ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical anatomy and application of free profunda femoral artery pedicled chimeric myocutaneous perforator flap in the defect reconstruction after radical resection of tongue carcinoma. MethodsBetween April 2011 and January 2016, 44 cases of tongue carcinoma underwent radical resection, and tongue defects were reconstructed by free profunda femoral artery pedicled chimeric myocutaneous perforator flaps at the same stage. There were 40 males and 4 females, with a mean age of 46.3 years (range, 32-71 years). The pathologic type was squamous cell carcinoma, which involved the lingual margin in 24 cases, the ventral tongue in 17 cases, and the mouth floor in 3 cases. According to Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) TNM staging, 16 cases were rated as T4N0M0, 11 cases as T4N1M0, 9 cases as T3N1M0, and 8 cases as T3N2M0. The course of disease ranged from 1 to 22 months (mean, 8.6 months). The size of perforator flap ranged from 8.5 cm×4.0 cm to 12.0 cm×6.5 cm, and the size of muscle flap ranged from 4.0 cm×3.0 cm to 7.5 cm×5.0 cm. The adductor magnus myocutaneous flap with a pedicle of (8.3±0.5) cm was used in 11 cases, and the gracilis muscle myocutaneous flap with a pedicle of (8.1±0.8) cm was used in 33 cases. The donor sites were sutured directly. ResultsAll 44 perforator flaps survived uneventfully, and the donor site healed well. The patients were followed up for 12 to 40 months (mean, 23.8 months). The reconstructed tongue had good appearance and function in swallowing and language. No local recurrence was found. Only linear scar was left at the donor sites. ConclusionThe free profunda femoral artery pedicled chimeric myocutaneous perforator flap can be harvested in various forms, and is an ideal choice to reconstruct defect after radical resection of tongue carcinoma.
Objective To summarize the application progress of indocyanine green (ICG) angiography in breast reconstruction. Methods The literature about the application of ICG angiography in breast reconstruction was reviewed and analyzed, including its history, chemical composition, principles, usages, and attentions. Results ICG is a kind of fluorescent substance used in medical diagnosis and various surgical fields, especially in intraoperative vascular angiography. ICG angiography and SPY system are gradually applied in breast reconstruction, including both prosthesis/tissue expander reconstruction and autologous reconstruction. Compared to clinical judgment, portable Doppler devices, tissue oximetry, and fluorescein angiography, ICG angiography obviously has more benefits and usages. Conclusion ICG angiography can reveal the perfusion of flaps during the operation instantly and accurately, which refines the intraoperative strategy in order to decrease the incidence of flap-related complications. Besides, it has some economic benefits to some extent.
Objective To explore the clinical application of the pedicled omentum flap in breast reconstruction of breast cancer patients. Methods Between May 2013 and October 2017, 205 patients with breast cancer received modified mastectomy. The pedicled omentum flap was used to reconstruct breast at the same time. All patients were female with an average age of 34.9 years (mean, 26-58 years). The tumor located at left breast in 127 cases and right side in 78 cases. The diameter of the tumor was 2-5 cm (mean, 2.9 cm). The 120 cases of breast cancer were at stage Ⅰ and 85 cases were at stage Ⅱ; and 126 cases were invasive ductal carcinoma and 79 cases were invasive lobular carcinoma. The course of disease ranged from 10 to 92 days (mean, 38.5 days). The size of defect after tumor ablation ranged from 9 cm× 6 cm to 18 cm×12 cm; the size of pedicled omentum flap ranged from 18 cm×10 cm to 22 cm×16 cm. Results According to the anatomical basis, the omentum was divided into 4 types, including thin type (42 cases, 20.5%), medium type (133 cases, 64.9%), hypertrophy type (24 cases, 11.7%), and absence type (6 cases, 2.9%). All omentum flaps survived successfully and the incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-74 months (mean, 24.5 months); 83 cases were followed up more than 5 years. The shape, texture, and elasticity of the reconstructed breast were good and no flap contracture deformation happened. Only linear scar left at the donor sites, and the function of abdomen was not affected. No local recurrence happened. Conclusion The pedicled omentum flap can be harvested safely and reliable, which is the one of ideal option for breast reconstruction in breast cancer patients.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of pedicled chimeric thoracoacromial artery perforator (TAAP) flap as a reconstructive option for circular hypopharyngeal defects. Methods Between January 2013 and December 2014, the pedicled chimeric TAAP flap was used to repair oncologic circular hypopharyngeal defects in 8 patients, included 6 males and 2 females, with an average age of 57 years (range, 45-80 years). All patients were treated in other hospitals before and recurrence was noted. The duration between latest treatment and recurrence ranged from 3 to 28 months (mean, 16.5 months). According to Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) TNM staged, 3 cases were T2N1M0, 2 cases were T3N1M0, 1 case was T3N2M0, 2 cases were T4N1M0. After laryngectomy, the size of circular hypopharyngeal defect ranged from 9.0 cm×8.5 cm to 12.0 cm×10.5 cm. The size of TAAP flap ranged from 7.0 cm×4.0 cm to 9.5 cm×6.0 cm．The size of pectoralis major flap ranged from 9.0 cm×5.0 cm to 14.5 cm×6.0 cm．The donor sites were closed directly in all cases. Results Postoperatively all flaps survived smoothly, and all defects healed by first intention. No early complication was noted. The mean hospital stay period ranged from 12 to 22 days (mean, 14.5 days). All patients were followed up 12-45 months (mean, 18.7 months). Patients possessed good appearance of surgical sites. No recurrence, fistulas, stenosis/strictures, dehiscence, or swelling occurred. Only linear scars were left on the donor sites, and the pectoralis major muscle function was completely preserved in all patients. Conclusion Patients with high comorbidities may not be suitable candidates for free flap reconstruction, especially when the recipient vessels are affected from disease or radiotherapy. Pedicled chimeric TAAP flap is a good choice for the reconstruction of hypopharyngeal defects in such conditions．
ObjectiveTo investigate the influencing factors of flap-related complications and the economic benefits of intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) angiography in the patients undergoing autologous breast reconstruction.MethodsBetween July 2013 and June 2018, the clinical data of 150 patients (152 breasts) who met the selection criteria after autologous breast reconstruction were analyzed retrospectively. Ten factors including age, body mass index, preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC), chest radiation history, diabetes, abdominal operation history, chest wall reconstruction, reconstruction timing, flap type, intraoperative ICG angiography were analyzed by univariate analysis. Significant variables found in univariate analysis were used to perform backward multivariate logistic regression of flap related complications and local necrosis. According to the above multi factor analysis results, the patients were divided into 4 groups: ICG+NC group (group A), ICG+non-NC group (group B), non-ICG+NC group (group C), non-ICG+non-NC group (group D). The average extra costs of surgical treatment (including ICG imaging cost+cost of handling flap related complications) of each group was calculated.ResultsAll the 152 flaps survived. There were 33 flap-related complications, including 22 regional necrosis, 9 regional infection, 5 hematoma, 5 simple fat liquefaction, and 2 anasto-motic thrombosis. Univariate analysis showed that preoperative NC, flap type, and intraoperative ICG angiography had significant influence on the incidence of flap-related complications (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative NC and non-ICG angiography were the risk factors of flap-related complications (P<0.05), and also the risk factors of regional flap necrosis (P<0.05). For patients who had NC, intraoperative ICG angiography could greatly save the average extra costs. The average extra costs in group A was 1 378 yuan less than that in group C. For the patients without NC, intraoperative ICG angiography would increase the average extra costs, which was 747 yuan in group B more than that in group D.ConclusionIn autologous breast reconstruction, ICG angiography can reduce the incidence of flap-related complications, especially the incidence of regional flap necrosis, while NC is the opposite. For patients without NC, ICG angiography is not cost-effective but still can be used if conditions permit. However, for those with NC, ICG angiography is cost-effective and recommended.