Objective To review the latest research progress of fixation techniques of ankle arthrodesis.Methods The l iterature concerning the research of fixation techniques of ankle arthrodesis in recent years was reviewed. Then the characteristics and new research progress of different internal and external fixation techniques were analysed and compared. Results There are plenty of different types of internal and external fixation devices, each with distinct characteristics. Now it is widely considered that internal fixation is the first choice for end-stage ankle arthropathy. However, under the circumstances that patients with serious bone defect, chronic active infection, or extensive soft tissue damage are not suitable for internal fixation, ankle arthrodesis with external fixation is still a safe and effective method. Conclusion For severe or end-stage ankle arthropathy, ankle arthrodesis is a mature therapeutic way with exact effect. Researches on these two aspects, expansion of indications of internal fixation and comparison and combination of internal and external fixation techniques, need to be deepened, which is of great significance for choosing a better fixation method and acquiring a better therapeutic effect.
Objective To investigate the clinical efficiency of thedistally based sural island flap and myofasciocutaneous flap in reconstruction of defect and osteomyelitic cavity of the ankle and foot. Methods From June 1997 to October 2004, 21 patients with soft tissue defects and osteomyelitis in the ankle and foot were treated with the distally based sural island flap and myofasciocutaneous flap. There were 20 males and 1 female aging from 6 to 78 years. The defect was caused by soft tissue defect trauma(18 cases) and electrical injury ( 3 cases). Among 21 patients, 17 were treated with island flaps, 4 by the myofasciocutaneous flap. The size of flaps ranged from 4 cm×5cm to 16 cm×22 cm. The donorsites were closed directly in 4 cases. Results The flaps completely survived in 21 cases and healing by first intention was achieved. After a follow-up of 36 months, no complication occurred. The color and texture of the flaps were good. The appearance and the function were satisfactory. Conclusion Distally basedsural flap is a reliable flap. This flap has rich blood supply without sacrifice of major arteries. Flap elevation is easy. It is very useful in repairing large soft tissue defects of the lower leg, the ankle and the foot, especially inrepairing deep soft tissue defects and osteomyelitic cavities .
Objective To explore the effectiveness of anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap for repair of skin and soft tissue defect and simultaneous Achilles tendon reconstruction with modified methods of ilio-tibial bundle suture. Methods Between October 2009 and June 2011, 10 cases of Achilles tendon and soft tissue defects were treated. There were 7 males and 3 females, aged from 5 to 60 years (median, 40 years). Injury was caused by spoke in 5 cases, by heavy pound in 3 cases, and by traffic accident in 2 cases. The time between injury and admission was 2-24 hours (mean, 8 hours). The size of wound ranged from 11 cm × 7 cm to 18 cm × 10 cm; the length of Achilles tendon defect was 4-10 cm (mean, 7 cm). Three cases complicated by calcaneal tuberosity defect. After admission, emergency debridement and vacuum sealing drainage were performed for 5-7 days, anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap transplantation of 11 cm × 7 cm to 20 cm × 12 cm was used to repair skin and soft tissue defects, and improved method of ilio-tibial bundle suture was used to reconstruct Achilles tendon. The flap donor site was closed directly or repaired with skin grafting to repair. Results All flaps and the graft skin at donor site survived, healing of wounds by first intention was obtained. All patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 10 months). The flap was soft and flexible; the flap had slight encumbrance in 3 cases, and the others had good appearance. At last follow-up, two-point discrimination was 2-4 cm (mean, 3 cm). The patients were able to walk normally. The range of motion (ROM) of affected side was (24.40 ± 2.17)° extension and (44.00 ± 1.94)° flexion, showing no significant difference when compared with ROM of normal side [(25.90 ± 2.33)° and (45.60 ± 1.84)° ] (t=1.591, P=0.129; t=1.735, P=0.100). According to Arner-Lindhoim assessment method for ankle joint function, all the patients obtained excellent results. Conclusion A combination of anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap for repair of skin and soft tissue defects and simultaneous Achilles tendon reconstruction with modified methods of ilio-tibial bundle suture is beneficial to function recovery of the ankle joint because early function exercises can be done.
Objective To evaluate clinical significance of reversed sural neurovascular fasciocutaneous flap for reconstruction of softtissue defects in ankle and foot. Methods From July 1994 to December 2002, 52 cases of soft-tissuedefects in the ankle and foot were reconstructed by use of reversed sural neurovascular fascio-cutaneous flap, including 47 cases of traumatic defects, 3 cases of chronic ulcer and 2 cases of tumors. The flap area ranged from 4 cm×6 cm to 10 cm×21 cm. Results The flaps survived in 48 cases; the distal part necrosed and secondary free-skin graft were further conducted in 4 cases. All soft-tissue defects were repaired and their accompanied bone and tendon exposurehealed. Forty-six cases were followed-up for 5 months to 48 months, the color and texture of the flaps were excellent and 2point discrimination was 11-17 mm(14 mm on average).The functions of ankle joints were good.Conclusion The reversedsural neurovascular fascio-cutaneous flap is convenient in design and dissection. Its use can retained and replace vascular anostomosed flaps to certain degrees.
It is difficult to treat the intra-articular fracture of distal tibia or Pilion’s fracture. From 1987 to 1995, 43 cases of Pilon’s fracture were admitted and treated with different methods. After treatment, they had been followed up for 1 to 8 years. According to Riiedi’s Classification, , there were type Ⅰ 12 cases, type Ⅱ 21 cases and type Ⅲ 10 cases. The methods used on these patients included manual reduction and plaster of paris immobilization, calcaneous tubercle traction and plaster of paris immobilization, open reduction and internal fixation with Kirschner wires, and open reduction and internal fixation with AO plate. The outcome was evaluated according to Ovadias criteria, for type I fracture, 8 cases were treated with conservative method with a satisfactory rate of 79.17% and 4 cases were treated with operation with a satisfactory rate of 91.67%; for type Ⅱ, conservative method for 12 cases and the satisfactory rate was 33.33%, and operation for 9 cases witha satisfactory rate of 70.37%; for type Ⅲ, conservative method for 2 cases, with poor result, and operation for 8 cases with satisfactory rate of 79.17%. The indication for conservative treatment was type I fracture. It showed that for Pilons fracture, the outcome of open reduction and internal fixation was superior to that of the conservative treatment, especially in those having internal fixation with AO plate.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility and effectiveness of V-Y advanced sense-remained posterior tibial artery perforator flap in repairing wound around the ankle. MethodsBetween March 2012 and January 2015, 11 patients with wounds around the ankle were treated by V-Y advanced sense-remained posterior tibial artery perforator flap. There were 6 males and 5 females with a median age of 37 years (range, 21-56 years). The causes were traffic accident injury in 3 cases, thermal injury in 2 cases, burn in 2 cases, iatrogenic wounds in 2 cases, and local contusion in 2 cases. The disease duration ranged from 1 to 3 weeks (mean, 2 weeks). Injury was located at the medial malleolus in 4 cases, at the lateral malleolus in 3 cases, and at the heel in 4 cases. All had exposure of bone, tendon, or plate. The defect area ranged from 4 cm×2 cm to 5 cm×3 cm; the area of the flap ranged from 11 cm×4 cm to 15 cm×6 cm. ResultsNecrosis of distal flap occurred in 1 case after operation; re-operation to amputate the posterior tibial artery was given and the wound was repaired by proximal skin graft. Light necrosis of distal end was observed in 2 cases, and wound healed at 3 weeks after dressing. And other flaps successfully survived, and primary healing of wounds were obtained. The patients were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 11 months). The flaps were good in color, texture, and appearance. The ankle joint had normal activity. At last follow-up, 10 cases restored fine sense, and 1 case restored protective feeling with posterior tibial artery advanced flap after amputation. ConclusionV-Y advanced sense-remained posterior tibial artery perforator flap has the advantages of reliable blood supply, simple operation, good appearance, and sensory recovery. Therefore, it is an ideal method to repair wound around the ankle.
Objective To investigate the effect and safety of autologous bone marrow-mononuclear cell (BM-MNC) transplantation on ischemic limb of patients with thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO). Methods Thirteen patients with TAO underwent transplantation of autologous BM-MNC into ischemic muscles of 17 lower limbs. A series of subjective indexes (improvement of pain and cold sensation) and objective indexes including increase of ankle brachial index (ABI), transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2), and improvement of foot skin ulcer were used to evaluate the effects. Results The outcomes were evaluated after 2 months of transplantation. The pain relief and improvement of cold feeling were in 15 limbs and 16 limbs, respectively. Before transplantation and 2 months after transplantation, ABI was 0.37±0.06 and 0.50±0.17, respectively (Plt;0.05), and TcPO2 of the ischemic legs were (24.59±3.36) mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa) and (35.00±10.44) mm Hg, respectively (Plt;0.05). ABI increased in 9 limbs. TcPO2 elevated in 14 limbs. Skin ulcer improved in 7 limbs. Thirteen patients were followed up from 4 to 18 months (average 8 months), the patients’ symptoms improved in 13 limbs. ABI was 0.45±0.14, which wasn’t different from those before transplantation and 2 months after transplantation (Pgt;0.05). TcPO2 was (33.24±10.43) mm Hg, which was different from those before transplantation and 2 months after transplantation (Plt;0.05) and was elevated in 12 limbs. Skin ulcer healing was in 5 limbs. The ischemic symptoms in 2 patients were not relieved. There was no mortality and high level amputation. The following complications, such as proliferative retinopathy, malignant tumor, myocardial infarction, stroke or hemangioma, were not found in all patients.Conclusion In patients with TAO, intramuscular transplantation of autologous BMMNC is a safe and effective method, and may improve symptoms and accelerate the healing of skin ulcer.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features of ankle fractures involving Tillaux-Chaput in adults, and to observe the surgical effectiveness. MethodsBetween May 2009 and May 2013, 15 adult patients with ankle fractures involving Tillaux-Chaput were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. There were 12 males and 3 females, with an average age of 32 years (range, 19-45 years). The causes included sport injury (8 cases), traffic accident injury (5 cases), and falling injury from height (2 cases). The left ankle was involved in 5 cases and the right side in 10 cases. There were 2 open fractures (Gustilo type I) and 13 close fractures. Five patients had single Tillaux-Chaput fractures. The mean time between injury and surgery was 8.5 days (range, 3 hours to 15 days). According to the Lauge-Hansen classification, there were 9 cases of supination-external rotation, 5 cases of pronation-external rotation, and 1 case of pronation-abduction. ResultsPrimary healing of incisions was obtained in 13 patients without infection and neurovascular injury; 2 patients had superficial infection which was cured after oral antibiotics and dressing change. All cases were followed up for 23 months on average (range, 13-36 months). X-ray films showed complete fracture healing at 10-16 weeks postoperatively (mean, 13 weeks) in all cases. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 87 (range, 78-99), with an excellent and good rate of 80% (excellent in 9 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 3 cases). ConclusionOpen reduction and internal fixation for ankle fractures involving Tillaux-Chaput in adults can achieve excellent effectiveness.
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of repairing postoperative soft tissue defects of tibia and ankle open fractures with muscle flap pedicled with medial half of soleus. Methods From February 1998 to January 2009, 15male patients with postoperative soft tissue defects of internal fixation for tibia and ankle open fractures were treated. Their age was 18-54 years old (average 32 years old). The injury was caused by traffic accident in 13 cases and hit of heavy objects in 2 cases. The injury was in the left side in 9 cases and the right side in 6 cases. The soft tissue was necrotic and combined with purulent secretion. All patients presented with exposure of bone and steel plate. The soft tissue defect was located on the upper-segment of tibia in 2 cases, the middle and lower-segments of tibia in 9 cases, and the ankle in 4 cases. The size of the defect was 5 cm × 4 cm- 13 cm × 6 cm. The time from the internal fixation to the operation was 3-6 months (average 4 months). The method of anterograde transposition of muscle flap pedicled with medial half of soleus was used to repair the defects in 2 cases, and the method of retrograde transposition was appl ied to repair the defects in 13 cases. The muscle flap harvested during operation was 5 cm × 4 cm- 13 cm × 5 cm in size. The muscle flap was covered with spl it thickness skin graft (2.5 cm × 1.5 cm-10.0 cm × 5.0 cm) of femoribusinternus in 14 cases, and island flap with nutritional vessel pedicle of sural nerve (7 cm × 6 cm) in 1 case. Results One case had skin graft necrosis 5 days after operation and healed after re-debridement, vacuum seal ing drainage, and dermatoplasty. For the rest 14 patients, the incision all healed by first intention, and the skin graft, skin flaps, and muscle flaps were all survived. All wounds of the donor sites healed by first intention. Thirteen patients were followed up for 6 months to 8 years (average 3 years). The grafted skin presented with good wearabil ity and without ulceration and overstaffed appearance. At the final follow-up, the activity range of ankle was 5-10° in extension and 10-15° in flexion, and the gait was abnormal. Conclusion Muscle flap pedicled with medial half of soleus transposition is easy to be operated with a big rotating arc, can fill the narrow cavity and repair the soft tissue defect simultaneously, and provide flat and non-bloated postoperative incision with minor donor-site injury. It is one of the effective methods of repairing the postoperative soft tissue defect after internal fixation of tibia and ankle open fractures.
Objective To study the method and effect of free rectusabdominis muscle flaps with intermediate split thickness skin graft in repairing defects on legs and ankles.Methods From May 1998 to December 2002, 11 cases of defects on legs(2 cases) and on ankles( 9 cases) were repaired by use of unilateral free rectus abdominis flap with skin graft. The soft tissue defects were accompanied by osteomyelitis or the exposure of bone or tendon.The disease course was 1 month to 10 years. The defect size ranged 3 cm×4 cm to 8 cm×14 cm. The area ofrectus abdominis muscle flaps was 4 cm×6 cm to 8 cm×15 cm. Results All patients were followed up 6 months to 4 years after operation. All rectusabdominis flaps survived with good appearances and functions.The primary healing was achieved in 8 cases, intermediate split thickness skin graft necrosed in 3 cases and the wound healed after skin re-graft.Conclusion Free rectus abdominis flap is a proper option for repair of the soft tissue defects or irregular woundson legs and ankles. It has the advantages of abundant blood supply, b anti-infection ability, good compliance and satisfied appearance.