ObjectiveTo explore the application value of infrared thermography (IRT) technique assisted peroneal artery perforator flap in repairing oral and maxillofacial defects. MethodsThe clinical data of 20 patients with oral and maxillofacial malignant tumors treated with peroneal artery perforator flap between October 2020 and December 2021 were retrospectively analysed. There were 13 males and 7 females, with an average age of 56.5 years (range, 32-76 years). There were 8 cases of tongue cancer, 5 cases of parotid gland cancer, 4 cases of buccal cancer, and 3 cases of mandibular gingival cancer; and 12 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 3 cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma, and 5 cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) and IRT technique were performed before operation to locate the peroneal artery perforator and assist in the design of the flap. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of CDU and IRT technique were compared with the actual exploration during operation. The accuracy of CDU and IRT technique in detecting the number of peroneal artery perforator and the most viable perforating points was compared. The patients were followed up regularly to observe the recovery of donor and recipient sites, the occurrence of complications, and the recurrence and metastasis of tumors. Results The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of peroneal artery perforators detected by IRT technique before operation were 72.22%, 50.00%, 92.86%, and 16.67% respectively, which were higher than those by CDU (64.17%, 33.33%, 84.62%, and 14.29% respectively). Forty-five peroneal artery perforators were found by CDU before operation, and 35 were confirmed during operation, with an accuracy rate of 77.8%; 43 “hot spots” were found by IRT technique, and 32 peroneal artery perforators were confirmed within the “hot spots” range during operation, with an accuracy rate of 74.4%; there was no significant difference between the two methods (χ²=0.096, P=0.757). The accuracy rates of the most viable perforating points found by CDU and IRT technique were 80.95% (17/21) and 94.74% (18/19), respectively, and there was no significant difference between them (χ²=0.115, P=0.734). The localization errors of CDU and IRT technique were (5.12±2.10) and (4.23±1.87) mm, respectively, and there was no significant difference between them (t=1.416, P=0.165). All the perforator flaps survived, and the incisions of donor and recipient sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 5-18 months, with an average of 11 months. The skin flap was soft and had good blood supply, and the lower limb scar was concealed and the lower limb had good function. No lower limb swelling, pain, numbness, ankle instability, or other complications occurred, and no tumor recurrence and metastasis were found during the follow-up. Conclusion Compared with the CDU, using the IRT technique to assist the preoperative peroneal artery perforator flap design to repair the oral and maxillofacial defects has a high clinical application value.
Objective To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of mixed reality technology for localizing perforator vessels in the repair of mandibular defects using free fibular flap. Methods Between June 2020 and June 2023, 12 patients with mandibular defects were repaired with free fibular flap. There were 8 males and 4 females, with an average age of 61 years (range, 35-78 years). There were 9 cases of ameloblastomas and 3 cases of squamous cell carcinomas involving the mandible. The disease duration ranged from 15 days to 2 years (median, 14.2 months). The length of mandibular defects ranged from 5 to 14 cm (mean, 8.5 cm). The area of soft tissue defects ranged from 5 cm×4 cm to 8 cm×6 cm. Preoperative enhanced CT scans of the maxillofacial region and CT angiography of the lower limbs were performed, and the data was used to create three-dimensional models of the mandible and lower limb perforator vessels. During operation, the mixed reality technology was used to overlay the three-dimensional model of perforator vessels onto the body surface for harvesting the free fibular flap. The length of the fibula harvested ranged from 6 to 15 cm, with a mean of 9.5 cm; the size of the flap ranged from 6 cm×5 cm to 10 cm×8 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly in 7 cases and repaired with free skin grafting in 5 cases. Results Thirty perforator vessels were located by mixed reality technology before operation, with an average of 2.5 vessels per case; the distance between the exit point of the perforator vessels located before operation and the actual exit point ranged from 1 to 4 mm, with a mean of 2.8 mm. All fibular flaps survived; 1 case had necrosis at the distal end of flap, which healed after dressing changes. One donor site had infection, which healed after anti-inflammatory dressing changes; the remaining incisions healed by first intention, and the grafts survived smoothly. All patients were followed up 8-36 months (median, 21 months). The repaired facial appearance was satisfactory, with no flap swelling. Among the patients underwent postoperative radiotherapy, 2 patients had normal bone healing and 1 had delayed healing at 6 months. Conclusion In free fibular flap reconstruction of mandibular defects, the use of mixed reality technology for perforator vessel localization can achieve three-dimensional visualization, simplify surgical procedures, and reduce errors.