Management of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis with pull-through abductor hallucis muscle flap -a report of three cases

Three patients who had chronic osteomyelitis of the calcaneus were treated with radical debridement of all involved soft tissue and bone and obliteration of dead space with a pull-through abductor hallucis brevis muscle flap. Two patients had calcaneal osteomyelitis without soft tissue loss resulting from previous comminuted calcaneal fractures while a third patient had a large soft tissue defect and calcaneal osteomyelitis resulting from a destructive infection. All of the patients had undergone several surgical procedures for treatment of the osteomyelitis with histories ranging 18 months to 30 months. Following treatment with the pull-through muscle flap there has been no recurrence over the longterm (>two years). We believe that radical removal of all contaminated tissue and immediately coverage with a muscle flap provides an effective single stage treatment of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis.     

Treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the leg by peroneal myocutaneous island flap transfer

We treated 11 patients with chronic osteomyelitis of the tibia or the foot by local excision and transfer of a peroneal myocutaneous island flap. This flap, pedicled proximally or distally on the peroneal artery and veins, provides viable muscle to fill the dead space in bone and skin to close the defect. Ten patients reviewed more than three years after operation were all free of drainage with no clinical or radiographic evidence of recurrence.     

Clinical study on orthopaedic treatment of chronic osteomyelitis with soft tissue defect in adults

To investigate the clinical application value of different flap transfer and repair techniques in adult patients with chronic osteomyelitis of limbs complicated with soft tissue defects. According to the characteristics and defects of 21 cases, different plastic surgery was applied, including debridement, negative pressure device, and tissue flap to cover wound. Among 21 cases of chronic osteomyelitis complicated with local soft tissue defect, 15 patients were repaired with sural neurotrophic musculocutaneous flap transfer, 2 patients were repaired with medial plantar skin flap transfer, 2 patients were repaired with ilioinguinal skin flap transfer, 1 patient was repaired with z‐forming wound, and 1 patient was repaired with soleus muscle flap combined with full‐thickness skin graft. All the 21 patients underwent bone cement implantation after dead bone osteotomy. Among them, 19 patients underwent bone cement replacement with 3D prosthesis within 6 months to 1 year after surgery, and 2 patients carried bone cement for a long time. Early intervention, thorough debridement, removal of necrotic or infection, and then selecting the appropriate wound skin flap coverage are important means of guarantee slow osteomyelitis wound healing and for providing a possible way to permanent prosthesis implantation subsequently.     

Refinements in the one-stage procedure for management of chronic osteomyelitis

Posttraumatic osteomyelitis remains a frequent problem and requires aggressive surgical treatment to be cured. Radical debridement of all involved soft and hard tissues, obliteration of dead space, and neovascularization of the involved area are obligatory for successful management of the disease. Microvascular free tissue transfer provides the necessary tissue bulk and neovascularization to reconstruct the resulting defect. The transplanted muscle can be optimally mobilized and adjusted in size to obliterate the dead space in contrast to local transposition flaps. This is facilitated by smoothening the bony cavity using a rotating drill system. With an optimal interface between the muscle and the wall of the cavity, small foci of infection can be eliminated. Moreover after free muscle transfer, the optimal environment for secondary bone reconstruction is created. These principles of radical debridement combined with muscle transfer for dead space obliteration, are generally accepted in literature. Nevertheless to achieve this goal several different treatment schedules of repetitive debridements, prolonged antibiotic regimes, and finally various flap transfers have been advocated. We present 16 patients with chronic osteomyelitis treated with radical debridement and immediate free muscle transfer using the latissimus dorsi muscle preferably. Postoperatively an antibiotic course of only 12 days was given. With a mean follow-up of 2 years all patients remained symptom free. Therefore, our results indicate that this long-term problem can be solved by a one-stage procedure using a free flap combined with a short course of antibiotics. However definite conclusions should be reserved for 20 years. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

足外侧筋膜岛状皮瓣修复足跟缺损

目的探讨足外侧筋膜岛状皮瓣修复足跟缺损的治疗效果。方法应用足外侧筋膜岛状皮瓣移位修复的方法,对１２例外伤、慢性溃疡、慢性骨髓炎、鳞癌及冷冻坏死所致足跟软组织缺损进行修复。结果本组１２例,仅２例部分皮缘早期坏死,经换药后愈合,皮瓣全部成活。１２例患者均获得随访,时间为８个月～６年６个月,鳞癌未复发,骨髓炎术后无死骨及窦道形成,创面感觉恢复,皮瓣质地近似正常,足功能改善。结论由于足跟部皮肤的特殊性,就近选用足外侧筋膜岛状皮瓣修复足跟缺损,具有组织类似、血运及神经支配可靠、手术方法较简便、切取面积广泛等优点。     

Ischial pressure sores: Reconstruction using the perforator‐based reverse flow musculocutaneous 180° propeller flap

The treatment of pressure sores requires soft tissue reconstruction with thick tissue to provide padding of bony prominences and obliterate dead space. Fasciocutaneous flaps may not provide adequate bulk. Propeller flaps (180°) based on perforators from the gluteal artery may be harvested as a reverse flow musculocutaneous flap including a muscle plug to reconstruct deep cavities. Three patients presenting with deep pressure sores required reconstruction of large cavities. In addition to a regular 180° propeller flap, a muscle plug based on a perforator found in the blade of the propeller was used to add bulk to the flap and obliterate the cavity with well‐vascularized tissue. One flap required secondary closure of the donor site due to dehiscence, one hematoma required drainage. All flaps survived completely. No recurrence of osteomyelitis or pressure sores was seen. The 180° propeller flap can be harvested as a reverse flow musculocutaneous flap including a muscle plug in the distal blade. This adds volume which is required to adequately obliterate large cavities in cases of osteomyelitis. This new technique may be useful in other areas as well. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 2009.     

Omental free flap for surgical treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of lower limb: A technical note

Soft tissue reconstruction of chronic lower extremity wounds with bone infection entails an important challenge in reconstructive surgery. We report our experience using the omentum free flap to provide coverage in two patients suffering chronic osteomyelitis of the lower limbs. After extensive soft tissue and bone debridement, an omentum free flap was performed in both cases, providing dead space obliteration and soft tissue coverage in behalf of its large size and pliability. As a result, the chronic illness was eradicated in both patients, with satisfactory outcomes and infection resolution.     

Reconstruction of the chin using an expanded deltopectoral flap following multiple recurrences of oral cancer

An important alternative to free tissue transfer in patients requiring correction of soft tissue chin defects are local and regional flaps, such as the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap and deltopectoral flap. With predictable vascular supply, potential for large size, and good aesthetic match for facial and cervical skin, the deltopectoral flap can offer the reconstructive surgeon additional options in patients who lack vessels suitable for free tissue transfer. The use of an expanded deltopectoral flap for a staged reconstruction of the chin in a patient with cancer recurrences, concomitant resections, radiation and multiple reconstructions is reported.     

Latissimus Dorsi Free Flap Salvage of Recurrent Chronic Osteomyelitis with Simultaneous Elbow Interposition Arthroplasty

Chronic osteomyelitis is difficult to resolve and usually requires radical debridement, filling of dead space, and a well-vascularized tissue to cover the involved bone. In the tibia, this is frequently accomplished with free vascularized muscle transfer and success rates over 90% for cases of limited involvement but lower success for diffuse involvement. Elbow joints, with advanced arthritis but ineligible for total joint replacement, have been treated with interposition arthroplasty and varying degrees of success limited primarily by instability. A 46-year-old male presented with diffuse osteomyelitis of all three bones at the elbow joint and advanced articular destruction from septic arthritis. He had undergone more than ten previous surgeries without resolution of the osteomyelitis or restoration of elbow function over a 2-year period. Radical debridement followed by a latissimus dorsi free muscle flap interposed to the dead space and layered onto the bones as an interposition membrane was able to solve both of his problems. At 3 years postoperatively, there is no evidence of recurrent osteomyelitis, and the patient declares satisfaction with the daily functional performance of his elbow joint.     

Reconstruction of Heel Defects With a Proximally Based Abductor Hallucis Muscle Flap

The main goals of reconstruction of plantar defects include appropriate soft tissue coverage to facilitate weight bearing, and sufficient blood supply to prevent osteomyelitis. This retrospective study presents the clinical results of 11 patients who received a proximally based abductor hallucis muscle flap for coverage of calcaneal defects. The mean patient age was 43 years (range, 23-69 years). Four patients were women and 7 were men. Seven were non-diabetic patients with neurologic deficits of varying etiology or patients who had pressure ulcers after prolonged hospitalization. Four patients had diabetes with or without neurological deficits, and 6 patients had calcaneal osteomyelitis. In 6 patients, the origin of the muscle was dissected and rotated over the defect. The flap was elevated as an island flap in 5 patients. Postoperatively, partial flap loss was observed in 1 patient, who was then treated successfully with a fasciocutaneous flap. Two patients developed seroma and hematoma at the donor site, which resolved uneventfully after surgical drainage. The 6 patients with calcaneal osteomyelitis showed no recurrence after 1 year of follow-up. The abductor hallucis muscle flap provides enough stability and sufficient blood supply for calcaneal defects up to 3 x 6 cm.     

Reconstruction of large infected tibia defects.

Twenty-nine patients are reported who underwent free tissue transfer reconstruction of contaminated tibia defects with both soft tissue defects and osteomyelitis. Infection was controlled through the use of a two-stage composite tissue reconstruction. In the first stage, the wounds were closed with the free muscle or skin flap. Bone defects were bridged with vascularized bone grafts within 6 to 12 weeks after soft tissue closure. Twenty patients underwent reconstruction using iliac crest, whereas nine patients were treated with fibular transfer. The follow-up period for 28 patients ranged from 10 months to 6 years until bone union was completed. The bone united smoothly in 22 patients, but union of the other six grafts was delayed and required additional cancellous bone grafting.     

Osteo-fasciocutaneous parascapular flap transfer for reconstruction of the first ray of the foot

BACKGROUND: Severe bone and soft tissue defects of the first metatarsal bone after trauma, tumor resection or osteomyelitis are challenging to treat. Partial amputation of the foot may be the consequence. However, due to its significance for gait, salvage of the first ray should be considered, whenever possible. One option for bone and soft tissue reconstruction, therefore, might be an osteo-fasciocutaneous parascapular flap transfer. METHODS: Five patients with bone and soft tissue defects of the first ray of the foot but intact MTP joint were treated with osteo- fasciocutaneous parascapular flap transfer, two after tumor resection, and three after severe bone and soft tissue trauma. Patients were followed for 12-36 months clinically and radiologically. RESULTS: All flaps survived. One revision was necessary because of venous thrombosis, which was treated successfully by thrombectomy and patch plastic. All osteosyntheses united and the scapular bone transplant adapted nicely to the new loading conditions. All patients were content with the result and would agree to have the operation again. Two patients were able to stand tiptoe and go jogging, one patient still had limitations of ADLs due to the concomitant injuries. CONCLUSION: The osteo- fasciocutaneous flap proved to be very versatile and safe for foot reconstruction due to its favorable vascular anatomy. In all patients (partial), amputation of the foot could be avoided.     

游离肌皮瓣移植治疗难治性小腿和足部创伤后骨髓炎

目的 探讨游离肌皮瓣移植治疗难治性小腿和足部创伤后慢性骨髓炎的有效性.方法 2004年2月至2007年12月,应用游离肌皮瓣治疗小腿和足部创伤后慢性骨髓炎11例,男9例,女2例;年龄18～75岁,平均35岁;胫骨骨髓炎8例,跖骨骨髓炎3例.患者均接受过4～5次手术和长期抗生素治疗而骨髓炎仍然不愈.骨髓炎病程12～47个月,平均26个月.根据Cierny-Mader慢性骨髓炎分型:ⅢA型3例,ⅢBL型2例,ⅥA型4例,ⅥBL型2例.手术去除内固定,严格彻底清创后,即刻行游离肌皮瓣移植,9例行游离背阔肌肌皮瓣移植,2例行游离腹直肌肌皮瓣移植;6例清创后形成胫骨骨缺损造成局部不稳定者采用单边外固定架固定.结果 术后随访1.5～5年,平均3.5年.2例患者的游离肌皮瓣发生部分坏死,经清创、游离植皮后愈合,余9例未出现严重手术并发症.4例胫骨缺损范围较大的患者行二期植骨,其中1例松质骨植骨者,骨愈合时间5个月;2例为骨块嵌入植骨,骨愈合时间8个月和10个月;1例骨缺损长度为10cm者,行游离腓骨瓣移植,骨愈合时间4个月.余7例未植骨,骨愈合良好.结论 治疗难治性慢性骨髓炎的关键是严格地清除感染的骨质、死骨、炎性及瘢痕组织;游离肌皮瓣移植能以血运丰富的组织消灭死腔、覆盖创面,是治疗小腿和足部慢性骨髓炎的有效方法.     

A multi-disciplinary approach to the management of fungal osteomyelitis: current concepts in post-traumatic lower extremity reconstruction: a case report

Limb salvage in fungal osteomyelitis of the post-traumatic lower extremity represents a difficult clinical problem requiring aggressive management. We report lower extremity salvage by radical bony debridement, free tissue transfer, distraction osteogenesis with bone-docking, and a novel antifungal regimen in a clinical setting of infection with Scedosporium inflatum, historically requiring amputation in 100% of cases. We treated Scedosporium inflatum osteomyelitis of the tibia and calcaneus with radical debridement of infected bone, free partial medial rectus abdominis muscle flap coverage, transport distraction osteogenesis, and combination voriconazole/terbinafine chemotherapy, a novel antifungal regimen. We achieved successful control of the infection, limb salvage, and an excellent functional outcome through aggressive debridement of infected bone and soft tissue, elimination of dead space within the bony defect, the robust perfusion provided by the free flap, the hypervascular state induced by distraction osteogenesis, and the synergism of the novel antifungal regimen.     

Reconstruction of extensive defects of the cranium using free-tissue transfer

Fourteen patients with large tissue deficits in the calvarium and orbits were reconstructed using microvascular free-tissue transfer (15 flaps). The etiology of these defects was skin neoplasms (seven), osteomyelitis (four), burn (two), and trauma (one). The free flaps used were the latissimus dorsi muscle flap with a split-thickness skin graft (seven), latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap (two), rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (three), radial forearm fasciocutaneous flap (two), and split-iliac crest flap (one). There was one postoperative death, one flap failure, two recurrences of neoplasm, and one loss of bone grafts and flap from infection. The free flaps can offer good results in patients undergoing wide resection in the cranium and orbits providing immediate repair with acceptable cosmetic result, minimized morbidity, and short hospitalization. However, immediate reconstruction following tumor resection carries a danger of positive margins discovered on permanent histologic sections or the difficulty in detecting recurrence underneath a bulky free flap.     

软组织重建在骨与软组织肿瘤外科治疗中的应用

目的回顾不同部位骨与软组织肿瘤切除术后软组织重建方法及临床疗效,探讨合理的软组织重建策略。方法 2003年6月-2010年12月,收治因骨或软组织肿瘤进行外科切除并接受皮瓣、肌瓣或肌皮瓣修复重建患者90例。其中男59例,女31例;年龄9～85岁,中位年龄37.2岁。骨原发或转移性肿瘤52例,软组织原发肿瘤38例。75例为肿瘤切除后一期软组织重建;7例因伤口不愈合行清创后软组织重建;8例因伤口感染行清创、负压封闭引流,二期软组织重建。皮瓣类型:腓肠肌肌瓣40例,背阔肌肌(皮)瓣6例,腹直肌肌(皮)瓣4例,臀大肌肌皮瓣、胸大肌肌瓣、交腹皮瓣各1例,局部转移皮瓣27例,带血管蒂皮瓣5例,单纯游离植皮5例。皮瓣范围为6.5 cm×4.5 cm～21.0 cm×9.0 cm。结果术后87例皮瓣成活;Ⅰ期愈合81例;Ⅱ期愈合6例,其中2例皮瓣部分坏死,经换药后成活,3例皮瓣延迟愈合,1例伤口轻度感染,经保守治疗后愈合。软组织重建失败3例,均为皮瓣坏死合并感染,经清创二次皮瓣转移后愈合。供区创面均Ⅰ期愈合,移植皮片完全成活。73例获随访,随访时间10～102个月,平均36.1个月。6例患者于术后2～27个月,平均8.2个月出现局部复发并接受二次手术切除。13例于术后6～34个月,平均19.2个月死于原发病。结论骨与软组织肿瘤切除后常造成较大的软组织缺损,选择适当的肌(皮)瓣进行软组织重建可以达到理想的伤口闭合,减少术后伤口并发症,有利于术后功能恢复。     

Gastrocnemius pedicled muscle flap for knee and upper tibia soft tissue reconstruction. A useful tool for the orthopaedic surgeon

Soft tissue defect coverage has always been a challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon. Over the last decades the surgery of flaps has completely changed the prognosis for large defects. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively review our experience with the gastrocnemius muscle as pedicled local flaps for reconstruction of knee and upper third of the tibia soft tissue defects.Twenty-seven patients underwent reconstruction of soft tissue defects around the knee using pedicled gastrocnemius muscle flaps. There were eighteen men and nine women ranged in with a mean age of 50.3 years. Medial gastrocnemius was used in 21 cases, and lateral gastrocnemius in 5 cases. In one patient, soleus and medial gastrocnemius were transferred simultaneously. All but one had at the same time split thickness skin graft for coverage of the muscle.All muscle flaps transferred were successful. There were no complications and all flaps survived completely without vascular compromise, satisfactory coverage of the defect, and good primary wound healing. There has been no recurrence of osteomyelitis. The donor sites healed perfectly with no remarkable resultant functional disability. A mean follow-up of 4.4 years revealed acceptable cosmetic results with high patient satisfaction.Our results indicate that the gastrocnemius muscle transfer is a useful technique for coverage of soft tissue defects in the upper tibia and around the knee in our orthopaedic practice. It is a reliable option for the coverage of exposed bone, the filling up of deep cavities and the treatment of bone infection. The principal advantage of a muscle flap is to bring a real blood supply to the recipient site and to improve the trophicity of the surrounding tissues. The pedicled muscle flap is our preference for the management of soft tissue defects around the knee, when no other procedure, apart from free flap is suitable. The pedicle flap is easier, quicker and with less complications than a free flap. Orthopaedic surgery has gained much from the use of island flap, however, it requires knowledge of the vascular anatomy and its variations promoted through cadaveric dissections and flap dissection courses.     

Das Marjolin-Ulkus

We report on the case of an 81-year-old female patient who developed a squamous cell carcinoma in a long-lasting therapy-resistant crural ulcer of the lower leg due to posttraumatic chronic osteomyelitis. Eventually the lower leg had to be amputated because of massive destruction of soft tissue and the tibia bone. Based on the desolate wound conditions plastic reconstruction by a pivoted muscle flap and surgical covering with mesh graft plastic was also necessary. The amputation stump had completely healed 6 months after surgery and the patient is fitted with an artificial limb ensuring independent mobility even outside the home. Up to the present there is no evidence of any tumor recurrence or progression.     

Brachytherapy tubes and free tissue transfer after soft tissue sarcoma resection

Irradiation commonly is used after resection of soft tissue sarcomas to decrease the local recurrence rate. Brachytherapy spares more normal tissue than external beam irradiation and permits irradiation to the tumor bed in the immediate postoperative period. After vascular anastomosis and irradiation, flap survival can be affected by vascular coagulation in the immediate postoperative period and later by vascular fibrosis secondary to irradiation effects. The purpose of the current retrospective study was to evaluate the survival of free tissue transfer when combined with brachytherapy after resection of soft tissue sarcomas. Thirty-six patients had wide resection of extremity tumors, free flap coverage, and brachytherapy 5 days after surgery. Followup averaged 54 months. There were three major and four minor complications. The major complications included two patients with free flaps who required revision of anastomosis before radiation therapy (they had brachytherapy 5 days after the second surgery without additional complications) and one patient who had a deep wound infection develop 2 months after the index procedure and required a second flap. Minor complications included one hematoma, one partial skin graft loss, and two superficial infections. Brachytherapy can be done safely at the site of microvascular anastomosis in the immediate postoperative period.     

中外侧筋膜岛状皮瓣修复足跟缺损

探讨足外侧艋膜岛状皮瓣修复足跟缺损的治疗效果。方法应用足外侧筋膜岛状皮瓣移位修复的方法,对１２例外伤,慢性溃疡,慢性骨髓炎,鳞癌及冷冻坏死所致足跟软组织缺损进行修复。结果本组１２例,仅２例部分皮缘早期坏列,经换药后愈合,皮瓣全部成活。