• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.84-87
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• 2019

With the recent development in microsurgery, the use of a perforator flap has been widely implemented. If the length of the ALT flap pedicle is insufficient despite adequate preoperative planning, pedicle length extension is necessary. We planned for a reverse ALT free flap using the distal vessel of the descending branch for pedicle length extension in the case of ALT perforator branch originating from the proximal portion of the descending branch. For the management of venous congestion, the distal venae comitantes were anastomosed to the proximal venous stump in an antegrade manner, successfully resolving the venous congestion. Modified reverse-flow ALT free flap, wherein the venae comitantes are anastomosed to the proximal vein stump, is a good option that allows for relatively simple pedicle extension within the same operative field when securing an adequate pedicle length is difficult because of the origin of the perforator from the proximal descending branch, unlike the initial surgical plan.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.707-713
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• 2009

Purpose: The deep inferior epigastric perforator(DIEP) free flap is well known as an ideal donor site for the breast reconstruction. The flap can provide huge amount of fat tissue for breast and buttock contour, while it is also very useful as a thin skin flap to reconstruct the upper and lower extremities. We used a DIEP free flap in various site reconstructions besides the breast and would like to reinsure the usefulness of this flap. Methods: Twenty nine consecutive patients who underwent DIEP free flap surgery from 2001 January to 2007 December were reviewed. The case constituted seven male patients and twenty two female patients. There were sixteen breast reconstructions, five face reconstructions, five lower extremity reconstructions, two upper extremity reconstructions, and one buttock contour reconstruction. All clinical data were based on the patient's medical records. Results: All DIEP free flaps survived without major complications. There was no hematoma, seroma, or partial necrosis. The donor sites were closed primarily with linear scar on lower abdomen. The thinnest part of flap was 0.7 cm in thickness. The size of the largest flap was $38{\times}13cm$. The flaps were used in various types of skin and adipose tissue, adipose tissue only, and skin only according to the requirement of recipient site. Conclusion: The DIEP free flap was enough to provide a thin and huge flap for both breast and extremity reconstructions. It was able to provide versatile designs with sufficient adipose tissue. So we use it for 3 - dimentional face and buttock contour reconstructions. The DIEP free flap is a valuable reconstructive donor for face, upper and lower extremity in addition to breast without compromising the integrity of abdominal wall.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.562-568
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• 2007

Purpose: Many studies reported anatomy of posterior tibial artery perforator. But, it is not easy to use this flap in clinical case. Methods: Authors performed cadaver dissection on 26 legs from 13 cadavers and identified the number, location, type, length and diameter of perforator. Based on anatomic study, posterior tibial artery perforator flap was performed on 3 clinical cases. Results: The perforator was found on a line drawn from the medial boarder of central patella to posterior boarder of medial malleolus. The main perforator which was longer and greater caliber than others was found was found 13 to 17cm distant from medial boarder of central patella in 23 of 26 leg(88.5%). Average length was 6.2cm and average diameter was 1.4mm. The main perforator was musculocutaneous perforator at 20 of 26 leg(77%). The posterior tibial artery perforator flap was clinically use in 3 cases. All flap were survived without any complication. Conclusion: The author found the main perforator of posterior tibial artery perforator flap was located 15cm distant from medial boarder of central patella within the circle drawn with a radius of 4cm. The posterior tibial artery perforator flap is expected to be used as one of the option for the reconstruction of hand and foot.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.720-726
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• 2009

Purpose: Fasciocutaneous flap with random pattern flap has limitation in mobility and length - width ratio. This characteristic is more pronounced in lower extremity which has relatively poor vascularity. Perforator based flap in lower extremity reconstruction has various advantages as a axial flap, allowing abundant blood supply and widening of mobility range. So if it is not a case of wide defect, free flap can be replaced by perforator based flap. Methods: From April 2007 to March 2009, 18 cases of perforator flap were performed. 8 had defect in upper 1/3 of calf, 6 in middle 1/3, and 4 in lower 1/3. In 10 cases island flap were used, 3 case had transposition flap, 2 cases used advancement flap, 2 case had propeller flap and 1 case had rotation flap. Results: 17 cases survived without flap necrosis. Partial flap necrosis occurred in 1 case, so secondary split thickness skin graft was done. Chronic wound with pseudomonas infection occurred in 1 case, but it was completely cured with conservative treatment. Conclusion: Perforator based flap is useful in lower extremity reconstruction because of relative freedom in changing the size and thickness of the flap depending on the recipient site, good mobility, and abundant vascularity. And donor site morbidity can be minimized. Lower extremity reconstruction using perforator based flap is a good method because it can minimize the complication and obtain effective result.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.56-60
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• 2012

Purpose: Thumb reconstruction plays most important role in hand injuries because total loss of a thumb constitutes about 40% disability in the hand. The reconstruction can be accomplished by pollicization, free toe-to-thumb transfer, wrap around procedure and lengthening extraction. However, we sometimes need consecutive or double free flaps in the reconstruction of mutilating hand injuries. Methods: We reconstructed a mutilating hand injury in a 54-years old man. Because of severe crushing injury of right thumb and index fingers, we reconstructed a thumb with pollicization using nearly amputated middle finger. Although it survived completely, the adjacent soft tissues which had been covered by fillet flap from the space past was necrosed on 1 month. We debrided the necrotic tissues and covered it with anteromedial thigh perforator free flap consecutively because he had an anatomical variation in branches of lateral femoral circumflex artery. Results: He had an uneventful postoperative course without any complication such as infection, dehiscence and flap necrosis. Three months later, he had undergone tenolysis and defatting procedure of flap site. He recovered the some amount of grip function and was happy with the result. Conclusion: In severe hand trauma including thumb amputation, thumb reconstruction using pollicization and perforator free flap could be an alternative option. It provides minimal donor site morbidity and an acceptable functional result.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.92-98
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• 1996

The rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap is frequently used in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery such as breast reconstruction and as a donor of free tissue transfer. Major problems with this flap is bulkiness, the possibility of postoperative abdominal herniation and muscle weakness following the removal of the rectus abdominis muscle. We used paraumbilical perforator based skin flap fed by a muscle perforator from the deep inferior epigastric artery, with no or little muscle and fatty tissue, in three patients for the resurfacing of relatively wide and thin defects. This technique has all of the advantages of the conventional rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap with decreased possibility of postoperative abdominal herniation or muscle weakness. Another challenging merit is possibility of skin flap thinning.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.229-236
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• 2007

Purpose: Breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator(DIEP) free flap is known to be the most advanced method of utilizing autologous tissue. The DIEP free flap method saves most of the rectus abdominis muscle as well as anterior rectus sheath. Therefore, the morbidity of the donor site is minimized and the risk of hernia is markedly decreased. Methods: We chose the internal mammary artery and its venae comitantes as recipient vessels, and deep inferior epigastric vessels as donor vessels. The number and location of the perforators derived from medial or lateral branch of deep inferior epigastric artery(DIEA) in 23 DIEP flaps were identified. Ten patients underwent evaluation of their abdominal wall function preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively by using Lacote's muscle grading system. Results: Of the 23 patients, a patient with one perforator from lateral branch of DIEA experienced partial necrosis of flap. Total flap loss occurred in one patient. Mild abdominal bulging was reported in one patient 4 months postoperatively probably because of early vigorous rehabilitational therapy for her frozen shoulder. Postoperative abdominal wall function tests in 10 patients showed almost complete recovery of muscle function upto their preoperative level of upper and lower rectus abdominis and external oblique muscle function at 6 months postoperatively. All patients have been able to resume their daily activities. Conclusion: The breast reconstruction with DIEP free flap is reliable and valuable method which provide ample soft tissue from abdomen without compromising the integrity of abdominal wall. Selection of reliable perforators is important and including more than two perforators may decrease fat necrosis and partial necrosis of flap.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2001

Breast reconstruction is an aesthetically critical procedure and should be peformed to match the opposite breast in shape, contour, and position. Many methods were introduced to reconstruct the breast with autogenous tissue. But, free tissue transfer for breast reconstruction has become common method. The transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap technique has been a widely accepted method of breast reconstruction after mastectomy, since the first introduction of free abdominoplasty flap in 1979. In breast reconstruction with a free flap the selection of suitable recipient vessels remains one of the most critical decision for surgeon. The most common recipient site for free flap breast reconstruction is the axillar system. But, the use of the axillary system as a recipient site limits flap movement and flexibility in breast shaping. The use of internal mammary vessels as a recipient site be able to achieve ideal breast symmetry, but that technique require the rib resection. The selection of suitable recipient vessels is most important for successful free tissue transfer. We have performed breast reconstruction with TRAM flaps anastomozed to the internal mammary vessel perforator. We came to the conclusion that this vessel perforator is useful as a recipient site in cases of immediate breast reconstruction with free TRAM flap.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2013

Purpose: For reconstruction of lower extremity defects, various flaps can be used and the appropriate flap must be selected and applied according to the size of the defect. In particular, in cases where the defect size is small to moderate, thinner or smaller volume flaps are useful. The authors performed reconstruction of small to moderate defects on the lower extremities using superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator free flaps and are reporting the results. Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients underwent reconstruction of defects on lower extremity areas using superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator free flaps from July 2011 to July 2012 at this hospital. The flaps were elevated from above the deep fat layer, and, in all cases, the vessel diameter of the flaps was less than 1mm, with the exception of superficial vein that accompanied it. Results: The mean follow up period was 4.46 months, and, despite a partial loss in the flap in two cases, there were no total losses. All donor sites were closed with primary closure, and there was no occurrence of complications, such as hematomas, seromas, or lymphorrheas. The patients were highly satisfied with the donor site scar since it could be masked by underwear. Conclusion: Compared to other flaps, superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator free flaps are thinner in thickness and smaller in volume, which results in a more natural contour of the recipient site after the operation. In addition, since the flap can be elevated from supra-deep fat layer, the operation time can be shortened, and lymphorrhea can be prevented, which in turn lessens donor-site morbidity.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.69-71
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• 2016

Reconstruction of the lower extremities is difficult due to a lack of skin laxity and muscular tissues. Here, we present a case of lower extremity reconstruction via the anterior tibial artery perforator based segmental muscle island flap. Our patient was a 75-year-old male with a chronic ulcerative wound on the right lower leg from an old car accident. A $5.0{\times}0.5cm$ size ulcerative wound with tibial bone exposure was noted. We planned to reconstruct the lower extremity defect with a free flap, but the vessel status was severely compromised intraoperatively. Thus, we found the anterior tibial artery perforator using Doppler ultrasound, elevated the tibialis anterior muscle segment flap, and transposed it to cover the defect successfully. The flap presented with a nice contour and the skin graft covering the flap survived completely. There were no complications of the surgical site at three months follow-up and no gait morbidity. This is a meaningful case applying the concept of segmental muscle flap based on a perforator that had advantages including proper bulkiness, vascularization, and preservation of function, which were well applied, leading to great success.