• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.378-383
• /
• 2021

Conjoined twins are rare, and each set of conjoined twins has a unique conjoined anatomy. It is necessary to perform separation to increase the chance of patient survival. Tissue expansion is an advanced technique for providing sufficient soft tissue and skin for wound closure. We report the successful application of rapid tissue expansion in 10-month-old xipho-omphalopagus conjoined twins in Vietnam. A tissue expander was placed on the anterior body between the sternum and umbilicus with a baseline of 70 mL sterile saline (0.9% NaCl). The first injection into the tissue expander began on the 6th day after expander insertion, and injections continued every 2 days with approximately 30-70 mL per injection according to the expansion of the skin. The expander reached 335 mL after six injections and within 10 days. In order to prepare for surgical separation, expansion was completed on the 15th day after insertion. The expanded skin area was estimated to be 180 cm², which was sufficient to cover both patients' skin deficiencies. The twins presented for surgical separation 6 days following the completion of tissue expansion. Both babies were discharged in good health 1 month after separation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.649-654
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Split-or full-thickness skin grafts are used to reconstruct palmar skin and soft tissue defects after trauma or to release burn scar contracture on the hand. Glabrous skin defects should be substituted with similar skin to preserve function and aesthetics. The authors report their experiences with a technique that uses a full-thickness graft taken from glabrous skin on the ulnar edge of the palm for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the hand. Methods: During a three-year period from 2007 to 2010, 22 patients with burn scar contracture and 12 patients with post-traumatic skin defects on their hands were treated with full-thickness skin graft operations. The palmar skin and soft tissue defects after release of burn scar contracture or debridement of post-traumatic wounds were reconstructed with full-thickness skin grafts harvested from the ulnar border of their palms. All donor-site wounds were primarily closed. Results: The followup periods ranged from 3 to 25 months. Contractures of the hand were corrected without recurrence, and the grafts showed relatively good contour and color match to the adjacent fields. There were no reported complications such as significant color change or hypertrophic scarring. The grafted skin showed an average 5.9 mm static two-point discrimination obtained in fingertip reconstruction cases, indicating satisfactory reinnervation. Conclusion: Glabrous full-thickness grafts harvested from the palmar ulnar border is a very useful way of reconstructing soft tissue defects on hands, including fingertips, for function restoration, favorable aesthetic results, and low donor-site morbidity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.54 no.2
• /
• pp.121-122
• /
• 2014

A 2-year-old male Tosa was admitted for treatment of a non-healing wound on the right forelimb. Skin tests were unremarkable; however, the lesion contained severe proliferative tissue. Surgical treatment was conducted due to the extensive skin defect and granulation tissue present. Following removal of the proliferative tissue, the wound was closed using the adjustable horizontal mattress suture method with multiple punctate relaxing incisions. The proliferative tissue healed completely after the surgical treatment. This technique can be considered an alternative treatment for the proliferative tissue when conditions require a skin graft or flap after surgical treatment.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.39 no.5
• /
• pp.463-468
• /
• 2012

Background In the extremities of premature infants, the skin and subcutaneous tissue are very pliable due to immaturity and have a greater degree of skin laxity and mobility. Thus, we can expect wounds to heal rapidly by wound contraction. This study investigates wound healing of full-thickness defects in premature infant extremities. Methods The study consisted of 13 premature infants who had a total of 14 cases of full-thickness skin defects of the extremities due to extravasation after total parenteral nutrition. The wound was managed with intensive moist dressings with antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agents. After wound closure, moisturization and mild compression were performed. Results Most of the full-thickness defects in the premature infants were closed by wound contraction without granulation tissue formation on the wound bed. The defects resulted in 3 pinpoint scars, 9 linear scars, and 2 round hypertrophic scars. The wounds with less granulation tissue were healed by contraction and resulted in linear scars parallel to the relaxed skin tension line. The wounds with more granulation tissue resulted in round scars. There was mild contracture without functional abnormality in 3 cases with a defect over two thirds of the longitudinal length of the dorsum of the hand or foot. The patients' parents were satisfied with the outcomes in 12 of 14 cases. Conclusions Full-thickness skin defects in premature infants typically heal by wound contraction with minimal granulation tissue and scar formation probably due to excellent skin mobility.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.217-221
• /
• 2007

Purpose: Reconstruction of the soft tissue defect exposing Achilles tendon is a formidable challenge because of the paucity of soft tissue and relatively poor blood supply. This article describes the reconstruction of soft tissue defect exposing Achilles tendon using gracilis muscle free flap and split-thickness skin graft. Methods: From 2000 to 2005, four patients with soft tissue defect exposing Achilles tendon and infection were operated using gracilis muscle free flap and split-thickness skin graft. The defect size ranged from 3.5 to 5cm wide and 6.5 to 8cm long. The mean postoperative follow-up was twenty months. Results: All the flaps were survived without necrosis and infection. We obtained the satisfactory results with good functional and aesthetical outcomes. All cases showed good results with the characteristics of a relatively thin flap without additional debulking procedure. Conclusion: Gracilis muscle free flap with split thickness skin graft could be a good option for reconstruction of soft tissue defect of posterior ankle, exposing Achilles tendon with minimal morbidity of the donor site.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.14-21
• /
• 2014

Background: There are several options for replacement of the dermal layer in fullthickness skin defects. In this study, we present the surgical outcomes of reconstruction using acellular dermal substitutes by means of objective and subjective scar assessment tools. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 78 patients who had undergone autologous split-thickness skin graft with or without concomitant acellular dermal matrix (CGDerm or AlloDerm) graft. We examined graft survival rate and evaluated postoperative functional skin values. Individual comparisons were performed between the area of skin graft and the surrounding normal skin. Nine months after surgery, we compared the skin qualities of CGDerm graft group (n=25), AlloDerm graft group (n=8) with skin graft only group (n=23) each other using the objective and subjective measurements. Results: The average of graft survival rate was 93% for CGDerm group, 92% for AlloDerm group and 86% for skin graft only group. Comparing CGDerm grafted skin to the surrounding normal skin, mean elasticity, hydration, and skin barrier values were 87%, 86%, and 82%, respectively. AlloDerm grafted skin values were 84%, 85%, and 84%, respectively. There were no statistical differences between the CGDerm and AlloDerm groups with regard to graft survival rate and skin functional analysis values. However, both groups showed more improvement of skin quality than skin graft only group. Conclusion: The new dermal substitute (CGDerm) demonstrated comparable results with regard to elasticity, humidification, and skin barrier effect when compared with conventional dermal substitute (AlloDerm).

• Proceedings of the Korea Society for Simulation Conference
• /
• 2001.10a
• /
• pp.255-259
• /
• 2001

A skin tissue system is considered, whose configuration is electrically modelled by a layer over the infinite half space. The problem is to estimate the layer\`s thickness and respective conductivity from the measured impedance between the electrodes placed on the skin surface. A simulation is taken place as the optimization problem which is to minimize the norm between the \"measured\" and the solution for the assumed parameters.arameters.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.536-540
• /
• 2006

Purpose: The soft tissue injuries of the patellar area are difficult problems because of insufficient arterial blood supply and lack of muscle layer. There have been many methods for reconstructing the soft tissue injuries of the patellar area such as primary closure, skin graft, local flap and free tissue transfer. However, each method has some limitations in their application. After the first introduction, the fasciocutaneous flaps are widely used to reconstruct the soft tissue injuries. The saphenous nerve, one of the superficial sensory nerves in the lower leg, is supplied by the saphenous artery and its vascular network. We used the saphenous fasciocutaneous island flap to reconstruct the soft tissue injuries of the patellar area. Methods: From March 2002 to May 2005, we used the saphenous fasciocutaneous island flap to reconstruct the soft tissue injuries of the patellar area. The flap was elevated with saphenous nerve, saphenous vein and saphenous artery and its vascular network. The flap donor site was reconstructed with primary closure or split-thickness skin graft. Results: Five cases survived completely but 1 case developed partial necrosis of the skin on the upper margin of the flap. However, the necrosis was localized on skin layer, and we reconstructed with debridement and split-thickness skin graft only. After the operation, there was no contracture or gait disturbance in any patient. Conclusion: In conclusion, the saphenous fasciocutaneous island flap is safe, comfortable and effective method to reconstruct the soft tissue injuries of the patellar area.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.117-124
• /
• 2005

Purpose: To present our experience and design modification of an anterolateral thigh flap in soft tissue reconstruction. Materials and Methods: Between April of 2004 and May of 2005, 26 anterolateral thigh flaps were used in 26 patients. There were 22 males and 4 females between 23 and 60 years (mean, 40years). The mean follow-up period was 11($4{\sim}18$) months. All cases were a cutaneous flap. Twenty-two were musculocutaneous perforator flaps(85%) and 4 were septocutaneous perforator flaps(15%). Four flaps were used as a sensate flap. While the donor sites were closed directly in 14 cases(54%), 12 cases(46%) underwent skin grafting of the donor site. During the flap design, a triangular skin design was added to a vascular anastomosis site in 14(54%) patients and used as a roof of the tunnel. The healing period of the skin graft between those performed above the fascia and above the muscle were compared. Results: The average size of the flaps was $16{\times}9(11-20{\times}7-12)\;cm$. The overall flap success rate was 96%. Complications encountered were infection in 4 cases, and marginal skin necrosis in 1 case. The healing period was delayed with the infection in 3 of the 6 cases involving a skin graft over the fascia. All 14 cases with the triangular skin design survived, but there was 1 flap failure and 1 marginal necrosis in 12 cases without a triangular skin design. Conclusions: It may be better to undergo a skin graft above the muscle than above the fascia in covering a donor site defect, and to use a triangular skin design in order to prevent vascular insufficiency. An anterolateral thigh flap is a versatile flap for a soft tissue reconstruction because its thickness and volume can be adjusted to the extent of the defect with minimal donor site morbidity.

• Medical Lasers
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.7-12
• /
• 2019

Background and Objectives Skin and soft tissue defects can be treated according to a range of strategies, such as local flap, skin graft, biological dressing, or free flap. On the other hand, free tissue transfer usually leaves a distinct scar with an inconsistency of color or hypertrophy. This problem is highlighted if the defect is located on the face, which could have devastating effects on a patient's psychosocial health. Materials and Methods The authors used an erbium : yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser to resurface the free flap skin and match the color with the surrounding facial skin. This study evaluated the effectiveness of laser skin resurfacing on the harmonious color matching of transferred flap. Patients who had undergone laser resurfacing on facial flap skin between January 2014 and December 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. An ablative 2,940-nm fractional Er:YAG laser treatment was delivered to the entire flap skin at 21 J/cm² with the treatment end-point of pinpoint bleeding. Several months later, the clinical photographs were analyzed. The L^*a^*b^* color co-ordinates of both the flap and surrounding normal skin were measured using Adobe Photoshop. The L^*a^*b^* color difference (ΔE) for the scar and normal surrounding skin were calculated using the following equation: ${\Delta}E=\sqrt{({\Delta}L)^2+({\Delta}a)^2+({\Delta}b)^2}$ Results All five patients were satisfied with the more natural appearance of the flaps. The ΔE values decreased significantly from the pre-treatment mean value of 19.64 to the post-treatment mean value of 11.39 (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p = 0.043). Conclusion Ablative laser resurfacing can improve the aesthetic outcome of free tissue transfer on the face.