Publications by authors named "Yutaka Fukunaga"

Background: Although vascularized bone graft (VBG) transfer is the current standard for mandibular reconstruction, reconstruction with a mandibular reconstruction plate (MRP) and with a soft-tissue flap (STF) alone remain crucial options for patients with poor general conditions. However, objective aesthetic outcome evaluations for these methods are limited.

Methods: In a retrospective analysis of 65 patients (VBG, 33; MRP, 19; and STF, 13), mandibular asymmetry value was calculated for each patient's photograph using facial recognition AI, with a higher value indicating worse asymmetry.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: The scapula is the second most popular donor site for mandibular reconstruction after the fibula. Scapula harvest is generally performed in the lateral decubitus position and the requirement of positional changes hamper the widespread use of the scapula. This study compared scapula harvest for immediate mandibular reconstruction between the supine and lateral decubitus positions.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: We examined whether there were any differences in perioperative complications between patients who mobilized on the first postoperative day (early mobilization) and those who mobilized on the second postoperative day after head and neck reconstruction using free tissue transfer.

Methods: In the control group (n = 74), patients were instructed to mobilize on the second postoperative day (April 2019-March 2020), while in the early mobilization group (n = 101), patients were instructed to mobilize on the first postoperative day (April 2020-March 2021). Mobilization was defined as maintaining a standing position or walking.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A fibular osteocutaneous flap is the mainstay of oromandibular reconstruction. This report aimed to present a crescent-shaped skin paddle, a novel fibular skin paddle designed to achieve both sufficient intraoral lining and primary closure of the donor site. A 3-5-cm-wide crescent-shaped skin paddle was harvested according to the locations of the distal septocutaneous perforators on preoperative color Doppler sonography.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The management of pharyngocutaneous fistula is challenging. We typically treat postlaryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistulas with a pedicled pectoralis major flap transfer. This study analyzed the outcomes of our surgical treatments for pharyngocutaneous fistula to propose considerations for surgical strategies.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: It is challenging to manage colorectal or urinary tract-related fistula. We typically treat colorectal or urinary tract-related fistula with a vascularized tissue transfer. This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of our surgical treatments for colorectal or urinary tract-related fistula.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Reconstruction of a full-thickness trunk defect is challenging because of the complex nature of such defects, which include the chest wall, abdominal wall, and diaphragm. We herein describe three patients in whom extensive trunk defects after sarcoma resection were reconstructed with a latissimus dorsi flap and an anterolateral thigh flap. In two patients, the defect included both the chest wall and the abdominal wall.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: This study was performed to investigate the arterial and venous anatomy of superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flaps using multidetector-row computed tomography angiography (MDCTA). We hypothesized that applicability of the SIEA flap has been underestimated in previous studies.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the results of preoperative MDCTA of the bilateral lower abdominal walls in 72 consecutive patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Vessel size discrepancy is one of the major risk factors for anastomotic failure in free flap transfer. The situation becomes challenging for reconstructive microsurgeons when the recipient vein is much smaller than the flap vein. We investigated the feasibility of large-to-small end-to-side venous anastomosis for such cases.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Reconstruction of a circumferential pharyngeal defect with a free jejunal flap is a well-established procedure. However, anastomotic leakage often occurs, which can lead to abscess formation, pharyngocutaneous fistula formation, and carotid rupture. Previous reports have described covering the anastomotic site with a mesenteric flap to prevent anastomotic leakage.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: This study aimed to investigate the versatility of septocutaneous thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP-sc) flaps in various areas in the body and the running pattern of septocutaneous perforators.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 20 consecutive patients who underwent reconstruction of an oncological defect with a TDAP-sc flap from May 2014 to January 2018. Fifteen flaps were free, and the remaining five were pedicled.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: External hemipelvectomy is one of the most extensive surgical procedures for locally advanced pelvic tumors. Stump coverage with the local tissues can be difficult in recurrent cases. Herein, we report our experience with immediate stump coverage using a free latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous (LDMC) flap after external hemipelvectomy for recurrent pelvic malignancies.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ischemic skin flap necrosis can occur in random pattern flaps. An excess amount of reactive oxygen species is generated and causes necrosis in the ischemic tissue. Nitrosonifedipine (NO-NIF) has been demonstrated to possess potent radical scavenging ability.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Breast reconstruction generally involves autologous tissue transplantation and placement of a mammary prosthesis. When the patient's breasts are extremely large and ptotic, breast reconstruction often results in significantly asymmetrical appearance. However, a good aesthetic outcome after reconstruction surgery following cancer resection is an important quality-of-life factor.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Flap transplantation has been an important procedure in plastic and reconstructive surgery to cover and fill various defects. Flap necrosis due to blood circulation failure leads to severe complications, especially in a patient undergoing reconstruction concerning the body cavity after tumor ablation. Surgical procedures for flap transplantation have been further improved and developed.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Functional reconstruction of extensive soft-palate defects is challenging for microsurgeons. The versatility of the combination of a free anterolateral thigh flap and a superiorly based pharyngeal flap for oncologic soft-palate reconstruction was investigated.

Methods: The combination of flaps was used for immediate reconstruction after total or subtotal resection of the soft palate in five consecutive patients from 2006 to 2011.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In the era of free-flap transfer, the pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap still plays a unique role in head and neck reconstruction. We report on a patient with a recurrent hypopharyngeal carcinoma after total pharyngolaryngectomy and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy in whom defects included a circumferential defect of the oropharynx and the entire tongue. The defects were successfully reconstructed with a T-shaped pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap whose skin island included multiple intercostal perforators from the internal mammary vessels.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Suitable recipient vessels for free-flap transfer are hard to find in the posterior thigh. To investigate the versatility of accompanying artery of sciatic nerve as a recipient vessel in this region, we performed computed tomographic angiographic study of 20 consecutive healthy thighs in 10 patients. The presence and internal diameter of the accompanying artery were studied.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The posterior thigh flap is a workhorse flap for reconstruction in the gluteal region. The main vascular pedicle of the flap is commonly the descending branch of the inferior gluteal artery, although it is at risk for transection during sarcoma resection. We report successful reconstruction of an infragluteal defect resulting from sarcoma resection with a venous-supercharged freestyle posterior thigh flap in the absence of the descending branch of the inferior gluteal artery.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Reconstructing the trachea is challenging because of its multilayer structure and airway function; multiple procedures are often required. We report a case of one-stage reconstruction for a tracheal defect. The surgery was performed with a free radial forearm flap and free costal cartilage grafts.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Soft-tissue defects after wide resection of groin sarcomas have been reconstructed with well-characterized flaps, such as rectus abdominis, gracilis, and anterolateral thigh flaps. To our knowledge, the use of superficial femoral artery perforator (S-FAP) flaps for this purpose has not been reported. We report on three female patients in whom groin defects after sarcoma resection were reconstructed with pedicled S-FAP flaps.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Reconstructing large defects of the extremities is a challenging problem for reconstructive microsurgeons. The latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap (LDMCF) is widely used for this purpose, but a skin graft is needed when the defect is wider than available flaps. We used flow-through divided LDMCFs to reconstruct large defects of the extremities in 5 consecutive patients from 2010 through 2012.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF