【Abstract】 Objective To study the repair and functional reconstruction of oropharyngeal defects after resection of advanced-stage tonsillar cancer, and to select the donor site of appropriate flap. Methods Between October 2000 and February 2010, 13 patients with advanced-stage tonsillar cancer were treated, including 5 cases of high differentiation squamous cell carcinomas and 8 cases of medium differentiation squamous cell carcinomas. There were 11 males and 2 females, with an average age of 53.6 years (range, 39-67 years). According to Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) 1997 standards of oropharyngeal cancer, 1 case was classified as T1N1M0, 2 as T2N1M0, 2 as T2N2M0, 3 as T3N1M0, 2 as T3N2M0, 2 as T4N1M0, and 1 as T4N2M0. The disease duration was 1-8 months with an average of 4.3 months. The tumor invaded lateral wall of nasopharyngeal in 1 case, lateral wall of hypopharynx in 3 cases, epiglottis in 1 case, soft palate in 4 cases, and tongue root in 3 cases. The tumor infiltrating range was from 2 cm × 2 cm to 12 cm × 6 cm. All the 13 cases underwent integrated methods of surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. After resection of tumor by combined neck-mandible-oral cavity approach, pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps were transplanted in 5 cases, forearm free skin flaps in 5 cases, and anterolateral thigh free skin flaps in 3 cases. Results The postoperative pathological results showed 10 cases of cervical lymph node metastasis; 2 cases had local recurrence and 3 cases had cervical lymph node metastasis after postoperative radiotherapy. Neck infection occurred at 5 days after operation in 1 case undergoing transplantation of pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, and vascular crisis occurred at 12 hours after operation in 1 case undergoing transplantation of forearm free skin flap, which were cured after correspondent treatments. The other flaps survived with incision healing by first intention. Second suture was carried out in 1 case undergoing anterolateral thigh free skin flap transplantation because of wound disruption at the donor site. All the patients were followed up 1 to 6 years, with an average of 3.6 years. In 5 cases undergoing pectoralis major myocutaneous flap transplantation, swallowing obstruction and stomatolalia occurred. In 8 cases undergoing free skin flaps transplantation, the appearances of the flaps and the functions of swallowing or speaking were satisfactory, with no dysfunction at the donor site. All the patients returned to normal occlusion, facial appearance and function were normal. According to the direct calculation method, the three-year survival rate was 60.0% (6/10), and five-year survival rate was 37.5% (3/8). Conclusion For the patients with advanced-stage tonsillar cancer, forearm free skin flaps, or anterolateral thigh free skin flaps is the first choice for repairing defect. However, it is better to choose pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps in patients who need large flap and fail to radiotherapy.
Objective To introduce the new progress of perforator flaps as an new reconstruction technique. Methods The literature both at home and abroad was reviewed, and the research findings of different perforator flaps were summarized. Results The advantage of perforator flaps versus musculocutaneous flaps was the reduced morbidity of the donor site with preservation of the nerves, muscles and deep fascia. The postoperative complications at donor sites reduced. Conclusion Perforator flap was the new and reliable technique forreconstructionof tissue defect and may be one of the primary choices in the future.
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 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 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.