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Objective@#To analyze the causes of local necrosis and hemodynamics after pedicle peroneal perforator flap and try to find out prevention strategies.@*Methods@#Retrospective 17 tissue defect cases admitted by Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of Ningbo First Hospital, which treated by pedicle perforator flap with kinds of complications. 3 of 17 were naked the perforators to reduce reverse pressure. Patients involved 12 male, 5 female, ages from 22 to 46, with defected area from 5.0 cm×11.0 cm to 8.0 cm×14.0 cm, located in lateral ankle.@*Results@#3 to 5 days postoperative 12 cases with distal local necrosis, all of which were designed interregional, one with performator naked, turned back after drainage and wound dressing, 3 cases were gradually swelling and purple postoperative, two of them were perforator naked. 1 weeks later, the distal skin of flap necrosis and were gradually turning black scab appeared.With scab cutting and fascia survived, no bony tissues exposure, after 0.5% povidone iodine wet dressing regularly, endothelial cells crawled to cover. 2 cases with larger ranger of swelling and purple, not be better even pedicale releasing was conducted, 2 weeks later most part of the flap necrosis and the distal turned black eschar. After debridement and skin grafting, wounds healed later.All patients were followed up for 3 months with no flap transplantation required.@*Conclusions@#Coaxial homology, within 2 choke vessel areas, perforator skeletonization, kick out the small saphenous vein, might be the ways to reduce the complication of the cross area designing trans pedicled peroneal perforator flap.
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The authors reviewed the concepts of the axial pattern flap, angiosome and perforasome, and analyzed the anastomosis and hemodynamic characteristics between the angiosome and the perforasome. Results: (1) Axial pattern flaps can be designed either in the angiosome or in perforasome. The difference is the pedicle and vascular axis. (2) The middle perforator should be the first choice as the pedicle for multi-perforators cross-territory flap, and the axial direction of the flap should be the same as that of the source artery. (3) Avoid as much as possible nutrient large flap with small blood vessels, that is, using a perforating vessel as a pedicle to cross-zone support to an angiosome flap. (4) The position of vascular pedicle and venous drainage is more important than the size and number of blood vessels. It is proposed that the transformation and reconstruction of the axial vascular in the multi-perforated cross zone flap to establish a new blood circulation system is a research hotspot and challenges in the study of anatomy. It is necessary to work closely with the surgeons.
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A large number of innovative and new technologies and method in the field of perforator flap were proposed with the hard work of many experts and surgeons. This paper briefly reviewed the following items including the discovery of the perforator flap and its enlightenment to us, three-dimensional visualized anatomy, angiosome and perforasome theories, pre-operative perforator detection techniques, techniques for evaluation of the flap vascular perfusion, the concept of freestyle perforator flap, chimeric flap, flow-through flap technique, new designs of pedicle perforator flap, particularly the propeller and keystone flaps, supramicrosurgery, superthin flap, microdissected thin perforator flap, and microvascular breast reconstruction and lymph node transfer for postmastectomy lymphedema patients. These new technologies and method have greatly improved our understanding of flap surgery and promote the development of the reconstructive surgery. The traditional research focused on investigating the anatomic features of a single flap and strategies for the reconstruction of different defects and organs. Nowadays, the treatment scope of reconstructive surgery is more extensive and has developed to repair various refractory wounds following trauma and oncological resection, nerve injuries, and to reconstruct defect and organ by using the vascularized composite allotransplantation. Researches on the upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery have been highly valued recently. It can be expected that the direction of reconstructive surgery would be transformed from the improvement of theraputic modalities to concentrating on the treatment of diseases, and this undoubtedly conforms to the essence of medicine. The research of perforator flaps will be directed to more precise, minimally invasive, and individualized according to the requirements of evidence-based medicine.
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Based on literature review and comparative studies, the most useful anatomical method that were convenient for both medical researchers and surgeons were introduced. Practical examples were used to illustrate how to gather and rectify the information of the perforating vessels and to design a perforator flap. In addition, the survival mechanisms of cross-territory perforator flap and modalities that can be used to promote the flap survival were also reviewed. Previous research showed: ①The position, diameter, pedicle length, axiality, and vascular territory of a specific perforator were important parameters for observation. ②The traditional cadaveric study and the X-ray examination of post-perfusion cadaveric specimens could provide two-dimensional information about the perforating vessels. CT angiography could provide more accurate information of the perforators. Adjacent structures could be clearly revealed when the data of CT angiography was dealt with the MIMICS software. ③The survival of the cross-territory perforator flap could be enhanced by various different maneuvers. How to reconstruct the new blood circulation system in the multi perforator cross zone flap is a research hotspot and challenges in the study of anatomy. It is necessary to work closely with the surgeons.
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Since the first description by Koshima in 1989, perforator flaps have become one of the most commonly used tools for soft tissue defects and organ reconstruction.The three period history of perforator flaps was briefly reviewed.In the first period(from 1989-2000), pioneers persisted in studying perforator flaps and did outstanding work to define and develop the new technique.In the second period(from 2000-2010), the idea of perforator flaps is widely accepted.Moreover, in the third period(from 2010-present), the application of perforator flaps was extended to new medical fields, and reconstruction surgeons began reporting their clinical experiences.As an important historical event, the "Gent" consensus on perforator flaps terminology was introduced in detail.The existing definition, classification, terminology, and nomenclature of perforator flaps were reviewed.Some of the most frequently used perforator flaps are briefly described.Surgeons that popularized the use of perforator flaps were reviewed as well as the inspiration drawn from the 30 year fascinating historical evolution of perforator flaps.
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Objective To study the anatomic basis and its clinical effects of the adjacent perforator fasciocutaneous flap in planta.Methods From October,2010 to December,2017,the work was on two fronts:① The blood supply of the flap was studied by the dissection of 5 adult lower limbs which were perfused with red emulsion.Under the magnifying glass,the source of blood supply to the pedicle perforator fasciocutaneous flap near the foot was observed,and the caliber of perforating vessels was measured by vernier caliper.② Methods based on the anatomic study,the adjacent perforator fasciocutaneous flap was designed to repair plantar defect.Eleven cases with defects in planta were treated with the flap including 5 malignant melanoma,5 refractory wound and 1 pigmented nevus.The size of defects ranged from 1.5 cm×2.0 cm to 4.0 cm ×5.0 cm with the size of the flaps ranging from 7.0 cm×3.0 cm to 13.0 cm×7.0 cm.Results Anatomical studies showed that the supply vessels of the fasciocutaneous flap near the perforator of the plantar space were plantar medial arteries.The external diameter was greater than or equal to the 0.5 mm perforating number of about 7,the average outer diameter was (0.85±0.19) mm.The medial plantar artery emits multiple branches along the running direction and forms anastomotic branches in the arch of the foot to ensure the blood supply of the flap.Eleven cases of perforator fasciocutaneous flaps survived,including 1 case of distal necrosis of small area and healed after change dressings.The follow-up results during 6-24 months showed that all patients were walking normally,with full texture and no localized dull pain.Conclusion On the basis of the extent of diseases,projected the adjacent perforator fasciocutaneous flap,the wear resistance and abrasive resistance are improved resulted from flaps with similar skin texture of defects.The donor site can be closed directly without skin graft.It is an simple and reliable method to repair medium and small-sized plantar defects.
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Objective To investigate the effects of human amniotic membrane on the survival of the crossboundary perforator flap in rats through distal subcutaneous implantation.Methods From February,2016 to December,2016,38 SD rats weighing 270-300 g were randomly divided into experimental group and control group (n=19).A three-territory perforator flap (3 cm× 10 cm) with the iliac artery as the pedicel elevated on the right dorsum of the rats.Experiment group,a section of amnion was sutured to the distal subcutaneous of the flap and then the flap was sutured back to its donor site.Control group,after the flap elevated,directly sutured back to its donor site.The blood flow of the pedicel were detected by laser Doppler flowmetry at the day before surgery,1 day after surgery,3 and 7 days after surgery,with 3 rats in every group.When the rats were anesthetized,biopsies were taken from the choke area Ⅱ at the day before surgery,3 and 7 days after surgery,with 9 rats in every group.When the rats were anesthetized,HE was used to compare the diameter size of the artery and vein at the same site.At day 7,measure the survival area of the flap,and 3 of them observe the vessel of the flap by lead oxide-gelatine technique.Results The survival rate of the experimental group and the control group after 7 days were (89.09±4.23)％ and (74.56-±5.59)％ respectively,the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (t=5.48,P=0.00).X-ray showed that 7 days after operation,the pedicel of iliac artery in the experimental group was bigger than that in the control group.The blood flow detection showed that the blood flow of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group (t=2.39,3.06;P=0.03,0.00,respectively) at day 1 and day 3 after surgery.Hematoxylin eosin staining showed that arteriovenous tube diameter at the Choke Ⅱ were gradually increased on the day3 and day7 after surgery in both group,but the experimental group diameter expanded multiple was higher than that of control group (t=3.52,3.50;P=0.02,0.02,respectively).Conclusion Human Amnion subcutaneous embedding may improve the blood flow of the vascular pedicle,expand the microvascular at Choke area Ⅱ,improve microcirculation,as a result to promote the survival of cross perforator flap,while the mechanism is needed to understanding.
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Objective To investigate the effects of DMOG on the microcirculation of the choke-area and the survival of the cross-boundary flap in rats via tail vein injection.Methods Rats with ischemic three-territory perforator flaps on the dorsum were treated with DMOG at a dosage of 40 mg/kg body weight via tail vein injection at 1 day before surgery(day-1),the time of surgery(day 0),1 day after surgery(day 1),2 days after surgery(day 2) and 3 days after surgery(day 3).Control group received sterile saline at the same time points and same dosage via tail vein injection.① Draw materials from the choke-area at day 1,day 3 and day 7,HE stain was used to compare the diameter size of the artery and vein at the same site.② Western blotting to check the expression of PCNA and HIF-1α,ELISA to detect the content of PCNA,HIF-1α,SDF-1α and VEGF at day 7.③At day 7,measure the survival area of the flap and observe the vessel of the flap by lead oxide-gelatine technique.Results ① There was a greater survival rate of (96.3 ± 5.1)％ in the treatment group than in the control group with (73.9 ± 5.8)％ at day 7 (P ＜ 0.05).② The diameter size of the arterioles and venules were dilated in both groups until postoperative days 7.But the treatment group was more expanded than the control group at day 3(2.20 ± 0.26 vs.1.50 ± 0.20,P ＜ 0.05) and day 7(3.67 ± 0.35 vs.2.03 ± 0.15,P ＜ 0.05).③ The skin expression of PCNA and HIF-1α in the treatment group were greater than the control group(P ＜ 0.05) at day 7.④ The content of skin PCNA in the treatment group and control group were(8.95 ± 0.71) ng/mg and (4.15 ± 0.72) ng/mg,HIF-1α were(5.04 ± 0.50)ng/mg and (2.98 ± 0.29) ng/mg,SDF-1α were (2.91 ± 0.61) ng/mg and (1.39 ± 0.62) ng/mg,and VEGF were(2.17 ± 0.41) ng/mg and (0.95 ± 0.44) ng/mg,respectively.The treatment group was greater than the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion DMOG can improve the microcirculation of the choke area,and then increase the survival of the perforator skin flaps in rats via tail vein injection.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the vascular supply of intrinsic muscles of foot and anatomic basis for muscular flap design.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A radiopaque injectate (lead oxide-gelatin mixtures, 26 ml/kg) was injected into 10 fresh cadavers. The dissected regions were photographed and each intrinsic muscles on the foot was removed and radiographed. The number, type, diameter of vascular branches of muscles and their distributions were observed. The area of the vascular territory supplied by each source vessel was calculated using Scion Image for Windows software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were significant architectural differences among the intrinsic muscles. The muscles length varied from 22.5mm to 116.2mm [average, (66.1 +/- 23.2)mm]. The measured fiber length were relatively consistent, ranging from 14.2 mm to 27.5 mm [average, (20.2 +/- 4.5)mm]. There are 63 vascular branches into the 23 foot muscles, each muscle having average branches of 3.2 +/- 0.8. The average diameter of branches, the length and width of each vascular territorial area is (0.8 +/- 0.3) mm, (2.2 +/- 0.8) cm, and (0.9 +/- 0.4) cm, respectively. Other findings included that some muscles were not present in some cadavers.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The blood supply of intrinsic muscles of foot is abundant with different diameter and distributions of branches. There is an anatomic basis for muscular or musculoosseous flap design. There are 7 intrinsic muscles with large and reliable vascular supply which can be chosen as muscular flaps.</p>
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Adult , Humans , Foot , Muscle, Skeletal , Surgical FlapsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the anatomy basis for the clinical application of the adjacent horn shaped perforator fasciocutaneous flap for the reconstruction of small and medium-sized defects in the trunk area.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>(1) Ten adult antiseptic cadavers (20 sides) were perfused with red latex. The skin blood supply, line of the blood vessels, branches in accordance with the distribution and crossing were observed. (2) Fifteen cases with defects in the trunk were treated with the adjacent horn shaped perforator fasciocutaneous flaps. The defects size ranged from 5 cm x 5 cm to 13 cm x 13 cm with the size of the flaps ranging from 10 cm x 6 cm to 35 cm x 15 cm.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The trunk skin is supplied by mainly 17 groups arteries such as thyrocervical trunk, internal thoracic artery, posterior intercostal arteries, superior epigastric artery, arteria epigastrica inferior, lumbar arteries, and so on. The perforators (diameter > 0.5 mm) numbers are about 20, 40, 24, 6, on the chest, abdomen and perineum, upper back, waist, respectively. All the flaps survived completely with primary healing both on donor and recipient sites. The flaps color, texture, function and appearance were satisfactory during the follow-up period of 1-24 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The adjacent horn shaped perforator fasciocutaneous flap should be designed flexibly. The defects in the donor sites could be closed directly without skin graft. It is an effective, easy and ideal method for the reconstruction of large defects in the trunk.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Follow-Up Studies , Perforator Flap , Skin Transplantation , Torso , General SurgeryABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the anatomy of the superficial epigastric artery perforator flap , and to provide anatomical basis for harvesting flap .Methods Of 27 SD rats, 7 were used for gross anatomy observation and anatomic characteristics and 20 rats for lead oxide-gelatin injection followed by computer picture processing , measurements and the related parameters recording .Results The superficial epigastric artery originated from femoral artery , and gave off its first branch when passed through the superficial fascia .The trunk branched into a lateral perforator and a medial perforator , which anastomosed with thoracodorsal artery and lateral thoracic artery , respectively .The average external diameter of superficial epigastric artery was (0.46 ±0.02)mm at its starting point,and(0.46 ±0.02)mm at the superficial fascia level . The nutritive area of superficial epigastric artery was (18.37 ±3.67) cm2 .The anastomosed area with thoracodorsal artery and lateral thoracic artery was(5.34 ±0.86)cm and(6.28 ±0.29)cm, respectively, away from the horizontal line through axillary,and (4.38 ±0.38)cm and(2.04 ±0.33)cm, respectively, away from the ventral median line.Conclusion The position and external diameter of superficial epigastric artery are constant , and the superficial epigastric artery perforator flap is a ideal flap model for research on free flap transplantation , flap supercharging , and hemodynamics .
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Objective To provide anatomical information and clinical application of flaps based on the proximal ulnar artery perforators.Methods Ten fresh cadavers who underwent injected with artery imaging technology and dissected with layer by layer;Eighteen patients who sought surgical treatment with proximal ulnar artery perforator flap for soft tissue defects of the finger and dorsum wrist at our hospital between October 2011 and November 2012 were included in this study.Results The diameter and superficial length of the main perforator respectively were 0.5-0.9 mm and 33.0-47.0 mm in our dissection.There were 5-9 perforators given from the ulnar artery to supply skin over the medial side of the forearm.All of the 18 flaps survived after surgeries.The flap size ranged from 3.0 cm × 2.5 cm to 10.0 cm × 5.5 cm.All of the transplanted flaps presented favourable contours and good functions at 6 to 12 months' followed-up.Conclusion Proximal ulnar arter perforator flap has favourable appearance,constant vascular pedicle,reliable blood supply,and large diameter.The free transplantation of this flap offers a satisfactory alternative for repairing the small and medium-sized area of soft tissue defects of forearm and hand.
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Objective To explore the anatomic characteristics of the peroneal perforator branches and its clinical application as vascularized flap transfer. Methods Twenty fresh cadaver specimen with 40 sides lower limbs were used in this study.Lead oxide gelatin was injected to the whole body,lower extremity radiaograph, spiral CT scan was then used to construct three demention visual model. The peroneal artery and its perforators were dissected,number of peferators,distance to fibular head,diameter and the length of the vascular pedicles were measured and analyzed. From July 2005 to October 2009, forty-three cases with skin defects were performed vascularized transfer in our study,surviving rate and postoperative function were followed up for 6 months to 2 years.Results Perforators were seen most at (9.80 ± 0.93)cm,(13.40 ±0.90) cm,(17.20 ± 1.13)cm,and (21.30 ± 0.77)cm beneath the fibular head with the artery branch diarneter(1.33 ± 0.39) mm,(1.30 ± 0.46)mm,(1.17 ± 0.30)mm,and (1.22 ± 0.23)mm,respectively,while the pedicle length was (5.87 ± 0.73)cm,(5.83 ± 1.73)cm,(5.44 ± 1.09)cm,and (5.10 ± 1.93) cm respectively.In clinic,42/43 free flaps survived.Postoperative outlook were satisfied except in 7 cases,the flaps looked bulky and needed secondary revision.All the donor calves showed good apperaence and function.Conclusion There are 4 regular perferators in lateral calf, while perforators in the middle 1/3 are bigger with relatively longer vascular pedicles which are appropriate for vascularized transfer.
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ObjectiveTo comprehend the progress of perforator flap research and speculate its developmental trends.MethodsPubMed search was conducted to retrieve the papers published before November,2011.Analyze the literatures about perforator flap on years,nationalities,languages,journals and frequencies of the key words by using Endnote 8.0. ResultsAll 1719 literatures about perforator flap have been collected by PubMed till Oct.31,2011.Lots of them,amount to 51.5 percent,were from USA,China,Japan and UK. ConclusionEnglish was the main publishing language.The articles,which were mainly published by the Plast Reconstr Surg and other 10 journals,add up to 78.7％.The research emphases of the perforator flap will be breast reconstruction, repair defect, deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap, anterolateral thigh flap,thoracodorsal artery flap,perforator flap of gluteal artery,and posterior leg perforator flap.Angiography and 3D-reconstruction,immunohistochemistry,and neovascularization are the new trend in flap research.
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@#Objective To study the anastomotic relationships of perforators in each zone of the poste-rior leg and design perforating flaps for clinic. Methods Six fresh cadavers underwent a whole body, intra-arterial injection of a lead oxide and gelatine preparation. The posterior part of leg is divided into upper, mid-die and below equal parts, Observe topography of the perforating branches in every district by layer, and mea-sured their location, diameter, course, branches and anastomosis pattern. Radiographs of tissue specimens were digitally analyzed. Results There were 13 perforators that diameter≥ 0.5 mm, the average external diameter was 0.8 mm. The areas of each perforator supplied was average 38 cm2. Perforators from popliteal artery was identified an area 4 cm wide, around the intersection of two lines, a line drawn between the medial and lateral epicondyles of the femurs, and the midline of posterior leg. The areas of the every perforator sup-plied was 55 cm2. These vessels were large in diameter and create multiple true anastomoses with the perfora-tors from the posterior tibial artery or fibular artery. Perforating branches were small in the below part, a long perforator chain comprised of two to three perforators accompanies the Achilles tendon. Conclusion The perforator flaps deviced by perforators from the posterior leg may be transplanted to the lower limbs and the other part of the body. The perforators located in the middle zone of the leg are larger. Free posterior tibial or peroneal perforator-based flaps are reliable, relatively large, and have thin flaps. The upper and lower zones were the larger donor site for the proximal or distally pedicled perforator flap harvest.
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It was bound to think highly of its teaching reform,because our college has in-creased the recruitment of foreign students since 2006.Based on teachers'English level,foreign students'own qualities,discrepancy between teaching mode as well as proper characteristic of preclinical medicine curriculum,the problems were investigated and the corresponding solutions have been sought in the phase of preclinical medicine.
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Objective To provide a new method to repair nonunion or bone defect of femur Methods The descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery anastomosis with the lateral superior genicular artery and the branches distribution of the lateral genicular artery were obsereved on 30 sides of adult cadaveric lower limbs The bone (periosteal) flap of the lateral condyle of femur with the pedicle of the descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery was designed and appdied in clinical to repair nonunion or defect in the middle or inferior of femur of 13 patiens Results The follow up period was 14～20 weeks All fracture were unionized and union periods were 13～20 weeks, the results were excellent Conclusion The anatomical location of vessels of this bone (periosteal) flap is enduring, the surgery is simply, the transposition is simble, the influence of donor is very small This bone (periosteal) flap adapt to repair nonunion or bone defect in the middle or inferior of femur
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Objective To explore the arterial origin and the artery distribution to the brachial plexus and its clinical significance. Methods 1)To observe the zonal pattern of arteries supplying brachial plexus in three fresh cadavers by means of modified lead-oxide and gelatin infusion and radiologic development. 2)To observe the arterial origin and distribution under microscope in 10 cadavers embalmed which were injected with red latex from the common carotid artery. Results The brachial plexus was supplied by branches of the subclavian-axillary axis (SAA), and these branches anastomose each other, according to their distribution feature, the supplied neural structures were divided into three zones. The first zone including the nerve roots from intervertebral foramina to the trunks and this region of the brachial plexus were supplied by the vertebral artery and the deep cervical artery. The second zone including the divisions and the main region of the cords of the brachial plexus were supplied by direct branches of the subclavian artery or by branches originating from the dorsal scapular artery. The dorsal scapular artery was usually thick and contributed to blood supply of a large region. There were 2.7 (1-5) direct branches of the subcalvian artery on the average which have relatively smaller diameter. The third zone including the distal portion of the cords and the terminal branches of the brachial plexus were supplied by direct branches of the axillary artery. The mean number of these branches was 3.4 (1-6). Conclusion The brachial plexus has plenty of vascular supply which can be divided into three zones. Every vasa nervorum tends to divide into a distal branch and a proximal branch shortly after they enter the brachial plexus. The branches from vasa nervorum communicates without changing their diameter which is called "real connection", and the blood supplied from the three zones can compensate each other, which provide a rich longitudinal blood supply to the brachial plexus. This study provides an anatomical basis for vascularized brachial plexus replacement.
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Objective To determine the anatomical basis of an algorithm to safely elevate the deep circumflex iliac artery osteocutaneous perforator(DCIAP) flap. Methods 1.Six unfixed corpses underwent whole body gelatine/lead oxide injection.Specimens were dissected by layers.Angiography and photography were used to document the precise course,size,location,and type of individual perforators in the lateral lumbar region.The surface areas of cutaneous territories and perforator zones were measured and calculated with Photoshop and Scion Image.2.One specimen also underwent whole body carboxymethylcellulose/lead oxide injection,CT scan and 3D-Reconstrution. Results An average of 1.6 DCIA perforators with a diameter of 0.7mm was present in 92% of specimens.Perforators were located 5～10 cm posterior to the anterior superior iliac spine,12～35mm above the crest,with a perforator zone of 31 cm~2.The DCIA reliably perfused the medial aspect of the iliac crest.Conclusion The DCIA reliably perfused the medial aspect of the iliac crest and lateral lumbar region.It offers a large quantity of bone on a pedicle of large diameter.The mobility of the skin component allows better tissue positioning during complex reconstructions.
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Objective To understand the status and developmental trends of the research on anterolateral thigh flap. Methods The PubMed search was downloaded and the results were imported into the EndNote database,then the distribution was analysed by age,nation,language,periodical and frequency.Results There were 236 articles on anterolateral thigh flap in PubMed from 1996 to August 2006.The amount of articles multiply increased from 2002 to August 2006,at eighty percent of all.They were published in 8 languages,in 47 journals and from 9 countries.China and the USA are the major countries of the publication,with 77 articles each,which altogether took up 65.2% of the total.Words of a high frequency are as follows: free skip flap,island skin flap,ultrathin skin flap,perforating artery,and descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery,the frequency ratio of which is up to 97.46%.Conclusion The papers on anterolateral thigh flap are written mainly by China and USA;English is the main publishing language;The articles are chiefly published by Plast Reconstr Surg and other 8 journals.The research emphases of the anterolateral thigh flap are on free skip flap,perforating flap,ultrathin skin flap,and island flap.Angiography and 3D-reconstruction are the recent techniques for the research.