Simple pectoralis major myocutaneous advancement flaps for closure after sternal wound dehiscence

Between October 1994 and March 1996, 14 consecutive patients with a wound dehiscence after median sternotomy for cardiac surgery were treated with pectoralis major myocutaneous advancement flaps. After thorough sternal wound debridement, the sternal edges were contoured to create a shallow defect. This was to enable the obliteration of dead space between the mediastinum and the flaps. The pectoralis muscle was then elevated off the chest wall, its humeral attachment, the thoraco-acromial pedicle and the connection with the skin were left intact. Next, the bilateral myocutaneous flaps were advanced medially and approximated to each other in the midline. The mean operation time was 140 min and the mean follow-up time was 10 months. Four patients developed minor complications. The advantage of this technique is its simplicity and the reduction in mean operation time. Received: 30 December 1999 / Accepted: 3 February 2000     

Bilateral breast reconstruction with four myocutaneous flaps

Summary A 44-year-old woman is described in whom bilateral mastectomies had been performed because of mastopathy. Subsequent endeavors at reconstruction with silicone prostheses caused so many problems that reconstruction with autologous tissues was decided upon. In one stage bilateral myocutaneous latissimus dorsi flaps were transposed and filling obtained with de-epithelialized transvere rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps. The nipples and areolas were reconstructed six months later.     

Functional impairment after treatment with pectoral muscle flaps because of deep sternal wound infection

Abstract

Objective. Pectoral muscle flaps (PMF) are effective in terminating protracted sternal wound infections (SWI) but long-term outcome remains uncertain. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate long-term outcome in patients treated with PMF. Design. Thirty-four of 263 patients revised because of deep SWI from 1991–2005 were treated with PMF. Of the 21 patients alive, 11 had left-sided, two right-sided and eight bilateral procedures. Sternal debridement without closure of the sternum was done in 17 patients. Nineteen of 21 patients responded to a questionnaire. Results. At follow-up on average 5.9 years (range 1.9–14.8 years) after surgery 63% (12/19) experienced unstable chest. Two thirds (12/18) reported problems carrying a grocery bag and 37% (7/19) had problems putting on a coat. Reduction of power and mobility was more common in the right arm and shoulder even in patients with left-sided PMF. Thirty-two percent (6/19) would have preferred alternative treatment if possible to avoid sternal instability even if healing had been substantially delayed. Conclusions. Surgery with PMF and sternal debridement was associated with long-term disability, which appeared to be significant in one third of the patients. The function of the right arm and shoulder was affected more often despite the majority of procedures being left-sided suggesting that loss of skeletal continuity of the chest wall is more disabling than loss of pectoral muscle function.     

Bilateral gluteus maximus myocutaneous advancement flaps: sacral coverage for ambulatory patients

The standard gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap, though an excellent procedure for coverage of sacral soft-tissue defects, has several disadvantages. It is usually quite bulky, and risks hip instability in the ambulatory patient. Bilateral gluteus maximus myocutaneous advancement flaps obviate these problems. The superior half of each gluteus maximus muscle, with overlying skin island, is released from its origin and insertion. The superior gluteal artery is identified and preserved. Each myocutaneous unit may be advanced to the midline. The line of cleavage between units preserves normal contour. Donor-site deformity is closed in the V-Y advancement fashion. Hip instability is thus avoided. This technique is useful in the management of sacral defects in the ambulatory patient.     

Delayed midsternal wound reconstruction for infants without secondary sternal closure

Three infants, aged 11 days, 19 days and 48 days, underwent two Jatene operations and one modified Norwood operation. The sternum was left open and the skin defect was covered with a silicon sheet in all three patients. Delayed sternal closure was impossible because of hemodynamic deterioration in all three patients. Consequently delayed midsternal wound reconstruction was applied. One rectus abdominis muscle flap was turned up and the defect between the split sternum was filled with this muscle flap. Bilateral axillary incision was made to decrease the skin tension and the midsternal wound was closed with cutaneous advancement flaps. Bilateral axillary defects were covered with mesh skin implantation. All three patients recovered after this procedure. We propose this technique for the cases in which the delayed sternal closure is impossible.     

Closure of infected sternal wounds with a unilateral rectus abdominis muscle flap in addition to bilateral pectoralis major myocutaneous advancement flaps

We have recently added to our regimen a unilateral rectus abdominis muscle flap to cover the lower sternum and adjacent soft tissues, in addition to bilateral pectoralis major myocutaneous advancement flaps for closure of infected sternal wounds. Twenty patients underwent this procedure for closure of infected sternal wounds after initial débridement at our institutions. There were no intraoperative deaths in this series, but three patients died of other medical conditions. Two patients developed hematomas and one developed recurrent sternal wound infection after surgery; two had superficial wound infections and five had minor wound problems (i.e., skin edge necrosis). All surviving patients (17/20, 85%) had healed sternal wounds with normal chest contour and there were no instances of flap necrosis, sternal wound dehiscence, or abdominal wall hernia during the follow-up (18–60 months). Based upon our experience, we recommend a unilateral rectus abdominis muscle flap in addition to bilateral pectoralis major myocutaneous advancement flaps for selected patients with infected sternal wounds. This approach provides reliable soft tissue coverage with acceptable morbidity and mortality in this high-risk patient population. Received: 29 July 1998 / Accepted: 1 March 1999     

Total abdominal wall reconstruction with two tensor fascia lata myocutaneous flaps

A case of total abdominal wall reconstruction in a 22-year-old man is presented. He had an omphalocele which was covered initially with skin grafts, thus creating a huge abdominal hernia. Two tensor fascia lata flaps, each measuring 14×36 cm, were used to reconstruct the abdominal wall following delay. This method, when-ever available, is in our opinion the best and most reliable way to reconstruct the abdominal wall. Myocutaneous flaps now have extended use in plastic and reconstructive surgery [1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10]. The tensor fascia lata (TFL) myocutaneous flap is unique in its fascial extension and large overlying skin territory which makes it ideal for abdominal wall repairs.     

Total abdominal wall reconstruction with two tensor fascia lata myocutaneous flaps

Summary A case of total abdominal wall reconstruction in a 22-year-old man is presented. He had an omphalocele which was covered initially with skin grafts, thus creating a huge abdominal hernia. Two tensor fascia lata flaps, each measuring 14 × 36 cm, were used to reconstruct the abdominal wall following delay. This method, whenever available, is in our opinion the best and most reliable way to reconstruct the abdominal wall. Myocutaneous flaps now have extended use in plastic and reconstructive surgery [1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10]. The tensor fascia lata (TFL) myocutaneous flap is unique in its fascial extension and large overlying skin territory which makes it ideal for abdominal wall repairs.     

Muscular,myocutaneous, and fasciocutaneous flaps in complex urethral reconstruction

The ability to achieve a long-term, stable, stricture-free, hairless urethral lumen in patients with complex anterior stricture and compromised genital skin is one of the ongoing challenges of reconstructive urologic surgery. The conservative approach by endoscopic urethrotomy or dilatation with a self-catheterization schedule rarely affects a definitive cure except in the short filmy superficial strictures of the bulbous portion of the urethra. Genital fasciocutaneous island flaps are currently the golden standard for definitive, reliable resolution of anterior urethral strictures in patients who have not undergone a prior surgical procedure that may alter the penile or scrotal circulation, or those with skin loss from trauma, decubiti, radiation, or balanitis xerotica obliterans.     

Comparison between antibiotic irrigation and mobilization of pectoral muscle flaps in treatment of deep sternal infections

Between January of 1978 and December of 1983, 41 patients developed deep sternal infections with mediastinitis after cardiac operations. Between January of 1978 and December of 1981, 19 of these patients were treated with débridement, primary wound closure, and mediastinal antibiotic irrigation (Group I). Between January of 1982 and December of 1983, 22 patients were treated with débridement, open "clean" packing, and delayed wound closure by the technique of pectoral muscle flap mobilization, which preserves the thoracoacromial pedicles and the pectoral humeral attachments (Group II). The purpose of this study was to compare the results of the treatment of deep sternal infections after cardiac operations with these two techniques. The perioperative hemodynamic, operation, functional, and pathological profiles of both groups of patients were the same. The cosmetic and functional results were the same in both groups as were shoulder girdle and torso mobility. We conclude that either technique is equally effective in the management of patients in whom the serious complication of deep sternal infection with mediastinitis develops after cardiac operation, and we now recommend débridement and pectoral muscle flap closure in one stage.     

Segmentally split pectoral girdle muscle flaps for chest-wall and intrathoracic reconstruction

The latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, and serratus anterior provide the principal flaps for major chest-wall and intrathoracic reconstructions. Each of these muscles shows a philogenetically preserved internal metamerism that is expressed by a segmental morphology and neurovascular supply. This segmental anatomy creates multiple independent subunits in each muscle that can be surgically split and independently used. Surgically splitting these muscles permits flap refinements such as creating two flaps from one donor muscle and leaving independent subunits in situ to preserve donor motor function after flap transfer. The latissimus dorsi has a consistent proximal bifurcation of its neurovascular supply into a medial and lateral branch that permits dividing the muscle or skin-muscle unit into two independent flaps. The pectoralis major has three segmental neurovascular subunits, the clavicular, the sternocostal, and the external. These can be surgically split and independently transferred on vascular pedicles from the thoracoacromial, internal mammary, and lateral thoracic vessels. This provides a substantial degree of donor motor preservation, as shown by the pectoralis V-Y myoplasty for mediastinal reconstruction. The serratus arterial has a highly segmental morphology with multiple subunits corresponding to each of the first nine costovertebral units; it also can be surgically split. The resultant upper and lower groups can be further subdivided if needed. These flaps provide useful intrathoracic reconstruction with a substantial degree of donor motor preservation. Such technical refinements substantially increase each flap's versatility and lessens the donor cost for thoracic reconstruction.     

V-Y Bilateral gluteus maximus myocutaneous advancement flap in the reconstruction of large perineal defects after resection of pelvic malignancies

Objective  To evaluate the role of the V-Y bilateral gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap (GLM) in the reconstruction of large perineal defects after wide surgical resections for pelvic malignancies.
Method  Twelve consecutive patients (seven females and five males), of mean age 59 years (36–78), with primary or recurrent pelvic malignancies (rectal, anal and vulvar carcinoma), underwent either abdomino-perineal rectum excision with partial sacrectomy or total pelvic exenteration. The perineal defect was reconstructed by means of a GLM flap. Intra-operative blood loss, operative time, hospital stay, postoperative complications and long-term outcome were retrospectively assessed.
Results  One patient died postoperatively. All the remaining patients had at least one early and/or late complication. After a mean follow-up of 31.2 months, seven patients were alive. No major functional impairment in daily activities was observed. Five patients experienced a slight discomfort in either walking, sitting or cycling.
Conclusion  Gluteus maximus myocutaneus flap is a useful technique for the repair of perineo-pelvic defects after abdomino-perineal rectum excision with partial sacrectomy.     

Prophylactic sternal plating with pectoralis advancement flaps after sternotomy in patients with a history of chest irradiation

Deep sternal infections secondary to bony instability and malunion, can result in mediastinitis. Previous authors have described the use of prophylactic rigid plate fixation in high-risk patients. The purpose of our study is to review the use of prophylactic sternal platting with pectoralis advancement flaps in high-risk patients with a history of chest irradiation. Fourteen patients (July 2003-September 2008) with a history of chest irradiation who underwent a median sternotomy followed by prophylactic rigid plate fixation of the sternum were reviewed. Breast cancer was the most common etiology of chest irradiation (n=11, 78%). The average EuroSCORE was 24.06% with 72% of patients having a preoperative New York Heart Association (NYHA) class≥III. There were no episodes of sternal non-union, mediastinitis or death. Follow-up was 100% with a 0% 30-day and a 7.1% one-year mortality rate (non-cardiac). A comparison between mean preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (49.6%) and postoperative LVEF (59.7%) was statistically significant (P<0.0001). All living patients currently maintain a NYHA class I/II. Prophylactic rigid plate fixation and pectoralis flap coverage decreases the risk of developing sternal dehiscence and postoperative wound complications and should therefore be considered in high-risk patients with a history of chest irradiation.     

Axial muscle and myocutaneous flaps: a recent concept in wound closure.

Until the last decade, the greatest advances in reconstructive surgery have been skin grafting and the advent of pedicle flaps. More recently a new understanding of the discrete vascular anatomy of the skin and other composite tissues has enabled the transfer of these tissues with far more reliability, either locally or--using microvascular techniques--to a distance. The axial and random concept of blood supply of flaps will be outlined. A brief historical background of the development of axial flaps is included. A synopsis of the anatomy, uses and limitations of the commonly used and proven muscle and myocutaneous flaps in our experience is reported. In the final discussion, a new and simple classification of wound closure is proposed which encompasses all the recent developments in this field.