Effect of inferior epigastric artery perforator flap transplantation in repairing traumatic soft tissue defects of lower limbs / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the effect of inferior epigastric artery perforator flap transplantation in repairing traumatic soft tissue defects of lower limbs.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 34 patients with traumatic soft tissue defects of lower limbs admitted to Chongqing Great Wall Hospital from January 2019 to May 2021, including 31 males and 3 females; aged 12-65 years [(38.5±5.6)years]. There were 8 patients with defects on the calf and 26 on the ankle. All wounds were found with exposed tendons, muscles and/or bones. The area of soft tissue defects ranged from 10 cm×6 cm to 40 cm×11 cm. All patients were repaired with inferior epigastric artery perforator flap. The wound healing, flap survival and recovery were observed. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and American Orthopedic Foot and ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score were used to evaluate pain and ankle function before operation and at 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after operation. The complications were observed.Results:All patients were followed up for 12-36 months [(19.5±5.3)months]. All wounds were healed by stage I, showing the healing time of 14-24 days [(17.6±2.8)days]. All flaps survived with good color, soft texture and satisfactory appearance, with no obvious swelling. All flaps produced protective sensation. The VAS was (4.3±0.8)points, (3.3±0.7)points, (1.4±0.5)points, (1.2±0.3)points, (0.8±0.2)points and (0.4±0.1)points at 7 days, 14 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after operation, decreased gradually from preoperative (7.4±1.3)points (all P<0.05). The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was (35.6±3.1)points, (42.6±3.6)points, (50.3±4.3)points, (56.2±5.6)points, (60.3±6.8)points and (65.3±9.0)points at 7 days, 14 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after operation, increased from preoperative (22.4±2.5)points (all P<0.05). The ankle function was excellent in 25 patients, good in 5 and fair in 4 at 12 months after operation, with an excellent and good rate of 88.2%. Venous crisis occurred in 3 patients after operation, and the flaps survived completely after venous reanastomosis or venous bridging. Conclusion:For traumatic soft tissue defects of lower limbs, inferior epigastric artery perforator flap transplantation has advantages of enhanced survival of flaps, satisfactory appearance, attenuated pain, good functional recovery and few complications.