【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the method and effectiveness of expanded delto-pectoral and abdominalperforator flaps in repairing large defects of the face and upper limb after scar excision. Methods Between August 2000 and February 2011, 25 patients with large scars on face and upper l imb were treated. There were 14 males and 11 females with an average ageof 27 years (range, 7-36 years). Scars causes were burn and scald in 25 cases with a disease duration of 6 months to 7 years (mean, 4.5 years). The hypertrophic scars located at face in 15 cases, and at upper limb and hand in 10 cases. The soft tissue expanders (300-500 mL in volume) were implanted in the delto-pectoral zone and abdominal region in one-stage operation. In two-stage operation, after scars were resected, defects (9 cm × 7 cm to 17 cm × 8 cm) were repaired with the delto-pectoralperforator flaps (17 cm × 7 cm to 20 cm × 8 cm) in 15 facial scar cases and with the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps (10 cm × 9 cm to 25 cm × 14 cm) in 10 upper limb and hand scar cases. The donor sites were sutured directly. Results Partial necrosis of the flaps occurred in 2 cases after operation, then the flap survived after expectant treatment. The other flaps and skin grafts survived successfully, and the incisions healed by first intention. Ten patients were followed up 6 months to 4 years. Theappearance, texture, and color of the flaps were similar to those at the donor site. Conclusion It is an effective method to use the delto-pectoral perforator flap and the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap for repairing soft tissue defects of the face and upper limb after scar excision.
Objective To summarize the experiences of the breast reconstruction using the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps. Methods From March 2000 to March 2005, 18 cases of breast defects were treated. Defect wascaused by mammary cancer in 17 cases and by Poland’s syndrome in 1 case. Preoperative radiotherapy was given in 7 patients. The size of the chest wall defects ranged from 25 cm×20 cm to 12 cm×8 cm. All the breasts were reconstructed with the DIEP flaps. The flap size ranged from 35 cm×22 cm to 12 cm×8 cm (mean 9.58 cm×26.85 cm). The internal mammary vessels were used as the recipient vessels in 15 patients who underwent delayed breast reconstruction. Among these cases, the bilateral deep inferior epigastric vessels were anastomosed with the proximal and distal ends of the internal mammary vessels separately in 13 cases and only unilateral deep inferior epigastric vessels were harvested and anastomosed to the proximal ends of the internal mammary vessels in 2 cases. The recipient vessels were the thoracodorsal vessels and thoracodorsal vessels plus the circumflex scapular vessels in the patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction. Results Sixteen flaps survived completely postoperatively and the survival rate was 89%. Flap necrosis occurred in 2 patients; one underwent radiotherapy preoperatively while the other did not. The distal 1/3 portion of the flap necrosed in the patient with Poland’s syndrome. Nipple reconstruction and breast remolding were performed in 2 patients. Partial dehiscence of the median abdominal incision occurred in 2 patients at 2 weeks postoperatively and were repaired with resuturing andsplit-thickness skin grafting separately. Conclusion Breast reconstruction using the DIEP flaps not only can preserve the advantages of the traditional method using the transverse rectus ablominis myocutaneous flaps, but also can retain the maximal function of the rectus abdominal muscle and prevent the occurrence of abdominal weakness and hernia. It is an ideal method of the breast reconstruction.
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.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibil ity and rel iabil ity of rib-sparing technique for internal mammary vessels exposure and anastomosis in breast reconstruction and thoracic wall repair with deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps. MethodsBetween November 2009 and September 2011, 11 female patients with post-mastectomy deformities were treated. The mean age was 42 years (range, 33-65 years). Of them, 10 patients underwent breast reconstruction with the DIEP flaps, and 1 patient received defect repair for chronic thoracic wall irradiated ulcer with the DIEP flap. The size of the flap ranged from 18 cm×9 cm to 28 cm×12 cm. Rib-sparing technique was applied in all these cases. The internal mammary vessels were exposed by dissection intercostal space and anastomosed with the deep inferior epigastric vessels. The donor sites were closed directly in all cases. ResultsIn all cases, the rib-sparing technique for internal mammary vessels exposure and anastomosis was successfully performed. The mean time for internal mammary vessels exposure was 52 minutes (range, 38-65 minutes). The mean exposure length of the internal mammary vessels was 1.7 cm (range, 1.3-2.2 cm). All flaps survived completely postoperatively, and wounds and incisions at donor sites healed primarily. All patients were followed up 8-26 months (mean, 12 months). All patients were satisfied with the reconstructive outcomes. No collapse deformity or discomfort of the thoracic wall occurred. ConclusionThe rib-sparing technique for internal mammary vessels exposure and anastomosis is a rel iable and reproducible approach to reconstruct the breast and repair the thoracic wall with DIEP flap, and it can reduce collapse deformity of the thoracic wall.
ObjectiveTo discuss the effectiveness of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap to repair perineal and perianal cicatricial contracture. MethodsBetween March 2007 and December 2013, 23 patients with perineal and perianal cicatricial contracture were treated with deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap. There were 15 males and 8 females, aged from 21 to 62 years (mean, 42 years). Burn depth was III degree. The burning scars involved in the fascia, even deeper, which was rated as peripheral type (mild stenosis of the anal region and perianal cicatricial contracture) in 13 cases and as central type (severe stenosis of the anal region and anal canal with shift or defect of external genitalia) in 10 cases. All patients had limited hip abduction and squatting. Repair operation was performed at 3 months to 2 years (mean, 6 months) after wound healing. The size of soft tissue defects ranged from 10 cm×6 cm to 28 cm×13 cm after scar excision and release. The size of flaps ranged from 12 cm×7 cm to 30 cm×15 cm. The donor site was sutured directly in 16 cases and repaired by autograft of skin in 7 cases. ResultsThe flap had distal necrosis, distal cyanosis, and spotted necrosis in 1 case, 2 cases, and 1 case respectively, which were cured after symptomatic treatment;the other flaps survived and wound healed primarily. Twenty-one patients were followed up 6 months to 2 years (mean, 1 year). Nineteen patients had good appearance of the perinea and position of external genitalia, normal function of defecation function;stenosis of the anal region was relived, and the flaps had good texture and elasticity. Linear scar contracture was observed at the edge of flap in 2 cases, and the appearance of the perineum was restored after Z plasty. The hip abduction reached 30-40°. No abdominal hernia was found at donor site. ConclusionDeep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap has stable blood supply and flexible design, which is similar to the perianal and perineal tissues. The good effectiveness can be obtained to use this flap for repair of perineal and perianal cicatricial contracture.
ObjectiveTo generalize the application and prospect of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap transfer for breast reconstruction.MethodsThe related literature using CTA for DIEP flap reconstruction of breast in recent years was reviewed and analyzed.ResultsPreoperative CTA can accurately assess the vascular anatomy of the chest and abdomen wall, precisely locating the perforator in the abdominal donor site, and identifying the dominant perforator; guide the selection of intercostal space to explore internal mammary artery and internal mammary artery perforator in the chest recipient vessels. It can also reconstruct the volume of the abdominal flap with reference to the size of the contralateral breast and pre-shape the abdominal flap, which are crucial to formulate the surgical plan and improve the reliability of flap.ConclusionPreoperative CTA has enormous application potential and prospects in locating donor area perforator, in selecting recipient vessels, and in evaluating breast volume for autologous breast reconstruction with DIEP flap.
ObjectiveTo summarize the difficulties and key points of free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap (DIEP) transplantation in breast shaping of two-staged breast reconstruction with vertical scar.MethodsThe clinical data of 32 postoperative breast cancer patients after mastectomy who underwent free DIEP transplantation for breast reconstruction between October 2015 and October 2019, whose original surgical incisions were all vertical and longitudinal, were retrospectively analysed. All the patients were female, aged from 31 to 42 years, with an average of 34.6 years. The disease duration of breast cancer ranged from 9 to 48 months (mean, 22.8 months). Free DIEP pedicled with contralateral vessels were used in all cases, and the recipient vessels were intrathoracic vessels. Among them, 17 flaps were placed longitudinally, 15 flaps were placed obliquely; Z-shaped flaps were used in 18 cases to adjust the chest wall skin contracture, and contralateral breast reduction and mastopexy were accomplished at the same time in 23 cases.ResultsAll DIEP survived completely, and all donor and recipient sites healed by first intention. Internal thoracic lymph node metastasis was found in 1 case and treated with radiotherapy. All 32 cases were followed up 9-48 months, with an average of 19.4 months. The appearance and texture of all flaps were satisfactory, and only linear scar was left in donor site. Eleven patients underwent further autologous fat transplantation and nipple reconstruction. All patients had no effect on abdominal wall activity, and no local recurrence and metastasis was found.ConclusionIt is difficult to use free DIEP for two-staged breast reconstruction in patients received mastectomy with vertical longitudinal scar left. Combined with different breast shaping techniques, the outcomes can significantly improve.
Objective To investigate if intercostal neurovascular perforator can nourish lower abdominal flap. Methods Between June 2017 and December 2020, in 39 female patients with predominant perforator originated from intercostal nerve nutrient vessels, main trunk of the deep inferior epigastric vessels was chosen to be the pedicle to harvest free lower abdominal flap for breast reconstruction. The age of the patients ranged from 28 to 52 years, with an average of 38.6 years. There were 16 cases on the left and 23 cases on the right. The duration of breast cancer was 3-32 months, with an average of 21.8 months. Pathological stage was stageⅡin 31 cases and stage Ⅲ in 8 cases. Among them, 25 cases were primary tumor resection and one stage breast reconstruction and 14 cases were delayed breast reconstruction. Results The lower abdominal flap pedicled with one side pedicle was harvested in 32 cases, all of which were supplied by the main trunk of the deep inferior epigastric vessel combined with the intercostal neurovascular perforator; 7 cases were harvested with bilateral pedicled lower abdominal flaps, of which 4 cases were supplied by the main trunk of the deep inferior epigastric vessel combined with intercostal neurovascular perforator on one side and deep inferior epigastric artery perforator on the other side, and the other 3 cases were supplied by bilateral main trunk of the deep inferior epigastric vessel and the intercostal neurovascular perforator. In the flaps nourished with the main trunk of the deep inferior epigastric vessel combined with the intercostal neurovascular perforator, the intercostal neurovascular perforators were one branch type in 15 cases, one branch+reticular type in 19 sides, and reticular type in 8 sides. The size of flap ranged from 26 cm×10 cm to 31 cm×13 cm; the thickness was 2.5-5.5 cm (mean, 2.9 cm); the vascular pedicle length was 7.0-11.5 cm (mean, 9.2 cm); the weight of the flap was 350-420 g (mean, 390 g). All the flaps survived completely and the incisions at donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 14-35 months (mean, 25.4 months). The shape, texture, and elasticity of reconstructed breasts were good and no flap contracture happened. Only linear scar left at the donor site, the function of abdomen was not affected. No local recurrence happened. ConclusionWhen the direct perforator of the deep inferior epigastric artery may not provide reliable blood supply for the lower abdominal flap, the intercostal neurovascular perforator with deep inferior epigastric vessels can ensure the blood supply of the free lower abdominal flap.