Flap Donor Area Research Articles

Atypical Breast Reconstruction Case: Report of the Use of Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap for Deformity Treatment in Major Pectoral Flap Donor Area

Introduction: Even with the advent of microsurgical techniques, the pedicled pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (MMF) still has considerable importance in head and neck reconstructions. However, its utilization is quite challenging especially in women. Case report: Female patient, 38 years-old sought medical attention due to a left cervical mass of progressive growth. After investigation with nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, radical cervical emptying was indicated, requiring immediate reconstruction with MMF. Subsequently, the patient returned complaining of asymmetry on the breasts and the volume of the cervical flap and a new surgical approach was performed by the plastic surgery team, where the left breast was reconstructed with a transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap, and the MMF was thinned. Conclusion: The MMF should be used sparingly in women since resulting dysmorphisms often require surgicalre-administration for reconstruction. Therefore, it is preferable to use free flaps as a first option.

Versatility of Islanded Nasolabial Flap Based on Facial Artery and Vein for Reconstruction of Oral Cancer Defects, Experience in a Tertiary Care Center.

Conventional nasolabial flap has been widely used for reconstruction for head and neck defects. Recent decades witnessed modification of this flap like islanded version based on subcutaneous pedicle or facial artery and vein. The later modification obviated a need for pedicle division, secondary procedures and facilitates reach of the flap to distant sites. Especially, the islanded nasolabial flap pedicled on facial artery and vein can have a long pedicle to conveniently reach the tongue, floor of mouth when the flap is routed through retromandibular area. A retrospective analysis was done on 14 patients analyzing the functional outcome like deglutition, speech, and aesthetic outcome of flap donor area, recruiting patients in which islanded nasolabial flap was done based on facial vessels for early stages of cancer tongue and lip. In our series of 14 operated cases, all flaps survived. All the flaps were islanded over the skeletonized facial artery and vein. Tip necrosis occurred in one case. The donor site was closed primarily in all cases. The average speech scoring was grade five, Vancouver scar score of the flap donor area was 2.5 and intelligible speech was difficult in only three cases in follow up. We found this flap useful for reconstruction of small to moderate size defects of oral malignancy following excision with acceptable aesthetic and functional outcome in most of the patients.

Preliminary application of antibiotic bone cement directly inducing skin regeneration technology in repairing of wound in lateral toe flap donor area

To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of antibiotic bone cement directly inducing skin regeneration technology in the repairing of wound in the lateral toe flap donor area. Between June 2020 and February 2023, antibiotic bone cement directly inducing skin regeneration technology was used to repair lateral toe flap donor area in 10 patients with a total of 11 wounds, including 7 males and 3 females. The patients' age ranged from 21 to 63 years, with an average of 40.6 years. There were 3 cases of the distal segment of the thumb, 2 cases of the distal segment of the index finger, 1 case of the middle segment of the index and middle fingers, 1 case of the distal segment of the middle finger, and 3 cases of the distal segment of the ring finger. The size of the skin defect of the hand ranged from 2.4 cm×1.8 cm to 4.3 cm×3.4 cm. The disease duration ranged from 1 to 15 days, with an average of 6.9 days. The flap donor sites were located at fibular side of the great toe in 5 sites, tibial side of the second toe in 5 sites, and tibial side of the third toe in 1 site. The skin flap donor site wounds could not be directly sutured, with 2 cases having exposed tendons, all of which were covered with antibiotic bone cement. All patients were followed up 6 months to 2 years, with an average of 14.7 months. All the 11 flaps survived and had good appearance. The wound healing time was 40-72 days, with an average of 51.7 days. There was no hypertrophic scar in the donor site, which was similar to the color of the surrounding normal skin; the appearance of the foot was good, and wearing shoes and walking of the donor foot were not affected. It is a feasible method to repair the wound in the lateral foot flap donor area with the antibiotic bone cement directly inducing skin regeneration technology. The wound heals spontaneously, the operation is simple, and there is no second donor site injury.

Free posterior interosseous artery perforator flap in the treatment of finger with skin and soft tissue defect

To explore clinical effects of repairing skin and soft tissue defect of finger with free posterior interosseous artery perforator flap. Totally 8 patients with finger skin and soft tissue defect repaired with free posterior interosseous artery perforator flap were treated from May 2021 to November 2022, including 7 males and 1 female aged from 24 to 54 years old, and soft tissue defect area ranged from 3.0 cm×1.5 cm to 5.0 cm×3.0 cm. The time from injury to flap repair ranged from 3 to 83 h. The free posterior interosseous artery perforator flap was applied to repair finger defect, the area of the flap ranged from 3.5 cm×2.0 cm to 5.2 cm×3.5 cm, the donor area of flap was sutured directly. The survival, appearance, texture and donor complications of the flap were observed after operation, and Dargan functional standard was used to evaluate clinical effect of finger function. All flap of 8 patients were survived, and followed up from 3 to 12 months. There was no obvious swelling, soft texture, obvious pigmentation, linear intaglio in donor area only, and without obvious complications were found. Among them, 3 patients'skin flaps were repaired for the defect of palm of the fingers, and sensory recovery was good, two-point discrimination ranged from 5 to 9 mm. According to Dargan functional evaluation, 3 patients excellent, and 5 good. Free posterior interosseous artery perforation branch flap could be used to repair the defect of finger. The thickness of flap is moderate, operation is convenient, appearance and texture of the operative flap are good, and the donor site is small without obvious complications, and obtain satisfactory clinical effect.

A Tunneled Posterior Auricular Transposition Flap for Ear Concha Defect

Surgical treatment of ear defects requires the awareness of reconstructive concepts. Acceptable cosmetic appearance is not always achievable because of its complex anatomy, a limited availability of soft tissue around defects and a great number of aesthetic units. Retro-auricular zone is frequently applied as a flap donor area because of its rich vascularization. While repairing of the ear defects, three-dimensional structure and different plane of the ear on the mastoid surface should be taken into consideration very carefully. In this case we present a case of basal cell carcinoma on the concha of the ear. The resulting defect was repaired with a tunneled posterior auricular transposition flap which provided a good aesthetic result.

Reduction of the scar burden at the donor area of the radial forearm flap with the aid of an endoscopic pedicle preparation.

The radial forearm flap is one of the most commonly used flaps of reconstructive microsurgery with its long pedicle and thin structure. The donor site at the forearm is a visible anatomic region that has high mobility and functional importance. In this study, a longitudinal and large scar was avoided on the forearm during pedicle dissection of the conventional radial forearm flap with the utilization of an endoscope. Furthermore, arterial, venous, and nervous injuries were avoided by performing a separate inci-sion of 2-3 cm at the cubital fossa to reduce flap failure and donor site morbidity. The patients who underwent pedicle dissection of the radial forearm flap with the aid of an endoscope for head-neck reconstruction between 2014 and 2021 were included in this study. The flap was harvested from the subfascial plane. The cephalic vein was used in all of the patients. When the pedicle dissection reached the antecubital region, an incision of 2-3 cm was performed from the skin. Two vein anastomoses were performed for each patient. This retrospective study consists of 51 patients. While 45 of the patients were the result of head and neck cancer, six of them had a defect caused by trauma. The average area of skin islands was 40.3 cm2, while the full-thickness skin graft size was 24.2 cm2. An average of 2.6 cm of scar tissue was formed at the antecubital region. No venous or arterial compromise was observed in the post-operative period. There was no partial or total flap loss in any patient. Localized numbness persisted in the skin area where the superficial sensory branch of the radial nerve is located in 6 (11.7%) patients. With endoscopic radial forearm flap harvesting, the longitudinal incision in the forearm and wound healing prob-lems are avoided. The absence of partial or total flap loss has shown that endoscopic harvesting of the radial forearm flap is a safe and reliable method.

Application of anterolateral thigh bridge flap with free skin graft wrapping vascular bridge in complex calf soft tissue defects

To explore the effectiveness of anterolateral thigh bridge flap with free skin graft wrapping vascular bridge in repairing complex calf soft tissue defects. The clinical data of 11 patients with complex calf soft tissue defects between April 2018 and October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 9 males and 2 females, aged 11-60 years, with a median age of 39 years. There were 8 cases of calf soft tissue defect caused by traffic accident, and 3 cases of calf skin infection caused by chronic osteomyelitis. The skin and soft tissue defects ranged from 10 cm×8 cm to 35 cm×10 cm after thorough debridement and accompanied with bone and tendon exposure. There was only one main vessel in calf of 9 cases and no blood vessel that could be anastomosed with the flap vessel could be found in the recipient site of 2 cases. The anterolateral thigh skin flap (the flap size ranged from 12 cm×10 cm to 37 cm×12 cm) was taken to repair the soft tissue defect. The donor site of the flap was treated with direct suture (8 cases) or partial suture followed by skin grafting (3 cases), and the vascular bridge was wrapped with medium-thickness skin graft. The flaps of 11 patients survived completely without necrosis, infection, and vascular crisis. The blood supply of the vascular bridge was unobstructed and the pulse was good. The color of the medium-thickness skin graft were ruddy. All 11 patients were followed up 2-40 months, with an average of 19.4 months. The flaps healed well with the surrounding tissues without obvious exudation and color difference. The flaps had normal color and temperature, good blood supply, and soft texture. The shape of the flap and calf contour were satisfactory and the function of the limb recovered well. The donor area of thigh flap healed by first intention without obvious scar formation. The donor area of skin healed well with a longitudinal oblong scar only and the appearance was satisfactory. The anterolateral thigh bridge flap transplantation with free skin wrapping vascular bridge is an effective method for the treatment of complex calf soft tissue defects.

Comparative Analysis of the Treatment of Skin Lesions of the Lower Limbs with Sural Flap versus Propeller Flap.

Objective The objective of the present study was to prospectively compare the sural and propeller flaps for soft-tissues coverage of the lower extremity. The following variables were evaluated: incidence of complete or partial flap loss and donor area morbidity (primary closure versus skin graft). Methods Prospective and randomized analysis of data collected from all patients presenting with soft tissue defects of the lower third of the leg and heel treated with reverse sural or propeller flaps. Results Twenty-four patients aged between 4 and 60 years old were evaluated between 2011 and 2017. Complete coverage was obtained in 22 of the 24 patients (91.6%). Two flaps failed (8.4%). The sural flap, being the most popular option, continues to represent a safe and versatile alternative for skin defects of the lower third of the leg and heel region. Likewise, the propeller flap was a comparable option to treat these challenging defects. Conclusion Sural and propeller flaps are good options for soft tissues coverage of the lower extremity, with low complication rates (partial or total flap loss).

Clinical effects of flaps with cervical cutaneous branch of transverse cervical artery in repairing neck radiation ulcers

Objective: To explore the clinical effects of flaps with cervical cutaneous branch of transverse cervical artery in repairing neck radiation ulcer. Methods: The retrospective observational research was conducted. From January 2016 to December 2019, 8 cases with neck radiation ulcer were admitted to Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University and repaired with flaps based on cervical cutaneous branch of transverse cervical artery. There were 6 males and 2 females, aged 52-75 years. The ulcers occurred 14.5 years after radiotherapy on average, with ulcer areas of 5.0 cm×3.0 cm-7.0 cm×6.0 cm on admission. The wound areas were ranged from 6.0 cm×5.0 cm to 13.0 cm×6.5 cm after ulcers and fibrotic tissue around were resected. Seven cases underwent resection of flaps and wound repair operation on the first stage, and the other 1 case underwent pre-expansion of flap donor area on the first stage and resection of flap and wound repair operation on the second stage, with flap sizes of 8.0 cm×7.0 cm-15.0 cm×8.5 cm. The wounds in the donor areas of flaps in 7 patients were sutured directly, and the wound in the donor area of flap in the other 1 patient was repaired with thin split-thickness skin graft from thigh after being sutured partially. The preoperative ulcer tissue was collected for pathological examination, and the postoperative survival of the flaps and healing of the flap donor areas were observed. The flaps, the recurrence of the neck ulcers and neck function, and the scar hyperplasia in the donor areas of flaps were observed during follow-up. Results: Preoperative pathological examination of ulcer tissue showed that full-thickness necrosis occurred in ulcer skin, obvious fibrotic tissue hyperplasia, collagenization, and small-scale calcification in the base and surrounding tissue of the ulcers, and a large amount of chronic inflammatory cells and a small amount of acute inflammatory cells infiltration were observed in intercellular substance, which excluded the recurrence of tumor. All the flaps in 8 cases survived, the wounds were repaired effectively, and the postoperative donor areas of flaps healed well. During postoperative follow-up of 6-24 months, the flaps had good appearances without recurrence of ulcer, the movement function of neck was significantly improved, and no obvious scar hyperplasia was observed in the donor areas of flaps. Conclusions: Radiation ulcer in the neck is a serious long-term complication of neck after radiotherapy, which is difficult to heal with conservative treatment. The flap with cervical cutaneous branch of transverse cervical artery is close to the neck, with rich blood supply, constant anatomy, and is easy to cut. Neck radiation ulcers treated with the flaps showed good wound healing and improved functions, with no obvious scar hyperplasia.

Supraclavicular artery island flap for head and neck reconstruction

The ablative surgical resection has acritical importance for achieving better oncological outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer. However, radical surgical resections reveal the reconstruction requirement of complex anatomical structures. Microvascular free flaps have been recommended as agold standard treatment choice for head and neck reconstruction following definitive oncological surgery. The supraclavicular artery island flap (SCAIF) is athin and reliable fasciocutaneous pedicled flap that is simple and quick to harvest. Atotal of 19 patients who underwent head and neck reconstruction with SCAIF were included in this study. The SCAIF was used for the reconstruction of oncological defects in 17 patients while it was used for the reconstruction of askin defect on the lower face following radiotherapy in 1 patient and for cervical open wound (blast injury) closure in 1 patient. There were neither intraoperative nor postoperative major complications in any patient. The SCAIF has been used successfully in 18 of 19 patients for head and neck reconstructive surgery. Partial necrosis of the skin was detected in 1 patient (5.3%) only, while atotal flap failure has not occurred in any patient. The partial skin necrosis was seen in an area of 1.5 cm of the distal end of the flap and was managed conservatively with local wound care. Wound dehiscence has not appeared in the flap donor area in any patient. The SCAIF constitutes agood alternative to free flaps, providing almost equivalent functional results and requiring less operative time and surgical effort.

Clinical effects of superior gluteal artery perforator " buddy flap" in repairing pressure ulcer in sacrococcygeal region

Objective: To investigate the clinical effects of superior gluteal artery perforator " buddy flap" in repairing pressure ulcer in sacrococcygeal region. Methods: From January 2017 to December 2018, 13 patients (8 males and 5 females) aged 24-79 years with stage 4 pressure ulcers in sacrococcygeal region were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, with wound area from 5 cm×4 cm to 12 cm×10 cm. After thorough debridement and vacuum sealing drainage, the superior gluteal artery perforator " buddy flap" was designed to repair the pressure ulcer in sacrococcygeal region. The pressure ulcer was repaired by the main flap with area from 7.0 cm×5.0 cm to 18.0 cm×12.0 cm; the main flap's donor area was covered by the auxiliary flap with area from 5.0 cm×3.0 cm to 11.0 cm×7.0 cm; the auxiliary flap's donor area was covered by the connecting flap between the main flap and the auxiliary flap. The remaining wound without covering was directly closed by suturing. The postoperative flap survival and complications were observed. The appearance and function of flaps and the recurrence of pressure ulcer were followed up. Results: The flaps of 12 patients survived after operation without complications of infection, fat liquefaction, or poor flap survival. A small area of superficial necrotic skin at the distal end of flap was observed in one case, which was healed after dressing change. All the patients were followed up for 6 months without recurrence of pressure ulcer, and the operation area was naturally full in appearance, which was pressure and wear resistant. Conclusions: Superior gluteal artery perforator " buddy flap" is an effective method for the treatment of pressure ulcer in sacrococcygeal region. The effect of tension-free repair of the pressure ulcer and main flap donor area can be achieved in one operation. The operation is simple, the curative effect is accurate, and it has certain clinical value.

Effects of anterolateral thigh free flap with fascia lata in repairing dura mater defect after resection of head squamous cell carcinoma

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effects of anterolateral thigh free flap with fascia lata in the repair of dura mater defect after resection of head squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: From June 2016 to June 2018, Xijing Hospital of Air Force Medical University applied the free transplantation of anterolateral thigh flap with fascia lata to repair the dura mater defect of 12 patients with head squamous cell carcinoma, including 9 males and 3 females, aged from 35 to 74 years. The size of scalp soft tissue defects in patients after carcinoma resection ranged from 12 cm×10 cm to 24 cm×21 cm, and the size of dura mater defect of patients ranged from 7 cm×6 cm to 16 cm×14 cm. The size of flap of patients ranged from 14 cm×12 cm to 27 cm×24 cm, and the size of fascia lata ranged from 8 cm×7 cm to 17 cm×15 cm. The superficial temporal artery and middle temporal vein were connected by end to end anastomosis with the first musculocutaneous perforating branch of the descending branch of lateral femoral artery and its accompanying vein. The flap donor area was transplanted with autologous split-thickness skin graft from trunk and fixed with packing. Postoperative survival of flaps and skin grafts was observed. The patients were followed up regularly. The cranial magnetic resonance imaging was performed to observe the recurrence of intracranial tumors and dural integrity, shape of the flap and whether the donor site region was left with significant dysfunction were observed. Results: All the flaps and skin grafts survived well in 12 patients after surgery. Ten patients had primary healing at the edge of the flap suture; 2 patients had local sinus tract formation at the suture site of flap, with a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and were recovered after outpatient dressing change. The patients were followed up for 10 to 36 months, and 3 patients with tumors involving in the dura mater sagittal sinus region had postoperative intracranial tumor recurrence. The tumor was resected again. All the patients had good dural integrity. The flaps of all patients were in good shape, and no obvious dysfunction remained in the flap donor site. Conclusions: Free transplantation of anterolateral thigh flap with fascia lata is an effective and reliable method to repair the dura mater defect following head squamous cell carcinoma resection. It can repair the scalp and dura mater defects caused by the invasion of squamous cell carcinoma and provide possibilities for skull reconstruction.

Repair of lateral calcaneal wound with the lateral supramalleolar flap pedicled with the end perforator of peroneal artery

Objective To explore the method and effect of repairing the soft tissue defect of the lateral heel with the retrograde lateral supramalleolar flap pedicled with the end perforator of peroneal artery. Methods From May, 2015 to February, 2018, 16 cases of lateral calcaneal soft tissue defect were repaired with the retrograde lateral supramalleolar flap pedicled with the end perforator of peroneal artery. All wounds were treated with one-stage dilatation and VSD to control infection. In cases of chronic calcaneal bone infection, the bone defect formed after extensive resection of infected bone was temporarily filled with antibiotic bone cement. The area of soft tissue defect on the lateral heel was 3.0 cm×2.0 cm-8.0 cm×5.0 cm, and the area of flaps was 3.5 cm×2.5 cm-8.5 cm×5.5 cm. The small donor area of the flap was sutured directly, and the larger area was repaired by skin grafting. Patients with chronic calcaneal bone infection underwent bone cement removal and autogenous bone transplantation after inducing membrane formation 6 to 8 weeks after flap transplantation. All cases were followed-up, including 7 cases outpatient follow-up and 9 telephone follow-up. Results All the 16 flaps survived smoothly. The donor and recipient areas of the flaps healed primarily. All cases were followed-up for 3 to 13 months. The flaps had good shape, no swelling, similar color to heel skin and no pigmentation. Ankle flexion and extension were not restricted. Four cases with chronic osteomyelitis of calcaneus healed well after second-stage bone grafting, with an average healing time of 8.5 months. Conclusion The retrograde lateral supramalleolar flap with the end perforator of peroneal artery is an ideal method for repairing the soft tissue defect on the lateral heel with simple operation and reliable blood supply. Key words: Lateral supramalleolar flap; Perforator of peroneal artery; Repair; Heel wound; Microsurgical technique

P14.14 Scalp invasion of diffuse large b-cell lymphoma without systemic involvement

Abstract Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the scalp with extra and intracranial extension without systemic invasion in a non-immune compromised patient is extremely rare. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of scalp masses and meningeal lesions. Early diagnosis and surgical treatment is associated with a good outcome. 74 years old male patient with no known history of malignancy came to our clinic for left frontal swelling. He had no systemic cancer involvement. Contrast-enhanced cranial MRI showed a mass lesion invading left frontal skin, subcutaneous tissue, temporal muscle, bone and the underlying dural layer (Figure 1). Surgical excision was decided and after planning with the plastic surgery consultation, the patient was taken into surgery. Skin was lifted with a left frontal flap and the invasion was observed. Skin flap was placed down and the tumoral tissue was totally excised with a margin of normal bone tissue. The pathology assessment of the frozen specimen was found concordant with lymphoma. No injury or invasion of the dura was seen macroscopically. After dural closure, metacrilate cranioplasty was performed in order to replace the removed bone flap. Afterwards patient was handed over to the plastic surgeon. To ensure tumor resection with a safe margin, a transposition scalp flap was designed in the parieto-occipital region. The flap was raised in the supraperiosteal plane with preservation of the pericranium and it was transferred to the defect site. In addition, the flap donor area was reconstructed with a split-thickness skin graft taken from the right thigh region. Then, a wound dressing was applied to the surgical area and opened on postoperative 4th day. No complications such as necrosis, hematoma, infection or wound dehiscence occurred postoperatively. Both the graft and the flap completely healed (Figure 2). The patient showed no new neurological deficits or wound problems postoperatively and did not experience any problems both in plastic surgical and neurosurgical follow-up period (Figure 3). The final pathology result reported as diffuse large B cell lymphoma with invasion of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, temporal muscle and bone. Afterwards, medical treatment was planned with consultation to the hematology and radiotherapy clinics. Primary Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) extending extra cranially and intra cranially without any systemic or skeletal findings is extremely rare. These lesions usually get misdiagnosed as they mimic other conditions such as meningiomas. Both radiological and histopathological diagnoses are very important. Radical surgical resection and reconstruction must be contemplated in treatment and also chemotherapy and radiotherapy alternatives should be considered. Malignant NHL should be taken into account for differential diagnosis in the mass lesions of the scalp.

Rekonstrüktif Cerrahide Sığır Kaynaklı Aselüler Dermal Matriks (MatriDerm®) Kullanımı

Aim: Pointing out that MatriDerm® can be applied to defects with wide range of etiologic factors at various anatomical regions is aimed. Material and Methods: Keywords were searched at Pubmed and articles that report defects which were repaired at a single stage using MatriDerm® and split thickness skin graft are included. Cases that do not have etiologic factor and anatomical region information and articles whose main texts language are not English are excluded. Total of 299 cases from 24 reports are considered. Findings: It is seen that MatriDerm® is applied mostly for trauma (n:68, 22.7 %), burn (n:63, 21 %), diabetic foot (n:62, 20.7 %) and flap donor area (n:50, 16 %). It is used mainly for defects at lower extremity (n:58, 52.8 %) and upper extremity (n:118, 39.5 %). Conclusion : MatriDerm® with split thickness skin graft can be applied to trauma, burn, , diabetic foot wounds, chronic ulsers, defects secondary to necrotising fasciitis and scar contracture release, tumor excision and congenital anomaly surgeries for reparing full thickness skin defects at any region of the body

Application of high frequency color Doppler ultrasound combined with wide-field imaging in the preoperative navigation of anterolateral thigh perforator flap surgery

To investigate the application of high frequency color Doppler ultrasound (HFCDU) combined with wide-field imaging in the preoperative navigation of anterolateral thigh perforator flap graft. Between January 2017 and March 2018, 28 patients with skin and soft tissue defects were treated, including 22 males and 6 females, with an average age of 33.5 years (range, 17-66 years). The causes of injury included 2 cases of scald scar, 7 cases of heavy object crushing injury, 12 cases of traffic accident injury, 4 cases of fall injury, 2 cases of machine injury, and 1 case of infection ulcer. Injury sites included 6 cases of hand and wrist, 12 cases of lower leg, 10 cases of foot. After debridement, the wound area ranged from 6.0 cm×3.5 cm to 24.0 cm×9.0 cm, and all patients were treated with free circumflex femoral artery perforator flap graft. Combo of HFCDU and wide-field imaging navigation were done preoperatively to detect the origin, quantity, course, surface location, hemodynamic characteristics, and the relationship with body area of perforator branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery. According to the perforator information displayed by wide-field imaging of source artery, the dominant perforator was determined to be a pedicle for designed flap. The flap size ranged from 7.0 cm×4.5 cm to 26.0 cm×7.0 cm. The flap donor area was sutured directly. The dominant perforator was successfully detected by HFCDU combined with wide-field imaging in 28 patients before operation. The existence of the perforator was confirmed during operation, and the location was accurate. The course characteristics of the perforate were consistent with the results of wide-field imaging. The grafted flaps survived completely among 27 patients after operation. Necrosis at the edge of the flap was observed in 1 patient, which healed after dressing change. All patients were followed up 3-12 months, with an average of 9 months. All the flaps have good blood supply, good elasticity and shape. The donor areas healed perfectly. Using HFCDU and wide-field imaging navigation for designing of anterolateral thigh perforator flaps can clearly show the characteristics of perforators, hemodynamic information, and the relationship with body area, so that the surgeons can understand the perforators more accurately and intuitively, and improve the success and efficiency of flap graft surgery.

Infragluteal fasciocutaneous flap for management of recurrent ischial pressure sore.

Objective:The objective of the study was to determine the feasibility of infragluteal fasciocutaneous flap in recurrent ischial pressure sore.Materials and Methods:In our study, from 2015 to 2017, nine patients suffering from recurrent ischial sore with scars of previous surgery were managed with infragluteal fasciocutaneous flap. Wound bed was prepared by surgical debridement and negative pressure wound therapy in each case. In two cases, gracilis muscle flap was used as adjuvant to fill up the residual cavity. Donor area of flap was primarily closed.Results:Infragluteal fasciocutaneous flap was used in all nine cases. Superficial distal congestion was present in two cases. Haematoma (1) and infection (1) at flap donor site occurred. Recurrence of ulcer was observed in two cases which were managed by bursectomy and advancement of the bridge segment of the original infragluteal fasciocutaneous flap. All flaps survived without any major complication.Discussion:Ischial pressure sores have a tendency of recurrence after conservative or flap surgery. Scars due to previous surgeries adjacent to the pressure sore preclude the use of local skin or muscle flap. Infragluteal fasciocutaneous flap is a thick reliable fasciocutaneous flap that can be used for resurfacing recurrent ischial pressure sore. This flap has an axial pattern blood supply along with rich subfascial and fascial plexus supplied by various perforators.Conclusion:Infragluteal fasciocutaneous flap is reliable option for managing recurrent ischial sore as it transposes well-vascularised thick fasciocutaneous flap from adjacent posterior thigh and its bridge segment can be further used in case of recurrence.

Augmentation Mastopexy with a Dermal Encapsulated Round or Anatomic Autoprosthesis.

Several factors, such as aging, pregnancy, and weight loss, reduce the elasticity of the breast tissue, and ptosis occurs. Due to aging and gravity, it is not possible to completely prevent breast ptosis. The goal is to delay the recurrence of ptosis as much as possible. This study included 20 female patients aged 25-55years. The patients who underwent surgery had different levels of ptosis. Although the patients wanted their breasts to be lifted and an increase in projection, they did not want implants to be used. For this reason, autologous flaps were prepared from the patients, and these flaps were called autoprosthesis flaps. The flap donor area (FA) boundaries consisted of the inframammary fold at the bottom, the medial and lateral pillar legs at the two sides and the lower margin of the areola at the top. The skin on the FA was de-epithelialized. A hand dermatome was used to ensure that the extracted skin was not too thick because the rest of the dermal skin would form the cover of the planned autoprosthesis flap. Before surgery, the autoprosthesis flap baseline width, projection, and shape (round or anatomic) were planned for each patient. The autoprosthesis flap was prepared as a central pedicle, and the dermal layer, which was 1cm wider than the flap, was then attached over the autoprosthesis flap to the pectoral muscle fascia with at least 10 sutures in the recipient area. For a round autoprosthesis flap, the flap base diameter was 10-12cm on average, whereas for an anatomic autoprosthesis flap, the width of the flap was 10-12cm and the height was 12-14cm. Autoprosthesis flap projections varied from 4 to 6cm. Because of the autoprosthesis flap, breast projection was more prominent, even in the lying position. All the patients were very satisfied with their size, shape, projection, and natural appearance. In particular, the image in the lying position was very similar to a mastopexy performed with an actual breast implant; thus, sagging was not observed. In augmentation mastopexy patients who do not want implants, upper pole filling and adequate breast projection can be easily achieved with this method. The potential risks of capsule formation, implant rejection, and implant rupture were not observed with this technique. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Abdominal Closure after TRAM Flap Breast Reconstruction with Transversus Abdominis Muscle Release and Mesh.

Summary:Breast reconstruction with a pedicled transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) flap can result in significant abdominal wall donor-site morbidity. Although the pedicled TRAM flap donor area reinforced with mesh results in decreased rates of postoperative abdominal bulging and hernias, the best technique to accomplish that is yet to be elucidated. We present our novel technique of posterior components separation with transversus abdominis muscle release and retromuscular mesh reinforcement for donor-area closure during pedicled TRAM flap breast reconstruction.

Advanced sensate proper digital artery escalating flaps for repair of fingertip skin defect

Objective To investigate the feasibility of advanced sensate proper digital artery escalating flaps in reconstruction of fingertip skin defect. Methods Between January 2012 and February 2015, 15 cases (17 fingers) of fingertip skin defect accompanied with exposed tendon or phalange were treated, including 9 males and 6 females, with mean 41 years of age (range, 7-55 years). Injury resulted from hit by heavy objects in 5 cases, knife cutting in 4, machine twist injury in 4 and mass resection in 2. Fingertip defects were covered with the flaps carrying proper digital artery and nerves in order to one-stage reconstruct finger pulp epicritic sensibility and avoid onychogryphosis. Joint function was assessed with the standard set up by Chinese Medical Association Hand Surgery Branch. Results All flaps survived. One case had ankylosis of the middle interphalangeal joint caused by poor weight-bearing exercise and was improved after exercise. Two cases with large defect in the distal finger pulp had slight onychogryphosis after operation. Period of follow-up was 6-14 months (mean, 8 months). The injured fingers showed good appearance and sense, with two-point discrimination of the flap ranging from 6-8 mm. There was no linear scar or tenderness in the finger tip. Hypertrophic scar was not obvious in the flap donor area. Function assessment was excellent in 16 fingers and good in 1 finger. Conclusion The flaps result in good blood supply, good sense, no onychogryphosis and no linear scar and are easy to be operated, indicating an ideal method to reconstruct fingertip defect. Key words: Finger injuries; Surgical flaps; Escalating flaps