Outcomes following Microvascular Free Tissue Transfer in Reconstructing Skull Base Defects

Objective Successful resection of complex tumors involving the skull base (SB) depends on the ability to reconstruct the resulting defects. The objective of this study was to assess the outcomes of patients undergoing reconstruction after resection of SB tumors with free flaps.Methods From 1995 to 2010 a retrospective review of cases was undertaken. Demographics, histology, surgical management, complications, locoregional control, and survival were analyzed.Results We performed 62 flaps in 57 patients. There was a preponderance of sinonasal malignancies (45%), and most lesions involved the anterior SB (81%). A total of 94% of patients underwent radiotherapy. Reconstruction was undertaken mainly with anterolateral thigh (37%) or radial forearm (34%) flaps. Complications occurred in 17% of patients, and the flap''s success rate was 94%.Conclusion Free flaps are versatile and highly reliable for reconstructing defects resulting from resections of the SB. They should be considered for SB reconstruction of large three-dimensional defects as well as defects involving an irradiated field. Successful reconstruction of the SB can be performed using a small number of highly dependable flaps.     

Increased anaesthesia duration increases venous thromboembolism risk in plastic surgery: A 6-year analysis of over 19,000 cases using the NSQIP dataset

Abstract

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in the postoperative setting. Various risk stratification schema exist in the plastic surgery literature, but do not take into account variations in procedure length. The putative risk of VTE conferred by increased length of time under anaesthesia has never been rigorously explored. Aim: The goal of this study is to assess this relationship and to benchmark VTE rates in plastic surgery. Methods: A large, multi-institutional quality-improvement database was queried for plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures performed under general anaesthesia between 2005–2011. In total, 19,276 cases were abstracted from the database. Z-scores were calculated based on procedure-specific mean surgical durations, to assess each case’s length in comparison to the mean for that procedure. A total of 70 patients (0.36%) experienced a post-operative VTE. Patients with and without post-operative VTE were compared with respect to a variety of demographics, comorbidities, and intraoperative characteristics. Potential confounders for VTE were included in a regression model, along with the Z-scores. Results: VTE occurred in both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Longer surgery time, relative to procedural means, was associated with increased VTE rates. Further, regression analysis showed increase in Z-score to be an independent risk factor for post-operative VTE (Odds Ratio of 1.772 per unit, p-value < 0.001). Subgroup analyses corroborated these findings. Conclusions: This study validates the long-held view that increased surgical duration confers risk of VTE, as well as benchmarks VTE rates in plastic surgery procedures. While this in itself does not suggest an intervention, surgical time under general anaesthesia would be a useful addition to existing risk models in plastic surgery.     

Peroneal perforator flap for intraoral reconstruction

Thin and pliable flaps with long, high calibre pedicles are ideally suited to lining the inside of the mouth. The radial forearm free flap has been our flap of choice until now, but we are unhappy with its potential for complications at the donor site. As an alternative, 30 patients have been treated in our unit with peroneal perforator flaps. Magnetic resonance (MR) angiography is necessary preoperatively to identify major perforating vessels. Flaps were raised using a lateral approach after the position of the most suitable perforator had been marked on the skin. The skin flaps were outlined in the proximal half of the lower leg with a maximum width of 5 cm to allow for direct closure of the wound. Five patients (of the original 35) were excluded after the results of MR angiography were known. All perforators identified on MR angiography could be exposed in the proximal half of the lower leg and most had a septocutaneous course. Reconstructions were in the floor of the mouth (n=16), tongue (n=11), and buccal mucosa (n=3). All but one flap survived with satisfactory functional results. The donor site morbidity was low. With the aid of MR angiography the peroneal perforator flap is a safe option for intraoral reconstruction. For small and medium sized defects we think that this flap is a good alternative to others, particularly if direct closure at an inconspicuous donor site is desired.     

采用组织瓣修复上颌骨缺损36例临床分析

目的 总结采用组织瓣进行上颌骨缺损重建的临床效果。方法 回顾 2012年 8月—2018年 12月于我院行上颌骨切除并即刻行缺损重建的 36例患者,分析上颌骨缺损类型与重建方法的关系。结果 按照 Brown分类,上颌骨Ⅱb类缺损 22例,Ⅱc类缺损 3例,Ⅱd类缺损 8例,Ⅲb类缺损 3例。33例（91.7%）Ⅱ类缺损中,采用腓骨瓣修复 2例,颏下岛状瓣修复 17例,前臂皮瓣修复 14例。3例（8.3%）Ⅲb类缺损均采用组织瓣联合预成型的个性化钛网修复。所有患者皮瓣制备时间（64±15）min。手术时间（420.6±75.5）min,术中出血（650.5±172.3）mL,皮瓣最大 12 cm×5 cm,最小 8 cm×4 cm。术后所有组织瓣均完全成活,无一例发生局部坏死或完全坏死。术后平均随访（24.5±13.6）个月,随访期间,3 例死亡（鳞癌 T2N0M0 和 T3N0M0 各 1 例,腺样囊性癌 T3N0M0 1 例）,2 例复发（均为腺样囊性癌T3N0M0）,其余 31 例均无瘤生存;无一例发生口腔上颌窦瘘,外形满意率 88.9%（32/36）,发音清晰率为 91.7%（33/36）。结论 采用血管化组织瓣重建上颌骨Ⅱ类缺损能获得较为满意的外形、发音和口鼻腔封闭,组织瓣联合个性化钛网是修复上颌骨Ⅲ类缺损的适宜方法。     

负压封闭引流联合小腿皮神经皮瓣修复足踝部软组织缺损

目的探讨应用负压封闭引流(VSD)联合小腿皮神经皮瓣修复足踝部软组织缺损的临床效果。方法对18例足踝部软组织缺损患者创面行清创、VSD治疗1~2个疗程,二期应用小腿皮神经皮瓣(隐神经皮瓣5例,腓肠神经皮瓣13例)逆行移位修复足踝部软组织缺损创面。皮瓣切取面积为5.0 cm×6.0 cm~8.0 cm×10.5 cm。结果 18例中16例皮瓣成活;1例远端部分坏死,经换药后痊愈;1例大部分坏死,患者拒绝再手术。17例患者经3~24个月随访,皮瓣质地柔软、弹性好,皮瓣外形及足踝部功能满意,供区植皮全部成活,外形满意。9例随访12个月时皮瓣恢复部分感觉。结论 VSD可以控制感染,刺激肉芽组织生长,为小腿皮神经皮瓣提供良好成活条件;小腿皮神经皮瓣是足踝部软组织缺损创面修复的良好手段;二者联合应用是修复足踝部软组织缺损较理想的治疗方法。