Artery Perforator-based Flap Research Articles

Coverage the soft tissue defect in the foot and ankle with peroneal artery perforator-based sural neurocutaneous island flap

Objective To study the methods and therapeutic effect of coverage the soft tissue defect in the foot and ankle with neurocutaneous sural artery island flap.Methods 30 patients had been reconstructed foot and ankle soft-tissue defects with neurocutaneous sural artery island flap,the area of soft tissue defect from 2.0 cm × 3.5 cm～ 8.0 cm× 16.5 cm,the flaps were designed with the size measuring 2.5 cm × 4.0 cm to 8.5 cm × 18cm.Results 26 flaps survived completely and 4 with partial or margin necrosis,the wound infection occurred in 6 patients and were treated with dressing,shin graft and antibiotic drug.Conclusions Sural neurocutaneous island flaps are easy to separate.Major arteries are not injured.It is the ideal flap to repair the soft tissue defect around ankle and foot,the texture,color and contour of the flap is similar to recipient area. Key words: Flap; Injury; Microsurgical technique; Ankle and foot

Facial and frontal reconstruction with a modified radial artery perforator-based flap

Objective In attempt to improve the reconstruction of small defects in the facial and frontal regions, we developed a modified radial artery perforator-based free flap. Methods The free proxi-mal radial forearm flap was based on the distal perforator of the radial artery and the concomitant radial vein. The vascular pedicle passed through deep fascia. The free flap was transferred to repair the defects of the fa-cial and frontal regions. Results In 6 patients with frontal defects and 4 patients with facial defects, all flaps survived completely. After following up for 6-12 months, flaps underwent plastic surgery to become thin-ner. The flaps of 10 cases were good in skin texture and color at recipient sites. The scars were cosmetically acceptable. The superficial sensibility recovered well. Conclusion A modified radial artery perforator-based free flap was useful in coveting small defects of the facial and frontal regions. Key words: Radial artery; Perforator flap; Facial and frontal regions; Microsurgery

Treatment of complex hand trauma using the distal ulnar and radial artery perforator-based flaps

Treatment of complex hand trauma using the distal ulnar and radial artery perforator-based flaps

Treatment of complex hand trauma using the distal ulnar and radial artery perforator-based flaps

The clinical value of distal ulnar or radial artery adipofascial perforator flaps is shown in a series of 30 patients with severe hand and wrist injuries and major soft tissue defects requiring coverage. There were 22 men and 8 women, aged 16-73 years. The defects were dorsal and/or palmar, with or without transpalmar or transcarpal amputation, or amputation of the thumb and/or the digits. Tendon injuries have been treated primarily or secondarily, or reconstructed using silicon rods. In all cases, after surgical debridement of the wound, reconstruction of the defect was done using distal ulnar (21 patients, in 3 patients primary reconstruction) and distal radial artery (11 patients; in 2 patients primary reconstruction and in 2 patients after necrosis of distal ulnar perforator flap) adipofascial perforator flaps. Minimum follow-up was 6 months. Two ulnar flap showed partial necrosis and were revised successfully by distal radial adipofascial perforator flaps. One radial and one ulnar flap showed 50% and 60% necrosis, respectively, and were revised by groin flaps. All donor sites healed uneventfully. Functional and cosmetic result was very good in 15 patients and good or satisfactory in the remaining. Range of motion of the wrist and hand joints was almost within normal limits (less than 25 degrees extension or flexion deficits). Distal ulnar and radial artery adipofascial perforator flaps for traumatic defects of the hand and wrist offer several advantages compared to other local flaps; they are easy to obtain and cover effectively both dorsal and palmar defects without significant functional deficits or donor site complications to the upper limb.

Management of recurrent ischial pressure sore with gracilis muscle flap and V-Y profunda femoris artery perforator-based flap

Inappropriate seating has been implicated as a major contributing factor in ischial pressure-sore recurrence. During their lifetime, paraplegic patients may require several flaps for closure of the same or some other adjacent pressure sore. Despite a wide variety of flap reconstruction options being described, the ischium remains the most difficult pressure-sore site to treat. From June 1998 to July 2006, there were 253 pressure-sore patients operated upon at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital. Ten patients (eight men and two women) suffered from recurrent ischial pressure sores, and all of them received more than one flap reconstruction for the ischial defect. For the treatment of the recurrent ischial pressure sore, gracilis muscle flap and readvancement of the V-Y profunda femoris artery perforator-based flap were used to fill the dead space as well as cover the defect. Among these 10 recurrent ischial pressure-sore patients, six of them had suffered bilateral ischial ulcers. Eight of them had previous sacral pressure sores. In all, 32 flap reconstruction procedures were performed on these 10 patients. Unfortunately, one patient had recurrent grade II bilateral ischial pressure sores after 11 months of ulcer-free period. The other nine patients had no recurrence noted, and enjoyed their lives with an average 27.2 months ulcer-free period (range 9-53 months). The fasciocutaneous flap provides a higher mechanical resistance than the detached and transposed muscle. However, for the recurrent ischial ulcer patients, readvancement of the perforator-based fasciocutaneous flap alone cannot provide adequate bulk to obliterate the 'dead space' after debridement of the bursa and the surrounding necrotic tissue. By combining the readvancement of V-Y profunda femoris artery perforator-based fasciocutaneous flap and gracilis muscle flap, these recurrent ischial ulcers will heal without complication. Recurrence of ulceration often develops despite successful flap closure. Patients and their relatives have to be educated regarding pressure relief, personal skin, and self-care. Surgeons must collaborate with the rehabilitation department, nursing staffs, and social workers to improve long-term results.

Soft-tissue reconstruction after meningococcal septicemia using a posterior tibial artery perforator flap in a 6-year-old boy

Fulminant meningococcemia can have life-threatening as well as limb-threatening complications. However, unlike other types of peripheral gangrene, areas of necrosis do not follow known anatomic vascular patterns. Instead, irregular and patchy areas of necrosis are found to exist adjacent to viable tissues. With improved critical care, more patients survive the initial insult and are referred for reconstructive procedures. In this case, a 6-year boy was diagnosed with meningococcemia-induced purpura fulminans. After stabilization, he was transferred to our facility for management of open wounds of both lower extremities and the left elbow. Soft-tissue coverage was accomplished after multiple debridements using various flaps. In particular, a defect of the right midtibia was reconstructed using a posterior tibial artery perforator-based flap with excellent results. This is the first time such a flap has been reported in association with meningococcemia in a patient of this age.