It is over 20 years since the inaugural deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. We review the type of flap utilized and indications in 2,850 microvascular breast reconstruction over the subsequent 20 years in the senior author's practice (Robert J. Allen). Data were extracted from a personal logbook of all microsurgical free flap breast reconstructions performed b...

Eukaryotic Okazaki fragments are initiated by a RNA/DNA primer, which is removed before the fragments are joined. Polymerase delta displaces the primer into a flap for processing. Dna2 nuclease/helicase and flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1) are proposed to cleave the flap. The single-stranded DNA-binding protein, replication protein A (RPA), governs cleavage activity. Flap-bound RPA inhibits FEN1. Thi...

case presentation a 43-year-old man was referred to our institution for a severe aortic regurgitation and an ascending aorta enlargement associated with a relapsing sub-aortic membrane, which had been treated in his childhood. he underwent a redo ascending aorta replacement and an aortic valve replacement (mechanical prosthesis) along with a resection of the relapsing sub-valvular membrane. som...

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative morbidities and functional outcomes of pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC) flap and cutaneous free flap reconstruction approaches in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed records from 99 patients who underwent hypopharyngeal reconstruction with a cutaneous free flap (n=85) or PMMC...

Rectangular flaps on the rat or mouse dorsum are frequently used for flap survival elongation research. However, since rectangular flaps are purely random, the survival rate varies among individuals. A reliable animal flap model with low individual variation is desirable for flap survival research, especially in the angiogenic field. We investigated the survival rate of paired flaps in the rat ...

Dna2 is a nuclease/helicase with proposed roles in DNA replication, double-strand break repair and telomere maintenance. For each role Dna2 is proposed to process DNA substrates with a 50-flap. To date, however, Dna2 has not revealed a preference for binding or cleavage of flaps over single-stranded DNA. Using DNA binding competition assays we found that Dna2 has substrate structure specificity...

Achieving adequate coverage of soft tissue defects located on the lower third of the legs and feet is challenging for reconstructive surgeons. Fasciocutaneous flaps can be used to meet this challenge. Two common fasciocutaneous flaps used in this context are the reverse sural flap and lateral supramalleolar flap (LSMF). Plastic and reconstructive surgeons are relatively unfamiliar with the seco...

The design of circulation control (CC) dual radius flap systems were investigated to characterize the parameters that make up the flap surface to offer further knowledge into the CC field of study. Multiple dual radius flap geometries, along with variants, were developed by varying specific flap parameters from a baseline configuration that had previously developed. The aerodynamics of the diff...

The distal third of the tibia, ankle and heel area is difficult to reconstruct. For small to medium size defects, local flaps are often an easier alternative than free flap. In lower limb surgery, the sural flap is based on this principle and this flap is becoming increasingly popular. The distally based superficial sural artery flap, first described as a distally based neuro skin flap by masqu...

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to compare patient satisfaction following unilateral pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) and free abdominal flap reconstruction. METHODS Patients who underwent unilateral breast reconstruction using pedicled TRAM or free abdominal flaps (muscle-sparing TRAM or deep inferior epigastric perforator flap) and completed the BREAST-Q wer...