Sung Hoon Koh

Weight-bearing plantar reconstruction using versatile medial plantar sensate flap

The medial plantar flap serves as an ideal tissue reserve for reconstructing the weight-bearing plantar areas as these areas require a sensate and glabrous skin. Furthermore, the flap provides tissue that is structurally similar to the plantar foot as it is also composed of thick glabrous plantar skin, shock-absorbing fibro-fatty subcutaneous tissue and plantar fascia. During the past 25 years, 20 patients (10 men, 10 women) with skin and soft-tissue defects over the weight-bearing plantar foot were treated. They ranged in age from 20 to 70 years (mean, 31.5 years). The causes of the defects were trauma (n=14) and malignant tumour (n=6); the defects were localised at the heel (n=16) and plantar forefoot (n=4). The medial plantar flap was transposed to the defects in three different ways: proximally pedicled sensorial island flaps (n =8), distally pedicled sensate island flaps based on the lateral plantar vessel (n =3) and neurovascular free flaps (n =9). Flap size varied from a width of 4-8cm and a length of 6-12cm. The mean size of the medial plantar flap was 49.5cm(2) (range, 28-96cm(2)). The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 80 months (mean, 19.9 months). Partial flap loss was observed in two proximally pedicled sensorial island flaps and one distally pedicled sensate island flap. Two free flaps restored normal sensation within 5 years of surgery. Minor skin graft loss at the donor site was observed in seven patients. However, no revision or re-grafting was performed. Hyperkeratosis was observed in one case. All patients achieved normal gait within 3 months after surgery and none noticed recurred ulceration. Durable, sensate coverage of the defects was achieved in all patients. We advocate variable sensate medial plantar flaps for the reconstruction of moderate-size defects of the weight-bearing plantar subunits.

Free-flap reconstruction of the scalp: donor selection and outcome.

Wide, complex defects of the scalp caused by various insults always represent reconstructive challenges for surgeons. Our study group consisted of 18 patients (14 males and 4 females) with a mean age of 40.2 years. Nineteen free-tissue transfers were used to reconstruct the scalp defects. The selected cases included 8 latissimus dorsi muscle flaps, 3 latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps, 2 rectus abdominis muscle flaps, 3 omental flaps, 1 scapular flap, 1 radial forearm flap, and 1 groin flap. Twelve patients had acute or subacute wounds resulting from trauma or craniotomy, 4 had primary cancer, and 2 had neurofibromatosis. Commonly used recipient vessels were the superficial temporal artery and vein. No flap procedure had morbidity due to vessel compromise, and the overall flap success rate was thus 100%. No major donor-site morbidity was observed. All cases underwent primary closure of donor sites except for one receiving split-thickness skin grafting. In cases where muscle or omental free flaps covered skin grafts, patients were more satisfied because of increased durability and well-fitted wigs. We advocate variable free-tissue transfers for the reconstruction of large defects of the scalp related to the sizes, sites, and extents of the involvement.

Hair Follicle Transplantation on Scar Tissue

BackgroundHair transplantation is a continuously evolving field. The procedure was originally developed by Dr. Orentreich in 1959, but he applied it only to the androgenic alopecia. Potential applications for hair grafting extend beyond treatment of hair loss. MethodsOur study group consisted of 25 cases of 23 patients. The causes of scar resulting to hair loss were burns, operation, and trauma. The scalp strips or follicular unit extracts were harvested from occipital, posterior auricular, dog-eared scalp, adjacent scalp area, and nuchal area. The recipient sites were scalp, eyebrow, lip, and eyelid. ResultsThe follow-up cases over 6 months after operation were 18 among total 25 cases. The result after hair follicle transplantation was excellent (44.4%), good (38.9%), fair (11.1%), and poor (5.6%). ConclusionsThe hair follicle transplantation on the scar tissue is more difficult than grafting on normal tissue because the scar is accompanied by poor blood circulation and stiffness of tissue. The patients with burned scar achieved more favorable result than did others. Incision scars are deeper than burned scars, and their success rates are poor. We should recommend the patients that hair follicle transplantation on the scar may need secondary or more operations for the aesthetically better result.

A review of microvascular ear replantation.

Microvascular ear replantation is a significant challenge because of the small size of the vessels and the fact that traumatic amputations are frequently avulsed. The zone of trauma is therefore extended and the primary repair of the injured vessel is rendered unlikely. The purpose of this study is to review the literature of ear replantation. A review of the relevant literature that has been published since 1980 revealed 47 cases reported in 37 publications. We present 5 cases from our own experience and analyze a total 52 cases of microvascular ear replantation. The patients age, sex, degree of amputation, cause of injury, ischemic time, method of arterial and venous anastomosis, complications, any additional outflow used, postoperative medications, the requirement for transfusions, and the number of hospital admission days are described. Successful microvascular ear replantations require anastomosis of the vessels if possible. Rather than a vein graft, primary repair of the vessels, or at least pedicled repair of the artery, should be considered to ensure flap survival. In addition, vein repair should be considered if possible to ensure the secure drainage of blood from the replant. With secure circulation, the replant can survive, resulting in a very satisfactory outcome.

Twin digital and in-step neurovascularised free flaps for reconstruction of the degloved mutilated hands

BACKGROUND Degloved mutilated hand injury results in severe contracture of palmar surfaces after avulsion defects of soft tissue and insensate scarring of amputated digits at the proximal interphalangeal level. In an effort to restore the basic function of such hands, we simultaneously used a sensate in-step free flap for re-surfacing the first web space and sensate twin digital free flaps for re-surfacing the palmar defects of the thumb and index finger. METHODS Three male patients sustained degloved mutilated hand injury from a machine in a factory. The average age of the patients was 26 years. These injuries were reconstructed by concomitant twin digital neurovascularised free flaps harvested on the contralateral hands and the in-step neurovascularised free flaps harvested on the feet. The lateral plantar vascular pedicle of the in-step flaps was anastomosed to the vascular pedicle of the twin digital flaps by a flow-through fashion. RESULT All flaps survived. These flaps provided durable sensate coverage and improved pinch and grasp. The morbidity of donor fingers and feet was minimal. CONCLUSION These described flaps supply durable glabrous sensate skin of prehensile function in degloved mutilated hands. Our method is useful in the reconstruction of degloved mutilated hands with amputated stumps of the thumb and counter digit more than 3 cm in length required for pinch and grip.

Pseudoangiosarcomatous squamous cell carcinoma developing on a burn scar: A case report and review of the literature

Pseudoangiosarcomatous squamous cell carcinoma, also known as pseudovascular, pseudovascular adenoid and pseudoangiomatous squamous cell carcinoma, is an exceedingly rare, aggressive variant of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with extreme acantholysis resulting in angiosarcoma-like areas. Histologically, a pseudoangiosarcomatous pattern includes complex anastomosing channels and spaces lined with neoplastic cells. The neoplastic cells exhibit cytokeratin and vimentin positivity but yield negative results with CD31 and CD34. This case report describes pseudoangiosarcomatous squamous cell carcinoma developing on a burn scar on the ankle. In this report, we emphasize the importance of establishing a diagnosis with histological and immunohistochemical examination, and we review the described incidence of the age and sites with the prognosis for the treatment of pseudoangiosarcomatous squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.

Surgical treatment of dermatomal capillary malformations in the adult face.

Background Facial capillary malformations (CMs) rarely recede; they often become darker and raised in proportion to their growth. These malformations may hypertrophy in adulthood, resulting in increased disfigurement and dysfunction. Laser treatment is considered a first-line therapy for focal CMs, but thick wide lesions, which are accompanied by hypertrophy and have a well-circumscribed nodularity, may be treated with surgical excision and reconstruction. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of 25 consecutive patients who had undergone complete or partial excisions of facial capillary malformations in our unit. After the excisions, the defects that encompassed their facial aesthetic units were subsequently covered by various methods, including primary closures, local flaps, expanded flaps, split-thickness skin grafts, and full thickness skin grafts. Results The data demonstrated satisfactory results and reliability. Our patients were treated without significant complications, and all of the patients were moderately or fully satisfied with the outcome of their surgeries. Conclusions Among the many reconstructive options for adult patients with facial capillary malformations, thick split-thickness skin grafts can be a good choice for the coverage of widely excised wounds.

Nasolabial facial artery and vein as recipient vessels for midface microsurgical reconstruction.

Although free flap transfer is commonly performed to reconstruct facial defects, the submandibular facial artery and vein have historically been considered as adequate recipient vessels for microsurgical reconstruction. If the vascular pedicles of the free flap are short, vein grafts are necessary. The purpose of this study was to determine the indications for and effectiveness of using the nasolabial facial vessels for midfacial reconstruction. A retrospective chart review of 6 patients undergoing microsurgical reconstruction for defects of the face revealed 6 free tissue transfers in which the nasolabial facial artery and vein were considered for use as recipient vessels. Flap success rates were evaluated. Six patients (5 men and 1 woman) underwent 6 free flap transfers. Five anterior helix free flaps were used for the reconstruction of defects in the lower third of the nose. Nasal defects were due to trauma in 4 patients and squamous cell carcinoma in 1 patient. In 1 neurofibromatosis type 1 case, a radial forearm flap was used for reconstruction of the left orbital defect. The facial artery and vein in the nasolabial fold were used as the recipient artery and vein in every case. The mean length of follow-up was 5.8 years. All flaps survived. All patients were satisfied with the degree of aesthetic improvement after surgery. Use of the facial artery and vein in the nasolabial fold for facial reconstruction is reliable and safe. The nasolabial facial artery and vein should be considered as primary recipient vessels in microsurgical reconstruction of the midface.

Expanded flap and hair follicle transplantation for reconstruction of postburn scalp alopecia.

The advent of tissue expansion started a new era of aesthetically reconstructed scalp alopecia by providing a large hair-bearing scalp area with acceptable hair density. However, residual scalp alopecia and wide visible scars still raised aesthetic problems. The hair follicle transplantation carries the possibility of producing a more natural scalp because both the desired hair density and the natural direction of the hair can be reproduced using this procedure. Our study group consisted of 62 patients (41 males and 21 females) with a mean age of 26.3 years. The median age of suffering a burn to the scalp was 3 years. The causes of burn resulting to scalp alopecia were flame (n = 28), scald (n = 18), contact (n = 7), and electrical (n = 9) injuries. The first reconstruction for all patients was the expanded flap coverage. Three patients used 2-stage expanded flaps. Five patients underwent hair follicle transplantation after they had undergone the expanded flap coverage. Expanders (n = 86) were placed in 62 patients with a total of 9 major (9.3%) and 3 minor (3.5%) complications. The overall results after expanded flap reconstruction and hair follicle transplantation were excellent (43 patients, 69.4%), good (18 patients, 29%), and bad (1 patient, 1.6%). Postburn scalp alopecia can be reconstructed by 1-stage or multiple-stage expanded flap procedures. The visible remaining alopecia and marginal scar after the procedure, especially on the anterior hairline of the forehead and the sideburns, can be refined by hair follicle transplantation. This report also suggests the possibility that cicatrical scalp alopecia with intact deep tissue can be restored by hair follicle transplantations using hair transplanter.

Ilizarov distraction and vascularized fibular osteocutaneous graft for postosteomyelitis skeletal deformity of the forearm.

The reconstruction of large skeletal defects secondary to osteomyelitis is a challenging problem. This paper reports on the treatment of bone defects caused by osteomyelitis of the radius using an Ilizarov distraction technique and a vascularized fibular graft. A 25-year-old man first presented with a right radial defect caused by osteomyelitis when he was 3 years old. His right forearm was shortened and angulated with a dislocation of the distal radio-ulnar joint. The defect in the radial shaft was noted on a radiograph. The reconstruction of his radial bone defect was performed in three separate operations. A two-stage Ilizarov application was performed. Ten months after this operation, the radial bone defect was reconstructed with a vascularized fibular osteocutaneous graft. The right radius was shortened by 10 mm due to the angulation in the distal fixation of the graft 14 years after surgery. Although limited motions of the right thumb extension and wrist supination were noted, other hand functions were adequately restored. The Ilizarov technique is an effective method for correcting distal radio-ulnar joint dislocations and shortened, angulated ulnar bones. The specific features of the vascularized fibular graft make it suitable for the bone reconstruction of large defects in the radius.