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
Repairing degloving injury of fingers by transplantation of ateriolized venous network flap with sensory nerve for six cases (7 fingers). The flaps were all gotsurvived. The procedure of the operation was performed as following: 3～5 supperficial veins and the medial or lateral cutaneous nerve were separated on the palmar side of the forearm as pedicle. According to the defect, the corresponding flaps was designed and was transferred to the injuried finger. Anastomosed the veins with the two digital arteries and veins. Anastomosed the cutaneous nerve with the digital nerves. The patients were followed up for two years. The flaps were soft and wearresisting. The joint movements of the fingers were normal. The twopoints discrimination was 5 to 10mm. The contour of the fingers was satisfactory. The procedure has the following advantages: 1. carried out one operation; 2. good sensation, 3. good appearance and satisfactory function. The indications and factors affecting the survival of the flap were discussed.
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.
ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors of skin necrosis around incision after total knee arthroplasty (TKA),and explore the measures of prevention and treatment.
MethodsBetween June 2007 and June 2013,7 patients with skin necrosis around incision after TKA were treated.There were 5 males and 2 females with an average age of 69 years (range,59-78 years),including osteoarthritis in 4 cases,traumatic arthritis in 2 cases,and rheumatoid arthritis in 1 case.Two cases complicated by diabetes,and 2 cases by hypertension; 1 case received long-term hormone therapy; and 2 cases had a history of smoking.Scar was seen near knee joint in 2 cases.The skin necrosis ranged from 10 cm×2 cm to 13 cm×8 cm.The time from TKA to debridement was 7-15 days (mean,12 days).After thorough debridement,the saphenous artery skin flap,medial head of gastrocnemius muscle flap,lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle flap were used in 4 cases,2 cases,and 1 case respectively; reconstruction of patellar ligament was performed in 2 cases.Donor sites were repaired by split-thickness skin graft.
ResultsAll the flaps and myocutaneous flaps survived well,and all wounds healed by first intention.At donor site,the grafted skins survived and wounds healed by first intention.No early complication occurred.All cases were followed up 6-12 months (mean,7.8 months).The flaps and myocutaneous flaps had good texture and appearance; no prosthetic loosening and displacement happened,no secondary infection was observed after operation.The knee range of motion was 45-110° (mean,85°) at 6 months after operation.According to the Knee Society Score (KSS),the results were excellent in 3 cases,good in 2 cases,general in 1 case,and poor in 1 case at 6 months after operation.
ConclusionEarly discovery,thoroughly debridement,and timely repair with axial pattern flap or myocutaneous flap are the key factors to treat skin necrosis around incision after TKA and save the artificial prosthesis.
To investigate an effective method in clinical application of using different kinds of skin flaps for repair of the finger deep burns. Methods The groin skin flap, the paraumbilical skin flap, the volar digital advancement flap, the island flap from the dorsum of the index finger, the lateral digital neurovascular island flap, and the island skin flap nourished by the cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel of the dorsum were employed to repair 157 fingers in 101 patients (78 males, 23 females, aged 12-56 years, averaged 34.6 years) from January 1997 to December 2006. Of the 101patients, 37 had a deep partial thickness burn involving 59 fingers, and 64 hada full thickness burn involving 98 fingers. The soft tissue defects ranged in area from 1.0 cm×1.0 cm to 6.5 cm×6.0 cm. The interval between the injury and the operation was 4 hours to 5 days in 89 patients, and 18 to 27 days in the other 12 patients who also had infected wounds. The flaps ranged in size from 1.2 cm×1.2 cm to 7.8 cm×6.5 cm. The donor site was directly sutured in 84 patients, and the donor site was covered by a full thickness skin graft in the other 17 patients. Results After operation, 98 patients had an incision healing by first intention and the flaps survived well; the other 3 patients had congestion and necrosis in the flap edges, and had a delayed healing after the dressing changes. All the donor sites had a healing by first intention. The followup of all the patients for 224 months averaged 6.5 months revealed that 9 patients, who had been given the paraumbilical skin flap, had a fat and clumsy finger; 14 patients, who had been given the groin skin flap, also had a fat and clumsy finger; 3 patients developed congestion and necrosis at their edges. The remaining patients had a satisfactory survival of the skin flaps and a normallyshaped finger. The flaps had a good appearance, with the twopoint discrimination of 510 mm, the good finger motion ability, and the satisfactory finger appearance.Conclusion The volar digital advancement flap,the island flap from the dorsum of the index finger, the lateral digital neurov ascular island flap, and the island skin flap nourished by the cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel of the dorsum are good skin flaps for repair of the finger deep burns. The groin skin flap and the paraumbilical skin flap are also good skin flaps for repair of the deep burns of the mutiple fingers but the postoperative finger may become a bit fat and clumsy.
Objective To compare the effects of flap delay and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the viability of the rat dorsal flap. Methods Thirty rats were divided into 3 groups: saline group, flap delay group and VEGF group. The rats in flap delay group underwent flap delay by keeping bipedicle untouched, and the cranial pedicle was cut 7 days later. The rats in VEGF group were given VEGF solution locally when the flaps were elevated in the operation. The ratsin saline group were given saline solution in the same way. Five days after thesingle pedicle flaps were performed, the flap survival rate was measured. Theflap tissues were collected to measure and analyze the microvascular density, diameter and sectional area by immunochemical method. Results The flap survival rate of flap delay group was similar to that of VEGF group andthere is no statistically significant difference(Pgt;0.05). The vascular diameter of flap delay group was much larger than that of saline group and VEGF group, showing statistically significant difference (Plt;0.05). The vascular density of VEGF group was much higher than that of saline group and flap delay group, showing statistically significant difference (Plt;0.05). The vascular sectional area of flap delay group was similar to that of VEGF group(Pgt;0.05). Conclusion The change in the flap after flap delayis manifested as obvious dilatation of microvessels, while the change in the flap after the injection of VEGF is manifested as obvious vascular proliferation. Both flap delay and VEGF can increase the vascular sectional area and the viability of the flap, but the mechanism is different.
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 introduce the current situation and prospect of the tissue-autografting, such as the flaps, muscle flaps, and bone(periosteum) flaps, andits application in reparative and reconstructive surgery. Methods Based on our own experiences and combined with the review of the literature at home and abroad, the latest development of the tissue autografting was analyzed. Results The femoral anterolateral flap, latissimus dorsi muscle flap, upper arm lateral flap, scap flap, temporal fascial flap and perforator flap are the frequently used in clinic. Of all the perforator flap had such advantages as better repair of the recipient sites and less damage of the donor site. Beacause of more advantages of the free myocutaneous flap transplantation, it substituted thefree muscle transplantation. The atissimus dorsi muscle myocutaneous flap was the most frequently used in the transplant of the vessels, with preserved function of the thoracodorsal nerve or with repair of the defected tissues by the bridge. The most common donor sites of the bone were ribs，iliac bone，fibula andscapula, so the severe bone defects or the bone nonunion, femoral head ischemic necrosis, and the bone graft from the tumor removal could be managed with the bones from those sites. Conclusion The autografting in repairing the tissue defect has become one of the most important surgical techniques in reparative and reconstructive surgery.
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 investigate the surgical methods and effects of perineal Paget’s disease. Methods From January 1998 to September 2004, 20 perineal Paget’s disease cases were treated with several surgical methods. All the patients were male. Their ages ranged from 47 to 80 years. The courses of diseases ranged from 1 year to 9 years (4.7 years on average). Among them, 14 cases involved scrotums purely, 5 cases involved scrotums and penises, 1 cases involved scrotum, penis and hypogastric zone. Fifteen cases were diagnosed as having Paget’s disease through pathological exam. No metastasis was found before operation. ResultsThe wounds healed by first intention in 19 cases, the free skin graft necrosed partially in 1 case and healed by second intention after dress changing. All the patients were followed up 2 to 5 years, the contours of scrotums and penises were good. Two cases had tumor recurrence and received surgery again. Recurvation occurred in 2 cases during penis erecting，and was corrected by regional flap transplantation Conclusion The lesions like eczema in perineal reigon should be suspected as Paget’s disease, and should be biopsied earlier. Complete removal by surgery is the only effective treatment. Perineal Padget’s disease should be diagnosed and treated earlier. If the raw surfaces could not be repaired completely, flap transplantation and free skin graft should be used .The patients should be followed up closely.
