ABSTRACT
Objective:To introduce a surgical method and clinical effect of using Masquelet technique combined with skin graft to cover chronic refractory wounds in elderly patients.Methods:From September 2020 to September 2022, 20 elderly patients with wounds of bone or tendon exposure in lower limbs were treated in the Department of Wound Repair, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Due to the age and poor general condition of the patients, flap transfer for wound coverage were not allowed. Masquelet technique was therefore applied in the treatment of chronic wounds of such patients. Sizes of wounds were found at 4.5 cm×3.0 cm to 15.0 cm×6.0 cm and all accompanied with tendon and bone exposure, after thorough debridement. Wounds were then sealed with antibiotic bone cement several times. After having induced formation of membrane in wounds, free mesh skin graft was used to cover the refractory wounds. The patients were entered in follow up regularly after surgery at outpatient service, and telephone or video reviews. The wound healing of patients and whether there were related complications in the skin donor area were observed. The number of operation times in the first stage was 1-4 with an average of 1.3 times ± 0.7 times. Lower Extremity Function Scale (LEFS) was used to evaluate the recovery of lower limb function.Results:All 20 wounds healed well. The follow-up time was 3-12 months, with an average of 7.6 months. The appearance and texture of the skin in the wounds area were satisfactory. The mean LEFS was 69.83 point ± 10.82 point.Conclusion:Using Masquelet technique combined with free skin grafting to treat refractory wounds in the elderly patients can achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes. It is a simple and reliable supplement to the wound repair, and can reduce the surgical risk.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To discuss the therapeutic effect of using tibial island flap of second toe for the treatment of fibular hallux flap donor site defect.@*Methods@#From March 2012 to April 2015, 18 tibial island flaps of second toe were transferred to repair donor site defect on fibular hallux that can not sutured directly, and the subsequent donor site wound on the second toe were sutured.@*Results@#On an average of 13 months follow-up, all 18 flaps survived with primary healing. Texture and appearance of the tibial island flaps were satisfactory; The flaps had good sensory recovery, S3+ in 14 patients and S4 in 4 patients. Severe contracture of the first toe web were not observed. The donor site of second toe got good recovery with normal activity of interphalangeal joint.@*Conclusions@#The tibial island flap of second toe is a good option for treatment of the defect on fibular hallux flap donor site. Meanwhile, it also meets the requirement of " donor site care" .