Objective To investigate the enhancement of the transverse rectusabdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap survival in local ischemic area by recombinant adenovirus mediated vascular endothelial growth factor 165 gene(Ad-VEGF-165). Methods The vascular pedicle TRAM flaps were made in the right abdomin of30 SD rats and they were randomly divided into 5 groups. The Ad-VEGF-165 was injected into the subcutaneous tissue of epigastra(group 1), the subcutaneous tissue of epigastria and rectus abdominis muscle (group 2), and the rectus abdominis muscle(group 3); Adenovirus mediated green fluorescent protein(Ad-GFP) and DMEMwere injected into the subcutaneous tissue of epigastria and rectus abdominis muscle as autocontrol(group 4) and blank control(group 5), respectively. The survival areas of TRAM flap was measured after 7 days of operation. The microvascular density(MVD) and the integral optical density (IOD) were tested with anti-rat CD34 and with VEGF immunohistochemistry and insitu hybridization histochemistry (ISHH), respectively. Results The survivalareas of TRAM flap in groups 1, 2 and 3 (14.19±2.77, 15.18±2.18 and 8.30±1.28 cm2) were higher than those in groups 4 and 5(4.12±186 and 3.60±1.95 cm2), being significant differences(Plt;0.05).The CD34 MVD of the TRAMflap in groups 1, 2 and 3 was higher than that in groups 4 and 5; the positiveexpression for VEGF and ISHH were shown in groups 1, 2 and 3 and there was significant difference when compared with groups 4 and 5 (Plt;0.05). Conclusion Treatment by recombinant Ad-VEGF165gene is an effective option for enhancement of the TRAM flap survival in the local ischemic area.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of selectively thinning of the free anterolateral thigh flap in repair of the heel skin and soft tissue defect.MethodsBetween April 2013 and August 2015, 8 patients with tissue defect of heel caused by different reasons were recruited. There were 6 males and 2 females with an average age of 31.2 years (range, 15-49 years). The size of wound ranged from 14 cm×10 cm to 19 cm×14 cm. All the wounds were repaired with the contralateral free anterolateral thigh flap. The partial flap which was going to repair the defects of the heel and non-weight-bearing area of planta pedis was selectively thinned. The size of flap ranged from 14 cm×10 cm to 19 cm×14 cm. The donate site was repaired by skin grafting.ResultsAll flaps survived after operation, and wounds healed by first intention. The marginal necrosis of skin graft occurred in 2 cases, and healed after changing the dressing. The other skin grafts survived. All patients were followed up 8-20 months (mean, 12.3 months). All patients could walk normally. During follow-up, 2 flaps were injured and cured after symptomatic management. The appearance of flap was good in 7 cases with no influence in wearing shoes. Only 1 patient received the second-stage surgery of thinning the flap after 1 year.ConclusionApplication of the selectively thinning of the free anterolateral thigh flap can repair the heel skin and soft tissue defects, and achieve an ideal appearance and function.
Objective To investigate effectiveness of transconjunctival lower eyelid blepharoplasty with “super released” orbital fat in correction of lower eyelid pouch protrusion and tear trough and palpebromalar groove depression. Methods A clinical data of 82 patients (164 sides) with lower eyelid pouch protrusion and tear trough and palpebromalar groove depression, who met the selection criteria between September 2021 and May 2022, was retrospectively analyzed. Of the included patients, 3 were males and 79 were females, with an average age of 34.5 years (range, 22-46 years). All patients had varying degrees of eyelid pouch protrusion and tear trough and palpebromalar groove depression. The deformities were graded by the Barton grading system as gradeⅠ in 64 sides, grade Ⅱ in 72 sides, and grade Ⅲ in 28 sides. The orbital fat transpositions were performed through the lower eyelid conjunctival approach. The membrane surrounding the orbital fat was completely released, allowing the orbital fat to fully herniate until the herniated orbital fat did not retract significantly in a resting and relaxed state, which is regarded as the “super released” standard. The released fat strip was spread into the anterior zygomatic space and the anterior maxillary space, and percutaneous fixed to the middle face. The suture that penetrates the skin was externally fixed by adhesive tape pasting without knotted. Results There were 3 sides with chemosis after operation, 1 side with facial skin numbness, 1 side with mild lower eyelid retraction at the early stage after operation, and 5 sides with slight pouch residue. No hematoma, infection, or diplopia occurred. All patients were followed up 4-8 months, with an average of 6.2 months. The eyelid pouch protrusion, tear trough, and palpebromalar groove depression were significantly corrected. At last follow-up, the deformity was graded by Barton grading system as grade 0 in 158 sides and grade Ⅰ in 6 sides, with a significant difference compared to the preoperative score (P<0.001). Patient’s self-evaluation satisfaction reached very satisfied in 67 cases (81.7%), satisfied in 10 cases (12.2%), generally satisfied in 4 cases (4.8%), and dissatisfied in 1 case (1.2%). Conclusion The “super released” orbital fat can effectively prevent the retraction of orbital fat, reduce the probability of residual or recurrence of eyelid pouches, and improve the correction effect.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of using lateral homodigital flaps pedicled with cutaneous branches of digital artery for repairing nail bed defects. Methods Between December 2008 and July 2010, 5 patients with nail bed defects were repaired with lateral homodigital flaps pedicled with cutaneous branches of digital artery. Nail bed defects were caused by crush injury of machine. There were 3 males and 2 females, aged from 22 to 35 years (mean, 28 years). Injured fingers included 3 thumbs, 1 index finger, and 1 middle finger. The size of the defects ranged from 1.1 cm × 1.0 cm to 1.8 cm × 1.2 cm and the size of the flaps ranged from 2.7 cm × 1.3 cm to 3.1 cm × 1.7 cm. The donor sites were covered by skin graft. The time between injury and admission ranged from 1 hour and 12 minutes to 3 hours and 24 minutes (mean, 2.1 hours). Results All flaps and skin grafts survived, and the incision healed by first intention. The follow-up time ranged from 6 to 9 months (mean, 7.5 months). The fingers had good appearance. Four cases gained full postoperative sensory recovery and the two-point discrimination was 4-5 mm at 3 months after operation, but it did not recover in 1 case at last follow-up. According to the functional assessment criteria of upper limb formulated by the Hand Surgery Branch of Chinese Medicine Association, the results were excellent in 4 cases and good in 1 case. Conclusion The lateral homodigital flaps pedicled with cutaneous branches of digital artery can repair nail bed defects without sacrifice of digital artery, and can gain a full sensory recovery. It is a feasible solution for treatment of nail bed defects especially for those unwilling to cause any damage to their toes.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of different free flaps in the repair of large defects after resection of scalp malignant tumors. MethodBetween March 2012 and January 2015, 18 patients with large defect after resection of scalp malignant tumors were treated with different free flaps. There were 13 males and 5 females with an average age of 49 years (range, 18-72 years). There were 17 cases of squamous carcinoma and 1 case of dermato-fibril sarcoma protuberans. The defect size ranged from 15 cm×12 cm to 22 cm×17 cm after resection of tumors. Defects were repaired with anterolateral thigh flap in 5 cases, latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap in 6 cases, thoracodorsal artery perforator flap in 3 cases, and latissimusdorsi muscle flap plus intermediate split thickness skin graft in 4 cases. The flap size was 17 cm×14 cm to 24 cm×19 cm. The donor sites of the skin flap were covered with skin graft, while the donor sites of the muscle flap were directly sutured. ResultsOf 14 skin flaps, the other 13 flaps survived except 1 flap necrosis; all muscle flaps survived. The patients were followed up 5-33 months (mean, 20 months). Three patients died because of intracranial metastasis at 5, 7, and 13 months after operation, respectively. Two patients had local recurrence and underwent secondary operation. The results of both appearance and function were satisfactory; secondary operation of thinning the flaps was performed in 4 cases of bulky flaps. The flaps had good wear resistance, without ulceration during follow-up. No obvious impairment was observed after harvesting latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. ConclusionsLarge scalp defects after malignant tumor resection can be effectively repaired by proper application of different free flaps.
Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of sural nerve bridging transplantation for the restoration of penis disturbance of sensation after selective dorsal nerve neurotomy. Methods Between May 2014 and May 2016, 23 patients underwent sural nerve bridging transplantation for the restoration of penis disturbance of sensation after selective dorsal nerve neurotomy. The age ranged from 19 to 38 years (mean, 27 years). The course of disease was 1-28 months (mean, 14 months). The defect length was 1.0-1.5 cm. Preoperative main neurological sign was sensory disturbance. The chief complaint of 21 patients was a erectile dysfunction; all had normal hormone levels, and there was no other organic diseases or surgical contraindication. According to the self-assessment lists of symptom-SCL90 evaluation, 19 cases had depression, 16 cases had anxiety, and 15 cases had both anxiety and depression; 3 cases had psychological abnormalities (social barriers, etc.). According to the functional neurological evaluation standard of British Medical Research Institute, the static two-point discrimination and sensation recovery standard rating were evaluated before and after operation; sexual pleasure obstacle sensitivity, temperature sense, and other subjective improvement were recorded. The International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) was used to evaluate questionnaire of the patient with erectile dysfunction before and after operation. The psychological state was accessed with the self-assessment lists of symptom-SCL90 evaluation after operation. Results All incisions healed by first intention. The mean follow-up time was 8 months (range, 6-12 months). Sexual pleasure obstacle was obviously improved in 11 cases, partially improved in 5 cases; the improvements in temperature and tactile sensitivity were achieved in 21 cases; no obvious improvement was observed in 1 case. The sensation recovery standard rating, static two-point discrimination and grade of IIEF-5 were significantly improved at 3 and 6 months after operation when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). At 6 months after operation, symptom was improved in 14 of 19 patients with depression (73.68%), in 12 of 16 patients with anxiety (75.00%), and in 12 of 15 patients with anxiety and depression(80.00%). Conclusion Sural nerve bridging transplantation is an effective method for the restoration of penis disturbance of sensation after selective dorsal nerve neurotomy.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of high frequency color Doppler ultrasound for detecting perforators in the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap surgery. Methods Between February 2011 and July 2012, 8 patients underwent high frequency color Doppler ultrasound to detect the perforator anatomy before ALT flap surgery. There were 5 males and 3 females, aged 21-46 years (mean, 34 years). Defects were caused by excision of squamous cell carcinoma in 2 cases, by scalp avulsion in 2 cases, by soft tissue necrosis after neck trauma in 1 case, by excision of groin fibrosarcoma in 1 case, by excision of groin melanoma in 1 case, and by malformation of the face in 1 case. The defect size varied from 12 cm × 7 cm to 22 cm × 18 cm. The perforator with wider caliber, faster flow speed, and shorter intramuscular trajectory was selected, and the flap was designed according to the observed results, which size varied from 14 cm × 9 cm to 25 cm × 20 cm. The donnor sites were repaired by free skin graft. Results Totally, 19 perforators in the flap area were detected by high frequency color Doppler ultrasound, and 18 were identified during operation, with an accuracy rate of 94.7%. The point going out muscle, the travel and direction of perforators observed during operation were basically in accordance with those detected by high frequency color Doppler ultrasound. The other flaps survived, and obtained healing by first intention except 1 flap which had partial fat necrosis with healing by second intention. The skin graft at donor site survived. All patients followed up 4-16 months (mean, 8 months). The flaps had good color and texture. Conclusion High frequency color Doppler ultrasound is a valuable imaging modality for the preoperative assessment of the vascular supply for ALT flap.
Objective To study the therapeutic effect of combining vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) with gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap on the repair of soft tissue defect caused by the resection of sacral tumors. Methods From June2007 to June 2008, 6 patients with skin and soft tissue necrosis in the sacrococcygeal region, deep infection, and formation of cavity at 3-6 weeks after sacral tumors resection were treated. There were 4 males and 2 females aged 17-51 years old. The size of skin and soft tissue defects ranged from 15 cm × 11 cm × 6 cm to 20 cm × 18 cm × 7 cm. Every patient underwent VSD treatment for 7-10 days, and the recombinant bovine bFGF was injected into the wound intermittently for 7-14 days (250-300 U/ cm2 once, twice daily). The wound was repaired by either the gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap (5 cases) or the lumbar-gluteus flap (1 case), and those flaps were 9 cm × 9 cm-20 cm × 18 cm in size. The donor site were sutured or repaired with spl itthickness skin graft. Results All the flaps survived uneventfully. The wound healed by first intention in 5 cases, but 1 case suffered from fat l iquefaction 2 weeks after operation and healed after drainage and dressing change. All the donor sites healed by first intention, and all the skin grafts survived uneventfully. All the patients were followed up for 6-10 months, there was no relapse of sacral tumor, and the flaps showed no obvious swell ing with good color and elasticity. Conclusion With fewer compl ications, the combination of VSD and gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap is a safe and rel iable operative method for repairing the skin and soft tissue defects caused by the resection of sacral tumors.