Pedicled Muscle Research Articles

Tensor fascia lata muscle pedicle grafting for avascular necrosis femoral head

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Osteonecrosis of femoral head (AVN) is a disabling condition with ill-defined etiology and pathogenesis. In more than 60% it leads to osteoarthritis of hip joint. Treatment for this condition includes both operative and non-operative methods with variable success rates. Surgical options being aimed at both conservation of femoral head and arthroplasty of hip joint. Aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of tensor fascia lata muscle pedicle grafting in the management of osteonecrosis of femoral head.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> 27 cases with a mean age of 38.7 years (range from 24 to 52) who underwent tensor fascia lata muscle pedicle grafting in the management of osteonecrosis of femoral head were prospectively evaluated with a mean follow up period of 7.3 years (range from 3 to 12 years). Watson-Jones approach was used in all patients. Average hospital stay was 12 days. Harris hip score was used for the evaluation of clinical outcome.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> In our series of 27 cases, the Harris hip score was excellent (90-100) in 19, good (80-89) in 5, fair (70-79) in 2 and poor (<70) in 1 case at final follow up.</p><p class="Default"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Tensor fascia lata muscle pedicle grafting is an effective, technically easier, pain relieving head-preserving procedure and will improve outcome in properly selected patients with osteonecrosis of femoral head. </p>

Utility of endoscopic therapy in the management of Boerhaave syndrome.

Background/aims: The optimal intervention for Boerhaave perforation has not been determined. Options include surgical repair with/without a pedicled muscle flap, T tube placement, esophageal resection or diversion, or an endoscopic approach. All management strategies require adequate drainage and nutritional support. Our aim was to evaluate outcomes following Boerhaave perforation treated with surgery, endoscopic therapy, or both. Patients and methods: We performed a 10-year review of our prospectively maintained databases of adult patients with Boerhaave perforations. We documented clinical presentation, extent of injury, primary intervention, “salvage” treatment (any treatment for persistent leak), and outcome. Results were analyzed using the Fisher’s exact and Kruskal – Wallis tests. Results: Between October 2004 and October 2014, 235 patients presented with esophageal leak/fistula with 17 Boerhaave perforations. Median age was 68 years. Median length of perforation was 1.25 cm (range 0.8 – 5 cm). Four patients presented with systemic sepsis (two treated with palliative stent and two surgically). Primary endotherapy was performed for eight (50 %) and primary surgery for eight (50 %) patients. Two endotherapy patients required multiple stents. Median stent duration was 61 days (range 56 – 76). “Salvage” intervention was required in 2/8 (25 %) endotherapy patients and 1/8 (13 %) surgery patient (stent). All patients healed without resection/reconstruction. There were no deaths in the surgically treated group and two in the endotherapy group (stented with palliative intent due to poor systemic condition). Readmission within 30 days occurred in 3/6 of alive endotherapy patients (50 %) and 0/8 surgery patients. Re-intervention within 30 days was required for one endotherapy patient. Conclusion: Endoscopic repair of Boerhaave perforations can be useful in carefully selected patients without evidence of systemic sepsis. Endoscopic therapy such as stenting is particularly valuable as a “salvage” intervention. The benefits of endoscopic therapy and esophageal preservation are offset against an increased risk of readmission in patients primarily treated endoscopically.

Osteocutaneous bone flap – a useful variant of the osteoplastic flap in pediatric patients

Traditional teaching describes two types of bone flaps in craniotomies – ‘free bone flap’ and osteoplastic craniotomies. While in the former, the entire bone flap devoid of soft tissue attachments is removed, in the latter the bone flap that is turned is hinged on a pedicle of temporalis muscle with the aim of retaining its vascular supply. We describe a variant of the latter in 13 pediatric patients in whom the lower margin of the craniotomy was above the attachment of the temporalis muscle and where the bone flap was lifted with all the layers of the scalp including the skin and galea, highlighting the thought process behind its performance and the advantages of the same.

Meta-analysis of quadratus femoris muscle pedicle bone flap transplantation in the repair of femoral neck fracture for young and middle-aged patients

Objective To compare the efficacy of quadratus femoris muscle pedicle bone flap transplantation combined with hollow compression screw fixation versus hollow compression screw fixation in the repair of femoral neck fracture for young and middle-aged patients. Methods Case-controll studies comaring the quadratus femoris muscle pedicle bone flap transplantation with hollow compression screw fixation in the repair of femoral neck fracture were retrieved from CNKI, Chinese Biomedical Database, Wanfang Data and manually (from January, 2005 to December, 2014). Methodological quality of the trials was critically assessed, and relevant data were extracted. Statidtical software Revman 5.0 was used for data-analysis. Results Eight articles were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that, compared the efficacy of quadratus femoris muscle pedicle bone flap transplantation combined with hollow compression screw fixation with hollow compression screw fixation,there were statidtical significance in the rate of fracture healing [OR= 5.43, 95%CI(2.89, 10.20), P < 0.05], the rate of good function of hip joint [OR= 5.12, 95%CI(3.21, 8.17), P < 0.05], the rate of femoral head necrosis [OR= 4.21,95%CI(2.02,8.76), P < 0.05], the time of fracture healing [WMD=-46.85, 95%CI(-65.13, -28.56), P < 0.05]. Conclusion The transplantation of quadratus femoris muscle pedicle bone flap combined with hollow compression screw fixation is superior to the hollow compression screw fixation in the repair of femoral neck fracture for young and middle-aged patients in regards to the rate of fracture healing, the rate of good function of hip joint, the rate of femoral head necrosis, the time of fracture healing. Key words: Femoral neck fracture; Quadratus femoris muscle pedicle bone flap; Hollow compression screw fixation; Meta-analysis

Clinical efficacy of subcutaneous pedicle flap in functional and cosmetic reconstruction on facial defects

Objective To introduce the experience and comprehension of application of subcutaneous pedicle skin flap in repair of facial defects. Methods From July 2005 to July 2015, the different kinds of subcutaneous pedicle flaps were used to repair skin defect of the facial lesions in 257 patients, including the flaps with subcutaneous adipose tissue pedicle, with the orbicularis oculi muscle pedicle and with superficial musculoaponeurotic system pedicle, through advancement, rotation or subcutaneous tunnel transfer ways. Results After operation, 255 cases survived with primary healing except for two patients with partial flap necrosis; 177 cases were followed up from 3 to 60 months, and all were satisfaied with natural repaired tissue that matched well with surrounding tissue at color, texture, contour, and so on. Conclusions Following the principles of the zonation repair in face, it can obtain satisfactory facial contour and cosmetic effect for patients with facial defects by using one or more subcutaneous pedicle flaps. Key words: Subcutaneous pedicle flap; Facial defect; Reconstruction

Thoracomyoplasty with pedicled muscle flaps: a single center experience with a combined approach

Objectives: Thoracoplasty has lost its popularity over time and is being supplanted by space-reduction operations using muscle flaps. Our study purpose was to investigate the remaining indications and the modifications of the classic technique in our current surgical practice.

Muscle-pedicle Bone Grafting With Periosteum Coverage for Osteochondritis Dissecans

Objective/Hypothesis: There are several treatment options for osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of humeral capitellum. In a previous study, we reported muscle-pedicle bone grafting with periosteum coverage for OCD. The purpose of the current study was to review the results of this surgery. Materials and Methods: Eight patients who underwent muscle-pedicle bone grafting with periosteum coverage for OCD between 2011 and 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. The surgical technique is as follows: Unstable OCD lesion was debrided. Cuboid bone graft with the anconeus muscle pedicle was harvested from the posterior side of the capitellum. When obtaining the bone graft, extra periosteum was also obtained and kept attached to the bone graft. Bone tunnel was created from the harvested site to the debrided site. The bone graft was covered with the attached periosteum and inserted through the tunnel. The periosteum edge of the inserted graft was sutured with cartilage around the debrided site. The patients were placed in a long-arm splint for 2 to 3 weeks, followed by gentle mobilization. Gradual return-to-play program was started after radiographic signs of healing. Patients were usually allowed to recover to full sports activity around 6 months after surgery. The medical records of the 8 patients were reviewed for the following information: (1) sports and position; (2) preoperative and final range of motion; (3) duration from surgery to return to sports activity; (4) radiographic outcomes, including size of OCD lesion, grafted bone union, and enlargement of the radial head; and (5) complications. Enlargement of the radial head was defined as an increase in the diameter of more than 20% between preoperative and final anteroposterior radiographs. Results: Eight elbows in 8 patients (7 male and 1 female) with a mean age of 14 years (range, 12-16 years) underwent muscle-pedicle bone grafting with periosteum coverage during the period. Mean follow-up duration was 19 months (range, 6-34 months). Sports, the patients performed, include baseball (7 patients) and tennis (1 patient). In the 7 baseball players, 2 patients were pitchers, 1 was a catcher, 3 were infielders, and 1 was an outfielder. Preoperative range of flexion and extension were 129.4 ± 6.8° (mean ± SD) and −4.4 ± 8.6°, respectively. Final range of flexion and extension were 131.9 ± 11.9° and −2.5 ± 12.8°, respectively. There were no significant difference in preoperative and final range of motion. Patients returned to sports activity in 5 to 7 months after surgery. Seven of 8 patients returned to the same sports level, but 1 patient returned to other sports. The mean anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the cartilage defect were 12.0 (range, 8-14 mm) and 10.6 mm (range, 7-13 mm), respectively. Grafted bone union was achieved in all patients. Enlargement of the radial head was observed in 2 patients. Conclusions: Muscle-pedicle bone grafting with periosteum coverage was one of the acceptable treatment options for OCD of humeral capitellum. Reconstruction of articular defect in OCD was possible with minimum donor site morbidity.

Osteosynthesis of ununited femoral neck fracture by internal fixation combined with iliac crest bone chips and muscle pedicle bone grafting.

Background:Ununited femoral neck fracture is seen commonly in developing countries due to delayed presentation or failure of primary internal fixation. Such fractures, commonly present with partial or total absorption of femoral neck, osteonecrosis of femoral head in 8–30% cases with upward migration of trochanter posing problem for osteosynthesis, especially in younger individuals. Several techniques for treatment of such conditions are described like osteotomies or nonvascularied cortical or cancellous bone grafting provided varying degrees of success in terms of fracture union but unsatisfactory long term results occurred due to varying incidence of avascular necrosis (AVN) of femoral head. Moreover, in presence of AVN of femoral head neither free fibular graft nor cancellous bone graft is satisfactory. The vascularied bone grafting by deep circumflex iliac artery based on iliac crest bone grafting, free vascularied fibular grafting and muscle pedicle periosteal grafting showed high incidence of success rate. Osteosynthesis is the preferred treatment of choice in ununited femoral neck fracture in younger individuals.Materials and Methods:Of the 293 patients operated during the period from June 1977 to June 2009, 42 were lost to followup. Seven patients with gluteus medius muscle pedicle bone grafting (MPBG) were excluded. Thus, out of 244 patients, 208 (85.3%) untreated nonunion and 36 (14.7%) following failure of primary internal fixation were available for studies. Time interval between the date of injury and operation in untreated nonunion cases was mean 6.5 months and in failed internal fixation cases was mean 11.2 months. Ages of the patients varied from 16 to 55 years. Seventy patients had partial and 174 had subtotal absorption of the femoral neck. Evidence of avascular necrosis (AVN) femoral head was found histologically in 135 (54.3%) and radiologically in 48 (19.7%) patients. The patients were operated by open reduction of fracture, cannulated hip screw fixation, iliac crest bone chips and quadratus femoris MPBG.Results:The mean followup is 12.5 years (range 3-35). The union of fractures occurred in 202 (82.8%), delayed union in 18 (7.3%), and established nonunion in 24 (9.8%) patients. Full weight bearing was permitted at 16–22 weeks after union of fractures. Mean Harris hip score at the longest followup was 85.5. Among the complications, superficial wound infection occurred in 20 (8.2%), deep infection in seven (2.9%), and coxa vara in 39 (16%) patients. Preoperative radiodensity of femoral head disappeared mostly after the union of fracture whereas fresh radiodensity of femoral head appeared in 20 (8%) patients; nine (45%) of them developed segmental collapse.Conclusion:Ununited femoral neck fractureis characterized by absorption of femoral neck, posterior cortical defect, smoothening and overriding of fracture surfaces with intervening fibrous tissues associated with or without AVN of femoral head. The above method of osteosynthesis rectified the above pathology and provided satisfactory results with union of fractures in 90.1% patients at long term followup.

Indications and Results of Reconstructive Techniques with Flaps Transposition in Patients Requiring Complex Thoracic Surgery: A 12-Year Experience.

Flap transposition is an infrequent but far from exceptional thoracic surgical procedure. The aim of this retrospective study was to report our experience in a referral unit of general thoracic surgery analyzing the early results after flap transposition. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records, surgical notes, and postoperative results of a cohort of patients who underwent flap transposition in our unit from November 2000 to February 2013. Overall, a surgical approach adopting flap reconstruction techniques was performed in 81 patients (54 males, 27 females) with a median age of 62years (range 20-87). Flap transposition was necessary to reconstruct chest wall after resection for malignancy (27 patients), to repair intrathoracic viscera perforation (15 patients), and to fill residual cavities secondary to pulmonary/pleural infection (39 patients). A pedicle muscle flap was transposed in most of cases (64 pts, 79%), while in the remaining 17 cases (11%), an omental flap was used. There were no immediate postoperative complications, while three in-hospital deaths occurred due to respiratory or multiorgan failure. Among patients undergone flap transposition to fill a residual cavity, we observed a recurrent bronchopleural fistula in three patients (7.7%); such patients were treated by repeat flap transposition (2 cases) and by repeat cavernostomy (1 case). Flap transposition may be indicated as part of a multimodal treatment for severely ill patients requiring complex thoracic surgery.

Meta analysis of different methods used for joint preserving procedures in the management of delayed, neglected and non-united femoral neck fractures in young adults

BackgroundNeglected fractures in young adults can be amongst the most difficult to treat in the spectrum of fractures of the femoral neck. Because of its complex anatomy and blood supply, timely fixation is paramount. When this does not occur, non-union and avascular necrosis are common complications. Here, we present a meta-analysis of three common options available to the surgeon treating such complications.MethodsWe identified 97 relevant papers by the keywords ‘femoral neck fractures’; ‘neglected’; ‘joint preserving’ and ‘young adults’; 23 met the inclusion criteria and reported on an overall population of 725 patients.ResultsOsteotomy with internal fixation had a union rate of 91.33% (95% CI 84.91–92.87). Fractures fixed by internal fixation with pedicled muscle graft proceeded to union in 86.25% (95% CI 78.92%–88.54%) of cases and those managed with free fibular graft in 88% (95% CI 78.35%–90.84%), respectively. Internal fixation alone, in this study, used as an illustrative control group, was successful in 76.5% (95% CI 65.58%–83.81%) of cases.ConclusionThese findings show superiority of osteotomy with internal fixation in the management of non-united femoral neck fractures, and more complex options with potentially higher morbidity confer no patient benefit.

Anatomic study of the musculus longus capitis flap.

To clearly delineate the anatomy of the musculus longus capitis, determine its clinical applications for reconstruction surgery, and provide a safer surgical method of developing the longus capitis muscle flap. Anatomical investigations were performed in seven adult cadavers (five cadavers for gross anatomy and two for transparent specimen preparation) with respect to the location, morphology, arterial supply, and innervation of the musculus longus capitis, as well as its spatial relationship with the cervical sympathetic trunk, superior cervical ganglion, carotid sheath, and other surrounding structures. The musculus longus capitis is located anterior to the C1-6 vertebrae, segmentally supplied by branches of the ascending cervical artery, innervated by the C1-5 nerve, and spatially close to the cervical sympathetic trunk, superior cervical ganglion, and carotid sheath. These anatomic findings indicate that the development of a cranial or caudal pedicled longus capitis muscle flap is feasible. The musculus longus capitis can be developed into a cranial or caudal pedicled flap for repair of head and neck defects with negligible morbidity of the donor site.

Sartorius muscle pedicle iliac bone graft for the treatment of avascular necrosis of femur head.

Avascular necrosis (AVN) of femoral head needs to be addressed early in the course of the disease, to prevent progression to osteoarthritis. A revascularizing procedure which can help preserve the head should be considered in young adults to alleviate the need for total hip arthroplasty. We included 40 cases (53 hips) of AVN of femoral head operated with Sartorius muscle pedicle iliac bone grafting, done by the senior author. Early post-operative rehabilitation was done. The weight bearing was delayed for 6 weeks. All the patients were followed clinically and radiologically at regular intervals. The operated femoral heads, were grouped according to Ficat’s staging: 24 in stage IIA (45.3%), 22 in stage IIB (41.5%) and 07 in stage III (13.2%). The average duration of surgery was 85 min (range: 55–130 min). The total duration of follow-up was average 4.2 years (range: 2.2–15 years).The Harris hip score was excellent (>90) in 18 hips (33.96%), good (80–89) in 24 hips (45.28%), fair (70–79) in 9 hips (17%) and poor (<70) in 2 hips (3.7%). AVN of the femoral head is a painful and disabling condition in young adults. Sartorius muscle pedicle bone graft technique allows adequate decompression, re vascularization and osteogenesis of the femur head in Ficat’s stage IIa, IIb and III, in young adults. This is an effective and easy technique to adopt with excellent to good results in 80% cases and is associated with only minimal complications.

Use of muscle pedicle flaps for failed bladder neck closure in the exstrophy spectrum

The authors have reviewed the use of muscle pedicle flaps for the treatment of failed bladder neck closure in exstrophy spectrum patients. A retrospective review of all exstrophy spectrum patients who underwent continence procedures with the use of muscle pedicle flaps at our institution during the last 15 years was performed. Patient characteristics, surgical history, and outcomes, including complications, continence, morbidity, and infection, were assessed. The authors utilized muscle pedicle flaps in eight exstrophy patients, including four patients with classic bladder exstrophy and four patients with cloacal exstrophy. Seven of eight patients had failed at least one prior bladder neck closure, and they had undergone a median of three prior urologic procedures. To achieve continence, five rectus muscle flaps and three gracilis muscle flaps were utilized in combination with bladder neck closure. There were no major intraoperative or postoperative complications. All patients were initially continent, and after a median follow-up of 18.7 months seven of eight patients were continent. One patient required continent urinary stoma revision and one patient developed perineal incontinence after perineal trauma. No patients required revision of, or additional, continence procedures at the bladder neck. The use of pedicle muscle flaps appears to be a safe and feasible option for exstrophy spectrum patients with failed bladder neck closure. Although achieving continence can be difficult in this population, use of muscle flaps and bladder neck closure is a viable and effective option in this challenging subset of patients.

Reconstructive Options for Oncologic Posterior Trunk Defects: A Review.

After oncological tumor resections at the back, large defects can remain that depending on the size and location may represent reconstructive challenges to plastic surgeons. Flap selection includes the entire armamentarium of coverage, including transposition flaps, perforator flaps, pedicled muscle flaps, and free flaps. Most defects can be closed and reconstructed with local or pedicled muscle flaps. In our hands, sufficient closure could be obtained with all techniques, except the latissimus dorsi turn-over flap. Thereupon, an algorithm for closure of posterior trunk defects related to the anatomical region is proposed.

Botulinum Toxin A Upregulates Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA Gene Expression in a Dose-Dependent Manner: In Vivo and in Vitro Study.

Angiogenesis is the development of new capillaries from existing blood vessels and is a prerequisite for the wound-healing process. Many lines of scientific evidences have shown that complicated roles of small guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) (ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 [Rac1], cell division control protein 42 [Cdc42], and ras homolog gene family, member A [RhoA]) in regulation of signal transduction pathways exist to transmit distinct cellular effects on the modulation of actin cytoskeleton remodeling such as cell cycle progression, cell survival, and cell motility. In addition, these small GTPases activate mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinases (MAP3Ks) leading to activated mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (MAPKK), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and various transcription factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor with involvement of MAPK signaling pathways.In this study, the authors hypothesized that botulinum toxin A increases angiogenesis via the expression of small GTPases in vivo and in vitro studies.In vivo experiment, 24 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: a control group and a botulinum toxin A group. Five days prior to superiorly based transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap elevation, the botulinum toxin A (BoTA) group was pretreated with BoTA, while the control group was pretreated with normal saline. quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate the expression of Rac1, RhoA, and Cdc42.The angiogenic effects of botulinum toxin A on human dermal fibroblasts were measured in vitro experiment. To understand the mechanism of botulinum toxin A on small GTPases production of fibroblasts, Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA were measured using qRT-PCR.The relative messenger ribonucleic acid expression of Rac1, RhoA, and Cdc42 was significantly higher in the BoTA group than in the control group, in every zone and pedicle muscle, on postoperative days 1, 3, and 5. Levels of these molecules increased significantly in human dermal fibroblasts grown in the presence of BoTA compared with control group over 5 IU.Our in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that administration of BoTA upregulates the expression of RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42 in a dose-dependent manner. MAPK signaling pathway might be involved in BoTA-induced angiogenesis mechanism. N/A.

Transoesophageal ultrasound and computer tomographic assessment of the equine cricoarytenoid dorsalis muscle: Relationship between muscle geometry and exercising laryngeal function.

Early detection of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) is of considerable interest to the equine industry. To describe two imaging modalities, transoesophageal ultrasound (TEU) and computed tomography (CT) with multiplanar reconstruction to assess laryngeal muscle geometry, and determine the relationship between cricoarytenoid dorsalis (CAD) geometry and function. Two-phase study evaluating CAD geometry in experimental horses and horses with naturally occurring RLN. Equine CAD muscle volume was determined from CT scan sets using volumetric reconstruction with LiveWire. The midbody and caudal dorsal-ventral thickness of the CAD muscle was determined using a TEU in the same horses; and in horses with a range of severity of RLN (n = 112). Transoesophageal ultrasound was able to readily image the CAD muscles and lower left:right CAD thickness ratios were observed with increasing disease severity. Computed tomography based muscle volume correlated very closely with ex vivo muscle volume (R2 = 0.77). Computed tomography reconstruction can accurately determine intrinsic laryngeal muscle geometry. A relationship between TEU measurements of CAD geometry and laryngeal function was established. These imaging techniques could be used to track the response of the CAD muscle to restorative surgical treatments such as nerve muscle pedicle graft, nerve anastomosis and functional electrical stimulation.

Novel tubular constructs for urinary diversion: a biocompatibility study in pigs.

The use of bowel tissue for urinary diversion can be associated with severe complications, and regenerative medicine may circumvent this by providing an engineered conduit. In this study, a novel tubular construct was identified for this purpose. Three constructs (diameter 15mm) were prepared from type I collagen and either (a) a semi-biodegradable Vypro II polymer (COL-Vypro), (b) a rapidly biodegradable Vicryl polymer (COL-Vicryl) or (c) an additional collagenous layer (COL-DUAL). After freezing, lyophilization and crosslinking, all constructs showed a porous structure with a two-fold higher strength for the polymer-containing constructs. These constructs were connected to full bladder defects of 11 female pigs and evaluated after 1 (n=4) or 3months (n=5). With respect to surgical handling, the polymer-containing constructs were superior. All pigs voided normally without leakage and the survival rate was 82%. For the implanted COL-Vypro constructs (8/9), stone formation was observed. COL-DUAL and COL-Vicryl showed better biocompatibility and only small remnants were found 1month post-implantation. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis showed the best regeneration for COL-Vicryl with respect to urothelium; muscle pedicles and elastin formation were best developed in the COL-Vicryl constructs. In this study, COL-Vicryl constructs were superior in both biocompatibility and bladder tissue regeneration and have high potential for artificial urinary diversions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Is indocyanine green angiography a reliable tool for the assessment of venous congestion in muscle flaps?

&lt;p&gt;Indocyanine green (ICG) angiography is a useful technology for assessing flap perfusion in reconstructive procedures. Flap clearance of ICG can help in assessing venous congestion. To the best of our knowledge, although a few reports have evaluated its use for venous congestion, no reports have assessed the viability and applicability of this technology for this purpose in muscle flaps. A 63-year-old female patient with right leg leiomyosarcoma post-tumor resection underwent reconstructive surgery with a hemi-gastrocnemius flap. A scan of the flap using ICG angiography showed slow clearance of dye in the flap compared to the rest of the body. On postoperative day (POD) 1, the flap was re-examined using an infrared camera and it showed evidence of retained dye. On the contrary, there were no clinical signs of flap congestion. Ultimately, the patient had a successful reconstruction and an uncomplicated postoperative course despite the inconsistent findings in ICG angiography. ICG angiography is a useful tool in assessing arterial perfusion of flaps. However, further evaluation is needed to gain clinical reliability and validity in the evaluation of venous congestion in muscle flaps. Its overall utility with respect to pedicled muscle flaps has yet to be established.&lt;/p&gt;

Local muscle flaps via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) without thoracotomy for dead space obliteration

The obliteration of intra-thoracic dead space following tumor or empyema extirpation is imperative to successful long-term outcomes. We sought to describe the technique of using a pedicled latissmus dorsi muscle flap for obliteration of a large 14 × 6cm intrathoracic dead space following pleural decortication of chronic empyema, without thoracotomy or rib spreading via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Specific attention is directed to the technical details of the flap harvest and inset in relation to the modifications required to inset the flap without a thoracotomy or rib spreading. The patient’s history, presenting symptoms, pre-operative imaging, intraoperative details, and post-operative course are delineated with a focus on the length of stay, post-operative pain, and morbidity. The length of stay was 2 days with minimal pain on post-operative day one managed with oral nacrotic; long term post-operative X-ray revealed obliterated dead space and the patient experienced no complications. Inset of pedicled latissmus muscle flaps via VATS technique without thoracotomy or rib spreading seems a safe and effective technique that can offer short hospitalization with minimal pain morbidity.

Balloon-Assisted Fistula Sealing Procedure for Symptomatic Tarlov Cysts

Tarlov cyst is an abnormal expansion of the spinal nerve sleeve, and it communicates with the subarachnoid cavity via a perineural fistula. This study presents our experience of a balloon-assisted fistula sealing procedure in treating Tarlov cyst. Twenty-two patients with symptomatic Tarlov cysts were surgically treated. An emulsion balloon was placed into the lumbar subarachnoid cistern through a trocar, so as to temporarily block cerebrospinal fluid flow, then the thecal sac was opened and the inlet of the fistula was sealed by suture of a muscular patch and reinforced by fibrin glue. Finally, the cyst wall was imbricated and the bony cavity was filled with pedicled muscle flaps. Comparing the preoperative and postoperative pain scores according to visual analog scale, 2 patients were slightly improved and 18 patients were substantially improved, including 3 completely pain-free cases. Only 2 patients were unchanged in pain, and both of them had multiple cysts. As a whole, the postoperative pain score was much better than the preoperative score (2.4 vs. 7.5; P < 0.01). Bladder weakness was slightly improved, and bowel dysfunction was almost unchanged after operation. During follow-up, cyst recurrence was found in 1 patient. The balloon-assisted fistula sealing procedure is safe and effective for Tarlov cyst, especially for the single cyst. It is a good complement to the cyst wall imbricating procedure.