ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of free transverse gracilis myocutaneous flap for soft tissue defects of foot and ankle. Methods Between January 2017 and December 2020, 16 cases (17 feet) of soft tissue defects of foot and ankle were repaired with free transverse gracilis myocutaneous flaps. There were 10 males and 6 females, with an average age of 38 years (range, 23-60 years). There were 9 cases of left foot, 6 cases of right foot, and 1 case of bilateral feet. The causes of soft tissue defect were traffic accident injury in 3 cases, heavy object smash injury in 4 cases, machine injury in 3 cases, infection in 4 cases, electrical burn in 1 case, and synovial sarcoma after operation in 1 case. The wounds located at the distal plantar in 2 cases (2 feet), the heel and ankle in 6 cases (6 feet), the dorsum of the foot in 7 cases (8 feet), and the first metatarsophalangeal joint to the medial malleolus in 1 case (1 foot). The size of wounds ranged from 6 cm×5 cm to 18 cm×7 cm. The size of flap ranged from 11 cm×6 cm to 21 cm×9 cm. The donor site was sutured directly. Results After operation, 1 case (1 foot) of flap vascular crisis, 1 case (1 foot) of partial necrosis of the flap, and 1 case of partial dehiscence of the incision at donor site occurred, all of which healed after symptomatic treatment. The other flaps survived, and the incisions at donor and recipient sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-36 months (mean, 24 months). Except for 1 case (1 foot) of swollen flap, which underwent two-stage trimming, the other flaps had good shape and texture. All the flaps had a protective feeling. At last follow-up, Kofoed scores of foot and ankle function ranged from 73 to 98 (mean, 89.7); 13 cases were excellent, 2 cases were good, and 1 case was poor, with an excellent and good rate of 93.8%. Linear scar was formed at the donor site without adverse effect on lower limb function. ConclusionThe free transverse gracilis myocutaneous flap is an effective flap for repairing large soft tissue defects of foot and ankle due to its advantages of large excisable area, less variation of vascular anatomy, and concealment of donor site.
Objective To evaluate the results of the reconstruction of the soft tissue defects following the en block resection of tongue cancer using free anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps. Methods From November 2006 to December 2008, 109 cases underwent the reconstruction of the soft tissue defects following the en block resection of tongue cancer using free anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps. There were 75 males and 34 females with an age of 23-75 years (50.4 yearson average). The disease course was 1-6 months. According to 2002 International Union Control Cancer (IUCC) criterionfor TNM stage, there were 35 cases of T2N0M0, 8 cases of T2N1M0, 2 cases of T2N2M0, 31 cases of T3N0M0, 12 cases of T3N1M0, 7 cases of T3N2M0, 5 cases of T4N0M0, 4 cases of T4N1M0, 3 cases of T4N2M0, and 2 cases of T4N3M0. The range of tongue defect was 5 cm × 3 cm to 12 cm × 8 cm. The flap area ranged from 7 cm × 4 cm to 20 cm × 8 cm. Eighty-two patients with T3, T4 and positive lymph node metastasis determined by pathological examination after operation received radiotherapy. The vital ity of the flaps and the heal ing of the wounds were observed postoperatively. The shape and function of the reconstructed tongue were determined, the influences on function at donor site were evaluated and the flap tolerance to radiotherapy was investigated during the follow-up period. Results Mouth floor mandibular fistula occurred in 5 cases 5-7 days after operation, seroma formation in 1 case and wound dehiscence in another case at the donor site; the wounds healed by secondary intention after dressing. The other wounds healed primarily. All 105 flaps survived completely, 3 flaps developed partial necrosis 3-5 days after operation, the wounds healed after dressing; and 1 flap failed 3 days after operation, then it was removed and defects was repaired using pectoral is major muscle flap. Bl isters occurred in 8 flaps (all being thinning flaps) 1 day after operation. The overall complete survival of the flap was 96.3% (105/109). The patients were followed up for 0.5-2.5 years (1.2 years onaverage). Although the flaps had a l ittle atrophy, the shape of the reconstructed tongue was still satisfactory with suitable tonguemandibular groove. No depression was observed in the mandibular region. The speech as well as swallowing function were well recovered. The scar was easily hidden with no important functional impairment at the donor site. No flap necrosis occurred in all the patients who received postoperative radiotherapy. Conclusion Free anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flap transplantation is safe and rel iable, and it has the advantages of the better result at the recipient site, the less morbidity at the donor site, fewer postoperative compl ications and excellent tolerance to radiotherapy. So it is an ideal flap to repair soft tissue defects following the en block resection of tongue cancer.
Twohundrednineteen orofaciomaxillary tumours, 18 benigns and 201 malignancies, were repaired by pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps following their resections. The types of flaps used in the repair were: single island myocutaneous flaps in 201 cases, doubleisland myocutaneous flaps in 16 cases, and myocutan eous skeletal flaps in 2 cases. The results were susscessful in 201 cases and failure in 18. The advantages and indications of using pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps were discussed. The method of design and its relevent surgical thechniques were introduced, and the factors responsible for the success and failure were analyzed. It is noted that the correct and meticulous operative techniques were the main factors leading to operative success.
From 1985 through May of 1989, a total of 6 cases of breast carcinomas underwent primary reconstruction of breast immediately following radical mastectomy by using transposition of vaseularized latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap for reconstruction of breast. The re- sults of all these 6 cases were satisfactory. The design of the operation and the operative technique were detailed. The importance of the reconstruction of breast immediately after the radical mastectomy and the advantages of using vascularized latissimus dousi myocutanous flap for reconstruction were discussed.
The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap was used to repair laryngopharyngeal and esophageal defect following radical excision of pharyngeal and inferior laryngeal carcinomas in 3 cases. The results were susscessful. The patients were follwedup for 6 months to 3 years. The deglutition functions were all reestablished, the general nutritional conditions were improved, and no recurrence or distant metastasis was observed. The advantages of this operative procedure were discussed.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of the bipaddled split pectoralis major myocutaneous flap for immediate reconstruction of oral mucosal defects and neck defects after resection of recurrent oral cancer. MethodsSix patients with oral mucosal defects combined with neck defects after recurrent oral cancer resection were treated with bipaddled split pectoralis major myocutaneous flap between September 2013 and September 2014. There were 5 males and 1 female with an average age of 54.7 years (range, 45-62 years), including 4 cases of recurrent tongue cancer, 1 case of recurrent mandibular gingival cancer, and 1 case of mouth floor carcinoma. All patients underwent local recurrence at 8 to 14 months after first operation, with no distant metastasis. The defects of the intraoral mucosa was 4.0 cm×2.5 cm to 6.5 cm×3.5 cm and the defect of the neck skin was 5.5 cm×3.5 cm to 7.5 cm×5.0 cm. The pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps (14.0 cm×3.5 cm to 17.0 cm×5.5 cm) were incised at the level of the 3rd to the 4th rib, and then split down along the muscle fiber till about 2 cm away from the thoracoacromial vessels, forming 2 independent skin paddles with 1-2 branch vessels to the pedicles of the distal ones. The distal skin paddles were used for oral reconstruction while the proximal paddles for repair of neck defects. The chest donor sites were sutured directly. ResultsCervical haematoma and infection happened in 1 patient respectively after operation, and were cured after symptomatic treatment. All 6 split pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps with 12 skin paddles completely survived. All patients were followed up 6 to 18 months (mean, 11 months). One patient died of pulmonary metastasis at 8 months after operation and the other 5 survived without relapse or metastasis during follow-up. The intraoral paddles showed good shape with satisfactory speech function and swallowing recovery. The paddles also healed perfectly on the neck with flat outlooks, and all patients obtained full appearance and free movement of the neck. No fistula formed on the submandibular region and neck. ConclusionThe bipaddled split pectoralis major myocutaneous flap can complete simultaneous immediate reconstruction of oral mucosal defect and neck defect. It is very useful in the treatment of recurrent oral cancer.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of the modified designed bilobed latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap in chest wall reconstruction of locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) patients.MethodsBetween January 2016 and June 2019, 64 unilateral LABC patients were admitted. All patients were female with an average age of 41.3 years (range, 34-50 years). The disease duration ranged from 6 to 32 months (mean, 12.3 months). The diameter of primary tumor ranged from 4.8 to 14.2 cm (mean, 8.59 cm). The size of chest wall defect ranged from 16 cm×15 cm to 20 cm×20 cm after modified radical mastectomy/radical mastectomy. All defects were reconstructed with the modified designed bilobed latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps, including 34 cases with antegrade method and 30 cases with retrograde method. The size of skin paddle ranged from 13 cm×5 cm to 17 cm×6 cm. All the donor sites were closed directly.ResultsIn antegrade group, 2 flaps (5.8%, 2/34) showed partial necrosis; in retrograde group, 6 flaps (20%, 6/30) showed partial necrosis, 5 donor sites (16.7%, 5/30) showed partial necrosis; and all of them healed after dressing treatment. The other flaps survived successfully and incisions in donor sites healed by first intention. There was no significant difference in the incidence of partial necrosis between antegrade and retrograde groups (χ2=2.904, P=0.091). The difference in delayed healing rate of donor site between the two groups was significant (P=0.013). The patients were followed up 15-30 months, with an average of 23.1 months. The appearance and texture of the flaps were satisfactory, and only linear scar left in the donor site. No local recurrence was found in all patients. Four patients died of distant metastasis, including 2 cases of liver metastasis, 1 case of brain metastasis, and 1 case of lung metastasis. The average survival time was 22.6 months (range, 20-28 months).ConclusionThe modified designed bilobed latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap can repair chest wall defect after LABC surgery. Antegrade design of the flap can ensure the blood supply of the flap and reduce the tension of the donor site, decrease the incidence of complications.
The pectoralis major muscle or myocutaneous flap is characterized by its easy dissection and free rotation, as well as abundance of blood supply and tissue mass of the flap, so that it was often used in repairing the wound over the mandibulo-cervico-thoracic area. From 1989 to 1996, 11 cases with long-standing wound of this area were difficult to repair with the traditional method, but were treated with transposition of this type of myocutaneous flap. The myocutaneous flap was applied in 8 case and muscle flap in 3 case. The flap area ranged from 12 cm x 8 cm to 26 cm x 18 cm. All the flaps survived, and excellent results were achieved. The technique and design of the operation were reported in details. It was concluded that the process was easy to perform, and the flap had abundant blood supply and high resistance to infection.
Objective To investigate the location of the artery correlated with rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap in order to promote the reconstruction of the breast after radical mastectocy for breast cancer.Methods An anatomic study was carried out on 15 cadavers of 30 sides，which were immersed in paraformaldehyde less than six months. Whole thoraepigastrica wall was cutted, which scale was from subclavian as upper limit to inguinal ligament, the lower limit across left and right of middle axillary. Veins or arteriesof inferior epigastrica and internal thorax in hang were injected with red or blue ink to show all of vessel branches. Results The external diameters of both the superior epigastric arteries and inferior vessels were 1.87±0.28 mm and 2.25±0.32 mm respectively. The myocutaneous arteries from inferior abdomen vessels had an intensive horizontal distribution on hylum. The perforators significantly decreased but could be found to pass through anterior rectus sheath in Rand. The distances between lateral perforators and Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ parts in external edge of anterior rectus sheath were 1.22, 1.46 and1.57 cm, respectively; and the distances between medial perforators and Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ parts at median line were 1.54, 1.62, 1.66 cm. Perforators were more thick and intensive near hylum than in other part. The subcostal arteries derived from inferior abdomen artery and 1.25±0.37 cm away from costal arch. Afterdividing into subcostal artery, the outer diameter of 67 percent of subcostal artery was bigger than that of inferior abdomen arteries. The branches of subcostalarteries were distributed at the 2/3 lateral rectus abdominis, forming an extenive choke anastomosis system with intercostal anterior artery and vessels supplied diaphragmatic muscle. The rectus abdominis at the level of xyphoid was supplied by a branch came from inferoir thorax artery, which diverged epigastric vessels at the same time.Conclusion During the process of makingthe inferior transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap base on superior epigastric vessels and superoir rectus abdobminis, reservation of pro-theca edge 1 cm of rectus abdominis can protect inferior abdomen artery from injury. Reservation of more than 2 cm pro-theca and rectus abdominis below costal arch at the flag will protect effectively subcostal artery from injury. No damage of subcostal arteries can influence the survival of musculocutaneous flap.
ObjectiveTo investigate the application of expanded anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flap in the repair of huge chest wall defect. Methods Between August 2018 and December 2020, 12 patients, including 4 males and 8 females, were treated with expanded anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flap to repair huge complex defects after thoracic wall tumor surgery. The age ranged from 28 to 72 years, with an average of 54.9 years. There were 4 cases of phyllodes cell sarcoma, 2 cases of soft tissue sarcoma, 1 case of metastatic chest wall tumor of lung cancer, and 5 cases of breast cancer recurrence. All cases underwent 2-7 tumor resection operations, of which 3 cases had previously received lower abdominal flap transplantation and total flap failure occurred, the other 9 cases were thin and were not suitable to use the abdomen as the flap donor site. After thorough debridement, the area of secondary chest wall defect was 300-600 cm2; the length of the flap was (24.7±0.7) cm, the width of the skin island was (10.6±0.7) cm, the length of the lateral femoral muscular flap was (26.8±0.5) cm, the width was (15.3±0.6) cm, and the length of the vascular pedicle was (7.9±0.6) cm. Results The myocutaneous flaps and the skin grafts on the muscular flaps were all survived in 11 patients, and the wounds in the donor and recipient sites healed by first intention. One male patient had a dehiscence of the chest wall incision, which was further repaired by omentum combined with skin graft. The appearance of the reconstructed chest wall in 12 patients was good, the texture was satisfactory, and there was no skin flap contracture and deformation. Only linear scar was left in the donor site of the flap, and slight hyperplastic scar was left in the skin harvesting site, which had no significant effect on the function of the thigh. All patients were followed up 9-15 months, with an average of 12.6 months. No tumor recurrence was found. ConclusionThe expanded anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flap surgery is easy to operate, the effective repair area is significantly increased, and multiple flap transplantation is avoided. It can be used as a rescue means for the repair of huge chest wall defects.