Objective To find a better method of emergency repair of skin and soft tissue defects in the lower leg, ankle and foot. Methods The distally based superficial sural artery flap was designed on the posterior aspect of the leg. From February 2000 to December 2003, 18 patients with skin and soft tissue detects of the lower leg, ankle and foot were treated with island fasciocutaneous flap supplied by superficial sural artery by emergency. The size of the flap ranged form 4 cm× 5 cm to 11 cm×12 cm. Results The flaps survived totally in 16 cases and necrosed partially in 2 cases. After 1-2 year postoperative follow-up, the results were satisfactory except that in 2 flaps. Conclusion The island fasciocutaneous flap supplied by superficial sural artery may provide a useful method for emergency repair of soft tissue defect of the lower limbs.
To summarize the effectiveness of the improv ed surgical techniques in fasciocutaneous flaps of the limbs. MethodsFrom February 1999 to December 2005, 58 patients (39 males, 19 females, aged 1068 years) underwent repairs of the skin defects with improved fasciaocu taneous flaps of the limbs. Twentyone patients had the skin defects in front of the tibial bone in the middle and lower parts, 12 patients had the skin defect s in the heels, 16 patients had the skin defects in the ankles, 3 patients had t he skin defects around the knees, 1 patient had a wide sacrococcygeal bedsore, and 5 patients had the skin defects in the wrists and hands. The wounds ranged in size from 5 cm×3 cm to 18 cm× 12 cm. According to the wound lo cations, the following flaps were selected: 4 cutaneous antebrachii medialis nerve and basilic vein fasciocutaneous flaps, 1 cutaneous antebrachii lateralis nerve and cephalic vein fasciocutaneous flap, 3 saphenous nerve and great saphenousvein fasciocutaneous flaps, 1 cutaneous nerve of thigh posterior fasciocutaneous flap, 32 reverse sural nerve and saphenous vein fasciocutaneous flaps, and 17 reverse saphenous nerve and great saphenous vein fasciocutaneous flaps. The dissected flaps ranged in size from 6 cm× 4 cm to 18 cm× 13 cm. The donor wounds underwent straight sutures in 39 patients, and the skin grafting (6 cm×3 cm to 13 cm× 6 cm) was performed on 19 patients after the donor wounds were closed. Results The wounds healed by first intention, and the flaps survived completely in 54 patients. The flaps developed partial necrosis in 4 patients. The followup for 120 months (average, 8 months) revealed that the flaps had a satisfactory appearance with a soft texture and the function was also satisfactory. Conclusion A fasciocutaneous flap of the limbs is an ideal flap for repairing defects in the skins and soft tissues of the limbs. The survival rate of the flap can be further improved by an improvement of the surgical techniques.
In order to preserve the major vessels of the extremities in the repair and reconstruction of wounds of the extremities, the distally based fascial pedicled island flap was applied clinically. Its axis and rotatary point were designed along orientation of the major arteries, and the blood supply was from the abundant vascular networks in the deep fascia. Twenty-two cases with exposure of tendon and bone including 10 upper limbs and 12 lower limbs were treated. The flap area of forearm ranged from 7 cm x 8 cm to 12 cm x 9 cm and the ratio of the length to width of the pedicle was 1: 1-2. The flap area of the calf ranged from 10 cm x 6 cm to 16.5 cm x 12 cm and the ratio of the length to width of the pedicle was 2:1. The rotatary angle was 130 degrees-170 degrees. After operation, 18 flaps were survived completely, 2 cases had partial necrosis on the margin, 2 failures received cross-leg flap in the second operation. The patients were followed up with an average of 13.5 months (ranged from 3 months to 2 years). The conclusions were as follows: 1. the blood supply of this type of flap was reliable and the major arteries of the extremities needed not to be sacrificed; 2. the preparation of the flap was easy and the survival rate was satisfactory; 3. the shortcomings of this flap were unsightly incision scar and the limited size of flap and; 4. during the operation, the compression of the pedicle must be avoided.
Objective To study the biological characteristic and potential of chondrocytes grafting cultured on fascia in repairing large defect of articular cartilage in rabbits. Methods Chondrocytes of young rabbits were isolated and subcultured on fascia. The large defect of articular cartilage was repaired by grafts of freeze-preserved and fresh chondrocytes cultured on fascia, and free chondrocytes respectively; the biological characteristic and metabolism were evaluated bymacroscopic, histological and immunohistochemical observations, autoradiography method and the measurement of nitric oxide content 6, 12, 24 weeks after grafting. Results The chondrocytes cultured on fascia maintained normal growth feature and metabolism, and there was no damage to chondrocytes after cryopreservation; the repaired cartilage was similar to the normal cartilage in cellular morphology and biological characteristics. Conclusion Chondrocytes could be cultured normally on fascia, which could be used as an ideal carrier of chondrocytes.
Objective To observe the clinical effect of repairing rectovaginal septum with graft of fascia flap with blood vessels. Methods From August 2004 to August 2006, 12 female patients with rectocele were treated,aging 49-73 years. The disease course was from 5 to 30 years(mean, 5.6 years). All patients suffered dysporia. X-rayfilms showed severe rectocele (≥30 mm), or with the descendent perineum syndrome(≥40 mm), and inner pendant rectal mucosa (3 cases) and/or narrow anal canal (9 cases).The size of fascia flap ranged from 15 cm×3 cm to 18 cm×5 cm. Results The bleeding amount was 800 ml in 2 cases, and 500 ml in 10 cases. All fascia flaps survived. In the 12 patients, 11 had a primary wound healing(Stage Ⅰ), 1 had a delayed wound healing(Stage Ⅱ). The donor sites healed at Stage Ⅱ. Twelve patients could defecate normally 46 days after surgery. The legs edema occurred in 2 cases, urinary retention combined with infection occurred in 1 case. And all recovered completely after treatment. Eleven patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months. Digital anorectal examination showed prerectal pouch disappearance, glaze surface and good elasticity. Xray films and CT showed that the rectocele disappeared. Conclusion The operation of repairing rectovaginal septum with graft of fascia with blood vessels can effectively recover anatomy of rectovaginal septum and its normal biological function.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of retrograde island neurocutaneous flap pedicled with lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve in the treatment of soft tissue defect of the hand. MethodsBetween October 2011 and December 2013, 17 cases of skin and soft tissue defects of the hands were treated. There were 8 males and 9 females, aged 23-62 years (mean, 44 years). Of them, defect was caused by trauma in 13 cases, by postoperative wound after degloving injury in 2 cases, and by resection of contracture of the first web in 2 cases; 13 cases of traumas had a disease duration of 2-6 hours (mean, 3.5 hours). The defect sites located at the back of the hand in 5 cases, at the radial side of the palm in 4 cases, at the first web in 2 cases, at the palmar side of the thumb in 4 cases, and at the radial dorsal side of the thumb in 2 cases. The bone, tendons, and other deep tissue were exposed in 15 cases. The defect size varied from 3 cm×3 cm to 12 cm×8 cm. The size of the flaps ranged from 3.6 cm×3.6 cm to 13.2 cm×8.8 cm. The lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm was anastomosed with the cutaneous nerve of the reci pient sites in 9 cases. The donor sites were repaired by free skin graft or were sutured directly. ResultsThe other flaps survived, and obtained healing by first intention except 2 flaps which had partial necrosis with healing by second intention at 1 month after dressing change. The skin graft at donor site survived, and incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 5-30 months (mean, 12 months). The flaps had good color and texture. Flap sensory recovery of S2-S3+ was obtained; in 9 cases undergoing cutaneous nerve flap anastomosis, the sensation of the flaps recovered to S3-S3+ and was better than that of 8 cases that the nerves were disconnected (S2-S3). The patients achieved satisfactory recovery of hand function. Only 2 cases had extended limitation of the proximal interphalangeal joint. At last follow-up, according to the Chinese Medical Society of Hand Surgery function evaluation standards, the results were excellent in 15 cases and good in 2 cases. ConclusionRetrograde island neurocutaneous flap pedicled with lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve is an effective way to repair skin defects of the hand, with the advantages of rel iable blood supply and simple surgical procedure.