• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.241-244
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• 2011

Purpose: Seroma formation is still major complication of abdominal donor site after TRAM flap surgery in spite of various efforts to reduce seroma formation such as closed suction drain. We performed a clinical study, that quilting suture at abdominal donor site can prevent seroma formation. Methods: Between May 2002 and September 2008, we performed 600 breast reconstructions using a unilateral TRAM flap except patients who has smoking history or abdominal scar. We performed 300 breast reconstructions without quilting sutures (A: Experimental group) until January 06, and after then 300 reconstructions with quilting sutures (B: Control group). We compared total drain output (mL), time to drain removal (days), and donor site complications between two groups. Results: There were no statistical difference at BMI (p=0.28) and time to remove suction drain between two group. (A: 8.37, B: 9.69) (p=0.40) But, total drain output was reduced with quilting suture. (A: 432.5, B: 495.2) (p=0.005) And also complication rate was decreased, such as seroma formation, epigastric bulging. (A: 1%, B: 7%) (p=0.005) Conclusion: Quilting suture is a simple and reliable method to reduce seroma formation and abdominal donor site complication.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2013

Background Latissimus dorsi (LD) myocutaneous flap is a popular method of breast reconstruction which can be associated with high incidence of seroma formation. Quilting sutures at the harvest site are used to reduce this. Barbed sutures are self anchoring sutures which avoid multiple knotting and can be useful in quilting. Methods A retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent LD flap breast reconstruction between January 2009 and January 2011 was carried out. Seroma formation at the harvest site, wound related complications, inpatient stay and duration of surgery were analysed and a comparison was made between two groups where quilting was done with barbed (V-Loc) suture and conventional polydioxanone (PDS) II sutures. Results Fifty-seven patients were included of which 33 had quilting by V-Loc sutures and in 24 patients PDS II suture was used. Median age in the PDS group was 55 years (interquartile range [IQR)], 45 to 61 years) which was comparable to the V-Loc group (53 years [IQR, 48 to 59 years]; P-value 0.948). Sixteen patients (28%) had significant seroma formation and 5 (9%) patients developed superficial wound dehiscence. Incidences of seroma or wound complications were comparable (P-value 0.378 and 1.00, respectively). Secondary outcomes such as total duration of surgery, total inpatient stay, total amount of drain at the donor site were also similar in two groups. Conclusions Use of barbed sutures for quilting the donor site in LD flap reconstruction is a feasible option and the associated seroma formation and wound complications are comparable with conventional sutures.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.801-807
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• 2010

Purpose: Facial rejuvenating surgery has become a challenge to most plastic surgeons. Patients are demanding fewer complications, a prompt recovery, and more natural results. Current trend of the face lift surgery has been developed into less invasive procedures. Every aging patient in Asia wants to look younger without obvious evidence of surgical correction. Methods: The authors performed the limited dissection face lift with PDS quilting suture on twenty five patients. These five quilting sutures consist of sutures at 1~2 cm posterior to the prominent point of zygoma to the periosteum of the zygomatic arch, at the lateral border of Bichat's fat pad area to the zygomatic arch, at the lateral border of the orbicularis oculi muscle to the deep temporal fascia, at the upper lateral border of the platysma to the periosteum of the mastoid, and at the anterior lower margin of the earlobe to the deep temporal fascia by quilting suture technique to achieve rejuvenation. Results: These procedures could produce a balanced volumetric rejuvenation. This method gave considerable benefit of stable and satisfactory results. It provides reduced operative time, well corrected nasolabial fold and neck wrinkle, and swift recovery with minimal complications. Conclusion: Although it could not replace the classic facelift, this technique can be recommended as an option for patients who do not present with advanced facial aging or not want a more extensive procedure.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.509-513
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• 2012

Background The extended latissimus dorsi flap is important for breast reconstruction. Unfortunately, donor site seroma is the most common complication of extended latissimus dorsi flap for breast reconstruction. Although using fibrin sealant in the donor site reduces the rate of seroma formation, donor site seroma remains a troublesome complication. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of the combination of quilting sutures and fibrin sealant in the latissimus dorsi donor site for the prevention of seroma. Methods Forty-six patients who underwent breast reconstruction with extended latissimus flap were enrolled in the study. The patients received either fibrin sealant (group 1, n=25) or a combination of fibrin sealant and quilting sutures (group 2, n=21) in the extended latissimus dorsi donor site. Outcome measures were obtained from the incidence, volume of postoperative seroma, total drainage amount, indwelling period of drainage, and duration of hospital stay. Results The incidence of seroma was 76% in group 1 and 42.9% in group 2 (P=0.022). We also found significant reductions in seroma volume (P=0.043), total drainage amount (P=0.002), indwelling period of drainage (P=0.01), and frequency of aspiration (P=0.043). The quilting sutures did not affect the rate of drainage, tube reinsertion, or hospital stay. Conclusions The use of quilting sutures combined with fibrin sealant on the latissimus dorsi flap donor site is helpful for reducing the overall seroma volume, frequency of aspiration, and total drainage amount.