ABSTRACT
Objective@#To observe the outcome of relaying anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator flap in resurfacing the donor site wound following free anteromedial thigh (AMT) perforator flap transfer for reconstruction of defect after oral tumor radical resection.@*Methods@#From January 2013 to January 2016, 28 patients with oral tumor underwent radical resection in our hospital, leaving defects with size ranged from 6.5 cm×3.5 cm to 11.0 cm×7.5 cm which were reconstructed by free AMT perforator flaps with size ranged from 7.0 cm×4.0 cm to 12.0 cm×8.0 cm. All the arteries of AMT perforators were anastomosed with superior thyroid arteries, while the venae comitants were anastomosed with superior thyroid venae or internal jugular venae. The donor site wounds of free AMT perforator flaps were reconstructed by relaying ALT perforator flaps with size ranged from 8.0 cm×3.5 cm to 14.0 cm×7.5 cm. The relaying ALT perforator flap and wound edge were closed directly with layer interrupted suture. Postoperatively, the patients stayed in bed and received diet through nasal feeding tube, and the ordinary diet and lower extremity exercise were carried out from one week after operation.@*Results@#The AMT and ALT perforators existed consistently in all patients. In 16 patients the venae comitants of AMT perforator arteries were anastomosed with superior thyroid venae in end-to-end fashion, while in 12 patients with internal jugular venae in end-to-side fashion. All flaps survived uneventfully about 2 weeks after operation, and the wounds healed smoothly. All patients were followed up for 6 to 30 months after operation. The sites repaired with free AMT perforator flaps were not bulky in appearance, with two-point discrimination distances ranged from 8 to 15 mm. The movement of tongue was not obviously affected, and patients could speak and eat normally. The texture and color of the sites repaired with relaying ALT perforator flaps were close to those of the adjacent tissue, and the two-point discrimination distances of the sites repaired with relaying ALT perforator flaps were ranged from 7 to 12 mm. The function of thigh was not obviously affected, and patients could walk normally and do related daily activities.@*Conclusions@#Reconstruction of defect after oral tumor radical resection with free AMT perforator flap can achieve good outcome, and wound in the donor site of free AMT perforator flap repaired with relaying ALT perforator flap can achieve good appearance and function recovery.
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Objective@#To investigate the application of free anteromedial thigh (AMT) perforator flap in the reconstruction of tongue defect after radical resection of tongue carcinoma.@*Methods@#From September 2010 to January 2015, 57 cases with tongue carcinoma underwent radical resection, leaving tongue and mouth floor defects which were reconstructed by AMT perforator flaps at the same stage.These 57 eases included tongue carcinoma at lingual margin (n=36), at ventral tongue (n=15) and at mouth floor (n=6).@*Results@#The size of AMT perforator flap ranged from 5.5 cm×4.0 cm to 7.5 cm×5.5 cm, the thickness of flap ranged from 1.0-1.7 cm.The length of pedicle from descending branch of lateral circumferential femoral artery is (8.2±0.6) cm, found in 28 cases.The length of pedicle from profunda femoral artery is (8.5±0.4) cm, found in 17 cases.The length of pedicle from femoral artery is (8.1±0.7) cm, found in 12 cases.All 57 perforator flaps survived uneventfully, the defects at donor site were closed directly in all cases. All patients were followed up for 12-24 months with satisfactory esthetic and functional results in reconstructed tongue. No local recurrence happened. Only linear scar left in the donor sites, the function of thighs were not affected.@*Conclusions@#The free AMT perforator flap is an ideal choice for reconstruction of the tongue and mouth floor defect after radical resection of tongue carcinoma.
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Objective To review our single institutional 10-year experience in complex chest wall reconstruction and identify a working algorithm based on our retrospective analysis.Methods A retrospective analysis of 87 patients who underwent chest wallreconstruction in our department from January 2005 to December 2015.Fifty female patients and 37 male patients who underwent the above procedure were reviewed retrospectively.The median age of the patients is 52.3 years (24-75years).Histologic diagnosis including squamous-cell carcinoma (n =10),soft tissue sarcoma(n =22),chondrosarcomas(n =13) and metastasis from breast cancer(n =42).Type of skeletal defect including partial ribs/sternum defects in 19 cases,soft tissue defects alone in 33 cases,complicated composite chest wall defects involving multiple layers(soft tissue,ribs/sternum,and intrathoracic organs) in 35 cases.Sole methylmethacrylate/polypropylene mesh was used for small sized rib defects in 26cases.Methylmethacrylate/polypropylene mesh sandwich prostheses was used in 28 cases with extensive skeletal reconstruction after partial sternectomy and rib resection.The chest wall defects were repaired with pedicled internal mammary artery perforator flap(3 cases),pedicled deep superior epigastric artery perforator flap(4 cases),pedicled pectoralis major flap(8 cases),free anterolateral thigh perforator flap(9 cases),free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap(17 cases),pedicled lateral thoracic flap(5 cases),pedicled latissimus dorsi flap(17 cases),pedicled rectus abdominis flap(15 cases),free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap combined with pedicled rectus abdominis flap (4 cases),pedicled bipaddled latissimus dorsi flap(5 cases).11 cases with extensive full-thickness defects of the chest wall,the skeletal reconstruction was achieved with prosthetic sandwich and then covered with the omental flap,further free flaps were harvested for skin and soft tissue repairing.Results 1 case with pedicled rectus abdominis flap partial necrosis was noted,free anterolateral thigh flap was used for repairmen after further revision.1 case with edicled bipaddled latissimus dorsi flap,necrosis of the distal 1/4 part of one paddle was noted,healed with dressing therapy,no secondary skin grafting was required.Postoperative venous congestion occurred in 2 cases with deep inferior epigastric artery flap transplantation,in which both skin flaps exhibited venous crisis within 24 h after surgery.The reexploration procedures were successful in both cases and the flaps survived totally.All other flaps survived.The mean follow-up was 31 months,ranged from 9 to 72 months.No tumour extirpation was noted,functional and appearance results were satisfied.Conclusion According to the size and location of chest wall defect,different pedicled and free flaps should be chosen to achieve optimal outcome.Free flaps are efficient for large complex chest defects reconstruction.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the causes of the vascular crisis and necrosis of free flaps used for reconstruction of defects following head and neck cancer resection and the managements of these issues.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 850 cases with head and neck tumors who underwent free flap reconstruction from October 2010 to April 2014 were studied retrospectively. The risks for vascular crisis and necrosis were analyzed with one-factor analysis and multivariate analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total success rate of 95.1% (808/850) for the free flap reconstruction was obtained. Twelve flaps due to poor blood supply indicated during operation were replaced by other free flaps. Among 73 flaps with vascular crisis, 31 flaps were salvaged by surgical exploration and subcutaneous injection of low molecular heparin calcium. Obesity, smoking, preoperative radiotherapy and surgeon's experience, rather than age, hypertension and diabetes, were the risk factors of skin flap necrosis. Two-vein anastomosis had a higher success rate than one-vein anastomosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The necrosis rate of free flaps can be reduced by the choice of suitable flaps, subtly preparation of flaps, carefully vascular anastomosis, and prompt perioperative managements. The two-vein anastomosis is recommended. Diabetes, hypertension and elderly patients are not the contraindications for free flap reconstruction.</p>