The simple cutaneous flap and myocutaneous flap are presently being employed in skin defects since Daniel and Taylor first tried the free flap in 1973. But the simple cutaneous flap which is being employed at present has problem in the flap size, the variation and complexity of the anatomical structure and postoperative complication of the donor site. On the other hand, the myocutaneous flap has partially solved the problem of a simple cutaneous flap, but the myocutaneous flap remains inadequate when thin flap reconstruction only is required. The scapular flap was first suggested by Saijo in 1978 and Santos described the anatomical aspects of the scapular flap in 1980. Since Gilbert first clinically utilized the scapular flap, it was seen to be much more suitable for relatively thin cutaneous flaps, The authors present 10 cases of free scapular flap performed at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery of Severance Hospital during the period of one year and 2 months from April, 1983 until June, 1984. The results of the study are as follows: 1. The scapular flap was of medium size in 9 cases and large in one case. 2. The pedicles of the scapular flaps were constant in length and diameter. 3. The flap was uniform and relatively thin in thickness. 4. The reconstruction of a large soft tissue defect was possible with a combination of scapular flap and latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap done in one stage. 5. The donor site of a scapular flap can be primarily closed. 6. The free scapular flap is an excellent choice when intermediate-sized or large-sized uninnervated flap coverage is necessary for soft tissue damage.
Clothing ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Hand ; Humans ; Myocutaneous Flap ; Orthopedics ; Postoperative Complications ; Skin ; Superficial Back Muscles ; Tissue Donors

No abstract available in English.
Clinical Study ; Dislocations

The treatment of extensive soft tissue injury of the lower extremities is known to be one difficulty in the field of orthopedic surgery. At present, reconstructive surgery with large cutaneous flaps is being employed, and the authors present 2 cases of a combination of flaps for extensive soft tissue injury of the lower extremity at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery of Severance Hospital during a 5 months period from June, 1983 to November, 1983. The results of the study are as follows: 1. A one-stage reconstruction of extensive soft tissue injury was done with a combination of a scapular and a latissimus dorsi flap. 2. There was no limitation of motion of the shoulder in spite of the excision of the scapular and the latissimus dorsi flaps around the axillary area. 3. The primary closure of the donor flap sites was feasible. 4. The reconstructive surgery of the extensive soft tissue injury using the above combination of the scapular and latissimus dorsi flaps can be used without restriction as to the age of the patient.
Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Orthopedics ; Shoulder ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Superficial Back Muscles ; Tissue Donors