• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Purpose: This retrospective study was to determine the functional results of patients who were amputated of their fingertip between patients who were treated with replantation and patients who were treated with thenar flap. Materials and Methods: From 2004 to 2007, we identified and operated 159 patients who were diagnosed with fingertip amputations. Of 159 patients, Eighty-two patients were treated by replantation (67 in men and 14 in women) and the mean age at the operation was 41 years (range, 15-68 years). Seventy-nine patients was treated with thenar flap(54 in men and 25 in women) and the mean age at the operation was 43 years(range, 21-70 years). We compared variables between two groups including, age, gender, diagnosis, duration of hospital admission, grip strength, two-point discrimination, Semmes Weinstein monofilament test, active range of motion (ROM) of the proximal and distal interphalangeal (PIP and DIP) joint, pain (or tenderness), paresthesia, cold intolerance, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, and finger for activities of daily living (ADLs). Results: The duration of admission was longer in Replantation group than in Thenar flap group(p=0.001). However, the grip strength (p=0.003) and Semmes Weinstein monofilament test (p=0.029) in the Replanation group were statistically superior to the Thenar flap group. The average DASH disability (p=0.003)/symptom score (p=0.007) and ADLs (p<0.001) in the Replantation group was statistically better. In addition, cold intoleranace test of Thenar flap group is worse than the Replantation group. Conclusion: This study demonstrate that fingertip replantation have demonstrated not only to obtain the best appearance but also to gain better functional outcome. However, it is impossible to perform replatation, the thenar flap can be limited alternative method for fingertip amputation in aspect of preservation of range of motion and hospitalization time.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.139-142
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• 2012

Purpose: To reconstruct the midface, local flaps such as nasolabial flaps have been frequently used. These local flaps, however, have the shortcomings of requiring a secondary operation or limitations in the movement of the flap. Thus, new methods have been developed. This paper reports a case wherein the basal cell carcinoma on the cheek was resected and the skin and soft tissue defect was successfully treated using a facial artery perforator flap. Methods: A 68-year-old female consulted the authors on the basal cell carcinoma that developed on her cheek. The mass was fully resected and revealed a $2.3{\times}2.3cm$ defective region. Using a Doppler ultrasonography, the facial artery path was traced, and using a loupe magnification, the facial artery perforator flap was elevated and the defective region was covered with the flap. Results: The flap developed early venous congestion, but it disappeared without any treatment. Six months after the surgery, the patient was satisfied with the postoperative result. Conclusion: The facial artery perforator flap has a thin pedicle. It offers a big arc of the rotation that allows free movement and one-stage operation. These strengths make the method useful for the reconstruction of the midface among other procedures.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.345-351
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• 2012

Background Cranial base defects are challenging to reconstruct without serious complications. Although free tissue transfer has been used widely and efficiently, it still has the limitation of requiring a long operation time along with the burden of microanastomosis and donor site morbidity. We propose using a reverse temporalis muscle flap and calvarial bone graft as an alternative option to a free flap for anterior cranial base reconstruction. Methods Between April 2009 and February 2012, cranial base reconstructions using an autologous calvarial split bone graft combined with a reverse temporalis muscle flap were performed in five patients. Medical records were retrospectively analyzed and postoperative computed tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging, and angiography findings were examined to evaluate graft survival and flap viability. Results The mean follow-up period was 11.8 months and the mean operation time for reconstruction was $8.4{\pm}3.36$ hours. The defects involved the anterior cranial base, including the orbital roof and the frontal and ethmoidal sinus. All reconstructions were successful. Viable flap vascularity and bone survival were observed. There were no serious complications except for acceptable donor site depressions, which were easily corrected with minor procedures. Conclusions The reverse temporalis muscle flap could provide sufficient bulkiness to fill dead space and sufficient vascularity to endure infection. The calvarial bone graft provides a rigid framework, which is critical for maintaining the cranial base structure. Combined anterior cranial base reconstruction with a reverse temporalis muscle flap and calvarial bone graft could be a viable alternative to free tissue transfer.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.803-810
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• 2022

Objective: To investigate the clinical application of differential subsampling with Cartesian ordering (DISCO) contrast-enhanced (CE) magnetic resonance angiography for anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap transplantation, using operative findings as a reference. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients (21 males and nine females; mean age ± standard deviation, 45.5 ± 15.6 years) who were scheduled to undergo reconstruction with ALT flaps between June 2020 and June 2021 were included in the prospective study. Before ALT flap transplantation, patients were scanned using CE-DISCO imaging. All acquired DISCO images of the 60 lower limbs (both sides from each patient) were analyzed using maximum intensity projection and volume rendering methods. Two experienced radiologists were employed to examine the patterns of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA), its branches, and perforators and their skin termini, which were compared with the operative findings. Results: Using CE-DISCO, the patterns of the LCFA and its branches were clearly identified in all patients. Four different origins of the LCFA were found among the 60 blood vessels: type I (44/60, 73.3%), type II (6/60, 10.0%), type III (8/60, 13.3%), and type IV (2/60, 3.3%). Owing to a lack of perforators entering the skin, two patients did not undergo ALT flap transplantation. For the remaining 28 patients, the ALT flaps in 26 patients were successfully operated without flap reselection during the operation, while the remaining two patients underwent other surgical procedures due to the thin diameter of the perforator or injury of the perforator during the operation. The success rate of flap transplantation was 92.8% (26/28). All transplanted flaps exhibited good blood supply and achieved primary healing without infection or delayed healing. Conclusion: CE-DISCO imaging can be an effective method for preoperative perforator imaging before ALT flap transplantation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.435-443
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• 2020

Background The innervated radial artery superficial palmar branch (iRASP) flap was designed to provide consistent innervation by the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve (PCMN) to a glabrous skin flap. The iRASP flap is used to achieve coverage of diverse volar defects of digits. However, unexpected anatomical variations can affect flap survival and outcomes. Methods Cases in which patients received iRASP flaps since April 1, 2014 were retrospectively investigated by reviewing the operation notes and intraoperative photographs. The injury type, flap dimensions, arterial and neural anatomy, secondary procedures, and complications were evaluated. Results Twenty-eight cases were reviewed, and no flap failures were observed. The observed anatomical variations were the absence of a direct skin perforator, large-diameter radial artery superficial palmar branch (RASP), and the PCMN not being a single branch. Debulking procedures were performed in 16 cases (57.1%) due to flap bulkiness. Conclusions In some cases, an excessively large RASP artery was observed, even when there was no direct skin perforator from the RASP or variation in the PCMN. These findings should facilitate application of the iRASP flap, as well as any surgical procedures that involve potential damage to the PCMN in the inter-thenar crease region. Additional clinical cases will provide further clarification regarding potential anatomical variations.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.56-60
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• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.9 no.5 s.36
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• pp.550-554
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• 2006

In the early stage of operation of KTX, passengers complained of the excessive cabin noise as the passes the tunnel. The noise is caused partly by wheel-rail contact and partly by airflow around the carbody. In this study, to reduce the cabin noise, the effect of the mud-flaps located between the cars is investigated. A series of tests was conducted to clarify the influences of the type and length of mud-flap, and train speed on the cabin noise. The optimum length of mud-flap was found. The shedding vortices around the mud-flap is thought to be the cause of the aerodynamic noise. Strouhal number and the resonant shedding frequency around the mud-flap correlated well with the cabin noise level.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.100-104
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• 2005

A soft tissue defect of the lower leg or foot presents a challenging problem. Reconstructive surgeon should be armed at all points of wound site, tendon and bone exposure, injury of major vessel and so on in the lower limb. We reconstructed the defects of lower legs and feet of 25 patients between February, 1997 and December, 2003. Applying reversed adipofascial flap with skin graft on a soft tissue defect of the lower leg or foot is challenging. We did a comparative study of 25 reversed adipofascial flaps with 51 free flaps. All 25 cases of reverse adpofascial flap reconstruction were successful except for a partial loss of skin graft in 3 occasions. The reversed adipofascial flap had a merit of a short operation time and hositalization, a high success rate and minimum complications. Besides major vessels in the lower leg are better preserved and donor morbidity is minimal. However, the flap is unmerited in reconstructing a hug hallowed defect and in the leg with poor blood circulation and once previous surgery. The operators may consider the feasible substitution of reversed adipofascial flap for free flap before applying in the lower leg.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.209-213
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• 1995

Various cutaneous as well as myocutaneous flaps have been designed for the reconstruction of tissue defects caused by the excision of oral cancer. Among these flaps, cervical island skin flap have been introduced by Farr et al and more have developed by Tashiro et al. This flap has many advantages. The flap minimizes donor size by use of cervical operation wound, flap size available is adequate for most oral defects and the procedure is relatively simple and time saving. However, this flap is not applicable in patients where there are large tissue defects and metastasis is suspected. We used this flap for it's rapid, simple, and effective, primary closure of oral defects after cancer ablation and we have found this flap very useful for the reconstruction of relatively small oral defects.

• Journal of the Korean Burn Society
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.64-67
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• 2021

Free flap surgery is commonly used for extensive facial burn. However, free flap surgery requires long operation time and difficult technique. Also, it requires further procedure to prepare the recipient vessels. Hence, applying pedicle flap surgery instead of free flap surgery is effective for patients with facial burn. Among a wide range of pedicle flaps, we performed lower trapezius myocutaneous pedicle flap to patients with third degree facial burn and got satisfactory results without complications. Lower trapezius myocutaneous pedicle flap has a wide arc of rotation so that it can cover middle and lower part of the face. Furthermore, it is thinner than other myocutaneous pedicle flap that can be used for facial reconstruction. Due to these advantages, lower trapezius myocutaneous pedicle can be an attractive option for the reconstruction of facial burn.