Reconstruction of Scalp and Calvarial Defects Using Latissimus Dorsi Myocutaneous Free Flap

PURPOSE: Reconstruction of scalp and calvarial defects should provide both aesthetic and functional aspects. The inelastic nature of the scalp and previous surgery or radiation preclude the use of primary closure or a local flap. With development of microsurgical technique, a free tissue transfer is a good option. We use the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap for reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of all latissimus dorsi free flap reconstructions performed in nine patients from 2009 to 2012 was conducted. There were six males and three females, ranging in age from seven to 69 years, and nine different regions, including five temporal regions, two occipital regions, and two frontoparietal regions. The flaps ranged in size from 9.0x10.0 cm to 14.0x15.0 cm. Recipient vessels available for microanastomosis were most often the superficial temporal vessels and two patients had anastomoses to the external carotid artery and internal jugular vein. RESULTS: All flaps survived postoperatively. With a median follow-up period of 14 months, no major complications were noted. However, two patients developed minor wound dehiscence, and a hematoma was observed in one patient. CONCLUSION: We performed the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap reconstruction, which is one of the most popular reconstructive methods. The latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap reconstruction has been proven successful in our patients with satisfactory results. During the long term follow-up period, even though depressions were observed on the defect area in some patients, they were treated successfully with cranioplasty. Therefore, we recommend the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap for reconstruction of scalp and calvarial defects.

Ischemic Necrosis of the Upper and Lower Extremities after the Use of Norepinephrine

PURPOSE: Norepinephrine is initially used to increase blood pressure in patients with septic shock. It increases blood flow to vital organs but decrease the flow to end-organs resulting in ischemic changes in end-organs. We report five patients with ischemic necrosis of upper and lower extremities after using norepinephrine in septic shock. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical record of five patients with ischemic necrosis of upper and lower extremities after treating septic shock from March 2010 to March 2011. RESULTS: Five patients developed ischemic necrosis of upper and lower extremities during intensive care. All patients experienced septic shock due to medical problems, which required norepinephrine to increase blood pressure. After conservative treatment, stump revision or below knee amputation were done. CONCLUSION: We believe that more active treatment and protection of the end-organs will be needed to prevent poor prognosis during the recovery of septic shock.

Hyperbilirubinemia Is a Significant Indicator for the Severity of Acute Appendicitis

PURPOSE: This study aims to reveal more effective clinical or laboratory markers for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and to score the severity based on a sufficiently large number of patients with acute appendicitis. METHODS: We identified 1,195 patients with acute appendicitis after excluding those with other causes of hyperbilirubinemia among the 1,271 patients that underwent a laparoscopic or an open appendectomy between 2009 and 2010. A retrospective chart review of the medical records, including laboratory and histologic results, was conducted. We then analyzed the data using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Among the 1,195 patients, a laparoscopic appendectomy was performed in 685 cases (57.32%), and an open appendectomy was performed in 510 cases (42.68%). The univariate analysis demonstrated significant differences for white blood cell count (P < 0.0001), segmented neutrophils (P = 0.0035), total bilirubin (P < 0.0001), and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) score between groups (P < 0.0001). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that total bilirubin (odds ratio, 1.772; 95% confidence interval, 1.320 to 2.379; P = 0.0001) and SIRS score (odds ratio, 1.583; 95% confidence interval, 1.313 to 1.908; P < 0.0001) have statistically significant diagnostic value for perforated appendicitis. CONCLUSION: Hyperbilirubinemia is a statistically significant diagnostic marker for acute appendicitis and the likelihood of perforation.

Surgical Correction of Disfiguring Plexiform Neurofibroma Using an Anterolateral Thigh Free Flap

PURPOSE: Neurofibromas of neuroectodermal origin are commonly found in Von Recklinghausens disease or neurofibormatosis type 1. It is an autosomal dominant disease caused by mutation of the long arm of chromosome 17. It can present from small nodules to disfiguring giant tumor. Plexiform neurofibroma is benign in most cases, but it could be transformed into malignant tumor, which requires surgical excision. To cover the defects after the excision, a number of surgical correction methods are available. This study is to report a surgical correction of disfiguring plexiform neurofibroma using anterolateral thigh free flap for extensive defects after surgical excision of neurofibrona. METHODS: Data of five neurofibroma patients with an average age of 39 including medical history, physical examination, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging were checked. No disease other than neurofibroma were detected. Biopsy on the excised tissues was performed. The follow-up period was 7 to 27 months. RESULTS: The average size of defects after complete excision of neurofibroma was 13x10~25x15cm. Defects were covered by anterolateral thigh free flap, while donor sites were covered by local flap, split thickness skin graft and regional flap. Throughout follow-up, there were no complication, relapse, or any abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Despite various surgical correction methods are applicable to defects after excision on disfiguring plexiform neurofibroma, coverage of massive defects is still challenging in plastic and reconstructive surgeon. We have made five successful cases of surgical correction of disfiguring plexiform neurofibroma using anterolateral thigh free flap.

High-pressure Injection Injuries in the Hand

PURPOSE: High-pressure injection injury is caused by accidental injection of the high-pressure injection devices in industry. The initial benign appearance of the wound fools patients into delays in an adequate treatment. And it can result in disastrous outcomes such as necrosis and amputation. To avoid the poor prognosis, the injuries require a prompt surgical intervention. The purpose of this article is to recognize the poor outcome of the high-pressure injection injury and to introduce an adequate treatment in need. METHODS: We have 4 cases of the high-pressure injection injuries in the hand from April, 2005 to March, 2009. Average age is 39 years (30-49 years old), 2 cases are the palm of dominant hand, 1 case is the thumb of dominant hand, and 1 case is the palm of non-dominant hand, respectively. We followed up these patients for 20 months on average. In 3 cases, the immediate, aggressive surgical intervention was carried out, but the other one was delayed in early adequate treatment. The wounds were covered by local advancement flap, anterolateral thigh free flap, conservative treatment with antibiotics and dressing. RESULTS: No pathogens after culture were found nor any findings of fracture in imaging study. Conservative treatment, local advancement flap and anterolateral thigh free flap for the open wound resulted in a desirable aesthetic outcome. In a long-term follow up, functional capability of the patient was also satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Upon initial evaluation, most high-pressure injection injuries present as innocuous wounds with very few symptoms and result in delaying the proper management. And the majority of high-pressure injection injuries will produce significant morbidity to the hand, amputation. And the initial aggressive surgical debridement was needed to prevent the poor outcome. The key to success in treating high-pressure injection injuries of the hand is the prompt aggressive surgical intervention.

The Hemodynamic Response of Nicardipine for Hypertension Control during an Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft / 대한마취과학회지

Drugs for acute blood pressure control are often required during a cardiovascular operation. Hypertension frequently occurs in an off-pump coronary artery bypass graft. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of nicardipine on hemodynamic change. Twenty adult patients were studied. Anesthesia was induced intravenously with thiopental (4 mg/kg), vecuronium (1 mg/kg), and fentanyl (4microgram/kg), and maintained with 100% O2 and isoflurane 1 1.5 Vol%. When systolic blood pressure rose above 150 mmHg, nicardipine 1 mg was administrated intravenously. Immediately after the nicardipine bolus injection, nicardipine was infused continuously 0.5 4microgram/kg/min. Thereafter, hemodynamic data was recorded. Systolic blood pressure decreased, but cardiac index significantly increased after an intravenous administration of nicardipine and was maintained during the study. There was no incidence of tachycardia. It was concluded that acute blood pressure control using nicardipine could be suitable and safe in patients with an off-pump CABG.

Spinal Myoclonus on Lower Extremities Following Spinal Anesthesia or Subdural Administration of Intended Epidural Steroid Injection: Three cases reports / 대한마취과학회지

Clonic movement is an extremely rare complication that occurs after neuroaxial blockade. We have experienced three patients showing intermittent clonic movement on both lower extremities following spinal anesthesia or subdural administration of intended epidural steroid injection.The first and the second patients, 13-year-old boy and 51-year-old man, experienced clonic movement following standard spinal anesthesia with hyperbaric tetracaine with epinephrine for operation on lower extremities. The third one, 24-year-old man, was an outpatient for the treatment of intractable radiculopathy, previously had an L4 laminectomy. His clonic movement may have resulted from the accidental subdural administration of an intended epidural injection of 0.5% lidocaine 6 ml containing triamcinolone 40 mg. Clonic movement has appeared as the occurrence of intermittent, short-timed (about 2~5 seconds), severe annoying, bilateral involuntary muscle contraction on lower extremities at the stage of recovery. It sustained for about 4~19 hours. The treatment was mainly sedation with sedatives and inhalation anesthetics, and partially muscle relaxants or anticholinesterase. They recovered without any sequelae.

On the Usefulness of Intravenous Anesthesia for Patients Undergoing Postoperative Radiologic Examination / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: In most brain operations, the endotracheal tube is kept in postoperatively for airway maintenance during radiologic examinations. But the endotracheal tube causes tracheal irritation and hemodynamic changes. Inhalation anesthetics can not be administered during transport, and minimal concentration is exhaled for several hours after the end of inhalation. The present study was designed : (1) to determine the end tidal isoflurane concentration after the end of administration ; (2) to investigate the effects of intravenous anesthetics in patients with tracheal intubation during radiologic examination postoperatively. METHODS: We selected forty adult patients who were scheduled for elective neurosurgical operation with postoperative brain CT (computerized tomography). The study was performed in 2 steps; in the step 1 (n = 10), end tidal isoflurane concentration was checked after ending inhalation. In the step 2 (n = 30), patients were divided into one of three groups according to anesthesia method; group I (using isoflurane), group P (change from isoflurane to propofol about an hour before operation end), group M (using midazolam instead of propofol, compared to group P). In each group, the frequency of bucking and incidence of hypertension were checked during postoperative radiologic examinations. RESULTS: Minimal concentrations of isoflurane were detected in exhaled gas for about 2 hours after the end of isoflurane inhalation. The frequency of bucking was significantly lower in the group P and M than in group I (P = 0.002). In group P, the incidence of hypertension was significantly reduced compared to group M and I (P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the change of anesthetic technique (from inhalation to intravenous) in the late period of operation, provides postoperative hemodynamic stability, a more comfortable state and minimal environmental pollution in comparison to inhalation anesthesia only.

On the Usefulness of Intravenous Anesthesia for Patients Undergoing Postoperative Radiologic Examination / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: In most brain operations, the endotracheal tube is kept in postoperatively for airway maintenance during radiologic examinations. But the endotracheal tube causes tracheal irritation and hemodynamic changes. Inhalation anesthetics can not be administered during transport, and minimal concentration is exhaled for several hours after the end of inhalation. The present study was designed : (1) to determine the end tidal isoflurane concentration after the end of administration ; (2) to investigate the effects of intravenous anesthetics in patients with tracheal intubation during radiologic examination postoperatively. METHODS: We selected forty adult patients who were scheduled for elective neurosurgical operation with postoperative brain CT (computerized tomography). The study was performed in 2 steps; in the step 1 (n = 10), end tidal isoflurane concentration was checked after ending inhalation. In the step 2 (n = 30), patients were divided into one of three groups according to anesthesia method; group I (using isoflurane), group P (change from isoflurane to propofol about an hour before operation end), group M (using midazolam instead of propofol, compared to group P). In each group, the frequency of bucking and incidence of hypertension were checked during postoperative radiologic examinations. RESULTS: Minimal concentrations of isoflurane were detected in exhaled gas for about 2 hours after the end of isoflurane inhalation. The frequency of bucking was significantly lower in the group P and M than in group I (P = 0.002). In group P, the incidence of hypertension was significantly reduced compared to group M and I (P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the change of anesthetic technique (from inhalation to intravenous) in the late period of operation, provides postoperative hemodynamic stability, a more comfortable state and minimal environmental pollution in comparison to inhalation anesthesia only.