Objective To report the experience of repairingperineal and adjacent defects with thoracoum biblical island flaps. Methods From January 1988 toOctober 2003, 7 cases of perineal and adjacent soft tissue defects with thoracoum biblical island flaps, aged 17-52 years. Of 7 cases, there were 2 cases of severe scar contracture due to burn on perineal, 1 case of malignancy on perineal,4 cases of vast soft tissue defects of trauma on the parts of groin and higher two-third thigh. The area of flaps was 9 cm×27 cm-12 cm×30 cm, the longest pedicel of blood vessel was 16 cm. The donor sites of flaps less than 10 cm couldbe sutured directly, the ones more than 10 cm could be repaired with skin grafting. Results All the flaps primarily survived. There was no ischemia and necrosis atthe distal part of flaps. Four patients were followed up 6 months to 6 years. The color, texture and appearance of the flaps were good. The functions of walk and squat were satisfactory.Conclusion The thoracoum bilical island flap can repair perineal and adjacent soft tissue defects, moreover the donor is shady and the effect is ideal.
Objective To investigate the anatomic foundation of using main branch of posterior femoral nerve to restore the sensation function of distal basedsural island flap. Methods Thirty cases of adult human cadaver legs fixed by 4%formaldehyde were used. Anatomical investigation of the posterior femoral nerves of lower legs was conducted under surgical microscope to observe their distribution, branches and their relationship with small saphenous vein. Nerve brancheswith diameter more than 0.1 mm were dissected and accounted during observation.The length and diameter of the nerves were measured. Results The main branch of posterior femoral nerve ran downwards from popliteal fossa within superficial fascia along with small saphenous vein. 70% of the main branch of the posterior femoral nerves lay medially to small saphenous vein, and 30% laterally. They wereclassified into 3 types according to their distribution in lower legs: typeⅠ (33.3%) innervated the upper 1/4 region of lower leg (region Ⅰ), type Ⅱ (43.3%) had branches in upper 1/2 region (region Ⅰ and Ⅱ), and type Ⅲ (23.3%) distributed over the upper 3/4 region (region Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ). In type Ⅱ, the diameter of the main branches of posterior femoral nerves in the middle of popliteal tossa was 10±04 mm and innervated the posterior upper-middle region (which was the ordirary donor region of distal based sural island flaps) of lower legs with 2.0±0.8 branches, whose diameter was 0.3±0.2 mm and length was 3.5±2.7 mm. The distance between the end of these branches and small saphenous vein was 0.8±0.6 mm. In type Ⅲ, their diameter was 1.2±0.3 mm and innervated the posterior upper-middle region of lower legs with 3.7±1.7 branches, whose diameter was 0.4±0.1 mm and length was 3.7±2.6 mm. The distancebetween the end of these branches and small saphenous vein was 0.8±0.4 mm. Conclusion 66.6% of human main branch of posteriorfemoral nerves (type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ) can be used to restore the sensation of distal based sural island flap through anastomosis with sensor nerve stump of footduring operation.
Objective To explore the clinical value of repairing extensive gluteal-sacral defects with the posterior femoral cutaneous neurovascular island flap. Methods From July 2002 to May 2005, the posterior femoral cutaneous neurovascular flap was applied to repairing extensive gluteal-sacral defects in 6 patients (3 males, 3 females; aged 31-59 years). Threepatients had a skin defect in the gluteal-sacral region caused by squamous cell carcinoma, 1 patient had the defect in the same region caused by malignant fibrohistiocytoma, and 2 patients had the defect caused by bedsores of grade Ⅲ. The area of defects ranged from 15 cm×8 cm to 16 cm×10 cm.The flaps rangedin area from 15 cm×8 cm to 18 cm×10 cm. Results In all the 6 patients had their flaps survived well and the wounds gainedthe primary healing. The follow-up for 2.5-12 months revealed that, flaps were satisfactory in their appearance, texture, and sensory functions. Conclusion The repair of extensive gluteal-sacral defects with the posterior femoral cutaneous neurovascular island flap has advantages of the unchangedanatomic structures, reliable blood supply, easy dissection for extensive defects, good sensory recovery, and sacrificing no major vessels; therefore, this kind of repair is an optimal approach to repairing extensive glutealsacral defects.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical results of the distally based neurocutaneous flap by anastomosis of superficial veins. METHODS: From June 1996, 19 cases with composite skin defects of the distal part of limb were repaired by the transposition of distally based neurocutaneous flaps, including traumatic defect in 10 cases, chronic ulcer in 3 cases, scar contracture in 6 cases. The distally based sural neurocutaneous flaps were used in 9 cases, the reverse-flow saphenous neurocutaneous island flaps were used in 2 cases, and the retrograde neurocutaneous island flaps of the forearm were used in 8 cases. The flap area ranged from 15 x 24 cm to 4 x 6 cm, the pedicle of the flap ranged from 6 cm to 15 cm in length. The superficial vein of the flap were anastomosed with the subcutaneous superficial vein of the recipient site to improve the venous drainage. RESULTS: The composite flap survived completely in 17 cases. One cases with retrograde-flow forearm neurocutaneous flap and another case with reversed sural neurocutaneous flap were partially survived because of thrombosis in anastomosed veins postoperatively. Sixteen cases were followed-up for 6 to 24 months, the color and texture of the flap were excellent, the protective sensation were recovered, the configuration and function were satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Anastomosis of superficial veins of the composite flaps with the subcutaneous superficial veins of the recipient site can significantly improve the venous drainage, enlarge the survival area of the flap and the reparable area.
To introduce a new technique for vascular pedicle elongation in the anterolateral thigh island flap transplantation and evaluate the outcome of this technique in the clinical application. Methods From January 2003 to January 2006, 6 patients (5 males, 1 female; age, 1849 years) were admitted for surgical operation because of the soft tissue defect around the knee joint. The soft tissue defect after the injury was found in 3 patients, the defect after the removal of the softtissue tumor in 1, and the defect after the prosthetic replacement in the knee joint in 2. The soft tissue defects ranged in size of 8 cm×4 cm to 15 cm ×6 cm. When the anterolateral island flap of the thigh underwent the reverse transplantation, the ascending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery was used as a nutrient vessel for the flap, and the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoralartery was separated to the distal part. The main trunk of the lateral circumflex femoral artery was ligated at the point that was proximal to the furcation ofthe ascending and decending branches so that the vessel pedicle of the flap could be lengthened and then the defect was repaired.The flaps ranged in size of 10cm×6 cm to 18 cm×8 cm Results All the flaps were successfullytransferred in the 6 patients. The lengthened pedicle ranged in length from 8 to 12 cm, with an average of 10 cm. There was no vascular crisis after operation. All the transferred flaps survived, with a color and texture similar to those in the recipient site. The postoperative followup for 6-18 months revealed that the motion range of the knees was satisfactory. Conclusion The vascular pedicle elongation technique can enlarge the application scope of the anterolateral thigh island flap and the survival rate of the flap is not influenced by any factor.
Objective To investigate the operative method and cl inical efficacy of repairing fingertip defect with modified reverse homodigital artery island flap. Methods From March 2000 to September 2006, 18 cases (24 fingers) of fingertip defect were treated, including 12 males and 6 females aged 18-53 years (mean 29 years). Defect was caused by crush injuries in 12 cases, by avulsion injury in 3 cases, by twist injury in 2 cases and by incised injury in 1 case. The time from injury tooperation was 2-8 hours (mean 4 hours). The location were index fingers (3 fingers), middle fingers (4 fingers) and ring fingers (17 fingers). The defects of soft tissue were 1.9 cm × 1.7 cm to 2.4 cm × 1.9 cm in size, the reverse homodigital artery island flaps were from 2.0 cm × 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm × 2.0 cm in size. The donor site was repaired with dumped skin grafting(3 cases) and with skin grafting from medial area of planta pedis (15 cases). Results Skin flaps and skin grafting of all the 24 fingers survived after operation. All incisions and donor sites healed by first intention. Sixteen patients (22 fingers) were followed up for 1-5 years (mean 3.2 years).The appearance and function of the flaps were all satisfactory. Two-point discriminations of flaps ranged from 4.5 mm to 6.3 mm. According to the total active movement/total passive movement assessment criteria, the results were excellent in 20 fingers and good in 2 fingers; and the excellent and good rate was 100%. The circumference of donor site was 2.0-3.5 mm shorter than that of normal side. The two-point discriminations of donor site was 7.8-10.5 mm. Conclusion Repairing defect of fingertip with modified reverse homodigital artery island flap can provide good texture and contour matching the recipient area, good function and l ittle trauma at donor site.
Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of submental island flap in repairing tongue defects.Methods Nine patients (6 men and 3 women)with tongue squamous cell carcinoma underwent subtotal or partial glossectomy, resection of mandible,radical neck dissection and immediate reconstruction of tongue defects with submental island flap. The age ranged from 48 years to 71 years, the lesion locations were right part of tongue (5 cases) and left part of tongue (4 cases). The defect sizes were 4.2 cm×3.2 cm to 5.5 cm×4.0 cm. The flap area rangedfrom 6.0 cm×3.0 cm to 7.0 cm×4.0 cm. The flap pedicle included submental artery in 8 cases and both submental artery and facial artery in 1 case. Results The submental island flap survived in 8 cases. Postoperative articulation and swallowing were investigated in all cases. The static shape of tongue after rec onstruction with submental island flap was acceptable. The dynamic speech, swallowing and food transport function were well preformed. No complication occurred.Three patients were given radiotherapy 3 weeks after operation. Conclusion It is simple and convenient to repair defects of tongue and oral floor with submental island flap.
Objective To observe the anatomic basis and the clinical application of the modified peroneal arterial cutaneous branch nutritional flap. Methods Twenty sides of lower limb of adult colyseptic cadavers and 5 sides of lower limb of adult fresh cadavers were used to detect the cutaneous branches of the peroneal artery. The position where the cutaneous branches come from the peroneal artery and the diameter of the cutaneous branches were recorded. From September 2003 to June 2005, 10 cases of skin and soft tissue defects in the region of metatarsophalangeal point with the modified peroneal arterial cutaneous branch nutritional flap, in which the cutaneous branches from the peroneal artery 11.0±1.7 cm upon the lateral malleolus were added. The defect size was 10 cm×6 cm to 15 cm×10 cm. The flap size was 11.0 cm×6.5 cm to 16.0 cm×11.0 cm. Results There is a stable cutaneous branches from peroneal artery 11.0±1.7 cm upon the lateral malleolus. The diameter of this cutaneous branches at the origin is 1.45±0.12 mm. The distance between the cutaneous branches entrance of the deep fascia and the line of the sural nerve nutritional artery flap was 15.70±1.20 mm. All 10 flaps survived. The blood supply and venous return of the skin flaps were good. The 10 patients were followed up from 6 to 12 months. The shape of the flaps was satisfactory. The texture and the color and luster of the flaps were similar to the adjacent skin. The functions of the feet were good. The twopoint discrimination was 1118 mm. Conclusion The modified peroneal arterial cutaneous branch nutritional flap has good blood supply. It can reverse to a long distance and can repair large skin defects.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the submental island flap for repair of oral defects after radical resection of early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods Between February 2010 and August 2011, 15 cases of early-stage OSCC were treated. Of 15 cases, 9 were male and 6 were female, aged from 48 to 71 years (mean, 63 years). The disease duration was 28-73 days (mean, 35 days). Primary lesions included tongue (3 cases), buccal mucosa (8 cases), retromolar area (2 cases), and floor of mouth mucosa (2 cases). According to TNM classification of International Union Against Cancer (UICC, 2002) of oral cancer and oropharyngeal cancer, 2 cases were classified as T1N0M0 and 13 cases as T2N0M0. The results of the pathologic type were high differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in 11 cases and moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in 4 cases. The defect after resection of the lesion ranged from 5 cm × 3 cm to 8 cm × 6 cm. All the cases underwent radical resection of the primary lesion and immediate reconstruction with submental island flap except 1 case with radial forearm free flap because of no definite venous drainage. The sizes of the submental island flap varied from 6 cm × 4 cm to 9 cm × 6 cm. Results Operation time ranged from 4 hours and 30 minutes to 7 hours and 10 minutes (mean, 5 hours and 53 minutes) in 14 cases undergoing repair with submental island flap. All the flaps survived completely in 13 cases except 1 case having superficial necrosis of the flap, which was cured after conservative treatment. Temporary marginal mandibular nerve palsy occurred in 1 case, and was cured after 3 months; submandibular effusion was observed in 3 cases, and was cured after expectant treatment. The follow-up period ranged from 8 to 15 months (mean, 10.5 months) in 14 cases undergoing repair with submental island flap. Hair growth was seen on the flap and became sparse after 3 months in 2 male cases. The appearance of the face, opening mouth, swallowing, and speech were recovered well in 14 cases, and the donor site had no obvious scar. The follow-up period was 13 months in 1 case undergoing repair with radical free forearm flap, and the appearance and function were recovered well. No local recurrence was found during follow-up. Conclusion The submental island flap has reliable blood supply, and could be harvested simply and rapidly. It can be used to repair oral defects in patients with early-stage OSCC after radical resection.
Objective To study the feasibility, surgical techniques, and results of submental island flaps for reconstruction of hypopharyngeal noncircumferential defects. Methods A retrospective review of the archives was performed on 16 patients（6 males, 10 females, aged 41-78 years）who suffered from hypopharyngeal cancer. From August 1998 to August 2002, the patients underwent a partial removal of the hypopharynx and reconstruction by submental island flaps. Their hypopharyngeal carcinomas belonged to squamous carcinoma. Of the 16 patients (2 in UICC clinical stage Ⅱ, 11 in Ⅲ, 3 in Ⅳ), 9 had their pathologicalorigin in the pyriform sinus, 4 in the posterior pharyngeal wall, and 3 in the postcricoid. The flap area ranged from 8.0 cm×4.5 cm to 5.0 cm×3.0 cm. Results The follow-up for 3-7 years showed that the submental island flaps healed well in all patients with a success rate of 100%. The swallowing function returned to normal 1014 days after operation without complications of salivary fistula and infection. The 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 68.8% (11/16) and 62.5% (5/8), respectively. Conclusion Submental island flaps are convenient for reconstruction of hypopharyngeal noncircumferential defects, and they are safe and reliable, too.