Eui Sik Kim

Thumb reconstruction using the radial midpalmar (perforator-based) island flap (distal thenar perforator-based island flap).

Background: Although the reconstruction of palmar defects of the thumb with exposed vital structures is difficult because of a lack of locally available tissue, several local flaps are available for the reconstruction of these defects. The majority of these flaps are raised from the dorsal or dorsolateral aspect of the thumb and index finger or from the forearm. Methods: Between 1998 and 2008, 23 patients underwent reconstruction of palmar defects of the thumb at Chonnam National University Medical School, using the radial midpalmar (perforator-based) island flap (distal thenar perforator-based island flap), a perforator-based island flap harvested from the radial aspect of the midpalm and based on perforators from the terminal branch of the superficial palmar arch and the princeps pollicis artery. Results: All flaps survived completely. Flap sizes ranged from 2 to 4 cm in width and from 2.5 to 6 cm in length. Donor sites were closed primarily in 10 patients and covered with skin grafts in 13 patients. Healing of all donor sites was uncomplicated, and donor-site morbidity was minimal with acceptable scarring. Long-term follow-up ranging from 6 to 37 months (mean, 16 months) revealed excellent flap sensibility. Conclusions: The radial midpalmar (perforator-based) island flap offers acceptable functional and cosmetic outcomes with respect to elasticity, durability, skin color and texture, and sensation for the reconstruction of extensive palmar defects of the thumb. The authors recommend that this flap be considered a treatment of choice for the reconstruction of these defects.

Transcutaneous transfrontal approach through a small peri-eyebrow incision for the reduction of closed anterior table frontal sinus fractures.

Transcutaneous or endoscopic approaches are commonly used to reduce closed anterior table frontal sinus fractures. However, transcutaneous approaches cause serious skin sequelae, and endoscopic approaches have a steep learning curve. To resolve these problems, between 2001 and 2008, a transcutaneous transfrontal approach through a small peri-eyebrow skin incision was used in 17 male patients. Postoperative computed tomography scans showed adequate reduction of displaced bone fragments in all cases. No complications related to this procedure, such as uncontrollable sinus bleeding, infection and posterior table and brain injuries, were observed. Follow-ups ranged from 4 to 27 months, with an average of 14 months. Contour deformities were effectively restored and cosmetic results at incision sites were acceptable in all patients. The transcutaneous transfrontal approach through a small peri-eyebrow incision is a safe procedure that can be performed with minimal morbidity and offers good access and excellent aesthetic results. Based on the results obtained, the authors suggest that this method be considered the treatment of choice for the reduction of closed anterior table frontal sinus fractures.

Plantar reconstruction using the medial sural artery perforator free flap.

Free flaps are usually required rather than local flaps for large plantar defects, due to a lack of locally available tissue. The medial sural artery perforator free flap, recently introduced clinically by several authors, is a noticeable option for soft tissue coverage, but it has still not been widely used for the reconstruction of various large plantar defects. Between 2005 and 2007, medial sural artery perforator free flaps were used to reconstruct soft tissue defects in plantar areas in 11 patients at our institute. Patient ages ranged from 10 to 68 years (mean, 43 years), and follow-up periods ranged from 7 to 22 months (mean, 13 months). Flap sizes ranged from 10 to 14 cm in length and from 5 to 7 cm in width. Flaps survived in all patients. Marginal loss over the distal flap region was noted in 1 patient, and this was treated successfully with a subsequent split-thickness skin graft. In another one case, venous insufficiency developed, but salvage was successful with leech application. Long-term follow-up showed good flap durability with a protective sensation. The medial sural artery perforator flap provides sufficient durability for weight-bearing areas, even though it is a thin cutaneous flap. The authors recommend that this flap be considered as a reliable alternative for the reconstruction of large plantar defects.

Combined transcutaneous transethmoidal/transorbital approach for the treatment of medial orbital blowout fractures.

Background: The transcutaneous transorbital approach to medial orbital wall fractures facilitates placing a large implant or autogenous graft. However, its major disadvantage is the difficulty of accurately reducing the fractured medial orbital wall and herniated soft tissues with minimal morbidity. Methods: To resolve this problem, a combined transcutaneous transethmoidal/transorbital approach through the same skin incision was developed at the Chonnam National University Medical School. Between 1997 and 2003, this approach was used in 54 patients with pure medial orbital blowout fractures. All fractures were larger than 2 cm2 in defect size and had 3 mm or more of bone displacement. Results: Postoperative computed tomographic scans showed complete release of entrapped soft tissues and accurate reconstruction of bone defects in all cases. Complications related to the operation such as intraorbital and intramuscular hemorrhage, infection, and eyeball and optic nerve injuries were not observed, except in two cases with slight implant displacement. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 22 months, with an average of 9 months. Forty-one patients were evaluated 6 months or more after their reconstructive procedure. At the time of surgery, diplopia was present in 39 patients, eyeball movement limitation in 35 orbits, and enophthalmos of more than 2 mm in 16 orbits. Postoperatively, diplopia and eyeball movement limitation were resolved in most cases. Two patients had persistent diplopia for more than 1 year after surgery, and one of these needed extraocular muscle surgery. Enophthalmos of more than 2 mm developed in three orbits, but enophthalmos of more than 3 mm was not observed in any orbit. Cosmetic results at the incision site were acceptable in all patients. Conclusions: The combined transcutaneous transethmoidal/transorbital approach is a safe procedure that can be performed with minimal morbidity; it offers the advantages of both the transcutaneous approach and the trans-nasal approach. Therefore, the authors suggest that this method be considered as a surgical alternative for the treatment of medial orbital blowout fractures, especially large and combined fractures of the medial wall and other parts of the orbit.

Latissimus dorsi muscle and its short perforator-based skin compound free flap.

Some authors have described the latissimus dorsi muscle and its short perforator-based skin compound flap based on the same thoracodorsal vessels. This flap procedure involves separating the skin island from the underlying latissimus dorsi muscle and rotating the skin island over the musculocutaneous perforator emerging from the latissimus dorsi muscle. As with all surgical procedures, there are various advantages and disadvantages. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are no reports on the use of the flap in a consecutive series. Between 1997 and 2005, the flap was used to reconstruct below-knee structures in 26 patients (23 males and 3 females) by the 2 senior authors at the Chonnam National University Medical School. The clinical outcomes of this procedure were evaluated. Satisfactory results were obtained in most patients. However, there were 2 marginal necroses in the excessively large skin flaps, 1 partial necrosis over the distal edge of a skin flap, and 1 total flap failure caused by infection. The marginally and partially necrotized skin flaps were treated successfully with split-thickness skin grafts. However, another flap procedure was required to cover the defect in the case of flap failure. The donor sites were closed primarily in all patients, and the skin flaps were rotated between 40° and 180°. This flap allows the surface of the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap to be expanded without additional donor morbidity. In addition, the flap procedure is safe and easy to perform. Moreover, the flap provides sufficient flexibility, even though it has less independent flap mobility than the chimeric flap. Therefore, the flap may be a convenient and reliable alternative for the reconstruction of large and irregular-shaped wounds.

Buttock reconstruction using a pedicled deep inferior epigastric perforator flap.

Although deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps are mainly used for breast reconstruction as free flaps, they are also useful as pedicled island flaps. However, DIEP flaps have seldom been used for reconstructions in the lateral hip region. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, no report has been issued on the use of this flap for buttock reconstruction. The authors describe the successful use of a pedicled oblique DIEP flap for the reconstruction of a severe scar contracture in the buttock. The pedicled DIEP flap can be a useful option for the reconstruction of large buttock defects, and if a transverse DIEP flap is unavailable, an oblique DIEP flap should be considered an alternative.

Dental pulp necrosis as a rare complication of reduction malarplasty.

Reduction malarplasty through the intraoral or the combined approach using intraoral and preauricular incisions is widely performed as an aesthetic surgical procedure in northeast Asia. The authors recently examined a patient who underwent this type of surgery and presented with discoloration of both upper canine teeth that was diagnosed as pulp necrosis. This case suggests the possibility that pulp necrosis occurs as a result of vibration and heat energy transmitted from a rotating bur to the anterior superior alveolar nerve branch located in the more lateral and superficial portion than in the normal position. Although pulp necrosis is extremely rare, it is hoped that this case will heighten the awareness of surgeons to this potential complication.

Microsurgical replantation of a partial helix of the ear.

Microsurgical ear replantation is a significant challenge because vessel sizes are diminutive. Furthermore, as ear vessels are larger in the medial portion than in the lateral portion, microsurgical replantation of a replant including only the helix is extremely difficult. The authors replanted a partial helix of the ear using a single arterial anastomosis. As no suitable veins could be identified, medicinal leech therapy and systemic heparinization were used to achieve venous drainage. The replanted helix survived completely and the cosmetic result was excellent. Microsurgical replantation should be considered the treatment of choice in helix amputation cases, even though amount of replant is small.

Internal mammary artery perforator-based V-Y advancement flap for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the sternal region

Abstract We successfully reconstructed a large defect that had been created by resection of an unstable, contracted, and hypertrophic scar with a chronic ulcer on the lower sternal area of a 67-year-old man. We used bilateral V-Y advancement flaps based on internal mammary artery perforators.