Clinical efficacy of free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap in repair of large wounds in upper limb / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective:To summarise the clinical efficacy of free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap (DIEPF) in repairing large wounds in upper limb.Methods:From June 2016 to March 2022, free DIEPF repair surgery were performed for 9 cases with large defects in elbow, forearm and wrist in the Department of Hand Surgery, Xuzhou Renci Hospital. The patients were 3 males and 6 females at 36-65(average 50) years old. The sizes of defect ranged from 6.0 cm×7.0 cm to 25.0 cm×33.0 cm. Seven defects combined with radius-ulnar fracture, 4 with wrist fracture, 4 with metacarpal fracture and 1 with humerus fracture. All defects had various degrees of injuries of tendon, blood vessel and nerve. A total of 10 flaps were harvested, and the size of flaps were 7.0 cm×8.0 cm-12.0 cm×35.0 cm. Vessels in 7 flaps of 6 patients were anastomosed with unilateral vascular pedicles and 3 with bilateral vascular pedicles. End-to-end arterial anastomosis was performed on 1 flap, and the other 9 flaps of 8 patients had end-to-side arterial anastomoses. End-to-end vein anastomoses were performed on all flaps. Umbilical reconstruction was performed at the abdominal donor site for 3 patients, and all donor site wounds were closed in stage I surgery. Scheduled outpatient and WeChat follow-up were made after surgery.Results:Nine flaps in 8 patients survived successfully. Partial skin necrosis occurred in 1 flap and repaired by skin grafting. Follow-up lasted for 6 to 60 months(12 months in average). At the last follow-up, the colour of the flaps was found being similar to the surrounding skin with mildly bloated and soft in texture. Sensation of the flaps recovered to S 2 in 5 patients, and not detected in 4 cases. Conclusion:The free DIEPF has a relatively constant perforator and the flap can be used for repairing a large area of defect. The donor site wound can be closed in Ⅰ stage surgery. Free DIEPF is suitable for repair of large upper limb wounds.

Application and prospect of preoperative computed tomographic angiography in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap for breast reconstruction / 中国修复重建外科杂志

Objective: To generalize the application and prospect of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap transfer for breast reconstruction. Methods: The related literature using CTA for DIEP flap reconstruction of breast in recent years was reviewed and analyzed. Results: Preoperative CTA can accurately assess the vascular anatomy of the chest and abdomen wall, precisely locating the perforator in the abdominal donor site, and identifying the dominant perforator; guide the selection of intercostal space to explore internal mammary artery and internal mammary artery perforator in the chest recipient vessels. It can also reconstruct the volume of the abdominal flap with reference to the size of the contralateral breast and pre-shape the abdominal flap, which are crucial to formulate the surgical plan and improve the reliability of flap. Conclusion: Preoperative CTA has enormous application potential and prospects in locating donor area perforator, in selecting recipient vessels, and in evaluating breast volume for autologous breast reconstruction with DIEP flap.

Application of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap in bilateral breast reconstruction / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#To explore the clinical application of the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap in bilateral breast reconstruction of patients with breast cancer.@*Methods@#Deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap was applied for breast reconstruction in four cases of breast cancer patients received radical or modified radical surgery in Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital. All patients are female, age ranged from 31 to 53 years old (36.2±5.9).@*Results@#The length of flap was (15.1±0.4) cm, the width of flap was (12.6±0.3) cm, the thickness of flap was (4.3±0.5) cm. The length of pedicle was (12.6±0.3) cm, the outer diameter of artery was (1.8±0.2) mm, the outer diameter of vein was (2.1±0.4) mm.The average weight of flaps was 235 g(ranged from 195 g to 335 g). In one case flap fat necrosis occurred and in other one donor site fat necrosis was noted. The two flaps both healed with dressing treatment and no other complications were found. The reconstructed breasts′shape, texture and elasticity were good and no flap contracture deformation happened. Only linear scar left in the donor sites, the function of abdomen did not affected. All 4 patients were followed up for 14 to 33 months (21.7 months on average) with satisfied result. No local recurrence happened.@*Conclusions@#Free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap is suitable to reconstruct bilateral breast for breast cancer patients.

Classification and applications of the pedicled deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#To propose a classification method and explore the indications and technical tips of the pedicled deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEAP) flap.@*Methods@#From July 2005 to December 2017, 18 patients underwent soft-tissue defect repairment using the pedicled DIEAP flap. The defect locations included abdomen (n=6), iliolumbar region (n=2), perineum (n=4), and proximal thigh (n=6). The flaps were divided into two types. The type Ⅰ flap were further subdivided into two subtypes. The type Ⅰa flap was solely based on the DIEAP. The type Ⅰb flap was also based on the DIEAP, however, the main trunk of the deep inferior epigastric vessels needs to be divided to further improve the pedicle length. The type Ⅱ flap was the traditional pedicled DIEAP flap.@*Results@#Twenty flaps were included in this series. The mean flap size and pedicle length of the 4 flaps in type Ⅰa were 19.0 cm× 6.5 cm and 2.88 cm respectively. The rotation angles were 60 degrees (n=1), 120 degrees (n=1), and 180 degrees (n=2). The 3 flaps of type Ⅰb was 26 cm × 6 cm, 20 cm × 5 cm and 24 cm × 7 cm in size, and the pedicle lengths of them were 6 cm, 7 cm and 7 cm, respectively. All flaps in this subtype were rotated by 180 degrees. The mean flap size and pedicle length of the 13 type Ⅱ flaps were 21.46 cm × 9.38 cm and 11.08 cm. 17 flaps completely survived postoperatively. Small-sized necrosis of the distal portion of the flap occurred in 3 flaps. All patients were followed up for 6 months to 5 years, with the averaged 11 months follow-up time. All patients were satisfied with the final outcomes. Tumor recurrence was not noticed for the oncological patients.@*Conclusions@#The pedicled DIEAP flap has remarkable versatility in the defect repairment for the regions including abdomen, iliolumbar region, proximal thigh, and perineal region. Combining with the " propeller flap" concept, the clinical application of pedicled DIEAP flap could be further expanded. The pedicled DIEAP flap is a reliable reconstructive method for defect repairment in abdominal and iliolumbar regions.

Establishment and application of three-dimensional model of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap based on computed tomography angiography / 中华烧伤杂志

Objective@#To explore the establishment and application of three-dimensional model of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap based on computed tomography angiography (CTA).@*Methods@#Six patients with breast absence after modified radical mastectomy because of breast cancer, 5 patients with congenital absence of vagina, and 6 patients with Paget′s disease of penis and scrotum were hospitalized in our unit from January 2012 to April 2017. The size of wounds after excision of the lesion or that of flaps needed for reconstruction ranged from 17 cm×5 cm to 25 cm×9 cm. Abdominal CTA was performed before the surgery, and data of CTA were sent to CT workstation to make three-dimensional model of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap according to shape and size of wound. The number, course, and location of deep inferior epigastric artery, vein, and their perforators, and the superficial inferior epigastric vein were observed in the above-mentioned three-dimensional model. The rectangular plane coordinate system with the umbilicus as the origin was established to locate and observe course and type of the largest deep inferior epigastric artery perforator in left and right side. Deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps were designed and deep inferior epigastric artery perforators etc. were marked according to three-dimensional models of the flaps before the surgery. The condition observed in three-dimensional model of the flap was compared with the clinical condition in the surgery of free transverse bilateral deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap transplantation for breast reconstruction and longitudinal pedicled thinned unilateral deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap transplantation for vagina reconstruction and wound repair of Paget′s disease of penis or scrotum. The size of flap ranged from 17 cm×6 cm to 25 cm×10 cm.@*Results@#Seventeen three-dimensional models of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps were established, including 6 bilateral models and 11 unilateral models. Seventy-two reliable deep inferior epigastric artery perforators were observed in the three-dimensional model with 3.2±0.7 in the right and 3.1±0.8 in the left. The locations of the largest deep inferior epigastric artery perforators in the right and left were [(-3.2±1.4) cm, (-1.0±0.7) cm] and [(4.0±1.2) cm, (-1.2±1.1) cm] respectively. Fourteen largest deep inferior epigastric artery perforators coursed directly and nine coursed tortuously in the rectus muscle. Twenty-three superficial inferior epigastric veins were detected in the three-dimensional models of the flaps. The number, location, and course of deep inferior epigastric artery and vein and superficial inferior epigastric vein observed in the three-dimensional model of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap were in accordance with the condition observed in the surgery. Seventy reliable deep inferior epigastric artery perforators were detected in the surgery, and the other 2 perforators were unclear due to bleeding. Course of these perforators were in accordance with the condition observed in the three-dimensional model. Deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps of all patients survived well with no complication except that 1 patient suffered from delayed healing of wound in perineum. During follow-up of 1 to 12 months, all flaps survived with good shape and texture.@*Conclusions@#The three-dimensional model of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap based on CTA can be established easily and can provide information of number, location, and course of deep inferior epigastric artery, vein, and their perforators, and superficial inferior epigastric vein to guide preoperative design and intraoperative dissection of the flap effectively.

Reconstrucción mamaria terciaria con tejido autógeno tras reconstrucción fallida con implantes / Tertiary breast reconstruction with autologous tissue after failed reconstruction with implants

Objetivo: Analizar nuestra experiencia en la reconstrucción mamaria terciaria tras el fracaso de procedimientos basados en implantes. Material y métodos: Entre 2005 y 2014, los autores (BH y CA) realizaron reconstrucción mamaria terciaria en 17 casos utilizando el colgajo de perforantes de arteria epigástrica inferior profunda (DIEP). Se revisaron en forma retrospectiva las fichas clínicas de dichas pacientes, registrando edad, comorbilidades, índice de masa corporal (IMC), presencia de cicatrices abdominales, historia de radioterapia y quimioterapia. Asimismo, se registraron los detalles de las cirugías realizadas, tanto de la reconstrucción con implante como de la reconstrucción terciaria. Resultados: Las complicaciones más frecuentes que motivaron el cambio de estrategia reconstructiva fueron: contractura capsular, rotura, exposición/infección del implante, dolor crónico y el fracaso de la expansión de la piel. En la reconstrucción terciaria se utilizó el colgajo DIEP en todos los casos, presentando pérdida parcial del colgajo un solo caso, sin pérdidas totales del mismo. Conclusiones: Las opciones actuales en reconstrucción terciaria con tejido autógeno incluyen principalmente colgajos perforantes, siendo el colgajo DIEP el más utilizado. De acuerdo con los resultados de esta serie y lo reflejado en la literatura, creemos que la reconstrucción terciaria es un procedimiento seguro, con una tasa de complicaciones similar a las de reconstrucción primaria y secundaria, y que otorga una serie de beneficios a las pacientes afectadas.

Objective: Analyze our experience on tertiary breast reconstruction after failed implant-based procedures. Methods: Between 2005 and 2014, the authors (BH and CA) performed tertiary breast reconstruction with the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap (DIEP) flap in 17 cases. The medical charts of these patients were retrospectively reviewed, registering age at tertiary reconstruction, comorbidities, body mass index (BMI), presence of abdominal scars and history of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Likewise, details from surgeries were also gathered, both form the implant-based procedures and tertiary autologous reconstruction. Results: Complications motivating the change of reconstructive strategy included capsular contracture, implant rupture, implant exposure/infection, chronic pain and failure of skin expansion. Regarding tertiary reconstruction, the DIEP flap was used in all cases with one partial flap loss and no total failures. Conclusions: Current options for autologous tertiary reconstruction include mainly perforator flaps with the DIEP being by far the most utilized. Additionally, tertiary reconstruction is a safe procedure, with a rate of complications similar to that of primary and secondary free flap breast reconstruction.

The Value of Preoperative Multidetector Computed Tomography for Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator Free Flap

PURPOSE: Autologous breast reconstruction with abdominal tissue is one of the best options after mastectomy. In a free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous(TRAM) or deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap, a preoperative evaluation of the precise location of perforating vessels and vascular run-off systems is required. The objective of this report is to demonstrate the usefulness of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the preoperative planning of patients undergoing breast reconstruction with abdominal flap. METHODS: From June 2006 to January 2008, 28 patients underwent MDCT evaluation before breast reconstruction. All subjects were females with an age ranged from 30 to 55 years. The CT scan was performed using a 64-slice MDCT scanner(Brilliance 64; Philips Medical Systems, Best, Netherlands). RESULTS: One perforator or two major perforators were marked on image in good relation with a hand-held Doppler examination and intraoperative findings. All vascular run-off systems were cleared before operation. CONCLUSION: Preoperative evaluation of perforator arteries with MDCT angiography is beneficial to the patients undergoing breast reconstruction. This technique provides a noninvasive approach of the vascular anatomy of the entire anterior abdominal wall.