With the recent development in microsurgery, the use of a perforator flap has been widely implemented. If the length of the ALT flap pedicle is insufficient despite adequate preoperative planning, pedicle length extension is necessary. We planned for a reverse ALT free flap using the distal vessel of the descending branch for pedicle length extension in the case of ALT perforator branch originating from the proximal portion of the descending branch. For the management of venous congestion, the distal venae comitantes were anastomosed to the proximal venous stump in an antegrade manner, successfully resolving the venous congestion. Modified reverse-flow ALT free flap, wherein the venae comitantes are anastomosed to the proximal vein stump, is a good option that allows for relatively simple pedicle extension within the same operative field when securing an adequate pedicle length is difficult because of the origin of the perforator from the proximal descending branch, unlike the initial surgical plan.
Background
Since the initial Research and Reconstruction Forum (R&R Forum) in 2011, the R&R Forum, Korean Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (KSAPS), and Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (KSPRS) have held annual meetings. This study was conducted to provide updated information on the publication rate of presentations at those meetings.
Methods
Plastic surgery–related abstracts presented at the R&R Forum, KSAPS, and KSPRS between 2011 and 2015 were collected. The sessions were divided into free papers, posters, and e-presentations (or e-posters) for each annual meeting. Abstract publication status was confirmed through PubMed, Google Scholar, the KCI-Korean Journal Database, and the KMbase database.
Results
In total, 2,335 abstracts were presented in the free paper, poster, and e-presentation sessions. Of these, 622 (26.6%) were published. The overall publication rates were 240 of 684 abstracts (35.1%) presented at the R&R Forum, 56 of 216 abstracts (25.9%) presented at the KSAPS meetings, and 326 of 1,435 abstracts (22.7%) presented at the KSPRS meetings. In terms of specific annual meetings, the 2014 R&R Forum had the highest publication rate (39.9%), followed by the 2015 KSAPS (31.0%) and the 2015 KSPRS (28.8%).
Conclusions
Scientific researchers present diverse results at these professional meetings, with a focus on innovative surgical techniques and improved surgical outcomes. This is our second study on this topic. Despite its limitations, this study indirectly shows that the recognition of Korean plastic surgeons and the quality of the annual meetings of Korean societies of plastic surgery have risen to the global level.
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