Objective To evaluate the clinical outcomes of free perforator flaps combined with skin graft for reconstruction of ankle and foot soft tissue defects. Methods Between June 2014 and October 2015, 20 cases of ankle and foot soft tissue defects were treated. There were 16 males and 4 females, aged from 19 to 61 years (mean, 43.3 years). Injury was caused by traffic accident in 7 cases, by crashing in 9 cases, and machine twist in 4 cases. The locations were the ankle in 6 cases, the heel in 3 cases, the dorsum pedis in 4 cases, and the plantar forefoot in 7 cases of avulsion injury after toes amputation. The size of wound ranged from 15 cm×10 cm to 27 cm×18 cm. The time from injury to treatment was from 11 to 52 days (mean, 27 days). The anterolateral thigh perforator flap was used in 11 cases, thoracodorsal antery perforator flap in 3 cases, medial sural artery perforator flap in 4 cases, deep inferior epigastric perforator flap in 1 case, and anteromedial thigh perforator flap in 1 case, including 5 chimeric perforator flaps, 5 polyfoliate perforator flaps, 3 flow-through perforator flaps, and 3 conjoined perforator flaps. The size of the perforator flap ranged from 10.0 cm×6.5 cm to 36.0 cm×8.0 cm, the size of skin graft from 5 cm×3 cm to 18 cm×12 cm. Results Venous crisis occurred in 2 flaps which survived after symptomatic treatment; 18 flaps survived successfully and skin grafting healed well. The follow-up time ranged 4-18 months (mean, 8.3 months). The flaps had good appearance, texture and color, without infection. The patients could walk normally and do daily activities. Only linear scars were observed at the donor sites. Conclusion Free perforator flap can be used to reconstruct defects in the ankle and foot, especially in the weight-bearing area of the plantar forefoot. A combination of free perforator flap and skin graft is ideal in reconstruction of great soft tissue defects in the ankle and foot.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) combined with autologous platelet-rich plasma gel (PRP) on postoperative wound infection and chronic poor wound healing, so as to provide more economical and safe treatment in clinic.MethodsThe patients with postoperative wound infection and chronic poor wound healing in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University and Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from September 2018 to July 2019 were collected, then were divide into PRP+VSD group and VSD group according to treatment methods. The patients in the PRP+VSD group were filled with PRP and activator calcium thrombin following debridement, then covered with silver ion dressing and continuous VSD; in the VSD group were directly covered with silver ion dressing and then continuous VSD. The general situations of patients in the two groups during the process of replacing the VSD and the wound condition during dressing replacing were observed.ResultsThere were 100 patients in this study, 50 in the PRP+VSD group and 50 in the VSD group. There were no significant differences in the age, gender, body mass index, wound area before treatment, and wound infection type between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the VSD group, the PRP+VSD group had higher score of fresh granulation tissue coverage area (P<0.05), shorter wound closure time (P<0.05), shorter wound healing time (P<0.05), lower pain score (P<0.05), and less hospitalization expenses (P<0.05), lower rates of second debridement (P<0.05) and recurrent infection (P<0.05).ConclusionAutologous PRP combined with VSD in treatment of postoperative wound infection and chronic poor wound healing could shorten growth time of wound granulation tissue, promote rapid wound healing, reduce cost, and provide an economic, safe, and effective treatment method for clinical practice.
ObjectiveTo summarize the effectiveness and experience of Wanger grade 3-5 diabetic foot treated with vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) combined with transverse tibial bone transport.MethodsBetween March 2015 and January 2018, 21 patients with refractory diabetic foot who failed conservative treatment were treated with VSD combined with transverse tibial bone transport. There were 15 males and 6 females, aged 55-88 years (mean, 65 years). The diabetes history was 8-15 years (mean, 12.2 years). The duration of diabetic foot ranged from 7 to 84 days (mean, 35.3 days). The size of diabetic foot ulcer before operation ranged from 2 cm×2 cm to 8 cm×5 cm. According to Wanger classification, 8 cases were rated as grade 3, 11 cases as grade 4, and 2 cases as grade 5. Among the 21 cases, angiography of lower extremity before operation was performed in 5 cases, CT angiography of lower extremity in 16 cases, all of which indicated that the arteries below the knee were narrowed to varying degrees and not completely blocked. Preoperative foot skin temperature was (29.28±0.77)℃, C-reactive protein was (38.03±31.23) mg/L, leukocyte count was (9.44±2.21)×109/L, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 6.8±1.5, and ability of daily living (Barthel index) was 54.3±10.3.ResultsAfter operation, 2 patients with Wanger grade 4 and smoking history failed treatment and had an major amputation (amputation above ankle joint) at 30 days and 45 days after operation, respectively. One patient with Wanger grade 5 and chronic heart failure died of cardiac arrest at 60 days after operation. The remaining 18 patients were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 9.2 months). The external fixator was removed at 40-62 days after operation, with an average of 46 days. All the wounds healed, with a healing time of 50-120 days (mean, 62.5 days). The pain of 18 patients’ feet was relieved obviously, and there was no recurrence of ulcer in situ or other parts. There was no complication such as tibial fracture and ischemic necrosis of lower leg skin after operation. After ulcer healing, the foot skin temperature was (30.86±0.80)℃, C-reactive protein was (22.90±18.42) mg/L, VAS score was 2.4±1.2, and Barthel index was 77.3±4.6, all showing significant differences when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05); the leukocyte count was (8.91±1.72)×109/L, showing no significant difference (t=1.090, P=0.291).ConclusionVSD combined with transverse tibial bone transport can effectively promote the healing of Wanger grade 3-5 diabetic foot wounds, but smokers, unstable blood glucose control, and chronic heart failure patients have the risk of failure.
Objective To observe the effectiveness of vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) combined with anti-takenskin graft on open amputation wound by comparing with direct anti-taken skin graft. Methods Between March 2005 andJune 2010, 60 cases of amputation wounds for limbs open fractures were selected by using the random single-blind method.The amputation wounds were treated with VSD combined with anti-taken skin graft (test group, n=30) and direct anti-takenskin graft (control group, n=30). No significant difference was found in age, gender, injury cause, amputation level, defect size,preoperative albumin index, or injury time between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). In test group, the redundant stump skin was usedto prepare reattached staggered-meshed middle-thickness skin flap by using a drum dermatome deal ing after amputation,which was transplanted amputation wounds, and then the skin surface was covered with VSD for continuous negative pressuredrainage for 7-10 days. In control group, wounds were covered by anti-taken thickness skin flap directly after amputation, andconventional dress changing was given. Results To observe the survival condition of the skin graft in test group, the VSDdevice was removed at 8 days after operation. The skin graft survival rate, wound infection rate, reamputation rate, times ofdressing change, and the hospital ization days in test group were significantly better than those in control group [ 90.0% vs.63.3%, 3.3% vs. 20.0%, 0 vs. 13.3%, (2.0 ± 0.5) times vs. (8.0 ± 1.5) times, and (12.0 ± 2.6) days vs. (18.0 ± 3.2) days, respectively](P lt; 0.05). The patients were followed up 1-3 years with an average of 2 years. At last follow-up, the scar area and grading, and twopointdiscrimination of wound in test group were better than those in control group, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05).No obvious swelling occurred at the residual limbs in 2 groups. The limb pain incidence and the residual limb length were betterin test group than those in control group (P lt; 0.05). Whereas, no significant difference was found in the shape of the residual limbs between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). In comparison with the contralateral limbs, the muscle had disuse atrophy and decreasedstrength in residual limbs of 2 groups. There was significant difference in the muscle strength between normal and affected limbs(P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found in affected limbs between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Comparedwith direct anti-taken skin graft on amputation wound, the wound could be closed primarily by using the VSD combined withanti-taken skin graft. At the same time it could achieve better wound drainage, reduce infection rate, promote good adhesion ofwound, improve skin survival rate, and are beneficial to lower the amputation level, so it is an ideal way to deal with amputationwound in the phase I.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics of motorcycle spoke heel injury and the effectiveness of sequential therapy of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) and pedicled flap transplantation for treating motorcycle spoke heel injury in children. MethodsBetween January 2010 and January 2014, 15 children (aged from 3 to 8 years, 5.7 years on average) with motorcycle spoke heel injury received sequential therapy of VSD and pedicled flap transplantation. The interval from injury to admission was 3-7 days, with an average of 4.9 days. The locations were the heel in 8 cases, the heel and lateral malleolus in 2 cases, and the medial malleolus and medial heel in 4 cases, and the medial and lateral malleolus and heel in 1 case. The patients had different degrees of defects of the skin, tendon, and bone. The skin defect size ranged from 3 cm×3 cm to 13 cm×6 cm. VSD was applied for twice in 13 cases and three times in 2 cases. Reversed flow sural flap was applied in 8 cases, lateral supramalleolar flap in 2 cases, medial supramalleolar perforator-based flaps in 4 cases, and posterior tibial artery flap in 1 case. Eight pedicled flaps with neuroanastomosis were selected according to the wound characteristics. The flap size ranged from 4 cm×4 cm to 14 cm×7 cm. ResultsOf 15 cases, 13 flaps survived well except that two had partial skin necrosis at the distal site. Primary healing was obtained, and skin graft at donor site survived. The patients were followed up 9-21 months (mean, 13 months). Mild and moderate bulky flaps were observed in 9 cases and 6 cases respectively. Of 15 cases, 13 could walk with weight loading, and 2 had slight limping. Superficial sensation recovered to S3 in 8 patients undergoing neuroanastomosis, and recovered to S2 in 7 patients not undergoing neuroanastomosis at 6 months after operation. According to AOFAS evaluation system for Ankle-Hindfoot, the results were excellent in 13 cases and good in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100% at 8 months after operation. ConclusionThe main characteristic of motorcycle spoke heel injury lies in a combination of high energy damage and thermal damage. Sequential therapy of VSD and pedicled flap transplantation can be regarded as a reliable option to obtain good outcome of wound healing and satisfactory functional recovery for the management of motorcycle spoke heel injury.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of intermittent irrigation of insulin solution combined with continuous drainage of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) in chronic diabetic lower limb ulcers. MethodsBetween January 2012 and December 2014, 45 patients with diabetic lower limb ulcer were treated with VSD (group A, n=15), with VSD combining irrigation of normal saline (group B, n=15), and with VSD combining irrigation of insulin solution (group C, n=15) after debridement. There was no significant difference in gender, age, course of ulcers, area and depth of wound, glycosylated hemoglobin, and Wagner grade among 3 groups (P>0.05), and the data were comparable. The levels of fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, and random blood glucose were determined everyday during treatment. The contents of insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1), tumor growth factor α (TNF-α), and nitric oxide (NO) in necrotic tissue after drainage were determined. The coverage rate and thickness of granulation tissue and clearance rate of bacteria in wound were calculated, the granulation tissue in the center of the wound was harvested for pathological observation with HE staining after 6 days of treatment. The second stage operation was performed according to the condition of wounds, and the time to the second stage operation and the method of the second stage operation were recorded and the survival rate of grafted skin or flap was calculated. ResultsThe pathological staining showed that there were a few new microvessels and fibroblasts in group A after treatment;more new microvessels and fibroblasts were observed in group B;and many new microvessels and fibroblasts were found in group C. There was no significant difference in levels of fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, and random blood glucose among 3 groups during treatment (P>0.05). The coverage rate and thickness of granulation tissue and clearance rate of bacteria in group C were significantly higher than those in groups A and B after treatment (P<0.05). The contents of IGF-1 and NO were significantly increased and TNF-α was significantly decreased in group C when compared with those in group A (P<0.05). Compared with group B, IGF-1 and NO contents were significantly increased at 3-6 days and at 2-6 days respectively, and TNF-α content was significantly decreased at 3-6 days in group C (P<0.05). The method of the second stage operation showed no significant difference among 3 groups (χ2=2.920, P=0.230), but the time to the second stage operation in group C was significantly shorter than that in groups A and B (P<0.05), and the survival rate of grafted skin or flap in group C was significantly higher than that in groups A and B (P<0.05). ConclusionThe treatment of diabetic lower limb ulcers with intermittent irrigation of insulin solution combined with continuous drainage of VSD can reduce inflammatory reaction effectively, promote development of granulation tissue, improve recovery function of tissue, increase the rate and speed of wound healing obviously, but it has no effect on blood glucose levels.
Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) technology in the treatment of high perianal abscess. Methods A total of 38 cases of high perianal abscess who underwent surgery in our hospital from May. 2014 to Feb. 2016 were randomly divided into 2 groups: the VSD group (n=19) and the control group (n=19). The cases of VSD group were performed with closure of internal orifice+VSD technique, and the cases of control group were treated with radical operation of perianal abscess (low incision combined with high thread operation). The following indexes of cases in 2 groups were compared and analyzed, including postoperative pain score, wound healing time, postoperative anal function score, and prognosis. Results There were significant differences in pain score (3.53±0.70vs. 5.11±0.74), postoperative anal function score (0vs. 1), and wound healing time〔(27.58±4.95) dvs. (44.68±6.53) d〕between VSD group and control group,P<0.05. Compared with the control group, the pain score and anal function score of the VSD group were both lower, and the wound healing time was shorter. However, there was no statistically significant difference in incidence of fistula between the two groups〔5.3% (1/19)vs. 15.8% (3/19),P=0.60〕. Conclusion In the treatment of high perianal abscess, VSD technology can relieve pain in patients, shorten the wound healing time, protect the anal function, and the prognosis is as well as low incision combined with high thread operation, so VSD is a better treatment method for high perianal abscess.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) combined with open bone graft for tibial traumatic osteomyelitis. MethodsBetween June 2007 and December 2012, 23 cases of tibial traumatic osteomyelitis were treated, including 15 males and 8 females with an average age of 32.5 years (range, 22-48 years). The time from injury to admission was 7-18 months (mean, 8.6 months). There was local bone scarring in 15 cases, the size ranged from 8 cm×4 cm to 15 cm×8 cm. The CT multi-planar reconstruction was carried out preoperatively. Eleven cases had segmental bone sclerosis with a length of 1.5 to 3.8 cm (mean, 2.6 cm); 12 cases had partial bone sclerosis with a range of 1/3 to 2/3 of the bone diameter. On the basis of complete debridement, infection was controlled by VSD; bone defect was repaired by VSD combined with open bone graft. After there was fresh granulation tissue, the wound was repaired by free skin graft or local skin flap transfer. ResultsNail infection occurred in 2 cases, which was cured after the use of antibiotics. The wound healed at the first stage after repairing. All cases were followed up 10-18 months (mean, 13.5 months). In 11 cases of segmental bone sclerosis, the infection control time was 7-14 days (mean, 8.8 days); the bone healing time was 32-40 weeks (mean, 34.4 weeks); and the frequency of VSD was 3-6 times (mean, 4.5 times). In 12 cases of partial bone sclerosis, the infection control time was 7-12 days (mean, 8.3 days); the bone healing time was 24-31 weeks (mean, 27.3 weeks); and the frequency of VSD was 3-5 times (mean, 3.6 times). Infection recurred in 1 case, and the patient gave up the therapy. No infection recurrence was observed in the other patients. ConclusionThe VSD combined with open bone graft is an effective method for the treatment of tibial traumatic osteomyelitis.
Objective Gunshot wound spreads to the surrounding tissues and organs, it is difficult to debride and easy to infect. The conventional treatment is thorough, extensive debridement, fully open drainage, which often causes normal tissue damage and compl ications. To evaluate the effectiveness of vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) treating thepenetrating wound in porcine extremity by MRI and pathological methods so as to provide theoretical basis for future cl inical use. Methods Eight healthy adult pigs, weighing (45 ± 5) kg, were selected. Eight pairs of hind l imb penetrating wounds (16 wounds) were made by using Chinese-made 95-type rifle at 25 meters distance, which were randomly divided into experimental group (left side, n=8) and the control group (right side, n=8). After debriding and disinfecting the penetrating wounds at 6 hours after injury, wounds were treated with VSD in experimental group. The ball istics exports of the wounds were covered with single-layer gauze and imports were directly sutured and covered with sterile gauze in control group. The trajectory and the general condition of the adjacent skin were observed. MRI and histological observation were taken at 5, 24, 48, and 72 hours after injury, bacterial counting analysis was done at 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after injury. Results The aperture of the trajectory exit and entry were (5.00 ± 2.50) cm and (0.30 ± 0.15) cm immediately after injury. The wound surface was clean, rosy without leakage and swell ing after 72 hours in experimental group; wound and adjacent tissue were swell ing obviously, pus, muscle necrosis and exfol iative tissue was observed, and deep defect cavity at the trajectory exit could be seen in control group. MRI showed that pairs of l inear low signal in T1WI and T2WI was seen in trajector of experimental group at 5 hours after injury, and signal in T1WI gradually increased at disrupted area and tissue deformation area at 24, 48, and 72 hours; in control group, low signal in T1WI was observed at 5 hours after injury, and signal in T2WI gradually increased and a clear boundari between edema and surrounding tissue, and the increase of signal in T1WI was not obvious at 24, 48, and 72 hours. The histological observation showed that wound was dominated by effusion at 5 hours after injury, granulation tissue gradually increased, muscle tissue dissolved and inflammatory cell infiltration was not obvious at 24, 48, and 72 hours in experimental group; in control group, the gradual dissolution of muscle fibers and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed at 5, 24, and 48 hours, muscle tissue became swell ing, dissolving and degeneration and a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration gathered into the bacteria group at 72 hours. There was no significant difference in the number of bacteria per gram of tissue (P gt; 0.05) between experimental group and control group at 0 hour after injury; the numbers of bacteria in control group were significantly higher than those in experimental group at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion MRI combined with pathology show diagnostic meaning in treatment of gunshot wound with VSD. MRI can accurately reflect the scope of l imb gunshot wound 72 hours after injury. VSD may be an approach to delay infective time, shorten wound heal ing time, and promote the growth of healthy granulation tissue.
Objective To observe the clinical effect of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) in the treatment of mesh infection following inguinal hernia repair. Methods A total of 24 patients who suffered form mesh infection following inguinal hernia repair and got treatment in our hospital from February 2012 to December 2015 were collected and divided into 2 groups according to the type of treatment, 12 patients (13 sides) of VSD group received treatment of VSD, and 12 patients (13 sides) of conventional group received conventional treatment. Comparison between the 2 groups in mesh retention rate, the wound healing time, hospitalization cost, and hospital stay was performed. Results There was significant difference in mesh retention rate〔76.9% (10/13)vs. 30.8% (4/13)〕, the wound healing time〔(20.5±4.4) dvs. (29.7± 6.7) d〕, hospitalization cost〔(18 430.1±7 180.2) RMBvs. (12 201.1±6 453.2) RMB〕, and hospital stay〔(23.5±4.1) dvs. (30.7±6.5) d〕between the VSD group and conventional group (P<0.050). Compared with conventional group, the mesh retention rate and hospitalization cost were higher, the wound healing time and hospital stay were shorter in VSD group. Conclusions VSD can effectively control the mesh infection following hernia repair, improve the mesh retention rate. The VSD can also promote growth of granulation tissue in cavity, shorten the wound healing time and hospital stay, but has a high hospitalization cost than conventional treatment.