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Chronic hand ischemia causes cold intolerance, intractable pain, and digital ulceration. If ischemic symptoms persist despite pharmacologic treatments, surgical interventions should be considered. This retrospective study evaluated the long-term results after ulnar and radial reconstruction using an interpositional deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA) graft combined with periarterial sympathectomy. Patients who underwent this surgery from March 2003 to February 2019 were included. To evaluate variables influencing recurrence after the procedure, patients were divided into the recurred and non-recurred groups and their data were compared. Overall, 62 cases involving 47 patients were analyzed (16 and 46 cases in the recurred and non-recurred groups, respectively). The median DIEA graft length was 8.5 cm. The rates of rheumatic disease and female patients were significantly higher in the recurred than in the non-recurred group, without significant between-group differences in postoperative complication rates. In the multivariate analysis, underlying rheumatic disease and graft length had significant effects on recurrence. In Kaplan–Meier analysis, the 5- and 10-year symptom-free rates were 81.3% and 68.0%, respectively, with lower rates for cases with rheumatic disease. Thus, arterial reconstruction using an interpositional DIEA graft provides long-term sustainable vascular supply in patients with chronic hand ischemia, especially in those without rheumatic disease.

Summary Background The pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (TRAM) remains an effective and widely-used method for breast reconstruction despite well-documented donor-site morbidity. We present the island-type pedicled TRAM flap as a way to obtain better and more reliable outcomes in breast reconstruction. Methods A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent breast reconstruction with an island-type pedicled TRAM flap was performed. Patient demographics and complications were reviewed. In the island-type pedicled TRAM flap, we transversely resected the upper ipsilateral rectus muscle surrounding the origin of the superior epigastric vessels, preserving only a 1-cm muscle strip including the vascular pedicle to prevent epigastric bulging and inframammary fold (IMF) disruption. The flap was turned over into the ipsilateral breast pocket. The IMF was repaired except for the portion where the pedicle was placed. Results From January 2013 to November 2017, 88 patients underwent surgery using the island-type pedicled TRAM flap. The etiology of the defect was breast cancer with mastectomy in 86 cases, and paraffinoma in two cases. Seventy-seven patients underwent unilateral reconstruction, and 11 patients underwent bilateral reconstruction. Minor fat necrosis occurred in eight cases. Mild inframammary or epigastric bulging was observed in five cases, and neither partial nor total flap necrosis was observed. The aesthetic outcome of the IMF was evaluated in 55 cases, and 53 cases received good overall scores. Conclusion Although the island-type pedicled TRAM flap is technically challenging because careful dissection and pedicle identification is required, it can provide more reliable and better aesthetic results without an increased risk of vascular compromise.

Rectosigmoid vaginoplasty is a frequently used surgical method in male-to-female sex reassignment surgery. However, severe side effects, such as sepsis, may occur owing to stricture, mucorrhea, and rectovaginal fistula. Herein, we present the case of a 29-year-old patient who underwent complete reconstruction of an obstructed rectosigmoid vaginal orifice. The patient had undergone male-to-female sex reassignment surgery with rectosigmoid vaginoplasty 8 years previously. The vaginal introitus was completely obstructed, and mucous secretions of the rectum remained in the blind pouch. Therefore, she developed several complications, including panperitonitis, sepsis, and repeated obstruction. We performed complete resection of the scar and reconstructed the orifice of the neovagina using a pudendal thigh island flap. The patient’s life-threatening condition subsided with the successful release of the vaginal orifice. Vaginal orifice stricture is a frequent complication of rectosigmoid vaginoplasty. A pudendal thigh flap can be used to effectively and safely release this stricture and reconstruct the neo-orifice of the rectosigmoid vagina without recurrence.

Background: Reverse-flow posterior interosseous artery (rPIA) flap is an excellent tool for restoration of defects in the hand and upper extremity, sparing the main arteries to the hand. Its reliability has been well established. Materials and Methods: Fifty-one cases of rPIA flap involving 49 patients were retrospectively reviewed. The inclusion criteria were age, sex, etiology, size and location of the defect, flap size, number of perforators included, pedicle length, flap inset, donor site coverage, complications, and ancillary procedures. Results: This study included 44 men and 5 women, ranging in age between 10 and 73 years. The subjects had soft tissue defects of the hand and upper extremity mainly due to traumatic injuries, including scar contractures of the first web space in 18 cases, thumb amputations in 6 cases, and congenital defects in 1 case. Among the 51 rPIA flap elevations, 3 cases involved flap failure due to the absence of proper pedicle. A fasciocutaneous pattern was observed in 45 cases and a myocutaneous pattern in 3 cases. In 5 cases of unplantable thumb amputations, the rPIA flap was performed for arterial inflow to the secondary toe-to-thumb transfer. Venous congestion of varying degrees was noted in 7 cases involving partial necrosis in 2 cases. During the mean 17 months of follow-up, patients were generally satisfied with the final outcomes. Conclusion: The rPIA flap can be used not only for soft tissue coverage of the hand and upper extremity but also as a recipient arterial pedicle for a secondary toe-to thumb transfer.

Symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG) is rare but devastating complication which is characterized by symmetrical ischemic change of the distal extremities. In this report, we describe our management protocol for SPG, focusing on surgical approaches. Between January 2007 and February 2016, 10 thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) free flaps were performed in 6 patients with SPG. Three patients were male and mean age was 56 (range, 44–69) years. All the patients were in shock. The causes of shock were sepsis in 4 cases, respiratory arrest in 1 case, and hypovolemia in 1 case. Eight transmetatarsal amputations and 2 Lisfranc amputations were performed. Flap sizes ranged from 7 × 11 cm to 25 × 15 cm. There were 3 cases of partial necrosis of the flap: two healed conservatively with dressings and one required skin graft. Three of the patients were later able to walk independently at Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC) level 6, one patient could walk independently on level surfaces at FAC level 5, and 2 could walk independently using walking aids, classified at FAC level 4. The average follow-up period was 18 (range, 6–54) months. In patients with SPG, minimal bone amputation and foot salvage with TDAP flaps were successful. Separate reconstruction of bone and soft tissue had good outcomes.

Background: Reconstruction of the nipple–areolar complex is the final stage of breast reconstruction. Nipple reconstruction is usually performed several months after breast reconstruction, because simultaneous reconstruction is thought to be risky. Here, we introduce our experiences of 1-stage procedures with immediate reconstruction of the nipple–areolar complex during autologous breast reconstruction. Methods: Between 2008 and 2015, 51 mastectomy patients underwent 1-stage breast and nipple reconstruction. All cases were reconstructed immediately with autologous tissue for the breast mound. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the method of nipple–areolar complex reconstruction. In group A, 23 cases were reconstructed with a classical C-H flap, also known as the Hammond flap. In group B, 28 cases were reconstructed with a modified C-H flap, which is the evolved form of the classical Hammond flap. The nipple–areolar complex was evaluated preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and 1 year postoperatively. Postoperative complications were also evaluated. Results: The mean projection of the reconstructed nipple decreased by approximately 50% in group A and 38% in group B during the postoperative 1 year. However, the reconstructed nipple width and areolar diameter did not show a significant change in either group. Group A showed 26% of complication rate and 17% of revision rate, whereas group B showed 11% of complication rate and 4% of revision rate. However, no major complications such as complete necrosis of the reconstructed nipple, were observed in any patients. Conclusion: The modified technique group showed superior results in terms of safety and cosmesis. With our modified C-H flap method, simultaneous breast and nipple reconstruction is safe and has satisfactory results.

The leakage management of water distribution networks is one of the significant work for supply water with efficiency and stability.This study suggests the improved leakage detection model, which includes hydraulic analysis simulator considering the uncertaintiesof nodal demand and pipe roughness coefficient. The nodal demand and pipe roughness coefficient are important element that con-tains a high degree of uncertainty when modeling networks. Here, the Emitter function of EPANET2 is used to simulate the leakage inwater distribution networks. The developed model is applied to the P city network in Korea which is calibrated, and the results showthe proposed model is superior to other reported models. The suggested model is proved to be efficient in detecting the location of theleakage and it can supports to leakage detection operations in real fields. Furthermore, the model also can be used to estimate the posi-tion and the number of monitoring points.Key words : Water distribution system, Leakage detection, Emitter coefficient, Uncertainty analysis, Optimization

Because frontotemporal dermoid cysts are superficial masses on the zygomaticofrontal suture, they are usually removed by simple direct excision in pediatric patients. Adult patients, however, require a more involved treatment approach because these cysts may be large and extend deeply into the surrounding tissue. From 2008 to 2015, 33 adult patients with frontotemporal dermoid cysts were treated in our clinic under a new treatment algorithm. Patients with a cyst smaller than 2 cm in diameter were treated using a direct excisional approach without a preoperative computed tomography (CT) evaluation. Patients with a cyst larger than 2 cm in diameter underwent a preoperative CT evaluation to determine the exact location of the cyst. If the cyst invaded the temporal fossa, a hemicoronal approach was used for excision. Cysts that did not cross the lateral orbital rim were removed using a direct excisional approach. Among the 33 patients in the study, 6 patients had cysts smaller than 2 cm in diameter, and 27 patients had cysts larger than 2 cm in diameter. Of the 27 patients with large dermoid cysts, 17 cysts showed temporal fossa invasion and 10 showed no signs of temporal fossa invasion. In all cases, the cyst was completely excised without rupture, and no instances of complications or recurrence were observed. In adults with frontotemporal dermoid cysts larger than 2 cm in diameter, preoperative CT evaluations should be performed. If the evidence suggests that a cyst has invaded the temporal fossa, a hemicoronal approach is required for complete excision.

During maintenance and managing of water distribution systems, reducing water losses is a critical component. To achieve reduction of water losses, active leakage management is required. In this study, we propose optimal leakage detection model, which is the combination of simulation of hydraulic analysis and optimization technique. Through the use of hydraulic analysis method can able to achieve in creating a real-life based Semi-Pressure Driven Analysis (Semi-PDA) model without having to use the highly uncertain Head Outflow Relationship (HOR) is applied. EPANET2 created a model of emitter coefficient`s optimization, and it decides leakage location. For optimization technique, Harmony Search (HS) is applied that was developed in Korea and has been used in various cases recently. When we apply proposed method to sample network, it practically searches the leakage location. Especially, in optimization technique, we have a research of comparing the results of Harmony-Search (HS) and Genetic-Algorithm (GA); HS` result is more accurate. Also we verify that increasing of leakage location detection uncertainty by decreasing of number of observed data is less than GA. Therefore, suggested technique can be substituted to existing experiential leakage detection method. Therefore, this basic technology can be used as future proactive water resource management environment like Smart Water Grid.