RESUMO
Objective:To investigate the feasibility and clinical effect of the computer assisted design of the lobulated perforator flap based on the descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery(d-LCFA) to reconstruct the soft tissue defects of heel.Methods:From October 2014 to November 2016, a computer assisted virtual technology was used to simulate the process of pre-operative design, isolation, and harvest of d-LCFA perforating flaps. This method was used to guide the design and harvest of the flap of d-LCFA in the repair of large-area soft tissue defects of the heel in all of the 5 patients. One patient received a combine flap of the d-LCFA flap and the perforating branch of the inferior abdominal artery flap(DIEPF). Heel appearance and function were reconstructed in phase I together with the repair of the defect. Donor site was directly sutured. The recovery effect was followed-up in the clinic.Results:The 3D visualised model of the vessels in the donor area for quadriceps artery was successfully established in all 5 patients, and the design and removal of the perforating flap were successfully guided. All the 10 flaps survived successfully in 5 patients, except 1 patient had a backflow disorder at the distal end of the inferior epigastric artery perforator flap, with partial necrosis and II grafting. After 6 to 12 months of follow-up(mean, 8.7 months), the flap showed good in colour and texture, with satisfactory heel appearance. The donor site was left with a linear scar.Conclusion:Computer assisted design technology can effectively help in the design of the polyfoliate perforator flap pedicled with d-LCFA, using this technique to assist the design and repair of large area soft tissue defect of heel could reconstruct the shape of heel in phase I and restore the function of the heel to the maximum extent.
RESUMO
Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of lobulated chimeric perforator flap pedicled with descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery (d-LCFA) in repair of multiple composite tissue defects of the foot and ankle.Methods:From February 2017 to March 2021, a total of 6 patients with foot and ankle multiple site deficiency injuries were treated in the Department of Hand Surgery, Shenzhen Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine. The area of the soft tissue defect was 14.0 cm×9.0 cm~28.0 cm×9.0 cm. The size of the flap were 15.0 cm×10.0 cm-29.0 cm×10.0 cm. In all the cases, the wounds were complicated with bone defects and different degrees of infection. After primary debridement, VSD was used for continuous lavage and drainage. In the second stage, the defect was repaired with a lobulated chimeric perforator flap of d-LCFA. The colour, texture and sensory recovery of flap were observed in the scheduled postoperative follow-up.Results:All flaps survived smoothly without vascular crisis. After 10-12 months of follow-up, no recurrence of infection was found. The flaps had no pigmentation, soft in texture, with non-bloated appearance, good wear resistance, and recovered part of sensation. According to the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) hand sensory function evaluation standard, the sensation recovered to S 1-S 2. Conclusion:The lobulated chimeric perforator flap pedicled with d-LCFA only requires microanastomosis with 1 vascular pedicle. It simultaneously covers wounds in different depths at multiple sites and is also anti-infective. It is an ideal flap for repairing multi-site composite tissue defects of foot and ankle.