The composite anterolateral thigh flap for knee extensor and skin reconstruction

The simultaneous reconstruction of a skin defect and lost extensor mechanism of the knee joint is difficult. We present a 31-year-old male who lost the patella and had a 9 × 10 cm skin defect after a total patellectomy for an infected open patellar fracture. A composite anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap including vascularized skin and fascia lata (FL) was elevated. The FL was folded and sutured to the remaining patellar tendon. The skin flap covered the skin defect. The wound healed uneventfully. Thirty months later, the active range of motion of the knee joint was 0°–120° and the extension strength of the knee joint was normal. He could stand on his right leg and walk without assistance. The composite ALT flap is a valuable option in knee reconstruction after a total patellectomy.     

The extensor digitorum brevis muscle flap for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the lower limb

The use of the extensor digitorum brevis muscle as a local muscle island flap for the cover of soft tissue defects in the lower extremity is presented. The anatomy of the muscle, the blood supply, the elevation, and use of the extensor digitorum brevis muscle flap in the lower extremity are discussed. This flap offers a mean area of 27 cm², which can cover large skin defects otherwise difficult to treat. A case of trauma to the medial malleolus is presented; this was treated successfully with the extensor digitoru brevis muscle flap.     

Freestyle perforator-based V-Y advancement flap for reconstruction of soft tissue defects at various anatomic regions

BACKGROUND: Perforator flap surgery has gained great popularity in the last decade because surgeons can prepare freestyle flaps in anywhere on the body if they find a perforator supplied to the flap. One of the basic principles of reconstructive surgery is that superior results can be obtained for color and texture match if immediately adjacent soft tissue is used to repair a defect. V-Y advancement flaps are used successfully based on this principle, but the degree of mobility of a V-Y advancement flap is dependent on the laxity of the underlying subcutaneous tissue. This is an important disadvantage of traditional V-Y advancement flap and limits its use. METHODS: We used V-Y advancement flaps as perforator-based to overcome mobility restriction problem. The authors used 26 perforator-based V-Y advancement flaps in 24 consecutive patients for coverage of defects located at sacral (4), thigh (6), abdominal wall (3), inguinal (3), back (4), leg (2), and trochanter (2) regions. There were 14 female and 10 male patients with a mean age of 48.3 years (range, 22-70 years). RESULTS: The patients were followed up for a mean period of 14.2 months (range, 9-21 months). The size of the defects ranged from 3 x 5 cm to 15 x 20 cm. All flaps survived completely (92.4%) except 2 in which one of them had undergone total necrosis and the other had marginal necrosis. Fifteen flaps (57.6%) were elevated based on 2 perforators, 7 flaps (26.9%) were used with only one perforator, and the remaining 4 (15.5%) had 3 perforators. CONCLUSIONS: Perforator-based V-Y advancement flaps are safe and very effective for coverage of defects in which closure is impossible with a standard V-Y advancement flap. Dissection of the perforator or perforators offers remarkable excursion to the V-Y flap with minimal donor site morbidity. These axial pattern flaps can be used successfully with good esthetic and functional results at various regions of the body if there is any detectable perforator.     

局部皮瓣在颜面外伤软组织缺失修复中的应用

目的 探讨应用局部皮瓣修复面部外伤软组织缺失的美学效果.方法 自2005年7月至2007年12月,收治因各种外伤导致的颜面局部皮肤软组织缺失患者27例,采用鼻唇沟皮瓣、改良的菱形皮瓣、皮下蒂皮瓣、滑行推进皮瓣、A-T皮瓣等多种皮瓣进行修复.结果 27例面部软组织缺失患者,伤口均Ⅰ期愈合,所有皮瓣全部成活,经6～18个月随访,伤口瘢痕不明显,功能满意,美学效果良好.结论 面部外伤导致的皮肤软组织缺失,情况复杂多变,根据软组织缺损的部位、范围、形状,选择适当的局部皮瓣进行修复,能达到理想的美学修复效果.     

V-Y flap reconstruction for nostril defects

Local flaps are the procedure of choice in reconstruction of skin defects of the face if the donor defect is minimal. The sliding V-Y subcutaneous island flap is gaining in popularity but has been primarily used in dorsal defects of the nose. Patients demonstrating its application in nostril defects are presented. Indications for the use of this flap continue to expand.     

Gastrocnemius pedicled muscle flap for knee and upper tibia soft tissue reconstruction. A useful tool for the orthopaedic surgeon

Soft tissue defect coverage has always been a challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon. Over the last decades the surgery of flaps has completely changed the prognosis for large defects. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively review our experience with the gastrocnemius muscle as pedicled local flaps for reconstruction of knee and upper third of the tibia soft tissue defects.Twenty-seven patients underwent reconstruction of soft tissue defects around the knee using pedicled gastrocnemius muscle flaps. There were eighteen men and nine women ranged in with a mean age of 50.3 years. Medial gastrocnemius was used in 21 cases, and lateral gastrocnemius in 5 cases. In one patient, soleus and medial gastrocnemius were transferred simultaneously. All but one had at the same time split thickness skin graft for coverage of the muscle.All muscle flaps transferred were successful. There were no complications and all flaps survived completely without vascular compromise, satisfactory coverage of the defect, and good primary wound healing. There has been no recurrence of osteomyelitis. The donor sites healed perfectly with no remarkable resultant functional disability. A mean follow-up of 4.4 years revealed acceptable cosmetic results with high patient satisfaction.Our results indicate that the gastrocnemius muscle transfer is a useful technique for coverage of soft tissue defects in the upper tibia and around the knee in our orthopaedic practice. It is a reliable option for the coverage of exposed bone, the filling up of deep cavities and the treatment of bone infection. The principal advantage of a muscle flap is to bring a real blood supply to the recipient site and to improve the trophicity of the surrounding tissues. The pedicled muscle flap is our preference for the management of soft tissue defects around the knee, when no other procedure, apart from free flap is suitable. The pedicle flap is easier, quicker and with less complications than a free flap. Orthopaedic surgery has gained much from the use of island flap, however, it requires knowledge of the vascular anatomy and its variations promoted through cadaveric dissections and flap dissection courses.     

Internal mammary artery perforator-based V-Y advancement flap for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the sternal region

Abstract

We successfully reconstructed a large defect that had been created by resection of an unstable, contracted, and hypertrophic scar with a chronic ulcer on the lower sternal area of a 67-year-old man. We used bilateral V-Y advancement flaps based on internal mammary artery perforators.     

外踝上动脉皮瓣修复前足皮肤软组织缺损

2000年6月～2009年1月,我院对18例足外伤致足远端皮肤软组织缺损患者行外踝上动脉皮瓣修复术,取得满意疗效。     

额部阶梯状皮瓣与肌、皮双瓣鼻再造术

目的　改良目前常用的额肌皮瓣鼻再造术 ,克服其形态臃肿 ,再造鼻高度受限等不足 ,进一步提高手术效果。方法　根据新观察到的滑车上动脉于眉上存在一相同走向的皮支的解剖特点 ,设计额部阶梯状皮瓣与肌、皮双瓣 ,前者用于克服肌皮瓣臃肿 ,再造鼻形态欠佳的缺点 ,一次成形鼻各组成结构。后者组成结构肌瓣用于构建鼻中隔结构 ,适用于复杂病例 ,并可增加再造鼻高度。结果　 9例患者术中均可见滑车上动脉于眶缘上 1 2～ 1 7cm开始有皮支行于皮下 ,且与对侧有交通支。术后皮瓣全部成活 ,其中 1例鼻小柱右侧支架外露 ,经二次手术修复痊愈。鼻各组成结构塑形良好。结论　额部阶梯状肌皮瓣和肌、皮双瓣适用于修复不同程度的鼻缺损 ,再造鼻形态较好 ,可为鼻再造的首选方法。     

外踝上皮瓣修复足部软组织缺损20例及失败病例分析

目的探讨外踝上逆行岛状皮瓣修复足部远端软组织缺损的效果,分析失败病例原因和预防措施。方法应用腓动脉终末穿支的降支为血管蒂,行外踝上逆行岛状皮瓣修复前足和足外侧软组织缺损20例。结果 18例皮瓣成活,皮瓣质地优良,随访6~12个月,外观及功能满意。2例出现部分坏死,延误治疗。结论外踝上逆行岛状皮瓣是修复足部软组织缺损的良好皮瓣。该皮瓣切取方便,血供丰富,不损伤肢体主要血管。但病例选择不当,就会延误治疗,造成严重后果。     

Medial hemisoleus muscle flap: a reliable flap for soft tissue reconstruction of the middle-third tibial wound

Although the medial hemisoleus muscle has been considered a local reconstructive option for soft-tissue reconstruction of the middle-third tibial wound, its reliability and usefulness has been debated among plastic surgeons. This study reports one surgeon's experience with medial hemisoleus muscle flaps and shows their application for soft tissue reconstruction of middle-third tibial wounds. Over the past 2 years, 10 patients underwent soft tissue reconstruction of a middle-third tibial wound with a medial hemisoleus muscle flap and skin graft. The flap was elevated with emphasis on the preservation of as many perforators to the flap as possible while allowing adequate arch rotation of the flap to cover the exposed tibia and/or hardware. All patients were followed for up to 2 years. There was no total flap loss, and limb salvage was achieved in every patient in this series. Only two patients with peripheral vascular disease developed small partial but insignificant distal flap necrosis and were treated with debridement and flap advancement. The tibial wounds of all patients subsequently healed with excellent cosmetic outcome during follow-up. The results from this study indicate that the medial hemisoleus muscle flap is reliable for soft-tissue reconstruction of a middle-third tibial wound. Meticulous flap elevation with the preservation of perforators to the flap is the key for such success.     

Bipedicle flap reconstruction of longitudinal palmar skin and soft tissue defects of the digits

Full-thickness defects of the skin and soft-tissue of the palmar aspect of the digits with exposure of the deeper structures which are longitudinal in shape are unusual and difficult to reconstruct. This paper discusses the treatment of these defects and reviews our experience of reconstructing nine such cases with bipedicle flaps.     

Applications of the extensor digitorum brevis muscle for soft tissue coverage

The extensor digitorum brevis muscle flap is valuable in covering defects of the distal tibia and both malleoli as an island muscle flap. It can also be used as a free vascularized muscle transfer for more distant problems. Case reports illustrating these applications are described, demonstrating the advantages of consistent anatomy, large vessel size, flap thinness, arc of rotation, and an inconspicuous donor site.     

V-Y advancement flap and composite graft for alar-groove reconstruction.

A one-stage procedure combining a V-Y advancement flap with a composite graft for the reconstruction of alar-lobule and alar-groove defects is described. After tumour resection, a V-Y flap is advanced and retained at the level of the piriform margin to fill the dead space. To provide vascular support to the composite graft and to recreate the alar groove the advancing edge of the flap is de-epithelialised. In the same stage the composite graft is harvested and placed into the alar defect. A series of 12 patients underwent this procedure, with good results.     

Secondary reconstruction of the extensor tendons and overlying soft tissue deficiency

Reverse-flow pedicled radial forearm tendocutaneous flap transfers were performed to reconstruct simultaneous skin and tendon defects in the dorsum of the hand in six patients. All flaps survived and four of six patients obtained good functional results. To obtain satisfactory functional outcome, early surgical repair is critical after trauma. The only disadvantage of this operation is unacceptable donor site morbidity.     

Reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the fingers using homodigital V-Y flap]

A series of 54 patients is presented in which full-thickness soft-tissue defects on 57 digits were reconstructed using homodigital V-Y flaps. This is a modification of the Moberg procedure, which was designed for coverage of injuries of distal thumb. The V-Y flap is pedicled on two digital neurovascular bundles, possible advancement is up to 2 cm, and V-shaped base of the flap allows direct closure of the proximal defect, without skin grafting. This technique was used for the reconstruction both volar and dorsal tissue defects of the fingers. All flaps healed within 2-4 weeks. 14 patients (15 fingers) were evaluated after they recovered. In all affected fingers active range of motion was satisfactory, only with slight defect of extension in 2 cases. However, sensation of the light touch was decreased in 10 fingers, and 2PD discrimination was abnormal in 5 fingers. The versatility of V-Y technique in various clinical occasions and its low risk of complications was emphasized. This method is very useful, easy to learn even for trainees unfamiliar with microsurgery.