The keystone design perforator island flap. Part II: clinical applications.

BACKGROUND: This curvilinear- and trapezoidal-shaped flap essentially consists of two conjoined V-Y flaps end to side. The vascular supply is supported by the subcutaneous vascular network and is dependent on fascial and muscular perforators. A review of 15 clinical cases was performed to assess the reliability and versatility of the flap. METHODS: Twelve keystone flaps were performed following excision of skin tumours or post-traumatic defects in various locations, from the head and neck region, the trunk and the limbs. RESULTS: No flap necrosis, even partial, was observed regardless of the site and the type of keystone used. Patients were almost pain free in the postoperative course. The aesthetic results are quite satisfactory, as the flap is aligned locally without evidence of the 'pincushioning' appearance sometimes seen around island reconstructions. DISCUSSION: Elevation of the flap seems to evenly distribute the tensional forces without undermining. The flap is particularly useful in the repair of defects following skin cancer removal. Bulk is not a problem and good skin cover is achieved. CONCLUSION: The presence of perforators and subcutaneous network distributed throughout the body create an environment which makes this flap universally applicable and extremely reliable.     

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.     

Simple and reliable way in sternum wound coverage--tripedicle pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap

Objective: Sternotomy wound infection requires radically debridements and need secondary reconstruction of the resulting defect. Pectoralis major muscular or musculocutaneous flap is quite common in sternal wound closure. We modified the pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap design: bipedicle advancement cutaneous flap combined with thoracoacromial myocutaneous perforators, as a “tripedicle” fashion. We tried to utilize the cutaneous pedicle to provide a reliable skin coverage and decrease the wound dehiscence rate in lower one third sternal wound. Methods: Four patients undergoing median sternotomy surgery between 2004 and 2007 suffered from sternal wound infection and received tri‐pedicle pectoralis major musculocutaneous flaps transfer. Results: No skin paddle necrosis or wound dehiscence occurred in the postoperative course. Cosmetically and chest stability were satisfactory without complains about the daily activity. Conclusions: Tripedicle pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap is a simple and reliable technique to cover sternal wound defect necessitating resurfacing surgery. The blood supply to the skin paddle can be enriched by the superior and inferior cutaneous pedicle and the wound dehiscence rate is decreased with this technique. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2008.     

Modified bilateral advancement flap: the slide-in flap.

The bilateral V-Y advancement flaps are used commonly in the closure of circular skin defects. We modified the standard bilateral V-Y advancement flap technique to reduce the tension along the closure, and used it in 10 patients between 1995 and 1997. In the presence of a circular defect, bilateral V-Y advancement flaps were marked on the skin, with the height of the V flaps measuring 1.5 to 2 times the diameter of the defect. The limbs of the V were not drawn as straight lines, but were curved outward slightly, making the flap and its two extensions broader than the standard V-Y flap. The broad extensions of the V flaps encircled the defect from above and below. Skin incisions were made vertically down to the muscle fascia. Additional undermining was carried out to elevate the upper and lower extensions of the V flaps for a distance that equaled the radius of the defect. The upper and lower extensions of the V flap on one side were transposed into the defect and sutured to the concave base of the opposing flap V flap at its midpoint. These extensions were then sutured to each other. The extensions of the opposing V flap were then transposed into the defect; the upper being superior and the lower being inferior to the extensions of the first flap. The rest of the operation was completed by advancement of the V flaps and closure in a Y configuration. The efficient redistribution of available tissue by the combined use of transposition and advancement principles resulted in the repair of relatively large skin defects with reduced tension along the closure. Satisfactory results were obtained in all patients in this series without any surgical complication.     

Nasolabial V-Y Advancement for Closure of the Midface Defects

BACKGROUND: V-Y subcutaneous advancement flaps receive an excellent blood supply from subcutaneous tissue and are ideal for use on the face. Also it is advantageous cosmetically compared to other local flaps. OBJECTIVE: Nasolabial V-Y advancement flaps are very useful in closing defects of the midface region after tumor resection. METHODS: Our experience with nasolabial V-Y flaps in 22 patients is reported. The average defect size was 2.4 cm x 3.2 cm. RESULTS: Minor flap necrosis occurred in one patient and simple lower eyelid ectropion in another. CONCLUSION: Nasolabial V-Y advancement flap is a simple and satisfactory alternative for closing relatively large defects in the midface when compared with other methods such as skin graft and rotation or transposition flaps. It is easy to design, reliable, and offers good cosmetic results.     

Reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the Achilles tendon region with perforator-based fasciocutaneous flaps

Background

Reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the Achilles tendon region can be technically demanding. Perforator-based flaps can be an effective local solution, replacing like-for-like skin. We report our experience with perforator-based flap reconstruction of the Achilles tendon region with or without rupture of the Achilles tendon.

Methods

Between January 1999 and 2011, 11 patients had perforator-based flaps based on peroneal and posterior tibial perforators. There were six V-Y advancement flaps, four propeller flaps and one peninsular flap. The mean defect size was 19.3 (range 9–36)?cm². One patient had reconstruction of a composite Achilles tendon defect.

Results

There were no flap failures. Mean follow-up was 26.4 (range 3–120)?months. Post-operative complications included haematoma in one patient and dehiscence of wound because of further sloughing of the tendon—at the distal edge of a V-Y advancement flap. This patient needed a second local flap. There were no wound breakdowns, painful sensitivity or difficulty with walking. All patients who had skin and soft tissue reconstruction only were partially weight bearing by 2 weeks and gradually increased weight bearing and fully weight bearing by 4 weeks.

Conclusions

Perforator-based flaps are a robust method of covering small- to medium-sized defects in the Achilles tendon region. Presence of multiple perforators on either side of the Achilles tendon invites a number of flap designs, tailored to the defect. Level of Evidence: Level IV, Therapeutic study.     

A Case of Postmastectomy Defect Reconstructed Using a Laterothoracic Bilaterally Pedicled V-Y Advancement Flap

BACKGROUND: The reconstruction of major defects of the trunk is generally achieved by means of pedicled or free musculocutaneous flaps, but for less extensive defects, local flaps or skin grafts are currently used. The bilaterally pedicled V-Y advancement flap differs from the traditional V-Y advancement flap and was described for soft tissue reconstruction in the face. In our unit, the bilaterally pedicled V-Y advancement flap is the most used local flap for face reconstruction, and our aim was to use it in a different location. METHODS: In this case report we present a postmastectomy defect reconstructed with good results using the bilaterally pedicled V-Y advancement flap. RESULTS: The flap healed without further problems, and a good aesthetic result was obtained. CONCLUSION: The bilaterally pedicled V-Y advancement flap is reliable and easy to harvest, and not only for face reconstruction. Its versatility and plasticity allow its use for the reconstruction of many defects at varying locations.     

V-Y rotation advancement flap: A metanalysis and systematic review

Local skin flaps are used to close defects adjacent to the donor site. They are classified according to their method of movement: flaps that advance from its base to the defect (V-Y, Y-V, single-pedicle, and bipedicle advancement flaps) and flaps that move on a pivot point (rotation, transposition, and interpolation flaps). Despite its frequent use, there is not a unique name for V-Y rotation advancement flap; moreover, there is not a flap class called “rotation advancement” in the textbooks. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using “PubMed” and “Google Scholar” in December 2013. We made different searches using keywords “V-Y-S flap,” “V-Y rotation advancement flap,” and “hatchet flap”. The search was limited to the studies published in English and French. In total, 31 articles were found. Five articles presenting musculocutaneous hatchet flap, were excluded from the review. We included 26 articles in which cutaneous and fasciocutaneous flaps were described. We found 12 case series and five case reports presenting “hatchet flap.” Two case series and two case reports about “V-Y-S flap” were reported. Four case series and one case report about “V-Y rotation and advancement flap” were written. V-Y rotation and advancement flap were performed under different names on any regions of the body by several authors, and none of the authors reported flap loss or any dehiscence that resulted with a second surgery. With the help of this review, we would like to standardize its design and its dissection. Level of Evidence: Not ratable.     

Skin paddle vascularity of free fibula flap �C A study of 386 cases and a classification based on contribution from axial vessels of the leg

Objective:

The skin paddle of the free fibula flap receives its vascular supply from septocutaneous perforators, musculocutaneous perforators or from both, and these perforators might originate from the peroneal or posterior tibial vessels or from both. The objective of this study was to classify the skin paddles based on the dominance of vascular contribution by these axial vessels through their different perforator systems.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective analysis of 5-year data of 386 free fibula flaps used in oro-mandibular reconstruction was done and the skin paddle vascularity was studied. While majority of the skin paddles received their blood supply from the peroneal septocutaneous perforators, a few had their dominant supply from the soleus musculocutaneous perforators in addition to peroneal septocutaneous perforators. In few cases, the soleus musculocutaneous perforators were the sole source of blood supply to the skin paddle. The limitation in this study was the inability to augment the clinical observation with cadaveric study.

Results:

The skin paddle of the free fibula flap was classified into four different types (a–d) based on the dominance of vascular contribution by axial vessels of the leg.

Conclusion:

The skin paddle of the free fibula flap has reliable blood supply, but a thorough knowledge of the variations in vascular pattern of the skin paddle is required especially to salvage the larger paddles used in the reconstruction complex oro-mandibular defects.KEY WORDS: Free fibula flap, musculocutaneous perforators, septo cutaneous perforators, skin paddle, vascular supply     

The Keystone Design Perforator Island Flap in reconstructive surgery

Background: A surgical technique for closing skin defects following skin cancer (particularly melanoma) removal is described in the present paper. Its use is illustrated in five patients. The technique has been used in 300 cases over the past 7 years and is suitable for all areas of the body from scalp to foot. We have coined the term Keystone Design Perforator Island Flap (KDPIF) because of its curvilinear shaped trapezoidal design borrowed from architectural terminology. It is essentially elliptical in shape with its long axis adjacent to the long axis of the defect. The flap is based on randomly located vascular perforators. The wound is closed directly, the mid‐line area is the line of maximum tension and by V‐Y advancement of each end of the flap, the ‘islanded’ flap fills the defect. This allows the secondary defect on the opposite side to be closed, exploiting the mobility of the adjacent surrounding tissue. The importance of blunt dissection is emphasized in raising these perforator island flaps as it preserves the vascular integrity of the musculocutaneous and fasciocutaneous perforators together with venous and neural connections. The keystone flap minimizes the need for skin grafting in the majority of cases and produces excellent aesthetic results. Four types of flaps are described: Type I (direct closure), Type II (with or without grafting), Type III (employs a double island flap technique), and Type IV (involves rotation and advancement with or without grafting). The patient is almost pain free in the postoperative phase. Early mobilization is possible, allowing this technique to be used in short stay patients. Results: In a series of 300 patients with flaps situated over the extremities, trunk and facial region, primary wound healing was achieved in 99.6% with one out of 300 developing partial necrosis of the flap. Conclusions: The technique described in the present article offers a simple and effective method of wound closure in situations that would otherwise have required complex flap closure or skin grafting particularly for melanoma.     

ISLAND FLAPS INCLUDING THE BEZIER TYPE IN THE TREATMENT OF MALIGNANT MELANOMA

Despite the trend in current surgical practice in the treatment of melanoma to produce smaller excisional defects, any technique which can introduce a surgical closure that does not require split skin grafting must be of benefit. This paper introduces and illustrates a range of island flap techniques that employ no skin grafting for the treatment of malignant melanoma defects. The new cutaneous island flap described, termed the Bezier or the French Curve, employs a double V-Y appositional closure method, thus giving a more refined reconstructive result that fits into the line of the body curves aesthetically. The design of the Bezier flap is almost identical in size and shape to the excisional defect, with a fascial or muscular base for vascular support. Appropriate guidelines that determine the design and application of this island flap technique are listed. They are illustrated both diagrammatically and clinically. Other flaps illustrated include fasciocutaneous island flaps and myocutaneous island flaps that use a single V-Y flap appositional closure technique. All these flaps were designed with special reference to the derma-tomes, which act as an aid memoire upon which the flaps are marked.     

Closure of meningomyelocele defects with bilateral modified V-Y advancement flaps

BACKGROUND: Although several different methods were described in the literature, closure of large meningomyelocele defects presents a challenging problem. Wound dehiscence may lead to devastating complications. In this paper, the efficacy of the bilateral modified V-Y advancement flap procedure was investigated in terms of simplicity, donor-site morbidity, and reliability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors presented 10 neonates treated with a modified subcutaneous advancement procedure. Unlike the typical V-Y advancement techniques, the apical extensions of the "V" flaps were elevated based on the paraspinous perforators. A standard closure algorithm was not followed, as the well-vascularized apical extensions facilitated intraoperative decision making for the most appropriate adaptation pattern, depending on the size, shape, and localization of the defect. As well as that, transposition of these apical flaps to the defect site was further supported by the advancement of the V-Y flaps to decrease the tension along the closure. RESULTS: Mean follow-up period was 13.6 months (range 3-37 months), and no complications that might be attributable to the operative procedure were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Utilization of bilateral modified V-Y flaps for the closure of large meningomyelocele defects is a simple and effective procedure. Main advantages of the method described in this paper may be listed as follows: simplicity, reliability due to coverage of the defect with well-vascularized flaps, minimal bleeding, decreased operative time, and no donor-site morbidity.     

大鼠穿支蒂皮瓣的实验研究

目的建立穿支血管蒂皮瓣的动物实验模型，探讨蒂部穿支血管对皮瓣血供的影响。方法选择30只雄雌不限SD大鼠，分成1个实验组和2个对照组，每组10只，实验组为穿支血管蒂皮瓣组，对照1组为皮下蒂皮瓣组，对照2组为随意皮肤蒂皮瓣组，实验组进行血管造影及组织学检查。结果大鼠腹部皮肤穿支血管起源于腹壁上动脉深支，于腹直肌鞘两侧穿出，共8～10支，穿支垂直间距0．4-1．0cm，以左上第2穿支外径粗大，一条肌皮穿支血管可供养大鼠腹部皮肤81．5％。结论穿支血管蒂皮瓣血供来源于穿支血管，切取穿支血管蒂皮瓣面积比随意皮肤蒂皮瓣面积大，并可提供多种皮瓣设计的选择。     

Partially de-epithelialised and buried V-Y advancement flap for reconstruction of sacrococcygeal and ischial defects.

Defects in the sacrococcygeal and ischial soft tissues can be treated with gluteus maximus and posterior thigh V-Y advancement flaps. However, late complications include recurrence and dehiscence of the suture line. Increasing the amount of the soft tissues over the bony prominences and multilayered closure may have an advantage for long-term durability. We modified the V-Y advancement technique by de-epithelialising the medial parts of the flap and burying them under the opposing edge of the wound or the flap. Sixteen patients with various defects of the sacrococcygeal and ischial soft tissues were operated on using this technique. All the flaps healed well with no partial or complete loss of the flap. Three patients developed complications. The main advantage of our technique is the use of healthy tissues to obliterate the dead spaces under the edges of the wound or the opposing flap. In this way, not only the defect in the skin but the defect in the subcutaneous tissue, with its iceberg tip at the surface, is treated effectively. To have an additional layer of tissue between the bone and the superficial tissues provides an extra cushion of soft tissue and avoids putting the suture line directly over the bony prominences. We used this modification safely for both unilateral and bilateral flaps. It could also be used successfully in other parts of the body.     

外踝上穿支皮瓣解剖分析与临床应用

目的：探讨改进外踝上穿支皮瓣的手术方法及临床效果。方法在解剖观测基础上设计以外踝上穿支升支为血管蒂,结扎其降支,在小腿外侧以腓动脉皮支穿出点连线为皮瓣轴线设计切取皮瓣,转位修复小腿中下段及足踝部皮肤软组织缺损。结果本组14例皮瓣全部成活,皮瓣面积7 cm＆#215;12 cm～16 cm＆#215;23 cm,穿支血管蒂长1.6～2.8 cm。术后随访6～18个月,皮瓣肤色与周围相近,略臃肿,外观较为满意,创区功能恢复好。结论解剖研究为临床外踝上穿支皮瓣手术提供解剖学依据,经改进的外踝上穿支皮瓣为足踝部大面积皮肤缺损的修复提供了一种实用性新方法。     

V-Y advancement flaps. Reusable flaps for pressure ulcer repair

V-Y advancement modification of skin paddle design for the biceps femoris, tensor fascia lata, transverse lumbar, and gracilis flaps permits readvancement of each of these flaps for recurrent pressure ulcers. Our use of this refinement of these flaps over the past twelve years shows that up to two readvancements of each of these flaps can be done, thus preserving reconstructive options in a patient population prone to pressure ulcer recurrence.     

Bilateral, extended V-Y advancement flap

A modification of the V-Y advancement flap for the closure of circular skin defects is presented to decrease the tension in the closure and to break the midline vertical scar. Bilateral, extended V-Y advancement flaps with additional limbs extending to the advancing edges of the standard flaps were marked on both sides of the wound. After advancement of the V-Y flaps on their subcutaneous pedicle, the upper and lower extensions were hinged downward as transposition flaps to close the middle portion of the circular defect, where maximum tension occurs. This procedure was applied to 10 patients with sacral and trochanteric pressure sores. No complications or recurrences were noted during the 2 to 10 months of follow-up. Bilateral, extended V-Y advancement flaps enable the reconstruction of large defects without midline tension. Also, the resulting scar where the flaps meet is a zigzag line, so a straight midline scar is avoided.     

Flap-in-flap method for enhancing the advancement of a V-Y flap.

The V-Y principal is used in a number of flap reconstruction techniques. V-Y flaps suffer from design problems of the advancing edge, which is usually concave, trying to match another concave edge on the opposite side of the defect. The flap-in-flap technique uses a second V-Y flap at the advancing edge of the main flap to overcome this mismatch, and also improves the amount of advancement possible. The technique has been used in three patients, demonstrating reliability and a further advantage, which is the ability of the second flap to rotate at an angle to the main flap to aid in reconstructing a complex defect such as the alar base of the nose. Further experience with this technique should widen its applications.     

Skeletonised retrograde distal perforator island fasciocutaneous flaps for leg and foot defects.

Defects involving the distal leg and foot are frequently encountered following various aetiological factors. Paucity of local tissue causes surgeons to resort to the retrograde peninsular flap, the cross leg flap or the free flap. With specific knowledge of perforators, the fasciocutaneous flap from the calf area can be transferred to the defect in a single stage based on skeletonised distal perforators. The surgical anatomy, flap planning and procedure have been detailed. Nineteen patients were treated during the period 1995 to 2005. The perforators were identified preoperatively by audio Doppler. The flaps were marked and dissected proximal to the defect skeletonising the distal perforators under loupe magnification and transferred to the defect in a single stage. The donor site was skin grafted. Out of 19 cases, 16 flaps healed uneventfully, one flap necrosed completely and in two cases there was marginal necrosis. The cases were followed up for 2-10 years with an average of 6 years. With detailed knowledge of perforators one can safely reconstruct distal moderate-size defects of the lower limb in a single stage, thus having the benefits of free tissue transfer without resorting to microsurgery. This technique has proved to be an advancement in the reconstructive repertoire allowing flaps of non conventional dimensions to be perfused by skeletonised perforators.