The rectus abdominis muscle in difficult problems of hand soft tissue reconstruction

When soft tissue losses in the hand require flap reconstruction, local tissue is preferred. Distant flaps should be reserved for major or unusually complex tissue losses which preclude the use of local flaps. We have used the rectus abdominis muscle as either a pedicled or a free flap with an overlying split thickness skin graft for several such complex soft tissue problems. Functional and cosmetic results have been excellent with minimal donor site morbidity. While not the initial choice for distant tissue used in hand reconstruction, the rectus abdominis muscle can solve several complex soft tissue problems in the hand.     

以旋股外侧动脉降支为蒂的穿支嵌合皮瓣修复口腔颌面部缺损

目的 设计以旋股外侧动脉降支为蒂的股部皮肤穿支血管的嵌合皮瓣,为修复口腔颌面部的大面积、复杂的洞穿性缺损提供一种新的方法.方法 根据旋股外侧动脉降支的走行及分支、其在股部正面及两侧可能存在的皮肤穿支血管,设计以旋股外侧动脉降支为蒂的穿支嵌合皮瓣修复口腔颌面部软组织缺损8例.此种皮瓣可分为3种类型:股前外侧皮瓣+股前内侧皮瓣、股前外侧皮瓣+股直肌穿支皮瓣、股前外侧皮瓣+股前外侧皮瓣.结果 术后8例16块皮瓣均成活,无并发症,且供区均直接拉拢缝合,未行皮片移植.术后随访1～9个月,患者面部外形和功能均良好,供区畸形和功能障碍均不明显.结论 以旋股外侧动脉降支为血管蒂的穿支嵌合皮瓣吻合血管数量少,较切取2个皮瓣供区损伤小,组织量大,适合口腔颌面部大型复杂的组织缺损的修复.     

A rat musculocutaneous flap model: the biceps femoris musculocutaneous flap

The purpose of this study was to describe a new musculocutaneous flap model in the rat. A total of 25 Wistar rats weighing 200 to 280 g were used in this experiment. In 15 rats, the vascular anatomy of the biceps femoris muscle and the cutaneous blood supply of its overlying posterior thigh skin were studied by anatomic dissection, dye injection, and microangiography using 5 rats in each group. The anatomic studies revealed that the main axial vessel supplying the biceps femoris muscle was the caudal femoral branch of the popliteal vessels. The posterior thigh skin overlying the biceps femoris muscle received a consistent musculocutaneous perforator at the center of the mid-posterior line of the posterior thigh. Based on the caudal femoral-popliteal vascular pedicle, the biceps femoris musculocutaneous flap was created in the rat, comprised of the whole muscle and its overlying posterior thigh skin. The skin paddle was designed as an ellipse with its longitudinal axis paralleling that of the extremity, generally measuring 4 x 2 cm. Island flaps were raised as described and replaced either in situ (N = 5) or transposed to a sacral defect (N = 5). Results showed that the cutaneous islands of all the flaps survived completely. Tetrazolium blue stain used to indicate muscle survival revealed that the average muscle viability was 86.7+/-3.4%. The authors conclude that the biceps femoris musculocutaneous flap is a reliable and true musculocutaneous flap model for future biological and pharmacological studies. It offers the following advantages: It has a consistent vascular pedicle and a musculocutaneous perforator, it supports a relatively large skin island, and there is no risk of autocannibalization of the flap because the flap is located dorsally.     

Lower extremity soft tissue defect reconstruction with the serratus anterior flap

Reconstruction of limb‐threatening lower extremity defects presents unique challenges. The selected method must provide adequate coverage of exposed bone, joints, and tendons while maximizing function of the limb. The traditional workhorse flaps, the free latissimus dorsi and rectus abdominis flaps, have been associated with donor site morbidity and bulkiness that can impair rehabilitation. We report a case series (n = 18) in which the free serratus anterior muscle flap and split thickness skin graft (STSG) was used for lower limb soft tissue coverage. Injuries were due to diabetes (9/18), trauma (7/18), and chronic venous stasis (2/18). A 94% flap survival rate was observed and all but one patient was ambulatory. No donor site morbidity was reported. Our series demonstrates that serratus anterior is an advantageous, reliable free flap with minimal donor site morbidity. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 34:183–187, 2014.     

Head and neck reconstruction with the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap: A report of two cases

Rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (RAMC) free flaps are preferred for head and neck reconstruction because of the abundant blood supply to the rectus abdominis musculocutaneous. In contrast, the indications for deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) free flaps in head and neck reconstruction are limited. In this report, two cases of oral cavity reconstruction with DIEP free flaps are described. In both cases, the defect was reconstructed with a DIEP free flap because it could avoid functional damage to the donor site. Successful reconstruction with a two skin‐island method was performed in both patients. Furthermore, donor site morbidity was minimal in both patients. When a DIEP free flap is used for head and neck reconstruction, elimination of dead space is the most difficult problem, because a DIEP free flap does not contain well‐vascularized muscle tissue. We compensate for this disadvantage with a flap designed to include a de‐epithelialized skin flap. Although this technique is not always the first choice for head and neck reconstruction, it is suitable for patients who wish to avoid donor site morbidity. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2009.     

Utility of the free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap in chest wall reconstruction

Breast cancer chest wall recurrence is often treated with chemotherapy, radical surgery, and radiation. Extensive chest wall resection requires soft-tissue reconstruction with tissue that provides chest wall stability and durability for additional radiation. Local and regional muscle and musculocutaneous flaps are often used for reconstruction. Free flaps, such as the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap, are used for large defects, although donor site morbidity can result. The free deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap provides coverage for large defects and may have less donor site morbidity. We describe the use of the free DIEP flap to reconstruct large chest wall defects (mean, 501 cm2 defects) after the resection of recurrent breast cancer in two patients. One patient had 2% flap loss. No donor site morbidity occurred. The free DIEP flap is a durable and reliable flap that provided immediate and complete coverage of these large chest wall defects with no donor site morbidity and did not delay the administration of adjuvant therapy.     

Breast reconstruction with the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap: history and an update on current technique.

Perforator flaps allow the transfer of the patient's own skin and fat in a reliable manner with minimal donor site morbidity. For breast reconstruction, the abdomen typically is our primary choice as a donor site. The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap remains our first choice as an abdominal perforator flap and has become a mainstay for the repair of mastectomy defects. It allows the transfer of the same tissue from the abdomen to the chest for breast reconstruction as the TRAM flap without sacrifice of the rectus muscle or fascia. We discuss our current techniques and specific issues related to the surgery. We present the results of 1095 cases of free tissue transfers from the abdomen for reconstruction of the breast.     

Use of a free gracilis flap for coverage of medium size defects over the ankle and foot

We report the use of a free gracilis flap in six cases of medium size tissue loss over the ankle and foot. All the procedures were done under spinal or epidural block. A muscle flap was used twice and a musculocutaneous flap four times. The skin paddle was reliable in three cases for evaluation of the vascularity of the musculocutaneous flaps, but in one case there was necrosis of 70% of the surface. In three cases the fatty skin paddle was removed at two weeks and the entire muscle surface was mesh skin grafted. The advantages of the use of a gracilis flap are easy dissection and low donor site morbidity. This flat and thin muscle is well-suited for medium size defects from 8-15 cm. The length of the pedicle could be extended to 8 cm by dissecting it as far as the profunda femoris vessels.     

Use of a free gracilis flap for coverage of medium size defects over the ankle and foot.

We report the use of a free gracilis flap in six cases of medium size tissue loss over the ankle and foot. All the procedures were done under spinal or epidural block. A muscle flap was used twice and a musculocutaneous flap four times. The skin paddle was reliable in three cases for evaluation of the vascularity of the musculocutaneous flaps, but in one case there was necrosis of 70% of the surface. In three cases the fatty skin paddle was removed at two weeks and the entire muscle surface was mesh skin grafted. The advantages of the use of a gracilis flap are easy dissection and low donor site morbidity. This flat and thin muscle is well-suited for medium size defects from 8-15 cm. The length of the pedicle could be extended to 8 cm by dissecting it as far as the profunda femoris vessels.     

The combined free partial vastus lateralis with anterolateral thigh perforator flap reconstruction of extensive composite defects.

Myocutaneous (MC) free flaps are useful for many reconstructive indications. Perforator flaps have become standard of care. The anterolateral thigh flap (ALT) donor site is popular. With the ALT flap varying sizes of vastus lateralis (VL) muscle can be harvested as a MC flap. The skin islands of these flaps have a great range of freedom when dissected on their perforator. It was hypothesised that the VL-ALT perforator flap would offer adequate tissue volume combining maximal freedom in planning with minimal donor site morbidity. From November 2001 to February 2003 a free partial VL with ALT perforator flap was used in 11 patients to reconstruct large defects. Indications for adding a muscular component were exposed bone, skull base, (artificial) dura, or osteosynthesis material, open sinuses, and lack of muscular bulk. Flaps were planned as standard ALT flaps, after which three types of dissection were performed: I. true MC flap; II. muscle flap with a skin island on one perforator, which could be rotated up to 180 degrees ; III. chimera skin perforator flap with muscle being harvested on a separate branch from the source vessel or on a side branch of the skin perforator. Mean skin size of the MC-ALT flaps was 131 cm2. Mean muscle part size of the MC-ALT flaps was 268 cm3. Muscular parts were custom designed for all defects. No total or partial flap failures were seen. Colour mismatch was seen in 6 of 8 patients, when skin was used in the facial area in this all white population. Excessive flap bulk was found in 8 of 11 patients at 6 weeks, however, only in 2 of 11 patients after 6 months. Patients were satisfied with the functional result (8 of 11 patients) as well as the cosmetic result of their reconstruction (7 of 11 patients). All less satisfied patients had received their flap for external facial skin reconstruction. Donor site morbidity was minimal. The combined free partial VL with ALT perforator flap proved valuable as a (chimera type) MC flap with maximal freedom of planning to meet specific reconstructive demands and minimal donor site morbidity.     

Clinical application of a free scapular fascial flap

The free scapular fascial flap based on the circumflex scapular vessels with skin graft on top has been used to cover the soft-tissue defects in 6 cases--5 hands and 1 foot, over the past one year. The size of the fascial flap ranged from 10 x 6 to 13 x 7 cm. Five flaps were survival completely and one with loss of a small portion due to infection. Compared with the cutaneous flap, myocutaneous flap or muscular flap, the fascial flap is thinner, showing no bulkiness on the recipient site, and also no impairment was noted in the donor site. The shortcoming is darker colour of the skin graft overlying it. The authors consider that the free fascial flap is mainly indicated for the soft-tissue defects of the extremities and those sites where no augmentation is required.     

A novel reconstruction of 2 distinct defects: concomitant use of a thoracodorsal artery perforator flap and its corresponding muscle flap

A perforator flap completely spares the underlying muscle, so the muscle tissue can now be used as a second flap for the reconstruction of another defect after the harvest of the overlying perforator flap as long as sufficient nutritive branches to the muscle remain. The authors describe here the creation of 2 independent free flaps from a single donor site, the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous unit. The 2 flaps, thoracodorsal artery perforator and its corresponding muscle flap, were created and transferred to 2 distinct defects. Using this technique, we could avoid creation of double donor sites and so minimize the donor morbidity to that associated with the traditional single musculocutaneous flap. This technique was employed by us for treating 2 patients who presented with 2 separate defects.     

SPLIT rectus abdominis myocutaneous double free flap for extremity reconstruction

A Mathes and Nahai type III muscle, such as the rectus abdominis muscle, can be utilized to cover two separate wounds simultaneously utilizing its dual blood supply thereby minimizing donor site morbidity and operative time. We report a case for treatment of bilateral Gustillo type IIIB lower extremity injuries treated with a single rectus abdominis muscle split into two free flaps, with one based on the deep inferior epigastric vessels and one on the superior epigastric vessels to cover the contralateral wound. In our patient, both lower extremity wounds were covered with muscle flaps from the same donor site in a single operation, salvaging both limbs with progression to unassisted ambulatory status. We show in this case report that the utilization of the vascular anatomy of the rectus muscle allows for division of the flap into two flaps, permitting preservation of the contralateral abdominal wall integrity and coverage of two wounds with a single muscle. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 34:54–57, 2014.     

Free flap reconstruction in massive upper extremity burns

In massive burns, early excision and a free flap reconstruction is, in some cases, limb saving. From October 1979 to August 1993, eleven patients with massive burn injury in the upper extremity were treated using a free flap reconstruction. Eight cases were acute or subacute and three were late reconstructions. The following free flaps were used: rectus femoris microneurovascular musculocutaneous flap (2), latissimus dorsi flap (4), rectus abdominis flap (3), gluteal thigh flap (1), lateral arm flap (1), and serratus flap (1). The gluteal thigh flap was lost and it was later replaced by a rectus abdominis flap. In three cases successful reanastomosis was performed. Functional late reconstructions were performed in nine patients. In all eleven patients the limb was saved and functional recovery was satisfactory. We recommend that a free musculocutaneous or muscle flap is used, proximal to the wrist, if after careful excision of nonviable tissue, tendons, bone joint or major vessels are exposed. The rectus femoris musculocutaneous flap is a useful solution to restore extensor musculature of the forearm after extensive injury.     

旋股外侧动脉降支多叶组织瓣修复手部多部位软组织缺损

目的 探讨旋股外侧动脉降支多叶瓣修复手部多部位软组织缺损的手术方法和临床效果。方法对手部多部位软组织缺损15例,采用旋股外侧动脉降支多叶瓣修复,根据手部缺损情况设计股前外侧皮瓣,沿皮瓣穿支血管向远端继续解剖旋股外侧动脉降支,考虑好手部各缺损处间距,按需切取分叶穿支皮瓣、阔筋膜瓣、股直肌肌瓣、股外侧肌肌瓣、股中间肌肌瓣或旋股外侧动脉降支远端肌间隔瓣。形成以旋股外侧动脉降支为主干的一蒂多叶瓣,在肌瓣及阔筋膜瓣上植皮,一次修复手部多部位软组织缺损。 结果 术后无血管危象发生。修复各创面在肌瓣、阔筋膜瓣或旋股外侧动脉降支远端血管肌间隔上植皮均成活良好,外形无臃肿,植皮处恢复保护性感觉,供区创面愈合好,股四头肌肌力及膝关节屈、伸活动均正常。全部病例获得随访,随访时间6 ～ 20个月,平均8.7个月。按中华医学会手外科学会上肢部分功能评定标准：优3例,良9例,可3例,优良率80％。 结论 旋股外侧动脉降支多叶瓣能一次修复手部多部位软组织缺损,缩短手术时间及疗程,手部功能恢复良好,外形满意,是修复手部多部位软组织缺损的理想方法。     

One-stage reconstruction of facial paralysis associated with skin/soft tissue defects using latissimus dorsi compound flap.

Neurovascular free muscle transfer is now the mainstay for smile reconstruction in the treatment of established facial paralysis. Since facial paralysis due to ablative surgery or some specific disease sometimes accompanies defects of the facial skin and soft tissue, simultaneous reconstruction of defective tissues with facial reanimation is required. The present paper reports results for 16 patients who underwent reconstruction by simultaneous soft tissue flap transfer with latissimus dorsi muscle for smile reconstruction of the paralysed face. Soft tissue flaps comprised skin paddle overlying the latissimus dorsi muscle (n=6), serratus anterior musculocutaneous flap (n=5), serratus anterior muscle flap (n=2), and latissimus dorsi perforator-based flap with a small muscle cuff (n=3). The latissimus dorsi muscle can be elevated as a compound flap of various types, and thus offers the best option as a donor muscle for facial reanimation when soft tissue defects require simultaneous reconstruction.     

显微外科皮瓣修复[足母]甲瓣供区的临床应用

目的探讨应用显微外科皮瓣对[足母]甲瓣供区进行修复的临床疗效,并对皮瓣选择做出分析。方法应用5种近位足部带蒂皮瓣和2种远位游离皮瓣对57例[足母]甲瓣供区软组织缺损进行修复。其中近位带蒂皮瓣33例:带蒂足跗外侧动脉皮瓣2例,以第1跖背动脉的跖蹼穿支为蒂的足背逆行皮瓣15例,带第1跖背动脉的足背逆行皮瓣3例,顺行足第2趾胫侧皮瓣11例,逆行足底内侧皮瓣2例,足部皮瓣供区行全厚皮片游离植皮。远位游离皮瓣24例:游离腹股沟皮瓣13例,游离股前外侧皮瓣11例。皮瓣供区均直接缝合。结果57例皮瓣中53例成活良好;以第1跖背动脉的跖蹼穿支为蒂的足背逆行皮瓣3例远端部分坏死,经换药治疗后创面愈合;游离腹股沟皮瓣1例术后发生血管危象,经血管探查术后未缓解,Ⅱ期行游离植皮修复[足母]甲瓣供区创面。术后随访2~12个月,行走姿态良好。结论合适的显微皮瓣技术可以良好的修复[足母]甲瓣供区创面,保全肢体的完整性,减少医源性损伤,患者更容易接受[足母]甲瓣移植的手术方式。皮瓣选择不应只关注[足母]趾供区的修复,更应合理运用显微皮瓣技术,重视供、受区的平衡。     

Changes in donor site selection in lower limb free flap reconstructions

Since 1973 we have performed over 1,000 free flap reconstructions mainly in head and neck, breast, and upper and lower limb surgery. In lower leg reconstructions, changing indications for flap selection were not only correlated to new anatomical developments, but mainly due to a better understanding of adaptability of known muscle or fascial free flaps. Reducing donor site morbidity and planning for saving donor sites for future reconstructions are important. Morbidity is reduced by selection of free flaps ideally adjusted to the shape of the defect. Innervated free flaps or functional muscle transplants are rarely indicated in the lower leg. In the early years of microsurgical free flaps, soft tissue reconstruction or bone coverage was the primary indication. Later improving the vascularity of the wound bed by free flap cover increased the indication to chronic infected leg ulcers, osteomyelitis, diabetes, or artheriosclerotic wound defects or pressure sores due to lack of sensibility. Reconstruction of the foot and restoring its weight-bearing capacity is one of the more challenging applications of free flap cover. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 17:380–385 1996     

The use of free anterolateral thigh flap for reconstructing soft tissue defects of the lower extremities

The goal of soft tissue reconstruction in the lower extremities is to provide a functional and cosmetically acceptable limb. The anterolateral thigh flap has become one of the most popular options for soft tissue defect reconstruction recently because of the large amount of skin available and the reliable and versatile nature of this material. The purpose of this article is to present our experiences with the free anterolateral thigh flap for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the lower extremity. From April 2002 to October 2003, 31 consecutive free anterolateral thigh flaps were used. There were 24 male and 7 female patients, and their ages were between 3 and 78 years. The size of the flaps ranged from 11 to 34 cm long and 6 to 16 cm wide. In 9 patients, the flaps were harvested in a flow-through manner to both reconstruct soft tissue defects and protect and maintain the vascular status of the lower extremities. In these patients, the pedicle was interposed between vascular gaps, either present or created, in the extremity. The patency of distal anastomosis with the course of the distal vessel was confirmed by using conventional Doppler flow monitoring in flow-through flaps. In 4 cases, thinning of the flap was performed. In 3 patients, flaps were used in a neurosensorial fashion. Four flaps required reoperation due to vascular compromises. While 3 of these were salvaged, 1 flap was lost due to recipient arterial problems. Sixteen cases underwent split-thickness skin grafting of the donor site. No infection or hematomas were observed. We conclude that the anterolateral thigh flap is an ideal and versatile material, especially for lower extremity reconstructions, with its functional and cosmetic advantages, and it can be considered a suitable alternative to the most commonly used conventional soft tissue flaps.     

Chest wall reconstruction using a turbocharged chimaeric anterolateral thigh flap.

Extremely large chest wall defects may result following salvage oncological surgery. Typically these defects involve a large skin defect combined with a variable resected area of underlying muscle and ribs. In situations where the skin defect is very large the use of a large latissimus dorsi flap may require skin grafting to the donor site if a myocutaneous flap is used or to the recipient defect if a muscle-only flap is used. Alternatively a transverse rectus abdominis flap is a second option but in certain cases this may not be available. We describe the use of a free anterolateral thigh flap to reconstruct a chest wall defect and demonstrate the principle of side-to-side stacking of separate skin paddles to achieve skin closure of a massive defect whilst permitting primary closure of the donor site. The principle of turbocharging components of a chimaeric flap is also described.