Orthoplastic approach in lower leg and foot reconstruction / 中华显微外科杂志

The reconstruction of lower leg and foot is very challenging due to their anatomical characteristics. In the last half century, we assisted to a dramatical change in thinking and approaching the lower leg and foot complex tissue defects. This became possible due to the new knowledge in vascular anatomy and advances in microsurgical techniques and instrumentation. The main way to well treat this kind of lesions is to ensure a multidisciplinary approach by collaboration between the specialists involved in approaching them. That’s why, in the later part of the last millennium, a new specialty appeared: Orthoplastic Surgery. Orthoplastic extremity reconstructive surgery may be addressed to the treatment of traumatic, oncologic, and septic conditions. This paper will discuss the timing of tissue transfer and the armamentarium of tissue reconstructive techniques for surgery of the lower leg and foot, from traditional flaps to the modern perforator flaps.

Masquelet technique combined with flap transplantation for infectious bone and soft tissue defects of lower leg / 中国修复重建外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of Masquelet technique combined with flap transplantation in treatment of infectious bone and soft tissue defects of the lower leg. Methods: Between January 2013 and January 2017, 35 cases of infectious bone and soft tissue defects of lower leg were treated with Masquelet technique combined with flap transplantation. There were 21 males and 14 females, with an average of 31.5 years (mean, 25-55 years). All patients were tibial fractures caused by trauma and the infections occurred after debridement or internal fixation. The time from injury to admission was 1 to 6 months, with an average of 3.2 months. Defect located at the proximal leg in 11 cases, the middle leg in 11 cases, and the distal leg in 13 cases. The length of tibia defect after debridement ranged from 5.6 to 11.2 cm, with an average of 7.1 cm. The size of soft tissue defect ranged from 14.2 cm×6.9 cm to 17.3 cm×8.7 cm. Bacterial culture of purulent secretion of wound was positive in 18 cases. After debridement, the bone cement was used to fill the bone defect and the flap transplantation was used to repair the wound. The bone cement was taken out at 8 to 12 weeks after the one-stage operation, and the bone defect was repaired with autogenous iliac bone or combined with artificial bone. Results: Three cases had necrosis at the distal edge of the flap after one-stage operation, and survived after dressing change. The other flaps survived successfully, and the wounds healed by first intention. All incisions healed by first intention after two-stage operation. All patients were followed up 24-32 months, with an average of 27 months. The color of the flap was similar to that of the surrounding normal tissue, and its texture was good. X-ray reexamination showed that all bone defects healed after 6-8 months, with an average of 6.7 months. At 9 months after two-stage operation, according to the revised Edwards tibial fracture evaluation standard, 19 cases were excellent, 14 cases were good, and 2 cases were poor, the excellent and good rate was 94.3%. The American Orthopedic Ankle Association (AOFAS) score was 60-98, with an average of 81.3. And 21 cases were excellent, 11 were good, and 3 were fair, with an excellent and good rate of 91.4%. Conclusion: Masquelet technique combined with flap transplantation is an effective treatment for infectious bone and soft tissue defects of lower leg.

Distally based peroneus brevis muscle flap: A single centre experience / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#Defects around the distal one third of the leg and ankle are difficult to manage by conservative measures or simple split thickness skin graft. Distally based peroneus brevis muscle flap is a well described flap for such defects.@*METHODS@#This is a retrospective analysis conducted on 25 patients with soft tissue and bony defects of distal third of lower leg and ankle, which were treated using distally based peroneus brevis muscle flap from January 2013 to January 2018. Information regarding patient demographics, etiology, size and location of defects and complications were collected. All patients were followed up for at least 3 months after surgery.@*RESULTS@#There were 21 males and 4 females with the mean age of 39 (5-76) years. The most common cause of injuries was road traffic accident, followed by complicated open injury. The average size of defects was 20 (4-50) cm. The mean operating time was 75 (60-90) min for flap harvest and inset. We had no patient with complete loss of the flap. Five patients (20%) had marginal necrosis of the flap and two patients have graft loss due to underlying hematoma and required secondary split thickness skin grafting.@*CONCLUSION@#The distally based peroneus brevis muscle flap is a safe option with reliable anatomy for small to moderate sized defects following low velocity injury around the ankle. The commonest complication encountered is skin graft loss which can be reduced by primary delayed grafting.

Repair of large area of soft tissue defect of calf by the retrograde anterolateral thigh flap with single high cu-taneous perforator / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To explore the clinical effect of repairing the large area of soft tissue defect of the calf by the retrograde anterolateral thigh flap with single high cutaneous perforator. Methods From January, 2014 to July, 2017, 9 cases of large area of soft tissue defects were repaired by the retrograde anterolateral thigh flap with sin-gle high cutaneous perforator.There were 7 males and 2 females, aged 24-48 years.Soft tissue defects area of the calf was 10.0 cm×7.0 cm to 35.0 cm×15.0 cm, including skin grafting and skin stretch to repair the area. The perforating point of the high cutaneous artery branches was designed at the proximal end of the flap, which was used as the single nutrient vessel of the flap. The rotation point of the flap was moved upward to the proximal thigh, which not only in-creased the blood supply of the flap, but also made the flap repair range to the distal calf. The flap range was 15.0 cm×10.0 cm to 22.0 cm×12.0 cm. Results All flaps were cut smoothly, and no vascular crisis occurred. All flaps survived smoothly.All patients were followed-up for 6-12 months. The appearance of flaps was plump, slightly bloat-ed, and their color was similar to the recipient area. The texture was soft, and no active disorder in the donor site. Conclusion The retrograde anterolateral thigh flap with single high cutaneous perforator can be designed at a high rotation point.By increasing the number and caliber of the anastomotic branch between the pedicle and lateral superi-or genicular artery, the blood supply and reflux of flap can be improved, and the survival rate is not affected. Com-pared with the traditional anterolateral thigh flap, it has great advantages.

Application of muscular flap and induced membrane technique in the emergency treatment for limb salvage for Gustilo type Ⅲ B and Ⅲ C open fracture of lower leg / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical effectivity of the muscular flap transposition and induced membrane technique in the emergency treatment for the limb salvage of Gustilo type Ⅲ B/C open fracture of lower leg. Methods From July, 2015 to December, 2017, 10 cases of Gustilo type Ⅲ B/C fracture of lower leg with bone defects were performed limb salvage surgery. Induced membrane technique was used to fill the bone defects in the emergency room.The gastrocnemius and/or soleus muscular flaps were transposed to cover the bone cement or ex-posed bone simultaneously in emergence treatment. After the wound healed completely, traditional bone grafting was used to repair the bone defects. There were 4 cases of Gustilo type Ⅲ B and 6 cases of Gustilo type Ⅲ C. The aver-age length of bone defect was (5.25±1.70) cm ranging from 3.0 cm to 11.0 cm. The gastrocnemius medial head flaps were performed in 5 cases, the combined application with the gastrocnemius medial head flaps and the medial hemimuscular flaps of soleus were performed in 2 cases, and medial hemimuscular flaps of soleus were transposed in 3 cases. Results The wounds in 6 cases were healed at one stage, but 2 cases healed by dressing because the exudate after skin grafting.In 1 case, the cross-leg flap was used to cover the exposed bone cement due to the necro-sis of soleus flap. The other 1 was performed the transposition of the lateral gastrocnemius flaps because the exposure of bone cement after the necrosis of the upper and lateral muscles in lower leg. In the second-stage, the bone defects were reconstructed by traditional bone grafting. The average healed time of bone was 7.2 months ranging from 5 months to 9 months. At the last followed-up time, all patients recovered their function of weight-bearing. The Paley's score of the adjacent joints: excellent in 8 cases and good in 2 cases. Conclusion The combination with induced membrane technique and local muscular flap transposition in emergency surgery is an effective method to limb salvage for the Gustilo type Ⅲ B/C open fracture of lower leg.

The medial-lower-leg-flap with a healthy limb cross-leg bridging thoracic umbilical flap to repair large-area skin defects of lower limbs / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#To investigate the clinical application of repairing the large-area skin defect of legs with medial-lower-leg-flap with a healthy limb cross-leg bridging thoracic umbilical flap.@*Methods@#16 cases with a large area of soft tissue defects caused by severe trauma were included in this study. The vascular pedicles of free thoracic umbilical flap were anastomosed with the opposite posterior tibial artery and vein, and the pedicle skin tubes were made and amputated 4 weeks after surgery.Observation of postoperative flap include survival situation, shape, color, elastic, scar contracture, and dysfunction.@*Results@#16 cases of postoperative all flaps survived.In 1 case pain occurred 10 hours after the operation and led to arterial crisis, which was relieved with analgesia.There were no vascular crisis in other 15 eases. Followed up for 2-24 months, all the flaps survived with good color, elasticity and sensory recovery. There was no apparent stiffness in double knee and ankle joint.@*Conclusions@#For the injured limbs impossible to be repaired with local vascular pedicle, routine local transfer of skin flap or cross leg skin flap, the bridge cross anastomosis of free flap graft may be an ideal surgical treatment.

Analysis of the causes and the countermeasures for the serious complications after perforating pedicle flap of lower leg / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To analysis causes of the serious complications after the operation of the lower leg perforator pedicle screw flap, and to explore the corresponding countermeasures. Methods From June, 2012 to Au-gust, 2016, 60 cases of soft tissue defect of ankle and foot were repaired with propeller flaps pedicled with perforator of lower legs. with the area were soft tissue defect ranged from 3.0 cm ×2.0 cm to 19.0 cm ×9.0 cm, and all with bone exposure. Two cases of traumatic tissue defect, 7 cases were chronic osteomyelitis of the distal tibia, 13 cases were in-cision infection and necrosis after the operation of ankle joint fracture and Pilon fracture, 10 cases were simple inci-sion necrosis after calcaneal fracture, 18 cases were calcaneal osteomyelitis, 1 case were soft tissue defect after the ankle tumor operation, 6 cases were soft tissue necrosis after the Achilles tendon rupture, and 3 cases were soft tissue defect of the dorsum with infection. The posterior tibial artery perforator pedicled propeller flap was used in 18 cases. The pedicle of the vascular pedicle was 6.0-18.0 cm from the medial malleolus, the flap rotation was 135 °-180° . There were 42 cases of the perforator pedicle propeller flap of the peroneal artery, 5.0-18.0 cm from the pedicle of the vascular pedicle and 120°-180° rotation in the flap. The area of the flap was 9.0 cm ×3.0 cm-34.0 cm ×18.0 cm. There were 32 cases of direct suture in the donor site and 28 cases of free skin grafting. Results The color, swelling, elasticity, capillary reaction and healing of donor site were observed after operation. There was no flap ischemia occurred in 60 patients. Fourteen cases had venous reflux obstruction, all of which had swelling above II degree, 8 cases had swelling above III degree with obvious purple blood stasis, resulting in partial flap necrosis in 4 cases, all necrosis in 1 case, including 4 cases of free skin grafting, 1 case of flap transplantation and repair. There were 3 cases of necrosis after skin grafting in the flap area, all of which were partial necrosis. There was case of necrosis of the wound surface after di-rect suture of the donor site and 1 case of skin disintegration after disassembly, and all wounds healed after the replace-ment of the wound and the external use of the dried blood powder. All the 60 patients were followed-up for 12 to 30 (mean, 24.5)months. The flaps survived and the donor site scars healed well. The range of motion of the ankle was from-10°to 10°(mean, 5.6 °) and the flexion of the plantar was from 20 °to 50 °(mean, 37.8 °). Fourteen patients with venous reflux disorder were followed up for 15 to 28(mean, 22.3)months. The flap and skin graft survived well. Ankle dorsiflexion ranged from-10° to 10 °(mean, 2.4 °) and plantar flexion from 20° to 45 °(mean, 35.6 °). There was no obvious limp in walking. Conclusion Although the overall effect of the lower leg perforator pedicle propeller flap to repair the soft tissue defect of the foot and ankle is satisfactory, there are still various serious complications, which are mainly due to ia-trogenic. Doctors should strictly follow the basic principles of skin flap surgery from preoperative to postoperative, and during operation and postoperative management, so as to reduce the incidence of complications.

A Retrospective Study Assessing Kampo Medicine for the Treatment of Lower Extremity Symptoms Caused by Lumbar Spinal Diseases / 日本東洋医学雑誌

We assessed the efficacy of Kampo medicine for lower extremity symptoms caused by lumbar spinal diseases, such as lumbar spondylosis, spinal canal stenosis, and post-spinal surgery syndrome. In particular, we evaluated its usefulness for lower extremity pain, coldness, and numbness. In addition, the efficacy of antecedent drug selection and pain treatment was also assessed. In accordance with Japanese traditional herbal medical practice, keishikajutsubuto, shimbuto, ryokyojutsukanto, tokishigyakukagoshuyushokyoto, goshajinkigan, and shakuyakukanzoto were prescribed primarily for lower extremity symptoms caused by lumbar disease. Thirty-two of 60 (53%) cases with lower extremity pain, 17 of 34 (50%) cases of pain with coldness, and 4 of 19 cases (21%) of pain with numbness were improved by these drugs. We conclude that the addition of keishikajutsubuto, shimbuto, ryokyojutsukanto, tokishigyakukagoshuyushokyoto, goshajinkigan, and shakuyakukanzoto after antecedent pain therapy was effective in treating lower extremity symptoms caused by lumbar disease.

Posterior tibial artery perforator pedicle propeller flaps for soft tissue coverage of the lower leg and foot defects / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficiency of posterior tibial artery perforator pedicle propeller flaps for soft tissue coverage of the lower leg and foot defects.Methods From May,2008 to May,2016,30 cases with soft tissue defects of the lower leg and foot were cured by using posterior tibial artery perforator pedicle propeller flaps.The size of flaps ranged from 8.0 cm×4.0 cm to 24.0 cm×9.0 cm.Fascia flap was harvested in 5 cases,8 cases with deep fascia,and 6 cases with saphenous vein and saphenous nerve.The degree of flap rotation were from 160° to 180°.The donor sites were closed directly in 27 cases,and covered with skin grafting in 1 case,and with sequential flap in 2 cases.The shape,color,texture and satisfaction of the flaps were recorded during follow-up.Results Twenty-five flaps survived completely.The distal part of skin flap necrosis occurred in 3 cases and the wound healed well after dressing change.The distal part of flap necrosis occurred in 1 case,and free anterolateral thigh perforator flap was used to repair in the second phase.The complete necrosis of the flap occurred in 1 case,healing with scar after 2 months dressing treatment.All cases were followed-up from 4 months to 4.5 yeas (average 1.7 years).All flaps were smooth with a satis fied appearance and high patient satisfaction.Conclusion Posterior tibial artery perforator pedicle propeller flap which has reliable blood supply,less donor-site morbidities,cosmetic shape,simple operation and less postoperative complications,is an ideal method for soft tissue coverage of the lower leg and foot defects.

The combined use of flaps transfer and ilizarov technique reconstruct the large soft tissue defects and bone lose in the lower leg / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To determine the outcome of the combined use of flaps transfer and ilizarov technique reconstruct the large soft tissue defects and bone lose in the lower leg.Methods Sixteen patients were identified from a retrospective review from July,2008 to July,2013,who suffered the large soft tissue defects and bone lose in the lower leg and underwent single-stage soft tissue and osseous reconstruction using the flap technique and Ilizarov method.There were 12 males and 4 females aged from 22 to 62 years old (average 42.6 years old).The size of soft tissue defect ranged from 8 cm×9 cm to 30 cm×20 cm.The length of the bone discrepancy ranged from 2 to 14 cm.According to the local condition of the lower leg and the size of the composite tissue defects,10 patients received the free flap covering,6 patients repaired by the saphenous neurocutaneous perforator flap (3 cases) and sural nerve neurocutaneous flap (3 cases).Daily monitoring the skin temperature postoperative.Distraction was commenced on postoperative day 10 to 14 at the rate of 1 mm/day and continued in 4 equal increments.Results The follow-up time ranged from 18 to 36 months.Sixteen flaps survived completed,only 1 flap was observed the venous congestion in postoperative day 2.The duration of ilizarov application ranged from 3.5 to 18.0 months.All patients achieved final union.All patients were satisfied with the outcome of the surgery.Conclusion The combined use of neurocutaneous flap and Ilizarov technique for reconstruction of large composite soft tissue defect in the lower leg.Significantly reduce patient treatment time,improving traction osteogenesis of long bones and the ability of resistance to infection.

Height and Body Mass Index Estimated by Alternative Measures in Children with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy and Moderate/Severe Malnutrition.

Objective: To demonstrate that alternative measures are reliable predictors of height in children with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy (CP) and moderate/severe malnutrition and in healthy children. Methods: In an intervention study, thirteen patients with CP (10 females and 3 males, with an average age of 9 y 11 m±2 y 3 m) with Gross Motor Function Classification System level V and moderate/severe malnutrition were included. They were compared with 57 healthy participants (31 females and 26 males with an average age of 8 y 7 m±10 m). Weight, height and alternative measures to height were obtained. ANOVA, Student’s t test, the Mann-Whitney U test, the Wilcoxon test, and the Pearson correlation were used. Results: Significant differences were observed in weight, height and alternative measures between children with CP and healthy children (p < 0.001). In healthy children, knee height (KH) and lower-leg length (LLL) were similar to standing height. The correlation coefficients between height and alternative measures as well as correlations between the heights estimated by alternative measures were higher in children with CP than in healthy children. Conclusion: KH was the most appropriate measurement to estimate height in children with spastic quadriplegic CP and in healthy children. In the absence of a segmometer, height can be estimated by LLL in children with spastic quadriplegic CP and healthy children. The anthropometric indexes height/age and BMI were more appropriately obtained by the height estimated by KH or LLL.

Rol del colgajo perforante pediculado en hélice (propeller flap) en reconstruccción post traumática de extremidades / Propeller flap in post-traumatic lower limb defects

Aim: To describe indications and results obtained in distal lower leg post traumatic reconstruction using pediculated perforator propeller flap. Patients and Methods: Prospective series of consecutive patients treated with propeller flaps between March 2011 and March 2014. Patient’s characteristics, defects and flaps characteristics and post operative complications were recorded. Descriptive statistical methods were used in this study. Results: Eight patients were included with a median age of 40 years. The injuries were caused by degloving (one case) and fractures (seven cases), including four calcaneal fractures, two open tibial fractures and one ankle fracture. Three cases were reconstructed with posterior tibial artery pedicled perforator flaps, and five cases with peroneal artery perforator flaps. The median average area of the flaps was 55.8 cm² (range 40-117.8 cm²). Coverage was achieved in all cases. No total flap necrosis was reported. Discussion: Propeller flaps are a useful tool in reconstruction of medium size defects of the distal third of the lower limb. They allow primary closure of the donor site and have a low rate of complications.

Objetivos: Evaluar los resultados obtenidos en cobertura cutánea post traumática con colgajos pediculados basados en perforantes distales en extremidades inferiores. Pacientes y Método: Se realizó un registro prospectivo de todos los pacientes con lesiones post traumáticas tratados con colgajos perforantes pediculados en hélice entre marzo de 2011 y marzo de 2014. Se registró datos demográficos, características del defecto cutáneo, características de los colgajos utilizados, así como la presencia de complicaciones post operatorias. Se utilizó medidas de tendencia central y de dispersión para describir la serie de pacientes. Resultados: La serie analizada incluyó ocho pacientes con una mediana de 40 años (27-59 años). El mecanismo de lesión fue desforramiento (un caso) y fracturas de la extremidad inferior (siete casos), de las cuales, 4 fueron fracturas de calcáneo, 2 fracturas expuestas de tibia y 1 fractura de tobillo. En tres casos se realizaron colgajos basados en perforantes de arteria tibial posterior y en cinco casos se utilizó perforantes de arteria peronea. El área de los colgajos tuvo una mediana de 55,8 cm² (rango 40-117,8 cm²). Un caso presentó una necrosis distal, dos dehiscencia del borde distal y un hematoma. Se logró cobertura en todos los casos y la zona dadora fue cerrada en forma primaria. No hubo necrosis totales de colgajos. Discusión: El colgajo perforante pediculado de tipo propeller es una herramienta útil en la cobertura de defectos de extensión menor del tercio distal de la extremidad inferior con una baja tasa de complicaciones.

The Effect of Visual Information Provision on the Changes of Electromyogram Activity in Trunk and Lower Leg Muscles during Dynamic Balance Control / 대한스포츠의학회지

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of electromyogram activity of trunk and lower leg muscles during dynamic balance control in 20 healthy adult subjects when various experimental visual conditions were applied. Surface electromyography system was used for recording of any signals produced by muscles. Muscle activity was recorded from muscles, of which left and right sides of rectus abdominis, external obliques, longissimus thoracis, multifidus, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius medialis, and tibialis anterior, and then normalized as percentage of maximum voluntary isometric contraction. All data obtained from experiment were analyzed using SPSS ver. 20.0, and two-way analysis of variance were used to determine statistical significance between two factors (3x2 factorial analysis, visual conditions vs. leg conditions). Statistical significance levels were set at alpha=0.05. There were significant different in biceps femoris and external obliques muscle's activities between right and left leg, showing more prominent reduction in left leg when blind vision condition was given. Significantly higher muscle activities were shown in both sides of multifidus (p<0.05), vastus medialis (p<0.001), tibialis anterior (p<0.001) and gastrocnemius medialis (p<0.001) with sighted vision and blanking vision compared to the condition of blind vision. These results confirmed that muscle activity is prominently stimulated by visual information provision, and this implies that visual input may be a major factor for maintaining of the body's balance control.

Using lower leg perforator flaps to repair soft tissue defect on ankle / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To explore the application value of the lower leg perforator flaps in repairing soft tissue defect on ankle.Methods From January 2007 to December 2012,62 cases of soft tissue defect on ankles have been repaired.The defects were combined with tendon and/or bone exposure for all the cases,among them 7 cases were exposure or sinus tract after achilles tendon rupture surgery,8 cases with ankle or intertarsal joint defect and exposure,24 cases with distal tibia fracture,or medial malleolus fracture,or lateral malleolus fracture,or calcaneus fracture,11 cases with different level of infection.Fifteen cases were primarily repair,and 47 cases were secondly repair or extended phase.The cases were repaired by applying different types retrograde transferred perforator pedicle flaps of lower legs,with 10 cases of posterior tibial artery perforator flaps on the medial malleolus,12 cases of front top flaps of com peroneal artery on external ankle,40 cases of back top flaps of peroneal artery on external ankle.The sizes of the flap ranged from 4.0 cm ×5.5 cm to 9.0 cm × 15.0 cm.Ten cases were applied direct suturing in donor site,and other cases were applied skin grafts to repair the defect.Results Flaps in 56 cases completely survived.Partial necrosis appeared in 3 cases of front top flaps of peroneal artery on external ankle,one perforator flap of posterior tibial artery on the medial malleolus and 2 cases of back top flaps of peroneal artery on external ankle.All these cases recovered after careful dressing changes.Sixty two cases were followed up for 3-12 months.Texture of flaps was soft with good elasticity.All of the donor skin grafts in patients survived.Conclusion Perforator flaps have the advantage of easy operation,little damage to the main blood vessels,high reliability in flap survival,less destroy to donor site.It is important that individualized flap is selected given different position of defect.

Acute Compartment Syndrome of the Lower Leg and Foot / 대한족부족관절학회지

Acute compartment syndrome of the lower leg and foot is a surgical emergency. The clinical symptoms is an important clue to diagnose compartment syndrome. In cases of ambiguous diagnosis, unconscious patients and children additionally need a intracompartmental pressure measuring. Immediate fasciotomy should be performed when clinical signs are obvious or when delta pressure is less than 30 mmHg or intracompartmental pressure is greater than 30 mmHg. Fasciotomy of the lower leg can be performed either by one lateral single incision or double incision, which of the foot mainly has a dorsal or medial incision. A delayed in diagnosis that leads to a delay in treatment can result in devastating disability. Acute compartment syndrome of the lower leg and foot is a relative rare but serious complication of which a surgeon should be aware.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Occurred in Psoas Muscle / 대한정형외과학회잡지

One fourth of cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma were reported as extranodal type and skeletal muscle involvement rarely seen as a primary event and local dissemination. The psoas involved lesion with spine mimicking pain is caused mainly by infection rather than non-infected conditions such as tumor. We report on a rare case of non-Hodgkin lymphoma occurring in psoas muscle, which required differentiation from a psoas abscess.

The pedicle modification of grafting in free flap which use medial-lower-leg-flap with a healthy limb cross-leg bridging thoracic umbilical flap / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To investigate the methods and effects of the pedicle modification in free flap which use medial-lower-leg-flap with a healthy limb cross-leg bridging thoracic umbilical flap.Methods From June 2006 to June 2010,twenty-eight cases with a large area of soft tissue defects caused by severe trauma were included in this study.We used The flap was used to repair the wound,the pedicle of the flap was improved which was designed by medial lower leg flap with a healthy limb cross-leg bridging thoracic umbilical flap:thoracic umbilical flap carrying the cross midline side flap.Medial lower leg flap in tongue cutting out and carrying on the medial malleolus perforator.In the processing of bridge-pedicled,we rolled the proximal porting of cross-leg flap,used medial malleolus perforator flap as a posterior wall and used thoracic umbilical flap carrying the cross midline lateral flap as anterior wall.Two portions formed a combined percutaneous tube.The two tile formmed a combined percutaneous tube.Fixing method for operation adopted external fixator which two legs were paralleling.Observation of postoperative flap survival situation,shape,color,elastic,scar contracture,and dysfunction.Results Twenty-eight cases of postoperative all flaps survived.Vascular crisis was appeared in 2 cases after 8 hours.Upon examination that was low blood pressure,low hematocrit.In treatment of transfusion and infusion,crisis mitigated.In 1 case after 12 hours with pain occurred arterial crisis,which was reliefed with analgesia.There were no vascular crisis in other 26 cases.Followed up for 2-20 months,flap had good blood supply,color and good elasticity.The appearance was not bloated and sensory recoverred partly.There was no apparent stiffness in double knee,ankle joint.Conclusion Medial lower leg flap with a healthy limb cross-leg bridging thoracic free flap transplantation for repairing serious soft tissue defects of the leg is clinically proven good means.Based on the improvement of pedicle,it can reduce the risk and complications.At the same time,it can improve the postoperative nursing care effects.It is worthy of popularization and application.

Inflammatory Nodules of the Leg

There is a group of diseases characterized by inflammatory nodules which generally located on the lower leg. They have certain clinical appearances in common, which often makes a differential diagnosis difficult or impossible on clinical grounds alone. There is a great variation in histopathologic appearance, which depends on the duration of the lesions and sites from specimens are obtained for biopsy. Therefore, separating and subclassifying inflammatory nodule lesions of the legs, based on the subtle clinical and histological variation, is not easy. Despite all these difficulties, a specific diagnosis can be made with an adequate clinic-pathologic correlation.

Application of perforator pedicled propeller flaps for soft-tissue coverage of the lower leg and foot defects: 25 cases report / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficiency of perforator pedicled propeller flaps for soft-tissue coverage of the lower leg and foot defects.Methods From July 2007 to December 2011,twentyfive cases with soft-tissue defects of the lower leg and foot were cured by using the perforator propeller flaps.The origins of the perforator were 18 cases from peroneal artery,six cases from posterior tibial artery and 1 case from dorsal foot artery.The minimum of the flap scale was 4-9 cm,and the maximum was 10-33 cm.Results All cases were followed-up from 1 to 26 months.All the flap pedicles were smooth with a satisfied appearance.The donor sites were sutured directly in 9 cases and cured with skin-grafting in 16 cases.Three cases suffered from vein congestion,two cases were cured by incisions in the distal parts of the flaps,one flap had necrosis of the distal 1/3 part and was cured by skin-grafting.Conclusion The perforator pedicled propeller flap is a simple,safe and useful flap.It has more advantages than other pedicled flaps for softtissue coverage of the lower leg and foot defects.

Calcific Myonecrosis of the Antetibial Area

Calcific myonecrosis is a rare late post-traumatic condition, in which a single muscle is replaced by a fusiform mass with central liquefaction and peripheral calcification. Compartment syndrome is suggested to be the underlying cause. The resulting mass may expand with time due to recurrent intralesional hemorrhage into the chronic calcified mass. A diagnosis may be difficult due to the long time between the original trauma and the symptoms of calcific myonecrosis. We encountered a 53-year-old male patient diagnosed with calcific myonecrosis in the lower leg. We report the case with a review of the relevant literature.