Medial plantar artery flap: a versatile workhorse flap for foot reconstruction, our experience

Soft tissue defect in the foot is commonly seen as it is more prone to trophic ulcers since it is the main weight bearing area of the body. Reconstruction of the weight bearing area of the foot requires the provision of a stable, supple, durable and preferably sensate skin coverage. Following Sir Gilli’s principle of replacing like with like, medial plantar artery flap provides an anatomically similar, glabrous skin for coverage on the plantar surface. In the present study, we share our clinical experience with the use of medial plantar artery flap for coverage of soft tissue defect over sole of foot. At our institution, a total of 10 patients presented with soft tissue defect of the sole, underwent medial plantar artery flap coverage. All the 10 patients were diagnosed cases of type 2 DM. patient outcome was assessed according to patients’ age distribution, duration of surgery, hospital stay, and post operative complications. Out of all the 10 patients, 5 were male and 5 were female. All the flaps healed uneventfully without major complications like partial flap necrosis. Donor site was covered with split thickness skin graft. There was suture site dehience in 2 cases which healed with secondary healing. Medial plantar artery flap has been described as an optimal reconstructive option for this type of soft tissue defect.

Reconstruction of post-traumatic upper extremity soft tissue defects with pedicled flaps: An algorithmic approach to clinical decision making / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#Pedicled flaps are still the workhorse flaps for reconstruction of upper limb soft tissue defects in many centers across the world. They are lifeboat options for coverage in vessel deplete wounds. In spite of their popularity existing algorithms are limited to a particular region of upper limb; a general algorithm involving entire upper limb which helps in clinical decision making is lacking. We attempt to propose one for the day to day clinical practice.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent pedicled flaps for coverage of post-traumatic upper extremity (arm, elbow, forearm, wrist & hand) soft tissue defects within the period of January 2016 to October 2017 was performed. Patients were divided into groups according to the anatomical location of the defects. The flaps performed for different anatomical regions were enlisted. Demographic data and complications were recorded. An algorithm was proposed based on our experience, with a particular emphasis made to approach to clinical decision making.@*RESULTS@#Two hundred and twelve patients were included in the study. Mean age was 27.3 years (range: 1-80 years), 180 were male, and 32 were female. Overall flap success rate was 98%, the following complications were noted marginal flap necrosis requiring no additional procedure other than local wound care in 32 patients (15%), partial flap necrosis requiring flap advancement or extra flap in 15 patients (7%), surgical site infection in 11 patients (5%), flap dehiscence requiring re-suturing in 5 patients (2.4%), total flap necrosis 4 patients (2%).@*CONCLUSION@#The proposed algorithm allows a reliable and consistent method for addressing diverse soft tissue defects in the upper limb with high success rate.

Colgajos pediculados en defectos de tejidos blandos en niños / Pedicled flaps for coverage of soft-tissue defects in children

Introducción: El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar los resultados obtenidos con la utilización de colgajos pediculados en la cobertura de defectos de tejidos blandos, en los miembros, en niños. Materiales y Métodos: Se evaluaron 13 niños que sufrieron pérdida o retracción grave de tejidos blandos, y requirieron de un colgajo pediculado para la adecuada cobertura del defecto, entre 2004 y 2013. La edad promedio fue de 7.9 años. El tiempo entre el trauma inicial y la realización del colgajo promedió 39 días. La cobertura se efectuó con colgajo sural (4 casos), colgajo en isla vasculonervioso (2 casos), colgajo radial (2 casos), colgajo inguinal (3 casos), colgajo abdominal (1 caso) y colgajo dorsal ancho (1 caso). En todos los pacientes, la reparación o la reconstrucción de las lesiones asociadas se llevaron a cabo en el mismo tiempo quirúrgico. Resultados: El seguimiento promedio fue de19 meses. En los 13 casos se obtuvo una buena cobertura del defecto. El tiempo de internación fue, en promedio, de 8.1 días. Hubo una infección, una necrosis superficial y dos pacientes con cicatriz hipertrófica. Dos pacientes necesitaron tenólisis y dos, zetaplastias. Conclusiones: Los colgajos pediculados permiten obtener una adecuada cobertura en la mayoría de estas lesiones en niños; la reconstrucción de las lesiones asociadas por debajo de ellos es posible sin inconvenientes. Algunas desventajas de estos colgajos en adultos son la inmovilización del miembro afectado, con una potencial rigidez y la formación de edema, pero esto no se observó en los niños.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate the results achieved using pedicle flaps for coverage of soft-tissue defects in children. Methods: Thirteen children who suffered trauma or burns of the extremities, with soft-tissue loss or severe retraction, requiring a pedicled flap for adequate coverage, treated between 2004 and 2013, were evaluated. Average age 7.9 years. Time between initial trauma and flap coverage averaged 39 days. Coverage was achieved using a sural flap (4 cases), a neurovascular island flap (2 cases), a radial forearm flap (2 cases), a groin flap (3 cases), an abdominal flap (1 case), and a latissimus dorsi flap (1 case). Associated lesions were repaired or reconstructed at the same surgical procedure in all patients. Results: Follow-up averaged 19 months. Adequate coverage was achieved in all 13 cases. Hospitalization time averaged 8.1 days. One patient developed infection, one flap had superficial necrosis and two patients developed hypertrophic scars. Two patients needed extensor tendon tenolisis and two requiredz-plasties. Conclusions: Pedicled flaps allow for an adequate coverage in most soft-tissues defects in children; it is possible to simultaneously reconstruct all associated injuries. The main disadvantage of these flaps in adults is immobilization of the affected limb, with potential stiffness and edema formation, butthis was not evident in the children included in this series.

Panorama of Reconstruction of Skull Base Defects: From Traditional Open to Endonasal Endoscopic Approaches, from Free Grafts to Microvascular Flaps

Introduction: A substantial body of literature has been devoted to the distinct characteristics and surgical options to repair the skull base. However, the skull base is an anatomically challenging location that requires a three-dimensional reconstruction approach. Furthermore, advances in endoscopic skull base surgery encompass a wide range of surgical pathology, from benign tumors to sinonasal cancer. This has resulted in the creation of wide defects that yield a new challenge in skull base reconstruction. Progress in technology and imaging has made this approach an internationally accepted method to repair these defects. Objectives: Discuss historical developments and flaps available for skull base reconstruction. Data Synthesis: Free grafts in skull base reconstruction are a viable option in small defects and low-flow leaks. Vascularized flaps pose a distinct advantage in large defects and high-flow leaks. When open techniques are used, free flap reconstruction techniques are often necessary to repair large entry wound defects. Conclusions: Reconstruction of skull base defects requires a thorough knowledge of surgical anatomy, disease, and patient risk factors associated with high-flow cerebrospinal fluid leaks. Various reconstruction techniques are available, from free tissue grafting to vascularized flaps. Possible complications that can befall after these procedures need to be considered. Although endonasal techniques are being used with increasing frequency, open techniques are still necessary in selected cases...

Fascial versus fascio-cutaneous pedicled sural flaps in the reconstruction of distal leg, ankle and foot soft tissue defects

BACKGROUND: The coverage of soft tissue defects of the distal leg, ankle or foot poses several challenges to the reconstructive surgeon. Reconstructive procedures may range from simple skin grafting to complicated free tissue transfers. The reverse sural flap has been one of the most dependable methods for soft tissue coverage of such complex wounds. The purpose of this paper was to compare the clinical results of reverse sural flaps harvested with a fascial versus a fasciocutaneous pedicle. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of twenty-six patients who underwent a reverse sural flap procedure for complex wounds of the distal lower extremity was examined from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2009, with a minimum follow-up of one month. Fifteen patients had a fascial pedicled flap, while eleven patients had fasciocutaneous pedicled flaps with a minimum of one month follow-up. The primary outcome was flap-related complications. Fisher's exact test was used to determine the differences between the two groups and the level of significance was set at p?0.05. RESULTS: All flaps survived. Flap-related complications were more common in the fascial pedicled flap (6/15) compared with the fasciocutaneous pedicled flap (1/11). The difference was not significant (p=0.09). In terms of cosmetic acceptability, 11 patients (11/15) in the fascial pedicle group and five patients (5/11) in the fasciocutaneous pedicle group expressed that the sural flap was acceptable. CONCLUSION: Reverse sural flap was a reliable reconstructive procedure for coverage of soft tissue defects of the distal leg, ankle or foot. There was no significant difference in terms of complication rates for those with fascial compared with those with fasciocutaneous flaps. Cosmetic acceptability was higher for the fascial pedicled flap.

Is the Distant Pedicled Flap Still Useful in Reconstruction of the Injured Hand?

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the necessity of distant pedicled flap in the treatment of soft tissue defects in the hand. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Distant pedicled flap was performed in the 25 hands of 25 patients from 2000 to 2004. There were 20 males and 5 females and mean age was 34 years. The surgery was done for electrical burns in 13 patients, flame burns in 8 patients and crushing injuies in 4 patients. RESULTS: We have performed 25 distant pedicled flaps for the coverage of soft tissue defects in the hands when local and free flaps were unavailable. Soft tissue coverages by distant pedicled flap were completely successful in all the 25 hands. No complication such as total flap loss, marginal flap loss and infection occurred. CONCLUSION: Distant pedicled flaps were very useful alternative method in the treatment of soft tissue defect in the hand.