Division of the lateral plantar artery does not jeopardize the foot circulation because of anastomosis of the lateral plantar artery with the dorsalis pedis artery at the first intermetatarsal space. However, care should be taken with patients with peripheral artery occlusive disease and the flow of dorsalis pedis artery should be confirmed before surgery. Given the advantages of sizable vessel, easy dissection, and proximity to the defect, we believe that the lateral plantar artery might be a valuable option as recipient vessel for lateral plantar forefoot reconstruction.

Pedicled anterolateral thigh flap is a versatile option for reconstruction of complex soft tissue defects in varied anatomical regions. Its wide arc of rotation and less donor site morbidity are its added advantages.

Over the past decade, Da Vinci Surgical System has made great strides in surgery. It has been widely applied in urology, gynecology, bariatric surgery, hepatobiliary surgery, thoracoscopic surgery, cardiac surgery, neurological surgery, and transoral otolaryngologic neoplasm resection. However, its application in plastic and reconstructive surgery still in the preliminary stages of development. I went to Hong Kong in April 2013 for the robotic surgical system training program and was awarded console surgeon certificate.

This novel technique of sequential ETS micro-venous anastomosis is a modified technique from its classical form. The unique use of vessel loops provides protection to the vessel, while it achieves equisegmental IJV occlusion for sequential (proximal to distal) venous anastomosis. This method not only saves precious operating time from repetitive positioning of instruments and recipient vessel (IJV), but also creates a safer operating field for the microsurgeons. Utilizing a second single vascular clamp over the anastomosis junction provides an anchoring point for self-retraction by revealing and maintaining an accessible position to the posterior wall, once it is turned at 180 degrees laterally. This maneuver allows the surgeon to have full control of the surgical field and perform ETS micro-venous anastomosis confidently and independently.

The 2nd instructional course for adult brachial plexus injuries is a fantastic opportunity to meet and learn from experts in the field. We cordially invite you to visit Chang Gung Memorial Hospital to participate in this unique learning experience.

An exciting conversation with Dr. Murray Grossan, the Honorary Editor-in-Chief of Archives of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (AOHNS). Dr. Murray Grossan talked about AOHNS’s new direction and the important means for communicating scientific work to complement teaching and training in the field of medicine.

Dr. Tommy Nai-Jen Chang is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Reconstructive Microsurgery, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan. Dr. Chang completed a peripheral nerve research fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, Canada, which was supervised by Dr. Gregory Borschel, Dr. Tessa Gordon and Dr. Ronald Zuker. Clinically, Dr. Chang works with Professor David Chwei-Chin Chuang and Dr. Johnny Chuieng-Yi Lu for peripheral nerve reconstruction for adult and pediatric brachial plexus injury, facial paralysis, and reconstruction of upper and lower extremity defects. Dr. Chang also performs microvascular surgeries for Head and Neck reconstruction, perineal reconstruction, hand surgery and vascularized composite tissue allotranplantation. His research interests include peripheral nerve reconstruction, vascularized composite tissue allotransplantation, and the use of social media for surgical education such as online platform and questionnaire study.