Objective To investigate the operative technique and clinical effect of perforator-based flap for repair of glutealsacral skin defects. Methods A new perforator-based flap derived from the gluteal, parasacral and the lumbar arteries was used to repair skin defects ofglutealsacral region caused by trauma or pressure sore. The flap areas ranged from 6 cm×5 cm to 19 cm×11 cm, the diametre of perforating vessel ranged from 1.3 to 2.1 mm,the length of free perforating vessel pedicle ranged from 2.5 to 4.5 cm.Results All the flaps survived andthe wound gained primary healing. All the patients were followed up for 6 to 24months. The colour and texture of the flaps were excellent, the configuration was satifactory and there was no ulcer recurrence. Conclusion This new type of flap is characterized by delicate design, easy dissection, reliable blood supply, nosacrifice of the underlying muscle and no requirement skin graft for donor site closure. It is an optimalmethod in repairing soft tissue defects of the gluteal-sacral region.
ObjectiveTo discuss the effectiveness of using dorsal two wing-shaped advancement flap to reconstruct finger web for treatment of congenital syndactyly.MethodsBetween August 2014 and August 2017, 30 cases of congenital syndactyly were treated, including 18 males and 12 females with an average age of 2.5 years (range, 1.5-5 years). Eight cases were of bilateral hands syndactyly and 22 cases of single hand syndactyly. There were 39 webs of syndactyly (including 1 case of syndactyly of middle finger, ring finger, and little finger). Among them, 11 webs were complete and 28 webs were incomplete. At the dorsum, a flap with V-shaped tip and two wing-shaped pedicle was designed and was just sewed up with an anchor-shaped incision at the palm. Distal end of fingers were separated by serrated flap and were sutured after removal of fatty tissue. In 11 cases with tight skin connection, the defect area at lateral and distal end of fingers was repaired by small pieces of full-thickness skin graft.ResultsAll the flaps survived completely after operation, and no flap necrosis occurred. The skin grafts on the distal side of the finger survived and the wound healed by first intension. All 30 cases were followed up 6-12 months, with an average of 9 months. Postoperative flexion and extension function of fingers were good, and the web depth and width were normal. At last follow-up, according to the Swanson et al. standard, 20 fingers were graded as excellent, 8 as good, and 2 as fair, with an excellent and good rate of 93.3%.ConclusionThe effectiveness of using dorsal two wing-shaped advancement flap to reconstruction finger web for treatment of congenital syndactyly is satisfactory.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of one-stage metacarpal osteotomy, thumb opponensplasty and polygonal flap reconstruction in the treatment of congenital spade hand deformity. MethodsEight cases of congenital spade hand were treated between January 2013 and March 2017. There were 5 males and 3 females, with an average age of 17.5 months (range, 13-35 months). The clinical manifestations of all the children were congenital spade hand and the affected hand was shorter than the healthy side. The contralateral hand was normal and there was no chest, skull, or facial deformity. The operation was performed with metacarpal osteotomy and thumb opponensplasty, and through the dorsal metacarpal rectangular flap to reconstruct the first web and through rotation of polygonal skin flap to reconstruct thumb web and lateral fold of thumb index nail. The dorsal ulnar and proximal radial segment of thumb were repaired by skin grafting. A vernier caliper was used to measure the first web space and the thumb function was evaluated by modified Tada score. ResultsThe reconstruction of palmar function and the formation of first web were completed in one stage in 8 children. Skin grafting on the dorsal ulnar side of thumb and radial side of index finger survived after operation. All the children were followed up 13-29 months, with an average of 16.1 months. There was no infection, skin flap necrosis, lateral deviation of thumb, scar contracture, or other complications. At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in skin color between the healthy side and the first web of the affected hand. The opening distance of first web space was 3.5-5.0 cm, with an average of 4.2 cm. According to the modified Tada scoring system, the results were excellent in 7 cases and good in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 100%. The thumb could grasp and pinch actively, and the palm opposition function was good. ConclusionOne-stage thumb opponensplasty combined with polygonal flap for reconstruction of congenital spade hand deformity can improve hand function very well. The reasonable designing of skin flap can effectively cover important areas, and the operation is safe and reliable.
Objective To investigate the result of tissue flap transferring for wound repair of the clavicle. Methods From 1994 to 2000, 3 patients( 1 withclavicle osteosynthesis, 1 with chronic clavicle osteomyelitis, and 1 with radioactive ulcer in clavicular region accompanied by chronic osteomyelitis of clavicle) were reconstructed with turnover adipofascial flap, myocutaneous flap of pectoris, and myocutaneous flap of latissimus dorsal respectively. The outcome was observed. The operation principles of tissue flaps transferring for wound repair of the clavicle were summarized. Results Follow-ups were done for 2 months to 7 years. All tissue flaps survived well and the wounds in clavicular region were healed well. There was no recurrence of chronic clavicle osteomyelitis. Conclusion Turnover adipofascial flap, myocutaneous flap of pectoris and latissimus dorsal are often used for wound repair of theclavicle. Most of the wounds of the clavicle can be repaired by turnover adipofascial flap. Myocutaneous flap of pectoris and latissimus dorsal are more suitablefor wound repair with chronic clavicle osteomyelitis. In the case of radioactive ulcer of the clavicular region, myocutaneous flap of latissimus dorsal transposition is a better alternative for wound repair.
Objective To summarize the clinical experience in the treatment of refractory decubitus ulcers.Methods From May 1998to March 2005, 22 patients with decubitus ulcers(29 decubitus ulcers) were admitted, whose age was 3692 years. The lesion size was 4 cm×2 cm to 18 cm×15 cm. The locations of decubitus ulcers were the sacrococcygeal region(18 cases), the tuber ischiadicum region (6 cases) and the trochanter major region(5 cases).Enteral nutrientwas given orally and the wound was treated with Wuhuangyihao 8-15 days. Three diabetic patients were injected with insulin. According to patient’s age, ulcer position, ulcer extent and ulcer degree, the flap type was determined. Three wounds were repaired by local flaps, the flap size was 6 cm×4 cm-12 cm×10 cm; 10 by fasciocutaneous flaps, 10 cm×7 cm-20 cm×17 cm; 9 by gluteus maximusmyocutaneous flaps, 13 cm×11 cm-17 cm×14 cm; and 6 by longhead of biceps femoris flaps,11 cm×6 cm-14 cm×7 cm. One was sutured directly. After operation, the patients were placed on airflow suspended bed 7-14 days.Results General nutritional status was improved, hemoglobin was greaterthan 100 g/L, albumen was greater than 30 g/L. Necrosis tissue was removed, granulation tissue turned into fresh, secretion reduced and no redness and swelling occurred in wound. All flaps survived and the wounds healed by first intention. After a followup of 6 months to 5 years, no patient had a recurrence, the color and texture of the flaps were good, the appearance was satisfactory.Conclusion Applying the technique of combined treatment can accelerate the healing of refractory decubitus ulcers and improves the success of operation.
Objective To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of flaps in therepairment of soft tissue defects in upper extremity. Methods Based on the 2 609 cases of flaps in 2 512 patients from 1995 to 2004,the advantages and disadvantages of different sort of flaps, outcomes of treatment and indications of different soft of flaps were analyzed retrospectively. In the series, 2 089 pieces of the traditional flaps of different sorts were applied in 1 992 patients, 474 piecesof the axial flaps of different sorts were applied in 474 patients, different sorts of free flaps were used in 46 patients. Results Follow-ups were done for 1 month to 9 years (2.7 months in average). 2 531 flaps survived (97.01%); complete necrosis occurred in 10 flaps(0.38%); partial necrosis occurred in 68 flaps(2.61%). Of the 2 089 traditional flaps, 46 had partial necrosis(2.2%); 687 needed flap revisions(32.9%). Of the 474 axial flaps, 28 had complete or partial necrosis(5.9%); 82 needed revisions(17.3%). Of the 46 free flaps, 4 had complete or partial necrosis(8.7%) and nearly all the anterolateral flpas of thighs needed revisions.Conclusion Traditional flaps had the advantages of easy manipulation and the highest survival rate, however, also had the disadvantages of poor texture and many timesof operations. The flap with a pedicle had the advantage of good texture, consistent artery, free-range arc, however, the venous congestion was its disadvantage, which impaired the survival of the reverse flap. Free flap had the advantage ofgood texture and abandant donor site, but complicate manipulation was its shortage. Axial Flap with a pedicle is the optional choicefor repairing soft tissue defects in upper extremity.