ObjectiveTo introduce the surgical method and effectiveness of repairing skin and soft tissue defect in the palm or dorsum of the hand and forearm with epigastric bilobed flap. MethodsBetween October 2010 and December 2013, 4 male patients with skin and soft tissue defect in the palm or dorsum of the hand and forearm were treated, aged from 36 to 62 years. Of them, 3 cases had degloving injury caused by machines and 1 case had necrosis of fingers and skin after surgery of crush injury. The time from injury to hospitalization was from 3 hours to 15 days. Among the 4 cases, the size of palmar defect was 7 cm×4 cm to 16 cm×6 cm, and the size of dorsal defect was 10 cm×7 cm to 20 cm×10 cm. The epigastric bilobed flap was designed based on the axial vessel which was formed by inferior epigastric artery, superior epigastric artery, and intercostals arteries. The size of flap ranged from 12 cm×4 cm to 18 cm×6 cm in the vertical direction, 15 cm×8 cm to 22 cm×11 cm in the oblique direction. The donor site was directly closed. The pedicles were cut at 22 to 24 days after repairing operation. ResultsAll the flaps survived well with the wound healing by first intention. Four patients were followed up 3 months to 1 year and 2 months. The other flaps had good appearance and texture except 1 bulky flap. The flap sensation basically restored to S2-S3. The function of the hands recovered well. ConclusionSkin and soft tissue defect in the palm or dorsum of the hand and forearm can be repaired with the epigastric bilobed flap, because it has such advantages as big dermatomic area and adequate blood supply. Besides, the operation is practical, safe, and simple.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of shortening-lengthening method using Ilizarov technique for repairing large tibial bone and soft tissue defects. Methods Between January 2006 and December 2011, 12 patients with large tibial bone and soft tissue defects were treated by shortening-lengthening method using Ilizarov technique. There were 8 males and 4 females with an average age of 39.3 years (range, 18-65 years). The causes were injury in 8 cases and chronic infection in 4 cases. The area of soft tissue defect was 5 cm × 4 cm to 20 cm × 16 cm, and the length of tibial bone defect was 4.5-8.0 cm with an average of 6.2 cm. Results Incision in the lengthening area healed by first intention; healing of wounds by first intention was achieved in 6 cases, delayed healing in 2 cases, and secondary healing in 4 cases, with no common peroneal nerve injury. All patients were followed up 18-54 months with an average of 29 months. In the lengthening area, the bone healing time was 180-365 days (mean, 267 days), and the healing index was 3.8-4.3 days/mm (mean, 4.1 days/mm). In the shortening area, the bone healing time was 195-380 days (mean, 297 days) in the others except 1 case who was repaired with bone grafting. Mild pin-related infection and loosening were observed in all cases, but no infection occurred in the lengthening or shortening area. At last follow-up, weight bearing of the leg was fully recovered in 12 cases. According to Mazur’s criteria, the function of ankle was excellent in 2 cases, good in 6 cases, and fair in 4 cases. Nine patients had equal limb length, and 3 patients had shortened length less than 2 cm. Conclusion Shortening-lengthening method using Ilizarov technique has the advantages of simple surgery, less complications, easy to close the wound, and good effectiveness in repairing of large tibial bone and soft tissue defects．
Objective To investigate the operative procedure and the clinical results of the island flap based on the vascular chain of the cutaneous branch of dorsal metacarpal artery for repairing finger soft tissue defect. Methods Between January 2008 and March 2012, 28 cases of tissue defect of fingers (32 fingers) were repaired with the island flaps based on the vascular chain of the cutaneous branch of dorsal metacarpal artery. There were 20 males (23 fingers) and 8 females (9 fingers), with an average age of 29.5 years (range, 14-67 years). The injury causes included 14 cases of crush injury, 6 cases of pressing injury, 5 cases of cutting injury, and 3 cases of avulsion injury. The locations included 10 index fingers, 13 long fingers, 6 ring fingers, and 3 little fingers. There were 9 defects of proximal segment, 12 defects of middle segment, and 11 defects of distal segment. The area of defect ranged from 1.0 cm × 0.8 cm to 5.2 cm × 3.5 cm. The disease duration was 1 hour to 15 days. The area of flaps ranged from 1.2 cm × 1.0 cm to 5.5 cm × 3.8 cm. The donors were closed by suture or were repaired with skin graft. Results Tense blister occurred in 3 cases, which was cured after dressing change; the other flaps survived. Wound obtained primary healing. Twenty-five patients (27 fingers) were followed up 6-25 months (mean, 16.8 months). The flaps had soft texture and satisfactory appearance. Two point discrimination was 6-9 mm (mean, 7.7 mm) at 6 months after operation. The total active movement of fingers was 105-230° (mean, 204.6°). The results were excellent in 17 fingers, good in 8 fingers, and fair in 2 fingers with an excellent and good rate of 92.6%. Conclusion The island flap based on the vascular chain of the cutaneous branch of dorsal metacarpal artery has the advantages of the deverting point from the dorsal point to the palm, the extended vessel pedicle, and expanded operation indications, so it is not necessary to cut the dorsal metacarpal artery. It can be used to repair finger tissue defect.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of tissue transplantation combined with bone transmission in treatment of large defects of tibial bone and soft tissue. Methods Between February 2006 and February 2011, 15 cases of traumatic tibia bone and soft tissue defects were treated. There were 12 males and 3 females, aged from 16 to 54 years (mean, 32 years). After internal and external fixations of fracture, 11 patients with open fracture (Gustilo type III) had skin necrosis, bone exposure, and infection; after open reduction and internal fixation, 2 patients with closed fracture had skin necrosis and infection; and after limb replantation, 2 patients had skin necrosis and bone exposure. The area of soft tissue defect ranged from 5 cm × 5 cm to 22 cm × 17 cm. Eight cases had limb shortening with an average of 3.5 cm (range, 2-5 cm) and angular deformity. The lenghth of bone defect ranged from 4 to 18 cm (mean, 8 cm). The flap transplantation and skin graft were used in 9 and 6 cases, respectively; bone transmission and limb lengthening orthomorphia were performed in all cases at 3 months after wound healing; of them, 2 cases received double osteotomy bone transmission, and 14 cases received autologous bone graft and reset after apposition of fracture ends. Results All flaps and skin grafts survived; the wound healed at 3.5 months on average (range, 3 weeks-18 months). The length of bone lengthening was 6-22 cm (mean, 8 cm). The time of bone healing and removal of external fixation was 9.5-39.0 months (mean, 15 months). The healing index was 40-65 days/cm (mean, 55 days/cm). All patients were followed up 1-5 years (mean, 4 years). The wounds of all the cases healed well without infection or ulceration. The functions of weight-bearing and walking were recovered; 6 cases had normal gait and 9 cases had claudication. The knee range of motion was 0° in extention, 120-160° in flexion (mean, 150°). According to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scoring system for ankle function, the results were excellent in 7 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 4 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 73.3%. Conclusion Tissue transplantation combined with bone transmission is an effective method to treat large defects of soft tissue and tibial bone, which can increase strength of bone connection and reduce damage to the donor site.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of repairing hallux metatarsophalangeal skin and soft tissue defect with medial flap with double blood supply system in elderly patients. Methods Between June 2011 and March 2012, 9 cases (9 toes) of skin and soft tissue defect at hallux metatarsophalangeal joint were treated with medial flap with double blood supply system. There were 7 males and 2 females, aged 60-70 years (mean, 65.4 years). Injury included crush injury in 5 cases, traffic accident injury in 4 cases. The interval of injury and operation ranged from 3 hours to 5 days (mean, 35 hours). The patients had bone or tendon exposure with pollution of wounds. The size of defects ranged from 2.0 cm × 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm × 2.0 cm. The size of flaps ranged from 2.0 cm × 1.7 cm to 3.0 cm × 2.2 cm. Medial dorsal nerves were anastomosed with toe nerves to recover flap sensation. The donor site was repaired with skin grafting. Results All 9 flaps and skin grafting survived completely, and primary healing of wounds were obtained. Nine patients were followed up 6-8 months (mean, 7 months). The colour, texture, and contour of the flaps were good. The two-point discrimination of the flaps was 12-16 mm (mean, 14 mm) at last follow-up. The patients could walk normally. No scar contracture formed at donor site. No wear occurred. Conclusion The medial flap with double blood supply system can be used to repair hallux metatarsophalangeal skin and soft tissue defect in elderly patients because the flap can be easily obtained, has good blood supply, and has no injury to the main artery and nerve.
【Abstract】 Objective To research the method and effectiveness of V-Y advancement of skin flap pedicled with the upper limb lateral branch in the treatment of small skin defect in the dorsal elbow. Methods Between March 2008 and August 2010, 6 cases of skin defect in the dorsal elbow were treated by V-Y advancement of skin flap pedicled with the upper limb lateral branch, including 4 males and 2 females with a mean age of 53 years (range, 16-76 years). Defects were caused by crushing in 3 cases, by punching in 2 cases, and the disease duration was 4 hours 30 minutes to 7 days (mean, 29.5 hours); and by chronic infection in 1 case, and the disease duration was 12 months. The defect size ranged from 4.0 cm × 2.5 cm to 9.5 cm × 3.5 cm, all complicating by bone or tendon exposure. The flap size ranged from 6.0 cm × 4.0 cm to 12.5 cm × 9.5 cm; the donor sites were sutured directly. Results All flaps survived completely, wounds and incisions at donor sites healed by first intention. Six cases were followed up 6-12 months after operation. The flaps had good texture and color. Two-point discrimination of the skin flap was 12-16 mm. The function of limb was normal, and elbow flexion and extension activity averaged 105° (range, 95-125°). Conclusion It is ideal to treat small skin defect in the dorsal elbow with V-Y advancement of skin flap pedicled with the upper limb lateral branch because of easier operation and less injury at donor site.
【Abstract】 Objective To explore the effectiveness of reducing tension method on the survival and appearance of distally-based pedicle flap. Methods Between October 2009 and February 2011, 27 cases of defect of extremity skin and soft tissue were repaired with distally-based pedicle flap through reducing tension flap method. There were 19 males and 8 females with an average age of 31.5 years (range, 17-58 years). Defects were caused by traffic accident in 14 cases, by machine in 9 cases, by surgical infection in 3 cases, and by tumor excision in 1 case. The locations were the distal tibia in 7 cases, the ankle-joint in 12 cases, the foot in 5 cases, the palm in 2 cases, and the dorsum of hand in 1 case. The time from injury to hospitalization was 1-19 hours with an average of 10 hours. The size of defect ranged from 5.2 cm × 3.8 cm to 14.0 cm × 5.8 cm. The size of distally-based pedicle flap ranged from 5.5 cm × 4.5 cm to 14.5 c m × 6.5 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly in 6 cases and were repaired with skin grafting in 21 cases. Results All reducing tension flaps survived. Partial necrosis occurred in the distally-based pedicle flap in 3 cases at 7 days after operation, which was cured after dressing change and skin grafting in 1 case, after excision of necrosis skin edge and direct suture in 2 cases. The other flaps survived and wounds achieved primary healing. The incisions at donor sites healed by first intention and skin grafting survived. Twenty-six cases were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 7.5 months). The appearance and texture of the flaps were good. Conclusion Pedicle reducing tension flap could promote the survival and the appearance of distally-based pedicle flap.
Objective To investigate the technique and effectiveness of using narrow hypodermal pedicled retroauricular flap for repairing preauricular soft tissue defect. Methods Between June 2008 and July 2011, 11 cases of preauricular soft tissue defect were treated, which were caused by resection of preauricular tumors, including 5 cases of pigmented nevus, 2 cases of basal cell carcinoma, 2 cases of mixed hemangioma, and 2 cases of skin papilloma. There were 7 males and 4 females, aged from 26 to 75 years (mean, 50 years). The disease duration was 3-50 years (mean, 35 years). The size ofthe soft tissue defect ranged from 1.5 cm × 1.0 cm to 3.5 cm × 3.0 cm. The narrow hypodermal pedicled retroauricular flap was designed with its pedicle along the pathway of the superficial temporal artery and posterior auricular artery through tunnel to repair the defects. The size of the flaps ranged from 1.8 cm × 1.3 cm to 3.8 cm × 3.3 cm with the pedicle of 2-5 cm in length and 0.4-0.7 cm in width. The donor site was sutured directly or repaired with local flap. Results All flaps survived and incisions healed primarily after operation. Eight cases were followed up 6 months to 1 year. The flaps had good texture, flexibil ity, and color, and the auricle appearance was satisfactory. No recurrence of tumor was found. Conclusion The narrow hypodermal pedicled retroauricular flap has long and narrow pedicle, big transferring angle, large repairing area, no major blood vessel, and easy operation, so it is a simple and ideal technique for repairing preauricular soft tissue defect.
Objective To review the research progress of the skin flap, fascial flap, muscle flap, and myocutaneous flap for repairing soft tissue defects around the knee so as to provide information for clinical application. Methods Domestic and abroad literature concerning the methods of soft tissue repair around the knee in recent years was reviewed extensively and analyzed. Results Fascial flaps meet the requirements of thin, pliable, and tough skin in the soft tissue repair around the knee. Myocutaneous flaps and muscle flaps have more abundant blood supply and anti-infection function. Free skin flaps are the only option when defects are extensive and local flaps are unavailable. Conclusion Suitable flaps should be chosen for soft tissue repair around the knee according to defect position, depth, and extent. Fascial flaps may be selected as the first flaps for defects repair because of excellent aesthetic results and less injury at the donor site.
ObjectiveTo investigate the anatomic features of the perforating branch flap of the medial vastus muscle, so as to provide a new perforating branch flap for repairing the soft tissue defect. MethodsSix fresh donated lower limb specimens underwent an intra-arterial injection of a lead oxide and lactoprene preparation. The integument of the thigh was dissected to observe the origin, course, size, and location of the perforating branch of the medial vastus muscle by angiography and photography. Based on the anatomic study, the free perforating branch flaps of the medial vastus muscle (14 cm × 6 cm to 20 cm × 5 cm) were used to repair skin and soft tissue defects (8 cm × 6 cm to 12 cm × 8 cm) of the feet in 4 patients between June 2009 and August 2011. ResultsThe artery of the medial vastus was sent out constantly from the femoral artery, and then descended in the vastus muscle to lateral patella where it anastomosed with the terminal branches of lateral femoral circumflex artery to form prepatellar vascular network. The artery of the medial vastus sent out 3-5 musculocutaneous perforating branches into the deep fascia and then extended superficially to the overlying skin. Four flaps survived after surgery; wounds at the donor site and recipient site healed by first intention. After follow-up of 6-12 months, the flaps had good appearance and texture. All ankles had normal movement range of plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. ConclusionThe free perforating branch flaps of the medial vastus muscle can be harvested easily, and have the advantage of good texture and abundant donor site.