Objective To introduce a new surgical approach to rectify the shortened lower limbs. Methods From March 1985 to October 2000,288 cases of shortened lower limbs were treated and reviewed. Closed fracture at the metaphysis was made by a self-made “needle saw”, and then the “multiple-plane and double-track elongation instrument” was adopted to elongate the fractured bone. There were totally 161 cases of male and 127 cases of female included, with average age 21.3 years old, ranging from 12 to 29 years old, among which there were 268 cases elongated at the proximal metaphysis of the tibia, 16 cases at the distal femur and 4 cases at the distal tibia. All of the cases were followed up for 6 to 8 months before clinical evaluation. Results The lower limbs in 288 cases were elongated for 3.0 to 11.5 cm in 24 to 96 days, averaging 47 days, which fulfilled pre-operative plan. In the second week after the operation, new calculus and periosteum formed obviously in the gap between the fractured parts, and in 6 to 8 months bone union was observed at the fractured site in all cases. There was no nerve or blood vessel injury, or non-union of the metaphysis fracture. The functionof the manipulated knee joints and ankle joints recovered well. Conclusion It is a practical and safe surgical option to rectify the shortened lower limbs by closed fracture at the metaphysis, followed by elongation of the fractured bone,without any complication such as non-union or atrophy of manipulated bone, andwith no need of internal fixation or bone grafting.
Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of end-to-end neurorrhaphy following rapid expansion of the nerve in repairing facial nerve defect. Methods From August 2000 to February 2005, 9 patients suffering from facial nerve defect were treated by the surgical method. The defect was caused by traffic injury(4 cases) , by cutting injury (2 cases) and falling wound(1 case). Seven cases showed prominent facial paralysis. The other 2 cases were invaded by parotid carcinoma, without remarkable paralysis. One case had unibranch defect, and the other 8 cases had multibranch defect. The nerve gap ranged from 1.5cm to 3.0 cm. After both the proximal and the distal segment had been dissected,the nerve was elongated by the expander designed and manufactured. The expansionwas done at a speed of 2.0 cm/30 min, and it lasted until the end-to-end neurorrhaphy can be done easily. The treatment result was evaluated according to Baker’s classification and HouseBrackmann’s grading system. Results Nine patients were followed up 618 months. In 5 cases achieving good result, both dynamic look and static look of face were symmetric, the EMG peak value of mimetic muscle was 82%95% of normal side. In 3 cases achieving fair result, thedynamic look and static look of face were basically symmetric, and the EMG peak value of mimetic muscle was 60%90% of normal side. In 1 case achieving poor result, the function of mimetic muscle was improved slightly, and the EMG peak value of mimetic muscle was 55% of normal side. Conclusion The satisfactory resultcan be obtained by endtoend neurorrhaphy following rapid expansion of the nerve in condition that nerve defect is less than 3.0 cm.
Objective To introduce a modified penile elongation method and observe its postoperative compl ications. Methods From January 1993 to December 2007, 130 patients with congenital short and small penis were divided into 2 groups: the routine group and the modified group, with 65 patients in each group. In the routine group, the patients were 18-55 years old (39.6 on average), and the penile length during erection was (4.9 ± 1.4) cm. In the modified group, the patients were 20-56 years old (35.4 on average), and the penile length during erection was (5.0 ± 1.5) cm. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P gt; 0.05). On the basis of scrotal flap which was transferred to cover the prolonged cavernous body of penis, the “+” shaped incision at the root of the penis was made in the routine group, and theincision was shifted upward by 1.5 cm in the modified group. And V-Y incision was made for the penises with more than 4 cm prolonged length. In order to compare the conditions in the two groups, no physical therapy was appl ied in 30 days after the operation. Results All the 130 patients’ incisions obtainedt heal ing by the firs intention, and all flaps survived successfully. Postoperative hydrophallus appeared differently between both groups. In the routine group, obvious hydrophallus appeared on the 3rd day after the operation and lasted for (15.11 ± 2.71) days, with 3 cases (4.62%) suffering from refractory hydrophallus. In the modified group, hydrophallus appeared on the 3rd day after the operation and lasted for (6.65 ± 0.29) days without any refractory hydrophallus. There was significant difference between the two groups in the duration of hydrophallus (P lt; 0.05). All patients were followed up for 6-8 months. After the operation, the shape and function of the penis were found good. The prolonged length was (4.9 ± 1.4) cm in the routine group and (5.0 ± 1.5) cm in the modified group. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P gt; 0.05). The satisfaction rate (according to the patients’ self-rating) was 95% and 98% in the routine group and the modified group, respectively. Conclusion The method using the scrotal flap transferred to cover the prolonged cavernous body of the penis is safe and of low compl ication rate. The modified method is more effective to abate postoperative hydrophallus.
OBJECTIVE To investigate the factors which affect the bone union of distracted region after limb lengthening, so as improve the curative effect and diminish the incidence of complication. METHODS To look up the latest literatures dealing with the bone union in limb lengthening, then review the procedure of osteogenesis and the affecting factors. RESULTS The osteogenesis of distracted region after limb lengthening is a sophisticated procedure. It can be affected by the velocity of lengthening, the period of lengthening, the site and method of osteotomy, the age etiology of patient. CONCLUSION The bone union of distracted region after limb lengthening can be facilitated by following factors: 1. the velocity of lengthening slower than 1.0 mm/day; 2. moderate delay in distraction; 3. axial shortening of distracted region; 4. micromovement stimulation.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of limb shortening/re-lengthening technique combined with in situ tissue regeneration technique in limb salvage for patients with complex lower limb fractures and soft tissue defects. Methods Between January 2021 and December 2024, 12 patients with complex lower limb fractures and soft tissue defects caused by trauma were admitted. There were 10 males and 2 females; the age ranged from 18 to 46 years, with an average of 36 years. Among them, 1 case of open comminuted tibiofibular fracture caused bone necrosis and soft tissue infection; 4 cases of open tibiofibular fractures developed bone and soft tissue infections after being fixed with a combined external fixator, resulting in defects; 7 cases of closed tibial fractures that underwent internal fixation developed soft tissue infections, leading to bone and soft tissue necrosis. The time from injury to the formation of bone and soft tissue defects was 2-9 weeks, with an average of 6 weeks. The length of bone defects was 5.0-10.2 cm, with an average of 6.8 cm; the area of soft tissue defects was 32-54 cm2, with an average of 43.9 cm2. After admission, all patients underwent thorough debridement. The limb shortening treatment was performed after the wound had filled with fresh granulation tissue, and an Ilizarov ring-shaped external fixator was placed or replaced. The limb was shortened at a rate of 1 mm/day to reduce bone defects. At the same time, the soft tissue defects were repaired using the in situ tissue regeneration technique. After the wound healed, osteotomy was performed, and limb lengthening was carried out at a rate of 1 mm/day. The lower limb full-length X-ray films were taken, and the lengthening was stopped when the lower limb alignment was restored. The healing condition of the wound was observed and the healing time was recorded. Results One patient died due to a traffic accident during limb lengthening. The remaining 11 patients completed limb shortening and re-lengthening treatment and were followed up 18-36 months, with an average of 20 months. All 11 patients successfully preserved their limbs. The wound healing time was 4-12 weeks, with an average of 8 weeks; the limb shortening time was 4-8 weeks, with an average of 6 weeks; and the limb lengthening time was 4-12 weeks, with an average of 8 weeks. One patient experienced delayed bone mineralization during bone lengthening, and one had pin tract infection. Both were treated symptomatically. The lower limb mechanical axis of all 11 patients was restored, and they were able to walk independently. ConclusionThe application of limb shortening/re-lengthening technique combined with in situ tissue regeneration technique in the treatment of large bone and soft tissue defects not only effectively avoids the occurrence of nonunion at the apposition ends and increases the stability of the lower limb, but also significantly shortens the wound healing time, avoids the risk of soft tissue infection and increases the limb salvage rate. It can be used as a treatment technique for patients with complex lower limb fractures combined with soft tissue defects.
To introduce a new technique for vascular pedicle elongation in the anterolateral thigh island flap transplantation and evaluate the outcome of this technique in the clinical application. Methods From January 2003 to January 2006, 6 patients (5 males, 1 female; age, 1849 years) were admitted for surgical operation because of the soft tissue defect around the knee joint. The soft tissue defect after the injury was found in 3 patients, the defect after the removal of the softtissue tumor in 1, and the defect after the prosthetic replacement in the knee joint in 2. The soft tissue defects ranged in size of 8 cm×4 cm to 15 cm ×6 cm. When the anterolateral island flap of the thigh underwent the reverse transplantation, the ascending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery was used as a nutrient vessel for the flap, and the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoralartery was separated to the distal part. The main trunk of the lateral circumflex femoral artery was ligated at the point that was proximal to the furcation ofthe ascending and decending branches so that the vessel pedicle of the flap could be lengthened and then the defect was repaired.The flaps ranged in size of 10cm×6 cm to 18 cm×8 cm Results All the flaps were successfullytransferred in the 6 patients. The lengthened pedicle ranged in length from 8 to 12 cm, with an average of 10 cm. There was no vascular crisis after operation. All the transferred flaps survived, with a color and texture similar to those in the recipient site. The postoperative followup for 6-18 months revealed that the motion range of the knees was satisfactory. Conclusion The vascular pedicle elongation technique can enlarge the application scope of the anterolateral thigh island flap and the survival rate of the flap is not influenced by any factor.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness using bone transport and bone shortening-lengthening by Ilizarov technique for tibial bone and soft tissue defects. MethodsBetween January 2004 and May 2012,31 patients with tibial bone and soft tissue defects were managed by Ilizarov technique,the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.Bone transport was used in 18 cases (group A),and bone shortening-lengthening in 13 cases (group B).There was no significant difference in age,gender,type of fracture,defect location,size of bone and soft defects,and time from injury to operation between 2 groups (P>0.05).Postoperative complications were observed;Paley's criterion was used to assess the bone healing and function recovery of the limb. ResultsAll the flaps survived and healing of wounds by second intention was obtained in all cases of group A;healing of wounds by first intention was obtained in 1 case,delayed healing in 3 cases,and healing by second intention in 9 cases in group B.All patients were followed up 1.5-4.5 years (mean,2.4 years).Pin loosening or pin tract infection occurred in 15 cases of group A and in 10 cases of group B,and limb length discrepancy in 1 case of group B;there was no significant difference in the rate of complication (χ2=0.003,P=0.955).In the distracted zone,all fractures healed naturally with excellent scale.The healing time was (251±39) days in group A,and was (239±45) days in group B,showing no significant difference (t=0.800,P=0.430);the healing index was (4.26±0.19) d/mm in group A,and was (4.13±0.19) d/mm in group B,showing no significant difference (t=1.775,P=0.086).In the bone defect zone,natural healing was obtained in 12 cases and healing after second operation or bone grafting in 6 cases,with healing time of (341±55) days (excellent in 17 cases and good in 1 case) in group A;natural healing was obtained in 11 cases and healing after second operation or bone grafting in 2 cases,with the healing time of (295±62) days (excellent in 12 cases and good in 1 case) in group B;and there was significant difference in the healing time (t=2.195,P=0.036),but no significant difference in the healing scale (Z=-1.693,P=0.091).At last follow-up,the function recovery was excellent in 7 cases,good in 6 cases,and fair in 5 cases in group A,and was excellent in 3 cases,good in 6 cases,and fair in 4 cases in group B,showing no significant difference (Z=-0.660,P=0.509). ConclusionUsing bone transport or bone shortening-lengthening by Ilizarov technique for tibial bone and soft tissue defects,the overall outcomes are similar,but the healing of bone defect zone is faster when using bone shortening-lengthening.