Objective To investigate the effectiveness of distally pedicled peroneus brevis muscle flaps and reverse sural neurovascular island flaps for post-traumatic chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis and soft tissue defects. Methods Between January 2008 and January 2012, 9 patients suffering from post-traumatic chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis and soft tissue defects were treated, including 8 males and 1 female with an average age of 33 years (range, 18-46 years). The left heel was involved in 4 cases, and right heel in 5 cases. Infection occurred after reduction and internal fixation of closed fractures of the calcaneus in 7 cases, and open calcaneal fracture and soft tissue defect in 2 cases. The disease duration was 2 months to 3 years (mean, 5 months). Purulent secretion, tissue necrosis, or sinus formation was observed in all wounds. The results of bacterial culture were positive. X-ray and CT examination showed uneven density of calcaneus and bone cavity or dead bone formation. After thorough debridement, the size of bone defect ranged from 3 cm × 3 cm × 3 cm to 6 cm × 4 cm × 3 cm; the size of soft tissue defect ranged from 7 cm × 3 cm to 12 cm × 7 cm. The distally pedicled peroneus brevis muscle flaps (11 cm × 3 cm-16 cm × 4 cm) were used for bone defect repair, and reverse sural neurovascular island flaps (8 cm × 4 cm-14 cm × 8 cm) for soft tissue defect. The donor site was directly sutured in 6 cases and repaired by skin graft in 3 cases. Results After operation, reverse sural neurovascular island flaps survived in 9 cases, and all wounds healed by first intention. No necrosis or liquefaction of distally pedicled peroneus brevis muscle flaps was observed. Incision at donor site healed by first intention, and skin grafts at donor site survived. All cases were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 13.5 months). The flaps had good texture. No recurrence of osteomyelitis was observed. Basic weight-bearing walking function was restorated. No obvious calcaneal collapse happened. Conclusion The distally pedicled peroneus brevis muscle flap combined with reverse sural neurovascular island flap is one of the effective methods to treat post-traumatic chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis with soft tissue defect, with the advantages of simple operation and good blood supply.
To evaluate the efficacy and the surgical procedures of submandibular sialoadenectomy by a modified retroauricular approach. Methods Between October 2008 and April 2009, 8 patients with benign submandibular gland disorders underwent removal of benign submandibular gland lesions using a retroauricular approach. There were 4 males and 4 females with an average age of 38.5 years (range, 32-54 years), including 3 pleomorphic adenoma and 5 chronic sialadenitis with sialol ithiasis. The disease duration was from 2 months to 5 years. The anterior facial vein and the facial artery were reserved only by the l igation of branching vessels in the submandibular gland. Results Submandibular sialoadenectomy were successfully performed in 8 cases. The operative time was 45-75 minutes (mean, 60 minutes). All incisions obtained heal ing by first intention. No nerve paralysis occurred, including marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve, the l ingual nerve, and hypoglossal nerve. One patient had poor blood circulation of flap due to excessive traction during operation, but it returned normal after 24 hours without special treatment. Other flaps had good blood circulation. All patients were followed up 1-6 months (mean, 3 months). The incision scars were hidden with satisfactory appearance. Conclusion The modified retroauricular approach has some advantages such as simple operation, better cosmetic outcome, and no compl ication.
Objective To summarize the experiences of “three holes and one hook in the end (TOE)” laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in 1 260 cases and to investigate the operation procedures, technical points and the prevention of complications. Methods The data of 1 260 patients suffering from chronic calculous cholecystitis, acute calculous cholecystitis, atrophic cholecystitis, gallbladder polyps etc., who were admitted to this hospital and treated by TOE from March 1999 to March 2008 were included and analysed retrospectively in this study. Results One thousand two hundred and sixty of cases were cured, including 1 252 cases of succeeding LC (99.37%), conversions to open in 8 cases, no death, no bile duct injury, with intraoperative hemorrhage in 3 cases, umbilicus infection in 2 cases, gallbladder fossa hydrops in 3 cases, with operation time for 8-60 min (mean 38.5 min) and hospitalization for 3-7 d (mean 5 d ) after surgery. During the follow up of 1 002 cases for 1 to 7 years (mean 3.5 years), there were no complications such as bile fistula, bile duct stricture, residual stones of biliary duct, etc.. Conclusion TOE is worthy of application and promotion for the excellent effectiveness, few complications, rapid recovery and safety.