Comparison of hatchet-shaped tensor fascia lata flap and pedicle anterior lateral thigh flap for treatment of trochanteric sores: a retrospective analysis of 48 patients.

PURPOSE: Surgical reconstruction of trochanteric sores remains a formidable task for plastic surgeons. Diverse types of flaps have been proposed for use in this situation, each with particular advantages and limitations. This study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes between the hatchet-shaped tensor fascia lata (TFL) flap and the pedicle anterior lateral thigh (ALT) flap in treatment of trochanteric sores. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with trochanteric sores were operated on under spinal or general anesthesia using TFL or ALT flaps between August 2007 and November 2010. In the TFL group, 26 hatchet-shaped TFL musculocutaneous flaps were performed on 24 patients. In the ALT group, 25 pedicle ALT musculocutaneous flaps were performed on 24 patients. Surgical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: No significant difference was detected between the TFL and ALT groups in terms of age, preoperative disease period, obesity (body mass index), American Society of Anesthesiologists score, comorbidity, the defect size, follow-up time, and complication rate. The recurrence rate and the flap size were significantly higher in the TFL group than in the ALT group (P = 0.022; P < 0.001). The operation time was longer in the ALT group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The pedicle ALT flap is a more effective treatment than the TFL flap for the surgical management of trochanteric sores. The hatchet-shaped TFL flap should be reserved for the reconstruction of recurrent trochanteric sores or for use in the critically ill patient who cannot tolerate longer anesthesia and operation time.

Deep sole burns in several participants in a traditional festival of the firewalking ceremony in Kee-lung, Taiwan--clinical experiences and prevention strategies.

PURPOSE: Firewalking is a common Taoist cleansing ceremony in Taiwan, but burns associated with the practice have rarely been reported. We analyzed the patients with plantar burns from one firewalking ceremony. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In one firewalking ceremony, 12 Taoist disciples suffered from contact burns to the soles of their feet while walking over burning coals. Eight of them had at least second-degree burns over areas larger than 1% of their total body surface areas (TBSAs). The age, sex, medical history, date of injury, time taken to traverse the fire pit, depth and TBSA of the burns, treatment, length of stay, and outcome were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Deep, disseminated second- to third-degree burns were noted and healing took as long as three weeks in some patients. Because disseminated hypertrophic scars form after burns, the soles involved regain much of their tensile strength while walking. The patients experienced only a few difficulties in their daily lives three months after injury. CONCLUSION: From our experience treating patients with deep disseminated second- to third-degree plantar burns caused by firewalking, we conclude that they should be treated conservatively, with secondary healing rather than a skin graft.

Surgical treatment of gynecomastia: complications and outcomes.

Gynecomastia is defined as the benign enlargement of the male breast. Multiple surgical options have been used to improve outcomes. The aim of this study was to analyze the surgical approaches to the treatment of gynecomastia and their outcomes over a 10-year period. All patients undergoing surgical correction of gynecomastia in our department between 2000 and 2010 were included for retrospective evaluation. The data were analyzed for etiology, stage of gynecomastia, surgical technique, complications, risk factors, and revision rate. The surgical result was evaluated with self-assessment questionnaires. A total of 41 patients with 75 operations were included. Techniques included subcutaneous mastectomy alone or with additional ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) and isolated UAL. The surgical revision rate for all patients was 4.8%. The skin-sparing procedure gave good surgical results in grade IIb and grade III gynecomastia with low revision and complication rates. The self-assessment report revealed a good level of overall satisfaction and improvement in self-confidence (average scores 9.4 and 9.2, respectively, on a 10-point scale). The treatment of gynecomastia requires an individualized approach. Subcutaneous mastectomy combined with UAL could be used as the first choice for surgical treatment of grade II and III gynecomastia.

Clinical experience using cadaveric skin for wound closure in taiwan.

UNLABELLED: Taiwan's skin banking program was initially set up to provide a ready source of cadaveric skin for patients with severe burns. However, human cadaveric skin may offer a useful alternative to conventional dressings in other wounds as well. METHODS: In this retrospective review, cadaveric skin transplantation was used as temporary coverage in 145 patients with chronic ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), necrotizing fasciitis, and acute traumatic wounds. Sex, age, number of debridements, and number of cadaveric skin transplantations were analyzed using statistical methods. RESULTS: After clinical determination of engraftment 1 week after cadaveric skin allograft, skin samples harvested for histology in 15 cases revealed migration of epithelia from patient's skin to the surface of cadaver skin and the presence of granulation tissue in the base of the cadaver skin. All wounds exhibited good wound-bed preparation after cadaveric skin transplantation, and could eventually be resurfaced with a skin autograft. CONCLUSION: Human cadaveric skin, in addition to being the mainstay in burn therapy, is a good biological dressing for chronic ulcers, DFUs, necrotizing fasciitis, and acute traumatic wounds. .

Free-flap resurfacing of tissue defects in the foot due to large gouty tophi.

BACKGROUND: Large or extensive gouty tophi on the feet can cause functional impairment, drainage sinus, and infected necrosis, finally resulting in complex soft-tissue defects with tendon, joint, bone, nerve, and vessel exposure. Reconstruction of complex soft-tissue defects of the foot is still challenging. The purpose of this report was to review the outcomes of free-flap reconstructive surgery for treating the metatarsal joint defects of the feet caused by chronic tophaceous gout. METHODS: Ten patients who had large tophus masses (>5 cm) and ulceration on the feet were admitted to our hospital between September 2006 and September 2010. Six patients underwent free-flap reconstruction after debridement to resurface the circumferential wound, protect the underlying structures, and provide a gliding surface for exposed tendons. The patients' age, sex, comorbidities, location and size of the defects, reconstructive procedures, surgical outcomes, complications, follow-ups, and recurrence of tophaceous gout were reviewed and recorded. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 49.8 years (range, 36-72 years). The average skin defect size was 92.2 cm(2) . Five patients were treated using free anterolateral thigh flaps, and 1, using a free medial sural flap. These free flaps were safely raised and showed excellent functional and cosmetic results, with a mean follow-up of 31.7 months (range, 7-50 months). CONCLUSION: Chronic tophaceous gout can cause severe skin infection and necrosis, even resulting in deformity or sepsis if left untreated. Surgical debridement is inevitable in patients with extensive wounds. We reconstructed the large, ulcerative skin and soft-tissue defects on the dorsum of the foot by performing free-flap reconstruction after adequate debridement and achieved good functional and cosmetic results.

Successful management of osteoradionecrotic precoccygeal defect with the free latissimus dorsi muscle flap: case report and literature review.

Perineal wound complications following abdominoperineal resection (APR) are still frequent and most troublesome complications. We report the case of a 79-year-old male found to have the huge precoccygeal defect with infection after APR for rectal carcinoma. Before surgery, the patient received a complete course of chemoradiation therapy to treat for downgrade staging of the rectal malignancy. Extensive debridement of the perianal wound was performed for three times, followed by perianal reconstruction and packing and augmentation of the precoccygeal dead space with free latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle flap. Although persisted wound infection was still observed after reconstruction, the patient still led a good result after one time of further debridement and split-thickness skin graft. We selected free LD muscle flap to fill and seal off the large pelvic dead space without the needs to change the jackknife position of the patient after debridement. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported in the literature with the radiation-associated perianal wound infection after APR reconstructed successfully by free LD muscle flap.

Reconstruction of trochanteric pressure sores with pedicled anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps.

BACKGROUND: To provide an alternative choice for covering trochanteric pressure sores, we report on a modified pedicle anterolateral thigh (ALT) myocutaneous flap based on the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. METHODS: From August 2007 to January 2010, 20 consecutive patients (10 men and 10 women) underwent 21 pedicled ALT myocutaneous flaps for reconstruction of trochanteric pressure sores. The flap was designed and elevated, resembling the ALT perforator flap including part of the vastus lateralis muscle but without skeletonisation of the perforators. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 79.4 years (range: 46-103). The mean follow-up period was 13.9 months (range: 3-32). The flaps were 8-21 cm long and 5-11 cm wide. All flaps healed without major complications. All donor sites were closed primarily without skin grafting and showed good aesthetic results. No recurrence was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This modified design of pedicled ALT myocutaneous flap without skeletonisation of perforators is a reliable and easily harvested flap for reconstruction of trochanteric pressure sores with limited morbidity.

Reconstruction of scrotal and perineal defects in Fournier's gangrene.

BACKGROUND: Fournier's gangrene is an acute and potentially lethal necrotising fasciitis that involves the scrotum and perineum. This disease can result in the loss of skin and soft tissue. To repair the scrotal and perineal defects remains a surgical challenge. METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2008, 50 patients were admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of Fournier's gangrene. We retrospectively reviewed 31 of the 44 surviving patients, who needed reconstructive procedures for coverage of scrotal and perineal soft-tissue defects. The choice of reconstructive procedure was based on the size, location, severity of the defects and the availability of local tissue. The patients' age, predisposing factors, defect size and location, reconstructive procedures and outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 53.6 years (range, 20-84 years). The average size of the skin defect was 86 cm(2). A total of 12 patients were treated by scrotal advancement flap coverage, nine by split-thickness skin graft, five by pudendal thigh flap, two by gracilis myocutaneous flap, one by gracilis muscle flap plus split-thickness skin graft and three by pedicle anterolateral thigh flap. The overall surgical complication rate was 16%. CONCLUSIONS: Early debridement and wound coverage in Fournier's gangrene are mandatory to allow patients to return to normal life. We set up a valuable reconstructive algorithm based on the characteristics of the defects and our 9 years of experience, which adds to the versatility of the armamentarium of the reconstructive surgeon.

Composite grafting for traumatic fingertip amputation in adults: technique reinforcement and experience in 31 digits.

BACKGROUND: Composite grafting is used to treat nonreplantable fingertip amputations. This procedure has a high success rate and good results in treating fingertip amputations in children, but a lower success rate in adults. METHODS: From July 2007 to December 2008, 27 patients with 31 injured fingertips were admitted because of traumatic fingertip amputation at the emergency department of Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan. All 31 injured fingers had a nonreplantable distal amputated fingertip and underwent composite grafting. We refined the surgical technique by excising the bony segment, defatting, deepithelialization, tie-over suturing, and finger splinting to increase the graft survival. The patients' age, mechanism of damage, lesion size, surgical result, and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 40.5 years (range, 20-65 years). The average lesion size was 2.4 cm. Twenty-one fingers (67.7%) had been injured by crushing injury and the other 10 fingers (32.3%) by cutting injury. The overall graft survival rate was 93.5% (29 of 31). The average 2-point discrimination was 6.3 mm in the sixth month after the operation. The esthetic outcome evaluated by self-report questionnaire was 93.1% satisfied, and 86.2% of the patients could use their injured finger normally in daily work. CONCLUSIONS: This easily performed and one-stage surgical procedure provided a reliable method for treating microsurgically nonreplantable fingertip amputations caused by hand trauma. The high overall success rate, satisfactory esthetic outcome, and good functional preservation helped patients return quickly to their daily life.

Fournier gangrene: a review of 41 patients and strategies for reconstruction.

Fournier gangrene is an acute and potentially fatal infection of the scrotum, perineum, and abdominal wall. It is characterized by necrotizing fasciitis with loss of subcutaneous tissue and skin. The aim of this study was to analyze the prognosis and treatment effectiveness of this fulminant infectious disease. Forty-one patients were admitted to our hospital with the diagnosis of Fournier gangrene between January 1998 and December 2006. The patients' age, sex, predisposing factors, duration of symptoms and hospital stay, time to operation, size of the skin defect, bacteria isolated, treatment modalities, and outcomes were reviewed. The data were analyzed by chi2 analysis and Student t test. A P-value <0.05 was considered significant. The mean age of the patients was 57.2 years. The most common predisposing factor was diabetes mellitus in 21 patients (51.2%), followed by cirrhosis of the liver, uremia, alcoholism, and underlying malignancy. The most common symptoms were fever (87.8%) and pain or swelling over the genital region (85.4%). The initial treatment included extensive debridement and open drainage. Time to operation ranged from 1 to 10 days. Reconstructive surgery was performed for 22 patients. The mortality rate was 19.5%. Delayed debridement was a significant factor affecting the survival rate. Our study is a retrospective study of patients with Fournier gangrene undergoing debridement and reconstructive procedure. Because of the fulminant course of Fournier gangrene, it may be difficult to design a prospective study. Fournier gangrene is a severe infectious disease with a high mortality rate. Early and aggressive debridement is a significant prognostic factor in the management of Fournier gangrene. Several reconstructive modalities are useful to correct the tissue defect. Early debridement and reconstructive surgery for wound coverage improve the quality of life.