Induced membrane technique combined with anterolateral thigh flap transfer for reconstruction of composite foot defect / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of induced membrane technique combined with anterolateral thigh flap transfer in treating composite foot defect.Methods:A retrospective case series study was performed for 7 patients with composite foot defect treated at 920th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA from February 2014 to December 2018. There were 5 males and 2 females, with the age of 20-73 years [(38.9±16.3)years]. The composite defect located at the forefoot in 5 patients, midfoot in 1, and hindfoot in 1. There were 9 metatarsal bone defects, 1 medial cuneiform bone defect, and 1 calcaneus bone defect. The size of soft tissue defect varied from 6 cm×5 cm to 70 cm×35 cm. At stage I, the anterolateral thigh flap transfer and vancomycin loaded cement implantation were performed. The flap survival and complications were recorded. At stage II, the cement was removed and autogenous bone was grafted into the induced membrane. The duration of two-stage operation, bone union time, and complications were recorded. The postoperative function was assessed using Maryland foot score system before operation and at the last follow-up and postoperative compications were documented.Results:All patients were followed up for 22-54 months [(33.8±9.7)months]. At stage I, flaps survived in all patients, and bulking of the flap was seen in 3 patients. One patient with calcaneus bone defect had repeated infection after operation, and received debridement. At stage II, 6 patients received bone grafting surgery. The duration of two-stage operation was 2-4 months [(2.8±0.9)months]. The bone union time was 3 and 7 months [(4.7±1.2)months]. At the last follow-up, the Maryland foot function score was 63-92 points [(82.1±8.7)points], significantly different from 0 point before operation ( P<0.01). The results were excellent in 1 patient, good in 5, and fair in 1. Except for one nonunion of metatarsal bone, all the other 8 sites were with bone union uneventfully. Conclusion:The induced membrane technique combined with anterolateral thigh flap transfer is an effective protocol for composite foot defect, which can well repair soft tissue and bone defect, and restore walking.