[Coverage of an infected Deep femoral arteria vascular graft bypass by pediculated chimeric antero- lateral thigh flap associated with a vastus lateral muscle]. / Couverture d'un pontage par allogreffe de l'artère fémorale profonde par un lambeau pédiculé chimérique antérolatéral de cuisse associé au muscle vaste latéral.

Scarpa triangle defects with exposure of femoral bypass are challenging to treat. The authors present the case of a 46 years-old male with a groin defect of 10×18cm with an exposure on 5cm of an allograft of the deep femoral artery. Bypass was performed in emergency because of a limb ischemia with deep femoral artery thrombosis and aneurysm of the superficial femoral artery. The reconstructive surgery may propose a large musculo-cutaneous flap to fill the dead spaces surrounding the infected bypass, the flap should be vascularized by the deep femoral arteria, could not be the rectus abdominals flap because of the precedent abdominal incision. The homolateral pediculated ALT-flap with vastus lateral component appeared to be a good solution because of its versatility and the low morbidity of the donor site.

Comparison of the effects of different vasoactive and antiplatelet drugs on perforator flap viability. An experimental study.

Perforator flaps are very popular in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects. As these flaps generally depend on a single perforator, drugs that increase the perfusion of the flap and/or prevent vascular complications may increase flap survival. In this study, we compared the effects of systemically administered hydralazine (arterial vasodilator via potassium channels), nifedipine (arterial vasodilator via calcium channels), piracetam (antiplatelet and regulator of microcirculation) and alprostadil (vasodilator, antiplatelet, rheological and cytoprotective) on flap survival in a rat epigastric artery perforator flap model. The percentage of necrosis was measured on each flap and evaluated using one-way analysis of variance (Anova). Histopathological analyses were also performed. Mean flap survival area was 3.85 cm(2) in the control group. Mean flap survival area was 4.88 cm(2) in the nifedipine group, 4.69 cm(2) in the hydralazine group, 10.55 cm(2) in the piracetam group and 11.3 cm(2) in the alprostadil group. When compared with the control group, all drugs except hydralazine improved flap survival; piracetam and alprostadil yielded significantly better results than nifedipine. Only the alprostadil group showed signs of improved vascularity in the histological analysis. As far as perforator flap survival is concerned, drugs that regulate the microcirculation by a combination of different antiaggregation mechanisms appear more beneficial than single action vasodilators. Alprostadil, a synthetic PGE-1 analogue, has combined antiplatelet and vasoactive effects that further increase flap survival.

[Hypogastric abdominal wall reconstruction with a pedicled anterolateral thigh flap]. / Reconstruction d'une perte de substance de pleine épaisseur de la paroi abdominale sous-ombilicale par un lambeau fasciocutané antérolatéral de cuisse pédiculé.

Looking at a full-thickness abdominal wall defect, it is necessary to use reconstructive surgery techniques. The authors present an original case of reconstruction of the abdominal wall, using an anterolateral thigh flap (ALT) harvested with vascularised fascia lata. We describe the advantages of this technique, which has rarely been used for this indication. An 80-year-old woman presenting a full-thickness abdominal wall defect of 15×18cm was reconstructed by a pedicled ALT flap. Skin wound healing was obtained within 15 days, with no complication. There was no donor site sequela. The pedicled ALT flap appears to be a good solution for hypogastric abdominal wall defect in a one step procedure. Vacularised fascia lata bring with the cutaneous flap is useful to reconstruct the abdominal fascia.