• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.150-158
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• 2015

Background Fat is widely used in soft tissue augmentation. Nevertheless, it has an unpredictably high resorption rate. Clinically, external expansion with negative pressure is used to increase fat graft survival. In this study, fat graft recipient sites were preconditioned by external application of negative pressure in order to test for improvements in vascularity and fat graft survival. Methods Negative pressure was applied randomly to either the left or right dorsal ear of 20 New Zealand male white rabbits at a pressure of -125 mm Hg. The negative pressure was removed one week after the skin perfusion was measured. The skin flap at each ear was elevated, and 1 g of fat was grafted above the dorsal perichondrium. After one week, the fat weight, microvessel density, mature vessel density of the skin and fat, and amount of glycerol released were measured. Three months after the grafting, the same measurements were performed, with the exception of glycerol release. Results The fat survival rate of the experimental group ($75.4%{\pm}3.9%$) was higher than that of the control group ($53.1%{\pm}4.3%$) (P<0.001). Skin perfusion was higher in the experimental group. The glycerol release in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control. The microvessel density of the skin and fat was significantly higher in the experimental group. Three months after the grafting, the skin and fat mature vessel density was significantly higher in the experimental groups. Conclusions Negative pressure prior to fat grafting increased the vascularity of the recipient site, and, accordingly, enhanced fat graft survival.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2009

Purpose: As a recipient vessel, internal mammary vessels have many advantages for microvascular reconstruction of the breast. But the approach is time consuming and results in large morbidities. However, the perforating branches of the internal mammary vessels can be used to minimize such demerits. The purpose of this cadaver study is to clarify the location and diameter of the perforating branches of internal mammary vessels and to prove they are safe and reliable recipient vessels. Methods: We studied 11 formalin - fixed cadavers and dissected their anterior chests bilaterally. The chests were exposed using midline presternal incisions. We dissected and found all perforators at subfascial planes under loupe magnification. The number, external diameter, and the distance from the midline were measured. Result: The mean external diameter of the arterial perforators was 1.32 mm and the mean external diameter of the venous perforators was 1.48 mm. The largest arterial and venous perforators were most frequently found in the second intercostal space. The mean distance from the midline to the perforator was evaluated; the artery averaged 1.95 cm and the vein averaged 2.08 cm. Conclusion: This study will be helpful when using the internal mammary perforating vessels as a recipient vessel during breast reconstruction.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.106-111
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• 1996

Purpose : Propose a surgical technique in donor harvesting method in free vascularized proximal fibular epiphysis. Methodology : Concerned about growth potentials of the transplanted epiphysis in our long term results of the epiphyseal transplanted 13 cases more than 4 years follow-up, anterior tibial artery which contains anterior tibial recurrent artery is most reliable vessel to proximal fibular epiphysis which is the best donor of the free vascularized epiphyseal transplantation. In vascular anatomical aspect proximal fibular epiphysis norished by latearl inferior genicular artery from popliteal, posterior tibial recurrent artery and anterior tibial recurrent artery from anterior tibial artery and peroneal artery through metaphysis. The lateral inferior genicular artery is very small and difficult to isolate, peroneal artery from metaphysis through epiphyseal plate can not give enough blood supply to epiphysis itself. The anterior tibial artery which include anterior tibial recurrent and posterior tibial recurrent artery is the best choice in this procedure. But anterior tibial recurrent artery merge from within one inch from bifucating point of the anterior and posterior tibial arteries from popliteal artery. So it is very difficult to get enough vascular pedicle length to anastomose in recipient vessel without vein graft even harvested from bifucating point from popliteal artery. Authors took recipient artery from distal direction of anterior tibial artery after ligation of the proximal popliteal side vessel, which can get unlimited pedicle length and safer dissection of the harvesting proximal fibular epiphysis. Results : This harvesting procedure can performed supine position, direct anterolateral approach to proximal tibiofibular joint. Dissect and isolate the biceps muscle insertion from fibular head, micro-dissection is needed to identify the anterior tibial recurrent arteries to proximal epiphysis, soft tissue release down to distal and deeper plane to find main anterior tibial artery which overlying on interosseous membrane. Special care is needed to protect peroneal nerve damage which across the surgical field. Conclusions : Proximal fibular epiphyseal transplantation with distally directed anterior tibial artery harvesting technique is effective and easier dissect and versatile application with much longer arterial pedicle.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the results of anterolateral thigh perforator free flap for reconstruction of foot and ankle in old diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: Fifteen diabetic foot ulcer patients over the age of 55 were operated with anterolateral thigh perforator free flap. Hematological, hemodynamic, diabetic, bacteriologic and radiologic tests were checked with examination of blood vessel state in both the donor site and the recipient site. After surgery, serial check-up was performed at 6 week, 6 month, and 1 year postoperatively on the survival of transplantation tissue, condition of foot, and condition of walking. Results: There are one case of transplantation failure and four cases of partial tissue-necrosis. Delayed wound-healing was observed both recipient and donor tissue sites. At the final follow up, three cases of small ulcer were found at junction of flap and recipient tissue in plantar area. Fourteen out of fifteen patients could walk without any brace or walking aids. Conclusion: Reconstruction of foot and ankle region in old diabetic patients with the anterolateral thigh perforator free flap is a useful method which can prevent the amputation of foot and ankle.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2012

Purpose: Arterialized venous flap is useful for reconstruction of the traumatic soft tissue defect in fingers, but insufficient circulation of the traumatic fingers makes surgeons annoying to use the flap. We have grafted flaps in 7 fingers with insufficient vascular bed hoping to expanded the category of the flap. Materials and Methods: Arterialized venous flap have transplanted in 7 fingers from March 2008 through February 2010 and followed up for 4 to 16 months(average 7.2 months). They were all male with a mean age at the time of surgery was 33. The main injury was crushing in 4 degloving, contact burn and saw injury was I respectively. Time interval from injury to flap transplantation was average 3.1. weeks(3 days to 6 weeks). Designed flap size ranges from $8cm{\times}3.5cm$to $4cm{\times}3cm$. Vessel type of flap was one artery with two veins were 5 cases and one artey with one vein 2. Flap type was cutaneous in 3, tendocutaneous 2, neurotendocutaneous 1 and neurocutaneous 1. The circulation state of recipient site was avascular in 2 cases, insufficiency 3 and tip avascular 2. Results: Arterialized venous flap was complete survived in 2 cases, partial necrosis(less than 10%) 3 and failed in 2. Conclusion: An arterialized venous free flap could be a useful procedure for reconstruction in soft tissue or combined defect of the finger despite an avascular or insufficient vascular beds if the recipient beds were free from infection.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.333-339
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• 2020

Background The purpose of this study was to compare the anatomical features of the internal mammary vessels (IMVs) at the second and third intercostal spaces (ICSs) with regard to their use as recipient vessels in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. Methods A total of 38 consecutive DIEP breast reconstructions in 36 patients were performed using IMVs as recipient vessels between March 2017 and August 2018. The intraoperative findings and postoperative complications were analyzed. Anatomical analyses were performed using intraoperative measurements and computed tomography (CT) angiographic images. Results CT angiographic analysis revealed the mean diameter of the deep inferior epigastric artery to be 2.42±0.27 mm, while that of the deep inferior epigastric vein was 2.91±0.30 mm. A larger mean vessel diameter was observed at the second than at the third ICS for both the internal mammary artery (2.26±0.32 mm vs. 1.99±0.33 mm, respectively; P=0.001) and the internal mammary vein (IMv) (2.52±0.46 mm vs. 2.05±0.42 mm, respectively; P<0.001). Similarly, the second ICS was wider than the third (18.08±3.72 mm vs. 12.32±2.96 mm, respectively; P<0.001) and the distance from the medial sternal border to the medial IMv was greater (9.49±2.28 mm vs. 7.18±2.13 mm, respectively; P<0.001). Bifurcations of the IMv were found in 18.4% of cases at the second ICS and in 63.2% of cases at the third ICS. Conclusions The IMVs at the second ICS had more favorable anatomic features for use as recipient vessels in DIEP flap breast reconstruction than those at the third ICS.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.591-596
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• 2009

Purpose: To reconstruct soft tissue defect on lower extremity especially combined with osteomyelitis, free flap with enough blood supplies is required. There are some instance when patients have inadequate recipient vessels for microanastomosis. Anastomosis with harvested vein graft can solve the problem. It may be more problematic or even increase recipient site complication. Cross leg free flaps using contra - lateral vessel can be a solution. Methods: From 2005 to 2008, 12 cases of cross leg free flap were done for 12 patients(male = 9, female = 3). External fixators used in all cases. Free flaps used were laissmus dorsi muscle flap(n=5), anterolateral thigh flap(n=4), gracilis muscle flap(n=2) and medial plantar artery fasciotaneous flap(n=1). In all cases, contralateral posterior tibial artery and vein were used as recipient pedicle. Results: All flaps survived without additional operative procedures. There were no complications such as hematoma or Infection. Sometimes patients needs further therapeutic exercise for fast movement recovery. Conclusion: Although cross leg free flaps require long period of bed resting and rehabilitation after pedicle cutting, It can be practical alternative for soft tissue defect on lower distal extremity with inadequate recipient vessels for free flap on affected leg.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.49 no.9
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• pp.527-534
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• 2011

Microvascular reconstruction of maxillary composite defect after oncologic resection has improved both esthetic and functional aspect of quality of life of the cancer patients. However, a lot of patients had prior surgery with radiation and/or chemotherapy as a part of comprehensive cancer treatment. Sometimes it is nearly impossible to find out adequate recipient vessel for maxillary reconstruction with microvascular anastomosis. Therefore long pedicle of the flap is needed to use distant neck vessels located far from the reconstruction site such as ipsilateral transverse cervical artery or a branch of contralateral external carotid artery. For this reason, although we know the treatment of the choice is osteocutaneous flap, it is difficult to use this flap when we need long pedicle with complex three dimensional osseous defect. Vascular option for these vessel-depleted neck patients can be managed by a soft tissue reconstruction with long vascular pedicle and additional free non-vascularized flap that is rigidly fixed to remaining skeletal structures. For this reason, maxillofacial reconstruction by vascularized soft tissue flap with or without the secondary restoration of maxillary bone with non-vascularized iliac bone can be regarded as one of options for reconstruction of profound maxillofacial composite defect resulted from previous oncological resection with chemo-radiotherapy.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.88-91
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• 2020

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin malignancy. This report describes the case of an unusual extensive SCC involving the whole hemiface, which required reconstruction with a combination of a dual vascular free transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) flap and a skin graft. A 79-year-old woman visited our hospital with multiple large ulcerated erythematous patches on her right hemiface, including the parieto-temporal scalp, bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva, cheek, and lip. A preliminary multifocal biopsy was performed in order to determine the resection margin, and the lesion was resected en bloc. Orbital exenteration was also performed. A free TRAM flap was harvested with preserved bilateral pedicles and was anastomosed with a single superior thyroidal vessel. The entire TRAM flap survived. The final pathological examination of the resected specimen confirmed that there was no regional nodal metastasis, perineural invasion, or lymphovascular involvement. The patient was observed for 6 months, and there was no evidence of local recurrence. Usage of a TRAM flap is appropriate for hemifacial reconstruction because the skin of the abdomen matches the color and pliability of the face. Furthermore, we found that the independent attachment of two extra-flap anastomoses to a single recipient vessel can safely result in survival of the flap.

• 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.