Objective To introduce the free multiple flaps of lowerextremity based on the anterior tibital vascular pedicle for primary repair of the complex burned hand deformities.Methods From September 2000 to February 2003, the lateral leg flap, dosalis pedis flap and trimmed first toe based on the anterior tibial vascular pedicle were utilized to reconstruct the thumb and repair the first web, thenar, wrist or palmar scar contracture simultaneously in 6 patients. The flap size of lateral leg and dosalis pedis ranged from 4 cm×10 cm to 7 cm×10 cm and from 5 cm×10 cm to 9 cm×12 cm, respectively.Resutls Six cases were treated and followed up for 6 weeks to 1 year. The transplanted flaps survived with satisfactory recovery in function and appearance of theburned hand. The function of donor lower extremity was not damaged. Conclusion The procedure of the free multiple flaps of lower extremity based on the anterior tibial vascular pedicle is reliable and effective for primaryrepair of burned hand.
In order to investigate the blood supply of osteo-periosteal flap of lateral inferior part of tibia, 40 lower limbs of adult cadavers were observed. The result showed that the superior malleolar branch was the biggest branch on the lateral inferior part of tibia and served as the main blood supply to the above area. It originated from the anterior tibial artery, 3.1 +/- 0.8 cm above the intermalleolar line. During its way to the anterior border of the tibia, it gave out the ascending and descending branches. The ascending branch was along the anterior border upward and anastomosed with the musculo-periosteol branch of the anterior tibial artery at the level of 6.3 +/- 1.3 cm above the intermalleolar line. The decending branch was anastomosed with the anterior medial malleolar artery. For the anastomosis between the superior malleolar branch with the peripheral vessels, the osteo-periosteol flap could be designed at the lateral side of the lower part of tibia in size of 8-10 cm x 4-6 cm. This was a new donor area of osteo-periosteol flap for repair of non-union of bone in lower end of tibia or arthrodesis of the ankle joint.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of V-Y advanced medial gastrocnemius muscle flap to repair soft tissue defects in the middle and lower segments of the anterior tibia. MethodsBetween March 2008 and March 2014, 8 patients with skin and soft tissue defects of the anterior tibia were treated, including 6 males and 2 females with an average age of 36.2 years (range, 28-47 years). The soft tissue defects located at the left leg in 5 cases and at the right leg in 3 cases. The causes included traffic accident injury in 6 cases, and heavy pound injury in 2 cases. Three cases had simple soft tissue defects, and the disease course was 5 hours, 6 days, and 14 days, respectively. Five cases had soft tissue defects and fractures, including 1 case of Pilon fracture, and 4 cases of middle and distal tibial fracture; open reduction and internal fixation were performed in 3 cases, the implementation of external fixation in 2 cases; 1 case had chronic osteomyelitis at 11 months after operation, and 4 cases had skin necrosis and wound infection at 1 to 2 weeks after operation; the duration was 1-12 months (mean, 3.4 months). The skin and soft tissue defect area was 5.2 cm×2.5 cm to 13.0 cm×5.5 cm. Debridement was given, and vacuum sealing drainage was used in 6 cases, and then V-Y advancement of medial gastrocnemius muscle flap was used to cover the wound. Because of light wound contamination, the wound was repaired by the flap after emergency debridement in 1 case; 1 patient with osteomyelitis underwent flap repair at immediate after sensitive antibiotics use and debridement. The size of medial gastrocnemius muscle flaps ranged from 15 cm×6 cm to 26 cm×15 cm. The donor site was sutured in 3 cases or repaired with skin graft in 5 cases. ResultsOne case had tension blisters in the distal flap, which was cured after symptomatic treatment. The flap and skin graft survived, and primary healing was obtained in the other cases. Seven patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 9 months). The texture and appearance of the flaps were satisfactory. At 6 months after operation, two-point discrimination ranged from 12 to 18 mm (mean, 16 mm). The plantar flexion was weaker than that of normal side, but the patients could normally walk and had normal gait. ConclusionThe V-Y advancement of medial gastrocnemius muscle flap is recommendable to repair soft tissue defects in the middle and lower segments of the anterior tibia for the advantages of reliable blood supply, simple operation, high survival rate of the flap, and satisfactory appearance.