Browsing by Author "Kececi, Y"

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    Total nasal reconstruction with pre-laminated, super-thin anterolateral thigh flap: A case report
    Bali, ZU; Karatan, B; Parspanci, A; Tuluy, Y; Kececi, Y; Yoleri, L
    Many techniques for nasal reconstruction have been described to achieve aesthetically and functionally favorable results. Local tissues, specifically the forehead flap, provide the best tissue match with the nose. However, when local tissue donor sites are limited, alternative options such as free tissue transfers should be considered. Herein, we describe a case of a 72-year-old male patient who had a total nasal and left malar defect reconstructed with a two-staged, pre-laminated, super-thin anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap. The patient's nasectomy was performed 15 years ago. The adjacent left malar defect was due to recent squamous cell carcinoma excision. Local tissues were unavailable for reconstruction due to previous tumor excisions. For the 8.5 x 5 cm defect, a 12.5 x 8 cm ALT flap was planned, with 7.5 x 8 cm for nasal reconstruction and 5 x 4 cm for malar reconstruction. During the first stage, a super-thin fascial ALT flap was raised without dissecting the perforators, and the nasal skeleton was laminated between these two flaps. Costal cartilages were harvested for the nasal skeleton and positioned between the suprafascial and the fascial ALT flaps. During the second stage, two perforators were dissected to the pedicle on the pre-laminated flap, and the flap was divided from the donor site. The nasal skeleton was fixed and anastomosis with the facial vessels was established. After both stages, no complications were observed. After one month, a revision surgery was performed to enhance the transition between the reconstructed nose and the cheek, and improve the nasal projection. Postoperatively, after one year, the patient had a stable nasal reconstruction with good breathing. Prelaminated, super-thin ALT flaps provide the advantages of a wide and versatile donor site and an acceptable donor site scar. They may be an option for patients who are not amenable to traditional reconstruction methods.
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    An effective technique for managing vascular diameter discrepancies in microsurgery: tapering with a hemoclip
    Bali, ZU; Evrenos, MK; Karatan, B; Kececi, Y; Yoleri, L
    Microvascular anastomosis is mandatory for free flap surgery, but free flap transfer can be challenging because of vascular diameter discrepancies during microsurgery. Different methods have been described for preventing vascular discrepancies. The aim of this study was to test a simple technique using a hemostatic clip to taper the vessels. In 12 patients who had free tissue transfer with diameter discrepancies between donor and recipient vessels, tapering with a hemostatic clip technique was used. After key sutures were placed on the vessels, a hemostatic clip was placed in an oblique fashion on the vessel with a larger diameter. After the vessel was tapered and the same diameters in the donor and recipient vessels were achieved, anastomosis was completed. This technique was used in head and neck reconstruction and lower extremity reconstruction. The luminal diameters of arteries, and veins of the flap and recipient differed by 1.6- to 3.0-fold and 1.5- to 2.6-fold, respectively. All the flaps survived without complications. Tapering with a hemoclip technique is a rapid procedure that can be considered for managing vascular diameter discrepancies in free tissue transfers.
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    Free gracilis muscle flap: Variations of obturator nerve
    Tuluy, Y; Bali, ZU; Unsal, MO; Parspanci, A; Yoleri, L; Kececi, Y
    Background: Gracilis muscle has been used in reconstructive surgery for free muscle flap transfer. It was reported to be a reliable flap with lower rates of donor-site morbidity. In this study, we aimed to emphasize the anatomical variations of the obturator nerve. Materials and Methods: Clinical results of 14 patients who underwent lower lip reconstruction and facial reanimation with free gracilis muscle transfer between March 2017 and May 2021 were examined. Results: We identified eight male and six female patients, with a mean age of 55.6 years (range: 37-73 years). Of 14 patients, nine (64.3%) were operated on for lower lip reconstruction, and the remaining five cases underwent facial reanimation. Despite adequate dissection, we could not find the branch of the obturator nerve for gracilis muscle in two cases (14.3%), while vascular pedicles are detected in all cases. The first case was a lower lip reconstruction and the second case was a facial reanimation. Conclusion: While gracilis muscle is a good option for functional muscle transfer, it may be difficult to find the branch of the obturator nerve. Our study may suggest the need for consideration of anatomical variations of the obturator nerve before surgical planning for improved shared decision-making.
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    Preserving the Blood Flow of the Recipient Artery in Cross-Leg Free Flap Procedure for Lower Extremity Reconstruction
    Bali, ZU; Karatan, B; Tuluy, Y; Kececi, Y; Yoleri, L
    When there is no suitable vessel in the injured leg for microsurgical transfer, cross-leg free flaps can be considered for lower extremity reconstruction. This report describes patients who experienced lower extremity trauma and underwent reconstruction with cross-leg free flaps with preserved blood flow in the recipient artery. Anterolateral thigh flap is preferred for small to moderate defects. The descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery was dissected 2 cm proximally and distally and was prepared in a T-shape. The branches of the T were anastomosed to the recipient artery in the contralateral leg in the first session of the cross-leg free flap procedure. After 3 weeks, the flap artery was separated from the bifurcation. For large defects, the latissimus dorsi flap was chosen. The thoracodorsal artery was anastomosed to the contralateral posterior tibial artery in the first session. After 3 weeks, to provide recipient vessel integrity, the thoracodorsal artery was transected from the flap and anastomosed to the distal stump of the posterior tibial artery. Between January 2017 and January 2019, 8 defects were reconstructed using an anterolateral thigh flap; the remaining 4 defects were reconstructed using a latissimus dorsi flap. All flaps survived without complications. Anterograde flow distal to the anastomosis was confirmed in all recipient arteries via Doppler ultrasound. In cross-leg free flaps, the continuity of the recipient artery can be established to prevent diminished blood flow to the recipient extremity.
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    Reconstruction of lower lip defects with free super-thin anterolateral thigh flap
    Bali, ZU; Ozkan, B; Parspanci, A; Kececi, Y; Yoleri, L
    Background Lower lip is a vital organ with important functions as well as aesthetic importance. It is critical to provide an aesthetically appealing lower facial subunit with maintenance of understandable speech and oral competence. Achieving these targets is very difficult especially in total lower lip defects. This report presents a technique using super-thin anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps with fascia graft for reconstruction of large, complex oral sphincter defects. Patients and methods Six patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and one patient with a gunshot injury were presented in this report. All of them had full-thickness defects including skin, orbicularis muscle and oral mucosa. The mean age was 58 (range, 32-85) years. Defects of the lower lip were reconstructed with a super-thin ALT flap. Super-thin flaps were obtained by planning as close to the knee as possible and elevating at the level of superficial fascia. The fascia graft was used for achieving lip suspension. Results Overall flap survival was 100%. The flap size ranged from 8 x 6 cm to 14 x 10 cm. The follow-up periods ranged from 6 to 14 months. All the patients achieved acceptable oral competence, both in the resting condition and during speaking and eating, except for one patient who had a drooping lower lip developed in the post-operative 3rd month and underwent a secondary tightening procedure. Another patient needed liposuction due to bulky appearance. Conclusion Super-thin ALT flaps seem to be a useful option for functional and aesthetic reconstruction of extensive lip defects.