Breast reconstruction by the free transverse gracilis (TUG) flap.

The transverse upper gracilis (TUG) flap is a free musculocutaneous (type II) flap consisting of a segment of the proximal gracilis muscle and a 25x10 cm skin paddle oriented transversely.The vascular pedicle of the TUG flap is the ascending branch of the medial circumflex femoral artery with two venae comitantes. The pedicle length is 6 cm and the diameter of the artery is 1.6 mm.In the year 2002, seven patients had breast reconstruction by the free TUG flap. There were three primary and four secondary reconstructions. Five flaps totally survived, two flaps were lost (in the same patient).TUG flap is indicated in women who seek primary autologous reconstruction after a skin sparing mastectomy, have small or moderately large breasts, do not accept scars on the abdomen, back or gluteal region, who are large in hips and thighs and want a thigh lift. The vascular pedicle although short, permits easy anastomosis of matching vessel diameters to the internal mammary vessels. The main possible complication, other than thrombosis at the anastomosis, is wound dehiscence on the thigh with secondary wound healing. This can happen when the flap is wider than 10 cm.     

游离皮瓣修复下肢缺损时受区血管的选择

目的探讨游离皮瓣修复下肢缺损时受区血管的选择。方法采用游离皮瓣移植修复下肢缺损共29例,其中膝部创面3例,小腿10例,足、踝部15例,膝下至足背严重撕脱1例;背阔肌瓣移植16例,股前外侧瓣8例,肩胛皮瓣4例,腹直肌瓣1例。用作受区的血管有旋股外侧血管(2例)、膝降血管(1例)、胫前血管(11例)、胫后血管(10例)、腓血管(2例)、足背血管(1例)和腓肠肌内、外侧血管(各1例)。结果术后3例发生血管危象,行血管探查后,2例解除危象、移植组织成活,1例失败。23例患者平均随访13(6~24)个月,下肢均恢复行走功能,除3例皮瓣外形臃肿影响穿鞋而二期行皮瓣修薄术外,其余皮瓣外形基本满意。结论下肢受区血管选择对皮瓣游离移植成功修复相当重要,必要时伤肢腓肠肌内、外侧血管或旋股外侧血管、膝降血管可作受区吻合血管。     

Short interposed pedicle of flow-through anterolateral thigh flap for reliable reconstruction of damaged upper extremity

In microvascular reconstructive surgery, the recipient vessel in free flap transfer is often sacrificed to provide the vascular pedicle anastomosis. As the recipient vessel is likely to be necessary for distal circulation in the damaged upper extremity, preserving its patency is critical. Flow-through anastomosis is one method that preserves the recipient vessel's patency. We present here eight patients who underwent upper-extremity reconstructions with a free flow-through anterolateral thigh flap. The flap's short vascular pedicle was interposed into a division of the radial artery and anastomosed on both sides of the pedicle's T-shaped arterial segment. The flow-through flap has various advantages, not only making it possible to reconstruct both vessels and soft tissues but also preserving recipient vessels and balancing the blood supply or pressure in the flap. In clinical situations that do not require reconstruction of the artery, the short interposed pedicle of the free anterolateral thigh flow-through flap offers a versatile and reliable option for microsurgical reconstruction of defects in the upper extremities.     

Foot and ankle reconstruction: An experience on the use of 14 different flaps in 226 cases

The aim of this report was to present our experience on the use of different flaps for soft tissue reconstruction of the foot and ankle. From 2007 to 2012, the soft tissue defects of traumatic injuries of the foot and ankle were reconstructed using 14 different flaps in 226 cases (162 male and 64 female). There were 62 pedicled flaps and 164 free flaps used in reconstruction. The pedicled flaps included sural flap, saphenous flap, dorsal pedal neurocutaneous flap, pedicled peroneal artery perforator flap, pedicled tibial artery perforator flap, and medial plantar flap. The free flaps were latissimus musculocutaneous flap, anterolateral thigh musculocutaneous flap, groin flap, lateral arm flap, anterolateral thigh perforator flap, peroneal artery perforator flap, thoracdorsal artery perforator flap, medial arm perforator flap. The sensory nerve coaptation was not performed for all of flaps. One hundred and ninety‐four cases were combined with open fractures. One hundred and sixty‐two cases had tendon. Among 164 free flaps, 8 flaps were completely lost, in which the defects were managed by the secondary procedures. Among the 57 flaps for plantar foot coverage (25 pedicled flaps and 32 free flaps), ulcers were developed in 5 pedicled flaps and 6 free flaps after weight bearing, and infection was found in 14 flaps. The donor site complications were seen in 3 cases with the free anterolateral thigh perforator flap transfer. All of limbs were preserved and the patients regained walking and daily activities. All of patients except for one regained protective sensation from 3 to 12 months postoperatively. Our experience showed that the sural flap and saphenous flap could be good options for the coverage of the defects at malleolus, dorsal hindfoot and midfoot. Plantar foot, forefoot and large size defects could be reconstructed with free anterolateral thigh perforator flap. For the infected wounds with dead spce, the free latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap remained to be the optimal choice. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 33:600–604, 2013.     

双侧游离股后内侧穿支皮瓣再造一侧乳房

目的探讨双侧游离股后内侧穿支皮瓣再造一侧乳房的可行性。方法回顾性分析2018年10月至2019年6月湖南省肿瘤医院肿瘤整形外科收治的6例女性早期乳腺癌患者的临床资料。患者年龄31~47岁。肿瘤均为单侧,左侧3例,右侧3例;浸润性导管癌3例,浸润性小叶癌3例。对6例乳腺癌患者行一期或二期双侧游离股后内侧穿支皮瓣移植再造乳房。一期再造3例,乳腺肿块直径2.5~4.0 cm;二期再造3例。术后对皮瓣和供区的情况进行随访观察。结果6例患者手术过程顺利,切取皮瓣长(24.4±0.5)cm、宽(8.3±0.5)cm、厚(3.4±0.5)cm,血管蒂长度为(8.9±0.4)cm,动脉管径为(1.5±0.4)mm,静脉管径为(1.9±0.3)mm。皮瓣平均质量为235 g(165~345 g)。1例皮瓣供区术后1周出现淋巴漏,经持续负压吸引于2周后自行愈合。6例获5~8个月随访,平均5.5个月,所有皮瓣均成活,再造乳房外形可,弹性好,无皮瓣挛缩变形,供区仅遗留线性瘢痕,无下肢功能影响。6例效果均较满意,未发现乳腺癌复发。结论应用双侧游离股后内侧皮瓣移植再造一侧乳房效果较好,方法可行,可作为特殊情况下乳房再造的备选手术方案。     

Latissimus dorsi flap coverage of soft tissue defect following below-knee amputation: emphasis on flap design and recipient vessels

High-energy trauma to the lower extremity often results in amputation of the limb. For maximal preservation of limb length during amputation, free tissue transfer is often necessary. In this study, we report our experience of stump coverage using latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flaps with an emphasis on flap design and recipient vessels. Between January 2005 and September 2010, twelve patients with severe traumatic injuries to the lower leg underwent below-knee amputations with stump coverage using latissimus dorsi free flaps. The primary and secondary cases were approached differently regarding the flap design and recipient vessels. All flaps survived completely. There were 8 primary cases and 4 secondary cases. In the primary cases, the anterior tibial artery was used as the recipient vessel in 6 cases, and in 2 cases, the descending geniculate artery was used. In the secondary cases, the descending geniculate artery was used in all cases. There were two cases of ulceration on the grafted non-weight-bearing site, but after the usage of collagen–elastin artificial dermis, no ulcerations were seen. The latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap is the most feasible option for coverage of amputation stumps. In flap design, the width of the skin paddle must match the anteroposterior diameter of the defect at the stump. The latissimus dorsi muscle must sufficiently wrap the bony stump for padding. We recommend using the anterior tibial artery as a recipient vessel in primary cases, and the descending geniculate artery in secondary cases.     

Flow‐through omental flap to free anterolateral thigh flap for complex chest wall reconstruction: Case report and review of the literature

Despite the options currently available for chest wall reconstruction, patients with complex composite defects may still pose a significant challenge for the reconstructive surgeon when only using conventional methods. In particular, prior radiotherapy and/or large en bloc resection may leave inadequate regional flaps and recipient vessels for free tissue transfer. Here, we describe a case in which we reconstruct a 14 cm × 18 cm complex chest wall defect, secondary to tumor resection and infected sternum debridement, with a pedicled flow‐through omental flap to a 14 cm × 22 cm free anterolateral thigh flap using the omental gastroepiploic vessels as recipient vessels. Reconstruction was successful with excellent flap viability, and no complications at recipient or donor sites. We review the literature on complex chest wall reconstruction and introduce this valuable option of utilizing a pedicled omental flap as a flow‐through flap to a free flap for patients without viable recipient vessels or local flaps. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:70–76, 2016.     

Modification of pedicle lengthening through perforator transposition in free anterolateral thigh flaps with pedicle size discrepancy: A case report

In spite of thorough presurgical planning, emergency situations requiring longer pedicle length may arise during anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap surgeries. While performing vessel graft for pedicle lengthening, discrepancy may occur because of a certain genetic predisposition or vascular variation at the anastomosis site of the graft vessel and the flap pedicle. A 76‐year‐old male patient with neurofibromatosis type I had a 15 x 10 cm defect, which was caused by radical excision of a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor on his back. A 15 x 10 cm sized free ALT flap was obtained. The distance between the recipient vessels and the defect area was 20 cm. The diameters of vessels in the harvested flap were as follows: proximal end of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA)—artery/vein: 3.0/2.5 mm, distal end of the descending branch of the LCFA—artery/vein: 1.0/1.0 mm, and perforator in the ALT flap—artery/vein: 0.8/1.0 mm. The conventional method requires transfer of the distal portion of the LCFA (below the bifurcation) which mandates us to perform anastomoses with a vessel diameter discrepancy of 2 mm. As an alternative, a bifurcating perforator‐including flap was transposed to the most distal part of the descending branch of the LCFA. An ALT flap with a pedicle having a total length of 20 cm was constructed. The flap survived without any complications. This technique may provide an option for resolving size discrepancy between the graft vessel and the ALT pedicle.     

Head and neck reconstruction using cephalic vein transposition in the vessel‐depleted neck

In microvascular reconstructive surgery the patency of the recipient vessels is the key to successful outcome. In head and neck surgery there is often a lack of adequate recipient vessels as a result of chemoradiation therapy and ablative surgery. To overcome this it is crucial to identify vessels of adequate length and diameter outside the field of injury. We report our experience with cephalic vein transposition for drainage of seven free flaps—six intestinal and one osteocutaneous—for head and neck reconstruction. In five cases the cephalic vein was used during the free flap transfer and in two cases in salvage re‐exploration surgery. All flaps survived completely. The anatomical course and location of the cephalic vein allow good patency and straightforward harvesting. Its vascular properties are predictive of reduced incidence of complications such as flap congestion and failure. We suggest that the cephalic vein offers a high venous flow drainage system for large free flaps and advocate its use in free intestinal transfer in the vessel‐depleted neck as well as in re‐exploration surgery. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 2009.     

吻合血管的游离组织瓣修复进行性单侧面萎缩症

目的用游离的股前外侧筋膜脂肪瓣充填修复进行性单侧面萎缩症。方法设计以旋股外侧动脉降支为血管蒂的游离股前外侧筋膜脂肪瓣或旋肩胛血管为血管蒂的肩胛真皮脂肪瓣，切取筋膜脂肪瓣或真皮脂肪瓣后将其转移至面部萎缩处，然后将旋股外侧动脉降支或旋肩胛血管和面动静脉相吻合。结果临床治疗8例，其中应用股前外侧筋膜脂肪瓣7例，肩胛真皮脂肪瓣1例，组织瓣全部成活，矫正的患侧面部形态与健侧基本对称，外形满意。结论游离组织瓣移植，尤其以旋股外侧动脉降支为血管蒂的股前外侧筋膜脂肪瓣能提供足够的组织量，是修复进行性单侧面萎缩症较好的方法。     

Predicting perforator location on preoperative imaging for the profunda artery perforator flap

Introduction: The profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap is a new addition to our reconstructive armamentarium. In effort to better understand patient candidacy for the PAP flap we characterized the profunda artery perforators on preoperative imaging. Methods: A retrospective review was completed of 40 preoperative posterior thigh computed tomography angiographies and magnetic resonance angiographies by four plastic surgeons. The positioning of the patient, type of study, number of perforators, and size of perforators were documented. The location was documented on an x–y‐axis. Perforator course and surrounding musculature was documented. Results: In 98.8% of posterior thighs suitable profunda artery perforators were identified. The average number and size of perforators was 3.3 and 1.9 mm. The most common perforator was medial (present in 85.6% of thighs); found near the adductor magnus at 3.8 cm from midline and 5.0 cm below the gluteal fold. The second most common perforator was lateral (present in 65.4% of thighs); found near the biceps femoris and vastus lateralis at 12.0 cm from midline and 5.0 cm below the gluteal fold. Nearly 48.3% were purely septocutaneous. And 51.7% had an intramuscular course (average length 5.7 cm). Preoperative imaging corresponded to suitable perforators at the time of dissection of all PAP flaps. Thirty five PAP flaps (18 patients) were performed with 100% flap survival. Conclusion: Analysis of preoperative posterior thigh imaging confirms our intraoperative findings that a considerable number of suitable posterior thigh profunda perforators are present, emerge from the fascia in a common pattern, and are of sufficient caliber to provide adequate flap perfusion and recipient vessel size match. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.     

Anterolateral thigh flap pedicle for interposition artery and vein grafts in head and neck reconstruction: a case report

The selection of receiving vessels is one of the most critical steps in ensuring a successful outcome in microvascular surgery. The use of interposition grafts in microsurgery offers the surgeon valuable options when the free flaps vascular pedicles are too short to be anastomosed directly to the recipient vessels. Here, we present a case in which artery and vein grafts were used in microsurgical reconstruction of an anterior maxillary defect with an iliac free flap. As donor vessels, we used the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery and one of the two venae commitantes. The flap survived without major or minor complications. The anterolateral thigh flap pedicle allowed us to harvest safe, reliable grafts easily, with a suitable vessel length and diameter.     

Der freie Musculus-gracilis-Lappen zur Weichteildefektdeckung

OBJECTIVE: Coverage of soft-tissue defects of various sizes by an easy-to-do and reliable free muscle/myocutaneous flap. INDICATIONS: Soft-tissue defects of a size up to 10 x 22 cm. Functional muscle transfer, e.g., biceps muscle replacement. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Poor soft-tissue conditions or lesions on both thighs. No recipient vessels. Inadequate personnel and/or technical resources. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Approach via a longitudinal medial incision or via the thigh flexion fold. The flap can be designed with or without a skin island. After mobilization from its tendinous part up to its origin, the vascular pedicle is prepared until its origin from the deep femoral artery. After harvesting, transfer is performed by anastomosing and shaping, eventually followed by split-thickness skin grafting. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Clinical controls and measurement of partial oxygen concentration until day 10. Immobilization for 10 days, if the recipient site is close to a joint. Thrombosis prophylaxis. RESULTS: During the past 10 years, 254 free gracilis flaps were transplanted. Total flap loss rate was 4.3%, whereas reoperation due to hematoma or partial flap loss was necessary in 13.0%.     

双叶股前外侧穿支皮瓣修复足部复杂软组织缺损

目的 探讨双叶股前外侧穿支皮瓣修复足部复杂软组织缺损的临床效果.方法 回顾自2014年9月至2019年8月,沈阳医学院附属中心医院手外四科应用双叶股前外侧穿支皮瓣修复足部复杂软组织缺损11例患者的临床资料.切取股前外侧皮瓣面积14 cm×6 cm～18 cm×8 cm,分叶皮瓣面积7 cm×5 cm～11 cm×8 c...     

组合组织瓣移植在小腿毁损伤保肢治疗中的应用

目的总结组合组织瓣移植在小腿毁损伤保肢治疗中的经验。方法对7例创伤性小腿毁损伤患者在全身情况稳定下,经过彻底清创、固定骨折、控制创腔感染后,应用相应肌皮瓣或皮瓣组合移植,修复肢体大面积组织缺损。其中两块股前外侧肌皮瓣组合移植4例,股前外侧肌皮瓣与胸脐皮瓣组合移植2例,股前外侧肌皮瓣与远端蒂腓肠神经营养血管肌皮瓣组合移植1例。单块组织瓣面积最大为27cm×13cm,最小12cm×7cm。3例为旋股外侧血管降支与受区IAL管吻合,4例因受区无合适可供吻合的血管而选择健侧胫后血管行桥式交叉吻合移植。结果7例手术均获成功,严重组织缺损得以重建修复,毁损肢体得以挽救。随访9个月～11年,患者生活可以自理,社会生活正常。结论应用组合组织瓣移植修复重建肢体创伤后毁损伤,是挽救肢体有效的方法。     

胫后动脉穿支联合隐神经营养血管筋膜蒂皮瓣修复足底内侧创面

目的探讨用胫后动脉穿支联合隐神经营养血管筋膜蒂皮瓣二期修复足底内侧创面的手术技术和临床疗效。方法2016年1月至2018年12月,采用胫后动脉穿支联合隐神经营养血管筋膜蒂皮瓣修复足部内侧软组织缺损创面共13例,其中男9例,女4例,年龄23~69岁,平均36.9岁。损伤缺损位置均位于足底内侧跖跗关节附近,软组织缺损面积为4.5 cm×5.0 cm^8.0 cm×14.0 cm,皮瓣供区直接拉拢缝合或取同侧大腿全厚皮片游离植皮部分修复。所有患者术后采用门诊及电话定期随访。定期随访,观察患肢功能、皮瓣供区及受区愈合情况。结果13例皮瓣顺利成活;1例远端出现小面积坏死,部分拆线减压,经换药后愈合;1例出现皮瓣瘀紫及张力性水泡,手术探查、去除局部血肿、蒂部拆线减压后皮瓣成活;1例患者术后8个月予以皮瓣削薄整形。本组患者术后均获6~12个月随访,皮瓣颜色、温度、毛细血管反应正常,皮瓣质地柔软,外形不臃肿,患足行走无明显受限,功能恢复基本满意。结论胫后动脉穿支皮瓣携带隐神经和大隐静脉可使皮瓣成活更可靠,血运更理想,将皮瓣所携带的隐神经与受区皮神经缝接,可以重建皮瓣的保护性感觉,是临床修复足底内侧创面的一种有效方法。     

The transverse upper gracilis flap for breast reconstruction following liposuction of the thigh

A particular flap with rising prominence in breast reconstruction is the transverse upper gracilis (TUG) flap. With the increasing prevalence of patients opting for various forms of elective liposuctions, breast reconstruction with flaps has necessitated a more meticulous yet perhaps more flexible screening for potential donor sites. We present a case of a bilateral breast reconstruction using TUG flaps in a patient with a previous history of liposuction to her abdomen and thighs. The dimensions of the TUG flaps were 7 × 31 cm². The patient did not undergo any flap or donor site complications. We speculate that perhaps much of the tissue and muscle in the medial thigh region is more robust than previously thought and that there is high potential for neo‐vascularization in the thigh region following a liposuction. Accordingly, we advocate the effective use of the TUG flap for breast reconstruction in spite of previous liposuctions to the thighs. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010.     

Utility of arteriovenous loops before free tissue transfer for post-traumatic leg defects

Crush injuries of severe magnitude involving lower limbs require complex bone and soft tissue reconstructions in the form of microvascular free tissue transfers. However, satisfactory recipient vessels are often unavailable in the leg due to their vulnerability to trauma and post traumatic vessel disease (PTVD), which extends well beyond the site of original injury. In such situations, healthy recipient vessels for free flap anastomosis can be made available by constructing temporary arteriovenous loops with saphenous vein grafts, anastomosed to corresponding free flap vessels. Our study included 7 patients with severe crush injuries of leg due to rail and road traffic accidents. Long and short saphenous vein grafts were anastomosed to Femoral artery in the subsartorial canal in 2 cases and to large muscular branches and accompanying veins in rest of the cases. Free flap transfers were performed in the same sitting in 6 cases. One case showed insufficient dilatation of the vein loop and hence free flap transfer was staged. Free Latissimus dorsi, Gracilis and Rectus abdominis flaps were performed. There were two cases of flap necrosis – one in the case of a pathologic vein graft with staged flap transfer which showed vein thrombosis on re exploration. The other case of flap failure was caused by a hematoma underneath the flap. In another patient, secondary haemorrhage occurred on day 18, without any consequence to the flap. All the other cases had complete free flap survival. We consider the use of single stage arteriovenous loops, a valuable tool to increase the applications of free flap, whenever healthy recipient vessels are not available in the periphery of the trauma.KEY WORDS: Arteriovenous loops, staged free flaps, vein grafts     

Lateral thoracic artery as recipient vessel for head and neck free flap reconstruction in the vessel depleted neck: A case report

Vessel depleted necks present a challenge to identifying suitable recipient vessels for microvascular head and neck reconstruction. Many alternative recipient vessels have been described. The purpose of this report is to describe the feasibility of using the lateral thoracic artery as a recipient vessel for head and neck free flap reconstruction in vessel depleted necks. In this report we describe surgery for a 62 year old male with osteoradionecrosis of the right mandibular body in which we performed right segmental mandibulectomy with free fibular flap reconstruction in a vessel depleted neck. We used the lateral thoracic artery which was ~10 cm in length. It provided good reach to the neck, proper blood flow, and acceptable vessel diameter of ~1.5 mm at 6 cm above the clavicle. The patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course and the flap was viable and well healed at 2 months follow‐up. The lateral thoracic artery could be considered as one of the options for recipient vessels for microvascular reconstruction in patients with vessel depleted necks.     

Reconstruction of a large full‐thickness abdominal wall defect with flow‐through‐based alt flaps: A case report

An extensive 35 × 20 cm sized full‐thickness abdominal wall defect was created after resection of aggressive abdominal fibromatosis in a 19‐year‐old male patient. Immediate reconstruction was not possible due to prolonged operation time and resulting severe bowel edema. A silicone sheet with NPWT was applied over the exposed viscera. After 1 week, silicone sheet was substituted with a composite mesh. Then, abdominal wall reconstruction with bilateral free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps (30 × 12 cm and 25 × 12 cm sized) was performed. Since there was only a single reliable recipient vessel available, we linked 2 ALT free flaps sequentially in a flow‐through fashion to the left inferior epigastric artery and vein. Two donor sites were closed primarily. The flap fully survived and the defect was covered successfully without any complication for 11 months of follow up. Multiple flaps may be needed for large full‐thickness abdominal wall defect coverage. Linked fasciocutaneous free flaps could be a solution with a less donor site morbidity even in the case of limited available recipient vessels. The purpose of this study is to introduce our experience of extensive full‐thickness abdominal wall reconstruction using only ipsilateral deep inferior epigastric vessels.