Objective To investigate the outcome of repairing hand composite defects using pedicle osteocutaneous groin flap. Methods From February 1998 to May 2004, 33 cases of hand composite defects were repaired with pedicle osteocutaneous groin flap. There were 22 males and 11 females. The age was 19 to 54 years with an average of 243 years. The defect was caused by palmar penetrating injury in 17 cases, by dorsal hand crushing injury in 9 cases and by other injury in 7 cases. Twentythree cases complicated by metacarpal defect, 10 by phalanx defect. Thesize of skin defect was 3.5 cm×2.0 cm to 15.0 cm×10.0 cm, the size of bonedefect was 1.5 to 3.5 cm. After 3 to 7 days of primary debridement, defect was repaired by the pedicle osteocutaneous groin flap based on the superficial circumflex iliac vessels. The flap size was 4.0 cm×2.5 cm to 17.0 cm×11.0 cm. Results All the osteocutaneous flaps survived. During the 4 to 22 months follow-up postoperatively, thetexture, appearance and function of the flap were excellent and bone union was obtained in all cases after 7 to 9 weeks of operation.Conclusion The pedicle osteocutaneous groin flap is an ideal flap to repair the composite defect of the hand, with the benefit of simple procedure and reliable blood supply.
Objective To investigate the results and applicationvalue of crotch-shaped vein grafts in repairing defects of the vessels with a large diameter.Methods From June 1998 to October 2003, 35 cases of vesseldefects with a large diameter were repaired with crotch-shaped vein graft (29 males and 6 females,aged 18 to 45 years with an average of 25.7 years ). The locations of defects were femoral artery in 25 cases, popliteal artery in 2 cases, femoral vein in 7 cases, and subclavian vein in 1 case. The interval between injure and operatioinwas 1-8.5 hours (4.1 hours on average).The blood flows of trouble and healthy vascular were determined with Doppler detector and compared preoperatively andpostoperatively. Results All the anastomotic stomas were patent in 35 cases. Thirty-one cases were followed up 6 weeks to 24 months (9.5 months on average), the patent rate was 100%, no case occurred vasospasm or tromboembolism; 2 cases occurred stomal leak and became hematoma, 3 cases occurred muscular necrosis, and the 5 cases achieved primary healing after secondary operation. The Doppler results showed that there was statistically significant difference in the blood flow betweenpostoperation and preoperation (Plt;0.01), but no statistically significant difference when compared the trouble vascular after operation with healthy vascular (Pgt;0.05). Conclusion The methodof crotch-shaped vein grafts is safe and effective in repairing defects of vessels with a large diameter,which is easy to draw materials and handy to operate. It has a promising value in clinical application.
Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of repair of massive bone defect in tibia by vascularized fibula grafting of either sides. Methods Twenty-four cases of massive bone defect in tibia, among which 14 cases were repaired by vascularized fibula grafting of the other side and another 10 cases were repaired by those of the same side, from 1987 to 1997 were followed up for 3 to 13 years; the functions of the operated limbs were evaluated according to Enneking Score System, and the outcome of the fibula grafts were assessed by radiographic examination with reference to the standard established by International Symposium onLimb Salvage. Results The average recover rate of the operated limbs in those repaired by the other side grafting was 80.7%, and the average healing period ofthe fibula graft was 14 weeks with fracture of the graft in one case which madethe operated lower limb shorten for about 2.5 cm; the fibula grafts were observed thickened in 43 weeks, on average, and the patients could walk independently without a crutch. While in those repaired by the same side grafting, the averagerecover rate of the operated limbs was 68.3%, the average healing period of thefibula graft was 17 weeks with fracture of the graft in 3 cases, in 2 of which the lower limbs were shortened for 2 cm and 4 cm respectively, and in the third one infection occurred and amputation was performed finally; the fibula grafts were observed thickened in 49 weeks, on average, which made it available for the patients to walk without a crutch. All of the data showed that there was a significant difference statistically between the differently treated cases. Conclusion It’s a good choice to repair massive bone defect in tibia by vascularized fibula grafting, and the vascularized fibula graft from the other side could promote the bone healing and accelerate the recover of the function of the operated lower limb.
Objective To study the biological characteristic and potential of chondrocytes grafting cultured on fascia in repairing large defect of articular cartilage in rabbits. Methods Chondrocytes of young rabbits were isolated and subcultured on fascia. The large defect of articular cartilage was repaired by grafts of freeze-preserved and fresh chondrocytes cultured on fascia, and free chondrocytes respectively; the biological characteristic and metabolism were evaluated bymacroscopic, histological and immunohistochemical observations, autoradiography method and the measurement of nitric oxide content 6, 12, 24 weeks after grafting. Results The chondrocytes cultured on fascia maintained normal growth feature and metabolism, and there was no damage to chondrocytes after cryopreservation; the repaired cartilage was similar to the normal cartilage in cellular morphology and biological characteristics. Conclusion Chondrocytes could be cultured normally on fascia, which could be used as an ideal carrier of chondrocytes.
Objective To investigate a suitable way to reconstruct scar constractures in the axilla and chest.Methods From January 2001 to December 2005, 52 patients(57 episodes) with scar constractures in the axilla and chest were treated, including 31 males and 21 females with an age range of 1-44 years.The deformities of scar constractures in the axilla and chest were reconstructed with posterior part of axillary scar skin flaps(44 epidsodes), anterior part of axillary scar skinflaps(10 episodes) and lateral part of upper arm’s scar skin flaps(3 episodes).The flaps were sutured to the surrounding tissues in 19 episodes, the donor sites in other38cases were covered with split thickness skin grafts. Results Fifty-four scar skin flaps survived completely by the first intention except 3flaps, which margin necrosed and healed with dressing changes. All patients were followed up 1 month to 5 years. All patients gained a good functional recovery and cosmetic appearance after the operation, and the unfolding function ofshoulder restored to 150°. Conclusion Axillary local scar skin flap is a good alternative method to reconstruct scar constractures in the axilla and chest.
Objective To explore an improved method of reconstructing the scalp soft tissue defect with the expanded skin soft tissue and treating and preventing the related complication. Methods From October 2002 toJune 2005, 32 patients (20 males and 12 females, aged 5-48 years) underwent reconstruction of the scalp soft tissue defects with the expanded scalp soft tissue in thetwo-stage operation. In the first stage, a tissue expander (cylindrical form, 50-250 ml) was inplanted into the skin to achieve a skin soft tissue expansion. After a sufficient skin expansion (8 cm×5 cm to 25 cm×23 cm) was made by the routine water affusion for 6-16 weeks, a properly-designed skin flap was taken and transferred to reconstruct the scalp soft tissue defect in the second-stage of the operation. All the scalp defects were left after the resections of the scalp lesions, which ranged in size from 7 cm×5 cm to 20 cm×20 cm.Results After operation, all the 32 patients had their scalp defects repaired and reconstructed well.The expanded skin flaps of all the 32 patients survived except 1 patient who had a necrosis of the distal epidermis of the flap, which healed after the dressings of the wound. The hair grew well and the scars were hidden with a satisfactory appearance. Four patients developed complications (necrosis of the distal flapin 1 patient, hematoma in 1, expander exposure in 1, and wound rupture in 1).Conclusion Reconstruction of the scalp soft tissue defect with the skin soft tissue expansion is an ideal method.
Objective To evaluate an effect of the vascularendothelial growth factor (VEGF) geneactivated matrix (GAM) on repair of the sciatic nerve defect in rats. Methods The peripheral nerve extracellular matrix（ECM） was harvested by the chemical extraction from 30 SD rats. The VEGF-GAM comprised of ECM and the plasmids encoding VEGF. Thirty adult Wistar rats were made as a model of the asciatic nerve defect and were randomly divided into the following 3 groups(n=10): Group A (VEGF-GAM conduits), Group B (ECM conduits),and Group C (autografts). At 12 weeks, the rats from each groupwere subjected to an inspection for the walking tract analysis and electrophysiological and histomorphological studies.Results The VEGF DNA could be retained in GAM, promoting the transgene expressing in the sciatic nerve, and more importantly, in the axotomized neurons in the spinal cord for 12 weeks. The motor neuron recovery rate in Group A (79.13％±2.53％) was similar to that in Group C (75.26％±4.48％, Pgt;0.05), but significantly better than that in Group B (56.09％±1.89％, Plt;0.01). The number of the regenerationaxons in the distal sciatic nerve in Group A (13 463±794/mm2) was significantly lower than that in Group C (16 809±680/mm2, Plt; 0.01), but significantly higher than that in Group B (10 260±1 117/mm2,Plt;0.01). The motor nerve conduction velocity in Group A (16.44±1.65 m/s) was significantly lowerthan that in Group C (23.79±2.75 m/s, Plt;0.01), but significantly higherthan that in Group B (12.8 ±1.42 m/s, Plt;0.01). The recovery rate of thegastrocnemius muscle wet weight in Group A (71.40％±3.05%) was significantlylower than that in Group C (87.00％±1.87％,Plt;0.01), but significantly higher than that in Group B (50.00％±4.90％, Plt;0.01). The sciatic nerve function index in Group A （39.37%±4.81%） was significantly lower 〖KG6〗than that in Group C (26.27%±2.71%, Plt;0.01), but significantly higher than that in Group B (4693％±296％, Plt;0.01). Conclusion The results indicate that VEGF-GAM as a bridge can promote the functional recovery of the defected sciatic nerve in rats, but the effect is not so good as that by autografts.
Objective To investigate the clinical application of self-settingcalcium phosphate cement (CPC) in bone defect repair of extremities. Methods From May 1998 to January 2000, 32 cases of bone defect, in 36 sites, were repairedand reviewed, aged from 4 to 59 years old (24.7 years old on average), with bone defect 2 to 125 cm2 in size (13.1 cm2 on average). The causes of the bone defect werefracture, bone cyst, iliac bone harvesting, fibrous dysplasia, enchondroma and bone tuberculosis, which involved femur, iliac, tibia, humerus, phalanx, fibula, calcaneus, talus and acetabulum. All of the cases were followed up for 1 to 23 months, 15.3 months on average, before radiographic examination. Results All operations were successful and no general response was observed in all of the cases. X-ray examination showed an integrity interface between CPC and bone. And CT showed no gap existed. There was no increase of serum calcium and phosphate levels. Conclusion CPC is applicable in the low- or non-weight-bearing site of the extremities.
Objective To investigate the ability of the biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) material to repair bone defect and to evaluate the feasibility ofusing the PCL as the scaffold in tissue engineering bone. Methods The bone defect models of 4.5 mm×12 mm were made in the bilateral femoral condyle of 65 NewZealand white rabbits. The PCL cylinder was implanted into the right side of defect(experimental group, n=60), the high dense crystality hydroxyapatite was implanted into the left side of defect (control group, n=60), and the incision was sutured without any implants (blank group, n=5). The samples were harvested and observed by examinations of gross, X-ray, bone density,99mTc-MDP bone scanning, γ-display ratio and scanning electron microscope (SEM) after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of operation. The results were compared between the experimental group and control group. Results At 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after operation, the gross and X-ray examinations indicated that the bone defect filled with the new bone onthe PCL-tissue surface, and no delayed inflammatory reaction appeared. The average bone mineral density was greater in the experimental group than that in the control group, and the difference had statistical significance(P＜0.05). Theresults of 99mTc-MDP bone scanning and γ-display ratio showed that thenuclide uptake was more in the PCL group than that in the control group. The SEM result proved that the new compact bone formed on the PCL migrating surface as the PCL degraded gradually，but the collagen fiber sheathe formed around the hydroxyapatitein the control group. Conclusion PCL possesses good biocompatibility and high bone inductive potentiality, it can be used to repair bone defect.
Objective To investigate the feasibility of repairing thyroid cartilage defects by implantation of chondrocyte-allogenous acellular cartilaginousmatrix(chondrocyte-ACM) composite in rabbits. Methods The thyroid chondrocyteswere isolated and co-cultured in vitro with allogenous acellular cartilaginousmatrix(ACM) to form the chondrocyte-ACM composite. The composite was analyzed histologically and was used to repair defects of thyroid cartilage. Eighteen New Zealand adult rabbits were made the defect models of thyroid cartilage at the two sides and divided into three groups. The defects were repaired with chondrocyte-ACM composite in the experimental group(n=6), with simple ACM in the ACM group (n=6)and without any material in the control group(n=6). The animals were sacrificed at 8 weeks after operation. The specimens were evaluated histologically. Results In vitro, the growth of chondrocytes was observed on the surface of allogenous acellular cartilaginous matrix and no chondrocytes grew inside the matrix. The defect filled with muscle and connective tissues in control group; the lymphocyte infiltration was observed in the matrix and no new cartilage formationoccurred at 8 weeks after operation in simple ACM group and experimental group.So the defect repair of rabbits thyroid cartilage failed. Conclusion The allogenous acellular cartilaginous matrixfailed to serve as a scaffold for chondrocytes both in vitro and in vivo. The allogenous acellular cartilaginous matrixshould be improved.