• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.699-702
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Venous stasis ulcer is the most severe form of chronic venous insufficiency and this commonly appears in the lower limb. Pharmacological therapy, reconstruction of the venous system, surgical management, cellular therapy and compression therapy are known as the treatments of venous stasis ulcer, but relapses are common, which make it a typical chronic wound. We report here on a case of recurrent venous stasis ulcer that healed with compression therapy without any other treatment. Methods: A 35-year-old man with a 13 years history of venous stasis had developed an ulcer on the distal third portion of the lower left limb which was developed 12-year before enrollment in this study. He had been treated with vacuum assist closure, 2 times of cell therapy and 3 times of skin graft for 8 years, but the lesion recurred. From November, 2008 compression therapy was done with the 3M $Coban^{TM}$ 2 Layer Compression System (3M, St. Paul, USA). The ulcer at that time was oval shaped and $3{\times}4$ cm in size. A comfort layer bandage was applied from the proximal phalanx of the great toe to the knee. A compression layer bandage was applied on the previous layer with it being overlapped one half the width of the comfort layer bandage. The dressing was changed every 4 days and the change was recorded with photography. Results: A total of 12 $Coban^{TM}$ 2 Layer Compression Systems were used. The size of the ulcer decreased to $2.5{\times}2.5$ cm in one month, to $2{\times}2$ cm in 2 months, it was $1{\times}1.8$ cm in size at 3 months and it completely healed in 4 months. Conclusion: The venous stasis ulcer was completely healed using the 3M $Coban^{TM}$ 2 Layer Compression System. This method was easy to apply, made the patient comfortable and it provided an excellent compression effect. As in the previous studies, this compression therapy has been proven to play an important role for the treatment and prevention of venous stasis ulcer.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.616-620
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster syndrome (MRK) is second common cause of primary amenorrhea. It is a syndrome of vaginal aplasia and Mullerian duct anomaly. Vaginal aplasia varies from agenesis of whole vagina to aplasia of upper 2/3. For reconstructing vagina, various methods are introduced. Gracilis myocutaneous flap was the first attempt in that the flap is used in vaginal reconstruction. Various flap-based vaginal reconstruction methods have been introduced. Modified Singapore flap (pedicled neurovascular pudendal thigh fasciocutaneous flap) is one of those methods that used posterior labial artery as pedicle, and pudendal nerve branch as sensory root. As its donor lies on inguinal crease that is easily hidden and there are benefits on sexual intercourse by early sensory recovery, authors think that modified Singapore flap is effective for young MRK syndrome patients. Methods: Eight patients underwent surgery between 2008 and 2010. The flap was designed on both groin area with external pudendal artery branch as a pedicle. All flaps were fixated in pelvic cavity with absorbable suture, and additional compression on neovaginal wall was supplied by polyvinyl alcohol sponge ($Merocel^{(R)}$). Results: All patients were successfully reconstructed without flap related complications such as congestion or partial flap loss. The average size of the flap (each side) was 69.34 $cm^2$. Polyvinyl alcohol sponge ($Merocel^{(R)}$) was inserted into neovagina for 5 days on every patient. One case of rectal laceration was occurred while making pelvic pocket by OBGY team. Other complications such as lumen narrowing, wound contracture or vaginal prolapsed were not reported during 8 months of follow up. Conclusion: Modified Singapore flap is a sensate fasciocutaneous flap that is thinner than other myocutaneous flap such as VRAM, and more durable over skin graft. Therefore this is a good choice for vaginal reconstruction in MRK syndrome. And known complications of Modified Singapore flap could be reduced with careful procedure and mild compression techniques.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.831-834
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Congenital absence of the vagina is a rare case. It occurs as a result of Mullerian duct aplasia or complete androgen insensitivity syndrome. The reconstructive modality includes skin graft, use of intestine and various methods of flap. We report a patient who underwent vulvoperineal fasciocutaneous flap to reconstruct congenital absence of the vagina, while the external genitalia and ovaries are normal. Methods: A 26-year-old woman presented with vaginal agenesis. Under general anesthesia, a U-shaped incision was made between the urethral meatus and the anus. The new vaginal pocket was created up to the level of the peritoneal reflection between the urinary structures and the rectum. Next, the vulvoperineal fasciocutaneous flaps were designed in a rectangular fashion. Flap elevation was begun at the lateral margin which the adductor longus fascia was incised and elevated, and the superficial perineal neurovascular pedicle was invested by the fascial layer. The medial border was then elevated. A subcutaneous tunnel was created beneath the inferior of the labia to rotate the flaps. The left vulvoperineal flap was rotated counterclockwise and the right was rotated clockwise. The neovaginal pouch was formed by approximating the medial and lateral borders. The tubed neovagina was then transposed into the cavity. Results: In 3 weeks, the vaginal canal remained supple After 6 weeks, the physical examination showed normalappearing labia majora and perineum with an adequate vaginal depth. A year after the operation, the patient had a 7 cm vagina of sufficient width with no evidence of contractures nor fibrous scar formation. The patient was sexually active without difficulty. Conclusion: Although many methods were described for reconstruction of vaginal absence, there is not a method yet to be approved as a perfect solution. We used the vulvoperineal fasciocutaneous flap to reconstruct a neovagina. This method had a following merits: a single-stage procedure, excellent flap reliability, the potential for normal function, minimal donor site morbidity and no need for subsequent dilatation, stents, or obturators. We thought that this operation has a good anatomic and functional results for reconstruction of the vagina.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.36 no.5
• /
• pp.559-564
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Surgical reconstruction of an ischial soft tissue defect presents a challenging problem owing to a high rate of recurrence, especially paraplegic patients. Although various muscle, musculocutaneous and fasciocuta - neous flaps have been used in the reconstruction of ischial soft tissue defect, it is still debated which type of flaps are the best. We had performed a relatively durable adductor magnus perforator island flap based on the perforators originated from the first medial branch of the profunda femoris artery for coverage of ischial soft tissue defect where was not a region universally reconstructed by perforator flap. Methods: From August 2005 until January 2008, the adductor magnus perforator island flap had been used for resurfacing of the ischial soft tissue defects in a series of 6 patients (4 male and 2 female). Ages ranged from 26 to 67 years (mean, 47.5 years), and follow - up period from 13 to 26 months (mean, 16.7 months). Causes were 4 pressure ulcers, 1 cellulitis and 1 suppurative keratinous cyst. Results: The sizes of these flaps ranged from 12 to 18 cm in length and 7 to 9 cm in width. The flaps survived in all patients. Marginal loss over the distal area of the flap by infection was noted in one patient, which was treated successfully with a subsequent split - thickness skin graft. Average thickness of the flap was 0.94 cm, which was more thicker than other perforator flaps. Long term follow - up showed a good flap durability. Conclusion: In planning a reconstructive option of ischial soft tissue defect, the adductor magnus perforator island flap is a relatively large cutaneous flap with a durable thickness. With proper patient selection, careful vascular dissection and postoperative management, we recommend this flap is a good and suitable option for coverage of the ischial soft tissue defect.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.91-98
• /
• 2022

Background Predicting the need for post-traumatic reconstruction of lower extremity injuries remains a challenge. Due to the larger volume of cases in adults than in children, the majority of the medical literature has focused on adult lower extremity reconstruction. This study evaluates predictive risk factors associated with the need for free flap reconstruction in pediatric patients following lower extremity trauma. Methods An IRB-approved retrospective chart analysis over a 5-year period (January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2017) was performed, including all pediatric patients (<18 years old) diagnosed with one or more lower extremity wounds. Patient demographics, trauma information, and operative information were reviewed. The statistical analysis consisted of univariate and multivariate regression models to identify predictor variables associated with free flap reconstruction. Results In total, 1,821 patients were identified who fit our search criteria, of whom 41 patients (2.25%) required free flap reconstruction, 65 patients (3.57%) required local flap reconstruction, and 19 patients (1.04%) required skin graft reconstruction. We determined that older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.134; P =0.002), all-terrain vehicle accidents (OR, 6.698; P<0.001), and trauma team activation (OR, 2.443; P=0.034) were associated with the need for free flap reconstruction following lower extremity trauma in our pediatric population. Conclusions Our study demonstrates a higher likelihood of free flap reconstruction in older pediatric patients, those involved in all-terrain vehicle accidents, and cases involving activation of the trauma team. This information can be implemented to help develop an early risk calculator that defines the need for complex lower extremity reconstruction in the pediatric population.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.33-43
• /
• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical usability of reconstructive methods, and how to select flap after wide excision of malignant soft tissue tumor in ankle and foot. Materials and Methods: The 15 cases shown in the 14 patients (In case of a male patient, reconstruction was performed two times due to local recurrence.) with malignant soft tissue tumor in ankle and foot, who underwent reconstruction after wide excision from March 2000 until March 2007. Oncologic, surgical and functional results were evaluated. Results: The method of reconstruction used were anterolateral thigh perforator flap (5cases), Reversed superficial sural artery flap (4 cases), dorsalis pedis flap (3 cases), local flap (3cases). The defect, mean size was $5.5{\times}5.7\;cm$, was reconstructed with rotation flap or free flap, mean size was $5.9{\times}6.0\;cm$, skin graft for remnant. The mean operation time was 310 minutes (120~540 minutes); it took 256 minutes to reconstruct by rotation flap, and 420 minutes by free flap. As oncologic results, 7 patients were no evidence of disease, 6 patients were alive with disease and 1 patient was expired by pulmonary metastasis at the time of the last follow-up. 4 patients had local recurrence and 4 pateints had distant metastases. As functional results, 14 patients were evaluated with average score of 68.8% using the system of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society. Conclusion: The dorsalis pedis and reverse superficial sural artery rotation flap which is easy procedure, has less complication and takes short operation time, can be primarily considered to reconstruct a small defect. And the anterolateral thigh perforator flap is suitable for coverage of a large defects after wide excision of malignant soft tissue tumor in ankle and foot.