Identification of optimal flap types for color matching in free flap-based facial reconstruction in Asian population.

Large soft tissue defects of the face often require free flap-based reconstruction. To avoid a conspicuous patch-like appearance, choosing flaps with a color similar to that of the adjacent facial skin is crucial. This study aimed to identify the flap types that show the best color match via objective color evaluation. Patients who underwent free flap-based facial reconstruction between 2013 and 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Based on standardized photographs, average color samples of the flap skin paddle and adjacent skin were obtained. The color differences were compared by flap type at two different time points, early (within 1-3 months, post-operative) and late (after 1 year, post-operative), using the delta E value. Fifty-eight free flaps were analyzed, including 22 thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flaps, 17 anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps, nine superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flaps, and eight radial forearm (RF) flaps. In the analysis of early outcomes, the RF flaps showed the least color difference, followed by the SCIP and TDAP flaps, and the ALT flaps showed the greatest difference, with the differences being significant. Most cases showed generally improved color matching over time. Time-dependent changes were significant in the ALT and TDAP flap groups. In the analysis of late outcomes, all flap types showed delta E values less than 10, with the RF flaps showing the least color difference, followed by the SCIP flap. The four workhorse flaps provided acceptable outcomes with long-term improvements. The RF flaps provided the best color matching in the long run.

Usefulness of resorbable plate in auricular elevation in two-stage microtia reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Achieving a well-reconstructed retroauricular sulcus with satisfactory projection and a sufficiently deep retroauricular sulcus is important and at the same time challenging. The selection of the support material is crucial to obtain a sustainable, deep sulcus. The costal cartilage is the conventional material of choice. However, risk of slippage of inserted cartilage and donor site morbidity exists. Resorbable plates are durable, easy to secure and can be easily modified into desired shape. The current study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of using a resorbable plate for auricular elevation. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients who received auricular elevation with resorbable plates from December 2020 to October 2022 was performed. Patients demographics, number of inserted plates and screws, postoperative complication were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 65 patients with microtia who underwent auricular reconstruction, resorbable plates were applied to 12 patients. Mean follow up period was 198 (range, 86-360) days. Auricular elevation was performed with one plate at cavum conchae and remnant rib cartilage at the helix in 10 patients (87)%. Two patients had resorbable plate as support material at the both sites. Regarding postoperative complications, there were no hematoma, seroma, plate exposure or plate fracture. Two patients suffered wound problems. One patient recovered only with conservative management. The other healed completely after debridement and intravenous antibiotics administration without undesired change of shape of ear. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest using resorbable plates as an ideal support material, as it can provide firm support to achieve appropriate depth of sulcus without excessive bulk.

"Strategic Application of Anatomical Subunit Approximation Technique for Correction of Complete Unilateral Cleft lip".

OBJECTIVE: To discuss advantages, disadvantages and strategical application of anatomical subunit approximation technique in complete unilateral cleft lip repair. DESIGN: Analysis of consecutive 28 cases. SETTING: A single surgeon experience at a university hospital. PATIENTS: Among 77 patients who underwent cleft lip repair between May 5, 2019 and June 30, 2021, 28 patients with complete unilateral cleft lip who received cheiloplasty by author's technique. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surgical outcomes were assessed by frontal view medical photographs obtained postoperatively at follow-up visits. RESULTS: The average length difference between cleft and noncleft sides was <10% for transverse lip length and philtral height. Nostril sill height demonstrated about twenty percent of difference with much variable results. Although the one sample t-test revealed that differences exist between the cleft and noncleft side, they were within an acceptable range. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the strengths and limitations of anatomical subunit approximation technique enabled strategic application in complete unilateral cleft lip repair. Satisfactory outcomes were achieved not only regarding the scar placement but also regarding the symmetry of the lips and augmentation of nasal sill.

Natural course of fat necrosis after deep inferior epigastric perforator flap-based breast reconstruction: Evaluation based on ultrasound examination.

BACKGROUND: Fat necrosis, often developing following deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap-based breast reconstruction, is not a negligible complication. This study aimed to conduct a longitudinal assessment of the clinical course of fat necrosis in breast reconstruction with DIEP flap. METHODS: Among patients undergoing immediate DIEP flap-based breast reconstruction between 2009 and 2017, those who developed fat necrosis on ultrasonographic examination and did not undergo surgical intervention for the lesion were reviewed. Changes in lesion size over time were assessed based on regular ultrasound examinations. RESULTS: A total of 37 cases were analyzed, with a mean follow-up of 52.6 months (range, 19-114). Their mean age was 45.8 years, and the mean body mass index was 23.4 kg/m2 . Of these, 21 lesions had disappeared over time. The mean time from detection to the disappearance was 30.4 months. The remaining 16 lesions did not disappear and persisted for a median follow-up of 43.5 months. Compared with the lesions that persisted, those that disappeared were significantly smaller in initial size (p = 0.040) and had a lower inset ratio of the harvested flap (p = 0.006). The optimal cutoff value for the initial size for disappearance was ≤1.97 cm. Among the lesions >1.97 cm in size, 6 (35.3%) of 17 lesions disappeared, whereas in those ≤1.97 cm, 15 (75.0%) of 20 disappeared over time, with a significant difference (p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: The natural course of fat necrosis that develops following the DIEP flap may differ according to its initial size.

Lower Leg Reconstruction With Free Tissue Transfer Using Reverse Flow Recipient Vein: A Case Report.

Since the introduction of distally based flap, the concept of reverse flow flap was expanded to free tissue transfers. For recipient vessels, retrograde arterial inflow is considered a safe option for anastomosis. However, the reliability of a retrograde recipient vein remains controversial. This report presents a case of successful lower leg reconstruction with free flap using a retrograde recipient vein. A 43-year-old woman had a mass lesion in the lateral side of the right calf, which was diagnosed as a malignant granular cell tumor. During wide excision of the tumor, the anterior tibial artery (ATA) and veins were ligated and resected at the bifurcation point from the popliteal artery and veins because the tumor abutted on the ATA near the bifurcation. The skin defect measured 17 × 7 cm with the proximal part of the tibia and lateral condyle exposed. A 19 × 7.5 cm anterolateral thigh flap was elevated, and anastomoses were performed using the distal end of the ATA and anterior tibial vein as retrograde recipient vessels. The flap was well perfused, and no signs of venous insufficiency were observed. Complete survival with no postoperative complications was achieved. In free tissue transfers of the lower leg, retrograde venous flow can be considered as a recipient vein when an antegrade vein is not available or has risks of venous insufficiency.

The Interchondral Joints of Thorax in Microtia Surgery: Classification and Fabrication Strategies.

BACKGROUND: The interchondral joint between the sixth and seventh costal cartilages, called synchondrosis, assists in harvesting and fabricating the microtia framework. However, its looseness often complicates the microtia surgery. We aimed to classify the interchondral joints based on looseness and identify predictors for each subtype. METHODS: Electronic chart and intraoperative photographs were reviewed for consecutive microtia patients who underwent costal cartilage graft for ear reconstruction from June 2001 to February 2020. The sixth and seventh costal interchondral joint was classified in the ascending order of looseness-direct cartilaginous fusion (class I), synovial joint (class II), and loose tissue (class III)-with a minor modification from the cadaveric study of Dr. Briscoe in 1925. χ2 Tests compared the incidence of each subtype in terms of patient variables including age, sex, chest laterality, and radiologic chest deformity. Multivariate logistic regression was used for identifying independent predictors for each subtype. RESULTS: Seven hundred thirty-three graft specimens were enrolled (mean age 12.1 years). Class I joint was seen in 137 (18.7%) grafts, class II in 544 (74.2%), and class III in 52 (7.1%). Female predilection was found for cartilaginous fusion (class I) (adjusted odds ratio, 1.691; P = 0.007). The incidence of loose joint (class III) was comparable, ranging from 4.6% to 12.5%, in terms of all the patient variables. CONCLUSIONS: Loose interchondral joints were not uncommon in microtia surgery. Patient variables were less likely to predict this anatomical variation, necessitating some knowledge of managing the framework instability. Female patients were more likely to enable easy fabrication with directly fused costal cartilages.

Benefits of the Multidisciplinary Approach After Curative Surgery for the Treatment of Scalp Angiosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Patients with scalp angiosarcoma still present with a dismal prognosis, indicating the need for a multidisciplinary approach. The present study aimed to investigate the treatment outcomes of scalp angiosarcoma with a focus on the effect of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, performed in either an adjuvant or palliative setting, after curative surgical treatment. METHODS: Patients with scalp angiosarcoma without evidence of systemic metastasis who were treated with curative ablative surgery between 2008 and 2018 were assessed. Oncologic outcomes, including recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS), were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients were analyzed. All patients underwent radical resection, most of whom (82.6%) achieved R0 resection. Adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy (all taxane-based) were delivered for 11 and 3 patients, respectively. Recurrence developed in 17 (73.9%) of 23 patients during a mean follow-up period of 18.4 months. The overall 2-year RFS and OS were 15.5% and 44.4%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy were associated with a significantly low risk of recurrence. In 17 patients with recurrence, those receiving palliative radiotherapy or chemotherapy had significantly higher OS than those not receiving any treatments. Compared with patients treated during the first half of the study period, those treated during the latter part, who received adjuvant and palliative radiotherapy or chemotherapy more frequently, had significantly favorable OS, with a 2-year OS of 77.8%. CONCLUSIONS: A multidisciplinary approach using radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy combined with curative resection might be associated with better oncologic outcomes in patients with scalp angiosarcoma.

Comparison of surgical outcomes of free flap reconstructions performed by expert microsurgeons and trainees who completed a structured microsurgical training program in a teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have evaluated clinical outcomes of novice surgeons trained in a microsurgical training program. Herein, we describe successful free flap reconstructions performed by trainees who completed a structured microsurgical training program. METHODS: The Microsurgical Skills Training Course, a laboratory-based structured microsurgical training program, was developed and used for microsurgical training. Three trainees (postgraduate years 6 and 7) who completed the training course during residency were assigned to perform free flap reconstructions between March 2015 and February 2019. Clinical outcomes of free flap reconstruction were assessed. A retrospective propensity-score-matched analysis was performed between the trainee and expert microsurgeon groups. RESULTS: A total of 161 patients were included. Of them, 67 (25 of the trainee group and 42 of the expert group) were propensity score-matched. No flap failure developed in either matched group (p>0.999). Rates of overall complications, partial flap loss, and emergent reoperation due to vascular compromise were not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.384, p=0.525, and p=0.322, respectively), whereas those of donor complications and overall operation time were significantly higher in the trainee group than the expert group (p=0.002 and p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: The use of a structured microvascular training program in qualified teaching hospitals may help trainees achieve independence as microsurgeons and favorable clinical outcomes.