Objective To introduce the experience of the cl inical appl ication of vertical trapezius myocutaneous flap in repairing soft tissue defects after head and neck tumor resection. Methods Between June 2008 and February 2010, 12 cases of soft tissue defect caused by head and neck tumor resection were repaired with vertical trapezius myocutaneous flap.There were 9 males and 3 females with an age range from 32 to 76 years (median, 54 years). Twelve cases including 2 cases of basal cell carcinoma of orbital skin, 2 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland, 2 cases of submandibular gland mal ignant mixed tumor, 2 cases of metastatic lymph nodes of nasopharyngea carcinoma after radiotherapy, 1 case of squamous cell carcinoma of tongue, and 3 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of occipital skin, and all were classified as TNM stages T3 or T4. The area of soft tissue defect ranged from 13 cm × 6 cm to 25 cm × 13 cm. The vertical trapezius myocutaneous flap ranged from 14 cm × 7 cm to 26 cm × 14 cm and was transfered to repair defect tissue in the homolateral wounds after tumor resection and neck dissection homochronously. The donor sites were sutured directly. Results All incisions healed primarily without infection. Eleven flaps survived except 1 flap with edge necrosis, which was cured after dressing change. Subcutaneous hematocele and effusion occurred in 2 cases on the back after tube was removed at 7 days postoperatively, and they were cured by sucted and pressured dressing. Eleven patients were followed up 1-3 years (mean, 2 years). Nine cases had no tumor recurrence and the flaps had statisfactory appearance; the abduction function of shoulder joint were normal. One case of orbit basal cell carcinoma occurred 3 months after operation and 1 case of nasopharyngeal carcinoma died of brain metastasis 12 months after operation. Conclusion It is an easy and simple therapy to repair head and neck soft tissue defect using the vertical trapezius myocutaneous flap, which can meet the needs of repairing tissue defect of head and neck.
Objective To evaluate the results of the reconstruction of the soft tissue defects following the en block resection of tongue cancer using free anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps. Methods From November 2006 to December 2008, 109 cases underwent the reconstruction of the soft tissue defects following the en block resection of tongue cancer using free anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps. There were 75 males and 34 females with an age of 23-75 years (50.4 yearson average). The disease course was 1-6 months. According to 2002 International Union Control Cancer (IUCC) criterionfor TNM stage, there were 35 cases of T2N0M0, 8 cases of T2N1M0, 2 cases of T2N2M0, 31 cases of T3N0M0, 12 cases of T3N1M0, 7 cases of T3N2M0, 5 cases of T4N0M0, 4 cases of T4N1M0, 3 cases of T4N2M0, and 2 cases of T4N3M0. The range of tongue defect was 5 cm × 3 cm to 12 cm × 8 cm. The flap area ranged from 7 cm × 4 cm to 20 cm × 8 cm. Eighty-two patients with T3, T4 and positive lymph node metastasis determined by pathological examination after operation received radiotherapy. The vital ity of the flaps and the heal ing of the wounds were observed postoperatively. The shape and function of the reconstructed tongue were determined, the influences on function at donor site were evaluated and the flap tolerance to radiotherapy was investigated during the follow-up period. Results Mouth floor mandibular fistula occurred in 5 cases 5-7 days after operation, seroma formation in 1 case and wound dehiscence in another case at the donor site; the wounds healed by secondary intention after dressing. The other wounds healed primarily. All 105 flaps survived completely, 3 flaps developed partial necrosis 3-5 days after operation, the wounds healed after dressing; and 1 flap failed 3 days after operation, then it was removed and defects was repaired using pectoral is major muscle flap. Bl isters occurred in 8 flaps (all being thinning flaps) 1 day after operation. The overall complete survival of the flap was 96.3% (105/109). The patients were followed up for 0.5-2.5 years (1.2 years onaverage). Although the flaps had a l ittle atrophy, the shape of the reconstructed tongue was still satisfactory with suitable tonguemandibular groove. No depression was observed in the mandibular region. The speech as well as swallowing function were well recovered. The scar was easily hidden with no important functional impairment at the donor site. No flap necrosis occurred in all the patients who received postoperative radiotherapy. Conclusion Free anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flap transplantation is safe and rel iable, and it has the advantages of the better result at the recipient site, the less morbidity at the donor site, fewer postoperative compl ications and excellent tolerance to radiotherapy. So it is an ideal flap to repair soft tissue defects following the en block resection of tongue cancer.
Objective To investigate cl inical effect and prognosis of the modified sternocleidomastoid (MSCM) myocutaneous flap for reconstruction of tissue defects in patients with oral carcinomas undergoing tumorectomy. Methods From April 2001 to January 2007, 43 patients with large or medium-sized tissue defects because of oral carcinomas radical operation were treated with MSCM myocutaneous flap. There were 31 males and 12 females with an average age of 58.5 years(25-76 years). The disease course was 25 days to 14 months (4.5 months on average). There were 27 cases of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SC), 14 cases of poorly-differentiated SC, 1 case of rhabdomyosarcoma, and 1 case of adenoid cystic carcinoma. Affected locations were tongue in 25 cases, mouth floor in 11 cases, lower gingiva in 4 cases, and buccal mucous membranes in 3 cases. According to 2002 International Union Control Cancer criterion for cl inical stage, there were 3 cases of stage I, 13 cases of stage II, 7 cases of stage III, and 20 cases of stage IV. Both the ranges of soft tissue defects and the flap were from 4 cm × 3 cm to 8 cm × 6 cm. The vital ity of the flaps and the heal ing of wounds were observed postoperatively. The function restoration of deglutition and dehisce were observed during the follow-up period. Results Necrosis of quarter MSCM myocutaneous flap occurred in 3 cases 1 week after operation, wounds healed by secondary intention after dressing; other flaps were survival. Infection with fluidify occurred at the donor site of 2 cases, wounds healed by incision and drainage; other incision at the donor sites healed primarily. No arterial or venous crisis occurred in all 43 flaps after 48 hours of operation. Thirty-nine patients were followed up for 6 months to 6 years. The 3 patients with buccal carcinoma could open their mouths normally. The function of deglutition and pronunciation were recovered in 24 patients with tongue carcinoma. Only 3 patients needed to have soft diet after operation. In 26 patients who were followed up above 2 years, oral metaplasia of the the skin flaps epithel ium was observed. Four patients and 2 patients recurred and died after 6 months and 1 year of operation, respectively.Two patients received the second operation after 6 months because of the metastatic lymph node, and survived up to now. The 2-year survival rate was 85%. Conclusion MSCM myocutaneous flap is simple to perform and effective in reconstruction of tissue defects for patients with oral carcinomas. It has active effect to recover the function of oral and axillofacial region and elevate l iving qual ity of patients.
Objective To discuss and evalue the effects and the advantages of pectoral is major myocutaneous flap in repair of defect caused by resection of tonsillar cancer. Methods The data were retrospectively summarized from 10 patients with recurrent tonsillar cancer after radical radiotherapy from January 1998 to December 2005, including 7 cases of squamouscell carcinoma, 2 cases of undifferentiated carcinoma, and 1 case of adenoid cystic carcinoma. There were 8 males and 2 females, aged 43-68 years with an average of 58 years. All cases were classified as stages III and IV before radiotherapy according to staging standard of oropharyngeal cancer (International Union Against Cancer, 1997). The time of relapse was 6-32 months after radiotherapy. Recurrent tonsil cancer invased tongue base, soft palate, posterior wall of pharyngeal, parapharyngeal space, and palate. Tumor size was from 4 cm × 2 cm to 8 cm × 5 cm. Seven cases were accompanied by lymph node metastasis. After carcinoma were completely resected and defects were reconstructed by pectoral is major myocutaneous flap of 7 cm × 5 cm- 12 cm × 9 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly. Results After operation, pectoral is major myocutaneous flap completely survived in 9 cases. Partial necrosis of pectoral is major myocutaneous flap was found in 1 case; after treatment, the necrotic flap remained small pharyngeal defect. Incision at donor site healed by first intention in 10 cases. All patients showed satisfactory functions of respiratory, voice, and swallowing with no compl ication. Ten patients were followed up 2 years to 5 years and 8 months. The 3-year survival rate was 66.7% (6/9), and the 5-year survival rate was 20.0% (1/5). Conclusion Pectoral is major muscle flap has a high survival rate, which is safe, rel iable, easy-to-operate, and can repair larger defect. Pectoral is major myocutaneous flap is an ideal material in repair of defect caused by resection of recurrent tonsillar carcinoma after radiotherapy.
Objective To evaluate the feasibil ity and cl inical significance of the computed tomography angiography (CTA) for the latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) flap transplantation. Methods From September 2007 to August 2008, 3 cases of soft tissue defects in l imbs were treated with LDM flap transplantation. Three patients included 2 males and 1 female whowere 23 to 42 years old. All of soft tissue defects were caused by trauma. The locations were the forearm in 2 cases and the leg in 1 case. The area of defect was 17 cm × 8 cm-20 cm × 10 cm. All cases received CTA to observe the distribution and anastomosis of thoracodorsal artery. Subsequently, three-dimensional computer reconstruction were carried out to display the stereoscopic structure of the LDM flap and to design the LDM flap before operation. Results The anatomy characteristic of LDM flap can be displayed accurately by the three-dimensional reconstruction model. The distribution of thoracodorsal artery in 3 cases of flaps was in concordance with preoperative design completely. All the flaps were excised successfully, the area of the flap was 19 cm × 10 cm-22 cm × 12 cm. All the transferred flaps survived completely. All cases were followed up from 4 months to 12 months. The color and texture of the flaps were good. Conclusion The three-dimensional reconstructive images can provide visible, stereoscopic and dynamic anatomy for cl inical appl ication of LDM flap. The digitized three-dimensional reconstructive models of LDM flap structures can be appl ied in cl inical training and pre-operative design.
Objective To study the therapeutic effect of combining vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) with gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap on the repair of soft tissue defect caused by the resection of sacral tumors. Methods From June2007 to June 2008, 6 patients with skin and soft tissue necrosis in the sacrococcygeal region, deep infection, and formation of cavity at 3-6 weeks after sacral tumors resection were treated. There were 4 males and 2 females aged 17-51 years old. The size of skin and soft tissue defects ranged from 15 cm × 11 cm × 6 cm to 20 cm × 18 cm × 7 cm. Every patient underwent VSD treatment for 7-10 days, and the recombinant bovine bFGF was injected into the wound intermittently for 7-14 days (250-300 U/ cm2 once, twice daily). The wound was repaired by either the gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap (5 cases) or the lumbar-gluteus flap (1 case), and those flaps were 9 cm × 9 cm-20 cm × 18 cm in size. The donor site were sutured or repaired with spl itthickness skin graft. Results All the flaps survived uneventfully. The wound healed by first intention in 5 cases, but 1 case suffered from fat l iquefaction 2 weeks after operation and healed after drainage and dressing change. All the donor sites healed by first intention, and all the skin grafts survived uneventfully. All the patients were followed up for 6-10 months, there was no relapse of sacral tumor, and the flaps showed no obvious swell ing with good color and elasticity. Conclusion With fewer compl ications, the combination of VSD and gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap is a safe and rel iable operative method for repairing the skin and soft tissue defects caused by the resection of sacral tumors.
Objective To observe an early result after the repair of the large upper thoracic wall defect by a combined use of the titaniumnet, reconstruction nickelclad, and latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap in a patient who underwent a breast sarcomatoid caricinoma resection on the upper thoracic wall. Methods A breast sarcomatoid carcinoma in the upper thoracic wall was removed in 1 56yearold female patient in February 2006. After the tumorectomy, a large thoracic wall defect was left, which was 20cm×15cm in size. The defect was covered by the titanium net, the bilateral stumps of the clavicles were connected by the reconstruction nickelclad, and the soft tissue defect was repaired with the right latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap(20cm×15cm). Results The patient depended on the breathing machine for 3 days after operation. When the breathing machine was discontinued, the patient developed a severe paradoxical breathing. Two weeks after operation when theblood circulation of the flap was stabilized, the paradoxical breathing disappeared with the help of the chest bandage for fixation of the chest cavity, and the blood supply of the flap was improved. The chest X-ray film showed that the titanium net and the reconstruction nickelclad were well positioned. The patient received chemotherapy 1 month after operation, The follow-up for 3 months revealed that the patient’s local condition and physical condition were good, and ROMof both the shoulders was improved, with AF 90° and ABD 90°. No recurrence ofthe tumor was found. Conclusion A large thoracic wall defect should be repaired with solid materials. The normal anatomic locations of the clavicles should be maintained with fixation by the reconstruction nickelclad for a good function of the shoulders. The latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap can be properly enlarged.
Objective To evaluate the preliminary effect of using the sternal head of the sternocleidomastoid myocutaneous flap to reconstuct a defect in the maxillofacial region. Mathods From May 2004 to September 2006, 5 male patients aged 2334 underwent the reconstruction for the defect in the maxillofacial region by using the sternal head of the sternocleidomastoid myocutaneous flap. Their defects were caused by an infection of the face, an injection of medicine in the mother’s uterus or a scar or depressed abnormality left by an electric injury. The defects ranged in size from 5 cm×3 cm to 9 cm×6 cm. Results All the 5 sternocleidomastoid myocutaneous flaps survived, with a little necrosis of the epidermis because of the venous return disturbance, but 2-3 weeks after operation the necrosis healed spontaneously with just a little scar formation around the flap. One patient had weakness in the left shoulder after operation, which almost recovered 6 months after operation. The postoperative follow-up for 1-6 months revealed that 1 patient had a little fat and clumsy appearance in the flap pedicle, 1 patient had an obvious scar at the operation site, but the 2 patients still felt satisfaction. The other 3patients were satisfied with their good appearance at the operation sites. Conclusion The sternal head of the sternocleidomastoid myocutaneous flap can be designed with more flexibility compared with the entire sternocleidomastoid myocutaneous flap. It can provide an enough tissue mass for restoring the defect. The sternal head of the sternocleidomastoid myocutaneous flap is an ideal tissue flap for restoring defects in the maxillofacial region.
Objective To study the methods and results of a combination of forehead skin flap and sternocleidomastoid island myocutaneous flap in the reconstruction of large through-andthrough defect of check. Methods One case of check cancer received ampliative resection and functional neck dissection. The defect area of the skin side was 9 cm×7 cm, of the mucosa side 4.5 cm×3.0 cm.The defect of the mucosa side was repaired with sternocleidomastoid island myocutaneous flap which blood supply was from thyroidea superior artery, occipitalis artery and carotis extera vein; of the skin side with forehead skin flap which blood supply was from temporalis superficialis artery and vein. The size of the sternocleidomastoid island myocutaneous flap was 5 cm×3 cm, of the forehead skin flap10 cm×6 cm. Results Two flaps and the split survived after operation. One-stage healing was achieved. The patient was discharged from hospital 2 weeks afteroperation.The color and the quality were good.The tumor did not recur during follow-up of one year. The patient could take care of herself, and she lived normally in talk and diet. Conclusion A combination of forehead skinflap and sternocleidomastoid island myocutaneous flap is a useful method to repair large through-and-through defect of cheek after cancer dissection. It is easy-to-operate and economical.
Objective To investigate the clinical effect ofthe pectoralis major myocutaneous flap and Ti-plate system in repairing mandibular defects caused by resection of oral carcinoma.Methods From November 2001 to February 2003, 32patients with mandibular defect caused by resection of oral carcinoma were treated. Combined radical neck dissection with resection of gingival and mandible was performed on 11 patients with carcinoma of the lower gingival, combined radical neck dissection with glossectomy and mandibulectory on 13 patients with carcinoma of tongue, combined radical neck dissection with resection of floor of mouthand mandible on 4 patients with carcinoma of floor of mouth, and combined radical neck dissection with resection of cheek and mandible on 4 patients with carcinoma of buccal mucosa, respectively. The defects of mandible were associated with soft-tissue component, the sizes of defect ranged from 5.5 cm×7.6 cm to 8.2 cm×10.5 cm. The defects were reconstructed with 6 cm×7 cm to 9 cm×10 cm pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps and Tiplate system. The effect was studied retrospectively. Results Thirty-two cases were followed for 219 months; 29 cases offlaps survived and 3 cases of flaps partly necrosed (10% or less of the skin paddle). The appearance of face was satisfactory in 27 patients, and slight deformity of face was observed in 5 patients. The occluding relation and masticatory function were recovered well. Opening mouth extents ranged from 2.7 cm to 3.4 cm. No temporomandibular arthrosis relating to operation was found in all cases. Conclusion A combination of thhe pectoralis major myocut aneous flap and Ti-plate system is an ideal method for reconstruction of mandible defects associated with soft-tissue component after radical operation of oral carcinoma.