Objective To investigate the surgical method and effectiveness of repairing traumatic metacarpophalangeal joint defect by the composite tissue flap autograft of the second metatarsophalangeal joint. Methods Between June 2005 and December 2009, 6 cases (6 fingers) of traumatic metacarpophalangeal joint defect were treated with the composite tissue flap autograft of second metatarsophalangeal joint (containing extensor tendon, flexor tendon, proper digital nerve, planta or dorsal flap). All patients were males, aged 18-48 years, including 3 cases of mechanical injury, 2 cases of crush injury, and 1 case of penetrating trauma. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th metacarpophalangeal joints were involved in defects in 2 cases, repectively, and defects ranged from 1.5 cm × 1.5 cm to 3.0 cm × 2.5 cm in size. All patients had skin and soft tissue defects, and defects ranged from 4 cm × 2 cm to 5 cm × 4 cm in size; and 5 cases complicated by extensor tendon defect (2.5-5.0 cm in length), 3 cases by flexor tendon rupture, and 3 cases by common palmar digital nerve injury. The time from injury to admission was 2-6 hours. Results The composite tissue flaps and skin grafts survived in all cases. All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 1-5 years. The X-ray films showed good healing between the transplanted metatarsophalangeal joint and metacarpals and phalanges at 9-14 weeks postoperatively. The appearance, colour, and texture of the skin flap were satisfactory, and the senses of pain and touch were recovered. The palmar flexion range of transplanted metacarpophalangeal joints was 50-70°, and the dorsal extension range was 5-10° at last follow-up. According to the functional assessment criteria of upper limb formulated by the Hand Surgery Branch of Chinese Medical Association, the results were excellent in 4 cases, good in 1 case, and fair in 1 case, and the excellent and good rate of 83.3%. No dysfunction of the donor foot was observed. Conclusion The metatarsophalangeal joint composite tissue flap can provide bone, nerve, skin, muscles, and tendons, so it is an effective approach to repair the metacarpophalangeal joint defect and to recover the function of the injured joints in one operation.
Objective To summarize and review the development and experience of anastomosis vascular pedicle free composite tissue flap. Methods From July 1987 to March 2007， 321 patients with complete records were treated. Fourteen tissue flaps were applied for the repair of trauma or tumor excision defects of the body, and for organ reconstruction. Results Vascular crisis occurred in 20 patients within 48 hours postoperatively. Necrosis occurred at flap end in 6 patients. The total survival rate was 94.8%. The main experience was: ① Training to grasp the basic microvascular anastomosis technique was very importantstarting up period for surgeons. The basic technique should be often practiced to ensure the safty of clinical application. ②Restoring appearance and function were equally important in practice.③Utilizing the minimal invasive methods and decreasing the loss of function of donor site were important for improvement of reconstruction quality. The purpose was to achieve functional and esthetic restoration in the condition of lowest donor site scarification. Conclusion The application of free composite tissue flap is important for the development of plastic surgery. There are extensive applications for free flap, especially for those critical patients. The application of free flap could decrease the mobility rate, shorten the treatment period, ease the pain of patients and improve the reconstruction effect. The experience of donor site selection, the strategy of poor recipient site condition, the advantages and disadvantages of muscle flap, the applications time, infections wound treatment and application, are helpful for the future application.
Objective-To apply self-pulmonary tissue flap to reconstruct esophagus directly or with alloy stent in this research. Methods Twenty-four dogs were divided into two groups, middle bronchus was ligated to prepare pulmonaryflap and incised, a 4 to 6 cm long and 1/2 to 2/3 perimeter defect was made in esophageal wall. Esophagus defect was repaired only with pulmonary flap (experimental group) and with pulmonary flap having self-expanded stent inside (control group). The gross appearance, histological apearance and barium X-ray films were observed at 2,4,6,8,10 and 12 weeks after operation. Results Two dogs died of anatomotic leak in experimental group, three dogs died of anatomotic leak and two dogs died of perforation of ulcer in control group. The growth of esophagus epithelium was observed from periphery area to central area after 8 to 10 weeks of operation. In pulmonary flap mass fibrous tissue proliferated and fibroblasts were active, but no necrosis occurred. Barium X-ray ofregenerated esophagus showed that mild stenosis and weakened peristalisis were observed in the middle of resophagus replacement, and that no obstruction, leakage, and dilation above anastomotic stoma occurred. Conclusion Pulmonary tissue flap can well support the mucosa crawl in the defect of esophagus. It is necessary to find a more suitable and satisfied stent for repairing segmental defect.
Objective To report 4 methods of reconstructing soft tissue defects in oral and maxillofacial regions after tumors resection using cervical pedicle tissue flaps. Methods One hundred seventy-two soft tissue defects were repaired with cervical myocutaneous flaps after resection of oral and facial cancer( 165 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 7 cases of salivary carcinoma). The clinical stage of the tumors was stage Ⅰ in 21 cases, stage Ⅱ in 116 cases and stage Ⅲin 35 cases. Primary sites of the lesions were the tongue (59 cases), buccal mucosa (55 cases), lower gingiva (26 cases), floor of the mouth (25 cases), parotid gland (4 cases) and oropharynx (3 cases). Infrahyoid myocutaneous flaps were used in 60 cases, platysma flaps in 45 cases, sternocleidomastoid flaps in 59 cases and submental island flaps in 8 cases. The sizes of skin paddle ranged from 2.5 cm×5.0 cm to 5.0 cm ×8.0 cm. Results Among 153 survival flaps, there were55 infrahyoid myocutaneous flaps, 40 platysma flaps, 52 sternocleidomastoid flaps and 6 submental island flaps. There were 11 cases of total flap necrosis and8 cases of partial flap necrosis. The success rates were 91.67%(55/60) for infrahyoid myocutaneous flap, 88.89%(40/45) for platysma flap, 88.14% (52/59) for sternocleidomastoid flap and 75%(6/8) for submental island flap. After a follow-up of 3 11 years(5.7 years on average) among 101 cases local reccurence in 18 cases, cervical reccurence in 4 cases, distance metastasis in 2 cases. The survical rate at 3 years were 83.17%(84/101). Conclusion Cervical pedicle tissue flaps haveclinical value in reconstruction of small and medium-sized soft tissue defects after resection of oral and maxillofacial tumors.
Objective To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of vascularized free peroneal composite flaps for reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects. Methods From November 1999 to December 2002, 28 cases of oral maxillofacial defects were reconstructed with vascularized free peroneal composite flaps, with fibulacutaneous flap in 21 cases and with fibulamyocutaneous flap in 7 cases. Three cases received insertion of dental implants into the fibula flap. The flap size was 3.0 cm×5.5 cm to 8.0 cm ×12.0 cm; the fibula length was 5.5 cm to 16.0 cm. Results Of the 28 flaps reconstructed, 24 survived,3 necrosed partially and 1 necrosed completely. All the 5 implants survived andachieved good bone integration in 3 cases. Twenty-six cases were followed up 1-36 months with an average of 18.5 months, the facial appearance and the vocal function were satisfactory in 23 cases. Conclusion Vascularized peroneal flap has many advantages and is one of the optimal flaps for reconstruction of oral maxillofacial defects.
OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical result of treating firearm-wound with the vessel pedicel tissue flap. METHODS: From May 1992 to October 2000, 21 cases of firearm-wound of upper limbs underwent transplantation with the vessel pedicel tissue flap. Of them, the locations of the wound were upper arm in 11 cases, forearm in 7 cases, hand in 3 cases. The size of wound was 1.0 cm x 0.5 cm to 8.0 cm x 6.5 cm; the wound course was 3 minutes to 8 hours with an average of 3 hours and 30 minutes. The patients were followed up 3 months to 2 years. RESULTS: In 21 cases, the results were excellent in 19 cases and poor in 2 cases. The good rate was 90.5%. CONCLUSION: Treatment of firearm-wound with vessel pedicel tissue flap has the good effect.
ObjectiveTo summarize the application of adjacent tissue flap for reconstruction of partial breast defect in breast conserving surgery. MethodsThe relevant literatures in recent 5 years were reviewed, and the oncoplastic techniques, classification of the adjacent tissue flaps, were summarized. Furthermore, the indications, advantages and disadvantages of the adjacent tissue flaps were evaluated. ResultsCurrently, there were various ways to reconstruct the breast defect following breast conserving surgery. For the patient, whose breast defect volume was bigger, the application of the adjacent tissue flap was one of the effective methods to obtain better aesthetic outcomes. The adjacent tissue flaps included the following:the lateral thoracodorsal fasciocutaneous flap, thoracodorsal artery perforator flap, inframammary adipofascial flap of the anterior rectus sheath, inter-costal artery perforator flap, internal mammary artery pedicled fasciocutaneous island flap, and so on. ConclusionThe adjacent tissue flap replacement technique in breast conserving surgery for reconstruction of the breast defect is a safe and effective procedure, and patients are satisfied with breast shape and overall cosmetic outcomes for it.
ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of the sural fasciomyocutaneous perforator flap in repair of soft tissue defect in weight-bearing area of the foot. MethodsBetween January 2007 and September 2010, 19 patients with soft tissue defects in the weight-bearing area of the foot were treated with sural fasciomyocutaneous perforator flaps. The etiology was traffic accident in 16 patients and crush injury in 3 patients. The interval of injury and admission was 2 hours to 14 days. The size of defect ranged from 8 cm×6 cm to 26 cm×16 cm; the size of flap ranged from 7 cm×7 cm to 25 cm×12 cm. The donor sites were repaired by free skin graft. The flap survival was observed after operation, and the pain score and sensory recovery at the reci pient site were used to assess the effectiveness. ResultsThe flaps survived with satisfactory aesthetic and functional results in 18 cases. Partial flap necrosis was noted and second healing was achieved after spl it thickness skin grafting in 1 case. One case of delayed ulceration was also noted after 5 weeks, ulceration was successfully cured after wound care and avoidance of weightbearing for 2 weeks. All patients were followed up 9-25 months (mean, 14.1 months). The flaps had good appearance, without bulky pedicle. Superficial sensation and deep sensation were restored in 17 cases (89.4%) and 18 cases (94.7%) respectively at last follow-up. ConclusionSural fasciomyocutaneous perforator flap is a rel iable modality in heel reconstruction, having the advantages of low ulceration rate, good wear resistance, and good sensation recovery.
ObjectiveTo explore a new improved technique and its effectiveness to repair dorsal thumb composite tissue defects including interphalangeal joint by transplantation of modified hallux toe-nail composite tissue flap. MethodsThe hallux toe-nail composite tissue flap carrying distal half hallux proximal phalanx, extensor hallucis longus, and interphalangeal joint capsule were designed and applied to repair the dorsal skin, nails, and interphalangeal joint defect of thumb in 14 cases between January 2007 and June 2013. They were all males, aged from 19 to 52 years (mean, 30 years). The time from injury to hospital was 0.5-2.0 hours (mean, 1.2 hours). The area of the thumb nail and dorsal skin defects ranged from 2.5 cm×1.5 cm to 5.0 cm×2.5 cm. The dorsal interphalangeal joint had different degrees of bone defect, with residual bone and joint capsule at the palm side. The length of bone defect ranged from 2.5 to 4.0 cm (mean, 3.4 cm). The hallux nail flap size ranged from 3.0 cm×2.0 cm to 6.0 cm×3.0 cm. The donor sites were repaired by skin grafting in 5 cases, and retrograde second dorsal metatarsal artery island flap in 9 cases. ResultsAfter operation, arterial crisis occurred in 1 case and the flap survived after relieving pressure; the other flaps survived, and wounds healed by first intention. Liquefaction necrosis of the skin grafting at donor site occurred in 3 cases, and the other skin grafting and all retrograde second dorsal metatarsal artery island flaps survived. The follow-up ranged from 9 months to 3 years and 6 months (mean, 23 months). The secondary plastic operation was performed in 4 cases at 6 months after operation because of slightly bulky composite tissue flaps. The other composite tissue flaps had good appearance, color, and texture. The growth of the nail was good in 12 cases, and slightly thickened in 2 cases. At last follow-up, X-ray examination showed that bone graft and proximal phalanx of the thumb had good bone healing in 12 cases. Good bone healing was obtained at the donor site. According to the Hand Surgical Branch of Chinese Medical Association standard for thumb and finger reconstruction function, the results were excellent in 12 cases and good in 2 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 100%. No pain at donor site was observed, with normal gait. ConclusionTransplantation of modified hallux toe-nail composite tissue flap to repair dorsal thumb composite tissue defects including interphalangeal joint can effectively improve the appearance and function of the impaired thumb.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of dorsalis pedis flap series-parallel big toe nail composite tissue flap in the repairment of hand skin of degloving injury with tumb defect. MethodsBetween March 2009 and June 2013, 8 cases of hand degloving injury with thumb defect caused by machine twisting were treated. There were 7 males and 1 female with the mean age of 36 years (range, 26-48 years). Injury located at the left hand in 3 cases and at the right hand in 5 cases. The time from injury to hospitalization was 1.5-4.0 hours (mean, 2.5 hours). The defect area was 8 cm×6 cm to 15 cm×11 cm. The thumb defect was rated as degree I in 5 cases and as degree II in 3 cases. The contralateral dorsal skin flap (9 cm×7 cm to 10 cm×8 cm) combined with ipsilateral big toe nail composite tissue flap (2.5 cm×1.8 cm to 3.0 cm×2.0 cm) was used, including 3 parallel anastomosis flaps and 5 series anastomosis flaps. The donor site of the dorsal flap was repaired with thick skin grafts, the stumps wound was covered with tongue flap at the shank side of big toe. ResultsVascular crisis occurred in 1 big toe nail composite tissue flap, margin necrosis occurred in 2 dorsalis pedis flap;the other flaps survived, and primary healing of wound was obtained. The grafted skin at dorsal donor site all survived, skin of hallux toe stump had no necrosis. Eight cases were followed up 4-20 months (mean, 15.5 months). All flaps had soft texture and satisfactory appearance;the cutaneous sensory recovery time was 4-7 months (mean, 5 months). At 4 months after operation, the two-point discrimination of the thumb pulp was 8-10 mm (mean, 9 mm), and the two-point discrimination of dorsal skin flap was 7-9 mm (mean, 8.5 mm). According to Society of Hand Surgery standard for the evaluation of upper part of the function, the results were excellent in 4 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 1 case. The donor foot had normal function. ConclusionDorsalis pedis flap series-parallel big toe nail composite tissue flap is an ideal way to repair hand skin defect, and reconstructs the thumb, which has many advantages, including simple surgical procedure, no limitation to recipient site, soft texture, satisfactory appearance and function of reconstructing thumb, and small donor foot loss.