• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1998

From January 1985 to February 1997, 96 patients had undergone the free vascularized groin flap on the upper and lower extremities with microsurgical technique at the department of orthopaedic surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine. The results were as follows: 1. Average age at the time of operation was 24.9 years. and there were 71 men and 25 women and mean follow up was 62.4 months. 2. The lesion site was 82 cases on the lower extremity: foot(40), leg(20), ankle(13), and 14 cases on the upper extremity: forearm(6), elbow(3), hand(3), wrist(2). 3. The anatomical classification of the superficial circumflex iliac artery was as follows: 1) 39.8% of common origin with superficial inferior epigastric artery, 2) 30.1% of isolated origin and absent superficial inferior epigastric artery, 3) 13.3% of separate origin, 4) 16.9% of origin from the deep femoral artery. 4. There was no statistical significance on arterial anastomosis between end to end and end to side, and on venous anastomosis(end to end) between one vein and two veins. 5. The success rate was average 84.4% in 81 of 96 cases. 6. In the 15 failed cases, the additional procedures were performed: 5 cases of free vascularized scapular flap, 6 cases of full thickness skin graft, 2 cases of cross leg flap, 1 case of latissimus dorsi flap, 1 case of split thickness skin graft. In conclusion, the free vascularized groin flap can be considered as the treatment of choice for the reconstruction of the extensive soft tissue injury on the extremities, and show the higher success rate with the experienced surgeon.

• 대한미세수술학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.123.2-124
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• 1997

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.56-61
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• 2000

Recommendable reconstructive surgery in the patient with thumb amputation through base of the first metacarpal bone is pollicization. Some patients who do not agree with harvest sound finger as a new thumb, we can consider other options as toe transplantation or osteoplastic thumb reconstruction for creating thumb. Toe transplantation to the thumb is effective procedure in the amputation of distal to metacarpal shaft, it is rarely indicated in the cases of proximal to base of the first metacarpal bone. We performed three cases of modified osteoplastic thumb reconstruction with free vascularized rib that combined with scapular free flap or radial forearm flap. The length of transplanted rib ranged from 7~11cm, the donor vessels are posterior intercostal artery and vein which anastomosed to radial artery. The grafted rib wrapped with additional free flap for creating new thumb. Result of that procedure was not much encouraging, aesthetic appearance and mobility of thumb were not so satisfactory but reconstructed thumb gave improvement of the hand function without sacrificing toe or other digit. That gave reasonable stability for powerful side pinch and three pod pinch and opposable thumb with normal carpo-metacarpal joint motion that can give much function to the thumb absent hand. In spite of those disadvantages, thumb reconstruction with rib transfer can be useful for patients who do not want to lose another part of the body for creating thumb in basal amputation of the thumb metacarpal.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.7-11
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• 2023

Adult fibrosarcoma is a malignant tumor comprising of spindle-shaped fibroblasts with variable collagen production. Due to their aggressive nature and high probability of local tumor recurrence, these tumors require accurate diagnosis and resection according to guidelines. A 57-year-old male presented to the clinic with a complaint of a palpable growing mass in the left scapular area. Examination of the back revealed a 6 cm protruding tumor with a nodular surface. We performed a wide excision, including the infraspinatus fascia layer and subsequent reconstruction using a parascapular island flap. Histopathological analysis demonstrated the typical microscopic features of adult fibrosarcoma. At the 3-year follow-up, there was no evidence of local recurrence and the resection margin was completely clear of tumor.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.14-23
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• 2004

Introduction: The hand and wrist are particularly susceptible to electrical burn. Skin defect with damage or exposure of underlying vital structure requires coverage by skin flap especially in case of the need for late reconstruction. We are reporting 4 cases of electrical burned hand treated by posterior tibial arterial free flap. The commonly used skin flaps such as scapular flap or groin flap are too bulky so that they are not satisfactory in function and cosmetic appearance. So we tried to cover them with a more thin skin flap. Materials and Method: From January 2002 to June 2003, four cases of hand and wrist electrical burn were covered using posterior tibial arterial free flap. All the cases were due to high voltage electrical burn. Age ranged from 31 years to 38 years old and all the cases were male patients. Recipient sites were 2 wrist, one thenar area and one knuckle of 2.3rd MP joint. Additional procedures were flexor tenolysis (simultaneous), FPL tenolysis and digital nerve graft (later) and extensor tendon reconstruction (later). Result: All the flap have survived totally without any complication including circulatory concern about the donar foot. Posterior tibail arterial free flap was so thin that debulking procedure was not required. Conclusion: For skin coverage of the hand & wrist region, posterior tibial arterial free flap have many advantages such as reliable anatomy, easy dissection and easy anastmosis with radial or ulnar artery and possibility of sensory flap. The most helpful advantage for hand coverage is its thinness. So we think this flap is one of the very useful armamentarium for reconstructive hand surgery.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2001

Introduction : The Functional muscle transfer is used to reconstruct the injuried muscle and paralysis of the shoulder. Especially transfer of the trapezius has been the treatment of choice but it has disadvantages of inadequate function and deformed contour, and instability of humeral head in case of acromion resection. We report an operation for shoulder reconstruction after wide resection of malignant fibrous histiocytoma, using rotational latissimus dorsi flap and review the operation method and clinical outcome. Materials and Methods : A patient, 53 year old, with malignant fibrous histiocytoma in the acromioclavicular joint area had been underwent wide excision, including the deltoid, clavicular head of pectoralis major, part of trapezius, lateral 1/3 of clavicle and acromion including scapular spine. The rotational latissimus dorsi flap with its neurovascular pedicle was dissected and then placed over the resected area and transfer of muscle attached at coracoid process was done to achieve stability of the humeral head. The range of motion of the shoulder and test of muscle power were evaluated for functional outcome. Total follow-up period is 2 years 11 months. Results : At last follow-up, the range of motion of the shoulder is abduction $90^{\circ}$, flexion $90^{\circ}$, internal rotation $40^{\circ}$, external rotation $50^{\circ}$ and the muscle power is 4 grade in all direction and then we obtained good functional results. There are no complications such as instability or subluxation of the humeral head and deformed contour and he is a disease-free survival state. Conclusions : The transfered latissimus dorsi flap provides adequate lever arm and stabilization and covering of the humeral head by sufficient muscle volume and width. This procedure can be useful not only for the paralysed deltoid reconstruction but also for use in reconstructive surgery after wide resection of the shoulder for malignant tumor.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2002

Free flap reconstruction of the foot has become one of the standard procedures at the present time, but choice of a free flap for the soft tissue defect of the foot according to location and size remains controversial. We evaluated the results of free flap reconstruction for the soft tissue defects of the foot. Twenty seven free flaps to the foot were performed between May 1986 and December 2000 in the department of Orthopedic Surgery. Patient age ranged from 3 to 60 years. Male to female distribution was 20:7. Mean follow-up period was 30.5 months which ranged from 12 months to 60 months. The indications for a specific flap depended on the location and extension of the foot defect. In weight-bearing area and amputation stump, the authors chose the sensate (reinnervated) dorsalis pedis flaps (n=7) and sensate radial forearm flaps (n=2). In nonweight-bearing area including dorsum of the foot and area around Achilles tendon, we performed nonsensate (non-reinnervated) free flap reconstructions which included dorsalis pedis flaps (n=5), groin flap (n=1), radial forearm flaps (n=6), scapular flaps (n=4), latissimus dorsi flaps (n=2). Twenty-six flaps transferred successfully (96.3%). The sensate flaps which were performed in weight-bearing area and amputation stumps survived in all cases and recovered protective sensation. Mean two-point discrimination was 26 mm at the last follow up. As a conclusion, the selection of a proper flap depends on the location and extension of the foot defect and patient's age. Fasciocutaneous flap including radial forearm flaps and dorsalis pedis flaps were the best choice in nonweight-bearing area. The sensate free flaps which are performed in the weight-bearing area and amputation stumps can produce better outcome than nonsensate free flap.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.70-76
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• 1993

The authors analyzed the clinical results of the reconstructive surgery for injured hands and feet due to frostbites and electrical burn with microsurgery in 7 patients, 12 cases at the department of orthopaedic surgery, school of medicine, Kyung Hee university from Jan. 1989 to Jul. 1992, and the results were as foollowings. 1. The age at the time of injury was av 24.6 yrs ranging from 4 to 35 yrs, and all cases were male. 2. The follow up period was av. 24.4 Mo ranging from 12 Mo. to 56 Mo. 3. The causes of injury were frostbite in 9 cases, electrical burn in 2 cases. 4. Initial operative treatment was performed av. 69.3 days ranging from 2 to 210 days. 5. For the reconstructive procedure, scapular free flap was applied in 6 cases, radial forearm flap in 4, dorsalis pedis 1ffap in 1, neurovascular island flap in 1. 6. Among total 12 cases, there were 5 cases(41.7%) of wound infection and 3 cases (25.0%) of partial necrosis of donor flap. 7. In 11 cases(90.1%), the end result was satisfactory. In the analysis of above results the reconstruction with microsurgery is effective procedure for reconstruction of Injured hand and foot due to frostbite and electrical burn.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.68-72
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• 1998

With the advent of microvascular free-tissue transfer, this single stage resurfacing method for large scar and soft tissue defects around the wrist in the patients of electrical burn has distinctive advantage over the conventional multistage pedicle-flap transfer. Between 1992 and 1996, we treated 9 cases of 8 patients who had large scar around the wrist due to old electrical burn with free flaps as a preparation of staged tendon graft. Mean age was 30.3 years and average scar area was $6{\times}11cm$. The length of time the injury and free flaps was 9 months on an average. Prior to the free flap, we performed the angiography to all patients in order to evaluate the circulation of the forearm and hand and to choose the recipient vessel. In all cases, proximal ulnar arteries in the forearm remained intact and all radial arteries remained intact in 8 of 9 cases on angiogram. The interosseous arteries were well visualized in all cases. We used the ulnar arteries as a recipient artery. The types of flaps used were f scapular cutaneous flaps, 2 dorsalis pedis flaps and a radial forearm flap. Flap survial was 100 percents with satisfactory functional and cosmetic results. Free flaps using ulnar artery as a recipient artery is one of the useful reconstruction methods for the resurfacing of large scar around the wrist in the patients of old electrical burn.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2000

The microsurgical reconstruction is necessary for elderly patients to treat severe trauma and head and neck tumor. The aim of this study is to analyze the risks of microvascular surgery and whether or not happening of more complication in elderly patients who are older than 60 years old and to suggest the solution of the complication. The retrospective study included 41 elderly patients who underwent treatment of 44 microsurgical reconstructions among total 271 cases of microsurgical reconstruction from July, 1988 to December, 1998. Their ages ranged from 61 years to 79 years. There were 26 males and 15 females. The involved sites were 23 head and necks, 13 upper gastrointestinal tracts, 3 lower extremities, 1 chest and 1 sacral region. The causes of microsurgical reconstruction were 36 head and neck tumors, 2 radionecrosis, 2 traumas and 1 melanoma in lower limb. The used flaps were 14 radial forearm flaps, 13 jejunal flaps, 10 latissimus dorsi muscle flaps, 3 rectus abdominis muscle flaps, 2 lateral arm flaps, 1 scapular flap, and 1 iliac osteocutaneous flap. They had medical problems which were 29 tobacco abuse, 14 hypertensions, 13 alcohol abuse, 10 chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, 7 diabetes mellituses, 3 ischemic heart diseases. All patients have had successful results without specific complications except 3 cases of free flap failure and 3 perioperative death. The causes of 3 flap failures were 2 flap necrosis due to arterial insufficiency and 1 flap loss due to secondary infection. All of these cases were treated with secondary free flap surgery. However 3 patients died perioperatively due to 2 respiratory arrests and 1 sepsis. It was not related to operate microsurgical reconstruction itself, but was correlated with the complication of postoperative care after head and neck surgery. We conclude that plastic surgeons consider the importance of prevention of expected complication as thorough analysis of operative risk factor and appropriate treatment. We had to select the donor and recipient vessel appropriately to perform successful microsurgery in elderly patients and consider vein graft and end-to-side anastomosis to reduce complication if necessary. In addition, we emphasize the importance of pre, peri and postoperative care in head and neck cancer patients to reduce postoperative complication and morbidity.