Abstract An animal experiment had been conducted for the purpose to find out the possibility of application of instantaneous sustained limited expansion (ISLE). A total of 54 skin defects in 9 pigs were obtained and were divided into two groups. One group of the pigs were subjected to instantaneous sustained limited expansion, the others, as the control group, just received the tension suture. At the same time the blood supply of the skin was measured by laser doppler flowmeter (LDF). It was showed that microcirculatory perfusion of the ISLE group was considerably better than that of the control. Inaddition, the correlation between the blood flow of the skin and the expanding pressure, as well as the pathologic changes of the skin were discussed.
Soft tissue expander has been improved to perfection in recent ten years. Many excellent works have been accomplished for the patients who suffered from either soft tissue malformation or defects following traumatism, infection or benign tumors. But the reconstruction of soft tissue defects cause by malignant tumor hasbeen less studied.Four patients suffering from malignant tumour localized in the scalp and face, 1women and 3 men ranging from 65 to 75 years of age, have been operated on since1986. Their major deficits have been reconstructed with radican tissue expander, by the flap of the same colour and texture and also, similar thickness and sensation. There is no relapse in all the patients operated on reported until today.The surgical technique was discribed. The clinical results and the indication of tissue expander in the surgical treatment of malignant tumour are discussed.
Since 1987, One hundred and fifty-four patients suffered from alopecia, neck and facial scar, and nasal defect had been treated with skin soft tissue expansion. The incidence of complication was decreased markedly, compared to previons report which was 11.7%. Two cases of this group were given up this procedure. The lessous learned from these case were as following. Strictly evaluated the case according to the indication, examined the expander carefully, improved the techniques to inbed the expander and infilled the sailine, those of which could obtain satisfactory result.
OBJECTIVE To emphasize the importance of reconstruction and repair after resection of soft tissue sarcoma. METHODS From November 1990 to November 1996, in 107 cases of soft tissue sarcoma 32 cases had received various reconstructive or reparative operations. Among the 32 cases, 4 cases were primary sarcomas and 28 cases were recurrent sarcomas. In surgical grading, 3 cases were of I B, 3 cases of II A and 26 cases of II B. Radical resection was performed in 13 cases, widen local resection in 17 cases and local excision in 2 cases. After operation, 13 cases received chemotherapy and 7 cases received radiotherapy. Reconstruction of blood vessels was performed in 3 cases, reconstruction of kinetic function in 16 cases, and repair of defect was carried out in 23 cases. RESULTS Thirty patients were followed up for 4 months to 6 years and 6 months. The clinical results showed that the local control rate of sarcoma was 80%, limb-salvage rate after reconstruction of blood vessels was 100%, the excellent and good rate after reconstruction of kinetic function was 87.5%, and the survival rate of the tissue flap of transplantation and transposition was 96%. CONCLUSION It was concluded that the reconstruction and repair after resection of soft tissue sarcoma was the extension of operative treatment, and was very important in lowering the recurrence rate and improving the life quality of the sufferings.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application of skin and soft tissue expansion in the treatment of deformity due to extensive severe burn injury and repair of severe deep electrical burned scalp and skull with fresh wound. METHODS: From 1988, 83 cases of application of skin and soft tissue expansion were reported. In those patients with deformity due to severe burn of large area and with whole nasal defect, soft tissue expander was used under the forehead skin graft and venter frontalis, followed by reconstruction of nose with the expanded vascularized skin flap and carved cartilago costalis as nasal frame. In patients of severe deep electrical burned scalp and skull with fresh wound, skin and soft tissue expansion were used to repair the wound simultaneously with scalp burn alopecia, anesthetics and antibiotics injected into the extracapsular space of the expander in case of pain and infection. RESULTS: All of the cases were successfully treated with little pain and minimized infection. CONCLUSION: Skin and soft tissue expansion in a safe and reliable measure in the treatment of deformity due to extensive severe burn injury and repair of severe deep electrical burned scalp and skull with fresh wound.
OBJECTIVE To investigate the repairing method of soft tissue defect of heel, pedicled island myocutaneous flap of flexor digitorum brevis was designed. METHODS From 1984 to 1997, 26 cases with soft tissue defect of heel were adopted in the clinical trial. Among them, the were 18 males, 8 females and the age ranged from 15 to 60 years old. The area of wound ranged from 2.5 cm x 1.5 cm to 8.0 cm x 6.0 cm. RESULTS After operation, all of the flaps survived. They were followed up for 9 to 72 months. All of the flaps had primary healing except in one there was infection of peripheral of the flap. The contour of heel was satisfactory the sensation of flap was good and the weight-bearing function was also successful. CONCLUSION It was concluded that the myocutaneous flap of flexor digitorum brevis could be used to repair the soft tissue defect of heel because of its nearby position, hidden location, good recovery of skin sensation and weight-bearing function, Besides, the procedure of this operation was simple and the anti-inflammatory potential of the flap was high. However, Because of the limited donor area, the pre-operative design was important.
Objective To study the method and effect of free rectusabdominis muscle flaps with intermediate split thickness skin graft in repairing defects on legs and ankles.Methods From May 1998 to December 2002, 11 cases of defects on legs(2 cases) and on ankles( 9 cases) were repaired by use of unilateral free rectus abdominis flap with skin graft. The soft tissue defects were accompanied by osteomyelitis or the exposure of bone or tendon.The disease course was 1 month to 10 years. The defect size ranged 3 cm×4 cm to 8 cm×14 cm. The area ofrectus abdominis muscle flaps was 4 cm×6 cm to 8 cm×15 cm. Results All patients were followed up 6 months to 4 years after operation. All rectusabdominis flaps survived with good appearances and functions.The primary healing was achieved in 8 cases, intermediate split thickness skin graft necrosed in 3 cases and the wound healed after skin re-graft.Conclusion Free rectus abdominis flap is a proper option for repair of the soft tissue defects or irregular woundson legs and ankles. It has the advantages of abundant blood supply, b anti-infection ability, good compliance and satisfied appearance.
Objective To explore the feasibil ity, indications, and effects of vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) combined with flaps for repairing skin and soft tissue defects of lower l imbs. Methods From June 2006 to November 2009, 15 patients with skin and soft tissue defects of lower l imbs were treated with VSD combined with flaps (VSD group, n=5) and only flaps (non-VSD group, n=10). In VSD group, there were 3 males and 2 females with an average age of 46 years (range, 32-69 years), including 3 cases of traffic accident injury, 1 case of skin necrosis after amputation, and 1 case of plate exposureafter operation. The locations were lower leg in 1 case, ankle in 2 cases, dorsum of foot in 1 case, and forefoot in 1 case. The defect size ranged from 6.5 cm × 6.0 cm to 23.0 cm × 17.0 cm. The disease course ranged from 2 hours to 2 months. In non- VSD group, there were 5 males and 5 females with an average age of 50 years (range, 23-58 years), including 6 cases of traffic accident injury, 1 case of crush injury in earthquake, 1 case of osteomyel itis, and 2 cases of plate exposure after operation. The locations were lower leg in 1 case, ankle in 3 cases, forefeet and dorsum of feet in 4 cases, and heel in 2 cases. The defect size ranged from 4 cm × 4 cm to 20 cm × 12 cm. The disease course ranged from 1 hour to 2 months. There was no significant difference in general data between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Results In VSD group, the preoperative hospital ization days, postoperative hospital ization days, and total hospital ization days were (11.8 ± 9.5), (35.4 ± 28.3), and (47.2 ± 35.8) days, respectively; the size of flap was (232.8 ± 142.0) cm2; and the infection rate after VSD-use was 0. In non-VSD group, the preoperative hospital ization days, postoperative hospital ization days, and total hospital ization days were (25.8 ± 12.4), (33.9 ± 28.1), and (59.7 ± 32.4) days, respectively; the size of flap was (97.3 ± 93.6) cm2; and the infection rate after 8 to 14 days of regular therapy was 80%. There were significant differences in the preoperative hospital ization days and the size of flap between 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). All flaps were al ive except 3 partial necrosis (1 case in VSD group, 2 cases in non-VSD group). The 3 flaps healed by skin grafting and suturing. The donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 5-41 months (22.1 months on average). All flaps were good in color, texture, and wear abil ity. Conclusion It is effective to apply VSD combined with proper flap to repair skin and soft tissue defects of lower l imbs, which can cut down infection rate, improve blood supply, shorten the preoperative hospital ization days, and facil itate heal ing, but whether it can shorten the postoperative hospital ization days and total hospital ization days need further research.