Use of the internal mammary vessels as recipient vessels for an omental flap in head and neck reconstruction

The availability of reliable recipient vessels for free flap transfer in head and neck reconstruction may be limited in cases of prior neck dissection or radiation therapy. One solution is to use the internal mammary vessels as recipients for a free omental flap. Five patients were treated with free omental flap transfer using the internal mammary vessels as recipient vessels during head and neck reconstruction. Two patients presented with a pharyngocutaneous fistula, 1 had mandibular osteomyelitis, 1 had primary esophageal cancer, and 1 had bilateral cervical radiation ulcers. All patients had received radiation therapy previously (average dose, 75.4 Gy), and 4 had undergone neck dissection (3 bilateral and 1 ipsilateral). All patients were reconstructed using a free omental flap. Four patients had a second free flap combined with the free omental flap (3 free jejunal flaps and 1 free fibular osteocutaneous flap). The mean follow-up was 26.4 months. All free flaps took entirely, the only complication ileus requiring reoperation in 1 patient. The internal mammary vessels are reliable recipient vessels for a free omental flap in head and neck reconstruction. This procedure is a good option for patients in whom previous surgery or radiation therapy has compromised local recipient vessels.     

Selection of recipient vessels in microsurgical free tissue reconstruction of head and neck defects

The development of microsurgical techniques has facilitated proper management of extensive head and neck defects and deformities. Bone or soft tissue can be selected to permit reconstruction with functional and aesthetic results. However, for free tissue transfer to be successful, proper selection of recipient vessels is as essential as the many other factors that affect the final result. In this article selection strategies for recipient vessels for osteocutaneous free flaps, soft tissue free flaps, previously dissected and irradiated areas, recurrent and subsequent secondary reconstructions, simultaneous double free flap transfers in reconstruction of extensive composite head and neck defects, and the selection of recipient veins are reviewed in order to provide an algorithm for the selection of recipient vessels for head and neck reconstruction.     

血管化游离腓骨肌皮瓣重建下颌骨缺损

目的：总结游离腓骨肌皮瓣修复下颌骨缺损的经验。方法：对25例应用游离腓骨肌皮瓣行下颌骨缺损修复的病例进行临床分析,探讨不同类型下颌骨缺损,所采用腓骨肌皮瓣的设计,复合组织瓣的成活情况及术后并发症的发生情况。结果：本组25例患者游离腓骨肌皮瓣成活率100%,最长的腓骨为16cm,分为三段者3例,两段者20例。结论：血管化的游离腓骨肌皮瓣修复下颌骨缺损血供丰富、抗感染力强、骨愈合快、塑形好、成活率高。     

Two in one: Double free flap from a single free fibula osteocutaneous unit

In the past two decades, the advancement in the microsurgical techniques has revolutionised the reconstruction of post-oncological head and neck defects. Free fibula osteocutaneous flap (FFOCF) has been considered as the treatment of choice by many for mandible reconstruction. The improvement in the surgical resection and adjuvant treatment has improved the survival rates even in patients with advanced cancer. Simultaneously the reconstruction is addressed towards more functional and aesthetic aspects to improve the quality of life in these patients. In this respect, a double free flap is advocated in certain cases of extensive composite oromandibular defects (COMDs). But in our institute, we have managed two such cases of extensive COMD with a single FFOCF unit – fibula bone with a skin paddle for inner lining and a perforator-based skin paddle from the proximal part of the FFOCF unit, anastomosed separately for outer cover. Compared to two separate free flaps, this method has the advantage of single donor site and reduction in reconstruction time. Though the technique of divided paddle, deepithelisation and supercharging has been mentioned for FFOCF, no such clinical cases of two free flaps from a single FFOCF unit have been mentioned in the literature.KEY WORDS: Composite oromandibular defect, double free flap, free fibula osteocutaneous flap     

Successful management of free osteocutaneous fibula flap with anomalous vascularity of the skin paddle

The free osteocutaneous fibula flap is an established method of reconstruction of maxillary and mandibular defects. The vascularity of the skeletal and the cutaneous components is provided by the peroneal artery via the nutrient artery and the septo- and musculocutaneous perforators. In rare situations, these perforators may arise from other major leg arteries. In such circumstances, the procedure has to be either abandoned or modified so that neither the vascularity of the flap nor the donor limb is compromised. We present a case of an anomalous musculocutaneous perforator, which originated from the proximal part of the posterior tibial artery, passed through the soleus muscle and supplied the skin paddle. The flap was elevated as a single composite unit and was managed by two separate vascular anastomosis at the recipient site, one for the peroneal vessels and the other for the anomalous perforator.     

Donor side selection in mandibular reconstruction using a free fibular osteocutaneous flap

While the free fibular osteocutaneous flap is indispensable for mandibular reconstruction, reliable setting is often difficult because relative positions of the bone, skin island, and vascular pedicle are critical. We have an algorithm for donor-side selection of free fibular osteocutaneous flap.From July 2002 to March 2004, we performed 15 mandibular reconstructions using free fibular osteocutaneous flaps. We retrospectively classified these procedures as follows. In type I (flap harvested ipsilaterally to defect, n = 5), the skin island was fixed to the oral cavity, and the vascular pedicle emerged from the anterior aspect of the fibula. In type II (flap contralateral to defect, n = 5), the skin island was fixed to the oral cavity, and the vascular pedicle arose from the posterior aspect. In type III (flap contralateral to defect, n = 4), the skin island was fixed to the facial skin and the vascular pedicle arose from the anterior aspect. In type IV (flap ipsilateral to defect, n = 1), the skin island was fixed to the facial skin and the vascular pedicle arose from the posterior aspect. Flaps took completely except in 1 group II case with partial necrosis. Close attention to geometric characteristics of a free fibular osteocutaneous flap facilitates reconstruction of mandibular defects and selection of donor side.     

Donor-site complications in vascularized bone flap surgery.

Microvascular osteocutaneous free flaps have given reconstructive surgeons a powerful tool in the reconstruction of composite defects in head and neck surgery. Radial forearm, scapula, iliac crest, and fibula flaps have been used extensively in mandibular reconstruction. The inevitable donor-site morbidity of these osteocutaneous flaps has received less attention than the reconstructive advantages. We have reviewed the literature for each type of flap to determine the kind, incidence, and consequences of flap associated morbidity. In the future, tissue-engineered prefabricated free flaps might play an important role.     

Functional assessment of donor-site morbidity after harvest of a fibula chimeric flap with a sheet of soleus muscle for mandibular composite defect reconstruction

This study aims to compare donor-site morbidity between the traditional fibula osteocutaneous and chimeric fibula flaps for mandibular reconstruction. Twenty-three patients with head and neck cancer were recruited. Fifteen patients underwent the traditional fibula osteocutaneous flap. Eight patients received a chimeric fibula osteocutaneous flap with a sheet of soleus muscle. Subjective donor-site morbidities were evaluated by questionnaire. Objective isokinetic testing and 6-minute walking test (6MWT) were used to evaluate ankle strength and walking ability. The results revealed no significant difference was found in total average score of the questionnaire between the traditional (2.57) and the chimeric (2.75) groups (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in peak torque/total work of ankle motions and in walking ability at 6MWT between the traditional and chimeric groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, compared with the traditional fibula osteocutaneous flap, the chimeric fibula flap does not increase donor-site morbidity for reconstructive surgery.     

Inadvertent injury of critical perforator vessels during perforator flap surgery

Despite the widespread use of perforator flaps, little has been reported about the inadvertent injury of perforator vessels. We report a retrospective study of the inadvertent injury of perforator vessels. From 1992 through 2010, we transferred 467 free perforator flaps (314 anterolateral thigh [ALT] flaps, 99 fibula osteocutaneous flaps, 46 deep inferior epigastric perforator [DIEP] flaps, and 8 other flaps). Inadvertent injury of perforator vessels occurred in seven patients. The overall incidence was 1.5%. The rate of the injury was 0.95% with ALT flaps, 2.0% with fibula osteocutaneous flaps, and 4.3% with DIEP flaps. Of seven, six flaps were salvaged through anastomosis of the injured perforator vessels. Perforator injuries resulted more often from mishandling of perforator vessels than from dissection technique. Anastomosis of injured perforators is a practical salvage procedure that requires high microsurgical skill.     

Preoperative MR angiography for free fibula osteocutaneous flap transfer

Introduction: Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is currently considered the most useful test to evaluate the vascular anatomy of the lower leg prior to free fibula osteocutaneous flap transfer. This study aimed to confirm the validity of preoperative MRA. Methods: In 19 patients underwent free fibula osteocutaneous flap transfer for maxillary and mandibular reconstruction, the MRA and intraoperative findings and the postoperative complications were retrospectively analyzed. The location and number of distal septocutaneous perforators (dSCPs) that were preoperatively identified and harvested with flaps were documented. Results: Preoperative MRA detected dSCPs with 100 % sensitivity. MRA findings also revealed the diversity of vascular structures, such as the tibio‐peroneal bifurcation location and the anatomical relationship between the peroneal vessels and the fibula. No patients suffered postoperative ischemic complications in the donor leg. The total flap survival rate was 95 %. Conclusions: Preoperative MRA effectively excluded large vessel anomalies and peripheral vascular disease, and precisely identified the septocutaneous perforators. Additionally, preoperative MRA contributed to a safer fibular osteotomy by predicting the anatomical relationship between the peroneal vessels and the fibula. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 33:454–459, 2013.     

Monitoring a free anterolateral thigh flap for pharyngeal reconstruction

Aim: To describe a novel way of monitoring a buried fasciocutaneous anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap used for pharyngeal reconstruction. Methods: A tubed ALT flap was used to reconstruct a circumferential pharyngeal defect following resection of a carcinoma. An island of skin based on a separate perforator and externalized through the neck incision was used to monitor the flap. It was removed as a bedside procedure on the fifth postoperative day. Results: The externalized skin island allowed easy monitoring of the buried tubed free‐flap used to reconstruct the pharynx. Simple clinical parameters such as temperature, colour and capillary refill were used to monitor the flap instead of more complex and invasive methods. Conclusion: When feasible, a second skin island based on a separate set of perforator vessels provides an easy, safe and simple method of monitoring a buried free‐flap.     

The fibula free flap: advantages of the muscle sparing technique.

The amount of muscle that should be retained on the free fibula during harvest is unresolved. Muscle is used to protect the periosteum, but by harvesting a large muscle cuff, the recipient and donor site morbidity increases. A retrospective review of 47 free fibula flaps performed between January 1997 and March 2002 was undertaken. There was an average follow-up of 15 months. The dissection method used for all cases was a muscle sparing technique where the peroneal vessels were skeletonised anteromedially. Only a very thin rim of muscle (1-2 mm) was left attached to the fibula. The recipient and donor vessels were flushed with heparin saline solution intra-operatively and a Dextran 40 infusion was used for four days post-operatively in all cases. Of the 47 flaps, 39 were used for mandible reconstruction, six for maxillary reconstruction and two for long bone reconstruction following trauma. The average age was 47.7 years (range 13-82) and two-thirds (28/43) of the patients were male. There was one post-operative death. The overall failure rate was 10.9% (5/46). Two flaps were lost as a result of arterial thrombosis, one from venous thrombosis, one from sepsis and in one case the cause could not be determined. There were 2 (4.3%) recipient site haematomas. It is suggested that the low recipient site haematoma rate in this series may be related to the limited muscle bulk transferred with the flap. Harvesting less muscle also enables easier insetting and folding of skin flap, and reduces the donor site problems of haematoma and weakness of the foot. The blood supply to the fibula does not appear to be compromised.     

Customized reconstruction with the free anterolateral thigh perforator flap

From April of 2003 through September of 2006, 70 free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps were transferred for reconstructing soft-tissue defects. The overall success rate was 96%. Among 70 free ALT flaps, 11 were elevated as cutaneous ALT septocutaneous vessel flaps. Fifty-seven were harvested as cutaneous ALT myocutaneous "true" perforator flaps. Two flaps were used as fasciocutaneous perforator flaps based on independent skin vessels. Fifty-four ALT flaps were used for lower extremity reconstruction, 11 flaps were used for upper extremity reconstruction, 3 flaps were used for trunk reconstruction, and 1 flap was used for head and neck reconstruction. Total flap failure occurred in 3 patients (4.28% of the flaps), and partial failure occurred in 5 patients (7.14% of the flaps). The three flaps that failed completely were reconstructed with a free radial forearm flap, a latissimus dorsi flap and skin grafting, respectively. Among the five flaps that failed partially, three were reconstructed with skin grafting, one with a sural flap, and one with primary closure. The free ALT flap has become the workhorse for covering defects in most clinical situations in our center. It is a reliable flap with consistent anatomy and a long, constant pedicle diameter. Its versatility, in which thickness and volume can be adjusted, leads to a perfect match for customized reconstruction of complex defects.     

Fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap with a variant perforator and peroneal artery arising from the anterior tibial artery

Since the report of the first cases of vascularized free fibula graft for treatment of open fracture of the tibia and fibula in 1975, there have been many other reports of the use of vascularized free osteocutaneous fibula flaps for reconstruction of the mandible or lower leg. Usually, these flaps have a single pedicle composed of the peroneal artery, to supply the fibula with septocutaneous or musculocutaneous branches arising from the peroneal artery to supply the lateral skin of the leg. Although some authors have reported variant perforators, there have been no reports of the peroneal artery arising from the anterior tibial artery and perforator arising from the posterior tibial artery. This is the first report of a variant of the peroneal artery and perforator using a vascularized free osteocutaneous fibula flap.     

Salvage of knee joint tumor prosthesis using turnover reverse-flow descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery as recipient vessel for the free ALT flap: a case report

To report an unusual case using free anterolateral thigh (ALT) fasciocutaneous flap to salvage a knee joint tumor prosthesis. The turnover reverse-flow descending branch of the ipsilateral lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) was successfully used as a recipient vessel for the contralateral free ALT flap. A 30-year-old male patient with high-grade and fibroblastic-type osteogenic sarcoma at the right proximal tibia received a tumor resection and tumor prosthesis to salvage the right knee joint. No local antegrade recipient vessels were available near the defect at the right knee. No sizable perforator could be found when trying to harvest the reverse ipsilateral ALT flap. The turnover reverse-flow descending branch of the ipsilateral LCFA and its concomitant veins were used as recipient vessels to supply the contralateral free ALT flap. The flap survived well without obvious venous congestion or sequela. The turnover reverse-flow descending branch of the LCFA and its concomitant veins can be successfully used as recipient vessels to supply a free ALT flap.     

Dual free flap transfer using forearm flap for mandibular reconstruction.

To reconstruct a composite mandibular defect, we have simultaneously transferred a vascularized bone graft or osteocutaneous flap together with a forearm flap. The radial forearm flap, being thin, pliable, and having a long vascular stalk, served as mucosal lining and/or an interpositional flap acting as a vascular bridge. Between 1982 and 1989, we used this procedure in 17 patients with a mandibular defect or deformity which developed following treatment of oral cancer. Our clinical experience has demonstrated that this dual free tissue transfer has many advantages. It is useful for obtaining a good alveolar ridge in patients with a composite mandibular defect. It is applicable in cases where only a single pair of recipient vessels are present and may be useful when the recipient vessels are positioned some distance from the defect.     

Free vascularized fibular bone flap in the rat

Free vascularized fibula bone flap has been widely used in reconstruction of the mandible, long segment defect, congenital pseudarthroses, and osteomyelitis. Such applications stirred an interest in basic studies of bone biology, bone healing process, and incorporation of recipient bone defect. An experimental free vascularized fibula rat model is presented here for such investigations. We performed 16 angiograms and anatomic dissections in eight rats for collecting data on fibular length, blood supply, and the caliber of significant vessels. The fibula was harvested with part of the flexor hallucis longus muscle with an average length of 28 mm. The pedicle can be taken in continuity with the popliteal vessels (average diameter of 0.8 mm and 0.9 mm of artery and vein, respectively, with an average pedicle length of 14 mm). This vascularized fibula bone was harvested and transferred to the groin area of the same rat and anastomosed to the saphenous vessels. Twelve transplantations were performed, with a 7-day flap survival rate of 100%. The free fibula vascularized bone flap in the rat is a reliable model for further investigations.     

前臂严重复合组织缺损的急诊修复与一期功能重建

目的 报道游离组织瓣移植与一期功能重建急诊修复前臂严重复合组织缺损的疗效，方法 1994年3月至2003年8月，采用吻合血管的游离皮瓣移植、游离皮瓣与游离腓骨瓣移植或游离腓骨皮瓣移植，同时一期功能重建急诊修复4例前臂严重复合组织缺损。结果 4例均获得成功，经1～3年（平均1年8个月）的随访，骨支架愈合良好，皮瓣血运、质地、弹性好。拇指均可与手指对指，手部恢复保护性感觉。结论 游离组织瓣移植与一期功能重建手术是急诊修复前臂严重复合组织缺损的理想方法。     

Double free flap reconstruction of through-and-through oromandibulofacial defects

Through-and-through oromandibulofacial resection defects are extensive reconstructive challenges. These composite defects consist of five components that have to be addressed separately in order for the reconstruction to be functionally and aesthetically successful, including the oral mucosa, bone defect, external skin, potential deadspace obliteration and volume replacement. Single osteocutaneous flaps or single soft tissue free flaps inevitably lead to compromise in at least one of these areas. More recently, in the last two decades, double free flaps have been introduced as a tailored solution to this problem, allowing the comprehensive reconstruction of each separate component. We review the current evidence regarding the use of double free flaps in such defects and summarise our approach in our institute’s experience of over 130 cases. Although we consider the double free flap combination of the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap and fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap to be the optimal reconstructive method in through-and-through oromandibulofacial defects, higher levels of evidence are required to fully justify their use in terms of complication profile, functional and aesthetic outcomes.     

游离腓骨骨皮瓣加单臂外固定架治疗胫骨骨缺损

目的 探讨游离腓骨骨皮瓣治疗胫骨骨缺损的方法和临床疗效.方法 采用吻合血管的游腓骨骨皮瓣移植加单臂外固定架治疗12例因创伤、慢性骨髓炎导致的胫骨骨缺损患者.结果 患者腓骨骨皮瓣携带皮岛血运均良好,切口均一期愈合.12例均获随访,时间12~48个月.全部骨性愈合,患者恢复行走功能.结论 吻合血管的游离腓骨骨皮瓣移植加单臂外固定架治疗胫骨骨缺损临床疗效满意.