Long-Term Outcome of Free Rectus Abdominis Musculocutaneous Flap for General Soft-Tissue Reconstruction

PURPOSE: The rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (RAM) flap has contributed to the efficient reconstruction of soft tissue defects. The flap has the advantage of easy dissection, minimal donor site morbidity, and the constant vascular anatomy with long pedicle. Authors used the free RAM flap to reconstruct multi-located soft tissue defects while still considering functionality and aesthetics. We present the long-term outcomes and versatility of free RAM flaps. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1994 to 2004, all patients who underwent soft tissue reconstruction with free RAM flap were reviewed retrospectively. The site of the reconstruction, vessels of anastomosis, type of RAM flap, and outcomes, including flap success rate, hospital stay after flap transfer, conduction of secondary procedure, flap complications, and donor-site complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients underwent 24 free RAM flaps in site of breast, face, upper extremity and lower extremity. Mean follow-up period was 36.1 months (range, 3~156 months). The overall success rate was 92% with only a loss of 2 flaps. Minor complications related to transferred flaps were necrosis of 2 partial flaps, hematoma formation in 3 cases, and a wound infection in 1 case. Donor site morbidity was not observed. Debulking surgery was performed in 4 patients, and scar revision was performed in 3 patients. CONCLUSION: Free RAM flap is a workhorse flap for general soft-tissue reconstruction with minimal donor site morbidity with aesthetically good results. Thus, the free RAM flaps are versatile, and sturdy for any sites of soft-tissue where reconstruction could be performed.

Surgical Treatment of Snapping Hip by Modified Z-plasty of the Iliotibial Band / 대한스포츠의학회지

We performed modified Z-plasty (N-plasty) in the patients with snapping hip syndrome arising from the iliotibial band whose pain and clicking sensation persisted despite conservative treatments. We analyzed clinical results to evaluate the effectiveness of this new technique. Among 51 patients (65 cases) who still felt pain and reported clicking sensation during daily life despite hospitalization for at least 2 months from January 1999 to November 2011, we evaluated a total of 32 patients (37 cases) who underwent N-plasty and followed up for more than 6 months. All patients were male whose average age was 24 years. Initial symptoms developed an average of 10 months before hospital visit. Surgery was defined success by postoperative 6 months at which time the patient could be able to carry on with daily life and to exercise without clicking sensation and pain, and defined failure when either clicking sensation or pain was present. We observed that the posterior portion of the iliotibial band was thickened by an average of 8.4 mm. Tenotomy of the iliotibial band lengthened the band by an average of 23mm and narrowed the width of the iliotibial band anterior to posterior. Success was in 33 cases (89%) after surgery. Failure was observed in 4 cases. Three were improved after resurgery and 1 was treated conservatively. We found that N-plasty performed in external type snapping hip patients was an effective method yielding a high success rate.