• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.265-275
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• 2013

The anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) is a versatile fasciocutaneous or myocutaneous flap, which can be harvested incorporating several skin islands and muscle components. The perforator of the ALTF is usually derived from the descending or transverse branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery, and these vessels are based mainly on musculocutaneous perforators traversing the vastus lateralis muscle, and also based on the septocutaneous vessels running in between the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis muscle. Despite its usefulness for the oral cavity reconstruction, anatomic variations of these nutrient vessels, such as three main branches of ALTF and its relations with sartorius, vastus lateralis, tensor fasciae latae and rectus femoris muscle, have been reconstructive surgeons to be hesitated for the selection of ALTF. For the better understanding of ALTF as a routine reconstructive procedure in oral and maxillofacial surgery, various anatomical findings must be learned and memorized by young doctors in the course of the special curriculum periods for the Korean national board of oral and maxillofacial surgery. This review article will discuss the vascular anatomy and relavant anatomical variations of ALTF with Korean language.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제37권5호
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• pp.607-612
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• 2010

Purpose: Maxillectomy for malignant tumor resection often leads to functional and aesthetic sequalae. Reconstruction following maxillectomy has been a challenging problem in the field of head and neck cancer surgery. In this article, we described three dimensional midface reconstructions using free flaps and their functional and aesthetic outcomes. Methods: We reconstructed 35 cases of maxillectomy defects using 9 radial forearm free flaps, 7 lattisimus dorsi musculocutaneous free flaps, 6 rectus abdominis musculocutaneous free flaps, 4 fibular osteocutaneous free flaps, and 9 anterolateral thigh free flaps, respectively. We classified post-maxillectomy defects by Brown's classification. 1 Articulation clarity was measured with picture consonant articulation test. Swallowing function was evaluated with the University of Washington quality-of-life Head and Neck questionnaire by 4 steps.2 Aesthetic outcomes were checked to compare preoperative with postoperative full face photographs by 5 medical doctors who did not involve in our operation. Results: The average articulation clarity was 92.4% (100-41.9%). 27 (81.9%) patients were able to eat an unrestricted diet. Aesthetic results were considered excellent in 18 patients (51.4%). Functional results were best in the group reconstructed with fibular osteocutaneous free flap. Considering the range of wide excision, aesthetic results is best in the group reconstructed with anterolateral thigh free flap. Conclusion: The free flap is a useful technique for the reconstruction of the midface leading to good results, both functionally and aesthetically. Especially, because osteocutaneous flap such as fibular osteocutaneous free flap offered bone source for osteointegrated implant, It produces the best functional results. And perforator flap like as anterolateral thigh free flap reliably provides the best aesthetic results, because it provides sufficient volume and has no postoperative volume diminution.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제29권7호
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• pp.918-922
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• 2000

Objective : The authors analyzed the results of management outcomes for basilar bifurcation aneurysms treated with transcranial surgery and endovascular surgery. Methods : At the authors' institution between May 1989 and December 1998, 47 aneurysms with 45 patients were treated with transcranial surgery including surgical clipping/wrapping and endovascular surgery for basilar bifurcation aneurysms. The medical records and neuroimaging studies of the patients were reviewed retrospectively. Results : Of the 45 patients, 87 percent of the aneurysms were ruptured and 13% unruptured. Forty six percent of the patients had multiple aneurysms including basilar bifurcation aneurysm. Of the 39 patients with subarachnoid hemorrahge, 77% were in good neurological status(Hunt Hess grade I-III), 23% were in poor grade(H-H grade IV-V). Thirty two patients were treated with transcranial surgery and 15 patients were treated with endovascular surgery. Two patients who had treated with wrapping surgery later bled during follow-up period and treated with endovascular surgery. The management outcome of the transcranial surgery was : Glasgow outcome scale(GOS) I 66%, GOS II 12.5%, GOS III 6.3%, GOS IV 6.3% and GOS V(death) 9.4%. The major causes of morbidity related to transcranial surgery were perforator occlusion, vasospasm and retraction injury. The management outcome of the endovascular surgery was : GOS I 66.7%, GOS II 6.7%, and GOS V 26.7%. The major causes of mortality related to endovascular surgery were related to intraoperative aneurysmal bleeding. Conclusion : This report documents that more than 75% of patients undergoing treatment either transcranial or endovascular surgery can expect good clinical outcomes. Treatment modality in management of basilar bifurcation aneurysm must be carefully selected based on various considering factors.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제45권5호
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• pp.441-448
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• 2018

Background Previously, surveys have been used to investigate breast reconstruction statistics. Since 2015, breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy has been covered by the National Health Insurance Service in Korea, and data from breast reconstruction patients are now available from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA). We investigated statistics in breast reconstruction in Korea through statistics provided by the HIRA Big Data Hub. Methods We investigated the number of cases in mastectomy and breast reconstruction methods from April 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016. Data were furnished by the HIRA Big Data Hub and accessed remotely online. Results were tabulated using SAS Enterprise version 6.1. Results The 31,155 mastectomy cases included 7,088 breast reconstruction cases. Implant-based methods were used in 4,702 cases, and autologous methods in 2,386. The implant-based reconstructions included 1,896 direct-to-implant and 2,806 tissue-expander (2-stage) breast reconstructions. The 2-stage tissue-expander reconstructions included 1,624 expander insertions (first stage) and 1,182 expander-to-permanent-implant exchanges (second stage). Of the autologous breast reconstructions, 705 involved latissimus dorsi muscle flaps, 498 involved pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flaps, and 1,183 involved free-tissue transfer TRAM flaps, including deep inferior epigastric perforator free-tissue transfer flaps. There were 1,707 nipple-areolar complex reconstructions, including 1,565 nipple reconstructions and 142 areola reconstructions. The 1-year mean number of breast reconstructions was 4,050. Conclusions This was the first attempt to evaluate the total number of breast reconstruction procedures using accurate, comprehensive data, and our findings may prove valuable as a foundation for future statistical studies of breast reconstruction procedures in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제58권6호
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• pp.518-527
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• 2015

Objective : The treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms remains challenging. One approach is the application of surgical flow alteration to treat aneurysms that are neither clippable, trappable, or coilable. The efficacy and limitations of surgical flow alteration have not yet been established. Methods : Cases of complex aneurysms treated with surgical flow alteration (proximal occlusion with or without bypass, distal occlusion with or without bypass and bypass only) were included in this retrospective study. Results : Among a total of 16 cases, there were 7 giant aneurysms (${\geq}25mm$ diameter) and 9 large aneurysms (>10 mm diameter); 15 of 16 aneurysms were unruptured. There were 8 aneurysms located in the anterior circulation, while the other 8 were in the posterior circulation. Aneurysms were treated with proximal occlusion in 10 cases and distal occlusion in 5 cases; in 1 case, the aneurysm occluded spontaneously after bypass without parent artery occlusion. All but 2 cases underwent prior or concurrent bypass surgery. Complete obliteration of the aneurysm at the latest imaging follow-up was shown in 12 of 16 cases (75.0%). Bypass patency was confirmed in 13 of 15 cases (86.7%). Surgery-related morbidity developed in 3 cases (18.8%, Glasgow outcome scale of 4) and all were perforator infarctions. There were no mortalities. Conclusion : Surgical flow alteration resulted in a high rate of aneurysmal obliteration with acceptable morbidity. Although several limitations remained, it could represent an alternative method for treating complex aneurysms.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.91-96
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• 2013

Background A thinned anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is often harvested to achieve optimal skin resurfacing. Several techniques have been described to thin an ALT flap including an adipocutaneous flap, an adipofascial flap and delayed debulking. Methods By systematically reviewing all of the available literature in English and French, the present manuscript attempts to identify the common surgical indications, complications and donor site morbidity of the adipofascial variant of the ALT flap. The studies were identified by performing a systematic search on Medline, Ovid, EMBASE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Current Contents, PubMed, Google, and Google Scholar. Results The study selection process was adapted from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, and 15 articles were identified using the study inclusion criteria. These articles were then reviewed for author name(s), year of publication, flap dimensions and thickness following defatting, perforator type, type of transfer, complications, thinning technique, number of cases with a particular area of application and donor site morbidity. Conclusions The adipofascial variant of the ALT flap provides tissue to fill large defects and improve pliability. Its strong and safe blood supply permits adequate immediate or delayed debulking without vascular complications. The presence of the deep fascia makes it possible to prevent sagging by suspending and fixing the flap for functional reconstructive purposes (e.g., the intraoral cavity). Donor site morbidity is minimal, and thigh deformities can be reduced through immediate direct closure or liposuction and direct closure. A safe blood supply was confirmed by the rate of secondary flap debulking.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.60-63
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• 2011

Capillary malformation is common vascular malformation. In case of facial capillary malformation, patients' cosmetic and functional deficits are quite significant. The standard treatment which has been applied so far for capillary malformation is pulsed dye laser with 585nm. But in case of advanced capillary malformation, surgical interventions are inevitable. The problem of large size facial capillary malformation is how to cover the remnant defect, which occurs after resection. In this case, authors have experienced surgical treatment of large size facial capillary malformation and covered the large facial defect with free thoracodorsal artery perforator flap. The flap was thick, so facial asymmetry remained after the first surgery. But with the secondary procedure, authors have made more symmetric figures. The patient was satisfied with the result. Using free flap to replace the defect after resection due to capillary malformation is useful for these kinds of cases.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제42권6호
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• pp.741-745
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• 2015

Background Microvascular complications after free-flap breast reconstructions are potentially devastating problems that can increase patient morbidity and lead to flap loss. To date, no comprehensive study has examined the rates of salvage and the methods of microvascular revision in breast reconstruction. We reviewed the treatment of microvascular complications of free-flap breast reconstruction procedures over a seven-year period. Methods A retrospective review of all patients who underwent microvascular breast reconstruction at our institution between April 2006 and December 2013 was conducted. Based on their surgical records, all patients who required emergency re-exploration were identified, the rate of flap salvage was determined, the factors associated with flap salvage were evaluated, and the causes and methods of revision were reviewed. Results During the review period, 605 breast reconstruction procedures with a free lower abdominal flap were performed. Seventeen of these flaps were compromised by microvascular complications, and three flaps were lost. The overall salvage rate was 82.35%. No significant differences between the salvaged group and the failed group were observed with regard to age, BMI, axillary dissection, number of anastomotic arteries and veins, recipient vessel types, or use of the superficial inferior epigastric vein in the revision operation. Successful salvage of the flap was associated with a shorter time period between recognizing the signs of flap compromise and the take-back operation. Conclusions The salvage rate of compromised lower abdominal flaps was high enough to warrant attempting re-exploration. Immediate intervention after the onset of flap compromise signs is as important as vigilant postoperative monitoring.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.193-196
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• 2008

Purpose: TRAM flap reconstruction has settled down as a common method for breast reconstruction after mastectomy. There are a few surgical contraindication in TRAM flap surgery. Previous abdominal liposuction has been a relative contraindication in TRAM flap surgery. The authors present 2 patients of successful breast reconstruction using pedicled TRAM flaps, who previously underwent abdominal liposuction. Methods: Case 1: A 48-year-old woman with a right breast cancer visited for mastectomy and breast reconstruction. Her past surgical history was notable for abdominal liposuction 15 years ago. Skin sparing mastectomy and breast reconstruction with a pedicled TRAM flap was performed. Case 2: A 45-year-old woman with a left breast cancer visited us for mastectomy and autologous breast reconstruction. 3 years ago, she had an abdominal liposuction and augmentation mammaplasty in other hospital. Nipple sparing mastectomy and breast reconstruction was done using pedicled TRAM flap. Results: One year after the reconstruction, partial fat necrosis was developed in one case but there was no skin necrosis or donor site complication in both patients. Conclusion: As aesthetic surgery becomes more popular, increasing numbers of patients who have a prior abdominal liposuction history want for autologous tissue breast reconstruction. In these patients, TRAM flap surgery will be also used for breast reconstruction. But, the warning of fat necrosis and the use of preoperative Doppler tracing to evaluate the abdominal perforator may be beneficial to patients who had abdominal liposuction recently.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.503-506
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• 2009

Purpose: Unilateral breast reconstruction after mastectomy confront the challenges of recreating a natural appearing breast mound and achieving symmetricalness of the breasts. If the patient's remaining breast is large compared to reconstructed breast, the most common procedure is reduction mammoplasty of the large breast side. The authors experienced a new method of breast reconstruction using the excess breast tissue from the contralateral breast after breast reduction. Methods: The excess tissue from the contralateral breast after vertical reduction mammoplasty with superior pedicle and remaining lower breast tissue were transferred to the mastectomy site breast through the subcutaneous tunnel on the chest wall. The main blood supplies of the flap are perforator branches of the 4th, 5th and 6th anterior intercostal artery. After elevating and detaching the flap on the lower lateral area of the breast, the turn overed flap is fixed on the upper portion of the chest wall of the mastectomy site. Results: On two cases of the breast reconstructions, remaining excess breast tissue from reduction mammoplasty was transferred to the contralateral breast side as pedicles. Both patient and operator were satisfied with the outcome of the reconstruction as the breasts were symmetrical and natural shape. Conclusion: We have performed unilateral breast reconstruction using the excess breast tissue after reduction mammoplasty of the contralateral breast. As Oriental women's breasts are relatively smaller than that of Caucasian women, delayed breast reconstruction cases of Oriental women with large breasts(macromastia) seem to be ideal for this procedure.