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Introduction: For successful lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA), it is important to create anastomoses with high flow to maintain patency. To ensure that this can be achieved, we compared the efficacy of a modified intraoperative distal compression (IDC) technique with the conventional no compression (NC) method for lower limb lymphedema., Patients and Methods: In the IDC group, compression was applied to an area of the foot distal to the first LVA site. After completion of the first LVA, the distal compression was extended over the first LVA site to the distal end of the second LVA site., Results: There was no significant difference between the IDC (n = 25) and NC (n = 25) groups in detection rate. However, significant differences were observed in lymphatic vessel diameter and LVA success rate. No intraoperative anastomotic obstruction was seen at the conclusion of surgery. Intraoperative congestion with blood was detected in lymphatic vessels in 8 of 79 anastomoses (10.1%) in the NC group, but not in any cases in the IDC group (p = 0.002). There was a significant between-group difference in the rate of improvement in lymphedema between the IDC (16.1±3.6) and NC groups (14.0±3.4; p = 0.03)., Discussion: IDC during LVA is thought to increase lymph flow in larger caliber lymphatics, leading to a high success rate and a low rate of venous reflux. IDC is beneficial when performing LVA., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None declared, (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: A drawback of multiple lymphaticovenular anastomoses (LVAs) is the need for at least two microsurgeons and the same number of microscopes. In practice, many hospitals find it difficult to access such resources. We have developed a novel line production system (LPS) to address this problem. We assessed whether or not the LPS is better than the conventional dual microscope (DM) system when performing multiple LVAs., Methods: An LPS group, wherein a novice microsurgeon used loupes to dissect lymphatics and an expert microsurgeon used a microscope to perform the LVAs, and a DM (control) group, wherein the surgeons used microscopes to perform the LVAs. We recorded the lymphatic detection rate through the loupes and the diameter of the detected lymphatics. We also investigated the impact of using the LPS by comparing the number and quality of LVAs and improvement in lymphedema between the study groups., Results: The mean lymphatic detection rate was 81%±15.60%, and the mean size of lymphatics was 0.44 ± 0.12 mm in the LPS. The number of LVAs/h in LPS was significantly higher than that in DM (2.15 ± 0.20 vs. 1.38 ± 0.17; p < 0.01). The number of successful LVAs/h in LPS was significantly higher than that in the DM (2.08 ± 0.22 vs. 0.84 ± 0.14; P < 0.01). Mean rate of improvement in LEL index was significantly higher than that in DM (9.36 ± 1.85 vs. 6.93 ± 1.73; P < 0.01)., Discussion: The number and quality of the LVAs increase using the LPS, which leads to further improvement in lymphedema, with fewer microscopes and microsurgeons and a shorter operating time., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Limb amputation has historically been the first choice of treatment for patients with bone or soft-tissue sarcomas involving major blood vessels. However, recent advances in surgical technique have allowed limb-salvage surgery. We reviewed our experiences with limb-salvage surgery and immediate vascular reconstruction following en bloc resection of bone or soft-tissue sarcomas of the lower extremity., Materials and Method: We reviewed 23 patients (15 male and eight female; mean age, 43.6 years) who underwent limb-salvage surgery and immediate vascular reconstruction. Details of surgical factors and postoperative complications were evaluated., Results: Reconstructed vessels remained patent in 21 cases. The rate of limb oedema was higher in patients who underwent only arterial reconstruction after arteriovenous resection. Twenty patients could walk well without crutches a few months after reconstructive surgery. All patients avoided amputation. Two patients died of disseminated disease within 3 years after surgery., Conclusion: The high rate of limb oedema suggests that venous reconstruction is necessary after arteriovenous resection. Vascular reconstruction and musculocutaneous flap techniques are useful in limb-salvage surgery and are indicated for patients who have achieved good disease control. Evidence Rating Scale for Therapeutic Studies: Level III., (Copyright © 2013 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: The fibular flap and the scapular flap are widely used for immediate reconstruction after segmental mandibulectomy. The aim of this study was to compare perioperative complications between the fibular flap and the scapular flap in immediate mandibular reconstruction., Methods: Data were retrospectively collected on 56 patients who had undergone immediate mandibular reconstruction with a fibular flap (38 patients) or a scapular flap (18 patients) after segmental mandibulectomy from 2005 to 2011. The rates of perioperative recipient-site and donor-site complications were compared between the groups., Results: The overall rate of recipient-site complications did not differ significantly between the fibula group and the scapula flap. However, the rate of donor-site complications was significantly higher in the fibula group than in the scapula group. Partial skin-graft loss in the fibula group occurred in as high as 13 out of 38 patients., Discussion: For immediate mandibular reconstruction, a scapular flap provides short-term results equivalent to those with a fibular flap but with less donor-site morbidity. The major drawbacks of the fibular flap include prolonged healing of the donor site and the delayed mobilisation of patients. Although our first choice of vascularised bone graft is the fibular flap, the scapular flap in an alternative for those patients, especially elderly patients, in whom fibula harvest can result in significant morbidity., (Copyright © 2012 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: The reconstruction of large, complex defects of the abdominal wall after the ablation of malignant tumours can be challenging. The transfer of an anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is an attractive option. This study compared free ALT flaps and pedicled ALT flaps for abdominal wall reconstruction., Methods: From 1996 through 2011, 20 patients underwent abdominal wall reconstruction with ALT flaps. The flaps were pedicled in 12 patients and free in eight patients. Medical records were reviewed for complications and clinical and demographic data. Abdominal wall defects were classified into the following four groups: upper midline, lower midline, upper quadrants and lower quadrants., Results: Pedicled flaps were transferred to the upper midline region in one patient, the lower midline region in six patients and lower quadrants in five patients. Free flaps were transferred to the lower midline region in two patients, upper quadrants in four patients and lower quadrants in two patients. Mean reconstructive time was significantly longer with free flaps (6 h 32 min) than with pedicled flaps (4 h 55 min, p = 0.035). Although free flaps (mean size, 360 cm(2)) were larger than pedicled flaps (mean size, 289 cm(2)), the difference was not significant (p = 0.218). The rates of complications did not differ between free flaps and pedicled flaps. No total flap loss occurred, and there was partial loss of only a single pedicled flap, which was the flap furthest from the pivot point. Infections developed of two pedicled flaps and three free flaps., Conclusion: This study suggests that complication rates do not differ between free and pedicled ALT flaps. The choice of flap depends on the size and location of the defect and the length of the vascular pedicle., (Copyright © 2012 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Osteocutaneous flaps are one of the best options for one-stage mandible reconstruction. However, the challenge remains to achieve optimal functional and cosmetic results. A new novel approach involving the preoperative prefabrication of a reconstructive plate through a calcium-sulphate three-dimensional (3D) model facilitates the contouring of vascularised bone grafts. We herein report our preparations and results using this technique., Methods: A total of 17 mandibular defects were reconstructed by this novel approach. A calcium-sulphate 3D model was constructed from computed tomography (CT) data. After the oncologist designed the cut line on the model, the mandibular arc was ground to the neo-mandible shape, which consisted of several linear planes according to the osteotomy of the bone graft. The reconstruction plate was shaped to fit this. After tumour resection, the prefabricated plate was placed to the remaining mandible and revealed the defect to be reconstructed, just as a mould. Rubber sticks were used as a template to shape the bone graft. The preoperative information, and functional and aesthetic results were retrospectively analysed., Results: As many as 12 fibular and 5 scapular flaps were applied. Postoperative complications included two salivary fistulae, one abscess and one partial skin loss, all of which were resolved after conservative treatment. Postoperatively, all patients could speak clearly, 12 had a normal diet and 12 had excellent cosmetic results., Conclusions: This is the first report using models made by calcium-sulphate. The largest advantage of this model is that the neo-mandible shape can be demonstrated preoperatively. The refinement of mandible reconstruction after tumour ablative surgery can be achieved with a prefabricated plate through the use of a calcium-sulphate 3D model. It enables more accurate, faster and simplified fabrication of reconstruction plates, thus leading to satisfactory functional and cosmetic results., (Copyright © 2010 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The 320-row multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is now used by both cardiologists and neurosurgeons. It enables dynamic 3D-CT angiography, because the wide-area detector eliminates helical scanning, thus achieving very fast scanning times for single 3D-CT volume data. Some microvascular surgeons are familiar with 64-row MDCT for perforator studies, but there are few reports of studies using 320-row MDCT. This MDCT system was used to follow the dynamic blood flow of small vessels. It is considered to have a great potential in the clinical field of microvascular surgery., (Copyright 2010 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We report the case of a 39-year-old man with a dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) on the right shoulder. A wide surgical excision of the tumour was performed, creating a 12-cm-wide defect. An anterolateral thigh flap created from two semicircular skin paddles was harvested and the two skin paddles were slid towards each other to cover the circular defect. The sliding technique is a useful design that preserves the suprafascial plexus and enables a single perforator to supply two split-skin paddles. Using this design, the donor site can be closed primarily without requiring a skin graft. This technique can be applied to other free flaps to reconstruct wide defects after the resection of cancers., (Copyright 2009 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)