Objective To choose suitable free flaps for reconstructing headand neck defects caused by tumor resection. Methods A retrospective analyses was made in 86 cases of head and neck defects treated with four kinds of free flaps between January 1999 and January 2002. The head and neck defects were caused by tumor resection. The locations were oral cavity (n=32), hypopharynx (n=27), mandible (n=12), skull base (n=5), scalp and skin (n=6) andmidface(n=4). The donor sites of free flaps included the rectus abdominis (n=32), anterolateral thigh (n=10),jejunum (n=25), fibula (n=11), latissimus dorsi (n=4), forearm (n=3) and scapula (n=1). The sizesof the cutaneous/musculocutaneous flaps ranged from 4 cm×5 cm to 14 cm×24 cm. The lengths of the fibula were 4-16 cm,of jejunum 9-20 cm. Results The overall free flap success rate was 92% (79/86). Of 32 oral cavity defects, 22 were reconstructed by rectus abdominis (69%) and 10 by anterolateral thigh flaps (31%). Of 27 hypopharyngeal defects, 25 were restored by jejunum flaps (93%). Eleven of 12 mandibular defects were reconstructed by fibula flaps(92%). Four of 5 defects of skull base were reconstructed by rectus abodominis flaps (80%). The free flaps of rectus abodominis, anterolateral thigh, jejunum and fibula were most frequently used, accounting for 91%(78/86) of all flaps in head and neck defect reconstruction. Conclusion Although head and neck defects represent a complicated spectrum of subsites and loss, these four freeflaps can manage most reconstruction problems.
Our clinical experiences in reconstruction of the defects from excision of benign tumors with expanded skin flap were reported. Since 1987 we have applied this method 23 cases with satisfactory results. When we decided to use this technique, the expander was placed in a pocket adjacent to a benign tumor planned to be excised. Once the skin flap was expanded fully, the tissue expanders were removed. After excision of the benign tumor, the defect was than be covered with the expanded skin flap. The problems related to treatment were discussed in detail.
Objective To compare the reconstructive method of oral and maxillofacial defect with free tissue flaps. Methods The clinical materials were collected from 1 973 reconstructive cases between January 2000 and June 2004 and analyzed in terms of the distribution of age, gender,disease type, defect location, reconstructive method and the incidence of vascular crisis of free flaps as well as success rate of free flap respectively. SAS 6.12 was adopted for statistical analysis. Results A total of 1 973reconstructive cases includded 764 in middle age (＞45 years to ≤60 years, 38.72%), 527 in old age (＞60 years, 26.71%), 450 young adults (＞28 years to ≤45 years, 2281%), 187 in young age (＞14 years to ≤28 years, 9.48%) and 45 children(≤14 years, 2.28%). The ratio of male to female was 1.5∶1. The ratio of benign to malignancy lesion was 1∶1.94. The tongue defect accounted for 20.63%, followed by mandibular defect(1738%), parotid defect(13.74%)，buccal defect(12.72%), maxillary defect(8.16%), oral pharynx defect (7.60%), floor of mouth defect(5.68%) and others (14.09%). Vascular free flap transfers accounted for 45.82%(90.4), followed by axial flap(38.17%,753), random flap(10.19%,201), avascularizedbone graft (1.52%, 30) and others(4.30%, 85). The most frequently used flap was the forearm flap(594 cases), followed by the fibula free flap(143 cases) and the pedicled pectoralis major myocutaneous flap(369 cases); these three flaps accounted for 56.06% (1 106/1 973).In 47 free tissue flaps(5.20%) having vascular crisis, 30 were saved (63.83%). The success rate of total free tissue flaps was 98.19%(923/940). Conclusion The majority of reconstructive cases of oral and maxillofacial defects is the middle aged andthe old aged male patients with malignancy. The tongue defect accounts for about one fifth of all the cases. The vascularized free flap has a high success rate, so it is a main method for reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects. The forearm flap, the fibular free flap and the pedicled pectoralis major myocutaneous flap are the main management for repairing oral and maxillofacial defects.
Objective To evaluate the effect of WO-1 on repair of the bone defect in the New Zealand rabbit radius by an oral or local administration. Methods Bone defects were surgically created in the bilateral radii of 36 Zealand rabbits (1.6-2.0 kg), which were randomly divided into3 groups. In Group A, the defective areas were given WO-1 0.1 ml (50 mg/ml) by the local injections; in Group B, the rabbits were given WO-1 5 mg each day by the oral administration. Group C was used as a control group. Among each of the 3 groups, 4 rabbits were randomly selected and were sacrificed at 20, 30 and 60 days after operation, respectively. Then, the serological, X-ray and histological examinations were performed. Results The serum alkaline phosphatase and bone glaprotein levels were significantly higher at 20 and 30 days after operation in Groups A and B than in Group C, but significantly lower at 60 days after operation in Groups A and B than in Group C（Plt;0.01）. The X-ray and histological examinations at 20, 30 and 60 days after operation revealed that the callus formation and remodeling were earlier in Groups A and B thanin Group C, and the remodeling was earlier and better in Group A than in Group B. Conclusion WO-1 can promote the repair of the radial defect in a rabbit; however, further studies on the doseeffect relationship, administration time, and administration route are still needed.
Objective To explore the clinical effect of the lower rotating point super sural neurocutaneous vascular flap on the repair of the softtissue defects in the ankle and foot. Methods From May 2001 to February 2006, 24 patients with the soft tissue defects in the ankle and foot were treated with the lower rotating point super sural neurocutaneous vascular flaps. Among the patients, 15 had an injury in a traffic accident, 6 were wringedand rolled by a machine, 1 was frostbited in both feet, 2 were burned, 25 had an exposure of the bone and joint. The disease course varied from 3 days to 22 months; 19 patients began their treatment 3-7 days after the injury and 5 patients were treated by an elective operation. The soft tissue defects ranged in area from 22 cm × 12 cm to 28 cm × 12 cm. The flaps ranged in size from 24 cm × 14cm to 30 cm × 14 cm, with a range up to the lower region of the popliteal fossa. The rotating point of the flap could be taken in the region 1-5 cm above thelateral malleolar. The donor site was covered by an intermediate thickness skingraft. Results All the 25 flaps in 24 patients survived with asatisfactory appearance and a good function. The distal skin necrosis occurred in 1 flap, but healing occurred after debridement and intermediate thickness skin grafting. The follow-up for 3 months to 5 years revealed that the patients had a normal gait, the flaps had a good sense and a resistance to wearing, and no ulcer occurred. The two point discrimination of the flap was 5-10 mm. Conclusion The lower rotating point super sural neurocutaneous vascular flap has a good skin quality, a high survival rate, and a large donor skin area. The grafting is easy, without any sacrifice of the major blood vessel; therefore, it is a good donor flap in repairing a large soft tissue defect in the ankle and foot.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of prevention of abdominal hernia in reconstruction of defect of abdominal wall with Gore-tex clinically. METHODS: Six cases of the large defects of abdominal wall were repaired with Gore-tex after surgical removal of abdominal wall tumor. RESULTS: The reconstructed cases were followed up six months to three years and there was no postoperative complication. CONCLUSION: Gore-tex is a reliable and effective biomaterial for reconstruction of the large defect of abdominal wall.
The paper reported the clinical experience of using pectoralis major myocutaneous flap for the immediate repair of massive defects from excising the oral and maxillofacial malignant tumours in 21 cases from 1985 to 1993. The valuation, design, preparation, technique of transfer of the flap and the prevention of flap from necrosis were discussed. It was suggested that the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap was worth using for the immediate repair of massive defects around oral and maxillofacial regions.
Objective To study the effectiveness of one-stage repairing pharyngeal defect with the tongue flaps after resection of advanced stage hypopharyngeal neoplasm and laryngeal neoplasm. Methods Between June 2006 and March 2011, 20 patients with hypopharyngeal neoplasm (8 cases) and laryngeal neoplasm (12 cases) with advanced stage were treated. There were 19 males and 1 female, aged 47-78 years (mean, 62.8 years). All neoplasms were squamous cell carcinomas. The disease duration was 1-8.5 months (mean, 3.9 months). According to the standards of International Union Against Cancer (UICC, 1987), 12 cases were in stage III and 8 cases were in stage IV. The size of pharyngeal defect was 5 cm × 2 cm to 4 cm × 4 cm after resection of tumor. Defects were repaired by the whole base of the tongue flaps in 16 cases and by the horizontal base of the tongue flaps in 4 cases. The size of the flaps ranged from 5 cm × 2 cm to 4 cm × 4 cm. Postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy were regularly performed. Results The 20 tongue flaps were alive. Healing of incision by first intention was achieved in 18 cases and delayed healing in 2 cases because of subcutaneous fluid. The patients were followed up 12-63 months (mean, 36.7 months). The patients had normal feeding ability and tongue function. Of 20 cases, 12 died and 1 of local recurrence was alive with tumor. The 3-year survival rate was 69.2% (9/13). Conclusion One-stage repair of pharyngeal defect with the tongue flaps after resection of hypopharyngeal neoplasm and laryngeal neoplasm can obtain good effectiveness because the tongue flap is easy-to-obtain and easy-to-survive, and has abundant blood supply.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility and technical essentials of soft tissue defect reconstruction following malignant tumor removal of limbs using perforator propeller flaps. MethodBetween July 2008 and July 2015, 19 patients with malignant limb tumor underwent defect reconstruction following tumor removal using the perforator propeller flaps. There were 13 males and 6 females with an average age of 53.4 years (range, 20-82 years). The disease duration ranged from 1 to 420 months (mean, 82 months). The tumors located at the thigh in 10 cases, at the leg in 2 cases, at the arm in 1 case, at the forearm in 1 case, around the knee in 2 cases, and around the elbow joint in 3 cases. Totally 23 flaps (from 8 cm×3 cm to 30 cm×13 cm in size) were used to reconstruct defects (from 4 cm×4 cm to 24 cm×16 cm in size). The potential source arteries included the femoral artery (n=2) , profunda femoral artery (n=3) , superficial circumflex iliac artery (n=1) , lateral circumflex femoral artery (n=6) , superior lateral genicular artery (n=2) , peroneal artery (n=2) , anterior tibial artery (n=1) , brachial artery (n=4) , and radial artery (n=1) . The remaining one was a free style perforator flap. ResultsPartial distal flap necrosis occurred in 3 cases after surgery with rotation angles of 180, 150, and 100° respectively, which were reconstructed after debridement using a free-style perforator flap in 1 case and using free skin grafting in the other 2 cases. The other 20 flaps survived completely after surgery. Primary healing of incisions was obtained at the donor and recipient sites. There was no severe complication such as infection, hematoma, and total flap failure. All patients were followed up 3 months to 5 years (mean, 19 months). One patient with malignant melanoma around the elbow joint had tumor recurrence, and underwent secondary tumor resection. The appearance, texture, and color of the flaps were similar to those at the recipient site. ConclusionsFor patients with malignant tumor of the limb, the perforator propeller flap can be an alternative option for soft tissue defect reconstruction after tumor resection, with the advantages of relatively simple operation and remaining the main vessels.
To review the progress in the treatment of chronic Achilles tendon rupture. Methods Recent l iterature on the treatment of chronic Achilles tendon rupture was reviewed. Results The choice of operative method for the repair of chronic Achilles tendon rupture depended primarily on the length of tendon defect, the atrophic condition of triceps surae muscle, and the age and the sportive level of patient. Conclusion Most chronic Achilles tendon ruptures should be treated operatively to reach good functional recovery, and tissue engineering provides a promising future for tendon defect repair.