Principles of Midface Free Tissue Transfer: A Defect-Based Approach

Free functional muscle transfer for lower extremity reconstruction

Free tissue transfer is a vital adjunct to orthopaedic practice; it may optimize the treatment of many emergency and elective conditions that require soft-tissue or bone augmentation. Consultation with a colleague trained in microsurgery is often necessary in undertaking free tissue transfer techniques. A two-team approach frequently is used to maximize efficiency and minimize fatigue. Flaps with reliable pedicle anatomy are preferred. Flaps typically are raised using an open technique, but endoscopic techniques can be utilized to decrease donor-site scarring. Free tissue transfer is a demanding procedure; careful preoperative planning is essential to ensure optimal results. Free tissue transfer inevitably results in some donor morbidity, and flaps are carefully chosen to minimize this. The most serious complication is failure of the flap. Free muscle flaps used in soft-tissue reconstruction today result in little loss of function.

Optimizing the smile with gracilis free muscle transfer

BackgroundSimulation training is becoming an increasingly important component of skills acquisition in surgical specialties, including Plastic Surgery. Non-living simulation models have an established place in Plastic Surgical microsurgery training, and support the principles of replacement, reduction and refinement of animal use. A more sophisticated version of the basic chicken thigh microsurgery model has been developed to include dissection of a type 1-muscle flap and is described and validated here.MethodsA step-by-step dissection guide on how to perform the chicken thigh adductor profundus free muscle flap is demonstrated. Forty trainees performed the novel simulation muscle flap on the last day of a 5-day microsurgery course. Pre- and post-course microvascular anastomosis assessment, along with micro dissection and end product (anastomosis lapse index) assessment, demonstrated skills acquisition.ResultsThe average time to dissect the flap by novice trainees was 82±24 minutes, by core trainees 90±24 minutes, and by higher trainees 64±21 minutes (P=0.013). There was a statistically significant difference in the time to complete the anastomosis between the three levels of training (P=0.001) and there was a significant decrease in the time taken to perform the anastomosis following course completion (P<0.001). Anastomosis lapse index scores improved for all cohorts with post-test average anastomosis lapse index score of 3±1.4 (P<0.001).ConclusionsThe novel chicken thigh adductor profundus free muscle flap model demonstrates face and construct validity for the introduction of the principles of free tissue transfer. The low cost, constant, and reproducible anatomy makes this simulation model a recommended addition to any microsurgical training curriculum.

Chapter 109 - Principles of Microvascular Free Tissue Transfer