Objective To investigate the application of free flaps in combinedtransplantation and its clinical outcome. Methods From January 1991 to December 2003, 56 cases of combined transplantation involving cutaneous or myocutaneous flaps were performed to repair extremely large soft tissue defects, large-sized skin and segmental bone defects and to simultaneously reconstruct the missing thumb andrepair the associated skin defects in the first web space.Of the 56 patients, 37 were males, 19 were females. Their ages ranged from 5 to 41, 27.6 in average.The transplants included latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, scapular flap, lateral femoral flap, big toe skin-nail flap, and fibula. To establish blood circulation in the transplants, the common vascular pedicle was anastomosed directly to the vessels in the recipient site in 35 cases but to the selected vessels in the healthy limb in 21through a cross-bridge procedure. Results With failure in 2 cases of combined transplantation of latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap and vascularized fibula, all the transplants survived well. In the 32 cases of long bone defects with successful repair, the transplanted fibulas united with host bones 14.5 weeks after operation on the average. A mean follow-up of 28 (10-128) months revealed thatfunction in all cases was recovered, while one patient, who underwent a successful combined transplantation of latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap and vascularized fibula, required amputation of the involved leg 3 years after repair because of the repeated ulcers in the toes. Conclusion The application of free flaps incombined transplantation can lead to an effective repair of complicated tissue defects of the limb and to a successful reconstruction of the associated missing thumb.
Objective To investigate the effect of combined types in treating cases with 2 to 5 tissues transplantation. Methods 305 cases treated from December 1989 to December 2002 were analyzed and summarized. 214 cases were constructed with 2 combined tissues transplantation, the combined types were:toe combined flap,the second toe at both sides transplanted,2 flaps combined transferred; 75 cases were constructed with 3 combined tissues transplantation,the combined types were:the second toe at both sides combined flap,2 flaps combined toe,3 flaps combined transferred;11 cases were constructed with 4 combined tissues transplantation, the combined typeswere:2 flaps combined 2 toes,1 toes combined 3 flaps,4 flaps combined transferred; 5 cases were constructed with 5 combined tissues transplantation, the combined type was:the wrap flap and the second toe with 1 vascular pedicle and another second toe combined bilateral femoris anterior flaps were transferred.The principles of repair were:the thumb was reconstructed first,the wrap round flap was used for the thumb’s skin,the second toe transplantation was used for the thumb defect.The opposite toe was transferred to finger to reconstruct the pinch function.1 or 2 flaps were selected for repair according to the area of damage. The anterolateral thigh flaps were used for the large areas and the lateral arm flaps were usedfor the small areas in selecting the donor area. Results Of the 722 tissues in 305 cases, 14 of them were necrosis, in which the toe were 6 and the flap were 8,and other transferred tissues all survived, the survival rate of tissue transplantation was 98.1%.251 cases were followed up for 1 year to7 years(2.6 years in average).All the patients could care themselves in daily life. The pinch and oppositionfunctions of the constructed thumbs and fingers were recovered,the two-point discrimination was 6 to 14 mm,but 2 cases recovered adduction function only because the thumb was 6 degree defect without the thenar muscle and did not fix the reconstructed thumb in opposite side in operation.All transplanted flaps recovered protecting sensory with S2,56 flaps required plastical operation because of their swelling appearance.The donor areas gained primary stage heal in 285 cases,20 cases gained secondary stage heal, in which part grafted skin necrosis in donor of wrap round flap were 12 cases,the distal of donor big toe necrosis were 2 cases and grafted skin necrosis in donorofanterolateral thigh flap were 8 cases and skin grafted were sucessful. Conclusion Different combined types can be used according to the traumatic situation. Surgical operation and early rehabilitation is conducive to the final function.Combined tissue transplantation is the best way to repair complicated hand injuries.