ABSTRACT
Background: It is challenging to repair wide or irregular defects with traditional skin flaps, and anterolateral thigh (ALT) lobulated perforator flaps are an ideal choice for such defects. However, there are many variations in perforators, so good preoperative planning is very important. This study attempted to explore the feasibility and clinical effect of digital technology in the use of ALT lobulated perforator flaps for repairing complex soft tissue defects in limbs. Methods: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed on 28 patients with complex soft tissue defects of the limbs, and the CTA data were imported into Mimics 20.0 software in DICOM format. According to the perforation condition of the lateral circumflex femoral artery and the size of the limb defect, one thigh that had two or more perforators from the same source vessel was selected for 3D reconstruction of the ALT lobulated perforator flap model. Mimics 20.0 software was used to visualize the vascular anatomy, virtual design and harvest of the flap before surgery. The intraoperative design and excision of the ALT lobulated perforator flap were guided by the preoperative digital design, and the actual anatomical observations and measurements were recorded. Results: Digital reconstruction was successfully performed in all patients before surgery; this reconstruction dynamically displayed the anatomical structure of the flap vasculature and accurately guided the design and harvest of the flap during surgery. The parameters of the harvested flaps were consistent with the preoperative parameters. Postoperative complications occurred in 7 patients, but all flaps survived uneventfully. All of the donor sites were closed directly. All patients were followed up for 13-27 months (mean, 19.75 months). The color and texture of each flap were satisfactory and each donor site exhibited a linear scar. Conclusions: Digital technology can effectively and precisely assist in the design and harvest of ALT lobulated perforator flaps, provide an effective approach for individualized evaluation and flap design and reduce the risk and difficulty of surgery.
ABSTRACT
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.
ABSTRACT
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.
