Annual Report 2024
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Satoshi Akazawa, Masaki Arikawa, Daisuke Kageyama, Takeichiro Kimura
Introduction
The Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery mainly focuses on surgical reconstruction after cancer ablation. Reconstructive procedures using free flap transfer with microvascular anastomosis are the most important operations in our institution. 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 patients 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.
Table 1. Number of reconstructive surgeries by procedure
Table 2. Number of breast reconstruction surgeries by procedure 
Research Activities
A multi-institutional analysis of postoperative functions after microvascular tongue reconstruction is ongoing.
List of papers published in 2024
Journal
1. Hirata S, Kanemitsu Y, Moritani K, Arikawa M, Kudose Y, Takamizawa Y, Inoue M, Tsukamoto S, Daiko H, Akazawa S. A pedicled anterolateral thigh flap decreased the risk of empty pelvis syndrome following total pelvic exenteration. Colorectal disease, 27:e17239, 2025
2. Kimura T, Narita K, Oyamada K, Ogura M, Ito T, Okada T, Takushima A. Fine-Tuning on AI-Driven Video Analysis through Machine Learning: Development of an Automated Evaluation Tool of Facial Palsy. Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 155:1071e-1081e, 2025
3. Miyamoto S, Arikawa M, Okazaki M. Secondary Reconstruction of Premaxilla With a π-Shaped Fibula Osteocutaneous Flap. The Journal of craniofacial surgery, 36:234-236, 2025
4. Furuse K, Kageyama D, Arikawa M, Akazawa S, Higashino T. Extended Anterolateral Thigh Flaps: Maximum Size for Covering Cancerous Defects. Annals of plastic surgery, 94:670-675, 2025
5. Kagaya Y, Takanashi R, Arikawa M, Kageyama D, Higashino T, Akazawa S. The Ischemic Tolerance up to Four Hours of Free Jejunum Flap: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Journal of reconstructive microsurgery, 40:407-415, 2024
6. Furuse K, Nara M, Kageyama D, Arikawa M, Akazawa S, Daiko H, Higashino T. Pectoralis Major Muscle Flap Utilization in Salvage Esophagectomy Including Great Vessel Resection Reconstructed by Prosthetic Grafts. Annals of plastic surgery, 92:401-404, 2024
7. Miyamoto S, Arikawa M, Kagaya Y, Fukunaga Y. Scapula harvest in the supine position for immediate mandibular reconstruction. Oral and maxillofacial surgery, 28:1181-1188, 2024
8. Arikawa M, Akazawa S, Kageyama D, Kawai A, Ohe Y, Sakisaka M, Miyamoto S. Nonreversed great saphenous vein grafts for vascular reconstruction after resection of lower-limb sarcoma. Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS, 97:65-70, 2024
9. Furuse K, Kageyama D, Arikawa M, Akazawa S, Higashino T. Managing Wound Complications After Osteosarcoma Resection: Stopping Adjuvant Therapy and Performing Secondary Closure. Cureus, 16:e74365, 2024
10. Higashino T, Wakabayashi M, Zenda S, Yasunaga Y, Araki J, Mukaigawa T, Onitsuka T, Nakagawa M, Hamahata A, Narita K, Arikawa M, Takanari K, Kadota H, Yanagisawa D, Tanaka K, Matsumoto H, Kimata Y, Miyamoto S, Sakuraba M, Kawai K, Terao Y, Hyodo I, Ishida K, Yoshimura K. Impact of radiotherapy-related late toxicities of skin and soft tissue in the neck on quality of life in head and neck cancer patients: a multi-institutional observational study in Japan. Supportive care in cancer, 33:64, 2024