• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.314-318
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• 2018

Perforator flaps become a reliable option for coverage of various defects and the interest is change from survival of perforator flaps to make thin flaps for better aesthetic and functional outcomes. Multiple flap thinning methods have been demonstrated but it has not been widely attempted because of concerns about compromising circulation of flap thinning. This article will demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of flap thinning technique: defatting after conventional flap elevation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.767-772
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• 2009

Purpose: Among reasons for reoperations in augmentation mammoplasty, palpable implant, due to thin skin is relatively common, but not easy to correct, especially if thin skin area is wide. The capsule around the implant is a physiologic response to foreign body, naturally formed, and suitable for use as a flap because of its high vascularity. Authors report that capsular flap is very effective and successful method for correction of implant palpability in secondary breast augmentation. Methods: From September 2007 to September 2008, the capular flaps were performed on 5 patients having palpable and wrinkling breast implants due to very thin skin among the cases on whom secondary augmentation mammaplasty had been performed. After the capsular flap was elevated according to thin skin area, the capsular flap was turned down or over to cover the thin skin area and made the thin skin area thick. Results: Post - implant palpable breast wrinkling had been successfully corrected by capsular flaps and breast implants were not palpable any more during the follow - up period(average 9.2 months). All patients who suffered from deformed breast were satisfied. Conclusion: Authors suggest that the capsular flap is a ideal, effective and useful method in management of implant palpability.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.304-313
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• 2018

Elevating thin flaps has long been a goal of reconstructive surgeons. Thin flaps have numerous advantages in reconstruction. In this study, we present a surgical method for elevating a thin flap and demonstrate the safety of the procedure. A retrospective review was performed of the electronic medical records of patients who underwent thin flap elevation for lower extremity reconstruction from April 2016 to September 2016 at the Department of Plastic Surgery of Asan Medical Center. All flaps included in this study were elevated above the superficial fascia. A total of 15 superficial circumflex iliac artery free flaps and 13 anterolateral thigh free flaps were enrolled in the study. The total complication rate was 17.56% (n=5), with total loss of the flap in one patient (3.57%) and partial necrosis of the flap in four patients (14.28%). No wound dehiscence or graft loss at the donor wound took place. Elevation above the superficial fascia is not inferior in terms of flap necrosis risk and is superior for reducing donor site morbidity. In addition to its safety, it yields good aesthetic results.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.57-59
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• 2011

Tongue reconstruction after oncologic resection with free flap is important to conserve function and shape. Vertical rectus myocutaneous free flap is usually used for total tongue reconstruction, but our patient was thin and primary closure after flap elevation seemed hard. So we used anterolateral thigh free flap to reduce donor site morbidity and to maintain bulk of the tongue as much as possible. Deepithelization of both middle side of flap and folding was done to mimic normal tongue base's shape and volume. Flap survived without complication and patient underwent concurrent chemoradiation therapy three weeks after surgery. Anterolateral thigh free flap can be good candidate for total tongue reconstruction especially in thin patient.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.435-440
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• 2005

The reconstruction of deep soft tissue defects of lower extremities combined with bone exposure has been difficult problems. When it is impossible to raise local skin flap, we have been usually used the gastrocnemius musculocutaneous flap, cross leg flap or free flaps. However, In musculocutaneous flap, aesthetical appearance of the calf is not appropriate because of too bulky flap. Although the success rate of the free flap has improved, still failure of flap occurs in cases of the chronic ischemic state. As the concepts of perforator flap has recently developed and widely used due to its thin flap thickness. Between January 2002 to December 2004, we treated 7 patients with soft tissue defect in leg with chronic ischemic limbs with perforator island flap. Preoperative angiography were done in all case and we used 2 medial sural perforator flaps, 1 anterior tibial artery perforator flap, 1 posterior tibial artery perforator flap, 3 anterolateral thigh perforator flap. Partial necrosis of flap was seen in one patient but no further surgical procedure was required for wound healed spontaneously. Perforator island flaps are thin, reduce donor site morbidity, conceal donor site with primary closure and it is useful for resurfacing soft tissue defect of lower extremities.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.453-456
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• 2022

When the scrotal sac is entirely debrided following a Fournier gangrene, testes exposure poses unique challenges for the reconstructive surgeon. Despite the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is considered a workhorse in such context, aesthetic results are often suboptimal because of the lack of natural ptosis and patchwork appearance. We describe the use of a super-thin pedicled ALT flap for total scrotal reconstruction, modified according to a peculiar flap design and inset technique. A 42-year-old man was referred to our department for delayed total scrotal reconstruction 8 months after a Fournier gangrene extensive debridement. A super-thin pedicled ALT flap from the right thigh was designed: in the central portion of the ALT, a lateral skin paddle extension was marked to guarantee adequate posterior anchorage during insetting and ptosis of the scrotal sac. This particular flap arrangement has inspired the name "sombrero" as the shape is akin to the famous hat. No secondary refinements were needed, and the patient showed satisfying aesthetic and functional results at 12 months' follow-up. The ALT flap design "sombrero" modification proposed in this article can improve scrotum cosmesis and patient satisfaction in a single-stage single-flap procedure.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.599-603
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• 2016

When traditional flap techniques are not feasible, we apply flap prefabrication, which is more complicated and sophisticated but supplies large and thin flaps. There are some disadvantages to the technique that require improvement, such as venous congestion after flap transfer, which requires months for neoangiogenesis and necessitates a vascular carrier. Here, the author presents a new technique, called as 'microdissected prefabricated flap,' to successfully produce a safe, large, and thin flap. This technique is based on the microdissection of the perforators to the greatest extent possible, spreading them out into the subdermal level and using them as a carrier. The details and the application of this technique are presented and reported.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.586-592
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• 2023

Background One-stage reconstruction with "thin perforator flaps" has been attempted to salvage limbs and restore function. The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is a commonly utilized flap in breast reconstruction (BR). The purpose of this study is to present the versatility of DIEP flaps for the reconstruction of large defects of the extremities. Methods Patients with large tissue defects on extremities who were treated with thin DIEP flaps from January 2016 to January 2018 were included. They were minimally followed up for 36 months. We analyzed the etiology and location of the soft tissue defect, flap design, anastomosis type, outcome, and complications. We also considered the technical differences in the DIEP flap between breast and extremity reconstruction. Results Overall, six free DIEP flaps were included in the study. The flap size ranged from 15 × 12 to 30 × 16 cm². All flaps were transversely designed similar to a traditional BR design. Three flaps were elevated with two perforators. Primary closure of the donor site was possible in all cases. Five flaps survived with no complications. However, partial necrosis occurred in one flap. Conclusion A DIEP flap is not the first choice for soft tissue defects, but it should be considered for one-stage reconstruction of large defects when the circulation zone of the DIEP flap is considered. In addition, this flap has many advantages over other flaps such as provision of the largest skin paddle, low donor site morbidity with a concealed scar, versatile supercharging technique, and a long pedicle.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.162-166
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• 2002

The anterolateral thigh free flap was first reported by Song et al. in 1984 as a fasciocutaneous flap based on septocutaneous or musculocutaneous perforators of the lateral femoral circumflex vessel. It only becomes popular recently through confirmation of additional anatomy. For reconstruction of Achilles area defect, a thin flap is required to improve aesthetic and functional results. The anterolateral thigh free flap is relatively thin and can provide large skin area. It can be a useful option for reconstruction of Achilles area defect based on these characters. Since March 2002, we have successfully transferred 4 anterolateral thigh free flaps to reconstruct Achilles area defects and have attained good range of motion in this region. The anterolateral thigh free flap has many advantages and can be used for the reconstruction of Achilles tendon area defect.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.253-258
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• 2018

Background The nasolabial flap is ideal for reconstruction of the nasal alar subunit due to its proximity, color and contour match, and well-placed donor scar. When raised as a random-pattern flap, there is a risk of vascular compromise to the tip with increased flap length and aggressive flap thinning. Surgical delay can greatly improve the chances of tip survival, allowing the harvest of longer flaps with greater reach. Methods We describe our technique of lengthening the nasolabial flap through multiple delay procedures. A bipedicled flap was first raised and then transferred as a unipedicled flap with a 6:1 length-to-width ratio. During the delay process, the flap tip was thinned to the subdermal layer. Results In our case series of seven patients, defects as far as the medial canthal area and contralateral ala were reconstructed successfully with no incidence of tip necrosis or flap loss. The resultant flaps were thin enough to be folded over for the reconstruction of alar rim defects. Conclusions We highlight the success of our surgical technique in creating thin and robust nasolabial flaps for the reconstruction of full-thickness defects around the nose.