A 31-year-old female patient presented with a skin and soft tissue defect measuring 8x6 cm in size with exposure of the extensor hallucis longus tendon and the first metatarsal bone after metatarsal lengthening for brachymetatarsia. The defect was covered with a distally based dorsalis pedis flap based on the distal communicating branch of the dorsalis pedis artery. Secondary defect was covered by a split thickness skin graft. There was congestion of the flap tip after the operation; however, it was resolved using medical leeches and anti-coagulants. No necrosis or infection was encountered and the contour of the flap was satisfactory. There was no donor site morbidity. Reverse dorsalis pedis flap has not been commonly used due to the anatomical variation and uncertainty, which is different from the reverse radial forearm flap. However, when faced with the challenge of a moderate soft tissue defect of the distal forefoot, we believe that the reverse dorsalis pedis flap offers a good option with various advantages.
Arteries ; Bone Lengthening ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Female ; Foot ; Forearm ; Humans ; Leeches ; Metatarsal Bones ; Necrosis ; Skin ; Surgical Flaps ; Tendons ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants ; Uncertainty

PURPOSE: The concept and development of perforator free flaps have led to significant advances in microsurgery. Ongoing developments in perforator free flap surgery are aimed at reducing complications and improving surgical outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and application of supermicrosurgery in free flap surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 267 patients with soft tissue defects of the lower extremity due to various etiologies from January, 2007 to January, 2013. The patients received either an anterolateral thigh free flap (n=83), a superficial circumflex iliac artery free flap (n=152), an upper medial thigh free flap (n=19), or a superior gluteal artery perforator free flap (n=13). Microanastomosis was performed using a perforator-to-perforator technique, either end-to-end or end-to-side. RESULTS: The mean postoperative follow up period was eight months (range: one to 16 months) and flap loss occurred in 11 cases out of 267. All cases of flap loss occurred within two weeks of surgery due to either arterial insufficiency (n=5) or venous congestion (n=6). CONCLUSION: Supermicrosurgery enables the selection of the most efficient perforator for microanastomosis at the defect site. It also reduces the time required for dissection of recipient vessels, and reduces the possibility of injury to major vessels. Microsurgery using a vessel of less than 1 mm has been reported to increase the risk of flap failure; however, using the most advanced surgical tools and developing experience in the technique can produce success rates similar to those found in the literature.
Arteries ; Follow-Up Studies ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; Iliac Artery ; Lower Extremity ; Microsurgery ; Thigh

PURPOSE: Reconstruction of scalp and calvarial defects should provide both aesthetic and functional aspects. The inelastic nature of the scalp and previous surgery or radiation preclude the use of primary closure or a local flap. With development of microsurgical technique, a free tissue transfer is a good option. We use the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap for reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of all latissimus dorsi free flap reconstructions performed in nine patients from 2009 to 2012 was conducted. There were six males and three females, ranging in age from seven to 69 years, and nine different regions, including five temporal regions, two occipital regions, and two frontoparietal regions. The flaps ranged in size from 9.0x10.0 cm to 14.0x15.0 cm. Recipient vessels available for microanastomosis were most often the superficial temporal vessels and two patients had anastomoses to the external carotid artery and internal jugular vein. RESULTS: All flaps survived postoperatively. With a median follow-up period of 14 months, no major complications were noted. However, two patients developed minor wound dehiscence, and a hematoma was observed in one patient. CONCLUSION: We performed the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap reconstruction, which is one of the most popular reconstructive methods. The latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap reconstruction has been proven successful in our patients with satisfactory results. During the long term follow-up period, even though depressions were observed on the defect area in some patients, they were treated successfully with cranioplasty. Therefore, we recommend the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap for reconstruction of scalp and calvarial defects.
Carotid Artery, External ; Depression ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Male ; Scalp

PURPOSE: Soft tissue defect of the hand, which cannot be covered with skin graft or local flap, is usually reconstructed using a free flap. Temporoparietal fascial free flap is one of the best alternatives for functional reconstruction of the hand with exposed tendons, bones, and joints. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have experienced four cases of reconstruction using a temporoparietal fascial flap with a skin graft and followed up for 20 years. We conducted a retrospective review of the patients' clinical charts and photos. RESULTS: At the time of initial injury, the average age of patients was 50.3 (39~62) years. The radial artery was used for reconstruction of the dorsal side of the hand, whereas the ulnar artery was used for that of the volar side of the wrist. Short term complication such as skin graft loss and donor site alopecia occurred. However, during the long term follow-up period, no change of flap volume was noted, and full range of motion in the adjacent joint was maintained. In addition, hyperpigmentation of the grafted skin on the flap disappeared gradually. CONCLUSION: Selection of the optimal flap is important for reconstruction of the hand without functional limitation. We obtained satisfactory soft tissue coverage and functional outcomes using a temporoparietal fascial free flap and followed up for 20 years.
Alopecia ; Follow-Up Studies ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Hand ; Hand Injuries ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Joints ; Radial Artery ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Tendons ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants ; Ulnar Artery ; Wrist

PURPOSE: For reconstruction of lower extremity defects, various flaps can be used and the appropriate flap must be selected and applied according to the size of the defect. In particular, in cases where the defect size is small to moderate, thinner or smaller volume flaps are useful. The authors performed reconstruction of small to moderate defects on the lower extremities using superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator free flaps and are reporting the results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients underwent reconstruction of defects on lower extremity areas using superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator free flaps from July 2011 to July 2012 at this hospital. The flaps were elevated from above the deep fat layer, and, in all cases, the vessel diameter of the flaps was less than 1mm, with the exception of superficial vein that accompanied it. RESULTS: The mean follow up period was 4.46 months, and, despite a partial loss in the flap in two cases, there were no total losses. All donor sites were closed with primary closure, and there was no occurrence of complications, such as hematomas, seromas, or lymphorrheas. The patients were highly satisfied with the donor site scar since it could be masked by underwear. CONCLUSION: Compared to other flaps, superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator free flaps are thinner in thickness and smaller in volume, which results in a more natural contour of the recipient site after the operation. In addition, since the flap can be elevated from supra-deep fat layer, the operation time can be shortened, and lymphorrhea can be prevented, which in turn lessens donor-site morbidity.
Cicatrix ; Follow-Up Studies ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; Lower Extremity ; Masks ; Seroma ; Tissue Donors ; Veins

PURPOSE: Although a fasciocutaneous perforator artery as a vascular pedicle has previously been shown to be predominant in the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap, recent studies have shown that a myocutaneous perforator artery is predominant. We have attempted to attain a clinical understanding of the vascular variations in the ALT flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We confirmed the origin of a perforator artery in 11 cases of ALT flap. We then reviewed the variations of the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery, known as the major origin of the flap, and the overall variations associated with an ALT flap. RESULTS: In a total of 11 cases, there were 18 perforator arteries of the ALT flaps. In addition, there were 9 fasciocutaneous perforator arteries and another 9 myocutaneous ones. However, depending on the origin, there was great variability in the perforator artery. That is, there were unique variants in the descending branches of the lateral femoral circumflex artery, the major origin of the perforator artery, in 3 of the total 11 cases. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that (1) a perforator artery accounts for the high proportion of fasciocutaneous ones, (2) a perforator artery might not originate from the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery and (3) there might be unique variants in the descending branch. If considering this, surgeons would successfully elevate an ALT flap.
Arteries ; Perforator Flap ; Thigh

PURPOSE: Breast reconstruction with lower abdominal tissue can produce the best outcome with acceptable rates of long-term complication. However, for cases in which sufficient abdominal tissue is not available, an superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) flap can be considered as the next option for autologous breast reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among a total of 63 women who underwent breast reconstruction with free autologous tissue transfer from July 2010 to April 2011, SGAP flap was performed for four patients. In two cases, patients did not have enough abdominal tissue for sizable breast reconstruction. In another case, the patient had a long abdominal scar due to donor hepatectomy of liver transplantation. In the last case, which was a revisional case after radiation necrosis of a previous pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap, a large amount of healthy skin and soft tissue was needed. SGAP flap was elevated in lateral decubitus position. The internal mammary vessels were used for recipient vessels in all cases. RESULTS: Breast reconstruction was performed successfully in all four cases without flap loss. Donor site complication was not observed, except for one case of seroma. The shape of the reconstructed breast was satisfactory in all patients. CONCLUSION: SGAP flap is an excellent alternative option for the TRAM or deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap for breast reconstruction. In terms of narrower width, harder consistency of soft tissue, and shorter pedicle, it is clear that the SGAP flap is less competent than the TRAM flap. However, in cases where abdominal tissue is not available, SGAP flap is the only way of providing a large amount of healthy tissue.
Arteries ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cicatrix ; Epigastric Arteries ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Mammaplasty ; Microsurgery ; Necrosis ; Perforator Flap ; Rectus Abdominis ; Seroma ; Skin ; Tissue Donors

Rats and mice are commonly used in experimental laboratories and anesthetic drugs are important for researchers to understand the details. Administration of fluids helps to stabilize the experimental animals before anesthesia via intravenously through the lateral vein in rats and in case of difficulty in catheterization and maintenance, fluids are usually administered as boluses. Large volumes of cool fluids will rapidly lead to hypothermia and all parenteral fluids must be warmed to body temperature before administration. Premedication with a sedative may ease induction with volatile anesthetic drugs. The first choice for rodent anesthesia is complete inhalational anesthesia. The second option is using injectable anesthesia. Recovery from the volatile agents that have been used rapid when the agent is no longer administered. Anesthetic monitoring equipment is an infant-size bell sthethoscope that can be used to ausculate the heart and lungs. Supplemental heating should be provided to reduce the heat loss supply and maintain core body temperature. The kinds of drugs, characteristics, route of administration and care after surgery were reviewed and summarized from the references. Anesthetic drugs, maintenance, monitoring and aftercare are important in the laboratories to keep the animal safe in all experimental procedures.
Aftercare ; Anesthesia ; Anesthetics ; Animals ; Body Temperature ; Body Temperature Regulation ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Heart ; Heating ; Hot Temperature ; Hypothermia ; Lung ; Mice ; Premedication ; Rats ; Rodentia ; Veins

No abstract available.
Microsurgery

Intramuscular schwannomma is unusual and rare cases were reported in the literature in the gluteus maximus muscle. We present a case of an intramuscular schwannoma arising from the gluteus maximus muscle in a sixty-five-year-old woman. An oval in shape and well encapsulated tumor was found embedded with the gluteus maximus muscle, and then the lesion was excised surgically. Two years following excision of the lesion, the patient remained asymptomatic, with no evidence of local recurrence.
Female ; Humans ; Muscles ; Neurilemmoma ; Recurrence