Use of the infra hyoid musculo-cutaneous flap in soft palate reconstruction

AIMS: To review a series of 23 consecutive patients with squamous cell carcinomas arising from oropharynx who underwent infra hyoid musculo-cutaneous flap reconstruction including soft palate in alternative to free radial forearm flap or maxillofacial prosthesis. Post operative radiotherapy was performed for all patients. RESULTS: Every reconstruction healed quickly without major wound complications. The functional results evaluated by speech and swallowing capacities, were good for 17 patients, fair for 4 patients and bad for 2. CONCLUSIONS: The infra hyoid musculo-cutaneous flap is a versatile, reliable and convenient flap suitable for repairing small and medium sized defects; it can be used in combination with other flaps, and in selected cases obviates the need for a microvascular free radial forearm flap or maxillofacial prosthesis.     

Microvascular radial forearm fasciocutaneous free flap in hard palate reconstruction.

THE AIM OF THIS STUDY: To report the reconstruction of palatal defects by microvascular radial forearm fasciocutaneous free flap (RFFF) and to report patient's quality of life outcomes after this procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the period 1990-2002, 30 cases of palatal defects were reconstructed using RFFF in our institution. RFFF allowed restoration of a vestibular sulcus to maintain dental prostheses. Outcome measurements included post-operative assessment of speech, swallowing and diet evaluation 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after reconstruction. Quality of life outcomes were measured 1 and 2 years post-reconstruction. RESULTS: RFFF surgery was successful in 28 cases. Six months after resection 28 patients reported satisfactory speech and swallowing. Two years after surgery, 92% (n=26) of patients resumed a normal diet. All patients underwent dental evaluation and 68% (n=19) of patients required dental rehabilitation over a post-operative period of 3-18 months. Patients self assessed their quality of life on a scale of 0-2. First year post-operatively, 21 patients reported a good quality of life (score=2). After the second year, 26 patients reported a good quality of life and the remaining two patients reported an intermediate quality of life (score=1) because they did not resume a normal diet. CONCLUSION: RFFF for palatal reconstruction is a reliable technique and provides a definitive separation between oral and sinusonasal cavities. Furthermore, it improves quality of life by improving speech, swallowing and chewing. It should be considered an integral component of head and neck cancer therapy and rehabilitation.     

The Bozola flap in oral cavity reconstruction

The buccinator musculomucosal flaps are actually considered the main reconstructive option for small-moderate defects of the oral mucosa. In this paper we present our experience with the posteriorly based buccinator musculomucosal flap. A retrospective review was performed of all patients who had had a Bozola flap reconstruction at the Operative Unit of Maxillo-Facial Surgery of Parma, Italy, between 2003 and 2010. The Bozola flap was used in 19 patients. In most cases they had defects of the palate (n=12). All flaps were harvested successfully and no major complications occurred. Minor complications were observed in two cases. At the end of the follow up all patients returned to a normal diet without alterations of speech and swallowing. We consider the Bozola flap the first choice for the reconstruction of defects involving the palate, the cheek and the postero-lateral tongue and floor of the mouth.     

Social perception of speech in individuals with oropharyngeal reconstruction

Oral cancer affects approximately 5% of the Canadian population every year. One option for treatment of oropharyngeal cancer includes resection of the diseased tissue with primary reconstruction of the defect using a microvascular free flap, followed by post-operative adjuvant radiation therapy. The aim of reconstructive surgery is to maintain functional speech and swallowing. While the literature provides support for the maintenance of speech intelligibility following reconstructive procedures, certain aspects of resonance may be altered when the palatal structures are involved. Little is known about the effect of such alterations on the perception of speakers who have been treated with microvascular free flap reconstruction. Social perception is a process in which we infer attributes of others, with the speech signal playing an integral part in attribution. The purpose of this study was to explore the social perceptions formed about speakers both before and after surgery for oropharyngeal cancer. The results of this study revealed that positive perceptions of speakers significantly diminished as a result of surgery and negative perceptions increased. Certain variables, such as degree of resection of the soft palate and base of tongue, and sex of the speaker, had influence on the results. This research suggests that intelligibility measurements of speech, although useful, do not provide a complete indication of the social impact of reconstructive surgery on patients with oropharyngeal resections.     

Head and neck skin involvement by non-cutaneous head and neck cancers: free flap reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with skin involvement from head and neck cancer have a poor prognosis, with a median survival time of 2 months. METHOD AND RESULTS: During a 9 year period, 31 patients with skin involvement above the clavicle by non-cutaneous malignant tumours of the head and neck were treated. In 19 males and 12 females with a mean age of 62 years, the parotid gland (32%) and the oral cavity (29%) were the commonest sites of primary disease and 77% of the cases were squamous cell carcinomas. Twenty-six had recurrent disease, 20 had received previous radiotherapy and all underwent surgical resection with free flap reconstruction, the commonest being the radial forearm (78%). Complete histological clearance was achieved in 53% of the cases, and adjuvant post-operative irradiation was given to 60%. With this form of management, palliation was extended to a mean survival of 23 months. Six patients are currently alive and disease free at a mean follow up of 4.5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with head and neck skin involvement by non-cutaneous head and neck malignancies have a very poor prognosis, but surgical resection combined with free microvascular flap reconstruction and planned post-operative radiotherapy, can offer good long-term palliation.     

Hand Doppler flowmetry for surgical planning of pedicled flap in extensive full-thickness scalp reconstruction

Reconstruction of scalp defects can be performed with local flaps for medium to large defects (2–25 cm²) and microvascular free flaps for extensive full-thickness scalp reconstruction greater than 25 cm². Doppler flowmetry with its ability to exactly mark the course of arteries on the overlying skin, is a useful tool for the surgical planning of large local flaps. In our retrospective study conducted on 38 patients (all patients had malignancies or post-traumatic scalp defects), consisting of 39 total surgical procedures, we studied the impact of doppler ultrasonic flowmetry in the surgical planning for pedicled flaps in extensive full-thickness scalp reconstruction (>25 cm²) by evaluating overall flap survival rate. Nine different types of local flaps were employed in the scalp reconstruction: Superficial temporal artery (STA) pedicled rotation flap, STA pedicled transposition flap, STA islanded flap, bipedicled STA flap, bipedicled fronto-occipital flap, Supraorbital/Supratrochlear artery rotation flap, Supraorbital/Supratrochlear artery transposition flap, Occipital artery (OA) pedicled rotation flap, OA pedicled transposition flap. Before each surgical procedure a hand held doppler Huntleigh Diagnostic flowmeter with a 8 MHz probe was used to identify and follow the course of the arteries. Flap survival rate was 100%. No postoperative complications related to the flap were reported, while in two patients a partial skin graft failure occurred.     

Changes in Spinal Alignment of Women Who Underwent Unilateral Mastectomy with Immediate Autologous Breast Reconstruction Compared To Mastectomy without Breast Reconstruction

IntroductionThe impact of breast reconstruction on spinal alignment is not well studied, especially in immediate autologous breast reconstruction. Studies on body posture have shown greater asymmetry among those without reconstruction. This study compared the changes in spinal alignment pre- and post-operatively among women who underwent unilateral mastectomy without reconstruction (MA) versus immediate autologous breast reconstruction (IABR).MethodsA cross sectional, retrospective study analysed MA and IABRs performed from January 2007 to December 2017 and their pre- and post-operative anterior chest radiographs. The change in Cobb's angle (degrees) less than 1 year, 1 to 2 years, more than 2 years post-operatively were analysed using GE Healthcare Centricity Picture Archive and Communications Systems.Results537 patients underwent mastectomy; 76 fulfilled the inclusion criteria (36 IABR, 40 MA). No significant difference existed between mean pre- and post-operative Cobb's angle change across all 3 groups, less than 1 year (MA 3.57±3.84, IABR 3.316±2.72, p=0.81), 1 to 2 years (MA 1.84±4.81, IABR -2.68±3.21, p=0.577) and more than 2 years post-operatively (MA -1.14±5.30, IABR -0.94±5.10, p=0.898). However raw data indicated IABR improved spinal alignment in the short and intermediate period post-operatively. Among IABR, free flap breast reconstruction improved spinal alignment compared to pedicled flaps [free flaps: 2.21±3.28, pedicled flaps: 0.01±3.67 (p=0.027)].ConclusionIABR has a positive impact on spinal alignment in early and intermediate post-operative period compared to MA, especially in women with larger breast volume. Physical benefits of IABR should be highlighted to improve patient's access to breast reconstruction globally.     

Functional evaluation after reconstruction of the anterior floor of the mouth with free flaps in patients with head and neck cancer

The aim of this study was to evaluate functional results in two type of free flaps applied in a series of patients with cancer of the the anterior floor of the mouth. From 1992 to 1997, 15 patients with a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the anterior floor of the mouth were submitted to surgical excision and primary reconstruction with free fascio-cutaneous or osteo-myocutaneous flaps. Functional assessment of each patient included application of the Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer (PSS-HNC), Karnofsky scale, articulation test and flouroscopy. Ten patients received a free radial forearm flap and one of them required an additional non-vascularized free iliac crest graft. Five patients received a free iliac crest flap. Dental implants were inserted in eight cases. A functional evaluation was performed on nine patients: PSS-HNC median score for diet was 80 (range: 50–100), for speech was 75 (range: 50–100) and for «eating in public» category, it was 75 (range: 75–100); Karnofsky scale median score was 90. All patients showed good communication skills by evaluation. Eight patients had articulation errors of the type tip-tonge consonants /t,d,n,s,z,l/ and/or posterior-tongue consonants /k,g,r/; physical and social activities were normal for all patients. Flouroscopy showed anatomical and physiological alterations following large resections of soft tissue. The type of reconstruction selected for each patient must be individualised. The quality of functional rehabilitation achieved in the floor of the mouth is inversely proportional to the degree of the soft tissue resection, mostly that of the tongue.     

Deltopectoral Flap Reconstruction of the Posterior Pharyngeal Wall: A Single Stage Pedicle Flap Alternative Solution to the Free Flap Reconstruction of Circumferential Laryngopharyngeal Defects

The first option for reconstruction of a circumferential pharyngeal defect following extensive pharyngo-laryngectomy is free tissue transfer. Despite that, pedicled flaps can be used when microsurgical expertise is not available or if other patient related or region related issues deem free tissue transfer unfavourable. The aim of this study was to review the operative feasibility and functional outcomes following dual flap reconstruction of circumferential pharyngeal defects.This was a retrospective study of all patients (n = 8) who underwent either primary (n = 5) or salvage (n = 3) circumferential laryngopharyngectomy + /– cervical oesophagectomy, followed by dual flap reconstruction, with a deltopectoral flap to reconstruct the posterior wall from 2005 to 2020. The main outcome measures were operative complications, hospital stay and functional outcomes (speech and swallowing). The operation was feasible in all patients, with dual flap reconstruction using a deltopectoral flap, combined with a pectoralis major flap (n = 5) or a supraclavicular flap (n = 3). All patients developed a small, lateralised, self-healing fistula at the site of the deltopectoral flap 3-point junction. This did not require any intervention, or impact on adjuvant treatment. Functional outcomes were favourable, with all patients achieving oral diet. One patient required gastrostomy diet supplementation, and one patient required stricture dilatation. Of the patients able to receive a speech valve (n = 4), all achieved intelligible speech. Dual flap reconstruction of circumferential pharyngeal defects represents a feasible alternative option for a complex reconstructive problem. The predictable operative recovery and favourable functional outcomes indicate that the use of both a deltopectoral flap and a second flap is a robust reconstructive solution.     

The reliability of submental flap for soft tissue reconstruction in patients with carcinoma of the oral cavity

BackgroundThe submental island flap (SIF) is a reliable option for reconstruction of the defects of the oral cavity following cancer resection. Advantages include reliable axial vascular pedicle, low donor site morbidity, good functional and cosmetic outcome, shorter operative time and lower cost compared to free flap reconstruction.Materials and methodsA total of 32 consecutive patients with carcinoma of the oral cavity were included in this study. All patients underwent resection and immediate reconstruction with SIF pedicled the submental vessels. Donor and recipient site morbidity, functional outcome, and locoregional recurrences are reported.ResultsThe study included 22 males (69%) and 10 females. The mean age was 54 years (range of 31–79 years). The most common primary tumor site was the tongue (15 patients, 47%), followed by the buccal mucosa, alveolar margin, floor of mouth, lower lip and hard palate. In 25 patients (78%) the flap survived completely. Complete flap loss occurred in one patient (3%). Six patients (19%) developed complications related to flap vascularity. 21 patients (66%) resumed normal diet, while 11 patients (34%) tolerated only soft diet. Over a median follow up was of 15 months (range of 3–62 months), 21 patients (66%) are alive and disease free, while 8 patients died, of whom 4 of locoreginal recurrences.ConclusionsSIF is reliable for reconstruction of the intraoral soft tissue defects following cancer resection. The functional and cosmetic outcomes are satisfactory and donor site morbidity is low. Careful patient selection is necessary for favorable outcome.     

The effect of radiotherapy on the use of immediate breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Immediate breast reconstruction techniques include tissue-expansion, latissimus dorsi flap with or without an implant, pedicled TRAM flap and free tissue-transfer. Adjuvant radiotherapy decreases loco-regional recurrence and increases overall survival. Radiotherapy in the presence of a tissue-expander or an implant can lead to an increased number of complications and poor cosmetic outcome. AIM OF THE STUDY: To study the relationship between radiotherapy and the choice of the immediate breast reconstruction technique in view of the increased number of breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An audit of 121 patients who had immediate breast reconstruction over a period of 2 years was reviewed retrospectively. In March 1998, the radiotherapy protocol was revised. Forty-two patients operated on between January 1997 and March 1998 were compared to 79 patients operated on between April 1998 and June 1999. RESULTS: The percentage of patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy increased in the second period as well as the proportion of autologous breast reconstruction. A small percentage of patients required unexpected radiotherapy after insertion of tissue expanders, due to narrow excision margins or unexpected pathology. Only two patients had tissue-expansion although radiotherapy was likely. CONCLUSION: The choice of the immediate breast reconstruction technique was satisfactory in most patients. The use of implants is best avoided in patients who may require adjuvant radiotherapy. Autologous immediate breast reconstruction, either free or pedicled flaps, is a safer choice for those patients.     

Lower lip reconstruction after tumor resection; a single author's experience with various methods

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequently seen malignant tumor of the lower lip. The more tissue is lost from the lip after tumor resection, the more challenging is the reconstruction. Many methods have been described, but each has its own advantages and its disadvantages. The author presents through his own clinical experience with lower lip reconstruction at the NCI, an evaluation of the commonly practiced techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a 3 year period from May 2002 till May 2005, 17 cases presented at the National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, with lower lip squamous cell carcinoma. The lesions involved various regions of the lower lip excluding the commissures. Following resection, the resulting defects ranged from 1 /3 of lip to total lip loss. The age of the patients ranged from 28 to 67 years and they were 13 males and 4 females. With regards to the reconstructive procedures used, Karapandzic technique (orbicularis oris myocutaneous flaps) was used in 7 patients, 3 of whom underwent secondary lower lip augmentation with upper lip switch flaps. Primary Abbe (Lip switch) flap reconstruction was used in two patients, while 2 other patients were reconstructed with bilateral fan flaps with vermilion reconstruction by mucosal advancement in one case and tongue flap in the other. The radial forearm free flap was used only in 2 cases, and direct wound closure was achieved in three cases. All patients were evaluated for early postoperative results emphasizing on flap viability and wound problems and for late results emphasizing on oral continence, microstomia, and aesthetic outcome, in addition to the usual oncological follow-up. RESULTS: All flaps used in this study survived completely including the 2 free flaps. In the early postoperative period, minor wound breakdown occurred in all three cases reconstructed by utilizing adjacent cheek skin flaps, but all wounds healed spontaneously. The latter three cases involved defects greater than 2 /3 of lower lip and one of them was previously irradiated. Those patients then suffered from occasional drooling of saliva. The best results in terms of oral continence and cosmetic outcome were achieved in those cases reconstructed with flaps utilizing residual lower lip or upper lip tissues (i.e; the Karapandzic technique (orbicularis oris myocutaneous flaps, and the Abbe (upper lip switch flaps). Nevertheless, microstomia developed in four patients primarily reconstructed with the Karapandzic technique in which defects were greater than one half of the lip. Only one of those patients tolerated her microstomia and required no further treatment. The remaining three patients showed marked improvement after augmenting the lower lip with bilateral paraphiltral lip switch flaps from upper lip in a second stage. The follow-up period ranged from 6 months to three years during which no patient had developed local recurrence or distant metastasis. CONCLUSION: Lower lip reconstruction aims to restore function and appearance with the best results obtained by utilizing residual normal lip tissues incorporating potentially innervated muscle fibers. With larger defects, reconstruction is less than optimal, but every effort should be taken to obtain an adequate sphincter function and lip continence to saliva, both of which are the most important goals to achieve in lip reconstruction.     

Association of the breast reconstruction modality with the development of postmastectomy lymphedema: A long-term follow-up study

BackgroundWhether the breast reconstruction modality could influence the long-term development of post-mastectomy lymphedema has been little investigated. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential association of the breast reconstruction method with the incidence of lymphedema over an extended follow-up period.MethodsPatients with breast cancer who underwent immediate reconstruction from 2008 to 2014 were reviewed. They were categorized into three groups according to the reconstruction method: tissue expander/implant, abdominal flaps, and latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle flaps. Differences in the cumulative incidence of lymphedema by the reconstruction method were analyzed, as well as their independent influence on the outcome. Further analyses were conducted with propensity-score matching for baseline characteristics.ResultsIn total, 664 cases were analyzed with a median follow-up of 83 months (402 prostheses, 180 abdominal flaps, and 82 LD flaps). The rate of axillary lymph node dissection was significantly higher in the LD flap group than in the other two groups. The 5-year cumulative incidences of lymphedema in the LD flap, abdominal flap, and prosthesis groups were 3.7%, 10.6%, and 10.9%, respectively. In multivariable analyses, compared to the use of the LD flap, that of tissue expander/implant and that of abdominal flaps were associated with increased risks of lymphedema. A similar association was observed in the propensity-score matching analysis. The use of abdominal flaps or prostheses was not associated with the outcomes.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the method of immediate breast reconstruction might be associated with the development of postmastectomy lymphedema.     

提高头颈肿瘤术后缺损一期修复质量的体会

本文总结了头颈肿瘤术后缺损行一期修复８９例的临床经验，认为首次治疗的设计正确合理是一期修复质量的保证；全面掌握修复手段，不断提高修复技术是提高一期修复质量的关键。文中讨论了三角形皮下蒂皮瓣、颈阔肌肌皮瓣、胸锁乳突肌肌皮瓣、舌骨下肌群肌皮瓣、舌瓣、腭瓣、额瓣、颈前带状肌（皮）瓣、胸大肌肌皮瓣、前臂游离皮瓣等各自的优缺点和适应症的选择。     

Microvascular reconstruction of the breast

The growth of microsurgical procedures has led to significant technological, scientific, and clinical advances that have made these procedures safe, reliable, reproducible, and routine in most major medical centers. In many instances, free flap reconstruction has become the primary reconstructive method for many major defects, including breast reconstruction. The advantages of free flap breast reconstruction include better flap vascularity, broader patient selection, easier insetting of the flap, and decreased donor site morbidity. Free flap breast reconstruction can occur either at the time that the mastectomy is performed or as a delayed reconstruction following a previous mastectomy. Immediate reconstructions have the advantage of avoiding scar contracture and fibrosis within the mastectomy flaps and at the recipient vessel site. The most common recipient vessel sites are the thoracodorsal vessels and the internal mammary vessels. The thoracodorsal vessels are most frequently used in immediate reconstruction because they are partially exposed during the mastectomy procedure. The internal mammary vessels are used more frequently in delayed reconstructions, to avoid repeat surgery in the axilla. This recipient site also allows more medial placement of the reconstruction. Flap selections for free autogenous breast reconstruction include the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap, the superior gluteal myocutaneous flap, the inferior gluteal myocutaneous flap, the lateral thigh flap, and the deep circumflex iliac soft tissue flap (Rubens). The TRAM flap is most commonly used in free flap breast reconstruction. For patients with inadequate abdominal tissue or prior abdominal surgery, the superior gluteal flap is typically used. Both the TRAM flap and the superior gluteal flap can be designed as perforator flaps, preserving all of the involved muscle and, in the TRAM perforator, all the rectus fascia. These flaps are more technically demanding, with minimal impact on donor site function. The other flaps are less frequently used and limited to special patient circumstances. Free flap autogenous breast reconstruction provides a natural, long-lasting result with a high degree of patient satisfaction. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 19:264-271, 2000.     

Rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in radical oncopelvic surgery: A safe and useful procedure

AIMS: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the usefulness of rectus abdominis myocutaneous (RAM) flaps to treat locally advanced pelvic gynaecological or digestive tumours. METHODS: We reviewed 46 patients, who received RAM flaps after radical oncopelvic surgery, including: (a) total vaginal reconstruction (TVR); (b) partial vaginal reconstruction (PVR); (c) perineal reconstruction (PR). RESULTS: Between 1989 and 1998, 46 patients underwent pelvi-perineal reconstruction with RAM flaps after radical pelvic surgery for carcinoma of the cervix (n=22), anal carcinoma (n=11), rectal carcinoma (n=7), or other pelvic tumours types (n=6). There were two post-operative deaths. Overall surgical morbidity was 45, 6% (n=21). Specific morbidity of the RAM flap was 21, 7% (n=10). Global re-intervention rate was 13% (n=6). CONCLUSION: Rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in radical oncopelvic surgery is useful for vaginal or perineal reconstruction and prevention of pelvic collections after extended resections with a low rate of associated morbidity.     

应用游离腹部皮瓣行118例乳房重建术的单中心报告

背景与目的：随着诊疗技术的不断革新,乳腺癌的无病生存期和总生存率显著提高。为了改善患者术后的生活质量,越来越多的乳房重建技术被应用于临床。本文拟通过回顾复旦大学附属肿瘤医院乳腺外科118例游离腹部皮瓣乳房重建术的开展情况,介绍该术式的手术方法及结果,并就开展过程中的心得体会加以阐述。方法：收集2006年11月—2013年6月117例(1例接受双侧重建)接受全乳切除并进行即刻或延期游离腹部皮瓣乳房重建的患者进行即刻或延期游离腹部皮瓣乳房重建的临床资料,分析手术情况、围手术期并发症发生率及远期转归。结果：在上述观察期间共完成118例游离腹部皮瓣乳房重建术,平均手术时间7.72 h,平均热缺血时间78.74 min,平均血管吻合时间60.83 min。保留腹壁下深血管穿支平均为3支,胸廓内血管为首选的受区血管。术后发生血管危象10例,其中静脉血栓6例,静脉成角4例;解救成功7例,皮瓣全部坏死3例,成功率为97.46%。术后伤口感染发生率为7.00%,下腹部膨隆发生率为3.50%,无腹壁疝发生。手术距首疗程化疗的中位时间为19 d。中位随访12个月,1例出现远处转移,未发现局部复发。结论：游离腹部皮瓣乳房重建术可获得较佳的重建乳房外观,虽然该术式较为复杂,对术者要求高,存在学习曲线,但术式成功率高,术后并发症较少,不影响肿瘤安全性,值得推广。     

Microsurgical reconstruction of the esophagus

The loss or stricture of the esophagus has a tremendous impact on daily life. Before the era of microsurgery, many patients had to rely on tube feeding from jejunostomy following failure of esophageal reconstruction with conventional methods. Since the application of microsurgery, almost all kinds of esophageal defects can be reconstructed successfully with microvascular transfer of jejunum, colon, and skin flaps. Microsurgery is also used to augment the blood supply for the pedicled colon and jejunum flaps. In 97.6% of cases, successful reconstruction has been achieved. The leakage rate and functional results are evaluated for each group. For the pharynx and cervical esophagus, jejunum is the best choice. For replacement of the thoracic esophagus, a pedicled colon flap is the first choice, but it can be supercharged with microvascular anastomoses to the neck vessels if necessary. We conclude that the microsurgical transfer of jejunum, colon, and skin flaps is a useful approach for reconstruction of the esophagus. With proper selection of the organ substitute and correct inset of the flap, it not only provides anatomical replacement, but also a superior functional result. Free jejunum flap transfer requires attention to flap length and duration of ischemia. Free colon flap transfer requires attention to arteriosclerotic changes and the vascular pattern. Free skin flaps require attention to leakage prevention. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 19:235-245, 2000.     

Free muscle transfer with split thickness skin graft coverage in head and neck reconstructive surgery

Sixteen patients (eight females and eight males) who underwent microsurgical free tissue transfers for head and neck reconstruction are reviewed. In this series, the flap reconstruction was completed on eleven patients with extra-oral defects and five with intra-oral defects. Split thickness skin graft coverage was used in all cases. The rectus abdominis free muscle flap was used in nine patients and the latissimus dorsi free muscle flap in seven patients. The choice of tissue reconstruction was decided by the size of the surgical defect. There were no failures of the tissue transfers and skin grafts. In skilled hands, free tissue transfer provides a reliable method of head and neck reconstruction, with a low incidence of recipient and donor site complications. In extra-oral defects, coverage of free muscle transfer with split thickness skin grafts, results in a better colour match than musculocutaneous flaps, and complements the appearance and pliability of the free muscle flap.     

各种皮瓣在足底负重区恶性黑色素瘤术后缺损修复中的应用

目的：探讨足底内侧皮瓣、局部逆行岛状皮辫、外踝上穿支皮瓣、内踝上穿支皮瓣和游离股前外侧皮瓣修复足底负重区恶性黑色素瘤广泛切除术后缺损的优缺点。方法：浙江省肿瘤医院骨和软组织肿瘤外科2010-01-13-2013-12～25收治的23例足底负重区皮肤恶性黑色素瘤患者,进行原发灶广泛切除后分别采用足底内侧皮瓣、局部逆行岛状皮瓣、外踝上穿支皮瓣、内踝上穿支皮瓣及游离股前外侧皮瓣进行修复,对其临床资料和随访结果进行分析。结果：术后缺损面积为4cm×4cm～11cm×9cm,切取皮瓣面积5cmX5cm～12cm×10cm。14倒足底内侧皮瓣全部成活,其中皮瓣最大切取面积为7cm×7cm。1例局部逆行岛状皮瓣出现小部分坏死,二期愈合,4例外踝上及内踝上穿支皮瓣全部成活,其中皮瓣最大切取面积为12cm×10cm。4例游离股前外侧皮瓣中,3例成活,1例皮瓣出现远端部分浅表性坏死,经换药后愈合。所有患者无继发性渍疡出现,患足均可无痛行走。2例行足底内侧皮瓣修复术后出现局部复发。结论：各种皮瓣修复足底黑色素瘤术后缺损均可获得较好疗效,对较小足根部的缺损（直径〈8cm）首选足底内侧皮瓣,较大的缺损可采用内外踝上穿支皮瓣,有显微外科条件的可考虑游离股前外侧皮瓣修复局部皮瓣不能覆盖的缺损。