Closure of infected sternal wounds with a unilateral rectus abdominis muscle flap in addition to bilateral pectoralis major myocutaneous advancement flaps

We have recently added to our regimen a unilateral rectus abdominis muscle flap to cover the lower sternum and adjacent soft tissues, in addition to bilateral pectoralis major myocutaneous advancement flaps for closure of infected sternal wounds. Twenty patients underwent this procedure for closure of infected sternal wounds after initial débridement at our institutions. There were no intraoperative deaths in this series, but three patients died of other medical conditions. Two patients developed hematomas and one developed recurrent sternal wound infection after surgery; two had superficial wound infections and five had minor wound problems (i.e., skin edge necrosis). All surviving patients (17/20, 85%) had healed sternal wounds with normal chest contour and there were no instances of flap necrosis, sternal wound dehiscence, or abdominal wall hernia during the follow-up (18–60 months). Based upon our experience, we recommend a unilateral rectus abdominis muscle flap in addition to bilateral pectoralis major myocutaneous advancement flaps for selected patients with infected sternal wounds. This approach provides reliable soft tissue coverage with acceptable morbidity and mortality in this high-risk patient population. Received: 29 July 1998 / Accepted: 1 March 1999     

Management of sternal wounds with pectoralis major musculocutaneous advancement flaps in patients with a history of chest wall irradiation

Although debridement and pectoralis major musculocutaneous advancement flap closure has proved to be an effective treatment of sternal wounds in the general population, the purpose of this study was to examine the use of these flaps in patients with previously irradiated chest walls. The authors examined 5 patients with a history of breast cancer and chest wall radiation therapy who developed poststernotomy wound complications that were treated with debridement and pectoralis major musculocutaneous advancement flaps. The average patient age was 76 years. Three patients had previously undergone a radical mastectomy and had only 1 pectoralis major muscle remaining. There were no intraoperative deaths. One patient died during the 30-day postoperative period. There were no hematomas, seromas, or dehiscences. One woman developed a postoperative wound infection. Functional and aesthetic results were excellent. This study demonstrates that early, aggressive sternal debridement and closure with pectoralis major musculocutaneous advancement flaps is effective in patients with a history of chest wall irradiation, including those who have had 1 pectoralis major muscle previously resected.     

Reconstruction of sternal defects with pectoralis major muscle flap

The earliest treatment of the median sternotomy defects was serial debridements and secondary healing. The muscle flaps that can be used in reconstruction of the presternal defects are pectoralis major muscle flap, rectus abdominis muscle flap, vertical rectus abdominis muscle flap, latissimus dorsi muscle flap with or without skin island, bipedicled pectoralis-rectus muscle flap, and external oblique muscle flap. Pectoralis major muscle flap can be used either as bilateral or unilateral rotation advancement flap, island flap, turnover flap, split turnover flap, and segmental muscle flap. Forty-eight patients with median sternotomy defects, who were treated with pectoralis major muscle flap, were included in this study. The complications were mortality, flap loss, flap dehiscence, persistent infection, and hematoma. The patients were evaluated in terms of functional loss after the operation by shoulder movement measurements. Various techniques of flap transfer can be used for the closure of a presternal defect; almost all presternal defects can be covered with the pectoralis major muscle in a single stage operation. In our opinion, the pectoralis major muscle flap should be the first choice of treatment for sternal defects.     

The pectoralis major muscle extended island flap for complete obliteration of the median sternotomy wound

The sequence of adverse events initiated by a sternal wound infection today can typically be ameliorated by interposing a vascularized flap. The pectoralis major muscle due to its propinquity has universally been the workhorse flap for minimizing this dilemma, with our experience over the past 25 years being no exception as 123 of 156 patients so inflicted required this donor site in some format. However, a rectus abdominis muscle had to be used in combination in 22 patients, particularly for coverage of the xiphoid region, and this can add significant morbidity in an already compromised patient population. This conundrum provided the impetus starting in 2003 for the development of a pectoralis major muscle extended island flap, whereby skeletonizing its vascular pedicle back to near the origin of the thoracoacromial axis, the desired extended reach can be obtained. Since that time, 18 pectoralis major muscle extended island flaps have been successfully used, with only a single wound complication still requiring use of a rectus abdominis muscle flap. This has proven to be a reliable option that alone allows complete closure of the median sternotomy wound while avoiding the need for combined flaps with preservation of the rectus abdominis muscle.     

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.     

岛状肌皮瓣在颈胸部难治性创面中的应用

目的介绍岛状肌皮瓣在颈胸部难治性创面中的应用经验。方法1994年8月～2004年12月，收治98例颈胸部难治性创面患者，男42例，女56例；年龄21～68岁。病程3h～13个月。胸前部29例，颈部28例，项部18例，腋下或腋窝部15例，胸侧壁8例。创面范围6cm×4cm～20cm×15cm，其中感染创面27例，骨外露48例，心、肺等胸腔器官外露7例，深部重要血管、神经外露33例。根据创面所在部位、性质及致病因素的不同，采用不同的岛状肌皮瓣修复。其中岛状胸大肌肌皮瓣28例，岛状背阔肌肌皮瓣34例，岛状斜方肌肌皮瓣19例，岛状腹直肌肌皮瓣17例，皮瓣切取范围8cm×6cm-35cm×15cm。结果术后92例创面Ⅰ期愈合，肌皮瓣全部成活；6例肌皮瓣部分坏死，经对症处理后成活。83例获随访2周～5年，皮瓣色泽正常、质地良好，均获得满意功能和外形。结论修复颈项部创面可选用岛状胸大肌肌皮瓣、岛状背阔肌肌皮瓣、岛状斜方肌肌皮瓣；修复胸部创面可选用岛状背阔肌肌皮瓣、岛状腹直肌肌皮瓣；根据创面的具体情况选择适当的岛状肌皮瓣修复颈胸部难治性创面可获得满意功能和外形。     

Pedicled myocutaneous and muscle flaps in the management of complicated cardiothoracic problems.

The purpose of this study was to review our experience with the management of patients with complicated cardiothoracic problems by the use of pedicled myocutaneous or muscle flaps, and discuss the various methods of reconstruction. Over the last 11 years, we have treated 54 patients with complicated cardiothoracic problems by reconstruction with pedicled myocutaneous or muscle flaps. The underlying causes were chest wall tumours (n = 13), radionecrosis of the chest wall (n = 12), deep or chronic sternal infections (n = 25), and bronchopleural fistulas (n = 4). The most commonly used muscles for reconstruction were pectoralis major and the rectus abdominis. Our results compare favourably with those reported elsewhere. We conclude that although the use of pedicled myocutaneous or muscle flaps is not free of complications, it is an effective and reliable method for the management of patients with complicated cardiothoracic problems.     

Simple pectoralis major myocutaneous advancement flaps for closure after sternal wound dehiscence

Between October 1994 and March 1996, 14 consecutive patients with a wound dehiscence after median sternotomy for cardiac surgery were treated with pectoralis major myocutaneous advancement flaps. After thorough sternal wound debridement, the sternal edges were contoured to create a shallow defect. This was to enable the obliteration of dead space between the mediastinum and the flaps. The pectoralis muscle was then elevated off the chest wall, its humeral attachment, the thoraco-acromial pedicle and the connection with the skin were left intact. Next, the bilateral myocutaneous flaps were advanced medially and approximated to each other in the midline. The mean operation time was 140 min and the mean follow-up time was 10 months. Four patients developed minor complications. The advantage of this technique is its simplicity and the reduction in mean operation time. Received: 30 December 1999 / Accepted: 3 February 2000     

Use of myocutaneous flaps for primary cover following lymph node dissection for malignant melanoma

We report seven patients undergoing palliative surgery for advanced malignant melanoma, who required wide excision of skin and underlying tissue in association with lymph node dissection. In each case, primary closure of the wound was facilitated by the use of a myocutaneous flap. Four ilio-inguinal lymph node dissections were closed with rectus abdominis flaps, two cervical dissections were closed with a pectoralis major flap, and a limited latissimus dorsi flap was used for one axillary clearance. Primary healing was achieved in all cases; morbidity was low, with one wound infection and two limited lymphatic collections. All donor sites were closed primarily and healed well. We conclude that in selected patients the use of a myocutaneous flap procedure gives excellent coverage of large defects with low morbidity. In particular, there is rapid convalescence and return of good function after palliative resections, while the wide excision minimizes local recurrence where the tumour is in proximity to overlying skin.     

改良胸大肌肌皮瓣在晚期头颈肿瘤手术中的应用

目的探讨一种保留胸大肌功能的改良胸大肌肌皮瓣的制作方法。方法根据胸大肌肌皮瓣的解剖学特点设计皮岛，将胸大肌肌皮瓣的血管蒂完全解剖出来而不携带肌肉，使肌皮瓣成为名副其实的岛状瓣，从而完整保留了胸大肌的锁骨部分以及胸大肌外侧大部分肌纤维。结果2002至2005年采用该方法制做改良胸大肌肌皮瓣29例，其中20例修复口内缺损，4例修复颈部缺损。3例修复腮腺区缺损，2例修复下咽部缺损。术后皮瓣全部成活，随访6个月至2年，所有患者术后进食、吞咽功能良好，语言功能大多恢复良好。结论改良胸大肌肌皮瓣应用于头颈外科克服了传统的胸大肌肌皮瓣的缺点，提高了肌皮瓣血供的可靠性，最大程度地保留了胸大肌的功能和胸部的外形。     

PEDICLED MYOCUTANEOUS AND MUSCLE FLAPS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF COMPLICATED CARDIOTHORACIC PROBLEMS

The purpose of this study was to review our experience with the management of patients with complicated cardiothoracic problems by the use of pedicled myocutaneous or muscle flaps, and discuss the various methods of reconstruction. Over the last 11 years, we have treated 54 patients with complicated cardiothoracic problems by reconstruction with pedicled myocutaneous or muscle flaps. The underlying causes were chest wall tumours (n?=?13), radionecrosis of the chest wall (n?=?12), deep or chronic sternal infections (n?=?25), and bronchopleural fistulas (n?=?4). The most commonly used muscles for reconstruction were pectoralis major and the rectus abdominis. Our results compare favourably with those reported elsewhere. We conclude that although the use of pedicled myocutaneous or muscle flaps is not free of complications, it is an effective and reliable method for the management of patients with complicated cardiothoracic problems.     

Coverage of complex defects of the shoulder girdle and posterior neck triangle following tumor resection

IntroductionNumerous pedicle and free flaps have been used to cover complex defects of the shoulder girdle and posterior neck triangle following tumor resection. We describe our choice of flap selection in these patients with case examples.Presentation of casesThree cases examples demonstrate our choice of flap selection. In the first case, an anterior shoulder girdle defect is covered by an anteriorly transposed latissimus dorsi muscle flap. The second case demonstrates the coverage of a posterior shoulder girdle defect by a posteriorly transposed latissimus dorsi muscle flap. Finally, the third case demonstrates the coverage of a posterior triangle neck defect using a superiorly transposed pectoralis major muscle flap. All reconstructions utilize muscle flaps (covered by split-thickness skin grafts) and not myocutaneous flaps.DiscussionWe demonstrate that these two pedicle muscle flaps are adequate for coverage of large complex defects of the shoulder girdle and posterior neck triangle. We also demonstrate the advantages of using muscle rather than myocutaneous flaps.ConclusionPedicle latissimus dorsi and pectoralis major muscle flaps are simpler and preferred over free flaps for coverage of complex defects of the shoulder girdle and posterior neck triangle. The use of muscle rather than myocutaneous flaps will reduce the size of the original defect, make flap design easier and reduce donor site morbidity.     

Single stage reconstructions in head and neck surgery using deltopectoral and pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps

Even though free tissue transfers are a routine in many centres, pedicle flaps still have a huge roll to play in our country. There are many centres in the country where pedicle flaps are in use because of logistic problems. Deltopectoral and pectoralis muscle flaps are usually preferred for composite cheek defects. When both these flaps are used in combination it is a two-staged procedure. We describe a single-stage procedure to reconstruct a composite cheek defect with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap for lining and single-stage deltopectoral flap for cover. In the available literature search, single-stage DP and PMMC have not been described for management of composite cheek defect.KEY WORDS: Cheek defect, pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, platysma myocutaneous flap, single-stage deltopectoral flap     

岛状胸大肌肌皮瓣修复颌颈部电烧伤

目的 了解应用岛状胸大肌肌皮瓣修复颌颈部高压电烧伤组织缺损的效果.方法 2001年8月-2007年12月,笔者单位对18例高压电烧伤患者的颌颈部软组织大面积缺损创面,应用岛状胸大肌肌皮瓣修复.早期扩创后移植皮瓣8例、感染创面移植皮瓣10例,皮瓣面积12 cm×10cm～16 cm×13 cm,供区移植自体大张中厚皮.结果 所有皮瓣均成活,4例皮瓣远端创缘表皮出现坏死带(长2～5 cm、宽1～2 cm),创缘局部裂开2例,经换药或再次缝合治愈.术后随访6个月～3年,患者颌颈部外观和功能恢复较满意.结论 岛状胸大肌肌皮瓣具有组织量大、肌腹扁平、血供丰富的优点,能够较好修复颌颈部较大面积深部组织裸露创面.     

Complications following laryngectomy

The complications following 100 consecutive laryngectomies performed at our hospital during a recent 18-month period are reviewed. The complication rates for total laryngectomy (63 patients) and extended laryngectomy (37 patients) were 19% and 49%, respectively, while the fistula rates were 8% and 27%, respectively. These rates were influenced primarily by the extent of surgery and the type of reconstruction, which during this interval included primary closure, pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, or gastric transposition. In comparison to our previous study, when the deltopectoral flap was used for patching the pharynx, the fistula rate for extended laryngectomy has decreased as a result of our use of myocutaneous flaps and greater experience with gastric transposition. Currently, we use the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap for pharyngeal repair if the mucosa would otherwise be closed under tension. All circumferential defects are repaired with a gastric transposition.     

Use of free-tissue transfer in the treatment of median sternotomy wound infections: retrospective review

The incidence of sternal wound infection following median sternotomy is 0.4 to 5 percent. Debridement and closure of the wounds with local and regional muscles, such as a pectoralis or a pedicled rectus abdominis, have been the mainstay of surgical treatment. Often, both pectoralis major muscles and the superior portion of a rectus abdominis muscle must be used to close large sternal wounds. Loss of these major muscles can be both debilitating and cosmetically disfiguring. Free-tissue transfer can be employed to limit the amount of tissue needed to fill the sternal defect. The authors present a series of 12 free-tissue transfers used in 11 patients to close large sternal defects in this subset of patients. Total flap loss occurred in one patient. Partial loss of the skin island was noted in three patients. Two patients developed abdominal hernias after rectus abdominis free flaps. Free-tissue transfer offers the ability to close these large wounds, using one muscle, in those patients where pedicled rectus abdominis flaps are not available.     

Our experience with pectoralis major flap for management of sternal dehiscence: A review of 25 cases

Objective:

To report our experience of the pectoralis major flap as the treatment modality for post coronary artery bypass sternal wound dehiscence.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective study of 25 open heart surgery cases, performed between January 2006 and December 2010 at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Pune, was carried out. Unilateral or bilateral pectoralis major muscle flap by the double breasting technique using rectus extension was used in the management of these patients. The outcome was assessed on the basis of efficacy of flap surgery in achieving wound healing and post-surgery shoulder joint movements to evaluate donor site morbidity. The follow-up ranged from 5 months to 3.5 years.

Results:

Twenty-three (92%) patients were discharged with complete wound closure. One patient (4%) had wound dehiscence after flap surgery. One patient (4%) died in the hospital in the immediate postoperative period due to mediastinitis. No recurrent sternum infection has occurred till date in 24 patients (96%). For one patient (4%) who had wound dehiscence, daily dressing was done and wound healing was achieved with secondary intension. At follow-up, shoulder joint movements were normal in all the patients.

Conclusions:

The double breasting technique of the pectoralis major muscle flaps with rectus sheath extension is efficient in covering the entire length of the defect and can reduce the morbidity, without affecting the function of the shoulder joint.KEY WORDS: Bilateral pectoralis major flaps, left internal mammary artery and right internal mammary artery, sternal dehiscence     

ONE-STAGE RECONSTRUCTION OF DEFECTS IN THE HYPOPHARYNGEAL REGION WITH FREE FLAPS

Despite the almost universal poor prognosis, the reconstruction of combined cervical skin and hypopharyngeal defects after extensive resection of tumour should maintain optimal quality of life. From 1992 to 1996 we treated 10 patients with combined skin and hypopharyngeal defects with five fasciocutaneous free flaps, three myocutaneous latissimus dorsi free flaps, one myocutaneous VRAM (vertical rectus abdominis muscle) free flap and one free radial forearm flap. None of our flaps failed. The complications that required revision (one arterial bleeding, one arterial thrombosis, two fistula formations, one superficial wound dehiscence, one haematoma) occurred mainly in those patients having secondary reconstructions. After primary extensive oncological resection of these tumours reconstruction should be done in one stage. The primary reconstruction should provide sufficient pharyngeal lining, a satisfactory covering of cervical soft-tissue, and adequate functional rehabilitation. We have reviewed our experience and conclusions about the advantages, disadvantages, and current indications for different free flaps in the reconstruction of combined hypopharyngeal, cervico-oesophageal, and cervical skin defects.     

One-stage reconstruction of defects in the hypopharyngeal region with free flaps.

Despite the almost universal poor prognosis, the reconstruction of combined cervical skin and hypopharyngeal defects after extensive resection of tumour should maintain optimal quality of life. From 1992 to 1996 we treated 10 patients with combined skin and hypopharyngeal defects with five fasciocutaneous free flaps, three myocutaneous latissimus dorsi free flaps, one myocutaneous VRAM (vertical rectus abdominis muscle) free flap and one free radial forearm flap. None of our flaps failed. The complications that required revision (one arterial bleeding, one arterial thrombosis, two fistula formations, one superficial wound dehiscence, one haematoma) occurred mainly in those patients having secondary reconstructions. After primary extensive oncological resection of these tumours reconstruction should be done in one stage. The primary reconstruction should provide sufficient pharyngeal lining, a satisfactory covering of cervical soft-tissue, and adequate functional rehabilitation. We have reviewed our experience and conclusions about the advantages, disadvantages, and current indications for different free flaps in the reconstruction of combined hypopharyngeal, cervico-oesophageal, and cervical skin defects.     

THE TENSOR FASCIAE LATAE MYOCUTANEOUS FLAP CLOSURE OF MAJOR CHEST AND ABDOMINAL WALL DEFECTS

Background : The usual methods of closure of major chest and abdominal wall defects have significant disadvantages. Skin grafts provide no structural support and result in incisional hernias. Synthetic mesh requires skin cover and is prone to infection and wound breakdown. The tensor fasciae latae (TFL) myocutaneous flap offers skin cover and a semi-rigid fascial layer. We document our unit'experience in pedicled and free TFL flaps. Methods : The TFL flap closure of trunk defects was undertaken in 10 patients between August 1989 and April 1997. All cases were not amenable to primary closure and repair with synthetic mesh or skin grafts. Results : The defect was satisfactorily repaired in all cases without subsequent herniation. The closure techniques using a pedicled TFL flap and a TFL flap for a free-tissue transfer are described. Conclusions : We conclude that the TFL flap is the method of choice for repairs of major truncal defects.