The area overlying the ischium is the most frequent site for the development and recurrence of pressure sores in the paraplegic patient. This report describes a newly-designed inferior gluteus maximus myocutaneous island flap that is useful for the repair of ischial pressure sores in paraplegic patients. Sacral sore develops a wide and flat ulcer crater. However, ischial sore seems to develop large and deep bursa with relatively small openings. We have used a newly-designed gluteus maximus myocutaneous island flap according to the specific characteristics of ischial sore. The flap is designed in the fashion of a small skin island with a large muscle flap. This flap with its abundant and constant blood supply had proved very reliable in the surgical management of ischial pressure sore. There is also the possible advantage of cushioning with the bulk of muscle for greater long-term durability. Incision could be extended for a complete bursetomy and partial ischiectomy. The reliability, versatility and low morbidity of the inferior gluteus maximus island flap has been demonstrated by its use in our consecutive series of 7 patients with 8 ischial pressure sores. We conclude that this newly-designed inferior gluteus maximus myocutaneous island flap can be applied in deep, infected ischial sore according to the specific characteristics of ischial sore, and it is a very useful method in comparison to other flaps.
Humans ; Ischium ; Pressure Ulcer ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Ulcer

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Unfortunately, the frequency of breast cancer and mastectomy are increasing in Korea. The purpose of the study is to analyze the results of breast reconstruction using free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous(TRAM) flap and to suggest the operative technique for more satisfactory results. 19 patients underwent immediate breast reconstruction from 1990 to 1998, and we experienced 2 cases of bilateral immediate reconstruction of breasts following mastectomy. We have performed the free TRAM flaps based on the deep inferior epigastric vessels using microvascular technique. TRAM flap included very small portion of rectus sheath and muscle-so called muscle sparing technique. So it reduced markedly donor site morbidity. The postoperative course of these cases was uneventful with minor complication. The free TRAM flap was an excellent method of immediate breast reconstruction using autogenous tissue and provided satisfactory outcome. The goals of the immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy are to restore body image, to achieve near normal shape of breast, and to reduce the complications. This paper represents our experience of immediate breast reconstruction using free TRAM flap, and technical options to get more satisfactory result and reduce the complications. We think this method could be regarded as the first choice for immediate breast reconstruction.
Body Image ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Mammaplasty* ; Mastectomy ; Rectus Abdominis* ; Tissue Donors

No abstract available.
Follow-Up Studies* ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Stomach*

Hemifacial microsomia is a common congenital craniofacial deformity involving bone and soft-tissue. Mandibular hypoplasia is the most obvious skeletal manifestation of hemifacial microsomia. In the past, complete realignment of the skeleton was preferred to soft-tissue correction, which was clearly second choice. However, in this study, simultaneous correction of bone and soft tissue deformities were equally important in treatment of hemifacial microsomia. One-stage and simultaneous bone and soft tissue reconstruction is possible and staged operations of the skeleton and soft tissue are no longer necessary, except in special cases. Even in children and adolescents, good results and normal growth potential can be achieved with simultaneous correction of bone and soft tissue.
Adolescent ; Child ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Goldenhar Syndrome ; Humans ; Skeleton

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery spasm plays an important role in the pathogenesis of not only variant angina but also other forms of angina,acute myocardial infarction, and sudden death. However precise mechanisms by which coronary spasms occur remains unknown. The role of increased coronary artery tone as a part of pathogenesis of conary spasm and relation to the severity of coronary artery disease are still controversial. Thus we underwent this study to investigate the role of increased coronary artery tone as a part of pathogenesis of conary spasm and realtion to the severity of coronary artery disease. METHODS: Intracoronary acetylcholine and isosorbide dintrate were used as a spasm-provocative agent and vasodilator respectively. We analyzed 176 vessels(69 right coronary artery, 58 left anterior descending coronary artery, 49 left circumflex coronary artery) of 75 patients admitted for evaluation of chest pain syndrome. Among the 176 vessels, spasm occurred in 39 vessels of 25 patients. RESULTS: 1)Coronary artery spasm occured in 30.4%(21/69), 17.2%(10/58), 16.3%(8/49) of right coronary artery, left anterior descending coronary artery, left circumflex coronary artery respectively. 2) There is no relationship between angiographically visible minimal coronary artery disease and occurrence of spasm provoked by acetylcholine. 3) There was no significant difference of coronary risk factor predicting coronary spasm between two groups. 4) There is more significant % vasodilation by isosorbide dintrate(ISDDN) occurred din both the spastic and nonspastic arterial segment of vasospastic angina group than no spasm group(30.2%, 28.4% vs 14.2%, p<0.05). 5) Degree of % vasodilation by ISDN was more significantly larger in vasospastic angina group than no spasm group despite the presence of same amount of angiographically visible minimal coronary artery disease(38.3% vs 12.5%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggests that the occurrence of conronary artery spasm is not related to minimal coronary artery disease. Increased coronary artery tone observed only in vasospastic angina group may be part of pathogenesis of coronary spasm.
Acetylcholine* ; Arteries ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels* ; Death, Sudden ; Humans ; Isosorbide ; Muscle Spasticity ; Myocardial Infarction ; Risk Factors ; Spasm ; Vasodilation

Facial aging is a complex process of gravity-induced soft tissue ptosis and photoaging. In the standpoint of ideal rejuvenation, face lifting combined with laser resurfacing offers significant improvement in aesthetic outcome unachievable by either procedure alone and has many advantages. Neverthless, the simultaneous combination has never been popularized due to the non-specific thermal effects of the laser and risks of skin necrosis in Korea. This report documents the safety and effectivness of combined procedures when using systematic consideration and modified techniques in orientals. This study included 26 Fitzpatrick type III, IV orientals who didn't complaint lower face aging. A dramatic rejuvenation in soft tissue reposition and skin quality was produced in combined endoscopic forehead and midface lift with laser resurfacing cases. The standard forehead lift using endoscopic subperiosteal deep plane seldom interfere flap resurfacing. An endoscopic subperiosteal and subcutaneous midface lift repositions the midface tissue effectively without preauricular incision. Newer variable pulse Er:YAG lasers allow precise ablation and coagulation separately. The minimal excessive thermal injury from variable Er:YAG lasers, modified techniques for flap and skin care program would make it possible to safely perform laser resurfacing with surgical facial rejuvenations on non smokers. There were no incidents of persistent erythema or pigmentation abnormality, scar, full thickness flap necrosis. By following the considerations suggested in this report, the combination of controlled skin resurfacing with face lifting may be safe and effective in orientals.
Aging ; Cicatrix ; Erythema ; Forehead ; Korea ; Necrosis ; Pigmentation ; Rejuvenation* ; Rhytidoplasty* ; Skin ; Skin Care

The free TRAM flap has been accepted as an excellent method of autogenous tissue breast reconstruction. In addition, oncologic surgeons and plastic surgeons are trying to perform skin preserved mastectomy to get more esthetically better result in breast reconstruction. Breast tissue and mass would be removed through circumareolar incision, and axillary lymph node dissection could be carried through separate incision on axilla. This paper represents our experiences and results of immediate breast reconstruction with transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous free flap after skin-sparing mastectomy. From 1999 to 2001, the flaps were utilized in 15 patients to reconstruct the new breast by free TRAM flap after skin sparing mastectomy. The mean age of the patients were a 42-years-old. Location of cancer was on the right breast in 12 cases, left breast in 2 cases and bilateral breasts in 1 case. We chose the thoracodorsal artery and its venae commitantes as recipient vessels, and deep inferior epigastric vessels as donor vessels.All flaps survived completely. There has been no flap necrosis, hematoma, and seroma. The results have been functionally and esthetically satisfactory. There are several advantages in this technique comparing with similar breast reconstruction of routine modified radical mastectomy. This technique leaves less scar and allows better preservation of sensation, aesthetically more natural shape, and better symmetry in reconstructed breast with free TRAM flap afterskin sparing-mastectomy.
Arteries ; Axilla ; Breast* ; Cicatrix ; Female ; Free Tissue Flaps* ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Mammaplasty* ; Mastectomy* ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical ; Necrosis ; Rectus Abdominis* ; Sensation ; Seroma ; Skin* ; Tissue Donors

The free TRAM flap has been accepted as an excellent method of autogenous tissue breast reconstruction. In addition, oncologic surgeons and plastic surgeons are trying to perform skin preserved mastectomy to get more esthetically better result in breast reconstruction. Breast tissue and mass would be removed through circumareolar incision, and axillary lymph node dissection could be carried through separate incision on axilla. This paper represents our experiences and results of immediate breast reconstruction with transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous free flap after skin-sparing mastectomy. From 1999 to 2001, the flaps were utilized in 15 patients to reconstruct the new breast by free TRAM flap after skin sparing mastectomy. The mean age of the patients were a 42-years-old. Location of cancer was on the right breast in 12 cases, left breast in 2 cases and bilateral breasts in 1 case. We chose the thoracodorsal artery and its venae commitantes as recipient vessels, and deep inferior epigastric vessels as donor vessels.All flaps survived completely. There has been no flap necrosis, hematoma, and seroma. The results have been functionally and esthetically satisfactory. There are several advantages in this technique comparing with similar breast reconstruction of routine modified radical mastectomy. This technique leaves less scar and allows better preservation of sensation, aesthetically more natural shape, and better symmetry in reconstructed breast with free TRAM flap afterskin sparing-mastectomy.
Arteries ; Axilla ; Breast* ; Cicatrix ; Female ; Free Tissue Flaps* ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Mammaplasty* ; Mastectomy* ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical ; Necrosis ; Rectus Abdominis* ; Sensation ; Seroma ; Skin* ; Tissue Donors

Diabetic foot is one of the most frequent complications with diabetic nephropathy and diabetic retinopathy in diabetic patient. Ischemia and peripheral neuropathy are the primary pathologic mechanism leading to diabetic foot. Approximately 20% of all diabetic patients admitted for foot problems, and about 80% of these patients need leg amputations. The objective of this article is to analyze the result of strategic treatment for limb salvage and to suggest appropriate surgical management in patients with diabetic foot. This study included 97 cases of treatment of diabetic foot for 6 years since August, 1995. The patients' age ranged from 34 to 83 years. There were 59 males and 38 females. According to the wound grade, extent, and involved site, we classified into 4 groups of diabetic foot. Conservative treatment was accomplished in 53 cases, local flap and/or skin graft in 13 cases, free flaps were in 12 cases, and amputations in 19 cases. The relatively superficial defects were treated with reversed adipofascial flap and split thickness skin graft. The used free flaps were 10 radial forearm free flap, 1 radial forearm osteocutaneous free flap, 1 latissimus dorsi muscle free flap. One flap loss occurred in latissimus dorsi free flap and the patient was treated with below knee amputation. The amputations included 9 toe amputations, 3 Syme amputations, 5 below knee amputations, and 2 above knee amputations. Except one patient, all patients had primary wound healing in operated site without specific complications. We conclude that selection of treatment method is very important for diabetic foot patient. Appropriate surgical treatment for limb salvage consists of infection control, coverage of exposed tendon, joint, and bone, and prevention of recurrence. In case of rapid progression of necrosis, amputations can be considered in order to prevent sepsis and provide early rehabilitation with prosthesis.
Amputation ; Diabetic Foot* ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Female ; Foot ; Forearm ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Ischemia ; Joints ; Knee ; Leg ; Limb Salvage ; Lower Extremity* ; Male ; Necrosis ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Prostheses and Implants ; Recurrence ; Rehabilitation ; Sepsis ; Skin ; Superficial Back Muscles ; Tendons ; Toes ; Transplants ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries

This paper represents the versatility of buccinator myomucosal flap for intraoral and orbital reconstruction of mild to moderate defect and we introduce recontructive methods are introduced along with our clinical experience. Buccal artery from internal maxillary artery is the main arterial pedicle, and buccal branch from facial artery also can supply blood for the buccinator muscle. The abundant blood flow from interconnected pedicles supports the reliable circulation of the buccal mucosa. So we could reconstruct the eye socket using reversed island buccinator myomucosal flap based on the angular vessel. The motor innervation of the buccinator muscle comes from the facial nerve. The buccinator muscle is considered to be a part of the sphincteric muscular system involving the functions of sucking, whistling, propelling food during mastication and voiding the buccal cavity. From 1990 to 1999, the flap was utilized in 8 patients to reconstruct the small to moderate intraoral defect and 1 patient for orbital mucosal defect. All flaps survived completely. There has been no flap necrosis and fistula. The results have been functionally and esthetically satisfactory. It is very reliable and safe flap with a minimal morbidity of donor site. It doesn't require microsurgical technique. Rapid healing may be achieved with its mucosal nature. We conclude that buccinator myomucosal flap can be widely used with a lot of advantages for intraoral and orbital defect because of its many advantages.
Arteries ; Facial Nerve ; Fistula ; Humans ; Mastication ; Maxillary Artery ; Mouth Mucosa ; Mouth* ; Necrosis ; Orbit* ; Singing ; Tissue Donors