Objective To investigate the surgical techniques and effectiveness for reconstruction of severe full-thickness chest wall defects. Methods Between January 2006 and December 2010, 14 patients with full-thickness chest wall defects were treated, including 12 cases caused by giant chest wall mal ignant tumor excision, 1 case by thermocompression injury, and 1 case by radiation necrosis. There were 8 males and 6 females with an average age of 42 years (range，23-65 years). The size of chest wall defects ranged from 8 cm × 5 cm to 26 cm × 14 cm. All patients compl icated by rib defect (1-5 ribs), and 3 cases by sternum defect. Thoracic skeleton reconstruction was performed with Vicryl mesh or polytetrafluroethylene mesh in 10 patients. Other 4 patients did not undergo thoracic skeleton reconstruction. The bilobed skin flaps, pectoral is major myocutaneous flap, latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, and rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap were util ized for repairing soft tissue defects. The size of the dissected flaps ranged from 10 cm × 7 cm to 25 cm × 13 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly or were repaired by free skin graft. Results Poor heal ing of incision occurred in 2 cases, which was cured after debridement, myocutaneous flap transfer, and skin graft. The other wounds healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-36 months (mean, 8 months). No tumor recurrence during follow-up, except 1 patient with osteosarcoma who died of l iver matastasis at 6 months after operation. Transient sl ight paradoxical respiration occurred in 1 patient who did not undergo thoracic skeleton reconstruction at 5 days after operation. Integrity of chest wall in other patients was restored without paradoxical respiration and dyspnea. Conclusion Depending on the cause, the size, and the location of defect, single or combination flaps could be used to repair soft tissue defect, and thoracic skeleton reconstruction should be performed when defect is severe by means of syntheticmaterials.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical result of reconstructed thumb and finger with a free hallux nail flap(HNF) and frozen-phalanx-joint-tendon-sheath composite tissue allograft in 270 cases. METHODS: The patients were followed up with reexamination in the ambulant clinic, communication, X-ray photography, lab-examination, isotope 99mTc MDP and reoperation. The data were analyzed by statistics or proved by clinical observation, which were followed up for five years in average (ranging from five months to sixteen years). RESULTS: Enveloping the allogeneic finger composite tissue with self-HNF and pieces of phalanx of great toe, it could reconstruct a thumb or finger with good contour and nutrition. The excellent rate of opposition function of the reconstructed thumbs was 71.91%. The sense of the fingers recovered after 3 months to 8 months of operation. Two-point discrimination was 3 mm to 15 mm. The junction between implanted allo-phalanges and auto-phalanges could be hastened by implanted with vascularized autogenous phalanx pieces in the HNF. The isotope 99mTc MDP was used to take X-ray photography in 24 cases for four months to 9 years and seven months, which showed that the blood vessels grew into the allo-phalanges. However, the Charcot’s arthropathy of allogeneic joints and bony absorption still could be seen in some cases. That might be concerned with chronic abrasion of joint or chronic rejection of host to graft. CONCLUSION: The operation is fit for repairing the defect of thumb or finger in any degree. The implanted vascularized self-phalanx pieces can promote bone union, but it can not prevent the allogeneic joints from arthropathy or bone absorption
Objective To assess the sensory restoration after the greater auricular nerve is implanted into the flap to repair the buccal defect in rabbits. Methods Fifteen Japanese white rabbits, weighing 2.0-2.5 kg, were randomly divided into the experimental group (nerve implanted), the control group (nerve unimplanted), and the normal group (without any treatment). In the experimental and the control group, circular defects (2.0 cm×2.0 cm) were constructed in the left cheek of the rabbits. Then, the cervicalflaps (4.5 cm×2.5 cm) were transferred and the great auricular nerve was implanted into the defects in the experimental group, and the flaps without any nervewere implanted into the defects in the control group. The subjects in the normal group were given no treatment. After 6 months, the nerve discharge, the HE staining, and the immunohistochemical method were used to assess the regeneration of the nerve fibers. Results The nerve discharge and the percentage of the different kinds of the nerve fibers in the experimental group (124.2±33.8 roots) were not statistically different from those in the normal group （138.4±20.4 roots，Pgt;0.05）, but significantly different from those in the control group（18.8±5.6 roots,Plt;0.05）. In the center of the flap in the experimental group, the receptive field of the nerve fibers was identical to theimplanting approach of the greater auricular nerve. The HE staining and the immunohistochemical staining showed that the density of the regenerated fibers in the center of the flap in the experimental group reached the normal level.There was no regenerated fibers in the control group. Conclusion The great auricular nerve implanted into the cervical flaps has a good effect on reconstruction of the buccal defect in rabbits.
Objective To investigate a best method of obtaining the sural neurofasciocutaneous flap by observing the models of different pedicles based sural neurofasciocutaneous flaps in rabbits and the effect of different pedicles on the survival of the flaps. Methods Forty adult New Zealand rabbits (male or female, weighing 2.5-3.0 kg) were randomly divided into 4 groups (10 rabbits in each). The flaps of 7 cm × 1 cm were designed at the lateral hind legs, and the pedicle was 0.5 cmin length. In group A, the flaps were elevated based on a single perforator pedicle; in group B, the flaps were elevated based on fascia pedicle; in group C, the flaps were elevated based on perforator-plus fascia pedicle; and in group D, the flaps were elevated and sutured in situ. At 7 days after operation, the flap survival rate was recorded, and the blood flow in the center of the flap was monitored by laser doppler flowmetry. The perfusion unit (PU) was measured. Results After operation, the flaps had no obvious swell ing, and the flaps had good color at the proximal end, but pale at the distal end in groups A and B. Obvious swell ing was observed with pale color at the distal flaps in group C, but swell ing decreased gradually. However, the skin color became dark gradually in group D after operation. The flap survival rates were 74.0% ± 2.7%, 60.0% ± 2.5%, 75.0% ± 3.5%, and 0 in groups A, B, C, and D respectively after 7 days of operation. The PU values were 83.39 ± 4.25, 28.96 ± 13.49, 81.85 ± 5.93, and 8.10 ± 3.36 in groups A, B, C, and D respectively. There were significant differences in flap survival rates and PU values between groups A, B, C and group D (P lt; 0.05). Significant differences were found between groups A, C and group B (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference between group A and group C (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion The sural neurofasciocutaneous flap based on a single perforator pedicle has a rel iable blood supply and enough venous drainage, which is one of the best methods to obtain the sural neurofasciocutaneous flap.
Objective To investigate the method and effect of compound grafting of vascularized fibular head and flaps to repair compl icated lateral malleolus defects. Methods From July 2000 to April 2006, 6 patients with lateral malleolus bone defect underwent the repairing treatment. There were 5 males and 1 female, aged 9-47 years. The causes of injuries was traffic accident in 4 cases and crash in 2 cases. And 5 cases were in the left side and 1 in right side. The bone defect ranged 3.5-8.5 cm in size and the skin defect ranged 14 cm × 4 cm-18 cm × 7 cm in size. The time from injury to surgery rangedfrom 15 to 30 days. The compl icated lateral malleolus defects were repaired by transplanting the fibular head pedicled with the lateral inferior genicular artery 5-10 cm, and the peroneal perforator flaps or latissimus dorsi flaps 16 cm × 5 cm-20 cm × 8 cm. The raw surfaces of donor site were inflated and packaged with intermediate spl it thickness skin graft. Results One flap with 1 cm distal edge dry necrosis healed after change of dressing and others all survived. The free skin grafts survived and the incision healed by the first intention. All the cases were followed up for 4 to 15 months, and all patients achieved the bony heal ing within 8-16 weeks and the transplanted fibular head grew well. The shape of reconstructed lateral ankles was similar to the normal one and the ankle mortise moved well. The texture of flaps was soft without diabrosis and abrasion. According to Baird-Jackson criterion, the results were excellent in 3 cases, good in 2 cases and fair in 1 case and the excellent and good rate was 83.3%. Conclusion The fibular head pedicled with the lateral inferior genicular artery has good blood supply and the reconstructed lateral malleolus is similar to the normal. The peroneal perforator flaps and latissimus dorsi flaps have adequate blood supply and big dermatomic area. So this operation is an effective method to repair lateral malleolus defect.
Objective To provide the anatomic basis for defect repair of the knee, leg, foot and ankle with great saphenous venosaphenous neurocutaneous vascular island flaps. Methods The origin, diameter, branches, distribution and anatomoses of the saphenous artery and saphenous neurocutaneous vascular were observed on 20 sides of adult leg specimens and 4 fresh cadaver voluntary legs. Another4 fresh cadaver voluntary legs were radiogeaphed with a soft X-ray system afterthe intravenous injection of Vermilion and cross-sections under profound fascial, otherhand, micro-anatomic examination was also performed in these 4 fresh cadaver legs. The soft tissue defects in lower extremity,upper extremity, heel or Hucou in handwere repaired with the proximal or distal pedicle flaps or free flaps in 18 patients(12 males and 6 females,aging from 7 to 3 years). The defect was caused by trauma, tumour, ulcer and scar.The locations were Hucou (1 case), upper leg(3 cases), lower extremity and heal (14 cases). Of then, 7 cases were complicatedby bone exposure, 3 cases by tendon exposure and 1 case by steel expouse. the defect size were 4 cm×4 cm to 7 cm×13 cm. The flap sizes were 4 cm×6 cm to 8 cm×15 cm, which pedicle length was 8-11 cm with 2.-4.0 cm fascia and 12 cm skin at width. Results Genus descending genicular artery began from 9.33±0.81 cm away from upper the condylus medialis, it branched saphenous artery accompanying saphenous nerve descendent. And saphenous artery reached the surface of the skin 7.21±0.82 cm away from lower the condylus medialis,and anastomosed with the branches of tibialis posterior artery, like “Y” or “T” pattern. The chain linking system of arteries were found accompanying along the great saphenous vein as saphenous nerve, and then a axis blood vessel was formed. The small artery of only 00-0.10 mm in diameter, distributed around the great saphenousvein within 58 mm and arranged parallelly along the vein like water wave in soft X-ray film. All proximal flaps,distal pedicle flaps and free flaps survived well. The appearance, sensation and function were satisfactory in 14 patientsafter a follow-up of 6-12 months. Conclusion The great saphenous vein as well as saphenous neurocutaneous has a chain linking system vascular net. A flap with the vascular net can be transplanted by free, by reversed pedicle, or by direct pedicle to repair the wound of upper leg and foot. A superficial vein-superficial neurocutaneous vascular flap with abundance blood supply and without sacrificing a main artery is a favouriate method in repair of soft tissue defects in foot and lower extremity.
Objective To explore the application of the improved operative technique and clinical results of sural nerve nutritional vessel axial flap repairing the soft tissue defects of the lower leg,the ankle and the foot. Methods From January 1999 to Novenber 2004,the modified flaps were applied in 22 cases of soft tissue defect on the basis of anatomy of the intermusclar septum perforating branches of peroneal artery and the sural nerve nutritional vessel.There were 14 males and 8 females. Their ages ranged from 5 to 54 years.According to the position and size of the soft tissue defects, the sural nerve nutritional vessel flap pedicled with the perforating branch of the peroneal artery in the lower leg were desingned and obtained to repair the soft tissue defects of the lower leg,the ankle and the foot.The flap size ranged from 13cm×12cm to 30cm×20cm. The vessel pedicle of perforating branches ranged from 1.7cm to 3cm.The distribution of the vessel pedicle of perforating branches ranged from4.5cm to 8cm on the lateral malleolus.The diameters of vessel ranged from 1mm to 1.2mm. Results The flap pedicle with the terminal branch of the peroneal artery was used in 13 cases, the other branches were used in 9 cases. Among of 22 cases,the sural nerve were anastomosed with the acceptor sensory nerve in 4 cases. The skin sense were satisfactory after 1 year of operationnd 2-point discrimination was 10-13mm. All flaps survived completely in 22 cases. The outline andfunction were satisfactory during 6-18 months follow-up. Conclusion The blood supply of this flap is reliable. Flap elevation is easy. The size of flap is large enough to repair skin defects of the lower leg, the ankle and the foot.
A combined rotational flap was used to repair large scar on the face. The flap was removed from the lateral part of the neck, face and postaural region, between the zygmatic arch and clavicle. The dissection was carried out on the superfic ial of SMAS and platysmus M. Twentysix (12 males and 14 females) were reported. The age ranged from 5 to 28 years. The flap was survived completely in 19 cases. Small area at the margin of the flap was necrotic, which was reducing appeared in the postaural cular region in 6 cases. By reducing the size of the postaural cual component of the flap, necrosis never occured. Among these cases, 11 were followed up for 6 to 14 months. The results were satisfactory. The combined flap was classified as randomized flap because it had no axial and it could be used to cover a large area of skin defect. The color, thickness and quality of the flaps were all close to the normal facial skin. It was considered especially suitable for repair the large wound on the medial twothirds of the cheek.
Objective To investigate the basic mechanism of venous flow in reverseflow island flap. Methods Recent relevant literature on the mechanism of venous reverse flow in reverseflow island flap wereextensively reviewed. Results The mechanism of venous reverse flow was a multifactorial phenomenon. “Communicating and collateral by pass route” and “incompetent valve route” were two theories. Conclusion The two routes of venous reverse flow in reverse-flow island flap coexistand complement each other.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of flap transplantation in repairing soft tissue defects of children. METHODS: From January 1997 to May 2002, 75 cases of different soft tissue defects (52 males and 23 females, with the age of 3-14 years) were repaired by axial and non-axial flaps transfer, and axial flaps transplantation by microvascular anastomosis. The flaps area ranged from 3 cm x 5 cm to 15 cm x 42 cm. Emergency operation was performed in 26 cases and secondary operation in 49 cases (infective wound such as osteomyelitis and plate extra-exposed of fracture). The defect regions included the forearm, back of the hand, thumb, index finger, leg and foot. The types of flap graft and application range included 39 cases of axial flaps transfer or transplantation (27 cases of along- or contra-transfer of transplantation and 12 cases of microvascular anastomosis). The non-axial flaps transfer were designed along- or contra-transfer near the wound area in 36 cases. The ratio of length to width was 2.5:1-3.5:1 in 27 cases, and larger than 3.5:1 in 9 cases. Adequate anesthesia method should be chosen according to the characteristics of children, non-traumatic operating during surgery and postoperative supervision and nursing of flaps should also be paid enough attention. RESULTS: After operation, blood circulation crisis occurred in 2 cases (1 case of artery failure and 1 case of vein failure). The flaps survived in 37 cases and partially survived in 1 case and necrosed in 1 case. The survival rate was 96.2%. The postoperative follow-up period was 3 to 60 months, the blood supply, elasticity and texture of flaps were good. The effect of repair was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Different types of transplantation of blood-supply of flaps may repair the different types of soft tissue defects in children. Free flap transplantation is safe and beneficial in children, different defects of soft tissue were repaired by axial and non-axial flaps transfer, axial flaps transplantation by microvascular anastomosis. Non-traumatic operating and postoperative supervision and nursing of flaps should also be paid enough attention.
