Reconstruction of through-and-through gunshot wounds to the feet with free gracilis muscle flaps

Reconstruction of a through-and-through gunshot wound (GSW) to the foot remains a challenging problem for plastic and orthopedic surgeons, because it is difficult to achieve reliable soft tissue coverage of the foot while at the same time optimizing foot contour and weightbearing. In the past year, four patients with such an injury were treated with initial wound debridement and stabilization of the metatarsals, followed by a free gracilis muscle transfer with a split-thickness skin graft. One patient also had a secondary iliac bone graft to the first metatarsal. All patients have completely healed wounds, are free of osteomyelitis, and have achieved an excellent contour and good ambulation of the foot without donor site problems. Thus, a free gracilis muscle transfer should be considered first for reconstruction of a through-and-through GSW to the foot, because it can provide reliable soft tissue coverage with excellent contour and minimal donor site morbidity.     

Beauty of skin-grafted free muscle flaps in head and neck reconstruction

In the era of perforator flaps, muscle flaps might seem "out of fashion" for use in microvascular reconstructions. In this presentation, the advantages of pure muscle flaps covered with full-thickness (FTSG) or split-thickness (STSG) skin grafts employed in certain head and neck reconstructions shall be demonstrated. The free vastus lateralis muscle flap (n = 13) and latissimus dorsi flap (n = 1), covered with either FTSG (n = 8) or STSG (n = 6), were used for major head and neck reconstructions in a total of 13 patients. There was no revision, no partial flap necrosis, and no flap loss. All skin grafts healed in. After initial swelling, all flaps developed an adequate form according to the respective skin level, with adequate texture and color match. This was especially the case when FTSG was used. No cosmetic corrections were necessary. Donor-site morbidity was negligible. In conclusion, a free muscle flap covered with FTSG is a safe and fast reconstruction that provides good cosmetic and functional results, combined with negligible donor-site morbidity.     

Closure of large orbital-maxillary defects with free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps

The treatment of advanced cancer of the maxillary sinus often requires extensive ablation and orbital exenteration that results in large full-thickness defects of the upper cheek and orbital regions. Reconstruction of such defects with local flaps is usually difficult because of the need for a large flap. Several regional flaps such as the deltopectoral flap, the temporal flap, and the shoulder flap may be used, but these techniques frequently require surgery in stages and result in severe deformity of the donor site. The island pedicled, pectoralis major myocutaneous flap may be rotated up to the orbital region; however, the uncertain blood supply to the skin in the distal area of the pectoralis may cause unexpected marginal necrosis of the flap. Reconstruction of large orbital-maxillary defects can readily be accomplished in one stage using microsurgical free transfer of latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps. The thoracodorsal artery and vein that form the nutrient pedicle of the flap approaches 2 mm in external diameter and up to 10 cm in length, allowing greater versatility in head and neck reconstruction. The muscle may be used to fill the orbital and maxillary cavities and will accept a skin graft on its deep surface. The donor defect is closed primarily and the resulting scar is well concealed beneath the arm. If necessary, extremely large flaps may be transferred by harvesting the entire latissimus dorsi muscle and the overlying skin based on the thoracodorsal system.     

Reconstruction in the head and neck regions with free radial forearm flaps and split-rib bone grafts

Fifty patients with wound defects in the head and neck region underwent reconstruction with the free radial forearm flap. Mandible defects in 17 patients were reconstructed by split-rib bone grafts. Radiotherapy was administered to 44 patients preoperatively. The free flap was successful in 49 patients, and there was one case of partial flap necrosis. The free flap is soft, thin, and movable. The split-rib bone graft was successful in 15 patients, and there was one case of partial graft necrosis and one case of complete necrosis. Postoperative complications were decreased by 50 percent when compared with the complication rate when split ribs were covered by forehead flaps, deltopectoral flaps, or oral mucosa. Finally, the functional and cosmetic results were excellent.     

Double free flaps in head and neck reconstruction

This article discusses the indications for and the advantages and principles of flap combinations and the selection of two pairs of recipient vessels for double free-flap transfers in reconstruction of extensive composite head and neck defects.     

Parascapular free flaps for head and neck reconstruction

We report our experience with single-stage, primary reconstruction of the head and neck in 29 consecutive patients using parascapular free flaps. The commonest indications were for craniofacial defects (9), oropharyngeal soft tissue defects (10), and combined mandibular and soft tissue losses (4). Ablative surgery was performed for squamous carcinoma (22), melanoma (2), and malignant fibrous histiocytoma (2). Seven patients died of recurrent disease during a 3 1/2 year follow-up. Seven patients are alive with recurrence. Flap complications included total loss (2) due to unsalvageable microvascular thrombosis, wound breakdown with oropharyngeal fistula (2), mandibular osteomyelitis (1), trismus (2), neck contracture (1), and donor site wound dehiscence (1). The overall success of this reconstruction was 93%. Primary wound healing was the general rule with lower morbidity than with other reconstructive techniques. The flap is thin, pliable, and conforms well to three-dimensional defects. The lateral border of the scapula can be incorporated on the same vascular pedicle for single-stage mandibular reconstruction. No muscle is sacrificed, and the posterior donor defect is an added advantage. The parascapular flap is our first choice for reconstruction of major defects in the head and neck.     

Pectoralis “paddle” myocutaneous flaps: The workhorse of head and neck reconstruction

The pectoralis paddle myocutaneous flap is extremely dependable and provides an added advantage of covering the vital structures of the neck with adequate length without excessive bulk. The donor defect is more acceptable than any we have previously encountered. The use of this skin muscle paddle in irradiated necks has distinct advantages. In addition, the ability to carry bony segments for use in mandibular reconstruction proved a distinct advantage in the two cases in which it was used.     

Muscle-sparing abdominal free flaps in head and neck reconstruction

BACKGROUND: Our aim in this retrospective case series was to review the indications, results, and complications of abdominal muscle-sparing free flaps in head and neck cancer reconstruction. METHODS: A retrospective review of all head and neck cancer defects reconstructed with abdominal muscle-sparing free tissue transfers from 1999 to 2004 was performed. Data collected included patient demographics, etiology and site of the defect, reconstructive technique, flap size, recipient vessels, complications, reconstructive technique, and clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Sixteen patients underwent reconstruction with the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap (n = 11), the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap (n = 4), or the superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA) flap (n = 1). Average age was 61 years (range, 41-77 years). The average hospital stay was 7.6 days (range, 6-14 days). The average defect size was 74.5 cm(2) (range, 30-240 cm(2)). No subsequent abdominal wall hernias or other donor site complications occurred after a mean follow-up of 21 months. CONCLUSIONS: Muscle-sparing abdominal free flaps are attractive options for head and neck cancer reconstruction. The SIEA and SCIA free flaps have the distinct advantage of eliminating abdominal hernias and other morbidity related to the excision of rectus abdominus fascia or muscle. In addition, the incisions are very low on the abdomen and are more cosmetically pleasing to the patient.     

Tongue reconstruction with the gracilis myocutaneous free flap

We describe our experience in tongue reconstruction using the transverse gracilis myocutaneous (TMG) free flap after major demolitive surgery for advanced cancer. This technique was used in 10 patients: seven underwent total glossectomy and three partial glossectomy. In eight patients we performed motor reinnervation attempting to maintain muscular trophism and gain long-term volumetric stability. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 28 months. The overall flap survival was 100%. Nine out of 10 patients resumed oral intake. Our preliminary experience shows that this flap is a good reconstructive option for total glossectomy patients, whereas it is less suited for reconstruction of hemiglossectomy defects. Functional and objective evaluation of the tongue reconstructed with TMG free flap requires further and standardized evaluation.     

Refinements in free flaps for head and neck reconstruction

The decade of adolescence of microsurgical techniques of head and neck reconstruction has led to a further clarification of the indications and methods for microsurgical reconstruction of head and neck defects. A review of the defects and the variety of flaps available for reconstruction leads to an increased understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of these various methods. When assessing a defect in the head and neck for microsurgical reconstruction, the surgeon should consider the various advantages of the flap to be used and weigh them against the disadvantages. The specialty has long since passed the point when one or two donor flaps could be considered to answer all of the reconstructive questions. We must now thoughtfully consider all the available options before settling on a course of treatment.     

Omental free flap reconstruction in complex head and neck deformities

BACKGROUND: Microvascular free flaps continue to revolutionize coverage options in head and neck reconstruction. This article reviews our 25-year experience with omental free tissue transfers. METHODS: All patients who underwent free omental transfer to the head and neck region were reviewed. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were included with omental transfers to the scalp (25%), craniofacial (62%), and neck (13%) region. Indications were tumor resections, burn wound, hemifacial atrophy, trauma, and moyamoya disease. Average follow-up was 3.1 years (range, 2 months-13 years). Donor site morbidities included abdominal wound infection, gastric outlet obstruction, and postoperative bleeding. Recipient site morbidities included partial flap loss in four patients (7%) total flap loss in two patients (3.6%), and three hematomas. CONCLUSIONS: The omental free flap has acceptable abdominal morbidity and provides sufficient soft tissue coverage with a 96.4% survival. The thickness \and versatility of omentum provide sufficient contour molding for craniofacial reconstruction. It is an attractive alternative for reconstruction of large scalp defects and badly irradiated tissue.     

Reconstruction for cervical irradiation ulcers with myocutaneous flaps

Radiation-induced skin changes are commonly seen in patients who have been treated for head and neck malignancies. Some of these skin changes can progress into chronic postradiation ulcers, which despite aggressive medical wound management will not resolve spontaneously. Skin grafts and local cutaneous flaps located within the radiation field are unreliable and rarely provide adequate stable coverage. In this article, the authors report a combined experience of 52 patients whose postradiation cervical ulcers were successfully and reliably treated with myocutaneous flaps.     

Flow-through sequentially linked free flaps in head and neck reconstruction

Reconstructing extensive composite oromandibular defects is a difficult challenge. Many donor sites have been used including rib, second metatarsal, radius, scapula, iliac crest and fibula. Each of these flaps has advantages and disadvantages with regard to the donor defect, length of bone available, bone stock and reliability of the associated soft tissue. Additionally, a significant limitation in some patients is that the bone cannot be repositioned three-dimensionally with respect to the overlying skin island. The complex three-dimensional nature of composite resections may challenge the ability of any single osteocutaneous flap to adequately reconstruct all aspects of the resultant defect. To overcome this problem, the authors present a retrospective analysis of their experience with the flow-through sequentially linked free flaps concept for reconstruction of complex defects of head and neck in nine selected cases.