• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.771-776
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• 2007

Purpose: Complete release of the transverse carpal ligament (TCL) is accepted as the standard treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). However, loss of grip and pinch power are reported in some patients after complete release of the TCL. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of complete versus partial carpal tunnel release by using the inching technique. Methods: Nineteen patients (a total of 27 hands) who each had a confirmed diagnosis of CTS were selected from September 2002 to February 2003. The cases were divided into three groups(mild, moderate and severe) based on preoperative electrodiagnostic studies. The patients with partial carpal tunnel syndrome were classified into the mild or moderate groups, while patients with complete carpal tunnel syndrome were classified into the moderate or severe groups. Patient oriented data (functional and symptomatic) were collected and electrophysiologic studies were undertaken preoperatively and postoperatively(on the 2nd week, 1st month, 3rd month and 6th month after surgery).Results: In this study, the mild and moderate groups showed both good functional and symptomatic results and improvements in electrophysiologic studies.Conclusion: Carpal tunnel syndrome patients classified into mild or moderate groups based on nerve conduction studies, and whose precise compression sites were pinpointed using the inching technique, can be treated by partial carpal tunnel release.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.105-109
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• 2008

Temporomandibular joint(TMJ) and dental occlusion are important in functional aspect as well as in cosmetic aspect for craniofacial surgery such as orthognathic and traumatic surgery. During these operations, appropriate maxillomandibular fixation(MMF) is especially necessary to conserve or reconstruct, dynamic TMJ and functional occlusion. Arch bar is one of the most popular method to gain proper MMF. Seventeen patients including 5 patients with mandibular fracture, 12 patients with orthognathic surgery(6 patients had relatively normal occlusion, however 6 patients had facial anomalies such as hemifacial microsomia with irregular occlusal plane.) were joined in this study. Arch bar was contoured on the dental cast, which was prepared for model surgery, prior to apply it on the facial anomaly patient. On using pre-contoured arch bar, patients felt better during the procedure and surgeons saved time. Moreover, well-contoured arch bar promises precise transmission of force on the bone, which implies surgeons do not need to worry about the occlusion while fixing bony structures. Authors suggest how to apply arch bar to satisfy basic theories about dental row and occlusion based on the experience. In addition, it is proposed to contour arch bar on the dental impression prior to apply it on the patient who has irregular and complex occlusal plane.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.113-116
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• 2011

Purpose: Many fingertip injuries are associated with nail injury and it is hard to repair to original shape due to its unique characteristic. Mucosal graft is used for a defect of the nail bed injury. Hereby, we introduce a DAP flap and buccal mucosal graft, with which we could reduce the defect size of the injured fingertip and donor site morbidity at the same time, without any need for harvesting additional skin from other part of hand. Also, mucosal graft makes good cosmetic and functional outcome of nail. Methods: This method was performed in a 56-year-old man with fingertip injury on dorsal side of left thumb due to electrical saw. First, DAP flap was performed on the injured finger to reduce the size of the defect of fingertip and cover the bone exposure. Second, nail bed part of the DAP flap was de-epithelized and buccal mucosal graft was done from left side of intraoral cavity wall. Results: Flap and graft survived without any necrosis but some nail bed could not be covered with flap due to insufficient flap size. All wounds healed well and did not present any severe adversary symptoms. Conclusion: DAP flap with mucosal graft is an effective method that we can easily apply in reconstruction of fingertip injury. We suggest that the combination of the two procedures makes good functional and cosmetic outcome compared to the usual manner, especially in cases of nail bed injury without distal phalanx bone defect.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.87-95
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• 1997

Traumatic injury to the hand often leads to soft tissue defects with exposed tendons, bones, or joints. Though many new flap have been introduced, the choice of flap that would be best for the patient depends on such factors as the site, size, and degree of wounds. Additionally the selected surgical method should be yielded cosmetic and functional superiority by the one-staged reconstruction. In our experience, small to medium sized soft tissue defect with bone and tendon exposure of hand can be resurfaced with an arterialized venous free flap from the volar aspect of distal forearm. Wide and deep defects of the hand can be covered with a sensory cutaneous free flap such as the medial plantar free flap, dorsalis pedis free flap, and radial forearm free flap. Specialized flap such as wrap-around flap, toe-to-finger transfer, onychocutaneous free flap can be used for the recontruction of defect on the thumb and finger. Based on the above considerations and our clinical experience of 60 free flap cases of the hand, the various methods for the proper repair of soft tissue defects of the hand are described. And we obtained satisfactory functional and cosmetic results with 95% success rate of free flap.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.181-186
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• 2006

Myocutaneous flaps have improved the management of soft tissue defects on buttocks and lower extremity. However, there are several inherent disadvantages of muscle flaps such as functional deficits of the donor sites and the bulkiness at the recipient site. To overcome these disadvantages, we have used perforator-based fasciocutaneous rotation flaps for reconstruction of the buttock and lower extremity defects. From March 2003 to February 2005, we have treated 14 patients using perforator-based fasciocutaneous rotation flaps. 10 flaps were based on perforators of the gluteus maximus muscle, and 4 flaps were nourished by perforators from the tibialis anterior and posterior system. The mean postoperative follow-up period was about 1 year. The technique involves localization of the flap perforators preoperatively with a Doppler. The flaps were elevated superficial to the fascia with preservation of one to three perforators. The donor site is then closed primarily. All flaps completely survived and there was no perioperative complications. There was no functional disability of the donor area with esthetically pleasing results. Perforator-based fasciocutaneous rotation flaps for the reconstruction of buttock and lower extremity defects are excellent alternatives to musculocutaeous flaps. The vascularity of the flaps is robust and dissection is technically easy. Perforator flaps do not require sacrificing muscles, but provide sufficient volume and are durable Furthermore, these flaps result in less scar formation and allow more liberal dissection with safety. We conclude that perforator-based fasciocutaneous rotation flaps are very useful for reconstruction of the buttock and lower extremity.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.202-208
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• 1991

Hand injury in children was increased due to multiple environmental risks and failed attention of parents to children in rapidly developing society. By the results of this evaluation in 37 cases, it was summarized as follows. First, hand injuries in children most commonly occurs in spring, and occurs more commonly in the children at the age of high activity. The most common level of injury is zone I by microreplantation zone, and zone II by tendon injury zone. The more desirable results were obtained by full thickness skin graft and composite graft if it were possible. For the better functional results compare to adults, the methods and procedures must be constructed after more evaluation with more clinical cases. In the cases of pediatric hand injury, the most important fact is prevention of injury, with the close attention by parents, and the second is appropriate diganosis and treatment for more functional results.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.109-112
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• 2009

Purpose: Squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) of the lower lip is the most common malignant tumor comprising 90% of all lip SCC. The typical picture of SCC of the lower lip is of an ulcerated lesion with raised margins. Surgery is the treatment of choice for SCC of lower lip. Depending on the location and size of the tumor, different types of flaps are used. We used new method - 'both buccal mucosa transposition flap' for the reconstruction of the near total mucosal defect of the lower lip. Methods: This 67 - year - old men presented with the crusted $1cm{\times}1cm$ sized ulceration of the lower lip that was arised 30 years ago. There were no size and color change, except the bleeding and ulceration. At first, We diagnosed the SCC through the incisinal biopsy. Then We performed the wide excision of the tumor and reconstruction of the lower lip. After the excision of the whole tumor, the defect was measured at $8cm{\times}3.5cm$. We designed the buccal mucosa transposition flap taking care to avoid the parotid duct. The flap was made in a triangular shape for the reconstruction of defected lower lip. The donor site defect can be sutured primarily. Results: A patient in this study had no postoperative complications such as necrosis, dehiscence, infection of the flap or donor site. Reconstructed lower lip is relatively close to that of the natural lip; More satisfactory aesthetic and functional results can be obtained by using this technique rather than other techniques. Conclusion: 'Both buccal mucosa transposition flap' is reliable method for the reconstruction of the large lower lip mucosal defect. The operation is simple and performed in one stage, with no postoperative complications. This technique can offer consistently good functional and esthetic outcomes after reconstruction of lower lip mucosal defect.

• Archives of Hand and Microsurgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.306-312
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• 2018

The temporal branch of the facial nerve is particularly vulnerable to traumatic injuries due to its anatomic location, which often causes severe aesthetic and functional loss in the patient. Moreover, a chronic injury with nerve defect is more difficult to treat compared to acute injury, because it usually needs an additional procedure such as a nerve graft surgical procedure. This case shows a male patient who had a divided temporal branch of the facial nerve one month after an injury. We successfully grafted the split sural nerve and showed a good aesthetic, functional recovery for the patient.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.691-698
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• 2021

Background The reverse sural artery (RSA) flap is widely used for lower extremity reconstruction. However, patients sometimes suffer from donor site complications such as scar contracture and paresthesia, resulting in dissatisfaction with the aesthetic outcomes. This study investigated the characteristics of donor site morbidity associated with RSA flaps and described our experiences of dealing with complications by performing resurfacing surgery using thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flaps. Methods From April 2008 to August 2018, a total of 11 patients underwent contracture release and resurfacing surgery using TDAP flaps due to donor morbidity associated with RSA flaps. All affected donor sites were covered with a skin graft, the most common of which was a meshed split-thickness skin graft (six cases). Results Eight of the 11 patients (72.7%) suffered from pain and discomfort due to scar contracture, and seven (63.6%) complained of a depression scar. The donor sites were located 6.3±4.1 cm below the knee joint, and their average size was 140.1 cm². After resurfacing using TDAP flaps, significant improvements were found in the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) scores and the active and passive ranges of motion (AROM and PROM) of the knee joint. The LEFS scores increased from 45.1 to 56.7 postoperatively (P=0.003), AROM increased from 108.2° to 118.6° (P=0.003), and PROM from 121.4° to 126.4° (P=0.021). Conclusions Planning of RSA flaps should take into account donor site morbidity. If complications occur at the donor site, resurfacing surgery using TDAP flaps achieves aesthetic and functional improvements.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.127-131
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• 2020

A 60-year-old woman with a history of diabetes mellitus and chronic renal failure was admitted to the hospital with severe pain in the upper lip, which began 4 days prior to admission, accompanied by a bullous lesion and suspected cellulitis in the upper lip. Immediately after admission, as the patient's general condition worsened, tests revealed a non-ST elevated myocardial infarction, septic embolism of the lung, as well as septic shock. Her upper lip suddenly presented a gangrenous and necrotic change, which the tissue and blood culture confirmed to be a Klebsiella pneumoniae infection. After a quick response, the patient's general condition improved. Subsequently, serial debridement was performed to effectively clear away the purulent discharge. While under general anesthesia, the process confirmed full-layer necrosis of the upper lip including the orbicularis oris muscle. Almost half of the entire upper lip sustained a full-layer skin and soft tissue defect, with scar contracture. Six months later, to correct the drooling and lip sealing following the defects, a scar release and an Abbe flap coverage were performed considering both functional and aesthetic aspects. The follow-up revealed a favorable corrective result of the upper lip drooling, and the patient was satisfied from a functional perspective.