PRIMARY RECONSTRUCTION AFTER EXTENSIVE CHEST WALL RESECTION

Background : Chest wall resection and reconstruction has been proven to be a safe surgical procedure. This is particularly useful for breast cancer patients with chest wall recurrences or for those who first present with locally advanced cancer in the chest wall where there is both a large soft tissue and bony defect that need repair. In addition, many of these patients have had irradiation or chemotherapy, which can significantly impair wound healing. Methods : Thirty-four patients underwent chest wall resection and primary reconstruction over an 8-year period. Results : Twenty-three patients had breast carcinomas and six had breast and chest wall sarcomas. Of the breast carcinoma patients, 12 had local recurrences and 11 presented with locally advanced primary disease. Bony resection of the chest wall was required in 16 (47%) cases. Thirty myocutaneous flaps (18 rectus abdominis, four pectoralis major, eight latissimus dorsi) and three omental flaps were used for reconstruction. One required a deltovertebral skin flap. Skeletal reconstruction was necessary in four cases. All except one (97%) achieved primary wound healing. There was one mortality (3%) and three patients required further surgery for complications that were related to the reconstruction. Post-resection metastases occurred in 13 (42%) patients and only 2 (6%) had local recurrences. The 2-year survival rate was 78% with a mean survival time of 25.5 months. Conclusions : Primary reconstruction for curative or palliative purposes is a useful and safe surgical procedure for patients with recurrent or locally advanced chest malignancies after extensive chest wall resection. Pedicled myocutaneous flap is the preferred option for skeletal and soft-tissue coverage.     

Clinical studies on reconstruction procedure of total layer chest wall resection

The results of clinical studies on 16 reconstruction procedure after total layer chest wall resection in 14 cases of malignant tumor of the chest wall were reported. The 14 cases consisted of two cases with recurrent primary chest wall tumor, two cases of primary breast cancer, seven cases of recurrent breast cancer, and others. The reconstruction procedure after total layer chest wall resection was conducted using only various myocutaneous flaps (eight cases using latissimus dorsi of the resected side, three cases using the abdominitis of the resected side, three cases using latissimus dorsi of the non-resected side, and two cases using a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap of the non-resected side). reconstruction only using a myocutaneous flap proved to be satisfactory for preventing early stage postoperative respiratory distress and maintaining the stability of the chest wall and respiratory function during prolonged observation. Namely, use of myocutaneous flap is the best approach of reconstruction the chest wall after total layer chest wall resection. We confirmed that reconstruction with latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap of the non-resected side with microvascular anastomosis of thoracodorsal vessels was useful for posterior chest wall tumors invading the latissimus dorsi muscle. Also, our results demonstrated the insertion of an omental flap under the myocutaneous flap was useful for cases with secondary chest wall infection or vascular damage caused by preoperative high dose irradiation.     

足跟皮肤软组织缺损的皮瓣修复

目的介绍应用多种皮瓣修复足跟皮肤软组织缺损的经验。方法1993年8月-2007年4月治疗242例足跟部皮肤软组织缺损患者。男157例，女85例；年龄27～76岁。病变类型：不稳定瘢痕35例，慢性溃疡46例，鳞状细胞癌57例，恶性黑色素瘤72例，创伤引起的组织缺损32例。创面均位于足跟部，51例伴轻度感染，皮肤软组织缺损范围2cm×2cm～14cm×8cm。患者病程1h～5年。根据创面的部位、皮肤软组织缺损的范围分别选用岛状或游离（肌）皮瓣修复足跟创面，其中足跟外侧皮瓣34例，足背岛状皮瓣15例，足底内侧岛状皮瓣108例，腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣36例，隐神经营养血管皮瓣26例，游离（肌）皮瓣23例。行腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣和隐神经营养血管皮瓣感觉重建13例。切取（肌）皮瓣范围3．0cm×2．5cm～15．0cm×9．0cm。供区采用直接缝合或皮片移植修复。结果术后235例皮瓣全部成活，创面I期愈合；5例皮瓣远端部分表皮坏死，经局部换药后成活；2例切口轻度感染，经局部换药处理后创面II期愈合。供区创面均I期愈合，移植皮片完全成活。217例患者获随访，随访时间1～60个月，皮瓣色泽正常，质地较正常足跟组织柔软、可耐磨、外形轮廓满意；经训练术后6个月基本可正常负重行走，步态正常。118例肿瘤患者获随访，局部均无肿瘤复发，其中22例恶性黑色素瘤患者术后12～26个月发现有远处转移病灶，随访至60个月的32例恶性黑色素瘤患者未发现远处转移病灶。结论应用不同岛状或游离（肌）皮瓣修复足跟部创面，可达到较理想的足跟功能重建和外形重塑效果。     

修复上胸壁巨大肿瘤切除后缺损一例的早期效果

目的应用钛网、重建钢板及背阔肌带蒂肌皮瓣,修复上胸壁乳腺肉瘤样癌切除后巨大缺损1例,观察术后早期效果。方法于2006年2月收治1例56岁女性上胸壁乳腺肉瘤样癌患者,行肿瘤切除后缺损约20cm×15cm,钛网覆盖胸壁缺损,重建钢板连接双侧锁骨残端,右侧背阔肌带蒂肌皮瓣约20cm×15cm移位修复软组织缺损。结果患者术后3d脱呼吸机,反常呼吸较明显。2周皮瓣血运稳定后,用胸带固定胸廓,反常呼吸渐消失,皮瓣血供良好。复查胸片,钛网及重建钢板位置良好。术后1个月转入肿瘤科化疗。随访3个月,局部及全身无不适;双肩活动度前屈90°,外展90°;肿瘤未见复发。结论胸壁巨大缺损重建时应选择质地较硬的材料,重建钢板维持双侧锁骨的解剖位置,肩关节功能恢复好,背阔肌带蒂肌皮瓣可适当扩大切取。     

One-stage repair of the anterior abdominal wall using bilateral rectus femoris myocutaneous flaps

Total lower abdominal wall resection was required to remove a recurrent exophytic bladder carcinoma in a 36-year-old woman. The resulting 25 x 30-cm fascial defect was repaired with Marlex mesh. Bilateral rectus femoris myocutaneous flaps were rotated to close the 25 x 18-cm area of skin deficiency. These provided the advantages of robust cover of the lower abdominal wall in a single-stage procedure and primary closure of the donor sites.     

Reverse-flow latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap in a multi-step approach for complex back defect reconstruction: A case report

Reconstruction of complex back defects is challenging for reconstructive surgeons, as it should preserve function, provide adequate coverage, and minimize morbidity. We present a case of multiple-step reconstruction after resection of a large squamous cell carcinoma recurrence in a 68-year-old man, with local perforator flaps and a reverse-flow latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. After radical excision, four propeller perforator flaps were harvested to cover a 30 × 25 cm defect, based on the dorsal branch of the fifth posterior intercostal arteries (right 20 × 9 cm, left 17 × 9 cm) and on the superior gluteal arteries (right 20 × 11 cm, left 21 × 12 cm) bilaterally. In the second step, bilateral propeller perforator flaps based on the fourth lumbar arteries (right 18 × 13 cm, left 23 × 11 cm) were transposed to cover the residual loss of tissues. After 5 months, a recurrence occurred on the left midback. A wide en bloc excision of the last three ribs and pulmonary pleura was performed, and the synthetic mesh used for thoracic wall reconstruction was covered with an ipsilateral 20 × 10 cm reverse-flow latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap based on the serratus anterior branch. All the flaps healed uneventfully and there were no donor-site complications. Two years postoperatively, the patient had a cosmetically acceptable result without any functional impairment. The reverse-flow latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap can represent a salvage procedure in back complex defects reconstruction, especially when other local flaps have already been harvested in previous reconstructive procedures.     

Reconstruction of the chest wall after full thickness resection: a comparison between myocutaneous flap and acrylic resin plate as reconstructive techniques

Thirty-three patients with chest wall malignancies underwent full thickness resection of the chest wall and immediate reconstruction of the defects with either synthetic materials (acrylic resin plate, 16 patients) or with myocutaneous flaps (rectus abdominis flaps, 17 patients). Although the acrylic resin plate proved to be excellent for maintaining stability of the chest wall, five patients suffered from local skin necrosis, requiring skin grafting, and four suffered from persistent foreign body reactions, necessitating ultimate removal of the plate. The patients receiving myocutaneous flap repair had excellent wound healing, acceptable rigidity of their chest wall, and no foreign body reactions throughout the follow-up period. The 50% post-operative survival time for the entire series was 29 months, suggesting that the procedure in an effective treatment modality for breast cancer involving the chest wall. Reconstruction with a myocutaneous flap is indicated as long as the chest wall defect is not too extensive.     

Use of pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap to reconstruct the upper limb with large soft tissue defects

ObjectiveTo report the technique of reconstruction of large skin and soft tissue defects in the upper extremity using pedicled latissimus dorsi myocu-taneous flaps.MethodsSix patients with large skin and soft tissue defects were included in this report. There were 5 trauma patients and the rest one needed to receive plastic surgery for his extremity scar. All wounds were in the upper extremity. The sizes of defects ranged from 15 cmx6 cm to 30 cmx18 cm. Pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps were designed according to the defect area and raised with part of latissi-mus dorsi. The thoracodorsal artery and its perforators were carefully protected during surgery.ResultsAll flaps healed primarily without flap congestion, margin necrosis or infection. The skin donor sites either received split-thickness skin graft (3 cases, mostly from the anterior thigh) or was closed primarily (3 cases) and had minimal morbidity. Follow-up of 6-12 months showed that the contour of flap was aesthetic and the function of limb was excellent.ConclusionOur experience indicates that the pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap is favorable for reconstruction of large skin and soft tissue defects in the upper extremity.     

胫骨大范围裸露的显微外科技术修复

目的 研究胫骨大范围裸露修复的最佳方法。方法 对３２２例患者，采用游离皮瓣移植术对侧胫后血管皮支为蒂的皮瓣逆行移转术，对侧胫后血管桥接游离皮瓣移值术修复。结果 ３２２例胫骨裸露范围为１２ｃｍ×３ｃｍ￣２４．０ｃｍ×３．５ｃｍ，用皮（肌）瓣覆盖胫骨均获成活，皮瓣与创缘有３００例Ｉ期愈合，２２例延期愈合，随访１￣５年，下肢功能均改善，无一例因胫骨失去皮肤覆盖而截肢，患者满意。结论 带部分腹直肌的胸脐皮     

Surgical management and reconstruction of extensive chest wall malignancies

Seven patients aged 8 to 77 years underwent massive resection for chest wall malignancies. Two had chondrosarcoma, one recurrent breast cancer, one malignant hemangioepithelioma, one embryonal cell sarcoma, one metastatic osteogenic sarcoma, and one lymphangiosarcoma. The smallest surgical defect was 17 by 19 cm, the largest 35 by 45 cm. Closure was done with Marlex mesh, full-thickness muscle flaps, or free island pectoralis or latissimus dorsi flaps. The rotation of myocutaneous island flaps (bilateral in two patients) greatly facilitated reconstruction. No infection, pulmonary compromise, or operative morbidity or mortality was encountered. The age of the patients and the location or size of the lesions were not significant factors. Designing a surgical strategy which provides adequate full-thickness margins and immediate reconstruction is critically important. Massive chest wall resection for malignancy should be pursued aggressively whenever these lesions are encountered. The operations can be performed safely and can be curative, and the benefits to patients in terms of comfort and prolonged survival justify this extensive surgery.     

颈部带蒂组织瓣修复口腔颌面部肿瘤切除术后软组织缺损

目的介绍4种颈部带蒂组织瓣修复口腔颌面部肿瘤切除术后软组织缺损的方法。方法1982年1月~2003年12月,172例口腔颌面部肿瘤,其中口腔黏膜鳞癌165例,唾液腺癌7例。I期21例,Ⅱ期116例,Ⅲ期35例。病变主要部位:舌59例、颊黏膜55例、下颌牙龈26例、口底25例、腮腺4例及口咽区3例。肿瘤切除术与颈淋巴结清扫术后,应用颈阔肌皮瓣修复45例,胸锁乳突肌皮瓣修复59例,舌骨下肌皮瓣修复60例,颏下岛状瓣修复8例;切取肌皮瓣皮岛范围2.5 cm×5.0 cm~5.0 cm×8.0 cm。结果术后153例皮瓣全部成活,其中舌骨下肌皮瓣55例,颈阔肌皮瓣40例,胸锁乳突肌皮瓣52例,颏下岛状瓣6例;完全坏死11例,部分(皮岛1/4~1/2)坏死8例。4种皮瓣成功率分别为91.67%、88.89%、88.14%和75%。101例获随访3~11年,平均5.7年,原位复发18例,颈部复发4例,远处转移2例;3年生存84例,占83.17%。结论颈部带蒂组织瓣适用于修复口腔颌面部肿瘤切除后中小型软组织缺损。     

Microvascular reconstructions of full-thickness oncological chest wall defects

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the suitability of microvascular flaps for the reconstruction of extensive full-thickness defects of the chest wall. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Chest wall defects are conventionally reconstructed with pedicular musculocutaneous flaps or the omentum. Sometimes, however, these flaps have already been used, are not reliable due to previous operations or radiotherapy, or are of inadequate size. In such cases, microvascular flaps offer the only option for reconstruction. METHODS: From 1988 to 2001, 26 patients with full-thickness resections of the chest wall underwent reconstruction with microvascular flaps. There were 8 soft tissue sarcomas, 8 recurrent breast cancers, 5 chondrosarcomas, 2 desmoid tumors, 1 large cell pulmonary cancer metastasis, 1 renal cancer metastasis, and 1 bronchopleural fistula. The surgery comprised 5 extended forequarter amputations, 5 lateral resections, 8 thoracoabdominal resections, and 8 sternal resections. The mean diameter of a resection was 28 cm. The soft tissue defect was reconstructed with 16 tensor fasciae latae, 5 tensor fascia latae combined with rectus femoris, and 3 transversus rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps. In 2 patients with a forequarter amputation, the remnant forearm was used as the osteomusculocutaneous free flap. RESULTS: There were no flap losses or perioperative mortality. Four patients needed tracheostomy owing to prolonged respiratory difficulties. The mean survival time for patients with sarcomas was 39 months and for those with recurrent breast cancer 18 months. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive chest wall resections are possible with acceptable results. In patients with breast cancer, the surgery may offer valuable palliation and in those with sarcomas it can be curative.     

Reconstruction of the Chest Wall

Reconstruction of the chest wall can now be accomplished reliably and expeditiously. Past experience with local flaps and split-thickness skin grafts recommends their continued use when appropriate. Recent studies in blood flow have demonstrated that very large muscles with or without the overlying skin can be moved primarily and reliably. The four most reliable myocutaneous flaps for chest wall reconstruction are described. Microsurgery allows movement of large segments of skin and muscle from expendable areas of the body to the chest wall.     

岛状肌皮瓣在颈胸部难治性创面中的应用

目的介绍岛状肌皮瓣在颈胸部难治性创面中的应用经验。方法1994年8月～2004年12月，收治98例颈胸部难治性创面患者，男42例，女56例；年龄21～68岁。病程3h～13个月。胸前部29例，颈部28例，项部18例，腋下或腋窝部15例，胸侧壁8例。创面范围6cm×4cm～20cm×15cm，其中感染创面27例，骨外露48例，心、肺等胸腔器官外露7例，深部重要血管、神经外露33例。根据创面所在部位、性质及致病因素的不同，采用不同的岛状肌皮瓣修复。其中岛状胸大肌肌皮瓣28例，岛状背阔肌肌皮瓣34例，岛状斜方肌肌皮瓣19例，岛状腹直肌肌皮瓣17例，皮瓣切取范围8cm×6cm-35cm×15cm。结果术后92例创面Ⅰ期愈合，肌皮瓣全部成活；6例肌皮瓣部分坏死，经对症处理后成活。83例获随访2周～5年，皮瓣色泽正常、质地良好，均获得满意功能和外形。结论修复颈项部创面可选用岛状胸大肌肌皮瓣、岛状背阔肌肌皮瓣、岛状斜方肌肌皮瓣；修复胸部创面可选用岛状背阔肌肌皮瓣、岛状腹直肌肌皮瓣；根据创面的具体情况选择适当的岛状肌皮瓣修复颈胸部难治性创面可获得满意功能和外形。     

颈阔肌皮瓣重建下咽癌切除后颈段食管缺损

目的解决下咽癌浸及颈段食管手术后食管缺损的修补。方法采用双侧颈阔肌肌皮瓣重建下咽癌切除后颈段食管缺损１１例。肿瘤均已侵及喉和颈段食管，行全咽、全喉及颈段食管切除，永久性气管造口，于颈部两侧分别切取３．５～４ｃｍ×７～１０ｃｍ大小的颈阔肌肌皮瓣，形成管状，与口底及食管吻合。结果术后肌皮瓣全部成活，无１例死亡，２例发生瘘，均治愈，能正常经口进食。结论用颈阔肌肌皮瓣修补下咽癌切除后造成的食管缺损是一个可取的方法，解决了临床一大难题。     

A resected case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the chest wall

We report a 74-year-old woman with malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), treated successfully by radiation and followed with chest wall resection and reconstruction. The patient suffered from right back pain and her chest X-ray showed a clear round shadow in the middle field of the right lung. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed a 5 x 5 cm tumor in diameter, involving the right 8 rib with destructive changes. After radiation therapy of total 30 Gy to the tumor to obtain the safety surgical margin, we widely resected 10 x 9 cm chest wall with 3 ribs in area under thoracoscopy and performed reconstruction using GORE-TEX Soft Tissue Patch. The pathological and immuno-histochemical diagnosis showed pleomorphic type of MFH. Final result of the tumor negative in surgical margin manifested that our technique of chest wall resection and reconstruction using thoracoscope after the irradiation to the tumor was very safe and useful.     

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.     

应用腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣再造乳房

目的对应用腹壁下动脉穿支(deepinferiorepigastricperforator,DIEP)皮瓣进行乳房再造进结。方法2000年3月~2005年3月,收治18例患者,其中因乳腺癌导致乳房缺损17例,术前行放射治疗者7例放射治疗者10例;先天性Poland’s综合征1例。胸壁缺损范围12cm×8cm~25cm×20cm。应用DIEP皮瓣游离进行乳房再造,皮瓣切取范围12cm×8cm~35cm×22cm。15例乳房再造患者使用的受区血管是胸廓内血管,其中腹壁下动、静脉分别与切断后的胸廓内动、静脉近、远心端行吻合者13例;仅切取一侧腹壁下血管,与胸廓内动、静心端行吻合者2例。3例行即刻乳房再造者使用的受区血管分别是胸背动、静脉和胸背动、静脉加旋肩胛动、静脉。18例患者中16例术后皮瓣全部成活,2例术后出现皮瓣坏死。其中行放射治疗1例,未行放射治疗1例。Poland合征患者术后皮瓣远端约1/3面积坏死。术后半年行乳头再造和乳房修整者2例。2例术后2周出现腹部供瓣区正口部分裂开,行创面清创后,分别应用直接缝合和植皮的方法进行修复。结论DIEP皮瓣在保留了传统下腹部横直肌皮瓣乳房再造所具有的优点同时,可最大限度保留腹直肌的功能,从而避免术后出现腹壁薄弱、腹壁疝等并发目前较理想的乳房再造方式。     

特殊毁损性创面的修复与重建

目的报道特殊毁损性创面的修复与重建.方法1993年1月～2000年12月收治147例患者的毁损性创面175处,其中电烧伤96例,热压伤18例,一氧化碳中毒昏迷、癫痫发作等原因烧伤18例,药物渗漏、创面感染致深部组织坏死6例,放射性烧伤3例,化学烧伤2例,爆炸伤2例,冻伤2例.175处毁损性创面应用局部皮瓣,前臂逆行岛状皮瓣,胸大肌皮瓣,胸三角皮瓣,背阔肌皮瓣,腓肠肌肌皮瓣,胫前、胫后动脉岛状皮瓣等修复.创面缺损范围1cm×1cm～20cm×28cm,皮瓣最大22cm×30cm,最小1.5cm×2.0cm,同时行去细胞异体肌腱移植,修复缺损肌腱7例.结果169个皮瓣全部成活,创面Ⅰ期愈合;6个皮瓣远端小部分坏死,经切除坏死痂皮植皮愈合;7例去细胞异体肌腱移植全部成活.28例经4个月～8年随访,功能、外形均满意.结论根据毁损性创面部位、范围和程度,选择不同类型的皮瓣进行修复和去细胞异体肌腱移植,是恢复功能、改善患者生活质量的理想方法.     

Total aesthetic reconstruction of postburn bilateral breast loss using transverse myocutaneous gracilis free flaps: A case report and literature review

Reconstruction of breast burns are challenging, as it includes both functional and aesthetic components. Transverse myocutaneous gracilis (TMG) flap has been used for postmastectomy breast reconstruction in the absence of abdominal donor site availability. Use of this flap for the breast burns is limited. A 32-year-old female sustained 54% second and third degree burns resulting with bilateral total breast loss. Anterior and posterior thorax, upper and mid abdomen, neck, shoulders, and bilateral upper extremities were also involved. Inner medial thighs had an ample amount of tissue and had never been used as donor sites. The left TMG (28 × 12 cm, 1,413 g) was used for right, and the right TMG (30 × 14 cm, 1,635 g) was used for the left breast, 3 months apart. The contracture on the chest wall was completely excised. Venous anastomosis to the venae commitantes was performed using a 2.5 mm coupler, followed by an end-to-end arterial anastomosis to the internal mammary artery. Flaps were inset in a fashion so that the inferior part became the inframammary fold, and the anterior and posterior wings were joined in the upper pole, creating a conical shape. Minimal wound dehiscence in the postoperative course healed with dressing changes and both flaps survived completely. Nipple reconstruction and areolar tattooing was performed. The patient was very happy with the outcome at seventh year follow-up. TMG may be a valuable option even in bilateral cases of microsurgical autologous free tissue transfer for total aesthetic reconstruction of postburn breast loss.