Objective To investigate the effectiveness of repairing severe cicatricial contracture deformity in the web-space by kite-like incision combined with full-thickness skin grafting. Methods Between June 2008 and September 2011, 31 patients (87 web-spaces) with severe cicatricial contracture deformities in the web-spaces were treated. There were 24 males and 7 females, aged 5-43 years (median, 22 years). The causes of injuries were flame burn (26 cases), scald (3 cases), electric arc burn (1 case), and chemical burn (1 case). The degree of burn was deep second degree (14 cases) and third degree (17 cases). The interval time from injury to operation was 10 months to 17 years (median, 2.2 years). The kite-like incision was marked on the scar in the web-space. The rhombic scar between the adjacent metacarpophalangeal joints was excised, and cicatricial contracture was released completely. The secondary wound in the web-space was repaired with full-thickness autogeneic skin grafting. The secondary wound at donor site was directly sutured. Results All full-thickness skin grafts survived well. The incisions at donor sites healed primarily. Of 31 patients, 29 (82 web-spaces) were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 13 months). The sizes and depths of reconstructed web-spaces were similar to those of normal ones. No secondary cicatricial contracture was observed, and the function of fingers recovered well. Conclusion The short-term effectiveness is satisfactory by kite-like incision combined with full-thickness skin grafting for repairing severe cicatricial contracture deformities in the web-space, while the long-term effectiveness needs further observation.
Objective To observe the effectiveness of vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) combined with anti-takenskin graft on open amputation wound by comparing with direct anti-taken skin graft. Methods Between March 2005 andJune 2010, 60 cases of amputation wounds for limbs open fractures were selected by using the random single-blind method.The amputation wounds were treated with VSD combined with anti-taken skin graft (test group, n=30) and direct anti-takenskin graft (control group, n=30). No significant difference was found in age, gender, injury cause, amputation level, defect size,preoperative albumin index, or injury time between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). In test group, the redundant stump skin was usedto prepare reattached staggered-meshed middle-thickness skin flap by using a drum dermatome deal ing after amputation,which was transplanted amputation wounds, and then the skin surface was covered with VSD for continuous negative pressuredrainage for 7-10 days. In control group, wounds were covered by anti-taken thickness skin flap directly after amputation, andconventional dress changing was given. Results To observe the survival condition of the skin graft in test group, the VSDdevice was removed at 8 days after operation. The skin graft survival rate, wound infection rate, reamputation rate, times ofdressing change, and the hospital ization days in test group were significantly better than those in control group [ 90.0% vs.63.3%, 3.3% vs. 20.0%, 0 vs. 13.3%, (2.0 ± 0.5) times vs. (8.0 ± 1.5) times, and (12.0 ± 2.6) days vs. (18.0 ± 3.2) days, respectively](P lt; 0.05). The patients were followed up 1-3 years with an average of 2 years. At last follow-up, the scar area and grading, and twopointdiscrimination of wound in test group were better than those in control group, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05).No obvious swelling occurred at the residual limbs in 2 groups. The limb pain incidence and the residual limb length were betterin test group than those in control group (P lt; 0.05). Whereas, no significant difference was found in the shape of the residual limbs between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). In comparison with the contralateral limbs, the muscle had disuse atrophy and decreasedstrength in residual limbs of 2 groups. There was significant difference in the muscle strength between normal and affected limbs(P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found in affected limbs between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Comparedwith direct anti-taken skin graft on amputation wound, the wound could be closed primarily by using the VSD combined withanti-taken skin graft. At the same time it could achieve better wound drainage, reduce infection rate, promote good adhesion ofwound, improve skin survival rate, and are beneficial to lower the amputation level, so it is an ideal way to deal with amputationwound in the phase I.
Objective To investigate the cl inical effect of Meek technique skin graft in treating exceptionally large area burns. Methods The cl inical data were retrospectively analysed from 10 cases of exceptionally large area burns treated with Meek technique skin graft from April 2009 to February 2010 (Meek group), and were compared with those from 10 casesof exceptionally large area burns treated with the particle skin with large sheet of skin allograft transplantation from January 2002 to December 2006 (particle skin group). In Meek group, there were 8 males and 2 females with an average age of 34.5 years (range, 5-55 years), including 6 cases of flame burns, 2 cases of hot l iquid burns, 1 case of electrical burn, and 1 case of hightemperature dust burn. The burn area was 82.6% ± 3.1% of total body surface area (TBSA). The most were deep II degree to III degree burns. The time from burn to hospital ization was (3.5 ± 1.3) hours. In particle skin group, there were 8 males and 2 females with an average age of 36.8 years (range, 18-62 years), including 5 cases of flame burns, 2 cases of hot l iquid burns, and 3 cases of gunpowder explosion injury. The burn area was 84.1% ± 7.4% of TBSA. The most were deep II degree to III degree burns. The time from burn to hospital ization was (4.9 ± 2.2) hours. There was no significant difference in general data between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Results The skin graft survival rate, the time of skin fusion, the systemic wound heal ing time, and the treatment cost of 1% of burn area were 91.23% ± 5.61%, (11.14 ± 2.12) days, (38.89 ± 10.36) days, and (5 113.28 ± 552.44) yuan in Meek group, respectively; and were 78.65% ± 12.29%, (18.37 ± 4.63）days, (48.73 ± 16.92) days, and (7 386.36 ± 867.64) yuan in particle skin group; showing significant differences between 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Meek technique skin graft has good effect in treating exceptionally large area burns with the advantages of high survival rate of skin graft, short time of skin fusion, and low treatment cost of 1% of burn area.
Objective To investigate the effect of scrotal septum vascular pedicle flap with two wing-l ike spl itthickness skin graft in reconstructing urethra in patients with hypospadias and in reducing the compl ications. Methods From January 2007 to March 2008, 30 cases of hypospadias were treated, with a median age of 10 years (2-20 years). There were 13 cases of proximal shaft type, 12 cases of penoscrotal type and 5 cases of scrotal type. There were 8 cases with operation history. The flap size ranged from 4.0 cm × 0.8 cm to 9.0 cm × 1.0 cm and 5 mm with two wing-l ike spl it-thickness skin graft.When the downward curvature corrected, length of the flap could be determined by the length of the urethra that neededto be reconstructed. Results All flaps survived. The incision healed by first intention in all patients except one whose incision healed after change dressing because of frequent erection. Incision at donor site healed well. Eighteen patients were followed up for 6-12 months, including 8 with second operation history. The reconstructed urethras were unobstructed and no urethrostenosis or urinary fistula happened. Conclusion This is an improved technique of the scrotal septum flap in urethra reconstruction. It takes advantages of both flap and spl it-thickness skin graft in reconstructing urethra and avoides the disadvantages of a single tissue. It is a good choice for treating hypospadias whose urinary meatus locates neighborly to penoscrotal junctional zone.
Objective To investigate the expression of c-kit in human intermediate-spl it-thickness skin grafts and normal skin, and to recognize the role of c-kit in hyperpigmented process of the skin grafts. Methods The hyperpigmented intermediate-spl it-thickness skin grafts of 16 patients’ face and cervicum 1 year after operation was harvested and the normal skins around the recipient site and the donor site were used as controls. Envision immunohistochemical technique was usedto detect the expression and distribution of c-kit in the skin grafts and in the normal control skins, respectively. Medical image quantitative analysis system was used to quantitate the positive expression index (PI). Results The expression of c-kit was located in endochylema and cytolemma of melanocytes and keratinocytes in the basilar part of epidermis. The positive expression of c-kit was obvious in the intermediate-spl it-thickness skin grafts and blown zone was observed in the basilar part of epidermis; and was not obvious and local in normal control skins. The PI of c-kit in the intermediate-spl it-thickness skin grafts (131 216 ± 19 130) was significantly higher than that in the normal skin around the recipient site (92 958 ± 16 208) and in the normal skin around the donor site (91 306 ± 8 135); showing statistically significant difference (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The expression of c-kit in intermediate-spl it-thickness skin grafts increases remarkably compared with that in normal control skin. c-kit may play an important adjusting role in the process of hyperpigmentation of skin grafts．
OBJECTIVE: To select a satisfactory surgical approach in vaginoplasty with minimum injury and maximum effectiveness. METHODS: From January 1997 to December 1998, 86 cases of congenital absence of vagina were treated by three types of vaginoplasty, using abdominal skin graft, fetal skin graft and vulvar-inguinal skin flap respectively. The duration of operation and hospitalization, the wound healing of donor site, as well as the moist sensation of the artificial vagina and the sexual life quality were compared among the three types of vaginoplasty. RESULTS: Compared with those by abdominal skin graft and vulvar-inguinal skin flaps, the vaginoplasty by fetal skin graft had the shortest surgical duration (P lt; 0.01); the duration of hospitalization with fetal skin grafting was shorter than that of abdominal skin grafting (P lt; 0.01) but almost the same as that of vulvar-inguinal skin transferring (P gt; 0.05). The fetal skin grafting had minimum injury. Moreover, artificial vagina by fetal skin grafting had the best moist sensation and the most satisfactory sexual life quality (P lt; 0.01). CONCLUSION: In view of the minimum injury and maximum mimic of nature vagina, the vaginoplasty by fetal skin graft is the most ideal approach among the three types of vaginoplasty investigated in this trial.
Patients receiving venous skin grafts having 3 different patterns of nutrient supply were introduced. It was considered that the venous skin graft had contain role in the repair of skin defects of fingers and dorsum of hands. The mechanism of the survival of the venous skin graft was discussed. It was assumed that, in the early stage, the skin nutrient was possibly in relation with the effusion or exudation from the wound surface, and in the later stage, depended upon the collateral circulation established with the surrounding tissues.
ObjectiveTo investigate the application and effectiveness of split-thickness scalp graft and temporoparietal fascia flap in the low hairline auricle reconstruction in microtia patients. MethodsBetween July 2010 and April 2015, 23 patients with low hairline microtia (23 ears) underwent low hairline auricle reconstruction. There were 16 males and 7 females with the mean age of 12 years (range, 6-34 years). The left ear was involved in 10 cases, and the right ear in 13 cases. There were 18 cases of lobule-type, 4 cases of concha-type, and 1 case of small conchatype. Referring to Nagata's two-stage auricular reconstruction method, the first stage operation included fabrication and grafting of autogenous costal cartilage framework; after 6 months, second stage operation of depilation and formation of cranioauricular sulcus was performed. The split-thickness scalp was taken from the part of the reconstructive ear above hairline. The hair follicles and subcutaneous tissue layers in hair area were cut off during operation. The area of depilation and auriculocephalic sulcus were covered with temporoparietal fascia flap. Then split-thickness skin was implanted on the surface of temporoparieta fascia flap. ResultsAll operations were successfully completed. Healing of incision by first intention was obtained, without related complication. The patients were followed up 6-20 months (mean, 12 months). The reconstructed ear had satisfactory appearance and had no hair growth. ConclusionThe application of splitthickness scalp graft and temporoparietal fascia flap in low hairline auricle reconstruction in microtia patients can achieve satisfactory results.
ObjectiveTo explore the short-term effectiveness of hypospadias repairs with free inner prepuce tube. MethodsForty-two males with hypospadias were repaired with free inner prepuce tube between May and October 2015. The age ranged from 1 year and 1 month to 28 years and 2 months with a median of 2 years and 9 months. Initial operation for hypospadias was performed in 41 cases and re-operation in 1 case of chordee after 16 months of hypospadias repair. There were 36 cases of hypospadias (6 cases of proximal penile type, 1 case of penile scrotal type, 26 cases of scrotal type, and 3 cases of perineal type) and 6 cases of typeⅣchordee according to Donnahoo classification criteria. ResultsThe length of reconstructed urethra was 2.0-5.5 cm (mean, 3.6 cm). The patients were followed up 6-10 months (mean, 8 months). Urinary fistulae was noted in 10 patients, which healed spontaneously in 5 cases within 3 months after surgery, and was cured after repair in 5 cases. Urethral stenosis occurred in 4 cases (2 external orifice stricture and 2 distal urethral stricture) and urethral incision was performed. Wound infection was noted in 3 cases, 2 of them needed further surgery for a permanent fistula. Skin ischemic necrosis was found in 3 cases, 1 of them had infection and fistula, and needed further surgical repair. Diverticulum of scrotum developed in 1 case. Ten patients need re-operation, and the success rate was 76.2% (32/42). At 3 months after surgery, the HOSE score ranged from 11 to 16 (mean, 14.7). The maximum urinary flow rate was 1.9-28.4 mL/s (mean, 10.5 mL/s) in 22 cases of outpatient at 3 months after surgery. ConclusionFree inner prepuce tube can survive and play a role of normal neourethra. The short-term effectiveness has shown a relatively high complication rate and suggests this procedure should be carefully applied.
Objective To evaluate the clinical outcomes of free perforator flaps combined with skin graft for reconstruction of ankle and foot soft tissue defects. Methods Between June 2014 and October 2015, 20 cases of ankle and foot soft tissue defects were treated. There were 16 males and 4 females, aged from 19 to 61 years (mean, 43.3 years). Injury was caused by traffic accident in 7 cases, by crashing in 9 cases, and machine twist in 4 cases. The locations were the ankle in 6 cases, the heel in 3 cases, the dorsum pedis in 4 cases, and the plantar forefoot in 7 cases of avulsion injury after toes amputation. The size of wound ranged from 15 cm×10 cm to 27 cm×18 cm. The time from injury to treatment was from 11 to 52 days (mean, 27 days). The anterolateral thigh perforator flap was used in 11 cases, thoracodorsal antery perforator flap in 3 cases, medial sural artery perforator flap in 4 cases, deep inferior epigastric perforator flap in 1 case, and anteromedial thigh perforator flap in 1 case, including 5 chimeric perforator flaps, 5 polyfoliate perforator flaps, 3 flow-through perforator flaps, and 3 conjoined perforator flaps. The size of the perforator flap ranged from 10.0 cm×6.5 cm to 36.0 cm×8.0 cm, the size of skin graft from 5 cm×3 cm to 18 cm×12 cm. Results Venous crisis occurred in 2 flaps which survived after symptomatic treatment; 18 flaps survived successfully and skin grafting healed well. The follow-up time ranged 4-18 months (mean, 8.3 months). The flaps had good appearance, texture and color, without infection. The patients could walk normally and do daily activities. Only linear scars were observed at the donor sites. Conclusion Free perforator flap can be used to reconstruct defects in the ankle and foot, especially in the weight-bearing area of the plantar forefoot. A combination of free perforator flap and skin graft is ideal in reconstruction of great soft tissue defects in the ankle and foot.