Annual Report 2021
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Satoshi Akazawa, Masaki Arikawa, Daisuke Kageyama
Introduction
The Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery has mainly focused on surgical reconstruction after cancer ablation. In our institution, reconstructive procedures using free flap transfer with microvascular anastomosis are the most important operations. In addition, several methods, such as tissue transfer with pedicled flaps, local flaps, skin grafts, and so forth, are used for reconstructive surgery. The objectives of reconstructive surgery are not only morphological reconstruction, but also restoration of postoperative functions after ablative surgery. The quality of life (QOL) of the patient can be improved by functional and morphological reconstruction.
The Team and What We Do
Seven plastic surgeons cover reconstructive operations. Every week, five to ten reconstructive operations are performed. These reconstructive surgeries are performed in cooperation with surgeons from other departments of the hospital, such as Head and Neck Oncology, Breast Surgery, Musculoskeletal Oncology and Rehabilitation, Esophageal Surgery, and Dermatologic Oncology. The number of patients who receive immediate breast reconstruction is increasing. Most patients undergo breast reconstruction with a silicone implant. Limb reconstruction after limb preservation surgery has increased.
Research activities
Multi-institutional analysis of postoperative functions after microvascular tongue reconstruction is ongoing.
Table 1. Reconstructive procedure
List of papers published in 2021
Journal
1. Kagaya Y, Arikawa M, Sekiyama T, Higashino T, Akazawa S. Chronological flap volume and distribution changes after reconstruction of total maxillectomy defect using a rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery: JPRAS, 74:3341-3352, 2021
2. Kagaya Y, Arikawa M, Akazawa S, Miyamoto S. A Quantitative Evaluation of the Flow-Increasing Effect of Flow-Through Arterial Anastomosis in the Vascular Pedicle of Free Flaps: A Prospective Clinical Before-and-After Study. Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 148:871-881, 2021
3. Kagaya Y, Arikawa M, Sekiyama T, Mitsuwa H, Takanashi R, Taga M, Akazawa S, Miyamoto S. The concept of “whole perforator system” in the lateral thoracic region for latissimus dorsi muscle-preserving large flaps: An anatomical study and case series. PloS one, 16:e0256962, 2021