To summarize the effectiveness of the improv ed surgical techniques in fasciocutaneous flaps of the limbs. MethodsFrom February 1999 to December 2005, 58 patients (39 males, 19 females, aged 1068 years) underwent repairs of the skin defects with improved fasciaocu taneous flaps of the limbs. Twentyone patients had the skin defects in front of the tibial bone in the middle and lower parts, 12 patients had the skin defect s in the heels, 16 patients had the skin defects in the ankles, 3 patients had t he skin defects around the knees, 1 patient had a wide sacrococcygeal bedsore, and 5 patients had the skin defects in the wrists and hands. The wounds ranged in size from 5 cm×3 cm to 18 cm× 12 cm. According to the wound lo cations, the following flaps were selected: 4 cutaneous antebrachii medialis nerve and basilic vein fasciocutaneous flaps, 1 cutaneous antebrachii lateralis nerve and cephalic vein fasciocutaneous flap, 3 saphenous nerve and great saphenousvein fasciocutaneous flaps, 1 cutaneous nerve of thigh posterior fasciocutaneous flap, 32 reverse sural nerve and saphenous vein fasciocutaneous flaps, and 17 reverse saphenous nerve and great saphenous vein fasciocutaneous flaps. The dissected flaps ranged in size from 6 cm× 4 cm to 18 cm× 13 cm. The donor wounds underwent straight sutures in 39 patients, and the skin grafting (6 cm×3 cm to 13 cm× 6 cm) was performed on 19 patients after the donor wounds were closed. Results The wounds healed by first intention, and the flaps survived completely in 54 patients. The flaps developed partial necrosis in 4 patients. The followup for 120 months (average, 8 months) revealed that the flaps had a satisfactory appearance with a soft texture and the function was also satisfactory. Conclusion A fasciocutaneous flap of the limbs is an ideal flap for repairing defects in the skins and soft tissues of the limbs. The survival rate of the flap can be further improved by an improvement of the surgical techniques.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of fasciocutaneous flap in the repair of the III degree burn wound in the facio-cervical region. METHODS: From January 1997 to October 2001, 11 cases of III degree burn wounds in the facio-cervical region were repaired with the cervical-thoracic fasciocutaneous flap ranging from 18 cm x 8 cm to 13 cm x 5 cm. Donor sites were covered with "Z" plasty or skin grafting. RESULTS: Except for partial necrosis of distal end of the flap in 1 case, the flaps in the other 10 cases all survived and presented satisfactory appearance and function during the following up. CONCLUSION: The fasciocutaneous flap in the cervical-thoracic region may provide a large area of flap, and can be easily transferred. It’s an ideal flap for the repair of skin defect in the facio-cervical region, especially for the repair of the wounds with infection or exposure of vessel, nerve and tendon.
OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical application of the medial arm fasciocutaneous flap based on the medial septocutaneous branches of the brachial vessel. METHODS: Since 1994, the medial arm fasciocutaneous flap based on the medial septocutaneous branches of the branchial vessel has been used to cure scar contracture of axillary and elbow joint, radiated ulcer of the chest wall. Eighteen clinical cases were reported. Among them, there were 14 males and 4 females, aged from 6 to 48 years old. The flaps, of which 3 were proximally based and 15 distally based, were designed 23 cm x 11 cm as maximal size and 10 cm x 6 cm as minimal size. RESULTS: All the flaps survived and the excellent function and cosmetic result were achieved. CONCLUSION: The medial arm fasciocutaneous flap is thin, soft and relatively hairless, so it is suitable for repairing the soft tissue defect of the axillary or elbow joint. There are consistently present perforators at both ends that allow one to rotate long flaps around pivoting points immediate to the areas needing coverage. Moreover, this flap is characterized by the simplicity of the surgical techniques and circulatory reliability.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the repairing method of inguinal scar contracture deformity in children with transpositional fasciocutaneous flap of anterior-medial side of thigh. METHODS: From August 1989 to August 1999, 33 cases with inguinal scar contracture deformity were adopted in this study. Among them, there were 26 males and 7 females, aged from 3 to 11 years old. The transpositional fasciocutaneous flap consisted of a huge tongue-shape flap with a pedicled triangular flap between the edge of skin defect and the above tongue-shape flap. The maximal size of the transpositional fasciocutaneous flap was 18 cm x 10 cm and the minimal size was 13 cm x 8 cm, the transpositional angle was 60 degrees to 80 degrees. During operation, the tongue-shape flap was used to repair the inguinal region and the triangular flap was used to repair the donor site in one stage. RESULTS: All the flaps survived. The function and appearance of perineum were satisfactory. CONCLUSION: The transpositional fasciocutaneous flap is suitable for repairing the inguinal scar contracture deformity in children, and skin graft is unnecessary.
The ultra length and width random calf fasciocutaneous flaps whose blood supply came from the calf fasciocutaneous vascular network were transposed in 9 cases for the treatment of severe trauma of leg. All of the flaps survived except one having necrosis of the distal fourth. The length and width of the flap to the width of the pedicle were 6.1∶1 and 2.7∶1 respectively. Properly extended the area and decreased of blood perfusion of the flan would reduce the burden of the venous backflow to the flap relatively. The abundant vascular networks of the calf fasciocutaneous flap was a very important factor that this type of flap would possibly survive.
Between 1988 and 1991,27 cases of open fractures of shank bones complicated by soft tissue defect were repaired with fasciocutaneous flaps. The wound surfaces in 11 cases were closed in the first stage and in 16 cases the repair was delayed. The wounds of all the 27 cases had good healing, In fasciocutaneous flaps the blood supply was sufficient and this contributed to subsequent healing. The operation was simple, regardless of the postion of the wound and not damaging the blood vessels. An accurate estimation of the degree of contusion of the soft tissues surrounding the wound was prerequisite to select immediate transposition of fasciocutaneous flapsor delayed transposition.