Intraoperative management to prevent cerebrospinal fluid leakage after microvascular decompression: dural closure with a “plugging muscle” method

Our objective is to present surgical techniques used for the prevention of cerebrospinal fluid leakage after microvascular decompression (MVD). From January 1996 to February 2006, microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm or trigeminal neuralgia was performed in 678 consecutive patients. In order to achieve watertight dural closure, several pieces of muscle were interposed between the dura when the dura was sutured; the dura was stitched with the addition of muscle pieces to plug the dural defect. In cases where the mastoid air cell system was opened, bone wax was used to seal the opened surface of the cavity, and a muscle patch was applied for the secondary sealing. The cranioplasty was performed using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement. Only 2 (0.29%) of 678 patients, who underwent MVD followed by dural closure using several muscle pieces to plug the potential dural defect, suffered from CSF leaks. Both were treated with lumbar subarachnoid drainage; neither patient required a lumbar peritoneal shunt or a revision operation. A watertight dural closure with the addition of muscle pieces in a “plugging” fashion, along with sealing the opened surface of the mastoid cavity using bone wax and cranioplasty using bone cement, provides a simple and effective technique for the prevention of CSF leakage after MVD.     

Intraoperative management to prevent cerebrospinal fluid leakage after microvascular decompression: dural closure with a "plugging muscle" method

Our objective is to present surgical techniques used for the prevention of cerebrospinal fluid leakage after microvascular decompression (MVD). From January 1996 to February 2006, microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm or trigeminal neuralgia was performed in 678 consecutive patients. In order to achieve watertight dural closure, several pieces of muscle were interposed between the dura when the dura was sutured; the dura was stitched with the addition of muscle pieces to plug the dural defect. In cases where the mastoid air cell system was opened, bone wax was used to seal the opened surface of the cavity, and a muscle patch was applied for the secondary sealing. The cranioplasty was performed using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement. Only 2 (0.29%) of 678 patients, who underwent MVD followed by dural closure using several muscle pieces to plug the potential dural defect, suffered from CSF leaks. Both were treated with lumbar subarachnoid drainage; neither patient required a lumbar peritoneal shunt or a revision operation. A watertight dural closure with the addition of muscle pieces in a "plugging" fashion, along with sealing the opened surface of the mastoid cavity using bone wax and cranioplasty using bone cement, provides a simple and effective technique for the prevention of CSF leakage after MVD.     

The parachute design as a new extraperitoneal method of closing a recalcitrant high-output enterocutaneous fistula: report of a case

We introduce a new method for closure of a recalcitrant high-output jejunal enterocutaneous fistula. First, a transposed rectus abdominis muscle is sutured into the fistula opening using a parachuting technique, then the muscle is covered with a skin graft and temporarily immobilized to the fistula wall and abdominal wall with a negative pressure device. This extraperitoneal method provides tension-free closure of the fistula with well-vascularized tissue, without compromising the intestinal lumen. No bowel is resected. This new technique allows for early mobilization and recommencement of enteral nutrition.     

Closure of a tracheocutaneous fistula by two hinged turnover skin flaps and a muscle flap: A case report

INTRODUCTIONTracheocutaneous fistula is a complication of tracheostomy. Tracheocutaneous fistulectomy followed by primary closure carries a high possibility of complications.PRESENTATION OF CASEAn 11-year-old boy underwent surgery to repair a tracheocutaneous fistula, using skin and muscle flaps. A vertical incision was made around the fistula and 3 skin flaps were prepared: 2 hinge flaps, and 1 to cover the skin defect (advanced flap). The 2 hinged turnover flaps were invaginated by multiple layered sutures, and a strap muscle flap was placed over the resulting tracheal closure. An advanced skin flap was used to cover the area of the previous defect. The patient was extubated immediately after surgery. He was discharged on the sixth postoperative day without tracheal leakage or subcutaneous emphysema. The patient is currently doing well, with no respiratory symptoms and no recurrence at the postoperative 5 months.DISCUSSIONOur technique is minimally invasive and has a low risk of lumen stenosis, other complications, or recurrence.CONCLUSIONThis technique demonstrates the multiple-layered closure of a tracheocutaneous fistula, using skin flaps and a muscle flap.     

Vacuum-assisted closure for postcardiac surgery mediastinitis in a patient on hemodialysis

A 66-year-old man on hemodialysis underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. He was discharged in good condition on postoperative day (POD) 16. A high-grade fever and a purulent discharge emerged on POD 30. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was identified by culturing material from the wound. On admission, vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy was applied for 80 days. Finally, good wound healing allowed us to perform simple wound closure without using muscle flaps or omentoplasty. VAC therapy is a useful and safe procedure for postcardiac surgery mediastinitis.     

A novel procedure using a tissue expander for management of persistent alveolar fistula after lobectomy

We treated a patient with postlobectomy persistent alveolar fistula using a tissue expander, which is a prosthesis widely used in plastic surgery. The patient had thoracic empyema develop after right bilobectomy for lung cancer, and consequently underwent drainage of empyema followed by muscle flap closure for alveolar fistula. A residual space remained, and air leak persisted. However, implanting and expanding a tissue expander enabled us to tightly fix the flap on the raw pulmonary surface, which eventually solved the air leak. The tissue expander greatly contributed to muscle flap closure for a persistent alveolar-pleural fistula with a large remaining thoracic space.     

The sandwich design: a new method to close a high-output enterocutaneous fistula and an associated abdominal wall defect

Fistulas draining through large abdominal wall defects are exceptionally difficult to treat and are associated with a very high mortality. This case report describes a new method for closure of these fistulas where prior conservative and surgical treatment had failed. Initial use of a vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system optimized wound care and led to coverage of the exposed intestines with granulation tissue. The serratus muscle of a composite free latissimus dorsi-serratus flap was used to close the fistula, while the large abdominal wall defect was closed with the musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap. Temporary placement of a VAC system between the serratus muscle and the latissimus dorsi muscle immobilized the serratus to the fistula and counteracted changes in abdominal pressure. The layering of muscle, VAC system, and muscle resembles a sandwich. The advantage of the sandwich design is an extraperitoneal approach that provides tension-free closure of the fistula and abdominal wall, with well-vascularized tissue.     

Vacuum-assisted closure in the treatment of poststernotomy mediastinitis

A new technique using vacuum-assisted closure was successfully applied in 3 patients with poststernotomy mediastinitis. After surgical debridement, this vacuum-assisted closure technique has made it possible to avoid the need for secondary surgical closure (including direct secondary surgical closure and secondary surgical closure by use of vascularized muscle flaps). A healed stable sternotomy wound can be achieved using this new technique.     

Vascular occlusion device closure of bronchial stump fistulae: a straightforward approach to manage bronchial stump breakdown

Post lung resection surgery bronchopleural fistula (BPF) continues to be a dangerous complication associated with very high mortality and morbidity. Traditional treatments have included primary closure of the fistula with muscle flaps and thoracic window formation. New techniques for secondary stump closure have included glues, stents and coils. We report another bronchoscopic treatment of BPF using an atrial septal closure/vascular occlusion device combined with bioglue.     

Recovery from neuromuscular block after an intubation dose of cisatracurium and rocuronium in lumbar disc surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Residual muscle paralysis remains a concern for anaesthesiologists. This study investigated the recovery from neuromuscular block (NMB) after an intubation dose of cisatracurium (C) or rocuronium (R) in 32 patients undergoing lumbar disc surgery. METHODS: Anaesthesia was induced with propofol and sufentanil, and maintained with sevoflurane in nitrous oxide/oxygen. Patients were randomised to receive twice the ED95 of either cisatracurium (GC) or rocuronium (GR) before tracheal intubation. After placement in prone position, neuromuscular transmission was monitored at the wrist by accelerometry. NMB was antagonised when the TOF ratio (TOFR) was < 0.75 at muscle closure. The time from muscle relaxant to muscle closure, and to TOFR of 0.25 and of 0.50 were recorded. Data were analysed using Student's t-tests, chi-squared tests and two-way mixed-designed ANOVA's. The prediction probability (Pk) of the times from muscle relaxant to muscle closure, and to TOFR of 0.25 for the necessity to antagonize NMB was calculated in both groups. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: NMB was antagonized in 8 (GC) and 6 (GR) patients, respectively. The time from muscle relaxant to muscle closure was shorter in patients whose NMB was antagonized. The Pk of this time was significant in GC (0.85) but not in GR (0.69). In GR contrarily to GC, the times to a TOFR of 0.25 and 0.50 were longer in patients whose NMB was antagonized. The Pk of the time to TOFR of 0.25 was significant in GR (0.95) but not in GC (0.64). CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of cisatracurium or rocuronium may be associated to some degree of NMB at the end of lumbar surgery, depending on the duration of surgery and on the duration of action of the muscle relaxant which is more variable for rocuronium than for cisatracurium.     

Single-stage complete muscle flap closure of the postpneumonectomy empyema space: a new method and possible solution to a disturbing complication

The management of postpneumonectomy empyema remains a disturbing and controversial area in the field of thoracic surgery. Many methods have been described and have had varying degrees of success. We present a series of 5 consecutive patients who underwent single-stage complete muscle flap closure of the pneumonectomy space with extrathoracic muscle flaps and omental grafts between October, 1981, and April, 1983. Two men and three women ranging from 37 years to 64 years old underwent such a closure from 3 to 13 months after original resection. Two patients had associated bronchopleural fistula. Prior to closure, 3 patients were managed with chest tubes and 2 with a modified Eloesser procedure. All operations were single-stage procedures, and all wounds closed primarily, with no permanent tubes or chest wall openings. There was no morbidity or mortality, and no subsequent operation has been required. Single-stage complete muscle flap closure of the postpneumonectomy empyema space has not been described previously, and we think it offers a possible solution to this potentially fatal complication.     

A new technique for muscle flap closure of the empyema space in complicated chronic bronchopleural fistula

OBJECTIVES: It is difficult to close the empyema space once it is opened, especially in cases complicated with a chronic bronchopleural fistula. A muscle flap closure is generally employed to prevent this situation. However, this operation occasionally fails because the space newly recurs around the fistula due to atrophic change occurring in these translocated muscles. The aim of the present new technique was to prevent inspiratory pressure from the inside of the bronchus by bronchial emboli, and help the adhesion between the fistula stump and the muscle flap, even if they have become atrophic and no longer have sufficient volume to fill the entire empyema space. METHODS: We carried out fiberscopic embolism of causative bronchioles followed by muscle flap closure in 4 patients in whom open drainage had already been performed against parapneumonic empyema within the bronchial fistula. The bronchial fistula was plugged from the inside of the bronchus by silicon material, and stainless steel wire was used to connect this plug tightly to the muscle flaps, so that the fistula was sandwiched between them. In all cases, we succeeded in complete closure of the bronchial fistula and empyema space without using the omentum, and there has been no recurrence. CONCLUSION: The presented new technique was beneficial for achieving muscle flap closure of the empyema space with a chronic bronchopleural fistula.     

The Association of Vacuum-Assisted Closure Therapy with Dynamic Volume Change of a Muscle Flap Transposed in an Empyema Cavity for Chronic Empyema: A Case Report

A 62-year-old woman with a history of lung resection for lung cancer was admitted to our hospital due to cough, which became progressively more severe. She was diagnosed with chronic empyema with bronchopleural fistula (BPF) of the right upper bronchial stump. Although a pedicled muscle flap was transposed to the empyema cavity, the fistula remained. We used a vacuum-assisted closure system after open-window thoracotomy and observed the cavity reduction with expansion of the transposed muscle flap. We quantitatively evaluated the dynamics of the cavity change using a three-dimensional image analysis system. A reduction of the volume of the muscle flap by prolonged empyema and expansion of the muscle flap was observed immediately after vacuum-assisted management. However, expansion of the right residual lung was not recognized. Pedicled muscle flap transposition followed by vacuum-assisted management after open-window thoracotomy may be effective for treating chronic empyema caused by BPF.     

The use of chest wall muscle flaps to close bronchopleural fistulas: experience with 21 patients

Nineteen patients with bronchopleural fistulas associated with tuberculosis and 2 patients with fistulas following resection for bronchiectasis underwent closure of the fistulas with pedicled flaps of chest wall muscle. The muscle grafting was combined with a limited thoracoplasty in 13 patients. The initial myoplasty produced prompt fistula closure in 15 patients and delayed closure in 2 others. A repeat myoplasty was successful in 2 patients in whom the initial myoplasty failed. Compared with other methods of treating bronchopleural fistulas used during the same period, muscle grafting carried a higher rate of successful fistula closure and a lower mortality rate.     

Reconstruction of infected median sternotomy wounds

Infected median sternotomy represents a major complication of cardiac surgery, with significant morbidity and mortality. The treatment of choice is immediate drainage and closure over suction irrigation catheters. However, when this conservative approach fails or radical debridement makes primary closure impossible, muscle flap closure is indicated. This form of reconstruction facilitates the obliteration of large mediastinal wounds; prevents spreading of infection on the heart, suture lines, grafts, or prosthetic material; and significantly decreases morbidity and mortality. We performed muscle flap closure in 11 consecutive patients in whom conservative treatment of infected median sternotomy wounds failed. All patients required closure with at least two muscle flaps or omentum for the complete obliteration of the mediastinal wounds. There was one postoperative death in our series due to acute heart failure. There were two superficial skin losses requiring skin grafting and one persistent draining sinus after reconstruction. Based on our experience and that of others, we conclude that muscle flap reconstruction should be considered as an important technique for the reconstruction of infected median sternotomy wounds.     

Closure of persistent post-proctectomy perineal sinus using a rectus muscle flap

A persistent perineal sinus following proctocolectomy or proctectomy is a not infrequent complication associated with considerable morbidity. Two cases are presented where the perineal sinus was closed using a rectus abdominis flap. This method of closure allows safe, complete excision of the sinus and insertion of a muscle flap which completely fills the defect, enabling complete, primary healing of the perineum.     

A case report of Rastelli operation in 2-month-old infant with truncus arteriosus (type II)

A two-month-old girl with heart failure from truncus arteriosus (Collett & Edwards Type II) underwent a total correction by the Rastelli procedure using 12-mm-diameter Hancock valved conduit. The orifice of pulmonary arteries was closed from inside without detachment of the pulmonary artery from truncus. The distal anastomosis of the conduit was made to left pulmonary artery. Primary sternal closure was difficult and delayed closure was performed using splint with a resin plate. The skin was primarily closed using bilateral advancement myocutaneous flaps. Complete closure of the sternum was made on the 11th postoperative day. A rotation flap of the right abdominal rectal muscle was used to cover the partially necrotic skin over the sternum. The patient had persistent respiratory and cardiac problems, but was discharged 14 months after surgery.     

The deep inferior epigastric rectus abdominis muscle and myocutaneous free tissue transfer: further applications for head and neck reconstruction.

The rectus abdominis muscle and myocutaneous free tissue transfer is a well-recognized donor site for reconstruction of complex head and neck defects. Four composite deformities were successfully managed using this donor site. The rectus abdominis myocutaneous "sandwich" flap was used for closure of a pharyngocutaneous fistula and to provide intraoral lining and external coverage for a composite mandibular defect. The rectus muscle flap was used to obliterate a compound frontal sinus injury and an orbitomaxillary defect. All flaps were based on the deep inferior epigastric vascular pedicle.     

Soft-tissue repair of myelomeningocele defects using bilateral latissimus dorsi and trapezius musculocutaneous flaps

An urgent closure of myelomeningocele defects was carried out in 82 newborns using latissimus and/or trapezius musculocutaneous advancement flaps. A three-layer closure of skin, muscle, and fascia was achieved in a single stage without a flank skin graft. All of the wounds healed within a two-week period and no late breakdown of the wound occurred during the eight-year period of study. The urgent closure maximized the neurological salvage and facilitated early cerebrospinal fluid shunting by preventing both infection and neural desiccation. This report represents the largest number of sequentially treated myelomeningocele defects without a major wound healing problem or death. The advancement musculocutaneous flap closure is safe, simple, and effective and is recommended as the preferred method for closure of the myelomeningocele defect.     

Muscle and myocutaneous flaps on the lower limb

Defects of the lower limb can be repaired in several ways and a very satisfactory closure can be obtained using muscular and myocutaneous flaps. The soleus muscle, both heads of the gastrocnemius muscle, the peroneus brevis muscle and the flexor hallucis longus muscle can all be used, the choice depending on the site of the defect.