ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical application of the forearm interosseous dorsal artery perforator sublobe flaps in repairing two wounds in dorsal hand or wrist. MethodsBetween October 2009 and October 2012, 12 patients with two wounds in the dorsal hand or wrist were included in the study. There were 4 cases of skin defects (grade IV) and bone exposure caused by machine injury, 3 cases of skin defects with bone and tendon exposure caused by traffic accident, and 3 cases of skin defect and tendon exposure caused by crash injury of heavy object, with a duration of 3-12 hours (mean, 6 hours) between injury and admission; defects in the wrist and tendon exposure were caused by tumor resection in 2 cases. Four cases had metacarpal fractures. The size of larger skin and soft tissue defects ranged from 4.0 cm×3.5 cm to 5.0 cm×3.0 cm, and the size of smaller defects was from 2.5 cm×2.0 cm to 4.0 cm×3.0 cm. The flap size was from 6 cm×4 cm to 8 cm×3 cm and 3.0 cm×2.5 cm to 5.0 cm×3.0 cm. The donor sites were directly sutured or repaired with free skin graft. ResultsAll the flaps survived, and wound healed in first stage. All the cases were followed up 6-36 months (mean, 20 months). The flaps had good color and texture. Three cases underwent secondary surgery of thinning the flaps. At last follow-up, two-point discrimination of flaps was 10-14 mm, 12 mm on average. According to function standard for evaluation of upper extremity with total active motion of the fingers from the Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association, the results were excellent in 10 cases, and good in 2 cases. ConclusionForearm interosseous dorsal artery perforators sublobe flaps can be used to repair two wounds in the dorsal hand or wrist simultaneously, and it has the advantages of simple operation, less injury at donor site, and reliable blood supply.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) localization marker combined with mixed reality technology versus color doppler ultrasound guidance for the vessel localization of anterolateral thigh perforator flap. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 40 patients with tissue defects after oral cancer resection who underwent repair using the anterolateral thigh perforator flap between January 2022 and June 2023. According to the different intraoperative positioning methods of the anterolateral thigh perforator flap, they were randomly divided into PEEK group [using PEEK localization marker combined with mixed reality technology based on CT angiography (CTA) data] and color ultrasound group (using color ultrasound guidance), with 20 cases in each group. There was no significant difference in gender, age, etiology, and disease duration between the two groups (P>0.05). The number of perforator vessels identified in the two groups of regions of interest was recorded, and compared them with the intraoperative actually detected number to calculate the success identifying rate of perforator vessels; the distance between the perforating point and the actual puncture point was measured, the operation time of the two groups of flaps was recorded. ResultsIn the PEEK group, 32 perforator vessels were identified, 34 were detected by intraoperative exploration, and the success identifying rate was 94.1% (32/34); in the color ultrasound group, 29 perforator vessels were identified, 33 were detected by intraoperative exploration, and the success identifying rate was 87.8% (29/33); there was a significant difference in the success identifying rate between the two groups (P<0.05). The distance between the perforating point and the actual puncture point and the operation time in PEEK group were significantly shorter than those in color ultrasound group (P<0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 6-30 months, with a median of 17 months; there was no significant difference in follow-up time between the two groups (P>0.05). In the PEEK group, there was 1 case of flap necrosis at the distal edge and delayed healing after trimming and dressing change. In the color ultrasound group, there was 1 case of flap necrosis at 7 days after operation and pectoralis major myocutaneous flap was selected for repair after removal of the necrotic flap. In the rest, the flap survived and the incision healed by first intention. Donor site infection occurred in 1 case in PEEK group and healed after anti-inflammatory treatment. The maxillofacial appearance of the two groups was good, the flap was not obviously bloated, and the patients were satisfied with the repair effect. Conclusion Compared with the traditional color ultrasound guidance, the PEEK localization marker combined with mixed reality technology based on CTA data in vessel localization of anterolateral thigh perforator flap has higher success identifying rate and positioning accuracy, and the flap production time is shorter, which has high clinical application value.
Objective To investigate the method, effectiveness, andclinical application of the anterolateral thigh perforator free flaps for reconstruction of the soft tissue defects in the head and the four limbs after tumorresection. Methods From April 2004 to April 2006, 16 patients (13 males, 3 females; aged 26-72 years) with the soft tissue defects in the head (9 patients) and the four limbs (7 patients) underwent reconstructive operations with the anterolateral thigh perforator free flaps after their tumor resection. The defects ranged in area from 8 cm×6 cm to 20 cm×13 cm in the head with the process of diseases from 6 to 24 months, and the defects ranged in area from 10 cm×7 cm to 21 cm× 12 cm in the four limbs with the process of diseases from 2 to 18 months.The technique for the anterolateral thigh perforator flap freegrafting, the degree of the injury in the donor sites, and the appearance of the donor and recipient sites, and the influence on the anatomy and function in the both local sites were analyzed. Results In the 16 patients with the soft tissue defects in the head and the four limbs after tumor resection, 14 had a primary wound healing (Stage Ⅰ), and 2 had a delayed wound healing (Stage Ⅱ) . Fifteen flaps survived completely but two flaps had a partial failure. Theflap appearance was good and smooth without any severe scarring, and there was a minimal effect on the function at the donor and recipient sites. Conclusion Because of the less morbidity at the donor site, the better result at the recipient site, and the use of the anterolateral thigh perforator flap free grafting, this kind of the technique for reconstruction of the head and fourlimb soft tissue defects after tumor resection is well acceptable.
Objective To explore the technical key points and effectiveness of the facial artery perforator myomucosal flap (FAPMF) in repairing oral and perioral tissue defects. Methods Between June 2023 and December 2024, 8 patients with oral and perioral tissue defects were repaired with the FAPMF. There were 4 males and 4 females, with an average age of 57.6 years (range, 45-72 years). Among them, 4 cases had floor-of-mouth defects and 3 cases had buccal mucosa defects remaining after squamous cell carcinoma resection, and 1 case had lower lip defect caused by trauma. The size of tissue defects ranged from 4.5 cm×3.0 cm to 6.0 cm×5.0 cm. The preoperative mouth opening was (39.55±1.88) mm, and the preoperative swallowing score of the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UW-QOL) was 64.64±8.47. Preoperatively, CT angiography and Doppler ultrasound were used to locate the perforator vessels. A myomucosal flap pedicled with the perioral perforators of the facial artery was designed, with the harvesting size ranging from 4.0 cm×2.5 cm to 6.5 cm×4.0 cm. The length of the vascular pedicle was 4.2-6.8 cm (mean, 5.2 cm). Postoperatively, FAPMF survival, complications, and functional recovery were observed. ResultsAll 8 surgeries were successfully completed without conversion to other repair methods or complications such as facial nerve injury. The total operation time ranged from 110 to 180 minutes, with an average of 142.5 minutes; among this, the harvesting time of the FAPMF ranged from 35 to 65 minutes, with an average of 48.7 minutes. The intraoperative blood loss was 50-150 mL, with an average of 85.6 mL. All FAPMFs survived completely. One patient developed venous reflux disorder at 24 hours after operation, which relieved after conservative treatment. All patients were followed up 7-16 months (mean, 12.4 months). All FAPMFs achieved complete epithelialization at 3 months after operation, showing a similar soft texture to the surrounding mucosa. At 7 months after operation, the mouth opening was (39.11±1.79) mm, slightly lower than preoperative level, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). The swallowing score of the UW-QOL was 63.78±8.31, which was significantly lower than preoperative score (P<0.05). The visual analogue scale (VAS) score for patient satisfaction was 7-10, with an average of 8.9. ConclusionThe FAPMF has advantages such as reliable blood supply, high mucosal matching degree, and concealed donor site, making it an ideal option for repairing small and medium-sized oral and perioral tissue defects.
Objective To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of bilateral facial perforator artery flap in repairing large area defect in middle and lower part of nose. Methods The clinical data of 18 patients with large area defect in middle and lower part of nose repaired by bilateral facial perforator artery flap between January 2019 and December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, there were 13 males and 5 females, the age ranged from 43 to 81 years, with an average of 63 years. There were 3 cases of nasal trauma, 4 cases of basal cell carcinoma, 8 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 1 case of lymphoma, and 2 cases of large area solar keratosis. The size of the defect ranged from 3.0 cm×3.0 cm to 4.5 cm×4.0 cm; the size of unilateral flap ranged from 3.0 cm×1.3 cm to 3.5 cm×2.0 cm, and the size of bilateral flaps ranged from 3.3 cm×2.6 cm to 4.5 cm×4.0 cm. ResultsOne patient developed skin flap necrosis after operation, and a frontal skin flap was used to repair the wound; 1 case gradually improved after removing some sutures due to venous congestion in the skin flap, and the wound healing was delayed after dressing change; the remaining 16 cases of bilateral facial perforator artery flaps survived well and all wounds healed by first intention, without any “cat ear” malformation. All 18 patients had first intention healing in the donor area, leaving linear scars without obvious scar hyperplasia, and no facial organ displacement. All patients were followed up 3-12 months, with an average of 6 months. Due to the appropriate thickness of the flap, none of the 18 patients underwent secondary flap thinning surgery. All flaps had good blood circulation, similar texture and color to surrounding tissues, symmetrical bilateral nasolabial sulcus, and high patient satisfaction.ConclusionThe bilateral facial perforator artery flaps for repairing large area defect in middle and lower part of nose can achieve good appearance and function, and the operation is relatively simple, with high patient satisfaction.
Objective To evaluate a new alternative method for thereconstruction of vagina with deep inferior epigastric perforator(DIEP) flap. Methods From January 2004 to May 2005, DIEP flaps were used for vaginal reconstruction in 5 patients(19 to 40 years), including 4 cases of congenital vaginal agenesis and 1 case of vaginal tumor. Before operation, the perforators were detected by theDoppler and the flaps based on the perforators ranged from 10 cm×9 cm to 12 cm×11 cm. DIEP flaps were elevated and then transferred to reconstruct the vagina. Results Deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps were used in 5 patients. Only 1 patient developed haematoma in the posterior aspect of thereconstructed vagina, but the flap was viable. The wounds healed secondarily after conservative therapy. All the flaps survived completely. No complication occurred at donor site of abdominal wall. Conclusion Despite technical difficulties in elevatingthe deep inferior epigastric perforator flap, the flap is a good choice for vaginal reconstruction.
Objective To investigate effectiveness of the medial ankle branches propeller " Tennis racket-like” flap in repair of heel-ankle tissue defect. Methods Between June 2011 and June 2016, 50 patients with heel-ankle tissue defects were treated. There were 40 males and 10 females, with a median age of 35.6 years (range, 6–58 years). The defects were caused by trauma in 44 cases, scar deformity after trauma in 2 cases, chronic ulcer in 2 cases, and squamous cell carcinoma in 2 cases. The defects located at heel in 20 cases, ankle in 15 cases, and heel-ankle in 15 cases. The size of heel-ankle tissue defect ranged from 3.5 cm×2.0 cm to 13.0×10.0 cm. The course of disease ranged from 3 hours to 2 months (mean, 28 days). All wounds were repaired by the medial ankle branches propeller " Tennis racket-like” flap in a size of 3.8 cm×2.2 cm–13.4 cm×10.3 cm. The donor site was directly sutured in 5 cases or repaired by skin grafting in 45 cases. Results All flaps survived and wounds healed by first intention. Partial necrosis of skin grafting occurred in 1 case, and the wound recovered by change dressing. The other skin grafting survived and wounds healed by first intention. Forty-eight patients were followed up 12 months after operation. The appearance, sensory, and function of repaired heel-ankle flaps were satisfactory. Conclusion For heel-ankle tissue defect repair, the medial ankle branches propeller " Tennis racket-like” flap has advantages of the high survival rate, reliable blood supply, and sensory recovery.