Lee KT

[BACKGROUND] Prepectoral direct-to-implant (DTI) breast reconstruction is currently the most widely used implant-based reconstruction method, which often utilizes an acellular dermal matrix (ADM)-assisted approach. There are two primary met…

[BACKGROUND] Although abdominal flaps remain the gold standard for autologous breast reconstruction, their use in low-BMI patients-particularly in bilateral cases or when matching a contralateral large breast-can be limited by concerns abou…

[BACKGROUND] Obesity is a known risk factor for surgical complications, but its impact on mandibular reconstruction with fibula free flap (FFF) remains unclear. This study examines the association between body mass index (BMI) and postopera…

[BACKGROUND] Despite increasing emphasis on early postoperative recovery, lower extremity microsurgical reconstruction has been overlooked, likely due to concerns of high complication rates and the challenges of a gravity-dependent, weight-…

[PURPOSE] The widely used triple-antibiotics irrigation solution, comprising cefazolin, gentamycin, and povidone-iodine solution, has been employed for preventing infection and capsular contracture in implant-based breast reconstruction. Ho…

Reducing donor-site morbidity is crucial in free-flap reconstruction, with the primary goals of achieving dermis-to-dermis closure and avoiding skin grafts. Although latissimus dorsi (LD) myocutaneous and thoracodorsal artery perforator (TD…

[BACKGROUND] Conjoined bilateral deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap with intraflap anastomosis is an efficient approach for breast reconstruction, enabling the use of almost the entire abdominal tissue. Variations in bilateral …

This study evaluates the feasibility of using smaller, more distal vessels as alternatives to the superficial temporal vessel (STV) or facial vessel (FV), which have long been the representative recipients, for microsurgical facial reconstr…

[BACKGROUND]  Despite the increasing popularity of free tissue transfer, thigh defects have been alienated from their potential indication, owing to the abundance of regional reconstruction options. However, some challenging situations wher…

[BACKGROUND] Excision of sacral tumor results in extensive defects and vital organ exposure, requiring soft tissue reconstruction for dead space obliteration. Diverse reconstruction options, mainly regional flaps, have been utilized but are…

[BACKGROUND]  Although drainless donor closure with progressive tension suture (PTS) technique has been attempted to further reduce donor morbidity in deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap-based breast reconstruction, its clinical…

In free flap operation, temporary hyperemia of the transferred flaps can often be encountered in the early postoperative period, appearing reddish and rapid capillary refilling time, which mimics venous congestion. This study aimed to inves…

Large soft tissue defects of the face often require free flap-based reconstruction. To avoid a conspicuous patch-like appearance, choosing flaps with a color similar to that of the adjacent facial skin is crucial. This study aimed to identi…

[BACKGROUND] When choosing a method of deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap for breast reconstruction, concerns regarding the potentially detrimental effects of obesity on postoperative recovery remain. Enhanced recovery after su…

[BACKGROUND] Free tissue transfer is often required for the reconstruction of complex and deep anterior chest wall wounds, for which the identification of suitable recipient vessels is crucial. Although the internal mammary arteries (IMAs) …

[BACKGROUND] Extensive experimental evidence has suggested the potential efficacy of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) in enhancing flap survival, leading to its widespread empirical use following free flap operation. However, the translation of thes…

[IMPORTANCE] Meticulous postoperative flap monitoring is essential for preventing flap failure and achieving optimal results in free flap operations, for which physical examination has remained the criterion standard. Despite the high relia…

With increasing interest in swift postoperative recovery, there has been a trend toward omitting drains in deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap-based breast reconstruction, ideally aiming to avoid drains in the breasts and abdome…

Wide local excision remains the main treatment modality for primary lip cancer, which often results in considerable deficits of lip tissue and requires reconstruction using free tissue transfer. Although diverse free flaps, such as radial f…

The internal mammary artery perforator (IMAP) flap has been widely used for chest wall and neck reconstruction. The color of its skin paddle closely resembles that of facial skin, making it attractive for facial reconstruction. However, the…

[BACKGROUND] With the growing popularity of the use of free flaps, surgeons may frequently encounter situations necessitating the performance of multiple free flap surgeries in a single day. Given its prolonged duration and technical comple…

Since the introduction of distally based flap, the concept of reverse flow flap was expanded to free tissue transfers. For recipient vessels, retrograde arterial inflow is considered a safe option for anastomosis. However, the reliability o…

Two-stage tissue expander/implant (TE/I) and deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps are the two main pillars of breast reconstruction. This study aimed to conduct a longitudinal analysis of long-term outcomes after immediate DIEP-…

[BACKGROUND] For free-flap monitoring, physical examination still serves as the criterion standard. Blood glucose measurement (BGM) has been suggested to be useful in identifying flap perfusion status. Nonetheless, its routine use may not b…

Choosing reliable recipient vessels is crucial for successful free flap reconstruction of lower extremity defects, especially in patients with ischemic vasculopathy. This report describes our experience with the intraoperative use of indocy…

[BACKGROUND] Fat necrosis, often developing following deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap-based breast reconstruction, is not a negligible complication. This study aimed to conduct a longitudinal assessment of the clinical cours…

[BACKGROUND] Donor site defects following the radial forearm flap (RFF) harvest have been usually covered with skin grafting, which often lead to suboptimal outcomes and donor morbidities, including delayed healing and scar contractures. Th…

[BACKGROUND] Despite several technical modifications to further reduce donor invasiveness in harvesting deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps, techniques with general applicability and demonstrating clinical benefits are scarce. …

[BACKGROUND] Sarcopenia, defined as a significant loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, is suggested to be associated with an increased risk of complications after various surgical interventions. However, evidence regarding sarcopenia …

[BACKGROUND] The paucity of reliable recipient vessels adjacent to defects poses a great challenge in free flap reconstruction. Although the use of interposition vein grafts to cover the vascular gap is common, its potential association wit…