ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the sen sation recovery of superficial palmar branc h of the radial artery flap with palmar branch of median nerve and donor si te. Methods From January, 2014 to June, 2016, 12 cases of finger soft tissue defects were repaired with sup erficial palmar branch of the radial artery flap with palmar branch of median nerve. The 2 g tactile sensation, 5 g pain sen sation, 30 g pressure sensation and static two-point discrimination (S2 -PD) of the flap was tested regularly. The S2 -PD of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve were recorded respectively on the affected side and the unaffected side. The results were applied comparative t-test to perform statistical analysis, to observe the sensory recovery of the flap and donor site. Results The flaps survived.Twelve cases was followed-up for 6-18 mont hs. The pressure sensation of about 83.3％ of patients recovered after 2 months and 100％ of patients recovered after 3 months. The tactile sensation of about 91.7％ of patients recovered after 3 months and 100％ of patients recovered after 4 months. The pain sensation of about 91.7％ of patients recovered after 4 months of and 100％ of patients recovered after 5 months. S2-PD of the flap was the average of 8.3 mm in 6 months after operation. There were no significant differences in the S2-PD between the affected group [(12.08±2.15)mm] and unaffected group [(10.58±2.11)mm](P>0.05). And the sensory recovery of the control area of the palmar branch of the median nerve was S4 in 2 cases, S3+ in 9 cases, and S3 in 1 case. The sensory recovery was good. Conclusion Superficial palmar branch of the radial artery flap with palmar branch of median nerve can be used repair the skin defect of the fingers. The flap has a good sensery recovery, and the sensation of the donor area is gradually restored.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore clinic effect and advantages of the free arm lateral neurocutaneous flap in repairing cutaneous defects of opisthenar.Methods Between July,2012 and December,2013,12 patients with skin and soft tissue defects in opisthenar caused by trauma factor,accident,machine injury,hot crush injury etc were treated with free arm lateral neurocutaneous flap at our institution.Vessels both in recipient and donor site were detect-ed by color Doppler ultrasound preoperatively.Relative cutaneous nervers were reserved in the flap during selective operation.The flap size resected range from 6 cm × 4 cm to 10 cm × 6 cm.The posterior cutaneous nerve of the forearm were included in the flap to restore sensory sesation after transection.The wound in the donor site was closed in in-tradermal suture primarily.Postoperative algesia,touch,temperature sensation,Weber test of flap were tested and reco-rded.The critia of follow-up in this study were donor site morbidity,abnormal sensations,functional outcomes and sat-isfaction.Results The success rate was 100 percent in the series cases.The average length of follow up was 35 months (range,24 to 41 months).The wound in recipient area healed primarily and flaps showed no pigmentation but fine overall appearance,texture,and elasticity.The functional recovery of protective sensation was S3+ in 4 cases,S3 in 6,S2 in 2.Patients with liner scar in donor site were higly satisfied with the flaps for the sake of no significant joint functional outcomes.In terms of sensory sesation,the excellent and good rate of flap reached to 83 percent.Conclusion The free arm lateral flap represented a constant vascular anatomy,rich blood supply.Easy dissection,pliable texture,skin colour close to dorsum of hand and the possibility to be innervated through the posterior cutaneous nerve of the arm acceptable donor side morbidity provide a good option for the reconstruction of cutaneous defects of opisthena.
ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the operation effects of sensation restoration after tumor resection in the head and neck defects reconstruction by anterolateral thigh flap with or without sensory nerve transplantation.Methods The application of 76 cases anterolateral thigh flaps in head and neck defects reconstruction after tumor resection from May,2011 to May,2015 were observed.35 patients underwent simultaneous reconstruction with sensory nerve anastomosed perforator based anterolateral thigh flap and 41 patients underwent simultaneous reconstruction without sensory nerve graft based anterolateral thigh flap,which was named as group A and group B,respective ly.The treatment effectiveness of the two groups was compared and graded into First,Second and Third rate.Results All the 76 flaps survived.Satisfying morphology for the maxillofacial region and stage-one healing for the donor site was available.During the 24-week follow-up,group A were 65.71％ (First rate),28.57％ (Second rate),5.72％(Third rate) respectively,and the condition of group B were 31.70％,26.84％,41.46％.The treatment effectiveness of group A was better than that of group B.Postoperative complications were less than group B(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Compared with the loss of nerve transplantation of anterolateral thigh perforator flap,sensory nerve anastomosed perforator based anterolateral thigh flap is of great value to reconstruct the defect after resection of tumor in head and neck region and restore the sensation of flap.