Ten cases of soft tissue defect at palm orwrist were repaired by reversed fasciocutaneousflap from the forearm. All were. survived excepttwo cases having necrosis of the distal portion ofthe graft. The blood supply of the skin of the fore-arm was comming from the perforation fasciocuta-neous and musculocutaneous giving rise from theulna , radial and interosseous arteries. Therefore ,when the flap was designed,it was best to have thefascial pedicle over the arterial trunks in order toinclude more perforating arteries in the flap . It was indicated that venous supply might also played an important role in flap nutrition.
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.
Objective To observe the survival rate of reversed-flow free flap after anastomosing one venous reverse flow and to explore the change of intravenous pressure and mechanism of venous reverse flow. Methods Thefree vascularized posterior tibial flap with reversed flow was successfully established in NewZealand white rabbits.Fifteen rabbits were randomly allocated into 3 groups of 30 flaps. In group A,two vena comitans were anastomosed.In groups B and C,only onevenae comitans was anastomosed. In groups A and B,intravenous pressure was measured immediately and 30,60 and 120 minutes after anastomosing the vascular pedicle.Flap survival rate of group B was measured after two weeks. In group C, radiography of one venae comitans was observed.The diameters of posterior tibial vessels was measured on all the rabbits before anastomosing the vascular pedicle. Results The diameters of posterior tibial artery was 8.0±0.3mm and of vena comitans was 11.0±0.5 mm。The intravenous pressure of group B increased rapidly and reached its top value after about 30 minutes (P＜0.05).It then decreased and approached normal level after about 60 minutes (Pgt;0.05).The intravenous pressure was not significantly different between groups A and B in each time interval (Pgt;0.05).Two flapsresulted in avulsion,infection and necrosis.The remaining 8 flaps survived completely.Most of the radiopaque in group C flew back to the proximal tibia one hourlater. Conclusion Venous retrograde return is abundant in reverseflow free flap of anatomosing one vena comitans.The main way of venous reflux in reverseflow free flap can be through “direct incompetent valve route”.
Tissues defect of the sole of the foot requires a high quality of repair, because the sole bears the body weight most. Once there is loss of soft tissues and skin from the sole, the os calsis and the plantar fascia will be exposed. The use of vascularized tissue flaps to cover the beare area of the sole has been generally recognized. From May, 1985 through May, 1994, 26 cases of extensive tissue defects of the soles were treated. During the primary debridement, the wounds were repaired primarily by using retrograde island skin flap from the medial side of the leg with the posterior tibial artery. From the follwup, the results weresatisfactory. The advantages were: the skin flap had rich blood supply, large skin flap was avallable, the thickness of the flap was appropriate, and the elasticity or the weight bearing was good. Besides, the location of the artery was constant, and the operative technique was easy to handle and could be done in onestage with high survival rate of the skin flap.