颞肌筋膜瓣在颅面部肿瘤术后缺损修复中的应用

目的:探讨颞肌筋膜瓣(TMF)在修复颅面部肿瘤术后缺损中的应用。方法:根据缺损大小和部位 设计TMF,对10例颅面部肿瘤术后缺损患者进行修复,其中3例修复颅底缺损,5例修复口咽部缺损,2例修复 眶。结果:随访8～50个月,10例TMF全部成活;修复颅底者,未出现颅内感染及脑脊液漏;修复口咽者,语言、 吞咽功能无明显障碍;修复眶者解剖形态基本恢复,外观满意。结论:TMF是修复颅面部肿瘤术后缺损的理想选 择。     

The temporalis muscle flap for head and neck reconstruction

The temporalis muscle receives its blood supply from the anterior and posterior deep temporal arteries. These run between the muscle and the periosteum and, therefore, subperiosteal elevation of this fan-shaped muscle from its origin in the temporal fossa results in a viable muscle flap whose arc of rotation and reach can be increased by resection of the zygomatic arch and the coronoid process of the mandible. The flap is useful in reconstruction of the mouth where it reaches at least to the ipsilateral lower canine tooth, the palate to the midline, the orbit and the ear. Skin grafts are readily accepted on its surface. The surgical technique is described in detail and the use of the flap in two representative cases is documented.     

The modified temporalis muscle flap in reconstruction of palate and temporal deformity

Purpose: The purpose of this article was to introduce a modified temporalis muscle flap (TMF) which was used to reconstruct palate and temporal deformity.

Patient and methods: This was a retrospective review of the use of the modified TMF in reconstruction of palate and temporal deformity. We evaluated the result which included operative time, bleeding, necrosis, infection, facial nerve deficit, and cosmetic deformity.

Results: All the 16 patients accepted the modified TMF surgery successfully. There were no complications. All of them were satisfied with the postoperative appearance.

Conclusions: The modified TMF was a reliable and safe flap that can be used to reconstruct the surgical defect of plate and fill the temporal fossa.     

The temporalis muscle flap for reconstruction of soft palate and lateral oropharyngeal wall after transoral robotic surgery

Trans Oral robotic surgery (TORS) is a prominent surgical approach for the resection of oropharyngeal tumors without division of the lip and mandible. The current practice following TORS is to allow the defect to heal by secondary intention, but some defects following TORS are large and complex enough to benefit soft-tissue coverage. In the free flap era, regional flaps are often overlooked albeit they still represent a valid alternative. In terms of cost-effectiveness, the use of alternative pedicled flaps in TORS framework probably reduced the risks of postoperative complications, with consequent expenditure restraints and reducing treatment costs arising from operating room duration and double surgical team. In this report we described the successfully use of the pedicled temporalis muscle flap for the reconstruction of the soft palate and lateral pharyngeal wall following TORS. This versatile and reliable flap may be a valid option in TORS framework.     

颞浅血管为蒂的帽状腱膜瓣修复头颈肿瘤术后缺损

目的　了解以颞浅血管为蒂的帽状腱膜瓣在头颈部肿瘤术后缺损中的修复作用。方法对近 2年半内所做的连续 1 7例带蒂帽状腱膜瓣修复头颈肿瘤术后缺损进行初步评价。修复部位包括鼻咽、颅底、上颌骨、眶底壁、口咽和口腔等肿瘤手术后缺损 ,缺损大小从 (5cm× 5cm)～ (1 0cm× 1 0cm)不等。介绍 3例典型病例。描述了帽状腱膜瓣的应用解剖和手术操作。结果　 1 7例中 1 3例帽状睫膜瓣 (76 5 % )全部存活 ,4例 (2 3 5 % )部分坏死。 3例发生轻度伤口并发症 ,随诊 3～ 2 4个月 ,平均1 8个月的 9例存活患者中 ,4例出现远期并发症 ,分别为张口困难 3例 ,脱发 1例。结论　帽状腱膜瓣是一种血运丰富 ,质地较薄 ,柔韧性好的修复组织。临床成功率高 ,并发症较少且轻 ,供区隐蔽 ,是头颈部肿瘤术后缺损 ,特别是颅底、眶底壁、鼻咽和口咽的理想修复材料之一。     

Free posterior tibial flap for head and neck reconstruction after tumor expiration

BACKGROUND: Similar to the radial forearm flap, free tissue transfer of a fasciocutaneous flap is possible if the septocutaneous perforators of the posterior tibial vessels are preserved. OBJECTIVE: The authors report their clinical experience on using the free posterior tibial flap for primary reconstruction of head and neck defects after tumor extirpation. METHODS: Eleven patients were included between October of 2005 and March of 2007. Patients' clinical and demographic data were collected. The flap harvesting results and outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. Representative cases are presented for illustration. RESULT: There were nine men and two women, and their ages ranged from 34 to 83 (mean, 60.3) years. The flaps measured from 6 x 9 cm to 8 x 12 cm. Two cutaneous perforators were included in the majority of cases. The average flap thickness was 0.7 cm, and the average pedicle length was 14 cm. Flap survival was 100%. Skin grafts of all donor sites healed well. All patients were ambulatory early in the postoperative period, and there was no distal limb ischemia or cold intolerance on follow-up. Four patients needed postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that the posterior tibial flap is a safe and reliable flap for reconstruction of head and neck defects after tumor expiration. It has all the comparable properties of a radial forearm flap. In addition, a larger area of skin can be removed, and the graft donor site is less conspicuous.     

Analysis of 59 cases with free flap thrombosis after reconstructive surgery for head and neck cancer

Objective

There have been few reports addressing methods of dealing with free flap thrombosis after reconstructive surgery for head and neck cancer. The present study, through a detailed analysis of the subsequent course of patients who developed postoperative flap thrombosis, aims to clarify possible methods of salvage surgery in the event of vascular occlusion despite rigorous postoperative follow-up.

Methods

We analyzed 59 cases of postoperative thrombosis in 1031 patients who underwent free flap transfer and considered the most appropriate salvage surgery in the event of total flap necrosis.

Results

The flap salvage rate through vascular reanastomosis was highest for radial forearm flaps, with salvage of jejunal flaps being problematic if postoperative thrombosis occurred. For cases of postoperative thrombosis among patients who underwent reconstruction using a jejunal flap, the period of hospitalization was significantly extended for those patients in whom a second jejunal flap grafting was impossible. For cases of postoperative thrombosis among patients who underwent reconstruction using a radial forearm flap (FA), rectus abdominis flap (RA), or anterior lateral thigh flap (ALT), no significant difference was observed between those undergoing re-grafting with a free flap and those with a pedicled flap.

Conclusion

We concluded that, among patients who undergo reconstruction using a jejunal flap, thrombosis should be discovered at an early stage to enable another jejunal flap re-grafting. For patients who undergo reconstruction using a FA, RA, or ALT, if thrombosis can be discovered at an early stage, there is a possibility of salvaging the flap by means of vascular reanastomosis. If it should prove impossible to salvage the flap, however, primary suture of the defect or reconstruction with a pedicled flap may also be considered.     

Lateral thigh free flap for head and neck reconstruction.

OBJECTIVES: To present the technique of lateral thigh free flap reconstruction in the head and neck and review the use of this procedure in 58 head and neck defect reconstructions. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review in the setting of a tertiary, referral, and academic center. METHODS: Retrospective review of patient records in cases of lateral thigh free flap reconstruction for head and neck defects. Records were reviewed for patient age, gender, pathologic findings, type of reconstruction (pharyngoesophageal, glossectomy, oropharyngeal, or external soft tissue defects), recipient and donor-site complications, and flap failure. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients underwent lateral thigh flap reconstruction from 1984 to 1997. Patient age ranged from 10 to 76 years. Thirty-nine patients were men, and 19 were women. Forty-three flaps were used for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction, nine for glossectomy defects, two for oropharyngeal defects, and four for external, soft tissue defects. All resections were for squamous cell carcinoma, except one case of recurrent hemangiopericytoma. One flap failure occurred from venous thrombosis (1.7%). Forty-two of 43 pharyngoesophageal defects were successfully reconstructed (97.6%). Five temporary salivary leaks were noted, but no frank fistulas occurred. One fistula occurred in the oropharyngeal reconstruction group. Four minor donor-site complications were noted (6.9%). CONCLUSION: This series demonstrates the low donor-site morbidity, as well as the reliability and versatility, of the lateral thigh free flap for head and neck reconstruction.     

The temporalis muscle flap for intraoral reconstruction

In this series of seven patients, we used the temporalis muscle flap for reconstruction of tongue and floor-of-mouth defects. For intraoral reconstruction, the temporalis muscle flap has advantages over the standard workhorse flap, the pectoralis major. The temporalis muscle flap is far less bulky, more pliable, non-hair bearing, and in closer proximity to the oral cavity. Use of this muscle does not impair mandibular function. The depression that results after the temporalis muscle has been transferred is minimal. Most of this donor area is covered by hair. The only site where the depression can be significant is at the zygomatic arch, where the tunnel into the mouth is formed after removal of the arch. If the arch is wired back into position, this aesthetic detriment is obviated. In gaining exposure of the zygomatic arch, significant traction can be placed on the soft tissues through which the temporal branch of the facial nerve runs. In one patient, a temporal nerve branch paralysis occurred that required a browpexy; in another patient, there was a transient paresis; and in the others, there was no deficit. The temporalis muscle flap is hardy and durable, and has become our mainstay flap for intraoral reconstruction.     

The role of topical antibiotic prophylaxis in patients undergoing contaminated head and neck surgery with flap reconstruction

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Patients undergoing contaminated head and neck surgery with flap reconstruction have wound infection rates of 20% to 25% with parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis. Studies suggest that perioperative antimicrobial mouthwash reduces oropharyngeal flora and may prevent wound infections. We hypothesized that the addition of topical antibiotics to a parenteral prophylactic regimen would reduce the incidence of wound infection in these high-risk patients. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a randomized, prospective clinical trial. METHODS: Patients received either 1) parenteral piperacillin/tazobactam (3.375 g every 6 hours for 48 h) or 2) parenteral piperacillin/tazobactam plus topical piperacillin/tazobactam administered as a mouthwash immediately before surgery and once a day for 2 days postoperatively, with piperacillin/tazobactam added to the intraoperative irrigation solution. The wounds of all patients were evaluated daily using predefined objective criteria. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients met inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. The overall wound infection rate was 8.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7%-17.8%). Two of 31 patients (6.4%) who received parenteral antibiotics alone developed a wound infection compared with 3 of 31 patients (9.7%) randomly assigned to receive topical plus parenteral antibiotics. This difference was not statistically significant (P = >.05). Infection rate was not associated with flap type (rotational vs. free tissue transfer), mandibular reconstruction, age, gender, tumor site, stage, surgical duration, or blood loss. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that piperacillin/tazobactam is a highly effective antibiotic for prevention of wound infection in patients undergoing flap reconstruction following contaminated head and neck surgery. However, the addition of topical piperacillin/tazobactam does not appear to enhance the prophylactic benefit of parenteral antibiotics alone.     

The latissimus dorsi flap in head and neck reconstructive surgery: a review of 121 procedures

The results of a prospective study of 121 latissimus dorsi flaps performed during head and neck reconstructive surgery at the Royal Marsden Hospital are presented. Three-quarters of the flaps were pedicled and one-quarter were free. All the patients underwent surgery for malignant disease. The flap failure rate was 5%, other flap related complications occurred in 19% and the overall rate of complications was 26%. Previous radiotherapy, site of reconstruction, type of flap (free or pedicled) and age of the patient were not significant risk factors. Men were more likely to have a complication than women.     

The ulnar fasciocutaneous free flap in head and neck reconstruction

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The radial forearm fasciocutaneous free flap has become the reconstructive tissue of choice for the majority of soft tissue defects in the head and neck. The forearm skin has many of the ideal soft tissue characteristics that optimize reconstruction and rehabilitation in these patients. The tissue is malleable, supple, and moldable in three dimensions; has a reliable pedicle; and can be harvested with a two-team approach. In some patients, the radial forearm cannot be used. An alternative is to use the adjacent tissue, which shares identical tissue characteristics. This tissue gets its vascular supply from the ulnar artery. The purpose of the report was to describe the authors' experience with the ulnar fasciocutaneous free flap in head and neck reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective consecutive case series. METHODS: Retrospective review of all patients undergoing ulnar fasciocutaneous free tissue transfer by a group of microvascular surgeons was performed. Thirty patients underwent free tissue transfer using the ulnar fasciocutaneous free flap. The male-to-female ratio was 3:1. RESULTS: Defects were located in the oral cavity (14), oropharynx (12), neck skin (1), and soft tissue of the lateral skull (3). The average size of the skin paddle that was transferred was 7 x 10 cm (range, 3 x 5 to 9 x 12 cm). The mean area of tissue that was transferred was 70 cm2 (range, 15-108 cm2). Vessel sizes were somewhat smaller than the comparable radial forearm. One patient had complete loss of the skin graft on the donor site. There were no median nerve or other wound-healing problems. Two flaps were lost in the postoperative period. Indications for use of the ulnar fasciocutaneous free flap were failed Allen's test (23), use of a less hairy part of the forearm (3), and surgical preference (4). CONCLUSIONS: The ulnar fasciocutaneous free flap has all of the tissue characteristics of the radial forearm flap. When a radial forearm flap cannot be used and forearm skin is desired, consideration of an ulnar fasciocutaneous free flap should be undertaken.