Free medial plantar flap combined with anterolateral thigh flap in repair of large soft tissue defect in the weight bearing area of sole / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the surgical method and clinical effect of free medial plantar flap (MPF) combined with anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) in repair of large soft tissue defect in the weight bearing area of sole.Methods:From April, 2017 to August, 2019, 8 patients with large soft tissue defects in plantar weight bearing area were repaired by free MPF combined with ALTF. Four patients had the defects located in the hindfoot and the surrounding area, 3 in the forefoot and 1 in the whole foot. A tandem flap made of free MPF combined with ALTF was used to repair the heel in 5 patients and repair the plantar forefoot in 3 patients. The size of defects ranged from 15.0 cm×10.0 cm to 26.0 cm×22.0 cm. The size of the MPF ranged from 6.0 cm×5.0 cm to 8.0 cm×6.5 cm. The donor sites repaired with full thickness skin graft. The size of ALTF ranged from 15.0 cm×7.0 cm to 27.0 cm×11.0 cm. Two donor sites were sutured directly, and the other 6 were repaired by full-thickness abdominal skin graft. The patients entered follow-up at outpatient clinic and via WeChat for 9 to 18 months.Results:All the 8 tandem flaps and the donor grafts survived. Only 1 ALTF had a distal necrosis and healed after change of dressing. All the flaps had good elasticity and good texture. All the recipient area of MPF achieved sensation recovery of pain and touch. But the ALTF only partially recovered tactile sensation. The weight-bearing and walking function were good. At the last follow-up, all patients were evaluated by Maryland foot score, of which 4 patients were excellent, 3 were good, and 1 was fair.Conclusion:The free MPF combined with ALTF is one of the ideal methods for the repair of plantar soft tissue defect in the weight bearing area of sole. It can better restore the foot weight-bearing and walking function with good clinical effect.

Repair of foot degloving injury by ALTF combined with MPF / 中华显微外科杂志

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.

Reconstruction Of Plantar Foot Defects Using Medial Plantar Artery Flap: Our Experience

Background: Reconstruction of full-thickness plantar foot defects present a challenge to surgeons. These defects ideally should be reconstructed with durable sensate tissue. Despite the numerous procedures that have been described for resurfacing these plantar, to achieve a sensate foot with normal function still remains an intricate task. We present our clinical experience of plantar foot defects reconstructed using medial plantar artery flap. Methods: 18 patients with defects of the plantar surface of the foot were reconstructed using medial plantar artery flap.All the flaps were raised as sensate fasciocutaneouspedicled flaps based on the medial plantar artery. The donor site was closed using a split thickness graft. Results: In 13 patients the defect healed with good results and no complications within 4 weeks, 3 patients presented with superficial epidermolysis in the periphery and 1 patient had a flap loss. 2 patients had partial graft loss in the secondary defect. Conclusion: In our experience medial plantar artery flap cover is a durable option for sole defects with acceptable aesthetic and functional outcomes. Donor site morbidity is minimal. This flap is a safe reliable and technically easy alternative flap coverage for plantar defects especially around the heel.

Repair of cicatricial contracture deformity of palm with modified free medial plantar flap with preserved abductor hallucis / 中国修复重建外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of modified free medial plantar flap with preserved abductor hallucis for repairing cicatricial contracture deformity of palm. Methods: Between January 2012 and July 2017, a modified free medial plantar flap with preserved abductor hallucis was used to repair 9 cases of cicatricial contracture deformity at the palm. There were 7 males and 2 females with a median age of 23 years old (range, 15-40 years). The duration of cicatricial contracture was 4-23 years (mean, 9 years). In addition, 3 cases had combined stiffness of finger joints, 2 cases of tendon exposure, and 2 cases with exposed tendon and nerve. The range of flap was 4.5 cm×4.0 cm to 8.0 cm×6.0 cm. The vessel pedicle of the flap was 7-8 cm in length, with an average length of 7.5 cm. Grafting and repairing were performed with full-thickness skin graft from the ilioinguinal region in the donor site. Results: All flaps and skin grafts survived after operation, and all wounds healed at first intention. All 9 patients were followed up 5-22 months (mean, 10 months). The flap exhibited smooth appearance and soft texture, which was similar to that of the normal skin around. The recovery time of dermal sensation was 5-12 months (mean, 9 months). At last follow-up, the flap recovered to level S 4 in 5 cases, level S 3 in 3 cases, and level S 3 in 2 cases. The two-point discrimination was 6.0-10.0 mm (mean, 8.5 mm). According to the assessment of the upper limb function issued by the Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association, the hand function was excellent in 5 cases, good in 2 cases, and fair in 2 cases. Additionally, the abduction and flexion activities of the great toe of the donor foot were not affected, and the skin grafting area was slightly colored. Conclusion: The modified free medial plantar flap for repairing cicatricial contracture deformity of palm has such advantages as no impact on abductor hallucis, small damage of the donor area, improved survival rate of skin grafting, and the unaffected function of the donor foot.

Efficacy of "tennis racket"-like flap with retrograde medial plantar on repairment of frontal plantar tissue defects / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To explore the clinical experience and surgical method of the repairment of frontal plantar tissue defects by using "tennis racket"-like flap with the medial plantar retrograde,and to study the reliability in the clinical application of the medial plantar retrograde flap.Methods From June 2011 to June 2016,"tennis racket"-like flap with the medial plantar retrograde was used to repair the frontal plantar tissue defects in 10 cases.The cutting range of flap was from 3.5 cm × 2.0 cm to 8.0 cm x 4.0 cm in size;in all patients the donor area was covered by skin grafts.Results All flaps survived and wounds healed by first intention.In 10 patients the donor sites healed primarily with a straight scar,and the appearance and texture of the flaps were satisfactory.All patients were followed up from 6 to 24 months (mean 12 months).According to the Chinese foot function evaluation standard trial evaluation,the outcomes were excellent in 9 cases,good in 7 cases,and medium in 2 cases.Conclusions "Tennis racket"-like flap with the medial plantar retrograde is less anatomic variation with reliable blood supply,and sensory recovery is quick;the donor site is a small crater and cicatrial contractures are light;the cost is low.All patients are treated on one session and therefore it is an ideal method for the repairment of frontal plantar tissue defects.

Foot Reconstruction by Reverse Island Medial Plantar Flap Based on the Lateral Plantar Vessel

PURPOSE: Tumor ablation and traumatic intractable ulceration of the plantar surface of the foot results in skin and soft tissue defects of the weight-bearing sole. Simple skin grafting is not sufficient for reconstruction of the weight-bearing areas. Instead, the island medial plantar flap(instep flap) and distally-based island medial plantar flap was used for proper reconstruction of the weight bearing area. However, there are some disadvantages. In particular, an island medial plantar flap has a short pedicle limiting the mobility of the flap and the distally-based island medial plantar flap is based on a very small vessel. We investigated whether good results could be obtained using a reverse island medial plantar flap based on the lateral plantar vessel as a solution to the above limitations. METHODS: Three patients with malignant melanoma were cared for in our tertiary hospital. The tumors involved the lateral forefoot, the postero-lateral heel, and the medial forefoot area. We designed and harvested the flap from the medial plantar area, dissected the lateral and medial plantar artery and vena comitans, and clamped and cut the vessel 1cm proximal to the branch from the posterior tibial artery and vena comitans. The medial plantar nerve fascicles of these flaps anastomosed to the sural nerve, the 5th interdigital nerve, and the 1st interdigital nerve of each lesion. The donor sites were covered with skin grafting. RESULTS: The mean age of the 3 subjects was 64.7 years(range, 57-70 years). Histologically, all cases were lentiginous malignant melanomas. The average size of the lesion was 5.3cm2. The average size of the flap was 33.1cm2. The flap color and circulation were intact during the early postoperative period. There was no evidence of flap necrosis, hematomas or infection. All patients had a normal gait after the surgery. Sensory return progressively improved. CONCLUSION: Use of an island medial plantar flap based on the lateral plantar vessel to the variable weight-bearing sole is a simple but useful procedure for the reconstruction of any difficult lesion of the weight-bearing sole.

Medial Plantar Island or Free Flap for Heel Reconstruction

Reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the heel, which is weight bearing area, represents a challenge because this area requires similar tissues to the original lost tissue, durable and sensible skin coverage, minimal donor morbidity and simple operative procedure. The instep region of the plantar surface of the foot presents an ideal tissue reserve for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the heel because of a sensate and unique form of skin with thick glabrous plantar skin, shock-absorbing fibrofatty subcutaneous tissue and plantar fascia. A total of 10 patients with soft tissue defects in the heel were operated from April 1995 to October 2001. The medial plantar fasciocutaneous island flap was used in 8 cases and the free flap in 2 cases. The size of flap varied from 3x3 cm to 10x10 cm. Follow-up period ranged from 2.3 years to 8.5 years. All flaps were viable and durable to chronic weight bearing and shearing force. Also, all flaps had enough sensation in normal activities. In conclusion, the medial plantar fasciocutaneous island or free flap can be used satisfactorily for soft tissue coverage in the heel which is weight bearing area.

RECONSTRUCTION OF THE PLANTAR AREA OF THE GREAT TOE WITH THE REVERSE MEDIAL PLANTER ISLAND FLAP

Reconstruction of the soft tissue defects on the plantar foot continues to be a difficult challenges because of the unique anatomical features. It should endure constant weight loading or alternate stimulus of shoes while standing or walking. The methods used for reconstruction of the soft tissue defects on the plantar foot are skin graft, local flap, cross leg flap, myocutaneous flap, neurovascular island and free flap. However, it is verb difficult to find a proper method to reconstruct the soft tissue defect of the first toe plantar area. The ideal reconstruction should provide tissue as durable yet sensitive, provide tissue components similar to the original lost tissue, be reliable, result in a donor site that is well tolerated, and entail one operative procedure with minimal morbidity Although the medial plantar flap was initially described to surface heel defects, many surgeons haute used this flap as a cross leg flap or a free flap to recover the first toe plantar area. Its use has always required a secondary surgical procedure or a difficult technique. In order to overcome this inconvenience, we used the flap based on the principle of reversing the direction of blood flow in a distal vascular pedicle to restore a defect of the anteromedial aspect of the foot. We haute experienced 3 cases of reverse medial plantar flap for the reconstruction of the great toe plantar area. Good functional and aesthetic results were obtained.