Treatment of soft tissue defects in pediatric patients using the V.A.C. system

Twenty-seven consecutive pediatric patients presenting to the orthopaedic surgery or plastic surgery services were reviewed after completion of wound care with the Vacuum Assisted Closure (V.A.C.) system. Each patient presented with complex soft tissue wounds requiring coverage procedures. Patients with acute wounds and wounds present after nonsuccessful attempts at surgical closure (dehisced incisions and failed flaps) were treated. All soft tissue defects healed without extensive coverage procedures using the V.A.C. system. In the majority of patients, use of the V.A.C. system produced a profuse bed of granulation tissue over all exposed bone, tendon, joint, and/or hardware, which could be covered with split thickness skin graft. Other patients were treated successfully with delayed primary closure, local flap advancement (one patient underwent a pedicled cross-leg flap), or by secondary intention. Use of the V.A.C. device is valuable in increasing the rate of granulation tissue formation and healing of extensive soft tissue injuries in pediatric patients. This vacuum system aids in the debridement of necrotic tissue and local soluble inflammatory mediators that may inhibit the proliferation of granulation tissue. These improvements in the local wound environment seem to accelerate wound healing compared with traditional methods. Before the development of the V.A.C. system, a minimum of nine patients within this group would have required free tissue transfer to obtain adequate coverage. The V.A.C. device seems to permit earlier coverage with local tissue or split-thickness skin grafting techniques, thereby decreasing the need for extensive microvascular tissue transfers in pediatric patients.     

创伤性软组织缺损的负压封闭治疗

目的　探讨创伤致软组织缺损负压封闭 (VS)治疗的临床效果。　方法　 1 998年 8月～ 2 0 0 1年 1 2月 ,对 49例 55个大面积软组织缺损或 /和感染者 ,创面范围为 1 0 cm× 1 0 cm～ 30 cm× 30 cm;清创后将 Vacuseal材料覆盖在相应大小的创面上或填入创腔内 ,持续 50～ 60 k Pa负压引流 ,5～ 7天后二期缝合、植皮或皮瓣移位修复。1 2 6例采用传统换药或引流的患者为对照组。　结果　治疗组有 4例 (4个创面 )死亡未完成治疗 ,余 45例 51个创面治愈 ,无全身和局部并发症。在二期缝合时间、换药次数、创面缩小程度及总体治疗费用等方面 ,与对照组比较 ,均有统计学意义 (P<0 .0 1 )。创面或创腔直接通过 VS治愈 6个 ,采用游离皮瓣修复 4个 ,局部皮瓣移位修复 8个 ,植皮覆盖 2 7个 ,二期缝合 6个。　结论　 VS能充分引流和刺激创面肉芽组织快速生长 ,缩短治愈时间和消除感染。是治疗创伤后急、慢性软组织缺损的一种简便、有效方法     

The Keystone Design Perforator Island Flap in reconstructive surgery

Background: A surgical technique for closing skin defects following skin cancer (particularly melanoma) removal is described in the present paper. Its use is illustrated in five patients. The technique has been used in 300 cases over the past 7 years and is suitable for all areas of the body from scalp to foot. We have coined the term Keystone Design Perforator Island Flap (KDPIF) because of its curvilinear shaped trapezoidal design borrowed from architectural terminology. It is essentially elliptical in shape with its long axis adjacent to the long axis of the defect. The flap is based on randomly located vascular perforators. The wound is closed directly, the mid‐line area is the line of maximum tension and by V‐Y advancement of each end of the flap, the ‘islanded’ flap fills the defect. This allows the secondary defect on the opposite side to be closed, exploiting the mobility of the adjacent surrounding tissue. The importance of blunt dissection is emphasized in raising these perforator island flaps as it preserves the vascular integrity of the musculocutaneous and fasciocutaneous perforators together with venous and neural connections. The keystone flap minimizes the need for skin grafting in the majority of cases and produces excellent aesthetic results. Four types of flaps are described: Type I (direct closure), Type II (with or without grafting), Type III (employs a double island flap technique), and Type IV (involves rotation and advancement with or without grafting). The patient is almost pain free in the postoperative phase. Early mobilization is possible, allowing this technique to be used in short stay patients. Results: In a series of 300 patients with flaps situated over the extremities, trunk and facial region, primary wound healing was achieved in 99.6% with one out of 300 developing partial necrosis of the flap. Conclusions: The technique described in the present article offers a simple and effective method of wound closure in situations that would otherwise have required complex flap closure or skin grafting particularly for melanoma.     

桥式皮瓣联合游离植皮负压封闭引流修复下肢大面积环形软组织缺损

目的 探讨健侧胫后血管皮瓣桥携带游离皮瓣的桥式皮瓣联合游离植皮负压封闭引流(VSD)治疗下肢严重创伤后大面积环形软组织缺损的临床应用价值.方法 2008年1月至2010年6月,应用桥式皮瓣联合游离植皮VSD治疗11例患者,年龄15～52岁,平均32.5岁,男性7例,女性4例,均为下肢严重创伤后深部组织裸露或坏死感染的大面积环形软组织缺损,6例同时合并骨折.经彻底清创后,对不稳定骨折行外固定支架固定或简便内固定,然后采用VSD治疗1 ～2次,每次5～7d.待创面肉芽组织生长较新鲜后,采用桥式皮瓣移植修复患侧骨及深部组织裸露的创面,皮瓣周围残留的创面采用游离植皮VSD覆盖修复.术后对皮瓣移植区及皮片植皮区的存活情况和愈合质量进行随访.结果 11例患者经清创负压封闭引流5～14 d后,创面肉芽组织生长良好.再次清创后应用桥式皮瓣移植联合游离植皮VSD覆盖治疗,皮瓣移植区组织全部成活且质地、外观满意,感染控制良好,未形成窦道.6例游离植皮区由于面积较大术后遗留部分散在创面,4例经再次植皮,2例经积极换药后均完全消灭创面,游离皮瓣移植成功率100％.术后随访5～ 24个月,平均10.6个月,皮瓣质地柔软,外形良好,患肢功能恢复满意.结论 对于严重创伤后深部组织裸露的下肢大面积环形软组织缺损,VSD覆盖技术可有效修复创面,最大限度地恢复患肢的功能.     

难愈性创面的外科治疗

目的:总结修复难愈性创面的治疗经验.方法:2003年1月～2007年12月,采用不同的修复方法治疗67例难愈性创面,对其临床治疗与随访资料进行分析总结.结果:除2例胫骨凿孔,培养肉芽组织后植皮完全坏死外,板障层移植皮片与短管状骨面植皮片、皮瓣100%成活,伤口Ⅰ期愈合;对于存在数月至数年的糖尿病足、下肢静脉曲张后溃疡的患者,在全身情况维持稳定的同时,应用简易封闭负压治疗技术,创面局部改善后,行皮瓣或皮片移植术,皮瓣、皮片成活良好.经术后2～12月随访,创面愈合良好,功能恢复满意.结论:短管状骨骨髓面或板障层植皮、多种皮瓣以及封闭负压引流技术综合运用可较好治疗难愈性创面.     

负压封闭引流在骨科的应用（附79例报告）

目的介绍负压封闭引流在骨科的应用体会。方法对2007年7月至2009年1月我院使用负压封闭引流（vacuum sealing drainage,VSD）治疗的骨创伤79例进行回顾性分析。结果 4例骨髓炎经2～4次VSD治疗后,创面明显缩小,有新鲜的肉芽组织生长,经治疗后痊愈;骨折术后钢板外露6例,经2～4次VSD治疗,创面明显缩小,有新鲜的肉芽组织生长,且肉芽组织部分覆盖钢板,后经游离皮瓣及皮瓣转位修复创面;8例感染创面应用VSD后,配合敏感抗生素的使用,感染均得到控制,平均使用14 d;植皮10例使用VSD 1次全部存活;开放性骨折外固定支架固定18例,经1～3次VSD治疗后,创面无明显感染,明显有新鲜的肉芽组织生长,后期行皮瓣、植皮、内固定治疗或继续外固定支架治疗;16例新鲜的软组织缺损创面经1次VSD治疗后,均能一期缝合创面或植皮修复创面;8例脓肿切开引流后经1～2次VSD治疗后有肉芽组织生长,均能填平创面或直接缝合创面;褥疮3例经1～3次VSD治疗后,创面有新鲜的肉芽组织生长,无明显渗液后行皮瓣修复创面;8例皮肤脱套伤,经1～2次VSD治疗后植皮全部存活。所有病例均经5～20个月的随访,均未有慢性炎症的发生。结论负压封闭引流是非常有效的引流手段,促进创面的愈合,减少换药的次数,减轻患者的痛苦,减轻医护人员的工作量。     

Covering of soft tissue defects of the lower leg with adipo-facial flaps

AIM OF THE STUDY: Soft tissue covering on the lower leg is a difficult challenge. A plastic surgical method for covering of these soft tissue defects is presented. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From May 1997 until May 2003 36 patients were treated using neurovascular flaps. Above the sural or the saphenous nerve an adipo-facial flap is dissected, rotated into the defect and fixed without tension. Wound closure of the donor-site defect is done primarily or by mesh-graft. RESULTS: In 35 cases the flap healed without functional impairment. Primary healing was achieved in 30 patients. In 5 cases partial loss of the skin island was registered, whereby subcutaneous tissue remained vital. Revision by mesh-graft transplantation led to successful healing in these patients. In only one patient necrosis of the flap was seen. CONCLUSION: Neurovascular flaps usually result in reliable and complete healing of soft tissue defects of the lower extremity.     

应用封闭式负压引流及游离皮瓣治疗小儿肢体大面积软组织缺损

目的 探讨应用封闭式负压引流(VSD)及游离皮瓣治疗小儿肢体严重创伤性大面积软组织缺损的手术技巧及临床应用价值.方法 应用VSD及游离皮瓣治疗22例患儿,年龄3～10岁,均为四肢严重创伤后大面积软组织缺损,骨、肌腱等深部组织裸露或部分缺损,创面大小12 cm×8cm ～ 34 cm×25 cm,新鲜创面9例,感染坏死性创面13例.创面经彻底清创后,先行VSD覆盖创面.对合并不稳定骨折者,急诊行外固定支架固定骨折或克氏针内固定.5～9 d后去除VSD负压膜,根据软组织缺损及其深部组织损伤情况,再次清创后单纯行游离皮瓣移植修复8例,游离皮瓣加植皮修复14例.术后对皮瓣的存活情况和愈合质量进行随访.结果 合并深部组织裸露的肢体大面积软组织缺损的22例患儿,经负压封闭引流后,局部创面无明显感染,肌腱及骨外露区周围肉芽组织生长良好.再次清创后施行的游离皮瓣移植全部一期成活,未出现血管危象,感染控制良好,没有形成窦道.术后随访6～24个月,皮瓣质地柔软,外形良好,患肢功能恢复满意.结论 对于小儿严重创伤后深部组织裸露的肢体大面积软组织缺损,经彻底清创后,应用封闭式负压引流及游离皮瓣修复,可明显缩短治疗周期,提高手术成功率,最大限度恢复小儿患肢的功能.     

封闭负压引流技术在开放骨折合并软组织缺损治疗中的作用

目的探讨封闭负压引流技术(VSD)在治疗开放骨折合并软组织缺损中的作用。方法应用VSD及内固定或外固定支架结合植皮或邻近皮瓣治疗25例开放骨折合并软组织缺损患者。结果患者均获随访,时间4~18个月。16例患者VSD术后5~7 d解除负压,经植皮治疗后创面均愈合;7例较严重开放骨折合并软组织缺损患者经2次VSD治疗后,给予植皮+邻近皮瓣转移覆盖创面后创面均愈合;2例严重开放骨折合并软组织缺损患者经3次VSD治疗后,行植皮+邻近皮瓣转移覆盖创面治疗后均获得愈合。结论 VSD能刺激肉芽组织生长,控制创面炎症,只需结合简单易行的植皮或邻近皮瓣应用即可理想地修复组织缺损创面。     

封闭负压技术治疗各种术后伤口裂开

目的：观察封闭负压技术治疗外科手术后伤口裂开的临床效果及总结应用经验。方法：从2007年5月至2009年12月,采用封闭负压技术治疗各类外科术后伤口裂开患者17例,其中男10例,女7例,平均年龄41岁。创面面积为0.5cm×3.2cm～5.5cm×18.6cm,创面形成时间为8～94天,期间采用常规湿敷或中药换药治疗伤口未愈。给予-120mmHg～-150mmHg负压持续吸引,治疗时间为6～37天。结果：10例经封闭负压治疗后创面直接愈合,其余7例创面清洁,肉芽组织新鲜,伤口缩小,4例清创缝合,2例行局部皮瓣转移,1例行皮片移植修复,伤口均一期愈合。术后随访2～12个月,所有伤口愈合良好,无再次裂开。结论：封闭负压技术简便、无创,能有效促进伤口清洁,加快肉芽组织生长,缩短创面愈合时间,适合治疗各种外科术后伤口裂开,有较高的临床推广应用价值。     

股前外侧游离穿支皮瓣修复头面部和四肢肿瘤切除后软组织缺损

目的探讨应用股前外侧穿支皮瓣,修复头面部和四肢肿瘤切除术后的方法及其效果。方法2004年4月-2006年4月,收治头面部及四肢肿瘤切除术后造成的软组织缺损,采用股前外侧穿支皮瓣游离移植共16例,男13例,女3例;年龄26-72岁。头面部肿瘤9例,其中头顶部基底细胞癌1例,面部鳞状细胞癌4例（包括肿瘤复发1例）,腮腺癌4例;软组织缺损范围8cm×6cm-20cm×13cm,病程6-24个月。四肢肉瘤7例,其中上肢2例,下肢4例,小腿复发1例;软组织缺损范围10cm×7cm-21cm×12cm,病程2-18个月。结果16例应用股前外侧穿支皮瓣游离移植修复,15例皮瓣全部成活,1例皮瓣远端约2.5cm宽范围缺血坏死;14例创口期愈合;2例创口期愈合,其中1例经切除坏死组织,直接缝合后期愈合,另1例创口有3cm裂口,经换药后期愈合。术后随访1-18个月,肿瘤无复发,供受区外观良好,平整,无明显瘢痕及功能影响;受区修复效果满意。结论股前外侧穿支皮瓣游离移植,修复效果好,对供区损伤小,是一种较理想的修复头面和四肢肿瘤切除术后软组织缺损的方法。     

Using the sac membrane to close the flap donor site in large meningomyeloceles.

If a large transposition flap with or without muscle is used for closure of a large meningomyelocele defect, then, a part of the donor site of the flap can be closed by split thickness skin graft, which produces an additional donor wound for the patient. We used the sac membrane instead of split thickness skin graft for closure of donor sites of fasciocutaneous flaps and latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flaps employed to cover large meningomyelocele defects. This technique was used in three thoracolumbar and in two lumbosacral meningomyelocele patients. The sac membrane was prepared like a full thickness skin graft. Follow-up in five patients has ranged from 1 to 18 months, with a mean of 10.6 months. The donor sites that were closed by the sac membrane exhibited complete healing in all patients. We conclude that the sac membrane supplies a reserve of epithelialised tissue that can be used for repair of the meningomyelocele defects.     

032 Treatment of Chronic Ulcer with Allogeneic Cultured Dermal Substitute (CDS) composed of Collagen Sponge with Fibroblasts

We have been cultivating human epidermal cells for therapeutic purpose according to the original methods developed by Rheinwald and Green. Cultured epithelium (CE) was applied to patients with severe skin defects, burn wounds, chronic skin ulcers and cutaneous disorders like hypomelanosis. Autologous CE allows to restore massive skin surface in a short period compared with other conventional treatments. For grafts take, it is important to manage wound beds properly prior to CE grafting. The CDS was applied to prepare wound bed acceptable for CE grafting. The CDS was designed to secrete various types of cytokines, i.e., VEGF and KGF to stimulate wound healing. The successful management of deep wounds like chronic skin ulcer or burn ulcer requires granulation tissue formation and epithelialization to wound closure. This study aimed to evaluate the application of CDS in conjunction with CE for patients with chronic skin ulcer and burn ulcer. In some cases the wounds were cured by using CDS, and followed by CE grafting. All clinical trials achieved excellent or good results, showing no contracture and no hypertrophic scar after wound closure. The CDS was found to be useful to prepare wound beds and to facilitate wound management.     

Delayed Staged Closure With Repeated Directional Suturing of Cutaneous Defects

BACKGROUND: Postsurgical wound management is traditionally a choice between intraoperative surgical repair or healing by secondary intention. We describe a technique that combines intraoperative and postoperative surgical repair with granulation. OBJECTIVE: Delayed closure with repeated directional suturing was evaluated as an alternative closure technique for large wounds. METHODS: Sixty patients had surgical defects partially closed intraoperatively with postoperative staged closures over 2 to 4 weeks. Only those wounds that could not be closed intraoperatively without vascular compromise or anatomic disfigurement were treated. RESULTS: All wounds were closed using skin from the same anatomic unit. Complications were minimal, and the results were acceptable to both the patients and the surgeon. CONCLUSION: Delayed closure with repeated directional suturing is a reasonable alternative when primary closure is not possible or when it would cause anatomic disfigurement.     

VSD结合游离植皮治疗儿童下肢大面积皮肤缺损

目的 探讨负压封闭引流(Vacuum sealing drainage,VSD)装置结合头皮游离植皮,治疗儿童下肢大面积皮肤缺损的临床效果.方法 对18例下肢大面积皮肤缺损的患儿,一期先行清创手术,然后使用VSD持续负压吸引创面,待创面新鲜无感染、肉芽新鲜时,行二期头部刃厚皮片或中厚皮片移植覆盖创面.结果 15例患者移植皮片完全成活,3例患者去除VSD敷料后,边缘少许坏死,积极换药后愈合.本组患者术后随访3～12个月,无慢性感染、溃疡和窦道存在,效果满意.结论 应用VSD技术可以有效地协助组织瓣修复复杂或慢性创面,值得临床推广和进一步深入研究.     

吻合皮神经的足底内侧皮瓣修复手掌皮肤缺损

 目的 探讨吻合皮神经的足底内侧皮瓣修复手掌皮肤缺损的临疗效。方法 回顾性分析2003年6月至2013年1月,采用吻合皮神经的足底内侧皮瓣游离移植修复手掌皮肤缺损23例患者资料,男13例,女10例;年龄18~61岁,平均36岁;右侧16例,左侧7例;皮肤缺损面积3.6 cm×2.8 cm~7.0 cm×5.5 cm。其中单纯皮肤软组织缺损者9例,合并血管、神经损伤者5例,合并肌腱断裂、外露者3例,合并掌骨开放性骨折者6例。伤后8 h内急诊手术者15例,清创后于10 d内手术者8例。结果 术后23例均获得随访,随访时间3~36个月,平均18个月。23例患者皮瓣切取范围为4.6 cm×3.8 cm~8.0 cm×6.5 cm。术后19例伤口一期愈合,愈合时间为7~14 d,皮瓣及植皮完全成活,各指指间关节及掌指关节主动屈伸活动度达正常范围,皮瓣感觉恢复好,完全恢复正常生活及工作,两点区分试验4~8 mm;3例皮瓣基本成活,远端部分坏死,足底供区植皮部分坏死,经清创换药后伤口二期愈合,愈合时间为12~21 d,各指指间关节及掌指关节主动屈伸功能轻度受限,基本恢复正常生活及工作,两点区分试验5~9 mm;1例患者术后第4天皮瓣完全坏死,经采用同侧带蒂腹股沟皮瓣修复后治愈,足底供区植皮成活,各指屈伸功能明显受限。根据顾玉东等手功能改进评定标准进行评价,其中优19例,良3例,可1例;优良率为95.7%(22/23)。结论 吻合皮神经的足底内侧皮瓣游离移植是修复手掌皮肤缺损的理想皮瓣,具有解剖位置恒定、皮瓣成活率高、术后手功能及外观功能恢复好的优点。     

Reducing Opposed Multilobed Flap Repair, a New Technique for Managing Medium-Sized Low-Leg Defects Following Skin Cancer Surgery

BACKGROUND: Following skin cancer excision, skin defects on the low leg between 10 and 35 mm in diameter can be problematic. Direct closure of the wound risks excessive wound tension and wound dehiscence. Skin grafts heal slowly and often remain unsightly. Traditional skin flaps have a limited role. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to develop a random-pattern skin flap that offers significant advantages over traditional techniques including grafting. METHODS: The reducing opposed multilobed flap involves a series of semicircular lobes extending both cephalic and caudal from the defect. The technique involves lobes most distant from the primary defect being transposed in turn closer to the defect. The technique does not result in the unnecessary excision of Burrows triangle skin. RESULTS: The reducing opposed multilobed (ROM) flap reduces skin tension concerns, lowers the risk of flap necrosis, and allows for quicker and more aesthetic healing. After 20 cases, we have yet to experience dehiscence, infection, or delayed healing. The healing wound is resistant to contraction and invariably produces an acceptable aesthetic outcome. CONCLUSION: The ROM flap repair allows the dermatologic surgeon an additional option when faced with a medium-sized lower leg defect following skin cancer excision.     

The 180-degree perforator-based propeller flap for soft tissue coverage of the distal, lower extremity: a new method to achieve reliable coverage of the distal lower extremity with a local, fasciocutaneous perforator flap

BACKGROUND: Traumatic and nontraumatic defects of the distal third of the tibia are challenging in regard to soft tissue coverage. While local, pedicled fasciocutaneous perforator flaps allow adequate coverage, the donor site often requires skin grafting. When a local perforator flap is designed as a 180-degree propeller flap, an excellent esthetic result and direct closure of the donor site can be achieved, with minimal morbidity. METHODS: Eight patients with defects in the malleolar region were treated with 180-degree propeller flaps based on perforators from the tibial and peroneal vessels. RESULTS: One partial flap loss was encountered in an insulin-dependent diabetic. Partial superficial epidermolysis was encountered in 2 cases and healed without further interventions. No other complications were encountered. All patients returned to full ambulation within 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: The 180-degree propeller flap is an elegant and versatile method to achieve soft tissue coverage with local tissue in defects of the distal tibia. Contrary to other local perforator flaps, this specific design facilitates direct closure of the donor site. As only local, thin tissue is used, no interference with normal shoe wear occurs. Even in older patients, this flap has proven to be a reliable option.     

Vascularized tissue transfer for closure of irradiated wounds after soft tissue sarcoma resection.

During the years 1985 to 1989, 82 patients were included in the soft tissue sarcoma protocol. Preoperative irradiation (50-54 Gy) was performed in all patients before tumor extirpation. Microwave hyperthermia was performed in conjunction with radiation in patients who had gross tumor remaining after initial biopsy. Primary closure with vascularized tissue (flaps) in lieu of conventional wound closure by skin approximation led to less complications (19% versus 51%), fewer secondary procedures for wound closure (10% versus 35%), shorter average hospitalization (15 versus 48 days) and greater limb salvage rate (97% versus 91%). The authors conclude that vascularized tissue (flaps) for primary wound closure in irradiated tissue leads to improved wound healing, and should be considered the procedure of choice for heavily irradiated soft tissue sarcoma defects.