ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of free anterolateral thigh flap(ALTF) combined with medial plantar flap(MPF) transfer in repairing forefoot and mid-foot degloving injury.Methods:From May, 2016 to November, 2019, 6 patients with forefoot and mid-foot degloving injuries underwent reconstructions using free ALTF combined with MPF. The study included 4 males and 2 females patients with an average of 43 (range, 35-55) years. The size of soft tissue defects was 15 cm×12 cm-19 cm×14 cm. The dimension of the MPF was 8 cm×5 cm-10 cm× 6 cm, and that of ALTF was 16 cm×7 cm-20 cm×8 cm. The ALTF was used to cover the dorsal and lateral foot, the flap artery was anastomosed to the dorsalis pedis artery. The MPF was used to repair the weight-bearing area of the forefoot, the flap artery was anastomosed to the medial plantar artery in recipient site. All patients entered follow-up by outpatient clinic or Wechat for 9-18(mean, 14) months, and the appearance of flap and limb function were recorded.Results:The MPF and ALTF survived uneventfully in all 6 patients, and the wound in donor and recipient areas healed in one stage. At the last follow-up, the flaps had satisfactory contour, the texture of the flaps was soft, the protective sensation was recovered, and the appearance and function of the foot recovered satisfactorily. The Maryland score of reconstructed foot function was considered excellent (90-100) in 4 cases and good (75-89) in 2 cases. The average Maryland score was 91.2.Conclusion:ALTF combined with MPF generated good effect and satisfactory function in repairing forefoot and mid-foot degloving injury.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the clinical applicability of CT angiography (CTA) for locating the perforator vessels of anterolateral thigh flap(ALTF) and the effects of individualized ALTF designed by CTA for the reconstruction of the soft tissue defects of tongue after the resection of tongue carcinoma.Methods:21 patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma underwent CTA for locating the perforator vessels of ALTFs and for the design of individualized ALTFs before operation.The patients underwent soft tissue defect reconstruction with individualized ALTFs after tumor removal.Results:All the operations came off as preoperative designed,the intraoperative findings of the blood vessel alignment were consistent with the preoperative CTA results.The size of flaps was 6.0 cm × 5.0 cm-11.0 cm× 8.5 cm.20 ALTFs survived,2 ALTFs appeared vascular crisis,1 remained survival and the other was necrotic after surgical exploration.During 6 ～ 60 momhs of follow-up,the survival condition of flaps and the wound healing condition were both satisfactory.1 patient died because of distant metastasis 18 months after operation.20 patients reminded free of carcinoma and satisfied with the reconstructive effects of chewing,swallowing and linguistic function.Conclusion:CTA can accurately locate perforator vessels for the design of individualized AFLT.AFLT designed by CTA is an ideal choice for the reconstruction of postoperative soft tissue defects after resection tongue carcinoma.