Objective To investigate a best method of obtaining the sural neurofasciocutaneous flap by observing the models of different pedicles based sural neurofasciocutaneous flaps in rabbits and the effect of different pedicles on the survival of the flaps. Methods Forty adult New Zealand rabbits (male or female, weighing 2.5-3.0 kg) were randomly divided into 4 groups (10 rabbits in each). The flaps of 7 cm × 1 cm were designed at the lateral hind legs, and the pedicle was 0.5 cmin length. In group A, the flaps were elevated based on a single perforator pedicle; in group B, the flaps were elevated based on fascia pedicle; in group C, the flaps were elevated based on perforator-plus fascia pedicle; and in group D, the flaps were elevated and sutured in situ. At 7 days after operation, the flap survival rate was recorded, and the blood flow in the center of the flap was monitored by laser doppler flowmetry. The perfusion unit (PU) was measured. Results After operation, the flaps had no obvious swell ing, and the flaps had good color at the proximal end, but pale at the distal end in groups A and B. Obvious swell ing was observed with pale color at the distal flaps in group C, but swell ing decreased gradually. However, the skin color became dark gradually in group D after operation. The flap survival rates were 74.0% ± 2.7%, 60.0% ± 2.5%, 75.0% ± 3.5%, and 0 in groups A, B, C, and D respectively after 7 days of operation. The PU values were 83.39 ± 4.25, 28.96 ± 13.49, 81.85 ± 5.93, and 8.10 ± 3.36 in groups A, B, C, and D respectively. There were significant differences in flap survival rates and PU values between groups A, B, C and group D (P lt; 0.05). Significant differences were found between groups A, C and group B (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference between group A and group C (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion The sural neurofasciocutaneous flap based on a single perforator pedicle has a rel iable blood supply and enough venous drainage, which is one of the best methods to obtain the sural neurofasciocutaneous flap.
To introduce a new technique for vascular pedicle elongation in the anterolateral thigh island flap transplantation and evaluate the outcome of this technique in the clinical application. Methods From January 2003 to January 2006, 6 patients (5 males, 1 female; age, 1849 years) were admitted for surgical operation because of the soft tissue defect around the knee joint. The soft tissue defect after the injury was found in 3 patients, the defect after the removal of the softtissue tumor in 1, and the defect after the prosthetic replacement in the knee joint in 2. The soft tissue defects ranged in size of 8 cm×4 cm to 15 cm ×6 cm. When the anterolateral island flap of the thigh underwent the reverse transplantation, the ascending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery was used as a nutrient vessel for the flap, and the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoralartery was separated to the distal part. The main trunk of the lateral circumflex femoral artery was ligated at the point that was proximal to the furcation ofthe ascending and decending branches so that the vessel pedicle of the flap could be lengthened and then the defect was repaired.The flaps ranged in size of 10cm×6 cm to 18 cm×8 cm Results All the flaps were successfullytransferred in the 6 patients. The lengthened pedicle ranged in length from 8 to 12 cm, with an average of 10 cm. There was no vascular crisis after operation. All the transferred flaps survived, with a color and texture similar to those in the recipient site. The postoperative followup for 6-18 months revealed that the motion range of the knees was satisfactory. Conclusion The vascular pedicle elongation technique can enlarge the application scope of the anterolateral thigh island flap and the survival rate of the flap is not influenced by any factor.
Objective To estimate clinical effect ofspin iliac deep vascular pedicled periosteum flap in repairing traumatic femoral neck of theca inside fracture in young and middleaged. Methods From April 1993 to September 2001, 12 cases of traumatic femoral neck fracture were given diaplastic operation with fixation of 3 centre hollow pressed bolt and were conducted under os traction bed and "C" arm X-ray machine. Spin iliac deep vascular pedicled periosteum flap wasstripped off, and transferred to the front of femoral neck fundus，then transplanted to the narrow inside of fracture through outer open door of articular capsule.Results All patients were followed up for 17 years. All fracture healedwithout femoral head necrosis, but mild arthritis appeared in 7 cases.Conclusion Vascular pedicled periosteum flap transfer of young and middle-aged femoral neck fracture, by decompression of femoral neck and reconstruction of blood circulation, can promote the fracture healing and decrease the wound and blood circulation destroy.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the anatomic feature and clinical application of the bone (periosteum) flap pedicled with upper muscular branches of lateral femoral muscle. METHODS: The anatomic features and distribution of upper muscular branches of lateral femoral muscle were observed in the lower extremities of 40 adult cadavers. From February 1989 to February 1999, 7 cases with bone defect or nonunion of upper part of femur were treated with transfer of bone (periosteum) flap pedicled with upper muscular branches of lateral femoral muscle. RESULTS: The upper muscular branches of lateral femoral muscle originated from the transversal branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery. The musculoperiosteal branch and periosteal branch were originated at 16.8 +/- 3.0 cm below the greater trochanter. The diameter and length of musculoperiosteal branch were 1.4 to 1.7 mm and 2.7 to 5.6 cm, those of the periosteal branch were 0.4 to 0.6 mm and 1.2 to 1.5 cm respectively. Bone union achieved in 10 to 18 weeks after operation in all 7 cases after 18 to 42 months follow-up. The motion of hip joint reached 180 degrees in 4 cases, 120 degrees in 2 cases and 65 degrees in 1 case. The donor area recovered well. CONCLUSION: The bone (periosteum) flap pedicled with upper muscular branches of lateral femoral muscle is an effective alternative for repairing the bone defect or nonunion of the upper or middle part of femur.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of vascular pedicled rib grafting in treatment of the pyogenic infection of the thoracolumbar intervertebral space. METHODS: From November 1993, 7 cases with pyogenic infection of the thoracolumbar intervertebral space were adopted in this study. Among them, there were 5 males and 2 females, aged from 29 to 58 years old. The position of pyogenic infection located at T10 to 11 in 3 cases, at T11 to 12 in 2 cases and at T12 to L1 in 2 cases. During operation, the pyogenic infection was cleared completely and the rib with vascular pedicle was grafted into the intervertebral space. RESULTS: Followed up for 10 to 60 months, the bone graft unioned in 3 months for 5 patients and unioned in 4 months for 2 patients. There was no recurrence and raised kyphosis. CONCLUSION: The technique of vascular pedicled rib graft is simple, it can shorten the bone union time and reconstruct the stability of spine.
Abstract From March, 1987 through May, 1996, a total of 13 cases of severe deep burn and bone defect of hand and wrist were treated by groin skin and iliac bone composite graft with vascular pedicle and had resulted in satisfactory result. The operation was relatively simple. Because thecomposite graft carried its own blood supply in the pedicle, it was not necessary to revascularize the composite graft by anastomosis of blood vessel during operation. Owing to the presence of abundant vascular supply of the iliac bone, the antiinfection potency was high, so its application was suitable for those conditions such as fresh severe deep burn with infection and bone defect. As a result, this technique gave the best chance to save the limb from amputation, and the duration required for treatment could be markedly shortened. This method provided the possibility to solve effectively the difficult problem dealing with the treatment of severe deep burn with infection and bone defect of the hand and wrist.
In order to seek a good method to treat the severe, complex damage of the digital flexor tendon, an anatomical study based on 30 cadavers was done, and the result showed that the source of the blood supply to the palmaris longus tendon was from the radial and ulnar arteries. Three cases of severe complex digital flexor tendon injuries were satisfactory. Its main advantages were: (1) The tendon transplant had its own blood supply and had no need to the revascularization, therefore the adhesion formed between the tendon and adjacent tisues might be less;(2) Besides reparing the tendon defect, it can simultaneously solve the problem of the defect of the soft tissues and the skin.
ObjectiveTo assess the long-term effectiveness of the transplantation of iliac bone flap pedicled with deep iliac circumflex vessels for treating avascular necrosis of femoral head (ANFH) at Ficat stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ. MethodsThirty-two cases (43 hips) of ANFH underwent iliac bone flap transplantation pedicled with deep iliac circumflex vessels between October 2000 and February 2006, and the clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. Of 32 cases, 27 were male (38 hips), and 5 were female (5 hips), aged 21-52 years (mean, 36.6 years); there were 8 cases (11 hips) of hormone ANFH, 18 cases (23 hips) of alcoholic ANFH, and 6 cases (9 hips) of idiopathic ANFH. The disease duration ranged from 2-52 months (mean, 8.2 months). According to Ficat staging criteria, 26 hips were classified as stage Ⅱ and 17 hips as stage Ⅲ. The preoperative Harris hip score (HSS) was 68.2±8.4. The HHS scores and X-ray photograph were compared between at pre-and post-operation to assess the outcomes clinically and radiologically. ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention. Two cases had numbness of the lateral femoral skin. Four patients (6 hips) failed to be followed up, and the other 28 cases were followed up 98-187 months (mean, 129.3 months). Five patients (6 hips) showed aggravation or no relief with progression to stage Ⅳ at 8-69 months, who received total hip arthroplasty. The 10-year survival rate was 83.78% (31/37). The HHS score was significantly increased to 86.7±9.0 at last follow-up (t=-48.313, P=0.000). The hip function was excellent in 9 hips, good in 13 hips, and fair in 9 hips, and the success rate was 75.68%. Radiographic examination showed signs of bone remodeling at 6-8 weeks. After bone healing, the femoral head density gradually became uniform. Until last follow-up, ANFH progressed from Ficat stage Ⅱ to Ⅲ in 5 hips, from Ficat stage Ⅱ to Ⅳ in 3 hips, and from Ficat stage Ⅲ to Ⅳ in 3 hips; complete hip shape, continuous Shenton line, and normal joint space were observed in the other 26 hips, and the radiographic success rate was 70.27% (26/37). ConclusionThe pedicled iliac bone flap transplantation for ANFH at Ficat stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ can provide good osteogenesis and vascular reconstruction of the femoral head. The long-term follow-up effectiveness is satisfactory.
Based on skin elasticity and mobility, V-Y advancement flaps are designed to repair wounds. Traditional V-Y flaps have been limited due to short advancing distance. With the development of perforator flaps and the application of microsurgical techniques, V-Y advancement flaps are gradually transiting from traditional random flaps to axial flaps containing well-known vessels or perforator arteries. The advancing distance of V-Y advancement flaps is significantly increased, and the design forms are gradually flexible and diversified. V-Y advancement flaps are widely used in clinical practice and can be used to repair wounds in almost all parts of the body. This article reviews the clinical application progress of V-Y advancement flaps to further promote its clinical application.