Objective To investigate the effectiveness of the combination of the anterolateral thigh perforator (ALTP) flap and other flaps for repairing the extreme circumferential defects on the limb. Methods Between October 2016 and June 2019, 9 patients with the extreme circumferential defects on the limb were admitted, which resulted by degloving injury, including 8 males and 1 female with a median age of 42 years (range, 32-65 years). The etiology involved twist injury in 5 cases, traffic accident in 2 cases, and high voltage electric injury in 2 cases. The location of the defects was left forearm in 2 cases, right forearm in 3, left foot in 3, and right foot in 1. The injected wound bed followed by the exposure of bone, joint, tendon, and blood vessel. The dimension of defects was 25 cm×20 cm to 40 cm×28 cm. The period between the injury and admission was 1-12 hours (mean, 5 hours). All contaminated wounds were taken thorough and radical debridement and covered by the vacuum sealing drainage device during the emergency operation. The ALTP flap and the other one flap were tailored according to the dimension of the wound when the wound surface became granulating, including the thoracodorsal artery perforator (TAP) flap in 3 cases, superficial inferior epigastric artery perforator flap in 3 cases, superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap in 3 cases. And the donor site was primary closure. Results After operation, all the flaps survived except 1 case of partial necrosis at the edge of TAP flap and healed after secondary skin grafting, and the wounds in the donor and recipient areas healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 14-24 months (mean, 16 months). The shape of the flap was satisfactory and the texture was soft. There was no abnormal hair growth and obvious pigmentation during the follow-up. Only linear scar was left in the donor area, there was no complication such as abdominal wall hernia, and the activity of hip and knee was not affected. The functional reconstruction of upper limb and ankle was satisfactory, and the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score was excellent in 4 cases and good in 1 case; the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Association (AOFAS) score was excellent in 3 cases and good in 1 case. Conclusion ALTP flap combined with different flaps can reconstruct the circumferential extreme defects after limb damage in one-stage, which can achieve limb salvage to the greatest extent.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of complex defects repair between using chimeric anterolateral thigh flap and series-wound flaps after resection of oral and maxillofacial cancer. MethodAfter resection of oral and maxillofacial cancer, defect was repaired with chimeric anterolateral thigh flap in 39 patients between January 2011 and July 2014 (chimeric anterolateral thigh flap group); and defect was repaired with series-wound flaps in 35 patients between January 2009 and December 2010 (series-wound flaps group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, duration of disease, tumor type, tumor staging, defect location, and defect area between 2 groups (P>0.05) . The operation time, flap harvesting and microvascular anastomosis time, stomach tube extraction time, and oral feeding time were recorded and compared between 2 groups, and postoperative complications were observed; the effectiveness was evaluated according to clinical efficacy evaluation table of bone and soft tissue defects reconstruction surgery in oral and maxillofacial region. ResultsVascular crisis occurred in 2 cases of chimeric anterolateral thigh flap group, and 4 cases of series-wound flaps group. Partial necrosis appeared at distal end of a series-wound flaps, and oral fistula and infection developed in 3 series-wound flaps. The other flaps and the grafted skin at donor site survived; wounds at recipient site healed by first intention. The operation time, stomach tube extraction time, and oral feeding time of chimeric anterolateral thigh flap group were significantly shorter than those of series-wound flaps group (P<0.05) , while the flap harvesting and microvascular anastomosis time was significantly longer than that of series-wound flaps group (P<0.05) . The patients were followed up 1-5 years (mean, 2.5 years). At 3 months after operation, the appearance, patients' satisfaction, working conditions, oral closure function, chew, language performance, and swallowing scores of the chimeric anterolateral thigh flap group were significantly better than those of the series-wound flaps group (P<0.05) , while there was no significant difference in diet, mouth opening degree, oral cavity holding water test, and occlusion scores between the 2 groups (P>0.05) . ConclusionsUsing chimeric anterolateral thigh flap for defect repair after resection of oral and maxillofacial cancer can significantly shorten the operation time, accelerate postoperative rehabilitation, and help the functional recovery of oral closure, chewing, language performance, swallowing function when compared with the series-wound flaps.
Objective To investigate the clinical application of relaying anteromedial thigh (AMT) perforator flap in resurfacing of the donor defect after anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap transfer. Methods Between February 2012 and December 2015, 23 cases of oral carcinoma underwent radical resection; after resection of lesions, the tongue or mouth floor defects were reconstructed by ALT perforator flaps, and the donor sites were repaired with relaying AMT perforator flap at the same stage. There were 21 males and 2 females,with a mean age of 52.6 years (range, 29-74 years). Sixteen patients had tongue squamous cell carcinoma and 7 patients had buccal cancer. According to TNM tumor stage, 3 cases were classified as T4N0M0, 5 cases as T4N1M0, 7 cases as T3N1M0, 5 cases as T3N2M0, and 3 cases as T3N0M0. The disease duration ranged from 6 to 18 months (mean, 8.8 months). Results The AMT perforators existed consistently in all patients. All flaps survived, and primary healing of wounds was obtained at recipient sites and donor sites. No vascular crisis, wound dehiscence, or obvious swelling occurred. All patients were followed up 6-20 months (mean, 9.4 months). There was only linear scar at the donor sites, and the function of thighs was normal. The color and contour of the flaps were satisfactory. Conclusion The relaying AMT perforator flap is an ideal choice to reconstruct the donor site of ALT flap.
Objective To investigate the anatomic variations of the perforator vessels of anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap and the clinical indications. Methods From March 1985 to August 2004, the anterolateral thigh flapgraft was performed in 112 patients. The clinical data were analyzed. There were 67 males and 45 females, aging from 5 to 65 years with an average of 38.5 years. According to recipient site condition, four methods of flap harvesting were as follows:① 78 received free fasciocutaneous flaps;② 22 received free adipofascial flaps;③ 5 received pedicled island fasciocutaneous flaps; ④ 7 received pedicled reverse-flow island fasciocutaneous flaps. Facial, neck, breast, extremityjoint, plantar, and perineum defects were repaired and the effectiveness and donor site morbidity were evaluated. Results The blood supply of ALT flap came from the descending branch or transverse branch of the lateral circumflex femoralartery. The skin vessels were found to be septocutaneous perforators in 33% of flaps and to be musculocutaneous perforators in 77% of flaps. Of 112 flaps, 107 survived completely, the survival rate was 95.6% with little donor site morbidity. Conclusion ALT flap is a versatile softtissue flap. If refined to perforator flap, it can achieve better results in reconstructing defect and minimizing donor-site morbidity.
Objective To evaluate a modified anterolateral thigh fascial flap designed for the treatment of the soft tissue defects in the forearmsand hands. Methods From September 2000 to December 2003, a modified anterolateral thigh fascial flap combined with the intermediate split thickness skin graft was applied to the treatment of 13 patients with the soft tissue defects in the forearms or the hands. There were 8 males and 5 females, aged 19-43 years (average, 27.6 years). Three patients had a mangled injury, 4 had a belt injury, and 6 had a crush injury; 6 patients had their tissue defects on the palm side of the forearm, 6 had their tissue defects on the dorsal side of thehand, and 1 had the defect in the index finger (dorsal side of the hand). The tissue defects ranged in size from 17.5 cm×7.7 cm to 4.6 cm×3.4 cm.In addition, 4 of the patients had an accompanying fracture in the forearm or the hand,and the remaining 9 had an extenor tendon injury. All the patients underwent emergency debridement and reposition with an internal fixation for the fracture; 3-5 days after the repair of the injured nerves, muscle tendons and blood vessels, the tissue defects were repaired with the anterolateral thigh fascial flap combined with the intermediate split thickness skin graft. Results No vascular crisis developed after operation. All the flaps survived except one flap that developed a parial skin necrosis (2.0 cm ×1.0 cm) in the hand, but the skin survived after another skingrafting. The follow-up for 3-12 months revealed that all the flaps and skin grafts had a good appearance with no contracture of the skin. According to the evaluation criteria for the upper limbs recommended by the Hand Society of Chinese Medical Association, 9 patients had an excellent result, 2 had a good result, 1 had a fair result, and 1 had a poor result, with a good/excellence rate of 85%. Conclusion The modified anterolateral thigh fascial flap combined with the skin graft is one of the best methods for the treatment of the soft tissue defects in the forearms and the hands. This method has advantages of no requirement for a further flap reconstruction, no skin scar or contracture in the future, easy management for the donor site, and less wound formation.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of free anterolateral thigh Kiss flap in repair of large scalp defect after malignant tumor resection.MethodsBetween December 2012 and December 2016, 18 patients with large scalp defect after malignant tumor resection were treated. There were 16 males and 2 females with an average age of 52.6 years (range, 43-62 years). There were 17 cases of squamous carcinoma and 1 case of dermatofibrilsarcoma protuberan. The size of scalp defect ranged from 15 cm×10 cm to 17 cm×12 cm after resection of tumors. The scalp defects were repaired with the free anterolateral thigh Kiss flap. And the size of flap ranged from 15 cm×6 cm to 20 cm×8 cm. The skull was completely resected in 2 cases, and repaired with Titanium mesh. The sizes of skull defects were 12 cm×10 cm and 10 cm×8 cm. The donor site was sutured directly.ResultsEighteen flaps survived with primary healing of wounds; and healing by first intention was obtained at the donor sites. One patient died because of intracranial metastasis at 5 months after operation, and no local recurrence occurred in the other 17 patients. The follow-up time ranged from 6 months to 4 years (mean, 26.6 months). The results of both appearance and function were satisfactory, without ulceration during follow-up. No obvious scar was found at donor sites and no obvious impairment was observed after harvesting free anterolateral thigh flap.ConclusionLarge scalp defects after malignant tumor resection can be effectively repaired by free anterolateral thigh Kiss flap. The donor site can be sutured directly, without skin grafting, thus avoiding the secondary donor site.
ObjectiveTo investigate effectiveness of anteromedial thigh perforator flap in repair of soft tissue defects of lower limbs.MethodsBetween January 2015 and October 2018, 7 patients with soft tissue defects of the lower limbs were repaired with the anteromedial thigh perforator flaps. The patients were males, aged 8-30 years (median, 23 years). There were 5 cases of traffic accident injuries (the time from injury to admission was 1-4 hours, with an average of 1.5 hours), 1 case of scar formation after traffic accident, and 1 case of scar deformity after burn. The defect located in calf in 5 cases, foot in 1 case, and thigh in 1 case. The area of soft tissue defects ranged from 12 cm×4 cm to 21 cm×7 cm; and the area of flaps ranged from 14 cm×5 cm to 24 cm×8 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly.ResultsThe flaps survived completely after operation in 6 cases, and the wounds healed by the first intention; the partial necrosis of flap occurred and healed after skin graft repair in 1 case. One incision partially ruptured in the donor site and healed after dressing change; the other incisions healed by the first intetion. All patients were followed up 6 months to 2 years with an average of 9 months. Except 1 case complained of edema of the flap, the other patients had good shape, good color, and no swelling.ConclusionFor patients with soft tissue defects of lower limbs that cannot be repaired with anterolateral thigh perforator flap, the anteromedial thigh perforator flap can be used for good results.
Objective To investigate the effect of free anterolateral thigh adipofascial flap in correcting the hemifacial atrophy. Methods From January 1997 to May 2006, 35 patients suffering from hemifacial atrophy were corrected with microvascular anastomotic free anterolateral thigh adipofascial flap and other additional measures according to the symptoms of the deformities. There were 11 males and 24 females, aging 1547 years. The locations were left in 12cases and right in 23 cases. The course of disease was 4 to 28 years. Their hemifacial deformities were fairly severity. Their cheeks were depressed obviously. The X-ray films and threedimensinal CT showed the 28 patients’ skeletons were dysplasia. The size of adipofascial flap ranged from 8 cm×7 cm to 20 cm×11 cm. Donor sites weresutured directly. Results Recipient site wound of all patients healed by first intention. All adipofascial flaps survived. The donor sites healed well and no adiponecrosis occurred. Thirty-five cases were followed up for 6 months to 8 years. The faces of all patients were symmetry, and the satisfactory results were obtained. There were no donor site dysfunction. Conclusion The anterolateral thigh adipofascial flapprovides adequate tissue, easytosurvive, no important artery sacrificed and the donor scar ismore easily hidden. Combining with other auxiliary methods, it can be successfully used to correct the deformity of hemifacial atrophy.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of high frequency color Doppler ultrasound for detecting perforators in the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap surgery. Methods Between February 2011 and July 2012, 8 patients underwent high frequency color Doppler ultrasound to detect the perforator anatomy before ALT flap surgery. There were 5 males and 3 females, aged 21-46 years (mean, 34 years). Defects were caused by excision of squamous cell carcinoma in 2 cases, by scalp avulsion in 2 cases, by soft tissue necrosis after neck trauma in 1 case, by excision of groin fibrosarcoma in 1 case, by excision of groin melanoma in 1 case, and by malformation of the face in 1 case. The defect size varied from 12 cm × 7 cm to 22 cm × 18 cm. The perforator with wider caliber, faster flow speed, and shorter intramuscular trajectory was selected, and the flap was designed according to the observed results, which size varied from 14 cm × 9 cm to 25 cm × 20 cm. The donnor sites were repaired by free skin graft. Results Totally, 19 perforators in the flap area were detected by high frequency color Doppler ultrasound, and 18 were identified during operation, with an accuracy rate of 94.7%. The point going out muscle, the travel and direction of perforators observed during operation were basically in accordance with those detected by high frequency color Doppler ultrasound. The other flaps survived, and obtained healing by first intention except 1 flap which had partial fat necrosis with healing by second intention. The skin graft at donor site survived. All patients followed up 4-16 months (mean, 8 months). The flaps had good color and texture. Conclusion High frequency color Doppler ultrasound is a valuable imaging modality for the preoperative assessment of the vascular supply for ALT flap.
In the present study, swine thighbone samples with different water contents were prepared through process of dehydration. The influence of water content on the biotribological behavior of the bone tissue was studied with nanoindentation test, reciprocating sliding test and impact wear test. It is shown that the water contents had significant influence on the mechanical properties and biotribological behavior of the swine thighbone samples. In this experiment condition, with decreasing water content, the hardness and elastic modulus of the swine thighbone samples increased, while the tribological properties significantly decreased. The viscoelasticity of bone tissue decreased with decreasing water content, which mainly resulted in different wear mechanisms of the bone tissue samples under applied loading.