The lateral arm free flap in lower extremity reconstruction

Reconstruction of skin defects of the distal third of the leg and foot is often a difficult task. Shape, resistance to shearing stresses in the weight-bearing surface and sensibility are the main features that have to be restored. For coverage of this region, the authors have used, in selected patients, the lateral arm flap (LAF) since 1994. This flap is thin, easy to dissect and has the possibility to be innervated through the posterior cutaneous nerve of the arm. Fourteen cases are presented. The drawbacks of this flap are the loss of sensibility in the forearm (partially transient) and the scar on the arm, which can be rather unsightly in young ladies and when big flaps are harvested skin graft is needed.     

The usefulness of the bilobed flap for lateral cheek defects

The cheek and nose are common areas for skin cancers. There are multiple approaches to surgical excision and reconstruction, depending on the size of defect, tissue quality, adjacent cosmetic units and hairline. An effective solution to skin defects of the lateral cheek is the bilobed flap. This flap tends to be underused in the lateral cheek area because primary closure and skin grafts are perceived to be easier methods of reconstruction. However, the use of the bilobed flap for lateral cheek and other defect closures is encouraged. There are several basic principles that are key when performing this flap. These components of the procedure are highlighted.     

Tensor Facia Lata-iliac crest osteocutaneous flap for orbitomaxillary reconstruction: A preliminary report

Tensor Fascia Lata muscle and musculocutaneous flap has been used in the past for reconstruction of trunk defects and also as a free flap for soft tissue reconstruction elsewhere in the body. Transferring the iliac crest along with the muscle as a free flap has been described earlier, reported for bridging calcaneal defect and small mandibular defects. The use of this flap as a source of free vascularised bone has not been widely practised since these initial few reports. Anatomical studies were carried out to assess the feasibility of using this flap for reconstructing maxillary and other head and neck defects, following which it was successfully used for these indications. The preliminary report describes the flap anatomy, method of harvest and its potential uses in head and neck reconstruction.     

Breast Reconstruction Following Mastectomy; Patient’s Satisfaction

Breast cancer remains one of the most common malignancies in women and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Despite the current emphasis on breast conservation, mastectomy rates remain at 30%. Mastectomy is often associated with significant psychological sequelae including distorted body image and sexual dysfunction. Breast restoration is assumed to allow a full emotional and physical recovery from a breast cancer crisis. The methods of reconstructive surgery currently practised comprise flap reconstruction, implant reconstruction and a combination of these procedures. The most commonly used flaps are transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM), deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP), latissimus dorsi (LD), gluteal artery perforator (GAP). Autogenous tissue gives the best results, and currently the best technique in most women is probably the free DIEP flap. The lower abdominal tissue can mimic the breast to a high degree.     

The indications and outcomes in the use of osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap

INTRODUCTION: Whether secondary to cancer surgery ablation or trauma, surgeons are faced with defects of the mandible or maxilla that would be best reconstructed with a thin, pliable soft tissue component and vascularized bone. A subset of these challenging wounds do not require the bicortical bone necessary to reestablish structural integrity or to retain a dental prosthesis, because the soft tissue needs are more critical than the bony needs. It is this niche that the radial forearm osteofaciocutaneous free flap (RFOFF) fulfills well. In the past, potential and real donor site morbidity has precluded the routine use of this flap. New methods to reduce this morbidity have rekindled our use of this flap. PROCEDURES USED: A retrospective review of patients with defects of the mandible or maxilla treated with the RFOFF from July 1, 1997, to December 31, 2000, was performed. After flap harvest, the donor site was rigidly fixated. A skin graft was placed, and a volar splint was applied for 7 days. The arm was then fully mobilized. Parameters examined were defect location, donor site complications, flap survival, fistula occurrence, plate fracture, and/or extrusion. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were reconstructed with the RFOFF with a follow-up of 10-54 months. Seven patients had an anterior maxillectomy defect, and 27 patients had a lateral mandibulectomy defect with associated tongue/tonsillar fossa and/or palate defect. There were no cases of flap failure or donor site radius fracture. During the follow-up period, there were no plate fractures or intraoral exposures as evidenced by clinical and radiographic evaluation. Fistulas occurred in five patients; all healed without surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: With rigid fixation of the residual radius, donor site morbidity has been minimized, and indications for this flap have expanded. Specifically the anterior maxillary arch and the ascending ramus, angle, and posterior body of the mandible (nontooth-bearing areas) are the sites most amenable to the thin bony stock of the harvested radius. The pliable forearm skin is ideal for the soft tissue defects. We believe that the RFOFF with bone has a definite role in the reconstruction of select head and neck defects.     

One real advantage of the distally based posterior interosseous island flap

This paper describes and discusses some clinical applications of the posterior interosseous forearm flap in hand reconstruction, including the fact that damage to the radial artery or palmar arches was present. This vascular advantage is illustrated in three clinical cases of hand trauma where a positive Allen test was present. Another real advantage is the availability of the normal venous and arterial flow patterns of the radial vessels as receptor vessels for later free tissue transfer. This point is also illustrated in one clinical case of thumb reconstruction by a second toe transfer.     

Extension of flaps associated with burn scar reconstruction: A key difference between island and skin-pedicled flaps

Objective

The choice between local flap designs for burn reconstruction is largely shaped by aesthetic, vascularity, procedural complexity, and wound-closure considerations. However, another key consideration is how well specific local flap designs release post-burn scar contractures. This is because constant tension on wound edges can generate pathological scarring. However, the ability of specific local flap to release post-burn scar contractures is poorly understood. This question was addressed by this study of patients who underwent local flap surgery to release post-burn scar contractures.

Neophalloplasty using a rectus abdominis muscle flap and a radial forearm free flap

Summary A method for construction of a neopenis in female-to-male transsexual patients is described. The method consisted of inferior transposition of a rectus abdominis island muscle flap with resurfacing using a radial forearm free flap. Excellent internal support and a natural looking appearance was achieved. This technique was considered to be better than any other previously used method of neophalloplasty.