity to the defect and its rich subcutaneous blood supply of a island flap. The subjects were 6 patients with nasolabial flap, who had reconstruction of moderate size intraoral defects. We have found the inferiorly-based nasolabial flap with a subcutaneous pedicle useful in the primary repair of surgical defects of the buccal mucosa, edentulous mandibular ridge, maxillary alveolus area and soft palate in these patients. There was no complication except one case. Intraoral hair growth was a minor problem of this patient. We thought that the inferiorly-based nasolabial flap is a useful technique for reconstruction of various intraoral defects.