• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.376-379
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• 2020

Supraclavicular lymph node (SCLN) flap is a common donor site for vascularized lymph node transfer for the treatment of lymphedema. Chyle leakage is a rare but serious complication after harvesting SCLN flap in the neck. We report a case of chyle leakage at the SCLN donor site and its successful management. A 52-year-old woman underwent SCLN transfer for treatment of lower extremity lymphedema. After starting a regular diet and wheelchair ambulation on the 3rd postoperative day, the amount of drainage at the donor site increased (8-62 mL/day) with the color becoming milky, which suggested a chyle leak. Despite starting a low-fat diet on the 4th postoperative day, the chyle leakage persisted (70 mL/day). The patient was started on fat-free diet on the 5th postoperative day. The amount of drainage started to decrease and the drain color became more clear within 24 hours. The drainage amount remained less than 10 mL/day from the 8th postoperative day, and we removed the drain on the 12th postoperative day. There was no seroma or other wound complications at follow-up 4 weeks after the operation. The current case demonstrates that a fat-free diet can be a first-line treatment for low output chyle leakage after a SCLN flap.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.427-432
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• 2021

The conventional approach of looking down a microscope to perform microsurgical procedures is associated with occupational injuries, anti-ergonomic postures, and increased tremor and fatigue, all of which predispose microsurgeons to early retirement. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) visualization of real-time microscope magnification has been developed as an alternative. Despite its commercial availability, no supermicrosurgical procedures have been reported using this technology to date. Lymphovenous anastomoses (LVAs) often require suturing vessels with diameters of 0.2-0.8 mm, thus representing the ultimate microsurgical challenge. After performing the first documented LVA procedure using 3D-augmented visualization in our unit and gaining experience with this technique, we conducted an anonymized in-house survey among microsurgeons who had used this approach. The participants considered that 3D visualization for supermicrosurgery was equivalent in terms of handling, optical detail, depth resolution, and safety to conventional binocular magnification. This survey revealed that team communication, resident education, and ergonomics were superior using 3D digital hybrid visualization. Postoperative muscle fatigue, tremor, and pain were also reduced. The major drawbacks of the 3D visualization microscopic systems are the associated costs, required space, and difficulty of visualizing the lymphatic contrast used.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.395-403
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• 2021

Background Groin wounds occurring after vascular surgical site infection, oncologic resection, or occasionally orthopedic surgery and trauma may represent a surgical challenge. Reconstruction of these defects by the usual workhorse flaps may be contraindicated following previous surgery and in patients with lower limb lymphedema or extreme morbidity. Methods This study included 15 consecutive patients presenting with inguinal wounds after vascular or general surgery that required debridement and soft tissue coverage. All cases had absolute or relative contraindications to conventional reconstructive techniques, including a compromised deep femoral artery network, limb lymphedema, scarring of potential flap harvesting sites, or poor overall condition. Abdominal adipocutaneous excess enabled the performance of adipocutaneous advancement flaps in an abdominoplasty-like fashion. Immediate and long-term outcomes were analyzed. Results Soft tissue coverage was effective in all cases. Two patients required re-intervention due to flap-related complications (venous congestion and partial flap necrosis). All patients fully recovered over a mean±standard deviation follow-up of 2.4±1.5 years. Conclusions Abdominal flaps can be an effective and simple alternative technique for inguinal coverage with reproducible outcomes. In our experience, the main indications are a compromised deep femoral artery network and poor thigh tissue quality. Relative contraindications, such as previous open abdominal surgery, should be considered.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.35-39
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• 2016

Background: The superficial lymphatic system is divided into areas called lymphatic territories which are separated by watersheds. When the lymphatic system fails to remove its load either due to surgery, radiotherapy or some congenital malformation of it then the fluid and the proteins and wastes contained within it accumulates in that territory. Anastomotic connections exist across the watersheds and while they can work unaided manual lymph drainage (MLD) can significantly help drainage across them into unaffected lymphatic territories. The purpose of the study is to examine the effectiveness of a manual technique in moving fluids and softening hardened tissues using a tape measure and Patient-Specific Functional Scale. Methods: We examined the movement of fluids from the affected limbs of lymphedema patients who underwent a standardized 30-min treatment using the Dr. Vodder method of MLD. We chose a typical cross section of patients with secondary leg or secondary arm lymphedema. The lymphedema patient was also measured after the conclusion of treatment and underwent a follow-up control measurement, within 8 weeks. Both evaluation tools indicated a movement of fluid to different and unblocked lymphatic territories as well as a softening of tissues in some of the affected limbs. Results: MLD is an effective means of fluid clearance when it accumulates as a consequence of a failure of the lymphatic system. It seems likely that MLD has a systemic effect on the lymphatic system and that it can improve flow from otherwise normal tissues. Conclusions: It is hypothesized that a series of treatments would result in even more significant improvements.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.158-162
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• 2018

Breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) is one of the most intractable complications after surgery. Patients suffer from physical impairment, as well as psychological depression. Moreover, a recent study revealed that cellulitis significantly increased the risk of BCRL, and cellulitis has been suggested as a risk factor of BCRL development. We describe a patient treated with stellate ganglion blocks (SGBs) without steroid for relief of symptoms and reduction of the arm circumference of breast cancer-related infectious lymphedema in a month. We measured the arm circumference at four locations; 10 cm and 5 cm above and below the elbow crease, numeric rating scale (NRS) score, lymphedema and breast cancer questionnaire (LBCQ) score on every visit to the pain clinic. A serial decrease of the arm circumference and pain score were observed after second injection. In the middle of the process, cellulitis recurred, we performed successive SGBs to treat infectious lymphedema. The patient was satisfied with the relieved pain and swelling, especially with improved shoulder range of motion as it contributes to better quality of life. This case describes the effects of SGB for infectious BCRL patients. SGB could be an alternative or ancillary treatment for infectious BCRL patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.152-157
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• 2018

Background Intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography can effectively detect functioning lymph vessels in edematous limbs. However, it is sometimes difficult to clearly identify their course in later-stage edematous limbs. For this reason, many surgeons rely on experience when they decide where to make the skin incision to locate the lymphatic vessels. The purpose of this study was to elucidate lymphatic vessel flow patterns in healthy upper extremities in a Korean population and to use these findings as a reference for lymphedema treatment. Methods ICG fluorescence lymphography was performed by injecting 1 mL of ICG into the second web space of the hand. After 4 hours, fluorescence images of lymphatic vessels were obtained with a near-infrared camera, and the lymphatic vessels were marked. Three landmarks were designated: the radial styloid process, the mid-portion of the cubital fossa, and the lower border of the deltopectoral groove. A straight line connecting the points was drawn, and the distance between the connected lines and the marked lymphatic vessels was measured at 8 points. Results There were 30 healthy upper extremities (15 right and 15 left). The average course of the main lymph vessels passed $26.0{\pm}11.6mm$ dorsal to the styloid process, $5.7{\pm}40.7mm$ medial to the mid-cubital fossa, and $31.3{\pm}26.1mm$ medial to the three-quarters point of the upper landmark line. Conclusions The main functioning lymphatic vessel follows the course of the cephalic vein at the forearm level, crosses the mid-cubital point, and travels medially toward the mid-axilla.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.344-349
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• 2019

Background Lymphaticovenous anastomosis is an important surgical treatment for lymphedema, with lymphaticovenous side-to-end anastomosis (LVSEA) and lymphaticovenous end-to-end anastomosis being the most frequently performed procedures. However, LVSEA can cause lymphatic flow obstruction because of regurgitation and tension in the anastomosis. In this study, we introduce a novel and simple procedure to overcome this problem. Methods Thirty-five female patients with lower extremity lymphedema who underwent lymphaticovenous anastomosis at our hospital were included in this study. Eighty-five LVSEA procedures were performed, of which 12 resulted in insufficient venous blood flow. For these 12 anastomoses, the proximal lymphatic vessel underwent clipping after the anastomotic procedure and the venous inflow was monitored. Subsequently, the proximal ligation after side-to-end anastomosis recovery (PLASTER) technique, which involves ligating the proximal side of the lymphatic vessel, was applied. A postoperative evaluation was performed using indocyanine green 6 months after surgery. Results Despite the clipping procedure, three of the 12 anastomoses still showed poor venous inflow. Therefore, it was not possible to apply the PLASTER technique in those cases. Among the nine remaining anastomoses in which the PLASTER technique was applied, three (33%) were patent. Conclusions Our findings show that achieving patent anastomosis is challenging when postoperative venous inflow is poor. We achieved good results by performing proximal ligation after LVSEA. Thus, the PLASTER technique is a particularly useful recovery technique when LVSEA does not result in good run-off.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2021

Objective: To confirm the safety of Intra-articular (IA) injection on the ipsilateral adhesive capsulitis (AC) after breast cancer surgery. Methods: Between January 2017 and May 2020, we retrospectively studied 29 patients after breast cancer surgery who underwent IA injection in the glenohumeral joint for AC in aseptic procedure. Results: There were no side effects or complications such as lymphedema or cellulitis in the patients. There was a significant improvement in pain score and range of motion (ROM) at the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months visits compared to the baseline (p<0.05). The presence or absence of axillary lymph node dissection and radiation therapy had no significant difference in improvement of ROM. But, in rotator cuff syndrome (RCS) group, there was a significant difference in improvement of shoulder IR in patients without RCS. Conclusion: IA Injection on the ipsilateral AC after breast cancer surgery was safe and even effective to improve pain and shoulder ROM. Ipsilateral IA injection can be a good treatment for breast cancer surgery patients suffering from AC.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.87-89
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• 2017

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.333-335
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• 2021

In this report, we discuss the postoperative protocol for patients undergoing lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) in our unit. Immediately after LVA, the incision site is closed over a small Penrose drain and a simple gauze dressing is applied without compression. In the first 5 days, ambulation is allowed, but limb elevation is actively encouraged to promote lymphatic flow across the newly formed anastomosis. Prophylactic antibiotics are routinely given to prevent infection because this patient group is susceptible to infections, which could trigger thrombosis in the anastomosis.