• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• 제35권2호
• /
• pp.128-130
• /
• 2022

Abdominal wall hematoma (AWH) after blunt trauma is common, and most cases can be treated conservatively. More invasive treatment is required in patients with traumatic AWH if active bleeding is identified or there is no response to medical treatment. Herein, we report a case of endovascular embolization for traumatic subcutaneous AWH. Almost endovascular treatment for AWH is done through the deep inferior epigastric artery. However, in this case, the superficial inferior epigastric artery was the bleeding focus and embolization target. After understanding the vascular system of the abdominal wall, an endovascular approach and embolization is a safe and effective treatment option for AWH.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• 제41권6호
• /
• pp.702-708
• /
• 2014

Background Lower abdominal soft tissue transfer is the standard procedure for breast reconstruction. However, abdominal wall weakness and herniation commonly occur postoperatively at the donor site. To reduce the morbidities of the donor site, the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap was introduced, but inconsistent anatomy of the SIEA has reduced its utility. In the present study, the anatomy of the superficial inferior epigastric vessels in Korean women was determined with regards to breast reconstructive surgery. Methods The vascular anatomies of the SIEA and superficial inferior epigastric vein (SIEV) were evaluated on 32 breast cancer patients receiving free transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap reconstruction after mastectomy. The existence, pulsation, location, external diameter, and depth of the SIEA and SIEV were measured at the lower abdominal incision level. Results SIEA and SIEV were present in 48/64 (75.00%) and 63/64 (98.44%) hemi-abdomens, respectively. Pulsation of the SIEA was found in 44/48 (91.67%) cases. The mean locations of SIEA and SIEV were +5.79 (${\pm}12.87$) mm, and -8.14 (${\pm}15.24$) mm from the midpoint between the anterior superior iliac spine and symphysis pubis, respectively. The mean external diameters of SIEA and SIEV were 1.20 (${\pm}0.39$) mm and 1.37 (${\pm}0.33$) mm, and they were found at a mean depth of 9.75 (${\pm}2.67$) mm and 8.33 (${\pm}2.65$) mm, respectively. Conclusions The SIEA was absent in 25% of Korean women and had a relatively small caliber. Therefore, careful preoperative assessment of the lower abdominal vasculature is required to achieve successful breast reconstruction using SIEA flaps.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• 제24권1호
• /
• pp.24-27
• /
• 2015

During flap elevation, most perforators are cut except one or more perforators that are essential to flap survival. However these cutout perforators can cause deterioration of the blood circulation of the flap. To salvage the jeopardized flaps, rebuilding the perforator system is essential for flap survival. In the first case, after flap elevation, the upper abdominal flap margin was severely ischemic. To supply blood to the upper abdominal flaps, we found and used a major perforator underneath the upper abdominal flap which was cut earlier during the elevation, and we performed reanastomosis with ipsilateral deep inferior epigastric artery. Upper abdominal flap ischemic area was limited to a narrow suture area. In the second case, we performed free superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap reconstruction. After successful anastomosis of the SIEA and superficial inferior epigastric vein (SIEV) with internal mammary artery and vein, serious venous congestion occurred immediately because of SIEV malfunction. We found the largest perforator vein under the flap, as an alternate way to drain, then connected it with the thoracoacromial vein with a vein graft harvested in the contralateral SIEV. Circulation has improved. In conclusion, perforator system reconstruction is essential in a jeopardized flap salvage.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• 제47권5호
• /
• pp.473-477
• /
• 2020

Superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flaps represent a useful option in autologous breast reconstruction. However, the short-fixed pedicle can limit flap inset options. We present a challenging flap inset successfully addressed by de-epithelialization, turnover, and counterintuitive rotation. A 47-year-old woman underwent left tertiary breast reconstruction with stacked free flaps using right deep inferior epigastric perforator and left SIEA vessels. Antegrade and retrograde anastomoses to the internal mammary (IM) vessels were preferred; additionally, the thoracodorsal vessels were unavailable due to previous latissimus dorsi breast reconstruction. Optimal shaping required repositioning of the lateral ends of the flaps superiorly, which would position the ipsilateral SIEA hemi-flap pedicle lateral to and out of reach of the IM vessels. This problem was overcome by turning the SIEA flap on its long axis, allowing the pedicle to sit medially with the lateral end of the flap positioned superiorly. The de-epithelialized SIEA flap dermis was in direct contact with the chest wall, enabling its fixation. This method of flap inset provides a valuable solution for medializing the SIEA pedicle while maintaining an aesthetically satisfactory orientation. This technique could be used in ipsilateral SIEA flap breast reconstructions that do not require a skin paddle, as with stacked flaps or following nipple-sparing mastectomy.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• 제44권6호
• /
• pp.545-549
• /
• 2017

When foot reconstruction is performed in the pretibial area, the ankle, or the dorsum of the foot, the need for a reliable flap remains a challenge. We found that the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) free flap can be used as an alternative tool for this purpose, as it helps to solve the problems associated with other flaps. We describe 2 cases in which we reconstructed the foot using an SIEA free flap, which was pliable enough to fit the contours of the area. Postoperatively, the flaps were intact and showed excellent aesthetic results. Thus, the SIEA free flap can be an alternative tool for patients with a low body mass index who undergo reconstructive surgery involving the pretibial area, ankle, knee, or dorsum of the foot, all of which require a soft and flexible flap.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• 제7권1호
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 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.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• 제17권2호
• /
• pp.94-100
• /
• 2008

In the past decade, there has been increasing breast reconstructions after mastectomy, and the abdomen has been the gold standard for donor site. TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous), MSTRAM (muscle sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous), DIEP (deep inferior epigastric artery perforator), SIEA (superficial inferior epigastric artery) flap has been widely used nowadays. Among them, DIEP free flap spares the whole rectus abdominis muscle and anterior rectus sheath resulting in decreased donor site morbidity. Between March of 2006 and February of 2008, six patients had undergone immediate breast reconstructions using DIEP free flap. The mean age of patients was 48.5 years. All patients had unilateral breast reconstructions. We dissected two perforators which were included in the unilateral pedicle. Thoracodorsal artery and its venae comitantes were chosen as recipient vessels. For venous anastomosis, we used the GEM Microvascular Anastomotic Coupler System (Synovis Micro Companies Alliance, Inc., Birmingham, Ala.) in four cases. All flaps were survived completely except one who showed fatty abdomen in old age. She showed repetitive vascular spasm intraoperatively. None of the patients had abdominal hernia, bulge or weakness. We believe that DIEP free flap provides a reliable method for autologous breast reconstruction if the patients are selected appropriately and performed by a skillful surgeon.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• 제40권3호
• /
• pp.173-180
• /
• 2013

As microvascular techniques continue to improve, perforator flap free tissue transfer is now the gold standard for autologous breast reconstruction. Various options are available for breast reconstruction with autologous tissue. These include the free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap, deep inferior epigastric perforator flap, superficial inferior epigastric artery flap, superior gluteal artery perforator flap, and transverse/vertical upper gracilis flap. In addition, pedicled flaps can be very successful in the right hands and the right patient, such as the pedicled TRAM flap, latissimus dorsi flap, and thoracodorsal artery perforator. Each flap comes with its own advantages and disadvantages related to tissue properties and donor-site morbidity. Currently, the problem is how to determine the most appropriate flap for a particular patient among those potential candidates. Based on a thorough review of the literature and accumulated experiences in the author's institution, this article provides a logical approach to autologous breast reconstruction. The algorithms presented here can be helpful to customize breast reconstruction to individual patient needs.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• 제33권5호
• /
• pp.375-384
• /
• 2011

Purpose: The advent of microsurgical technique and instruments, particularly in the field of perforator flap and supermicrosurgery, which have expanded the scope of microsurgery. However, supermicroanastomosis without any compression, tension, or distortions must be achieved to reach successful outcomes. Small-caliber vessels, such as those with an internal diameter less than 0.2 mm, are susceptible to inadvertent twisting of the anastomosis. In this study, using the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA)-based flap model in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, we evaluated the acceptable limits of twisting effects on supermicroanastomotic sites. Methods: A total of 20 supermicroanastomoses were performed using the SIEA-based flap model in 10 male SD rats, 10-weeks-of-age, weighing 300~350 g. Rats were divided into five groups of two with four flaps as follows: 1) sham, 2) control group with end to end SIEA arterial supermicroanastomosis, 3) experimental I (EA1) with $90^{\circ}$ twisting, 4) experimental II (EA2) with $180^{\circ}$ twisting, and 5) experimental III (EA3) with $270^{\circ}$ twisting of the supermicroanastomosis. Each SIEA was anastomosed using six 11-0 $Ethilon^{(R)}$ (Ethicon Inc. Co., NJ, USA) stitches except in the sham group where the SIEA was only clamped with Supermicro vascular $clamps^{(R)}$ (S&T, Neuhausen, Switzerland) for 20 minutes. Results: The anastomosed arterial patency showed no remarkable changes according to doppler waveforms measured with a Smardop 45 Doppler System (Hadeco Inc., Kawasaki, Japan). The pulsatility index (PI) was increased at postoperative day 10 in the EA2 and EA3 groups, and the resistance index (RI) showed no statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative values at 10 days. Histologic specimens from the EA3 group showed increased tunica media necrosis, convolution of the internal elastic lamina, densely packed platelets, fibrin, and erythrocytes. Flap viability and anastomosed vessel patency were not significantly affected by the degree of arterial twisting in this study, other than in the EA3 group where minor effects on arterial patency of the microanastomoses were encountered. Conclusion: It appears that minor twisting on small caliber arteries, used in supermicroanastomoses, can be tolerated. However, twisting should be avoided as much as possible, and more than $180^{\circ}$ twisting must be prevented in clinical practice.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• 제19권1호
• /
• pp.56-60
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Breast reconstruction with abdominal flap has many advantages. However, it might cause abdominal complications such as bulging or hernia. SIEA (Superficial inferior epigastric artery) flap is the most advanced form of abdominal flap which has no adverse effect on abdominal fascia. We report 2 cases of breast reconstruction with SIEA flap with reference review. Methods: From Jun 2006 to Jan 2009, 110 patients underwent breast reconstruction with free abdominal flap. We tried to find the SIEA in every cases and adopted SIEP flap if the diameter was larger than 1mm and it had visible pulsation. 2 patients underwent breast reconstruction with SIEA flap. After design of abdominal flap SIEA was investigated with portable Doppler. SIEA was usually found 4-5 cm lateral to the midline. Flap was elevated with SIEA and SIEV to their maximal length at hiatus. Results: There were no complications, such as infection, hematoma, and necrosis of flap. In both cases, flaps survived completely with excellent vascularity and breast reconstruction was successful. In one case, there was skin necrosis of mastectomy flap, and it was healed by conservative management. Conclusion: With the SIEA flap, donor site morbidity can be minimized along with reduction of operation time. If there is reliable SIEA, SIEA flap would be the preferred skills. However, the limitation of the SIEA flap is difficulty in identifying the SIEA. The reason for less availability of the flap in Korea might include high prevalence of the Caesarian section scar and relatively higher level of the lower margin of the flap.