Nonendoscopic harvest of the gastrocnemius muscle flap through a small incision

Traditional gastrocnemius flap harvest requires a long skin incision, starting from the popliteal fossa to the mid leg. The authors designed three instruments to facilitate harvest of this flap through a small incision without the help of an endoscope in 10 patients. All 10 gastrocnemius muscle flaps survived with a 100% success rate.     

The distally pedicled gracilis flap for salvage of complex knee wounds

IntroductionSoft tissue defects around the knee joint resulting from trauma or because of wound breakdown after total knee arthroplasty present a challenge in a group of patients that often suffer from other co-morbidities. A pedicled gastrocnemius muscle flap remains a workhorse for this kind of wound. However, where the defect lies in the supero-lateral aspect of the proximal knee area, an alternative solution is required. The distally based pedicled gracilis flap has been described as an option for these cases where free-tissue transfer may not be an option and the pedicled gastrocnemius is not sufficient or has already been used. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the usefulness of this flap in the nine cases in which we have utilized it in our unit.MethodsNine patients underwent reconstruction of complex proximal knee wound defects with a distally based pedicled gracilis muscle flap. The mean age was 62 years (range 23–83). Five patients had wound breakdown following total-knee arthroplasty (TKR) and four patients had wound complications after road traffic accidents (RTA). Three of the nine flaps were delayed.ResultsEight of the nine patients had successful salvage of the knee with the use of the distally based gracilis flap. Although four of the flaps suffered partial loss, this did not compromise the joint salvage. The patients were moderately satisfied with the reconstruction and achieved a mean range of movement of 75° (±12°).ConclusionThe distally based pedicled gracilis flap can be a salvage solution for complex soft tissue defects with exposed knee joint, patella or proximal part of knee or exposed knee prosthesis in cases where a pedicled gastrocnemius muscle is inadequate or the patient is not suitable for a free flap.Evidence Level IV.     

Harvest of an entire gracilis muscle and tendon for use in functional muscle transfer: a novel technique

The use of the free functioning, innervated gracilis muscle has evolved to become an invaluable tool in the restoration of elbow flexion and prehension in patients undergoing reconstruction following brachial plexus injuries. Although there are many different methods of the gracilis muscle harvest, most if not all harvest methods begin proximally. The purpose of this article is to describe a novel distal harvest technique of the gracilis myocutaneous flap for brachial plexus patients requiring restoration of elbow or finger flexion. A harvest method commencing with a distal dissection either at the distal insertion of the gracilis at the pes anserine or at the distal medial thigh at the myotendinous junction will be described. The advantage of this novel method is to ensure that the entire gracilis muscle and its tendon are harvested to maximize the length of tendon that can be secured by a Pulvertaft weave into the biceps tendon or the finger flexors for elbow flexion and finger flexion respectively.     

Optimizing the use of local muscle flaps for knee megaprosthesis coverage

Primary muscle flap cover of megaprostheses following limb salvage surgery for tumors around the knee serves to decrease infection rates, provide additional soft tissue cover over the implant, and act as a bed for split-skin grafting. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the role of supplementary muscle flaps such as the hemisoleus, gracilis, and semimembranosus in augmenting coverage provided by gastrocnemius muscle flaps. Between August 1999 and August 2006, 10 patients underwent resection of distal femur (n = 5) or proximal tibia (n = 5) sarcomas, followed by bone reconstruction with a modular megaprosthesis and soft tissue coverage with local pedicled flaps. The average age was 31 years (range, 13 to 47), with pathologic diagnoses inclusive of osteosarcoma (n = 7), chondrosarcoma (n = 2), and recurrent giant cell tumor (n = 1). For proximal tibial tumors, both bellies of the gastrocnemius with hemisoleus for additional soft tissue cover were used. For distal femoral tumors, 1 gastrocnemius belly sutured to the extensor mechanism and gracilis or semimembranosus provided adequate soft tissue cover. All flaps survived without complications, all wounds healed well, and all patients were ambulant after surgery. The role of supplementary muscle flaps was demonstrated in specific situations, where coverage of the subcutaneous area of the midtibia was deficient and where a significant amount of the vastus medialis or gastrocnemius has been resected. Technical refinements included primary skin grafting to relieve tension during skin closure and excision of the aponeurosis over the gastrocnemius and hemisoleus to increase the reach and surface area of the muscle flap.     

Refinement of minimally invasive harvest of gracilis muscle flap without endoscopic assistance

Minimally invasive surgery without endoscopic assistance for gracilis muscle flap harvest is extensively used at the authors' institution. However, the proximal incision is still visible. The purpose of this study was to place the proximal incision in the groin area, to improve the cosmetic result at the donor site. In the reported series, nine male and three female patients were evaluated, with patient ages ranging from 31 to 75 years. Ten patients had lower extremity reconstruction, one had a forearm defect, and the other, a head and neck defect. The proximal incision was 5 to 6 cm in length in the groin area. The distal incision was 1.5 cm in length around the knee. After adequate exploration and dissection of the major pedicle of the gracilis muscle flap, which was located at 7 to 8 cm below the groin crease under direct vision, a standard long blunt dissector was used to separate the gracilis muscle. The average incision was about 7 cm in length, and the harvesting time was 55 min. All the free muscle transfers were successful and without major complications. The proximal incision was almost invisible after 3 months. Two patients developed partial loss of the skin graft, requiring further skin grafting. Compared with the conventional technique, this method proved to be advantageous in its easier performance, shorter incision, fewer morbidities, and better appearance at the donor site.     

The gracilis myocutaneous free flap in swine: An advantageous preclinical model for vascularized composite allograft transplantation research

Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) has become a clinical reality, prompting research aimed at improving the risk‐benefit ratio of such transplants. Here, we report our experience with a gracilis myocutaneous free flap in Massachusetts General Hospital miniature swine as a preclinical VCA model. Fourteen animals underwent free transfer of a gracilis myocutaneous flap comprised of the gracilis muscle and overlying skin, each tissue supplied by independent branches of the femoral vessels. End‐to‐end anastomoses were performed to the common carotid artery and internal jugular vein, or to the femoral vessels of the recipients. Thirteen of fourteen flaps were successful. A single flap was lost due to compromise of venous outflow. This model allows transplantation of a substantial volume of skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle. The anatomy is reliable and easily identified and harvest incurs minimal donor morbidity. We find this gracilis myocutaneous flap an excellent pre‐clinical model for the study of vascularized composite allotransplantation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 2013.     

Endoscopic harvest of the medial gastrocnemius muscle flap: a cadaveric study.

The aim of our study was to prove that endoscopic-assisted harvest of the medial gastrocnemius muscle is as effective as the conventional technique. We performed endoscopic dissection on 10 fresh human cadavers, and found that the medial gastrocnemius muscle was easily harvested through a minor donor-site incision, because of its topography and constant dominant proximal vascular pedicle. The operative technique is described.     

Transverse splitting of the gracilis muscle free flap: Maximal use of a single muscle

The gracilis muscle, based on the dominant pedicle, has been used extensively for free tissue transfer. Recent studies have described the constant anatomy, ease of dissection, and low donor-site morbidity of the distal segmental gracilis free muscle flap. We present three cases of free distal segmental gracilis muscle transfer. In one case, the gracilis muscle was divided transversely into one proximally based and one distally based free flap and used for coverage of two separate wounds in a patient with bilateral open calcaneal fractures. In two cases, the preserved proximal gracilis was used as a reoperative free flap after failure of the initial distal segmental gracilis free muscle. With recent advances in microsurgery and ever-growing demands for low donor-site morbidity, it is important to ensure each free muscle flap harvested is used efficiently. Use of the free distal segmental gracilis muscle flap maximally uses one muscle while minimizing donor site morbidity and retaining the proximal muscle for future uses.     

The gracilis flap revisited

The gracilis muscle or myocutaneous flap is a Mathes and Nahai neurovascular flap type II. It can be used either as a pedicled flap, or as a free flap. Since 1983, 21 gracilis muscle flaps were used in 19 patients at this department; 15 were pedicled while six were free flaps. Two pedicled flaps were lost, possibly due to an intraoperative spasm of the feeding artery. The indications for using the gracilis muscle are discussed, and the results with an average follow-up of more than a decade are presented. Received: 6 December 1999 / Accepted: 7 June 2000     

The gracilis (medial circumflex femoral) perforator flap: a medial groin free flap?

The superior medial thigh skin territory has previously been successfully transferred as a free flap as part of a gracilis musculocutaneous flap. However, muscle bulk can be avoided and its function preserved by instead retaining only the musculocutaneous perforators arising from the gracilis pedicle like in a true perforator flap. A clinical example of this new perforator flap is described as the gracilis (medial circumflex femoral) perforator flap. This could become an ideal skin flap because no muscle is included, a well-defined segment of skin can be reliably harvested, closure of the donor site leaves a scar in the groin that can be readily concealed, and its dominant vascular pedicle is consistent in location and already familiar to most reconstructive surgeons.     

大面积股内侧穿支皮瓣移植重建乳房的临床效果

目的:探讨以股薄肌皮瓣联合大收肌穿支皮瓣的股内侧皮瓣形式移植再造乳房的临床价值。方法:2016年12月至2019年2月,湖南省肿瘤医院肿瘤整形外科收治16例女性乳腺癌患者,年龄27~59岁,平均40.3岁。肿瘤均为单侧,左侧9例,右侧7例;直径1.5~4.5(2.9±0.3) cm;全部为一期病例。病理诊断浸润性导管癌...     

应用节段性兔股薄肌肌皮瓣重建阴茎勃起功能的研究

目的 设计应用节段性兔股薄肌肌皮瓣构建再造阴茎、重建勃起功能的动物模型.方法 依据肌亚部原则,近似二等分纵向完全劈开兔股薄肌,以前部肌束作为功能单位和皮瓣血供来源,植入硅胶假体作为支撑,构建阴茎再造的动物模型.应用多道生理信号采集处理系统刺激再造阴茎活动,并同步检测复合肌肉动作电位.结果 通过电刺激兔再造阴茎根部的神经,可使前部肌束收缩,引起阴茎形态的相应改变,当肌束发生强直收缩时,再造阴茎上翘幅度最大,并可维持翘起状态数秒,较满意地模拟了阴茎的勃起动作.结论 应用节段性兔股薄肌肌皮瓣构建的再造阴茎动物模型,较满意地重建了阴茎勃起功能,达到了兼顾改善阴茎外观与保留肌肉收缩功能的要求,具有较好的临床应用前景.     

Reconstruction of segmental defects of Achilles tendon: Is it a must in infected complex defects?

Loss of Achilles tendon combined with overlying soft tissue loss is a challenging problem. Multiple techniques like tendon graft with coverage by soft tissue flap or composite flaps have been used. All these options are technically demanding. Reports do exist whereby muscle flaps bridging the defect used as cover in course of time could transmit the tendon force across the defect. We are presenting a case where a free gracilis muscle flap used to cover the soft tissue defect at the Achilles tendon at 2 years follow up provided stable cover and produced active function of the Achilles tendon allowing the patient to stand tip toe. Mechanism of its action has been analysed by MRI and M-mode ultrasound. While in primary Achilles tendon injury reconstruction is still the recommended option, in complex situations mere filling of the gap with the flap without formal reconstruction of the tendon could give good functional outcome. This technique can be used in demanding situations.KEY WORDS: Achilles tendon, gracilis, muscle flap, reconstruction     

内镜辅助下肌瓣剥离转移术

目的：探讨整形外科用内镜在肌瓣剥离和切取中应用的可行性和其优缺点。方法：对5例外伤后胫骨外露、1例头皮撕脱伤所致颅骨外露患者,在内镜辅助下切取肌瓣,其中背阔肌和腹直肌各3例,游离肌瓣吻合血管移植之后,肌瓣表面植薄中厚皮,对临床资料进行回顾分析。结果：全部伤口一期愈合。结论：内镜辅助下的肌瓣剥离方法较传统肌瓣切取方法有可以明显缩小供区切口长度和减轻手术创伤的优点。     

Further experience with the medial circumflex femoral(GRACILIS) perforator free flap

The microsurgical transfer of the medial groin skin territory previously required this to be part of a transverse-oriented gracilis musculocutaneous free flap. As the concept of muscle perforator flaps has evolved, avoidance of muscle bulk and/or retention of muscle function here is also possible with the careful intramuscular dissection of the gracilis musculocutaneous perforators back to the usual medial circumflex femoral source vessel. This so-called medial circumflex femoral (GRACILIS) [MCF (GRACILIS)] perforator free flap has been successfully used seven times in six patients with minimal complications. The MCF (GRACILIS) muscle perforator flap may well represent the ideal skin flap: no muscle function is sacrificed; a reliable skin territory of large size is available; the dominant vascular pedicle is consistent in location; the flap may be harvested with the patient in a supine position; a combined conjoint flap including the gracilis muscle is optional; closure of the donor site leaves a medial groin scar that can be readily concealed; and flap dissection in this region is already very familiar to most microsurgeons.     

A modified free gracilis flap in the rat

We present in this paper the use of a combined neurovas-cularized flap of gracilis muscle and inguinal skin in the rat with the femoral vessels and obturator nerve serving as the pedicles. The epigastric, saphenous, and muscular branch vessels arising from the femoral vessels were preserved, and a portion of adductor magnus muscle was included in the flap to protect the delicate muscle vessels at their origins. The inguinal skin and muscle flap both had independent blood supplies, thus, separate assessment of muscle and skin rejection was possible in the single transplanted “packet.” The muscle flap with the reconnected motor nerve regained contractile ability upon nerve stimulation within 30 days after the iso-transplantation. The results suggest that the modified gracilis myocutaneous flap provides an ideal model for transplantation research. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Technique of harvesting the gracilis for free functioning muscle transplantation

In this article, we describe our technique and experience in harvesting the gracilis muscle for free functioning muscle transplantation (FFMT). The gracilis is the most commonly used muscle for FFMT. The main indication for gracilis FFMT is traumatic brachial plexus injury. Gracilis muscle has a class 2 vascular pedicle, with a dominant vascular pedicle originating from the profunda femoris vessels and a single motor nerve originating from the obturator nerve. During gracilis harvest, it is important to include the entire fascia around the muscle to ensure vascularity of the skin paddle and enhance muscle gliding in its new bed. Mobilization of the adductor longus allows tracing of the pedicle to its origin from the profunda femoris vessels, hence, achieving the maximum available length of the pedicle. Lengthening of gracilis tendon with a periosteal strip provides a free gracilis long enough to span the distance from the clavicle to the distal forearm. The main complications are related to the wound, and these include delayed healing, infection, and scar-related problems. The functional deficit after gracilis harvest is negligible.     

The gastrocnemius with soleus bi-muscle flap.

The gastrocnemius muscle flap is often insufficient in volume and arc of rotation for coverage of a large soft tissue defect of the knee and the upper third of the leg. Therefore we developed a new concept of the flap which combines soleus and gastrocnemius muscles, named the 'gastrocnemius with soleus bi-muscle flap'. In 16 cadavers we studied the location and number of perforators, which penetrate the gastrocnemius muscle through the soleus muscle. In all cases perforators were found in the distal half of the gastrocnemius muscle. Angiography in one fresh cadaver confirmed that the soleus muscle could receive the reversed flow from the gastrocnemius muscle perforators. We subsequently treated a patient with exposed proximal tibia with this flap. This flap is useful to cover a large soft tissue defect of the knee and the upper third of the leg.     

Functional lower lip reconstruction with a forearm flap combined with a free gracilis muscle transfer.

We applied a forearm flap combined with a gracilis muscle flap for total reconstruction of the lower lip. The motor nerve of the gracilis muscle was repaired to the buccal branch in the cheek. The patient obtained good sphincter function for eating and speaking, and he could inflate a balloon without air leakage.