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Free vascularised fibular flap has many advantages in repair of mandibular defects, and it has become the main method in the mandibular reconstruction. However, the traditional free fibular flap used to repair the mandibular defect is lack of individualised design and precise surgical guidance, and it is difficult to achieve accurate repair and the effect of reconstruction. The concept of personalised and accurate functional reconstruction and the clinically application of digital medical technology provides a new approach to solve the problems. The application of digital medical technology in the repair of mandibular defects with fibular flap is one of the hotspots of current research. This article introduces the application characteristics of digital medical technology, such as 3-dimensional reconstruction technology, virtual surgery planning (VSP) technology and 3D printing technology, in the repair of mandibular defects with fibular flap transfer.
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Objective:To investigate the clinical value of augmented reality (AR) technology combined with Doppler ultrasound in repairing soft tissue defects around ankle with posterior tibial artery perforator flap.Methods:From June, 2017 to June, 2020, 13 patients with soft tissue defects around ankle were repaired with the posterior tibial artery perforator flap sized 3.0 cm×7.0 cm-5.0 cm×10.0 cm. Preoperative CTA scan was performed to obtain the 3-dimensional image of the blood supply of the donor site. The origin and direction of blood supply, length of pedicle, diameter and the location of perforator were determined. An image fusion software based on Android mobile phone was used from the body surface to realize the navigation by AR, and to mark the locations of the points where blood vessels ran and passed by. At the same time, Doppler ultrasound was employed to confirm the navigation. The optimal puncture fulcrum was used as the flap rotation point in design of the flap. After the flap had been designed, the flap was harvested and the defect was repaired. Outpatient clinic follow-up was performed to evaluate the survival of flap and the function of ankle.Results:All 13 flaps survied without vascular issues. After 6-16 (average 10) months follow-up, all flaps survived. The flaps appeared soft with good blood supply. The colour of the repaired sites were basically the same as normal skin. According to American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) , the ankle function was excellent in 9 patients and good in 4 patients. There was no obvious scar formation on the donor sites.Conclusion:The application of AR technology combined with Doppler ultrasound in the surgical planning of posterior tibial artery perforator flap has advantages in easy to operate in clinical practice. It can reduce the risk of surgery, and has significance in clinical practice.
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Objective:To investigate the clinical value of the free fibula flap transplantation in repair of the defect of tibia and soft tissue with the help of augmented reality (AR) technology.Methods:From May, 2017 to May, 2019, 9 patients with tibial and soft tissue defects were treated. Before operation, CTA scan was performed on both shanks to obtain DICOM data of tibial bone defect. Images of the designed fibular flap and its blood supply model were imported into Sina software through computer virtual surgery assistant technology. With the AR technology, information of virtual fibula flap were projected onto the body surface at the donor site, and the operation was carried out under the precise positioning. In this group, the free fibular flap was harvested with an area of 6.0 cm×4.0 cm-12.0 cm×6.0 cm and the length of fibula was 6.0-13.5 cm. The free fibula flap were used to repair the tibial defect with 5.0-12.0 cm in length and soft tissue defect area at 5.0 cm×3.0 cm-10.0 cm×4.5 cm. Patients were followed-up to observe the survival of fibular flap and the functional recovery of the repaired lower limb, and evaluate the clinical effect.Results:All the fibular flaps survived without vascular crisis and without serious complications occurred at both of donor and recipient sites. After 8-12 months of follow-up, the flap was soft in texture and good in blood supply. The appearance of the repair site was not bloated. Callus began to form at the junction of fibula and tibia at 3-5 months and healed well in 8-12 months. No bone resorption, nonunion, loosening or falling off of screws were found. There was no pain in the shank of the recipient area. Patients could stand and walk freely, and the weight-bearing function was close to normal. According to Enneking system, the average score was 27 points; 7 cases were excellent and 2 cases were good.Conclusion:Application of AR technology in the repair of tibial bone defect with fibular flap transplantation has good clinical effect and has certain practical value.
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Objective:To discusses effectiveness of CTA in the classification of first plantar metatarsal artery and its application value in thumb reconstruction.Methods:Thirty-six cases who underwent thumb reconstruction with free second toe or hallucis flap between December, 2015 and December, 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Among these cases, 22 cases were injured by machine stranding, 7 cases by heavy objects, and 7 cases were injured by rolling. Exact first plantar metatarsal arteries of all these cases were evaluated by using CTA preoperatively. And compared with intraoperative findings at the donor sites. Free first or second toe flap for thumb reconstruction were designed preoperatively based on branching pattern of first plantar metatarsal arteries.Results:The origin, course, 3-dimensional (3D) anatomical relationship with surrounding tissues and branching pattern of all these feet first plantar metatarsal arteries of 35 cases (70 feet)were well displayed in CTA images, and 1 case (2 feet) were showed poor vascular continuity and artifacts in CTA (2.78%). According to the branching pattern of first plantar metatarsal arteries, 29 cases (58 feet, 80.56%) were ramifying type, 5 cases (10 feet, 13.88%) were main trunk type, and 1 case (2 feet, 2.78%) were tiny branch type. Preoperative CTA images and intraoperative findings at the donor site of 35 cases were remarkably consistent. According to CTA images, 27 cases underwent thumb reconstruction with hallucis flap, 8 cases underwent thumb reconstruction with second toe, and 1 case of poor vascular continuity and artifacts in CTA underwent thumb reconstruction with hallucis flap eventually. All these cases were followed-up for 6-24 (average 12) months, and all reconstructed thumbs survived. The clinical outcomes of all these reconstructed thumbs were good with satisfactory appearance, sensory recovery, excellent motion. The donor feet of all cases recovered well.Conclusion:High-quality 3D images of first plantar metatarsal arteries could be obtained by CTA, allowing preoperative assessment of blood supply and planning of donor site. Therefore, success rate of reconstructed operation could be improved with low disability rate of donor site.
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To explore the value of CTA combined augmented reality(AR) navigation in tongue re-construction with free anterolateral thigh perforator (ALTP) flaps. Methods From December, 2016 to December, 2018, 9 cases of tongue cancer patients were treated with lingual reconstruction with the free ALTP flap. The domi-nant perforator was selected according to CTA before operation. The origin, course, locations at the level passing through the fascia lata of the perforators and digital flaps were located and marked under the guidance of AR naviga-tion technology. The flaps area were 6 cm×8 cm-8 cm×12 cm, and the donor sites were closed directly. The effect of the AR navigation was explored intraoperatively.The function of reconstructed tongue and donor site were followed-up 3 to 6 months postoperatively. Results All navigation-positioned perforators were confirmed by AR preoperatively. Intraoperative exploration showed that the perforators were accurately located. All flaps survived, and no vascular cri-sis occurred. The donor sites healed primarily with linear scars. The tongue was plump, and the function of voice and swallowing were favorable. Conclusion CTA combined AR navigation has the advantages of accurate location, easy to use and low cost in tongue reconstruction with free ALTP flaps.It is a worthy method to be popularized.
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Objective To evaluate the value of 3D printing technology to assist in the repair of severe damage to the radial side hand.Methods From March,2014 to September,2016,there were 9 cases suffered from varying degrees of metacarpal and phalangeal bones injuries with soft tissue destruction at the radial side of the hand.The donor and recipient areas were scanned by 64 row spiral CT before operation.Three dimensional images were obtained by CTA 3D reconstruction technology.Preoperative plan was designed by using Mirror image technology and Virtual surgery aided design technique of Mimics software virtual surgery aided design system.Nine cases were treated with first toe toenail flap with dorsal foot flap combined with second phalangeal bone transplantation to reconstruct thumb and anterolateral thigh perforator flap to repair the wound.The cutting area of the dorsalis pedis flap and anterolateral thigh perforator flaps ranged from 4.0 cm × 5.5 cm to 6.5 cm × 9.5 cm and from 9.5 cm ×17.0 cm to 12.0 cm × 25.5 cm,respectively.Postoperative followed-up was performed to evaluate the effect of the operation.Results All 9 thumbs and flaps survived after the operation.Postoperative followed-up time ranged from 8 to 16 months.The appearance of reconstructed thumb was close to normal,and the two-point discrimination was from 8.0 to 11.0 mm.According to the evaluation criteria of upper limb function of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences,7 cases were excellent and 2 cases were good.The survival flaps had soft texture,good blood circulation and satisfactory appearance at the repaired site.Conclusion 3D printing technology assists thumb reconstruction and wound repair for severe damage to the radial side of the hand with good clinical results.
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Objective To report the clinical effect of repair of significant tongue defect after tongue cancer radical resection using anterolateral thigh perforator free flap with CTA three-dimensional reconstruction technique assistance.Methods From January,2012 to November,2015,13 cases were performed using anterolateral thigh perforator free flap in the repair of significant tongue defect after tongue cancer radical resection.Preoperation CT scan of the free flap donor site was done to obtain the three-dimensional images of arterial blood area by Digital Three-dimensional Reconstruction CT Technique to determine the origin of the anterolateral thigh flaps,direction,classification,length,diameter and the position of pedicle perforator.According to the condition of the defect of the tongue,flap of area from10 cm×9 cm to 8 cm×6 cm was design,the flap arteries and veins were anastomosed with the external maxillary artery or the superior thyroid artery,anterior vein,internal jugular vein or external jugular vein respectively.The shape and recovery of function of the reconstructed tongue were observed regularly after operation.Results All the flaps in the 13 cases survived,in the postoperative 4 to 18 months followed up,the appearance of the reconstructed tongue was close to the normal one,the patients were satisfied with the mastication and feeding function.Conclusion CTA three-dimensional reconstruction technique assisted anterolateral thigh perforator free flap technique is useful in obtaining good clinical effect,and it is one of the most best methods for repairing significant tongue defect after tongue cancer radical resection.