Objective To explore the clinical effect of different types of free tissue transplantation on repairing tissue defects and reconstructing functions. Methods From November 2001 to September 2004, 14 types of freetissue transplantation and 78 free tissue flaps were applied to repairing tissue defects and reconstructing functions in extremities and maxillofacial region in 69 cases. Of the 69 cases, there were 53 males and 16 females (their ages ranged from 18 to 56, 31 on average). Five cases were repaired because of skin defects in foot, 22 cases were repaired because of skin defects in leg, 36 cases were repaired as the result of skin defects in hand or forearm and finger reconstruction, 3 cases were restored by virtue of ulna or radius defects, and 3 cases were repaired in maxillofacial region. There were 55 cases of open wound, in which 16 cases were infectious wound, 6 cases were osteomyelitis or pyogenic arthritis. There were 14 cases of noninfectious wound. The area of these tissue flaps ranged from 2.0 cm×1.5 cm to 43.0 cm×12.0 cm. The length of bone transplantation ranged from 10 cm to 15 cm. Results Arterial crisis occurred in 2 cases, venous crisis occurred in 2 cases.Seventysix flaps survived completely and 2 flaps survived partially which werelater healed. Fiftytwo cases were healed at stageⅠ, 13 cases were healed at stageⅡ(healing time ranged from 20 to 30 days), purulent infection occurred to 4cases(healing time ranged from 3 to 11 months). Bone healing time ranged from 6 to 8 weeks in finger reconstruction. Bone healing time ranged from 4 to 6 months in fibula transplantation. The function reconstruction and appearance were satisfying. The functions of all regions, where free tissues were supplied, were not disturbed. Conclusion Tissue transplantation and composite tissue transplantation are effective in repairing tissue defects and reconstructing functions.
To evaluate the long-term result of free forearm skin flap in the repair of soft tissue defects of the oral and maxillofacial regions, 26 cases which had received radical resection of maxillofacial tumors were follow-up for 4.5 years. Twenty cases, having complete data were analyzed. In this series, There were 8 males and 12 females, with ages ranged from 40 to 69 years old. The size of the flaps ranged from 4 cm x 5 cm-6 cm x 13 cm. The radial artery and the cephalic vein were used as the donor vessels, and the maxillary artery, superior thyroid artery, external jugular vein and the anterior jugular vein were prepared as the recipient vessels. According to the shape, colour, temperature, sensation, mucosoid degree of the flap, the blood supply and function of hand and the configuration of the forearm, the overall results of the recepient regions in 20 cases were all satisfactory and the overall results of 16 cases donor regions were satifactory in 16 cases. The results were poor in 4 cases. The conclusion were: 1. Free forearm skin flap was worth trying in the repair of soft tissue defects of oral region; 2. The radial artery need not to be reconstructed because of the abandant vascular net-work in the upper limb and 3. The residual scar on the forearm was the main shortcoming, but most of the patients could tolerate it because of the obvious advantages received from the operation.