Digital technology in repair of soft tissue defect in hand by anterior tibial artery perforator flap / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of digital technology in repair of soft tissue defect in hand by anterior tibial artery perforator flap.Methods:From January 2015 to February 2021, 9 patients with soft tissue defects in hand were repaired with anterior tibial artery perforator flap assisted by digital technology in flap design, including 6 males and 3 females aged from 19 to 63 years with a mean age of 33 years. The size of defects varied from 2.0 cm×1.5 cm to 4.0 cm×3.0 cm, with exposed bones or tendons. Preoperative CTA scan of lower limb was performed and three-dimensional image was reconstructed with Mimics 20.0. The anterior tibial artery perforator flap was designed according to the shape and size of the defect, then the resection of flap was digitally simulated. The flap based on the digital design was harvested and the defect was repaired in the operation. The size of flap was 2.5 cm×2.0 cm~4.5 cm×3.5 cm. Outpatient clinic follow-up was performed to evaluate the survival of flaps. Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand(DASH) was used for function evaluation.Results:All flaps were harvested successfully and all donor sites were closed directly. After surgery, 8 flaps survived completely. One flap developed venous occlusion that showed partial necrosis of the flap, and it was rescued after exploration and re-anastomosis. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 21 months, with an average of 13 months. The DASH scores of the affected limb were 2 to 15 points at the last follow-up, with an average of 6.4 points. Mild scar hyperplasia occurred at donor site in 1 case without sensory abnormality.Conclusion:The digital technology is able to accurately locate the perforators by allowing an individualised design of the anterior tibial artery perforator flap. The flap is suitable for repair of small and medium-sized soft tissue defect in hand, and the digital technology has certain value in clinical application.