Objective To establish a new operative method to repair defects of palm and proximal fingers with double vascular pedicle flaps. Methods From August 1992 to June 2000, 20 cases of soft tissue defects of palm and fingers were repaired with double vascular pedicle flaps. Twenty patients included 9 males and 11 females, aged 17-35 years. The causes were crush,avulsion, and so on. The interval between injury and operation was 3-11 hours.The wound area ranged from 8 cm×12 cm to 10 cm×20 cm. We devised the two side flaps on pectoral-umbilical place with well-known blood vessel to cover flexion and extension regions of palm and the multi-lobes skin flap to cover defect of fingers simultaneously. Results Out of 20 patients, 19 were followed up 8-12 months with an average of 9.8 months. All the flaps survived completely. The skin colour and the contour of the palm and digits were good. Conclusion The double vascular pedicle flap is one of the best choices torepair soft tissue defect of the palm and proximal fingers; the procedure is simple and the operation is extended easily.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of vacuum sealing in treatment of traumatic soft tissue defect. METHODS: From 1998. 8 to 2001. 2, 49 patients with 55 traumatic soft tissue defects were treated by vacuum sealing after debridement. Among them, there were 39 males and 10 females with mean age 38. 4 years. The wound area varied from 10 cm x 10 cm to 30 cm x 30 cm. In the experimental group, the wound surfaces or cavities were filled with polyvinyl alcohol foams with embedded drainage tubes connected with vacuum bottle (negative pressure of 50-60 kPa). Wound closure was performed with secondary suturing, or skin transplantation, or local flap grafting after 5-7 days. Besides, 126 patients were managed by traditional dressing as the control group. RESULTS: Out of 51 traumatic soft tissue defects (45 patients), the wound closure was performed with a free flap in 4, with local flap in 8, with skin grafting in 27, with secondary suturing in 6, and with vacuum sealing directly in the other 6 defects. Forty-five patients recovered and no complications (systemic and located) occurred. There were significant differences in time of secondary suturing, times of dressing, wound shrink and total therapeutic cost between two groups (P lt; 0.01). CONCLUSION: Vacuum sealing can protect the wound against contamination, evacuate the wound exudates completely, stimulate the growth of granulation tissue, and facilitate the wound healing; so vacuum sealing is a simple and effective method in treatment of traumatic soft tissue defect.
Objective To investigate the effect of transplantation of the cutaneous iliac flap on repairing bone and soft tissue defect of metatarsal. Methods From October 1999 to December 2003, the cutaneous iliac flap was designed for the repair of bone and soft tissue defect of metatarsal in 4 male patients, whose ages ranged from 26 to 47, with skin graft for the coverage of the iliac flap. The duration of injury ranged from 1 to 5 months. The length of the defect ranged from 4 to 7 cm and the defect area ranged from 5 cm×3 cm to 9 cm×5 cm. Results One week after transplantation, complete survival of iliac flap was observed in 3 cases and partial survival in 1 case (but later proved survived). Callus was seen 1 month after transplantation and Kwires were removed 4months after transplantation. Patients were followed up for 5 to 24 months. There were no ulcers. The ability of walking and bearing was satisfying as well asthe function and shape. Conclusion With satisfying restoration of function and shape, transplantation of the cutaneous iliac flap with skin graft is an alternative to treat bone and soft tissue defect of metatarsal with one stage surgery.
OBJECTIVE To emphasize the importance of reconstruction and repair after resection of soft tissue sarcoma. METHODS From November 1990 to November 1996, in 107 cases of soft tissue sarcoma 32 cases had received various reconstructive or reparative operations. Among the 32 cases, 4 cases were primary sarcomas and 28 cases were recurrent sarcomas. In surgical grading, 3 cases were of I B, 3 cases of II A and 26 cases of II B. Radical resection was performed in 13 cases, widen local resection in 17 cases and local excision in 2 cases. After operation, 13 cases received chemotherapy and 7 cases received radiotherapy. Reconstruction of blood vessels was performed in 3 cases, reconstruction of kinetic function in 16 cases, and repair of defect was carried out in 23 cases. RESULTS Thirty patients were followed up for 4 months to 6 years and 6 months. The clinical results showed that the local control rate of sarcoma was 80%, limb-salvage rate after reconstruction of blood vessels was 100%, the excellent and good rate after reconstruction of kinetic function was 87.5%, and the survival rate of the tissue flap of transplantation and transposition was 96%. CONCLUSION It was concluded that the reconstruction and repair after resection of soft tissue sarcoma was the extension of operative treatment, and was very important in lowering the recurrence rate and improving the life quality of the sufferings.
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.
Objective To study the repair and function reconstruction of complex soft tissue defect of posterior of hand and forearm. Methods From May 2001 to November 2003, 8 cases of soft tissue defect of posterior of hand and forearm were repaired with thoracico abdominal flaps with hilum for primary stage. The tendon transplantation and allogeneic tendon function reconstruction of hand were performed for secondary stage. The range of the flap was 9 cm×15 cm to 12cm×38 cm. Allogeneic tendon amounted to 6.Results All the flaps survived. The flap countour was good. The results of allogeneic tendon transplantation were satisfactory and the function of hand was good. Conclusion Repairing complex soft tissue defect of posterior of hand and forearm and reconstructing hand function by use of thoracico abdominal flaps with hilum and transplantation of allogeneic tendon have the satisfactory clinical results.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of different flaps for repair of severe palm scar contracture deformity. MethodsBetween February 2013 and March 2015, thirteen cases of severe palm scar contracture deformity were included in the retrospective review. There were 10 males and 3 females, aged from 14 to 54 years (mean, 39 years). The causes included burn in 9 cases, hot-crush injury in 2 cases, chemical burn in 1 case, and electric burn in 1 case. The disease duration was 6 months to 6 years (mean, 2.3 years). After excising scar, releasing contracture and interrupting adherent muscle and tendon, the soft tissues and skin defects ranged from 6.0 cm×4.5 cm to 17.0 cm×7.5 cm. The radial artery retrograde island flap was used in 2 cases, the pedicled abdominal flaps in 4 cases, the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap in 2 cases, the anterolateral thigh flap in 1 case, and the scapular free flap in 4 cases. The size of flap ranged from 6.0 cm×4.5 cm to 17.0 cm×7.5 cm. ResultsAll flaps survived well. Venous thrombosis of the pedicled abdominal flaps occurred in 1 case, which was cured after dressing change, and healing by first intention was obtained in the others. The mean follow-up time was 8 months (range, 6-14 months). Eight cases underwent operation for 1-3 times to make the flap thinner. At last follow-up, the flaps had good color, and the results of appearance and function were satisfactory. ConclusionSevere palm scar contracture deformity can be effectively repaired by proper application of different flaps.
Objective To review the progress in clinical and biomechanical study on soft tissue reconstruction of adult-acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD). Methods The recent original articles of soft tissue repair and tendon transfer for AAFD were extensively reviewed. Results The soft tissue procedures for AAFD can be divided into two components: static restoration of medial column stability and dynamic reconstruction of the posterior tibial tendon. The most important static structure to be repaired for AAFD is the spring ligament. On the other hand, various methods can be used for dynamic reconstruction. The flexor digitorum longus transfer is widely used, but results of biomechanical studies do not support the advantage of this method. For patients having normal function of the posterior tibial muscle, the Cobb procedure may be more suitable. Conclusion The soft tissue reconstruction procedures of AAFD should be chosen individually based on the stage and type of the deformity.
Objective To discuss the effectiveness of free toe fibular-dorsal artery flap anastomosed to dorsal digital artery in repairing dorsal soft tissue defect of fingers. Methods Between May 2010 and September 2015, 28 patients with dorsal soft tissue defect of fingers were treated, including 17 males and 11 females with an average age of 23.8 years (range, 15-55 years). The reasons of injuries were machine twist (15 cases), heavy pound (4 cases), the sharp cut (5 cases), and hot crush (4 cases). The time from injury to admission was 30 minutes to 12 hours (mean, 1.5 hours). The involved fingers included thumb (3 cases), index finger (8 cases), middle finger (6 cases), ring finger (6 cases), and little finger (5 cases). The area of soft tissue defects ranged from 2.0 cm×1.5 cm to 3.5 cm×2.5 cm, and the area of free toe fibular-dorsal artery flap ranged from 2.8 cm×1.7 cm to 3.8 cm×2.8 cm. The blood supply of the flaps were reconstructed by anastomosing the toe fibular-dorsal artery, vein, and nerve to the dorsal digital artery, vein, and nerve, respectively. The donor site was repaired by free skin graft. Results The operation time was 1.5-5.5 hours (mean, 2.5 hours); the blood loss during operation was 10-50 mL (mean, 30 mL). Vessel crisis occurred in 1 case, and the flap survived after symptomatic treatment. The other flaps survived and the wounds healed with stage I; the skin grafts at donor site survived and the incisions healed with stage Ⅰ. Twenty-eight cases were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 8 months). The appearance of flaps was good, and two-point discrimination was 3.5-12.0 mm (mean, 5.3 mm) at 6 months after operation. The fingers function of grab and pinch recovered. According to the standard functional evaluation issued by Hand Surgery Association of Chinese Medical Association, the results were excellent in 20 cases and good in 8 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100% at 6 months after operation. The donor sites of toe were smooth and had no depression. The patients had normal gait. Conclusion Free toe fibular-dorsal artery flap anastomosed to dorsal digital artery in repairing dorsal soft tissue defect of fingers can obtain satisfactory effectiveness in appearance and function of fingers, and has the advantages of modified repair and less injury at donor site.
Objective To investigate the management of the soft tissue defect after the Achilles tendon repair. Methods From April 1996 to April 2006, 24 patients(17 males, 7 females; aged 16-59 years), who suffered from postoperative Achilles tendon exposure caused by local soft-tissue necrosis after the Achilles tendon repair, were treated and evaluated. Of the 24patients, 8 had an original open injury (machinecrush injury in 2 patients, heavy-object press injury in 3, motorcycle wheel crush injury in 3) and 16 patients had a closed injury (sports injury). In their treatment, the transferof the sural neurovascular flap was performed on 8 patients and the transfer ofthe saphenous neurovascular flap was performed on 3 patients. The secondary Achilles tendon repair was performed on 13 patients before the neurovascular flap transfer was performed. The time between the injury and the operation was 9-76 days, and the time between the Achilles tendon expousure and the operation was 3-65 days. Results All the flaps survived and the Achilles tendon exposure was well covered by the flaps of good texture. Eighteen patients followed up for 6 months to 24 months had no flap complication, and the two point discrimination of the flaps was 12-20 mm. The AOFASAnkleHindfoot Scale assessment revealed that 8 patients had an excellent result, 6 had a good result, 3 had a fair result, and just 1 had a poor result, with theexcellent and good results accounting for 77.8%. Sixteen patients (89%) were able toperform a tip-toe stance on their operative sides, and only 3 of them complained a loss of plantarflexion strength. However, 2 patients still could not perform the tip-toe stance. Conclusion The Achilles tendon repair, ifnot well performed, can result in the local soft-tissue necrosis and the subsequent Achilles tendon exposure. If those complications occur, the neurovascular flap transfer should be performed as soon as possible; if necessary, the secondary Achilles tendon repair should be performed, too.