In this study, 8 pigs, weight ranged from 25 to 30kg, were used. Island skin flaps with the deep circumflex iliac artery were designed as pedicle on both buttocks. In the distal half of the island skin flap, which had been made on the right buttock, a subdermal vascular network island skin flap was made by preserving the subdermal vascular network. Blood supply between the two types of skin flap was compared by skin temperature, laser Doppler, fluorescent stain, histological examination, ink perfusion microangiography and transparent specimen technique. The observation showed thatthe blood supply of the subdermal vascular network island skin flap was decreased prominently in comparison with that of the conventional island skin flap. The subdermal vascular network skin flap was actually a combination of axial pattern skin flap with randomized skin flap.
Objective To investigate the clinical outcome of free thoracoacromial artery perforator (TAAP) flap in the reconstruction of tongue and mouth floor defects after radical resection of tongue carcinoma. Methods Between May 2010 and February 2015, 11 cases of tongue carcinoma underwent radical resection and reconstruction of tongue and mouth floor defects with free TAAP flaps. The locations of tongue carcinoma were the lingual margin in 7 cases, the ventral tongue in 2 cases, and the mouth floor in 2 cases. According to Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) TNM stage, 3 cases were classified as T4N0M0, 3 cases as T4NlM0, 2 cases as T3N1M0, 2 cases as T3N2M0, and 1 case as T3N0M0. The disease duration ranged from 3 to 28 months, 10.6 months on average. The tumor size ranged from 6.0 cm×3 cm to 10 cm×5 cm. The TAAP flap ranged from 7.0 cm×4.0 cm to 11.0 cm×5.5 cm in size, and 0.6-1.2 cm (0.8 cm on average) in thickness, with a pedicle length of 6.8-9.9 cm (7.2 cm on average). Results All 11 flaps survived, the donor site was closed directly and healed primarily in all cases. The patients were followed up 12-24 months (17.2 months on average). The reconstructed tongue had satisfactory appearance and good functions of swallowing and language. No local recurrence was observed during follow-up. Only linear scar was left at the donor site, and the function of pectoralis major muscle was normal. Conclusion The TAAP flap is an ideal choice in the reconstruction of tongue defect after resection of tongue carcinoma, which has good texture, appearance, and function results.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of different free flaps in the repair of large defects after resection of scalp malignant tumors. MethodBetween March 2012 and January 2015, 18 patients with large defect after resection of scalp malignant tumors were treated with different free flaps. There were 13 males and 5 females with an average age of 49 years (range, 18-72 years). There were 17 cases of squamous carcinoma and 1 case of dermato-fibril sarcoma protuberans. The defect size ranged from 15 cm×12 cm to 22 cm×17 cm after resection of tumors. Defects were repaired with anterolateral thigh flap in 5 cases, latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap in 6 cases, thoracodorsal artery perforator flap in 3 cases, and latissimusdorsi muscle flap plus intermediate split thickness skin graft in 4 cases. The flap size was 17 cm×14 cm to 24 cm×19 cm. The donor sites of the skin flap were covered with skin graft, while the donor sites of the muscle flap were directly sutured. ResultsOf 14 skin flaps, the other 13 flaps survived except 1 flap necrosis; all muscle flaps survived. The patients were followed up 5-33 months (mean, 20 months). Three patients died because of intracranial metastasis at 5, 7, and 13 months after operation, respectively. Two patients had local recurrence and underwent secondary operation. The results of both appearance and function were satisfactory; secondary operation of thinning the flaps was performed in 4 cases of bulky flaps. The flaps had good wear resistance, without ulceration during follow-up. No obvious impairment was observed after harvesting latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. ConclusionsLarge scalp defects after malignant tumor resection can be effectively repaired by proper application of different free flaps.
【Abstract】 Objective To investigate and evaluate the effectiveness of covering amputated raw surface with freetissue transplantation from damaged limbs. Methods Between August 2010 and June 2011, 5 cases of severe injury of lower extremities were treated, including 4 males and 1 female with an age range of 3 years and 8 months to 43 years. Of them, 3 cases suffered from traffic accident injury and 2 had machine injury. The disease duration was 2-9 hours. Among the 5 cases, 1 suffered from half pelvis destruction and traumatic amputation of hip joint, 1 from comminuted open fracture of proximal femur, and another 3 from thigh destruction with survival soft tissue of legs. All cases were treated with emergency operation of amputation. The raw surface of the residual stumps was 20 cm × 10 cm to 20 cm × 20 cm in size. Two lateral anterior thigh flaps and 3 posterior tibial artery flaps were harvested from the damaged limbs. The flap size ranged from 15 cm × 10 cm to 25 cm × 20 cm. The wounds were repaired with free tissue transplantation. Results Five transplanted tissue flaps were survival. Skin necrosis occurred in the wound edge at 7-10 days postoperatively and was cured after excision of necrotic tissue, dressing change or vacuumed drainage for 1-2 months. All wounds healed and the patients were followed up 1-3 months. No sinus tract or ulceration was observed. The appearance of stumps was satisfactory. Conclusion The effectiveness of repairing amputated raw surface with free tissue transplantation from amputated limbs is satisfactory. It is an effective procedure to repair the raw surface of amputated stumps.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of abdominal free flap carrying bilateral superficial circumflex iliac arteries for repairing large skin and soft tissue defects of foot and ankle.MethodsBetween June 2016 and June 2019, 15 patients with large skin and soft tissue defects of foot and ankle were admitted, including 10 males and 5 females with an average age of 30 years (range, 10-60 years). The causes of injury included 6 cases of traffic accident, 3 cases of machine strangulation, 3 cases of heavy object injury, 2 cases of fall, and 1 case of electric shock. The time from injury to admission was 3 hours to 10 days, with an average of 2 days. The wound located at dorsal foot in 5 cases, ankle in 6 cases, dorsal foot and ankle in 3 cases, and dorsal foot and sole in 1 case. All wounds were contaminated to varying degrees and accompanied by tendon and bone exposure, including 5 cases of extensive necrosis of the dorsal skin with infection. The area of defects ranged from 18 cm×6 cm to 25 cm×8 cm. There were 9 cases of foot and ankle fractures and dislocations, and 2 cases of foot and ankle bone defects. The wound was repaired with abdominal free flap carrying bilateral superficial circumflex iliac arteries. The area of the flaps ranged from 20 cm×8 cm to 27 cm×10 cm; the skin flaps were thinned under the microscope to make the thickness of 0.5-1.0 cm, with an average of 0.7 cm. All incisions at the donor site were sutured directly.ResultsDuring the operation, 1 case was replaced with an abdominal free flap carrying the superficial abdominal artery because the superficial iliac circumflex artery was thin and the superficial abdominal artery was thicker. The skin flaps of 15 cases survived smoothly, and the wounds healed by first intention; the donor incisions all healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 8-36 months, with an average of 15 months. The flap shape was satisfactory, with good texture and mild pigmentation of the flap edge, without obvious bloating, effect on shoe wear, or secondary surgical thinning of the flap. The linear scar left in the donor site and had no effect on hip joint movement. All fractures healed well, and the healing time ranged from 3 to 8 months, with an average of 6 months.ConclusionThe abdominal free flap carrying bilateral superficial iliac circumflex arteries has concealed donor site, with little damage, and can be sutured in one stage. The blood vessel is anatomically constant, with less variation, and reliable blood supply. It is one of the ideal flaps for repairing large skin and soft tissue defects of foot and ankle.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of reconstruction of phonatory function by using a tubular free flap from upper-lateral upper arm to repair the laryngotracheal circumferential defect after near-total laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 7 patients who underwent near-total laryngectomy between June 2021 and October 2023, aged from 48 to 70 years (median, 59 years), 6 males and 1 female. The disease duration ranged from 1 to 11 months, with a median of 6 months. Pathological diagnosis of preoperative biopsy was squamous cell carcinoma. Tumor classification: glottic type in 5 cases, supraglottic type in 1 case, transglottic type in 1 case; TNM staging: T4N0M0 in 6 cases, T4N2M0 in 1 case; American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging in 2017 was stage Ⅳ. Preoperative MRI angiography of upper arm was performed to investigate the blood supply in the upper and lateral regions of the upper arm. After near-total laryngectomy and bilateral neck lymph node dissection, the area of the laryngotracheal defect was measured. A free flap measuring 7.0 cm×5.0 cm to 8.0 cm×7.0 cm was harvested from the upper-lateral upper arm, rolled into a tube shape, and connected between the stump of the cervical trachea in the neck root and that of the epiglottis at the tongue base. Four patients received adjuvant radiochemotherapy, 1 patient received radiochemotherapy and targeted therapy, 2 patients adopted no further adjuvant treatment. Results All 7 patients were followed-up 1-2 years (mean, 1 year and 3 months). Four patients had primary wound healing, 2 patients had minor pharyngeal fistulas that healed after dressing change, 1 patient experienced pharyngeal fistula because of flap necrosis and the wound still healed without secondary surgery. All patients took food orally within 1 month after operation, and the tracheal cannula was retained. Six patients with survived flap gradually adapted to their new pronunciation mode and obtained satisfactory phonatory function from 15 days to 2 months after operation. Four patients had slight aspiration after operation. Till the end of the follow-up, all patients survived and no local recurrence or distant metastasis had been observed. The motor function of the upper arm was not affected, only partial sensory loss occurred in the area near the incision. The scar of the incision could be covered by the short sleeve so as to obtain a better aesthetic effect. ConclusionUsing a tubular free flap from upper-lateral upper arm to repair the laryngotracheal circumferential defect after near-total laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer can achieve satisfactory phonatory restoration while preserve the motor function and aesthetics of the donor site.
The forearm radial or ulnar vascularized cuteneuous ( or myocutaneous ) flaps were used to repair and reconstruct 17 cases of lip defects since 1981. All of the flaps were survived and their functions and contours were satisfactory, from 15 patients followed from 1-6 years. The methods of repairing lip defects and those complicated with defects of nasal vestibulum, alae nasi, nasal columella or alveolar process were also discussed. It was concluded that the forearm radial or ulnar cuteneuous (or myocutaneous) flap was suitable to repair of lipdefects.
ObjectiveTo discuss the effectiveness of free anterolateral thigh flap pedicled with medial sural vessels for treatment of leg skin and soft tissue defects. MethodsBetween July 2008 and January 2014, 32 cases of serious skin and soft tissue defects in the leg were repaired by using free anterolateral thigh flap pedicled with medial sural artery and vein. Of them, there were 22 males and 10 females, aged 23 to 50 years (mean, 36.5 years). Defects were caused by traffic accidents injury in 9 cases, crash injury of heavy object in 15 cases, and machine twist injury in 8 cases. The left side was involved in 10 cases and the right side in 22 cases. The mean interval of injury and admission was 2.5 hours (range, 1-4 hours). The location was the upper, middle, and lower one third of the anterior tibia in 15 cases, 10 cases, and 7 cases respectively. The area of defect ranged from 10 cm×5 cm to 23 cm×9 cm. After debridement and vaccum sealing drainage treatment, the anterolateral thigh flap ranging from 12 cm×7 cm to 25 cm×11 cm pedicled with the medial sural vessels was used to repair the wound. The donor site was sutured directly or repaired with the skingrafts. ResultsAll flaps and skingrafts survived after operation, and primary healing of wound was obtained. After 6-23 months (mean, 14.5 months) follow-up, all flaps were characterized by soft texture, good color, and satisfactory appearance. The sensation of the flaps were recovered to S2~S3+ according to the Britain's Medical Research Council criteria at 6 months after operation. No obvious scar contracture was observed at donor site. ConclusionThe medial sural artery has the advantages of constant anatomical position, large diameter, rich blood flow, and a long artery pedicle, so the medial sural vessels is an ideal choice as recipient vessels for the reconstruction of leg skin and soft tissue defect.
Since 1982. nineteen cases of defect of mouth floorhave been treated by free skin flap and myocutaneous flapgrafts. All of cases were sucecssful with good appearence andfunctions. The repairing method of defect of mouth floorwere disscused and verious free skin flaps graft in repairingdefect of mouth floor were evaluated.