Objective To improve the harvesting techniques of anterolateral thigh perforator flap, and to reduce the operation time. Methods Between January 2008 and June 2015, 400 patients undergoing repair with anterolateral thigh perforator flap were included to analyze the technical factors, including 370 cases (92.5%) obtaining primary healing and 30 cases (7.5%) receiving re-exploration. Combined with the literature, a modified flap dissection was made: reverse tracing and sequential dissection of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. Between June 2015 and June 2016, the modified free anterolateral thigh perforator flap was used in 100 cases. Of 100 cases, 76 were male and 24 were female, aged from 11 to 71 years (mean, 35.6 years). The wound size ranged from 8 cm×5 cm to 23 cm×9 cm. The time between injury and surgery ranged from 5 to 31 days (mean, 14.3 days). Results The operation time of modified flap dissection was reduced to (30.1±19.3) minutes from (85.0±30.2) minutes (unmodified flap dissection). Postoperatively, 94 flaps survived uneventfully, and incision healed by first intention. Six flaps received re-exploration surgery because of vascular compromise; the flap survived after removal of thrombosis in 4 cases of vein thrombosis; the flap necrosed in 2 cases of vein and artery thrombosis, and skin grafting was performed. Ninety-four patients whose flaps survived were followed up 3-12 months (mean, 6.3 months); the flaps had good color and appearance, and second stage operation was performed to make the flap thinner in 21 cases. Conclusion Improved harvesting technique of free anterolageral thigh perforator flap could decrease surgery time and difficulty in dissection.
ObjectiveTo investigate whether the technical modifications regarding the risk factors related to the partial necrosis of the distally pedicled sural flap could reduce the partial necrosis rate of the flap.MethodsA clinical data of 254 patients (256 sites) (modified group), who used modified technique to design and cut distally pedicled sural flaps to repair the distal soft tissue defects of the lower limbs between April 2010 and December 2019, was retrospectively analyzed. Between April 2001 and March 2010, 175 patients (179 sites) (control group) who used the traditional method to design and cut the skin flap to repair the distal soft tissue defects of the lower limbs were compared. Various technical modifications were used to lower the top-edge of the flap, reduce the length-width ratio (LWR) of the flap and width of the skin island. There was no significant difference in gender, age, etiology, duration from injury to operation, site and area of the soft tissue defect between groups (P>0.05). The length and width of the skin island and adipofascial pedicle, the total length of the flap and LWR, and the pivot point position were measured and recorded. The top-edge of the flap was determined according to the division of 9 zones in the posterior aspect of the lower limb. The occurrence of partial necrosis of the flap and the success rate of defect reconstruction were observed postoperatively.ResultsThere was no significant difference in the length and width of the skin island, the length of the adipofascial pedicle, total length and LWR of the flap, and pivot point position of the flap between groups (P>0.05). The width of the adipofasical pedicle in modified group was significant higher than that in control group (t=–2.019, P=0.044). The top-edge of 32 flaps (17.88%) in control group and 31 flaps (12.11%) in modified group were located at the 9th zone; the constituent ratio of the LWR more than 5∶1 in modified group (42.58%, 109/256) was higher than that in control group (42.46%, 76/179); and the constituent ratio of width of skin island more than 8 cm in control group (59.78%, 107/179) was higher than that in modified group (57.42%, 147/256). There was no significant difference in the above indicators between groups (P>0.05). In control group, 155 flaps (86.59%) survived completely, 24 flaps (13.41%) exhibited partial necrosis. Among them, 21 wounds healed after symptomatic treatments, 3 cases were amputated. The success rate of defects reconstruction was 98.32% (176/179). In modified group, 241 flaps (94.14%) survived completely, 15 flaps (5.86%) exhibited partial necrosis. Among them, 14 wounds healed after symptomatic treatments, 1 case was amputated. The success rate of defect reconstruction was 99.61% (255/256). The partial necrosis rate in modified group was significantly lower than that in control group (χ2=7.354, P=0.007). There was no significant difference in the success rate between the two groups (P=0.310). All patients in both groups were followed up 1 to 131 months (median, 9.5 months). All wounds in the donor and recipient sites healed well.ConclusionThe partial necrosis rate of the distally based sural flap can be decreased effectively by applying personalized modified technical for specific patients.