Intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescent angiography‐assisted modified superior gluteal artery perforator flap for reconstruction of sacral pressure sores

Pressure sores are often observed in patients who are bedridden. They can be a severe problem not only for patients and their caregivers but also for plastic surgeons. Here, we describe a new method of superior gluteal artery perforator flap harvesting and anchoring with the assistance of intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescent angiography. In this report, we describe the procedure and outcomes for 19 patients with grades III and IV sacral pressure sores who underwent the operation between September 2015 and November 2016. All flaps survived, and two experienced wound‐edge partial dehiscence. With the assistance of this imaging device, we were able to acquire a reliable superior gluteal artery perforator flap and perform modified operations with it that are safe, easy to learn and associated with fewer complications than are traditional.     

臀下动脉穿支皮瓣修复臀部压疮的临床应用

目的目的探讨臀下动脉穿支皮瓣修复臀部压疮的临床疗效。方法自2016年1月至2018年12月河池市人民医院创伤手足外科对收治的106例臀部压疮患者于术前常规采用彩色超声多普勒血流仪探测穿支点并标计,设计将包括穿支点在内的臀下动脉穿支皮瓣修复压疮创面。结果本组共106例患者,皮瓣大小为4.5 cm×8.0 cm~8.5 cm×15.0 cm;其中2例术后压疮复发引起全身感染,经积极局部引流和应用抗生素治疗后,感染控制;其余患者术后皮瓣均完全成活。随访3~12个月,压疮无复发,修复效果较满意。结论采用臀下动脉穿支皮瓣修复臀部压疮,创伤性较小,血运可靠,修复效果较好,值得临床推广。     

Donor-site morbidity of the inferior gluteal artery perforator flap for breast reconstruction in teenagers

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE:

Few options, apart from the buttock area, are available for autologous breast reconstruction in thin teenagers. The aim of the present study was to objectively evaluate and compare donor-site morbidity of the inferior gluteal artery perforator (IGAP) flap with that of the previously described inferior gluteal musculocutaneous flap.

METHOD:

A retrospective review of all IGAP flaps for breast reconstruction performed in teenagers between June 2006 and April 2011 at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Quebec, was performed. Patients were invited to undergo a specific physical evaluation and complete a questionnaire on aesthetic and functional outcomes.

RESULTS:

Thirteen records and 11 photographic charts were reviewed. Lateral buttock flattening was noticeable in nine of 11 cases. Three patients experienced some degree of inferior displacement of the gluteal crease. All six patients available for the appointment presented with a zone of dysesthesia or hypoesthesia in the territory of the operated buttock and/or posterior thigh. No motor impairment was found. The questionnaire, completed by eight patients, revealed that six were satisfied or very satisfied with the surgery. Appearance of the operated buttock was rated 3.4 on a scale from 1 to 5 (5 = normal) compared with the normal side.

CONCLUSIONS:

The IGAP flap remains a suitable option for breast reconstruction in slim teenagers. Similar to the myocutaneous flap, the major donor-site morbidity of the IGAP flap remains sensory impairment involving the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve. There is, however, less visible lateral depression when it is harvested as a perforator flap.     

Lumbar artery perforators: an anatomical study based on computed tomographic angiography imaging

Background: The free lumbar artery perforator flap has recently been introduced as a potentially valuable option for autologous breast reconstruction in a subset of patients. Up to date, few anatomical studies, exploring the lumbar region as a donor site for perforator- based flaps, have been conducted.

Methods: An anatomical study of the position of the dominant lumbar artery perforator was performed, using the preoperative computed tomographic angiography images of 24 autologous breast reconstruction patients. In total, 61 dominant perforators were determined, 28 on the left and 33 on the right side. A radiologist defined the position of the perforator as coordinates in an xy-grid.

Results: Dominant perforators were shown to originate from the lumbar arteries at the level of lumbar vertebrae three or four. Remarkably, approximately 85% of these lumbar artery perforators enter the skin at 7–10?cm lateral from the midline (mean left 8.6?cm, right 8.2?cm).

Conclusion: This study concludes a rather constant position of the dominant perforator. Therefore, preoperative-computed tomographic angiography is not always essential to find this perforator and Doppler ultrasound could be considered as an alternative, thereby carefully assessing all advantages and disadvantages inherent to either of these imaging methods.     

臀部穿支皮瓣在褥疮修复中的应用

目的：探讨臀上或臀下穿支皮瓣修复臀部褥疮的方法及效果。方法：采用臀上或臀下穿支皮瓣修复臀部褥疮共9例。皮瓣面积为6cm×10cm～8cm×20cm,覆盖受区溃疡大小为4cm×7cm～7cm×18cm。结果：术后皮瓣全部成活,随访3个月～1年半,皮瓣质地良好,外形不臃肿,供区愈合良好。结论：臀上或臀下穿支皮瓣血运可靠,设计灵活,手术切取简便安全,保留臀大肌,供区无须植皮,是修复臀部褥疮创面的理想方法。     

Pedicled Chimeric Perforator Flap Based on Inferior Gluteal Vessel Axis for the Reconstruction of Stage-Four Primary Ischial Pressure Sores—A New Design

Background  “Subfascial void reconstruction” in ischial pressure sores (IPSs) goes a long way in the amelioration of the common complications like persistent drainage, infection, wound dehiscence, and late recurrence. No locoregional flaps suffice this requirement. So we have designed a chimeric pedicled flap based on the inferior gluteal vessel axis (IGVA) perforators with two tissue components: (1) Pacman-style fasciocutaneous flap on a perforator and (2) gluteus maximus muscle (inferior portion) on another independent perforator. Aim and Methods  After confirming the feasibility of novel design of chimeric pedicled IGVA perforator flap with cadaver study, we embarked on the clinical study with this chimeric flap. In this prospective cohort study, the study and the control existed in the same patient so that the biological factors affecting the wound healing would be the same. Results  Twenty-one patients were included whose mean age was 39 years. Late recurrence occurred in one patient (4.8%) of chimeric flap while the control group (who had undergone conventional reconstruction) had recurrence in 11 patients (52.4%). On assessment with overall institutional score, grade A was observed in 18 patients of the chimeric IGVA flap group ( p < 0.045), and in only 3 patients of the control group. Conclusions  This anatomically construed flap, a new addendum in the armamentarium of reconstruction of IPSs, with its potential to congruently fill the ischiogluteal subfascial void may provide a lasting solution for preventing recurrences.     

Coverage of exposed bone and hardware of the medial malleolus with tibialis posterior artery perforator flap after ankle fracture surgery complications

Ankle fractures are among the most common orthopaedic surgical procedures. Skin‐related complications of these surgeries are difficult to reconstruct due to the inadequacy of soft tissue in the region. Although free flaps are generally considered as the first choice in reconstruction of this area, free flaps may not be a suitable option especially in patients with advanced age and comorbidities. Perforator flaps offer a fast and safe alternative in lower extremity reconstruction. In the literature, there are a limited number of studies using perforator flaps in managing the postoperative complications of the lower extremity trauma surgeries. In our study, we report our experience with reconstruction of soft‐tissue defects of medial malleolar region using posterior tibial artery perforator flap for postoperative complications of ankle fracture‐related surgeries.     

Recycling a flap: Making a perforator flap from a previous gluteal fasciocutaneous flap

Abstract

We report a case of raising a previous gluteal fasciocutaneous flap again as a perforator-based flap to cover a recurrent defect. This case illustrates that conventional flap tissue with a preserved perforator can be recycled as a perforator flap, and that this method can be an efficient surgical option for recurrent defects.     

臀上、臀下动脉穿支皮瓣的解剖学研究

目的 为了克服传统臀大肌肌皮瓣切取肌肉所带来的缺点，继承其血运好、组织量大的优点，寻找改进手术操作的解剖学基础。方法 采用5具10侧成人尸体，对臀上动脉、臀下动脉及其相应区域皮肤的穿支血管分布情况，包括主干血管、穿支血管的走行层次、数量、管径及分布、穿出位置及体表投影、相应区域神经分布情况进行大体解剖学研究。另对6例12侧成年女性双侧臀上动脉穿支分布区，应用多普勒超声血流探测仪进行穿支定位。结果 臀上动脉、臀下动脉起于髂内动脉，臀上动脉穿支分布区域集中在坐骨旁及臀大肌中部，数量约为10～15支，穿支血管的长度3～8cm，其外径约为1～1．5mm。这些穿支血管穿过臀大肌及筋膜直接供应相应区皮肤。来自腰神经背支的臀上皮神经越过髂棘在髂后上嵴外侧穿出深筋膜，向臀部走行，与血管穿支密切相邻．支配臀部皮肤感觉。在皮瓣上缘切口处注意分离直径合适的神经，与皮瓣一同切取，可与受区相应神经(如为乳房再造可与第4肋问神经)相吻合。在成人6例12侧女性患者，用多普勒超声血流探测仪进行定位，每侧可明确定位3～5支，均集中于由髂后上嵴、股骨大转子及坐骨结节所形成的三角区内，此为穿支血管的体表投影区域。结论 臀上动脉穿支血管分布区域恒定，管径粗细合适，切取该区域皮瓣，完全可以不携带肌肉，既包含了肌皮瓣血运好、组织量大的优点，又克服了切取肌肉所带来的缺点，临床应用多普勒血流探测仪进行穿支血管定位，简单可靠。切取皮瓣可同时携带臀上神经，为与受区神经吻合成为可能。由于臀下动脉穿支分布区为臀部负重部位，且臀下动脉主干与坐骨神经毗邻，因此，建议临床上尽量不采用臀下动脉穿支皮瓣。臀上动脉穿支皮瓣预期可行带蒂移植用于修复骶尾部褥疮等创面，也可成为乳房再造又一供区。     

桥式交叉胫后动脉或腓动脉穿支皮瓣修复对侧下肢软组织缺损

目的探讨采用健侧逆行胫后动脉或腓动脉穿支皮瓣桥式交叉修复下肢软组织缺损的可行性。方法 2007年8月-2010年2月,收治15例下肢软组织缺损患者。男14例,女1例;年龄25～48岁,平均33.9岁。交通事故伤8例,机器伤4例,重物砸伤3例。1例踝部植皮后遗留22 cm×8 cm大小的瘢痕(伤后35个月);余14例软组织缺损位于踝部1例,小腿中下1/3处12例,小腿中上1/3处1例;创面范围8 cm×6 cm～26 cm×15 cm;受伤至入院时间为4～28 d,平均14.8 d。采用逆行胫后动脉穿支皮瓣(9例)或腓动脉穿支皮瓣(6例)桥式交叉修复,皮瓣切取范围为10 cm×8 cm～28 cm×17 cm。供区创面两端直接缝合,中部残留创面取游离皮片植皮修复。术后5～6周行皮瓣断蒂。结果术后2例腓动脉穿支皮瓣分别出现远端轻度淤血及边缘部分坏死,经换药后均成活;其余皮瓣断蒂后均顺利成活,受区创面Ⅰ期愈合。供区切口Ⅰ期愈合,植皮均成活。15例均获随访,随访时间7～35个月,平均19.5个月。皮瓣质地、色泽与受区相近,外形较满意。末次随访时根据美国矫形足踝协会(AOFAS)踝与后足功能评分标准,评分为81～92分,平均87.3分。结论健侧逆行胫后动脉或腓动脉穿支皮瓣桥式交叉可较好修复对侧小腿或足部大面积皮肤软组织缺损,术中无需吻合血管,血管危象发生率低,手术成功率高。     

Aesthetic Penoscrotal Resurfacing: Creating Propeller Flaps from Gluteal Folds

Background

Reconstruction of extensive penoscrotal defects is a surgical challenge. Resurfacing defects in highly complex three-dimensional structures and restoring their function are an essential part of the reconstruction of penoscrotal regions.

游离股前外侧穿支皮瓣或隐动脉穿支皮瓣修复足踝部软组织缺损

目的 探讨利用游离股前外侧穿支皮瓣或隐动脉穿支皮瓣修复足踝部软组织缺损的效果及手术技术.方法 2006年8月至2012年4月,对足踝部软组织缺损患者25例,创面范围4.0cm×5.5 cm～11.0 cm×23.0 cm.其中,足背软组织缺损采用游离股前外侧穿支皮瓣修复20例,足底软组织缺损采用游离隐动脉穿支皮瓣修复5例.结果 术后25例皮瓣全部成活.术后随访3～ 50个月,平均(18.0±0.8)个月.皮瓣修复后外形大部满意,皮瓣末梢二点辨别觉为10～22 mm,股前外和隐动脉穿支皮瓣组术后3个月随访,恢复S2+以上感觉分别为13/20和5/5例.结论 股前外穿支皮瓣修复足背软组织缺损较合适,隐动脉穿支用于修复足底软组织缺损.避免受区二次手术整形,重视皮瓣供区处理.负压封闭引流技术对开放性损伤导致创面的皮瓣成活有明显促进作用.     

一期手术治疗跟骨创伤性慢性骨髓炎

目的探讨腓动脉穿支(肌)皮瓣联合载抗生素人工骨一期治疗跟骨创伤性慢性骨髓炎的临床疗效。方法对32例跟骨创伤性慢性骨髓炎患者在一期扩创彻底清除骨髓炎病灶的基础上采用载抗生素人工骨植骨抗感染、切取腓动动脉穿支(肌)皮瓣覆盖创面的方式修复治疗。结果患者均获得随访,时间6~32个月。皮瓣均成活,外观形态良好。骨髓炎无复发情况,骨折愈合情况良好,无畸形愈合,骨性愈合时间为6~9.8个月。结论腓动脉穿支(肌)皮瓣联合载抗生素人工骨一期治疗跟骨创伤性慢性骨髓炎是治疗创伤性慢性骨髓炎较理想的方法。     

Use of dorsal intercostal artery perforator flap in the repair of back defects

Background: The dorsal intercostal artery perforator (DICAP) flap is a well-vascularised flap that is elevated above the dorsal branch of the vertebral segments of the posterior intercostal artery. The aim of this study was to repair back defects using DICAP flaps.

Materials and methods: Eight patients who had undergone reconstruction with DICAP flaps for defects located on the back of the torso due to conditions of various aetiologies between 2011–2014 were included in this study. Patient age and gender, aetiology of the condition, dimensions of the defect and the flap, site of the defect, and postoperative complications were recorded.

Results: Three females and five males were included in this study. The age of the patients ranged between 19–71 years (mean?=?53.6 years). The aetiology was skin tumour in five patients and pressure wound, gunshot injury, and plate screw exposition subsequent to spinal surgery in one patient each. The sites of the defects were successfully closed in all patients, and no flap loss was observed in any patient.

Conclusions: DICAP flaps have some advantages compared to conventional muscle and muscle skin flaps, such as greater protection of muscle functions, less invasiveness, and lower donor site morbidity. This flap has a high mobilisation capacity due to its elevation above nine bilateral perforator arteries. Therefore, the DICAP flap is useful for the repair of median and paramedian back defects. Based on its advantages, it is suggested that the DICAP flap should be considered as a useful option for the repair of back defects.     

胸腹部扩张后穿支皮瓣跨区远位修复颌面部及上肢瘢痕术后缺损

目的探讨胸腹部扩张后穿支皮瓣跨区远位修复颌面部及上肢瘢痕切除后创面的方法及疗效。方法 2000年8月-2011年2月,收治25例颌面部及上肢烧烫伤后瘢痕患者。男14例,女11例;年龄7～36岁,平均27岁。颌面部瘢痕15例,其中双侧6例;上肢及手部瘢痕10例,其中双侧6例。瘢痕形成时间6个月～7年,平均4.5年。一期手术于胸三角及腹部穿支发出点附近埋置扩张器,常规注水并持续扩张3个月。二期手术彻底切除瘢痕后,缺损范围为9 cm×7 cm～17 cm×8 cm。颌面部瘢痕患者采用大小为17 cm×7 cm～20 cm×8 cm的胸三角穿支皮瓣修复,上肢及手部瘢痕患者采用大小为10 cm×9 cm～25 cm×14 cm的腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣修复。供区直接拉拢缝合。结果 2例扩张过程中未见明显穿支血管,皮瓣切取后远端坏死,经换药及植皮后愈合;其余皮瓣扩张过程中均见明显穿支血管,切取后皮瓣完全成活。供区切口均Ⅰ期愈合。10例获随访,随访时间6个月～4年,平均13个月。皮瓣色泽、质地及弹性佳,外形满意。结论应用胸腹部扩张后穿支皮瓣跨区远位修复颌面部、上肢及手部瘢痕切除后创面,可获满意疗效。