ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the efficacy of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) combined with a retrograde sural neurovascular flap for the repair of foot and ankle wounds.Methods:Eighty-eight patients with foot and ankle wounds who received treatment in Shandong Wendeng Osteopathic Hospital from July 2019 to January 2020 were included in this study. They were randomly assigned to undergo either NPWT combined with retrograde sural neurovascular flap repair (observation group, n = 44) or retrograde sural neurovascular flap repair alone (control group, n = 44). Clinical efficacy, flap survival, wound healing, and postoperative ankle function scores were compared between the two groups. Results:Total response rate was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group [97.73% (43/44) vs. 81.82% (36/44), χ2 = 6.07, P = 0.014]. Flap survival rate was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group [100.00% (44/44) vs. 86.36% (38/44), χ2 = 4.47, P = 0.034]. Wound healing rate was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group [97.73% (43/44) vs. 79.55% (35/44), χ2 = 7.22, P = 0.007]. Half a year after surgery, pain score, gait score, foot and ankle swelling score, range of motion of the tibiotalar joint, range of motion of the ankle joint were (1.81 ± 0.45) points, (1.40 ± 0.41) points, (1.98 ± 0.38) points, (0.41 ± 0.35) points, and (0.84 ± 0.51) points, respectively in the observation group, which were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t = 2.63, 2.62, 2.15, 2.09, 2.02, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:NPWT combined with a retrograde sural neurovascular flap greatly increases flap survival rate and wound healing rate and improves the ankle function of patients with foot and ankle wounds.
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Objective:To observe the long-term effect of repairing soft tissue defect of the digital palmar with medial plantar artery perforators flap.Methods:From January, 2012 to February, 2015, 15 cases of digital palmar soft tissue defect were selected clinically, including 8 cases with phalangeal fracture, 5 cases with flexor tendon injury, and 9 cases with digital artery and nerve injury. The soft tissue defect area was 7.0 cm×2.5 cm-2.4 cm×3.0 cm. The medial pedis perforators flap with deep branch of medial plantar artery as pedicle and terminal cutaneous branch of saphenous nerve was cut out. The artery of the flap was anastomosed with the digital artery or common digital artery, 1 accompanying vein or superficial vein was selected to anastomose with the dorsal digital vein, and the cutaneous nerve was anastomosed with the digital nerve or common digital nerve. The perforating point, number, source of perforating vessels and the length of vessel pedicle were observed during the operation, and the color, shape, stability and TPD of the flap were observed through long-term followed-up. The good and excellent rate of the affected finger was evaluated and whether there was obvious scar, abnormal sensation and abnormal walking gait in the donor area.Results:All flaps survived and the wounds healed in one stage. All 15 patients were followed-up for 36-72 months, with an average of 48.5 months. The color and thickness of the flap were similar to that of the normal digital palmar, and the flap was wear-resistant, stable and strong in holding. The TPD was 9-12 mm. Twelve patients had transverse finger striations at the interphalangeal joint. According to the Trial Standard of the Function Evaluation of the Upper Limb of the Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association, 10 cases were excellent, 4 cases were good, 1 case was acceptable, and the good and excellent rate was 93.3%. There was no painful scar or abnormal sensation in the donor area. The ankle and foot function was good, and the gait was normal.Conclusion:The thickness, color and texture of the medial pedis perforator flap are similar to that of the palmar skin, and it is an ideal choice for repairing the palmar skin defect.
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Objective To explore the feasibility of repairing the large area skin and soft tissue defect in thefront upper of tibia by free flap with anastomosis of saphenous vessels.Methods From June,2009 to April,2014,16 cases (10 males and 6 females) of large area skin and soft tissue defect in the front upper of tibia were treatedwith free flap.The ages ranged from 24 to 56 years old,averaged of 34.5 years old.The supportive therapy and repeated debridement combined with VSD,and designed to use free anterolateral thigh flap with anastomosis of saphenous vessels before repairing operation.Results Fourteen patients accorded with preoperative design,in which 2 cases were adopted cross leg flap anastomosis posterior tibia vessels of the healthy side (1 case of saphenous artery diameter too small,and 1 case of saphenous artery long injury degeneration,unsuitable for vascular anastomosis).All 14 flaps survived,expect 2 cases were part-necrosis in the end of the flap,and gradually healed by dressing exchange.Conclusion Reconstruction of large area skin and soft tissue defect in the front upper of tibia with free flap can use anastomosis of saphenous vessels.
ABSTRACT
Objective To approach the design and clinical application of large anterolateral thigh flap and its effect in wound repair.Methods The flaps were designed according to the anatomical features of perforating branches in the anterolateral thigh flaps.When a flap was chipped,a thick branch or a terminal branch of original vessel was reserved,another suitable perforating branch was selected in the proximal or distal end of the flap,and then the two vessels were anastomosed to enlarge the range of blood supply.If the vessel pedicle of a flap was a musculocutaneous perforating branch,the perforating branch of anastomosis was cut at out-point of muscle.If the vessel pedicle of a flap was a intermusclar branch or a direct skin artery,the perforating branch of anastomosis was cut widely.From May 2006 to May 2012,the technique was applied in 28 patients with large skin defect of limbs.The diameters of perforating branches obtained at out-point of muscles were measured during surgery.The survival of flaps was observed after surgery and complications in donor sites were checked during follow-ups.Results There were 18 flaps whose vessel pedicle were musculocutaneous perforating branches.The branches were cut at outpoint of muscles.The diameters of these vessels were measured during surgery.They ranged from 1.3 mm to 1.8 mm with an average of 1.45 mm.All of the vessels could be anastomosed.All 28 flaps survived.All flaps survived.The areas of the flaps ranged from 22 cm × 15 cm to 42 cm × 14 cm.Artery crisis happened in 2 flaps whose vessel pedicle were musculocutaneous perforating branches.The second look operation found that the areas of artery anastomosis of perforating branches and vessel pedicles were compressed by hematoma and thrombus formed.The 2 flaps survived after the hematoma was cleared away and the vessels were reanastomosed.There were no infections.Both the donor and recipient site healed by first intention with no necrosis of flap margin.All 28 patients were followed up by 4-13 months with an average of 8 months.There were no apparent collapse deformities,muscle necrosis,declines of muscle strength and muscle hernia in the donor sites.The appearance of flaps was flat,the color was close to normal and the quality was fine.Conclusion It is a safe and effective method to repair wound surface by large anaterolateral thigh flap obtained by the modus operandi of perforating branch anastomosis.