Reconstruction of left groin defect following a failed left femoral aneurysm bypass procedure. The defect was occasioned by excision of a saccular aneurysm of left femoral artery, and repair with PTFE graft for an ilio femoral bypass. On the second postoperative day, the wound became septic and the graft extruded with a resultant wound defect of about 20 x 10 cm. The graft was later removed and...

BACKGROUND This study reports on the longitudinal experience and outcomes of one surgeon performing free transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flaps on 500 consecutive patients between 1992 and 2003. METHODS A retrospective review of hospital and outpatient records was performed. Specific risk factors for successful reconstruction were reviewed, including American Society of Ane...

OBJECTIVE This article serves to review latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap as an option for breast reconstruction postmastectomy. Since the introduction of the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap in the late 1970s, its use has always been as a secondary technique, particularly after the development of the transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap in the 1980s. METHODS A literature review o...

BACKGROUND Functional outcomes in breast reconstruction are important quality measures and aid in patients' decision-making process. To address the concerns of abdominal wall morbidity with transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap reconstructions, the authors prospectively evaluated the long-term effects of postmastectomy breast reconstruction on trunk function using objective c...

BACKGROUND Loss of nipple projection is a common problem following nipple reconstruction. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that the use of a tightly rolled dermal graft is effective in the long-term maintenance of nipple projection. METHODS Nipple reconstruction was performed using the C-V flap technique. A dermal graft was harvested from the dog-ear portion of previous scars. The gra...

HYPOTHESIS Transverse rectus abdominus musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction provides excellent cosmetic results. Pedicle flap viability is greatly enhanced by prereconstruction inferior epigastric vessel ligation, which encourages collateral arterial flow (delayed TRAM). We report our initial experience with laparoscopic inferior epigastric vessel ligation. DESIGN Prospective ca...

Coverage of large soft tissue defects at the hip region constitutes a challenge for plastic surgeons. We report the case of a 43-year-old female with necrotizing fasciitis of the right thigh, necessitating hip exarticulation and substantial debridement of necrotic tissue. An ipsilateral horizontal rectus abdominis myocutaneous (HRAM) flap was used to cover the defect. The reconstruction was car...