Objective To explore the effectiveness of pedicled chimeric thoracoacromial artery perforator (TAAP) flap as a reconstructive option for circular hypopharyngeal defects. Methods Between January 2013 and December 2014, the pedicled chimeric TAAP flap was used to repair oncologic circular hypopharyngeal defects in 8 patients, included 6 males and 2 females, with an average age of 57 years (range, 45-80 years). All patients were treated in other hospitals before and recurrence was noted. The duration between latest treatment and recurrence ranged from 3 to 28 months (mean, 16.5 months). According to Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) TNM staged, 3 cases were T2N1M0, 2 cases were T3N1M0, 1 case was T3N2M0, 2 cases were T4N1M0. After laryngectomy, the size of circular hypopharyngeal defect ranged from 9.0 cm×8.5 cm to 12.0 cm×10.5 cm. The size of TAAP flap ranged from 7.0 cm×4.0 cm to 9.5 cm×6.0 cm．The size of pectoralis major flap ranged from 9.0 cm×5.0 cm to 14.5 cm×6.0 cm．The donor sites were closed directly in all cases. Results Postoperatively all flaps survived smoothly, and all defects healed by first intention. No early complication was noted. The mean hospital stay period ranged from 12 to 22 days (mean, 14.5 days). All patients were followed up 12-45 months (mean, 18.7 months). Patients possessed good appearance of surgical sites. No recurrence, fistulas, stenosis/strictures, dehiscence, or swelling occurred. Only linear scars were left on the donor sites, and the pectoralis major muscle function was completely preserved in all patients. Conclusion Patients with high comorbidities may not be suitable candidates for free flap reconstruction, especially when the recipient vessels are affected from disease or radiotherapy. Pedicled chimeric TAAP flap is a good choice for the reconstruction of hypopharyngeal defects in such conditions．
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of the wrap-around great toe flap combined with medial plantar artery perforator flap (MPAP) for repairing the completely degloved fingers. Methods Between February 2018 and December 2019, 12 patients with the completely degloved fingers caused by machine strangulation were admitted. There were 9 males and 3 females with a median age of 32 years (range, 18-42 years). The injured finger was index finger in 7 cases, middle finger in 3 cases, and ring finger in 2 cases. The skin was avulsed from the metacarpophalangeal joint level, with the intact tendon and joint. The interval between injury and admission was 1-8 hours (mean, 5 hours). All fingers were taken debridement during the emergency operation. The size of the skin defect ranged from 8.0 cm×5.0 cm to 12.0 cm×7.5 cm. After flap thinning, the wrap-around great toe flap (8.0 m×2.0 cm-12.0 cm×3.5 cm) and MPAP (8.0 cm×4.0 cm-12.0 cm×5.5 cm) were used to repair the degloved finger. The donor sites were repaired with the full-thickness skin graft or the flap. Results All flaps and skin grafts survived completely without significant complications and the wounds at recipient and donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-16 months (mean, 14 months). The texture, appearance, and color of the affected fingers were close to those of normal fingers, and the nails grew normally. At last follow-up, the mean two-point discrimination of the flap was 9 mm (range, 8-10 mm), and the sensation of the injured finger recovered to S3-S4. And 10 cases were rated as excellent and 2 cases as good according to the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ). There was no complication such as pain from walking or skin ulceration at the donor site. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was excellent in 9 cases and good in 3 cases. Conclusion Treating for the completely degloved fingers, the wrap-around great toe flap combined with MPAP can obtain good effectiveness in the respect of the sensation, function, and appearance.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical application of the flap supported by perforating branch of the radial artery superior wrist catena-form blood vessel in repairing hand and wrist wound. MethodsBetween March 2010 and March 2013, 24 cases of severe wounds in wrist were repaired with the flap supported by perforating branch of forearm radial artery and catena-form blood vessel. There were 15 males and 9 females, aged 19-54 years (mean, 37 years). In 22 patients with trauma, there were 9 cases of machine injury, 5 cases of traffic accident injury, 5 cases of crash injury of heavy objects, 1 case of sharp instrument injury, and 2 cases of electrical injury, with a mean disease duration of 11 days (range, 2-20 days). In 2 patients with tumor excision wound, there were 1 case of right forearm liposarcoma and 1 case of left forearm squamous-cell carcinoma, with the disease duration of 7 days and 3 months, respectively. All cases complicated by bone and tendon exposure. The size of defect was 4.5 cm×4.0 cm to 10.0 cm×7.5 cm, and the size of the flap was 6.0 cm×4.0 cm to 20.0 cm×8.5 cm. The donor site was directly sutured or repaired by skin graft. ResultsPartial flap necrosis occurred in 1 case, and was cured after dressing change; the other flaps survived, and primary healing of incision was obtained. The patients were followed up 6-36 months (mean, 20 months). The flap featured good color and texture, and also recovered protective sensation at 6 months after operation, with a mean two-point discrimination of 12 mm (range, 11-14 mm). No ulcers of the flap was observed. At last follow-up, according to Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association for functional evaluation of upper limb, the function was rated as excellent in 19 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 1 case. ConclusionThe flap supported by perforating branch of forearm radial artery and catena-form blood vessel can be used to repair wound in wrist, which has no injury to the radial artery, and it also could be used for the patients with ulnar and radial artery injuries. Thus it is an ideal method to repair wound in the wrist because the operation is simple, and the flap has good appearance and texture.
ObjectiveTo observe the effectiveness of lateral arm free perforator flap by personalized design in repairing irregular defects of the hand. MethodsTwelve patients with irregular defects of the hand were repaired with lateral arm free perforator flaps by personalized design between January 2010 and January 2015. There were 7 males and 5 females with a mean age of 35 years (range, 18-52 years). The causes included crush injury in 5 cases, thermal injury in 3 cases, traffic accident injury in 2 cases, and friction injury in 2 cases. The time between injury and admission was 1.0-4.5 hours (mean, 3.1 hours). In 3 patients with skin and soft tissue defect of approximate square, the flap of less than 6 cm in width was designed and was segmented into foliated flaps to repair wound; the bilobed flaps were used in 5 cases of hand penetrating wounds; the bilobed flaps or trifoliate flaps were used in 4 cases of multiple finger skin soft tissue defects. The total area of the defects ranged from 6.0 cm×5.0 cm to 9.0 cm×8.0 cm, and the area of flap ranged from 10.0 cm×3.5 cm to 12.0 cm×6.0 cm. All the wounds at donor site were closed directly. ResultsAll the flaps survived, wounds and incisions at donor sites healed by first intention. The patients were followed up 6-15 months (mean, 10 months). Bulky flaps were observed in 2 cases of female patients, and flap thinning was performed at 3 months after operation. The hand function recovered satisfactorily, and the sensation was S1-S3 at 6 months after operation. According to the functional assessment criteria of upper limb formulated by the Hand Surgery Branch of Chinese Medical Association, the results were excellent in 2 cases, good in 7 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case. The linear scars was observed at the donor site. ConclusionThe lateral arm free perforator flap has constant vessels anatomy, and there are many perforators in the intermuscular septum. The lateral arm free perforator flap by personalized design can repair irregular defects of the hand.
Objective To explore the method of the distal perforator-based gluteus maximus muscle V-Y flap to treat the sacral ulcer and to simplify the operative procedures.Methods From March 2002 to March 2005, 11 cases of sacral ulcer were repaired by distal perforatorbased gluteus maximus muscle flaps. The area of sacral ulcer ranged from 13 cm×11 cm to 18 cm×14 cm. Of 11 cases, 7 were female and 4 were male,whose age ranged from 21 to 69 years, and the disease course was 8 months to 3 years.A triangular flap was designed to create a V-Y advancement flap.The length of the base was made almost equal to the diameter of the defect.The apex of the tringle was located near the great trochanter. The medial part of the flap was elevated as a fasciocutaneous flap by dissecting the layer between the fascia and the muscle.The distal part ofthe flap was elevated by dissecting the layer between the gluteus maximus muscle and the fascia of the deeper muscle group.The flap was advanced to the defect. Results All the flaps survived. After a follow-up of 5 months to 3 years, the bilateral buttocks were symmetry and whose appearance was satisfactory. Except for 1 case dying of other disease, no recurrence of ulcer was observed.All the flaps survived. Conclusion The distal perforatorbased fasciocutaneous V-Y flap for treatment of sacral ulcers is a simple and reliable technique, which has several advantages over the conventional V-Y flap technique,such as excelent excursion,viable coverage with the fasciocutaneous component, high flap reliability, preservation of the contralateral buttock, and preservation of the gluteus maximus muscle function.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility and accuracy of modified three longitudinal and five transverse method in locating perforating branches before anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTP) repair.MethodsBetween January 2019 and December 2019, 41 patients with skin and soft tissue defects were repaired with ALTP. There were 31 males and 10 females. The age ranged from 18 to 61 years, with an average of 32 years. The soft tissue defects were caused by trauma in 38 cases, and the time from injury to operation was 3-7 days, with an average of 4 days. The wounds left after excision of scar contracture deformity because of burn in 3 cases. Soft tissue defects located at upper limbs in 16 cases and lower limbs in 25 cases. The size of soft tissue defects ranged from 10 cm×4 cm to 25 cm×12 cm. Before operation, zonesⅠ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳwere formed on the anterolateral thigh by modified three longitudinal and five transverse method. The perforating branches were detected in these four zones by Doppler ultrasound, and the skin flaps were designed according to the wound area. The perforating branches were explored during operation, and the distribution and types of perforating branches in each zone and the relationship between perforating branches and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve were observed. The ALTP with the size of 12 cm×5 cm to 30 cm×10 cm was used to repair the wound, and the donor site was sutured directly or repaired with the flap. ResultsA total of 117 perforating branches were detected in 41 patients before operation, and 111 perforating branches were found during operation, with a false positive rate of 5%. The probability of perforating branches in zonesⅠ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ were 56%, 73%, 76%, and 66% respectively, and the false positive rates were –9%, 7%, 16%, and 4%, respectively. All perforating branches located near the trunk of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, especially in posterolateral area. There were only 1 perforating branch in 6 cases, 2 perforating branches in 12 cases, 3 perforating branches in 10 cases, and 4 perforating branches in 13 cases. The main types of perforating branches in zonesⅠ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ were transverse perforating branches, oblique perforating branches, descending perforating branches, and descending perforating branches, respectively. Partial distal necrosis occurred in 2 cases and complete necrosis occurred in 1 case after operation, and the wounds were repaired with skin grafts. The remaining 38 flaps survived successfully, and the wounds and the incisions of donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 3 to 12 months, with an average of 6 months. The appearance and texture of the skin flap were acceptable, and linear scar remained in the donor site.ConclusionIt can simply locate and distinguish the perforating branches and better protect the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve by using the modified three longitudinal and five transverse method before ALTP repair.
Objective To investigate the accuracy and reliability of augmented reality (AR) technique in locating the perforating vessels of the posterior tibial artery during the repair of soft tissue defects of the lower limbs with the posterior tibial artery perforator flap. Methods Between June 2019 and June 2022, the posterior tibial artery perforator flap was used to repair the skin and soft tissue defects around the ankle in 10 cases. There were 7 males and 3 females with an average age of 53.7 years (mean, 33-69 years). The injury was caused by traffic accident in 5 cases, bruising by heavy weight in 4 cases, and machine injury in 1 case. The size of wound ranged from 5 cm×3 cm to 14 cm×7 cm. The interval between injury and operation was 7-24 days (mean, 12.8 days). The CT angiography of lower limbs before operation was performed and the data was used to reconstruct the three-dimensional images of perforating vessels and bones with Mimics software. The above images were projected and superimposed on the surface of the affected limb using AR technology, and the skin flap was designed and resected with precise positioning. The size of the flap ranged from 6 cm×4 cm to 15 cm×8 cm. The donor site was sutured directly or repaired with skin graft. Results The 1-4 perforator branches of posterior tibial artery (mean, 3.4 perforator branches) in 10 patients were located by AR technique before operation. The location of perforator vessels during operation was basically consistent with that of AR before operation. The distance between the two locations ranged from 0 to 16 mm, with an average of 12.2 mm. The flap was successfully harvested and repaired according to the preoperative design. Nine flaps survived without vascular crisis. The local infection of skin graft occurred in 2 cases and the necrosis of the distal edge of the flap in 1 case, which healed after dressing change. The other skin grafts survived, and the incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-12 months, with an average of 10.3 months. The flap was soft without obvious scar hyperplasia and contracture. At last follow-up, according to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Association (AOFAS) score, the ankle function was excellent in 8 cases, good in 1 case, and poor in 1 case. Conclusion AR technique can be used to determine the location of perforator vessels in the preoperative planning of the posterior tibial artery perforator flap, which can reduce the risk of flap necrosis, and the operation is simple.
ObjectiveTo explore the application value of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in repairing foot and ankle wounds with posterior tibial arterial perforator flaps. MethodsBetween January 2010 and May 2014, 12 cases of foot and ankle wounds were repaired using posterior tibial arterial perforator flaps. There were 7 males and 5 females with an average age of 36 years (range, 22-54 years). The causes were machine injury in 2 cases, falling injury in 3 cases, and traffic accident injury in 7 cases. The disease duration ranged from 7 to 45 days (mean, 16 days). The size of wound ranged from 6 cm×4 cm to 10 cm×5 cm. Preoperative DSA was performed to observe the orientation and distribution of the posterior tibial arterial perforator and the relationship between perforator vessels. Correspondently, the flaps were designed and harvested. The size of flap ranged from 7 cm×5 cm to 11 cm×6 cm. The donor sites were repaired with skin grafts. ResultsPosterior tibial arterial perforator vessels send out ascending branches and descending branches while going down in the superficial layer. All branches were connected to form vertical chain-form anastamosis, and its orientation was consistent with limb vertical axis. According to DSA results, the flaps were designed and harvested easily. All flaps survived after operation. Meanwhile, wounds healed by first intention. All skin grafts at donor site survived. All patients were followed up 6 months. The flaps had good appearance, color, and texture. No ulcer was found. Affected feet had normal walking function. ConclusionThe size, distribution, and chain-form anastamosis condition of the posterior tibial arterial perforator vessels can be accurately observed by DSA, which provides imaging evidence for harvesting posterior tibial arterial perforator flaps and improves the success rate for repairing foot and ankle wounds.
Objective To investigate the anatomic variations of the perforator vessels of anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap and the clinical indications. Methods From March 1985 to August 2004, the anterolateral thigh flapgraft was performed in 112 patients. The clinical data were analyzed. There were 67 males and 45 females, aging from 5 to 65 years with an average of 38.5 years. According to recipient site condition, four methods of flap harvesting were as follows:① 78 received free fasciocutaneous flaps;② 22 received free adipofascial flaps;③ 5 received pedicled island fasciocutaneous flaps; ④ 7 received pedicled reverse-flow island fasciocutaneous flaps. Facial, neck, breast, extremityjoint, plantar, and perineum defects were repaired and the effectiveness and donor site morbidity were evaluated. Results The blood supply of ALT flap came from the descending branch or transverse branch of the lateral circumflex femoralartery. The skin vessels were found to be septocutaneous perforators in 33% of flaps and to be musculocutaneous perforators in 77% of flaps. Of 112 flaps, 107 survived completely, the survival rate was 95.6% with little donor site morbidity. Conclusion ALT flap is a versatile softtissue flap. If refined to perforator flap, it can achieve better results in reconstructing defect and minimizing donor-site morbidity.