ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of pharmacologic delay with pioglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) agonist, on extended perforator flap survival in a rat model. MethodsSeventy male Sprague Dawley rats, weighing 250-300 g, were randomly divided into control group (n=35) and experimental group (n=35). A three-territory flap was made, including two choke zones. Pioglitazone was dissolved in 1.5 mL saline. Oral doses of pioglitazone[10 mg/(kg·d)] was given by gavaged for 5 days in the experimental group, while the same volume of saline was given in the control group at same time point. After 7 days, the flap survival area was measured and angiographic diagnosis was made. The tissue samples were harvested from choke zone Ⅱ for histological study and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression detection by immunohistochemical staining. The content of nitric oxide (NO) in choke zones I and Ⅱ was measured at immediate, 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after operation. ResultsThe flap general change of 2 groups was similar. Varying degrees of necrosis occurred with the extension of time in 2 groups. At 7 days after operation, the flap survival rate was 87.73%±3.25% in the experimental group and 76.07%±2.92% in the control group, showing a significant difference (t=-10.338, P=0.000). The number of true anastomosis in choke zones I and Ⅱ was 5.40±1.14 and 3.00±0.71 in the experimental group, and was 3.20±0.84 and 0.80±0.84 in the control group respectively, showing significant differences between the 2 groups (t=-3.479, P=0.008;t=-4.491, P=0.002). The microvessel density and the expression of VEGF in choke zone Ⅱ of experimental group were (33.16±7.73)/mm2 and 4 368.80±458.23, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of control group[(23.29±5.91)/mm2 and 2 241.24±554.43] (t=5.073, P=0.000;t=-14.789, P=0.000). The content of NO in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group at other time points (P<0.05) except for at immediate after operation. ConclusionPharmacologic delay with pioglitazone can improve extended perforator flap viability through increasing ischemia-induced angiogenesis and choke vessels vasodilation in rat models.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of dorsal pentagonal flap for reconstruction of the web space in congenital toe syndactyly. MethodsBetween January 2009 and June 2014, 10 patients with congenital toe syndactyly were treated for web space reconstruction with dorsal pentagonal flap. There were 6 boys and 4 girls with the average age of 42 months (range, 8 months to 9 years). The congenital toe syndactyly located at the left foot in 5 cases, the right foot in 4 cases, and both feet in 1 case; 7 patients had polydactyly and 1 patient had brachydactylia. During followup, the toe function and web space appearance, web space depth, and web space gradient were observed to evaluate the effectiveness. ResultsAll 13 flaps survived and incisions healed by first intention. Ten patients were followed up 6-50 months (mean, 26 months). The skin color and texture in 13 reconstructed web spaces were close to normal web space. In 9 patients undergoing web spaces reconstruction of single foot, the abduction angle of toes was (42.879±3.703)° at the injured side, showing no significant difference when compared with the normal side [(45.922±2.657)°] (t=-2.004, P=0.062); the web space depth was (1.881±0.266) cm at the injured side and was (1.631±0.202) cm at the normal side, showing significant difference (t=2.248, P=0.039); and the web space gradient was (42.733±3.421)° at the injured side and was (41.189±5.593)° at the normal side, showing no significant difference (t=0.707, P=0.490). The web space appearance, web space depth, and web space gradient were close to those of the normal web space in 1 patient undergoing bilateral web spaces reconstruction. ConclusionWeb space reconstruction with dorsal pentagonal flap is easy to perform with reliable blood supply and low re-operated rate. The cosmetic and functional results are satisfactory.