Objective To investigate the effectiveness of the lower abdominal conjoined flap with bilateral superficial inferior epigastric arteries (SIEA) for repairing the large soft tissue defects on the foot and ankle. Methods The clinical data of 18 patients with large soft tissue defects on foot and ankle treated between October 2017 and January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 12 males and 6 females; the age ranged from 25 to 62 years, with a median age of 35 years. The causes of injury included machine injury in 9 cases, traffic accident injury in 5 cases, cutting injury in 2 cases, and electric injury in 2 cases. All wounds were accompanied by exposure of blood vessels, tendons, bones, and joints. Wound located at ankle in 8 cases, dorsum of foot in 6 cases, and sole in 4 cases. In the emergency department, complete debridement (the defect area after debridement was 15 cm×10 cm to 25 cm×16 cm) and vacuum sealing drainage on the wound was performed. The time from debridement to flap repair was 3-10 days, with an average of 5 days. According to the defect location and scope, the lower abdominal conjoined flap with bilateral SIEA was prepared. The size of the flap ranged from 15 cm×10 cm to 25 cm×16 cm. The length of vascular pedicle was 4.5-7.5 cm, with an average of 6.0 cm; the thickness of the flap was 0.5-1.2 cm, with an average of 0.8 cm. The abdominal donor site was closed in one-stage. Results One flap was altered as the conjoined flap with the bilateral superficial circumflex iliac artery because of the absence of the SIEA in one side. Except for 1 case of skin flap with distal necrosis, the flap healed after two-stage skin grafting repair; the rest skin flaps survived, and the wounds of the donor and recipient sites all healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-28 months, with an average of 16 months. The skin flap had a satisfactory appearance and soft texture, without abnormal hair growth or obvious pigmentation. Only linear scars were left at the donor site, and no complication such as abdominal hernia occurred. The foot and ankle function was satisfactory. At last follow-up, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores were rated as excellent in 16 cases and good in 2 cases. Conclusion The lower abdominal conjoined flap with bilateral SIEA is an ideal flap for repairing large defects of foot and ankle with less morbidity scarcely, which ascribed to its ease of dissection, adjustable thinness, and concealed donor site, as well as the flexible perforator match.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of free transverse gracilis myocutaneous flap for soft tissue defects of foot and ankle. Methods Between January 2017 and December 2020, 16 cases (17 feet) of soft tissue defects of foot and ankle were repaired with free transverse gracilis myocutaneous flaps. There were 10 males and 6 females, with an average age of 38 years (range, 23-60 years). There were 9 cases of left foot, 6 cases of right foot, and 1 case of bilateral feet. The causes of soft tissue defect were traffic accident injury in 3 cases, heavy object smash injury in 4 cases, machine injury in 3 cases, infection in 4 cases, electrical burn in 1 case, and synovial sarcoma after operation in 1 case. The wounds located at the distal plantar in 2 cases (2 feet), the heel and ankle in 6 cases (6 feet), the dorsum of the foot in 7 cases (8 feet), and the first metatarsophalangeal joint to the medial malleolus in 1 case (1 foot). The size of wounds ranged from 6 cm×5 cm to 18 cm×7 cm. The size of flap ranged from 11 cm×6 cm to 21 cm×9 cm. The donor site was sutured directly. Results After operation, 1 case (1 foot) of flap vascular crisis, 1 case (1 foot) of partial necrosis of the flap, and 1 case of partial dehiscence of the incision at donor site occurred, all of which healed after symptomatic treatment. The other flaps survived, and the incisions at donor and recipient sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-36 months (mean, 24 months). Except for 1 case (1 foot) of swollen flap, which underwent two-stage trimming, the other flaps had good shape and texture. All the flaps had a protective feeling. At last follow-up, Kofoed scores of foot and ankle function ranged from 73 to 98 (mean, 89.7); 13 cases were excellent, 2 cases were good, and 1 case was poor, with an excellent and good rate of 93.8%. Linear scar was formed at the donor site without adverse effect on lower limb function. ConclusionThe free transverse gracilis myocutaneous flap is an effective flap for repairing large soft tissue defects of foot and ankle due to its advantages of large excisable area, less variation of vascular anatomy, and concealment of donor site.
ObjectiveTo study the effectiveness of Keystone flap in the repair of soft tissue defect of lower extremity.MethodsThe clinical data of 27 cases with soft tissue defects of lower extremity treated by Keystone flap between January 2018 and June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 18 males and 9 females, with an average age of 43.9 years (range, 8-63 years). The cause of soft tissue defects included skin tumor in 3 cases, ulcer in 2 cases, soft-tissue infection in 8 cases, trauma in 7 cases, and donor site defect after free or pedicled flap transplantation in 7 cases. Defect size ranged from 2.0 cm×1.5 cm to 15.0 cm×9.5 cm. The types of Keystone flaps included type Ⅰ in 2 cases, type Ⅱa in 16 cases, type Ⅱb in 1 case, type Ⅲ in 6 cases, and Moncrieff modified type in 2 cases. The area of flap ranged from 3.0 cm×1.5 cm to 20.0 cm×10.0 cm. The donor site was directly sutured (26 cases) or repaired with skin grafting (1 case).ResultsThe operation time was 45-100 minutes, with an average of 67.5 minutes; the hospitalization stay was 3-12 days, with an average of 8.5 days. Postoperative incision dehiscence occurred in 1 case, and flap marginal necrosis occurred in 2 cases, all of which were completely healed after dressing change; 1 case of incision was swollen and congested with tension blisters, which resolved spontaneously at 7 days after operation. The other flaps and the skin grafting survived and healed successfully, the wounds of recipient and donor sites healed by first intention. The healing time was 2-3 weeks (mean, 2.2 weeks). No pain occurred in all patients. All 27 cases were followed up 3-26 months (mean, 11.5 months). No obvious scar contracture and bloated skin flap were found. The texture and color of the skin in the recipient area were similar to those of the surrounding tissues and feel existed.ConclusionThe Keystone flap is a feasible and efficient way to repair soft tissue defect of lower extremity. Furthermore, the skin color and texture is similar to the surrounding tissue after healing.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the surgical technique and the effectiveness of the free superficial palmar branch of the radial artery flap to repair soft tissue defect of fingers.MethodsBetween June 2014 and June 2017, 10 cases (10 fingers) of soft tissue defects of fingers were repaired with the free superficial palmar branch of the radial artery flaps. There were 8 males and 2 females with an average age of 29.8 years (range, 23-42 years). The causes of injury included the chainsaw cutting injury in 6 cases, the machine crush injury in 2 cases, and the glass scratching in 2 cases. The time from injury to admission was 1-8 hours with an average of 3 hours. The locations were the volar of the middle of index finger in 3 cases, the volar of the distal of index finger in 1 case, the volar of the distal of middle finger in 3 cases, the ulnar side of distal interphalangeal joint of ring finger in 1 case, and the volar of the distal of the little finger in 2 cases. The area of soft tissue defect ranged from 1.8 cm×0.9 cm to 2.8 cm×2.1 cm, and the area of flap ranged from 2.0 cm×1.0 cm to 3.0 cm×2.3 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly.ResultsAll flaps survived after operation, and the wounds healed by first intention. The incisions of donor site also healed by first intention with a linear scar. All cases were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 9 months). The appearance and texture of the flaps were satisfactory. The pain sensation, warm sensation, and touch sensation of the flap recovered. At last follow-up, the two-point discrimination of the flap was 6-13 mm (mean, 7.5 mm). According to the assessment of the upper limb function issued by tha Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association, the results were graded as excellent in 8 cases and good in 2 cases.ConclusionThe free superficial palmar branch of the radial artery flap is easy to harvest and anastomose and has small injury. It is an ideal method in repairing of soft tissue defects of fingers.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of using indocyanine green angiography in mapping the superficial temporal vessels and assisting design and harvesting of the superficial temporal artery based forehead flap. Methods A clinical data of 14 patients with facial soft tissue defects repaired with superficial temporal artery based forehead flaps between October 2015 and November 2022 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 9 males and 5 females with a median age of 9.5 years (range, 3-38 years). The forehead flaps were used to reconstruct facial soft tissue defects following excision of facial scar (8 cases) or congenital melanocyte nevus (6 cases). The size of defects ranged from 3 cm×2 cm to 24 cm×9 cm. Before operation, the indocyanine green angiography was used to map the superficial temporal artery and vein, and to analyze the relationship of the arteries and veins. The forehead flaps with unilateral superficial temporal fascia as the pedicle was transferred to repair the small facial defect in 2 cases. The facial pedicle contained the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery and 2 cm of the superficial temporal fascia around the vessel, and the tiny accompanying vein of the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery was used as the outflow of the flap. The forehead flaps with the skin pedicle including bilateral or unilateral superficial temporal fascia and the overlying skin was pre-expanded and transferred to repair the large facial defect in 12 cases. The skin pedicle contained the frontal branch of superficial temporal artery and one of main branches of superficial temporal vein. Among the 12 cases, the frontal branch of superficial temporal vein was used as the outflow in 4 cases, and the parietal branch was used as the outflow in 8 cases. The size of the flaps ranged from 3 cm×2 cm to 30 cm×13 cm. The skin pedicles were divided at 3 weeks after the flap transfer. ResultsIndocyanine green angiography could clearly showed the course and branching of the superficial temporal artery and vein. Individual differences existed in the location where the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery entered the forehead. The superficial temporal vein had great variability and did not follow the artery. One patient had expander-related complication, which resulted in 3-cm flap necrosis. The necrotic tissue was debrided and repaired with skin grafting. The other flaps totally survived and the incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 2-24 months, with a median of 11.5 months. The color, texture, and thickness of the flaps matched well with those of recipient sites. Hypertrophic scar was not observed in recipient or donor site. All patients were satisfied with the reconstructive outcomes. ConclusionIndocyanine green angiography can clearly visualize the course and the branches of the superficial temporal arteries and veins, which can help surgeons understand the position, distribution, and concomitant relationship of the superficial temporal vessels, and make a rational surgical plan of the forehead flap.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap transplantation combined with external fixation in the treatment of bone and soft tissue defects around the knee joint. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 13 patients with high-energy trauma-induced bone and soft tissue defects around the knee joint admitted between January 2016 and July 2023. Among them, 11 were male and 2 were female, the age ranged from 23 to 61 years, with an average of 35.7 years. The causes of injury included 10 cases of traffic accident, 2 cases of machine entanglement injury, and 1 case of heavy object crush injury. According to the Gustilo-Anderson classification, 11 cases were type Ⅲ B and 2 cases were type Ⅲ C. Post-injury, 2 cases had wound infection and 2 cases had popliteal artery injury. The time from injury to flap repair was 40-49 days, with an average of 27.5 days. The wound size was 18 cm×13 cm to 32 cm×20 cm, all accompanied by distal femoral bone defects and quadriceps muscle defects. After primary debridement, vacuum sealing drainage combined with external fixation was used for treatment. In the second stage, free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps were transplanted to repair soft tissue defects, with the flap size ranging from 20 cm×15 cm to 34 cm×22 cm. The donor sites of 9 flaps were directly sutured, and 4 cases with large tension were repaired with a keystone flap based on the posterior intercostal artery perforator. At 6-15 months postoperatively, with an average of 10.5 months, 11 patients underwent knee arthrodesis surgery; 2 patients with large bone defects at the distal femur and proximal tibia underwent multi-segment bone transport reconstruction of the bone defect. At last follow-up, the recovery of the flap and the donor site was recorded, and the function of the shoulder joint was evaluated by the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and the function of the affected knee joint was evaluated by the Knee Society Score (KSS). ResultsAll the flaps survived after operation, the wounds and donor site incisions healed by first intention. All 13 patients were followed up 15-55 months, with an average of 21.6 months. Four patients who underwent the restoration of the donor site with the thoracodorsal keystone perforator flap had obvious scar hyperplasia around the wound, but no contracture or symmetrical breasts on both sides. At last follow-up, the appearance and texture of the flaps were good; the bony fusion of the knee joint was good, and the range of motion and function recovered well; the shoulder joint function on the flap-harvested side was not significantly affected, and the range of motion was satisfactory. The ASES shoulder joint score of the latissimus dorsi muscle-harvested side was 85-95, with an average of 89.5. The knee joint function KSS score was 75-90, with an average of 81.2. ConclusionFree latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap transplantation combined with external fixation for the treatment of bone and soft tissue defects around the knee joint caused by high-energy trauma can repair bone and soft tissue defects and reconstruct the stability of the knee joint, effectively preserve the integrity of the limb and soft tissues, and improve the patient’s ability of self-care.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical application of the anterior tibial artery perforator propeller flap relay peroneal artery terminal perforator propeller flap in repair of foot and ankle defects.MethodsBetween October 2014 and October 2018, 18 cases with foot and ankle defects were treated. There were 12 males and 6 females with an average age of 32.8 years (range, 8-56 years). There were 11 cases of traffic accident injuries, 3 cases of falling from height injuries, and 4 cases of heavy objects injuries. The wound was at the dorsum of the foot in 9 cases, the heel in 4 cases, the lateral malleolus in 5 cases. The time from injury to flap repair was 7-34 days (mean, 19 days). The size of wound ranged from 6.0 cm×2.5 cm to 11.0 cm×6.0 cm. The foot and ankle defects were repaired with the peroneal artery terminal perforator propeller flap in size of 6 cm×3 cm-18 cm×7 cm, which donor site was repaired with the anterior tibial artery perforator propeller flap in size of 8 cm×3 cm-16 cm×6 cm.ResultsOne patient had a hemorrhagic swelling in the peroneal artery terminal perforator propeller flap, and survived after symptomatic treatment. All recipient and donor sites healed by first intention. Eighteen patients were followed up 6-15 months (mean, 12.5 months). At last follow-up, the shape, color, texture, and thickness of the flaps in the donor sites were similar with those in the recipient sites. There were only linear scars on the donor sites. The two-point discrimination of the peroneal artery terminal perforator propeller flap ranged from 10 to 12 mm (mean, 11 mm). According to American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score criteria, the results were excellent in 15 cases and good in 3 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100%.ConclusionThe foot and ankle defects can be repaired with the anterior tibial artery perforator propeller flap relay peroneal artery terminal perforator propeller flap. The procedure is not sacrificing the main vessel and can avoid the skin grafting and obtain the good ankle function.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical value of pedicled latissimus dorsi Kiss flap in repairing chest wall large skin defect after tumor operation. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data from 15 cases of chest wall tumors treated between December 2010 and December 2015. There were 2 males and 13 females with an average age of 51.8 years (range, 43-60 years); there were 11 cases of locally advanced breast cancer, 3 cases of fibrosarcoma in chest wall, and 1 case of chest wall radiation ulcer with a median disease duration of 24.1 months (range, 6 months to 8 years). The area of skin defects was 17 cm×12 cm to 20 cm×18 cm after primary tumor resection; the pedicled latissimus dorsi Kiss flap was designed to repair wounds. The flap was a two-lobed flap at a certain angle on the surface of latissimus dorsi based on the thoracodorsal artery, with a size of 17 cm×6 cm to 20 cm×9 cm for each lobe. The donor site was sutured directly. ResultsFourteen flaps survived with primary healing of wound; delayed healing was observed in 1 flap because of distal necrosis; and healing by first intention was obtained at the donor sites. The follow-up time was from 6 months to 3 years (mean, 21.6 months). The flap had good appearance with no bloated pedicle. The shoulder joint activities were normal. No local recurrence occurred, but distant metastasis in 2 cases. No obvious scar was found at donor sites. ConclusionThe application of pedicled latissimus dorsi Kiss flap to repair chest wall skin defects after tumor resection has important clinical value, because of the advatages of simple operation, minor donor site damage and rapid postoperative recovery, especially for late stage cancer patients.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of anterolateral thigh polyfoliate perforator flap plus pedicle with one foliate flap for repairing extremities soft tissue defect. Methods Between January 2014 and January 2017, 24 patients with extremities soft tissue defects were treated by anterolateral thigh polyfoliate perforator flap plus pedicle with one foliate flap. There were 15 males and 9 females, with a median age of 33.5 years (range, 5-64 years). Wounds located in upper limb in 8 cases, complicated with radial styloid fracture in 1 case, extensor tendon exposure in 3 cases, and brachioradialis muscle tendon exposed in 1 case. Wounds located in lower extremity in 16 cases, complicated with calcaneal or metatarsal, phalangeal fractures in 4 cases, Achilles tendon departure in 1 case, toe long extensor tendon and flexor digitorum longus tendon exposed in 8 cases. The wound area ranged from 8 cm×5 cm to 18 cm×12 cm. According to wound size, anterolateral thigh perforators were detected by conventional ultrasound Doppler (2-5 perforators). The irregular wounds were decomposed into multiple parts and the leaf number (2-4 leaves) of polyfoliate flap depended on the part number of the wound. The flap area ranged from 9 cm×6 cm to 20 cm×14 cm, and the largest area of single leaf was 24 cm×6 cm. The vascular pedicle length ranged from 7 cm to 12 cm. The foliate flap area with protecting pedicle ranged from 5 cm×3 cm to 7 cm×5 cm. Results All the flaps survived, and no vascular crisis occurred. All the patients were followed up 2-28 months (mean, 9 months). Sinus occurred in 1 case of calcaneal fracture after flap repair, and the sinus was healed after 3 months by conventional dressing. All the flaps were thin and had a good texture. Healing of soft tissue was found in 5 patients with fracture. The wrist and ankle plantar flexion and dorsiflexion function of recipient site were normal in all patients. Conclusion It is safe and reliable to repair the extremities soft tissue defect with anterolateral thigh polyfoliate perforator flap plus pedicle with one foliate flap. And it is one of the ways to reduce the vascular crisis of the anterolateral thigh free perforator flap.
Objective To explore the results of repairing widespread traumatic soft tissue defects in the heels and adjacent regions with free latissimus dorsi muscle-skin flaps. Methods From March 1998 to May 2005, 10 cases of widespread traumatic soft tissue defects in the heels and adjacent regions were repaired with free latissimus dorsi muscleskin flaps. Of the 10 patients, 9 were male and 1 was female, whose ages ranged from 32 to 60years, and the disease course was 2 hours to 2 months. The defect was by ploughmachine injury in 5 cases, by crush injury in 2 cases, by snake injury in 2 cases, and electricity injury in 1 case. Eight cases of defects involved in the posteriorof heel and leg, the defect area ranged from 21 cm×12 cm to 35 cm×15 cm; 2 cases had widespread soft tissue defects on heel, ankle, sole and dorsal foot, and the defect area was 27 cm×14 cm and 30 cm×21 cm respectively. All cases were accompanied by the exposure of bone; 6 cases by fracture; 4 cases by openinfection of ankle joint; and 2 cases by injuries of the posterior tibial vessel and the tibial nerve. The sizes of the dissected flap ranged from 25 cm×14 cm to 33 cm×24 cm. The donor sites were covered by large mid-thickness flap. Results There were no postoperative complication of vascular crisis and infection. Ten flaps survived completely and the wounds healed by first intention. After a follow-up of 3 to 24 months, five cases received twostageplastic operation because bulky flaps bring some trouble in wearing shoes. In 5cases of reconstructed sensation, two cases recovered pain and temperature sensation. All cases recovered the abilities to stand and walk without ulcer complication. Conclusion The free latissimus dorsi muscle-skin flap is an ideal flap for repairing widespread traumatic soft tissue defects and infectious wounds with muscle defects and bone exposure in the heel and adjacent regions, because it has such advantages as adequate blood supply, big dermatomic area, and excellent ability to resist infection.