Supraclavicular artery flaps for head and neck reconstruction: a prospective study

Reconstruction of defects of the head and neck remains a challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. This is due to the complex anatomy of the region as well as the age and comorbidities of the patients, which prevent the use of free tissue transfer as the primary tool of reconstruction. The supraclavicular artery (SCA) island flap is a well vascularised tissue and provides a thin and pliable skin for cutaneous and mucosal defects of the head and neck region. Here, we had done this flap for eight patients with no major complications and hence, we concur that it is a safe, reliable and versatile reconstructive option for these defects. The study period was from January 2015 to June 2016 where we operated on 8 patients, 5 for post burn contracture neck and 3 for post oncologic resection. The flap was used as a pedicled fascio-cutaneous and was based on the transverse supraclavicular artery. Eight cases underwent supraclavicular artery flap of which 5 were males and 3 females. Mean defect size was 15×10 cm. All the donor sites were closed with a split skin graft. One patient had distal necrosis which was managed with debridement and secondary suturing. The supraclavicular artery flap is a thin, versatile, reliable and easy to harvest flap for reconstructing head and neck defects, with good cosmetic and functional outcome.

A clinical study on reconstruction of small and medium sized defects of tendo Achilles and heel regions with fascio cutaneous flaps

Background: Soft tissue defects of tendo Achillis and heel regions are difficult to reconstruct because of less vascularity and limited mobility of the skin. Most of these defects result from trauma, infection and excision of malignancy. Well vascularized tissues with sensation are needed to cover these defects as these regions are more prone for repeated friction and weight bearing. Aim was to study the versatility and applications of various flaps in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects of tendo Achillis and heel regionsMethods: This retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Thanjavur Medical College, Tamil Nadu, India from 2015-2019. About 22 patients with soft tissue defects of tendo Achillis and heel regions were studied. The aetiology of the defect, size of the defect and the outcome of treatment with various flaps were evaluated.Results: Of the 22 patients 20 patients were males and 2 patients were females. The age group ranged from 12 years to 68 years. Most of the defects were due to road traffic accidents. The soft tissue defects were classified into small, medium and large sized defects based on the area of the defects. Reverse sural artery flap extended lateral calcaneal artery flap, posterior tibial artery perforator flap and lateral supra malleolar flap were the various flaps used to cover these defects.Conclusions: Fascio cutaneous flaps play a major role in the reconstruction of tendo Achillis exposed defects and heel defects. Long term follow-up with physiotherapy is essential to achieve excellent function of tendo Achillis.

Free peroneal perforator cutaneoadipofascial flap containing neurovascular axis for coverage of dorsal forefoot defects / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#To report operative techniques and clinical results of free sural cutaneoadipofascial flap containing the neurovascular axis based on a dominant peroneal perforating artery (DPPA, with a caliber≥0.8 mm) and its concomitant veins for reconstruction of dorsal forefoot soft tissue defects.@*Methods@#The flap was applied in 32 cases with middle to large soft tissue defects in the dorsal forefoot from Aug. 2009 to Dec. 2014. DPPAs arising from the posterolateral intermuscular septum was located and assessed preoperatively with color Doppler flow image and computed tomography angiography. According to the location, size, and shape of the defects, one of these DPPAs was chosen for flap planning. The flap was harvested from the posterolateral aspect of the leg. The neighboring neurovascular axis (one or more of that of the sural nerve, the medial cutaneous nerve, the lateral cutaneous nerve of calf and the sural communicating nerve) was included to ensure vascular supply. According to skin laxity of the donor site, the width of the full harvesting part which should be able to cover the region of the recipient site where pressure and friction force were prominent while wearing shores was decided; the rest was harvested as an adipofascial flap (without skin) to get enough size. After transfer to recipient site, the flap was revascularized by anastomosing the perforating artery and its venae comitantes with appropriate recipient vessels, and reinnervated (antegrade or retrograded methods). Skin grafting was performed on the adipofascial surface of the flap primarily or secondarily. The defects in donor site of the leg was closed directly.@*Results@#All flaps (ranged from 7.5 cm×5.0 cm to 23.0 cm×13.0 cm) were transplanted successfully, and no vascular or donor site problems occurred. All primary skin grafts (19 cases) was partially lost, but only 2 of them need a second grafting. Adipose necrosis occurred in 4 of 13 cases receiving secondary grafting but only needed wound care before surgery. Following up for 11-26 months showed both satisfactory functional and cosmetic results without problems of shoe wearing. Flap sensibility restored at least to the degree of S3.@*Conclusions@#The cutaneoadipofascial flap combines the advantages of perforator, neurocutaneous axis, free and adipofascial flaps leaving only suture scar in the donor leg, and is a satisfactory method for free-style and acute coverage of dorsal forefoot defects.

Application of slender narrow subcutaneous fascia pedicle random flap in repair of the cavity of concha wound / 中华医学美学美容杂志

ObjectiveTo introduce the application of slender narrow subcutaneous fascia pedicle flap in repairing the cavity of conchs wound in microtia plasty,and to investigate its survival mechanism.MethodsThe all 6 congenital microtia cases were repaired with the concha compound flap up rotation.The all microtia concha wounds were repaired with the slender narrow pedicle.The lateral maxillocevicai fasciotaneous flap with its slender subcutaneous fascia pedlcle located in front of auricle.The size of the flaps ranged from 3.0 cm × 3.0 cm to 4.0 cm × 4.5 cm,The width and length of the pedicle ranged 1.0-1.5 cm and 3.5-4.5 cm.Results6 cases of the slender narrow subcutaneous fascia pedlcle flaps all survived,with primary wound healing and ideal appearance.ConclusionsThis slender narrow subcutaneous fascia pedlcle flap does not contain any major blood vessel,which is dissected easily in the operation.Due to its slender narrow pedicle,the flap rotation is also easy and its coverage area is large,without cat ears.The postoperative appearance (color,lexture,cosmetic aspect)is satisfactory.The slender narrow flap is an extraordinary new design and is ideal for the cavity of concha wound repair in the microtia plasty.