Abstract The narrow pedicled intercostal cutaneous perforater (np-ICP) thin flaps were successfully used for reconstruction of hand deformity from scar contraction. This flap was designed with a narrow pedicle (3～5cm in width) which included ICPs of 4th～9th intercostal spaces, and with awide distal part (the maximum is 15cm×15cm) which covered the lower chest and upper abdomen. The thickness of flap was cut until the subdermal vascular networkwas observed. The pedicle was divided between the 7th～14th days after operation. Sixteen flaps in 15 cases were transferred for covering of the skin defects at the dorsum of the hand. The perforators which were included in the narrow pediclewere mostly from the 7th intercostal spaces in 9 flaps. Fifteen of the 16 flapswere survived almost completely, except in one case there was necrosis of the distal portion of the flap. It seemed that this flap was more useful than the conventional methods, not only functionally but also aesthetically. Moreover, the operative techinque was more simple and safer than the island or free intercostalflap due to without the necessity to dissect the main trunk of the intercostalneurovascular bundle. Gentle pressure on the thinning portion of the flap for a short time after operation was important.
From Nov. 1988 through Apr. 1994, 78 cases with laryngocarcinoma underwent laryngectomy and laryngeal reconstruction by the use of transfered cervical skin. Three to six months after operation, all patients were subjected to direct or indirect laryngoscope. It was found that the keratinized of layer of the transfered skin tended to be thining out, and that hair had grown in one case. With the followup ranging from 3 months to 5 years,the results were good. All patients following the reconstruction of larynx could phonate, swallow and breath. Postoperatively, 32 patients were alive for 3 years, 2 patients died from recurrence of laryngocarcinoma. The complications included laryngeal fistula in 6 cases and laryngostenosis in 2 cases. The cause as well as the prevention of complications were discussed. It was suggested that thetransfer of cervical flap was feasible for laryngeal reconstruction.
In order to observe the effect of far infrared rays on the survival of skin flap, the following experiment was performed. Forty-eight SD rats were selected and divided into two groups. The rats received 0.3 w/cm2 radiation twice a day from 3 days before operation to 5 days after operation in the experimental group, while in the control group the rats received none before or after the operation. The flap was designed as 2 cm x 6 cm in the back of the rats with the pedicle caudalward. The microcirculatory changes of the flap were observed, and the survival area of the flap was calculated. The results showed that either in the proximal or in the distal part of the graft, in the experimental group, the mean opening rate, diameter and the flowing velocity of the microvessels were significantly higher than those in the control group (P lt; 0. 05). The mean rate of survival area of the experimental group (80.5%) was also higher than that of the control group (62.7%) (P lt; 0.01). It was suggested that radiation with far infrared rays could dilate the microvessels, improve the flap microcirculation, therefore, enhance the survival of the randomized skin flap.
Objective To present a method for quantifying the anastomosis between two vessels based on angiograpy and provide a theoretical basis for vascular study in skin flap. Methods Ten bilateral skin flaps of 20 cm×20 cmbased on deep iliac circumflex vessels were elevated fromthe abdominal wall including musculus rectus abdominis and deep superior epigastric vessels in 5 minipigs which were 100-115 cm in length and 25-35 kg in weight. One side was inserted an expander under the panniculus carnosus and was expanded regularly with 30-40 ml isotonic Na chloride injection (expanded group) and the other was unexpanded group which were without any treatment. A X-ray image of the flap vessles was obtained after a gelatinlead oxide mixture was carotid arterially injected and 24 hours of cryopreservation of the body. Three parallel lines with equal interval perpendicular to long axis of the two vessels were designed at the communication area. Vessel anastomosis quantifying was determined by counting the number of marks derived from the intersections of the lines and the vessels and statistical analysis was carried out. Results The mark of intersectionin expanded group (81.20±10.33) was more than that in unexpanded group (22.40±5.41), showing significant difference(Plt;0.01). Conclusion The method for quantifying vessel anastomosis in skin flap is simple, reliable, and easytoperform. The principles of this procedure may also be applied to other experimental and clinical studies.
The comparative study of local application of magnetic piece dressings of different intensities (Gs) on the effect of survival of 48 skin flaps (2×5cm in size) and the healing of the incisional wornds was reported. Twelve Japanese long ear white rabbits were used for this study. It was noted that the magnetic field intensity of 200or 400 Gs showed remarkable increase of the area of survival of the skin flaps and enhancement of the healing of the incisional wounds.
Superficial cervical artery skin flap is widely used in clinical practice. In order to inprove the outcome of the flap in clinic, eleven cases of skin defect of scalp who were treated with the flap was discussed. After operation, the donor area healed but there was no hair growth on recipient area. Among them, six cases occurred partial necrosis of skin flaps. In order to avoid these problen, the relevant solution discussed as follows: 1. Handle well the pedicle of the skin flap to prevent the interference with venous returm. 2. Adhere strictly to indications. 3. Apply skin expander to obtain "extra" skin, then carryout the tranfer of skin flap and 4. Better use the skin flap with residual hair.
OBJECTIVE: To sum up the experimental development and clinical application of prefabricated flap. METHODS: The reported experimental results and clinical application of prefabricated flap extensively reviewed. RESULTS: Previous studies had proved that the revascularization of prefabricated flap mainly through anastomoses of implanted vessels and the original vessels of the flap, the implanted vessels slowly formed a new and complete blood vessel network, which could dominate the whole flap, three to four weeks later, the new vessels were mature and the flap could be transferred. Clinically, the superficial temporal vessels, gastroepiploic vessels, circumflex femoral vessels and thoracodorsalis vessels could be harvested for prefabricated flap with satisfactory results. CONCLUSION: Prefabricated flap provides a new method for the treatment of complicated defects.
Objective To observe the protective role of the ectogenesis zinc on the cells in rat flap with ischemia reperfusion injury and study the mechanisms. Methods A right low abdominal island flap was created in Wistar rats. Fortyeight rats were randomly divded into 3 groups (n=16):the control group, the ischemia reperfusion group and adding zinc ischemia reperfusion group.The content of malondialdehyde(MDA) and the activity of myeloperoxidase(MPO) were measured by thiobarbituric acid methods and colorimetry. The location of expression of MT was observed,and the image analysis was performed. The quantity of MT was represented by the integratial optical density. The ultrastructure changes of skin flap with ischemia reperfusion injury and the flap viability were observed. Results In the ischemia reperfusion injury flaps, the content of MDA and MPO show no statistically significant difference among the control group,IR group and the adding-zinc-IR group (P＞0.05). Compared with the control group at 1 h and 24 h of reperfusion, the level of MDA increased 62.2% and 136.4%(P＜0.01) in the IR group, which increased 11.3% and 33.2%(P＜0.01) in the adding-zinc-IR group. The activity of MPO increased 238.4% and 503.4%(P＜0.01)in the IR group when compared with the control group, and increased 17.9%and 24.1%(P＜0.05) when compared with the adding-zinc-IR group. In the ischemia reperfusion injury falps, the content of MT in the control group and the IR group is too minimal to measure. While the content ofMT in the adding-zinc-IR group is 45.30±7.60. At 1 h and 24 h of reperfusiion, the content of MT in the adding-zinc-IR group increased 41.5% and 44.9% (P＜0.01) compared with the IR group, and increased 119.9% and 234.6% (P＜0.01) compared with the control group. The flap viability is 100% in the control group, 19.65%±4.38% in the IR group, and 24.99%±5.12% in the adding-zinc-IR group, which increased 27.2% (P＜0.05) compared with IR group. Conclusion Many kinds of cells in skin flap with ischemiareperfusion injury can be protected by ectogenesis zinc and the flap viability increases significantly.
Objective To investigate the effects of repeated shortischemia training on flap survival area, vascular endothelial growth factor and the microvascularsel density. Methods Seventy-two rabbits were divided into:the experimental group(n=64), the skin flaps were constructed in two sides of back, one side flap were given ischemia training for 15 minutes and 8 times one day at the pedicles from the 1st to 8th day after operation (group A), the other side flap was served as a control (group B), the corresponding site was only marked as a blank control group (group C).Then, 8 pedicles of group A and group Bwere isolated every day. The surviving area of all skin flaps were calculated on the5th day after isolating operation. The vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and microvessel density(MVD) of the 3 groups were checked with immunohistologochemical staining. Results After the operation, all animalswere survival with normal vitality.The survival flap area of group A were significant more than that of group B after 3 days(Plt;0.05).The expressions of VEGF and MVD of group A and group B were higher than group C. The expression of VEGF of group A was significantly higher than that of group B(Plt;0.01). The counting of MVD of group A was also significantly higher than that of group B(Plt;0.05). There was positive correlation between flap survival area and MVD in group A. The relation of time point was n and n 2 respectively,correlation coefficient was 0.850. As well as MVD and VEGF were positive correlation,correlation coefficient was 0.801. Conclusion Early repeated shortischemia training can increase flap survival area, the mechanism maybe involve the increased expression of VEGF, which can increased skin flap microvascular density.
Objective To study the role of ultracision harmonic scalpel and skin flap in axillary fossa external fixation in operation of breast cancer. Methods One hundred and sixty-six patients with breast cancer were included in this study between May 2009 and November 2009. Combined group (n=51) applied ultracision harmonic scalpel combined with skin flap external fixation. External fixation group （n=52） used the skill of skin flap external fixation. Routine group included 63 patients. Operative time, accidental injury during operation， volume of bleed and drainage, time of drainage, detection amount of lymph node, and complications such like subcutaneous fluidity were observed and recorded. Results The operative time and detection amount of lymph node were not different among three groups （Pgt;0.05）. The volume of bleed in combined group was less than that in other groups （Plt;0.05）. The volume of drainage and the time of drainage were decreased or shorten by turns from routine group, external fixation group to combined group （Plt;0.05）. The incidence rate of subcutaneous fluidity in combined group was lower than that in routine group （Plt;0.05）. Conclusions Using ultracision harmonic scalpel in operation of breast cancer can remarkably reduce the volume of bleed and drain postoperatively. Ultracision harmonic scalpel combined with skin flap external fixation is safety and can reduce the incidence rate of subcutaneous fluidity, thus can be applied widely in breast cancer operation.