The digital defects which severely interfered with the hand functions must be reconstructed. The primary repair by vascularized skin flap with the dorsal branch of proper palmar digital nerve could be done. The vascularized flap was rich in blood circulation, perfect sensibility and a good contour, as well as preserving donor digital sensation. However, it was simple, safe, and with higher success. From 1989 to 1991, 10 cases of digital defects were treated, all of the patients gained very good results. The indication and technique of thismethod wasdiscussed in detail.
In order to investigate the mechanism of blood supply to the delayed separated skin flap and the time and criteria for its transfer, 5 smallsized Banna pigs were selected to produce 14 skin flaps. In the experimental group the skin flap on one side was made from the middle of the back having an extrathin steel sheet intervened between the flap and the soft tissue of the back whereas the flap on the opposite side without a steel sheet intervened was served as the selfcontrol. The skin flaps were examined 3,7,10 and 20 days after the operation and 3,7 and 10 days after transfer, respectively, by (1) gross observation; (2) ultrasonic Doppler; (3) superficial skin temperature measurement and; (4) histomorphological examination. In the experimentalgroup the survival rate of the flap was 100 percent whereas in the control group all of the flaps had necrosis from 30 to 50 percent after the flap being transfered. In the experimental group, the echo sound from the arterial blood flow from ultrasonic Doppler was heard at the pedicle 7 days after the operation, and as time elapsed, the echo sound spread distally, whereas in the controls no echo sound could be heard over the skin flap. There was significant difference statistically between the experimental and control groups in the temperature of the flaps while the flaps were being transferred (P lt; 0.01). The external diameters of the blood vessels in the central area of the skin flap were larger in the experimental group, 0.8 to l.2mm in comparison to 0.4mm.
From April 1984 to March 1994, 31 reconstructive thumbs or fingers were followedup, including 16 cases with free neurovascular big toe nail skin flap and frozen preserved phalanxjointtendon composite allografts as well as 15 cases withfree second toe transfer. The method had the advantage of more fingers could bereconstructed and fewer toes would be lost. The decision of the site of reconstruction of finger, the augmentation of narrow web space between the thumb and the index finger, the prevention and treatment of vascular crisis and the degeneration of allogenic joint were discussed. It had been found that preserving the allogenic finger below -30℃ may lower the immunoreaction of the allogenic tissues. It was emphasized that the viable tissues should be preserved during the emergency debridement, so as to facilitate the following reconstruction procedure.
Objective To summarize the methods of repairingthe urethral defect in the penis of an adult and the clinical application of the island skin flaps of the scrotum septum to the reparative treatment. Methods From January 2000 to November 2005, twenty-six cases of urethral defect in penis, including 16 cases of congenital urethral defect, 6 cases of traumatic urethral defect in middle penis, and 4 cases of distal urethral defect, were repairedby the local penis fascia flaps.The island skin flaps of the scrotum septum were transferred to cover the penis wound. The pedicle contained the artery of the posterior scrotum and the artery of the anterior scrotum. The flap taken from the scrotum septum was 2.5 cm×5.5 cm in area. Results After a follow-up of 7months to 4 years, all the 26 patients had the healing of the first intention without urethral fistula, urethral narrowness or penis curvature, except 4 patients who developedinfection and leakage of urine, but the wounds healed spontaneously 2-4 weeks after operation. Conclusion The penis fascia flaps and the island skin flaps of the scrotum septum can be used to repair the urethral defect in the penis of an adult. The blood supply to the flaps is sufficient and all theflaps can survive well. A good shape and function of the penis can be obtained.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the application of cross-arm skin flaps with lateral antebranchial cutaneous nerve in repair of soft tissue defect. METHODS: From March 1996 to March 2001, 37 cases of soft tissue defect at fingertips were repaired by cross-arm skin flaps with lateral antebranchial cutaneous nerve, 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm to 3.5 cm x 4.0 cm in size. All of the cases were followed up for 3-48 months with routine evaluation of the wound and the function of hands. RESULTS: All of the flaps survived and the wound achieved primary healing. The sensation and shape of hands recovered well. CONCLUSION: It’s a good choice to repair soft tissue defect at fingertips by cross-arm skin flaps with lateral antebranchial cutaneous nerve.
From 1988 through 1990, the free arteriolized venous network skin flap from dorsum of foot for skin defect of dorsum of hand was done in 8 cases. The size of the skin flap measured 10×9cm in max. and 7×6cm in min. The operation achieved good success and the clinical results were satisfactory. The mechanism of survival of the skin flap, the indications of this procedure in the repair of skin defects of the dorsum of the hand and its advantages were discussed.
ObjectiveTo study the effects of the new small molecular oxygen free radical scavenger Tempol on the survival and vasculogenesis of the long random pattern skin flap (LRPSF) and its mechanism. MethodsEighty-four male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into control and Tempol groups (42 rats in each group). LRPSF of 9 cm×3 cm in size were prepared on the backs of rats in two groups based on the Mcfarlane flap. Rats were administered with Tempol (100 mg/kg) in the Tempol group and with normal saline in the control group by intraperitoneal injection at 15 minutes before operation and at 1-7 day after operation. The rat and the skin flap survival conditions were observed after operation; the survival rate of skin flap was measured, and the vascular structure, vascular volume, and total length of blood vessels were analyzed with Micro-CT three-dimensional imaging after 7 days; HE staining was used to observe the structure of the skin flaps and inflammation, immumohistochemical staining to observe vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression; water-soluble tetrazolium-1 method was used to measure the content of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and ELISA to detect the expressions of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) after 1, 3, and 7 days. ResultsAll of rats survived after operation, without hemorrhage, edema, and infection. With the extension of time, necrosis occurred in the distal part of the skin flaps in 2 groups, but the necrosis degree of the Tempol group was lower than that of control group; meanwhile, the blood vessel distribution and continuity were better than those of control group. The skin flaps survival rate, vascular volume, and total length of blood vessels of Tempol group were significantly higher than those of control group after 7 days (P<0.05). The clearer skin flaps structure, lighter inflammation reaction and inflammation cell infiltration, and higher VEGF staining intensity were observed in the Tempol group than the control group after 7 days. There was no significant difference in SOD, MDA, and TNF-α, and IL-6 contents between the 2 groups at immediate after operation. SOD significantly increased, but MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 contents significantly decreased in the Tempol group when compared with control group after 1, 3, and 7 days (P<0.05). ConclusionTempol can significantly promote the LRPSF survival rates, its mechanism is closely related to the promotion of vasculogenesis and reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation.
From jan.1984 through dec.1991,65 cases of hand skin defects were primarily repaired by podicled groin flap. Four of the 65 cases had skin defects on both sides of the palms and dorsal aspot of the hands which were treated by the Y-shaped hypogastric groin flap .Five easec had thumb loss in which the lxdicled groin tubed flap was used to reconstruct the thumb.The time of division of the pedicles ranged from 14 to 28 days(averaged 16 days).All flape survived after division of the podicl...
Considering the abundant vascular anastomotic networks in the deep fascia of the posterior calf, three kinds of distally based facial flap containing deep fascial vascular network were applied clinically. They were: 1. posterolateral distally based island fascial flap which could be used to repair the skin defect of heel, dorsum of foot and lateral-distal part of leg; 2. posteromedial distally based island fascial flap which could be used to repair the skin defect of heel, medial malleolus and medial-distal part of leg and 3. posterolateral malleolar distally based fascial flap which could be used to repair the skin defect of heel and lateral malleolus. Eighteen cases with soft tissue defects around the distal calf were treated, the area of skin defect ranged from 4 cm x 3 cm to 13 cm x 6 cm. All the flaps were survived completely after operation with an average of follow-up for 15 months (ranged from 6 months to 2 years). So the advantages of these flaps were as follows: the blood supply was reliable, preparation of the flap was easy and the major arteries of the calf needed not be sacrificed; the flap had a long and rotatable pedicle so that they would basically satisfy the need to repair skin defect of lower leg, dorsum of foot, heel and malleolus and the resistance of the flap to pressure and wear was better. However, the injury to the superficial sural nerve was the shortcoming.
To evaluate the long-term result of free forearm skin flap in the repair of soft tissue defects of the oral and maxillofacial regions, 26 cases which had received radical resection of maxillofacial tumors were follow-up for 4.5 years. Twenty cases, having complete data were analyzed. In this series, There were 8 males and 12 females, with ages ranged from 40 to 69 years old. The size of the flaps ranged from 4 cm x 5 cm-6 cm x 13 cm. The radial artery and the cephalic vein were used as the donor vessels, and the maxillary artery, superior thyroid artery, external jugular vein and the anterior jugular vein were prepared as the recipient vessels. According to the shape, colour, temperature, sensation, mucosoid degree of the flap, the blood supply and function of hand and the configuration of the forearm, the overall results of the recepient regions in 20 cases were all satisfactory and the overall results of 16 cases donor regions were satifactory in 16 cases. The results were poor in 4 cases. The conclusion were: 1. Free forearm skin flap was worth trying in the repair of soft tissue defects of oral region; 2. The radial artery need not to be reconstructed because of the abandant vascular net-work in the upper limb and 3. The residual scar on the forearm was the main shortcoming, but most of the patients could tolerate it because of the obvious advantages received from the operation.