• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.14-17
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• 2005

Purpose: Authors have performed free tissue transplantation in the upper and lower extremities with sensory flaps and evaluated the sensory function recovery. Materials and methods: Between 1992 through 2004, sensory free flap articles published in the journal of the Korean microsurgical society, were reviewed and recovery of sensory function was assessed by static two-point discrimination test. Results: Static two point discrimination test showed average 6.7 mm in the thumb, average 12 mm in the hand and 7 cm of the dorsalis pedis flap, 20.5 mm of the lateral arm flap and over 8 cm of the forearm flap in the foot. Conclusion: Sensory flaps provide the protective and useful coverage in the upper and lower extremities and have benefit for activities for daily life in free tissue transferred patients.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.114-121
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• 1998

The purpose of this study is to investigate the appropriate management of severe radionecrotic wounds of the anterior chest wall associated with infection of the soft tissues and ribs and exposure of vital structures(heart and lung), and present our strategies for reconstruction of these complicated patients. 9 patients have undergone radical debridement and immediate microsurgical reconstruction for severe radionecrotic wounds of the anterior chest wall over last 7 years. All patients had extensive osteomyelitis of the ribs or sternum, and chronic infection or cutaneous fistulae. 2 patients had pericardial effusions due to longstanding inflammation, and 6 patients had pleural effusions. 2 patients had ipsilateral lung collapse. 10 free flaps were performed for coverage of the huge defects. One patient required 2 free flaps to control the inflammation. 8 free TRAM flaps were used for coverage of the defects and in addition, the rectus abdominis muscle was packed into any deep cavity. 1 patients underwent latissimus dorsi muscle free flap because of previous abdominal surgery. After extensive debridement of the infected, radionecrotic wounds, all 10 free flaps were successful. All the extensive radionecrotic defects of the anterior chest wall were completely healed. Free flaps successfully covered the exposed vital structures of the heart and lungs. Patients with severe radionecrotic defects of the anterior chest wall after ablative breast cancer surgery and radiotherapy were successfully treated by radical debridement and immediate free flap surgery. The TRAM flap together with the rectus muscle is the treatment of choice for these huge defects. The latissimus dorsi muscle flap was the second choice in patients with previous abdominal surgery. The recipient vessel should be carefully selected because of possible radiation damage and inflammation.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.42
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• pp.29.1-29.7
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• 2020

Background: Microvascular reconstruction is the treatment of choice after oral cancer ablation surgery. There are few published studies of free flap survival among Korean populations. This study aimed to determine the survival rate after 121 consecutive cases of maxillofacial microvascular reconstruction and to analyze the complications associated with microsurgery. Methods: This study included consecutive patients who underwent microsurgical reconstruction with free flaps, from January 2006 through September 2019, performed by a single surgeon at the oral and maxillofacial surgery department of a tertiary medical center. A total of 121 cases were reviewed retrospectively. The flap survival rate, flap type, radiotherapy history, complications, and treatment results were analyzed. Results: Four different flap types were used for microvascular reconstruction: radial forearm (n = 65), fibula (n = 34), latissimus dorsi (n = 21), and serratus anterior muscle with rib bone free flap (n = 1). Total necrosis of the flap was found in four cases (two latissimus dorsi flaps and two fibular flaps). The free flap survival rate was 97.5%. Nineteen patients received radiotherapy before surgery, and none of them experienced flap failure. The mean operation time was 334 ± 83.1 min, and the mean ischemic time was 48.9 ± 12.7 min. Conclusions: The success rate was reliable and comparable with previous studies. The success rate was not affected by radiation therapy. Free flaps can be safely used even after radiation treatment.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.269-278
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• 1996

To overcome the limitations of conventional microsurgical tissue transfer, experimental creation of various neo-flaps using the vessel implantation technique has been reported. We have performed some experiments of fabrication of neo-osseous flap with local vessels and iliac bone slabs to know that the flap vascularity and neo-angiogenesis are achieved enough to microtransfer. As a next step of our previous experiments, the flap viability and the histologic change between the recipient bone and neo-oseous flap was assessed after microsurgical transplantation. The flap was created on the rabbit femoral region(n=25) using femoral vessel and the iliac bone segments($2.5{\times}1.5cm$ in size). Three weeks after neovascularization, the newly formed flap was harvested and microtransferred to the mandibular defect. As a control, contralateral mandibular defect was created and reconstructed with conventional free iliac bone graft. Scintigrams of experimental group performed 3 days after microtransfer showed hot uptake, while that of control poor uptake. Histologic and vital stain labeling study revealed good bone viability and vascularity of neo-osseous flap. In conclusion, prefabricated neo-osseous flap of our model could be transferred to the recipient site with retaining the flap viability and showed advantages over the conventional bone graft in that it was living bone graft.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.289-293
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• 2006

By means of microsurgical free-tissue transfer providing a large amount of required tissue, the surgeon can resect tumoral tissue more safely, which allows tumor-free margins and enhances the reliability of the ablative surgery that otherwise could not be performed radically. The morbidity of elective free-tissue transfer seems to be quite low, carrying acceptable risks for most patients. But the elderly patients are at risk for cardiac and respiratory problems, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary emboli and infection merely as a function of age. This study was undertaken to define further risks of the elderly population with regards to free-tissue transfer. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with 110 microsurgical free-tissue transfers for head and neck reconstruction in patients greater than 60 years of age. Microsurgical procedures in all cases were preformed by the plastic and reconstructive department at Yonsei medical center. The investigated parameters were patient demographics, past medical history, American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA) status, site and cause of defect, the free tissue transferred and postoperative complication including free-flap success or failure. There were 46 patients in the age group from 60 to 64 years, 34 patients from 65 to 70 years, and 30 patients 70 years or older. There happened 3 flap losses, resulting in a flap viability rate of 97%. Patients with a higher ASA designation experienced more medical complication(p=0.05, 0.01, 0.03 in each age group I, II, III) but not surgical complication p=0.17, 0.11, 0.54 in each age group I, II, III). And the relationship between postoperative complication and age groups was not significant. These observations suggest that major determinant for postoperative medical complication be the patient's American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and chronologic age alone should not be an exclusion criterion when selecting patients for free-tissue transfer

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.144-151
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• 2005

Purpose: Disaster as traffic accident, industrial disaster, high voltage electrical bum and flame burn of extremity have a destructive effect because of the involvement of deep structure. Generally, such injury may result in decreased function or loss of limb. In this study the successful use of the combined scapular/parascapular flap as microsurgical transfer to cover extensive defect of electrical and flame bum is reported. Material and Method: Between January 2000 and June 2001, the combined scapular and parascapular flap was used for the coverage of soft tissue defect for 7 patients were admitted to our department with high voltage electrical bum and flame burn. The recipient site were the wrist joint in 2 cases, the forearm in 1 case, the ankle joint in 1 case, the foot dorsum in 1 case, the heel in 1 case. Result: Flap survival was complete in all patients. The result of flap coverage for these deep wound was successful. Conclusion: The advantages of scapular/parascapular combined flap were coverage of the large defect, easy shaping of the flap to fit the required three dimensional configuration around the joint, non hair bearing skin of uniform thickness, minimal donor site morbidity.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2001

Free flap transplantation demands meticulous microsurgical technique to cover the exposed vital structures which is important to restore and maintain functions of the extremities. From July 1992 through December 2000, 99 patients were received reconstructive microsurgery in the upper and lower extremity at Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chonbuk National University Hospital. The most common cause in the upper extremity was industrial accident, 8 cases of total 15 cases and in the lower extremity was traffic accident, 66 cases of total 84 cases. The most commonly involved site was thumb and finger, 8 cases of total 15 cases and in the lower extremity was leg, 65 cases of total 84 cases. In upper extremity, the wrap around free flap was carried out in 4 cases(4.0%), first dorsal metatarsal artery flap and lateral arm flap were 3 cases(3.0%) each in 15 cases and in lower extremity, latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap were 23 cases(23.2%), gracilis 20cases(20.2%), and rectus abdominis muscle flap 18(18.2%) in 84 cases. Overall 89 cases(89.9%) of 99 cases were survived and maintained and revealed good cosmetic results.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.172-178
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• 2000

With esthetic concern in the reconstruction of skin and soft tissue defects of face, the use of local flap has been the method of choice. However, when there is extensive tissue loss in the face, local flaps do not provide satisfactory results. The amazing development of microsurgical technique has decreased the percentage of free flap failure, thus making free flap use in reconstruction of facial soft tissue defects. Many free flaps has been applied for reconstruction of face defects. Especially, the radial forearm flap has numerous advantages with which facial reconstruction is made possible. But, its disadvantages are ; the sacrifice of one major artery supplying the hand and donor site complications. In order to circumvent these disadvantages, we employed posterior interosseous artery(PIA) forearm free flap for the reconstruction of the face defects. The posterior interosseous forearm island flap was first described by Zancolli and Angrigiani(1985). Currently, the PIA island flap and free flap have been used for hand reconstructions. The disadvantages of the PIA flap are ; the small caliber of the pedicle, different locations of the perforating branches, and the proximity of the motor branch of the radial nerve. But, its advantages lies in preserving the major artery of the hand, minimal donor site morbidity, and fairly well matched skin texture and color, and that the flap volume is sufficient, not too bulky with convenient handling. By using this flap, we performed 1 case of tumor resection and 1 case of traumatic defect. From our experiences we conclude that it is one of many useful methods in the reconstruction of the skin and soft tissue defects of the face. We also have discussed advantages and some limitations of various free flaps for reconstruction of the face.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2011

Purpose: Reconstruction of a full thickness defect of the nose is a difficult task for plastic surgeons because the anatomical characteristic, shape, and function of the nose all need to be taken into consideration. Most often, a local flap or a composite graft is used, but for a large defect, reconstruction using free flaps is the most ideal method. In free flap reconstruction, the chondrocutaneous preauricular area can be a suitable donor site. We performed a chondrocutaneous preauricular free flap with an interpositional vascular graft for reconstruction of a nasal ala. Methods: A 46 year-old male presented to the hospital with a right alar deformity induced by a dog bite. During the surgery, the existing scar tissue was removed and thereby a newly formed full thickness defect was reconstructed using the chondrocutaneous preauricular free flap with an interpositional vascular graft harvested from the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex vessel between the facial and superficial temporal vessels of the free flap. Results: The flap survived without flap loss and showed symmetry in its overall shape, contour, texture, and color. The patient was satisfied with the results and the surgery yielded no additional scars at the nasolabial fold area. Conclusion: The chondrocutaneous preauricular free flap is a valuable method in reconstruction of full thickness defects of the nose, and using the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex vessel as the interpositional vascular graft at the anastomotic site produces reliable results.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.428-434
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• 2020

Background Three-dimensional (3D) model printing improves visualization of anatomical structures in space compared to two-dimensional (2D) data and creates an exact model of the surgical site that can be used for reference during surgery. There is limited evidence on the effects of using 3D models in microsurgical reconstruction on improving clinical outcomes. Methods A retrospective review of patients undergoing reconstructive breast microsurgery procedures from 2017 to 2019 who received computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans only or with 3D models for preoperative surgical planning were performed. Preoperative decision-making to undergo a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) versus muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (MS-TRAM) flap, as well as whether the decision changed during flap harvest and postoperative complications were tracked based on the preoperative imaging used. In addition, we describe three example cases showing direct application of 3D mold as an accurate model to guide intraoperative dissection in complex microsurgical reconstruction. Results Fifty-eight abdominal-based breast free-flaps performed using conventional CTA were compared with a matched cohort of 58 breast free-flaps performed with 3D model print. There was no flap loss in either group. There was a significant reduction in flap harvest time with use of 3D model (CTA vs. 3D, 117.7±14.2 minutes vs. 109.8±11.6 minutes; P=0.001). In addition, there was no change in preoperative decision on type of flap harvested in all cases in 3D print group (0%), compared with 24.1% change in conventional CTA group. Conclusions Use of 3D print model improves accuracy of preoperative planning and reduces flap harvest time with similar postoperative complications in complex microsurgical reconstruction.